Zac Wilson can’t die. Daredevil Zac Wilson isn’t the first celebrity to keep a secret from the world, but his might be the most marvelous in history: Zac doesn’t age and injuries can’t kill him. What’s more, he’s part of a close-knit group of others just like him. Holed up in Harbor Vale, Michigan, Zac meets two more of his kind who claim others in their circle have died. Are their … others in their circle have died. Are their lifetimes finally ending naturally, or is someone targeting them–a predator who knows what they are?
The answers Zac unearths present impossible dilemmas: whom to protect, how to seek justice, how to bring peace to turmoil. His next action could fracture forever the family he longs to unite. Now might be the time to ask for help. . .from God Himself. But Zac’s greatest fear is facing the God he has run from for more than a century.
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I don’t read a lot of speculative novels, bu the premise of this one interested me. The plot is unique, and for a speculative novel, it is close enough to real life to make it believable. It expanded my mind to include something that could have actually happened. The characters brought me into their situation and kept me there through the end of the book. And I lived the emotional and spiritual threads.
“Silence in company didn’t hold the weight and mass of silence alone.”
I highly recommend that you read No Less Days first before reading From Sky to Sky. The first book sets the premise and some of the characters in place so that you’re not confused by how things pick up at the beginning of this story. The journey of the “elderfolk” or “longevites” continues through third person limited perspective of Zac Wilson who was introduced during the first book. David Galloway who indoctrinated the readers into the plight of the “longevites” in No Less Days also plays a prominent role in this book. The plot has twists and turns that takes the reader to places unexpected, as the author beautifully melds lyrical prose, intense and raw emotions, redemption and God’s unrelenting love with a hefty dose of speculative/sci-fi and wonderfully complex, layered characters.
Zac is an unforgettable character. Impulsive, passionate, vivid, and full of life, he sees and acts with emotion and has an extra sense of empathy that allows him to bond with people but also becomes his Achilles’ heel. Zac meets other longevites that he longs to enfold into his family but tragic circumstances, misunderstandings, and century-old fears become obstacles in their relationships. I really enjoyed getting to know Zac, just like I did getting to know David. His struggle against the injustices of the world, his struggle against God Himself and his past pain, and his PTSD are real, tangible, and extremely relatable. Though this book answered questions that were left at the end of the first book, it ended without a definitive conclusion…..so I’m thinking there is a third book in the series?
If you enjoy a well-written book that is somewhat outside-the-box, you will totally love this book. I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
Even he can run from God for only so long…
There is no other word to describe this book but ‘weird’. It totally fits. But I don’t mean it in a bad way. If I hadn’t liked the first book, No Less Days, I wouldn’t have chosen to read From Sky To Sky. While labeled as Suspense this book, and its predecessor, are definitely in the Speculative fiction realm. It’s a genre that I rarely read but enjoy when I find books like this one from Amanda G. Stevens.
From Sky To Sky takes on some interesting questions and themes. What if you couldn’t die? How would that change your view of the world around you, of life itself? How would a person handle all the trauma, pain, and loss? Would it drive you to or away from God? Kinda makes the reader wonder how they themselves would handle it, and also think about how we do handle the pain that comes our way, even if we know we won’t live indefinitely.
From Sky To Sky was a good read. Entertaining but still gets you to think. I appreciated the suspense element that Amanda G. Stevens wove through the story along with some nice faith threads. The book did end on a bit of a cliffhanger so I’ll be awaiting the next book…impatiently waiting, of course.
(I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)
The more I read from Amanda G. Stevens, the more I want to read from this author. It’s been almost two years waiting on the sequel to No Less Days (and if you haven’t read that title yet, why not? Go get it right now so you can immediately dive into From Sky to Sky) but this story was so worth the wait.
While this book is told entirely from daredevil/stuntman Zac’s point of view, Steven digs down into each of the main characters. From David and Tiana (who we met in book one) to Cady and Rachel (who are new to the series). From Zac’s empathy and the facades he wears to Cady’s love for her family and anger at what happened to them (no spoilers, you must read the book) to friendships, the loyalty of friends and family, and the sharing of burdens, Stevens creates memorable characters who stick with me.
