I absolutely love this fantasy series. The relationship between the two siblings is my favorite part of this book. Sibling relationships are very few and hard to find in fantasy novels. I also like how the author was able to work that relationship along with the romantic side characters. I did not expect the twist in the book, which kept me glued to the pages. I have immediately sought out the third book in this series. I have placed this series on several library lists and believe it is a hidden gem.

It took a while for me to get into this (and wish the twins’ storylines weren’t kept apart for so much of the novel) but became unpredictable + entertaining. Intriguing world and a very plot-driven sequel. There’s also a ship with some potential.

Unfortunately, I did not get the chance to read this ARC prior to the book's publication, but we did end up buying it for our library collection.

Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher and netgalley. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Book: Red Skies Falling

Author: Alex London

Book Series: Skybound Book 2

Rating: 4/5

Publication Date: September 3, 2019

Publisher: Farrer, Straus, and Giroux

Pages: 432

Recommended Age: 15+ (violence, slight gore)

Synopsis: In this thrilling sequel to Black Wings Beating, twins Kylee and Brysen are separated by the expanse of Uztar, but are preparing for the same war – or so they think.

Kylee is ensconsed in the Sky Castle, training with Mem Uku to master the Hollow Tongue and the Ghost Eagle. But political intrigue abounds and court drama seems to seep through the castle's stones like blood from a broken feather. Meanwhile, Brysen is still in the Six Villages, preparing for an attack by the Kartami. The Villages have become Uztar's first line of defense, and refugees are flooding in from the plains. But their arrival lays bare the villagers darkest instincts. As Brysen navigates the growing turmoil, he must also grapple with a newfound gift, a burgeoning crush on a mysterious boy, and a shocking betrayal.

The two will meet again on the battlefield, fighting the same war from different sides―or so they think. The Ghost Eagle has its own plans.

Review: I thought this was a great sequel! The book picks up immediately where the first left off and the book forces the two main characters to develop seperately, which was well done! The writing was amazing and the book wasn't as heavy as a read as the first one since all the info dumping was done.

However, I did think some of the action scenes were a bit chaotic and a little hard to follow, but overall extremely well done!

Verdict: A great series!

London follows up his Black Wings Beating with this sequel that continues the story of Kylee and Brysen. Kylee is the one with the gift of communicating with the Ghost Eagle, but she needs to hone that skill to get the great bird to help her kingdom vanquish their enemies. As demands grow for her to control her power over the eagle, she becomes ever more frustrated. Her twin brother Brysen is not by her side but he too is busy with preparations for an imminent attack. Brysen is the sensitive one who’s desperate to find his missing falcon, a bird he dearly loves.

While London keeps readers intrigued with Kylee’s efforts to use her powers, it’s Brysen and his growing closeness to the boy Jowyn that will keep readers enchanted. Brysen no longer has his beloved falcon to dote on and it is Jowyn who captures his attention, along with the reader’s.

As the twins are focused on saving their land from invaders, there’s plenty of action and the pace moves swiftly. The falconry is critical to the story and adds to the intensity. This is a little darker story than the first book in the series. Both Kylee and Brysen are becoming more involved with others, expanding their allegiances and leading to interesting new connections. This is an excellent sequel that will add to London’s reputation as a skilled writer of fantasy.

I absolutely LOVED Black Wings Beating! This sequel takes those characters into darker places. War is even closer to both Kylee and Brysen. I feel like this book really takes the complexity of war times and expands on them. Moral grayness is abound. Conflicting priorities and viewpoints drive the action in this book. The amazing world Alex London created is expanded on even more. Everything in this culture is related to birds and I love it. The tiny avian allusions made me smile every single time.



This book took a lot longer for me to read. 2019 was a reading slump for me when it comes to prose (non-graphic) books. I think this book has middle-of-a-trilogy difficulties. Everything has been established and we just get to learn more about the details of things. Kylee and Brysen's stories feel more separate in this book, but they do have connections. It felt like more big action things happened, but there still were some huge thrilling moments. I think my views of this are due mostly to me reading it slowly over a long period of time.



I give this book a 5/5. If you liked Black Wings Beating then you MUST read this book! And if you haven't read Black Wings Beating, you are completely missing out. Just the fact that a YA Fantasy trilogy with queer leads like this exists is so exciting for me!

I received a copy from Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. This review will contain spoilers for the first book in the trilogy, <i>Black Wings Beating</i>, AND for this book.

WOOOOOOOOOOF.

I super loved Alex London's <i>Black Wings Beating</i>, though I had some hesitations regarding the weirdness of Jowyn's magic. What I wanted was more bird magic, more exploration of that, and more Kylee, whom I would die for. <i>Red Skies Falling</i> delivered.

