Red Skies Falling (Skybound #2)
Author: Alex London
Publisher: FSG Books
Pages: 432
Publication: September 3, 2019
Age Group: 13+
Purchase: Amazon FSG Books Barnes & Noble Book Depository
Goodreads Synopsis:
In this thrilling sequel to Black Wings Beating, twins Kylee and Brysen are separated by the expanse of Uztar, but are preparing for the same war – or so they think.
Kylee is ensconsed in the Sky Castle, training with Mem Uku to master the Hollow Tongue and the Ghost Eagle. But political intrigue abounds and court drama seems to seep through the castle’s stones like blood from a broken feather. Meanwhile, Brysen is still in the Six Villages, preparing for an attack by the Kartami. The Villages have become Uztar’s first line of defense, and refugees are flooding in from the plains. But their arrival lays bare the villagers darkest instincts. As Brysen navigates the growing turmoil, he must also grapple with a newfound gift, a burgeoning crush on a mysterious boy, and a shocking betrayal.
The two will meet again on the battlefield, fighting the same war from different sides―or so they think. The Ghost Eagle has its own plans.
Thoughts
I’d like to thank Macmillan for providing me with an advance copy and a spot on the blog tour!
Well, damn. I knew I would like this next installment, but I had no idea I would feel so much frustration at the events that occurred. Alex sure knows how to spin a sequel together and make the reader suffer.
We continue from the first book, Black Wings Beating. Kylee and Brysen are separated. Kylee is learning the Hollow Tongue in the Sky Castle with a not-so-willing partner that has a sharper tongue for Kylee alone. Brysen is still in the Six Villages, preparing for the Kartami. Both are preparing for the same war, but are battling their own internal wars. Neither of them are aware of the revenge and betrayal set to come into their lives in such a short amount of time.
If you remember my review for the first book, then you’ll remember how I described this book as an easy read, but only because I flew through it. The storyline and information is incredibly enticing and I was sucked in so badly that I read while I was working. Like, I had my physical book with me but I also had the e-copy from NetGalley on my phone. That’s what I love about e-copies. Most of the time, I get approved so it works in my favor to finish a book faster if I can read the physical copy, too.
Anyway, this sequel is filled with a war zone. Of course, we are heading towards a deadly war. Alex doesn’t tread lightly with death and, without giving spoilers, he writes one death multiple times that I just wanted to keep screaming at because it’s just incredibly frustrating. I won’t try to understand Alex’s reasoning for playing with my heart like that, but he did. Which, I guess is an author’s goal. If they do that, then they are pretty successful as a writer. At least in my book.
So, Brysen is a much better character in this sequel. To me, he is a lot stronger and has more will power, though that fear is still there but it makes him an honest character. He wants to defend what he stands for; family, Shara, Jowyn, himself. His character development takes a whole new spin, though. I won’t spoil, obviously, but it changes things a lot. It’ll definitely change things between him and Kylee, but hopefully as a bonding mechanism. Also, let me gush about Brysen and Jowyn because I am all for their growing relationship. One scene had me all aflutter because it’s like a “finally!” moment and I’m thankful to Alex for not squashing my heart with this one.
Kylee’s character is stronger, too. I’m not sure how to think of her, though. I don’t mean to portray that in a negative light. I feel like, after what happened to her in this book, her mentality is going to be rocked hard. For one thing, she and Nyall are separated so obviously that is worrying her. She was away from Brysen the majority of the book and, when they meet up again, it’s headed toward war. Kylee may have seen things when she was younger and in the first installment, but I feel like the events of Red Skies Falling, including her character development, are going to rock her to the core in the third installment. I’m curious to see how Alex plays this out.
This was the perfect sequel. It had the angst, horror, bloodshed, friendship and romance that I think all readers were hoping for or expecting, at the least. If you loved Black Wings Beating, faithful readers won’t be disappointed with Red Skies Falling. You’ll be left begging for book three.
Bonus for the aro/ace and gay rep.
