Skyshade Review 3.5

I was so incredibly excited waiting for this book to land! When I say I devoured both Lightlark and Nightbane - I am not kidding! Both of those books, back to back had me in such a reading slump - and that Cliffhanger at the end of Nightbane? Had me wanting to reach out to Alex Astor herself so I could riddle her with questions.

As soon as Skyshade hit the shelves, I was first inline to get my fix - to fall head over heels back into this universe Alex had created.

Alas.. something was different..

I feel like the first two books slowly introduced us to the characters, slowly hand feeding the reader small kernals of important information. I myself was able too really connect with both Isla, Grim and Oro their chemistry lept off the pages, I could feel heartbreak and triumph, sorrow and longing, so raw it was almost tangible. Unfortunately to me.. Skyshade felt rushed in comparison.

So many huge events happened, big players were introduced and we as the readers were bombarded with information.. but also not enough information if that makes sense? So many new things were revealed but they didn't feel fleshed out enough to really connect with it.

I felt like if I misinterpreted or simply missed one sentence, I'd be completely lost as to what was happening.

The premise is great! And I do feel like it's a wonderful story, I would have liked for it to slow down a few notches though so us readers could enjoy the ride. For almost 60% of the book I felt I was strapped into a roller-coaster ride struggling to keep my head up, searching for as much scraps of information to really piece together the events that were unfolding.

During one section Isla was in the heat of battle and in the very next sentence or two, she was back walking in a castle, it was a little hard to keep up with at times.

Please don't get me wrong, I am LOVING the Lightlark series, I just believe Skyshade could have potentially been two separate books if each event or piece of important information was more fleshed out. Unfortunately I didn't walk away from Skyshade feeling that immediate reading slump like I did with the first two.

I'm still eagerly anticipating book 4 and I am thankful we will have one. I want to know more about the creatures that are introduced, I'd like to see more history explaining these amazing islands and I'd love to see how Isla comes to her conclusions, not just told about her conclusions.

Also I'd love to read Grims POV! Please and thankyou! 😅🫶

I will still be first inline when Book Four drops - Lightlark heart eater myself here 🫶

Thankyou very much for allowing me the opportunity to listen to this Audiobook 🙏

AHHH! this was one of my most anticipated reads and it did not disappoint! This is the third book in the Lightlark series and much like the first two it is fast paced enjoyable. This book picks up right where the last book ends and anyone who read the last one ... they understand why we have been on the edge of our seats!!

Isla is swept away with Grimm and trying to reconcile the attraction and feelings that are there despite her love for Oro. The first half of this book was giving exactly what we have been wanting it to give. It feels reminiscent of any other fantasy book that has a morally grey man and a young woman trying to understand the feelings that are there and trust me when I say I eat that up every single time! The one complaint I have about this book is that the love triangle is frustratingly a big part of this book. I feel like anyone who knows the books I read and love can guess who I am rooting for (Grimm for those who don't) and the back and forth is starting to make it seem like our main character is too wishy washy for either of these guys. I just don't understand how you can go back and forth after some of the events that happen in this book and I am ready for the choice to be made. That being said I understand how entangled they all are with each other and the guys unwavering support and care would make the choices difficult. But girl make up your mind so we can have this unstoppable team together!! Because of that it can feel like such an in-between book because there is not much progress in the direction we want these characters to make. That being said Alex knows how to write an ending that leaves us wanting more and she did just that. Of course I will be continuing on with this series and I cannot wait!!

I recommend this book to anyone who has been enjoying each step of this Lightlark adventure and who is rooting for our favorite morally grey man! Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this story.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with an ALC of this highly anticipated third book in the Lightlark series.

