Overall 4 stars for continuous entertainment and ending shock-value.

The good:
-constant twists and turns: I didn’t feel the lull when going back in flashbacks or sidelines like I did in other books, which kept me engaged the whole time - I couldn’t stop listening!
-a real will-they-or-won’t-they love triangle: Oro vs Grim - I was kept guessing (won’t spoil it for you 😈). I thought I had a clear favorite, but Ms. Aster did a great job with making me question who I thought was actually better for Isla.
- Isla’s power arc: The buildup of her power and how it all culminates in the end was very well done and actually connects the dots through the entire story

The not-so-good:
-constant twists and turns: at times, it read a bit jumpy. There was a lot to cover and sometimes I felt like we just skipped from plot point to plot point without any real connection between them. I found myself going back in the audiobook a few times to make sure I didn’t miss anything, but I felt some revelations were abruptly thrown in there because it was integral to the story and not very well woven in.
-the love triangle: the line between intriguing and “heart split in two” and Isla coming off as messy were on top of each other for me. Some times it would be so clear she had made her choice and then it would abruptly flip. The actual connections started to feel forced.

I did listen to the audiobook narrated by Suzy Jackson and I think she’s perfect for reading Isla. Very evocative - I’m just sorry she had to read about screaming and retching so much!

Thank you to RBmedia for providing me with an advanced copy of this audiobook via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I waited so long for an ending and what I got was a mind twisting end. But is it the end? I loved every second of this book. Alex is one the best writers in my opinion.

Wow. There has to be another book after this! I loved the audio, my only complaint is that I wish there was another narrator for Grimm & Oro’s dialogue just to help with the immersion into the story. The tension throughout this book and the continuation of world building was done so well! We were introduced to so much more lore and so many new characters. But! I need to know what happens with the prophecy! That wasn’t answered at all!! So I’m going to need a fourth book

This book was soo good! This book had me crying, giggling, and feeling all the different emotions. I am a Grim girl through and though ! This was a really good read!

First thank you so much to NetGalley for the chance to listen to this Audiobook in Advance.

This book was everything I could have wanted for a third book in this series I was I think under the same impression most of us were that this was going to be a trilogy but I am not upset to know that we get more time in this world and with these characters! I feel like the Narrator of this book did a wonderful job at portraying the emotions and scenes throughout the story so that we as the listeners could be entranced in the story rather than easily distracted. Now about this book, since it is the 3rd in a series I will just say that I feel Alex Aster did a great job of giving us a great balance between the growth of the Relationships growing as well as making sure the plot was moving forward everything had a purpose nothing felt over-explained or drawn out or tossed in just to make the story drag on and I love that in her writing. After so long of waiting, I am happy to have read this book but am now anxiously waiting for the next!!!!

“Skyshade” is the third book in the “Lightlark” series

I started this series thinking it is a trilogy and happy that I get to read all the books. Well it is not. There will be at least another book and this means that the story feels a bit dragged on.

The book picks up after the events at the end of Nightbane and Isla needs to find a solution to the prophecy. After recovering her memories, it is hard for her to decide between Grimm and Oro as she loves them both and also wants to save as many people as possible. But she should just decide once and for all.

The plot is full of quests, twists, betrayal and secrets. And there is a dragon ❤️. The story keeps you hooked and the fact that I listened to the story was a plus. The ending got me curious about what will happen next.

Thank you Netgalley and RBmedia for an advanced copy of the audiobook. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Romantasy Reader/Audiobook
I usually don't read YA but every once and a while I enjoy jumping into a Romantasy series. light lark was the one that pulled me in.

While I devoured the first two, Skyshade was a bit slower and took longer to get into. It felt like there was too many stories going on.
It was a bit confusing and hard to follow at times with bouncing back and forth between flashbacks and current without being very clear or in a good setting to do it in.

However, I still enjoyed the overall story. I love these characters. I wasn't ready for the story to end because I didn't want Isla to have to chose between her two men. I absolutely loved getting more FMC in this and Isla really came into herself this book.

Listening to the audiobook, Suzy Johnson did a great job transitioning between characters and keeping the listener engaged.

Highly recommend for YA or Romantasy readers.

I was so excited to listen to this audiobook. This book was very entertaining and the narrator, Suzy Jackson, is amazing! However, I thought this was the final book in a trilogy but it did not really have an ending- it was clearly meant for another book, or 3. If you love the characters and don't want this series to end then you might love this! I prefer books to have an expecting ending so I probably won't read on until I know how many books there will be, since this series started out as a duology, I thought it was a trilogy, now there's no telling when it is going to end. Thank you to NetGalley and RBmedia for the ARC!

Skyshade is the third installment in the Lightlark series. If you’re like me and thought this was a trilogy, you’re in for quite the surprise. While I enjoyed this one, it felt like something was lacking. Up until the end, I didn’t find myself to be all that invested but the ending definitely reeled me back in. I did enjoy getting to experience more of the lore that Aster has created and that was probably one of my favorite aspects of this book. It was refreshing to see that this book was more about Isla figuring out who she is and less about the romance. I am starting to be over the love triangle. It’s getting too drawn out at this point where Isla either needs to make a choice or turn this into a why choose. There are plenty of revelations and plot twists to make up for that, though. I read this via audiobook and really enjoyed Suzy Jackson’s narration. I thought she did well with the role and bringing Isla to life. Jackson added plenty of emotion to the role making it a great listen. Be warned, this ends on a cliffhanger.

