Six rulers, six curses, and one island that only appears every hundred years, welcome to the Centennial. I just finished the entire Lightlark saga, and my brain is absolutely buzzing! If you haven’t dived into Alex Aster’s world yet, what are you even waiting for? This series is a wild, heart-pounding ride filled with betrayals, ancient magic, and a love triangle that will literally keep you up until 3 AM.

I picked up the first book mostly because of the massive BookTok hype, and honestly, I wasn’t prepared for how quickly I’d get sucked in. From the very first page of Lightlark, I was stumbling through the deadly games alongside Isla Crown, and I haven’t looked back since. Whether you're a die-hard fan or just looking for your next fantasy obsession, here is everything you need to know about this incredible series.

The Deadly Game of Lightlark

Imagine having to rule a kingdom where love is a literal death sentence. That’s the reality for Isla Crown, the young ruler of the Wildling realm. In Lightlark, Isla travels to the mysterious island for the Centennial, a competition where the rulers of six realms gather to break the curses that have plagued them for five hundred years.

But here’s the catch: to break the curses, one ruler must die.

Isla is the perfect underdog. She’s small, she’s supposedly powerless, and she’s hiding a massive secret that could get her killed before the games even really begin. I loved watching her navigate the shifting alliances on the island. Is King Oro, the powerful and brooding ruler of Lightlark, someone she can trust? Or should she align with the mysterious and charming Grim, the ruler of Nightshade?

The atmosphere in the first book is so lush and immersive. You can practically feel the damp moss of the Wildling forests and see the glittering stars of the Starling realm. It’s a fast-paced, high-stakes introduction to a world where nobody is who they seem to be.

Nightbane and Skyshade: Raising the Stakes

If you thought the twists in the first book were shocking, just wait until you get to Nightbane and Skyshade. The story shifts from a "deadly competition" to a full-blown epic war for the future of the world.

In Nightbane, we get into the nitty-gritty of the lore. One of my favorite parts? Finding out that Isla’s history is way more complicated than she ever imagined. When the truth about her past, and her secret marriage to Grim, was revealed, I actually gasped out loud. Can you imagine forgetting an entire year of your life with the person you loved most? It’s the happiest and saddest plot point all at once!

Then we have Skyshade, which takes everything to a whole new level. Isla is no longer just playing a game; she’s trying to stop an ancient evil from destroying everything she holds dear. The introduction of Lark Crown, the terrifying founder of the island, adds such a dark, gothic edge to the story. And that ending? Absolute perfection. I won’t spoil it, but let’s just say escaping into the otherworld of Skyshade left me desperate for more.

The growth we see in Isla across these three books is just the best. She goes from a girl pretending to have power to a queen who is willing to sacrifice everything. It’s the kind of character arc that makes you want to cheer!

Why You Absolutely Need the Dueling Crowns Edition

Okay, let’s talk about the real star of my bookshelf right now: the Dueling Crowns deluxe companion edition. If you are a fan of the "he fell first" trope or just love a good dual-perspective story, this is a must-read.

Dueling Crowns features novellas from the points of view of both Grim and Oro. It takes key moments from the first two books and lets us see exactly what was going on in their heads while they were falling for Isla.

Getting inside Grim’s head was a game-changer for me. Seeing his devotion to Isla from his own perspective made their relationship feel so much deeper. And Oro? Seeing the "Sun King" struggle with his duty versus his feelings was just so moving. It’s the perfect way to revisit the story we already love while getting brand-new insights into our favorite leading men.

Plus, can we talk about the physical book itself? The dual-sided design and the stenciled edges are absolutely stunning. It’s definitely the prettiest book I own, and it looks amazing next to the rest of the series. If you’re a collector, this is the one you can’t skip.

Final Thoughts: Should You Read It?

If you love stories about:

• Secret identities and hidden powers
• Enemies-to-lovers (and then back to enemies?)
• A magical island full of secrets
• Heart-wrenching sacrifices

…then yes, you need to start the Lightlark saga immediately! It’s the ultimate BookTok hit for a reason. Alex Aster has a way of writing that is so visual and fast-paced that you’ll find yourself flying through the pages before you even realize it.

I’m still reeling from the events of Skyshade, and honestly, I might just go back and re-read the whole thing from Grim and Oro’s perspectives in Dueling Crowns again tonight. It’s that good.

What about you? Are you Team Oro or Team Grim? (I’m still torn, don't make me choose!) Drop a comment on our homepage and let me know your thoughts on the series. Happy reading!

Looking for more honest book opinions? Check out my other reviews on Brooke's Shelf for everything from thrillers to contemporary romance!