I enjoyed the first book, so I had high hopes for this one, and it delivered. Dare I say, I might have even liked the sequel better than the first! There were lots of twists, and the plot kept me on the edge of my seat, as a lot happens in this book! I enjoyed the multiple point of views as well. Overall, a great read, and I look forward to reading the last book to see how everything wraps up.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the ARC!

I loved Curious Tides and I was super excited to be approved to read the sequel early, almost as excited as I was when I learned that it would be a trilogy instead of a duology. I was wary about the multiple points of views that Stranger Skies introduced, but I didn't find it overwhelming and it worked well. None of the characters felt like I was reading the same character's point of view, either. I was SO excited about the one budding romance in this sequel, that I will not spoil, and I hope they are end game. I cannot wait to read the third book! I need it yesterday.

Review: Stranger Skies by Pascale Lacelle

Stranger Skies is a stunning sequel full of twists and high stakes adventure. I have tried to write this review for so long and my words have come up short of how much I loved it. I immersed myself back into the world and luxuriated in every minute I got to spend with Baz, Emory, and the others.

This series is a unique play on dark academia and a school of magic. I thoroughly enjoyed the first and was anxiously awaiting the second, and it did not disappoint! If anything, I may love the sequel even more due to the beautiful writing and growing cast of characters. The portal aspect of the stories also continues to take the reader on twists and turns, and scintillating adventures.

I don’t want to give anything away, so all I can say is that if you haven’t read this series, please do! It is the perfect chilly weekend read with delightful characters and a magical world created with depth and detail.

Thank you to Simon and Schuster for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

SUCH a good sequel! I loved getting to know all the new characters, and the plot kept me so on my toes. At one point I was shocked that so much was happening at such an early point in the story, and the excitement just kept going from there! There were so many interesting character parallels that I just loved as well, and Pascale’s prose is, once again, beautiful.

If you haven’t read this series yet, you’re truly missing out!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

I really liked Curious Tides, so I assumed I was going to like this book as well.

I WAS NOT WRONG.
This is a second book that does not disappoint.
Curious Tides is like the calm before the storm. I still don't have words for everything that happens in this book. There's time travel through different worlds, witches, dragons, more drama, A KISS I WAS SO EXCITED FOR (and no I'm not telling you who), and so much more.

I was so surprised by so much of what happened, and I loved it. This book is long, but it did not feel that way. There was action and adventure throughout the entire thing. And thankfully this is now a trilogy because there is so much that I still need answers to.

Seriously, if you haven't read Curious Tides, do that now so that when this comes out you don't need to catch up.

Stranger Skies was a captivating second installment in the Drowned Gods trilogy. A must-read. The storyline flowed swiftly from where Curious Tides ended, with such a cliff hanger for our main characters. It is definitely a plot that will keep you hooked from beginning to end. Only to leave you wanting more! If you enjoyed the dark academia vibes from the first novel, you will love where Pascale takes Baz, Kai, Emery, and Romie. Without spoiling too much, if you enjoy certain tropes like dark academia, gods, monsters, time travel, complicated friendships, love triangles, then you will enjoy this novel. I can't wait to see how the trilogy ends.

A special thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I have been not-so-patiently awaiting this sequel since the day I finished Curious Tides. Thankfully, Stranger Skies did not disappoint! I really enjoyed the added POVs because they added depth to the story without becoming overwhelming. Too many POVs can be annoying, but this felt perfectly balanced. Emory and Baz were frustratingly bad at communicating in book 1, so I really appreciated that they had Kai and Romie to force them into some much needed communication and confrontation.

The progression of the story itself felt very magical. I loved exploring the Wychwood and the Wastes, while also getting to follow Baz and Kai at Aldryn. Stranger Skies kept the dark academia/mysterious vibes of book 1, while expanding the world and adding more magic and fantasy elements (hello, dragons!)

Also, I’m not sure if the chemistry between Emory and Sidraeus was intentional or a happy accident, but I am anxiously awaiting their eventual reuniting. Sidraeus needs more redemption! I am hoping it’s coming since the true villain has been revealed, but is it weird I am rooting for a shadow monster and Tidecaller? If it’s wrong, I don’t want to be right!

