I was expecting to be blown away by this book given all the rave reviews I've read about it. I wasn't, but it was still a good read. There's more complexity here than in other YA books, and some truly fantastic worldbuilding that made me want more. The plot was okay - it wasn't anything truly unique, and to be honest, didn't quite hold my attention until three quarters of the way through, after things have already been blown up (literally). But that last quarter of the book was fantastic.

I also never felt very connected with the two main characters. I liked them, and wanted to know what happened to them but I never felt truly invested in their well-being and story. The entire book had a detached air that made it really hard to get sucked in. ( )

This was really a very good story (stories). Told in alternating chapters by Trei and Araene, the book takes the reader on adventures with mages and dragon flyers and battles of sea and land. ( )

A unique fantasy with a beautiful narrate. I will defiantly be reading other books by Rachel Neumeier.
The mage school is awesome, it spread throughout the city as in not entity in one building. You has to read the book to know what I mean.

The only thing I didn't like is at the end it start to slow down and drags a bit. This is a cool book to read and it worth it. ( )

upon reread i definitely love the premise and general world building far more then the actual execution of the story ( )

After his family are killed, Trei travels to the floating islands to live with relatives. He takes one look at the Kajuraihi, who fly on the winds, and knows that this is what he wants to do. His cousin, Araenè, dreams of becoming a chef, but the closest she can get is dressing up as a boy and sneaking into university lectures.

This starts as a story of Trei and Araenè dealing with loss and pursuing their respective dreams despite those of would say that they don’t belong - Trei’s Tolounnese father and upbringing mean his loyalty to the islands is questions, while Araenè worries about people seeing through her disguise. But then the islands are threatened with war, both of them are willing to take risks to protect their home.

Floating islands have some unique defences, but they have their vulnerabilities too.

The Floating Islands is such a lovely, quiet story about grief, and friendship, and flying. Flying! Also dragons, and a hidden magic school, and people making sacrifices. I found it appealing and compelling with an intensity I hadn’t expected based on the opening chapters.

Then he said, “Kajuraihi have been soldiers, Trei, a first line of defense for the Islands, but not for a long time. Now they’re more often couriers. Discreet couriers at the highest level, but still fundamentally messengers. Does that sound like something you’d like to do?”
Trei didn’t answer. If the question had been just that - do you want to be a courier? - then the answer would have been no. But if the question was, are you willing to become a courier if it means you can fly? - in that case, he thought, the answer would be yes. Because when he imagined walking the streets of the city, watching winged men soar overhead and knowing he would never be among them... the thought was almost a physical ache within him. ( )