What do you think?
Rate this book
Sky Cities #2
Shadow of Deception
Nothing is what it seems…
Basra is the eternal city—A paradise filled with relics of the old world. But whispers on the wind speak of destitution and hopelessness. There’s decay beneath the city’s surface.
And paradise is filled with lies and deceit…
As an ambassador for Tartarus, it’s my duty to bridge the gap between us and the other cities. We need these alliances now more than ever. Duty or not, I will seek out the truth of Basra.
Or die trying.
Basra is the eternal city—A paradise filled with relics of the old world. But whispers on the wind speak of destitution and hopelessness. There’s decay beneath the city’s surface.
And paradise is filled with lies and deceit…
As an ambassador for Tartarus, it’s my duty to bridge the gap between us and the other cities. We need these alliances now more than ever. Duty or not, I will seek out the truth of Basra.
Or die trying.
274 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 31, 2018
75 people are currently reading
200 people want to read
About the author
Lucy Smoke
71 books2,807 followersLucy Smoke, also known as Lucinda Dark for her fantasy works, has a master’s degree in English and is a self-proclaimed creative chihuahua. She enjoys feeding her wanderlust, cover addiction, as well as her face, and truly hopes people will stop giving her bath bombs as gifts. Bath’s get cold too fast and it’s just not as wonderful as the commercials make it out to be when the tub isn’t a jacuzzi.
When she’s not on a never-ending quest to find the perfect milkshake, she lives and works in the southern United States with her beloved fur-baby, Hiro, and her family and friends.
When she’s not on a never-ending quest to find the perfect milkshake, she lives and works in the southern United States with her beloved fur-baby, Hiro, and her family and friends.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
October 15, 2018
5 Stars
Arc Book Review
Release Date-1/10/18
So often the second book in a series is a total let-down especially when you have had your expectations raised by such a fantastic and original beginning.
Not so with "Shadow Of Deception" the second book in the sky cities series: this was just as gripping as its predecessor and as with the first book I raced through this in record time.
Being back with Cassie and her boys was pure magic and like Cassie herself, I couldn't choose a favourite man from her group of loyal protectors.
As I said in my previous review it was the overall premise here that captured my original attention a dystopian sky city is such a unique concept and like before the overall world building here is second to none.
The men's roles though have changed somewhat here along with the scenery.
Thayer is his usual warm and jokester self while Levi reveals a much darker persona hidden behind his usual levity.
Arron is in deep protector mode and we finally get to take a step closer to what makes Haze ultimately Tick: which was extremely lovely and I felt like I got to experience more of a handle on his guarded personality.
In fact, we even got a small sample of Noaz and I'm hoping we will get more from him in the next instalment.
"Shadow Of Deception" is set on Basra the eternal city where Cassie and her men have ventured as ambassadors: this is the first leg of there journey to enlighten and find a solution for the cities current dilemma.
Basra itself is a coin of two sides one face sparkling and beautiful while the other is as corrupt as Tartarus: maybe in some ways more so as the city of criminals doesn't cover itself in a layer of deceit, unlike Basra whos rotten underbelly is clearly hidden away from prying eyes.
This really is a great read and in regards to the reverse harem, things have progressed slightly here.
This is still very slow burn: like extremely but I kinda let that slide slightly as the story itself here is just so engaging.
I am hoping to get maybe a tad more progression on the physical side in the next volume I do think its way overdue now and I'm salivating now for a bit more action.
That's my only slight negative really: I want some gratification.
So I am ever so happy to give this a massive thumbs up: this is one read that I really can't recommend enough.
Thank You to the Author for providing me with an ARC of "Shadow of Deception" (Sky Cities Book 2) of which I have reviewed voluntary.
All opinions expressed are entirely my own.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com
October 22, 2018
A five star rating, I know what you're thinking..
I RARELY do this.
I am in love with these men. Even Noaz, the stoic, quiet dude who rarely approaches her.
I don't know what it was about this book that had me hooked but I was H O O K E D. Seriously. Looking back at it now I think this book wasn't very forward in the plot but all the same I couldn't for the life of me put it down. I was engaged.
With the ending, I am super excited to see where book 3 leads. So where is book 3???
