At the end of one world, there always lies another.

Safire, a soldier, knows her role in this world is to serve the King of Firgaard—helping to maintain the peace in her oft-troubled nation.

Eris, a deadly pirate, has no such conviction. Known as the Death Dancer for her ability to evade even the most determined of pursuers, she possesses a superhuman power to move between worlds.

When one can roam from dimension to dimension, can one ever be home? Can love and loyalty truly exist?

Now Safire and Eris—sworn enemies—find themselves on a common mission: to find Asha, the last Namsara. From the port city of Darmoor to the fabled faraway Star Isles, their search and their stories become woven ever more tightly together as they discover the uncertain fate they’re hurtling towards may just be a shared one. In this world—and the next.

Original Title: The Sky Weaver

Series: Iskari #3

Author: Kristen Ciccarelli

Hardcover: 400 pages

Publisher: HarperTeen

Publishing Date: November 12, 2019

ISBN: 0062568043 (ISBN13: 9780062568045)

Edition Language: English

My Review

From the stronghold of Firgaard, through the Rift Mountains, and the desert Sand Sea back to the Scrublands and beyond, the Iskari series has taken place all over the map. If on foot, by horse or via dragons, it has been an amazing adventure full of lore, vivid settings, amazing characters, and gorgeous writing. There is only one way left to travel now, and that is via sea vessel where the last book of the Iskari series takes us out onto the Silver Sea, beyond the horizon to the Star Isles. The Sky Weaver is nothing short of amazing, bringing more myth and betrail as well as adding a same-gender love relationship to round out the series.

Skye and Crow

"I don't have a name," he told her.
"Then I will call you Crow."
"Call me whatever you like," he said, turning away.
"Where are you going?"
"Somewhere you can never come."
More than anything else in the world, he learned, Skye loves to weave. But things from the shadows did not make friends with mortal girls. And fishermen's daughters grew into women. Women who fell in love with mortals just like them. Mortals who bore children grew old and eventually stepped through Death's cold, dark gate.
And yet, Crow waited for her.

Eris is a pirate. They call her the Death Dancer. She has been stalking Safire for weeks around the palace grounds. Entangled on a mission to retrieve an important item, she finds herself watching Safire's every move slipping in and out of shadows, through walls and clouds of mist. What starts off as an assignment, turns into infatuation with the sword-wielding and strong subject before.

Safire has become the highest in command of the guard and is frustrated that she can't catch what is so elusive right in front of her. When their moment comes and Safire catches Eris cold handed, she ends up a prisoner on a pirate ship with a line of pirate dispute and cruelty along with it.

Despite the torture Safire receives, Eris keeps an eye on her and tries to keep the upper hand by staying in charge of her and not the other ruthless pirate Kor. Deep down in the belly of the Sea Mistress in a scene fully charged of animosity and attraction, they fiercely hash it out. When a fire ensues and they make it off the ship, they end up going separate ways but on the same mission with different goals. Safire is to warn Asha of an imminent threat, and Eris to retrieve something that could set her free.

Cloaked in myths of gods and the story of Eris's past, she is faced with the ultimate sacrifice and letting go of ever being with Safire. A move that may set her free but also shows her true colors in hope that Safire will see it.

***

I can't believe I read all three books and they are just so special. In the end, I can't even be mad that there wasn't more dragon action as in the first book, but each one of the titles held its own with a new narrative, added characters and well thought out lore.

Adding pirates and a same-gender love story was exactly what was missing and I enjoyed the pace and change it brought to the Iskari series. With the old cast available and still relevant moving in and out of the story, it kept a familiarity with the setting and beloved characters.

Throughout all the books, Ciccarelli's writing is impeccable and I love her voice. There is so much imagination and wisdom within each book, it's simply beautiful, complex and elegant while devising captivating plot action and moments of tenderness.

Though the first book was my absolute favorite, I could not recommend the Iskari series more to all those YA readers out there.
Truly!

Happy Reading :)

I am an avid reader of different genres and value these different genres respectively. I am also a mood reader and switch genres up according to my reading needs/appetite and I respect and value other people’s individual opinions even if they differ from mine. This review reflects my honest and personal opinion about this novel.

I received this novel from WunderkindPR in exchange for an honest review. Thank you so much.