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Broken Sky #1
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KIa og Ryushi har levet i isolation og uvidenhed. Men deres far har sørget for den bedste kamptræning, for våben og åndesten. Det får de to søskende hårdt brug for, da de pludselig må forlade det hidtil trygge barndomshjem og drage ud i det ukendte...
326 pages
First published January 1, 1999
13 people are currently reading
667 people want to read
About the author
Chris Wooding
80 books2,198 followersChris Wooding grew up in a small town in Leicestershire, where not much of anything happened. So he started to write novels. He was sixteen when he completed his first. He had an agent by eighteen. By nineteen he had signed his first book deal. When he left university he began to write full-time, and he has been doing it professionally all his adult life.
Now thirty-nine, Chris has written over twenty books, which have been translated into twenty languages, won various awards and been published around the world. He writes for film and television, and has several projects in development.
Chris has travelled extensively round the world, having backpacked all over Europe and North America, Scandinavia, South East Asia, Japan and South Africa. He also lived in Madrid for a time. When he wasn’t travelling on his own, he spent his twenties touring with bands and seeing the UK and Europe from the back of a van.
He also learned not so long ago that his family tree can be traced back to John Milton, author of Paradise Lost, which has no bearing on him whatsoever but it’s kind of interesting anyway.
Chris lives in London.
Now thirty-nine, Chris has written over twenty books, which have been translated into twenty languages, won various awards and been published around the world. He writes for film and television, and has several projects in development.
Chris has travelled extensively round the world, having backpacked all over Europe and North America, Scandinavia, South East Asia, Japan and South Africa. He also lived in Madrid for a time. When he wasn’t travelling on his own, he spent his twenties touring with bands and seeing the UK and Europe from the back of a van.
He also learned not so long ago that his family tree can be traced back to John Milton, author of Paradise Lost, which has no bearing on him whatsoever but it’s kind of interesting anyway.
Chris lives in London.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
July 14, 2011
The covers don't do the content justice. I imagine many people turn away at the site of cartoons and anime-inspired stories, but outer appearance really belies the drama and serious nature of Broken Sky. This is a legitimate action-fantasy series in its own right, full of drama, struggle, and a very interesting world.
June 7, 2011
Chris Wooding's debut series as an author and a blood damn good series it is. He write a total of 9 books, revolving around the lives of twin siblings.
Without knowing at the time, I suppose I fell in love with this book and series because of the influences that the author was under:
Broken Sky is an epic tale of fighting fantasy, inspired by Japanese manga comics and videos.
It definitely is completely underrated and the series are no longer in print if I recall correctly. Took me years to get a hold of #7 for this, but I'm fairly sure I snagged all 9 books of the series, a collection to keep for life <3
Without knowing at the time, I suppose I fell in love with this book and series because of the influences that the author was under:
Broken Sky is an epic tale of fighting fantasy, inspired by Japanese manga comics and videos.
It definitely is completely underrated and the series are no longer in print if I recall correctly. Took me years to get a hold of #7 for this, but I'm fairly sure I snagged all 9 books of the series, a collection to keep for life <3
Read
January 9, 2016DID ANYONE ELSE READ THIS SERIES? IN RETROSPECT IT WAS PROBABLY THE INTRO TO MY WEEABOO PHASE.
Read
September 16, 2017Man, what a blast from the past. I don't know if I totally finished this series, but I definitely went through the ones I did read like hotcakes. My memories of it are so scatted, I barely remember what it was about (a war? some twins and magic stones? a character named Tatterdemalion that I thought was the coolest made up word ever?), but I do remember getting rid of the books I owned because I thought I was getting too addicted to anime and things like it... So, I don't know how my younger self would feel about the fact that I still watch anime every day haha.
November 12, 2007
I guess i am the only person who read this book because no one else has written a review of it. I read this a long time ago but i do remember that it was very good.
January 12, 2019
Ich hatte nie vor diese Reihe zu lesen. Doch wenn mein Sohn sie aussortiert, wollte ich wenigstens eine Blick reinwerfen. Mehr als einen Blick war es mir dann auch nicht wert. Diese Art Literatur richtet sich an eine völlig andere Leserschaft. Ich selber kann damit gar nichts anfangen um es mal so freundlich auszudrücken.
