Book Review: Against the Red Sky

Reviewed by Elizabeth Reiser

Two teens find common ground in the race for Earth’s survival in this compelling apocalyptic thriller.

Planet Earth is in turmoil. Water shortages, rising temperatures, and pandemics are making it uninhabitable, and a collective group believes that colonizing Mars is the solution. However, another faction asserts there is still a viable world on Earth; it is just a matter of ousting those in powerful positions. When two teens from these opposing sides connect, everything they have ever known is thrown into question.

Maddie has always been in favor of adapting to life on Mars. After all, her billionaire Uncle Sardeth is responsible for the Mars Colony, and her mother has been stationed there as the lead scientist for years. Now Maddie has an opportunity to join her mother there as a member of the Mars Ascendance Academy. However, Maddie finds herself growing sensitive about her privileged status in society, and her quest to prove her worth is causing her to question her uncle and his pursuits.

On the other side lies Enzo. Whereas Maddie’s family is focused on Mars, Enzo’s mother, Mai, leader of the resistance, believes things could be improved on Earth. After Enzo fails his part of a mission to eliminate Sardeth, he has a chance to make up for his errors by infiltrating the Mars Ascendance Academy. Things take an unexpected turn when he meets Maddie, and he realizes not everyone on the other side is evil, forcing him to question his mother’s intentions.

Against the Red Sky is just plain enjoyable: a fast-paced, constantly engaging young adult thriller with likable and well-intentioned characters. Their dynamic with the other students at the Academy develops them even further. Maddie’s dynamic with her classmate and former friend, Abby, is especially compelling, since we get to see some of her true flaws peeking through. This is an unexpected aspect of her character development, and it works really well.

Illarmo cleverly depicts the emotional ups and downs of Maddie and Enzo’s star-crossed lovers plotline. What makes their relationship so captivating is their regularly fluctuating feelings for one another. It’s a realistic teenage relationship, not an idyllic one.

The teens aren’t fully ready to change their minds and they feel the tug of loyalty to their families, but they gradually become more open to learning from one another as time goes on. They question their upbringing and beliefs, an important theme in the book and a relatable one for so many young adults in the real world. The cliffhanger at the end of this story is significant, but it hints at a resolution that will make you excited to find out what will come of Earth and, perhaps even more importantly, what will happen to Maddie and Enzo.

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