Finding The Sky | PADDYLAST INC.

RELEASE DATE: Feb 10, 2016
Format: Novel
Genre: Young Adult
Length: 180 pages, ebook
Publisher: Harmony Ink Press
Cover Artist: Bree Archer
Ebook ISBN: 978-1-63476-338-7
Characters: Dillon Smith

I thought the book has a pretty diverse plot points that were scattered throughout the story. There’s gangs, interracial relationship, homosexuality, terrorism and wildlife. It centers, though, on sixteen-year-old Dillon Smith who has been getting harassed by a gang trying to recruit him. An implication in the gang robbing a convenient store made his mom decide to send him away to his Uncle Bryan for the summer. On their way to the country, Dillon and Bryan rescued a hawk and took it to a wildlife rehabilitation center. There, Dillon meets Scott, the son of the two gay rehabbers and from then on – Dillon eyes were open to a lot of possibilities which includes falling in love. Little did he know that the gang is not planning to let him go that easy.

In general, I liked this book. It’s very neat and very quick-paced. I liked Dillon’s character. He’s only sixteen so I appreciate that his mindset and his attitude is very apt to his age. I wished that he wasn’t that prim and proper though. Actually, thinking back – I thought the dialogues were a bit too polished – almost unrealistic at times. It didn’t bother me at all. I mean, it worked in the story so that’s a win for the author.

I also loved the romance between the two teenagers. Scott is an equally great character. Perhaps a bit too perfect? Not that I’m complaining tho. Can I also say (I dunno, maybe it’s just me) that there’s this rippling sexual tension between Dillon’s uncle and Scott’s Dads? I mean, if the author wanted to explore that idea – I thought it’d be wonderful or maybe a book for Bryan as well with a different guy?

That solution to Dillon’s predicament was almost too convenient but I’m totally buying it. I loved how everything turned out, although, not as realistic as some people would see it but at the end of the day, it made me feel really good. This is a really good young adult read – not too angsty and not too light – just the right amount of zing.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

About The Author
A.M. Burns lives in the Colorado Rockies with his partner, several dogs, cats, horses, and birds. When he’s not writing, he’s often fixing fences, splitting wood, hiking in the mountains, or flying his hawks. He’s enjoyed writing since he was in high school, but it wasn’t until the past few years that he’s begun truly honing his craft. He is the president of the Colorado Springs Fiction Writers Group: http://www.csfwg.org. Having lived both in Colorado and Texas, rugged frontier types and independent attitudes often show up in his work.