With the slow-burn, PLEASE TURN THAT HEAT UP. OH MY GOD THIS IS GOING SNAIL PACE SLOW. I'm like a naked mole-rat in the frigid Antarctica climate: I need this slow burn easy-bake-oven-at-warm-level to turn into fast-burn inferno-at-the-seventh-layer-of hell HOT.
Clearly this pact all loves each other. Let's get a move on with the shyness. Shall we?
Either way, this series has surprised me. I am still not the biggest fan of Cass but she is quickly improving. And she was not mope-y. Most of the time, anyway.
We got a glimpse of Aaron and Levi, and it made my heart happy. I need MORE, Lucy. MORE. *smiles politely*
So color me shocked, this is becoming one of my fave RH's out there, if we are ranking by plot.
I RARELY do this.
I am in love with these men. Even Noaz, the stoic, quiet dude who rarely approaches her.
I don't know what it was about this book that had me hooked but I was H O O K E D. Seriously. Looking back at it now I think this book wasn't very forward in the plot but all the same I couldn't for the life of me put it down. I was engaged.
With the ending, I am super excited to see where book 3 leads. So where is book 3???
With the slow-burn, PLEASE TURN THAT HEAT UP. OH MY GOD THIS IS GOING SNAIL PACE SLOW. I'm like a naked mole-rat in the frigid Antarctica climate: I need this slow burn easy-bake-oven-at-warm-level to turn into fast-burn inferno-at-the-seventh-layer-of hell HOT.
Clearly this pact all loves each other. Let's get a move on with the shyness. Shall we?
Either way, this series has surprised me. I am still not the biggest fan of Cass but she is quickly improving. And she was not mope-y. Most of the time, anyway.
We got a glimpse of Aaron and Levi, and it made my heart happy. I need MORE, Lucy. MORE. *smiles politely*
So color me shocked, this is becoming one of my fave RH's out there, if we are ranking by plot.
October 3, 2018
I like a great deal about this reverse harem series, including its sci-fi and dystopian elements and slow burn romance. I like all of the characters, especially the heroes, though their history is getting revealed to us very slowly so some we don't know much about them yet (some things we can easily predict but Cass doesn't know about them yet so it will be fun when she figures it out). I look forward to learning more and more about them, and to more interactions between each of them and Cass, to really build that relationship development on page.
I do like Cass as a heroine but there are times when things she thinks/says/does don't make sense in relation to something else she has said or done (or been told) in the past and so I was confused a couple of times by that (deliberately vague to avoid spoilers) and didn't know if they were unintentional inconsistencies or just the heroine being dense or wishy-washy. There was something a little off to me in this second book - I'm not really sure if it was the pace of the action or the overall flow of the story - but in the end I liked this second book a little less than the first. That being said, as a whole I am enjoying this series very much, and on my personal RH bell curve it gets a 4.
I do like Cass as a heroine but there are times when things she thinks/says/does don't make sense in relation to something else she has said or done (or been told) in the past and so I was confused a couple of times by that (deliberately vague to avoid spoilers) and didn't know if they were unintentional inconsistencies or just the heroine being dense or wishy-washy. There was something a little off to me in this second book - I'm not really sure if it was the pace of the action or the overall flow of the story - but in the end I liked this second book a little less than the first. That being said, as a whole I am enjoying this series very much, and on my personal RH bell curve it gets a 4.
October 1, 2018
After learning what is happening to the sky cities, the team must travel to the other cities and seek their help. First stop, Basra. A city that is beyond beautiful. Ever heard that beauty is only skin deep? That goes for cities as well. While the streets and buildings may be pleasing to the eye, there is a darkness hidden underneath. Can Cass discover the truth behind the lies before it's too late?
The first book in this series gave us a lot to handle. Some people weren't really happy with certain aspects of the first book and I get that. We are done with that though. Kida is gone and we are moving on. So if that was a hang up for you in the first book, rest assured we are headed for your "normal" RH path. It is very slow moving though. While we do build some more on the relationships in this book, it's is SLOW. I'm totally ok with that though b/c we get so much more with this story. Levi is from Basra and we get to take a deeper look into his past. Cass also gets put in a position where we learn more about her inner thoughts and feelings as well. She's presented with an opportunity that she never thought she would have and it's raising feelings inside she's not sure how to handle.
