Review: Infinite Sky by C.J. Flood

A truly beautiful book about the summer that changed one girl's life, as her mum leaves home, travellers set up camp in the family's field, her older brother goes off the rails, and she falls in love for the very first time. Opening with a funeral, Iris is mourning the boy in the casket - but who is it? Sam, her tearaway brother, or Trick, her tentative boyfriend? Over one long hot summer, we find out just how their three lives were turned upside-down.

Hardcover, US, 256 pages

Expected publication: May 20th 2014 by Atheneum Books for Young Readers 
Genre: Young Adult

Kristine's Thoughts:

I received an advanced readers copy of this book from Atheneum Books for Young Readers via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

I am writing this review minutes after putting the book down and I will warn you that my eyes are puffy and my emotions are raw. This book did not just give me that awful lump in my throat but tears that ran down my cheeks.

It is evident from the prologue that something terrible happens and the very last sentence of the prologue had me preparing for a doozy of a story.

"Is it possible to keep loving somebody when they kill someone you love?"

Iris is a thirteen year old girl who is dealing with a mother that left, a father that drinks too much and an older brother who has lost his way. At the same time that she is struggling with these changes, a family of travellers settle down unwelcomed in one of her family's fields. Iris finds herself drawn to them and the young boy Trick.

Infinite Sky is a story about first love, coming of age, prejudice, loyalty, heartbreak and so much more in a beautifully understated and heartbreaking way. It is a story where the lines between right and wrong are blurred and there are no easy answers. It is simplistic in its writing but make no mistake, the content is anything but. The story unfolds slowly as you get to know Iris and winds up until you reach the dramatic conclusion. I was left teary, questioning and wanting so much more. Although this book is geared to young readers I have to say, based on my reaction, that readers of all ages can enjoy it. Flood did a spectacular job in her writing of Iris and nailed the turmoil that occurs within a 13 year old girl. It is honest and precise in showing every angle, making it impossible not to empathise with all sides and characters in the story.

If I had to critic the story at all it would be that I wanted to know more about Trick and get inside his thought process. Could a second book be in the works???

I base my ratings a lot on the emotions that I feel when reading and the fact that this one had me in tears proved that I was invested in it. I really, really enjoyed it.

  

About the Author

C.J. Flood, also known as Chelsey Flood, graduated from the University of East Anglia in 2010 with an MA in creative writing. She has won several prizes and awards for her writing, including the Curtis Brown Award, and also received funding from the Arts Council to complete Infinite Sky. She blogs as a member of the Lucky 13s and at CJFlood.blogspot.co.uk, and tweets as @cjflood_author. Infinite Sky is her debut novel and she is currently working on her next book in Bristol.