Big thanks to NetGalley for the audio ARC. Honestly, I feel like this book deserves two separate reviews—one for the narration and another for the actual story.

First, the narration: it was fantastic. The narrator brought so much life to the characters and delivered the emotions and clarity perfectly. The pacing was spot on, and the voice felt like a perfect match for the story.

Now, the book itself? That’s where things fell short for me. It gave the impression of being hastily thrown together as a bridge between the first and third books. It lacked the charm and energy that made the first book so captivating. Instead of feeling like a natural continuation, it felt forced and lacked that spark that initially drew me into the series.

I remember loving the first book—it had me hooked from start to finish, and I was genuinely excited to see where the story would go next. But this sequel just didn’t measure up. While it technically continued the adventure, it lacked the same addictive pull. By the halfway mark, I found myself feeling disconnected and ready to move on.

I wish I had done a quick refresher on A River of Golden Bones before starting this one, but after going back and skimming through book one, I had a much better time. It took me about 40% of the book to really get into it, but once I hit that mark, the story and pacing picked up steam!

A Sky of Emerald Stars begins a few weeks (or maybe months? I read the audiobook so can't quickly check) after the conclusion of A River of Golden Bones. The Golden Court is bracing for the war promised by the Silver Wolf Pack and King Nero. We follow a new POV, Sadie, and, in a fun twist on the interconnected standalones I was expecting after The High Mountain Court books, we still get a POV from Calla.

Sadie is trying to navigate her new role as a royal guard in the Golden Court while also attempting to move on from Navin. When King Nero of the Silver Wolf Pack kidnaps Calla's friend Ora, Sadie is sent on a mission to find allies, with Navin in tow. While Calla embarks on their own mission to seek aid from the Ice Wolf Pack and rescue Ora. Sadie is also tasked with uncovering what Navin is hiding, adding some great romantic tension between them. While Calla embraced their gender identity in book one, the strict gender roles within the wolf packs create challenges, as not everyone is as accepting as their new found family.

Once I hit that 40% mark, I was fully invested in how the story was developing. While I haven't enjoyed The Golden Court series quite as much as The Five Crowns of Okrith series, I appreciate A.K. Mulford's writing style and their inclusion of LGBTQIA+ representation in fantasy. I plan to keep following this series to see how the story unfolds. I hope the next book maintains the established POVs while adding a certain wolf's perspective—I have a feeling I know which couple the main storyline will follow next!

I listened to the audiobook and was occasionally bothered by Sadie's narrator's male voices. Her portrayal of Navin didn’t always match the image I had in my head, but I listen to a lot of audiobooks, so I adjusted easily enough!

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Audio for an early copy in exchange for this honest review.

It’s rare that I enjoy the second book more enjoyable than the first, but she nailed and the series gets better each time she releases a book. I unfortunately don’t like the narrator that they have chosen for the book but at the same time I love when they keep the same voices for an entire series. The voice for Grae sounds like a kid gargled gravel, and then tries to sound like an adult, but besides that this book deserves 5 stars. This book starts off right where the first one left off with Calla trying to rebuild the Golden court, annd trying to track down Grae’s father since he decided that all the gold was his and took it and ran and while trying to rebuild her friend gets kidnapped by a rival Wolf Court.
There’s a LGBTQ representation with a polyamorous relationship, and definitely a lot more spice than the first. The artist for the covers also like to “hide” the pride flags in the covers for the books.


⭐️ POLY REP
⭐️ FOUND FAMILY

Thank you netgalley for this audio ARC. I feel like this book will need 2 separate reviews, one for the narration itself and one for the book. Narration wise everything was great. The narrator did an excellent job instilling emotion, clarity, and making the story real. Great speed and perfect character. The book itself though felt like a last minute add on to the first book written purely to make a setup for a 3rd book but lacked the oomph and overall feel of the first book. This one just felt more forced and slapped together. I remember reading the first book and feeling addicted to the story and even loved how it ended. When I found out there was a second book I was so hyped to continue the adventure, and even though this does indeed continue the adventure it just didn't feel the same and I felt done with the story half way through the book.

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.

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.

The narrators, Bridget Bordeaux and Vico Ortiz, did a wonderful job portraying all of the various characters. I felt the narration brought the story to life and it felt immersive as I progressed through the story.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and author for granting me an advanced reader copy of the audiobook.. A Sky of Emerald Stars is expected to be published on December 24, 2024.

A.k mulford has become one of mt auto buy authors.. this 2nd book in the golden court series is a fantastic continuation from a river of golden bones this time it’s in both calla and Sadie’s POV and is packed full of adventure as Sadie and maze try to find ola and calla and grae try to find alies against an evil king

Bridget and Vico have done a great job narrating this audiobook and bringing the characters to life!

I’m convinced I’ll love anything A.K. Mulford writes at this point.
I really loved Sadie, the stubborn, broody, rough edges call to me and find a perfectly balanced mate in Navin’s softer artistry. The stakes in this book also seemed to continue to ratchet up at every turn with the introduction of new conflict and even new magic systems and it was such a great read!

I internally cheered so much when a DRAGON appears!!
The dual pov were at times, a lot to take in but did add more plot to the story. It took me far too long to realize Calla's first chapters were less interesting to me because Sadie's kept ending with cliffhangers.
Sadie's reaction to Navin talking about gender and how they identify seemed so realistic to anyone first discovering the whole world doesn't just conform to 2 genders.