by Rachelle Nelson
publisher’s synopsis
In a strange part of the forest, the divide between worlds grows thin.
After the accident, Meg would do anything to wake her best friend from his deadly coma. At least, that’s what she whispered into the woodland shadows. She never imagined her wish would trap her in a gray other-earth, void of any color.
Meg’s vibrant humanity is a priceless artifact in the gray kingdom, coveted by the royal court. All she wants to do is find a way back home. Until she discovers the other-earth contains healing powers that can save her friend. But only if Meg becomes what the gray people need—a human bride for Kalmus, the powerful king of the capital city.
With her heart torn between earths, Meg’s choices may cost more than she knows.
CHARACTERS:
Meg was a great main character. She was easy to connect with right away and felt realistic.
Nelson did a really good job of making the reader like Andrew, even though he basically disappears from the novel right away. But the connection with him is important, and, as I said, she did a great job with it.
The characters from the Gray Kingdom have a fun sense of untrustworthiness. Meg is wary of them, and the reader is too. Of course, certain characters grow on Meg and the reader as the book goes on.
SETTING:
The Gray Kingdom was interesting. I would have liked to get to explore it a little more–though I say that about most books. So I guess I just really like worldbuilding. 😂
I appreciated how Nelson explained the language and memories thing. Sometimes when reading portal fantasy, I feel like the main character acclimates too quickly to their new fantasy settings. But it made sense why Meg adjusts easier.
PLOT:
The plot was just a touch slow for my personal taste. It consists mostly of Meg balancing the tension with the Gray King, and also her adjusting to life in the Gray Kingdom. Of course, there are some other things at play too, but I can’t say because of spoilers.
The events after the climax were maybe a tad too long, but it makes sense why there were. Everything needed to happen. I might have just been eager to make sure that Meg got a happy ending. 😄
I liked how Nelson wove the themes of love and sacrifice into the plot. They fit really well.
OVERALL:
After a first readthrough, Sky of Seven Colors didn’t captivate me–but I enjoyed it enough that I’ll reread it someday. I think I’ll probably enjoy it more during a reread.
Cautions: moderate romance; non-descriptive mentions of revealing dresses; mentions of stealing human brides; as the plot revolves around Meg marrying the Gray King, there are non-descriptive mentions of the importance of having children; non-graphic violence
I received an ARC from Enclave Publishing and was not required to write a review. All opinions are entirely my own. Sky of Seven Colors releases in August 2023.
Hailey Huntington 
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