Was hoping for a little more depth to the character development. The story is there but you would think after Isla went through hell and back she would have matured a little bit more by this book and not spent it being petulant. The cliff hanger was a twist as this was supposed to be a 3 book series(now seeing it’s not).
All in all the first 2 books were great, this one fell short for me but I’m hoping 4 will be a little more put together.
As I did this book in audio my only suggestion would be to try for a duet narration.

The third book in this series is absolutely fantastic the ending of this book is executed so well made me wish book 4 was out now. I’m definitely a fan of morally gray Grim. But can see the attraction to Oro. I love how the fantasy and the romance both seem to get equal attention. And wraith became a favorite for me immediately. I loved the enemies to lovers in this one. My favorite in the series so far.

This audiobook was fantastic! Susie Jackson does a wonderful job and brings an intimate understanding of the story and characters, which creates a rich and immersive listening experience. Her voice work is both expressive and nuanced, perfectly capturing the emotional depth of the story. Her pacing is spot-on throughout the audiobook. Her talent as a narrator is a key element of why this audiobook is such a standout experience.
I rated Skyshade (audiobook) 5 stars! This book has been my favorite in the series so far. I enjoyed the lovers to enemies trope and how powerful Isla is in this book. She took charge of situations and did what she needed to. I can’t wait for the next book!

I read the first two books in this series on ebook so this was my first audiobook. I absolutely hated the voices. I couldn’t stand Grim. I hated it so much that I waited for the ebook to come out so I could finish the book. And I hate the way Isla’s name is pronounced in the audiobook.

As for the story, it was ok. I hate this back and forth Isla has with Grim and Oro. JUST PICK ONE ALREADY! I want a big fan of Isla in this book, but I really think my dislike of the audiobook may have contributed. I’ll keep reading the series just to know what happens but this one wasn’t as good as the others.

**SPOILER FREE** Book Review;

Once more, Isla appears still stuck in the middle of her two love interests while learning more about herself than ever before. I admit there were many moments in this book were I just couldn’t believe the choices Isla was making. Thankfully, I think most of those choices were for the plot and to really help the character develop 😅
The dynamics you come across with Oro and Grim are still frustrating as ever. As readers, especially these days, I think we get really focused on the romance aspect and the love triangle. I think if I could read/listen to this for the first time once more I would try to remove that as a focus and put more effort into really trying to understand Isla during her moments with both men.
On occasion I did find myself wishing there was a bit more diversity in the descriptions used throughout the story. The dialogue wasn’t too bad but there was a few times we’re I wanted to wince hearing the same pet names (mainly Wife) on repeat.

Lastly; I would be lying if I said I wasn’t frustrated by having to wait for yet another book to get more answers. I would have been completely satisfied getting a spin-off type book in the future regarding the ending. I hope going forward there is no loose end’s regarding many of the new things we discovered about each character.


Audiobook review;

I can honestly say that Suzy Jackson did a fantastic job with this book. She did a really impeccable job at conveying the broad spectrum of emotions with her voice. Breaks in her voice to express sadness, the way that Oro and Grim sounded distinctly like two differing people👌🏼 I never felt confused when a new chapter started or when we moved to a different realm.

I wish I would have listened to the first book so that the world building of Lightlark as a whole would have felt more magical and less confusing. If you are struggling with reading the story I highly suggest listening to the audiobook!
Massive thanks to Net Galley for the early Audiobook!


Overall I’m rating the book 4 stars… The audiobook is a big part of that rating. I cannot rate it 5 due to some of the things noted above.

"Skyshade" was a perfect follow-up to "Nightbane" as part of the "Lightlark" series. It perfectly sets up the next book and is going to leave readers rabid for the release of book 4; I know I will be.

Alex Aster has a way with building this world and the frustrating love triangle that has divided fans into Team Grim and Team Oro. The narration was very clear cut and combined with the storyline, kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.

I absolutely cannot wait until the next two books are released. I was honored to be selected for this ALC and gladly dropped everything to listen to it that same day.

Thank you to NetGalley and RB Media for choosing me. I really loved it.

Skyshade by Alex Aster is such a good book. This series are 10/10. I love them so much! I recommend everyone to read this book as fast as they can because it's really good.

