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willrefuge's review against another edition
4.0
4.25 / 5 ✪
https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com/2021/11/01/every-star-a-song-by-jay-posey-review/
I was kindly furnished an advance copy in return for a fair and honest review. Many thanks to Gallery Books and NetGalley for the ARC! All opinions are my own.
Please beware minor spoilers for Every Sky a Grave—Ascendance Book #1
Elyth was once of the House of Ascendance—but that was a long time ago. She now lives her life as an Exile, constantly on the run from the Ascendance and Hezra agents trying to capture her—or worse.
For a while, she is able to keep one step ahead, but those times are over. Cornered on a backwater planet at the galaxy’s edge, Elyth is taken, but not as a prisoner. Instead, the Empire offers her a choice.
A planet has appeared out of nowhere, following Qel like a shadow. This planet has no mass, follows no orbit, and one day simply popped into existence with no warning. In short, it shouldn’t exist. But it’s very much real. This has been verified by a prior Ascendance team sent to the world to investigate. A team which never returned.
And herein lies Elyth’s bargain: help the Hezra explore the new planet and unravel its mystery and all her past sins will be forgiven. She can rejoin the Ascendancy, or return to her quiet life, but with no more fear of capture. The Empire will leave her alone, for good or ill. Or… she can refuse the mission and will be given a day’s head start.
Reluctantly Elyth agrees to accompany the team, but the mission appears doomed from the start. Upon touching down on planet at the scene of the last mission’s disappearance, they are confronted with… nothing. No sign anyone has ever set foot on the planet, let alone a spacecraft has landed there. Shortly after, the noises begin. Strange knocking from all around. Then the creatures appear; creatures that have never been seen before. And then expedition begins to lose members—in the most horrific ways possible.
It soon becomes clear that the planet knows they’re there, and it means to kill them.
This book takes place three years removed from the events of Every Sky a Grave, but as if those years had passed in the blink of an eye. Other than an offhand comment that she has spent the years on the run from the Ascendancy, there’s nothing about how Elyth has spent the time. Indeed, after the first few chapters, everyone seems to forget that it’s been three years at all. It could’ve been yesterday for all that the story is concerned. I would’ve like to see a flashback of her on the run, a memory, a lesson, a thought—something. But we don’t. Every Star a Song begins a new adventure and—while we continually come back to the events on Qel that brought us to this point—isn’t interested in revisiting the past. Not any more of it, at least.
There are some holes; some flowery writing that serves no purpose other than to fill space; not to mention a few contradictions. Mostly though, Every Star a Song tells an immersive, thrilling story that just drags the reader along for the ride kicking and screaming. I spent more than a few nights planning to cap my reading at the end of a certain chapter, only to carry on through it when something exciting or mysterious or unforeseen occurred at the conclusion of the one prior. Then I’d end up staying up way too late and be bleary-eyed in the morning. And do it all over again the next night. This story is not a hard one to read—nor fall in love with—despite my gripes with how it started.
The mystery is well explained in the end, and thoroughly mysterious and exciting every moment on the way through. Up to the final pages it still kept me guessing, and even delivered a final twist at the very end (not a cliffhanger, just a surprise). It’s a bit reminiscent of the first in the series, yet Every Star a Song blows that away in terms of pace, action, and excitement. Where Every Sky a Grave had some trouble deciding what it wanted to be, this knew the whole time. It’s an excellent read, despite its flaws. I’ve no problem recommending it!
https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com/2021/11/01/every-star-a-song-by-jay-posey-review/
I was kindly furnished an advance copy in return for a fair and honest review. Many thanks to Gallery Books and NetGalley for the ARC! All opinions are my own.
Please beware minor spoilers for Every Sky a Grave—Ascendance Book #1
Elyth was once of the House of Ascendance—but that was a long time ago. She now lives her life as an Exile, constantly on the run from the Ascendance and Hezra agents trying to capture her—or worse.
For a while, she is able to keep one step ahead, but those times are over. Cornered on a backwater planet at the galaxy’s edge, Elyth is taken, but not as a prisoner. Instead, the Empire offers her a choice.
A planet has appeared out of nowhere, following Qel like a shadow. This planet has no mass, follows no orbit, and one day simply popped into existence with no warning. In short, it shouldn’t exist. But it’s very much real. This has been verified by a prior Ascendance team sent to the world to investigate. A team which never returned.
And herein lies Elyth’s bargain: help the Hezra explore the new planet and unravel its mystery and all her past sins will be forgiven. She can rejoin the Ascendancy, or return to her quiet life, but with no more fear of capture. The Empire will leave her alone, for good or ill. Or… she can refuse the mission and will be given a day’s head start.
