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The Keepers' Chronicles #2
The Skylighter
Johanna and Rafi are in a race against time to save their country before a power-mad Keeper destroys everything they hold dear in the “enthralling magical world” (Cinda Williams Chima, author of The Heir Chronicles) introduced in The Storyspinner.
As the last of the royal line, Johanna is the only person who can heal a magical breach in the wall that separates her kingdom of Santarem from the land of the Keepers, legendary men and women who wield elemental magic. The barrier protects Santarem from those Keepers who might try to take power over mere humans…Keepers who are determined to stop Johanna and seize the wall’s power for themselves.
And they’re not the only ones. As the duchys of Santarem descend into war over the throne, Johanna relies more than ever on the advice of her handsome companion, Lord Rafael DeSilva. But Rafi is a duke too, and his people come first. As their friendship progresses into the beginnings of a tender relationship, Johanna must wonder: is Rafi looking out for her happiness, or does he want the throne for himself?
With war on the horizon, Johanna and Rafi dodge treacherous dukes and Keeper assassins as they race to through the countryside, determined to strengthen the wall before it’s too late…even if it means sacrificing their happiness for the sake of their world.
As the last of the royal line, Johanna is the only person who can heal a magical breach in the wall that separates her kingdom of Santarem from the land of the Keepers, legendary men and women who wield elemental magic. The barrier protects Santarem from those Keepers who might try to take power over mere humans…Keepers who are determined to stop Johanna and seize the wall’s power for themselves.
And they’re not the only ones. As the duchys of Santarem descend into war over the throne, Johanna relies more than ever on the advice of her handsome companion, Lord Rafael DeSilva. But Rafi is a duke too, and his people come first. As their friendship progresses into the beginnings of a tender relationship, Johanna must wonder: is Rafi looking out for her happiness, or does he want the throne for himself?
With war on the horizon, Johanna and Rafi dodge treacherous dukes and Keeper assassins as they race to through the countryside, determined to strengthen the wall before it’s too late…even if it means sacrificing their happiness for the sake of their world.
422 pages, Hardcover
First published March 22, 2016
32 people are currently reading
2107 people want to read
About the author
Becky Wallace
5 books409 followersIn second grade, Becky Wallace had to sit in the corner because she refused to write anything besides princess stories and fairy tales (and because she talked too much). Her time in isolation gave her plenty of opportunities to dream up the fantasy worlds she's been dabbling with ever since. She was lucky enough to find her own, real-life prince charming. They have four munchkins and live in a happy little town outside Houston, Texas.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 154 reviews
February 21, 2017
SUCH A GOOD ENDING... I KINDA WANT ANOTHER INSTALMENT.
January 24, 2016
Little disappointed, tbh.
***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***
The Skylighter by Becky Wallace
Book Two of the Keepers' Chronicles
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Publication Date: March 22, 2016
Rating: 3 stars
Source: ARC sent by the publisher
Summary (from Goodreads):
Johanna and Rafi are in a race against time to save their country before a power-mad Keeper destroys everything they hold dear in the “enthralling magical world” (Cinda Williams Chima, author of The Heir Chronicles) introduced in The Storyspinner.
As the last of the royal line, Johanna is the only person who can heal a magical breach in the wall that separates her kingdom of Santarem from the land of the Keepers, legendary men and women who wield elemental magic. The barrier protects Santarem from those Keepers who might try to take power over mere humans…Keepers who are determined to stop Johanna and seize the wall’s power for themselves.
And they’re not the only ones. As the duchys of Santarem descend into war over the throne, Johanna relies more than ever on the advice of her handsome companion, Lord Rafael DeSilva. But Rafi is a duke too, and his people come first. As their friendship progresses into the beginnings of a tender relationship, Johanna must wonder: is Rafi looking out for her happiness, or does he want the throne for himself?
With war on the horizon, Johanna and Rafi dodge treacherous dukes and Keeper assassins as they race to through the countryside, determined to strengthen the wall before it’s too late…even if it means sacrificing their happiness for the sake of their world.
What I Liked:
No one get mad at me, please! I know three stars isn't looking too positive up there, but remember, out of five, three is more than half! And in this case, this is a positive three-star rating. I think my issues with this book were more on me than anything.
It all comes down to Johanna and Rafi, in this heart-stopping conclusion to the Keepers' Chronicles duology. Dukes, mages, and Keepers are all after Johanna, trying to stop the heir of the throne from reaching the barrier and healing the magical breach. Johanna wants to heal the breach but she doesn't want to accept the throne. Rafi wants to do right by his dukedom and help his people. But sacrifices must be made, and the pair must decide their fate, and the fate of Santarem.
As far as conclusion novels go, this one wasn't bad. I think a lot of people weren't expecting this series to end after only two books, but I'm really happy about the series being a duology. Less painful waiting! And this book wraps up really nicely, no loose ends or unanswered questions.
There are soooo many POVs in this book. It's all in third person, but we get chapters in the points-of-view of Johanna, Rafi, Pira, Leão, Jacaré, and a new one - Dom (Rafi's slightly younger brother). I liked the multiple POVs in The Storyspinner, and I think they are still a huge benefit to the story. Each and every one of those six characters played a huge role in the story, and affected the big showdown in different ways. I will say though, I got seriously annoyed when something terrible happened in the POV of one character, and then a new chapter starts in the POV of a different character who is elsewhere. So frustrating for the scene to be broken up! But in general, the multiple POVs served a good purpose.
I love watching Johanna grow, and Rafi too. All six characters mature to some capacity, but it's Johanna and Rafi that have to make the tough decisions, both together, and separately. I wish they had more page time together, when they weren't bickering or stoutly ignoring each other or being drawn apart. But some scenes with the two of them were special!
I think I liked Dom's side of the story the best. He goes through so much in this book! His story made the most sense and flowed the best. I loved how much his character developed and changed. Definitely a good move by Wallace, in adding him to the POVs of this book!
Like I said, I really liked how the story wrapped up. Almost everyone gets a satisfying ending, with the exception of a few characters. But we could see the ending for a certain few characters, and it wasn't a painful thing. Overall, I walk away from this series with a positive feeling, though the series went downhill just a bit, in terms of my ratings.
What I Did Not Like:
I think the biggest thing, for me, was the distinct feeling of MEH. I couldn't get into this book. The magic of The Storyspinner did appear to me, in The Skylighter. For some reason, this book just didn't pull me in. I started skimming this book early on, quickly flipping pages. And honestly, that really worked for me. I don't think I missed major (or even minor) details at all, while skimming.
I'd seen so many positive, glowing reviews for this book on Goodreads, and so I kept waiting for this book to pick up. I almost don't want to say that it was boring but... I was never sucked in. This book never captured my full attention. I held onto hope that it would get better, and I reminded myself that I LOVED The Storyspinner, but I really wanted to drop this book early, and forget I ever tried to read it. Which makes me sad, because I rarely experience that feeling!
So the overwhelming "meh" feeling got to me. The book overall was good, it did its job as a conclusion novel, but it really wasn't anything special.
One thing that bothered me specifically was Johanna's irritation when people tried to help her or protect her. I'm not sure who she thinks she is, but the last time I checked, she wasn't skilled in combat or sword-fighting or battle tactics. Sooo... tell me why she keeps telling everyone she can take care of herself (and then PROMPTLY gets herself into some mess)? I HATE this! It's okay to NOT be a kickbutt girl, especially in YA fantasy! Trust me, you're not breaking the rules of feminism, or something! It seemed like Wallace was trying to force Johanna to be a "bada**" character, by making her get mad at Rafi for trying to stand by her side in protection, which is silly. If I'm walking through a market of big, burly men, heck YES I want someone protecting me! I'm not stupid! It's stupid of Johanna to think she can protect herself against the LEGIONS hunting her. Especially given her lacks of skills.
Small thing though. Something else that bothered me - the romance. It wasn't as smooth as I would have hoped. I really struggled with the romance of this book. It seemed like at every turn, Johanna was lusting after Rafi and then pushing him away. I was getting whiplash. And Johanna gets Rafi into all sorts of danger - never does she own up and apologize. Very badly done, Johanna.
I do think that Johanna grows up by the end of the book, but little things about her pissed me off. She was so quick to anger, at nearly everything Rafi said, especially in the beginning of the book. It's like those trolls of the Internet - someone ALWAYS has to get offended at something. Ha.