There is so much complexity to this story and it's characters. We get to learn more about them a little at a time. The flow of this book. while on a slower pace, seems to be a perfect fit for the characters. It's also refreshing that it is different from other RH that are out. With so many coming out all the time now, the stories sometimes tend to favor each other. I've yet to read anything that compares to Sky Cities.
The first book in this series gave us a lot to handle. Some people weren't really happy with certain aspects of the first book and I get that. We are done with that though. Kida is gone and we are moving on. So if that was a hang up for you in the first book, rest assured we are headed for your "normal" RH path. It is very slow moving though. While we do build some more on the relationships in this book, it's is SLOW. I'm totally ok with that though b/c we get so much more with this story. Levi is from Basra and we get to take a deeper look into his past. Cass also gets put in a position where we learn more about her inner thoughts and feelings as well. She's presented with an opportunity that she never thought she would have and it's raising feelings inside she's not sure how to handle.
There is so much complexity to this story and it's characters. We get to learn more about them a little at a time. The flow of this book. while on a slower pace, seems to be a perfect fit for the characters. It's also refreshing that it is different from other RH that are out. With so many coming out all the time now, the stories sometimes tend to favor each other. I've yet to read anything that compares to Sky Cities.
September 1, 2019
Better and better
Came across book three and decided to start at the beginning. These books are just my kind of favourite with a good storyline, a strong but quite naive heroine and love interest.
The author has a brilliant understanding of human nature and brings out both good and bad in her characters but demonstrates just how strong they are despite their flaws.
The depiction of the sky cities is so good you can imagine being there.
I loved book one and went straight to book two and now to book three. Can not fault this series so far and will definitely read more books by this author.
Came across book three and decided to start at the beginning. These books are just my kind of favourite with a good storyline, a strong but quite naive heroine and love interest.
The author has a brilliant understanding of human nature and brings out both good and bad in her characters but demonstrates just how strong they are despite their flaws.
The depiction of the sky cities is so good you can imagine being there.
I loved book one and went straight to book two and now to book three. Can not fault this series so far and will definitely read more books by this author.
October 3, 2018
Hardcore
Heavy follow up to book 1. Cass and the guys head to Basra to meet with the governor but instead of finding a concerned war, the team is rebuffed at every turn. The culture is completely different than Cass is used to - shiny, flowery and dressy, but underneath the judgement and finery is a darkness no one knew was there, save Levi and Noaz. Things start to heat up with Thayer, Haze, Aaron and Levi, finally acknowledging feeling between them, but Cass is still scared to give her heart over. Looking forward
To book 3!
Heavy follow up to book 1. Cass and the guys head to Basra to meet with the governor but instead of finding a concerned war, the team is rebuffed at every turn. The culture is completely different than Cass is used to - shiny, flowery and dressy, but underneath the judgement and finery is a darkness no one knew was there, save Levi and Noaz. Things start to heat up with Thayer, Haze, Aaron and Levi, finally acknowledging feeling between them, but Cass is still scared to give her heart over. Looking forward
To book 3!
October 25, 2018
Really enjoying this series
I am really liking this series from author Lucy Smoke. The FMC is extremely relatable - she’s struggled through so much but has a will to survive and an inner strength that is admirable. World building in this series is amazing and I’m anxious to see what the author has in store for the other sky cities the characters are set to visit. I love how with each book we get to see a little more “man behind the mask” for the guys and the natural progression their relationships with Cass seem to take. Ready to see what’s in store for them next
I am really liking this series from author Lucy Smoke. The FMC is extremely relatable - she’s struggled through so much but has a will to survive and an inner strength that is admirable. World building in this series is amazing and I’m anxious to see what the author has in store for the other sky cities the characters are set to visit. I love how with each book we get to see a little more “man behind the mask” for the guys and the natural progression their relationships with Cass seem to take. Ready to see what’s in store for them next
May 21, 2020
This one was even better than the first! The world-building is just incredible and I love all these characters so much. The slow-burn would usually kill me, but Lucy writes it with so much escalating tension that when a steamy scene comes along - it's simply electric! I am loving every second of this story.
