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Sparks Trilogy #1

The Sky Riders

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What would you risk for a new life?

This is the unforgettable story of a misfit and her dragon.

It's not easy being different, and no one knows that better than Aimee Wood. Born half-albino she’s been an outcast all her life. Now with her only refuge stripped away she’s desperate. Maybe even desperate enough to risk the little she has left.

The mountains surrounding the city of Kierell are home to the Sky Riders—a select cadre of female warriors who, with their bonded dragons, protect the city. The price of admission is to survive the deadly climb from Kierell. But that’s only the beginning.

Aimee could forge a new life with the Sky Riders, but even fabled warriors have prejudices, and starting over isn’t easy.

If Aimee can become a Sky Rider she might just be able to find a place to belong, even if that place is on the front line. With Kierell facing increasing peril, and Aimee’s future in the balance, she’ll need to rise above a lifetime of abuse and accept herself, or it could all be for nothing.

Kindle Edition

First published September 14, 2020

1525 people are currently reading
2439 people want to read

About the author

Kerry Law

7 books35 followers
Kerry Law is an international Amazon #1 bestselling author of epic YA fantasy books.

Kerry grew up reading fantasy in the 90s and found that there weren’t many inspiring female characters, or in some cases any female characters! Thankfully a lot has changed since then but she still enjoys redressing that imbalance by writing fantasy books full of awesome female characters.

She also has vitiligo – a skin condition which gives her patches of colourless, pigment-free skin – and this has been a big source of inspiration for Kerry. It’s what she gave Aimee, her protagonist in the Sparks series. It’s harder for Aimee, because in her world, patchy skin makes her a freak, but we know better, we know that really it makes her special.

Kerry also finds inspiration for her fantasy worlds in the magical landscapes of Scotland, where she lives. She’s convinced there are dragons living among the mountains and lochs. And she especially thinks Edinburgh is the most magical of cities and it’s the inspiration behind her Old Town Trilogy.

The Sparks series is an emotional dragon rider fantasy adventure where an outcast must rise above prejudice, bond with a dragon and claim her place among warriors. All 4 books in the series are available now.

The Old Town Trilogy is a dark urban fantasy set in an alternate 18th century Edinburgh full of magic and monsters. Books 1 and 2 are available now with book 3 due for publication in early 2026.

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5 stars
308 (39%)
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229 (29%)
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162 (20%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
Profile Image for Natalie  all_books_great_and_small .
3,117 reviews166 followers
September 8, 2022
I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review as part of the book tour hosted by Lovebookstours.

The Sky Riders is an exciting series starter to a series I anticipate to become big! In this book we follow Aimee who was born part albino and loses her family to death leaving her completely alone in a world where its hard to survive. Hostility is all around her and Aimee decides on the path she needs to take to survive. She decides to make the dangerous climb up the mountain as her destiny and attempt to prove herself worthy of owning her very own dragon (not a decision for the weak) and in doing so, become a Sky Rider. But is she strong enough to see it through and what challenges will she face?
I adored Aimees cuaracter. She's vulnerable but radiates strength and ability and a fierce determination. I enjoyed watching her grow throughout this book and can't wait to see her grow even more in the next installment. And of course there are dragons in this story too! And I love a book with dragons!
If you're looking for a book filled with adventure, warriors, strong female characters and fantasy, you need to start this series today!
Profile Image for Gergana Arshinkova.
98 reviews
March 3, 2024
I feel like even two starts are a lot, but anyhow. The idea of the book was good. Trying to make us see that a skin condition does not make someone a freak is a great message. The execution of this message, however was poor.
The writing was, I don’t want to bash the author, but it was really bad. It needed at least three more rounds of edits. The dialogue was unrealistic and just sounded awkward. The characters just said and did convenient things just to move the plot.
Don’t let me started on the info dump. There was so much of it, and yet, we didn’t get enough information of the world in the book. Or if we did, we got it halfway through the book. A bit late in my opinion.
I really wanted to like this book, because of the dragons and the promise of a bad ass female protagonist, but Aimee was just a whiny child most of the time and her revelations that she deserves better came at a really weird times. And let’s not mention the fact that she was so desperate for friends that she befriended her bully, despite everything she did to her.
Just, overall this book is a mess. It has potential, but this feels like an unedited first draft.
Profile Image for kirsty.
1,286 reviews86 followers
August 24, 2022
This was a fantastic read that I finished within a few sittings. It was well written with a compelling storyline and well developed characters. I was gripped with this book right from the start and I thought the pacing was perfect, I can't wait to see what comes next
Profile Image for Lindsay.
1,405 reviews265 followers
August 17, 2025
Aimee is a young girl suffering from piebaldism who lives in the mountain city of Kierell. Kierell was founded as a refuge from mysterious foes called Empty Warriors and protected by the all-female dragon-riding Sky Riders. After a lifetime of abuse because of her condition, Aimee is left with no choice but to risk the perilous climb that would let her become a Sky Rider. But once she becomes one, does she actually have a place to belong? And can Kierell stand when the Empty Warriors reappear?

