Review of A Breathless Sky by Veronica G. Henry

Rating: 4.75 Stars

Cw: racism, sexism, violence, death of family members, sexual content

Disclaimer: I received a free e-galley through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

So, I don't involve spoilers in reviews for the book I'm reviewing. But since this is a sequel, I am going to be spoiling Canopy Keepers.

Henry's writing style really needs a shoutout, it reminds me a lot of Octavia E. Butler and NK Jemison, and other SciFi/Fantasy giants. I got similar vibes from Speech Sounds by Butler. But Henry breathes her own touch to it. It doesn't feel like she's trying to copy their writing style, the prose isn't overly flowery or extravagant and she's not using the kind of language that can lose the reader.

While I don't think this is exactly an introductory book to the genre, I think it isn't too far off either. The concept of the entire series is REALLY inventive. But because it is so out there, and leans on speculative fiction (similar to The Power by Naomi Alderman) I think there is still a bit of a learning curve with the concept. I, personally, like that.

The concept is incredibly refreshing and mixes a message with good world-building. I think part of the charm of the first book is that it has this one aspect of figuring-it-out-as-we-go with Syrah and "outsider living within" with Romelo. I think the second book loses a bit because the world-building isn't the same.

I like Syrah's development and Romelo's lack therefore-of (in a stubborn way) by the start of book two. Romelo not learning his lesson, and seeing his SISTER as a traitor rather than, like, just not wanting all of humanity to die is an extremely in-character (and realistic) thing to do.

And I think it's a credit to Henry that I honestly wasn't THAT mad at Romelo. Like, all right, Diva, you're right, humanity kinda sucks. But babe, there's a way to fix things that isn't "burn the world" but you know what? Your hatred is fair.

The discussion of race in conservation continues. Syrah's arch is grounded in and out of the "fantasy world"/"SciFi-world" they're in. She starts as a Black Female firefighter, now she's a Black Female NPS Park Ranger. Henry manages to balance both worlds, and both struggles, really well and draws parallels for this struggle for both Romelo and Syrah.