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Lightlark #4
Crowntide
Not yet published
Expected 23 Jun 26The highly anticipated fourth novel in the #1 New York Times bestselling Lightlark Saga, by acclaimed author and #BookTok sensation Alex Aster
Some worlds deserve to be destroyed . . .
Isla Crown has charted a new destiny and leapt into the unknown, determined to defeat her insidious ancestor, Lark, no matter the cost. But Skyshade is nothing like she anticipated, and she’ll have to use all of her skills just to survive, let alone end Lark for good.
Meanwhile, Grim and Oro would sooner set fire to their own kingdoms than leave Isla stranded on a path toward certain death. But getting her back will involve forging an alliance—if they can find a way to forgive their long history of betrayals.
The key to Isla’s return—and the fate of the realms—lies close to her heart. But in the face of her most powerful enemy yet, will Isla be able to reconcile her past in order to carve a future of her own making?
Some worlds deserve to be destroyed . . .
Isla Crown has charted a new destiny and leapt into the unknown, determined to defeat her insidious ancestor, Lark, no matter the cost. But Skyshade is nothing like she anticipated, and she’ll have to use all of her skills just to survive, let alone end Lark for good.
Meanwhile, Grim and Oro would sooner set fire to their own kingdoms than leave Isla stranded on a path toward certain death. But getting her back will involve forging an alliance—if they can find a way to forgive their long history of betrayals.
The key to Isla’s return—and the fate of the realms—lies close to her heart. But in the face of her most powerful enemy yet, will Isla be able to reconcile her past in order to carve a future of her own making?
560 pages, Paperback
First published December 2, 2025
5350 people are currently reading
57733 people want to read
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December 4, 2025
At this point, the real plot twist would be Isla picking one of them.
UPDATE: I once more have finished this book so if you want my brain dump of thoughts, HERE:
Wow, Isla actually made a decision. Good for her. I didn't know she had that in her.
So, Crowntide is a better book than Skyshade, but that's not much of a compliment considering how bland, boring, and uninspired that one was. I mean, we all know this series should not be five books, to the point where even the die-hard fans are saying, "Yeah, five is kinda pushing it."
It's not much of a secret that, as much of a mess the first book was, it at least had structure that we lose more and more of as these books drag on. Nightbane had something interesting going on until the author got bored halfway and decided to write back-to-back fanfiction of her characters, and Skyshade just forgot to have a plot. With the way each new edition gets worse, I was expecting this book to be mostly filler, but honestly... It could have been... worse?
Look, I'm a basic bitch. You give me a headstrong FMC and a man who wants to burn the world for her, I'll eat that shit, and won't get sick. But something about the way Lightlark has done things always pisses me off. Is it the fact that Isla is the dumbest Mary Sue I have ever read? Is it because the Shadow Daddy MMC is more predictable and annoying than my ex? Is it because I don't care about any of these characters that the kingdom could blow up tomorrow, and my afternoon wouldn't change? It might be all three, but I'm too Lightlarked out to figure it out. I'm just a complentionist who is here for the ride, and my sexy golden boy Oro, who has always been the saving grace of this series.
Fair warning, as I ramble, I will be spoiling Crowntide. If you also like Grimshaw, please hear me out before you strike a dagger through my heart as vengeance for your shadow daddy. I promise my love for Oro (the best character) has nothing to do with my meh feelings.
Crowntide takes place after Skyshade like Skyshade takes place after Nightbane like Nightbane takes place after Lightlark. Isla shot herself through a portal with her ancient grandma, Lark, into another world, leaving Walmart Rhsyand and Vanilla Ice Cream behind to go on a wild goose chase to find her. I assumed that would be the large majority of the story. But we actually wrap up the search and rescue very quickly, so Isla can get back to her man meats. Look, man, it was either investing time fleshing out the characters and giving them identities outside their love interests, or smut. And we can't have that. We just can'ttttttttttttt
For reference, you do have to read the Grim and Oro book to understand 90% of what Grim and Oro talk about in their sections. Otherwise, they just drop random lore on you that doesn't make any sense. I was honestly gagged by it. I didn't expect a book that I believed to be entirely useless to get referenced so much. Or this was Aster's plan all along, so she wouldn't have to flesh out Grim and Oro in the actual series.
I actually did like most of the Grim and Oro banter sections for the most part. Sure, 90% of it was just watching them beat the shit out of each other. But I would rather read that than whatever boring shit was going on with Isla. Most of her sections before the "twist" are just her walking through the desert with Lark. I don't really think Aster knew what to do with her until she was reunited with her man candy, so she just walks around and mopes until she is confronted with our new big baddie: Shadow Daddy 2.0, and then she portals her man meat into the scene, and the plot reverses back to more of Skyshade :/ And by more Skyshade, I mean back-to-back scenes of Grim and Isla exchanging "witty" banter and making out.
Speaking of, yep, we finally get to the grand moment where Isla Crown (finally) makes her big decision, and, omg, it's Grim!!! She picked Grim!!! Guys, omg, are you surprised? Did you see that coming?
Well, you see, anyone with a functioning brain cell could have told you that. My grandma could have told you guys. It doesn't take an expert to figure out that Grim has always been the preferred love interest, so when Isla summons him to save her, I'm convinced the only people who dropped their jaws in shock were people who have never read a fantasy book in their lives. Or a book in general.
So Oro gets cucked in favor of Walmart Rhysand until, uh oh, the new baddie (our Shadow Daddy 2.0) erases Grim's memories of Isla, and now he doesn't love her and wants to kill her. Oh no, I'm so devastated. Whatever will Isla do about this predicament?
How about the exact same thing we did in Skyshade? Which was the exact same thing we did in Nightbane. Which was the exact same thing we did in-
Are you annoyed with me repeating myself? Imagine reading the exact same scenes between Grim and Isla, over and over and over. Despite literally embracing the fact that they are MARRIED, I am convinced Aster doesn't have anything interesting for them to do. So she throws them into the exact same situation of them not knowing each other and being enemies and not trusting each other, but "oh the yearning," "oh hark, I can't resist you despite how much I hate you," and just hopes no one will notice. See, though I noticed, and I hated it.
I tolerated it in Lightlark because it was the first book where they didn't know each other (at least on Isla's end *cough*). I tolerated it in Nightbane because their sections were mostly flashbacks. I mostly tolerated it in Skyshade, even though Isla and Grim going back to enemies was for the dumbest reason. But I'm drawing the line here. How many times is Aster going to make us read about these two idiots refalling in love and "defying fate, oh how we are infinite, our doomed love is so strong." Based on how this book ended, I can't believe we have to put up with more of one of these two not remembering the other and "re-falling in love." The way Grim 2.0 re-falls in love with her way too quickly in this also threw me off. It happens so quickly, I was so jarred by the lack of buildup.
Speaking of repetition, take a shot every time Grim says the word "infinite," Oro yearns for Isla's "Sea Green eyes," a character scoffs, smirks, or growls, or a sentence compares a feeling to an object. "Our love is like golden sand" or some shit. I promise you will be blacked out drunk and need medical attention by the end.
