Review: Finding Sky by Joss Stirling

Title: Finding Sky
Series: Benedict #1
Author: Joss Stirling
Publisher: OUP
Publication Date: 7 Oct 2010

Synopsis from Goodreads

When Sky catches a glimpse of Zed for the first time, lounging against his motorbike at school, she is drawn to him just like every other girl in Wickenridge. But Zed sees something special in her that the other girls don't have. Zed tells her they are both Savants - people with special powers like telepathy and the ability to see into the future. Not only that, she is a Savant too, and his soulfinder - meant to be together.

When a soulfinder speaks telepathically to her partner, it's like all the lights coming on in a building. You lit me up like Vegas. But for Sky it's just not that easy - she's a mystery to herself, haunted by nightmares from her past before she was adopted, and riddled with doubt and insecurity. Just when Sky is slowly coming round to the idea of being with Zed she is kidnapped by a family of criminal Savants. In a chilling twist, Sky and Zed's relationship is put to the ultimate test and the fate of those she loves lie in Sky's hands. Will Sky have the strength to embrace her power and be brave enough to control her own destiny, or will the dark demons of her past prevent her from realising her true potential?

REVIEW

I cannot believe it took me so long to read this book, I am seriously kicking myself because OMG this book is so so so me. What can I tell you, kick ass female central character, to die for bad boy, soul-mates, serious swoonage to be had. I should have been sold at soul-mates but who knew. I make no apologies for shouting how FREAKIN AWESOME this book is.

The beginning of the book is told in third person narrative, giving insight into the origins of Sky, the start is quite startling and my sympathy's were immediately draw to Sky. Being able to see auras - how amazing - yet she is afraid of her abilities, something that has been drilled into her that they are not normal.  

I have to mention that the chapter heading are just beautiful.

The main story is told in first person narrative from Sky's perspective. Honest and independent, adopted from the age of 10 her childhood is surrounded in mystery.  I tried to understand Sky by imaging what it would be like to not know who you are/where you came from/what happened to you or even the reason you can't remember any of these things. I really felt for her, it must be like having a constant presence in the back of your mind pressing to push through but just slightly too weak to break down the barriers.

The writing style is gorgeously tactile, sensory encompassing. Fabulous use of simile within the descriptions aid the imagination.Of course I have to mention the utterly beautiful description of music used within the narrative - as if it were alive, it makes us feel alive or soothes us depending on the situation. To quote 'music soothes the savage beast/breast' so true in my case [ : D ] 

It was easy to relate to Sky and seeing the world through her eyes it was easy to understand that while I think it would be nice to have these extra abilities they come at a cost and there is also a burden to having them. Clearly depicted within the storyline. The portrayal of the psychic powers was exceptional; both sides of possessing such power clearly shown, how it can be used for either good or evil, how having such gifts can corrupt in the quest for power. 

I did have a little trouble in reconciling the image I had of Sky in my head with her ability to make herself blend into the background due to her terrible shyness and lack of confidence. Her character development throughout the book was astounding.

Sky's development as a character is aided greatly by her relationship with Zed. I am just going to keel over and swoon for ages at the thought of Zed. Sky and Zed are each others balance, they bring out the best in each other and the chemistry between them sizzles off the pages. Zed comes across as a total bad boy *swoon* as the story develops you can understand why he needs an outlet. The idea of soul-mates warms my heart, this is one of the things that I find romantic (I don't find much romantic as I am too much of a cynic at my age lol).

I completely adore how the title works with the story as it unfolds - so so so clever. I am not going to go into detail about the plot even though I have made little notes regarding it as I don't want to spoil it. This is one of those books that you have to put the pieces together for yourself in order to fully appreciate just how brilliant it is.

An utterly compulsive read, I actually stayed up all night to read it as I just could not bear to put it down. Fabulous characters, brilliant interactions, just an all round AMAZING book. I am unbelievably happy that there are going to be more in the series.