October 2, 2018
The eagerly awaited second book in the Sky City Series did not disappoint! As the plot thickens, and intrigue is around every corner, will Cassie and her guys be able to focus on each other? Or will they have bigger problems to face?
October 5, 2018
So flippin good
Hello there. This was another amazing book from this author! I love these characters and the world so dang much. I cannot wait to see what happens to Cass and her guys next!
Hello there. This was another amazing book from this author! I love these characters and the world so dang much. I cannot wait to see what happens to Cass and her guys next!
April 5, 2019
Bought through audible.....
And I continue to love this world and these characters. This world fascinates me more with each installment. I will be eagerly anticipating the next book. Good writing, good character development, and excellent world building..... so this book deserves each star!
And I continue to love this world and these characters. This world fascinates me more with each installment. I will be eagerly anticipating the next book. Good writing, good character development, and excellent world building..... so this book deserves each star!
October 11, 2018
Yes
Shadow of Deception went passed my expectations. I loved this story! I can't wait for book 3. This story is full of life and the characters.
Shadow of Deception went passed my expectations. I loved this story! I can't wait for book 3. This story is full of life and the characters.
September 30, 2018
Basra, the eternal city, paradise, deception. A city of gold built on decay. But it, like the other sky cities, is living on borrowed time. The cities are falling. As the ambassadors of Tartarus, Cass, Haze, Levi, Aaron, Thayer, and Noaz need to meet with the Governor of Basra and try to enlist her help finding a solution to save them. It's not a simple request, however. Basra is a society dedicated to the 'finer' things in life; parties, socials, fights, good food and wine. There is no good time to talk serious matters. An alliance is needed but when appearances are more important than reality, those in power will do most anything to keep them up. To upset the pretty picture may cost the ambassadors dearly.
Shadow of Deception continues the superb Sky Cities series. The post-apocalyptic world that Lucy Smoke has created is so vividly written I am transported along with the characters into their story. First Tartarus, now Basra have come to life as real cities. Both so different in appearance but so similarly rotten. Tartarus just shows its true nature more, making Basra the more dangerous of the two. It's easy to let down your guard when you're distracted by the glitter. But never has the saying all that glitters is not gold been so true. I loved the depth of this disparity because it's also true in reverse. It's easy to overlook Cass. She's a beautiful young lady. She's small. She doesn't look like a threat. But she's smart, she's a street rat, she's fair, she knows the pain of loss and is willing to protect those she loves so that she doesn't have to lose anyone ever again. Her vulnerability is her biggest strength. She's formidable. Surrounded by intelligent, strong men who are all drawn to her and this team can handle anything thrown their way.
The characters are all complex and interesting. I feel that we don't really know them yet; we have only scratched their surfaces. However, we are getting to know then bit by bit like real-life. I'm impressed with their development. Levi's pain, Thayer's mischievousness, Noaz's focus, Aaron's protectiveness, and Haze's mysteriousness. These men!! This is definitely a slow-burn RH. It's fitting considering Cass's character and all that she has been through but I would be lying if I didn't admit to wanting more. However, the relationships are building in such a natural way, the bonds are strengthening, the trust is deepening, and the attraction growing. When they come together, it's going to be explosive. And finally, the story itself is excellent. So different from book one, yet they flow into each other perfectly. I am so taken with this series; it's originality, it's thoughtfulness, its characters. I can't wait for more.
Shadow of Deception continues the superb Sky Cities series. The post-apocalyptic world that Lucy Smoke has created is so vividly written I am transported along with the characters into their story. First Tartarus, now Basra have come to life as real cities. Both so different in appearance but so similarly rotten. Tartarus just shows its true nature more, making Basra the more dangerous of the two. It's easy to let down your guard when you're distracted by the glitter. But never has the saying all that glitters is not gold been so true. I loved the depth of this disparity because it's also true in reverse. It's easy to overlook Cass. She's a beautiful young lady. She's small. She doesn't look like a threat. But she's smart, she's a street rat, she's fair, she knows the pain of loss and is willing to protect those she loves so that she doesn't have to lose anyone ever again. Her vulnerability is her biggest strength. She's formidable. Surrounded by intelligent, strong men who are all drawn to her and this team can handle anything thrown their way.