Grim and Isla's relationship is just as boring and annoying as ever because THEY are even more boring and annoying characters. Isla has like... no personal journey outside of the other characters telling her how oh so special and powerful she is, and feeling sorry for herself. And Grim is like... the worst? He's constantly beefing with Oro and getting into fist fights with him as he talks about how he "deserves Isla because she's my wife. "I loved her first Oro. Not you. I would burn the world for her, would you, Oro." Like, omg, are we five? Just measure your d!ck$ and get it over with. Or just kiss each other, you two have more chemistry anyway. Remind me again why he's so desirable? Because he started a war for her that she never wanted, took her memories, lied and manipulated her, and participated in a relationship that's only ever physical? Wow, i'm swooning. Tears down my thighs, let me tell you.
Anyway, Isla kills Lark so she gets her powers, but still doesn't defeat him because the book is almost over, and we need to save some conflict for the last one. So she just leaves Grim 2.0 behind in Skyshade and goes back to a cucked Oro like, "welp, one of us is gonna die," because apparently the prophecy is still important, but instead of it just being Grim and Oro on the chopping block, Isla could die also because Grim and Oro can just like, kill her I guess. Not that I think Aster is going to put her in danger. But if Isla dies in the end, I'll clap. At least then it wasn't just the easy way out.
Oh sorry, did I forget to talk about Oro? That's because after he's cucked, he has nothing to do. Most of his scenes are moping over how Isla didn't pick him before he goes on random fetch quests with his little band of #gays to find things Isla needs to defeat the final boss. Man, why is he even still here?
Look, as much as I believe his relationship with Isla in these books is healthier and adorable, and I overall find him more compelling and sympathetic than Grim, he has no use. I can't believe he survived until the final book. Though he will most likely die in that one, so Grim and Isla can get their happy ending. Aster tries to hint that Oro might kill Isla to save the kingdom, so he might get Tamlined in that book to justify the moment he dies. If that happens, I'll be upset, but not shocked. I can't think of what other things we can do for him; he's always sort of taken a back seat. Just know I'll support his villain arc even if he must die to make it so :(
Also, if you want to hear me talk about Grim and Isla vs Oro and Isla, I do it more in my Grim and Oro book review. This one is long enough and I don't wanna repeat myself: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I'll end this with the thing I liked since I did give this a three (two stars for Oro and the other for some minor enjoyments which I will list:)
-I liked when Oro slapped Grim in the face back to back like a Tom and Jerry sketch
-The Thread of Times artifact was a neat edition even though I have no idea how it works
-I tandem read this with my #TeamOro group chat, and we had a meltdown about Azul's husband because we didn't know his name, and then he actually showed up in the book STILL NAMELESS. Absolute cinema. Shoutout Serena who helped me give my king a name (Cielo, Spanish for sky because we need to be consist with the lore)
-Grim has one good line about the dragon being cute which, wtv it I agree.
-Oro's relationship with his little gay friends is still as sweet as ever. Not sure how much you'll get out of it if you don't read the novella, but it's still pretty nice.
-Cronan(yes I'll finally mention the him by name) wasn't just a brodding cliche bad guy. He's honestly kinda charming and charismatic, and yeah, I'll admit he was intimidating sometimes. He's the best villain in this series so far (though his competition is a women who got cucked five hundred years ago and and an unstable frankenstein so he's not winning by much). He did piss me off with his whole "I give second chances to people who prove themselves." Man, stfu. Isla is a god with unlimited, anime-level power. Just kill her. What is your deal? Why are you leaving her ALIVE WHEN SHE SAID SO MANY TIMES SHE HATES YOU? Couldn't even kill Lark, what a doof.
-Oro and Isla still have the most wholesome conversations that remind me love is real
-The fate pool was cool too (i already forgot what it's called but it was neat I guess so take it)
-Azul yearning and reuniting his dead husband was a sweet scene (F's in the chat for Cielo. You are all invited to the candlelight vigil I will be throwing in my house for him)
-I like the imagery in this compared to the other books. Aster actually tries to describe the way things look and I like it.
Review over. You can all yell at me now. Shoutout to the #TeamOro groupchat for getting me through this, and I dedicate these three stars to our golden king and husband. We miss and love you and we're sorry for what happened and will happen to you. We're doing this for you, babygirl <3
New book is called Heartblade btw. You can quote me on this.
QUICK EDIT: I'm so sorry to that on person's whose comment I accidentally deleted when I was trying to reply I love you I promise please forgive me, and TEAMGRIM, I promise Idc Grim is endgame. I been knew that and Oro should have died two books ago please spare me of your wrath I can feel you down the back of my neck, don't kill me please
UPDATE: I once more have finished this book so if you want my brain dump of thoughts, HERE:
Wow, Isla actually made a decision. Good for her. I didn't know she had that in her.
So, Crowntide is a better book than Skyshade, but that's not much of a compliment considering how bland, boring, and uninspired that one was. I mean, we all know this series should not be five books, to the point where even the die-hard fans are saying, "Yeah, five is kinda pushing it."
It's not much of a secret that, as much of a mess the first book was, it at least had structure that we lose more and more of as these books drag on. Nightbane had something interesting going on until the author got bored halfway and decided to write back-to-back fanfiction of her characters, and Skyshade just forgot to have a plot. With the way each new edition gets worse, I was expecting this book to be mostly filler, but honestly... It could have been... worse?
Look, I'm a basic bitch. You give me a headstrong FMC and a man who wants to burn the world for her, I'll eat that shit, and won't get sick. But something about the way Lightlark has done things always pisses me off. Is it the fact that Isla is the dumbest Mary Sue I have ever read? Is it because the Shadow Daddy MMC is more predictable and annoying than my ex? Is it because I don't care about any of these characters that the kingdom could blow up tomorrow, and my afternoon wouldn't change? It might be all three, but I'm too Lightlarked out to figure it out. I'm just a complentionist who is here for the ride, and my sexy golden boy Oro, who has always been the saving grace of this series.
Fair warning, as I ramble, I will be spoiling Crowntide. If you also like Grimshaw, please hear me out before you strike a dagger through my heart as vengeance for your shadow daddy. I promise my love for Oro (the best character) has nothing to do with my meh feelings.
Crowntide takes place after Skyshade like Skyshade takes place after Nightbane like Nightbane takes place after Lightlark. Isla shot herself through a portal with her ancient grandma, Lark, into another world, leaving Walmart Rhsyand and Vanilla Ice Cream behind to go on a wild goose chase to find her. I assumed that would be the large majority of the story. But we actually wrap up the search and rescue very quickly, so Isla can get back to her man meats. Look, man, it was either investing time fleshing out the characters and giving them identities outside their love interests, or smut. And we can't have that. We just can'ttttttttttttt
For reference, you do have to read the Grim and Oro book to understand 90% of what Grim and Oro talk about in their sections. Otherwise, they just drop random lore on you that doesn't make any sense. I was honestly gagged by it. I didn't expect a book that I believed to be entirely useless to get referenced so much. Or this was Aster's plan all along, so she wouldn't have to flesh out Grim and Oro in the actual series.
I actually did like most of the Grim and Oro banter sections for the most part. Sure, 90% of it was just watching them beat the shit out of each other. But I would rather read that than whatever boring shit was going on with Isla. Most of her sections before the "twist" are just her walking through the desert with Lark. I don't really think Aster knew what to do with her until she was reunited with her man candy, so she just walks around and mopes until she is confronted with our new big baddie: Shadow Daddy 2.0, and then she portals her man meat into the scene, and the plot reverses back to more of Skyshade :/ And by more Skyshade, I mean back-to-back scenes of Grim and Isla exchanging "witty" banter and making out.
