The Sky Weaver has to be my favorite of the Iskari books. Not only does it feature a f/f romance, it has my absolute favorite characters of the entire series Safire and a new clever thief Eris. This final book is gut wrenching, captivating, and action packed.
Summary
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.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
The Sky Weaver begins at the end and I fell in love from page one. With dragons, pirates, and legends, The Sky Weaver is action packed with stories within stories. Whether it be unraveling the Eris’ history, the legends of the elusive Sky Weaver, or the romantic tension, The Sky Weaver emphasizes the ways our own role changes depending on who is the storyteller. Are we the heroes or our own story or the villain of someone else’s?
Safire has to be my favorite character from The Last Namsara. Safire has a quiet strength. A past where she has had to fight for her survival, consistently fearing for her life. Incredibly loyal to her family and to her duty, Safire consistently puts the needs of others before her own. The Sky Weaver allows Safire to grow into her individuality. It’s not wrong to admit that we have dreams that go beyond our responsibilities. When Safire’s heart and duty clash, will she be able to stand up for what is right?
But where The Sky Weaver stole the show is the introduction of Eris. Talk about a girl with a hardened heart and a soft spot. Told from dual perspectives, Ciccarelli showcases both Eris and Safire’s inner conflicts: loyalty versus survival. As Shrek put it, Eris is like an onion. She has this exterior that has been hardened by survival, by the inability to be choosy about her own choices. But inside, Eris hides a desire to be seen. Not to mention her backstory is fascinating and only becomes more intriguing as the story continues.
Themes and Writing
Both of these girls are battle scarred. Scared of being touched and the flashes of PTSD were heart wrenching. Their stories individually are compassionate, but together they become compelling. In the midst of this conspiracy are these two characters who seem to orbit around each other not only in terms of tension, but also fate. Can someone inspire us to be more than the person we have had to be in order to survive? Do we believe what we are told or what we know to be true in our heart?
Throughout The Sky Weaver there is the introduction of the legend of the Sky Weaver and the Shadow God. It is a masterful narration choice, not only mirroring the actions in the present, but also illustrating the power of storytelling. We think we know the whole story. All the pieces of the puzzle. But it always depends on who is doing the telling.
Overall,
The Sky Weaver is a story about loyalty and knowing what we are fighting for at the end of the day. It’s a story about sacrifices, love, and bravery. The Sky Weaver is a book that keeps on giving. Whether it be the mythology of the Sky Weaver, the unfolding of Eris’ history, or the romantic ships, you will become captivated. It is, hands down, my favorite of the Iskari series. Find The Sky Weaver on Goodreads, Amazon, Indiebound & The Book Depository.
Giveaway
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My favorite series ender was Inferno by Julie Kagawa. I just didn’t want to say goodbye to the characters after spending so much time with them over the 5 book series.
Ooh I haven’t finished that series yet!
I think that would be Allegiant by Veronica Roth. I didn’t see that ending coming.
Ohhh it’s been so long since I read that series!