This isn't a romantasy book, which is something I feel I should have to say in a book about dragon riders post-Fourth Wing. Aimee does have a relationship in this, but it's not romantic and borders on abusive. It's also sapphic in a queer-normative world. The main focus of the story is Aimee growing into her own in the face of excessive abuse because of her looks. I say excessive, because the revulsion towards her because of a perceived disease either speaks to over-the-top writing, or a deep cultural memory of plague. (At this point I'm hoping it's the latter, but fearing it's just the former). Aimee also has a weird dissonance going on between a reverence for authority figures and a deep distrust of the actions of the people in authority, that again could be clever or just bad writing. I guess we'll see.

The plot with the reappearing Empty Warriors and the discovery of their nature and purpose barely starts here and should make more progress in the next book. (And if Aimee does get a new relationship, I hope it's with someone less terrible).

Profile Image for Terri.
2,860 reviews59 followers
Read
May 1, 2023
What a stupid character "trait." I'm reviewing the blurb, as a person with albinism.

Albinism is a rare recessive genetic disorder, so I'm forced to conclude that this writer did zero research. Calling someone 'half albino' is like calling someone 'half blonde' or 'half brown eyed.' It means absolutely nothing. Additionally, did the character have poor eyesight? Because no albino has good eyesight.
Profile Image for Rochelle.
103 reviews7 followers
September 2, 2022
Born part Albino, Aimee has been bullied her whole life for looking different. When her family die she’s left completely alone in a world of hostility and she can think of only one way out. With nowhere else to turn she decides to make a perilous mountain climb to prove that she’s worthy of owning her own dragon and becoming a Sky Rider, but does Aimee have what it takes and will she finally find somewhere she feels she belongs?

I knew from the first few chapters I was going to love this book; when I wasn’t reading it I was thinking about it and couldn’t wait to pick it up again. I loved the MC Aimee and was rooting for her from the very first page; she goes through so much in this first book and I just wanted someone to protect her and stand up for her. As the story progressed I loved watching her grow in confidence and learn how to defend herself.

Towards the end of the book I was getting Game of Thrones vibes and the feeling that a huge war may break out in the sequel between the Sky Riders and the Empty Warriors. I’m so excited to read more! This book will take you on a magical ride full of adventure and it’s an absolute must read if you love dragons and strong female characters!

Thanks to Lovebookstours and Kerry Law for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
Profile Image for Wendy(Wendyreadsbooks) Robey.
1,480 reviews71 followers
September 5, 2022
I loved this story. Aimee is such a fighter - the amount of times she gets knocked back but still gets up and fights again is inspiring. She is fearless and brave but also kind and thoughtful. The story of the Sky Riders is a fascinating one and I loved the mythology behind it.
The dragons were so vividly described- their colours, their strength and their ferociousness was amazing but also their loyalty.
I was gripped from the very beginning of Aimee’s story and loved how we saw her grow. A beautiful read.
Profile Image for Raye.
518 reviews17 followers
September 8, 2022
The first few chapters of the book give us an incredible insight into what makes Aimee tick. We know that she’s attracted to girls, but her crush on the heartless Nyanna is without hope. Nyanna, like other people in Kierell, avoids Aimee as though the markings on her skin are contagious. We also know that she absorbs information and that she talks a lot with the people who spend time with her. We also know that despite what is thrown at her, in some cases literally, she doesn’t give up easily and that she values loyalty and friendship because they aren’t something she has much experience of.

