Never read Sky of Dust. But some books I've read that I like:
*Every Soul a Star by Wendy Mass (Happier book, though still a little emotional, very good)
*elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin (an interesting take on death and the afterlife, also really good)
*The Divergent trilogy by Veronica Roth (well, the third one isn't out yet, but I love her books so much I know it'll be good)
*Variant by Robinsdon Wells (very well written thriller, keeps you on your toes the whole time. warning, cliffhanger at the end, apparently it will be the first of a series)