ARC Review: Words Composed of Sea and Sky by Erica George

Title: Words Composed of Sea and Sky

Author: Erica George

Publisher: Running Press Kids
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Hardcover, 368 Pages
Published May 2021

Summary: Michaela Dunn, living on present day Cape Cod, dreams of getting into an art school, something her family just doesn't understand. When her stepfather refuses to fund a trip for a poetry workshop, Michaela finds the answer in a local contest searching for a poet to write the dedication plaque for a statue honoring Captain Benjamin Churchill, a whaler who died at sea 100 years ago. She struggles to understand why her town venerates Churchill, an almost mythical figure whose name adorns the school team and various tourist traps. When she discovers the 1862 diary of Leta Townsend, however, she gets a glimpse of Churchill that she didn't quite anticipate. In 1862, Leta Townsend writes poetry under the name Benjamin Churchill, a boy who left for sea to hunt whales. Leta is astonished when Captain Churchill returns after his rumored death. She quickly falls for him. But is she falling for the actual captain or the boy she constructed in her imagination?

I received an advanced copy of WORDS COMPOSED OF SEA AND SKY in exchange for an honest review, and I'm really glad I did, because I ended up really liking this story! I wasn't sure if I would be into it or not before I started reading, knowing that the story is told in alternating chapters that go back into the 1800s. As someone who isn't a huge historical fiction reader at all, I'll admit that that part made me a little bit apprehensive. But once I started reading, I found myself falling into the story, and I really enjoyed it! So without further ado, here's my review:

As the summary explains, Michaela is trying to win a scholarship to attend a poetry workshop in the fall, and the contest requires that she writes a poem about a famous whaler (and rumored poet), Benjamin Churchill, who used to live in their small town on Cape Cod. Eager for information to make her poem as authentic and winning-worthy as it can be, she goes searching around town and eventually finds a diary belonging to a resident of the town who lived in the 1800s and not only knew Benjamin Churchill, but also used his name as a pen name for her published poetry. The story is told in alternating chapters between Michaela's present-day life and Leta's intricate past, and as the story goes on, their lives become more and more similar and intertwined. 

Like I said, I actually really enjoyed reading this book! Any apprehension I had about starting it (as someone who doesn't like reading historical fiction) completely melted away once I fell into Michaela's story and Leta's diary entries. I loved seeing how many things were similar -- including their love triangles! -- and also how many things were different. Also, without spoiling anything about the ending, I will just say that I loved it a lot and devoured the last 100 pages of the book while I was on a train, and I almost missed my stop because I was that invested in it! (Any other New York readers out there, has that ever happened to you on the train before?)

My favorite character in this book was definitely Finn. He was so sweet and kind, even when Michaela's thoughts about him weren't always the nicest and were pretty petty and judgmental. Sometimes I actually wasn't a huge fan of her for that reason, including the way she sometimes thought about Finn or treated Russ. She seemed like one of those stuck-up hyper-literary types, but I'm glad that as the book goes on, her character develops and the way that she believes she has to see people isn't necessarily the way that they actually are. I also really loved Leta as a character, and loved reading her diaries! I loved how bold and outspoken she was, and how unapologetic she was about being herself, even when life through her more than a few hurdles to leap over. But she overcame them all, and she really was such a delightful character to read about.

Overall, I really enjoyed reading WORDS COMPOSED OF SEA AND SKY. I'm glad that I picked up this book and decided to give it a chance despite my apprehensions about the historical aspect, because I ended up loving that part the best! I guess it goes to show you that you should always explore out of your genre, because you never know what you might end up loving. If you're looking for a sweet, intriguing, quiet read to pick up this summer, I recommend adding this one to your TBR!