I’d like to start this review by saying that I have both the first and second book in the series five stars each. I read them back-to-back and devoured each in about a day each. At the time there were only going to be three books total. It wasn’t until I was about to begin this one that I found that this series had been extended to five books. That should’ve been my first warning about this book. I grew increasingly tired of Isla’s back and forth between Grim and Oro. There was so much fluff and this story seemed to go nowhere. I had to force myself to finish the book. Unfortunately, I won’t be picking up the next book in the series now. I feel like adding the additional books has ruined what this story could’ve been had we had a conclusion in book three.

I absolutely loved this audiobook! I couldn't wait to listen to it and I'm so happy that I got approved for a free copy. The third book in this series is just as intriguing. I love the characters and backstory, and I couldn't put this book down. Thank you so much!

We pick up right where the last book left off. Isla is all in her feelings while also trying to work out how to save herself and pretty much everyone else. It really is such a bad idea to link so many peoples lives together. One person dies and then thousands of people follow them? Seems like a bad system.

There is plenty of action and adventure to keep you guessing. Secret trips to all sorts of different creatures that have you trying to guess where all the pieces are going to fit together. I’m hooked at this point. JUST TELL ME HOW IT ENDS!!

Yes. The love triangle is still going strong. Three books in. And tbh it’s still kinda open for the next book. I did think this was a trilogy, but there is quite clearly another book to come.

Thank you to #netgallery for access to this ARC.

Genre: Romance/fantasy (MF)
Format: Audio
POV: Single (FMC), except for the last few chapters where the boys get a go.
Tropes: Love triangle, save the world, magic, mystery, ancestors really ruining your life, prophecies also ruining your life.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ /5
Ending: Cliffhanger
Age suggestion: 18+

Overall, a good read. I enjoyed the narrator. I felt like the beginning of the story was a little slower and it took a little to pick up. Once it did pick up, the story line flowed much faster. So many questions left and looking forward to the next installment.

Wow!! Just Wow!! If you loved the first 2 books then you 100% need to read this one!! I cried, I laughed and I even screamed. Love this book soooo much!!!

I absolutely love this series!!!! The first book was so fun with the trials and competitions, the second book was so juicy with the memory flash backs and the love triangle / pending war, I couldn’t wait to read book 3 to see the aftermath of the war!!

Firstly I have to say I can’t pick a team, I love both Grimm and Oro for various different reasons, they are total opposites and have such appealing qualities to each of them. Oro being so kind and gentle, so loyal and a fierce leader to the island. He is the most patient and giving of everyone and is completely selfish in his love for Isla and the people of Skylark. Grimm is broody and morally grey and would do absolutely anything for Isla. He understands the dark parts of her and helps her to accept these parts of herself. He is also funny I love their banter and the sexual chemistry is absolutely there.

I just really can’t choose who I like most 🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️

I really loved this book, the narrator overall did a good job, the only thing I didn’t love about the audiobook is that I read books 1 and 2 physically, so changing over to audiobook was a little different for me, I enjoyed listening to the book but the part I didn’t enjoy was the narrators attempt at Grimms character, I think they should have split the narration into male and female voice overs because after a specific image of Grimm that I’ve created in my head, hearing an obviously woman’s attempt at doing his deep masculine voice was just noooot it for me and kind of ruined his parts in the book for me 🤦🏼‍♀️. I don’t think the narrator is at fault she did what she could but the audiobook would have landed so much better had they cast each character with separate narrators.

In terms of the plot and book itself, another excellent drop from the author, it was fantastic and entertaining and I loved it. I definitely recommend this series!

Thank you to Alex Aster and RB Media for the ALC!!

Publish date: November 12th 2024

I really enjoyed the continuation of this series and diving back into this world. I thought it was slower in parts than the previous books so expect to push through some parts. I’m still processing that ending! Overall, this is an enjoyable series.

I feel very disappointed in this series especially with this book. I was bored for most of it if I’m being honest. The back and forth between Oro and Grimm is annoying at this point. Not even the plot twist helped keep my interest. I feel like the more this series goes on, the less it makes sense to me. The only reason why I kept reading after Nightshade was to see who she might end up with. I would also like to know HOW MANY MORE BOOKS ARE IN THIS SERIES?

