The Cerulean

By: Amy Ewing

Narrated by: Kim Mai Guest

Length: 15 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

From New York Times best-selling author Amy Ewing (The Jewel) comes the exciting first audiobook in a new fantasy duology. Rich, vivid world-building, and ethereal magic combine in an epic tale that’s perfect for fans of Snow Like Ashes, These Broken Stars, or Magonia.

Sera Lighthaven has always felt as if she didn’t quite belong among her people, the Cerulean, who live in the city above the sky. She is curious about everything - especially the planet her city is magically tethered to - and can’t stop questioning things. Sera has always longed for the day when the tether will finally break and the Cerulean can move to a new planet.

But when Sera is chosen as the sacrifice to break the tether, she feels betrayed by everything in which she’d been taught to trust. In order to save her city, Sera must end her own life.

But something goes wrong, and Sera survives, ending up on the planet below in a country called Kaolin. Sera has heard tales about the dangerous humans who live here, and she quickly learns these dangers were not just stories.

Meanwhile, back in the city, all is not what it seems, and the life of every Cerulean may be in danger if Sera is not able to find a way home.

©2019 Amy Ewing (P)2019 HarperCollins Publishers

Queer representation… almost

The story was really intriguing, it was fun to see a group of poly women reproducing by themselves, in a society of lesbians. I was excited for the possibility of our main character being ace or even just demisexual, however it turns out she’s straight. Though it was done well, I was hoping for something a little different.

That aside! The book is very fun, introducing a new culture and it clashing with a world like ours. I recommend giving it a try, I will certainly be reading the next book.

Pretty good!

The narrator was great and the story was fun. I am looking forward to the second book!

It was ok

I wish this book didn't use so much strong language. I almost stopped at the beginning. I like the story concept and finished it because of this but it would have been easy enough to omit the harsh language entirely. It added nothing to the story and just distracted from the characters. I can deal with some but pull out the G D word, with a teenager saying it, just why?

pleasantly surprised

I loved this. it had some slow bits and some bits that felt rushed, but overall great story and great performance!

Narrator…from the Rugrats?

Couldn’t finish. Which sucks because the story seemed great. I’ll have to read it instead. I just can’t get past the narrator. She makes all the character sound like they are from the rugrats tv show. Sadly, just can’t get into the story because of that.

First book I've chosen not to finish

I had such high expectations based on other readers reviews, but this story was just too weird and disorganized. There is so much going on at once and not enough character building, I was not able to adequately follow the story line and juggle the characters. Reading should feel effortless, the pieces of the story should fit like a puzzle but this felt like jamming a square through a circle, just impossible. the only thing that kept me hanging on longer was the narrators wonderful voice and annunciation. I think the author had the right idea with this story but rough execution.

Queer Bait

This was the worst case of queer bait that I have ever seen. I was on board with the idea of an all female lesbian species, and the main character possibly being ace (my ace peoples need more rep), but no, main character is sad because she's straight and needed a coming out moment...huh? Amy can miss me with that nonsense. Didn't finish it and glad I didn't pay money for it.

Promising concept, poor execution.

Amy Ewing had a great idea and concept, attempted at full-scope world building, but the execution and writing was not as good as I wanted it to be. The narrator did okay, but left something lacking. I wanted to give it a chance and get as close to finish as I could, but couldn’t make it beyond a few hours.

Literally why

I don’t usually write reviews but this book really angers me. When I first started reading and Sera was talking about her lack of attraction to the other Cerulean I thought that maybe we’re going to get an aromantic protagonist, which I’ve never seen happen before, but no she just ends up being straight. I feared this may happen and as soon as I did I dropped it.

Of course there’s nothing wrong with straight people but Sera’s race is entirely female so it honestly doesn’t make sense and seems like a slap in the face for queer people.

I wouldn’t say there’s much else going for this book. The characters were semi interesting but the plot is very slow going and it can be such a chore to get through.

So all in all if you were expecting something sapphic then I’m sorry to disappoint but it’s not coming from this book.