The faith within the pages if firm, each person at different places in their relationship with God, yet not overpowering. The title of this book fits in so many ways. The sky remains the same through the years these immortals have lived, it’s a tangible reminder of God’s love for us that stretches farther than we can see, it’s the thing that grounds Zac when he’s at his lowest points in life, and it’s something that can always be seen, no matter where you are in the world.
This is one of those stories that sticks with you long after the final page is turned, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed this isn’t the last we see of this group of longevities (don’t know what that is? Read this series) because there are stories that remain to be told: Simon and what’s up with Moira?
Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
This is a series where you definitely want to read book 1 first. Bonus:Book 1 is amazing so why wouldn’t you want to read it? First off, this series will get you to think. The mystery will keep you turning the pages and the characters will make you invested. Unlike any series I’ve read before.
I really enjoyed this book! I picks up right where No Less Days left off. I love how Amanda G. Stevens wasn’t afraid to write about such a broken character. She had a great message about not hiding your brokenness. I really enjoyed seeing more of these characters. It seems like this one ended with the possibility of another book. I sure hope there is more!
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
Sci-fi or fantasy is not really my go-to genre, but when I read the blurb I was intrigued. Obviously, I have not read the first book of the series, but this was quite a fascinating read and I would like to go back and read the first one. The characters were well-developed and I really liked how they stuck together and supported each other. Immortality is such a intriguing and fascinating concept and the author really brings that possibility to life in this book and makes you really think about how things would be if it were real. The writing was creative and well done and I definitely have a ew appreciation for this genre.
I received a complimentary copy from Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.
I had a really hard time with this book. I was not for me. I have never read anything by this author and didn’t know what to expect. I found the book to be confusing and I had a hard time following the storyline. This book is a science fiction book, not something I typically read but wanted to give a chance at. This book is part of a series and I am not sure if maybe reading book one would have made this book make more sense or easy to follow the storyline. I will say this if science fiction is your thing grab book one first (I have not read the first one) and maybe that will help make this book make more sense. I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley. I was under no obligation to post a review and have given my honest opinion
I don’t have a definitive feeling for this book. I found the premise of this story very interesting. Speculative Christian fiction is not my usual read, but I’m glad I took a chance and read this one. The writing was well done and it held my attention until the end. That being said I found that part of my interest in moving forward was hoping to clear up the confusion that I felt for the first part of the book. I had that nagging feeling that I was missing something. This is the second book in the series and perhaps I needed to read the first book beforehand? I’m not sure, but I was curious. What was the background on these characters who couldn’t die? Was there a cure for their condition? Full review is at my website.
It’s been years since I read the Christian paranormal work of Frank Perretti. The term currently in favor is “speculative fiction” and this is a terrific re-introduction to this genre. In this case, the paranormal element is medically induced immortality. I wish that I had already read the first book in the set because I felt like I had obviously missed a lot of the preliminary world building. This volume gave enough backstory to mostly catch up and then built forward with a new twist for the characters to face. The writing is easy and enjoyable to read. The christian world view is evident in how it informs characters’ behavior and opinions, but the writing is not preachy.
I requested and voluntarily read an advanced review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley and I offer my honest opinion in response.
“Not my cup of tea”. This book was suggested to me, It is not my usual genre ( not sure why it was recommended ). But I thought I would give it a try. Not my usual style was the first issue. 2nd was; this is the 2nd book I a series. Which apparently is important to connect the characters. Buy chapter 5, I was not following and had lost interest. And by chapter 7, I gave up. If you have read this review to this point, you also might give up, but the storyline sounded interesting and was well written. I read other reviews that praised it. So it you like fantasy, speculative fantasy (?) science fiction, you may love it! I received this book from the publisher and net galley for an honest review.
The second book in the series just didn’t connect with me. The book was not exciting and I found myself bored and struggling to stay invested.
