Overall this was an enjoyable read. However, it did lack in comparison to Nightbane.
I love that we get some backstory on Isla's parents, which helped to shed some understanding on Isla, her magic and the situation as a whole.
The love triangle is still a main plot point, although it did take more of a backseat this time around (thankfully).
The book started slow but midway through picked up the pace and ends with a cliffhanger, which is interesting because I went into this read thinking Skyshade was the final installment.
I would recommend this book to readers who are already invested in Isla's journey or if you like love triangles or touch her and die tropes.

I was lucky enough to receive an advanced reader copy of this audiobook and I am so, so thankful to Amulet Books and NetGalley for this opportunity to read this amazing book before release!
This was such an amazing third book to the Lightlark series! The character development of the FMC, Isla, was so beautiful, and at times, heart-wrenching to see.
The story really came to a crescendo in this book; action-packed from start to finish. I was hooked from the very first paragraph, much like I was with the rest of the series.
Seeing Isla learn her past, her heritage, and regain even more memories of her life was so worthwhile and such a compelling story.
By this point in the series, I was convinced I knew which characters I loved, hated, and admired, but this book took me through twists and turns that I can (happily) say took me by genuine surprise.
Now for the ending.. what a cliff hanger! I don’t know what I am going to do with myself until the next book comes out! I can’t wait, and I am so excited to see where the series goes from here!
I was prepared to say goodbye to a world and characters that I grew to love, but I am so glad I don’t have to now.
I definitely recommend this book, and truly the series as a whole. 5 stars from me!

I absolutely loved Skyshade! Suzy Jackson did an incredible job narrating this third book in the series. Skyshade picks up right after Nightbane, where Isla leaves Oro to return to Nightshade with Grim. As Team Grim, I was thrilled to see Isla back “home” and loved following her journey as she rekindles her feelings for her husband.

🐍 Our girl, Isla, is truly in her villainous, reputation era 🐍 We get to see the return of beloved animal companions 🐉🐾, beloved side characters, and some intriguing new faces. This YA fantasy romance comes with a touch of spice—I’d rate the spicy scenes (yes, there are multiple!) as ✨demure✨ spice 🌶️.

Like Lightlark and Nightbane, Skyshade delivers on plot twists, betrayals, and angsty enemies-to-lovers/back-to-lovers vibes, with forced proximity and plenty of secrets waiting to be uncovered!

While many readers were shocked or upset by the ending, I fully support Isla’s decisions (no spoilers—whatever she chooses!).

Okaaaay I don’t actually believe this is the last book because if it is then I’m devastated 😅
I really enjoyed listening to the audio of Skyshade, I listened to the first two as well.
Such an interesting story and it didn’t feel like any other story.
Love a good love triangle too!

First of all, I want to start by saying that this series has captivated me from beginning to end. In particular, I have loved the plot, the characters, the story, the magic, the romance everything about this series has been perfection for me. I must say that the plot took a 360 turn. The more I read and the more I discovered new pieces of the puzzle, my head kept thinking about the possibilities of something different happening than what I expected. This third book has left me with too many mixed emotions. Not only did it squeeze my heart in a thousand ways (more positive than negative), I loved it in its entirety. And without a doubt it has given me a lot to think about and hope for. Even when everything points to a certain direction the author proofs that is posible to turn the wheel towards something much more bigger.

Alex Aster has done it again with *SKYSHADE*! This book is an absolute rollercoaster of emotions, filled with vivid world-building and dynamic characters. I was captivated from start to finish. Isla's journey is so well-crafted that you can't help but feel every emotion she experiences.

The love triangle between Isla, Oro, and Grim is intense and will leave you constantly guessing. If you’re hoping for a neat conclusion, think again—Alex’s signature cliffhangers strike again!

The use of the same voice actor for the audiobook added to the immersive experience, making it a joy to listen to. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a gripping fantasy with rich character development and unexpected twists.

Alex Aster, you have outdone yourself!

ARC Review for Skyshade

What a fun and unique fantasy, with romance and steam sprinkled in! I'm already a fan of the Lightlark world, and I love that Alex continues to expand upon it.

Isla, our female lead, has come such a long way in the previous two books and starts off on an uncertain path, doing what she feels to be the "right" move. Stuck between two love interests, but also completely torn on how to romantically move forward.
I've been on Team Grim since the beginning, but Oro still pulls at my heart too, especially in this new book.
I absolutely loved that we got some answers to a couple of questions we've been waiting for in this story as well.