One last thing - I thought the multiple POVs of this book (and series) was a great thing, and contributed well to the story. But there were three or four distinct occasions when I nearly launched this book at a wall in frustration, because the scene was broken up, because the chapter ended, and a different person was narrating the next chapter. Like, for example, Johanna gets swallowed by a dragon and the chapter abruptly ends, but the next chapter starts with Dom in Santiago chilling in a harem. (Neither of those two things happened.) Continue the perilous scene! Who cares about Dom and his harem! Ahhh! I know this technique is employed often when dealing with multiple POVs and multiple characters in different places, but it annoyed me several times in this book. So frustrating to be reading a really intense scene and then it cuts off and goes to a different one!
But again, mostly, it was the fact that I was feeling meh and bored and had to skim most of this book to finish, that dropped the rating.
Would I Recommend It:
Of course I'm going to recommend this book if you've read The Storyspinner. Definitely experience this conclusion novel for yourself, because my complaints could be nothing you would even think about if you read it, possibly. Believe it or not, I'm feeling positive towards this book, and annoyed at myself that I didn't like it more. The smaller complaints that I had, I could have ignored, and given this book four stars. But skimming a book and feeling bored? The highest the book will get is three stars, sadly.
Rating:
3 stars. I almost want to say 2.5 stars -> rounded up to 3 stars, but I think I liked this book overall. I think. I know I WANTED to love this book, but it didn't impress me and I felt a bit let down. BUT check out the number of super positive reviews on Goodreads! So many ones calling this book epic and whatnot. Don't mind me!
***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***
The Skylighter by Becky Wallace
Book Two of the Keepers' Chronicles
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Publication Date: March 22, 2016
Rating: 3 stars
Source: ARC sent by the publisher
Summary (from Goodreads):
Johanna and Rafi are in a race against time to save their country before a power-mad Keeper destroys everything they hold dear in the “enthralling magical world” (Cinda Williams Chima, author of The Heir Chronicles) introduced in The Storyspinner.
As the last of the royal line, Johanna is the only person who can heal a magical breach in the wall that separates her kingdom of Santarem from the land of the Keepers, legendary men and women who wield elemental magic. The barrier protects Santarem from those Keepers who might try to take power over mere humans…Keepers who are determined to stop Johanna and seize the wall’s power for themselves.
And they’re not the only ones. As the duchys of Santarem descend into war over the throne, Johanna relies more than ever on the advice of her handsome companion, Lord Rafael DeSilva. But Rafi is a duke too, and his people come first. As their friendship progresses into the beginnings of a tender relationship, Johanna must wonder: is Rafi looking out for her happiness, or does he want the throne for himself?
With war on the horizon, Johanna and Rafi dodge treacherous dukes and Keeper assassins as they race to through the countryside, determined to strengthen the wall before it’s too late…even if it means sacrificing their happiness for the sake of their world.
What I Liked:
No one get mad at me, please! I know three stars isn't looking too positive up there, but remember, out of five, three is more than half! And in this case, this is a positive three-star rating. I think my issues with this book were more on me than anything.
It all comes down to Johanna and Rafi, in this heart-stopping conclusion to the Keepers' Chronicles duology. Dukes, mages, and Keepers are all after Johanna, trying to stop the heir of the throne from reaching the barrier and healing the magical breach. Johanna wants to heal the breach but she doesn't want to accept the throne. Rafi wants to do right by his dukedom and help his people. But sacrifices must be made, and the pair must decide their fate, and the fate of Santarem.
As far as conclusion novels go, this one wasn't bad. I think a lot of people weren't expecting this series to end after only two books, but I'm really happy about the series being a duology. Less painful waiting! And this book wraps up really nicely, no loose ends or unanswered questions.
There are soooo many POVs in this book. It's all in third person, but we get chapters in the points-of-view of Johanna, Rafi, Pira, Leão, Jacaré, and a new one - Dom (Rafi's slightly younger brother). I liked the multiple POVs in The Storyspinner, and I think they are still a huge benefit to the story. Each and every one of those six characters played a huge role in the story, and affected the big showdown in different ways. I will say though, I got seriously annoyed when something terrible happened in the POV of one character, and then a new chapter starts in the POV of a different character who is elsewhere. So frustrating for the scene to be broken up! But in general, the multiple POVs served a good purpose.
I love watching Johanna grow, and Rafi too. All six characters mature to some capacity, but it's Johanna and Rafi that have to make the tough decisions, both together, and separately. I wish they had more page time together, when they weren't bickering or stoutly ignoring each other or being drawn apart. But some scenes with the two of them were special!
I think I liked Dom's side of the story the best. He goes through so much in this book! His story made the most sense and flowed the best. I loved how much his character developed and changed. Definitely a good move by Wallace, in adding him to the POVs of this book!
Like I said, I really liked how the story wrapped up. Almost everyone gets a satisfying ending, with the exception of a few characters. But we could see the ending for a certain few characters, and it wasn't a painful thing. Overall, I walk away from this series with a positive feeling, though the series went downhill just a bit, in terms of my ratings.
What I Did Not Like:
I think the biggest thing, for me, was the distinct feeling of MEH. I couldn't get into this book. The magic of The Storyspinner did appear to me, in The Skylighter. For some reason, this book just didn't pull me in. I started skimming this book early on, quickly flipping pages. And honestly, that really worked for me. I don't think I missed major (or even minor) details at all, while skimming.
I'd seen so many positive, glowing reviews for this book on Goodreads, and so I kept waiting for this book to pick up. I almost don't want to say that it was boring but... I was never sucked in. This book never captured my full attention. I held onto hope that it would get better, and I reminded myself that I LOVED The Storyspinner, but I really wanted to drop this book early, and forget I ever tried to read it. Which makes me sad, because I rarely experience that feeling!
So the overwhelming "meh" feeling got to me. The book overall was good, it did its job as a conclusion novel, but it really wasn't anything special.
One thing that bothered me specifically was Johanna's irritation when people tried to help her or protect her. I'm not sure who she thinks she is, but the last time I checked, she wasn't skilled in combat or sword-fighting or battle tactics. Sooo... tell me why she keeps telling everyone she can take care of herself (and then PROMPTLY gets herself into some mess)? I HATE this! It's okay to NOT be a kickbutt girl, especially in YA fantasy! Trust me, you're not breaking the rules of feminism, or something! It seemed like Wallace was trying to force Johanna to be a "bada**" character, by making her get mad at Rafi for trying to stand by her side in protection, which is silly. If I'm walking through a market of big, burly men, heck YES I want someone protecting me! I'm not stupid! It's stupid of Johanna to think she can protect herself against the LEGIONS hunting her. Especially given her lacks of skills.
Small thing though. Something else that bothered me - the romance. It wasn't as smooth as I would have hoped. I really struggled with the romance of this book. It seemed like at every turn, Johanna was lusting after Rafi and then pushing him away. I was getting whiplash. And Johanna gets Rafi into all sorts of danger - never does she own up and apologize. Very badly done, Johanna.
I do think that Johanna grows up by the end of the book, but little things about her pissed me off. She was so quick to anger, at nearly everything Rafi said, especially in the beginning of the book. It's like those trolls of the Internet - someone ALWAYS has to get offended at something. Ha.
One last thing - I thought the multiple POVs of this book (and series) was a great thing, and contributed well to the story. But there were three or four distinct occasions when I nearly launched this book at a wall in frustration, because the scene was broken up, because the chapter ended, and a different person was narrating the next chapter. Like, for example, Johanna gets swallowed by a dragon and the chapter abruptly ends, but the next chapter starts with Dom in Santiago chilling in a harem. (Neither of those two things happened.) Continue the perilous scene! Who cares about Dom and his harem! Ahhh! I know this technique is employed often when dealing with multiple POVs and multiple characters in different places, but it annoyed me several times in this book. So frustrating to be reading a really intense scene and then it cuts off and goes to a different one!
But again, mostly, it was the fact that I was feeling meh and bored and had to skim most of this book to finish, that dropped the rating.
Would I Recommend It:
Of course I'm going to recommend this book if you've read The Storyspinner. Definitely experience this conclusion novel for yourself, because my complaints could be nothing you would even think about if you read it, possibly. Believe it or not, I'm feeling positive towards this book, and annoyed at myself that I didn't like it more. The smaller complaints that I had, I could have ignored, and given this book four stars. But skimming a book and feeling bored? The highest the book will get is three stars, sadly.
Rating:
3 stars. I almost want to say 2.5 stars -> rounded up to 3 stars, but I think I liked this book overall. I think. I know I WANTED to love this book, but it didn't impress me and I felt a bit let down. BUT check out the number of super positive reviews on Goodreads! So many ones calling this book epic and whatnot. Don't mind me!
