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Sky Saga #1
The Cardinal Sky
On a conquered Earth, only the strong prosper.
Heroics get you killed, so keep your head down and mind your own business. Sky lives by this motto, but after witnessing a mind-blowing event she suffers a momentary lapse and saves someone. Now she's stuck with him.
A mysterious rebel who will shatter her life and everything she knows about the invasion. Plunged into a perilous battle she never wanted to fight, they flee across a lawless country hunted by deadly warriors, unstoppable aliens, and something more sinister. To live, Sky will have to rely on the rebel. Only he might be the biggest threat of all.
A thrilling adventure in a world where survival is everything.
If you love powerful, morally grey female leads, tortured heroes, slow burn romances, and dark fantasies, this is a story for you.
Heroics get you killed, so keep your head down and mind your own business. Sky lives by this motto, but after witnessing a mind-blowing event she suffers a momentary lapse and saves someone. Now she's stuck with him.
A mysterious rebel who will shatter her life and everything she knows about the invasion. Plunged into a perilous battle she never wanted to fight, they flee across a lawless country hunted by deadly warriors, unstoppable aliens, and something more sinister. To live, Sky will have to rely on the rebel. Only he might be the biggest threat of all.
A thrilling adventure in a world where survival is everything.
If you love powerful, morally grey female leads, tortured heroes, slow burn romances, and dark fantasies, this is a story for you.
432 pages, ebook
First published August 31, 2022
44 people are currently reading
184 people want to read
About the author
M.K. Osmun
9 books30 followersM.K loves writing about strong lead characters, with questionable morals, complicated relationships, and crazy challenges. Life is never black and white, so even villains have to have their reasons. Maybe you'll even find yourself sympathizing with them in M.K's stories. ;-)
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
October 14, 2022
I really enjoyed this book. It was great to read about a strong morally gray female for once. There are not many books around with them. Honestly, I'm not a fan of post-apoc/ sci-fi. Normally I read PNR and fantasy, and NA romance, but this one piqued my interest enough for me to have a gander and then I was hooked! There was so much action and great character development too! I'm in love with Gray, Ryan is pretty cool too, but well Gray... :-) I'm totally shipping Sky and Ryan. The world building is awesome, it really is more like a Fantasy story than a SciFi alien one. So if you are a Fantasy fan give it a go, if you are hard core scifi... I dunno. It might be too fantastical for you.
Hopefully, it's not too long of a wait for the next books in the series.
Hopefully, it's not too long of a wait for the next books in the series.
October 16, 2022
I did really enjoy the second part to this new & exciting dystopian series! Following the main characters, more strife & adventure, as they try to survive not only alien invasion but the other savages still alive! It is well written, a good little twist is the plot & now has left me hanging to were this will go! I look forward to the next episode in this story!
September 9, 2022
this was a really well done scifi novel, the author has a great writing style and worked so well as a scifi novel. It was a great start to the Sky Saga series. I enjoyed what I read and enjoyed getting to know the characters. I look forward to more in this series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 11, 2023
I always think that the soul of a story depends on the characters carrying it out. In a world where aliens meets infected virus meets the end of the world as we know it, it could be easy for a book to overlook such details. But not this one.
Sky had my heart from the start. She’s a badass morally grey character, but has a lot of fire. She’s a real enigma and I was hooked by her from the opening pages. Other POVs worked well to gain balance to the story. I really enjoyed getting to see the other perspectives to gain more insight into this interesting world. I got sucked in to all the craziness and didn’t want to put it down. The twists kept me on my toes and I can’t wait for the next one!
If you’re still on the fence about giving this one a go. Here’s your nudge. Read it! What a fantastic debut!
Sky had my heart from the start. She’s a badass morally grey character, but has a lot of fire. She’s a real enigma and I was hooked by her from the opening pages. Other POVs worked well to gain balance to the story. I really enjoyed getting to see the other perspectives to gain more insight into this interesting world. I got sucked in to all the craziness and didn’t want to put it down. The twists kept me on my toes and I can’t wait for the next one!