Speaking of, yep, we finally get to the grand moment where Isla Crown (finally) makes her big decision, and, omg, it's Grim!!! She picked Grim!!! Guys, omg, are you surprised? Did you see that coming?
Well, you see, anyone with a functioning brain cell could have told you that. My grandma could have told you guys. It doesn't take an expert to figure out that Grim has always been the preferred love interest, so when Isla summons him to save her, I'm convinced the only people who dropped their jaws in shock were people who have never read a fantasy book in their lives. Or a book in general.
So Oro gets cucked in favor of Walmart Rhysand until, uh oh, the new baddie (our Shadow Daddy 2.0) erases Grim's memories of Isla, and now he doesn't love her and wants to kill her. Oh no, I'm so devastated. Whatever will Isla do about this predicament?
How about the exact same thing we did in Skyshade? Which was the exact same thing we did in Nightbane. Which was the exact same thing we did in-
Are you annoyed with me repeating myself? Imagine reading the exact same scenes between Grim and Isla, over and over and over. Despite literally embracing the fact that they are MARRIED, I am convinced Aster doesn't have anything interesting for them to do. So she throws them into the exact same situation of them not knowing each other and being enemies and not trusting each other, but "oh the yearning," "oh hark, I can't resist you despite how much I hate you," and just hopes no one will notice. See, though I noticed, and I hated it.
I tolerated it in Lightlark because it was the first book where they didn't know each other (at least on Isla's end *cough*). I tolerated it in Nightbane because their sections were mostly flashbacks. I mostly tolerated it in Skyshade, even though Isla and Grim going back to enemies was for the dumbest reason. But I'm drawing the line here. How many times is Aster going to make us read about these two idiots refalling in love and "defying fate, oh how we are infinite, our doomed love is so strong." Based on how this book ended, I can't believe we have to put up with more of one of these two not remembering the other and "re-falling in love." The way Grim 2.0 re-falls in love with her way too quickly in this also threw me off. It happens so quickly, I was so jarred by the lack of buildup.
Speaking of repetition, take a shot every time Grim says the word "infinite," Oro yearns for Isla's "Sea Green eyes," a character scoffs, smirks, or growls, or a sentence compares a feeling to an object. "Our love is like golden sand" or some shit. I promise you will be blacked out drunk and need medical attention by the end.
Grim and Isla's relationship is just as boring and annoying as ever because THEY are even more boring and annoying characters. Isla has like... no personal journey outside of the other characters telling her how oh so special and powerful she is, and feeling sorry for herself. And Grim is like... the worst? He's constantly beefing with Oro and getting into fist fights with him as he talks about how he "deserves Isla because she's my wife. "I loved her first Oro. Not you. I would burn the world for her, would you, Oro." Like, omg, are we five? Just measure your d!ck$ and get it over with. Or just kiss each other, you two have more chemistry anyway. Remind me again why he's so desirable? Because he started a war for her that she never wanted, took her memories, lied and manipulated her, and participated in a relationship that's only ever physical? Wow, i'm swooning. Tears down my thighs, let me tell you.
Anyway, Isla kills Lark so she gets her powers, but still doesn't defeat him because the book is almost over, and we need to save some conflict for the last one. So she just leaves Grim 2.0 behind in Skyshade and goes back to a cucked Oro like, "welp, one of us is gonna die," because apparently the prophecy is still important, but instead of it just being Grim and Oro on the chopping block, Isla could die also because Grim and Oro can just like, kill her I guess. Not that I think Aster is going to put her in danger. But if Isla dies in the end, I'll clap. At least then it wasn't just the easy way out.
Oh sorry, did I forget to talk about Oro? That's because after he's cucked, he has nothing to do. Most of his scenes are moping over how Isla didn't pick him before he goes on random fetch quests with his little band of #gays to find things Isla needs to defeat the final boss. Man, why is he even still here?
Look, as much as I believe his relationship with Isla in these books is healthier and adorable, and I overall find him more compelling and sympathetic than Grim, he has no use. I can't believe he survived until the final book. Though he will most likely die in that one, so Grim and Isla can get their happy ending. Aster tries to hint that Oro might kill Isla to save the kingdom, so he might get Tamlined in that book to justify the moment he dies. If that happens, I'll be upset, but not shocked. I can't think of what other things we can do for him; he's always sort of taken a back seat. Just know I'll support his villain arc even if he must die to make it so :(
Also, if you want to hear me talk about Grim and Isla vs Oro and Isla, I do it more in my Grim and Oro book review. This one is long enough and I don't wanna repeat myself: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I'll end this with the thing I liked since I did give this a three (two stars for Oro and the other for some minor enjoyments which I will list:)
-I liked when Oro slapped Grim in the face back to back like a Tom and Jerry sketch
-The Thread of Times artifact was a neat edition even though I have no idea how it works
-I tandem read this with my #TeamOro group chat, and we had a meltdown about Azul's husband because we didn't know his name, and then he actually showed up in the book STILL NAMELESS. Absolute cinema. Shoutout Serena who helped me give my king a name (Cielo, Spanish for sky because we need to be consist with the lore)
-Grim has one good line about the dragon being cute which, wtv it I agree.
-Oro's relationship with his little gay friends is still as sweet as ever. Not sure how much you'll get out of it if you don't read the novella, but it's still pretty nice.
-Cronan(yes I'll finally mention the him by name) wasn't just a brodding cliche bad guy. He's honestly kinda charming and charismatic, and yeah, I'll admit he was intimidating sometimes. He's the best villain in this series so far (though his competition is a women who got cucked five hundred years ago and and an unstable frankenstein so he's not winning by much). He did piss me off with his whole "I give second chances to people who prove themselves." Man, stfu. Isla is a god with unlimited, anime-level power. Just kill her. What is your deal? Why are you leaving her ALIVE WHEN SHE SAID SO MANY TIMES SHE HATES YOU? Couldn't even kill Lark, what a doof.
-Oro and Isla still have the most wholesome conversations that remind me love is real
-The fate pool was cool too (i already forgot what it's called but it was neat I guess so take it)
-Azul yearning and reuniting his dead husband was a sweet scene (F's in the chat for Cielo. You are all invited to the candlelight vigil I will be throwing in my house for him)
-I like the imagery in this compared to the other books. Aster actually tries to describe the way things look and I like it.
Review over. You can all yell at me now. Shoutout to the #TeamOro groupchat for getting me through this, and I dedicate these three stars to our golden king and husband. We miss and love you and we're sorry for what happened and will happen to you. We're doing this for you, babygirl <3
New book is called Heartblade btw. You can quote me on this.
QUICK EDIT: I'm so sorry to that on person's whose comment I accidentally deleted when I was trying to reply I love you I promise please forgive me, and TEAMGRIM, I promise Idc Grim is endgame. I been knew that and Oro should have died two books ago please spare me of your wrath I can feel you down the back of my neck, don't kill me please
December 11, 2025
what episode do they die?
Want to read
July 22, 2025 ₊˚⊹ ᰔ 𝐩𝐫𝐞-𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝:
could’ve been a duology i fear but can oro and grim get together?? they both deserve better than isla 😭
could’ve been a duology i fear but can oro and grim get together?? they both deserve better than isla 😭
December 5, 2025
1.5⭐️ (all for grim btw)
💜 🗡️ 🌗 🪄 🥀 ✨
wow this was disappointing as hell.
from book 1 i have been obsessed with this world and the magic. especially the wildlings (we know i eat up a bonded animal companion + nature vibe)
i really liked the first 2 books + the novella so this hurts😭😭 but man what a snooze
𝖎𝖘𝖑𝖆 ─ .✦ i was hoping for a big comeback after your character assassination last book but nope still pissed me right the fuck off
𝖌𝖗𝖎𝖒 ─ .✦ i have been team grim since the beginning. after learning more about him each book and getting his story man oh man…my sweet bby boy. but i will be honest, i hate what alex did to him in this book. i wish i could take his character out of this world and inject him into another.