December 17, 2021
*This is a review of the whole series, not just Book 1. However, it is completely spoiler-free.*
Every time I decide to revisit a book from childhood, there are two intermingled emotions brewing inside of me. One is the expected happiness, a comforting grip of nostalgia that invariably follows all enjoyable memories of the past. It serves as a memento, a remnant of the times long gone. A little time machine showing us that time is not an entirely one-way street. This re-reading act is reassuring and soothing and the main reason why I do it.
The other emotion is not as encouraging. One could even say it is unpleasant. It is the fear that the book won’t stand the test of time.
The mind of a ten-year-old is not the same as that of a thirty-year-old. Things that we find enchanting and grand dwindle in size when seen by the eyes of a grown-up. An apple tree in the garden that once served as a child’s whole playground is now a minuscule, worn-out plant. The same things happen with books. An adult notices plot holes that a child would miss. He notices faulty logic. Lack of character development. Because of that and with no ill intention, he is quick to cast judgment and discard the once-beloved book to the forgotten and dusty shelves, a place where memories disappear.
You can just imagine my delight when I understood that my fears proved unfounded. Although he is not among the most distinguished fantasy authors, Chris Wooding crafted book series that I found as captivating now as I did twenty years ago. His characters are lovable, fun and undergo meaningful development and progress. The plot is entertaining and fluid, containing all the important elements of young adult fiction. There is action, romance, suspense, twists and secrets, combined with small alcoves of intricate life philosophy. His worldbuilding skills are way above most of his contemporaries that just recycle prosaic fantasy concepts and creatures. Mr. Wooding did a great job with Broken Sky.
Of course, this book didn’t pass my self-constructed test with 100% success. There are some rough edges that I notice now that I haven’t paid attention to as a kid. Some dialogues are childish. Some motivations are inconclusive. But none of these details are enough to give me even a shred of doubt that I will be re-reading this series in a couple of years again and thoroughly enjoying it once more.
Every time I decide to revisit a book from childhood, there are two intermingled emotions brewing inside of me. One is the expected happiness, a comforting grip of nostalgia that invariably follows all enjoyable memories of the past. It serves as a memento, a remnant of the times long gone. A little time machine showing us that time is not an entirely one-way street. This re-reading act is reassuring and soothing and the main reason why I do it.
The other emotion is not as encouraging. One could even say it is unpleasant. It is the fear that the book won’t stand the test of time.
The mind of a ten-year-old is not the same as that of a thirty-year-old. Things that we find enchanting and grand dwindle in size when seen by the eyes of a grown-up. An apple tree in the garden that once served as a child’s whole playground is now a minuscule, worn-out plant. The same things happen with books. An adult notices plot holes that a child would miss. He notices faulty logic. Lack of character development. Because of that and with no ill intention, he is quick to cast judgment and discard the once-beloved book to the forgotten and dusty shelves, a place where memories disappear.
You can just imagine my delight when I understood that my fears proved unfounded. Although he is not among the most distinguished fantasy authors, Chris Wooding crafted book series that I found as captivating now as I did twenty years ago. His characters are lovable, fun and undergo meaningful development and progress. The plot is entertaining and fluid, containing all the important elements of young adult fiction. There is action, romance, suspense, twists and secrets, combined with small alcoves of intricate life philosophy. His worldbuilding skills are way above most of his contemporaries that just recycle prosaic fantasy concepts and creatures. Mr. Wooding did a great job with Broken Sky.
Of course, this book didn’t pass my self-constructed test with 100% success. There are some rough edges that I notice now that I haven’t paid attention to as a kid. Some dialogues are childish. Some motivations are inconclusive. But none of these details are enough to give me even a shred of doubt that I will be re-reading this series in a couple of years again and thoroughly enjoying it once more.
June 29, 2013
(This review may contain spoilers).
Broken Sky was another of those book series I enjoyed when I was much younger. I remember that I found part of part one - a sample of the first chapter - in a charity shop and was immediately attracted to the illustration of Ryushi on the front cover. Unfortunately, I have since misplaced that original version, but I do now have all nine parts.
The first part of Broken Sky was a good introduction to the series and to the characters. I liked leaning about the world - and I remember being absolutely fascinated by the concept of spirit stones. I always thought it would be so cool to have some of my own.