The writing was smooth and flowed so well and it always feels like I'm "reading" one long story instead of now, 3 separate books.

The narration on Skyshade was just as good as the previous books in the series, and I appreciate the way the narrator distinguishes voices between characters and the emotion in her tone as the story unfolds.

Now to sit on pins and needles until we know what happens with Isla next! So good, highly recommend!

I’m obsessed with this book series and Skyshade did NOT disappoint! I was so excited to receive an advanced audiobook copy through Netgallery. The story itself is addicting and the narrator does a great job bringing the characters to life. Isla, the FMC, has the weight of the worlds on her shoulders and has a choice to make about the men she loves. The author did a good job taking you on an emotional journey filled with betrayal, love, heartache, and doing what’s right. The ending left me speechless.

Overall 4 stars for continuous entertainment and ending shock-value.

The good:
-constant twists and turns: I didn’t feel the lull when going back in flashbacks or sidelines like I did in other books, which kept me engaged the whole time - I couldn’t stop listening!
-a real will-they-or-won’t-they love triangle: Oro vs Grim - I was kept guessing (won’t spoil it for you 😈). I thought I had a clear favorite, but Ms. Aster did a great job with making me question who I thought was actually better for Isla.
- Isla’s power arc: The buildup of her power and how it all culminates in the end was very well done and actually connects the dots through the entire story

The not-so-good:
-constant twists and turns: at times, it read a bit jumpy. There was a lot to cover and sometimes I felt like we just skipped from plot point to plot point without any real connection between them. I found myself going back in the audiobook a few times to make sure I didn’t miss anything, but I felt some revelations were abruptly thrown in there because it was integral to the story and not very well woven in.
-the love triangle: the line between intriguing and “heart split in two” and Isla coming off as messy were on top of each other for me. Some times it would be so clear she had made her choice and then it would abruptly flip. The actual connections started to feel forced.

I did listen to the audiobook narrated by Suzy Jackson and I think she’s perfect for reading Isla. Very evocative - I’m just sorry she had to read about screaming and retching so much!

Thank you to RBmedia for providing me with an advanced copy of this audiobook via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I waited so long for an ending and what I got was a mind twisting end. But is it the end? I loved every second of this book. Alex is one the best writers in my opinion.

Wow. There has to be another book after this! I loved the audio, my only complaint is that I wish there was another narrator for Grimm & Oro’s dialogue just to help with the immersion into the story. The tension throughout this book and the continuation of world building was done so well! We were introduced to so much more lore and so many new characters. But! I need to know what happens with the prophecy! That wasn’t answered at all!! So I’m going to need a fourth book

This book was soo good! This book had me crying, giggling, and feeling all the different emotions. I am a Grim girl through and though ! This was a really good read!

First thank you so much to NetGalley for the chance to listen to this Audiobook in Advance.

This book was everything I could have wanted for a third book in this series I was I think under the same impression most of us were that this was going to be a trilogy but I am not upset to know that we get more time in this world and with these characters! I feel like the Narrator of this book did a wonderful job at portraying the emotions and scenes throughout the story so that we as the listeners could be entranced in the story rather than easily distracted. Now about this book, since it is the 3rd in a series I will just say that I feel Alex Aster did a great job of giving us a great balance between the growth of the Relationships growing as well as making sure the plot was moving forward everything had a purpose nothing felt over-explained or drawn out or tossed in just to make the story drag on and I love that in her writing. After so long of waiting, I am happy to have read this book but am now anxiously waiting for the next!!!!

“Skyshade” is the third book in the “Lightlark” series

I started this series thinking it is a trilogy and happy that I get to read all the books. Well it is not. There will be at least another book and this means that the story feels a bit dragged on.

The book picks up after the events at the end of Nightbane and Isla needs to find a solution to the prophecy. After recovering her memories, it is hard for her to decide between Grimm and Oro as she loves them both and also wants to save as many people as possible. But she should just decide once and for all.

The plot is full of quests, twists, betrayal and secrets. And there is a dragon ❤️. The story keeps you hooked and the fact that I listened to the story was a plus. The ending got me curious about what will happen next.

Thank you Netgalley and RBmedia for an advanced copy of the audiobook. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Romantasy Reader/Audiobook
I usually don't read YA but every once and a while I enjoy jumping into a Romantasy series. light lark was the one that pulled me in.