The book was different because it is touted as Christian science fiction.. To be honest, this style of book was just not my cup of tea.
Thank you to NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Zac is a sort of celebrity due to his fantastic and daring stunts. What people don’t know about him is that he is a longevite, a person who was treated with a serum when he experienced a life-threatening accident many, many years ago. Zac discovers there are more people like him than he had thought. They tell him that other longevities have started dying off. Zac and his friends try to find answers. Is their immortality coming to an end, or is someone killing them off?
I had read the first book in this series, NO LESS DAYS, and I enjoyed this second book as much. The characters are well-developed and human. The plot is intriguing and kept me turning those pages.
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.
It’s rare I can say I enjoyed a sequel even more than the first novel, but in this particular case that is absolutely true. I thoroughly enjoyed this book; perhaps the author relaxed a bit from the gritty feel of that first one, or maybe I was just more invested in the characters and their continuing story this time around.
I did not go back and reread the first book, but I did revisit my review and some of the concerns I had with that novel. Largely, much of that was resolved with this portion of the story. Once I relaxed and quit waiting for things to start popping up that might make me uncomfortable, I became engrossed in the storyline.
Where the first book left us wondering how such things were possible, much of this unique situation was already known as we begin this one. That isn’t to say there is no mystery, however. While largely remaining off the radar, someone knows more about them, and how their lives can actually end. How and why they are using that knowledge becomes a major plot point, and the motivations for discovering who is responsible are as varied as life and death.
The characters are quite complex and distinct. I would imagine it might be easy to create an “us versus them” mentality in a novel like this, but the author does a great job of giving each person their own personality, motivations, and hardships. It doesn’t matter if they are normal human beings or ones protected from death through their former circumstances–life isn’t perfect even if, maybe especially if, it doesn’t end.
One of the most intriguing people for me is Cady, and she is new in this novel. Her loyalty and heart drew me to her at the start, but her deep need is at war with her desires, and that made reading about her riveting. Zac also struggles in this book and we finally learn more of his backstory and see his journey toward faith. The parable of the prodigal son is breathtakingly illustrated and woven in with the character; a pivotal point in his spiritual life became a tearjerker in my reading.
Unlike the earlier book in the series, I feel comfortable recommending this book for mature teens and up; the faith story is first-rate, the questions of life and death, and what makes it worth living, are relevant for those of us who understand our days are limited, and the characters are worth rooting for. Largely, this is a rewarding story about family, relationships, being real with those around us, and remembering that life is more than we see on TV or social media, a message that will likely resonate with many of today’s readers.
I received a review copy of this book through Celebrate Lit but was under no obligation to post a positive review. The opinions expressed are both honest and my own.
What I think you should know:
From Sky to Sky is a contemporary Christian Suspense / Fantasy. It is the second book in the No Less Days series by Amanda G Stevens. In order to understand this book, you MUST read the first book in the series No Less Days series. It is a great book too so don’t worry it is going back to read anyway. In this book we get Zac Wilson’s perspective as they move forward after the events in No Less Days.
What you might want to know:
Zac suffers from claustrophobia and parts of the book describe this and the anxiety he feels.
What I thought about this book:
Stevens has written an entrancing story about a group of individuals whose lives were saved from a mortal wound however in being saved they lost the ability to age. In this story we see that not all of them want to continue to live in this way. The characters are unique and while they are fantasy characters they have real world problems and some of them share Christian beliefs. I really enjoyed that this book continued the story of David and Tiana. I loved how this story presented the story of the prodigal son as well as showing the importance of relationships. I am very curious to see who the next book in the series will feature and how the story will continue.
I received a complimentary copy for this book from Celebrate Lit, this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.
It’s called Christian Suspense/Fantasy and not something I usually read but.. I really enjoyed this story. Saved after a.. well, almost fatal accident Zac now doesn’t age and injuries don’t kill him. Someone has figured out that he has some miracle healing quality and targets him to prove it. Interesting story on immortality as we discover there are more in Zac’s family group with the same situation. Some suspense, drama and surprises that make this speculative fiction almost believable. I hope there is another book coming soon! I was gifted a copy, no review was required. My review is voluntary.
