Member Reviews
I liked the book. I didn’t love it as much as the first book, but I liked it. This feels like a very transitional book. While slower paced, I felt there were enough twists and turns to keep me engaged. The second book in the series follows the old characters we know and love while featuring a different couple from book one, Sadie and Navin, and THAT is a very turbulent slow burn.
Overall, I enjoy the world and magic system so I enjoyed the book. I am excited to see where book three takes us!
3.5 ⭐️
I feel the same way about A Sky of Emerald Stars as I do about all of this authors works - entertaining with interesting storylines wrapped up in some good world building that create an enjoyable reading experience.
I did enjoy this book more than the first in the series, I think I just preferred the main characters more than the last book.
I did find the story to be predictable, there was lots of questing going on. Very typical for the way this author tells a story.
I would recommend if you’re looking for an enjoyable fantasy read with LGBTQ+ representation, which is what makes this authors book stand out from most mainstream fantasy.
I really enjoy everything AK Mulford writes. She does inclusion - both gender and sexuality - like no other author I've come across. She tackles complex and dividing issues with grace and understanding, and I love that we are seeing that in The Golden Court series like we did in The Five Crowns of Okrith.
I thought Book 2 in The Golden Court series was a fun second book. I love the dual POVs and that both POVs were off battling in their own ways on their own journeys but for the same goal. Some of the plot twists I didn't see coming, which I always enjoy. I did feel like the reconciliation between two of the characters happened very quickly, but that's OK. We love the romance! A Sky of Emerald Stars is a fun, fast paced romantasy.
Thank you to AK Mulford, Harper Voyage, and NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
4.75/5 stars! This is the second book in The Golden Court series by author A.K. Mulford. I love everything A.K. writes, so it was no surprise how much I enjoyed this sequel to A River of Golden Bones. I can't wait for the third book in this trilogy to tie up all the loose ends.
I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review
I actually enjoyed this one more than book 1. I did feel it moved a little slow in some spots. Still was good overall. I enjoyed the twists, and turns. I loved the new additions added.
This Fantasy Romance is book 2 in the Golden Court Series. The romance in this book is more resistant, and a slow burn as the couple has things they have to overcome. This book focuses on a new couple that was previously introduced in book 1. The book does have spice. There are not a ton of spicy scenes, and they will not happen until later in the book. The spicy scenes still remain descriptive like in book 1. The book moved at a steady pace mostly following Sadie, Navine, and Maez as they travel to make alliances to help the Golden court. All while Briar, Grae, and Calla go to rescue Ora. With things tense between Sadie and Navine they get complicated fast. Especially when the secrets Navine has been working so hard to hide come to the light. This book is full of new unexpected magic, and twists you wont see coming. It’s definitely a page turner that leaves you saying just one more chapter.
Let me start by saying that I absolutely judge books by their covers and this cover had me HOOKED. It’s so beautiful and I can’t wait to purchase it for my home library. Now, the not so great parts.. this book fell flat for me. There were many times the characters interactions didn’t seem to move the plot along. I also found Calla to be insufferable at times with her Woe Is Me attitude.
One thing I did really enjoy was the dual POV without a romantic interest in one another. I’ll continue with book 3 when it’s available.
Wonderful book. So much conflict in this world! I enjoyed the journey with Sadie and Navin and look forward to more from this group and world. So much more to be resolved!! 4.5/5
Thank you NetGalley and Harper Voyager for the opportunity to read this eARC!!
After Calla takes their throne in the golden court, she and her friends set out to become allies with the ice wolves and onyx wolves before the coming conflict with the silver wolf king, Nero.
I think A.K. Mulford is truly a magician. All her books have very well written conflicts and romance and character development. The one thing I think is a little silly (while still incredibly creative) was the choice to have magical music. However, the seeds of this plot line were clearly already planted and very well thought through. Very excited to continue the story in the next book.
I really should’ve made that tally. Because yet again another of my most anticipated releases of 2024 fell completely flat. I think I’m the most upset by this sequel compared to others because book 1 was such a fast paced, interesting magic system and unique world building. Meanwhile book 2 said we are going to have our main character and one of side characters go on two separate never ending boring hikes. Cool cool love that said no one ever.
Anyway, The only thing saving me from giving this book a lower star rating is because of the Sadie & Navin plot line it was by far the most interesting one. And the only part of the plot that brought new depth and magic to the world being built. Now yes there were still parts that frustrated me especially when Navin betrayed her and then 2 seconds later lol nvm all good time to sleep together. I had to do a double take because that was not the same badass Sadie we had in book 1.
But the even worse offense cames from Calla story line. Why is our MFC, our Queen, being given the slowest plot line. I feel like the only thing Calla accomplished was new ways to have sex with Grae in extremely dangerous situations. Also Calla’s “woe is me” attitude felt like a total 180 from the badass character we had in book 1.
I apologize I feel like all I did was bash this book. The book wasn't bad, just way too slow. Even with all that said I still plan to continue on with the series and I still recommend the series as a whole.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Voyager/ Avon for providing me with an ARC to read and review.
All fantasy books need to start with a recap! This took me a while to get into, mostly because I was trying to remember the characters and what happened in previous books. I remembered Calla, Grae and Briar pretty well but this book was more focused on Sadie and Navin. It took me a while to warm to Navin because he's such a liar but I did fall in love as the story went on! I really enjoyed this book overall. The spice level was pretty satisfactory in my opinion 🤣 if you don't like spice it could be overkill.