𝖔𝖗𝖔 ─ .✦ i have lowkey been a hater i wont lie. BUT idk he just was never my vibe + i just see king joffrey from GOT every time i read his name (don’t ask)
✨(ɪᴍ ɢᴏɪɴɢ ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ ᴀ ʙɪᴛ ᴏꜰ ᴀ ʜᴀᴛᴇʀ + ꜱᴘᴏɪʟᴇʀꜱ ɴᴏᴡ ꜱᴏʀʀʏ)✨
✦ . ⁺ . ✦ . ⁺ . ✦
this plot is so lame. so fucking repetitive.
are you JOKING ISLA PICKS A MAN (finally) AND WE WIPE HIS (grims) MEMORIES ARE WE THAT UNCREATIVE ALEX??? like i don’t even want to be mean but this should of 100% been a trilogy. it’s so clear she has no idea what to do but recycle the same plot over and over again. i was so willing to move on from skyshade and this be a redemption but clearly not. SIGHHHHH.
i will be rage reading the last book just to see how it concludes but definitely my biggest let down of the year (i know i know i shouldn’t be surprised BUT UGH)
💜 🗡️ 🌗 🪄 🥀 ✨
wow this was disappointing as hell.
from book 1 i have been obsessed with this world and the magic. especially the wildlings (we know i eat up a bonded animal companion + nature vibe)
i really liked the first 2 books + the novella so this hurts😭😭 but man what a snooze
𝖎𝖘𝖑𝖆 ─ .✦ i was hoping for a big comeback after your character assassination last book but nope still pissed me right the fuck off
𝖌𝖗𝖎𝖒 ─ .✦ i have been team grim since the beginning. after learning more about him each book and getting his story man oh man…my sweet bby boy. but i will be honest, i hate what alex did to him in this book. i wish i could take his character out of this world and inject him into another.
𝖔𝖗𝖔 ─ .✦ i have lowkey been a hater i wont lie. BUT idk he just was never my vibe + i just see king joffrey from GOT every time i read his name (don’t ask)
✨(ɪᴍ ɢᴏɪɴɢ ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ ᴀ ʙɪᴛ ᴏꜰ ᴀ ʜᴀᴛᴇʀ + ꜱᴘᴏɪʟᴇʀꜱ ɴᴏᴡ ꜱᴏʀʀʏ)✨
✦ . ⁺ . ✦ . ⁺ . ✦
this plot is so lame. so fucking repetitive.
are you JOKING ISLA PICKS A MAN (finally) AND WE WIPE HIS (grims) MEMORIES ARE WE THAT UNCREATIVE ALEX??? like i don’t even want to be mean but this should of 100% been a trilogy. it’s so clear she has no idea what to do but recycle the same plot over and over again. i was so willing to move on from skyshade and this be a redemption but clearly not. SIGHHHHH.
i will be rage reading the last book just to see how it concludes but definitely my biggest let down of the year (i know i know i shouldn’t be surprised BUT UGH)
Want to read
August 2, 2025how many books does this series need?💔
December 12, 2025
Absolutely atrocious. If there was any book in the series that made it obvious this was originally planned to be a trilogy, its Crowntide. Almost every moment is filler, and if it's not, then it's repeated storylines from earlier books. Too much attention is given to details already explored in the past, making us listen to the same conversations over and over with the same characters. Which, in a book that tries to expand the series to a galactic level, (literally), has the inverse effect of making every moment feel incredibly small. Grim and Isla are the only two people who really matter in the whole world. (The story tries to insert Oro into moments but even then, he's always treated like an after thought. Sorry, Oro. You're my favorite but try not being blond next time.)
Even the twist is just a rehashed storyline. Yawn. The book is rushed, you can just tell. There are quite a few editing mistakes. For example, the word "taught" is used when the correct word for the scenario was "taut". Oh, and the magic...The magic has absolutely no logic, which left me frequently saying "Oh, Isla can do that now? Got it". I may not know how anything works but at least I know Azul has a blue cape on. Seriously, in a series where almost nothing is described meaningfully, I always know when someone has a cape.
You could skip Crowntide altogether. A simple summary or some bullet points would give you the same (or better) understanding of the story as these 448 pages.
As a sidenote, I refuse to believe this is a YA book. Yes, the dialog and story is juvenile, but the explicit on-page sex/ innuendo is way too detailed for the category. I couldn't, in good conscious, suggest this series to anyone under 18.
Even the twist is just a rehashed storyline. Yawn. The book is rushed, you can just tell. There are quite a few editing mistakes. For example, the word "taught" is used when the correct word for the scenario was "taut". Oh, and the magic...The magic has absolutely no logic, which left me frequently saying "Oh, Isla can do that now? Got it". I may not know how anything works but at least I know Azul has a blue cape on. Seriously, in a series where almost nothing is described meaningfully, I always know when someone has a cape.
You could skip Crowntide altogether. A simple summary or some bullet points would give you the same (or better) understanding of the story as these 448 pages.
As a sidenote, I refuse to believe this is a YA book. Yes, the dialog and story is juvenile, but the explicit on-page sex/ innuendo is way too detailed for the category. I couldn't, in good conscious, suggest this series to anyone under 18.
December 8, 2025
Okay so I did enjoy the Dueling Crowns novella UNTIL Isla shows up and I think I've finally realized why. In the novella, they both start out with a personality, then Isla shows up and *poof*! Zero personality. They are both in love with Isla. That's it.
This is how I picture having a conversation with either of them would go.
"Do you like chocolate?"
"I like Isla."
"Okay. Cool, but do you like chocolate?"
"I like Isla."
Now I get they are all fated or something, but you get 3 POVs and they might as well all be Isla because that is the ONLY THING Grimm and Oro can talk about. They're both the type of guy that gets a girlfriend and completely forgets their friends exist. The worst kind of simp. It's made worse because Isla doesn't truly seem to care for either of them. Sure she "loves" them, but the entire plot of this book happens because she is selfish.
This is how I picture having a conversation with either of them would go.
"Do you like chocolate?"
"I like Isla."
"Okay. Cool, but do you like chocolate?"
"I like Isla."
Now I get they are all fated or something, but you get 3 POVs and they might as well all be Isla because that is the ONLY THING Grimm and Oro can talk about. They're both the type of guy that gets a girlfriend and completely forgets their friends exist. The worst kind of simp. It's made worse because Isla doesn't truly seem to care for either of them. Sure she "loves" them, but the entire plot of this book happens because she is selfish.
Want to read
July 12, 2025Please tell me this will at least be readable, unlike Skyshade. Please.
Also please kill Poppy and Terra. Brutally.
Also please kill Poppy and Terra. Brutally.
Want to read
August 2, 2025what is this guys 🙁
(i greatly disliked all three prior books but will be reading this one)
(i greatly disliked all three prior books but will be reading this one)
December 5, 2025
Well, who is surprised? A 5 book series that was supposed to be a trilogy… of course it’s gonna be repetitive & drawn out.
