Review Detail

Stranger Skies delivers a robust second book in the Drowned Gods Trilogy. I can see why the author went from planning two books to making it a trilogy because that is the only way to do this story justice. Some second books limp along, trying not to reveal too much, so there is enough content for a third book. That is not a problem for this book! I love that this story builds on the first book, but adds so much to the plot that in many ways it is very different.
In the first book, we learn all about tide and moon phase magic of the world Emory and Baz live in. There is a mystery to what happened to Romie, the eclipse magic being stolen, collapsing magic, and a famous book that becomes central to all their lives. In this story, Emory finds herself in the dreamscape with Romie as they enter magical doors that take them to other worlds with new magics to discover. The famous story is what they are now in as they search for the center of all magic, where the gods reside.
The audiobook had four narrators as the story is told from Baz, Kai, Emory, and Romie’s perspectives. It was the right decision to help keep this detail-rich story easy to follow along and enjoyable to listen to.
This book offers so much - found love, quests, character growth, surprising reveals, danger, impeccable world - building that it was a pleasure from start to finish. Nothing felt abrupt or forced as new magic systems, time loops, and betrayals keep this story multilayered and interesting.
Overall, this is a complex and well-done addition to the world Pascale Lacelle has woven. I am so excited that the third book is releasing soon.