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 format 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.

The audiobook narrators were great. Sometimes the "male voice" was a bit gruff, but it fit the characters.
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

Ok, so. The voice actors missed the mark for me. I was given the ALC through Netgalley and granted permission to post.my honest review. The story was not hard to follow and the world-building was nice. There were a few.spots where the story line drug on but the conflict was engaging enough for me to remain interested.
The way this story ended there HAS to be another book on the way because...
What about the brother!?!

This was a nice cozy-ish romantasy with SHAPESHIFTERS!!! I would recommend it to friends and family.

Book 2 definitely delivered the spice I was craving from the first book, and I'm here for it! It started a bit slow, but it picked up and kept me hooked. There are moments where it slows down again, but that’s okay because there's plenty of spice, action, and sneaky plans to keep things interesting. While the first book was told solely from Calla’s perspective, this one switches things up with both Calla’s and Sadie’s POVs, and I absolutely loved that. It’s great to see everything unravel from both sides until it all comes together in the end. And speaking of the end—HOW DARE YOU LEAVE IT ON A CLIFFHANGER?! I need more, like, right now!

ALC Review: A Sky of Emerald Stars by A.K. Mulford
Pub Date: December 24th, 2024
Narrators; Bridget Bordeaux and Vico Ortiz

In A Sky of Emerald Stars, the second book in the Golden Court series, we meet back up with Calla and the gang of wolf shifters and humans as they navigate life after the evil sorceress has been defeated. After one of their members is kidnapped, the group separates in order to both get Ora back and to gain support from other Kingdoms for their cause. Unfortunately for her, Sadie is sent to escort Navin, who betrayed the group previously to save his brother. Sadie has no intentions of forgiveness but as more and more secrets come to life, she finds out that things aren't quite as they seem.

I truly love this series so much - it's exactly what I want from a romantasy - queer, spicy, full of action, and with no fae! Instead we get wolf shifters which is so incredibly up my alley. And when I say queer, I mean that it is so deeply queer - the way characters are able to explore both their sexuality and their gender expression is just everything for me! I really particularly love seeing this in a fantasy setting.

This book is such a great continuation of the story we got in the first - while in the first book we primarily get the relationship between Calla and Grae, in this we get the continuation of their story but also the addition of a new relationship and POV from Sadie. I was initially a little worried that having the two plots would be a little confusing but it really never was! And the plots do intertwine at points. I really liked the progression of Sadie and Navin's relationship from hatred to so much more.

I really liked the narration by Bridget Bordeaux and Vico Ortiz. I particularly love that they got a genderfluid narrator for Calla's parts - I absolutely loved Vico's narration in the first book (their voice for Grae is so sexy to me for some reason) and it was even better for me in this book! I could not recommend listening to these on audio more.

I really recommend this series - it feels unique and intriguing (I need the next book NOW!!). Book one has some spice but this one has even more, especially since we get two romance arcs. I really need to pick up A.K.'s other books, because this series has really worked for me.

Thank you to Harper Audio for the ALC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook. The narrators have done a pretty good job on this series however needs a bit of correction on the pronunciation of certain words that are annoying me throughout.
This was the second in this series and it had picked up right where the first book had let off. I found that I enjoyed this book much more than the first. I feel that there was more thought put into the mapping of this story.
As the story has progressed we have seen love, betrayal, physical transformation and have also learned the inner secrets of certain characters.
I am not exactly sure where this tale is taking us but I do look forward to the next installment. Overall I feel that this was a good listen.

I think my favorite part of this book was watching Sadie and Navin's relationship grow. It felt like a true enemies to lover story. At times I was so upset with Navin and as he revealed more information about himself I began to understand a bit more. I did like the human/wolf dynamic and thought it added a bit more tension overall.

The other half of the book focused on Calla, who is the Queen of the Golden court. While I did enjoy the diversity and inclusion, I just didn't care for her point of view as much as I enjoyed Sadie's/Navin's. I do wish there would have been more about wolf/human politics in general and not just prejudice.

Thank you to Netgalley, A.K Mulford, and HarperAudio Adult for an ARC of this audiobook. This review is my own honest opinon.

Enjoyed the physical book as well as the audio. It was a fun perspective and I was able to catch things I missed while reading.

I was totally here for the conclusion to this wolf shifter paranormal romantasy duology that has an interspecies romance, twin sister bonds, action, friends to lovers romance, spicy moments, tons of action and a lot of heart. It was also great on audio narrated by Bridget Bordeaux and Vico Ortiz and was a delight to listen to. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review. Yet again the cover for this one slays!!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ALC of this. I really enjoyed book 1. I liked this one, but it felt slightly different than the first. It felt like there were more stakes to this one. I really love all of the LGBTQIA+ rep in this series as well. Can’t wait for the third book.

