Nadya Skylung and the Cloudship Rescue

March 15, 2018
Nadya Skylung, an orphan, was rescued by the cloudship Orion's captain, Nic, as were the other orphans who are in the crew: Tam, Tian Li, Pepper, and Salyeh.In the cloudship's garden, Nadya helps fellow skylung Mrs. Trachia take care of the special plants and animals that help keep the vessel aloft. As the book opens, Nadya hopes to be named first mate. Then the worst happens: Pirates attack the Orion. They are looking for skylungs, and Nadya fears they are looking for her. The action's both nonstop and circular: The adults sacrifice themselves so that the children can escape, and then the children execute a daring rescue to save them. Nadya gets some but not all of her questions answered, leaving room for a sequel. The built world is complicated, with elaborate biological mechanisms that power the cloudship and humans with special properties to run it. With geography and naming conventions vaguely analogous to our own, Seymour constructs a racially diverse cast around Nadya, who presents white. The language he uses to describe his characters of color is sometimes poorly chosen: Tian Li is rather opaquely described as having "sandstone-colored skin," and, worse, Salyeh is described as having skin "the dark brown of burning paper."While the worldbuilding can be heavy-handed and confusing at times, readers who love action-adventure stories will enjoy reading about Nadya and her friends. (Fantasy. 8-12)

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May 1, 2018

Gr 4-6-In a breathtaking fantasy world where ships can both sail in the sea and fly, Nadya Skylung wants very badly to be the next first mate on the cloudship Orion. Her skills tending the cloud garden that keeps the ship afloat are impressive, and her strength proves to be beneficial when the ship needs repairs. However, she has competition from her rival Tam, so she has to work very hard to prove herself while still giving the ship's plants and animals the care and nurturing that they deserve. Suddenly, the Orion is under attack from pirates. The children manage to escape, but key members of the ship's crew are in captivity with the cruel pirates, including the kind Captain Nic, who rescued Nadya and other orphans, and Mrs. T, who is a surrogate mother figure to Nadya. This is a moving fantasy novel with strong world-building, intriguing characters, and touching themes about the meaning of family and sacrifice. VERDICT A well-developed, action-packed fantasy, and a solid purchase for medium and large collections.-Margaret A. Robbins, University of Georgia, Athens

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 4, 2018
Seymour’s debut middle-grade novel, the first of two set in a fantastical universe, follows resilient, sensitive protagonist Nadya Skylung. She is one of several orphans who comprise most of the crew family on the Orion, a cloudship that roams the skies. Nadya’s job is simple but specialized (she cares for the plants and animals that keep the ship aloft) and she has aspirations of one day rising captaining her own vessel. As in all families, however, there are squabbles—especially since Nadya and her crewmate Tam are both angling for the position of first mate. Those family bonds are stretched taut when pirates, rumored to be searching for Nadya, kidnap the adults. It’s up to the five youngest crew members to figure how to save the rest. Seymour creates a world with a complicated history and a looming darkness, and the narrative champions community, responsibility, and overcoming obstacles. A tense conclusion will leave readers curious about Nadya’s background and place in this absorbing universe, which is given further dimension in Helquist’s appealing black-and-white illustrations. Ages 8–12. Agent: Danielle Burby, Nelson Literary Agency.

April 1, 2018
Grades 6-8 Nadya and the others aboard the cloudship Orion are orphans taken in by Captain Nic until the day they can run their own ships. Nadya dreams of one day leaving the security of the cloud garden and becoming first mate, until the ship is attacked by pirates. When the crew is taken hostage, Nadya and her friends must risk their lives to save them. This brilliantly characterized debut features heroes who are well-rounded and layered; each come from tragic circumstances, but their connection is genuine and emotional as they deal with realistic conflicts and daily life aboard the ship. Opinionated Nadya often fails to see others' perspectives, but as she learns to put aside their differences in order to honestly understand her teammates, it's easy to form a real connection with her. An impressive read that explores ideas of what bravery means though rich writing, vivid descriptions, and a strong voice. Readers will be eager to explore this breathtaking and dangerous steampunk world set in the sky.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)