In this, the first novel of the series we witness Aimee conquer unimaginable difficulties, we see her heart get broken, and watch as she pushes through the pain and hurt to get close to people who constantly push her away.

Nothing is ever easy, and despite the fact that Aimee has managed to pass every test that has been thrown at her, she is still made to feel like an outcast. The other girls in training, Nathine and Hayetta have an understanding of the Sky Rider history that she has never been given and because no one allows her to get close enough, it’s as though even here she is never going to fit in.

This has a strong mythological theme, and due to the fact that the Sky Riders are a female-led and populated warrior group, it has a very Amazonian feel to it.

The world that Law has created with its deep and balanced history, including the empty warriors, the creation of the nation in which they live and the rules they all follow, as well as the traditions that they all enjoy is very different to the one that we live in.

Having searched on Law’s socials, I have discovered that there are two prologues, one of which has already been published and another due to be released with the second book in the series. I think that these books are worth investing time in. Well-written, strong and well-developed characters and a plot that really pulls you in.

For a full and detailed review check out my blog
Profile Image for TheBookOfHan.
21 reviews8 followers
August 24, 2022
Absolutely amazing!

This book is just a pleasure from start to finish - it has the perfect balance of adventure, love and pain that make you want to keep on reading.

The pace of the novel makes the whole thing addictive. Every chapter ends in such a way that you have to keep reading the next pages.

For anyone look for a novel about inspirational women this one should be a top choice. All the characters are exciting and the protagonist, Aimee, is a great YA fantasy role model to follow.

The elements of fantasy within the novel are handled so naturally and the world feels so relatable to our own, yet equally original like nothing I have read before.

Definitely one for fans of female warriors and mythical creatures - I look forward to continuing the trilogy
Profile Image for sazzie .
20 reviews
February 17, 2024
Well...

I have to admit it took me awhile to read this book, a little due to life and a little due to not being able to get 'into' the book, but wow...once I sat my butt down a focused on reading... I read late into the night.. this book is absolutely amazing, you see a young girl who is seen as an outcast and also sees herself as one grow and it is a memorable experience. I would highly recommend this book. I am looking forward to starting the second book.
Profile Image for Kate Blythe.
85 reviews10 followers
September 3, 2022
This is the first book in the Sparks Trilogy. I loved everything about this book!

Law has a gift of making you feel every emotion that the protagonist feels. I felt her pain, her despair, her happiness and I loved following her on her journey. Aimee’s character is so well written and I loved seeing the person she transforms into by the end of the book.

The scenes between Aimee and Jess were my favourite. They develop such a powerful bond and I can’t wait to see where this leads them in the next book.

The plot was gripping throughout. I think the story sets up the next book perfectly and I cannot wait for book two (seriously I need to read it like now)!
Profile Image for Emily Chambers .
86 reviews16 followers
September 1, 2022
Absolutely brilliant!!! Loved this book from start to finish and raced through it!

The pace was great constantly making me want to read the next page.

It's a great testimony to how powerful women can be together. But also shows the inside dynamics making you realise things aren't always how they seem on the outside.

I really hope there is a series because I'm definitely not ready to say goodbye to Aimee or the sky riders just yet!

Thanks so much to Love book tours and Kerry for my free arc of this.
Profile Image for Karli R.
574 reviews3 followers
January 31, 2024
The Sky Riders

What a fun fast read. Aimee is different. And is an outcast. She looses everyone that she loves. Branded a freak she is kicked out of her house. Her only hope is to climb the cliff and change her destiny. Will she learn to live herself, or will she stay in the shadows forever?
Profile Image for Kerry.
820 reviews
February 4, 2024
The Sky Riders, the first in a trilogy, is well written, emotionally charged, and thought-provoking. Aimee's "spark" hooks us and keeps you wanting to find out more. It is a great first book from Kerry Law and has me eager for more.
Profile Image for Sinping Ku.
16 reviews
August 6, 2024
The premise and storyline was interesting. But was very annoyed by the characters most of the time. I do like where the storyline ended up being and the unlikely development of friendship.
Profile Image for Georgina Power.
517 reviews5 followers
September 10, 2022
Thank you to the author for a gifted book in exchange for an honest review, all thoughts and opinions are my own

The Sky Riders follows main character Aimee, a half albino who is shunned from the community for being “disfigured” and “carrying a disease” that others a scared to catch, as she is trying to find a way to live a life free of abuse and pain.

