Booklist Reviews
In this sequel to 2018's Across the Dark Water, Rahkki is now a member of the Sky Guard and, along with the pegasus Echofrost, one-half of a "Pair." While Rahkki's life has improved, Echofrost continues to bring difficulties, especially since her herd has been captured by giants. Her plans for rescue, however, are overshadowed by Queen Lilliam, who has plans of her own—for the herd, the giants, and the realm—and she seems to be going out of her way to make sure Rahkki doesn't succeed. Chapters alternate between Rahkki's and Echofrost's points of view, showing their bond from both sides as they open up to each other and highlighting their internal conflicts. The plot moves quickly, and as the danger increases, Rahkki must show his true strength and rise above the dubious Queen. This second act of a trilogy raises the stakes with an epic battle, a plotting monarch, a spunky princess, and one boy's journey to save a herd of flying horses. Grades 4-7. Copyright 2019 Booklist Reviews.