A Light in the Sky by Shina Reynolds Pages: 420
Published by Wink Road Press on November 9, 2021
Series: Clashing Skies #1
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy & Magic, Young Adult
Source: Paperback from Author
Red Queen meets The Scorpio Races in a high-flying new fantasy series filled with passion, betrayal, and adventure from debut author Shina Reynolds.
Seventeen-year-old Aluma Banks has always dreamed of soaring freely through the skies astride a powerful winged steed of her own. But flying is a privilege granted only to the Riders of the king’s Empyrean Cavalry, the aerial warriors who defend the borders of their land from the fallen Kingdom of Laithlann.
Each year, Rider hopefuls across Eirelannia compete in the Autumn Tournament for the honor of joining the Cavalry. Aluma, trained to ride and fight by her retired Empyrean Rider father, knows she has what it takes to prove herself worthy—if only her father hadn’t forbidden her from joining their ranks, in the hope of protecting his only daughter from the perils of war. To make matters worse, Thayer, Aluma’s best friend who could be becoming something more, is competing—and if he wins, he’ll leave her behind.
When Aluma’s father is tragically injured just before the Tournament, she finds herself unexpectedly thrust into this year’s competition. But as Aluma begins to pursue her dreams, she learns devastating secrets about the king and his never-ending war with Laithlann. In her quest for the truth, Aluma discovers a power deep within herself that may be the only way to save Eirelannia and the people she loves from the darkness that threatens to consume them all.
A Light in the Sky is the first book in the young adult fantasy Clashing Skies series by Shina Reynolds. I really enjoyed this story, the characters and the world that Shina Reynolds created. A Light in the Sky is a fast paced fantasy adventure filled with secrets, mystery, competition and flying horses! It was a fun ride and I can’t wait for the next book in the series to see what is going to happen next!
In A Light in the Sky we meet our main character, Aluma, who has always wanted to be an Empyrean Rider. Her father says it is far too dangerous for her, and has forbid it, until the day of the tournament to become a warrior in the Empyrean Flying Horse Cavalry, her father gets severely injured in an accident at the tournament, and tells her that she must compete. After getting her cryptic message and hoping that her father will be ok, Aluma competes and earns a spot in the King’s Empyrean Cavalry. Along with her horse and her best friend Thayer, they are escorted off to the King’s court to train as Empyrean riders.
I really enjoyed learning more about the four different kingdoms in this world, and I can’t wait to uncover what will surely be more secrets to come in the next book. There is a light romance love triangle going on, and I am going to hold off on my thoughts on the romantic front until the next book because I would love to see more of a connection develop between the characters to decide what team I’m on. Overall, this was a fun read. I loved the world setup and the whole gang of characters. I can’t wait to see what is in store for us next in the Clashing Skies series!
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