If you’re still on the fence about giving this one a go. Here’s your nudge. Read it! What a fantastic debut!
September 2, 2022
From the fascinating characters, to the mysteries of a new world….I just couldn’t put it down.
The minute I started reading this novel, it drew me in with its incredible imagery. I was immediately transported into the world and situation that was presented along with feeling the tension and emotions alongside the characters themselves, as if I too were there. I could vividly witness everything from the action packed fight scenes to minuscule character expressions. As a reader, description is one of the most important aspects of a book to me. It’s the backbone that gives a book life and this novel has definitely got the perfect balance.
The way the author has so cleverly laid out this book and the fantasy world she has created, it can be immediately seen that many hours of hard work and editing has been put in and it has definitely payed off. I immensely enjoyed the hints dropped about each character and how each detail was so cleverly displayed, you never saw the plot twists coming. This book definitely kept me on my toes, never did I feel the urge to put it down or take a break. There was always something keeping me interested, either that was because of a character, plot twist or a certain scene, there was never a dull moment.
But I have to say my favourite part about this book was the characters. From the inclusion of diversity and different sexualities, you couldn’t be more pleased. I instantly fell in love with the main character, Sky, as soon as I opened chapter one. If you love a good morally grey independent female protagonist, this is 100% the book for you. From start to finish, Sky has been my favourite and never once had my decision faltered (although one or two characters have come close) but I can’t put it into words how obsessed I am with her and her story. It was so well written it left me dying to know more. I also know most readers love a good - easy on the eyes - man or women (me included) and this book has got plenty to choose from. Although romance isn’t the main aspect of this book (as it is only the first book in the series), it has got plenty of tension filled scenes to enjoy that will leave you drooling for more.
This book had me in a chokehold so strong, I couldn’t but it down and ended up finishing it in a day. It was a lovely easy and unique read that I would definitely recommend giving a chance, as I’m sure you won’t be dissatisfied with this action-packed story.
Really looking forward to book 2.
The minute I started reading this novel, it drew me in with its incredible imagery. I was immediately transported into the world and situation that was presented along with feeling the tension and emotions alongside the characters themselves, as if I too were there. I could vividly witness everything from the action packed fight scenes to minuscule character expressions. As a reader, description is one of the most important aspects of a book to me. It’s the backbone that gives a book life and this novel has definitely got the perfect balance.
The way the author has so cleverly laid out this book and the fantasy world she has created, it can be immediately seen that many hours of hard work and editing has been put in and it has definitely payed off. I immensely enjoyed the hints dropped about each character and how each detail was so cleverly displayed, you never saw the plot twists coming. This book definitely kept me on my toes, never did I feel the urge to put it down or take a break. There was always something keeping me interested, either that was because of a character, plot twist or a certain scene, there was never a dull moment.
But I have to say my favourite part about this book was the characters. From the inclusion of diversity and different sexualities, you couldn’t be more pleased. I instantly fell in love with the main character, Sky, as soon as I opened chapter one. If you love a good morally grey independent female protagonist, this is 100% the book for you. From start to finish, Sky has been my favourite and never once had my decision faltered (although one or two characters have come close) but I can’t put it into words how obsessed I am with her and her story. It was so well written it left me dying to know more. I also know most readers love a good - easy on the eyes - man or women (me included) and this book has got plenty to choose from. Although romance isn’t the main aspect of this book (as it is only the first book in the series), it has got plenty of tension filled scenes to enjoy that will leave you drooling for more.
This book had me in a chokehold so strong, I couldn’t but it down and ended up finishing it in a day. It was a lovely easy and unique read that I would definitely recommend giving a chance, as I’m sure you won’t be dissatisfied with this action-packed story.
Really looking forward to book 2.
August 31, 2022
Sky is a hunter and a fighter with a mysterious past. She was on a routine hunt when her entire world changed. Well, more so than when the Cardinals (an alien race) swooped in and took over the planet. The story follows her as she tries to figure out the mystery of her new companion Ryan and how he was able to defeat the Cardinals.
