Reviews

Skyfire by Jess E. Owen

yasminfoster's review

adventurous hopeful mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

guccishoestrings's review

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

What a turn of events, the world and story just got a whole lot bigger in just a few chapters. A huge cast of new characters and factions appear in this book and the actual conflict of the series appears. The first book played it safe with the world but this book turns all of what you thought you knew on its head.

The Good: The world gets a lot more interesting with the new faction of the actual Aesir pride being introduced and the real villains in the wyverns showing to be a threat everyone is scared of plus the end showing an even more interesting faction that is more involved in the next book, the characters introduced are all pretty interesting and work well with the main cast and do not hamper them, and a ending that just wants you to continue reading right after you finish.

The Bad: The trope of Rashard being a prince is a huge plot point for the book and its not bad, just a common trope you see, the wolf and lion factions are introduced quickly and do not get much time to really know or understand them, and of course a romance plot arrives in full force and it is blatantly obvious what is going to happen and yes I know it was foreshadowed for the entire series up to this point (just not the exact character) and its not bad but you can just tell what's going to happen and feels somewhat forced.

This book is a big step forward from the first one. The world increased by more than double the size and in my opinion was a great choice to do. The ending was somewhat heartbreaking but hopeful and intriguing. If you made it to this point keep reading to book 3. 

taxideadaisy's review

adventurous lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

 I would have loved to have found this series when I was a youngster, 3rd through 7th grade especially. With the various species and their interconnections, and the songs, it still reminds me, a little, of The Jungle Books. The plotting is spot on, characters varied and personable (or unpleasant), and while there is hunting and fighting, no gratuitous gore, yet fights and hunts are well described (no small feat when the combatants are angry gryfons). 

 Owen describes characters and landscapes in fine detail, which younger me especially would have savored. Her worldbuilding is thoughtful, the various peoples and places interconnected. The story pacing is restrained, no rushing -- and the main characters make their share of blunders, large & small. There is a gentleness & a nobility of spirit underlying the narrative, which feels familiar and right, and so gracefully done that the "message" (if any) never overwhelms the narrative, which has been the demise of too many otherwise fine novels & series. 

[Shard’s quest is not at all the same as Jonathan Livingston Seagull’s was, and yet somehow during this book “Jonathan Livingston Gryfon” became a mantra that wouldn’t leave for a while. You’re welcome.] 

There are too many typos though, many of which seem to be of the sort you get while editing -- a word missing when a phrase is cut/moved, say -- or spellcheck fails. Would be great if these could be fixed and the e-books, at least, updated, maybe POD books too? Leaving as five stars though because imo this series should be in every school & public library. 

candle_eater's review

adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

kaybixby's review

adventurous hopeful

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

honniker's review

5.0

This book was just as good as the first. I've really gotten hooked on this series and can't wait for the next one. As with the first, it took me a couple chapters to get back into the story but then I couldn't put it down.

The story again is fairly archetypal in some ways, but there were once again some things that I didn't see coming. In this book, Shard really grows and begins to find himself and come into his own.

Again, I recommend this series to any and all! It's just a really well written series.

thomasray's review

5.0

AAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

crownandstallion's review

5.0

Another great book in the summer king chronicles. The world just got a whole lot bigger for Shard, and the lush fantasy world is rich and imaginative. Beautiful writing, exciting and fast-paced. Wonderful characters, great story overall. Cannot wait to get to the next one.