March 28, 2016
Initial Impressions 11/29/15: Somewhere between 4 and 4.25 stars, I think.
It was such a lovely ending to this strong, debut fantasy duology! I just loved getting to know these characters, their quests, and how they all came to work together. I just love it when an awesome cast of characters really forms this epic bond and this book was a perfect example of that. Everyone gets tangled up in one another and your heart just really goes out to all of them!
I didn't feel AS invested as I had in the first book (probably a me thing to be honest. I've been having ISSUES lately with series-enders. Maybe I'm distancing myself because I'm not ready to let go) but I did still love it from start to finish! I feel like I forgot a lot about the Wall and the details behind why everyone was doing what they were doing (stupid? Probably) so I really could have benefitted from a re-read of The Storyspinner before starting this one but alas. I didn't do that.
I love Becky Wallace's writing and her relationships are just to die for. These ships totally killed me (in a good way) and the relationships -- both romantic and platonic -- really hooked me into this series. I absolutely love them and I'm sad to say goodbye to all of these awesome people! Oh well, I guess I'll just have to re-read the series someday ;D
Full review as originally posted HERE on The Book Addict's Guide 2/15/16: THE STORYSPINNER was one of my favorite reads of 2015 so when I got approved to read THE SKYLIGHTER early on Edelweiss, this was one I didn’t hesitate to pick up right away!! Becky Wallace has this amazing way of crafting characters to really connect the reader to each one and also create this incredible bond between them all. One thing I always love and enjoy in a book is a cast of characters that really comes together to form a crew (like in The Lunar Chronicles, The Lies of Locke Lamora, and Six of Crows) so to see how each of these characters already were tied together or became wrapped up in each other was just fantastic.
I’ll admit that I probably could have done with a re-read of THE STORYSPINNER before starting THE SKYLIGHTER. There’s just so much that happens and it really was almost a year since I had read it and I could have used some brushing up. There’s still plenty more to be seen in THE SKYLIGHTER though! It was actually hard for me to come to grips with the fact that the series was already ending! I’m so used to trilogies that it felt so fast to come to a conclusion already and yet it was the perfect amount of content for this story. I always enjoy duologies because you get so much more to a story and yet the series also wraps up quickly so readers aren’t waiting forever for that next book. I did feel a bit lost at times simply because I just didn’t remember everything that happened in book one (and totally major plot points too. Oops. My reading retention is the WORST) so there were moments that I wasn’t as hooked as I had been with THE STORYSPINNER because I was missing those pieces of information that should have already been stored in my brain. That was definitely reader error there.
As always, Becky Wallace’s character relationships are to die for. I absolutely adore every single one, romantic, platonic, or familial. They’re all so intricate and really provoked so many emotions as I was reading. The budding romance between Johanna and Rafi is absolutely stellar, filled with plenty of tension and some amazing kisses! And the range of romances is wonderful as well. There are many different levels and forms of love in this book and it was so wonderful to witness them all. I also really just adore this crew and their friendship. It’s not always easy but they really come to rely on one another and their feelings go way past the surface level.
I’m also still totally in love with this incredibly intricate world and how much it comes alive as I was reading. I could easily picture every location and it really helped me put myself in the story. The magical aspects of the world really develop in THE SKYLIGHTER as well although since it was the title of the book, I did find myself wanting a bit more focus on skylighters!
I just love Becky Wallace’s books and whatever she writes next will be an auto-buy for me. This is such a fun fantasy duology and if you haven’t read these books yet, now’s the perfect time to read them back-to-back and really savor the whole experience!
It was such a lovely ending to this strong, debut fantasy duology! I just loved getting to know these characters, their quests, and how they all came to work together. I just love it when an awesome cast of characters really forms this epic bond and this book was a perfect example of that. Everyone gets tangled up in one another and your heart just really goes out to all of them!
I didn't feel AS invested as I had in the first book (probably a me thing to be honest. I've been having ISSUES lately with series-enders. Maybe I'm distancing myself because I'm not ready to let go) but I did still love it from start to finish! I feel like I forgot a lot about the Wall and the details behind why everyone was doing what they were doing (stupid? Probably) so I really could have benefitted from a re-read of The Storyspinner before starting this one but alas. I didn't do that.
I love Becky Wallace's writing and her relationships are just to die for. These ships totally killed me (in a good way) and the relationships -- both romantic and platonic -- really hooked me into this series. I absolutely love them and I'm sad to say goodbye to all of these awesome people! Oh well, I guess I'll just have to re-read the series someday ;D
Full review as originally posted HERE on The Book Addict's Guide 2/15/16: THE STORYSPINNER was one of my favorite reads of 2015 so when I got approved to read THE SKYLIGHTER early on Edelweiss, this was one I didn’t hesitate to pick up right away!! Becky Wallace has this amazing way of crafting characters to really connect the reader to each one and also create this incredible bond between them all. One thing I always love and enjoy in a book is a cast of characters that really comes together to form a crew (like in The Lunar Chronicles, The Lies of Locke Lamora, and Six of Crows) so to see how each of these characters already were tied together or became wrapped up in each other was just fantastic.
I’ll admit that I probably could have done with a re-read of THE STORYSPINNER before starting THE SKYLIGHTER. There’s just so much that happens and it really was almost a year since I had read it and I could have used some brushing up. There’s still plenty more to be seen in THE SKYLIGHTER though! It was actually hard for me to come to grips with the fact that the series was already ending! I’m so used to trilogies that it felt so fast to come to a conclusion already and yet it was the perfect amount of content for this story. I always enjoy duologies because you get so much more to a story and yet the series also wraps up quickly so readers aren’t waiting forever for that next book. I did feel a bit lost at times simply because I just didn’t remember everything that happened in book one (and totally major plot points too. Oops. My reading retention is the WORST) so there were moments that I wasn’t as hooked as I had been with THE STORYSPINNER because I was missing those pieces of information that should have already been stored in my brain. That was definitely reader error there.
As always, Becky Wallace’s character relationships are to die for. I absolutely adore every single one, romantic, platonic, or familial. They’re all so intricate and really provoked so many emotions as I was reading. The budding romance between Johanna and Rafi is absolutely stellar, filled with plenty of tension and some amazing kisses! And the range of romances is wonderful as well. There are many different levels and forms of love in this book and it was so wonderful to witness them all. I also really just adore this crew and their friendship. It’s not always easy but they really come to rely on one another and their feelings go way past the surface level.
I’m also still totally in love with this incredibly intricate world and how much it comes alive as I was reading. I could easily picture every location and it really helped me put myself in the story. The magical aspects of the world really develop in THE SKYLIGHTER as well although since it was the title of the book, I did find myself wanting a bit more focus on skylighters!
I just love Becky Wallace’s books and whatever she writes next will be an auto-buy for me. This is such a fun fantasy duology and if you haven’t read these books yet, now’s the perfect time to read them back-to-back and really savor the whole experience!
March 24, 2016
I was just going to read a few chapters of this today, and instead I blew right through it. That's how freaking awesome it was. An epic conclusion, to an epic series, and one that's going to be amongst my absolute favorites probably forever. Seriously, just go.read.now! You can thank me later..
September 24, 2016
I could kick myself for waiting so long to read this! It's a wonderful end to the duology, with old and new characters to love (the women in this story are sooo amazingly complex), sweet romances, and almost nonstop intensity. I can't wait to read more in the future from Becky Wallace!
February 11, 2016
An advance copy of this title was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts are my own. This review can also be found at The Starry-Eyed Revue.
What a great ending! I didn't realize this was a duology until I was getting close to the end and it seemed like the story was actually going to wrap up in this book, so I checked and yep, this is the conclusion. Hallelujah for duologies! I love when an author keeps their story concise and clean and doesn't try to stretch it for three books when two will more than suffice.
I'm not usually a big fan of sooo many alternating perspectives, but in this duet, it works, and it does so beautifully. It's not like seeing situations from more than one point-of-view. Rather, each vantage point allows the reader to see the full story, not just what's happening in one locale but all over the country, from the sea to the wall protecting Santarem from the Keepers. Each perspective contains vital information and introspection, resulting in a fuller, more complete story. I only wish we'd have gotten to see Maribelle's point-of-view, though I understand why we couldn't.
With all of these perspectives, one would think that betrayal and deceit would be easier to detect, but that's not necessarily the case. Ulterior motives are hard to guess and you just never know what someone might be willing to sacrifice, even if it's for the greater good. I loved how unpredictable this story was, how it constantly left me unsure of whom to trust.
