I was able to listen to the audiobook pre-release. Overall, I really enjoyed the book. It was hard getting back into the world for the first 25% of the book. But I was pleasantly surprised with the twists and turns! And I hate to say, as a Grim girly, I can see how people are Team Oro. But alas, another cliff hanger. Until the next one...

Thank you to NetGalley, Alex Aster, and publisher for an advanced copy of this audiobook. The narrator was very good, and I enjoyed listening to it. The story got a little lost for me somewhere in the second book and I feel is somewhat dragging on and could have been wrapped up in a duology. I am anxious to read the rest of the series to see how it all comes together though.

Skyshade by Alex Aster is a fast-paced and immersive fantasy that blends high stakes, dark magic, and a fierce heroine determined to uncover the truth. Set in a world where secrets lurk in the shadows, the story follows a protagonist who must navigate deception, power struggles, and a growing threat that could change everything.

Aster’s writing is vivid and engaging, pulling you into a richly built world filled with intrigue and danger. With strong character dynamics, unexpected twists, and a touch of romance, Skyshade is perfect for fans of dark fantasy and gripping adventure. A compelling read that keeps you hooked until the final page!

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

Third book in the lightlark series. I loved this read. The narration was great. Kept me engaged. The story itself was great!

I have genuinely enjoyed this entire series and could not wait to see how it continues in Skyshade. The narrator did a fantastic job relaying the story. The world building, character depth, and story arc were good and it left me wanting more. It kept me entertained and wanting more. I can't wait to find out even more from Oro, Isla, and Grim in the next two books.

I genuinely have enjoyed this entire series.
The story is unique and interesting, although I do feel the third book is lacking. It feels as if it was put together in a rush.
Isla felt like such a strong female lead in the first two books, loyal to a fault, then in this one she just shatters all that. I’m going to read the last book for sure but I do feel like this one wasn’t my favorite.

I wanted to love this book since I've enjoyed the others in this series but it was just okay for me. The narrator did amazing job. I'll be waiting for the next book still.

I really enjoyed this book for what it was I didn’t love it but I’d give it 3.5. The narrator did a great job and I still can’t wait for the next book in the series to come out

I really wanted to love Skyshade, but it ended up being a bit of a mixed bag for me. The world-building and the concept were both really intriguing, and there were moments where I found myself hooked. The characters were interesting, but I felt like I didn’t always connect with them as much as I wanted to. The pacing was a bit uneven too—there were some parts that felt slow or dragged on, while others felt rushed. It’s not a bad book by any means, but I was hoping for a bit more, especially given this is the 3rd book in the series.

Thank you for the audiobook. I enjoyed the narration. I didn’t listen to the others as audiobooks. It was a pleasant experience.

I picked up lightlark and was engrossed and sped through book 2 be able to see how book 3 ends the series. To be surprised that now I need to wait for 2 more books.

Isla, Grim Isla, Oro
I can’t make up my mind.

ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS BOOK! After the ending of Nightbane I needed to know what happens next, and this book did not disappoint. Loved Grim in this book 🥰🥰 Bummed that it’s no longer a trilogy because I don’t think I can handle another rollercoaster ride of emotions, but I’m dying to know how it ends.😊

I'm just saying that I need more.
We deserve another book right now.
Since I started audiobooks I have loved to discover new narrators and the one for this book was amazing , thank you for the amazing production and work behind it.

I wanted to love this so badly, and thought maybe that not reviewing the (audio)book would be more kind, but we can't grow without feedback so...

PROS:
- Grim is still the emotionally unavailable villain of our dreams. When he speaks I remember why I'm still listening to this drivel.
- The tension between Isla and Grim have PALPABLE chemistry. Unfortunately they are also a clusterf*ck of chaos and criticism, so the zero payoff 'slow burn' feels more like a cremation.
- The world-building and magic of Skyshade have SO much potential. If it weren't buried beneath weird plot holes, an ENTIRELY UNNECESSARY love triangle, and convoluted drama, it would genuinely be among the best of the genre. But it's *fun*?

CONS:
- Isla is still as consistently inconsistent as ever. *Yawn* I feel like she's supposed to read as *lost* and *forlorn*, but she just comes off as the queen of mixed signals, bad decisions, and worse - utter indecision. STOP THAT.
- The love triangle is so unbelievably contrived and forced. The angst of it all is giving Wattpad energy at best, and incel who thinks he's "protective" at worst. Ew.
- And lastly the plot. I'd love to critique it but there wasn't one?? This is perhaps the most disappointing part of all. Book 2 set this one up to be PHENOMENAL, and instead we just got scavenger hunts, weird sex dreams, and more Sad Isla.

Two stars is quite generous. Just stop at book 2, so you can be slightly less disappointed.

This was a fantastic addition to the lightlark series. Riveting and fantastic story telling. It has me hooked

3.5 Stars

This entire book felt like a fever dream. I kept thinking ok she is going to wake up anytime now. It was entertaining and I really felt her love for both Grim and Oro. I am intrigued enough to continue the series.

Loved this book and this series. the audiobook was great. I loved listening to it. the romance between the mcs is so sweet. its an epic read for sure.

Thank you for the ARC. Skyshade is the third installment and picks up right where Nightbane leaves off. I thought it could have been better, it was face paced and Isla... this book did you dirty. The first two books were definitely much better and I was disappointed in this one compared to the other two. All you Grim girlies, myself included... the first half of the book is all for you. I loved all the Grim and Isla moments and was so glad to have more of them. But we're at the point where we need to know who the hell she picks cause not going to lie, it's annoying not knowing. This may have been disappointing but I still somewhat enjoyed it. That cliffhanger though, I was not wanting that at all. Hey Isla, if you don't want Grim, I'll gladly take him. Hoping the next book will be better and not so disappointing.

3.5 rounded up.

This book picks right back up where we left off in Nightbane, and I have been WAITING to find out what happened. It was great getting more backstory on Isla and watching her journey of self discovery. I thought this was a trilogy, for some reason and it was a bittersweet surprise to realize that there is more to come. Alex Aster does a phenomenal job of leaving us on a clifthanger, and now I cannot wait for the next installment!

I felt this book dragged on. It was originally supposed to be a trilogy and was changed to 5 books. Okay...I was fine with this until reading this book and realizing nothing changed! I expected to at least have an answer to the love triangle but there wasn't and she CHEATED on one of them. Gross. I won't be continuing this series.