When the Sky Fell on Splendor | A YA Book Review

When the Sky Fell on Splendor by Emily Henry

5/5 stars

This book is magical. Full disclosure, I love all of Emily Henry’s books. She’s not afraid to touch on the deeper metaphysical topics. That said, if you don’t like thinking deeply and don’t like speculative fiction, metacognition, or contemplating your role in the vastness of the universe, you shouldn’t bother with Emily Henry’s books because you will not enjoy them. Moving on…this book really struck me in the feels (which I usually hate? But it’s okay when Emily does it.) There were some things in it that resonated with me on a personal level (some of the characters and the things that they did), but damn if this book didn’t have me hooked right away.

This book is told in first person from a girl named Franny’s POV. She and five other high-school aged kids are bonded into a group called The Ordinary, the formation a result of a disastrous and deadly mill accident that happened in their small town of Splendor, Ohio. They formed over the common denominator of their grief, and together make mockumentaries for their YouTube channel. One day, when filming at an abandoned house, they see an explosion of light and find a piece of fallen debris that appears to be from outer space. What ensues is almost like one big acid trip—except not. This book makes you look at grief, friendship, family, judgment, and your place in the universe. It’s not particularly science-y, although there’s a lot on black holes as the protagonist’s brother Mark, injured in the mill accident, was into astronomy and mathematics.

I found it really moving and cried—a lot. I was also able to read it fast because Emily Henry has amazing pacing. Her characters and world-building are always multi-dimensional, and I’m talking 5D not just 3D, and if you don’t know what that means, you probably won’t understand or enjoy this book. If you’re a fan of Emily’s past two books (AMJ and TLTSTW) or are into Stranger Things, X-Files, or the book The Host by Stephanie Meyer than I think this one is for you, so be sure to check it out. I can’t wait for whatever Emily comes up with next! She never ceases to amaze this reader.