I am obsessed with this story. I love Sky. I love the Horsemen. I have a love/hate relationship with Ryan, but that’s okay. We love to hate him. I absolutely LOVE the non-romantic soul-mate story. I love the post-apocalyptic world and characters that M.K. Osmun has built. I’m all in with this sci-fi series.
This series is advertised as a slow burn, and it is for sure as advertised. It’s such a slow burn, it could still be literally anyone that she ends up with – it’s still a mystery for me at the end of the book. Which is personally fine for me because it just gives the reader more time to focus on what a complete badass Sky is (and was). What I also enjoyed about this book was that, while we mostly get only Sky’s POV, there are a few strategic chapters where we get another character’s POV. That is super refreshing to switch things up a little, and get a little extra world-building thrown in naturally. This is not a short book, but it reads very quickly. And M.K. Osmun’s writing style is easy to follow, but descriptive as well.
If you’re a post-apocalyptic sci-fi fan… 100% give this book a go. I’m (im)patiently waiting for The Scarlet Sphere’s release.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I am obsessed with this story. I love Sky. I love the Horsemen. I have a love/hate relationship with Ryan, but that’s okay. We love to hate him. I absolutely LOVE the non-romantic soul-mate story. I love the post-apocalyptic world and characters that M.K. Osmun has built. I’m all in with this sci-fi series.
This series is advertised as a slow burn, and it is for sure as advertised. It’s such a slow burn, it could still be literally anyone that she ends up with – it’s still a mystery for me at the end of the book. Which is personally fine for me because it just gives the reader more time to focus on what a complete badass Sky is (and was). What I also enjoyed about this book was that, while we mostly get only Sky’s POV, there are a few strategic chapters where we get another character’s POV. That is super refreshing to switch things up a little, and get a little extra world-building thrown in naturally. This is not a short book, but it reads very quickly. And M.K. Osmun’s writing style is easy to follow, but descriptive as well.
If you’re a post-apocalyptic sci-fi fan… 100% give this book a go. I’m (im)patiently waiting for The Scarlet Sphere’s release.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 27, 2022
This was a super entertaining read! Sky is such an amazing FMC! She is the epitome of a morally grey character who is forced to make truly difficult and often immoral decisions. But you just can't help but root for her. She is fierce, and she is a survivor.
I loved the multiple POVs throughout the book, and it was really exciting to see how all the storylines would eventually come together. I especially loved Gray's POV, as he was such an endearing character, and his genuine love for Sky was so touching.
I will say that while Ryan is an intriguing MMC, his and Soren's POVs were kind of confusing and felt a lot like information dumps. I also wasn't a big fan of Alex's POV, as it felt like it dragged a lot more than the rest of the book, and Alex was a particularly difficult character for me to root for.
Overall, I love how action-packed and immersive this book is. While I would have liked to see more romance/steam (there was little to none) between Sky and Ryan, I truly enjoyed their dynamic. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a thrilling, dystopian/sci-fi, action-packed read with morally grey characters and a powerful female lead.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I loved the multiple POVs throughout the book, and it was really exciting to see how all the storylines would eventually come together. I especially loved Gray's POV, as he was such an endearing character, and his genuine love for Sky was so touching.
I will say that while Ryan is an intriguing MMC, his and Soren's POVs were kind of confusing and felt a lot like information dumps. I also wasn't a big fan of Alex's POV, as it felt like it dragged a lot more than the rest of the book, and Alex was a particularly difficult character for me to root for.
Overall, I love how action-packed and immersive this book is. While I would have liked to see more romance/steam (there was little to none) between Sky and Ryan, I truly enjoyed their dynamic. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a thrilling, dystopian/sci-fi, action-packed read with morally grey characters and a powerful female lead.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 1, 2023
A Ride I Didn’t Expect!
