An instant New York Times bestseller with three starred reviews—now under development as a feature film franchise!
Plummet into a kill-or-be-killed competition where a scrappy underdog hell-bent on revenge must battle colossal monstrosities and claw his way to the top in this fast-paced, breakout sensation from YA fantasy author Marc J Gregson.Exiled to live as a Low under the merciless rule of the Meritocracy, sixteen-year-old Conrad refuses to become heir to his murderous uncle. But when behemoth sky serpents attack the floating island of Holmstead and devour Conrad’s ailing mother, Conrad cuts a deal to save the only family he has left. To rescue his sister from his uncle’s clutches, Conrad must enter the Selection of the Twelve Trades.
Freshly recruited into Hunter, the deadliest of all the Trades, Conrad endures rigorous training, manipulative peers, and the Gauntlet—a brutal final challenge that pits Conrad’s skyship crew against the very terrors that orphaned him. As Conrad competes in the lowest of stations, he overhears whispers of rebellion in the dark. Conrad had never known anything existed below the toxic black clouds of the Skylands . . . until now.
Grab your copy of Book One of the Above the Black trilogy and immerse yourself in a richly detailed dystopia, where failing to rise will most certainly mean your fall. Chock-full with epic, edge-of-your-seat battles, nail-biting twists, and bonds of brotherhood, this action-packed series starter is reminiscent of
Attack on Titan and will appeal to fans of
Red Rising. A captivatingly wild ride to keep you up late at night as you race toward the finish!
A Kids’ Indie Next List Selection A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year A BookPage Best Book of the YearA Reactor Most Anticipated Young Adult SFF/H A Goodreads Most Anticipated Young Adult Book
On sale: January 2, 2024
Age: 14 and up
Grade: Grade 9 & Up
Page count: 416 Pages
ISBN: 9781682635766
Marc J Gregson is a
New York Times bestselling author. He attended the University of Utah, where he received his bachelor of arts in English teaching. Marc’s pursuit of learning has led him into the classroom, where he teaches middle school English. He believes in the power of words and that stories can unite people from all origins.
Sky’s End is his first novel for teens.
★ "Action-packed, mysterious and satisfying,
Sky’s End is a great read for anyone who loves fantasy and dystopian fiction."—
BookPage, Starred Review ★ "This debut YA fantasy has an intricate class-based dystopia, teeth-clenching and gory battle scenes, complex and well-developed characters with constantly evolving relationships, found family, loyalty, and a hint of romance. First in an upcoming trilogy, this book is highly recommended to readers who love fantasy and dystopia."
—Booklist, Starred Review
★ "A thrilling and brilliantly realized series opener; readers will clamor for the next installment." —
Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review "Mutinous machinations and improbable alliances distinguish this rousing trilogy opener, and snarky banter and sophisticated character arcs lend dimension to the intersectionally diverse cast."
—Publishers Weekly