I’ll be honest, I wasn’t the biggest fan of Lightlark. I’m only continuing with this series because my sister in law loves it, and I liked Grim. Lightlark’s only redeeming quality was the ending. Nightbane was the only good one so far. Skyshade was a major disappointment and Crowntide was a disaster.
I don’t know how many times the word Infinite was used, but I wouldn’t even be surprised if it was 100.
The MMCs were so pathetic and sappy I had MAJOR second hand embarrassment. They both bothered me so much in this one. They were behaving like teenagers and kept having stupid fights. And at some point I just wonder why they put her on such a high pedestal?
I’m relieved she finally made her choice (I didn’t think the day would come) and I’m happy with her choice, it was the only option that made sense. The love triangle has been unnecessarily drawn out at this point.
I was so unhappy with the storyline on top of everything. It was basically a repetition of Lightlark, but through Grim instead of Isla. Can we just get rid of the characters that can erase memories? I’m so fed up lol. I just get the feeling that nothing moved, plot wise, since the first book in this series. The writing isn’t really improving and it has such childish undertones.
Another thing that bothered me is that I read the novella before this and Crowntide was sometimes repeating entire scenes from the novella.
I was also irritated by the ending. I think it’s safe to say that the whole thing irritated the living hell out of me.
—-•pre read
Skyshade was so disappointing that my expectations are really low for this one. Please don’t touch Grim 😭
I’ll be honest, I wasn’t the biggest fan of Lightlark. I’m only continuing with this series because my sister in law loves it, and I liked Grim. Lightlark’s only redeeming quality was the ending. Nightbane was the only good one so far. Skyshade was a major disappointment and Crowntide was a disaster.
I don’t know how many times the word Infinite was used, but I wouldn’t even be surprised if it was 100.
The MMCs were so pathetic and sappy I had MAJOR second hand embarrassment. They both bothered me so much in this one. They were behaving like teenagers and kept having stupid fights. And at some point I just wonder why they put her on such a high pedestal?
I’m relieved she finally made her choice (I didn’t think the day would come) and I’m happy with her choice, it was the only option that made sense. The love triangle has been unnecessarily drawn out at this point.
I was so unhappy with the storyline on top of everything. It was basically a repetition of Lightlark, but through Grim instead of Isla. Can we just get rid of the characters that can erase memories? I’m so fed up lol. I just get the feeling that nothing moved, plot wise, since the first book in this series. The writing isn’t really improving and it has such childish undertones.
Another thing that bothered me is that I read the novella before this and Crowntide was sometimes repeating entire scenes from the novella.
I was also irritated by the ending. I think it’s safe to say that the whole thing irritated the living hell out of me.
—-•pre read
Skyshade was so disappointing that my expectations are really low for this one. Please don’t touch Grim 😭
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 5, 2025
2.5 stars but rounding up for Grim and the fact I still binged the book in a day. But, why is this plot getting dragged out like this. Should have 1000% kept this a trilogy. And also, very confused. Is there a book 5 now, too? Because that ending was rubbish.
December 2, 2025
⭑ ⭑ ⭒ ⭒ ⭒
1.5 rounded up for my Oro
♰ Final verdict: The Judas Cradle! For you and your editor.
This book started in my first year of university. I just graduated last month and somehow the series is still dragging on all for a painfully mediocre, painfully obvious love triangle which still has kinda/finally/not ended and a plot which literally could’ve been wrapped up in this book
1.5 rounded up for my Oro
♰ Final verdict: The Judas Cradle! For you and your editor.
This book started in my first year of university. I just graduated last month and somehow the series is still dragging on all for a painfully mediocre, painfully obvious love triangle which still has kinda/finally/not ended and a plot which literally could’ve been wrapped up in this book
Want to read
July 15, 2025💜💛🌀Pre-release:
TWO BOOKS BACK TO BACK??
ALEX ASTER IS SPOILING US. 😭😍
I CANT WAITTT TBH
TWO BOOKS BACK TO BACK??
ALEX ASTER IS SPOILING US. 😭😍
I CANT WAITTT TBH
Want to read
December 10, 2025is alex aster jlb undercover with the way she's milking dragging on this series?? cause apparently this is not the last book
January 8, 2026
PRE-READ: Alex, just take all my money at this point (as long as it's an IslaGrim endgame and Oro dies).
- - -
REVIEW: I'm so done with this bs. Why must it end with "one of them" dying?? Like helloooo Oro is the obvious answer!! And the fact that she CHOSE Grim and then Alex was like "but will she continue to??" and WIPED HIS FUCKING MEMORIES?!??!? Just to give Oro fans some hope. I'm done, I'm so done.
Because what do you meannnn my Grim forgets he loves Isla? Who is Grim if he's not in love and pronouncing his love in so many poetic yet deeply emotional ways?? (He's a murderous being with nothing to live for, and therefore he NEEDS Isla!)
Also, Cronan... I hate him. Lark, I never would have trusted her as much as Isla did, but whatever, at least she died in the end. Absolutely hate that Oro's the one who got to see the future and knows who dies. 😒
I was doing some reflecting while reading this, and I realized that without the romance, these books aren't all that great. Like, the plot is very action-packed, don't get me wrong. But the whole thing is just a bad thing on top of a bad thing, and honestly, it's very hopeless. They just keep being defeated. They rarely ever get a win. It's the romance that pulls it through. So, without Oro being there and without Grim remembering... this one is rated a sad three stars. Will not be buying this book,but will regretfully read the next one because I need Oro to die. 😇👍
- - -
REVIEW: I'm so done with this bs. Why must it end with "one of them" dying?? Like helloooo Oro is the obvious answer!! And the fact that she CHOSE Grim and then Alex was like "but will she continue to??" and WIPED HIS FUCKING MEMORIES?!??!? Just to give Oro fans some hope. I'm done, I'm so done.
Because what do you meannnn my Grim forgets he loves Isla? Who is Grim if he's not in love and pronouncing his love in so many poetic yet deeply emotional ways?? (He's a murderous being with nothing to live for, and therefore he NEEDS Isla!)
Also, Cronan... I hate him. Lark, I never would have trusted her as much as Isla did, but whatever, at least she died in the end. Absolutely hate that Oro's the one who got to see the future and knows who dies. 😒
I was doing some reflecting while reading this, and I realized that without the romance, these books aren't all that great. Like, the plot is very action-packed, don't get me wrong. But the whole thing is just a bad thing on top of a bad thing, and honestly, it's very hopeless. They just keep being defeated. They rarely ever get a win. It's the romance that pulls it through. So, without Oro being there and without Grim remembering... this one is rated a sad three stars. Will not be buying this book,
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Want to read
October 31, 2025i will rage war if she doesn’t pick oro ( ik it’s going to be grim ) so looks like we’re going to war
December 8, 2025
If you’re going to commit to a six-book series, the very least you can do is change the story you’re telling. Why is memory erasure the central plot device in every single instalment? It stops feeling like a theme and starts feeling like recycling.
The first half of this book was a chore to push through; the second half flowed more easily, but only because I was under the impression this was the finale and we were finally, mercifully, closing the circle. Then I found out there’s yet another book coming. I’m out.
As a duology, this could have gone down as a fan favourite. Stretched to six, it just feels like a money grab.
The first half of this book was a chore to push through; the second half flowed more easily, but only because I was under the impression this was the finale and we were finally, mercifully, closing the circle. Then I found out there’s yet another book coming. I’m out.