I think the aspect that I enjoyed the most, though, was that every time I thought this story was about to get all tropey on me, it went in the opposite direction, leaving me surprised and elated. For instance, when a situation arises where the love interest might push the heroine away for her own safety/best interest, he does something else entirely. Time and again I would cringe, thinking I knew exactly what the characters were going to do, yet they'd surprise me at nearly every turn.
I do recommend re-reading The Storyspinner before picking up this sequel/final book. The Skylighter picks up right where the first book left off, but with all of the perspectives, you're bound to need a refresher. There were definitely details I would have missed, had I not re-read the previous book first. Additionally, I think this series would be great on audio, with a full cast performing it, simply because of all of those points of view.
I'm very satisfied with this conclusion. So very satisfied. The pacing was perfect, the writing was spectacular, and the story was exceptional. I loved The Storyspinner when I read it last year, and I'm so happy that these characters got the ending they deserved.
GIF it to me straight:
What a great ending! I didn't realize this was a duology until I was getting close to the end and it seemed like the story was actually going to wrap up in this book, so I checked and yep, this is the conclusion. Hallelujah for duologies! I love when an author keeps their story concise and clean and doesn't try to stretch it for three books when two will more than suffice.
I'm not usually a big fan of sooo many alternating perspectives, but in this duet, it works, and it does so beautifully. It's not like seeing situations from more than one point-of-view. Rather, each vantage point allows the reader to see the full story, not just what's happening in one locale but all over the country, from the sea to the wall protecting Santarem from the Keepers. Each perspective contains vital information and introspection, resulting in a fuller, more complete story. I only wish we'd have gotten to see Maribelle's point-of-view, though I understand why we couldn't.
With all of these perspectives, one would think that betrayal and deceit would be easier to detect, but that's not necessarily the case. Ulterior motives are hard to guess and you just never know what someone might be willing to sacrifice, even if it's for the greater good. I loved how unpredictable this story was, how it constantly left me unsure of whom to trust.
I think the aspect that I enjoyed the most, though, was that every time I thought this story was about to get all tropey on me, it went in the opposite direction, leaving me surprised and elated. For instance, when a situation arises where the love interest might push the heroine away for her own safety/best interest, he does something else entirely. Time and again I would cringe, thinking I knew exactly what the characters were going to do, yet they'd surprise me at nearly every turn.
I do recommend re-reading The Storyspinner before picking up this sequel/final book. The Skylighter picks up right where the first book left off, but with all of the perspectives, you're bound to need a refresher. There were definitely details I would have missed, had I not re-read the previous book first. Additionally, I think this series would be great on audio, with a full cast performing it, simply because of all of those points of view.
I'm very satisfied with this conclusion. So very satisfied. The pacing was perfect, the writing was spectacular, and the story was exceptional. I loved The Storyspinner when I read it last year, and I'm so happy that these characters got the ending they deserved.
GIF it to me straight:
March 15, 2016
Originally posted on Super Space Chick:
The Skylighter by Becky Wallace is the conclusion to The Keepers’ Chronicles duology. It picks up exactly where The Storyspinner leaves off and things have gotten pretty intense. I’ve been hearing that you’ll enjoy The Skylighter most if you re-read The Storyspinner prior to jumping back into the world. Luckily for me, I read The Storyspinner last month so the details were already very fresh in my mind and I wasn’t at all confused when I began reading. I’m so happy that this series was told over two books instead of being stretched into a trilogy because that really would’ve been unnecessary. Every aspect of the story is described in full and each storyline is wrapped up at the conclusion. Overall, The Skylighter provides a very satisfying ending.
Following in the footsteps of its predecessor, The Storyspinner, The Skylighter works really well with multiple perspectives. The switching narratives were one of my favorite aspects of the first book it continued to be in the final installment. Each character uniquely contributes a portion to the larger story being told and the reader would not get as much out of the tale without having firsthand knowledge of each character’s motivations. The second book focuses much more on The Keepers whereas Johanna and Rafi had been the stars of book one. I have to say that I was completely surprised by Dom, Rafi’s younger and less mature brother. He really underwent a ton of character growth in The Skylighter and I found myself looking forward to his chapters. I remained completely invested in Johanna and Rafi and their relationship took a ton of turns that I hadn’t been expecting. Becky Wallace did a fantastic job crafting their story.
Again, I was enthralled with the world-building in the first book and the conclusion continued to impress. We traveled to places outside Santarem and saw how the other provinces within the kingdom were being managed. I think it was really important for both Rafi and Johanna to see what goes on throughout the entire kingdom instead of having a limited perspective of only one section. The Keepers’ Chronicles duology is unlike any fantasy series I’ve ever read. The story and circumstances are completely original and it’s heavily influenced by hispanic culture and The Skylighter is much more magic heavy than The Storyspinner. Plus, I really loved the ending.
Final Thoughts: The Skylighter by Becky Wallace is the perfect ending to The Keepers Chronicles’ duology. The world-building is unique and unlike any other fantasy world I’ve ever read. The characters are diverse and the world is inspired by Hispanic culture. There were constant twists as the story wraps up and all of the occurrences are far from predictable. If it’s been a while since you read The Storyspinner I would definitely recommend giving it a re-read before jumping into the conclusion.
The Skylighter by Becky Wallace is the conclusion to The Keepers’ Chronicles duology. It picks up exactly where The Storyspinner leaves off and things have gotten pretty intense. I’ve been hearing that you’ll enjoy The Skylighter most if you re-read The Storyspinner prior to jumping back into the world. Luckily for me, I read The Storyspinner last month so the details were already very fresh in my mind and I wasn’t at all confused when I began reading. I’m so happy that this series was told over two books instead of being stretched into a trilogy because that really would’ve been unnecessary. Every aspect of the story is described in full and each storyline is wrapped up at the conclusion. Overall, The Skylighter provides a very satisfying ending.
Following in the footsteps of its predecessor, The Storyspinner, The Skylighter works really well with multiple perspectives. The switching narratives were one of my favorite aspects of the first book it continued to be in the final installment. Each character uniquely contributes a portion to the larger story being told and the reader would not get as much out of the tale without having firsthand knowledge of each character’s motivations. The second book focuses much more on The Keepers whereas Johanna and Rafi had been the stars of book one. I have to say that I was completely surprised by Dom, Rafi’s younger and less mature brother. He really underwent a ton of character growth in The Skylighter and I found myself looking forward to his chapters. I remained completely invested in Johanna and Rafi and their relationship took a ton of turns that I hadn’t been expecting. Becky Wallace did a fantastic job crafting their story.
Again, I was enthralled with the world-building in the first book and the conclusion continued to impress. We traveled to places outside Santarem and saw how the other provinces within the kingdom were being managed. I think it was really important for both Rafi and Johanna to see what goes on throughout the entire kingdom instead of having a limited perspective of only one section. The Keepers’ Chronicles duology is unlike any fantasy series I’ve ever read. The story and circumstances are completely original and it’s heavily influenced by hispanic culture and The Skylighter is much more magic heavy than The Storyspinner. Plus, I really loved the ending.
Final Thoughts: The Skylighter by Becky Wallace is the perfect ending to The Keepers Chronicles’ duology. The world-building is unique and unlike any other fantasy world I’ve ever read. The characters are diverse and the world is inspired by Hispanic culture. There were constant twists as the story wraps up and all of the occurrences are far from predictable. If it’s been a while since you read The Storyspinner I would definitely recommend giving it a re-read before jumping into the conclusion.
March 23, 2016
I really enjoyed this duology. I was very excited to read Skylighter after finishing Storyspinner early this year. I think I should have gone back and reviewed Storyspinner because I forgot a lot of details. As the book progressed I started to remember things but I forgot about a little too much so I was a little confused here and there but that is my fault for forgetting. My favorite part of this duology is the characters. I love Johanna, Rafi, Jacare, Leao, Pira, and Dom, even some of the secondary characters. I love how many ships I root for as well. I knew a certain character was going to die and started to prepare myself early on. It was still sad in the end but the character died for a good reason so I was alright. Overall the story was not as compelling as the first book so I gave it 4 stars instead of five and the ending felt a little rushed and I could have used an epilogue or another book (hint hint Becky Wallace) but this book was an exciting fantasy read.
Don't miss this fantasy duology that I hope will have another book because the ending made me want more.
Don't miss this fantasy duology that I hope will have another book because the ending made me want more.
October 11, 2015
Amazing conclusion! Wow I almost wish this wasn't a duology! I want more! I love Becky's writing and the characters and her world building! Love, love, loved this!!!
January 24, 2016
*Beware of Spoilers from The Storyspinner*
The Storyspinner was one of my favorite reads from last year. It just has that special something for me where I knew it was going to be a long time favorite. The Skylighter has kept pace with it's predecessor, The Storyspinner. This uniquely crafted, action filled tale has an enormous scope due to all the characters point of views. Although the pace feels quite jumpy at times do to multiple points of view, each character's' story has enough action that it is easy to pick up on after a very small amount of reading. I am so very sad it's over but couldn't have been more pleased with the wrap up.
My favorite thing about The Skylighter was how much deeper we got to delve into a few of my favorite characters especially from the Keepers' perspectives. The come off as these mighty beings with immense magical abilities but their POV's really gave them a more human feel. It is great to see since many of them are revered as god like. I liked this crew before but now I simply adore them especially Jacare' and Leao.
The relationship between Rafi and Johanna was also quite interesting in this book. It seems they are finally making progress when a huge wrench is thrown into things. Jo learns a lot about herself and more about her bloodlines which has great effects on her perspective of Rafi. Is the attraction his real feelings or something more complicated? I totally understand her back and forth so much. If I was unsure of the legitimacy of feelings I would be wary as well, especially when there is magic involved. Rafi is just so sweet. He is noble and chivalrous and I really just have come to admire his characters a ton. I'll admit I was VERY worried for a bit because things get....hectic.
There are so many plot twists that Wallace kept me guessing for the whole last half of the book. I'll admit I did not know this was a duology but couldn't have been more pleased with the ending that Becky choose to write. Hopefully one day we'll get to revisit this brilliant cast of characters. As for now, these books have a permanent home on my favorites shelf.
November 8, 2015
Fans of "The Storyspinner" won't be disappointed by this satisfying conclusion to Johanna's story. Fast-paced, shocking, romantic, unexpected, and well ended are the best words to describe this book. Becky's writing has only gotten better and more suspenseful while the rotating POVs and the plotting still wow readers. I hope you'll all check out the first book in this duology, "The Storyspinner." It's an exemplary fantasy novel that you're bound to enjoy! Full review to come.
April 18, 2019
3.5 stars. The Skylighter is the sequel to The Storyspinner, and I looked forward to reading it all year because the previous book ended up being a favorite. However for some reason The Skylighter didn't keep me as glued to the pages as The Storyspinner, and I had a harder time staying in the story. This could have just been my mood though, as I've slowed down in my reading lately. This happens a couple of times a year as I get busy or focused on other things and I can't keep up the same reading pace, so I'm blaming this more on myself than on the book. The book did pick up later on and I ended up really liking it.
One thing I really liked about this series in general is that we were able to get into different characters heads instead of being stuck in just one point of view. Each of these characters played important roles in the story and I enjoyed reading how they all contributed and everything came together. It was like reading a simplified version of one of those big epic fantasies. As much as I loved Rafi and Johanna, their scenes were painful to read at times because they were at odds a little too often for my liking. I think I Dom's chapters ended up being my favorite ones to read. I also really enjoyed reading Pira's point of view, even though I hated what she was going through.
One thing I particularly liked about this book was that the fight near the end with the antagonist wasn't stretched out forever long. It annoys me to no end when an antagonist is seemingly invincible. I can name a few other YA trilogies that could have ended after book two if the antagonist had just not gotten away. The Storm Siren trilogy is the one that comes to mind first. I got so exasperated with book two that I've yet to read the third one. So points to Becky Wallace for not dragging this story out longer than it needed to be. Everything was wrapped up nicely. With the series titled The Keeper Chronicles I wasn't expecting this to be a duology. It just has the sound of a longer series, but I'm happy this ended up only being two books. This is perfect as a duology.
One thing I really liked about this series in general is that we were able to get into different characters heads instead of being stuck in just one point of view. Each of these characters played important roles in the story and I enjoyed reading how they all contributed and everything came together. It was like reading a simplified version of one of those big epic fantasies. As much as I loved Rafi and Johanna, their scenes were painful to read at times because they were at odds a little too often for my liking. I think I Dom's chapters ended up being my favorite ones to read. I also really enjoyed reading Pira's point of view, even though I hated what she was going through.
One thing I particularly liked about this book was that the fight near the end with the antagonist wasn't stretched out forever long. It annoys me to no end when an antagonist is seemingly invincible. I can name a few other YA trilogies that could have ended after book two if the antagonist had just not gotten away. The Storm Siren trilogy is the one that comes to mind first. I got so exasperated with book two that I've yet to read the third one. So points to Becky Wallace for not dragging this story out longer than it needed to be. Everything was wrapped up nicely. With the series titled The Keeper Chronicles I wasn't expecting this to be a duology. It just has the sound of a longer series, but I'm happy this ended up only being two books. This is perfect as a duology.
March 30, 2016
Yaaaaassssssssssss
Lots of amazing ships in this book. Also, I love that this is a duology and I don't have to wait a thousand years for a finale.
This series is so much fun. I love how fast-paced it is. Highly recommended.
Lots of amazing ships in this book. Also, I love that this is a duology and I don't have to wait a thousand years for a finale.
This series is so much fun. I love how fast-paced it is. Highly recommended.
March 25, 2016
The Storyspinner last year was one of my favorite books, easily a 4.5 stars read. I loved the setting, the multiple POVs and the story was rich, complex and very much captivating. The Skylighter was one of my top 5 most anticipated titles of the year. I couldn't wait to be reunited with cast and see how Becky Wallace wrapped up the story. While overall, I was satisfied with the story, I didn't think it lived up to the expectations I had.
- The characterizations was as with the first book fantastic! Becky Wallace is seriously talented at building up her characters, fleshing them out and making them come to life. She has a way with capturing their fears, insecurities and strengths that make the character seem so real. There's a lot of POVs in this book, and the author was able to make each of them so distinct. You get to watch their personal growths and how they face each obstacles using their strengths. In the first book, Johanna & Rafi were my favorite, but this time around, the added POV of Dom turned out to be a breath of fresh air! He was such a playful character in the first book, watching how the impending war changed him was an experience for me.
- The writing too was pretty phenomenal. Becky Wallace is clearly a star at writing and she shines with her simple, but very engaging storytelling abilities. It's hard to look away from the book because of her writing.
- The world building & politics were also very interesting, in my opinion. You get to learn more about The Keepers and the magic that exists in the world. I also loved seeing more of the Brazilian roots that the book is inspired become the focal point of this duology.
- The ending left me with a feeling of completion. So often, I'm left with a bunch of unanswered questions when it comes to series endings, but The Skylighter left me very much satisfied when it came to the plot lines and wrapping those up.
- Despite the characters, the writing and the world building being great, I felt something missing. It didn't have that spark that the first book had that made me want to read the book in one sitting. It didn't have the addictive quality I was looking for. I felt my attention wavering many times and I'm not going to lie, I also skimmed a couple of chapters. :/
- While I loved how Becky Wallace made each of the POVs so distinctive, I really struggled with the overall execution. The flow wasn't as smooth and it was frustrating how it would switch from one POV to the next when things were getting good.
- Rafi & Johanna's romance was so ... boring. I loved them so much in the first book and I shipped them so hard, but while I still shipped them in The Skylighter, I just felt like they barely had any romantic scenes. I expected much more of them together, but circumstances led them to being rather emotionally distant and I wasn't a fan, sadly.
In the end, I had mixed reactions when it came to The Skylighter. While I personally wasn't the biggest fan of this finale, overall this duology is great and if you're a fan of YA fantasy, definitely give it a shot. I'm most certainly looking forward to reading Becky Wallace's new projects in the future too!
April 27, 2016
The Skylighter by Becky Wallace is the sequel to The Storyspinner, a duology set in The Keepers’ Chronicles series.
If you love a strong heroine, a non-triangle romance, magic, and a well-developed plot, this book (and series) is for you.
At the end of The Storyspinner, the author left her readers in a dreaded awe state. I’m not going to spoil the first book, but I’m just going to tell you, there are some mouth-dropping moments and you will immediately want to read the second book.
The Skylighter picks up with the same routine of weaving between different character perspectives. I really liked that each chapter is a different character’s perspective, because it exceptionally drives the plot and smoothly carries the reader through moments of much awaited kissage scenes; ruthless, but carefully articulated war tactics; and more importantly spies, twists, and sacrifices that I didn’t even see coming. WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO DO TO ME, Becky?