Thank you to Alex Aster, RB Media and NetGalley for this audiobook.

Alex Aster did it again! I deeply loved the continuation of this series even if I want to throw my phone when certain twists occur. I guess that means it was well written?

The first portion of the book was very Grim and Isla based and I was enthralled! I love the two of them together. Oro has never really been a favorite of mine and honestly, the love triangle is getting a tad ridiculous. I do wish Aster would do her next book on just Isla and Grim but I have a feeling Oro is endgame and that makes me sad.

Overall, I enjoyed this a lot and am happy to keep picking up any books Alex Aster creates!

Last half of the book was the downfall. Cheating trope + rushed ending was not ideal for me. Grim was the only reason I kept listening. As well, the reader was great.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Obsessed. This audiobook was everything.

Okay, so Skyshade by Alex Aster totally hooked me. The audiobook? Chef’s kiss. The narrator was amazing and really brought the characters to life—I could feel every moment of tension, heartbreak, and triumph.

The world-building was so vivid I felt like I was there. The magic system is super cool and different from anything I’ve read before, and the plot had me guessing the whole time (in the best way). The twists? Jaw. Dropping. The main character’s journey hit me hard because it felt so real—like I was rooting for her with my whole heart.

If I’m being picky, some side characters felt a little underdeveloped, but honestly, that’s such a small thing compared to how much I loved this story. I’m already dying for the next one. If you’re into epic fantasy with all the feels, read this. Or better yet, listen to it.

We dive right back in where we left off in Nightbane with Isla in Nightshade. She battles with her decision to go with Grim and well as with her overwhelming power. You meet interesting new characters as well as a very lovable new bonded who became a fast favorite of the story. Isla continues to struggle with finding out what her true path is and you learn more about the prophecy foretold about her. This book keeps you on your toes from the very beginning! Those of you who are Team Grim strap up cause this one is definitely for us. Loved this book and absolutely can not wait for the next one!

Amazing!! I have loved this series so far. Although I did struggle with the first half of this book but it was worth the slow start. The ending had me in tears!

ARC review Skyshade by @alexaster

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️

Twists, turns, betrayal and love triangles. “Who did this to you” coming from Grimm just makes you shiver. Every time he said it, I wanted to kick my feet. Islã faces so much in this book. Ancestors and betrayals from the unexpected. An ending that left me wanting more ✨

I could have sworn I read that this was supposed to be a trilogy. After doing some Googling, I saw that recently they extended this series by two more books. I wanted to love this as I really enjoyed the first two, but this book read as if suddenly the plot needed to be expanded and was mostly fluff, all the way to the end. I grew impatient with the pining over two males and the poor me attitude. By the third book, that should be pretty resolved or written better. Unfortunately, this was not it for me. I think this could have been a really strong ending, but instead, even after finishing it, I'm wondering what the point was. All the important bits fit into 3 chapters.

The narration was well done but the story is a complete mess. Instead of character growth we have character regression across the board. Grim and Oro are both irredeemable characters and Isla continues to be a one dimensional, immature mess.

The fact that this is now a 5 book series when it would have been better served as a tightly written duology makes this the last book of the series for me. The plot was interesting but not good enough to stretch out across so many books.

First things first, I really enjoyed lightlark and nightbane. I was excited to see how the story wrapped up. Alas, it was not meant to be. I felt like a whole bunch of nothing happened in this one. It definitely could have been way shorter. Then to end it on a cliffhanger for yet another book is blasphemy.

Thank you to netgalley for this audiobook arc. I was so excited to see how this series ended that I was shocked when we ended with another cliffhanger. I enjoyed being back in this world and hearing from all the many characters but I was left disappointed by the love triangle. I really am growing tired of all three of the main characters. The “twist” was somehow boring and not as captivating as I’d hoped.