I don’t really know what I was expecting when I chose this as my next read, but dang it’s good! The story is easy to follow, the hints at the secrets are well camouflaged that leave you wondering and the world building was fantastic. The amount of details just to get you caught up to this dystopia are a lot, but it’s blended well into the story line and doesn’t take much away from the action. Definitely a page turner, can’t wait to see what happens with Sky and Ryan. (Hades is also one of my favorites, making me laugh when I least expected it)
I don’t really know what I was expecting when I chose this as my next read, but dang it’s good! The story is easy to follow, the hints at the secrets are well camouflaged that leave you wondering and the world building was fantastic. The amount of details just to get you caught up to this dystopia are a lot, but it’s blended well into the story line and doesn’t take much away from the action. Definitely a page turner, can’t wait to see what happens with Sky and Ryan. (Hades is also one of my favorites, making me laugh when I least expected it)
August 31, 2022
4.5 stars
I loved this story!
The storyline is well thought out and the world building is intriguing. The characters are perfectly flawed, each with secrets of their own, and hidden motives. The morally grey area the characters find themselves in is interesting and well written.
I am definitely looking forward to reading more form this world and this author.
I loved this story!
The storyline is well thought out and the world building is intriguing. The characters are perfectly flawed, each with secrets of their own, and hidden motives. The morally grey area the characters find themselves in is interesting and well written.
I am definitely looking forward to reading more form this world and this author.
August 31, 2022
I highly recommend this book. It was a great, quick read for me that I would definitely read again. I loved the storyline and how each character had their own conflict and turmoil that brought it all together. i can not wait to read what else this author comes out with.
October 11, 2022
Really enjoyed this! And an excellent debut novel as well.
If you want a dystopian novel, with sci-fi, slow burn romance, and action, then give this a try.
If you want a dystopian novel, with sci-fi, slow burn romance, and action, then give this a try.
August 24, 2022
This wasn’t rushed or written poorly, no confusion or real mistakes. Entertaining read with tortured heroes, kick-ass heroine and just enough drama and steam to keep your interest. Enjoy!!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 3, 2022
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
But here's why...
From the moment I picked this up as an arc I thought I wouldn't be into it. I'm more of a steamy romance fan... By the third chapter I was hooked and didn't want to put it down. Now I can't wait for the next installment of this series...
But here's why...
From the moment I picked this up as an arc I thought I wouldn't be into it. I'm more of a steamy romance fan... By the third chapter I was hooked and didn't want to put it down. Now I can't wait for the next installment of this series...
September 19, 2022
Read the story from beginning to end on Wattpad and I fell in love from the first chapter. The story is captivating and original. Maya, the author, did a great job keeping me intrigued and coming back for more! I cannot wait to read the published version!!!!!!
Merged review:
Incredible story with diverse personalities and plenty of twists and turns all within the first installment of a thrilling saga! Sky is a beautifully written character who struggles to let people in. Her moral compass is questionable, but her actions are as straight as an arrow. Sky delivers a powerful punch to the story with her personality, fighting ability and love for her brother. Little does she know that her world will be turned upside down when she lets a certain someone into her life.
This story is brilliantly written by the amazing author, Maya! The different perspectives in the book give you insight into the main character's persona as well as her past. The journey has only just begun and I'm most certainly looking forward to what's to come!!
Cardinal Sky is a must read!
Merged review:
Incredible story with diverse personalities and plenty of twists and turns all within the first installment of a thrilling saga! Sky is a beautifully written character who struggles to let people in. Her moral compass is questionable, but her actions are as straight as an arrow. Sky delivers a powerful punch to the story with her personality, fighting ability and love for her brother. Little does she know that her world will be turned upside down when she lets a certain someone into her life.
This story is brilliantly written by the amazing author, Maya! The different perspectives in the book give you insight into the main character's persona as well as her past. The journey has only just begun and I'm most certainly looking forward to what's to come!!
Cardinal Sky is a must read!
November 14, 2022
I did really enjoy the second part to this new & exciting dystopian series! Following the main characters, more strife & adventure, as they try to survive not only alien invasion but the other savages still alive! It is well written, a good little twist is the plot & now has left me hanging to were this will go! I look forward to the next episode in this story!