As I read The Skylighter, I honestly saw each scene as a strategic puzzle piece that connects and interlocks Johanna’s, the main heroine, past to her present and future. I found the world building to be very reminiscent of Neil Gaiman’s Stardust, in that the characters are not only connected to their heritage, but also to the land and the treasured magic that surrounds them. More importantly, the idea of choice is critically analyzed among each character, which definitely helped the story progress. For example, it gave the minor characters, like Dom, Jacaré, Pira, and Leão, an extra boost of importance and drive in a story that is mainly centered on Johanna and Rafi. I loved how Wallace took each minor character and threw them into dreadful challenges that tested their perseverance and willpower, which definitely brought them to life on the page.
The scenes between Johanna and Rafi are gripping, fiery, and swoonworthy. Additionally, as I read The Skylighter, I was really happy how Dom, Rafi’s roguish, young brother, unfolded as a character. Throughout the novel, Dom takes initiative to help his family and Johanna’s cause by making dire, unselfish choices. Overall, all of the characters, even the minor ones, each deal with a conflict that is emotionally binding and/or physically demanding. In the end, their choices dynamically change them, which I think makes the story captivating and extraordinary.
Oh, and the ending! SO PERFECT! I think Wallace’s readers are going to enjoy the calculated decisions that each of the characters make and how the book ends.
RANTS: I love that this series is a duology, but I’m greedy and want more. I WANT MORE JOHANNA! I WANT MORE RAFI! I WANT MORE JOHANNA AND RAFI SCENES! AND AFTER READING THE SKYLIGHTER, I WANT MORE DOM!
RAVES: The world building in this story is excellently executed, and because the story was so captivating, I couldn’t put the book down. I read this book in ONE sitting, people! I’m a huge fantasy fan, and Becky Wallace definitely creates a magical world that ingrains the reader to be part of the characters’ challenges and life choices–emotionally involving us in an unforgettable world.
NOTE: I received this e-gallye/e-ARC from the publisher on Netgalley for an honest review. All statements and opinions are mine.
If you love a strong heroine, a non-triangle romance, magic, and a well-developed plot, this book (and series) is for you.
At the end of The Storyspinner, the author left her readers in a dreaded awe state. I’m not going to spoil the first book, but I’m just going to tell you, there are some mouth-dropping moments and you will immediately want to read the second book.
The Skylighter picks up with the same routine of weaving between different character perspectives. I really liked that each chapter is a different character’s perspective, because it exceptionally drives the plot and smoothly carries the reader through moments of much awaited kissage scenes; ruthless, but carefully articulated war tactics; and more importantly spies, twists, and sacrifices that I didn’t even see coming. WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO DO TO ME, Becky?
As I read The Skylighter, I honestly saw each scene as a strategic puzzle piece that connects and interlocks Johanna’s, the main heroine, past to her present and future. I found the world building to be very reminiscent of Neil Gaiman’s Stardust, in that the characters are not only connected to their heritage, but also to the land and the treasured magic that surrounds them. More importantly, the idea of choice is critically analyzed among each character, which definitely helped the story progress. For example, it gave the minor characters, like Dom, Jacaré, Pira, and Leão, an extra boost of importance and drive in a story that is mainly centered on Johanna and Rafi. I loved how Wallace took each minor character and threw them into dreadful challenges that tested their perseverance and willpower, which definitely brought them to life on the page.
The scenes between Johanna and Rafi are gripping, fiery, and swoonworthy. Additionally, as I read The Skylighter, I was really happy how Dom, Rafi’s roguish, young brother, unfolded as a character. Throughout the novel, Dom takes initiative to help his family and Johanna’s cause by making dire, unselfish choices. Overall, all of the characters, even the minor ones, each deal with a conflict that is emotionally binding and/or physically demanding. In the end, their choices dynamically change them, which I think makes the story captivating and extraordinary.
Oh, and the ending! SO PERFECT! I think Wallace’s readers are going to enjoy the calculated decisions that each of the characters make and how the book ends.
RANTS: I love that this series is a duology, but I’m greedy and want more. I WANT MORE JOHANNA! I WANT MORE RAFI! I WANT MORE JOHANNA AND RAFI SCENES! AND AFTER READING THE SKYLIGHTER, I WANT MORE DOM!
RAVES: The world building in this story is excellently executed, and because the story was so captivating, I couldn’t put the book down. I read this book in ONE sitting, people! I’m a huge fantasy fan, and Becky Wallace definitely creates a magical world that ingrains the reader to be part of the characters’ challenges and life choices–emotionally involving us in an unforgettable world.
NOTE: I received this e-gallye/e-ARC from the publisher on Netgalley for an honest review. All statements and opinions are mine.
March 8, 2016
3.5 Stars
The Skylighter is non-stop action, but you really need a re-read of The Storyspinner to enjoy it to the fullest.
Plot: The Skylighter picks up right where The Storyspinner ended. Do you remember what happened? I barely did. From there, The Skylighter picks up speed and we're introduced more into the Keepers involvement with politics in Santiago. This book was very much The Keepers novel which was very interesting and at times emotional, but yet I felt that more of this storyline should have been introduced in The Storyspinner.
Like The Storyspinner, The Skylighter is told from many perspectives, I believe there are six perspectives in this one. I can't emphasize how important it is to re-read The Storyspinner. I think that if I had re-read The Storyspinner right before diving into this book that I would have rated this one higher. Wallace has the talent of dropping little cliffhangers at the each of chapter and giving the reader just enough information to keep you interested.
Characters: Here's a confession, I forgot a good handful of characters from this series. This added an extra layer of frustration for me during The Skylighter because I remembered the characters being my favorite aspect of The Storyspinner. After a few hundred pages, I was able to place characters to their storyline, but it took a really long time.
But, you may ask, where is the romance? It is there and it is everything that you want for Rafi and Johanna. They had plenty of swoon-worthy scenes, but most importantly, they were able to explore the consequences of their relationship. I always enjoy when characters can look outside themselves to see what implications their actions have.
In addition to our leading lady and her beau, I was really impressed by Dom's growth. In The Storyspinner, he was the "fun" brother whose sole purpose was to flirt with a girl or two. In Rafi's absence, he learns and grows quickly and I lived for his chapters.
Worldbuilding: The Storyspinner took place mostly in Santiago - Rafi's domain, but the sky is the limit in The Skylighter. We explore other dukedoms and how the political climate in each land affects Rafi and his people.
I always love how some fantasy books borrow from cultures that really exist, predominately they are European or Asian cultures. In these series, the lands closely resemble Brazil. It's so unique and Wallace's dedication to her world is astounding.
Short N Sweet: If you read The Storyspinner right before reading this one, you're sure to love it!
The Skylighter is non-stop action, but you really need a re-read of The Storyspinner to enjoy it to the fullest.
Plot: The Skylighter picks up right where The Storyspinner ended. Do you remember what happened? I barely did. From there, The Skylighter picks up speed and we're introduced more into the Keepers involvement with politics in Santiago. This book was very much The Keepers novel which was very interesting and at times emotional, but yet I felt that more of this storyline should have been introduced in The Storyspinner.
Like The Storyspinner, The Skylighter is told from many perspectives, I believe there are six perspectives in this one. I can't emphasize how important it is to re-read The Storyspinner. I think that if I had re-read The Storyspinner right before diving into this book that I would have rated this one higher. Wallace has the talent of dropping little cliffhangers at the each of chapter and giving the reader just enough information to keep you interested.
Characters: Here's a confession, I forgot a good handful of characters from this series. This added an extra layer of frustration for me during The Skylighter because I remembered the characters being my favorite aspect of The Storyspinner. After a few hundred pages, I was able to place characters to their storyline, but it took a really long time.
But, you may ask, where is the romance? It is there and it is everything that you want for Rafi and Johanna. They had plenty of swoon-worthy scenes, but most importantly, they were able to explore the consequences of their relationship. I always enjoy when characters can look outside themselves to see what implications their actions have.
In addition to our leading lady and her beau, I was really impressed by Dom's growth. In The Storyspinner, he was the "fun" brother whose sole purpose was to flirt with a girl or two. In Rafi's absence, he learns and grows quickly and I lived for his chapters.
Worldbuilding: The Storyspinner took place mostly in Santiago - Rafi's domain, but the sky is the limit in The Skylighter. We explore other dukedoms and how the political climate in each land affects Rafi and his people.