“She did what she’d always done best – she ran”

Until she found somewhere worthy of her! This was such an emotional read and I really felt sorry for Aimee throughout some of the novel, and I just found myself wishing for her to find people that will treat her right, I will say that I felt there were so many places that the discrimination she experienced happens in real life scenarios so I felt that those comparisons were handled well. It was completely joyous to see her become one of the Sky Riders and watching her interactions with them, and watching her friendship develop with Jess was absolutely adorable too!

I love the fact that this book really goes to prove that you cannot judge a book or person on the cover, especially in terms of Aimee and her determination and sheer will power, and on the Sky Riders themselves, they may come across as fearful and domineering, but you will see, this book has really helped highlight just how empowering women can be, and just how lovely is it to have another fierce independent female main character!

This is a book that can be quite difficult to put down as the pace is great, and there is action on every page, even jumping into losing characters at the beginning quite unexpectedly, there are a number of shock moments throughout the book. This is definitely a YA fantasy that I would recommend to all fans of that genre, and honestly I cannot wait for the next book in this planned Sparks trilogy
Profile Image for Tara  S.
25 reviews
March 10, 2024
DNF*
I tried to like this book. I love the premise and wanted to love the characters, but I can’t bring myself to get past chapter 3. I will try to come back to it another time, but for now, this is as far as I can go…

The writing is just not my style. The setting is drawn out in a way that makes it hard to picture in your imagination. The character names are so unique that they are a stumbling block, causing me to hesitate on nearly each one, as they come up, in a failed effort to nail the pronunciation enough to satisfy my mind and move on. It just doesn’t flow easily in any aspect, which keeps me from being drawn in, with a desire to delve further into the story, let alone the series. My apologies, but this just isn’t for me.
Profile Image for Maureen.
471 reviews6 followers
July 21, 2024
Lots of unwarranted hate too far into the book

I suppose that I can put up with unwarranted verbal and physical attacks from adolescents - for a bit. I do, however, expect adult behaviour out of adults. This book gives a whole new arena for adults (and teens) to spew hateful remarks at a teen because of the vitalago that affects her face and hair.

As a matter of fact, our MC spends most of the book dealing with the soul- crushing effects of the garbage said to her face .. by adults … by community leaders … by her own trainers and leaders. It’s too much - way overdone.

By the end of the book, she’s come to accept herself, but I’m pretty sure she’ll still be declaiming how unfair it is into subsequent books.

Outside of the vitalago, she’s pretty average, no excelling at anything in particular; stumbling through her life from one event to the next.

There is some mild sexual content in the book that doesn’t disturb me except for the fact that our MC is just 17 and her partner is her Sky Rider instructor - whom is not willing to let anyone else know that she is entangled with the girl with the ‘freak’ face.

Nowhere is this behaviour condemned in the story, and that’s also bothers me.

It’s a no for continuing the series for me.
Profile Image for Jenn.
393 reviews
July 31, 2024
Not sure what all the glowing reviews are about. I really struggled with the MC. Aimee- she has albino features splotchy skin and her face is half white. People think she’s a freak and bully her relentlessly. Reviews talk about her being this strong female MC. She not. Her inner monologue is anything but strong- even when she’s trying to psych herself up she whispers to herself “I will make a friend”. “I will fit in” she does climb a mountain. She does wrangle a dragon. She does control the dragon and fly and fight. But also always on the brink of a teary panic attack. And she falls in love with every woman who smiles at her. It’s over the top. Also the names of the other characters were distracting. I would pause every time trying to say the name right in my head and got pulled out of the story quite often. Lyrria, nathine, malgerus,aranati, dyrenna I could go on.
Profile Image for Lauren coffeebooksandescape.
251 reviews36 followers
September 4, 2022
𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁: Dragon riders, Cliffhanger, Outsider, LGBTQ
𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀: Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse

“𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘔𝘢𝘭𝘨𝘦𝘳𝘶𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘰𝘳 𝘔𝘪𝘥𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘶𝘳𝘱𝘭𝘦. 𝘉𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘥𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘣𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘠𝘰𝘶’𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘴 𝘐 𝘢𝘮, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘢 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐’𝘮 𝘢 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰𝘰. 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘴 𝘐 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘱𝘵 𝘮𝘦.”

✮ ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮

Absolutely incredible! This book swallowed me whole and took me on this incredible rollercoaster, and then it spat me out and left me on a cliff(hanger). I need book two LIKE NOW. From the very first page I was made a blubbering mess while I tried to come to terms with the abuse and bullying Aimee (the protagonist) was going through on a daily basis, but Kerry Law takes her on a journey to find where she truly belongs. Only, it’s never that easy. You’ve got this amazing journey happening throughout the book, doing things most girls could only dream of, but Aimee still not being accepted.

You’ve got a whole range of characters in the Sky Riders and they are all completely different, my particular favourite is Dyrenna because she is the only person who accepted Aimee completely with no hesitation, and I need lots more of her in the second book (please Kerry). The characters are all well-built and so is the world of Kierell.

How have I never read a book about dragons before? I am so in love with this book!

Kerry Law has also worked really hard here to work on a piece of literature that reminds everyone to be inclusive. That no matter our sexuality, gender, skin colour (or potential vitiligo), that we belong, and that none of us should have to fight for that. I would love to hear an own voices review from someone who lives with Vitiligo daily and how they relate!

Thank you to Kerry Law and Love Books Tours for the gifted copy.

𝐈 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈 𝐚𝐦 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐥𝐲.
Profile Image for Lynsey.
749 reviews34 followers
September 9, 2022
What is there not to love about this book - dragons, a feisty protagonist, a group of warrior women, dragons, lore of supernatural beings, hints of east Asia! Basically, I loved this book. ‘The Sky Riders’ is a wonderful book which captured my heart. Aimee is just a hero that you want to root for and her story tugs at the heartstrings. The author has also managed to create a rich and diverse world through her writing and I can't wait to experience more of it in the next two books of the trilogy. Fingers crossed it won't be long until the next book is released.

Aimee is a freak and shunned by most of the people in her city, Kierell, as her face is white on one side and dark on the other. People assume she is sick, infectious even, so she has suffered all through her young life from bullying and physical violence. When her aunt and uncle die she is left with no one on her side. She only has one alternative to make the nearly impossible climb up the sheer mountains to become a Sky Rider. The Sky Riders are a group of female warriors who protect the trade routes and the city after bonding with a dragon. Yes, a dragon. But will the Sky Riders accept her and her freak face?

I devoured this book in one day as I was completely engrossed in the story from the first chapter! I related to Aimee straight away, the outcast girl who has something wrong with her but is determined to try and make friends along the way. Plus I loved the fact she was into girls! The pacing of the book was fantastic as there was always something you wanted to find out or be resolved at the end of each chapter. I would say that this book falls into the more YA side of fantasy - there is no smut here but I prefer that so ‘The Sky Riders’ was the perfect book for me to read!

Roll on the next book!
1 review
August 20, 2025
I decided to dnf at the 45% mark. It started off okay and I found it to be a very easy read, however, there were a few things that started to bother me the more I read.

Firstly, the writing felt very juvenile, I know this is a YA book but there were times where I felt like I was reading a fanfiction and it made me cringe. I also found the writing to be quite repetitive at times.

Secondly, I'm not sure if this is just on the kindle version but I noticed a lot of grammatical errors which made it feel like I was just reading the first draft of something that hadn't been checked and edited.

