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The Dividing Sky
A cunning memory merchant falls for the handsome rookie officer on her tail in this swoony dystopian romance, hailed as “dynamic, vivid, and electrifying” (Ayana Gray, New York Times bestselling author of Beasts of Prey)
In 2364, eighteen-year-old Liv Newman dreams of a future beyond her lower-class life in the Metro. As a Proxy, she uses the neurochip in her brain to sell memories to wealthy clients. Maybe a few illegally, but money equals freedom. So when a customer offers her a ludicrous sum to go on an assignment in no-man’s-land, Liv accepts. Now she just has to survive.
Rookie Forceman Adrian Rao believes in order over all. After discovering that a renegade Proxy’s shady dealings are messing with citizens’ brain chemistry, he vows to extinguish the threat. But when he tracks Liv down, there’s one problem: her memories are gone. Can Adrian bring himself to condemn her for crimes she doesn’t remember?
As Liv and Adrian navigate the world beyond the Metro and their growing feelings for one another, they grapple with who they are, who they could be, and whether another way of living is possible.
In 2364, eighteen-year-old Liv Newman dreams of a future beyond her lower-class life in the Metro. As a Proxy, she uses the neurochip in her brain to sell memories to wealthy clients. Maybe a few illegally, but money equals freedom. So when a customer offers her a ludicrous sum to go on an assignment in no-man’s-land, Liv accepts. Now she just has to survive.
Rookie Forceman Adrian Rao believes in order over all. After discovering that a renegade Proxy’s shady dealings are messing with citizens’ brain chemistry, he vows to extinguish the threat. But when he tracks Liv down, there’s one problem: her memories are gone. Can Adrian bring himself to condemn her for crimes she doesn’t remember?
As Liv and Adrian navigate the world beyond the Metro and their growing feelings for one another, they grapple with who they are, who they could be, and whether another way of living is possible.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published October 8, 2024
73 people are currently reading
13883 people want to read
About the author
Jill Tew
8 books211 followersJill Tew is the critically-acclaimed author of dystopian romance and middle grade novels that imagine Black girls in exciting new worlds. Her debut novel The Dividing Sky (2024) was a Top 10 Kids Indie Next Pick, and was selected by Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, Bookshop.org, and Reactor Magazine as one of the Best Young Adult Books of the Year. Her middle grade debut Kaya Morgan’s Crowning Achievement will be available in April 2025.
A graduate of the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, Jill lives in Atlanta with her family. She is also a co-host of the Afronauts Podcast, which provides writing tips and community for Black aspiring speculative fiction writers. When not writing, she can be found stress baking, gardening, or belting showtunes in the carpool line.
A graduate of the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, Jill lives in Atlanta with her family. She is also a co-host of the Afronauts Podcast, which provides writing tips and community for Black aspiring speculative fiction writers. When not writing, she can be found stress baking, gardening, or belting showtunes in the carpool line.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 304 reviews
March 7, 2023
It's hard to believe this is Tew's debut book. The Dividing Sky was exciting and engrossing, yes, AND it did what the best speculative fiction always does: it made me think more deeply about the world we live in today. The world is vividly portrayed, the characters are relatable, and the challenges they face -- connecting with our own and others' humanity in a system designed to strip that away, coping physically and psychologically with soul-crushing work -- are ones that may feel familiar (though I'll admit my day-to-day challenges don't have me on the edge of my seat the way this book did).
If you want an action-packed, gritty yet beautiful and inspiring read, READ THIS. And it is always a treat to read spec fiction featuring women and people of color, written by women and people of color.
If you want an action-packed, gritty yet beautiful and inspiring read, READ THIS. And it is always a treat to read spec fiction featuring women and people of color, written by women and people of color.
September 14, 2024
Thank you NetGalley and Jill Tew for reaching out and providing a copy of this arc in exchange for an honest review!
DNF 21%
This had a really cool concept and the writing honestly wasn't bad, but this was not hitting for me. The universe was cool but there were aspects of it that were confusing or just weird. No one interacts with their personal acquaintances but through all these different proxies. That part for me was strange and hard to wrap my head around.
And the characters really had a lot of potential, but my main issue with them and some of the writing was the lack of any emotions other than surface level. There so much complexity to this universe that there was a lot of info dumping and then just a lot of straight dialogue. Not a ton of development or introspection.
I might not have been the best headspace for this one either. I have a lot of books I'm really excited to read so it can be a risk to read something ahead of anticipated reads.
DNF for now.
DNF 21%
This had a really cool concept and the writing honestly wasn't bad, but this was not hitting for me. The universe was cool but there were aspects of it that were confusing or just weird. No one interacts with their personal acquaintances but through all these different proxies. That part for me was strange and hard to wrap my head around.
And the characters really had a lot of potential, but my main issue with them and some of the writing was the lack of any emotions other than surface level. There so much complexity to this universe that there was a lot of info dumping and then just a lot of straight dialogue. Not a ton of development or introspection.