I just finished listening to Skyshade and what a journey it’s been to get to this point. I was excited to see Isla’s journey to learn more about herself and her past and who she is and where she came from. This book is filled with so many secrets and twists and turns that it constantly keeps you second guessing what you think you already know. I do think the pace of Skyshade moves faster than Lightlark, which I appreciate. I don’t like when books drag things out. However, this does end on another major cliffhanger. The author has said there will be another book and possibly a novella to come. Do I think it needs a 4th book? Not necessarily. But I guess we’ll see.

One thing I don’t like about the book is the love triangle. I don’t feel as though either relationship with Grim or Ora is developed enough to warrant the many deep feelings they have. They both claim to love Isla, but I’m just not seeing that being translated in the relationship building or seeing chemistry on the pages. Personally, I’m not team Grim or team Ora. I just want more depth with whomever she ends up with. The focus is so much more on the plot, which is fine, but then not much focus is given to actually show the MC’s getting to know one another on a deeper level.

I listened to an ARC audiobook of this books thanks to NetGalley and RBmedia.

Thank you for the audiobook Arc! I loved this book and the whole series. The narrator is great as always. I can not wait for the next two!

I lovedddd this book I received the physical copy over the weekend and the audiobook today. Both were amazing, I’m in desperate need to know how the love triangle will end and which ruler will die but I’m rooting for Isla and Grim allllll the way. The tension and banter in this one was super fun to read minus Oro but that’s just a personal preference. The plot was great and kept me interested all through the end. I can’t waitttt for the next two books

What an excellent installment in the series! I absolutely adored this. I think Aster perfectly picks up from the second installment, and expands the world in an interesting and meaningful way.

I was very fortunate to be grants access to the audio arc of Skyshade. I listened to Lightlark and Nightbane on audio as well, and I honestly can't recommend reading the series any other way. The narrator perfectly infuses this story with life and energy.

I honestly don’t even know what to rate this book. I loved the first third! I would give that five stars. It was very exciting. Very interesting.

Then it just sort of got very convoluted and confusing. Her writing was very choppy and a lot of stuff didn’t really make sense. The second third, I maybe would give three stars?? Some of it moved a little slow and then yet other times was way too fast. I got a little lost for a while.

The last third of the book was absolute garbage and I seriously thought about throwing the book out the window and not even finishing it. I would rate the last third zero stars.

I am so over this series and I cannot believe there are going to be two more books. I do not plan to read them because I am so frustrated with this story. I really liked the first two books so it’s sad that this one was just a dumpster fire for me. I think a lot of it stems from the fact that I just simply don’t like Isla at all. She gets on my nerves and she’s only getting more annoying.

Also, the narrators male voice made it hard to take those parts seriously. It was too overdone.

Omg I was not prepared for this at all! I have loved this series its gone from strength to strength. I'm not normally a fan of love triangles but i really enjoyed this one. The pace of the story kept me hooked and I didn't want to put it down. Great story, great characters and I really can't wait for more from this author. I need answers!

Thank you to Netgalley and RecordedBooks for the ALC!
While I loved the first two books in the series, in spite of the thin world building and CW-like love triangle (let's be real it's a guilty pleasure) by book three it seemed like the love triangle has fizzled and to continue it feels dragged out. The plot has gotten even more bonkers, so many holes and decisions that didn't feel foreshadowed. I believe this was originally supposed to be a trilogy and now it's going to be more, I can't help but feel like this book suffered due to that.
It wasn't all bad, but l'm just so over the bs. However, I am firmly on a team for the love triangle, and I'll be reading the next book in the series to see how it plays out. 2.5 stars.

I received an ALC from NetGalley for this book and so began my mental and emotional spiral back into the world of Lightlark. This was intense and I was screaming by the end. (Mentally screaming as I am demure.) We begin this book right at the end of the second book with Isla in Nightshade with Grim. (This series’ shadow daddy.) At the end of the last book, she chooses to end the war and go back with Grim. Oro is heartbroken and left behind and my heart was crushed for Golden Boy. The initial parts of this book had me frustrated with her decision-making as I felt like she wasn’t understanding basic things and making dumb mistakes. I also felt like travel and magic systems were not making sense. She was frustrated with herself as well as she had her memories returned to her and she had to balance a heart that loved two men. Frankly, I’m still not sure what team I’m on as both are excellent. Isla, pick a man and stop with this!