As a duology, this could have gone down as a fan favourite. Stretched to six, it just feels like a money grab.
Want to read
August 2, 2025𐔌🫀⋮ 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞ˎˊ˗
FIRST, IT WAS MOTHER MAFI MAKING A NEW BOOK. NOW IT'S MY QUEEN ALEX ASTER??? OMG IM SO HAPPY RIGHT NOW
FIRST, IT WAS MOTHER MAFI MAKING A NEW BOOK. NOW IT'S MY QUEEN ALEX ASTER??? OMG IM SO HAPPY RIGHT NOW
December 15, 2025
Yes!! I can’t wait!!! But hearing about how one of the mcs is gonna die??? Pls not my baby Oro! Pleaseeeeeee, but I guess that’s the bad part about being team Oro. We’ll never get our baby 😭
Now that I’ve read it, I stand with what I said, because what was that? Now you expect me to wait for the next book? And also slight SPOILER, how has Isla not picked yet? The choice is so easy!!!
Now that I’ve read it, I stand with what I said, because what was that? Now you expect me to wait for the next book? And also slight SPOILER, how has Isla not picked yet? The choice is so easy!!!
December 28, 2025
pre-read
y'all if this aint the last book in this series I will crash out
Post read-
…
So I read the book… and it was even more disappointing I thought it would be. Alex Aster decided to completely throw out any thought of a plot, world building, or anything that wasn’t the romance. I am also personally offended of this book as I believe it ripped off several things that happened in my favorite books such as once upon a broken heart and shatter me. I do have to give an honorable mention to the plot twists. They either made absolute zero sense or they were the most predictable thing you’ve ever read.
Now the rest of the review won’t be spoiler free but it’s not really spoiling anything cause nothing happened.
I will now be renacting every Oro and Grim chapter
Grim: Deeply confesses his love for Isla in a corny ahh paragraph within the first 50 pages
Oro: Cries about how Isla didn’t choose him over her freaking husband
2nd half of the book
Grim: (has lost his memories) still manages to compliment Isla in a corny way… but hates her this time, so it’s different! it’s like Alex wanted to remake the enemies to lovers trope between them but in half the time and plays her bad writing off as them being soulmates who always find their way back to each other
Oro: does Islas bidding with less tears even though she broke his heart. Alex Aster really wants us to know how much she hurt him
👏🏼
World Building
So it’s nonexistent… like I don’t even think we got a description of the prison she was put in for 75% of the book.
Plot
Prison, then free, then prison… and I thought the red queen series was bad.
Questions
This book did NOT make sense in sooooo many ways. Why would grim kill Isla if he knew that he would also die with her? How dumb is grims ancestor (I forgot his name) to give Isla three weeks, I repeat, THREE WEEKS to decide if she’ll join them? Sigh 😔. There’s so many more scenarios but this book doesn’t deserve any more of my time questioning.
I see you guys judging me because of this review but really it’s Alex’s fault, I’ve lost too many braincells reading her books
y'all if this aint the last book in this series I will crash out
Post read-
…
So I read the book… and it was even more disappointing I thought it would be. Alex Aster decided to completely throw out any thought of a plot, world building, or anything that wasn’t the romance. I am also personally offended of this book as I believe it ripped off several things that happened in my favorite books such as once upon a broken heart and shatter me. I do have to give an honorable mention to the plot twists. They either made absolute zero sense or they were the most predictable thing you’ve ever read.
Now the rest of the review won’t be spoiler free but it’s not really spoiling anything cause nothing happened.
I will now be renacting every Oro and Grim chapter
Grim: Deeply confesses his love for Isla in a corny ahh paragraph within the first 50 pages
Oro: Cries about how Isla didn’t choose him over her freaking husband
2nd half of the book
Grim: (has lost his memories) still manages to compliment Isla in a corny way… but hates her this time, so it’s different! it’s like Alex wanted to remake the enemies to lovers trope between them but in half the time and plays her bad writing off as them being soulmates who always find their way back to each other
Oro: does Islas bidding with less tears even though she broke his heart. Alex Aster really wants us to know how much she hurt him
👏🏼
World Building
So it’s nonexistent… like I don’t even think we got a description of the prison she was put in for 75% of the book.
Plot
Prison, then free, then prison… and I thought the red queen series was bad.
Questions
This book did NOT make sense in sooooo many ways. Why would grim kill Isla if he knew that he would also die with her? How dumb is grims ancestor (I forgot his name) to give Isla three weeks, I repeat, THREE WEEKS to decide if she’ll join them? Sigh 😔. There’s so many more scenarios but this book doesn’t deserve any more of my time questioning.
I see you guys judging me because of this review but really it’s Alex’s fault, I’ve lost too many braincells reading her books
December 3, 2025
At this point they should just have a throuple grim and oro can be the real enemies to lovers.
Edit:
I'm back! AND OH MY GOD.
before I start, No, I haven't read the book, but I might as well state my opinion before and compare it to after I actually muster up the courage to read it.
first, lets just say, wow. I cant believe its the FINAL book. Four books and (a spin off? whatever you wanna call grim and oro.) this series traveled far.
I definitely had my ups and downs with this series, And since our boiled chicken and rice isla is going to decide if she wants the morally gray shadow daddy or the glowing golden boy (quite literally), here's where I stand.
Listen, Im a sucker for a Morally gray MMC who'd kill everyone for the love of his life. someone could choke me with that plot and I'd die happy, which is why I wasn't surprised I levitated towards grim...but oro? do him some justice. Please.
I'm not gonna lie...he feels like a plot filler. I think we all knew Isla would get with Grim. Oro though, I think he deserved better.
his entire character just feels like it's there solely for the love triangle trope. I really would've loved if Isla DIDNT marry Grim IN THE SECOND BOOK, and I actually got to feel her and Oro's relationship with the same depth I felt with her and Grim. In all honesty, I feel bad for Oro. all that work for a girl we all knew he wouldn't get since the beginning it feels like.
so, oro girlies, I stand with you, and at the end of the day I don't think I'd mind who she ends up, I'm just here for them anyway.
Edit:
I'm back! AND OH MY GOD.
before I start, No, I haven't read the book, but I might as well state my opinion before and compare it to after I actually muster up the courage to read it.
first, lets just say, wow. I cant believe its the FINAL book. Four books and (a spin off? whatever you wanna call grim and oro.) this series traveled far.
I definitely had my ups and downs with this series, And since our boiled chicken and rice isla is going to decide if she wants the morally gray shadow daddy or the glowing golden boy (quite literally), here's where I stand.
Listen, Im a sucker for a Morally gray MMC who'd kill everyone for the love of his life. someone could choke me with that plot and I'd die happy, which is why I wasn't surprised I levitated towards grim...but oro? do him some justice. Please.
I'm not gonna lie...he feels like a plot filler. I think we all knew Isla would get with Grim. Oro though, I think he deserved better.
his entire character just feels like it's there solely for the love triangle trope. I really would've loved if Isla DIDNT marry Grim IN THE SECOND BOOK, and I actually got to feel her and Oro's relationship with the same depth I felt with her and Grim. In all honesty, I feel bad for Oro. all that work for a girl we all knew he wouldn't get since the beginning it feels like.
so, oro girlies, I stand with you, and at the end of the day I don't think I'd mind who she ends up, I'm just here for them anyway.