I might not have been the best headspace for this one either. I have a lot of books I'm really excited to read so it can be a risk to read something ahead of anticipated reads.
DNF for now.
October 18, 2023
The Dividing Sky is the fresh breath of dystopian air I’ve been waiting for. This unforgettable sci-fi romance has it all; genius world building, beautifully crafted characters, a surprisingly cozy atmosphere, twists I never saw coming, and a romance that is so sweet and swoonworthy, I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.
September 14, 2024
I love the dystopian world crafted here. It's scarily plausible: a corporate-based society where everyone's worth is judged based on their productivity.
Our protagonists are a teen girl who collects happy memories to transfer to other people (so they don't have to take time off themselves), and a teen boy who is a police enforcer. She steps outside the law, he's tasked with hunting her down, and they collide in a romance.
This book also has a delightfully diverse cast, and many cute moments that keep the tone on the fun and light side.
What I didn't love about this book was the romance itself. Our heroine spends much of the book in a state of amnesia. Her love interest spends much of the book lying to her and manipulating her, fully taking advantage of this situation. I really can't root for a romance when the basis for it is a mixture of insta-love and lying.
Thanks to Netgalley and Joy Revolution for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Our protagonists are a teen girl who collects happy memories to transfer to other people (so they don't have to take time off themselves), and a teen boy who is a police enforcer. She steps outside the law, he's tasked with hunting her down, and they collide in a romance.
This book also has a delightfully diverse cast, and many cute moments that keep the tone on the fun and light side.
What I didn't love about this book was the romance itself. Our heroine spends much of the book in a state of amnesia. Her love interest spends much of the book lying to her and manipulating her, fully taking advantage of this situation. I really can't root for a romance when the basis for it is a mixture of insta-love and lying.
Thanks to Netgalley and Joy Revolution for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
tbr-2
November 6, 2025
March 10, 2023
I had the pleasure of beta reading this book and I highly recommend it! The world is so real and chilling, the stakes so high and the romance is spectacular. I loved this book.
August 22, 2024
3.5 stars rounded up
I honestly REALLY wanted to love this. I miss dystopian books, I love diverse reads, the premise had my full attention. And there were things I did like... the world was cool, it asked some good thought-provoking questions, the memory-dealing stuff was an interesting idea, it felt like it had heart... but characters will always carry a story for me and these characters didn't feel believable or like I could connect with them fully.
A main issue for me is that I've grown out of insta-love stories being engaging or believable and this is very much that. The story really hinged on this instant connection and it didn't quite click for me. I think part of it was because the character decisions that led to them spending this time together felt unrealistic to me. That's sometimes part of YA books' charm, but this required too much suspension of disbelief. The main character chooses to erase her memories in an oops moment, then the love interest chooses for some reason to indulge this girl he doesn't know by venturing through dangerous wilderness with her for like a two week trip for a reason he doesn't understand, risking his job that he's super invested in, his partner's life because he's just... waiting for him in this dangerous wilderness, and the girl he's in love with. This was after they met a grand total of once for maybe two minutes.
Thanks to netgalley for the arc!
I honestly REALLY wanted to love this. I miss dystopian books, I love diverse reads, the premise had my full attention. And there were things I did like... the world was cool, it asked some good thought-provoking questions, the memory-dealing stuff was an interesting idea, it felt like it had heart... but characters will always carry a story for me and these characters didn't feel believable or like I could connect with them fully.
A main issue for me is that I've grown out of insta-love stories being engaging or believable and this is very much that. The story really hinged on this instant connection and it didn't quite click for me. I think part of it was because the character decisions that led to them spending this time together felt unrealistic to me. That's sometimes part of YA books' charm, but this required too much suspension of disbelief. The main character chooses to erase her memories in an oops moment, then the love interest chooses for some reason to indulge this girl he doesn't know by venturing through dangerous wilderness with her for like a two week trip for a reason he doesn't understand, risking his job that he's super invested in, his partner's life because he's just... waiting for him in this dangerous wilderness, and the girl he's in love with. This was after they met a grand total of once for maybe two minutes.
Thanks to netgalley for the arc!
August 21, 2024
This book is singlehandedly bringing dystopian back and I AM SO HERE FOR IT!
Buckle up because this book has it all--dual POV enemies to lovers, literally everything you love and miss about dystopian books, gorgeous worldbuilding that's a bit too close for comfort to reality and unsettling for that reason, tender human connections, and a story that makes you stop and think while your heart aches.
It landed in this perfect in-between for me of nostalgic and fresh, and made me question our current world in the way that only the best dystopian/sci-fi books do. The simplest but most important thing I can say about it was that it made me feel touched and inspired in such a poignant way.
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Buckle up because this book has it all--dual POV enemies to lovers, literally everything you love and miss about dystopian books, gorgeous worldbuilding that's a bit too close for comfort to reality and unsettling for that reason, tender human connections, and a story that makes you stop and think while your heart aches.
