3.5⭐ I liked this one sooo much more than book 1! The plot and characters felt way more developed, and I found myself way more invested in the overall story. There were so many shocking twists—one plot reveal had me gasping so hard I literally started choking.

That said, I do have a couple of complaints. Navin should have done way more groveling, and while the smut was really good, some of it felt a bit misplaced. It kind of seemed like a few of the spicy scenes were just there for the sake of it, which took me out of the story a bit.

All that to say, I’m so glad I stuck with the series, and I’m definitely interested to see where things go from here!"

“I pinched off my heart from the many faces of this man: a baker, a songwriter, a magician, a liar.”

I was so excited to be back in Aotreas with Calla, Grae and their friends and family. I wasn’t sure about the two separate story lines, one following Calla the other Sadie, at first but it grew on me as I kept reading. I love having dual POV stories and this was a different take on that, as the two characters were not experiencing the same things. I was happy to read Sadie and Navin work through their issues, they are my second favorite couple. This book was definitely spicier than book one, so be ready!
The secret magic that was a big part of this story was amazing! I haven’t read anything with that type of magic and it was refreshing to see something new.
My heart is breaking for Briar and Maez once again.
Last but NOT LEAST! The LGBTQIA+ representation in this series is just amazing!

Thank you NetGalley for this review copy. I can’t wait for book 3!!!

It's always a rare thing when a sequel is even better than the first one, and A Sky of Emerald Stars definitely delivers! This book had me captivated the whole time. I loved the dual point of view, the plot twists, and the romance. And of course I am always and forever a fan of A.K. Mulford's writing. This was an easy 5 stars and I'm DYING for the next one.

Just wasn’t it for me. I enjoyed the first book, so I thought I would enjoy the second book in the series. It just was a letdown. I wasn’t engaged with it as I was with the first book. I kept finding myself bored at times that I left to read something else.

This was wonderful! I loved the writing style, the characters, the world-building…everything about it was top-notch. I will definitely be recommending this book!

This book was absolutely beautiful. I love all the representation that is present and the characters, in my opinion, are well-developed.

This is the sequel to, A River of Golden Bones, a wolf-shifter romantasy. This book continues with queen Calla and her friends' story, as a war is on the brink between kingdoms. So Calla, her mate, and a couple of their close friends decide to go seek the help and an alliance with the queen of the ice wolf pack. In this book we get Calla as well as Sadie's pov, she was a side character in the first book. Calla sends Sadie and some of their other friends on their own mission, to save their friend Ora, who has been kidnapped by the king that is trying to start a war. Both Sadie and Calla and their groups of friends encounter difficulties during their missions, things go wrong, secrets are revealed, betrayals happen, as well as some more kidnapping. This book didn't lack action or adventure that's for sure! It was so fun to be back with these characters, and with the way this ended, I don't know how I'll wait until book 3 to find out what happens next! 💚📚

Thank you to the author and to the publisher for this ARC of A Sky of Emerald Stars, in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book, the world continued to be an inviting atmosphere. While all characters have grown since the first book, there were moments where both Calla and Sadie felt reduced to one characteristic or emotion. Nevertheless, the twists that Mulford introduces feel new and tie well into previously established plot points. As always, Mulford writes a spicy, constantly tempting romance that perfectly fits the story. I would recommend this book to others interested in the genre.

Such a page turner! Strangers to friends to lovers to enemies to lovers, Fast paced book with multiple POVs and strong character development. It was great to visit beloved characters from the last book while also getting a new perspective from Sadie. This felt distinct from book 1 but in a good way. Found family is still a large part of the book which I really enjoyed. It felt authentic and natural. You really felt for the character and understood and loved them. "Maybe home isn't a where but a who". The last 100 pages had me on the edge of my seat and I couldn't put the book down. I was audibly gasping out loud. I am hooked and I can't wait for the next book in the series to come out!!

First off, I just love AK Mulford's writing. This is one of the very few wolf shifter series I enjoy. I loved book 1 and I think this book is a great continuation of the series.

I liked the parallel storylines as the golden court splits up to go gather allies for the war they know is coming with the silver wolves. And I love that we still get Calla and Grae. Gosh do I love them.

Sadie and Navin's relationship gets a lot of attention in this book. I can't say why this romance worked for me but it just did. Normally, I don't really like reading so much volatility in relationships but it worked for me here. I think because the author did such a great job of taking me on the emotional roller coaster that Sadie was on. I really felt for her. Sometimes I thought she should just go ahead and kill Navin.

The narration is great once again. I love the addition of a second narrator for this book. It made it so easy to follow the POVs.

I am ready for the next book! I can't wait to continue reading. Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

It was so amazing to rejoin Calla in her quest for her kingdom and self discovery. It was also amazing to see more of Sadie! But I’d also love to shout out Mumford for the growth of their writing, with each book I’m more and more enchanted.

I loved the first book and was thrilled to have the opportunity to read this second book! I struggled initially to get into Sky of Emerald Stars and wished the author had built in more explanations/recaps from the first book, because I was very confused. I did appreciate that the scope expands in ASOES and includes an additional couple as we follow Sadie's path. I didn't find this book to be as strong or compelling as the first book, but that isn't unusual for a second book. I suspect that the next (final?) installment may be stronger than this middle book.