November 2, 2022
Gritty fantasy
As post-apocalyptic fantasies go, this one is a doozy. Sky, the main character, is a super-survivor; she's relentlessly focused on self preservation to the exclusion of all humane and merciful impulses. Not that she doesn't have feelings, but a lifetime of abuse, torture, staggering loss and viciously dehumanizing circumstances have taught her that repression of all humanity is her only path to survival. So, why does she take on the rescue of an odd looking, strangely conscience-driven downed pilot after he destroys two alien ships? The more time spent in his company, the more out-of-character Sky's choices become. Even Sky knows, something about Ryan isn't right, yet their alliance persists - until the "something" is made clear. This is gripping, chilling, and as dark as it gets, but I admit to being pulled into this story enough to forgive the mild cliffhanger (minus one star for that), and to being willing to overlook some stretching of artistic license (the author's grasp of the nature and effects of an EMP being the weakest of several straws in the foundation). World building is a work in progress here. What there is, is extraordinarily detailed, And what is missing begs to be addressed in upcoming novels, and a prequel. Bottom line? This book, despite its flaws, is riveting, heart-rending, darks as sin - and I simply could not put it down.
As post-apocalyptic fantasies go, this one is a doozy. Sky, the main character, is a super-survivor; she's relentlessly focused on self preservation to the exclusion of all humane and merciful impulses. Not that she doesn't have feelings, but a lifetime of abuse, torture, staggering loss and viciously dehumanizing circumstances have taught her that repression of all humanity is her only path to survival. So, why does she take on the rescue of an odd looking, strangely conscience-driven downed pilot after he destroys two alien ships? The more time spent in his company, the more out-of-character Sky's choices become. Even Sky knows, something about Ryan isn't right, yet their alliance persists - until the "something" is made clear. This is gripping, chilling, and as dark as it gets, but I admit to being pulled into this story enough to forgive the mild cliffhanger (minus one star for that), and to being willing to overlook some stretching of artistic license (the author's grasp of the nature and effects of an EMP being the weakest of several straws in the foundation). World building is a work in progress here. What there is, is extraordinarily detailed, And what is missing begs to be addressed in upcoming novels, and a prequel. Bottom line? This book, despite its flaws, is riveting, heart-rending, darks as sin - and I simply could not put it down.
September 3, 2022
I really enjoyed this book! It kept me engrossed in the story from beginning to end. The author created a post-apocalyptic world in which, after the attack of aliens by means of an electromagnetic pulse, all devices on Earth stopped working and humanity fell into chaos. Soon it was not aliens who posed the greatest threat to humanity, but humans. In times of crisis, battles for resources, territory, and power began. Only the most cunning and the strongest could survive. The most ruthless have become the leaders of gangs that scar the common people. The weak were often prey or died. As if that was not enough, there was also a virus among the humans that turned them into bloodthirsty beasts.
I liked the creation of the main character. We finally don't have a damsel in distress or a sweet woman in need of a strong man. Sky is a ruthless woman who has been trained in combat since childhood. Some called her the Scarlet Death, because she was the only woman in the most dangerous gang to obtain the title of general by murdering enemies at the behest of their ruler. Others called her the Ice Queen without humanity. Additionally, her appearance, which was very similar to space invaders, scared most people away. Only a few have managed to break through the wall that she surrounds herself to discover the real Sky - a woman who is willing to do anything to protect those she loves and considers her family or friends.
You can see that the author has carefully thought through the idea for the book. The main plot of the action has been planned in six parts, so for now we have more questions than answers. The first part of this wonderful story only introduces us to a world in which it is not known who is really the enemy and who is the alliance. Everyone has an ulterior motive and wants to use Sky to achieve their goal. So far we only have a few pieces to the puzzle and I look forward to seeing things unfold.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I liked the creation of the main character. We finally don't have a damsel in distress or a sweet woman in need of a strong man. Sky is a ruthless woman who has been trained in combat since childhood. Some called her the Scarlet Death, because she was the only woman in the most dangerous gang to obtain the title of general by murdering enemies at the behest of their ruler. Others called her the Ice Queen without humanity. Additionally, her appearance, which was very similar to space invaders, scared most people away. Only a few have managed to break through the wall that she surrounds herself to discover the real Sky - a woman who is willing to do anything to protect those she loves and considers her family or friends.
