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Fly the Cruel Sky: A Dystopian Young Adult Novel
"ONLY YOU CAN DECIDE WHAT LIFTS YOU TO THE CLOUDS OR DRAGS YOU TO THE EARTH."
A young songbird must unleash her inner bird of prey in this dystopian romantic thriller.
Sparrow Harper is now flightless, captured by the evil cult of Raptors.
In exchange for healing, she agrees to enroll in Raptor Academy, a brutal school where deadly trials weed out the weak. Jealous of her powers, the other students want her dead.
Sparrow will do anything to fly again. But everything has a price.
When she meets Goshawk Cirrus, he turns her sky upside down, until she discovers he’s grappling with torment worse than her own horrific nightmares.
When Culling Day dawns at Raptor Academy, Sparrow must choose - become a Raptor or chart a new flight path for flyers everywhere.
Praise for Fly the Wild Sky (Book 1):
BOOKFEST 2025 AWARD WINNER
"Fly the Wild Sky is a breathtaking dystopian debut that soars from the very first page. Packed with heart-pumping action and unforgettable characters, this novel grabs hold and doesn’t let go." - Amazon Review
"Sparrow and Heron’s relationship is compelling, filled with tension and emotion that keeps you turning the pages to find out what happens next. The villains and action sequences are equally gripping, adding real stakes and intensity to the story. Overall, Fly the Wild Sky is an imaginative and thrilling debut with memorable characters and an original twist on the dystopian genre." - Goodreads Review
Reader references to bird poaching; abuse of a (fictional) addictive substance, described on the page; violence.
A young songbird must unleash her inner bird of prey in this dystopian romantic thriller.
Sparrow Harper is now flightless, captured by the evil cult of Raptors.
In exchange for healing, she agrees to enroll in Raptor Academy, a brutal school where deadly trials weed out the weak. Jealous of her powers, the other students want her dead.
Sparrow will do anything to fly again. But everything has a price.
When she meets Goshawk Cirrus, he turns her sky upside down, until she discovers he’s grappling with torment worse than her own horrific nightmares.
When Culling Day dawns at Raptor Academy, Sparrow must choose - become a Raptor or chart a new flight path for flyers everywhere.
Praise for Fly the Wild Sky (Book 1):
BOOKFEST 2025 AWARD WINNER
"Fly the Wild Sky is a breathtaking dystopian debut that soars from the very first page. Packed with heart-pumping action and unforgettable characters, this novel grabs hold and doesn’t let go." - Amazon Review
"Sparrow and Heron’s relationship is compelling, filled with tension and emotion that keeps you turning the pages to find out what happens next. The villains and action sequences are equally gripping, adding real stakes and intensity to the story. Overall, Fly the Wild Sky is an imaginative and thrilling debut with memorable characters and an original twist on the dystopian genre." - Goodreads Review
Reader references to bird poaching; abuse of a (fictional) addictive substance, described on the page; violence.
519 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 1, 2025
7 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 11, 2026
Fly the Cruel Sky pulled me in from the very first line. It’s emotional and beautifully written. It's a story that made me feel everything from heartbreak to hope.
Sparrow Harper’s journey is both brutal and inspiring. Once a songbird with wings, she’s captured and forced into Raptor Academy, a place where survival means becoming something harder and more dangerous than she ever imagined. I found myself rooting for her through every trial and every betrayal.
What really stood out to me was the author’s descriptive language. Every scene felt alive. You can almost feel the chill in the air at Raptor Academy, hear the beat of Sparrow’s heart as she faces danger, and see the sky that she longs to fly through again. The writing is rich, and it paints such a vivid picture.
By the time I reached Culling Day, I was completely invested. The ending hit hard in the best way. Fly the Cruel Sky is about finding strength when you’re broken, about learning what it really means to fly. It’s poetic and full of heart.
This book left me thinking long after I finished it. If you love stories that blend beauty and brutality, hope and heartbreak, this one will stay with you.
Sparrow Harper’s journey is both brutal and inspiring. Once a songbird with wings, she’s captured and forced into Raptor Academy, a place where survival means becoming something harder and more dangerous than she ever imagined. I found myself rooting for her through every trial and every betrayal.
What really stood out to me was the author’s descriptive language. Every scene felt alive. You can almost feel the chill in the air at Raptor Academy, hear the beat of Sparrow’s heart as she faces danger, and see the sky that she longs to fly through again. The writing is rich, and it paints such a vivid picture.
By the time I reached Culling Day, I was completely invested. The ending hit hard in the best way. Fly the Cruel Sky is about finding strength when you’re broken, about learning what it really means to fly. It’s poetic and full of heart.
This book left me thinking long after I finished it. If you love stories that blend beauty and brutality, hope and heartbreak, this one will stay with you.
December 10, 2025
Thomasina Bloom amps up the stakes with razor-sharp twists and richer avian lore, blending visceral action—think dogfights amid thunderheads—with poignant explorations of loyalty and identity. The pacing soars, though some subplots strain under the weight of revelations. A thrilling 4.5/5 stars for YA fans of Red Queen or Skyhunter, delivering empowerment with wings clipped by cruelty. This sequel doesn't just fly—it dives headlong into the storm.
January 2, 2026
Didn’t disappoint.
My love for nature and animals got me caught up in the whirlwind of the story. Each scene was vivid and lively. I flew through each chapter, the next more exciting than the last. I had to look up a few names to make sure my mental images lined up.
My love for nature and animals got me caught up in the whirlwind of the story. Each scene was vivid and lively. I flew through each chapter, the next more exciting than the last. I had to look up a few names to make sure my mental images lined up.
December 7, 2025
Great story!!! 2nd Book was even better than the first...
This second book was even better than the first book in my opinion. I couldn't put it down. Loved all the characters names they were interesting and I hope I was able to pronounce them correctly when reading. Great story!!! Who knew birds would be this interesting???
This second book was even better than the first book in my opinion. I couldn't put it down. Loved all the characters names they were interesting and I hope I was able to pronounce them correctly when reading. Great story!!! Who knew birds would be this interesting???
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews