Book Review: Skylark

Title:  Skylark
Author:  Meagan Spooner
Where I got it:  From NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review

Amazon Summary:

Vis in magia, in vita vi. In magic there is power, and in power, life.

For fifteen years, Lark Ainsley waited for the day when her Resource would be harvested and she would finally be an adult. After the harvest she expected a small role in the regular, orderly operation of the City within the Wall. She expected to do her part to maintain the refuge for the last survivors of the Wars. She expected to be a tiny cog in the larger clockwork of the city.

Lark did not expect to become the City's power supply.
For fifteen years, Lark Ainsley believed in a lie. Now she must escape the only world she's ever known...or face a fate more unimaginable than death.

In Meagan Spooner's compelling debut, magic, technology, and human frailty collide in a brilliant new world.

My Thoughts:
Lark lives in an isolated city, firmly believing that they are the last of humanity after the wars destroyed the world.  And she can’t wait to become an adult – which means having her energy or magic harvested.  She’s one of the oldest students in her class at sixteen, so when Harvest Day rolls around and her name is finally called, she’s ecstatic, until the process starts and Lark is drawn into an incredibly painful and numbing process.  She realizes she has to escape, but has no idea how difficult that will be.

Skylark is a completely unique concept with endearing characters and tons of mystery and drama to keep you guessing.  I loved Lark within moments, she’s funny and snarky, but definitely naïve.  However, she manages to keep a somewhat open mind, despite years of training in the city.  Not to mention that she’s fiercely loyal, and much stronger than she realizes.  The supporting cast is much the same, the characters come to life on the pages, and leave the reader wanting to know more.

Then you’ve got the cool technology and magic fusion, which is fantastically interesting, seriously different, and complex in a way that makes you feel like your right there with Lark as she searches for her destination. 

This book is completely atmospheric and engrossing, I couldn’t put it down!