You can see that the author has carefully thought through the idea for the book. The main plot of the action has been planned in six parts, so for now we have more questions than answers. The first part of this wonderful story only introduces us to a world in which it is not known who is really the enemy and who is the alliance. Everyone has an ulterior motive and wants to use Sky to achieve their goal. So far we only have a few pieces to the puzzle and I look forward to seeing things unfold.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 7, 2023
Really enjoyed the setup of this world. We follow the FMC as she gradually realizes that the world as she's known it her entire life isn't as it seems. There were a few times when I wondered if this was going to turn out to be a why choose or even polyamorous romance (let me tell you, I am DOWN), but it didn't seem that way by the end. There are a lot of characters, a lot of moving parts, but things are revealed in a way that lets it all grow on your mind as the story builds. The action and the pacing was great, and I could hardly put it down. I especially want to see what happens with the generals. Their dynamic was so good, and I wish we had gotten more them all together in this book.
--
With all that said, the things listed below did bug, and they are the reasons it's not a 5 star read for me, and also why I'm still considering whether or not I want to continue the series. If these things are ignored, this is a great book. Just don't think about them too much.
‼️ SPOILERS from here on out
1. My biggest issue is that FMC is a legend in this world, but doesn't live up to it.
At the top of her game she commanded 6 thousand, and was legendary for bringing all of her soldiers home. Her scouts were the best because of her training, and every one of her 6 thousand were completely loyal to her. She had battles that people who didn't know her whispered about, and many people who had never met her knew her on sight.
This is my kind of character!
So tell me WHY she sucked so bad in every fight scene in the book? She was stumbling around, falling, constantly being saved by Every. One. Else, struggling to hold her own against so many they came across.
Part of this is later explained when old friends who also are similarly skilled see her and exclaim how weak she's become while in hiding because she hasn't been eating. They were able to get a hit in on her while fighting, which has apparently never happened or something because it shocked them enough that the fight ended.
BUT in the scenes where she's fighting, she's describing what everyone around her is doing while she does so little. In one particular scene, she just kept telling people to run while they were being picked off left and right, and the only one she defended in all those pages was the MMC. And she just pulled a few of the attackers off him before running again, or before she was taken down and he had to save her instead. Multiple times. Where were her skills then? Where was her vigorous and abusive years of training? We see how everyone else is faring from her POV, but it's like she just watches most of the time and lends a hand there and there.
2. The amount of times her mission changed.
Things happened rapidly, and she went from heading out to do one thing, to going to do another before finishing the first, and so on, a few times over. The little side missions did add to the story, but it was the uncompleted ones that stuck out. By the end of the book, her original mission that she was so adamant she had to do because she couldn't not answer her brother's call for help, still hadn't been completed, but the next book is set up for a completely different mission.
3. The hero complex of the MMC.
It's annoying. I get it, he's an alien on a mission to make sure the galactic rules the humans weren't included in creating are being followed, and he believes in saving lives even though his people were just fine with cutting the power and basic resources of a planet with 8 billion people off in one day, and watching them flounder around in a world they're no longer equipped to live in until the majority die off and are forced to create warring factions to survive. But he can get angry with the FMC for killing humans who literally were about to kill them. Or for trying to end the life of a child infected with a virus that as far as they knew only ends in the infected killing anyone around them. But because the MMC was trying to keep secrets, they didn't know what he knew, which is that the rage apparently passes after a couple weeks. But he can self righteously be livid with with them even though he didn't give them that information.
Oh and would-be gang-bang rapists should just be knocked out instead of killed when saving their target. (Insert eye roll.)
He was so naive but so determined he put them in more dangerous situations in his need to be the hero any time someone needed help.