Amazing sequel to Curious Tides! I know initially this was supposed to be a duology, but then recently switched to becoming a trilogy. I was worried that this would be a dip in action to the overall plot line but I honestly loved this book more than the first! So much action and world building and such a unique magic system, this is definitely one of the most underrated book series out there

How do I even begin? I knew last year when I read Curious Tides that I was reading something special and my excitement for Stranger Skies was at an all time high. Pascale Lacelle exceeded my expectations with this book! She expanded the world, the stakes, and most of all the characters. I love the openly queer world and how raw and honest the characters feel. I love that they don’t shy away from more negative aspects of personality and instead, we dive into the those seeking more and those wanting things to remain the same — the fear of something unknown. I really don’t want to spoil anything because this book has so much going for it and once again, Pascale surprised me with a plot twist I never saw coming. We travel through different worlds, and times, we meet exciting new characters and get to see old characters developing further. (I love you, Baz and Kai!) I’m honestly already crying because I now have to wait for book three. Thank you Simon & Schuster Canada for the chance to read early.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6242217099

"Pascale Lacelle you've done it again!! When I tell you that the pre-order was not cancelled
One of my biggest bookish pet peeves is multi-pov books, but clearly I've been reading the wrong books. I was still able to feel connected and understand how the characters were feeling. Even when the pov switched I wasn't stuck in a loop of one boring and one entertaining story.
The world building was impeccable, as always...
The angst was spot on, as always...
The character development was *chefs kiss*, as always...
...and I'm so excited to see where Ms Lacelle takes this series

Thank you to Simon & Schuster for letting me ARC read!"

I loved Curious Tides so I had very high expectations going into this and it did not disappoint! This book pretty much continues right where the first left off and I was so engaged in it the whole way through. The author does a great job at world building and I love the unique magic system. I also love these characters and really enjoyed seeing the relationships between them. Overall, I would definitely recommend this series to others and I can't wait for the next book!

I really enjoyed this. It picks up where the 1st book left off and continues the dreamy world building. I’m not sure if it’s supposed to be dreamy and serene feeling but a world based off of tides and the moon gives me that feeling. I enjoyed the 3 alternating views still and all their individual stories and how they connect. Maybe because I read the physical book, as opposed to listening to the audiobook, but i thought that it was better paced. I didn’t find myself thinking it was going on too long and was engaged the whole way through.
I recommend this series! It feels more mature then your typical YA fantasy as well.

I am deeply obsessed with Curious Tides and now Stranger Skies. Seriously, Pascale Lacelle is a phenomenal author and talented story teller. If she writes it, I’ll read it. I don’t want to give anything away but this story picks up right where Curious Tides ended and I’m so thankful that it jumped right into the story. Having to wait in between them was hard!!

Thank you Simon and Schuster Canada & Netgalley for an advanced copy of Stranger Skies!

I was so excited to dive into this one after finishing Curious Tides and I was not disappointed. The world is so whimsical and full of depth that I couldn’t wait to read the next chapter and see what was next.

Kai and Baz were my favourite characters in the first book, and that didn’t change in this one. I love their dynamic so much, and I love seeing their connection grow as the story goes on.

There were so many new things to see in this book and I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. I truly can’t wait for the next book because I love this story and I need to know what happens to these characters.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for providing me with an arc.

Stranger Skies has a very different feeling compared to the first book, but still has everything I love from Curious Tides. The complex magic system whose lore goes deeper, the up and downs of relationships between characters, and the many turns and curves the story takes me through.

The sequel goes deeper into the lore of the Drowned Gods as well as going into details about the lore of the Tides and Shadow and the other worlds with their similar beliefs. Slowly unraveling the truth of the gods.

Also was so excited my ship from book 1 sailed and I won’t say much to not spoil, but I won’t forgive Pascale unless I get my hands on book 3 to see their ending. (This is a formal request for an arc for book 3 if Pascale see this, please and thank you 👉👈. I still love you but if they don’t get their happy ending ima cry 😭).

Overall, Stranger Skies is a great sequel that carried all the parts I love from Curious Tides and more. I can’t wait for the third book and everyone has their happy ending!! (Let me be delulu ☺️)