Book Review: Ten Thousand Skies Above You (Firebird, #2)

The obsession with Ten Thousand Skies Above You (Firebird, #2) by Claudia Gray is real, y’all. This trilogy is giving me life right now and I’m so scared to see how it’s going to end.

Ever since she used the Firebird, her parents’ invention, to cross into alternate dimensions, Marguerite has caught the attention of enemies who will do anything to force her into helping them dominate the multiverse—even hurting the people she loves. She resists until her boyfriend, Paul, is attacked and his consciousness scattered across multiple dimensions.

Marguerite has no choice but to search for each splinter of Paul’s soul. The hunt sends her racing through a war-torn San Francisco, the criminal underworld of New York City, and a glittering Paris where another Marguerite hides a shocking secret. Each world brings Marguerite one step closer to rescuing Paul. But with each trial she faces, she begins to question the destiny she thought they shared.

The second book in the Firebird trilogy, Ten Thousand Skies Above You features Claudia Gray’s lush, romantic language and smart, exciting action, and will have readers clamoring for the next book.

The Good

• Plot that rocks! – This is one of those stories that it’s almost impossible to get bored with. You’re constantly following Marguerite through the different dimensions, and with each one being so incredibly different, there’s never any time for you to lose interest. I didn’t think it was possible for the plot to get any more exciting after the first book, but I was so happy to see that I was wrong. SO INTENSE!
• Oh, those consequences… – I know that some people had some issues with the first book because Marguerite was never having to deal with any backlash for her actions and decisions (especially that really important/bad one). However, don’t fear because all of those choices are finally coming back to haunt her. And you might think, now that’s not very nice to get excited about, Larkin. But I don’t care! It makes the book so much better knowing that there’s some realistic issues coming about. You can’t just go bumbling through life without ever suffering any consequences! Luckily, Gray knows that and it was definitely a great piece added to the overall story.
• Can’t stop, won’t stop. – This kind of goes hand in hand with the overall plot, but the pacing is just so on point. It never slows down to even a walk, it’s just a non-stop sprint from start to finish. If you’ve been feeling the need for something a bit more upbeat, then this is the trilogy you’re probably looking for.
• Tortured Paul – Paul is such an amazing character. I loved that in this book we get a little bit more of his history and finally see some more depth in his character. I thought it was great writing to finally build a real story behind Paul. Huge thumbs up.

The Bad

• Sometimes it’s just too much. – Listen, the romance has a huge part in this trilogy, that’s a given and something that I didn’t really have a problem with in the first book. However, in this book it finally started to annoy me just a tad. Like I get it, you’re in love and all, blah blah blah.. But it’s just laid on a little thick, I think. I would’ve preferred Gray to just pull back a bit on all of the love references.

This series really has turned into one of my all-time favorites. Unless it just has the shittiest ending ever, I can definitely see myself recommending this to literally every person I know.

FYI: Currently in the middle of the third book and it is freaking awesome. YESSSSSS!

Final Verdict: 5/5 stars

Have you read Ten Thousand Skies Above You? What did you think of it? Did you enjoy the entire trilogy? How do you feel about books where the romance can sometimes overpower the plot?