Skymaster

Guildmaster Saga #3

by C.E. Murphy

Disaster follows Rasim al Ilialio wherever he goes.

Ilyaran witches are prized by the slaving countries that surround Rasim’s peaceful desert home, but the city’s magical prowess has always kept them safe. The Northlands, however, are not so forgiving, and a shocking raid shatters what remains of the already- shaken Seamasters’ Guild.

Now Rasim is torn between pursuing the truth behind the continent-wide plot he’s discovered, or helping to rescue a handful of enslaved Ilyarans. But taking on the slaver city of Moran may, in the end, be the key to unlocking the conspiracy that has already cost the Ilyaran people, and the Seamasters’ Guild itself, so much.

And when things go wrong, his friends will pay the price if Rasim doesn’t set aside his reservations and embrace a new magic, becoming, against all the odds...

...a Skymaster.

Genres: Fantasy

266 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 4, 2021

About the author

CE Murphy began writing around age six, when she submitted three poems to a school publication. The teacher producing the magazine selected (inevitably) the one she thought was by far the worst, but also told her–a six year old kid–to keep writing, which she has. She has also held the usual grab-bag of jobs usually seen in an authorial biography, including public library volunteer (at ages 9 and 10; it’s clear she was doomed to a career involving books), archival assistant, cannery worker, and web designer. Writing books is better.

She was born and raised in Alaska, and now lives with her family in her ancestral homeland of Ireland.

She also writes paranormal romance as Murphy Lawless and cozy mysteries as Catie Murphy.

Reviews

[Emilye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enslaved Hope

Guildmaster3

Rasim has been threatened with slavery since Seamaster, and even given a taste in Stonemaster. But, in Skymaster, he feels it in all its heartbreak, when he is drugged and sent to the Arena to entertain the citizens of Moran.

Moran is the heart of the slave trade. And, they delight in collaring and drugging Ilyrians, so they must use their witchery on command, wiily-nilly.

Rasim wants to destroy slavery and free every captive Illyrian - an impossible task. But, in the arena, he has to reach deeper into witchery than ever before to save and protect. He doesn’t want to kill anyone - slave, master or guard - but that takes more skill than he has time.

Rebellions just need a spark.

[Jorian · Rating 5 out of 5]

A journey

As always she has woven a masterful story with enough surprises to keep it fresh. As the third in the book I felt I had understood the pattern series sometimes take and pleasantly surprised when it didn’t. I read this in 2 days and it only took me that long because I made myself go slow. Cannot wait for the next one!

[Marsha Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

even better than the last

Amazingly well written. A gripping story that address the morals of right and wrong and how one ripple effects another. A story fit for middle school age to adult. Highly entertaining with characters so well written they feel like friends. Suspense so intense in places that it’s hard to put the book down.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a cliffhanger!

[Christina Donovan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm taking a break after this one. I didn't enjoy it as much as the first two. It's a strange dichotomy to have a middle school reader include so much casual death. Maybe we are at the Goblet of Fire turning point in the series. It just doesn't feel like it's for kids anymore when Rasim is fighting for his life in the gladiator pit or when evil witches are destroying whole cities. There's a big difference between evil and danger. When a dangerous sea serpent attacks the fleet it's a tragedy. It's also traumatic and unlucky, but it's part of the adventure. Humans murdering other humans senselessly is also traumatic, but there's no adventure in it.

[Ryan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Originally gave 4 stars, after finishing the last book in the series dropped to 1 star as the ending ruined it for me