Rebel Skies
Binding: Paperback
Imprint: Walker Books
"Featuring a vivid mythology, spectacular battles, and an endlessly surprising heroine, Rebel Skies is as intricate, beautiful and startling as one of the paper spirits Kurara brings to life." Jonathan Stroud
"A magical debut that reads like a Ghibli film, brimming with imagination, action and heart." Natasha Ngan
"An intricately constructed ode to papercraft and Japanese culture. I fell in love with this world of airships, cumulous whales and floating cities. Pure magic." Lauren James
A beautifully written and pacy teen fantasy adventure, set in a world of flying ships, sky cities and powerful paper spirits. Inspired by Asian cultures and exploring themes of empire, slavery and freedom.
Kurara has never known any other life than being a servant on board the Midori, but when her party trick of making paper come to life turns out to be a power treasured across the empire, she joins a skyship and its motley crew to become a Crafter. Taught by the gruff but wise Himura, Kurara learns to hunt shikigami – wild paper spirits who are sought after by the Princess.
But are these creatures just powerful slaves, or are they beings with their own souls? And can a teenage girl be the one to help them find their voice – and change the course of an empire?
Creators
Ann Sei Lin is a writer, librarian, and book nerd with a love for all things fantasy. Though London is now her home, she spent several years in Chiba, Japan, living in a rickety apartment block next to a rail station where the rush of the midnight train would make the walls shake. When not writing, she is often studying, gaming, or trying to make that origami rabbit for the one hundredth time.
Reviews
A magical debut that reads like a Ghibli film, brimming with imagination, action and heart. It’s been a long time since I’ve been so immersed in a fantasy world.
Natasha Ngan
An intricately constructed ode to papercraft and Japanese culture. I fell in love with this world of airships, cumulous whales and floating cities. Pure magic.
Lauren James
An extraordinary world… The descriptions are vivid, the action scenes breath-taking, the twists perfectly executed, with a cast of characters I’d follow to any flying city!
Annabel Steadman
On top of the novel’s intricate worldbuilding and deeper themes, I was pleasantly surprised by the focus on the bond of friendship over romance. The conflict between different characters’ beliefs, loyalties and motivations feels real and nuanced, setting the stage for a complex cast of characters and making me excited for their fates in the sequels. Part whimsical adventure, part steampunk, Rebel Skies will delight fans of Six Crimson Cranes and Mortal Engines with its depth and imagination.
Readings
Told from multiple perspectives throughout the story, Rebel Skies is about young Kurara learning more about the world and more about herself. Set in a world full of skyships, flying cities and paper spirits, this book feels like a Japanese anime with action, adventure, humour and cultural aspects including clothing, character names and weaponry.
Read Plus