Anyway, I also like the illustrations that worked as an intro to the characters in each segment. I think Ryushi and Elani are my favourite characters, but I like the whole contrast between how Kia and Ryushi deal with everything that happens. I also really liked Hochi's and Gerdi's relationship.
Broken Sky is a series I'd definitely recommend for people who like this sort of genre. Myself included.
Broken Sky was another of those book series I enjoyed when I was much younger. I remember that I found part of part one - a sample of the first chapter - in a charity shop and was immediately attracted to the illustration of Ryushi on the front cover. Unfortunately, I have since misplaced that original version, but I do now have all nine parts.
The first part of Broken Sky was a good introduction to the series and to the characters. I liked leaning about the world - and I remember being absolutely fascinated by the concept of spirit stones. I always thought it would be so cool to have some of my own.
Anyway, I also like the illustrations that worked as an intro to the characters in each segment. I think Ryushi and Elani are my favourite characters, but I like the whole contrast between how Kia and Ryushi deal with everything that happens. I also really liked Hochi's and Gerdi's relationship.
Broken Sky is a series I'd definitely recommend for people who like this sort of genre. Myself included.
November 27, 2020
My mom bought me this book about a decade ago, thinking I would like it. I have no idea why she’d think that, but after having it take up space on the shelf for so long I decided to give it a chance, completely open-minded. And it has raving reviews on Goodreads so that seemed like a good sign.
I was sorely disappointed. What a waste of time.
I kept pushing myself to at least make it fifty pages in to give it a proper chance and it just got more disappointing.
The world-building is so-so but would probably be a lot better without the clear manga influence.
Dialogue is really choppy and unrealistic.
The exposition is so in your face at every moment, both when it comes to info dumps and sudden outbursts from characters.
Character motivations makes no sense.
As an example: The MC hates his older brother and thinks he’s downright evil. Why? He’s older and MC doesn’t like being younger and hates his brother for being told stuff that only adults know while he as a minor is being kept oh so unfairly in the dark about stuff that seemingly doesn’t impact his life at all. That for some reason makes the brother evil??
MC confronts his dad about this and his dad agrees that’s it’s unfair, apologize, and acts like it’s this huge thing that he has to atone for and can never ask anything from his son again after having wronged him like that.
It feels like a bad puppet play.
June 20, 2017
I remember scoffing at this book as my brother brought it home from the school book fair. I looked down upon it from my high horse of "intellectual reads". (I was 12 then and considered myself quite the book elite :D)
One day, I stumbled upon this by accident (when my brother was not at home, mind you). It was a very good read! I was stunned by the scope of the story and the engaging writing, which the constraints of intended audience/market did no justice to. The anime influence was very palpable, and I loved it all the more for it.
I do not know if I would like it the same way now, probably not. But as a 12 year old, this was a much needed challenge to my reading arrogance. I became much more accepting and more expansive/diverse in my reading. So thank you, brother. (Since you are not on goodreads, its safe to express my rare appreciation for you here.)
One day, I stumbled upon this by accident (when my brother was not at home, mind you). It was a very good read! I was stunned by the scope of the story and the engaging writing, which the constraints of intended audience/market did no justice to. The anime influence was very palpable, and I loved it all the more for it.
I do not know if I would like it the same way now, probably not. But as a 12 year old, this was a much needed challenge to my reading arrogance. I became much more accepting and more expansive/diverse in my reading. So thank you, brother. (Since you are not on goodreads, its safe to express my rare appreciation for you here.)
January 13, 2023
This was a great introduction to the world of Broken Sky. What I feel Chris Wooding did best was how they made everything in the world feel like it made sense, even though we as the readers know nothing and are not from Osaka Stud. He makes Broken Sky's world's normality's feel like our own world's routines, like we should know these things that seem very obvious to Ryushi and Kia. The author makes Wyverns and Spirit Stones feel natural, and this trait really made it easy to immerse myself into the story. The characters are pretty easy to understand off the bat, and I personally like the path Kia is going down very much.
