Review: Even if the Sky Falls by Mia Garcia

Even if the Sky Falls by Mia Garcia
Series: Standalone
Published: May 10th, 2016
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
304 pages (eARC)
Genre: Contemporary Young Adult
Acquired this book: Via Edelweiss in exchange for honest consideration
Warning: May contain spoilers
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All she needs is one night to be anyone she wants.

Julie is desperate for a change. So she heads to New Orleans with her youth group to rebuild houses and pretend her life isn’t a total mess. But between her super-clingy team leader and her way-too-chipper companions, Julie feels more trapped than ever.

In a moment of daring, she ditches her work clothes for DIY fairy wings and heads straight into the heart of Mid-Summer Mardi Gras, where she locks eyes with Miles, an utterly irresistible guy with a complicated story of his own. And for once, Julie isn’t looking back. She jumps at the chance to see the real New Orleans, and in one surreal night, they dance under the stars, share their most shameful secrets, and fall in love.

But their adventure takes an unexpected turn when an oncoming hurricane changes course. As the storm gains power and Julie is pulled back into chaos she finds pretending everything is fine is no longer an option. 

The cover-lover in me wanted to read Even if the Sky Falls before I even read the synopsis. I mean, just look at that cover! Then I found out it was set in New Orleans and took place during a span of 24 hours and I was sold.

Julie’s family life has become complicated and uncomfortable since her brother returned home from war. She escapes to New Orleans with her youth group for a change of scenery and a chance to keep busy. Besides the suffocating heat, she’s all but being smothered by the group who’s all about hand-holding, group time, and keeping a close eye on Julie...especially the team leader. Needing a break, Julie takes off and ends up in the middle of Mid-Summer Mardi Gras, where she meets a boy with electric blue hair, and everything begins to change.

I have a love-hate relationship with instalove/instalust. Done well, I really enjoy it. I do believe in attraction/lust/connection/whatever you want to call it at first sight, and I thought Garcia did a good job executing that between Julie and Miles. Their connection really was instant and it intrigued me and made me root for them. Their interactions were fun, and I loved the addition of Miles’s friends and wish we’d seen a bit more of them. I like how bits of Julie’s past were slowly unraveled so the reader saw what led her to New Orleans and needing to escape. There was a nice balance between the fun and excitement of Mid-Summer Mardi Gras and the tension and fear associated with the hurricane. Something that took me by surprise but that I appreciated: how steamy the book was. I wasn’t expecting it, but it felt natural and it was something I appreciate seeing handled honestly in YA. 

My only real complaint is that there was all this build up about Julie’s past and a few specific things that had happened, but then there was no resolution. The ending in general was fairly abrupt; I always have mixed feelings about open endings, and while I was mostly satisfied with the ending, it felt like there were quite a few loose ends.

With a great premise and setting, a diverse cast of characters, and a fast-paced storyline, Even if the Sky Falls was a very enjoyable read. 

Have you read Even if the Sky Falls? What did you think? If you haven't read it, do you plan to? Do you enjoy books that take place during a short period of time? Have any favourites?

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Top Ten Tuesday: Settings I'd Like To See More Of

 Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

When my wanderlust gets bad - like right now - I love reading books set in places I want to visit, or that I've been and want to revisit. It gives me a vicarious thrill until I can actually go there myself. 

Top Ten (err...7) Settings I'd Like To See More Of 

 

 1. Canada. My home and native land! There are not enough books set in Canada. From my experience, the majority of Canadian authors don't even set their books here. It's very rare to come across a book set anywhere in Canada, and I always get really excited when I find one.  

2. Ireland. I also have trouble finding books set in Ireland. I'm planning (hoping, praying, obsessing) on going to Ireland this year, and I've been searching for books set there, but I haven't found many, especially YA books. If you know of any, please let me know!

3. New Orleans. I've always been fascinated with New Orleans and the same problem as the first two applies for this one. There just aren't enough books set in New Orleans.

4. Paris. *sigh* Paris is one place I've actually been, and love reading about. Books like Anna and the French Kiss make me fall in love with the city all over again.

5. London. Another obsession. I love British slang, hearing about places and people and food and everything else in London.

6. New York City. There are definitely no shortage of books set in NYC, I just love reading them and hope people never stop writing about this city. 

7. Faerie. I love books about faeries, particularly ones where people actually travel to the Faerie realms.

Those are my top seven settings I'd like to see more of. What are some of yours? If you're participating, feel free to link me up and I'll come see your list!

 

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