Skyshade will bring you into a new needed world

Skyshade, Alex Aster’s sequel to Lightlark and Nightbane did not disappoint. I was desperately waiting for the sequel and just as I bought it, so I finished it (in what? two days?).

THE STORY

We left Nightbane with Isla leaving the battle and joining Grim to his kingdom. A battle that she seemed unable to win, so as she seemed unable to fulfill the prophecy by killing the same man she joined (or Oro).

In Skyshade, the prophecy did not disappear. On the contrary, Isla seemed eager to find a way to dismiss the oracle’s prediction — as well as saving Grim and her lives — while reconnecting with the man she thought she would never trust anymore.
But if the prophecy seemed the worst of your nightmares, just know that something way worse is coming in this book. Isla’s contested romance between Grim and Oro is only a small part of a much bigger picture in the Lightlark’s world. Skyshade will also revolve around Isla’s family, abilities and even a much powerful ancestor claiming their role.

MY OPINION on SKYSHADE

I do admit that like many other, I am slightly disappointed that this is not the ending. I enjoy reading Aster’s works, and I can’t wait for the sequel, but I also really want to know how this story will end and what will happen to our trio and their people. As a remainder, after all, killing one ruler will result in also destroying their people. So something big needs to happen, in order to save everyone. And I do wonder what Aster’s is coming up with next year.

However, even if I thought this was the last book in the series, I understand why this is not the case. Filling everything in three books would be impossible, especially with the new discoveries that came with the story. Putting all together would have crumbled the story so much that the pace would be impossible. As a result, I understand why this book wasn’t the last one and why we need at least another one.

Now the ending — spoiler alert! — can I just laugh?
Oro vs Grim? How to save them? In Skyshade Isla decided it was better to go on an holiday and disappear into another world. I thought they would end up just going all together, something about jumping in the portal at the last minute and then fighting everyone in the other world or something.
Isla instead decided to say goodbye to everyone (with reasons, sure) but I still laughed a lot.

However, I am unsure what could happen now. If they close the portal, how can Isla come back without leaving it open again? This is so going to turn out in another Divergent, mark my words.
I was not expecting Lark’s return or Cronan’s, though just by name. Oro’s ancestor, as our king himself, was just minding his business while the other two caused troubles. It’s so on point.

I do hope, after discovering more about Isla’s parents, that we will be able to see more about them. And considering that one of the upcoming books is a prequel with Oro and Grim, maybe they will be there?

Isla’s dark side will have a major role in this book, something else that I also appreciated. Instead of being perfect, Skyshade allows Isla to discover more about herself. And that’s also another reason why I feel solving the triangle in this book would have been a waste.

In Lightlark, Isla is “powerless” and also lost without her memories.
In Nightbane, while now with powers, Isla needed to discover more about herself (and Grim).
But now, in Skyshade, all Isla knew was Oro. Being with Grim, knowing more about herself and her powers without being just “the good girl” is probably more important than solving a love triangle.
The next one will probably be the last one for this same reason. Isla is now fully herself and while maybe guided by her family’s past, she can focus on their trio.

I can’t wait for the next book and I hope I won’t have to wait until 2026. Please come sooner!
What have you thought of it?