I liked the narrator for Sadie but could not keep focused on the narrator for Calla. This book does have better pacing and I did like having the new point of view with the slow burn romance for Sadie. Depending on the reader, I would recommend this, though I would recommend that they read it.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐✨ (3.5/5)

A.K. Mulford’s A Sky of Emerald Stars is a sprawling, character-driven fantasy that explores themes of identity, resilience, and the complexities of diplomacy amidst the looming threat of war. While the novel boasts high-stakes adventures and poignant moments of self-discovery, it occasionally falters under the weight of its ambitious narrative.

The story’s dual perspectives—Sadie Rauxtide and Queen Calla—offer a rich tapestry of emotional and political intrigue. Sadie’s arc is driven by her internal conflict: a royal guard navigating her place in the shifting landscape of the Golden Court while wrestling with her complicated feelings for Navin, the man who once betrayed her. Sadie’s mission to forge alliances and uncover Nero’s secrets is action-packed, yet her growing vulnerability makes her a deeply relatable and compelling character. Her chemistry with Navin smolders, even as it’s layered with distrust and heartbreak.

Calla’s narrative, meanwhile, provides the heart of the story’s exploration of identity. Their journey of self-acceptance as they navigate their gender identity, all while dealing with the dismissiveness of the Queen of Taigos, adds emotional weight to the political stakes. Calla’s struggles with diplomacy and their desire to live authentically are beautifully portrayed, and Mulford handles these themes with sensitivity and care.

The world of Aotreas is vibrant and full of potential, from the icy landscapes of the Ice Wolf pack to the secrets hidden in Nero’s domain. The political tensions between courts are engaging, though the pacing sometimes suffers as the story shifts between high-stakes action and slower character-driven moments. This uneven rhythm occasionally dilutes the narrative’s momentum, making certain plot points feel rushed or underdeveloped.

The audiobook narration by Bridget Bordeaux and Vico Ortiz enhances the experience, with both narrators bringing depth and nuance to the characters. Bordeaux captures Sadie’s strength and vulnerability perfectly, while Ortiz delivers a thoughtful and layered performance as Calla, making their struggles and triumphs resonate deeply.

Despite its strengths, A Sky of Emerald Stars does have its challenges. The ambitious scope of the story means some threads feel incomplete, particularly in the resolution of key conflicts. The romantic subplot between Sadie and Navin, while compelling, doesn’t receive as much space as it deserves, leaving their relationship feeling somewhat rushed. Similarly, Calla’s diplomatic struggles with the Taigos Court could have been explored more thoroughly to fully capitalize on the emotional and political stakes.

Still, the themes of self-discovery, love, and the relentless fight for peace are woven beautifully throughout the narrative. The novel’s strength lies in its characters—imperfect, determined, and achingly human—even in a world of magic and war.

A Sky of Emerald Stars is a solid entry into Mulford’s fantasy universe, offering moments of brilliance and emotional resonance despite some pacing issues. Fans of character-driven fantasy and LGBTQ+ representation will find much to appreciate in this tale of revolution, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of self and peace. It’s not without flaws, but the story’s heart and ambition make it a journey worth taking.

I enjoyed the audio version more than the book. The narration had me captivated from the start. A well deserved fantasy to give a try. I highly recommend. I rated this 4.5 stars.

Without spoilers, we continue the story where book 1 left off. This one is a dual POV between Calla and Sadie. Calla and Grae are trying to figure out their new situation to the best of their abilities. The political atmosphere is still fraught and they are on the brink of war with Grae’s father, Nero. Sadie, meanwhile is floundering. She’s caught between knowing that her choices were the right ones, while simultaneously missing her home and struggling with parsing what parts of her past to hold onto, and what to let go of. People, beliefs, and even her own heart are all in question.

I really have to give props to AK Mulford. These books are so rich, they’re easy to read, the world building is continuous as we move to different locations, and the story is both complex and compelling without being overwrought. There’s enough romance and spice to keep me, a shameless romantasy girlie, fed, while also providing a solid plot with enough mystery to keep me turning the pages (figuratively since I had an ALC). There’s also a continued exploration into gender identity as Calla navigates their self expression amid a resistant wolf populace, mirrored with Sadie’s struggle to find her own identity and place. Everyone is working through their own problems. It’s just all really well done and I enjoyed reading this book a lot!

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Audio for the ALC!