The characters are all complex and interesting. I feel that we don't really know them yet; we have only scratched their surfaces. However, we are getting to know then bit by bit like real-life. I'm impressed with their development. Levi's pain, Thayer's mischievousness, Noaz's focus, Aaron's protectiveness, and Haze's mysteriousness. These men!! This is definitely a slow-burn RH. It's fitting considering Cass's character and all that she has been through but I would be lying if I didn't admit to wanting more. However, the relationships are building in such a natural way, the bonds are strengthening, the trust is deepening, and the attraction growing. When they come together, it's going to be explosive. And finally, the story itself is excellent. So different from book one, yet they flow into each other perfectly. I am so taken with this series; it's originality, it's thoughtfulness, its characters. I can't wait for more.
October 18, 2018
3.75 really, but rounded up, as there was a lot I liked about it.
I like the dystopian/sci fi element and I think Cassie is a good character. She does get a bit annoying with her issues with the relationships in the first half, but by the end there seems to be some progress with that.
I like the men in this, although I think it is a shame they are not developed more. They all obviously have histories, but we don't really get much about them. I did like the tension between them all, though, and it is nice to read a RH where the relationships take time to build.
I did find the plot a bit untidy here. Their whole mission was to get the Governor in board with dealing with the fact the cities are falling, hut instead most of the book focuses on Cassie realising how awful and corrupt Basra is... Well, it tells us that in the blurb? By the end, it feel like nothing has been accomplished regarding their mission, but with no sense of where the stakes are based on how it ends.
I still would recommend RH fans give this series a try, though!
I like the dystopian/sci fi element and I think Cassie is a good character. She does get a bit annoying with her issues with the relationships in the first half, but by the end there seems to be some progress with that.
I like the men in this, although I think it is a shame they are not developed more. They all obviously have histories, but we don't really get much about them. I did like the tension between them all, though, and it is nice to read a RH where the relationships take time to build.
I did find the plot a bit untidy here. Their whole mission was to get the Governor in board with dealing with the fact the cities are falling, hut instead most of the book focuses on Cassie realising how awful and corrupt Basra is... Well, it tells us that in the blurb? By the end, it feel like nothing has been accomplished regarding their mission, but with no sense of where the stakes are based on how it ends.
I still would recommend RH fans give this series a try, though!
October 1, 2018
Gosh this lady sure does know how to suck a reader into her stories and make you fully invested in what is going on! I am loving this series, it is really different to a lot of other RH series out at the moment and in this book we really get to know some of the guys on a different level and get to see their full personalities, both good and bad!! Cass really starts to come out more in this book but I really would like the book to be less slow slow burn and would like some more development between the guys and Cass. I am very excited to see what happens next...this book is full of action, mystery, power and discovery...highly recommended!!
October 4, 2018
Another excellent installment in this post-apocalyptic reverse harem series! We catch up with Cass and the guys as they are getting ready to travel to one of the other cities in an effort to find out more information for their investigation. Well of course there are lots of surprises along the way that could never plan for that keeps us guessing as the story unfolds. Cass is finally getting over her grief as well which makes things interesting as they all get to know each other better. Great world building, excellent writing, and story we can get attached to. What more could you want? I really liked it so I give it 4/5 stars.
October 7, 2018
The twists and turns keep coming!!!! New city, new culture and both new and old issues keeps you captivated throughout the entire book. You truly get to know the MC on a deeper level and see sides of her that she didn't even know she had. The chemistry between the MC and her men continue to heat up to the point that I am worried that my Kindle will catch on fire.
Smoke truly keeps raising the bar with each of her books and I can't wait to see where she takes us next!
Smoke truly keeps raising the bar with each of her books and I can't wait to see where she takes us next!
October 13, 2018
This was an amazing follow up to the first book, I really enjoyed this second installment and the storyline held my full attention from start to finish. I know this is a slow burn RH but I can not wait for more to happen between Cassie and the team! The small moments that have happened so far were just perfect for the guy that it was happening with. I really loved this book and I hate that it had to end!
October 12, 2020
Again, great story terrible character
I dont understand how you are sending someone as an ambassador for you, one who apparently has photographic memory, and don't insist she knows something about the place she's visiting??? Like who the rulers are? The laws and customs? Just make her out to be a bumbling fool. Also, what's with the "Kida was her one and only"? Didn't the agree before Kida dies that she was going to see the guys?? So what's with this now??