I always love how some fantasy books borrow from cultures that really exist, predominately they are European or Asian cultures. In these series, the lands closely resemble Brazil. It's so unique and Wallace's dedication to her world is astounding.
Short N Sweet: If you read The Storyspinner right before reading this one, you're sure to love it!
January 10, 2016
Confession time, when I requested The Skylighter, I thought it was the middle book in a trilogy, not the last book in a duology, so when I found out about that, I was a bit disappointed. I had only just started it and everything was getting more and more dire and I was as much in love with it as with the first book if not more, so I wanted more time with this story and characters!
Not to say that the book was a disappointment because it was anything but! It was action filled with a few extra twists and the urgency of the different missions was even greater than it was in the first book.
Aside from Joanna, Rafi, Jacaré, Leao and Pira's POV, this time we also get Dom's, Rafi's lil brother, and how I loved his POV! He seemed like the most fun of the two brothers, the yin to Rafi's excess of responsability's yang, and here we see how he's much more than just the funny guy. How he deals with responsabilites that used to be his brother's and with threats that come from unexpected places but also finds unexpected allies and even more unexpected traitors. Dom had to be by far my favourite character of the book!
Joanna and Rafi continue being adorable and irksome at the same time, and continue butting their heads as they try to find a way around the new revelations and what they ought to do to protect the kingdom and what to do once that has been achieved. They have great growth both as separate characters as well as together.
We get some new allies but mostly we get some new villains, new revelations from a few new grey characters that add more to the secrets that some of our characters seem to be keeping (ahem, Jacaré) and many more surprises added to what we thought we knew about other characters!
I really loved the pace and the development of the plot in the book, filled with small details everywhere that expanded on the world building and made it a distinctive place. I couldn't stop turning the pages fast enough although sometimes I dreaded what might happen in the next page! A fantastic continuation and finale to this duology, very much deserving of 4 to 4.5 stars!
Not to say that the book was a disappointment because it was anything but! It was action filled with a few extra twists and the urgency of the different missions was even greater than it was in the first book.
Aside from Joanna, Rafi, Jacaré, Leao and Pira's POV, this time we also get Dom's, Rafi's lil brother, and how I loved his POV! He seemed like the most fun of the two brothers, the yin to Rafi's excess of responsability's yang, and here we see how he's much more than just the funny guy. How he deals with responsabilites that used to be his brother's and with threats that come from unexpected places but also finds unexpected allies and even more unexpected traitors. Dom had to be by far my favourite character of the book!
Joanna and Rafi continue being adorable and irksome at the same time, and continue butting their heads as they try to find a way around the new revelations and what they ought to do to protect the kingdom and what to do once that has been achieved. They have great growth both as separate characters as well as together.
We get some new allies but mostly we get some new villains, new revelations from a few new grey characters that add more to the secrets that some of our characters seem to be keeping (ahem, Jacaré) and many more surprises added to what we thought we knew about other characters!
I really loved the pace and the development of the plot in the book, filled with small details everywhere that expanded on the world building and made it a distinctive place. I couldn't stop turning the pages fast enough although sometimes I dreaded what might happen in the next page! A fantastic continuation and finale to this duology, very much deserving of 4 to 4.5 stars!
June 18, 2016
Title: THE SKYLIGHTER
Author: Becky Wallace
Release Date: March 22, 2016
Pages: 432
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Formats: Hardcover, eBook, audiobook
Rating: 5 Stars
I would like to thank the publisher for providing me with an advance copy for an honest review.
I love this series and this is the final book so I am going to do this review as spoiler free as possible. I do not want to ruin either books as I loved them both so much!
The Skylighter is fantastic, with fantasy, romance, and magic !!! I usually hate books with too many POV’s but Becky did such an amazing job making them essential and each of the chapter flow so that are dying for the next. All the POV’s are so important and really made for great world building and a complete picture. This book picks up right where the Storyspinner leaves off, and I would not recommend reading this book without reading the first as you will miss so much of the story. Some is recapped but not much, really need to read Storyspinner. This is an amazing conclusion to a fantastic series.
FULL REVIEW GO TO: http://takemeawaytoagreatread.com/201...
Author: Becky Wallace
Release Date: March 22, 2016
Pages: 432
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Formats: Hardcover, eBook, audiobook
Rating: 5 Stars
I would like to thank the publisher for providing me with an advance copy for an honest review.
I love this series and this is the final book so I am going to do this review as spoiler free as possible. I do not want to ruin either books as I loved them both so much!
The Skylighter is fantastic, with fantasy, romance, and magic !!! I usually hate books with too many POV’s but Becky did such an amazing job making them essential and each of the chapter flow so that are dying for the next. All the POV’s are so important and really made for great world building and a complete picture. This book picks up right where the Storyspinner leaves off, and I would not recommend reading this book without reading the first as you will miss so much of the story. Some is recapped but not much, really need to read Storyspinner. This is an amazing conclusion to a fantastic series.
FULL REVIEW GO TO: http://takemeawaytoagreatread.com/201...
January 10, 2016
Review to come closer to release date. But rest assured, this was a satisfying end to a great two book series.
The only complaint I will voice aloud is how I really don't like the covers for either of the books. They are too cheesy and don't really do a good job at conveying the plot of the books.
The only complaint I will voice aloud is how I really don't like the covers for either of the books. They are too cheesy and don't really do a good job at conveying the plot of the books.
November 24, 2015
AN EPIC CONCLUSION TO A WONDERFUL FANTASY DUOLOGY.
This book BROKE MY HEART... mended it... SMASHED IT AGAIN... then warmed it up and fixed it... THEN MADE ME CRY OUT IN DISTRESS/HEARTBREAK/FEELINGS. Becky Wallace really played through my emotions all throughout it. :')
Review to come!
This book BROKE MY HEART... mended it... SMASHED IT AGAIN... then warmed it up and fixed it... THEN MADE ME CRY OUT IN DISTRESS/HEARTBREAK/FEELINGS. Becky Wallace really played through my emotions all throughout it. :')
Review to come!
January 17, 2016
Wow, that is all I have for the moment. Review to come closer to release date.
November 9, 2017
I liked this book a lot.. It was very different from the book 1. The author fulfilled the lack of action in the book 2.
It was a pack of romance and action. I didn't like the way that the love triangle was handled. I could see that coming but I forced myself to not believe it but I can't blame the author since it added a good deal of mystery.
What I disliked the most was the battle. It was too small a battle to consider much. The enemy was plotting for 10 years and yet he lost the battle very easy.
The way the enemy besieged the town was like a kids play. I expected much more there. But on overall the book was great.
I will recommend everyone to give this book a try.
It was a pack of romance and action. I didn't like the way that the love triangle was handled. I could see that coming but I forced myself to not believe it but I can't blame the author since it added a good deal of mystery.
What I disliked the most was the battle. It was too small a battle to consider much. The enemy was plotting for 10 years and yet he lost the battle very easy.
The way the enemy besieged the town was like a kids play. I expected much more there. But on overall the book was great.
I will recommend everyone to give this book a try.
June 10, 2016
This cover remains such a betrayal. Every time I see it, I just frown at it in disappointment. The book itself definitely isn’t that level of disappointment, but it didn’t quite live up to The Storyspinner for me.
The main problem, I think, is how short this book is. Basically everything felt rushed: the plot, the romantic resolutions. On the one hand, it did actually make the book pretty impossible to put down since something intense was always happening, but I think the novel could have benefited from more slow moments. A battle doesn’t always need to be happening to keep my interest. Plus, given that I’m pretty sure this is the end of the series, based on how everything wrapped up there at the end, I’m shocked it’s a hundred pages shorter than book one when this is the book with the big bad. Like HOW?
It’s a shame because a lot of what happened could have punched such an emotional punch, but often it failed to. I mean, don’t get me wrong, because I did really enjoy it, and the crack is still there, but it could have been more. I should have been a mess of ship and feels and I wasn’t. There are two primary examples to where the rushing really cut the feels, but they’re spoilery so:
Everything’s fun and I enjoyed it immensely, but, the more I think on it, the more I’m haunted by the book that could have been. I wish The Skylighter had been another 200 pages long at least, because that would have been epic.
The main problem, I think, is how short this book is. Basically everything felt rushed: the plot, the romantic resolutions. On the one hand, it did actually make the book pretty impossible to put down since something intense was always happening, but I think the novel could have benefited from more slow moments. A battle doesn’t always need to be happening to keep my interest. Plus, given that I’m pretty sure this is the end of the series, based on how everything wrapped up there at the end, I’m shocked it’s a hundred pages shorter than book one when this is the book with the big bad. Like HOW?
