Ten Thousand Skies Above You by Claudia Gray

Ten Thousand Skies Above You by Claudia Gray is the second book in the Firebird trilogy following Marguerite Caine as she travels through different universes to save her friends, family, and her own universe. That’s really all I can say as a synopsis since this is a second book in the series. But I devoured this book as well. It’s such a fast-paced read and left me wanting more. I am so disappointed that I don’t have money right now to buy the third book in the series, but I’m even more disappointed that my library doesn’t have ANY books from the Firebird trilogy.

*SPOILERS*

Marguerite is such a bada$$ character. I don’t know if I would be able to do everything that she did to get Paul back and help Theo. I probably would’ve given up. But she is such a strong person and nothing can get in her way. Not even Paul’s that hate her in other universes!

I love thinking about the concept of other universes, so I absolutely loved the stories of Marguerite in other dimensions. But I feel like I would feel like I’m violating my other me’s by going into my body in another dimension. So, when I found out that Marguerite got the Russiaverse’s Marguerite pregnant, I felt so bad for that Marguerite! She didn’t even get to enjoy that Paul and now she has her baby to raise by herself. I probably wouldn’t have been as sad had that Paul been alive.

I couldn’t believe it when we found out that the Marguerites in other universes were actually able to recall everything that happens to them. Like, now they can feel even more violated and helpless! But, it added to the story and made me think even more of the concept.

The original reason Triad started this whole thing to get Marguerite to participate is RIDICULOUS. They are being so selfish in wanting to destroy other dimensions! I can’t imagine the pain they feel, but how do they think they could ever pull this off? I really hope our Marguerite can fix this!

My last thoughts, I NEED THE NEXT BOOK NOW because the Marguerite from the original Triad figured out how to get into our character’s body. WHAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN?!?

Where Things Come Back by John Corey Whaley

Where Things Come Back by John Corey Whaley was a surprising read for me. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would, yet it wasn’t the most amazing book that those who recommended this book to me made it out to be. This book is focused on Cullen Witter, who lives in a small town in Arkansas. Nothing ever happens in this small town, until a birdwatcher comes to town and claims to have found a type of woodpecker thought to be extinct. Upon the claim that this man has seen the Lazarus Woodpecker, the town goes wild. They create new ways to bring tourism to the town from this bird, including Lazarus haircuts, Lazarus burgers, and even a Lazarus Festival. During the chaos of trying to find this bird, Cullen’s little brother disappears without a trace. Multiple viewpoints tie together to show how and why Cullen’s brother disappeared, and follows Cullen’s journey to finding his brother.

I was certainly surprised by this book. I loved the writing style and the way the story was told. But, as much as the multiple viewpoints helped to tie the story together, I felt as if they were not necessary. I had a hard time connecting the dots as to how each character connected to either Cullen or his brother’s disappearance. I feel like I would have enjoyed the book more if it would have had only Cullen’s perspective, although I do understand why the author wanted the other perspectives.

I gave Where Things Come Back a 3.75 stars.

*SPOILERS*

I found Cabot Searcy to be a little too insane. I really could not imagine someone being insane enough to fly to a little Arkansas town and after his wife tells him to leave, to not actually leave but try and stalk her date. It was very unexpected to me that Cabot wouldn’t even try and verify that Gabriel was Cullen. I have read quite a few psychological thrillers, yet I have never seen someone so insane not think through a crime as big as this.