
Why Did I Wait This Long to Read These Books?
Ten years ago, I read The Summer We Got Free by Mia McKenzie, and I haven’t shut up about it since. So tell me why her next novel, Skye Falling, came out four years ago, and it took me until now to read it. And then there’s The Space Between Worlds by Micaiah Johnson, which took over Book Riot in 2020. Everyone was reading and recommending it. It’s not that common that a sapphic book gets so much attention, especially a Black sapphic book, but somehow I also didn’t pick it up. I finally checked out both of these books from the library this month, and surprise, surprise: I loved them. Here are my thoughts.
Content for All Access members continues below. Members can explore our full library of exclusive bonus content, including must-reads, deep dives, and reading challenge recommendations. Sign up now for only $6/month!

Skye Falling by Mia McKenzie
When I used to be a Bibliologist for TBR, The Summer We Got Free was one of my most-recommended titles. It’s just such an atmospheric, beautifully written, absorbing story. Maybe I was worried her next one wouldn’t live up to it. If so, I am happy to be proven wrong. Skye Falling is a completely different style and tone to The Summer We Got Free, but they were both five star reads. Skye is an endearing mess, determined to be independent at all costs—until a kid shows up on her doorstep and tells her that she is the egg Skye donated years ago. Trying to be there for anyone is an uphill battle for her, especially when it comes to trusting other people. And Skye’s crush on the kid’s aunt just makes things even more complicated.
Inexplicably waiting years to pick up Skye Falling did have an upside, though, because now that I’ve cemented Mia McKenzie as a favourite author, I only have months to wait until her next novel: These Heathens.

The Space Between Worlds by Micaiah Johnson
I don’t read a ton of sci-fi, but I’m so glad I (eventually) picked this one up. It’s a twisty story about traveling between alternate worlds, with a thorny, slow-burn sapphic love story in the centre. While these two books are very different, like Skye, Cara is a messy and flawed main character. I found it especially useful to read right now, because Cara finds her line in the sand to fight for. It doesn’t come from a place of moral purity, and several characters question why she’d let other things go but dig her heels in here. With the state of the world right now, I feel like it’s especially appropriate as so many of us struggle to find our line in the sand when so many have already been crossed.
Like with Mia McKenzie, the advantage to picking this up years late is that I get to read the sequel—same world, different main character—right away! I’ve got Those Beyond the Wall checked out from the library, and I’m excited to dig in.
Have you read either of these? Let’s chat in the comments!
The comments section is moderated according to our community guidelines. Please check them out so we can maintain a safe and supportive community of readers!
Leave a comment
Become an All Access member to add comments