It landed in this perfect in-between for me of nostalgic and fresh, and made me question our current world in the way that only the best dystopian/sci-fi books do. The simplest but most important thing I can say about it was that it made me feel touched and inspired in such a poignant way.
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 15, 2024
Thank you to the author for providing me an ARC of The Dividing Sky.
If you grew up on YA dystopian romance novels then you will definitely appreciate this story! It feels like it's bringing that genre back to a new generation 🙌🏾. World building is easy to follow and is also perfect for teens who want to get into the genre. This will also make my anti capitalist girlies sing 👏🏾. If you've ever felt like the world sees your productivity as more important than actually living and enjoying our beautiful lives, then check this one out. I'm going to encourage all the teens in my life to read it 🤗.
If you grew up on YA dystopian romance novels then you will definitely appreciate this story! It feels like it's bringing that genre back to a new generation 🙌🏾. World building is easy to follow and is also perfect for teens who want to get into the genre. This will also make my anti capitalist girlies sing 👏🏾. If you've ever felt like the world sees your productivity as more important than actually living and enjoying our beautiful lives, then check this one out. I'm going to encourage all the teens in my life to read it 🤗.
October 16, 2024
2024 reads: 283/250
i received an advanced review copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. this did not affect my rating.
as a proxy, liv newman uses the neurochip in her brain to sell memories to wealthy clients. it’s not the best job—especially as some cases are illegal—but it puts food on the table. so, when she receives a ludicrous offer to venture into no-man’s-land, she accepts.
when adrian rao, a rookie forceman, discovers a renegade proxy whose work has been messing with people’s brain chemistry, he becomes determined to take her down. but when he finally catches up to her, he can’t bring himself to do it. liv’s memories have been wiped, so how can he punish her for crimes she doesn’t remember?
i was so excited when i heard about this book! i grew up on YA dystopian books and movies, and i’m so glad there seems to be a resurgence in this movement. the world in this book was pretty interesting. we didn’t spend much time in the metro, but its effects on the characters and the world outside of it were prevalent throughout the novel. i also loved the characters and how they grew both individually and, eventually, as a couple. i would highly recommend this to YA dystopian readers!
i received an advanced review copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. this did not affect my rating.
as a proxy, liv newman uses the neurochip in her brain to sell memories to wealthy clients. it’s not the best job—especially as some cases are illegal—but it puts food on the table. so, when she receives a ludicrous offer to venture into no-man’s-land, she accepts.
when adrian rao, a rookie forceman, discovers a renegade proxy whose work has been messing with people’s brain chemistry, he becomes determined to take her down. but when he finally catches up to her, he can’t bring himself to do it. liv’s memories have been wiped, so how can he punish her for crimes she doesn’t remember?
i was so excited when i heard about this book! i grew up on YA dystopian books and movies, and i’m so glad there seems to be a resurgence in this movement. the world in this book was pretty interesting. we didn’t spend much time in the metro, but its effects on the characters and the world outside of it were prevalent throughout the novel. i also loved the characters and how they grew both individually and, eventually, as a couple. i would highly recommend this to YA dystopian readers!
December 16, 2024
i really liked this dystopian setting! it was a cool idea and an interesting and believable look into how society could turn out. liv’s role in the world was cool too, and i enjoyed how technology was explored. however, the story was pretty standard YA and not the most gripping, and i was a bit lukewarm around the romance (the whole amnesia thing was a bit convoluted and didn’t allow them to be fully honest with each other for most of the book, which i didn’t love). the supporting characters weren’t very memorable either, although celeste was cute. i’m not sure if this is set up to be a series; idk if i would pick up a sequel, but i am happy that ya dystopian is coming back!
March 15, 2023
I saw this book described as "Serpent & Dove with androids" - as if I could get any more excited for it.
May 4, 2025
I did not finish it, I just had to remove it from my currently reading. I quit reading it after I got halfway through.
March 10, 2025
3.75 ⭐ but rounded up for Goodreads.
I love dystopian novels. Reading a YA sci-fi dystopian was so fun. I need more of it for sure! The world in this book is fascinating to me because it honestly is plausible. This book is very much a commentary on capitalist society and how, often, our worth in society gets measured by how we provide for capitalism. LifeCorps felt a little too real (Amazon and Tesla aren't far off if you ask me).
Speaking of the world in this being fascinating, I LOVED the heavy descriptions of nature in the Outerlands and the use of the book Walden. It really is so easy to let the monotony of capitalism make you forget the beauty in the small things. I appreciate the reminder that nature is so incredibly grounding and good for us. Tuning into your senses and becoming one with nature really makes you appreciate the little things and life and see the joy in it. I applaud Tew for emphasizing that through Liv.
