Dark Skies is the second book in the Dark Shores series. It actually runs parallel to the first book but with different perspectives. We have Lydia and Killian as our main leads but I loved how it weaves in out of the first book.Dark Skies (Dark Shores #2)
by Danielle L. Jensen
Publisher: Tor Teen
Release Date: May 5th 2020
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
A RUNAWAY WITH A HIDDEN PAST
Lydia is a scholar, but books are her downfall when she meddles in the plots of the most powerful man in the Celendor Empire. Her life in danger, she flees west to the far side of the Endless Seas and finds herself entangled in a foreign war where her burgeoning powers are sought by both sides.
A COMMANDER IN DISGRACE
Killian is Marked by the God of War, but his gifts fail him when the realm under the dominion of the Corrupter invades Mudamora. Disgraced, he swears his sword to the kingdom’s only hope: the crown princess. But the choice sees him caught up in a web of political intrigue that will put his oath – and his heart – to the test.
A KINGDOM UNDER SIEGE
With Mudamora falling beneath the armies of the Corrupter, Lydia and Killian strike a bargain to save those they love most—but it is a bargain with unintended and disastrous consequences. Truths are revealed, birthrights claimed, and loyalties questioned—all while a menace deadlier and more far-reaching than they realize sweeps across the world.
I read the two books back to back and so the string of the plot just kept going for me. I loved it. I loved how well the two tie together. I don’t always like books that happen in the same world. Usually because I’m loyal to whatever characters I read first but Dark Skies complements Dark Shores perfectly. We spent a lot of time in Dark Shores in Cel, it’s legions and the clans of the West. Where in Dark Skies we spend most of our time in the West and in Mudamora.
There is a lot of politics and war but it’s not over done. It’s all interesting and I love how the tie in to the first book makes you want to know more. You had glimpses of things and now you are fleshing out the story you already know. It’s very well executed and keeps you reading. This doesn’t feel like a second book at all. In a way it’s a first book all over again.
Killian is by far my favorite character in this installment. I think he is such an easy character to feel camaraderie with. He’s got a lot on his plate but he is kind and thoughtful. Also he is god marked for war so he is a strategist and the wheels are always turning in his head.
Lydia is a spoiler in herself so if you haven’t read the first book….although I know if you read the first book you already suspected. Instead of starting with Teriana we start with Lydia at the same place we started the last book. It was interesting to see her perspective on things that we’ve already read. I do like Lydia. She has this different kind of fierceness from Teriana. I think it’s why they compliment each other as friends. I don’t think her basic character really changes from beginning to the end of the book but I do think she finds her place in the world. Feeling like an outcast her whole life.
Even though Malahi is not a perspective in this story. I really enjoyed her character, even the ups and downs with it.
I loved the Dark Skies and I love the Dark Shores series so far. I’m excited for the next book to see what the perspectives will be and how things will start flowing in the same vein.
Danielle L. Jensen is the USA Today bestselling author of The Malediction Trilogy (Angry Robot), the Dark Shores series (Tor Teen), and The Bridge Kingdom series (Audible Originals). She lives in Calgary, Alberta with her family.
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