Pop-Culturalist.com

Beyond the End of the World is the stunning conclusion to The Other Side of the Sky duology by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner. This talented co-writing team ramps up the tension and high-stakes in this finale. There is more action, more plot twists, and more risky situations for the characters to find their way out of. All of this makes Beyond the End of the World an incredibly entertaining page-turner. For more on this duology, read my review of the first book The Other Side of the Sky.

*Spoilers for both books are mentioned in this review.*

In the shocking final moments of The Other Side of the Sky, Nimh and North are separated by forces out of their control. Beyond the End of the World picks up two weeks later with Nimh in Alciel suffering from amnesia completely unaware of a dangerous enemy in her midst. North is stranded Below and desperately searching for a way to return home and reunite with Nimh. With the rising threat of the poisonous mist storms on the surface of Below and the looming crisis of Alciel’s engines failing, Nimh and North must risk it all to save their worlds, the people they love, and each other from certain doom.

Once again, Nimh and North lend their voices to tell this story. The dual points of view narration is especially beneficial as two distinct subplots are being played out for the first half of the book. For the second half of the novel, it serves to support the two protagonist’s character development. There are also a handful of chapters from periphery characters sprinkled throughout the novel. This added some outsider context to the upheaval occurring on Alciel.

The Other Side of the Sky focused on fleshing out the world of Below by introducing its magic system, traditions, and prophecies. In Beyond the End of the World, we spend more time in Alciel and delve deeper into its history, culture, and society. Alciel is a vastly different world from Below. It feels like a futuristic version of our own time with its familiar technology of gliders, fast trains, and smart watches. While it’s known that Below and Alciel share an origin, the truth of how magic and science influenced the development of each world was quite a fascinating reveal. The way Kaufman and Spooner peel back the layers of the prophecy to explain the true destiny of both worlds, the role Nimh and North play in bringing this to fruition, and what salvation really means for all is nothing short of brilliant. 

Nimh and North have an opportunity to interact with many of the supporting characters while they are separated. Nimh meets Saelis and Miri, North’s best friends. The trio work together to protect Alciel from a duplicitous invader. Through North’s tentative alliance with Techeki, who is now running the temple in Nimh’s absence, and with Matias, the leader of the riverstriders, we learn a lot more about past events that have directly resulted in the current dire circumstances. North’s mothers and biological father are also more present and have secrets of their own that come to light. 

There is a perfect balance of romantic angst and passionate moments between Nimh and North. The yearning between them is palpable in every interaction they have upon being reunited. Yet, they take their time to act on their feelings. I loved every minute of their slow-burn, star-crossed, forbidden love dynamic. Nimh and North’s bond runs deep, their belief in one another is unwavering, and their love is the anchor that holds them steadfast in the raging chaos around them. They are brought together by fate, but the love that grows between them is a choice. One that is true and enduring. 

Final thoughts: Beyond the End of the World is everything you want in a sci-fi/fantasy finale: riveting, surprising, romantic, and thoroughly satisfying.