I was so excited to listen to this book before it came out because Lightlark became one of my favorite series since the first book and Nightbane only cimented more that opinion. But I thought this was the final book. So while I was listening to it towards the end, I knew I was near the end but I thought everything would be resolved quickly in those last 2 chapters. I kept listening and suddenly I hear the last sentences of the book (which I didn't know were the last sentences at the moment) and then hear The End. I was like WHAT???? Like what do you mean The End??? There's another book? So now I have to wait to know what happens to Isla!? I was jaw dropped😂
Well apart from that, I love Isla from the start and really love her character development. In this book, Alex Aster explored more Isla's "bad" side and I think it was really interesting, specially a certain part with snakes.
Another thing that Alex does great in my opinion is the love triangle trope because, maaan, Oro and Grim are so different but I love them both so much. Each of them are unique in their own way even in their relationship with Isla and, even tho I have my preference, I also feel for the other part.
As for the plot, I really enjoyed the development the story had both for Isla in Nightshade and then the war.
And omg I can't believe now I have to wait a long time for the next one 😩

This series has me always wanting more. It’s addictive! One of my favorite love triangles because it really breaks your heart both ways. I thought this was going to be a trilogy but with the ending there has to be another book which I’m not mad about! Only random thing for me is I read the first two books so this was my first time listening to the audiobook for this series and it took me a while to get used to Grimm’s voice the narrator does for him. It’s not bad, I just didn’t feel like it captured him the way I pictured in my head! Love this series and excited to continue!!

Rating: 3.5
I have to start off by giving some well deserved credit to Alex Aster. Not only is she able to write a frustratingly well done love triangle but there never seems to be a time jump between each of her novels. I love that it always picks up right where it left off and continues the story cohesively.

I will admit that I struggled with the love triangle especially after the bombshell that was dropped at the very end of Nightbane. I felt like at that point the choice should have been clear for her and there should have been an understanding of that commitment, or it should have ended right there and she made her life with the other. Towards the end of Skyshade I found myself questioning if we will ever find out if she will make the choice, or will this series morph into a ‘why choose’ trope. This could have been my struggle just because of my personal views and expectations of the bond made.

Skyshade brings forward many different prophecies for Isla, and really drives home how her choices could very well make or break the world. We also learn the extent of her power and the truth behind how she can wield it. At the end of Skyshade I felt that I had an understanding of how powerful and important she is to Lightlark, but who knows if she will save it all or doom it. This series has you thinking it could truly be split in either direction, and I still have NO idea who I would rather her with; I just think at this point she should choose already!

Wowza…. This story picked right up from the past book, and reels the reader in from the start. I love Grim. I hate Grim. I love Oro. I hate Isla. I love her. This entire story had me all in my feelllsssss!

Isla is reeling from guilt after the ruin and death she has caused. It’s changing her. Is it for the good or bad? Will the process of dealing with the guilt, a growing need for destruction and death, despite herself, and the deep need to save LightLark turn Isla into her own kind of monster, or into a savior for all worlds?

I received an arc copy of this title from the publisher and NetGalley and really enjoyed this one! However, it definitely leaves you with the… “But wait…. There’s more!” Feeling. Alex better write fast!

A great continuation of the last two books! Great twists and turns. Definitely darker than other books and some mind games.
Great ending, leaving me wanting more!

I love the idea of the story and the characters. I, however, find the prophecy ascent to be getting slow and drug out. I want to know the answer but having it go into the next book was a little bit of a let down. I love the series and want to know the answer.

"I will choose you over the world every single time" - ..........

I had an audio ARC (thanks to Recorded Books and NetGalley!) and the way I loudly yelled when the narrator said the end after that last hour…. I’m still here thinking what in the gods...We learned so much about little Grim and gosh my heart (hugs). I love both of MMCs and it makes it more heart wrenching as the story goes on, the way I screamed "noooooooo" for Oro ( No, I'm not spoiling this on you) I can’t describe the range of emotions I experienced within this book even though its not my favorite of the 3 but I can't wait for more.... Oro and his always forgiving loving selfless warm self and then shadow daddy Grim's infinite love for his heart ripper and the way he is with her….. SWOONS….

I thought this was the last book in the series, but from that ending it's clearly not the end game but ya’ll just wait…. I do feel like this could be a series dragged on and on but we shall see what Alex has waiting for us! We learned so much more about their lands, Isla, and her relationships in this one. .

Grim better be endgame, I see them as end game OR will she give us a why choose….
Does YA romantasy do\allow that??

OH MY GOD. Miss Alex WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO US!

I absolutely loved everything about this book, as long as there is another one coming! It cannot end like this or I will never recover.

Read this book y’all.

This was an emotional rollercoaster that I wish I could ride again. My heart is torn in two!

I don’t think I’ve ever hoped for a book to change to a why choose trope so bad! My top series ever! I’ve never had a book make it so I could not choose between the villain and the hero and I never thought I would choose the hero love interest over the villain. I was on the edge of my seat for the ending and still can not stop thinking about it. Isla is one of my top favorite FMCs in a book, Oro is just perfect, and even though Grimm messed up I still love him. The only ending I will accept is if she ends up with both 😂

I've been so excited for this book to come out!
But I have to admit....I was a little confused with how much information was thrown at me all at once.
It was very fast pace and info dumping, I found myself having to go back a few times to full understand how we go from A to C from one chapter to the next.
I feel like this book had a lot of set up for the next book, but I wish it took its time.
I love! This series dont get me wrong. I seriously need to know what's going to happen, that Cliffhanger!! Was so unfair lol

I absolutely loved and enjoyed listening to this book! The plot was engaging from the very beginning as well as a good balance of the romance we are expecting. Alex Aster did an amazing job with keeping us on our toes and providing some plot twists we weren’t expecting.