November 23, 2025
The writing is really taking me out here 🥱 it’s so dry and repetitive, weirdly superficial in a way? The dialogue is just plain awful, very forced and unatural especially in the danish translation. I can see how this might have been better as an anime, but the story and the characters are just SO bleh. The plottwist was not twisting, the romance was dryer than Kirin Taq. I will be donating my copy, as I simply cannot recommend it to anyone. A lot of telling and not enough showing 🤷🏼♀️
December 8, 2021
A unique and intriguing world setting and refreshing way of including super powers in the story. The characters are very diverse and the plot keeps you wondering what will happen next. I read this as a kid and then reread it again years later. still amazing and interesting to see the same story in a different way. one of my all time faves.
December 27, 2022
Borrowed this randomly from the school library in a hurry and glad I picked this one out, soooo underrated and I love how every moment gets you questioning and on your seat because there is so much action and twists going on
November 16, 2017
This is a bit of a guilty pleasure. I read this book series when I was 11 and loved them all. It holds up too, excellent action fantasy.
December 17, 2017
Started reading, couldn't stop.
February 23, 2022
Solid YA fantasy. I read these growing up and forgot about them, but I see what drew me in.
September 17, 2022
A great fantasy and young adult series with inspiring use of the possibilities within the world of writing.
January 1, 2025
Never got to read it growing up. Finally got around to it at 35. Handing it down to my oldest now.
January 7, 2025
Enjoyed rereading
September 8, 2022
Find the review on my Instagram: bookworms_booknook
November 5, 2016
I've been trying to read this book since I bought it in 1999, 17 years ago! I keep starting it, putting it down, and forgetting about it- not that it isn't an interesting or good book. It's just not page turning. The story is a steampunk blend of magic and technology. It reads a lot like 90's anime adventure which based on the cover is probably why I picked it up in the first place. After the initial setup, the book moves along faster so if you can get past the first section it is more worth it. It definitely leaves you on a cliff hanger and with some unanswered questions. I'll read the second one because I bought it too. The story is definitely more for upper elementary grades and might be a tad too young or simple for the middle schoolers who are used to stories like Attack on Titan and darker anime.
July 16, 2015
First of all, don't let the cover turn you away. The story is so amazing and the covers really don't do it any justice. I found this in a library when I was about 14 and I almost didn't take it because of the cover. But having read almost all of the children/young adult books our library had, I was left with little choice. So I read it, and all the other 8 books in the series. And I fell in love with it!
The world in which this is happening is insanely interesting. When a person is born, they get special stones planted in their backs. Once the stones are in, they turn a certain colour which tells you what kind of powers you have. Also, the more money you have, the more stones you can buy for your children and their powers are increased with each stone. These stones are actually working like a bridge between the energy that flows in earth, and your natural abilities.
The story itself revolves around a brother and a sister. Kia and Ryushi. Kia has earth elemental stones and her brother has air. They each have six of them because their father is quite wealthy.
They live on a dragon farm, away from the city. They are quite sheltered from everything so they have no idea their father is a rebel against the unfair king. One day, the farm is attacked and their father is killed so they are forced to flee. They learn shocking truths about the king, their familly and the world they are living in. Suddenly, they are thrown into a head spinning adventure.
I love how this is written. The descriptions are very nice, the idea is good but the true marvel of this book is how well Chris Wooding develops his characters and their emotions.
The style of writing is not particularly hard, it is simple but it fits with this book. It is easy to read. As much for children as for adults.
The world in which this is happening is insanely interesting. When a person is born, they get special stones planted in their backs. Once the stones are in, they turn a certain colour which tells you what kind of powers you have. Also, the more money you have, the more stones you can buy for your children and their powers are increased with each stone. These stones are actually working like a bridge between the energy that flows in earth, and your natural abilities.
The story itself revolves around a brother and a sister. Kia and Ryushi. Kia has earth elemental stones and her brother has air. They each have six of them because their father is quite wealthy.
They live on a dragon farm, away from the city. They are quite sheltered from everything so they have no idea their father is a rebel against the unfair king. One day, the farm is attacked and their father is killed so they are forced to flee. They learn shocking truths about the king, their familly and the world they are living in. Suddenly, they are thrown into a head spinning adventure.
I love how this is written. The descriptions are very nice, the idea is good but the true marvel of this book is how well Chris Wooding develops his characters and their emotions.
