Book Review: The Truth Beyond the Sky

Media Type: Ebook
Title: The Truth Beyond the Sky
Author: Andrew M. Crusoe
Publisher: Aravinda Publishing
Pages: Kindle; 243
Release Date: December 12, 2012
Source: Author
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Content Screening: Nothing of note

HDB Rating: 3 Keys to My Heart

Recommended to: Readers who enjoy getting lost in epic science fiction.

Add it on: Goodreads / Shelfari / Amazon

When Zahn recovers an extraordinary meteorite impacted into the silvery beach near his home, the course of his life is changed forever. Fearing that the observatory will confiscate the meteorite if it truly is what he suspects it to be, he hides it away for days, conflicted in what to do.

All the while, the mystery of his mother’s disappearance continues to plague him. After twelve long years, he is the last person on the islands who believes she may still be alive. Even though he has no evidence for it, he cannot shake the feeling that she has been plucked off of the planet itself.

And then, in the midst of unspeakable dreams, he is awoken by a strange tapping at his window. Someone has come a great distance and scaled the side of his home for one unyielding purpose: To reclaim what was lost.

With the help of a Confederation captain and his sentient starship, Zahn plunges deep into the Ocean of Space, encountering a remarkable pilot, stunning in both her talent and beauty, 5th-density creatures of light, and a realm called Timespace that transcends all understanding. Along the way, he learns that there may be more to his mother’s disappearance than anyone on his world could have ever imagined.

I’ve been mulling over my feelings about The Truth Beyond the Sky for a few days now. It’s been quite a while since the last time I read a science fiction epic. It took me a bit to get back into the groove. Following stories like these is never easy at first but, once you are fully immersed, they have the power to drag you away into their worlds. That was true in this instance as well. Once I was really into the story, it was tough to look away.

What’s really interesting about this book is how multi-layered it is. At its base, this is a book about a boy who is in search of his mother. However it’s so much more than that. Zahn’s story manages to pull from the world around us, while also incorporating elements of mythology and hero epics. This is a coming of age story of the highest caliber. The Zahn we meet at the beginning is much different from the one we find at the end.

My biggest issue with this story, and the reason I was so unsure about my rating, is that Zahn’s characterization wasn’t always my favorite. I completely understood the need to make him seem young and unformed, especially since he was only beginning his journey. Still, I can’t deny that he was very tough for me to fall into step with at first. I’m glad I stuck with him. I just want readers to know that he truly does grow.

On the flip side, the world building in this book is gorgeous. Andrew Crusoe has managed to create a beautiful setting for his characters that he allows them their adventures. I was truly impressed at the writing style in The Truth Beyond the Sky. The descriptions are informative, without being overbearing. The writing allows the reader to see the world being build around them. It’s an easy, flowing story that is honestly a pleasure to read.

So, despite any qualms I may have had, this did ultimately end up being a book I enjoyed. Many thanks to Andrew Crusoe for reminding me why I have loved science fiction for so very long. There’s something about being lost in another world that is without compare. I hope you’ll enjoy being lost in Zahn’s world as much as I did.

FTC Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. I was not monetarily compensated for my opinion.