The Floating Islands
When Trei loses his family in a tragic disaster, he must search out distant relatives in a new land. The Floating Islands are unlike anything Trei has ever seen: stunning, majestic, and graced with kajurai, men who soar the skies with wings.
Trei is instantly sky-mad, and desperate to be a kajurai himself. The only one who fully understands his passion is é, his newfound cousin. Prickly, sarcastic, and gifted, Araené has a secret of her own … a dream a girl cannot attain.
Trei and Araené quickly become conspirators as they pursue their individual paths. But neither suspects that their lives will be deeply entwined, and that the fate of the Floating Islands will lie in their hands.
Book Details:
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
North American Print Edition
Publisher:Knopf/Bluefire (Random House) US
Date:February 2011 (hardcover) / April 2012 (paperback)
ISBN:9780440240600
Format:Paperback
R.R.P.:US$9.99
Ebook
Date:February 2011
ISBN:9780375897825
R.R.P.:US$9.99
• Selected as one of the ALA 2012 Best Fiction for Young Adults
• On the Amelia Bloomer 2012 List for recommended feminist literature
• A Junior Library Guild Selection
• A Kirkus Best-of-2011 selection
Praise
“Intelligent, richly detailed fantasy featuring two young cousins battered by losses, personal passions and larger events … The author delineates complex characters, geographies and societies alike with a dab hand, deftly weaves them all — along with dragons of several sorts, mouthwatering kitchen talk, flashes of humor and a late-blooming romance — into a suspenseful plot and delivers an outstanding tale that is self-contained but full of promise for sequels.”
—– Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“Complex and memorable characters, lush imagery, and a vividly constructed setting make this fantasy adventure soar.”
“The Floating Islands lacks for nothing. It has dragons in it – everyone’s favorite mythological creature – politics, and, best of all, two protagonists to get behind. I already know I’ll be re-reading this one, multiple times, in the future and I’m sure that each time, I’ll discover something new to love”.
“From a storytelling perspective, Rachel Neumeier truly shines – just as in her adult work, the world and societies that the author has created with The Floating Islands is truly remarkable stuff. Absolutely recommended for young readers, old readers, and those that want an excapist, nostalgic traditional fantasy.”
“I recommend this one specifically to those who enjoy books with strange and magical schools where young teenagers find their place in the world.”
“With an encompassing world, a tangible sense of magic and culture, and two likable leads, The Floating Islands is a light, fresh and engrossing YA fantasy novel … If you’re a fan of Alison Goodman, definitely check this one out.”
“Neumeier creates a vivid and unique world, which I would put on a level of some of my favorites like Sharon Shinn, Kristin Cashore and Shannon Hale … this is a good, exciting fantasy.”
“…as a fantasy enthusiast, I loved The Floating Islands. It effortlessly presents to us a different and thoroughly imaged world, yet dumbs nothing down for readers. The ending is satisfying and yet hints at the possibility of a sequel, which I would most happily welcome. Definitely a book I want to reread and that I’ll be recommending to lovers of high fantasy!”
“The Floating Islands, is a fantastic combination of inventive fantasy lore and the much more real-world problem of pending international battle … I would definitely recommend this new book to any and all fantasy lovers.”
“The Floating Islands had a lot going for it. Compulsively readable, intensely unique, and well-written, it’s going to easily stand out for fans of fantasy. Fans of Neumeier’s previous novels will enjoy it and new fans will find it a promising entrance into the vivid imagination of a prolific and talented author.”