And finally, the thing that bothered me the most was the sexual relationship between the main character Aimee and her instructor Lyrria. If I remember correctly, Aimee is just 17 years old, whilst Lyrria is 25 years old. Ordinarily, I don't consider an 8 year difference to be a big deal (if for example it was a 37 year old with a 45 year old) but when the younger character is a minor and not an adult, I find it very gross and it made me feel really uncomfortable reading those scenes, especially because Aimee acts very childish and immature. For me, that was the last straw and what ultimately made me not finish the book. I'm really surprised that more people who have read this book haven't mentioned anything about the age gap between those characters.

Overall, I was quite disappointed with this book and won't be continuing with the rest of the series. I think it would've been much better without the romantic/sexual relationship between Aimee and Lyrria. The story had a lot of potential but unfortunately it was not my cup of tea.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Cathryn Melani (cat.inspired).
496 reviews23 followers
September 9, 2022
BLURB
Born a half-albino, Aimee has been an outcast her whole life. When her family die she’s left alone in a city of people who hate and fear her.

Desperate for somewhere to belong, she decides to risk the climb out of Kierell, and into the jagged mountains encircling the city.

Any girl who survives the climb can train to become a Sky Rider. Elite warriors, protectors of the city and each bonded for life to their own dragon.

If Aimee can complete the arduous training, and steal a dragon hatchling, she can become one of them.

As Aimee learns the skills of a dragon rider, she becomes more determined to belong. But dark rumours are spreading among the Sky Riders–tales of half-forgotten creatures with eyes of fire.

If Aimee wants to become a Sky Rider and protect her city, she must learn to accept herself or risk losing everything she’s fought for.

🐉I jumped at the chance to be part of this book tour. The blurb of this book just sounded so interesting. I loved the idea of the MC escaping her life and having a dragon. I mean who wouldnt right!!

This book is so beautifully written and I loved Aimee. You just want to rush into the story and hug Aimee for the life she suffers growing up, just because she's different.

I loved her strength, kindness, determination and courage. The way she never gave up. How all she wanted was to belong 😭

This book is a brilliant fantasy read. A mix of adventure, danger, romance and fantasy. Totally loved dragon aspect of the story, the deep connection between rider and dragon.

Makes me want a dragon now 🤷‍♀️🙈😂

The struggles Aimee faces adds a little something different. This definitely isnt your typical hero MC read and I loved that.

The author builds aspects that you can really see developing in book two of this fantasy saga. With the danger, Empty Warriors and possibility of war, I'm keen to see where this story goes next.

High praise to the author for creating something differently brilliant.
Profile Image for Clare.
55 reviews2 followers
September 12, 2022
The Sky Riders is a YA fantasy complete with dragons and a feisty, determined female protagonist. I was sent a copy of this book as part of book tour.

Aimee has been shunned as an outcast all her life because her unusual skin pigmentation causes the people of Kierell to fear she carries infection and disease. When her aunt and uncle die, Aimee is left without a home or friends, so she decides to risk the treacherous climb up the mountains encircling her city. Any girl who survives the climb can train to become one of the Sky Riders, an elite group of warriors who protect the city on the backs of their dragons. However, Aimee is not free from prejudice when she reaches the summit; she must continue to prove her worth and fight for acceptance.

Aimee is a strong-willed character who shows an incredible resilience despite the taunts, bullying and rejection that she is subjected to. She soon discovers that amid this group of brave warrior women, everyone is escaping their past and harbouring secrets. Aimee’s Sky Rider training is curtailed early and she must take to the skies sooner than anticipated as long-forgotten creatures with eyes of fire have returned and are threatening the land and its people.

The fantasy world building in this book is superb and I enjoyed witnessing Aimee’s character development as the story progresses. The plot builds to a dramatic conclusion with much potential for the next instalments of the trilogy. I’m really curious to find out what happens next.
Profile Image for Laura.
748 reviews45 followers
September 7, 2022
This is an outstanding new epic fantasy by Kerry Law, the first book in any series is always a tough one because it sets the stage and determines whether the reader wishes to continue, the author has to keep you hooked, addicted and wanting more. Kerry has passed this test with flying colours in THE SKY RIDERS!

We are plunged into the world of our strong female lead, seventeen year old Aimee. The world she lives in is full of people wanting to hurt and/or insult her. The pain she is feeling bleeds from the pages and I wanted to give her a big cuddle!

Tragedy strikes Aimee and the remaining family she has, which actually gives her a bit of a kick up the backside. She is now truly and utterly alone in a mean, nasty, cruel world.

The ring mountains is where Aimee’s fate lies; she must make the journey to the top, tackling the dangerous route via the cliffs. If she succeeds, she will be bonded with a dragon and shall become a sky rider.

I found the story flowed along easily and I liked how the author was able to paint a clear picture in my mind of what was happening. I could feel the fear and anticipation that Aimee was feeling, her strong will to succeed and achieve what many others had failed at was a driving force in the story and I loved every minute of it!

I just have one question…. When’s the next book going to be gracing us with its presence????

Highly recommended! Five stars!
53 reviews1 follower
September 16, 2022
The Sky Riders by Kerry Law
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Fantasy is not usually a genre I lean towards BUT this book had dragons and lesbians and I really, really enjoyed this! I can not wait for book two because I really need to see how how Aimee and Nathine’s friendship develops, I want to know more of Dyrenna’s back story and I’m hoping for a new romance between Aimee and Pelathina.
Aimee is different and everyone thinks she’s a freak but after some tragic events, she decides to make the climb up the jagged mountains and join the elite warrior Sky Riders thinking everyone will accept her up there. That’s not exactly the case and Aimee needs to learn to be confident in herself and not shy away from anything, especially when she discovers everyone is in danger! With the help of her dragon Jess 🐉 can Aimee show everyone that she has just as much right to be a Rider as them and finally find where she belongs?
I read this book in literally two sittings and am really looking forward to reading the rest of the trilogy.

*This book was #ad #gifted as part of @lovebookstour in exchange for an honest review - thank you for letting me be part of the tour*
24 reviews1 follower
December 3, 2024
It's been a while since I've been so engulfed in an actual physical book (I usually listen to audio books), but this one was hard to put down. I'm looking forward to reading the others in the series. The story is good, the world is intriguing and I was rooting for the protagonist the whole time. I also loved reading a fantasy action story revolving almost entirely about interesting and strong women.

There were a few aspects of the story I did not like though:
-There is some serious and continuous bullying in this book that is not really dealt with. The bullies bully and no one cares or interferes, and while not necessarily unrealistic it felt a bit too much for me.
-There is some romance between the underage protagonist and an older woman. It was uncomfortable, but it was written well so there is a sense of the power-imbalance caused by difference in experience and status.
- The main character is too often attracted to the various women around her and thinking about their bodies. I should add though that I prefer my books without any romance or sexual tension at all so this might not be a flaw for some other readers.

All in all a great book.
Profile Image for Skrymmorie.
10 reviews
November 18, 2025
An amazing coming of age story with dragons

I really enjoyed this book! It was an emotional roller-coaster, and I felt captured the feelings of a young girl trying to grow into herself while facing surmounting adversity and a deluge of new experiences. At 17 years old, it not surprising Aimee feels a tumultuous array of emotions, and having been ostracized her entire life for something she had not control over or any way to change it made it heartbreaking to read. The writing drew me in from the get, and I could understand and empathize with her right away. The characters felt like real people with complex and multi-faceted personalities. Bullying is a big part of the story, and it is absolutely wrenching the way Aimee is treated at times. I cried for her during more than one chapter. I feel like being so emotionally involved with the character's journey makes it that much more clear how excellent the writing is. The dragons are also important, although they are more animal-like in this iteration. I am eager to move on to the next book.
Profile Image for Amy B Garratt.
159 reviews8 followers
September 14, 2022
I was given an ARC of this book from Love Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. I enjoy fantasy books, world building stories and mythical creatures, and this ticks all those boxes. Aimee is an outcast, due to the colour of her skin, which is a relatable topic to our real world and issues of racism. She fights against these prejudices and seeks to become a Sky rider, a female warrior who has command of a dragon, to protect the city that has scorned her all her life. She is fragile in one breath and feisty in another. A coming of age tale crossed with a Lord of the Rings level of myth and legends. I think the foundations laid in this book will lead onto a great series to come, and I’ll be seeking out the second book!
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