I thought the romance in this was sweet! I love "enemies" to lovers. I get some people might find it a bit rushed, but they're teenagers. Everything regarding love/feelings feels so BIG during that age and I found that to be quite realistic with Liv and Adrian. It feels encompassing. I especially love this particular quote and how it depicts that: "Liv is my law now, and whatever draws the light to her eyes is my justice. We'll burn the bridge and deal with the consequences later. I'll strike the match myself."
Overall, I enjoyed this. It's simple yet it makes you reflect on society as it stands, which is something all good dystopian novels do. I think this is a solid debut novel. My only qualm with it is wanting more and the ending feeling rushed. I'd say that's why my rating falls where it does. I feel like we could have gone deeper with the world building, characters, and plot. I'd love to see a continuation of Liv and Adrian's story, especially with how they end up by the end of this. If Tew writes a sequel, I'm totally down to read it! I'm excited to see more from Tew in the future.
I love dystopian novels. Reading a YA sci-fi dystopian was so fun. I need more of it for sure! The world in this book is fascinating to me because it honestly is plausible. This book is very much a commentary on capitalist society and how, often, our worth in society gets measured by how we provide for capitalism. LifeCorps felt a little too real (Amazon and Tesla aren't far off if you ask me).
Speaking of the world in this being fascinating, I LOVED the heavy descriptions of nature in the Outerlands and the use of the book Walden. It really is so easy to let the monotony of capitalism make you forget the beauty in the small things. I appreciate the reminder that nature is so incredibly grounding and good for us. Tuning into your senses and becoming one with nature really makes you appreciate the little things and life and see the joy in it. I applaud Tew for emphasizing that through Liv.
I thought the romance in this was sweet! I love "enemies" to lovers. I get some people might find it a bit rushed, but they're teenagers. Everything regarding love/feelings feels so BIG during that age and I found that to be quite realistic with Liv and Adrian. It feels encompassing. I especially love this particular quote and how it depicts that: "Liv is my law now, and whatever draws the light to her eyes is my justice. We'll burn the bridge and deal with the consequences later. I'll strike the match myself."
Overall, I enjoyed this. It's simple yet it makes you reflect on society as it stands, which is something all good dystopian novels do. I think this is a solid debut novel. My only qualm with it is wanting more and the ending feeling rushed. I'd say that's why my rating falls where it does. I feel like we could have gone deeper with the world building, characters, and plot. I'd love to see a continuation of Liv and Adrian's story, especially with how they end up by the end of this. If Tew writes a sequel, I'm totally down to read it! I'm excited to see more from Tew in the future.
March 6, 2025
Oh my, I loved this. It's dystopian YA, sure, but it feels better-written and less... dystopian YA than a lot of dystopian YA. If that makes sense. (If it doesn't, don't blame me--my brain is addled by flu.)
So, we're several hundred years in the future, and our protagonists, Liv and Adrian, live in the Metro, a privatized super-metropolis on the East Coast. It's controlled by LifeCorp, and its "citizens" are all employees. Its most valuable employees are hyperproductive and basically work 18 hours a day. They never get to have fun, so they outsource feelings and fun and experiences to Proxies like Liv, who records "scraps" like the wind rustling leaves in a tree, a sunrise or skydiving, and then uploads them into their brains. She's so good at it that her clients basically get high off it.
Adrian is a Forceman and is a LifeCorp true believer, bless his naive little heart. His organization notices that some workers are basically glowing with happiness and comes to the conclusion that someone is distributing a new drug that is competing with Mean, which is the drug LifeCorp gives to its workers to keep them docile. Adrian is part of the team who sets out to arrest Liv, who they believe is the dealer.
His chase leads him--and Liv--out of the Metro, where there's self-inflicted amnesia, betrayal, adventure and a really wonderful depiction of the first flushes of love. And when the big conflict comes, it's done really well.
Jill Tew weaves in plenty of criticism of corporations, the prison-industrial complex and capitalism in general, but it doesn't feel heavy handed or humorless.
A particular shoutout to the fact that Liv refers to NK Jemisin as a classic author alongside Brönte. 💯
4.5 stars
So, we're several hundred years in the future, and our protagonists, Liv and Adrian, live in the Metro, a privatized super-metropolis on the East Coast. It's controlled by LifeCorp, and its "citizens" are all employees. Its most valuable employees are hyperproductive and basically work 18 hours a day. They never get to have fun, so they outsource feelings and fun and experiences to Proxies like Liv, who records "scraps" like the wind rustling leaves in a tree, a sunrise or skydiving, and then uploads them into their brains. She's so good at it that her clients basically get high off it.
Adrian is a Forceman and is a LifeCorp true believer, bless his naive little heart. His organization notices that some workers are basically glowing with happiness and comes to the conclusion that someone is distributing a new drug that is competing with Mean, which is the drug LifeCorp gives to its workers to keep them docile. Adrian is part of the team who sets out to arrest Liv, who they believe is the dealer.
