Very exciting conclusion to this duology. And honestly it was a bit more emotional at times as well. I’m glad I did a quick skimming of Skyhunter beforehand so I was fully prepared to dive right into Steelstriker.

I’m glad we got to see both Talin and Red’s POVs as they try to find a way back to each other. This book takes place about six months after the first ended. Talin has been turned into a Skyhunter and is basically a traitor to her country. But when she heard of a rebellion, she finds a way to join and hopes that she won’t lose any loved ones in the meantime.

Red is determined to find his way back to Talin. He knows the pain she is enduring. While their bond is weak, they’re still connected, so he holds onto hope he can find her and rescue her in time.

If you enjoyed the action of the Warcross duology then you’ll like this one as well. Fast paced and full of excitement and hope.

Full-review will be up on Pop=Culturalist.com closer to the pub date! I loved the first book and I ADORED THIS A LOT MORE!!! It's fast-paced and there's a lot more plot.

The nation Mara is no longer free and Talin is learning that loyalty is not guaranteed. After the Premier captured her mother, she is forced to betray those she once called friends … she is now a Skyhunter. Red still has a link to Talin and he firmly believes that Mara still has a chance. Will Red be able to get Talin’s help to rescue their country? Will the Strikers be able to reunite and win against the Skyhunters?

Steelstriker is the second book in the Skyhunter duology. Since the entire story was being told in only two books, the pages are packed with action and intrigue. Lu has brought in a new twist that makes this world seem more like a future version of ours and that connection made the storyline even more appealing. I was turning pages to the end and felt breathless as I finished.

Marie lu has done it again! This is one of my favorites officially that she has written during her career. The prose is magical, the characters are so sympathetic real people with realistic issues. She includes the use of sign language throughout as a way for her characters to conquer battles and strategic missions. I fell in love with this book, the relationships that were portrayed and the word that was built and continued to build in this beautiful sequel!

Talin is now under control for the federation, more importantly she is the federation rulers Skyhunter. She is linked to this power hungry fool, but he holds the cards as he has her mother imprisoned in bad places if Talin doesn't do what he says and in very nice places if Talin is good and does what he says, including attacking her Striker friends and Red. But how will this play out, is Talin stuck forever or will the rebels finally get tired of waiting and do something?

I know my synopsis isn't that good but I didn't want to give away any spoilers. This book was awesome and I can not wait to see what Marie Lu comes up with next. This book is filled with everything, action, suspense, twists and turns and generous helping of I didn't see that coming. This is definitely a up past your bedtime book as it will suck you in and hold you until you finish the book, and this is the sequel.

This review will appear on my blog on Sept 28th.

"May there be future dawns."

Steelstriker was one of my most anticipated releases of the year, and in no way did it disappoint. It was a thrilling, exhilarating conclusion to the Skyhunter duology, and I already anticipate going back to my favorite parts to reread them. Marie Lu has outdone herself.

Skyhunter ends at a point of immense tension, and this sequel is able to build off of that. It not only crafts an intricate plot filled with action and plot twists. but it expands on the romantic relationships and friendships from the first book. If you were looking for more romance from the first book, this sequel is where you're going to get it. Talin and Red's relationship goes so much deeper in this book and really solidifies itself. The two of them learn the ins and outs of each other and just seeing the way they fight for their future and for the people they love really gets me. I was so close to crying simply because they love each other so much. I was definitely screaming into my pillow.

Steelstriker, unlike Skyhunter, is told in two points of view: one is Talin's and one is Red's. Given the circumstances of the story, having Red's POV there lends itself so well to the story. Beyond the fact that Red is my favorite (slightly grumpy) boy and the fact that his POV was pretty essential to the plot making sense, seeing the bond between him and Talin from both sides gave a lot of insight into their relationship. Since the majority of the book takes place in the capital of the Karensa Federation aka where Red has such deep-rooted childhood memories, we get a lot more definition to Red's character and his background. I LOVE HIM OKAY

Although there are two points of view, I see Talin at the center of this story. Seeing her prove herself again and again, taking back her agency and holding onto it for dear life. She's a fighter and every moment in this story, she shows everyone how she is so much more than the quiet little girl all of her doubters see her as. She not only has the grit and the strength, but she has the heart. This is a book about rebellion, and Talin establishes herself at the heart of it. My fave <3

The found family in this book is absolutely immaculate. The little family of Strikers makes my heart so happy, and seeing how far they came from the first book and the deep bonds they've formed between each other makes me even more confident that found family is my favorite trope.

I also wanted to mention how well I thought Marie Lu crafted her villain figures in this story, Premier Constantine specifically. She uses his former relationships, his backstory, and his true desires to her advantage, almost giving him mercy but recognizing how cold and brutal of a figure he's grown to be.

Above all, this is a story of family and sacrifice. What are you willing to do for the people you love? How deep do those familial bonds run? At the heart of this story is Talin and her mother, and the two of them has nudged themselves into a special place in my heart.

I don't think anyone thought I would be giving this book a negative review given how often I scream about Marie Lu on the Internet, but this is your reassurance that Steelstriker won't let you down.

Thank you for MacMillan and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Marie Lu ties together the intricate world building from the first installment of the series beautifully in an epic conclusion.
The characters of the story were all intricately written with their own motivations and own stories making each character a joy to read. Talin was a wonderful heroine and her emphasis on family being her driving force was a warm change from the theme of power in other books of this type. The only downfall was that the villain of the story was typical and predictable. It was easy for the other character to empathize in some way with Constantine but the reader never truly feels swayed to think of him as anything but a villain.
The world building and plot of the story were well thought out and not completely predictable. Although it times it felt a bit rushed, it was not enough to become a turnoff from the book. The plot had multiple layers with multiple issues that characters were dealing with separately until they all came together. Even with all of the separate points, there were no loose ends left at the end.
In general, Steelstriker was a fast paced, easy read that was hard to put down. The reader is left satisfied with the conclusion, while also wanting more.

