Humans and skysteeds work together against the Foul Ones in this sequel to Skyriders (2023).The Skyforce prevailed in the Battle of a Thousand Chimerae but at a terrible cost. Now the Emperor asks Kie and N'Rah to travel to the Makar Mountains to locate the Sky King and ask him to renew the Great Alliance, which allows wild skysteeds to bind with humans to replenish the Skyforce and fight the chimerae that continue to menace Prekalt. Prince Shayn and Princess Halla, courier Topar, Capt. Nerone, and cadet Ruden-familiar characters to those who've read the previous book-join the secret mission. The stakes are high: If they cannot save the Home Herd from the carnivorous desert birds called vultiren and convince the Sky King to allow their species to join forces, Prekalt is likely doomed. Without sacrificing any excitement, this entry, which will best be appreciated by returning fans who are familiar with this world, goes into more depth of feeling than the previous book. Kie learns to process her grief over previous losses and to accept her role as the Nexara (the one who can communicate with all skysteeds), and the skysteeds themselves, especially N'Rah, come to the forefront with their own individual stories. Ultimately, after a tremendous battle against the vultiren, the story sets up for a third book. Human characters are diverse in appearance.An action-packed, superbly paced second book that raises the stakes and shows the cost of loss. (cast of characters) (Fantasy. 9-13)