His chase leads him--and Liv--out of the Metro, where there's self-inflicted amnesia, betrayal, adventure and a really wonderful depiction of the first flushes of love. And when the big conflict comes, it's done really well.
Jill Tew weaves in plenty of criticism of corporations, the prison-industrial complex and capitalism in general, but it doesn't feel heavy handed or humorless.
A particular shoutout to the fact that Liv refers to NK Jemisin as a classic author alongside Brönte. 💯
4.5 stars
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March 13, 2025I adore how this is described as cozy cyberpunk!
I loved learning about the dystopian world of the metro, especially as a fan of cyberpunk media. I was so intrigued by the main corrupt corporation holding power over the metro (what Lifecorp does is actually terrifying to think about), and I loved learning about other aspects of the world such as the body mods and the sensory hubs (called Arcades).
That was definitely my favourite part of the book, as unfortunately, the romance wasn't for me due to the rather fast-paced development of their relationship (but I understand why it was paced like that due to the time span of the story).
Liv and Adrian do have lots of cute moments, so I chose to appreciate and embrace the fluff. A fun reading experience!
I loved learning about the dystopian world of the metro, especially as a fan of cyberpunk media. I was so intrigued by the main corrupt corporation holding power over the metro (what Lifecorp does is actually terrifying to think about), and I loved learning about other aspects of the world such as the body mods and the sensory hubs (called Arcades).
That was definitely my favourite part of the book, as unfortunately, the romance wasn't for me due to the rather fast-paced development of their relationship (but I understand why it was paced like that due to the time span of the story).
Liv and Adrian do have lots of cute moments, so I chose to appreciate and embrace the fluff. A fun reading experience!
September 24, 2025
4.25 stars / this debut romantic dystopian was an easy one-sitting-read and i really loved being in Adrian and Liv’s heads and seeing them fall in love. this was everything i look for in YA and dystopian while also remaining a hopeful story - which is key for me rn in a world that’s on fire!!
July 12, 2024
If you're ready for a dystopian revival, make sure to preorder this! It's a YA dystopian romance, set in a future where productivity is everything and people are exploited to spend their lives working themselves to the bone. Which just goes to show how dystopian has a way of showing the world for what it is by adding some sci-fi twists to something that's very much already a reality.
But this is part of the Joy Revolution imprint, and very much a YA romance, so it's also a fun, fast-paced read. These elements worked very well together to create a touching story with interesting worldbuilding that never became top heavy. I especially thought the element of "proxies", workers who take over what actually matters in life so the other people can focus on work, like childcare, relationships, and making memories, was so interesting.
But this is part of the Joy Revolution imprint, and very much a YA romance, so it's also a fun, fast-paced read. These elements worked very well together to create a touching story with interesting worldbuilding that never became top heavy. I especially thought the element of "proxies", workers who take over what actually matters in life so the other people can focus on work, like childcare, relationships, and making memories, was so interesting.
October 20, 2024
3.5⭐️ This YA dystopian romance was exciting and left me extremely worried about Amazon becoming our future overlord! In all seriousness this was a fun read with a well thought out world and interesting characters.
The world we were brought into where a corporation ran the entire country was scary. The way Life Corp used fear and propaganda to control the citizens (employees) and over work them reflected how useful of a tool propaganda really is.
I loved the two MCs and their complex emotional journeys and character arcs. I really liked the romance I just wish it took a little longer to get it. I liked the tension when they were enemies!
I do think the ending wrapped up a little too quickly but overall this was excellent and I can’t wait to read more from this author!
The world we were brought into where a corporation ran the entire country was scary. The way Life Corp used fear and propaganda to control the citizens (employees) and over work them reflected how useful of a tool propaganda really is.
I loved the two MCs and their complex emotional journeys and character arcs. I really liked the romance I just wish it took a little longer to get it. I liked the tension when they were enemies!
I do think the ending wrapped up a little too quickly but overall this was excellent and I can’t wait to read more from this author!
August 25, 2024
The Dividing Sky follows Liv, an eighteen-year-old who dreams of escaping her lower-class life in the Metro. Liv is a Proxy with a neurochip in her brain that allows her to sell memories and moments to wealthy clients. When she’s offered the sum of a lifetime to go to the dangerous no-man’s-land outside Metro for a memory, she accepts as it will mean her freedom. Adrian is a rookie Forceman who believes in order. When he is assigned a mission to take down a renegade Proxy’s illegal dealings that are messing with people’s brain chemistry, he vows not to stop until he neutralizes the threat. The only problem is that when he tracks Liv down, her memories are entirely gone. As Adrian struggles to condemn her for crimes she doesn’t remember, they travel beyond the Metro and encounter danger around every turn while their feelings for each other grow.
This reminded me how much I miss dystopian!! Can we please get more dystopian books?? This had the perfect vibes and tropes for a dystopian romance. The world is so fascinating and easy to understand. I loved how immersive the world was—I would love to see more of it. I especially loved outside of the Metro—I’m a sucker for anything remotely survival-y and it was so fun.
