Toward a Secret Sky by Heather Maclean Pages: 368
Published by Blink on April 4, 2017
Genres: Young Adult, Romance, supernatural
Source: Finished Hardcover from Publisher
Shortly after 17-year-old Maren Hamilton is orphaned and sent to live with grandparents she’s never met in Scotland, she receives an encrypted journal from her dead mother that makes her and everyone around her a target. It confirms that her parents were employed by a secret, international organization that’s now intent on recruiting her.
As Maren works to unravel the clues left behind by her mother, a murderous madness sweeps through the local population, terrorizing her small town. Maren must decide if she’ll continue her parents’ fight or stay behind to save her friends.
With the help of Gavin, an otherworldly mercenary she’s not supposed to fall in love with, and Graham, a charming aristocrat who is entranced with her, Maren races against the clock and around the country from palatial estates with twisted labyrinths to famous cathedrals with booby-trapped subterranean crypts to stay ahead of the enemy and find a cure.
Along the way, she discovers the great truth of love: that laying down your life for another isn’t as hard as watching them sacrifice everything for you.
Toward a Secret Sky is a young adult supernatural romance by Heather Maclean. It has been a long while since I have read fantasy in the supernatural genre. I tend to lean more towards the paranormal side of things and the magic fantasy side of things, but I really really enjoyed Toward a Secret Sky by Heather Maclean. It made me want to find some other supernatural romances to pick up, in fact.
Toward a Secret Sky is the start to Maren’s story. And unfortunately, it starts off in the sad way that many YA books do, with Maren losing the last of her parents. Right before she is sent off to live with relatives in Scotland that she has never met, she finds a cryptic note from her mother warning her of danger and telling her to trust no one. Yes, I am so in. The story that follows was very quest like, which I loved. It reminded me a bit of National Treasure and I know other people are comparing it to Angels and Demons/Da Vinci Code, which I can also easily see.
Toward a Secret Sky does feature a love triangle between a friend and an angel. I really really need there to be another book in this series, because I need to see more of these characters. Plus, I do love a guy wearing a kilt. And Given was just simply adorable. I am so interested to see how everyone is going to develop and see where things are going to go. I really enjoyed this adventure. It was a lot of fun, pretty sweet, mysterious enough to be interesting, and an overall really good read. The plot is multifaceted and fast paced. This book was a really entertaining read.
I loved the fantastic setting in Towards a Secret Sky. And can we just take a moment to discuss the absolutely breathtaking cover. It is even prettier in person. The hardcover is shiny and has raised embellishments. I love it so much. (While I was thinking about my review, I may or may not have been sitting here petting the cover. #IsThatWeird?) The character in this one are great, but I found the plot to be the overall winner. I can see Toward a Secret Sky appealing to younger fans of YA books as well as older.
Bottom line: If you are like me, and don’t get a chance to read too many Supernatural YA books, check out Toward a Secret Sky. I think you will really enjoy this fast paced, fun read.
And now, I am excited to have Heather here to get personal with us all! She is very bravely going to be giving us a peek under her bed! (She is far braver than I am!)
10 Random Things under my bed
- An asthma nebulizer
- My husband’s kilt
- A blanket I crocheted for my mother-in-law that she gave back
- An escape ladder
- My passport
- A lightsaber
- Wrapping paper
- At least 10 hair ties
- Expired Disney World tickets
- A blindfold
Are we the same person Heather? I am not kidding I have an inhaler, nebulizer, and my boyfriend’s kilt under my bed!! And probably wrapping paper and hair ties as well!
Update: we are the same person. We even have the same birthday!!
Praise for TOWARD A SECRET SKY
“Five Stars! Mysterious, romantic, and totally fun! Toward a Secret Sky is the type of adventure I could lose myself in over and over again.” — Stephanie Garber, author of Caraval
“A deliciously atmospheric, twisty read that will hook readers from the start with its mystery and romance. It left me aching to hop on a plane to Scotland and have my own magical adventure!” – Rebecca Christiansen, author of Maybe in Paris
“Full of intrigue, savvy world-building, and sizzling romantic tension, Maclean’s enthralling storytelling will keep readers flipping pages–and wanting more.” – Emily R. King, author of The Hundredth Queen
“I enjoyed this so much. It has just the right combination of magic, intrigue, and romance, and the beautiful Scottish backdrop and descriptions of various ancient sites just made it all the more appealing.” – Heather Fawcett, author of Even the Darkest Stars
“Five stars! This was the type of thrilling story I always dreamed of reading when I was younger (way before paranormal romance became popular!)” – Shaila Patel, author of Soulmated, winner of the 2015 Chanticleer Book Reviews’ Paranormal Awards
“I would definitely recommend to anyone who liked Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging, or even fans of the Princess Diaries. The book is fantastic overall!” – Claire M. Andrews, author of Olympus Rising
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About Heather Maclean
After graduating from Princeton University, she began her career at Entertainment Weekly. Her work has appeared in Conde Nast Traveler, Pregnancy magazine, NY Metro Parents magazine, as well as newspapers around the country.
Named one of the “16 Best Entrepreneurs in America” by Sir Richard Branson, she accompanied the adventurous business legend on a 50,000-mile trip around the world, alternately helping improve the lives of others (designing sustainable development initiatives in South African villages) and fearing for her own (rappelling out of a Black helicopter in a Moroccan sandstorm). She was also the first civilian mom to experience zero gravity aboard a “space plane,” an experience she will never, ever repeat. Their journey, titled The Rebel Billionaire, was televised on Fox TV in 2005 for an audience of 8 million viewers.
Heather is also a former Disney executive. She launched several of the company’s first, award-winning websites, and holds the distinction of being the first person to ever answer Mickey Mouse’s email.
When not castle hunting in her husband’s native Scotland, Heather fills her days with her two beautiful daughters, Hunter and Hadley, and dashing son, Gavin.
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
Great post, I enjoyed reading your review. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Thank you for sharing :):)