Characters: I came out of BWB with a deep love for Kylee and ambivalence about Brysen and the side-characters. I came out of RSF invested in both twins and deeply excited for <spoiler>Nyall potentially returning to kick some ass</spoiler>. I think my assessment of <spoiler>Jowyn being around in the first book mainly as a future love interest for Brysen</spoiler> was correct, but that being said, I found <spoiler>Brysen and Jowyn's overall relationship to be sweet and satisfying. Whereas Brysen's previous relationship made little sense (which was fine—teens are in relationships that they shouldn't be in all the time; I didn't think it was "unrealistic" that he was with such a manipulative asshole, just unhealthy), what I liked so much about Brysen and Jowyn's relationship was it mutuality and genuine love for one-another. These are two teen boys who are unafraid to be emotional and to show each other love. I think it's such a wonderful commentary on toxic masculinity in our world, to show this super tender masculinity in its stead.</spoiler> Part of the effect of this was making Brysen a far more tolerable character, to the point of my investment in him. In the first book, I found him annoying more than anything else, but seeing him grow into his own—even when he's still, at his core, an annoying shit—made him much more tolerable for me, to the point where I was rooting for him.

Also, Kylee is the most aroace in the world and no one can convince me otherwise I LOVE HER!!!! She is such! a! refreshing! character! It's lovely to see Brysen and Kylee usurping expectations in our world left and right, and it

As for the side characters, I actually found it fun to see some of them return here, where they stuck in my head. <spoiler>Vyvian's death didn't do much for me, because... honestly it doesn't feel like Kylee cared <i>that</i> much about her, but Nyall's capture was heart-rending when I thought he was dead.</spoiler> Also, Grazim can have my whole heart. What a dynamite character I cannot WAIT to learn more about. <spoiler>I know Kylee is aroace and I want it to remain that way, but I still squish-ship her and Grazim.</spoiler>

Themes: Like the last book, the way abuse and trauma are handled in this book is so deftly done. Love of all sorts shines through in these pages, and that warms my cold soul. Content notes for the same things as in the first book: trauma and abuse, graphic animal and human death.

Language: Like the first book, what most impresses me on the world level is how much worldbuilding is done with single words. The prose is gorgeous. This series is truly a mastercraft at line-level work.

Story: This book undoubtably is book 2 of a trilogy. It very much feels like a bridge between the first book and the third, although the stakes are considerably higher in this book than book 1. You're dropped very much en media res in both the immediate storyline and the larger trilogy's story. Still, I was sucked in right away; had my semester not started up, I wouldn't have spent so long on the last 15% of the book. In many ways, I liked this book better than the first; it's not as quiet, but it does feel like the twins are coming into their own in a way that is deeply satisfying. I'm beginning to think of this series less as a trilogy than a single story told out in three books—a trend I tend to stay away from, but I feel, with the pacing of the first two books, that it works in this case.

On that note, looking back, it feels like everything was paced really quickly. I wanted to spend more time with Kylee's training, more time heightening the tension of the encroaching Kartami front. That being said, I think the quickness will keep the attention of teen readers that perhaps languishing in those moments would not.

Regarding Shara, <spoiler>I think her final death was handled a bit too... abruptly. It feels a bit Hedwig? I'm curious whether Brysen will find another way to bring her back again.</spoiler>

Also, I'm pretty satisfied with the ending; I think it really flips things on its head in a way that makes sense. <spoiler>LONG LIVE THE BIRDS!</spoiler>

Overall, cannot wait for book 3!!

Having these books fall into my hands was a godsend given that we are looking to add more AMAZING LGBTQ+ books into our library all the time. It is so hard to find books that are written well in character development, plot, and LGBTQ+ situations, but I think we’ve found a great one. The character design in this book is and was exquisite. I enjoyed reading all the descriptions, development, and love put into the characters from the very beginning. Many of the characters have found their way in the world that is so important to that character that I can’t help but love them. The way the POVs are written in this book is very easy to follow then many POV books—I get very confused with those quite often. Here, I really enjoyed reading it that way and felt that it was done in a simple but complex way.

There are many themes and ideas that come into this novel such as love, heartache, self-respect, protection, and more. I really loved delving into the lives of the different characters as I am a character writer myself and truly enjoy developing all sorts of different characters. The characters in this book caught my attention so much and I believe that students would be able to connect to the different characters as well (there is someone for everyone). This can be utilized for many grades and many different groups of people—it would be a great book club book.

I enjoyed the fighting, protecting, and action that this book provides in a multi-dimensional way (nothing is just black & white here), There is a lot of backstory that can help you understand what is happening cover to cover. I would suggest this book for a book club or even independent reading as it is not a difficult read and definitely has the high interest aspect to it that all students can get with. The characters that rush into danger is immediately something that my students would gravitate to and love to read—because who doesn’t love action in every form?

I sung my praises of Black Wings Beating and I’m here to tell you the sequel is just as amazing. The characters have grown and changed as everything around them changes. The setting is still rich and wonderful and Alex London has a way of writing that allows you to just fly through the story.

Spoilers ahead for anyone who hasn’t read book 1!

Skies Falling picks up where Black Wings Beating left off. The story is again told in alternating perspectives between the twins, but this time they are not together. Kylee is training in the Hollow Tough at the Sky Castle and learning how to tame the elusive ghost eagle. While there she becomes entwined in all of the politics and must decide what it is she wants, not what everyone else wants from her.