The plot was really good and engaging. It definitely keeps your attention and leaves you wondering how it’s going to end. I loved all the reveals and the action at the end. It had me on the edge of my seat as I was desperate for a happy ending between Liv and Adrian.
The dual POV was perfect for this book as Liv does lose her memories. It was so cute to watch Adrian struggle and fall for her while she didn’t have their shared history. It was also so wholesome to watch her fall for him. Their romance is so sweet and so easy to root for. Honestly the whole cast of characters were so lovely and so distinct. The author did an amazing job—I loved them all!
Overall, if you’re looking for a dystopian or sci-fi, this is definitely one you should check out!
Thank you to Penguin Teen and Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
This reminded me how much I miss dystopian!! Can we please get more dystopian books?? This had the perfect vibes and tropes for a dystopian romance. The world is so fascinating and easy to understand. I loved how immersive the world was—I would love to see more of it. I especially loved outside of the Metro—I’m a sucker for anything remotely survival-y and it was so fun.
The plot was really good and engaging. It definitely keeps your attention and leaves you wondering how it’s going to end. I loved all the reveals and the action at the end. It had me on the edge of my seat as I was desperate for a happy ending between Liv and Adrian.
The dual POV was perfect for this book as Liv does lose her memories. It was so cute to watch Adrian struggle and fall for her while she didn’t have their shared history. It was also so wholesome to watch her fall for him. Their romance is so sweet and so easy to root for. Honestly the whole cast of characters were so lovely and so distinct. The author did an amazing job—I loved them all!
Overall, if you’re looking for a dystopian or sci-fi, this is definitely one you should check out!
Thank you to Penguin Teen and Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
April 27, 2024
The Dividing Sky is one of the most emotionally intelligent books I have read in a while. There’s surprisingly little violence in the actual story for being such a violent world and it works really well. The author holds her reader through the story in such a mindful way.
Full of banter and relatable moments, I’d dare say that this book borders on cozy dystopia, if such a genre exists. There is definitely action peppered throughout, but the core of the story is in the humanity and connection of its characters. References to literature and an emphasis on the emotional human experience created such a delightful atmosphere.
The whole story is full of diverse characters, unexpected plot twists, and wholesome moments of human kindness and connection. It’s challenging to truly explain the things I adored most without spoiling some of the most delightful moments so I will simply leave you with this: please just read it.
Thank you to Jill Tew for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. This book was an absolute banger!
Full of banter and relatable moments, I’d dare say that this book borders on cozy dystopia, if such a genre exists. There is definitely action peppered throughout, but the core of the story is in the humanity and connection of its characters. References to literature and an emphasis on the emotional human experience created such a delightful atmosphere.
The whole story is full of diverse characters, unexpected plot twists, and wholesome moments of human kindness and connection. It’s challenging to truly explain the things I adored most without spoiling some of the most delightful moments so I will simply leave you with this: please just read it.
Thank you to Jill Tew for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. This book was an absolute banger!
October 17, 2024
I admit I was disappointed, both because the world building harkens back to so many books and movies as well as the concept of proxies and that of sharing memories, hence from that point of view there is little new. The love story part is also sluggish because of the premise and the laughable ending. But I have to admit that some of it is my fault, because I know I should keep away from all titles categorized among young adult or new adult; maybe it's just the adult part that I don't appreciate, but I forgot about that.
Ammetto che sono rimasta delusa, sia perché il world building rimanda a tanti libri e film cosí come il concetto di proxy e quello di condividere le memorie, quindi da quel punto di vista ci sono poche novità. La parte della storia d'amore é fiacca anche per via della premessa e il finale risibile. Ma è anche vero che un po' é colpa mia, perché so che dovrei tenermi lontano da tutti i titoli categorizzati tra i young adult o new adult, forse é proprio la parte adult che non apprezzo, ma me l'ero dimenticata.
Ammetto che sono rimasta delusa, sia perché il world building rimanda a tanti libri e film cosí come il concetto di proxy e quello di condividere le memorie, quindi da quel punto di vista ci sono poche novità. La parte della storia d'amore é fiacca anche per via della premessa e il finale risibile. Ma è anche vero che un po' é colpa mia, perché so che dovrei tenermi lontano da tutti i titoli categorizzati tra i young adult o new adult, forse é proprio la parte adult che non apprezzo, ma me l'ero dimenticata.
October 1, 2023
You heard it here first -- the return of YA dystopian starts with this book. It's so incredibly well-done on multiple levels -- the slow-burn, poignant romance; the unique and fascinating world-building; the deep sororal and platonic bonds of our two MCs; the clever critique of a capitalist society which prioritizes wealth over individualism, to the detriment of all its citizens; the beautiful prose and dryly funny dialogue. It's an absolute masterpiece, and I'm so thrilled to have been given the privilege of reading an early copy. Mark this one as a must-have because you do NOT want to miss out on this read!!!!
February 10, 2025
SLOW DOWN!!!
i was so disappointed in this book. the way jill tew described it at a panel i saw her at, i was instantly enamored. however this books pacing is so fast, and not in a good way. the characters are underdeveloped and the emotions you sit with at certain points go by just as fast. if it had more time!!! more development!!! you might actually feel the betrayal from silas, or discover some of the plot points on your own, OR EVEN TRY TO UNDERSTAND LIV FORGIVING ADRIAN THAT FAST, but instead you’re left picking up the pieces of a book you feel like you just started. i truly wish i liked this book more. :(
i was so disappointed in this book. the way jill tew described it at a panel i saw her at, i was instantly enamored. however this books pacing is so fast, and not in a good way. the characters are underdeveloped and the emotions you sit with at certain points go by just as fast. if it had more time!!! more development!!! you might actually feel the betrayal from silas, or discover some of the plot points on your own, OR EVEN TRY TO UNDERSTAND LIV FORGIVING ADRIAN THAT FAST, but instead you’re left picking up the pieces of a book you feel like you just started. i truly wish i liked this book more. :(
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 22, 2023
I'm very much looking forward to this one!
October 14, 2024
Sometimes you just need a good dystopian novel. I really enjoyed the different elements brought about in this— the emotion drugs like Mean, Ambrosia, “Orange Haze”— and how everyone in the metro serves a purpose. They’re almost like robots with a certain task. Which is wild because even robots, like Adrian’s partner Nas, exist.
I loved the fierce personality that Liv had. She loves her family of friends and will do anything for them. The world she lives in is cruel, and she is essentially giving bits of herself— her memory— for credit.
The outside world is considered savage and you’ll basically die if you go there. But when Liv goes on a mission for one of her clients, who asked for a memory of seeing the stars, she finds that all is not what it seems. Granted, she doesn’t really remember the before. See, life is so hard that she wiped her memory for a bit. Adrian, who is like a cop in the Metro, chases after her and realizes she’s without her memory. The two continue the mission she set out on (she programmed her wipe to at least remember that), and Liv is happy. She experiences true happiness and emotion for herself, as well as love. Adrian does too, but also has guilt because he knows he has to bring her in once she gets her memories back.
This gives us an enemies to lovers to enemies trope, especially once Liv gets her memory back and realizes that Adrian has betrayed her. But his love for her has made him take off the rose colored glasses he had about his home. He was so thankful to LifeCorp for essentially saving him, but he was being just as controlled and manipulated. He realizes the evil they are doing, and wants to bring down the system too.
This is the part I love of dystopian novels. I love getting to see the way this new world works, why it sucks, and then watching our main characters take down the man. It’s such a good formula!
Jill Tew executed this story really well and I enjoyed the cast of characters we got to meet, the world created, the emotions felt, and the lessons learned. Be real, be kind, and live a little.
Thank you to TBR and Beyond Tours for having me, and a big thank you to the author for reaching out to me with a copy as well! Thank you PRH Audio for the ALC.I thank you for bringing this book into my life, and giving me the opportunity to share it.
I loved the fierce personality that Liv had. She loves her family of friends and will do anything for them. The world she lives in is cruel, and she is essentially giving bits of herself— her memory— for credit.
The outside world is considered savage and you’ll basically die if you go there. But when Liv goes on a mission for one of her clients, who asked for a memory of seeing the stars, she finds that all is not what it seems. Granted, she doesn’t really remember the before. See, life is so hard that she wiped her memory for a bit. Adrian, who is like a cop in the Metro, chases after her and realizes she’s without her memory. The two continue the mission she set out on (she programmed her wipe to at least remember that), and Liv is happy. She experiences true happiness and emotion for herself, as well as love. Adrian does too, but also has guilt because he knows he has to bring her in once she gets her memories back.
This gives us an enemies to lovers to enemies trope, especially once Liv gets her memory back and realizes that Adrian has betrayed her. But his love for her has made him take off the rose colored glasses he had about his home. He was so thankful to LifeCorp for essentially saving him, but he was being just as controlled and manipulated. He realizes the evil they are doing, and wants to bring down the system too.
This is the part I love of dystopian novels. I love getting to see the way this new world works, why it sucks, and then watching our main characters take down the man. It’s such a good formula!
Jill Tew executed this story really well and I enjoyed the cast of characters we got to meet, the world created, the emotions felt, and the lessons learned. Be real, be kind, and live a little.
Thank you to TBR and Beyond Tours for having me, and a big thank you to the author for reaching out to me with a copy as well! Thank you PRH Audio for the ALC.I thank you for bringing this book into my life, and giving me the opportunity to share it.
