Book Review: Wild Blue Yonder

Wild Blue Yonder (Cerulean Series #3) 

Author: Megan Tayte 

Published by: Heaven Afire 

Publication Date: 31 May 2015 

Page Count: 312 

Buy it on Amazon 

Source: ebook provided by author 

Audience: Young Adult – Paranormal

With each story I read in the Cerulean Series, Megan Tayte hooks me more and more. More of the story unravels with each book and with the end of each it makes me want to eagerly pick up the next.

With the opening of Wild Blue Yonder, we find Scarlett just waking up from her death at the end of Forget Me Not. She once again finds herself in a situation she can’t control, learning new things and trying to survive the best she knows how. Everything is different on the island of Cerulea, and as Scarlett begins to understand what is expected of her, disbelief and helplessness sets in. She meets the ‘Mother’ of the Ceruleans and tries to do her best to settle in, but soon she and Jude set out to find Sienna, Scarlett’s sister, and what they find, neither can accept.

I love how more and more of story unfolds in each book I read. I know that sounds odd, since most sequels are continuations of the first book, but this one is so flawless, picking up right after the one before and more of the puzzle pieces fall into place. I love the depth that each book adds to the overall storyline.

I don’t agree with the rules and life on Cerulea, neither does Scarlett, but it adds so much more to the plot; adding many more questions and also answering ones we have had from the very beginning. A society up till now Jude had deemed as perfect, underneath really isn’t. It makes Scarlett question why she chose that life. It adds several layers to the Ceruleans and the Fallen.

Tayte throws into the story a lot of pop cultural references: TV shows and movies, authors and books, songs and musicians.  It makes it all seem almost more real, like it could actually be happening in real life.  It adds a touch of familiarity to it, and I love that.

Again, Tayte’s visualization is captivating. The island of Cerulea is breathtakingly detailed. It’s a place I would love to visit and explore. She also has written the backstories for the Ceruleans well. I have always loved the authors who put some thought into how their characters came to be, no matter how small a part they play. Though we don’t see all of them, it’s easy to see that every Cerulean Scarlett encounters has a story.

I loved the ending to Wild Blue Yonder, though I don’t want it to end – there is so much more to Scarlett’s and Sienna’s story – it would be a good ending to a trilogy. I am glad Tayte is taking the story in the direction she has.

I am definitely looking forward to the last two instalments of the Cerulean series and am anxious to start reading the next. Devil and the Deep, the fourth book in this series, is available now.

One Last Thought: It seems odd to me that when a person dies and they become a Cerulean, they are still susceptible to illness, fatigue, hunger, thirst, etc.  You would think that once you have passed through death you could move passed those worries as well.  But in saying that, it is still intriguing, and I like that they are still vulnerable.

Favorite Thing About This Book: I loved the revelations in this book. They made me laugh, cry, gasp, even feel a bit of shock and disappointment, but it was a fabulous read.

First Sentence: ‘Earth’s crammed with heaven,’ wrote poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning.

Favorite Character: Scarlett

Least Favorite Character: Evangeline

Synopsis 

IN A WARPED HEAVEN, SHE MUST CHOOSE HER FATE: OBEDIENCE OR REBELLION

The Ceruleans: mere mortals infused with power over life and death. Five books; one question: If the might of the heavens were in your hands, would you be sinner or saint?

When Scarlett Blake chose life-after-death as a Cerulean, she expected to grieve for all she left behind: her boyfriend, her best friend, her mother, her home. But at least Cerulea, her heaven, would be… well, heavenly. Right?

Wrong.

The world in which Scarlett awakens is very far from her idea of a utopia. Picturesque, sure, and serene. But there can be no paradise within the unforgiving walls of a prison, be they of cold, hard stone or beautifully blue water.

Now Scarlett faces her hardest decision yet: be a good, dutiful Cerulean, or be true to herself and fight for freedom. And if she can find a way to escape, what then? Can she finally reunite with her lost sister? Can she save Sienna from the murderous Fallen? Can she evade her destiny with the Ceruleans?

Can Scarlett Blake ever reclaim her life-before-death… or must she let go of all she loves?