Brysen is left in the Six Villages with the battle boys and his new friend Jowyn. As the Kartami are drawing nearer, the village people must prepare for war. Brysen is caught again between life and death, love and loss as he discovers more about himself and his newfound abilities.

I love the arc of this story and how all of the characters evolve from what they were in the beginning. Both Kylee and Brysen are becoming much stronger people in completely different ways, and for the first time in their lives, they’re doing it separately from each other. I said it after I read the first book, and I’ll say it again: I want to be a falconer. I’ve always been drawn to books with ravens, crows, or other birds on the cover and this series is no exception. But it has given me a different perspective of these birds and I love that about it so much. In this story birds are only tamed as much as they want to be, they are strong creatures that can be both friend and enemy. I just adore what Alex London has done with this series and I’m eager for more!

Thank you so much to Fierce Reads for sending me an ARC of this book and inviting me to be on the blog tour!

I’d like to thank Macmillan for providing me with an advance copy and a spot on the blog tour!

Well, damn. I knew I would like this next installment, but I had no idea I would feel so much frustration at the events that occurred. Alex sure knows how to spin a sequel together and make the reader suffer.

We continue from the first book, Black Wings Beating. Kylee and Brysen are separated. Kylee is learning the Hollow Tongue in the Sky Castle with a not-so-willing partner that has a sharper tongue for Kylee alone. Brysen is still in the Six Villages, preparing for the Kartami. Both are preparing for the same war, but are battling their own internal wars. Neither of them are aware of the revenge and betrayal set to come into their lives in such a short amount of time.

If you remember my review for the first book, then you’ll remember how I described this book as an easy read, but only because I flew through it. The storyline and information is incredibly enticing and I was sucked in so badly that I read while I was working. Like, I had my physical book with me but I also had the e-copy from NetGalley on my phone. That’s what I love about e-copies. Most of the time, I get approved so it works in my favor to finish a book faster if I can read the physical copy, too.

Anyway, this sequel is filled with a war zone. Of course, we are heading towards a deadly war. Alex doesn’t tread lightly with death and, without giving spoilers, he writes one death multiple times that I just wanted to keep screaming at because it’s just incredibly frustrating. I won’t try to understand Alex’s reasoning for playing with my heart like that, but he did. Which, I guess is an author’s goal. If they do that, then they are pretty successful as a writer. At least in my book.

So, Brysen is a much better character in this sequel. To me, he is a lot stronger and has more will power, though that fear is still there but it makes him an honest character. He wants to defend what he stands for; family, Shara, Jowyn, himself. His character development takes a whole new spin, though. I won’t spoil, obviously, but it changes things a lot. It’ll definitely change things between him and Kylee, but hopefully as a bonding mechanism. Also, let me gush about Brysen and Jowyn because I am all for their growing relationship. One scene had me all aflutter because it’s like a “finally!” moment and I’m thankful to Alex for not squashing my heart with this one.

Kylee’s character is stronger, too. I’m not sure how to think of her, though. I don’t mean to portray that in a negative light. I feel like, after what happened to her in this book, her mentality is going to be rocked hard. For one thing, she and Nyall are separated so obviously that is worrying her. She was away from Brysen the majority of the book and, when they meet up again, it’s headed toward war. Kylee may have seen things when she was younger and in the first installment, but I feel like the events of Red Skies Falling, including her character development, are going to rock her to the core in the third installment. I’m curious to see how Alex plays this out.

This was the perfect sequel. It had the angst, horror, bloodshed, friendship and romance that I think all readers were hoping for or expecting, at the least. If you loved Black Wings Beating, faithful readers won’t be disappointed with Red Skies Falling. You’ll be left begging for book three.

Bonus for the aro/ace and gay rep.

Black Wings Beating" was one of my surprise favorite reads of 2018 and its sequel did not disappoint. "Red Skies Falling" picks up with Kylee training and resisting her teachers at the Sky Castle; Brysen looks for direction while waiting for the Kartami invasion.
London does a fantastic job with the expansion of the Uztari worlds, its peoples and cultures. The political intrigue continues to encircle Kylee as she tries to master the Hollow Tongue and bond with the Ghost Eagle. Through characters old and new and some very shocking plot twists, readers get a better sense of Kartami motivations for wanting to rid the skies of birds. Without giving away too much of the plot, I should add that it's evident London did research on steppe cultures and shamanic traditions. His writing is very thoughtful of different peoples, faiths, and identities. When several characters infiltrate the Kartami forces, they are surprised by how much they admire and respect these people. "Red Skies" demonstrates the challenges people face when the world isn't as black and white as they've been led to believe.
The battle between the Villages and Kartami is brutal and London demonstrates the human cost of warfare. The ending is dark and shocking. "Red Skies Falling" is a strong second book in the Skybound Saga and I impatiently await its conclusion.

Loved this book,. It was a great Book 2 with no "middle-book" syndrome. Looking forward to the next!

Meh, not really worth it. I should have known after the first book. This will teach me to read my Goodreads reviews before requesting sequels. My past self told me not to read this and I didn't listen. But I'm listening now--DNFed at 15%.