Thanks a million to Fierce Reads and Marie Lu for sending me this e-arc.
Everything amazing Skyhunter did, Steelstriker somehow did even better. If anyone who read the first book has doubts about whether they should read the sequel, please read it, you will not be disappointed. The character work and the prose were brilliant and there was never a moment I wanted to put the book down. This book was full of twists, shocking revelations, daring bravery, romance, angst, and such grittiness. I daresay Constantine might just be one of my favourite antagonists of all time solely because of how well his character was written. Marie Lu's ability to create a grim world with grim consequences on the people in that world has never been better. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect sequel and I will be recommending this duology to everyone until the end of time.

#MarieLu's books never disappoint. #Steelstriker, the second book in the Skyhunter duology is just as strong as the first. Marie Lu balances character, plot, and action with social criticisms in seamless ways. One can enjoy the story on the surface, but one can also look to broader points about darker times, and colonialism, and refugees, and the relentless quest for power, and so many other very serious topics addressed skillfully in this book. Again, however, teens will enjoy this book at any level of reading it. It is fast-paced and action-packed with just the right amount of characters to follow, and it is easy to pick up where you left off after the first book. This is a must-purchase for any library. Many thanks to the publisher and to #NetGalley for the ARC.

Terrific wrap up to this white knuckle, action packed duology. As always Marie Lu delivers characters your stomach gets tied in knots for and romance that makes your heart beat way too fast.

It was a slow build with a powerful finish. Lacked a bit of action but led to a third book that will definitely be on my list!

Steelstriker is the sequel to Skyhunter by Marie Lu. The action picks up where the last book ended and is told by Talin and Red in alternating chapters. There is a lot of action as Talin is forced to do the Premier's bidding, and Red is trying to save her. Marie Lu continues to build a world and plot that is hard to step away from. This book had it all - suspense, death, reunions, and many surprises. This book also comes to a satisfying conclusion and wraps up all loose ends.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

I received an arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was anxiously awaiting this book. I like more and more that series are duologies. It's not agonizing torture to wait year and after year for the next book to come out. It's a short (but long) wait and you only have to do it once.

I loved Skyhunter. I liked Steelstriker.

The first half of the book didn't do a whole lot for me. It was a lot of build up of what Talin was up to as the Premier's Skyhunter and a little bit of what Red and the other Skyhunters are up to and a lot of reconnaissance when they get to the capital. I think another thing that made the first half of the book less enticing was there wasn't a lot of the link between Talin and Red. For me, the first book was so unique and interesting because Talin and Red could sense each other through their bond as well as communicate that way. It was that unique style of communication and learning about each other through their bond that made the story what it was. Talin and Red are a part for a significant part of the story and that bond that made them so special in the first book, isn't utilized as much until later in the book.

The second half of the book was action packed and worth the read. Early on in the story, Adena and Aramin are captured by the Federation after Talin is forced to foil their plan after entering seeing through Red's mind what their goal was. Red and Jaren escape and make their way to the capital in hopes of rescuing Adena, Aramin, and Talin. Then, they hope to finish what they started in the first place. When Talin learns of Adena and Aramin's capture and senses that Red is in the capital, she knows she needs to do something. However, for most of the book, her hands are tied because if she displeases the Premier, he will harm her mother. Talin finds small ways to help the Skyhunters and when she discovers that there is a rebellion still in place, she does what she can to help. Meanwhile, Red knows that if he can find and free Talin's mom that they have the chance to save Talin.

The second half was hard to put down. I really wanted to know what was going to happen to the five Skyhunters and how things would pan out with the rebellion. I was curious to know what would happen between Talin and the Premier as they were also bonded, like she is to Red. I wanted to see Talin and Red reunite and speak more through their bond. One of my favorite parts of the story was the relationship between Jaren and Red. The friendship the two of them developed was so genuine and heartfelt that I loved all scenes involving the two of them.

Overall, it was a worthy conclusion to the duology. If you were hooked after the cliffhanger from the first book, you will be satisfied with this book.

I did not stop thinking about this book since reading the last page of Skyhunter. The one year wait was incredibly cruel yet worth it. Since Skyhunter leaves readers with many questions, it’s a bit challenging to hint at the plot of Steelstriker without giving away spoilers. I will say that we meet Talin and Red once again, steeped in animosity and the colonialism of conquest. Greed, concerns of destiny, and a supposed-to-be romance flood the storyline as readers hear from both Talin and Red for the first time as dual narrators.

I was a bit reticent when I realized the narration style shifted—mostly because both narrators end up sounding the same in so many stories, and then the different points of view become unnecessary. Also, let’s be clear: Talin in no way, shape, or form, needs anyone else to tell her story. Despite my fears, the narration worked out for me. Given the bond between Talin and Red, hearing both of their thoughts actually made sense for the plot. And, Lu being the queen that she is, made the two of them feel different enough from one another.

I had so many expectations for this novel since I really do love Talin and her mom. I worried what would happen to them, and I worried that Lu would rip my heart out as per usual. I can’t report on if she did or didn’t, but I can say that I will be thinking about this second half of the story for a while, just like the first part. Seeing touches of the pandemic in a dystopian format is haunting, important, and yet somehow still an amazing escape. I can’t wait to re-read this again.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.