The story begins with a conflict regarding magical storms that were destroying Nightshade and Grim and Isla’s work in investigating it. I didn’t care for this storyline and am still wondering how it fits in the larger narrative. I get it but it was odd with the tunnels, the bells, and the singing bird. Isla also finds her dark side and that was very interesting. Having her do things on her own without any man is needed and I need more of that for her. I wish however she finds a good female, non-animal friend who won’t backstab her.

Now, while there was a slow start the book did pick up the pace with a good villain, twists, betrayals, and plotting that I had not expected. All memories of the slow beginning were forgotten by the wild ending. Luckily, two books from this series come out next year so I won’t be waiting too long.

I did enjoy the audiobook’s narrator, Suzy Jackson, quite a bit for the voice of Isla but I did not like her male voices for Grim and Oro. I think a dual narration with a male voice would have been better.

The ending was amazing, but unfortunately book itself felt wandering and aimless for the first 70 percent of the novel. I also wish we got more of Oro, just to give more of a balance to the love triangle.


Thank you NetGalley for gifting me this book!

Overall an enjoyable listen. I did notice a few pronunciation inconsistencies in the audiobook, where a word would be pronounced differently from one sentence to the next. As far as the story, pros were that I felt it was well paced and we saw a lot more of Grim and learned more of Isla’s backstory. Cons were the character development felt limited and the magic system and world building felt a little vague.

I don’t even know where to start. Tbh, I went into this with low expectations and even those weren’t met.
It’s very obvious this series was originally slated as a YA, low level fantasy. I get that. Even so, it’s so poorly done I could barely get through it.
The world building? Not great.
Magic system? Confusing as hell.
Character development? Lol who?
Plot? What’s that?

ISLA: (Infuriatingly pronounced “Eyez-luh.”) Our FMC born without powers, surprise! She has all the powers! (God I’m getting sick of this trope). I really hoped Skyshade would build on her background to make her a more likable character. Unfortunately, she had the character development of a wet sponge growing mold - predictable, kinda gross, makes you wanna throw it in the trash by the end.
She has zero loyalty to the only two characters who have ever loved her. She does nothing but feel sorry for herself and the fate she’s been given. Infuriating.

Grim: One of two MMC/love interests. Grim honestly carries this entire series on his strong muscly back. All 1.75 stars of it. If you’ve read about one broody, morally grey MMC who is all “touch her and 💀,” you’ve read about Grim. It’s such a stereotype. Don’t get me wrong, it’s one of my favorite stereotypes, but there’s nothing special here. It’s boring and overdone.

Oro: (also infuriatingly pronounced “Are-Oh”) I assume he’s supposed to be the light, morally good opposite to Grim’s dark, morally grey? However his character really has no business in these books past Lightlark. He was on page in Skyshade for like 10 pages and half of that was Isla’s dreams of the past. I really wanted to like Oro. I feel like he got the short end of the character development stick.

Speaking of sticks, CAN WE PLEASE TALK ABOUT THE STUPID “STARSTICK?!” Like Aster, come on, “starstick?!?” That’s the best you can do? My brain pictures something between a fairy godmother’s wand with a little glittery star and streamers at the end and Dr. Who’s Sonic Screwdriver. This thing has such immense power and our girl Isla just forgets where she left it like it’s keys to a 1997 Honda Civic.

Anywho, I really wish this book was more of a prequel and less of a continuation of the first two books. When I say it immediately picks up from Nightbane, it’s IMMEDIATE. There is no introduction to help the reader remember what happened in a book that came out more than a year ago.
I would have loved if book 3 was a prequel throwback to when Isla and Grim met/were married before the Centennial. The random flashbacks are not enough for me and it makes the writing so disjointed.

Overall thoughts? A swing and a miss.

I really struggled with this one. I feel like so much happened but at the same time.. nothing at all happened.

This should’ve been a trilogy at best, but we have another cliffhanger. Isla is all over the place. Grim POV would’ve been great.

This book was my most anticipated read for 2024 and it did not disappoint! This book picks up right where book 2 left off. I love how this book explores more of the love between Grim and Isla because I feel like we hadn’t really gotten much other than history up until this point. I could really feel the conflicting between Grim and Oro in this book. I also feel conflicted on who is the right choice! I also love how we see Isla become her own person and make her own choices without others in Skyshade! I will definitely be reading this a second, third, and fourth time!