I am the hugest fan of AK Mulford after book 1 of the Golden Court romantasy trilogy. I cannot wait for book 3 and highly recommend this series as well as her High Mountain Court series of which I proudly display on my shelf!
Thank you to NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Still pretty disappointed that this was nothing like the authors other work...but after enjoying the first book i thought reading this one would be fun.
it was ok. I loved the wolf aspect to it and the main characters in depth stories but I have a feeling that the author will write many books with in this world and I just dont think its for me. It feels very YA while also not being YA? I cant totally put my finger on it.
A.K. Mulford books have been mentioned in several of my fantasy book groups, so I was excited to give The Golden Court trilogy a chance. I greatly enjoyed this second installment in the series. Mulford writes delightful characters and has a very engaging writing style. I would not hesitate to recommend this series to anyone who enjoys reading romantasy.
The next great installment of Queer Romantasy.
This book is the sequel to A River of Golden Bones, and while we do see some of our favorites, it does primarily focus on a new couple: Sadie and Navin.
The world building really shines in this book, letting readers delve into the wonderful mind of A K Mulford
I am chomping at the bit for book 3!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of the book.
This is the second book in the trilogy. I liked the first book, A River of Golden Bones (4 stars), but the second book really took off on a dangerous journey for the characters. Once again this is told through two points of view (Calla and Sadie), which I really liked. One is trying to get soldiers from one kingdom, while the other going on an undercover rescue mission. The ending has me begging for the third book to come out now.
3.75⭐️ I really loved A River of Golden Bones and was excited to move into A Sky of Emerald Stars.
I particularly loved Calla and was so invested in her fated mates romance with Grae. My heart was full as I watched her love and protection of her twin sister Briar and the loyalty and growing connection of the found family was so beautiful.
As we moved into ASOES it felt like Calla lost herself, and I longed to see the fierce, independent warrior who was leading a revolution. Although I enjoyed seeing her let Grae and Briar lead with her I hope that some of her fire and strength of leadership returns in book 3.
The majority of the story followed Sadie and Navin, which I didn’t enjoy as much. I loved the impulsive, fiery, stabby Sadie of book one but as we got to know her better in ASOES I found her frustrating and annoying. Unfortunately I didn’t take to Navin in book one and therefore I did not care for his relationship with Sadie at all.
I adored the found family created in book one and therefore when they were separated I wasn’t as invested, I missed this element.
I enjoyed this read, but sadly I didn’t love it. (And recognise that this is a me problem so I know others will love it just as much as book one) But I do appreciate the story path and I am looking forward to book 3… especially after so much political nastiness and so many horrible betrayals!
The beautiful cover art and book blurb gave me high hopes for a great read. A.K. Mulford is a very talented fantasy writer, as displayed in the well executed world building and the smooth flowing POV transitions between Calla and Sadie. I found myself enjoying Sadie’s POV chapters much more than Calla’s storyline. I struggled to see Calla as having the qualities of the great sacrificing leader referenced in book one. In contrast, it seemed this displayed her emotions and actions as impulsive, flighty and constantly needing her mate to prevent her from responding rashly to conflict. I believe the author was trying to show Calla’s deep love of those around her but it came across with a drama queen vibe instead. Overall, I felt the book added value to the series but I have mixed thoughts on whether I’ll reach for the next one when it’s published.
*I received an arc of this book from NetGalley. This is my honest review.
This is the second book I the series and it was a great continuation of the series! The romance was the perfect amount and I loved the world building and plot!
A Sky of Emerald Stars by A.K. Mulford is the second book in The Golden Court trilogy. The story picks up after the end of the first book. Calla is trying to rebuild her Golden Court kingdom with her family and other constituents, however these plans are put on pause as Ora, Calla's friend and mentor, is captured by a rival Wolf King. Sadie is tasked to try to uncover the rival king's secrets while Calla seeks allies from the Ice Wolves. The story is told via two points of view, Calla and Sadie, as they both work on their mission with their respective groups.
I'll admit I struggled when I first started the book because I forgot some of the characters and plot of the previous one. Once I refreshed my memory, I was able to jump right in. Similar to the first book, ASOES is a fast-paced adventurous story. A lot happens in this book and it was a bit of a wild ride at times. Getting to know the characters better was fulfilling and I enjoyed seeing the various relationships (romantic and plutonic) continue to develop. For fans of spice, there was a handful of spicy scenes. There's representation of LGBTQIA+. I really enjoyed this story and am really excited to read the last book in the trilogy.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and author for granting me an advanced reader copy of the ebook. A Sky of Emerald Stars is expected to be published on December 24, 2024.
**3.75 stars
I was so so so excited to get approved on netgalley for this arc. However, after an explosive first book (in a good way!), this book definitely fell flat.
It wasn't bad and I still greatly enjoyed it however, there were a lot of slow sections that were a little hard to trudge through. Also, the spicy scenes were at the oddest times. The characters weren't as enjoyable in this book and every seemed a little negative through the whole thing.
That being said, I really liked some of the new elements and surprises introduced into the storyline and thought that lore was very interesting. The last 25% of the book was great! Plot twists that had my jaw on the floor!
I think this book had second book syndrome and was setting up for the third book - which, by the way I'm really excited for!