Second instalments are funny things, so often they disappoint or end up as the weak link in a trilogy or series. Nevertheless, with Sky Song being so riveting (Anne Coates awarded the book five hearts on this very website), most readers will no doubt be picking up a copy of its sequel, The Young Moon.
The plot begins two years after the events of Sky Song, with Jacob returning to his home after experiencing an isolated stay and brutal training regime in a very distant land indeed. Two years is a huge amount of time for any teenager and, upon his return, Jacob finds a lot of things have changed. His father is fighting a new and terrifying battle and his friends seem to have moved on without him. However, Jacob has come back for a very important reason and soon, with the help of his estranged companions, he begins a search for the second successor. Unfortunately for the trio, this mysterious person is also being hunted by the trilogy's deliciously ruthless villain, Makash.
The search soon takes Jacob and Luca far from home and the writing is so excellent that you find yourself desperate to see who will reach the successor first. On top of this, loveable Luca (and touching in his own way) also provides some excellent comedy moments which are genuinely laugh-out-loud funny.
Jacob's abilities develop very nicely in The Young Moon and, whilst he still makes some mistakes, it’s great to see the series’ central character evolve into a hero the reader can really get behind and root for.
The final chapters of the book are soaked in action and moral dilemma, and author Sharon Sant really does leave things on one hum-dinger of a cliff-hanger. I have no reservations in thoroughly recommending this book and even writing that it eclipses its predecessor.
PWT rating: ♥♥♥♥♥
The Young Moon (The Sky Song Trilogy)
Jack Croxall is the author of the young adult book Tethers. For more of his reviews visit his website.