Reluctantly Elyth agrees to accompany the team, but the mission appears doomed from the start. Upon touching down on planet at the scene of the last mission’s disappearance, they are confronted with… nothing. No sign anyone has ever set foot on the planet, let alone a spacecraft has landed there. Shortly after, the noises begin. Strange knocking from all around. Then the creatures appear; creatures that have never been seen before. And then expedition begins to lose members—in the most horrific ways possible.
It soon becomes clear that the planet knows they’re there, and it means to kill them.
This book takes place three years removed from the events of Every Sky a Grave, but as if those years had passed in the blink of an eye. Other than an offhand comment that she has spent the years on the run from the Ascendancy, there’s nothing about how Elyth has spent the time. Indeed, after the first few chapters, everyone seems to forget that it’s been three years at all. It could’ve been yesterday for all that the story is concerned. I would’ve like to see a flashback of her on the run, a memory, a lesson, a thought—something. But we don’t. Every Star a Song begins a new adventure and—while we continually come back to the events on Qel that brought us to this point—isn’t interested in revisiting the past. Not any more of it, at least.
There are some holes; some flowery writing that serves no purpose other than to fill space; not to mention a few contradictions. Mostly though, Every Star a Song tells an immersive, thrilling story that just drags the reader along for the ride kicking and screaming. I spent more than a few nights planning to cap my reading at the end of a certain chapter, only to carry on through it when something exciting or mysterious or unforeseen occurred at the conclusion of the one prior. Then I’d end up staying up way too late and be bleary-eyed in the morning. And do it all over again the next night. This story is not a hard one to read—nor fall in love with—despite my gripes with how it started.
The mystery is well explained in the end, and thoroughly mysterious and exciting every moment on the way through. Up to the final pages it still kept me guessing, and even delivered a final twist at the very end (not a cliffhanger, just a surprise). It’s a bit reminiscent of the first in the series, yet Every Star a Song blows that away in terms of pace, action, and excitement. Where Every Sky a Grave had some trouble deciding what it wanted to be, this knew the whole time. It’s an excellent read, despite its flaws. I’ve no problem recommending it!
millydrisco's review against another edition
5.0
This is an extremely enjoyable read - I finished 3/4 of the book in one night unable to put it down. I would say it’s the perfect end of a duology as the cover suggests it is but I don’t feel like this is the end of Elyths story by a long way.
victoriagonzalez44's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
vinjii's review against another edition
4.0
I received this book from the publisher in return for a review. All my reviews are honest!
[b:Every Sky a Grave|43088898|Every Sky a Grave (The Ascendance Series, #1)|Jay Posey|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1580956446l/43088898._SY75_.jpg|66898748] was my first read by Jay Posey, and I really enjoyed it, despite the rather slow middle.
Posey is an incredibly skilled wordsmith. In fact, the prose is what I liked most about The Ascendance Series. It's descriptive and at times, it was like reading poetry. It's obvious that every word is chosen with care.
The Deep Language is such a clever idea. As a reader, the fact that language is essentially unlimited power in this world won me over.
Overall, the world building is intricate and creative, reminding me of the epic scope in Alastair Reynold's work (especially House of Suns). While Posey took great care in developing his setting throughout the first book, the world building takes a backseat in the second book. Every Star A Song is much more fast-paced - there is no slow middle - and almost the entire book is filled with action instead.
It definitely makes for an easier read.
The protagonist, Elyth, is a smart, knowledgeable and curious woman. She's intelligent and I quickly found myself rooting for her. She's fiercely independent, loyal at first but grows into her own during the first book.
In Every Star A Song, Elyth has to give up some of her independence and work together with a team to solve the mystery of the planet that has appeared seemingly out of nowhere. The supporting cast is made up of intriguing characters, and I enjoyed the dynamics among the rather uneasy companions.
I recommend The Ascendance Series to all science fiction fans who don't mind a touch of fantasy in their books.
[b:Every Sky a Grave|43088898|Every Sky a Grave (The Ascendance Series, #1)|Jay Posey|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1580956446l/43088898._SY75_.jpg|66898748] was my first read by Jay Posey, and I really enjoyed it, despite the rather slow middle.
Posey is an incredibly skilled wordsmith. In fact, the prose is what I liked most about The Ascendance Series. It's descriptive and at times, it was like reading poetry. It's obvious that every word is chosen with care.
The Deep Language is such a clever idea. As a reader, the fact that language is essentially unlimited power in this world won me over.
Overall, the world building is intricate and creative, reminding me of the epic scope in Alastair Reynold's work (especially House of Suns). While Posey took great care in developing his setting throughout the first book, the world building takes a backseat in the second book. Every Star A Song is much more fast-paced - there is no slow middle - and almost the entire book is filled with action instead.
It definitely makes for an easier read.