This IS being addressed, since there were little signs that he's starting to be less rigid. Or that he's finally starting to listen to the FMC when she tells him not to trust someone at their word. It may be one of his few weaknesses, but man, was it frustrating to read.
4. Lastly, the kid brother.
His chapters and actions and thoughts varied so wildly, but it's really clear that even after everything the FMC went through and sacrificed to protect him, and even after she gave up everything for him, he's just not understanding enough. From what we're led to understand, he talked her into leaving everyone behind and going into hiding. And then he left her, saying horribly hurtful things to her, because he "needed space." He knows important truths about her that she doesn't even know, and was supposed to stay with her, but he joined a group that his father didn't like, and that even he's not completely sold on, to go off and do whatever to get his space. He shows moments of caring for her and we see in his thoughts that he just said the hurtful things to make her let him leave, but ultimately it's not enough compared to what she sacrificed for him.
--
With all that said, the things listed below did bug, and they are the reasons it's not a 5 star read for me, and also why I'm still considering whether or not I want to continue the series. If these things are ignored, this is a great book. Just don't think about them too much.
‼️ SPOILERS from here on out
1. My biggest issue is that FMC is a legend in this world, but doesn't live up to it.
At the top of her game she commanded 6 thousand, and was legendary for bringing all of her soldiers home. Her scouts were the best because of her training, and every one of her 6 thousand were completely loyal to her. She had battles that people who didn't know her whispered about, and many people who had never met her knew her on sight.
This is my kind of character!
So tell me WHY she sucked so bad in every fight scene in the book? She was stumbling around, falling, constantly being saved by Every. One. Else, struggling to hold her own against so many they came across.
Part of this is later explained when old friends who also are similarly skilled see her and exclaim how weak she's become while in hiding because she hasn't been eating. They were able to get a hit in on her while fighting, which has apparently never happened or something because it shocked them enough that the fight ended.
BUT in the scenes where she's fighting, she's describing what everyone around her is doing while she does so little. In one particular scene, she just kept telling people to run while they were being picked off left and right, and the only one she defended in all those pages was the MMC. And she just pulled a few of the attackers off him before running again, or before she was taken down and he had to save her instead. Multiple times. Where were her skills then? Where was her vigorous and abusive years of training? We see how everyone else is faring from her POV, but it's like she just watches most of the time and lends a hand there and there.
2. The amount of times her mission changed.
Things happened rapidly, and she went from heading out to do one thing, to going to do another before finishing the first, and so on, a few times over. The little side missions did add to the story, but it was the uncompleted ones that stuck out. By the end of the book, her original mission that she was so adamant she had to do because she couldn't not answer her brother's call for help, still hadn't been completed, but the next book is set up for a completely different mission.
3. The hero complex of the MMC.
It's annoying. I get it, he's an alien on a mission to make sure the galactic rules the humans weren't included in creating are being followed, and he believes in saving lives even though his people were just fine with cutting the power and basic resources of a planet with 8 billion people off in one day, and watching them flounder around in a world they're no longer equipped to live in until the majority die off and are forced to create warring factions to survive. But he can get angry with the FMC for killing humans who literally were about to kill them. Or for trying to end the life of a child infected with a virus that as far as they knew only ends in the infected killing anyone around them. But because the MMC was trying to keep secrets, they didn't know what he knew, which is that the rage apparently passes after a couple weeks. But he can self righteously be livid with with them even though he didn't give them that information.
Oh and would-be gang-bang rapists should just be knocked out instead of killed when saving their target. (Insert eye roll.)
He was so naive but so determined he put them in more dangerous situations in his need to be the hero any time someone needed help.
This IS being addressed, since there were little signs that he's starting to be less rigid. Or that he's finally starting to listen to the FMC when she tells him not to trust someone at their word. It may be one of his few weaknesses, but man, was it frustrating to read.
