The Sky Looked the Same by Marissa Dike introduces readers to a dystopian world with a unique sense of justice. Criminals are no longer sent into prisons for retribution for crimes they have committed. Instead, they are subjected to a medical procedure that leaves them broken and older, hence losing years of their life. It is in this world that a sixteen-year-old girl gets convicted of a terrible crime. Mia knows that her days are numbered, and she wants to make the best of what is left of her life. She decides to document her experience in the hope of connecting with humanity. Follow her on a life-altering journey towards self-acceptance and a deepening sense of purpose and meaning.

This is a story that is filled with pathos and grit. The author introduces readers to a world with a unique way of punishing criminals and a protagonist who instantly captures their sympathy. In this novel, the author explores what happens when we become painfully aware of our mortality and presents a heroine who decides to create meaning by indulging in the one thing she has always dreamed about doing: writing. The internal conflict is skillfully written, and Marissa Dike’s nuanced characters and unpredictable plot points transform the story into a page-turner. The Sky Looked the Same introduces a fresh, exciting, and a smart voice in the dystopian genre. The novel has a pace that allows ample room for thought-provoking social commentaries and compelling inner dialogues. The plot has many surprises for readers, and it will be delightful to notice how an original and creative idea of punishment fuels the plot points of a narrative that becomes as engaging as it is profoundly moving. It is the perfect escape for fans of dystopian settings and readers who enjoy complex, fully drawn, and unforgettable characters.