Split the Sky

by Marie Arnold

In this haunting story about family, legacy, and sacrifice, a young Black girl living in a Texas sundown town must find the courage to stand up for what’s right even when it means facing impossible choices. Perfect for fans of Nic Stone and The Hate U Give.

Fifteen-year-old Lala Russell is doing a bad job at being a Black girl. She has social justice fatigue, and she doesn't want to join the Black Alliance Club at her school (even though she agrees with them). A gifted cellist, she’s focused on leaving her small town and accomplishing her goals and dreams. But Lala has also inherited another gift, her grandmother Sadie's gift of foresight. She has visions of the future—and they always come true.                             
 
In Davey, the Texas sundown town she lives in, there is growing tension, as a black organization attempts to diversify the nearly all-white part of town. Amidst violent protests, Lala has a vision. In it, a Black teenage boy is shot in the chest by a white homeowner. Now Lala has a find the boy and save him.
 
But Grandma Sadie has a vision too. After the boy's murder, a wave of protests breaks out. And the outrage over the casual and frequent slaying of unarmed Black children will result in unprecedented change. Change that won’t happen if the vision is altered. Lala is faced with an existential question—can she allow herself to sacrifice one life to, in turn, save many? And if so, whose life will she choose?

Genres: Young Adult, Magical Realism, Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Fantasy, Contemporary, Black Literature

304 pages, Hardcover

Published September 9, 2025

Reviews

[Books Amongst Friends · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gifted Copy/Overall Story: 3.5/5

Split the Sky is a YA novel with a lot to think about. From ancestral gifts, coming to age, a town on edge, and stepping into one’s purpose— many ya readers will be able to connect with this story and what it asks.

This story is saddening and current. It challenges our perception of power, purpose and choice. When gifted cellist living in a small sundown town inherits her grandmothers ability to see the future, she is presented a future that she can’t ignore. While Lala Russell would usually keep to herself and focused on her music, she knows this vision will come true. After seeing a young black boy shot in the future, Lala is connected to past and learning in the present how her choice to change the future or let it happen will all play a larger part moving ahead.

Lala is a character I believe many people will see themselves in. More so, she’s a character whose growth is needed and powerful. I still ached for more depth and opportunity for connection with Lala’s story overall. There were also moments in the book when momentum and pace wavered that could’ve been used to strengthen the intimate conversations and arguments the book poses.

Overall, I personally enjoyed this read and think it would make for a heartfelt and debating YA book club read. In a time when so many people feel voiceless and silenced Arnold uses this story to remind readers that the journey to revolution and justice is one that cannot be faced alone, or easily. What are we willing to do, for a brighter tomorrow for our communities, loved ones, and self?

Thank you to Toppling Stacks Tours & Little, Brown & Co for this gifted copy! All thoughts are my own

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars, rounded up

Kind of conflicted on this one. On the one hand, I love the way a touch of New-Orleans-style psychic witchiness enhances this story of civil rights and social justice. On the other hand... I don't know that the characters were handled all that well. A lot of the cast felt flat, which isn't something you ever want, but especially not in a book like this. It didn't come together as well as I would have hoped. But I liked the concept. I liked some of the execution. So... conflicted.

Anyway, I get into more of that in my full review, available now at Gateway Reviews. Do stop by if 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.

[CamilleK · Rating 3 out of 5]

I try to be selective with the YA books I decide to consume. There were aspects of the book that I really enjoyed but overall it was very predictable. The writing style was simplistic and l as I continued to read I began to solidify this as an option I would suggest to high schoolers and such. I would give this a 3.5 star overall

[KMart Vet · Rating 5 out of 5]

YA books that take on topics like this always hit me the hardest because the kids at the center of the story shouldn’t have to carry these kinds of burdens, yet reality means they often do. Split the Sky blends magical realism with sharp social commentary, tackling racism, colorism, and systemic violence in a way that feels both urgent and intimate.

Lala is such an interesting character who has the weight of the expectations of both her community and her supernatural gift of foresight on her shoulders. And she's left to make difficult decisions that could impact everything.

This is a slim book, but it doesn’t waste a single page. Once the central conflict kicks in, I spent the entire time with my heart in my throat, both dreading and needing to know how it would all play out. It’s important, it’s heartbreaking, and it asks impossible questions with no easy answers. I GASPED aloud at the ending because I wasn't expecting it at all and it made me sick to my stomach. The end broke my heart but also gave me hope.

If you love YA that doesn’t shy away from hard truths, this is one you’ll want to pick up.

Thank you to The Novl and Storygram Tours for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.

[Kim’s Kindle Reads. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this, a good YA read. There were some parts I would have preferred got a little deeper, more feeling but it’s YA so it was perfect for that. I wanted a tad bit more of the Bloody Sunday situation as well. This was a unique read and I’m satisfied. I’m definitely a fan of magical realism.