While I devoured the first two, Skyshade was a bit slower and took longer to get into. It felt like there was too many stories going on.
It was a bit confusing and hard to follow at times with bouncing back and forth between flashbacks and current without being very clear or in a good setting to do it in.

However, I still enjoyed the overall story. I love these characters. I wasn't ready for the story to end because I didn't want Isla to have to chose between her two men. I absolutely loved getting more FMC in this and Isla really came into herself this book.

Listening to the audiobook, Suzy Johnson did a great job transitioning between characters and keeping the listener engaged.

Highly recommend for YA or Romantasy readers.

I was so excited to listen to this audiobook. This book was very entertaining and the narrator, Suzy Jackson, is amazing! However, I thought this was the final book in a trilogy but it did not really have an ending- it was clearly meant for another book, or 3. If you love the characters and don't want this series to end then you might love this! I prefer books to have an expecting ending so I probably won't read on until I know how many books there will be, since this series started out as a duology, I thought it was a trilogy, now there's no telling when it is going to end. Thank you to NetGalley and RBmedia for the ARC!

Skyshade is the third installment in the Lightlark series. If you’re like me and thought this was a trilogy, you’re in for quite the surprise. While I enjoyed this one, it felt like something was lacking. Up until the end, I didn’t find myself to be all that invested but the ending definitely reeled me back in. I did enjoy getting to experience more of the lore that Aster has created and that was probably one of my favorite aspects of this book. It was refreshing to see that this book was more about Isla figuring out who she is and less about the romance. I am starting to be over the love triangle. It’s getting too drawn out at this point where Isla either needs to make a choice or turn this into a why choose. There are plenty of revelations and plot twists to make up for that, though. I read this via audiobook and really enjoyed Suzy Jackson’s narration. I thought she did well with the role and bringing Isla to life. Jackson added plenty of emotion to the role making it a great listen. Be warned, this ends on a cliffhanger.

I was so excited to listen to this book before it came out because Lightlark became one of my favorite series since the first book and Nightbane only cimented more that opinion. But I thought this was the final book. So while I was listening to it towards the end, I knew I was near the end but I thought everything would be resolved quickly in those last 2 chapters. I kept listening and suddenly I hear the last sentences of the book (which I didn't know were the last sentences at the moment) and then hear The End. I was like WHAT???? Like what do you mean The End??? There's another book? So now I have to wait to know what happens to Isla!? I was jaw dropped😂
Well apart from that, I love Isla from the start and really love her character development. In this book, Alex Aster explored more Isla's "bad" side and I think it was really interesting, specially a certain part with snakes.
Another thing that Alex does great in my opinion is the love triangle trope because, maaan, Oro and Grim are so different but I love them both so much. Each of them are unique in their own way even in their relationship with Isla and, even tho I have my preference, I also feel for the other part.
As for the plot, I really enjoyed the development the story had both for Isla in Nightshade and then the war.
And omg I can't believe now I have to wait a long time for the next one 😩

This series has me always wanting more. It’s addictive! One of my favorite love triangles because it really breaks your heart both ways. I thought this was going to be a trilogy but with the ending there has to be another book which I’m not mad about! Only random thing for me is I read the first two books so this was my first time listening to the audiobook for this series and it took me a while to get used to Grimm’s voice the narrator does for him. It’s not bad, I just didn’t feel like it captured him the way I pictured in my head! Love this series and excited to continue!!

Rating: 3.5
I have to start off by giving some well deserved credit to Alex Aster. Not only is she able to write a frustratingly well done love triangle but there never seems to be a time jump between each of her novels. I love that it always picks up right where it left off and continues the story cohesively.

I will admit that I struggled with the love triangle especially after the bombshell that was dropped at the very end of Nightbane. I felt like at that point the choice should have been clear for her and there should have been an understanding of that commitment, or it should have ended right there and she made her life with the other. Towards the end of Skyshade I found myself questioning if we will ever find out if she will make the choice, or will this series morph into a ‘why choose’ trope. This could have been my struggle just because of my personal views and expectations of the bond made.

Skyshade brings forward many different prophecies for Isla, and really drives home how her choices could very well make or break the world. We also learn the extent of her power and the truth behind how she can wield it. At the end of Skyshade I felt that I had an understanding of how powerful and important she is to Lightlark, but who knows if she will save it all or doom it. This series has you thinking it could truly be split in either direction, and I still have NO idea who I would rather her with; I just think at this point she should choose already!