Scan barcode
blaireisrad's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
teresab78's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars
Although calling the end happily ever after is a bit of a stretch, I’m glad Sky found someone and a new purpose. I really liked Victor and he was good for Sky. I’m looking forward to the final book as much if this book was a setup for it.
Although calling the end happily ever after is a bit of a stretch, I’m glad Sky found someone and a new purpose. I really liked Victor and he was good for Sky. I’m looking forward to the final book as much if this book was a setup for it.
riahwamby's review
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
toshi21's review against another edition
4.0
I love Maz’s writing style and this penultimate story to her Stallion Ridge series is no different.
Sky and Victor are just so romantic and sweet as they fly and try to understand what Fate has in store for them.
You ache for the lonely Sky as he remains on the outer edges of town and finally finds a home with the carnival.
Victor’s mysterious and brash ways coax the aloof man into opening up and their story is amazing.
I ached near the end. I hated that it had to happen but it was the perfect ending. I love Maz’s timing and her style. She tells you a story and makes you feel for the characters.
Sky’s story was long in coming and I am so pleased with how it turned out.
Sky and Victor are just so romantic and sweet as they fly and try to understand what Fate has in store for them.
You ache for the lonely Sky as he remains on the outer edges of town and finally finds a home with the carnival.
Victor’s mysterious and brash ways coax the aloof man into opening up and their story is amazing.
I ached near the end. I hated that it had to happen but it was the perfect ending. I love Maz’s timing and her style. She tells you a story and makes you feel for the characters.
Sky’s story was long in coming and I am so pleased with how it turned out.
galleytrot's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
READ: Apr 2023
FORMAT: Digital
BRIEF SUMMARY:
In this Western fantasy/romance, Sky has been suffering from a persistent recurring nightmare spelling certain disaster for the residents of Stallion Ridge. When a traveling circus makes its way into the town, Victor tries to wow the Native Skinchanger by reading his fate, but the cards illuminate something much more confusing and unexpected. The two men appear to be intertwined in a way that calls their beliefs about fate and destiny into question, but beyond their questions of faith, Victor might just be exactly the sort of help that Sky needs in his life, if he’d only accept that he needs the help in the first place.
ENTERTAINMENT VALUE: 4.25 / 5⭐
So, something interesting happened in these last two books of this series: where for Sebastian’s story, I was expecting so much more from it but found myself disappointed, here in Sky’s book I was expecting very little but wound up pleasantly surprised.
I never really had much appreciation for Sky’s character over the course of the series – I always found him a little too boring, a little too cliché lone-wolf, a little too clutch in tough situations. I expected he would commit too strongly to his detached, aloof, and mysterious persona, but his story gives him the depth, worries, and drive for connection that are necessary in order for him to be likeable. I shouldn’t be surprised by that, because of course our main protagonist needs to be likeable; and yet, here I am.
I’m likewise quite pleased with the role that Victor plays. He never has to harass, get pushy, or insinuate himself into Sky’s bubble, the way we so often see extrovert characters do in romances with loner-type love interests. Victor is respectful of Sky’s space and boundaries, capable of seeing when he’s accidentally crossed an invisible line and gracefully stepping back to give the man some breathing room. Thanks to his respect and decent communication, Sky is willing to open up a little more with each meeting instead of falling into his solitary habits and pushing Victor aside. It’s quite refreshing.
TECHNICAL / PRODUCTION: 4 / 5⭐
It feels good to return to Stallion Ridge proper after Mimics & Mayhem and Runes, Ruin & Redemption took us into new geographies and cultures of the country. While I absolutely love Maddox’s world-building, and while it was awesome to see some places outside of the developing town, it feels like coming back home. Stallion Ridge is a character in its own right, on its own growth arc with each and every book in the series.
I do have one issue with the execution of this book, but I’m not certain how I would go about fixing it. Essentially, the book didn’t feel finished, because what I thought was going to be the big climactic moment just... never happened. The epilogue came at me out of nowhere and the book’s wrap-up felt jarring and out of place. The reason for this is because it’s doing some hefty setup for the final book of the series, so I understand why it plays out the way it does – but it sort of feels like cheating, when 95% of the book is hinting at a major event and the final 5% drifts off with “our work here is done” energy that was plain and simply unearned.
FINAL THOUGHTS - OVERALL: 4 / 5⭐
Where the previous book was stronger for its plot than its romance, this book is stronger for its romance than its plot. If you’ve made it this far in the series, there’s no reason you should avoid or skip this one. It would, in fact, be very beneficial to read this one before moving on to the seventh and final, if only for all the setup that takes place here.
This book has representation for gays, bisexuals, lesbians, and gender-nonconforming. Many backgrounds and skin colours are portrayed. A handful of characters represent “Natives” of fictional tribes, although the ‘magical natives’ trope is strongly leaned into and may be viewed as problematic.
The following elaborates on my content warnings. These may be interpreted as spoilers, but I do not go into deep detail.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Abandonment, Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Death, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Cursing, and Violence
Minor: Death of parent and War
aligroen's review
4.0
I love this world that the author has made and I have greatly enjoyed these books. I was happy to see Sky find love but also realize he has made a family and just never knew it. Victor has a great made family and helps Sky see what he is missing. There is a lot of dream interpretation in this one and I just had a hard time following. I look forward to the last book in this series when it comes out.
I received a copy of this book and am giving an honest review
I received a copy of this book and am giving an honest review
redhairedashreads's review
3.0
Series: Stallion Ridge #6
Rating: 3 stars - I liked it
Sky has been troubled with dreams of a dark fate for the town of Stallion Ridge. The only man who seems to be able to help him figure out the dreams is Victor, a carnival performer who is also phoenix.
This was an interesting one. Sky has been the aloof and alone warrior throughout this series so I was glad to see he was finally getting his own story. His past was heartbreaking and I just wanted to hug him. Victor was a fascinating shifter and wonderful partner. He supported Sky and was determined to give him a family. Also, I loved that this book was centered around the idea of found family and how it can sometimes be better than blood.
The dreams and omens discussed in this were very interesting but also murky at times because they are dreams. I was very surprised by where the dreams led them and I really can’t wait to see how that plays out in the next book. Overall, I enjoyed this story and was so happy to see Sky finally find love. Now to see what is in store for Stallion Ridge next.
You can also find my reviews at Red-Haired Ash Reads.
Rating: 3 stars - I liked it
Sky has been troubled with dreams of a dark fate for the town of Stallion Ridge. The only man who seems to be able to help him figure out the dreams is Victor, a carnival performer who is also phoenix.
This was an interesting one. Sky has been the aloof and alone warrior throughout this series so I was glad to see he was finally getting his own story. His past was heartbreaking and I just wanted to hug him. Victor was a fascinating shifter and wonderful partner. He supported Sky and was determined to give him a family. Also, I loved that this book was centered around the idea of found family and how it can sometimes be better than blood.
The dreams and omens discussed in this were very interesting but also murky at times because they are dreams. I was very surprised by where the dreams led them and I really can’t wait to see how that plays out in the next book. Overall, I enjoyed this story and was so happy to see Sky finally find love. Now to see what is in store for Stallion Ridge next.
You can also find my reviews at Red-Haired Ash Reads.
More...