If you enjoy Christian suspense novels, this book is definitely one you should read. The Biblical characters and the suspense aspects blend beautifully in this book. I love the depth of the character development and how the storyline develops. It paints an interesting perspective on what happens if people do not age or die.
Even though I did not read the first book in the series, I felt I was able to relate to the characters without any trouble. I appreciate how Amanda G. Stevens addresses the ideas of faith with suspense and fantasy.
I have to say I definitely recommend this book. So if you like reading books that contain faith, fantasy, and suspense, check out this book for yourself.
I received a copy of this book for my fair and honest review.
No Less Days was one of my top reads of 2018 because of the unique premise: a group of immortals living among us. As such, I’ve been waiting to read this sequel for around eighteen months.
And that break between novels was a problem. I’ve read a lot of books in those eighteen months. So while I remembered the main premise of No Less Days, I had forgotten a lot of the smaller plot elements and some of the minor characters.
This made From Sky to Sky hard to get into. It jumps straight into the plot with no playing catchup. As a result, the first few chapters were confusing, and I didn’t think the story really got going until around the one-quarter mark. Even then, there were a few glitches (like one character who seemed to have a personality transplant that didn’t make sense).
But From Sky to Sky was worth the effort. This story focuses on Zac, the daredevil whose “lucky” escape was the catalyst for bookstore owner David meeting Zac and the other “longevites” in No Less Days. But they find out two longevites have just died. How? Was it natural causes … or something more sinister? Zac thinks he knows the answer, but now he has to convince his friends not to take justice into their own hands.
In No Less Days, Zac was very much the don’t-care daredevil (well, it’s probably easier to be a daredevil when you know it’s not going to kill you). In From Sky to Sky, Zac becomes more human as he has to acknowledge why he ran away from God a century ago, and face his own worst nightmare in the race to convince a newfound longevite that life is worth living.
There are a lot of good things about From Sky to Sky. The writing is excellent. The characters are interesting and well-developed, and the story is definitely Christian fiction as Zac is challenged about his relationship with God.
If you haven’t read No Less Days, definitely read that first. If you have read No Less Days, it might be worth reading (or skimming) it again so you’re not as lost as I was. No, this isn’t an easy read, but it’s a well-written novel with a unique and intriguing premise. It’s worth the effort.
Thanks to Shiloh Run Press and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.
From Sky to Sky is the second book from the series, No Less Days, by Amanda G Stevens. Since it is part of a series, I believe it is best for readers to start with book one titled the same as the series, No Less Days. I think it would flow better for the reader. I did not find this one an easy read. It was hard getting into the first half. After I started learning more about the characters, I did not want to put the down until the end. There were a few twists I had not expected to happen. It was intriguing to read and it really made think.
I am giving From Sky to Sky three and a half stars. I would be interested in reading a third installment from the No Less Days series in the future. I think many readers who need an inspirational and thought-provoking novel, they will want to give this one a try.
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
Christian Scifi. For those who want a hyper preachy Christian book with a sense of the former Iaon Gruffudd tv show Forever… this is your book. If you liked the show and can withstand hyper preachy Christian elements, you’re still going to like this one. Or if you’ve never seen the show but the general idea of humans that can live forever after ingesting a serum intrigues you… you’ll probably enjoy this one too. Overall the story of how a group of people like this find each other and deal with the guilt of having to kill one of their own that turned into a serial killer over the decades while also struggling to uncover why some of them are suddenly aging and dying within days, the story here was well told and intriguing. Just, as mentioned, hyper preachy. Ultimately it is how a reader feels about the hyper preachy element that will likely determine just how high they rate it, for an average reader anyway. (I typically try to not let such things impact how I rate a tale unless they don’t fit within the overall structure, and here it is clear from the beginning of the text that this will be that type of book.) Recommended.