This story gives us an insight to Sadie and Navin and I’m loving it. We get another whole magic system revealed and the ending of this book has got me just dying to get my hands on book 3!!
The sparks between Sadie and Navin are unremarkable and I’m all for it!!

Thanks to NetGalley and AK Mulford for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I’m thoroughly obsessed with this series! Navin and Sadie’s story is so good, and the magic system that is revealed in this book is NEXT LEVEL. The ending action scene got me good (and bad, if you know what I mean), but that last line in the book has got me REELING for book 3. Also Navin and Sadie are insatiable for this entire book and I really think they deserve that for all they go through.

I absolutely devoured this book in both audio and e-book format. I loved A River of Golden Bones and A Sky of Emerald Stars topped that. This book is more emotional and devastating than the first and has multiple moments where I gasped out loud. The betrayal is BETRAYING in this book. The characters are beautiful and complex and the war between the "elite race" of wolves and humans feels maybe a bit too on the nose for today's times. I also loved the aspect of the musical magic that was woven deeper into this book. We had hints in the first book but this book dove further in and it was really unique. We also get a secret society and a hidden city, dragons, and monsters galore. We follow Calla, Grae, Sadie, Maez and Navin as they navigate not only their own truths, but how to gain more support for the war on the horizon. I cannot wait to dive into book 3!

A Sky of Emerald Stars is the second book of the Golden Court series, following A River of Golden Bones, however, it can be read and enjoyed as a standalone. The writing is incredible, the world-building is phenomenal, the characters are captivating, and the plot is enthralling! This book has everything that makes a fantasy great! This novel is told from two POVs- Calla, the queen, and Sadie, a wolf shifter. Calla's story is interesting as she works to gain allies for the upcoming war, however, Sadie's story is what really grasped me. She is tasked with finding out Navin's secret and experiences A LOT along the way. I absolutely loved Sadie! She's a wonderful character in this series, and I can't wait to see what happens with her in the next book!
Thank you NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager, and the incredibly gifted A.K. Mulford for this read!

I love Sadie so much. I may have enjoyed this book more than book 1. I loved how much heart it had and the twists, I did not see coming. It was an amazing edition to the series.

I also listened to the audiobook and Vico and Bridget are so easy to listen to. So whatever for at fits your life best, I recommend.

Thank you to Ali, Harper Voyager and Netgalley for the ARC. I attest I am leaving my review voluntarily and honestly.

I went into this story a little weary since I didn't love the first book. It was ok. Not one I was fully invested in or cared to finish much. Just some themes throughout that I did not care about and was harped on too much.

**𝑨𝑹𝑪 𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘** 𝑨 𝑺𝒌𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝑬𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒍𝒅 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒔 𝒃𝒚 𝑨. 𝑲. 𝑴𝒖𝒍𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒅

Release Date: December 24, 2024

5⭐️3🌶

Ms. Mulford continues to deliver with this second installment in the Golden Court series. This book picks up right where A River of Golden Bones left off, and Calla and Grae have plenty on their plate. Calla is now responsible for the Golden Kingdom, and must try and right the wrongs that the previous Evil Queen has done to her people. In addition, she must find allies to support her claim to the Golden Throne. Grae's father hasn't lost his ambition to hold Calla's Kingdom as his own. He plans to overthrow her and place one of his own puppets on her throne.

Sadie Rauxtide is still reeling from Navin's betrayal during the battle for Calla's throne. She doesn't understand why he would choose his traitor of a brother over her IN BATTLE. Come to find out, he has quite a few secrets that Sadie and Queen Calla don't know about. When Ora is captured by Grae's father, Sadie and Navin must find a way to work together again for the good of the Golden Court.

Themes/Tropes:
🍁Friends-Enemies-to-lovers
🍁Warrior Shifter BA FMC
🍁Soft MMC
🍁Wolf Shifter Pack meets Princess Story
🍁Fairy Godmother
🍁Shifters-humans-sorcerers

TW:
✨Fight Scenes
✨Big Monsters
✨Abusive Father
✨Child Abuse (past)
✨Murder
✨Betrayal

A Sky of Emerald Stars by A.K. Mulford is the second book in the Golden Court series. I enjoyed the first novel and loved that it ended wrapped, and the second book continues the storyline. A Sky of Emerald Stars has two stories being told that run parallel to each other. Calla, now queen of golden wolves and integrating humans into their court, has to make political allies to prepare for the impending war. Sadie has been struggling with betrayal and stagnant sets of Navin and Maez to get more information and allies. This is where everything goes in an array for both of these parties!

This book has the double of badass main characters, Calla, a genderqueer wolf shifter warrior, and Sadie, a knife-wielding soldier; both have the bite to match their bark! A.K Mulford did a fantastic job with this second book; the pacing was good, and the book was decently engaging throughout the entire novel. I am not going to lie; Calla is annoying at times with her rashness and rage against not knowing how to lead, but I do understand it, so I got over it pretty quickly. Also, I loved that the second book was a dual POV with competing storylines. Sadie and Navins' story arc was fantastic, and I love them! Reading the ending had screaming, and I was so unprepared for what happened. Overall, I love this story and the characters, and I am excited to see what A.K. Mulford has in store for us! If you haven't started this series, I recommend picking it up.

Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC copy