The protagonist, Elyth, is a smart, knowledgeable and curious woman. She's intelligent and I quickly found myself rooting for her. She's fiercely independent, loyal at first but grows into her own during the first book.
In Every Star A Song, Elyth has to give up some of her independence and work together with a team to solve the mystery of the planet that has appeared seemingly out of nowhere. The supporting cast is made up of intriguing characters, and I enjoyed the dynamics among the rather uneasy companions.
I recommend The Ascendance Series to all science fiction fans who don't mind a touch of fantasy in their books.
agsdv's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lybrarie's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I received the first book in this duology in a surprise box earlier this year and really enjoyed it, so I was very excited to find out that this sequel was due to be released not too far in the future, and I don't think I was disappointed.
Although I would say I enjoyed the first book more, I definitely think this one warrants the same rating. The writing was just as beautiful and intricate, and the story and worldbuilding was very well done. I adored the characters, all in their own ways, and overall I think it was a great end to the series.
However, the reason that I didn't give it five stars was primarily because I did feel slightly lost in places. Perhaps it was the length of time between my reading of the first book and this one, but I did find myself quite confused as to the references to events in the first book as I couldn't quite remember what had happened. That confusion did ease as I continued to read the book, though. I also found myself a bit confused as to what was happening towards the end of the book, but in the end all the problems I had did resolve themselves.
The only other issue I had with the book was that there was a 3-year time gap between the two books, it didn't feel like any time had passed at all. We got next to no information about what Elyth was up to in those three years, and it didn't feel like she had changed as a person as you might expect after three years, especially considering what she went through at the end of the first book.
But despite those critiques, I really did enjoy this book and definitely recommend it.
Although I would say I enjoyed the first book more, I definitely think this one warrants the same rating. The writing was just as beautiful and intricate, and the story and worldbuilding was very well done. I adored the characters, all in their own ways, and overall I think it was a great end to the series.
However, the reason that I didn't give it five stars was primarily because I did feel slightly lost in places. Perhaps it was the length of time between my reading of the first book and this one, but I did find myself quite confused as to the references to events in the first book as I couldn't quite remember what had happened. That confusion did ease as I continued to read the book, though. I also found myself a bit confused as to what was happening towards the end of the book, but in the end all the problems I had did resolve themselves.
The only other issue I had with the book was that there was a 3-year time gap between the two books, it didn't feel like any time had passed at all. We got next to no information about what Elyth was up to in those three years, and it didn't feel like she had changed as a person as you might expect after three years, especially considering what she went through at the end of the first book.
But despite those critiques, I really did enjoy this book and definitely recommend it.
rosienreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Sitting down to write this review is proving to be hard. I simply don’t know where to begin; the various aspects of this book rumble around in my head, as they have done since I closed the final page and set the book down.
Sitting down to write this review is proving to be hard. I simply don’t know where to begin; the various aspects of this book rumble around in my head, as they have done since I closed the final page and set the book down.
Every Star A Song is a sequel to Jay Posey’s Every Sky a Grave which I read and loved last year. It follows Elyth, a Daughter of the House and speaker of the Deep Language whose purpose was to analyse and kill planets where that Deep Language has been corrupted. Set over three years after the events of the previous book, Elyth finds herself drawn back into the fold when she is brought into an expedition to explore a new planet, where the previous expedition there had disappeared without a trace.
It is a very different story to the first book, yet still stays true to the series’ essence. While the first focused primarily on Elyth alone, here we see her working with a group of people. A change which really worked in the book’s favour. I loved each of the new characters in this team and seeing them come together as the book progressed was a delight. It was these character interactions that really made me love this book through the natural banter, the worry, even the instances of distrust and betrayal which occurred. Elyth still commanded the pages but having these extra characters really helped ground the story and allow us to see different sides of Elyth as well.
Elyth’s own internal struggles of who she is and where she fits in are reflected in the team as well as the world around her. The world of the Ascendance is an interesting one and we see a bit more of the two ruling powers through the members of the Hezra and the House joining the expedition. Mostly, however, the world-building focus is on the exploration of Qel’s Shadow as the group try to figure out what is going on and what it means for the wider galaxy. Seeing the dark and more vengeful sides of it were thrilling to read, and I lost track of the number of times I gasped aloud as reveals and revelations occurred. The Deep Language was still beautiful to read as Elyth put it in action, and while I was disappointed that we didn’t see much of it at the start, this changed as the book went on.
Throughout the book I laughed, I cried, I held my breath and sat on the edge of my seat. This was an excellent read from start to finish. Where the first book suffered a little from pacing as it set everything up, Every Star A Song had no such issues and I found myself flying through. I thoroughly enjoyed joining Elyth on this adventure and am only sad that it is over. I just want more.
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