4. Lastly, the kid brother.
His chapters and actions and thoughts varied so wildly, but it's really clear that even after everything the FMC went through and sacrificed to protect him, and even after she gave up everything for him, he's just not understanding enough. From what we're led to understand, he talked her into leaving everyone behind and going into hiding. And then he left her, saying horribly hurtful things to her, because he "needed space." He knows important truths about her that she doesn't even know, and was supposed to stay with her, but he joined a group that his father didn't like, and that even he's not completely sold on, to go off and do whatever to get his space. He shows moments of caring for her and we see in his thoughts that he just said the hurtful things to make her let him leave, but ultimately it's not enough compared to what she sacrificed for him.
October 14, 2022
Amazing book. Absolutely love Sky and Gray!! Full review coming soon.
December 21, 2022
Was going to give it a fout
Took away a star for failure to close out a plotline.
Plot is lost heir in a dystopian wasteland. It's a riff on "the chosen one" with the person not being fated but rather denied their fated birthright. There are too many subplots to mention everyone has an agenda.
Characters and backstories are compelling but there are too many. The motivations and factions need to be streamlined. Alex is unnecessary. Soren also unnecessary. Colt and the Parsons are unimportant.
The writing is good. There were some chunky bits and the names were scifi with the convention of shortening and "whiting" them up. Frankly if you take the time to make Orion spelled all kin
ds of funky a thing in your novel then roll with it. But other than no complaints.
The pacing was a gallop to the end with no pay off.
The world building was weird, emotional suppression came out of nowhere. The concept of what she is is never established
It was enjoyable and if you plan to buy everything together then recommend. But if you are like me and enjoy a complete plot arc then you'll be disappointed.
Took away a star for failure to close out a plotline.
Plot is lost heir in a dystopian wasteland. It's a riff on "the chosen one" with the person not being fated but rather denied their fated birthright. There are too many subplots to mention everyone has an agenda.
Characters and backstories are compelling but there are too many. The motivations and factions need to be streamlined. Alex is unnecessary. Soren also unnecessary. Colt and the Parsons are unimportant.
The writing is good. There were some chunky bits and the names were scifi with the convention of shortening and "whiting" them up. Frankly if you take the time to make Orion spelled all kin
ds of funky a thing in your novel then roll with it. But other than no complaints.
The pacing was a gallop to the end with no pay off.
The world building was weird, emotional suppression came out of nowhere. The concept of what she is is never established
It was enjoyable and if you plan to buy everything together then recommend. But if you are like me and enjoy a complete plot arc then you'll be disappointed.
December 31, 2022
(FYI I tend to only review one book per series, unless I completely change my mind on a series, so want to change my scoring.) (I do not read reviews before I read a book, I like to go in with an open mind.)
3.25
First time read the author's work?: Yes
Will you be reading more?: Yes
Would you recommend?: Yes
------------
How I rate Stars: 5* = I loved (must read all I can find by the author)
4* = I really enjoyed (got to read all the series and try other books by the author).
3* = I enjoyed (I will continue to read the series)
or
3* = Good book just not my thing (I realised I don't like the genre or picked up a kids book to review in error.)
All of the above scores means I would recommend them!
-
2* = it was okay (I might give the next book in the series a try, to see if that was better IMHO.)
1* = Disliked
Note: adding these basic 'reviews' after finding out that some people see the stars differently than I do - hoping this clarifies how I feel about the book. :-)
3.25
First time read the author's work?: Yes
Will you be reading more?: Yes
Would you recommend?: Yes
------------
How I rate Stars: 5* = I loved (must read all I can find by the author)
4* = I really enjoyed (got to read all the series and try other books by the author).
3* = I enjoyed (I will continue to read the series)
or
3* = Good book just not my thing (I realised I don't like the genre or picked up a kids book to review in error.)
All of the above scores means I would recommend them!
-
2* = it was okay (I might give the next book in the series a try, to see if that was better IMHO.)
1* = Disliked
Note: adding these basic 'reviews' after finding out that some people see the stars differently than I do - hoping this clarifies how I feel about the book. :-)
December 9, 2023
A page turner. So many things happening that you
couldn't put the book down. The action is non-stop. Knives being thrown back and forth!!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
couldn't put the book down. The action is non-stop. Knives being thrown back and forth!!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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