Updraft

Man this book was frustrating. Like everyone else I think the world-building is quite spectacular and descriptive enough for the reader to clearly visualize this city in the sky. The writing of the flying was awe-inspiring. The characters were part of the frustration I had with the book but by the end I just accepted them for who they were.

For the majority of the book I felt like I was waiting. Waiting for someone to explain why there was a need for so much secrecy. Since the MC was in the dark about pretty much everything throughout about the first half, I was in the dark and not lovin' it. It constantly felt like I was only able to appreciate the parts of the world accessible to Kirit and I knew there was a lot that was just out of my reach.

I also didn't love any of the characters because they seemed so detached from each other. The only insight into any familial love was between Kirit and her second mother and wing-brother. Any other relationship–whether it be between Kirit and her actual mother, or Kirit and Wik–seemed lackluster and solely there to establish allies in order to accomplish the final revolution against ‘big brother'. Basically the finale was as predictable as any other dystopian YA, going against the established organization.

Overall, this was a rough read with a lot left to be desired.