December 27, 2025
̨ ╭╯ꗃ 12. 12. 25 ˚﹒
︵࣪ ˖ ໒꒱ pre-read
╰› this book hates to see me and nat coming... we are so back
︵࣪ ˖ ໒꒱ pre-read
╰› this book hates to see me and nat coming... we are so back
Want to read
September 14, 2025o freak no
December 3, 2025
Whyyyyyyy are we still dragging this out
January 8, 2026
✧*̥˚ 3.5 Stars *̥˚✧
*Spoilers Below*
Not a huge fan of this one, unfortunately, though the writing was still good.
This book introduces way too many new magical aspects (so much so that it seems poorly put together and rushed). The Threads of Time, Pool of Possibilities, etc... a) can we get more creative with names b) everytime there's a problem = new relic that will fix everything (queue ooo's and aaa's) '-' I also wanted more expansion on Skyshade. Not enough context was given on this new world.
What bothered me the most was Grim. From page 1, he just would not shut up about his wife. We get it. She's in a different world. He is exceedingly self-absorbed and selfish, focused solely on Isla. He even attacks Oro. Middle schoolers are more mature than this dude 🤦♂️
Another thing that really ticked me off was Cronan mind wiping Grim. Isla experienced the same thing earlier in the series. Reusing a previous major plot sequence was a poorly crafted move. I'm looking for more originality as a series progresses. I also realized that, despite Lark being the main villain in book 3, she basically fades a LOT in book 4. It seems like we forgot about her role a little.
I will be reading the final book. The ending was interesting (mainly because of Isla), but Grim's decisions just made me want to rip my hair out.
I fear... I may like Oro 🫣
also i think book 5 title = Heartblade :3
Pre-Read:
Not only one, but TWO Lightlark novels IN THE SAME YEAR? *smashes tbr button*
My therapy bills are gonna be at an all-time high 📈 I'm ready to be hurt Alex 😢
*Spoilers Below*
Not a huge fan of this one, unfortunately, though the writing was still good.
This book introduces way too many new magical aspects (so much so that it seems poorly put together and rushed). The Threads of Time, Pool of Possibilities, etc... a) can we get more creative with names b) everytime there's a problem = new relic that will fix everything (queue ooo's and aaa's) '-' I also wanted more expansion on Skyshade. Not enough context was given on this new world.
What bothered me the most was Grim. From page 1, he just would not shut up about his wife. We get it. She's in a different world. He is exceedingly self-absorbed and selfish, focused solely on Isla. He even attacks Oro. Middle schoolers are more mature than this dude 🤦♂️
Another thing that really ticked me off was Cronan mind wiping Grim. Isla experienced the same thing earlier in the series. Reusing a previous major plot sequence was a poorly crafted move. I'm looking for more originality as a series progresses. I also realized that, despite Lark being the main villain in book 3, she basically fades a LOT in book 4. It seems like we forgot about her role a little.
I will be reading the final book. The ending was interesting (mainly because of Isla), but Grim's decisions just made me want to rip my hair out.
I fear... I may like Oro 🫣
also i think book 5 title = Heartblade :3
Pre-Read:
Not only one, but TWO Lightlark novels IN THE SAME YEAR? *smashes tbr button*
My therapy bills are gonna be at an all-time high 📈 I'm ready to be hurt Alex 😢
December 7, 2025
spoiler warning. and as always, one star with a heart, though i do suspect book five will be the end of my journey with alex aster. a one trick pony is only entertaining to a certain point.
somehow, this book is less episodic and disjointed than the previous ones. on paper this should be a good thing, but i found myself having less fun than i am accustomed to. hurtling as we are towards whatever epic conclusion alex aster is cooking in her mind’s eye, i simply could not help but be reminded of other fantasy properties that are actually good. let me try to explain.
cronan, the 4x or so great grandfather of grim, first ruler of nightshade, one of the three original founders of lightlark the dimension-slash-island, as revealed last book, is alive. he’s galactus the world eater and darth vader. he sucks. he tortures isla for information for what’s probably 1/3 of the whole book. it’s essentially mind rape. i do not say that lightly. he’s got backstory with lark who he also tortures but we never learn anything of substance about it. whatever.
cronan is trying to do a multiverse of madness or a cosmere or a version of whatever shared universe sjm is doing in her own books. he has subjugated entire planets whose remnants now exist under his thumb as his Astral Council. lightlark's planet-dimension-realm sits at the nexus of his current galaxy and a new one for him to conquer. he needs isla to get him through the portal. sure.
(oh i’ll bet alex is so mad that she already used the term nexus in this series when it would much more illustrative here. but this is how she plots. so serialized for what’s always supposed to have been a multi-book series. there's no way she actually sat down after book 1 and plotted out the general shape and trajectory of the series. but she really should have. abrams editorial fucked it from the beginning i fear)
that i’m spending so much time on the plot and world before i address the romance really belies my priorities. can’t be helped. i do apologize.
for the first half of the story (accurate figure btw, ebook percentage was literally 49%), we get groro having to work together. they slaughter a bunch of people while basically making their arguments to the audience as to what makes them better for isla. grim has more than one moment of Stopping and Thinking (like an impulse control worksheet), where he has to consider everything about his character that irritates me, but then it passes. comes to naught. alas.
grim and oro's scenes together really reflect aster’s bias. indulge me.
whenever oro is demanding answers to questions, he’s off topic or a nag. but when grim does the same, he’s just consumed by the need to rescue isla. despite the earliest characterization of oro as a repressed and taciturn sort of character and grim as casually violent and volatile, grim is stoic and stalwart and laser focused because he’s the favored love interest, the archetypical shadow daddy, he’s hot, he’s en vogue. so oro must be passé. sad.
(i know i sound very “here comes a swiftie saying shit like ‘a man is allowed to laugh, while a woman has to chuckle’.” but this is my truth. i speak for the trees.)
aster has been promoting crowntide as the book where isla makes her choice. and she does. tis grim. my hat will remain uneaten. but then cronan does the unthinkable. he eternal sunshines isla from grim’s memories. he doesn’t remember a thing about her anymore. he doesn’t know her. grimnesia. so she has to seduce him AGAIN!!!!!!!
for anyone counting, this is like the fourth fuckin time we’ve watched them “fall” “in” “love”: book 1 during the centennial, book 2 flashbacks, book 3 after she goes with him to stop him from waging war on lightlark. it’d be five if you count grim’s pov of the nightbane arc.
there’s almost something salient in this premise. alex aster, seemingly having the courage to face the question posed by me and many: who is grim if he doesn’t love isla?
and the answer is, pretty fucking boring. this man doesn’t give a fuck about anything! he sits in cronan’s war room listening to his plans of decimation, as he kills for sport, despite being able to resist his mind powers! grim becomes the worst kind of bystander, comprehending enough to ask questions of the ruling power but actively choosing not to care. he’s a coward. he openly admits to it. and he sucks.
for a few moments elsewhere in the story i was, for lack of a better word, impressed. elements from the previous book actually paid off in this book. this is in fact bare minimum shit. what happens in this book is less ridiculous but still… stupid. if that makes sense. it’s actually incredible how much more interesting the story is when it doesn’t involve isla or grim. there's some time travel stuff happening for some reason. we move.
so. li5htlark, same time next year. i’m on the record thinking it’ll be called heartbound. dont disappoint me alex.
somehow, this book is less episodic and disjointed than the previous ones. on paper this should be a good thing, but i found myself having less fun than i am accustomed to. hurtling as we are towards whatever epic conclusion alex aster is cooking in her mind’s eye, i simply could not help but be reminded of other fantasy properties that are actually good. let me try to explain.
cronan, the 4x or so great grandfather of grim, first ruler of nightshade, one of the three original founders of lightlark the dimension-slash-island, as revealed last book, is alive. he’s galactus the world eater and darth vader. he sucks. he tortures isla for information for what’s probably 1/3 of the whole book. it’s essentially mind rape. i do not say that lightly. he’s got backstory with lark who he also tortures but we never learn anything of substance about it. whatever.
cronan is trying to do a multiverse of madness or a cosmere or a version of whatever shared universe sjm is doing in her own books. he has subjugated entire planets whose remnants now exist under his thumb as his Astral Council. lightlark's planet-dimension-realm sits at the nexus of his current galaxy and a new one for him to conquer. he needs isla to get him through the portal. sure.