October 7, 2024
Thank you so much TBR & Beyond for my tour copy of The Dividing Sky by Jill Tew! This dystopian novel features two Black leads, and Jill describes it as being “for every Black girl who dreamed of being Tris, or Katniss, or Tally,” and I wholeheartedly agree that Liv deserves to be up there with some of our favorite FMCs for sheer badassery!
Adrian and Liv are well-written in that they both have imperfections and insecurities and similar childhood trauma. As enemies-to-lovers, their dynamic is unique because Liv loses her memories and so gets the opportunity to fall for Adrian without the factors of their different statuses getting in the way. Adrian’s underlying code of morality makes him the perfect protector, just as soon as he realizes who actually deserves his protection!
I think the world described in The Dividing Sky is an all-too-possible future in which a corporation becomes our government and our lives are based solely around being their employees. It is perfectly terrifying in its potential to become fact.
I loved that Jill imagined a future in which there is no racial divide, largely in part to all peoples eventually blending genetics so that all skin tones were in shades of brown and all hair and eye colors ran the gamut of possibility.
I think this book has a wonderful revolutionary ending that left me wondering if there could be a next book but also feeling a good amount of closure in regards to the conflict and romance. I think The Dividing Sky is perfect for any dystopian lover, but I also recommend it to anyone whose favorite plotlines were Katniss and Peeta or Tris and Four, and definitely to those Black girls and women Jill calls to in her promos! Four stars!
Adrian and Liv are well-written in that they both have imperfections and insecurities and similar childhood trauma. As enemies-to-lovers, their dynamic is unique because Liv loses her memories and so gets the opportunity to fall for Adrian without the factors of their different statuses getting in the way. Adrian’s underlying code of morality makes him the perfect protector, just as soon as he realizes who actually deserves his protection!
I think the world described in The Dividing Sky is an all-too-possible future in which a corporation becomes our government and our lives are based solely around being their employees. It is perfectly terrifying in its potential to become fact.
I loved that Jill imagined a future in which there is no racial divide, largely in part to all peoples eventually blending genetics so that all skin tones were in shades of brown and all hair and eye colors ran the gamut of possibility.
I think this book has a wonderful revolutionary ending that left me wondering if there could be a next book but also feeling a good amount of closure in regards to the conflict and romance. I think The Dividing Sky is perfect for any dystopian lover, but I also recommend it to anyone whose favorite plotlines were Katniss and Peeta or Tris and Four, and definitely to those Black girls and women Jill calls to in her promos! Four stars!
July 26, 2024
4 Stars
This feels like jumping back into the heyday of YA dystopia in the best way possible. It's a technocratic culture that keeps the poor poor and the rich rich--and the answer to escaping the cycle is by breaking free of society, experiencing nature, and finding somebody you love (but probably shouldn't). This book adds a found family element, too, that I think is a way to eliminate some of the faults of those original YA dystopian books, too. Overall, a fairly enjoyable read, and I'd absolutely recommend it to the right reader. It's not as profound as the best dystopian books out there, but it's definitely a fun time.
Anyway, my full review will be available at Gateway Reviews on September 20, 2024. Stop by and say hi when you get the chance!
Note: I was provided with an ARC by the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions here are my own.
This feels like jumping back into the heyday of YA dystopia in the best way possible. It's a technocratic culture that keeps the poor poor and the rich rich--and the answer to escaping the cycle is by breaking free of society, experiencing nature, and finding somebody you love (but probably shouldn't). This book adds a found family element, too, that I think is a way to eliminate some of the faults of those original YA dystopian books, too. Overall, a fairly enjoyable read, and I'd absolutely recommend it to the right reader. It's not as profound as the best dystopian books out there, but it's definitely a fun time.
Anyway, my full review will be available at Gateway Reviews on September 20, 2024. Stop by and say hi when you get the chance!
Note: I was provided with an ARC by the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions here are my own.
January 12, 2025
Jill Tew's business background comes across in this story through call outs to all the negative soul sucking aspects of corporate world. It's all about efficiency, productivity, rushing to turn in work only to have it abandoned or on hold by the person reviewing/receiving.
Liv and Adrian both discover they've been deceived into drinking the coolaid and complying with the system and have to decide what to do with that information in this modern dystopian fantasy.
Keep working hard and hope it's enough to make a better life, or change the game altogether?
Love the relationship build up. Good length, not too long, good closure. Fun idea that provides opportunities for self reflection.
Liv and Adrian both discover they've been deceived into drinking the coolaid and complying with the system and have to decide what to do with that information in this modern dystopian fantasy.
Keep working hard and hope it's enough to make a better life, or change the game altogether?
Love the relationship build up. Good length, not too long, good closure. Fun idea that provides opportunities for self reflection.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 2, 2025
2.5/5
This book had a lot of promise but ultimately felt like an incomplete copy of dystopias of old.
Check out my full review at Forever Young Adult.
This book had a lot of promise but ultimately felt like an incomplete copy of dystopias of old.
Check out my full review at Forever Young Adult.
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