Read the book reviewers are calling "Enchanting," "Lyrical" "A thrill ride," "One of my top five books of 2016!"
REVIEWS:
"This book started out... confusing, I had no idea what was going on. I got hooked into it though after reading about a girl who could talk to flies. This is one of the most imaginative stories I have ever read.
I love how the author incorporated a devotion to the characters' family and how much Iolani would do for them. I was cheering, laughing and crying throughout the story.
I love the author's writing style, the whole book was detailed and flowing.
I was delighted with the plot line, it is so different and just plain brilliant.
This book is amazingly realistic and makes you believe that all these events of death, determination, and memory stealing men could happen.
I highly recommend this book to anyone that loves enchanting tales of survival, magic, and bravery.
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 13 and up." ~5girlsbookreviews
"This is a book full of subtle magic and depth, which slowly sinks its hooks and leads to a fantastic world.
Iolani is a fourteen-year-old girl who has suffered much loss in her life, and within the beginning pages, tragedy hits again. The writing is very descriptive and sinks into the depths of Iolani's mind. When the opening pages have her following her cousin blindly into a forest under very strange circumstances, the read feels as if the world around is fogged and unclear. Mystery and uncertainty flood the first pages, making it difficult to understand exactly what's going on, but the horror of it all is palpable. It's during this time which Iolani's unusual talent to converse with flies becomes clear, although it's something she doesn't understand completely herself.
The writing has a literary feel, and first gains on action toward the second half of the book. The beginning chapters have little dialogue and concentrate on the thoughts and feelings of Iolani as she trudges across the country on horseback with her dazed cousin, trying to steer clear of the evil green light. The character depth is well done but the pacing isn't for action fans.
Still, the plot grabs in a subtle way and draws in. About halfway through, the action speeds up and enters a whole new level as if the story takes a flip. Not only does Iolani's own talent explode into new dimensions, but the secrets behind the green light lead to a large scale conspiracy. Iolani can't trust anyone and finds herself in all sorts of danger. The tension mounts as more layers are added to the plot, creating a much faster pace and more fantastical adventure as the story goes on. The ending rounds most things off, insuring this can be read as a stand alone. However, several things are left unclear, especially the reasoning behind Iolani's as well as her opposition's strange abilities. There's mention of magic, but hints at more scientific explanations as well. And this lack of a basis did make some of it a little hard to accept.
Summed up, this book adds an interesting twist to stories about people with special talents. It isn't fast paced at first, but takes time to delve into the main character while later mounting the action. I recommend this for YA Paranormal fans who love to get to know their characters and enjoy a dash of romance along with a bit of fantastical conspiracy." ~Bookworm for Kids
"Let me start off with saying what a delightfully different book! While I had read the summary of the story, I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect and I was led on an adventure! It was a quick read and for the most part, I was completely entertained! There were moments where I felt a bit lost, but I was able to catch up pretty quickly and the story line kept on going, albeit a bit strangely. I’m still not completely sure I believe the flies aspect of the story line, but it definitely gave the story an edge that I haven’t found in another book.Flying Away was a book that was well written as the author’s first book, with delightful and mysterious writing and detailed, complex characters that were eager to keep the story going. Iolani, and her cousin Eleanor, were a delight to follow along on their journey. I loved how Mango, Lani’s mare, was a big part of the story. She was a great and well liked addition. The author did a magnificent job in developing the characters and the story line to the point that it was a refreshing new take for young adult readers! The men with the lanterns were something else that I wasn’t expecting and I have to say that they were definitely on the disturbing and sinister side with an uncanny ability to creep me out. Well written, Caroline Gill!
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of the dystopian/fantasy genres and looking for something that is on the new side. The interesting take on the young adult adventures that wasn’t your normal dystopian novel. It is the start of a fun new series that is sure to keep your attention!
I gave this book 4 stars!" ~HeatherandHorses
EXCERPT:
Everyone looked at me. I was supposed to have the answers. I was just a kid. I had nothing.
I covered my ears. “Kill that alarm!” I mouthed over the pounding sound.
Looking at the full hallway, teeming with hope for the first time in, well, ever, I felt like an Amazon queen. “Up!” I yelled. “We go up!” A cheer rose up from people who had been comatose a half an hour before.
“Up!” they shouted. We had the keys. We had the stairs. We didn't have much time.
Pushing the stairway door open, Sam ran ahead of me, Eleanor on his shoulder, singing to herself. Twenty seven floors to go, I thought. Come on legs, don't fail me!
And up we went. Stair by stair, the smell of metal railing on our hands, the stench of manure, the stink of bodies, the odor of a hundred people breathing in hope for those precious moments. We surged upward. The stairway below us began to fill with a fog that we knew too well. A mist that we could not allow to overtake us, it was death.
“Faster!” We screamed. And then we stopped talking and just ran, step after step, one foot in front of another. Arms grabbing the rails, pulling up as we fled the never ending prison. Someone had managed to break the main alarm bell. Now the stairwell was eerie silent. Still, the wretched fog rose below our feet.
-Flying Away, Caroline A. Gill
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