The style of writing is not particularly hard, it is simple but it fits with this book. It is easy to read. As much for children as for adults.
July 15, 2023
Læste denne bog tilbage i 00'erne og elskede den. Jeg gav den 4 stjerner den gang.
Nu har jeg genlæst den, og jeg frygtede det her ville ske. Jeg kunne virkelig ikke lide den. Min holdning til hvad en god bog er, har åbenbart rykket sig kilometer væk fra, hvad holdningen engang var. Tusmørkekrigen er ikke bare ældet dårligt, den er direkte dårligt skrevet, som i allround dårligt skrevet. Og derudover er den saftsusme også virkelig ringe oversat - det er ellers ikke noget jeg plejer at lægge så meget mærke til, men når selv jeg kan se det, er der altså noget om snakken.
Det er så ærgerligt. Og jeg er helt uforstående overfor hvordan jeg engang har kunne lide denne bog. Måske var det dragerne? De var ikke særligt meget med, men de var der.
Nu har jeg genlæst den, og jeg frygtede det her ville ske. Jeg kunne virkelig ikke lide den. Min holdning til hvad en god bog er, har åbenbart rykket sig kilometer væk fra, hvad holdningen engang var. Tusmørkekrigen er ikke bare ældet dårligt, den er direkte dårligt skrevet, som i allround dårligt skrevet. Og derudover er den saftsusme også virkelig ringe oversat - det er ellers ikke noget jeg plejer at lægge så meget mærke til, men når selv jeg kan se det, er der altså noget om snakken.
Det er så ærgerligt. Og jeg er helt uforstående overfor hvordan jeg engang har kunne lide denne bog. Måske var det dragerne? De var ikke særligt meget med, men de var der.
December 28, 2017
A decent action-adventure set in a fantasty world (or worlds?) that have definitely had a bit of thought put into them and I look forward to exploring further. I enjoy Wooding's writing style, although these are some of his earlier books and whilst his style is good, the character development and plot is a little more simplistic. Then again, it is intended for kids.
Like all good serial books, these chapter books are not very long and tend to have cliffhanger endings, to lure the reader into the next one.
Like all good serial books, these chapter books are not very long and tend to have cliffhanger endings, to lure the reader into the next one.
March 20, 2016
In truth, this book takes perhaps 3 hrs to read. the first two introductory chapters are well and good, and I could take it or leave it. I've read YA books before, but this one has so very many incredible reviews, including those of my own children now 24 and 27, that I had to give it a chance.
A family's home swept away by trusted forces, the ensuing pursuit and escape, emotions run amok, gripping experiences and hooking story lines grab you and make you want to devour the entire series in a weekend. For that is likely how little time it will take to complete the series.
A family's home swept away by trusted forces, the ensuing pursuit and escape, emotions run amok, gripping experiences and hooking story lines grab you and make you want to devour the entire series in a weekend. For that is likely how little time it will take to complete the series.
Read
July 30, 2011This is a fantastic novel, cant undestand why I haven't startet reading Broken Sky before now.
Chris Wooding is a fantastic writer who knows just how to keep his readers attention fixed and you really can't let go of this book.
The details in the books amazes me from each chapter that I read and I can feel the joy or sorrow in the characters feelings when things happen fast and swift.
Can recommend it to everyone, so start reading and enjoy it.
Chris Wooding is a fantastic writer who knows just how to keep his readers attention fixed and you really can't let go of this book.
The details in the books amazes me from each chapter that I read and I can feel the joy or sorrow in the characters feelings when things happen fast and swift.
Can recommend it to everyone, so start reading and enjoy it.
July 28, 2020
I read this for the first time back when I was in middle school, even though I'm older I gave it a reread and I still enjoy it just as much. The story is what always seems to suck me in. I can easily get past the part where it was wrote for a younger audience because the fantasy of the world Wooding made just makes you forget that. For a short time there was talk of making it into a show and I really wish someone would pick it up again.
April 8, 2011
Great concept and story, even if the prose is formal and wordy. It's like hearing a good story told by a robot. (A robot that loves adverbs.) Still, the world is well thought out and the characters are likeable. I've already started the second in the series. Thanks to my brother-in-law Joel, for recommending them.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews