Book Review: A Radiant Sky

A Radiant Sky (A Beautiful Dark #3)
Published By: HarperTeen
Publication Date: September 24, 2013
Page Count: 368
Source: ARC Kindly Provided by Publisher
Audience: Young Adult - Paranormal, Angels

I have been a fan of this series from the very beginning when I received an ARC of A Beautiful Dark. I have been anxiously awaiting the final installment. I was so nervous about how things would end up for Skye. There is a lot of tension at the end of the second book and a battle is brewing. The wait for this novel was excruciating. I also can't discuss this one without mentioning some items that happened in the previous books. If you have not read the series, this is the point you should stop reading.

This novel opens up right after the moment that Skye has made her decision to side with the Rogues. She wants to carry on the battle that her parents started so many years ago. Her decision may mean the end for her relationship with Asher, but can she really let him go? Is she strong enough to hold onto her heart and fight on the side she knows is right?

I love the relationship between Skye and Asher. I was actually kind of bummed that Asher takes a backseat in this one. Skye is more focused on preparing for the looming battle and planning with the Rogues. She isn't sure that Asher will be on her side when things start to go down so she chooses to push him away. Eventually though, she realizes that running from her feelings won't solve her issues. In spite of his frequent absences, Asher's moments in this book were well worth waiting for him to wander back onto the page.

In addition, Devin is also back. Things have certainly changed for him after his epic decision in the last book. He is still tortured over how he treated Skye and wants to make things up to her. Devin will truly pull at your heart strings in this one. He never was my favorite - I have always been an Asher girl - but he does redeem himself in this one. 

As always, one of my favorite things about this series is the emphasis on friends and family. I love the dynamics of Skye's relationship with her friends and her Aunt Jo. The addition of some new characters also adds some new complexity to Skye's social circle; Earth is my favorite newcomer. Raven is also still hanging around, but she has changed a lot since readers first met her. In fact, she has quickly become one of my favorite characters in the series. 

My biggest complaint with this one is the battle. There was a tremendous build up that promised epic action and bloodshed, but in the end resulted in very few casualties. I actually predicted which characters I thought might not survive and was spot on. To me, this felt a lot like Breaking Dawn - so much build up for very little pay off. In fact, I didn't feel a sense of anxiety with this battle at all. There was a lot of potential here, but this aspect fell short for me.

In spite of my reaction to the battle, I did enjoy this one. I also feel like its a fitting end to Skye's story. All the loose ends are resolved. I can leave Skye behind and know that she will continue to be her amazing self. River Springs and its inhabitants will be revisited in the future. This is by far my current angel series to date.


One Last Gripe: I've already mentioned my major gripe within the body of the review. I wanted more from the battle.

My Favorite Thing About This Book: The romance

First Sentence: There are certain things they never tell you about love.

Favorite Character: Asher

Least Favorite Character: Astaroth



Since the night of her seventeenth birthday, Skye has been torn between two opposites: Light and Dark, the Order and the Rebellion, Devin and Asher.

But her decision shocked both sides—because she chose neither.

With the help of her friends, Skye forges her own path, setting out to gather an uprising of Rogues. The treacherous and elusive half-angels may be the key to maintaining the balance of fate and free will. But completing the mission her parents left unfinished is more difficult—and dangerous—than she could have imagined. And doing so comes at a cost: Her greatest love may now be a lethal enemy. Because it’s not just the Order that sees her as a threat who must be eliminated. The Rebellion does, too.

And both sides will do whatever it takes to win.

Dark days lie ahead, and if Skye is to survive, she’ll need to rely on her extraordinary powers and the strength of her will. Because she has a future—and a love—that’s worth fighting for.

The sweeping, darkly romantic story that began with A Beautiful Dark and gathered intensity in A Fractured Light comes to a thrilling conclusion in A Radiant Sky.

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