It’s a shame because a lot of what happened could have punched such an emotional punch, but often it failed to. I mean, don’t get me wrong, because I did really enjoy it, and the crack is still there, but it could have been more. I should have been a mess of ship and feels and I wasn’t. There are two primary examples to where the rushing really cut the feels, but they’re spoilery so:
Everything’s fun and I enjoyed it immensely, but, the more I think on it, the more I’m haunted by the book that could have been. I wish The Skylighter had been another 200 pages long at least, because that would have been epic.
March 21, 2016
Actual: 3.5 stars
The Storyspinner was by far one of the best books I've read in 2015. It wasn't perfect particularly in the world building and plot but its characters, the ships, the classic fairy tale feel and the premise certainly compensated for what it lacked. So it was only expected that the second book, Skylighter, was one of my awaited books this 2016. And what can I say, it was still wonderful but I wish that there was more.
Considering that the Keepers' Chronicles is a fantasy and that there were so many POVs, one would expect that it was longer, if not in the number of installments then at least, in the number of pages per book. Alas, The Keepers' Chronicles is only a duology and each book consisted of around 300 pages. For other readers, said statistics would have been enough but hell, we're talking about fantasy here. And taking into account the scope of the plot and the involved characters, more pages or installments are needed.
What happened in this series is that the almost-mediocre world building wasn't improved. Some of the POVs got left out and the plot really suffered because everything just happened too fast. It didn't help that another POV (Dom's) was added and you know, it wasn't really necessary. Don't get me wrong, I adore Dom but I don't think that it was important to get a blow-by-blow account of what he's doing and his various romances on the side because there are still more important things that could have been improved in lieu of his POVs.
What else? There's also the matter with Johanna's stubbornness to accept help from basically everyone (Rafi and the Keepers). I know she's trying to be honorable but gods, she should have realized that even if she's a talented storyspinner and acrobat, she's still no match against the enemies.
And what happened to Pira and Leao? Don't they deserve a better ending than that? They went through so much and yet, not even a passionate kiss?
All in all, I still say that despite my little disappointment with this finale, the Keepers' Chronicles is one of the best series I've read in 2015-2016. The characters were overall interesting, the ships toe-curling, the plot page turning enough, and the writing is magical to keep you hooked until the end.
The Storyspinner was by far one of the best books I've read in 2015. It wasn't perfect particularly in the world building and plot but its characters, the ships, the classic fairy tale feel and the premise certainly compensated for what it lacked. So it was only expected that the second book, Skylighter, was one of my awaited books this 2016. And what can I say, it was still wonderful but I wish that there was more.
Considering that the Keepers' Chronicles is a fantasy and that there were so many POVs, one would expect that it was longer, if not in the number of installments then at least, in the number of pages per book. Alas, The Keepers' Chronicles is only a duology and each book consisted of around 300 pages. For other readers, said statistics would have been enough but hell, we're talking about fantasy here. And taking into account the scope of the plot and the involved characters, more pages or installments are needed.
What happened in this series is that the almost-mediocre world building wasn't improved. Some of the POVs got left out and the plot really suffered because everything just happened too fast. It didn't help that another POV (Dom's) was added and you know, it wasn't really necessary. Don't get me wrong, I adore Dom but I don't think that it was important to get a blow-by-blow account of what he's doing and his various romances on the side because there are still more important things that could have been improved in lieu of his POVs.
What else? There's also the matter with Johanna's stubbornness to accept help from basically everyone (Rafi and the Keepers). I know she's trying to be honorable but gods, she should have realized that even if she's a talented storyspinner and acrobat, she's still no match against the enemies.
And what happened to Pira and Leao? Don't they deserve a better ending than that? They went through so much and yet, not even a passionate kiss?
All in all, I still say that despite my little disappointment with this finale, the Keepers' Chronicles is one of the best series I've read in 2015-2016. The characters were overall interesting, the ships toe-curling, the plot page turning enough, and the writing is magical to keep you hooked until the end.
March 19, 2016
Excuse me while I attempt to rein in my emotions because I absolutely loved this series. It is the perfect duology and such a creative YA fantasy. And The Skylighter was a brilliant read and an epic conclusion.
One of the most brilliant things about this book is the world. It's such a unique and interesting world that feels familiar and creative at the same time. In this book we learn more about the history of the world and the magic. It was so amazing to see the elemental magic in affect and that really added to the thrilling conclusion.
And what a great conclusion it was. This book built to a well-plotted and fantastic ending that had me on the edge of my seat. There are lots of different plot lines in this book and they all came to a head in a fantastic and action-packed climax full of politics and magic.
There is a large cast of characters here, many of whom get perspectives, and they all are fantastic. I'm not usually a fan of books that had multiple perspectives but here it works so well. They each added something different to the story and it flowed so well.
I also absolutely love the characters in this series. They are all so complex and likable. And things are not very easy for these characters. I was so terrified for what was going to happen to them and my ships in this book. And none of them made it easy. I wanted to smoosh so many faces together and shake some sense into these characters but that only added to the drama.
And oh wow, is this book filled with drama. Drama and feels. I had so many feels during this book. I'm a crier, I often cry while reading, and this book had me absolutely bursting into tears. But then when it was all over I was left with not only a great feeling of satisfaction but also a serious book hangover.
Fans of The Storyspinner will absolutely adore this second and final book in this series. It is a great return to this world with complex characters, a fantastic magical system, and an thrilling plot.
One of the most brilliant things about this book is the world. It's such a unique and interesting world that feels familiar and creative at the same time. In this book we learn more about the history of the world and the magic. It was so amazing to see the elemental magic in affect and that really added to the thrilling conclusion.
And what a great conclusion it was. This book built to a well-plotted and fantastic ending that had me on the edge of my seat. There are lots of different plot lines in this book and they all came to a head in a fantastic and action-packed climax full of politics and magic.
There is a large cast of characters here, many of whom get perspectives, and they all are fantastic. I'm not usually a fan of books that had multiple perspectives but here it works so well. They each added something different to the story and it flowed so well.
I also absolutely love the characters in this series. They are all so complex and likable. And things are not very easy for these characters. I was so terrified for what was going to happen to them and my ships in this book. And none of them made it easy. I wanted to smoosh so many faces together and shake some sense into these characters but that only added to the drama.
And oh wow, is this book filled with drama. Drama and feels. I had so many feels during this book. I'm a crier, I often cry while reading, and this book had me absolutely bursting into tears. But then when it was all over I was left with not only a great feeling of satisfaction but also a serious book hangover.
Fans of The Storyspinner will absolutely adore this second and final book in this series. It is a great return to this world with complex characters, a fantastic magical system, and an thrilling plot.
May 3, 2016
This second book in The Keepers’ Chronicles is as exciting at the first story, with Johanna and Rafi dodging enemies to make it to the Wall where they must reestablish the magical barrier. Opposing them are mages with powers that surpass theirs and mind slaves who will kill at command. Can they accomplish their task, collecting allies along the way, without Rafi making the ultimate sacrifice to reenergize the Wall with his life force? This fast-paced fantasy tale will hold your interest as you race through the pages to see what happens next. I am eager to see what follows from this talented author.
April 12, 2016
I'm so excited for this one! But why are the covers for these books so hideous? I just wish they'd reflect the fantastic content . . .
UPDATE: I've finished it -- perfect yet realistic ending. Wouldn't mind a Dom novella, or another book, though. (The prettiest of pleases)
The characters have grown more complex, the stakes raised, the romance more swoony. All the points, 100%, 10 points to Wallace.
UPDATE: I've finished it -- perfect yet realistic ending. Wouldn't mind a Dom novella, or another book, though. (The prettiest of pleases)
The characters have grown more complex, the stakes raised, the romance more swoony. All the points, 100%, 10 points to Wallace.
May 17, 2016
A second book in the series, I felt it wrapped things up nicely and gave characters the chance to grow. Magical elements, wars, spies, lost royalty, love, and sacrifice. I loved reading this book and would recommend it as short series to read.
May 22, 2016
Great YA fantasy duology. Perfect in just about every way. My only, selfish, request....please please please can we get a Dom short story follow up with a chapter or two from Leao and Pira? ;)
I'd recommend this series to any fantasy book lover, any age.
I'd recommend this series to any fantasy book lover, any age.
January 19, 2016
Hovering around a 3.5. The POV shifts were v v rapid in this one which fudged the pacing a bit. First half was ehhhh but second half was !!!!!!!!
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