🎧 The audiobook for this was great. The dual POVs each have their own narrator, so we have the familiar Vico Ortiz who did a fantastic job as Calla, and now we also get Bridget Bordeaux as Sadie, who really grabbed me from the start. I loved both of these narrators and they were very clear in their delivery. Hearing Vico deliver Grae’s gravely sultry sweet lines is just so good. I sped up the file and there was no distortion at even 2x speed.

A beautiful continuation of book 1, it answered alot and was packed with emotions, i loved how it went deeper into character development this time around.

The narrators did justice to the characters and I hope they return for the next one!

I would like to thank the publisher for sending me an audio-arc in exchange for an honest review through NetGalley.

It's so hard to talk about sequels without inevitably spoiling parts of the first book, but I'll try my best. But definitely be warned -- there will 100% be spoilers ahead for book one! Read at your own risk!

We ended book one with Calla sitting on the throne, swearing to help all of the people in the Golden Court. Alongside Grae, their sister, and the people who helped them defeat Sawyn, they have done their best for these last months to help in every way that they can. However, when Navin comes back bloody and bruised, telling them Ora has been captured, Calla sets out to free her.

We got a new POV in this book! Sadie and Navin were one of my favorite potential couples from book one, but here we see that things didn't go so well after they had been taken prisoner back when they helped Calla reclaim the throne. However, the two of them, along with Maez go off to try and win allies in the upcoming war. To be honest, as much as I enjoyed book one, Calla and Grae got on my nerves a lot. Which is why I was so excited to see things from Sadie's POV. And she did NOT disappoint. She was brash, fierce, and sadly a little broken. Her relationship with Navin starts out with a lot of mistrust and soon develops into something spicy and hot and full of passion. I loved watching the two of them go back and forth until the inevitable moment when they finally get together. I honestly can say I found myself wanting Sadie and Navin so much that whenever it switched to Calla's POV I felt like I was being dragged through molasses. Calla's chapters are full of political intrigue, the same worries from book one but this time with Grae vs against him (sometimes, insert eye roll), terrible decisions, and angst angst angst. At this point, with how hot headed Calla tends to be, how are they a queen?!

However, Calla was more bearable in this book, and maybe it was because we go back and forth between Calla and Sadie's POV, but I wasn't bored or felt like things dragged. We get more monsters, we get more magic, secrets are revealed, there are so many plot twists that I've got whiplash and when I thought that that would be it BAM we get another, and we get the build up to the inevitable war between Calla and Nero. I'm looking forward to the final installment in this series, hopefully with even less Calla than this book had. And I'm hoping for another POV added to the final book (PRAYING for Maez and Briar!)

This was a wonderful follow up to A River of Golden Bones! The stakes are high in this book, and there was better character development. I can definitely say that this series starts out incredibly slow. I found that I wasn't interested in either book until about 20% into the story. This story is majorly focused on Sadie, Navine and Maez while book one was solely focused on Calla, Grae and Briar. Sadie, Navine and Maez are travelling to make alliances in order to help the Golden Court while Briar, Grae and Calla are focused on rescuing Ora. Things become tense and complicated in this story. There is a lot of unexpected betrayal and secrets that start to come to light.

I really enjoyed the fact that we got so many different POV's in this story, and that the story was continued but with a differing main character from the first book. I feel that I don't see that often in fantasy series' and I think it was really well done. I very much enjoy the world building in this story, as well as the different characters.

Overall this was a solid read and I'm excited for the conclusion of this trilogy!

Thank you to NetGalley, HarperVoyager/Avon Books, and A.K. Mulford for the advanced reader e-book and audiobook of A Sky of Emerald Stars!

A Sky of Emerald Stars is the second book in the Golden Court series and picks up following the events of A River of Golden Bones. It’s told through Sadie and Calla’s POVs as they take on different tasks for Calla’s court. I found Calla’s POV more interesting although both were necessary for the story’s progression. Given the nature of Sadie’s assignment, this book has some of the feels of a first in series. There’s a lot of world building and set up that resulted in a slower pace to the first half. The pacing picks up considerably in the second half. One of the big revelations was something I had guessed at during the events of the first book, but it was nice to see it confirmed. There were other revelations, twists, and betrayals that had me completely blindsided. I love the choice of narrators used for this book. They brought so much emotion and intensity to their roles that it amped up the overall reading experience. I can’t wait for the next book.

I really enjoyed the first one, but I couldn’t care about this one. I disliked how the story shifted from Calla to Sadie. I loved Calla and thought this go around she was pushed back and became a secondary character to the series. Overall, I give this a 3/5 but I don’t think I’ll be continuing the series.