[Briana Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read maybe 50 pages of this on Saturday and could already tell it was going to be a good book but I didn’t know how good it’d get. I read the rest of the book on a plane going from Chicago to Denver and as I kept reading, I felt so many emotions. The trip Lala’s grandma takes her on hit so hard I swear I started to tear up on the plane. Then the ending came. I sat in silence until the plane landed, completely broken by the reveal even though I knew it was coming. That’s a testament to Marie’s writing.

Split the Sky is funny and heartbreaking and devastating. This is one I’ll be thinking about for a long time.

[Florence Migga · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some parts were just too much and it got a little heavy handed toward the end, but it is a unique concept and a quick read.

[Anniee Bee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Split the Sky by Marie Arnold
⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3/5)

Hey, hey, my favorites 😁💚. #annieethebookiee is back with another book review! This time, I’m diving into Split the Sky by Marie Arnold.

This book had such a unique concept and a strong start, but I found that it dragged in quite a few places. The pacing slowed the momentum, and while there were moments that sparked interest, they were sometimes buried under sections that felt repetitive or overly drawn out.

The main character had potential, and I appreciated the underlying themes, but I wanted a bit more energy and connection throughout. It was okay overall—not bad, just not something I’d rush to reread.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Lala Russell lives in Davey, Texas, a town known for it's stark racial divisions, with the north part being home to mainly white residents, and the south to Black ones. A local group, People of Color for Progress, have been protesting things like the display of the Confederate flag at Lala's school, and have funded a new apartment building in the north side of town. Lala is more interested in her music than in joining the Black alliance at her school. She and her brothers, Aaron and Arlo, are concerned that their father is dating the white owner of an art gallery, especially their aunt Janice is not fond of her. Lala occasionally gets "flashes"; glimpses into the future that her grandmother and deceased mother also experienced. Gray flashes can be changed, but red flashes cannot. When Lala gets a golden flash, her grandmother lets her know that this cannot be changed, because it is something that will happen for the good of the Black community. Since the event is a boy Lala's age being shot and killed by a white homeowner, she wants to change it anyway. In order to figure out which of three boys it is, Lala joins the Black Alliance and interviews the boys to try to figure out who is the one to be shot so that she can stop it. Wes wants to be a music therapist because he has a brother with Austism Spectrum Disorder, Ford works in a day care and is active in the protests for having the Confederate flags removed, and Alex is a violin player on whom Lala has a crush. To help her understand her abilities more, Lala's grandmother takes her to New Orleans, where they visit a "jump house", a place where the sould of dead children gather before their deaths can be avenged and they can move on. Back in Davey, the Faith and Honor division of the KKK is causing more and more problems, and on the day that the shooting is supposed to occur, fire is set to the new apartment building. Will Lala be able to change the flash that she has seen?
Strengths: Lala just wants to play her cello and get on with her life, but the reality is that she has a very special gift, and the world we live in is very troubled. Instead of just focusing on her music, she has to contend with seeing glimpses of troubling events and deciding what to do about them. It doesn't help that she feels her gift is responsible for her mother's death. Her grandmother is very supportive, and there's just enough information about how this gift is passed down through the family to help the reader understand without bogging the story down in details. Ripped from the headlines topics are important ones, and it's fascinating to see how racial inequity impacts Lala and the boys that she interviews. I especially liked that Lala is somewhat older, like Ayomide in this author's I Rise.
Weaknesses: The ending, which I don't want to spoil, is really, really sad.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who like the mix of fantasy and racial issues in McBride's Gone Wolf or Shawl's Speculation.

[simone ☆ · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 ⭐️

i feel bad rating this book so low. usually i feel happy when i find a book i either loved or hated. however, this book was different because while i think the storyline was actually really good the problem was the writing and the mc.
#1: the writing: everything was very cut and dry. there were no metaphors, everything was told and not shown, and the dialogue felt very disjointed and choppy. it was hard to like any of the characters because they felt very . . . unreal? it felt a little bit like i was watching a kid's tv show where nobody actually talks normally. also, i felt like the last few events of the book were very random and a bit rushed. this felt like i was reading a middle grade book because of how a lot of the events were written.
#2: the main character. i did not like her, and my dislike only increased as the book (and her numerous poor decisions) continued on. she is supposed to be fifteen but she felt more like a nine year old that was trying to convince me that she was older than she actually was. i felt a very small amount of empathy towards her because her actions were hardly ever justified and they always revolved around what she wanted and not the effects on others.
overall, even though this book definitely has an important message and the ending was surprising, i feel like it was just not executed as good as it could have been. if you're looking to learn about the same thing i would rec Tangleroot instead :)

[Whitney Daniell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Marie Arnold’s Split the Sky follows Lala Russell, a musically gifted teen who inherits a supernatural ability called “Flashing”—visions passed down through generations of women in her family. When Lala sees the death of a young boy on her fifteenth birthday, she’s warned not to intervene, but her conscience and the rising racial tensions in her Texas town push her to act.

Set against the backdrop of a prestigious music academy and a modern-day sundown town, this novel ambitiously explores civil rights, generational gifts, Black identity, and the power of young activism. The inclusion of Black classical musicians and the focus on instruments like the cello and viola are fresh and meaningful touches rarely seen in YA.

However, the book tries to do too much in too little space. With competing threads—spiritual visions, historical references, racial injustice, grief, and activism—the story often feels rushed and underdeveloped. Character development suffers, and key moments don’t always land with emotional clarity.

Still, Split the Sky offers a unique premise and important themes for a younger audience, especially those just beginning to explore activism, identity, and their place in the world. It’s a heavy story told through a young voice—at times uneven, but undeniably bold.

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Read my full review here: https://whitneydaniell.com/2025/07/25...

[Denisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Little Brown Books for Young Readers for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Split the Sky follows Lala, a young Black girl whose musical talent is her ticket out of a racist small town, but whose prophetic visions threaten everything she's worked for. When she receives a horrific vision on her birthday, she faces an impossible choice: save the world or save one person. Marie Arnold masterfully blends magical realism with hard-hitting social commentary. The book tackles racism and generational trauma with authenticity and power, never shying away from difficult conversations. Lala is a compelling protagonist who carries enormous burdens while remaining relatable and human. The magical elements can feel inorganic at times, but ultimately prove necessary to wrap up the storyline. The supporting characters add genuine depth to the story. Arnold's exploration of how systemic racism affects entire communities is both heartbreaking and necessary. While the pacing occasionally drags in the middle sections, the strong character development and important themes make this a worthwhile read. The climactic moral dilemma is brilliantly executed and will stick with readers long after finishing.

[Mollified.Moments · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book really pulled me in from the very first chapter. I ended up binging it in about a day and a half because I just had to know how it would end. The writing flows so well and it’s the kind of story that hooks you right away.

The story follows Lala, a Black teen living in a Texas sundown town who not only has to deal with the everyday realities of racism and injustice but also carries a gift of foresight. That mix of real-world heaviness with a supernatural element really worked for me...it gave the story a unique layer while still keeping it very grounded.

It’s a short book, but it packs a lot in: racism and history, family, music, a little romance, and questions about sacrifice and justice. Some people might think it’s too much for such a short novel, but honestly I thought it handled everything pretty well.

The ending was one I saw coming, but it still landed the way it needed to. Overall, this was a powerful, thought-provoking read that I’d recommend, especially if you like YA that isn’t afraid to take on big topics.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such an interesting story! I was not expecting the supernatural elements, and I found them very intriguing.

Lala lives in a sundown town in Texas, and things are becoming volatile as an apartment building meant to be more inclusive is being built on the white side of town. She attends an elite conservatory, where she is one of only six black students. Lala must decide if she wants to focus on her music and just get through until she can leave, or fight alongside others for equality.

I expected this story to be hard-hitting, and it was, but my favorite part was the way her family's magic was woven into the tale. Lala and the women in her family get flashes - windows into future events. I loved the relationship with her grandmother, a sort of mentor. The twist had me gasping, and I will be thinking about this book for a long time.

Age recommendation - 12+
Content Warnings - death of a parent (off page), racism, violence

Thank you to Netgalley for the free e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

[The Words We Carry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Split the Sky by Marie Arnold is set in Davey, Texas—a sundown town where racism is still very present, and Confederate flags fly openly. The story centers on Lala, a fifteen-year-old cellist at a prestigious music conservatory, who is struggling with the feeling that standing up to racism is futile. Lala has a gift which is passed down to females in her family called “flashing” which lets her see glimpses of the future.

I really enjoyed the premise, and the mix of real-world issues with a touch of the supernatural was creative; however, overall, the story didn’t quite resonate with me. I wanted more depth from the characters and a stronger storyline to carry the powerful themes. That being said, I can see this book resonating with some young adult readers—especially those looking for a story that blends social justice with a bit of magic.

[Megan Olds · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to give this book a hug—definitely goes right along with The Hate U Give and Samira Ahmed’s books. Interesting discourse and debates. Lots of hope. Great messages! Nice fantasy element, too! And you gotta love Rue and Paul. (I did not originally plan to put their names side by side like that, haha.)

You also feel for Lala while getting exactly where Zora is coming from. What a terrible position Lala is put in…Even if it’s for the “greater good,” there’s still no such thing as it being okay to lose “just one kid.” If Black lives matter, then a Black life singular matters, too. It’s an impossible decision, and Lala is forced to make it anyway. (And oh, man, that ending…)

I love Marie Arnold’s writing!

[Chrissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is so much about Split the Sky that is beautiful and important and moving; and all of it is lit up by beautiful writing that makes you feel things very clearly. I was caught very early by Lala's description of sand in her locks, how it refused to be washed out; how it irritated endlessly and persisted even after tremendous effort to be rid of it, and when the author compared this to the million tiny cuts of systemic racism, I knew this was a book to remember. It was full of descriptions like that, which force the reader to see the world from different perspectives. I won't say much about the plot, because the ending made me cry, and should be experienced with no spoilers. Suffice to say, it was powerful.

[Chris G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Widowed Dad is doing his best to single-parent fifteen year old twins Arlo and Lala. Lala is thriving at a music focused high school; it’s hard to manage the racism she experiences as one of just a few Black kids but is getting the training she needs to become a professional cellist. Lala has inherited the family gift of foresight, called the Flash, and she’s terrified that a recent Flash has foretold the hate crime death of one of her classmates. Although her grandmother has warned her against trying to change the events she foresees, Lala is determined to try to save her classmate’s life. A good fit for readers who especially enjoy magical realism. EARC from Edelweiss.

[Markita_Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝙴𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚁𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Split the Sky is easily a 5-star read! I just wish it was a little longer, but this book tackles some extremely heavy topics, and the fact that some states like Texas still have sundown towns is extremely wild. But this is our reality and real time. I didn't think this book would destroy me and make me cry the way that it did. Highly recommend.
Would love to hear this story via audiobook.

Thank you, NetGalley, and Brown Books for Young Readers for the ebook in exchange for my honest review.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a powerful story. Magical realism takes this book (literally) to a new dimension, allowing the reader to grapple with the effects of past, present, and future events of the civil rights movement. This unique approach transforms the familiar struggles of a people into a timeless, magical journey. Ultimately, Split the Sky is a testament to the enduring human spirit and the ongoing fight for justice and the immense price of the sacrifices that are made to further the movement, proving that some battles transcend time itself.

[Shakera · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this. It gave me the vibes of "I’m Not Dying With You Tonight" and "The Hate U Give." It covered heavy topics, and at one point, I had to set the book down. Lala was a phenomenal character, and I did not envy her. She carried such a heavy burden at such a young age that it made me wonder if I could have done it. The book is 295 pages long, but it feels even longer (in a good way) because there is so much happening: racism, music, history, and more. I wouldn’t have cried if the book were a little longer, but it ended beautifully.

[Olivia McQuarrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the Little Brown team for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book and found it powerful. It artfully addressed the racism baked into American society, as well as the outright racism and white supremacy that many individuals and communities still face in this country, in a YA package. This book is timely and necessary for readers of all ages, but especially a YA audience. Now more than ever, young readers need to be exposed to the realities of our country.

I look forward to reading more by this author!

[Rebecca Shrader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would make a great middle school book club book. It’s YA and middle to high schoolers would both identify with and sympathize with Lala, the main character. She has a reckoning in her sundown town when a fictional “Proud Boys” type gang come to town. She can see the future and sees an elderly white man kill a young Black boy that starts a revolution. Her quandary is to stop the boy’s death or let it occur for the movement’s sake.

[Mana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a powerful and emotional story. Right from the start, I was intrigued to see what choice Lala would make in her situation. And as the story continued, I connected with Lala and the other characters more and more.

Lala is 15 years old, and I think the tone of the writing, despite the depth of the story, reflects her age really well. I found myself often understanding Lala’s feelings and decisions, and I thought her growth and change throughout the story were realistic and engaging.

The ending was very impactful. Knowing Lala, I did think this book could end the way it did. Yet, I was still very affected by it. I think I reread the last few pages at least three times.

Overall, this was a very beautiful story with great characters and a powerful message.

Thank you to Toppling Stacks Tours, the author, and the publisher for the eARC and finished copy! All opinions are my own.

[Mx Phoebe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Split the Sky is a mix of fantasy and realistic fiction. It tells a raw story about the roads that life sometimes forces us on and what we do once we are on them.

“Thank you, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, for providing this book for review consideration via Toppling Stacks Tours and NetGalley. All opinions are my own.”

[Lucia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Just wow. What an incredibly powerful book. It gave me a new perspective on the world and everyone should read it

[J R · Rating 4 out of 5]

themes were great, characters were great, but plotting dragged quite a bit. would recommend, but be aware. 4 stars. tysm for the arc.

[LS Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you ever read a book and am so surprised by the ending that you have to immediately re-read the book!!! This is that book. Don't want to give away anything so just going to say - read it!

[Kkharvey · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.3

[Scout Langley · Rating 2 out of 5]

slow pace