The SKYRIDERS SERIES continues with Book 2, THE SKY KING. This is a separate adventure with reminders of what happened in book one. Still though you might be longing to start from the beginning like I did with my review last week of SKYRIDERS.

Our 13-year-old heroine, Kie, and her brave flying horse known as a skysteed previously helped the empire defeat the three headed chimarae monsters. Kie and N’Rah have returned home and lead a more quiet life as mail couriers in the sky.

Her life is interrupted once more upon receiving a message from the emperor to find Sky King, the leader of the wild skysteeds. The chimerae will certainly be back and they need more help to defeat them for good. She agrees and takes with her a team of young riders and skysteeds. The long journey is interrupted by a new bold creature out for blood: vultirens, large birds like the one pictured on the lower cover and heading straight for the wild skysteeds’ hidden home in the mountains.

The vultirens far outnumber the skysteeds and the only chance for success is to talk the Sky King into helping them. He is against that with the way humans have not kept their word in the past. But Kie and her team deep down know that without their help the world as they know it will end.

Kie is the perfect heroine and one who goes through many emotions. She’s a brave leader but also frightened by her thoughts of failing. Her heart grieves each time a skysteed dies in battle. Skysteeds bond and are able to mentally communicate with one human. N’Rah is the beautiful devoted companion for Kie. They support each other while keeping a few surprising secrets that eventually are revealed.

The battles are exciting, though younger readers may not like the scenes of creatures being killed. Nothing very graphic but good to know beforehand as to what lies ahead. This unique fantasy adventure will appeal to middle grade readers who enjoy a story full of twists and exciting scenes spread out over 28 chapters. The ride you will be on is memorable tale sure to have you asking for more.

BOOK BIRTHDAY: May 7, 2024 PAGE COUNT: 336

FIVE MORE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT: THE SKY KING by Polly Holyoke

1. Kie is a rare Nextara, one who can communicate with all systeeds. This adds a unique aspect to her quest as she is the only one in her group who can do this. Her special character trait provides added emotion and appeal to the story.
2. Humans and animals. The relationship between the unique skysteeds and their riders is displayed here and it shows best friends don’t always have to be human. The scenes with skysteeds bonding with their human for the first time were heartwarming.
3. Once again the world building is exceptional. The skysteeds and their riders flying through the storms to reach their destination was a page turning encounter.
4. The bold and exciting cover. It will attract even those who don’t usually read fantasy.
5. I was thankful for the handy list of characters at the beginning as there are many.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Polly Holyoke is the author of the award-winning Neptune Trilogy and the acclaimed Skyriders series. She grew up hiking, skiing and camping in the Colorado mountains. A former social studies teacher, she has LOVED books and reading. She even wrote her first book, 2 Days at Eagle Pass Ranch, with her best friend when she was in fifth grade. This remarkable tale about two girls outwitting horse thieves was never published, but it did get her hooked on writing stories.

Polly has always adored horses and been fascinated by the Pegasus myth. Her favorite picture book when she was little was a beautifully illustrated story of the Greek hero Bellerophon who tamed Pegasus, and together they defeated the terrible three-headed chimera terrorizing Lycea. She’s also been intrigued by the brave young riders of the American Pony Express, and she combined elements of both to create her Skyriders series.

Her husband introduced her to scuba diving, and she’s been fortunate enough to dive all over the world. Like her heroine Nere in her Neptune Trilogy, she is mildly claustrophobic, so she doesn’t dive in wrecks or lava tubes anymore.

She currently lives in the mountains of Colorado with two rescue Chihuahuas and a nice husband who puts up with piles of books all over their house. She enjoys going to work in her pajamas and getting paid for daydreaming.

(For more about Polly and her books, visit her author web site)

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