Title: Under the Empyrean Sky
Author: Chuck Wendig
Series? Yes, 1 of 3.
Rating: 3/5
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley + Skyscape in exchange for an honest review.
I had such a hard time writing this review, as this book fell victim to my dystopia burnout (I thought Red Rising cured me, oops). I really wanted to like this book because i) I like reading the author’s blog and ii) these covers are freaking amazing (yes, judge away!). Alas, I didn’t love or hate it – I felt plain meh.
The setting was my favourite part of this book. Set in a futuristic world where mutant corn have taken over the Earth and is the only crop the people of the Heartland can sow. Above them lives the Empyrean in their floatilla, who has access to luxuries and rigorously control the planting of crops and the distribution of wealth. It reminded me a bit of Interstellar, one of my favourite movies last year, where the Earth could only sustain okra and corn.
As with all dystopia, we get to see elements of the oppressor and the oppressed. Heartlanders live in poverty under the Empyrean sky (points for using the title!). Not only are they starving and malnourished, many of their kinds also suffer from an advanced form of cancer, hinted as a side effect from consumption of genetically modified corn. There’s also the Blight, a creepy mutation that reminds me a little of The Wood’s effect in Uprooted.
While I thought that the book had quite a solid setting, I could not wholly get into it. As mentioned, I’ve seen similar elements in other media I’ve consumed. This is no fault of the book, as it came out before both Interstellar and Uprooted – it’s a problem with me for failing to be completely objective.
The main character of this trilogy is Cael, a disillusioned teen living in the Heartland. He captains a salvage crew, traveling around the Heartland with his crewmate to find bits and bobs to sell. They stumble on a garden growing fresh, but illegal vegetables and that’s when the plot starts taking off.
I found Cael hard to relate too, another thing that left me cold about the book. He’s all blustery bravado and act on instinct rather than out of thought – the opposite of me, basically. His internal conflict, especially in regards to his love for Gwennie, was something I struggled to empathise with. For a guy that’s meant to love her, he treats her kind of terribly? I also found his friends a bit hard to differentiate, oops. There are points in this book where the narration changes POV and I didn’t even notice because they sounded pretty much the same to me, that’s always a bad sign – especially because in general I adore multiple narrative.
I would have also love to see more female characters doing stuff in these books. Gwennie has little agency and is sidelined to a love interest. Cael treats his betrothed quite poorly, but she’s barely a character. I would love to have seen more of Cael’s rebellious, free-spirited sister – but she disappeared 10% into the book… there’s hopes that she will feature more prominently in the sequel, though.
The pacing was a little bit off for this book, I understand that it’s only the first book in the trilogy – but I feel that nothing happens for the first half or so. Then towards the last 20%, the plot reached breakneck speed and shit got real very abruptly.
I felt that the entire book was set up for the rest of the trilogy, leaving a lot more questions than answers – I felt a little unfulfilled. For example, the teenagers in the Heartland have to be Obligated at 17, destined to permanently mate with a chosen member of the opposite sex. Why? No explanation. Also, once a year, a family from the Heartland wins the lottery to be taken to live on the floatilla. Why? Also no explanation. I understand these things are being saved for the next book- but I sorta want to see the first book in the trilogy to do some legwork to keep me as a reader, ya know?
I can really get behind the themes and messages that this book is trying to send. Dystopia should be all about making social commentary, and this book highlight the dangers of GMO, monopoly on food resources, and all those good environmental messages. However, despite my intentions, I just couldn’t really connect with the story or characters. I think I’ll be swearing off dystopia for another couple of months. If you’re looking for another interesting take on dystopia, I think you’ll like this one more than I did.
Have you guys read this trilogy? What did you think?
Read at Midnight 
Such a pretty cover, love the review as always x
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The covers of every book in the series are gorgeous!! Thanks Savi 🙂
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Great review Aentee! I’m not a huge fan of dystopian books so I probably won’t pick this up. The concept seems interesting though.
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The concept is definitely great but if you’re already leery of dystopia I wouldn’t recommend it haha. Thanks for commenting Jenna 🙂
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Wow, that’s a really gorgeous cover! I’m not exactly interested with the plot but great review, Aentee!
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Thanks Camyll glad you liked the review. And I agree, these covers are stunning!!
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I liked this book, but then I’m also a pretty big fan of Chuck Wendig (and his YA was a pretty nice break from his darker, more brutal and just pure INSANE adult books). I still have book three to read!
And btw, I love the artwork you include with your reviews, they’re really pretty and provide a nice personal touch 🙂
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I need to read Chuck Wendig’s adult books to see if I like them better. As long as they aren’t dystopia haha.
Thanks! Making the graphics is admittedly my favourite part of doing a review aside from the actual reading haha, so I’m glad you like it!
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I love his Miriam Black books. Not dystopia, but urban fantasy/horror. Gotta have a strong stomach though, it’s violent, brutal, DARK. I’m a huge fan, but I honestly felt queasy reading some of it.
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If someone was making me permanently mate with a member of the opposite sex at 17 I think I would want to know why too.
I am a dystopia in small doses kind of reader. I think when you read too much of it it starts to feel as if you’re reading the same novel over and over again. I love YA, but sometimes I wish that the market didn’t have to be all about trend.
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Thanks for commenting Lydia! I used to adore dystopia but reading too many is a terrible idea haha. I agree, this market is way too influenced by trend, too much of a good thing is BAD!!
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Another wonderful review!!! Can’t say too much since I haven’t read the book, but will probably never read it anyways now, ahaha. Characters with no “character” is a superb big turn off for me. I want to read because I want to empathise, I want to join the journey, I want to be by their side. Such a waste though, the cover is lovely! Speaking of lovely, your art is so pretty as always! love it x
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Don’t judge a book by it’s review! Plenty of people loved it I was just worn out from dystopia so I’m not being fair haha.
Thanks but pssst I don’t actually draw or paint the things I made. They’re graphics pack from Creative Market that I just put together. I am very obsessed with that site XD
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Well if you feel that way imagine myself (with all of my burnout bitterness) XD
They’re still very cute and it’s still more effort than not having any graphics at all ehem aka me ehem ahaha. You have a very nice eye in choosing the graphics then 😉
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I do love that cover! It’s so pretty.
That’s a shame though that you couldn’t get into the world and that the main character wasn’t the easiest to connect with. I struggle with books when I don’t like the characters either, so I get where you’re coming from.
I’m still glad there were things you liked about this book though, Aentee!
Wonderful review! 🙂
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Thanks Nick! I almost feel that characters are more important than plot to me XD
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First of all, omg!!! Your blog layout is perfect. ❤ And nice review. I've been meaning to read one of Chuck Wendig's works. He's one of the most… erm… "vocal" writers out there today.
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Thanks! I am so happy you like the blog design ❤ I heard from Mogsy above that his adult works are better (but way darker).
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Great review!
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