(oh i’ll bet alex is so mad that she already used the term nexus in this series when it would much more illustrative here. but this is how she plots. so serialized for what’s always supposed to have been a multi-book series. there's no way she actually sat down after book 1 and plotted out the general shape and trajectory of the series. but she really should have. abrams editorial fucked it from the beginning i fear)
that i’m spending so much time on the plot and world before i address the romance really belies my priorities. can’t be helped. i do apologize.
for the first half of the story (accurate figure btw, ebook percentage was literally 49%), we get groro having to work together. they slaughter a bunch of people while basically making their arguments to the audience as to what makes them better for isla. grim has more than one moment of Stopping and Thinking (like an impulse control worksheet), where he has to consider everything about his character that irritates me, but then it passes. comes to naught. alas.
grim and oro's scenes together really reflect aster’s bias. indulge me.
whenever oro is demanding answers to questions, he’s off topic or a nag. but when grim does the same, he’s just consumed by the need to rescue isla. despite the earliest characterization of oro as a repressed and taciturn sort of character and grim as casually violent and volatile, grim is stoic and stalwart and laser focused because he’s the favored love interest, the archetypical shadow daddy, he’s hot, he’s en vogue. so oro must be passé. sad.
(i know i sound very “here comes a swiftie saying shit like ‘a man is allowed to laugh, while a woman has to chuckle’.” but this is my truth. i speak for the trees.)
aster has been promoting crowntide as the book where isla makes her choice. and she does. tis grim. my hat will remain uneaten. but then cronan does the unthinkable. he eternal sunshines isla from grim’s memories. he doesn’t remember a thing about her anymore. he doesn’t know her. grimnesia. so she has to seduce him AGAIN!!!!!!!
for anyone counting, this is like the fourth fuckin time we’ve watched them “fall” “in” “love”: book 1 during the centennial, book 2 flashbacks, book 3 after she goes with him to stop him from waging war on lightlark. it’d be five if you count grim’s pov of the nightbane arc.
there’s almost something salient in this premise. alex aster, seemingly having the courage to face the question posed by me and many: who is grim if he doesn’t love isla?
and the answer is, pretty fucking boring. this man doesn’t give a fuck about anything! he sits in cronan’s war room listening to his plans of decimation, as he kills for sport, despite being able to resist his mind powers! grim becomes the worst kind of bystander, comprehending enough to ask questions of the ruling power but actively choosing not to care. he’s a coward. he openly admits to it. and he sucks.
for a few moments elsewhere in the story i was, for lack of a better word, impressed. elements from the previous book actually paid off in this book. this is in fact bare minimum shit. what happens in this book is less ridiculous but still… stupid. if that makes sense. it’s actually incredible how much more interesting the story is when it doesn’t involve isla or grim. there's some time travel stuff happening for some reason. we move.
so. li5htlark, same time next year. i’m on the record thinking it’ll be called heartbound. dont disappoint me alex.
October 15, 2025
I need my baby Oro to be happy. I hope Isla dies in the end because choosing one of them would be crime now
December 5, 2025
2.5☆ At this point, it’s clear the series never needed five books…the structure has steadily unraveled since Lightlark, and each sequel feels more like filler or fanfiction than a cohesive story.
In Crowntide, Isla yeets herself into another realm, but the whole “search for Isla” plot resolves almost instantly so we can get back to love-triangle drama. Her early chapters are mostly desert wandering and moping, which makes it obvious the author didn’t know what to do with her until the men showed up. Meanwhile, Grim and Oro’s sections rely heavily on their novella for context, but at least their banter and brawls are more entertaining than anything Isla’s doing.
The big “twist”—Isla choosing Grim—is the least surprising reveal in the world. But as soon as she picks him, the new villain wipes his memories, sending us right back into the same recycled dynamic: enemies, yearning, kissing, repeat. Grim re-falling for Isla happens so fast it feels like the book is speed-running its own plot. The repetition of smirks, scoffs, “infinite,” and Isla’s “sea-green eyes” could be a drinking game capable of killing someone.
Isla still has no real character arc beyond being told she’s special, and Grim remains possessive whose personality trait is insisting he “deserves” Isla (and I’m team Grim!) Honestly, he and Oro have more chemistry with each other than either does with her.
Oro gets completely sidelined after being passed over. He spends most of the book moping or going on magical fetch quests. It feels like he’s being kept around just long enough to die in the final book to clear the way for the “endgame” couple.
By the end, Isla defeats Lark but leaves the new villain untouched to save conflict for book five. She returns with Oro, Grim stays behind, and we’re clearly headed for yet another round of memory issues and recycled angst.
Overall, Crowntide is the worst in the series because it’s repetitive, creatively tired, and frustrating. At this point, I’m finishing out of pure completionism.
In Crowntide, Isla yeets herself into another realm, but the whole “search for Isla” plot resolves almost instantly so we can get back to love-triangle drama. Her early chapters are mostly desert wandering and moping, which makes it obvious the author didn’t know what to do with her until the men showed up. Meanwhile, Grim and Oro’s sections rely heavily on their novella for context, but at least their banter and brawls are more entertaining than anything Isla’s doing.
The big “twist”—Isla choosing Grim—is the least surprising reveal in the world. But as soon as she picks him, the new villain wipes his memories, sending us right back into the same recycled dynamic: enemies, yearning, kissing, repeat. Grim re-falling for Isla happens so fast it feels like the book is speed-running its own plot. The repetition of smirks, scoffs, “infinite,” and Isla’s “sea-green eyes” could be a drinking game capable of killing someone.
Isla still has no real character arc beyond being told she’s special, and Grim remains possessive whose personality trait is insisting he “deserves” Isla (and I’m team Grim!) Honestly, he and Oro have more chemistry with each other than either does with her.
Oro gets completely sidelined after being passed over. He spends most of the book moping or going on magical fetch quests. It feels like he’s being kept around just long enough to die in the final book to clear the way for the “endgame” couple.
By the end, Isla defeats Lark but leaves the new villain untouched to save conflict for book five. She returns with Oro, Grim stays behind, and we’re clearly headed for yet another round of memory issues and recycled angst.
Overall, Crowntide is the worst in the series because it’s repetitive, creatively tired, and frustrating. At this point, I’m finishing out of pure completionism.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 7, 2026
i thought this was the last book but i take it from the ending there’s more 😆😆😆 i actually don’t mind cos i love this series!! this book would have been 5⭐️ like the rest of them, but it annoyed me the whole book was stuck in the other universe 😅
Want to read
July 19, 2025i’m ready to throw this book across the room if oro gets a single sentence in this book. grim is the only reason i have not quit this series….
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