I dont understand how you are sending someone as an ambassador for you, one who apparently has photographic memory, and don't insist she knows something about the place she's visiting??? Like who the rulers are? The laws and customs? Just make her out to be a bumbling fool. Also, what's with the "Kida was her one and only"? Didn't the agree before Kida dies that she was going to see the guys?? So what's with this now??
October 2, 2018
This book is better than the first one. I had some issues getting into the first book but it was good but this one just manages to pull you even farther into the story and it just leaves you wanting more but happy with what you just read
October 3, 2018
Good
This books, good but slow. It did very little to further the story line but some of the relationships progressed along. I'm still curious to see where it's going to go, but if every city they visit is like this one then the series is going to be a long one.
This books, good but slow. It did very little to further the story line but some of the relationships progressed along. I'm still curious to see where it's going to go, but if every city they visit is like this one then the series is going to be a long one.
July 6, 2020
The first one was better. I know I started this series wanting to read a RH, but was pleasantly surprised by the first book's synopsis and ending. So this book was somewhat doll compered to the previous.
August 5, 2022
I started reading this directly after finishing the first book in the series and the flow of the plot is amazing! I love the slow burn of the reverse harem theme. Dystopian books always drags me in and I have truly fallen in love with this storyline.
October 11, 2018
As the second book in the Sky Cities series, this one is definitely way less action packed and more political maneuvering based. And while there were several aspects of the storyline that I really did enjoy, I found the ending to be really anticlimactic.
On a side note, this is definitely a slow burn style reverse harem. Unfortunately there was only minimal relationship growth between the characters. It all seemed a little superficial, except maybe the interacts between Cassie and Haze.
On a side note, this is definitely a slow burn style reverse harem. Unfortunately there was only minimal relationship growth between the characters. It all seemed a little superficial, except maybe the interacts between Cassie and Haze.
November 25, 2020
Lovely
Really enjoyed this book. The complexity and corruption of the cities is being slowly revealed and the relationship between Cass and her men continues to evolve.
Really enjoyed this book. The complexity and corruption of the cities is being slowly revealed and the relationship between Cass and her men continues to evolve.
November 6, 2022
Progress
The differing cities' attributes are well constructed. The characters more so. I do find that the main female character 's obtuse tendencies can be frustrating.
The differing cities' attributes are well constructed. The characters more so. I do find that the main female character 's obtuse tendencies can be frustrating.
June 8, 2020
I came back and changed my review after realizing this series is long past due to have book 4 completed. I hate that I wasted one minute of my time on this series and will not make that mistake with this author again. Such a shame since it has potential.
May 28, 2024
Shadow of deception by Lucy Smoke
The world building and plot just keeps getting better and better. I absolutely love the characters. Especially the female character, Cas. If you love Dystopian, amazing world building, action, reverse haram, strong female character, apocalyptic, etc. Then you will love this book. Lisa Larsen did an amazing job narrating this book.
The world building and plot just keeps getting better and better. I absolutely love the characters. Especially the female character, Cas. If you love Dystopian, amazing world building, action, reverse haram, strong female character, apocalyptic, etc. Then you will love this book. Lisa Larsen did an amazing job narrating this book.
October 1, 2018
Shadow of Deception - Sky Cities Book 2 by Lucy Smoke
### 4.25 Hashtags ###
I loved this book more than book 1, their relationship is gaining strength.
I love Cassandras feisty strong personality, I had hoped for more of her bond with her team, I was eagerly awaiting the reverse harem to come through in this book, we saw a glimpse, however I have a feeling we will get more with each book.
I'm not sure how many books there will be in this series, all in all a great series with a different and unique twist on what the future could hold for us all.
Looking forward to the next book.
Read
October 2, 2018I am absolutely loving this series and this book carries on from book one. It is exciting as all get out, I ran the gamut of emotions, and was completely drawn in to the series. I love Cassies relationships with the guys, they are all getting closer and feelings are happening at each persons own pace. I am really rooting for Cassie and I am enjoying her journey with life and love and I am desperately awaiting book three
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews