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Skyworld #2
Blood Secrets
Not everyone wants to see the world saved . . .
Time is running out. Cities are being engulfed in the Mist and humanity is on the brink of extinction. Theo believes he has found a way to stop mankind from Turning, but he doesn’t know how to alter Cass’s unique blood into a cure. Or if it can even be done.
Meanwhile, Cass struggles with the idea that she is possibly the savior of the world—a world she is not sure is worth saving.
From the Winchester manse to the steel city of Decadenn, there is something more chasing Cass than the House of Lords or the masked man who can walk in the Mist. Soon she must decide if she will use her blood to save mankind or let those who only care about themselves perish.
Time is running out. Cities are being engulfed in the Mist and humanity is on the brink of extinction. Theo believes he has found a way to stop mankind from Turning, but he doesn’t know how to alter Cass’s unique blood into a cure. Or if it can even be done.
Meanwhile, Cass struggles with the idea that she is possibly the savior of the world—a world she is not sure is worth saving.
From the Winchester manse to the steel city of Decadenn, there is something more chasing Cass than the House of Lords or the masked man who can walk in the Mist. Soon she must decide if she will use her blood to save mankind or let those who only care about themselves perish.
233 pages, Hardcover
Published August 9, 2022
About the author
Morgan L. Busse
18 books1,120 followersMorgan L. Busse is a writer by day and a mother by night. She is the author of the Follower of the Word series and the award-winning steampunk series, The Soul Chronicles. Her debut novel, Daughter of Light, was a Christy and Carol Award finalist. During her spare time she enjoys playing games, taking long walks, and dreaming about her next novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews
September 2, 2022
3.5 stars, personally. (Though, I think I would give it 3.75 if I could. But Goodreads doesn't even have half star ratings, so....)
About this book:
“Not everyone wants to see the world saved . . .
Time is running out. Cities are being engulfed in the Mist and humanity is on the brink of extinction. Theo believes he has found a way to stop mankind from Turning, but he doesn’t know how to alter Cass’s unique blood into a cure. Or if it can even be done.
Meanwhile, Cass struggles with the idea that she is possibly the savior of the world—a world she is not sure is worth saving.
From the Winchester manse to the steel city of Decadenn, there is something more chasing Cass than the House of Lords or the masked man who can walk in the Mist. Soon she must decide if she will use her blood to save mankind or let those who only care about themselves perish.”
Series: Book #2 in the “Skyworld” duology. Review of Book #1, Here!
Spiritual Content- There is a God in the story called “Elaeros”, who is called the “God of air” (it’s never said if there’s any other god); Prayers & Thanking Elaeros; Talks about Elaeros & something being a gift to Cass from Him; A conversation between Cass & Theo about when Elaeros will make what is broken whole again (Theo isn’t sure what is means or when that would be); When she has a fever, Cass wonders if she is between the “two planes of death” and wonders if the actions of her life warrant Heaven or Hell; Cass wonders about Elaeros and if others are kind because of Elaeros, wanting to be like that herself *Spoiler* ; When someone says the “universe” wanted someone to survive, Theo replies that it could be Elaeros’ doing; Mentions of a church, church going, & a song (Cass is fascinated by the stained glass windows and the building); A few mentions of prayers & praying; A few mentions of a miracle; A mention of someone saying that don’t believe in Elaeros but was praying for someone else; A mention of blessings;
*Note: Cass struggles with the thought of letting the Mist take over and be retribution against selfish people (particular when she hears people complaining and only caring for themselves, *Spoiler* ); A few mentions of some workers thinking there’s a ghost and that the factory is haunted; A couple mentions of a Greek Mythology queen; A mention of Cass’s blood possibly being the salvation for humanity; A mention of not being superstitious.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘hurt like gales’, an ‘oh my word’, four ‘what the—‘, four forms of ‘who/how/what/why in the Mist’, four forms of ‘what/how in the gales’, and seven ‘gales’s; Mentions of curses (said, not written); A bit of sarcasm; Seeing someone die & their body (up to semi-detailed); Fighting, Being attacked/hit, Self-defense, Being shot, Being choked, Pain, Blood/Bleeding, & Injuries (up to semi-detailed); Those who have breathed in the Mist (deathly spores that are in the air) are called a Turned and are similar to zombies (the person has died and the body left behind is a mode of transportation for the spores); Seeing Turned, fighting them, shooting them with a fire gun, & recalling someone turning into one (including the zombie-like appearance, barely-above-not-detailed); Acting like a Turned (up to semi-detailed); Cass thinks that she wouldn’t wish plummeting to their death on anyone; Many mentions of injuries & blood/bleeding (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of Purges (when fires are set in villages to keep people inside the Mist and killing off any Turned) & deaths; Mentions of guns/weapons & firing them at the Turned (which will burn the body, up to semi-detailed); Mentions of deaths & deaths made to look like an accident (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of fires, deaths, & a man’s terrible burns (barely-above-not-detailed to semi-detailed); Mentions of wars; Mentions of someone being shot, fights, & fighting (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of thieves & stealing; Mentions of lies, lying, liars, & deception; Mentions of prejudice from the higher class to the lower class & their comments towards them; A few mentions of the possibility of being killed; A few mentions of pushing people in the Mist (a couple leader figures suggest this for a certain area because the people there “only take up useful space and resources”); A few mentions of throwing up; A couple mentions of starvation; A couple mentions of riots & violence; A couple mentions of tattoos; A mention of suicide; A mention of someone threating to have others Purged (killed); A mention of someone being held at knife-point; A mention of a threat; A mention of a pipe.
Sexual Content- Two head/forehead kisses, a barely-above-not-detailed kiss, a border-line barely-above-not-detailed // semi-detailed kiss, and a semi-detailed kiss; Wanting to kiss (barely-above-not-detailed); Recalling kisses (barely-above-not-detailed); Touches, Embraces, Heat, Shivers, Nearness, & Smelling (barely-above-not-detailed); Blushes; Noticing & Staring (barely-above-not-detailed); A mention of Cass saying that as a young woman on the streets “there was one type of work I swore I would never do” and when it came down to that or stealing, she picked the lesser evil; A mention of Cass thinking that long hair attracts unwanted attention; Love, falling in love, & the emotions;
*Note: A mention of a young woman’s curves in a dress.
-Cass
-Theo Winchester
P.O.V. switches between them
Steampunk/Dystopian Setting
250 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Three Stars (and a half)
All right, everyone, hold on to your hats.
This not-a-big-fantasy fan has something to say:
I enjoyed that.
It was suspenseful, exciting, and also had it’s sweet moments. The faith content continued on from the first book and the plan against the corrupt leaders in charge continued as well.
I have to note how much I loved that Cass & Theo talked through things. They’re from very different worlds and life experiences, but they leaned on each other and talked. They were great together, a healthy relationship.
I thought it was really interesting to see a “chosen one” (trope) have that character not be sure if she really wants to help, because she’s seen the worst in humanity. I thought it was really realistic because yes, she can possibly save those she cares about, but by doing that she’ll have to save those that aren’t doing what they should be doing (ie. the government figures). It was interesting to see that moral dilemma within this story.
I think my only “compliant” would be that this book felt so short. I mean, I did devour it within 2.5 hours, but it was still so short! Particularly the ending pages, I would have loved to see more and then it might not feel so rushed to me. (I also would have preferred less “made-up cussing”.)
Overall opinion on this duology? I’m impressed. Definitely a series you’ll want to read back-to-back because of cliff-hangers and information. (Though, side note: I didn’t end up rereading the first book before I started this sequel and was able to follow along quite well—the author didn’t assume that you remembered every single event in the first book nor did she dump information from the prior book either. Hats off to the author for that!) I’ll be checking out more of Morgan L. Busse’s books because I overall enjoyed this duology. It was different and entertaining, maybe not for everyone, but it was very interesting.
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
About this book:
“Not everyone wants to see the world saved . . .
Time is running out. Cities are being engulfed in the Mist and humanity is on the brink of extinction. Theo believes he has found a way to stop mankind from Turning, but he doesn’t know how to alter Cass’s unique blood into a cure. Or if it can even be done.
Meanwhile, Cass struggles with the idea that she is possibly the savior of the world—a world she is not sure is worth saving.
From the Winchester manse to the steel city of Decadenn, there is something more chasing Cass than the House of Lords or the masked man who can walk in the Mist. Soon she must decide if she will use her blood to save mankind or let those who only care about themselves perish.”
Series: Book #2 in the “Skyworld” duology. Review of Book #1, Here!
Spiritual Content- There is a God in the story called “Elaeros”, who is called the “God of air” (it’s never said if there’s any other god); Prayers & Thanking Elaeros; Talks about Elaeros & something being a gift to Cass from Him; A conversation between Cass & Theo about when Elaeros will make what is broken whole again (Theo isn’t sure what is means or when that would be); When she has a fever, Cass wonders if she is between the “two planes of death” and wonders if the actions of her life warrant Heaven or Hell; Cass wonders about Elaeros and if others are kind because of Elaeros, wanting to be like that herself *Spoiler* ; When someone says the “universe” wanted someone to survive, Theo replies that it could be Elaeros’ doing; Mentions of a church, church going, & a song (Cass is fascinated by the stained glass windows and the building); A few mentions of prayers & praying; A few mentions of a miracle; A mention of someone saying that don’t believe in Elaeros but was praying for someone else; A mention of blessings;
*Note: Cass struggles with the thought of letting the Mist take over and be retribution against selfish people (particular when she hears people complaining and only caring for themselves, *Spoiler* ); A few mentions of some workers thinking there’s a ghost and that the factory is haunted; A couple mentions of a Greek Mythology queen; A mention of Cass’s blood possibly being the salvation for humanity; A mention of not being superstitious.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘hurt like gales’, an ‘oh my word’, four ‘what the—‘, four forms of ‘who/how/what/why in the Mist’, four forms of ‘what/how in the gales’, and seven ‘gales’s; Mentions of curses (said, not written); A bit of sarcasm; Seeing someone die & their body (up to semi-detailed); Fighting, Being attacked/hit, Self-defense, Being shot, Being choked, Pain, Blood/Bleeding, & Injuries (up to semi-detailed); Those who have breathed in the Mist (deathly spores that are in the air) are called a Turned and are similar to zombies (the person has died and the body left behind is a mode of transportation for the spores); Seeing Turned, fighting them, shooting them with a fire gun, & recalling someone turning into one (including the zombie-like appearance, barely-above-not-detailed); Acting like a Turned (up to semi-detailed); Cass thinks that she wouldn’t wish plummeting to their death on anyone; Many mentions of injuries & blood/bleeding (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of Purges (when fires are set in villages to keep people inside the Mist and killing off any Turned) & deaths; Mentions of guns/weapons & firing them at the Turned (which will burn the body, up to semi-detailed); Mentions of deaths & deaths made to look like an accident (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of fires, deaths, & a man’s terrible burns (barely-above-not-detailed to semi-detailed); Mentions of wars; Mentions of someone being shot, fights, & fighting (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of thieves & stealing; Mentions of lies, lying, liars, & deception; Mentions of prejudice from the higher class to the lower class & their comments towards them; A few mentions of the possibility of being killed; A few mentions of pushing people in the Mist (a couple leader figures suggest this for a certain area because the people there “only take up useful space and resources”); A few mentions of throwing up; A couple mentions of starvation; A couple mentions of riots & violence; A couple mentions of tattoos; A mention of suicide; A mention of someone threating to have others Purged (killed); A mention of someone being held at knife-point; A mention of a threat; A mention of a pipe.
Sexual Content- Two head/forehead kisses, a barely-above-not-detailed kiss, a border-line barely-above-not-detailed // semi-detailed kiss, and a semi-detailed kiss; Wanting to kiss (barely-above-not-detailed); Recalling kisses (barely-above-not-detailed); Touches, Embraces, Heat, Shivers, Nearness, & Smelling (barely-above-not-detailed); Blushes; Noticing & Staring (barely-above-not-detailed); A mention of Cass saying that as a young woman on the streets “there was one type of work I swore I would never do” and when it came down to that or stealing, she picked the lesser evil; A mention of Cass thinking that long hair attracts unwanted attention; Love, falling in love, & the emotions;
*Note: A mention of a young woman’s curves in a dress.
-Cass
-Theo Winchester
P.O.V. switches between them
Steampunk/Dystopian Setting
250 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Three Stars (and a half)
All right, everyone, hold on to your hats.
This not-a-big-fantasy fan has something to say:
I enjoyed that.
It was suspenseful, exciting, and also had it’s sweet moments. The faith content continued on from the first book and the plan against the corrupt leaders in charge continued as well.
I have to note how much I loved that Cass & Theo talked through things. They’re from very different worlds and life experiences, but they leaned on each other and talked. They were great together, a healthy relationship.
I thought it was really interesting to see a “chosen one” (trope) have that character not be sure if she really wants to help, because she’s seen the worst in humanity. I thought it was really realistic because yes, she can possibly save those she cares about, but by doing that she’ll have to save those that aren’t doing what they should be doing (ie. the government figures). It was interesting to see that moral dilemma within this story.
I think my only “compliant” would be that this book felt so short. I mean, I did devour it within 2.5 hours, but it was still so short! Particularly the ending pages, I would have loved to see more and then it might not feel so rushed to me. (I also would have preferred less “made-up cussing”.)
Overall opinion on this duology? I’m impressed. Definitely a series you’ll want to read back-to-back because of cliff-hangers and information. (Though, side note: I didn’t end up rereading the first book before I started this sequel and was able to follow along quite well—the author didn’t assume that you remembered every single event in the first book nor did she dump information from the prior book either. Hats off to the author for that!) I’ll be checking out more of Morgan L. Busse’s books because I overall enjoyed this duology. It was different and entertaining, maybe not for everyone, but it was very interesting.
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
August 6, 2022
I enjoyed this even more than book one. The pacing was excellent, the characters were great, and the plot was engaging. I’m pleasantly surprised. I thought I was going to have to reread book one, but this dove back in and refreshed me enough to not need to. Also this book is so pretty on my shelves. Like…literally stunning.
January 28, 2024
This is officially the first steampunk zombie book I’ve ever read. A manmade zombifying spore mist has taken over the world, and only a young nobleman and a street urchin girl can save it…
I loved this read. Political intrigue, power, sacrifice, and a quest to save mankind. It has a post-apocalyptic feel, a class-based society where the bottom rung gets methodically “purged” as a form of population control.
Despite the darker premise, the story itself is uplifting and hopeful. There is a super-sweet romance (nothing objectionable, with only a couple brief kisses). The language is clean and the violence is minimal. There is a message of faith and God, but I wouldn’t call it truly Christian.
I admit, I was a little disappointed with the ending. It felt sudden and rushed and left me going “oh, wait… what?” I would have loved for Busse to have done a 3rd book, to address the HUGE open items left at the end of book 2 (like the mist and turned). There was so much left to solve and build out… instead it was wrapped up in a half-chapter epilogue 😔
That said, it was absolutely still 5 stars in my book… and would have been promptly added to ‘my very favorites’ book shelf if the ending had been a hair more satisfying.
Note, there are 2 books to the story, so make sure you have Blood Secrets available before starting Secrets in the Mist. Neither book is standalone.
I loved this read. Political intrigue, power, sacrifice, and a quest to save mankind. It has a post-apocalyptic feel, a class-based society where the bottom rung gets methodically “purged” as a form of population control.
Despite the darker premise, the story itself is uplifting and hopeful. There is a super-sweet romance (nothing objectionable, with only a couple brief kisses). The language is clean and the violence is minimal. There is a message of faith and God, but I wouldn’t call it truly Christian.
I admit, I was a little disappointed with the ending. It felt sudden and rushed and left me going “oh, wait… what?” I would have loved for Busse to have done a 3rd book, to address the HUGE open items left at the end of book 2 (like the mist and turned). There was so much left to solve and build out… instead it was wrapped up in a half-chapter epilogue 😔
That said, it was absolutely still 5 stars in my book… and would have been promptly added to ‘my very favorites’ book shelf if the ending had been a hair more satisfying.
Note, there are 2 books to the story, so make sure you have Blood Secrets available before starting Secrets in the Mist. Neither book is standalone.
October 10, 2022
I've been looking forward to this book for a full year after that stunner of a cliffhanger ending in "Secrets in the Mist." I actually preordered "Blood Secrets" and had it in my hands upon its release date in August, but decided to wait until October to read it given the slightly scary vibes of the Turned, which are this book world's version of zombies. For anyone who didn't read my review of the previous book, these zombies are not "undead" humans. Instead, they are people who were killed by the mist spores and now the spores use their dead, soulless bodies to walk around and replicate.
On that note, I'll point out that, once again, the Turned are not the main focus of this story, though they are present several times in both books. But when they are present, they aren't as frightening as zombies in other media, and are not gory at all, nor do they eat brains. As a reader who can be sensitive to some types of scariness and most types of gore, this was a GOOD thing, and knowing these facts ahead of times are the only reason that I ever gave this duology a chance. It it honestly probably the only zombie-related story that I will ever touch.
On to my thoughts about the story.
Both the title of this book and the synopsis are pretty spoilerific, so if you've made it this far, I can only assume that you're okay with some spoilers. If not, you probably should stop reading this review now and go read the first book.
Are you still here? Okay. Don't say I didn't warn you.😉
So, our big revelation at the end of book one was that Cass got exposed to the mist but didn't turn. There's one other person we know of who's immune, but she is the only one of the two who is willing to let her blood be used to create a cure for everyone. ...Or is she?
I really liked that Busse showed a struggle going on for Cass. The government of this world is corrupt and Busse does an amazing job showing why some of the leaders don't want a cure to be found and available for all, because that would change the balance of power and they wouldn't have the same level of control over people anymore.
Meanwhile, Cass has to grapple with the thought that are some people who don't *deserve* a cure, such as the government officials who have spent years deciding who lives and who dies in "purges" where people are forced into the mist to lessen the surplus population. She also has to come to terms with the possibility that having a cure may not change things if those in power don't change their attitudes toward people whom they consider "less than." I thought the way that Busse presented all of this felt very natural and well done and the answers came down to Cass having to decide if she would look out only for herself and others who were naturally immune, or accept that Elaeros (this world's name for God) cares about every life and that her gift should be shared with all.
Then there was Theo, whom I have loved from the very beginning. He's such a respectable guy and I loved his relationship with Cass. It was the perfect slow burn where they genuinely felt like friends before actually falling in love. I also loved that Theo and others who were believers in Elaeros were examples to Cass simply by living their faith out loud. We never had any big preachy moments that felt aimed at the reader. The faith element was there and it was strong, but in a way felt like a natural part of the story that truly shaped what happened. If you took the faith out, it wouldn't be the same story, and I really like that.
As for critiques, I don't have many besides the book feeling a little short. That was kind of the nature of the type of story, though, so that's only a minor critique. A part of me would have liked the ending to slow down and show some of the struggles and joys that came with the healing of the world, but I also see how that wasn't totally necessary, and the epilogue did wrap things up nicely.
The only other thing I can think of was one big action scene where the main character would have been absolutely justified in shooting a villain, but didn't. I don't know if Busse felt that such an action would have been out of character for this individual, or what, but I felt frustrated that both people in the fight had a gun, but the good person refused to use theirs against the villain even as the villain shot at, hit, and attempted to strangle them.
Don't get me wrong, there are some people who would, in real life, have trouble pulling the trigger, and legitimately so. It's not a situation anyone wants to be in. I think the individual in question, as a new believer in Elaeros, was feeling like, now that they saw the value in every life, they couldn't bring themselves to take a life intentionally. And I respect that attitude. At the same time, as a Christian myself, I feel that the taking of life in self-defense is justified. You don't *want* to have to do it and you don't do it unless and until the other person forces you to do so because they're going to commit the sin of murder if you don't stop them. But yeah, if this person is actively trying to kill you, you have every moral right to stop them. The fight was fairly long, so my frustration grew every time the villain almost killed this person and they didn't reach for their revolver. But the villain got defeated in the end, so I guess that's what's important.
Overall, I really enjoyed this duology! I never expected to pick up any book related to zombies, and it was only the author's specific handling of this element, not to mention her Christian worldview that convinced me to give this a try. It was so creative, dramatic, and atmospheric and I truly enjoyed reading it! The only reason I'm giving this second book 4 stars instead of 5 is that, while this story left me happy, it didn't leave me as effervescently happy as I would normally want in order to give something 5 stars. Like, I smiled but didn't necessarily want to hug the book, LOL. I hope that makes sense.🙂 Still, it was a very enjoyable read and I have no regrets.
Content Advisory:
Lindsey from the blog Books for Christian Girls has already put together a thorough advisory, so I'll point you to that here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
On that note, I'll point out that, once again, the Turned are not the main focus of this story, though they are present several times in both books. But when they are present, they aren't as frightening as zombies in other media, and are not gory at all, nor do they eat brains. As a reader who can be sensitive to some types of scariness and most types of gore, this was a GOOD thing, and knowing these facts ahead of times are the only reason that I ever gave this duology a chance. It it honestly probably the only zombie-related story that I will ever touch.
On to my thoughts about the story.
Both the title of this book and the synopsis are pretty spoilerific, so if you've made it this far, I can only assume that you're okay with some spoilers. If not, you probably should stop reading this review now and go read the first book.
Are you still here? Okay. Don't say I didn't warn you.😉
So, our big revelation at the end of book one was that Cass got exposed to the mist but didn't turn. There's one other person we know of who's immune, but she is the only one of the two who is willing to let her blood be used to create a cure for everyone. ...Or is she?
I really liked that Busse showed a struggle going on for Cass. The government of this world is corrupt and Busse does an amazing job showing why some of the leaders don't want a cure to be found and available for all, because that would change the balance of power and they wouldn't have the same level of control over people anymore.
Meanwhile, Cass has to grapple with the thought that are some people who don't *deserve* a cure, such as the government officials who have spent years deciding who lives and who dies in "purges" where people are forced into the mist to lessen the surplus population. She also has to come to terms with the possibility that having a cure may not change things if those in power don't change their attitudes toward people whom they consider "less than." I thought the way that Busse presented all of this felt very natural and well done and the answers came down to Cass having to decide if she would look out only for herself and others who were naturally immune, or accept that Elaeros (this world's name for God) cares about every life and that her gift should be shared with all.
Then there was Theo, whom I have loved from the very beginning. He's such a respectable guy and I loved his relationship with Cass. It was the perfect slow burn where they genuinely felt like friends before actually falling in love. I also loved that Theo and others who were believers in Elaeros were examples to Cass simply by living their faith out loud. We never had any big preachy moments that felt aimed at the reader. The faith element was there and it was strong, but in a way felt like a natural part of the story that truly shaped what happened. If you took the faith out, it wouldn't be the same story, and I really like that.
As for critiques, I don't have many besides the book feeling a little short. That was kind of the nature of the type of story, though, so that's only a minor critique. A part of me would have liked the ending to slow down and show some of the struggles and joys that came with the healing of the world, but I also see how that wasn't totally necessary, and the epilogue did wrap things up nicely.
The only other thing I can think of was one big action scene where the main character would have been absolutely justified in shooting a villain, but didn't. I don't know if Busse felt that such an action would have been out of character for this individual, or what, but I felt frustrated that both people in the fight had a gun, but the good person refused to use theirs against the villain even as the villain shot at, hit, and attempted to strangle them.
Don't get me wrong, there are some people who would, in real life, have trouble pulling the trigger, and legitimately so. It's not a situation anyone wants to be in. I think the individual in question, as a new believer in Elaeros, was feeling like, now that they saw the value in every life, they couldn't bring themselves to take a life intentionally. And I respect that attitude. At the same time, as a Christian myself, I feel that the taking of life in self-defense is justified. You don't *want* to have to do it and you don't do it unless and until the other person forces you to do so because they're going to commit the sin of murder if you don't stop them. But yeah, if this person is actively trying to kill you, you have every moral right to stop them. The fight was fairly long, so my frustration grew every time the villain almost killed this person and they didn't reach for their revolver. But the villain got defeated in the end, so I guess that's what's important.
Overall, I really enjoyed this duology! I never expected to pick up any book related to zombies, and it was only the author's specific handling of this element, not to mention her Christian worldview that convinced me to give this a try. It was so creative, dramatic, and atmospheric and I truly enjoyed reading it! The only reason I'm giving this second book 4 stars instead of 5 is that, while this story left me happy, it didn't leave me as effervescently happy as I would normally want in order to give something 5 stars. Like, I smiled but didn't necessarily want to hug the book, LOL. I hope that makes sense.🙂 Still, it was a very enjoyable read and I have no regrets.
Content Advisory:
Lindsey from the blog Books for Christian Girls has already put together a thorough advisory, so I'll point you to that here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
September 2, 2022
I'm not much of a zombie fan. But I love pirates. And steampunk can be pretty good sometimes. I'll give it a shot.
Or so I thought after hearing Morgan Busse speak at a conference (first time I'd heard of her) back in March. I didn't expect this one to be my cup of tea, but I just had to get her book from the bookstore. She spoke with such intentionality and passion about her characters (and had some pretty cool premises that intrigued me, too) that I just wanted to know more about her and her work. I heard that those who didn't love zombies still liked her Secrets in the Mist and that's the one book of hers the store had (plus it was signed! Score!), so I got it. Read it in April. And nearly died at the cliffhanger.
Fast forward, I'm reading another steampunk sky pirates with zombies book to find out how it all ends. And, guys, I never ever thought I'd say this about a steampunk sky pirates with zombies book, but this book was such a comfort read. It gave me that feeling of curling up by a warm fire surrounded by a loving family. Just something about it curled its way into my heart and was just a comforting read. I can't explain it!
I read this one in two days (if I hadn't started right at bedtime, it may have been a one-sitting kind of read XD). It wasn't a must-read page-turner, on-the-edge-of-your-seat kind of story. But Busse spun a story that built a slow-burn kind of tension, drawing me deeper and deeper under into her web with a compelling suspense rather than the typical heart-pounding kind. I've never really experienced anything like that until this duology. And I gotta say, I'm hooked.
And without spoilers I can reportedly say that the cliffhanger resolved beautifully. I was half afraid to read this sequel because the ending of book one just hurt. I wasn't sure how the characters were going to react and I was nervous. But Busse pulled it off and I was impressed.
Cass and Theo and Adora and some of the newer characters we got to see more of in this book just captivated me. I loved them. They were the kind of characters who made me want to jump into the story and live with them. I loved how they each struggled, but pushed through to overcome the obstacles. Their growth and steady companionship was a beautiful breath of fresh air.
There was a twist I kept expecting to come (even from book 1) that never did. I got down to the last 20-30 pages and was like "Uh...where we goin? How's this gonna wrap up? Whaaaat's happnin' guys??" Even though it didn't get as twisty as I'd thought, I still enjoyed it very much. Looking back, I don't really feel like a lot happened in the second book that was very surprising. The plot wasn't super predictable. That's not what I mean. Vague Which may have attributed to the slower feel, but the pacing didn't feel off at all!
The world was so much fun and I kind of hope we get to go back to it one day. And I'm so pumped to read more by her--and hopefully to learn some tips and tricks along the way!
Content: no swearing. A clean, mild, sweet romance. Some fantasy/steampunk violence, but nothing super graphic. And the zombies weren't super graphic and gross, which was nice (we actually saw even less of them in this one than the first one). I'd say it's probably fine for an early teen.
Or so I thought after hearing Morgan Busse speak at a conference (first time I'd heard of her) back in March. I didn't expect this one to be my cup of tea, but I just had to get her book from the bookstore. She spoke with such intentionality and passion about her characters (and had some pretty cool premises that intrigued me, too) that I just wanted to know more about her and her work. I heard that those who didn't love zombies still liked her Secrets in the Mist and that's the one book of hers the store had (plus it was signed! Score!), so I got it. Read it in April. And nearly died at the cliffhanger.
Fast forward, I'm reading another steampunk sky pirates with zombies book to find out how it all ends. And, guys, I never ever thought I'd say this about a steampunk sky pirates with zombies book, but this book was such a comfort read. It gave me that feeling of curling up by a warm fire surrounded by a loving family. Just something about it curled its way into my heart and was just a comforting read. I can't explain it!
I read this one in two days (if I hadn't started right at bedtime, it may have been a one-sitting kind of read XD). It wasn't a must-read page-turner, on-the-edge-of-your-seat kind of story. But Busse spun a story that built a slow-burn kind of tension, drawing me deeper and deeper under into her web with a compelling suspense rather than the typical heart-pounding kind. I've never really experienced anything like that until this duology. And I gotta say, I'm hooked.
And without spoilers I can reportedly say that the cliffhanger resolved beautifully. I was half afraid to read this sequel because the ending of book one just hurt. I wasn't sure how the characters were going to react and I was nervous. But Busse pulled it off and I was impressed.
Cass and Theo and Adora and some of the newer characters we got to see more of in this book just captivated me. I loved them. They were the kind of characters who made me want to jump into the story and live with them. I loved how they each struggled, but pushed through to overcome the obstacles. Their growth and steady companionship was a beautiful breath of fresh air.
There was a twist I kept expecting to come (even from book 1) that never did. I got down to the last 20-30 pages and was like "Uh...where we goin? How's this gonna wrap up? Whaaaat's happnin' guys??" Even though it didn't get as twisty as I'd thought, I still enjoyed it very much. Looking back, I don't really feel like a lot happened in the second book that was very surprising. The plot wasn't super predictable. That's not what I mean. Vague Which may have attributed to the slower feel, but the pacing didn't feel off at all!
The world was so much fun and I kind of hope we get to go back to it one day. And I'm so pumped to read more by her--and hopefully to learn some tips and tricks along the way!
Content: no swearing. A clean, mild, sweet romance. Some fantasy/steampunk violence, but nothing super graphic. And the zombies weren't super graphic and gross, which was nice (we actually saw even less of them in this one than the first one). I'd say it's probably fine for an early teen.
August 8, 2022
I enjoyed this! I would recommend reading the first book before reading this one or else you'll be like me and have a little trouble remembering what happened in it. That didn't stop me from reading this in one day. I loved that this book/series is so different from everything else that I have read so far! The only complaint that I have is that the ending felt a little too rushed.
July 17, 2022
Blood Secrets is the sequel to Secrets in the Mist and should definitely be read in order!
I really loved this book and how everything came together. What I loved so much about both books is that the hero, Theo, is actually a hero. A lot of fantasy and sci-fi books have the heroine being the one to save the day and the guy is just her sidekick. Not in this series. Theo and Cass work as a team with mutual respect and care for one another. He encourages her and inspires her to see the world differently and she does the same for him. They had to work in tandem throughout the book and I really loved seeing that.
This book is about hope, friendships, faith, and trying to make the world a better place.
**I want to thank the author and publisher for an early copy in exchange for my honest review!
I really loved this book and how everything came together. What I loved so much about both books is that the hero, Theo, is actually a hero. A lot of fantasy and sci-fi books have the heroine being the one to save the day and the guy is just her sidekick. Not in this series. Theo and Cass work as a team with mutual respect and care for one another. He encourages her and inspires her to see the world differently and she does the same for him. They had to work in tandem throughout the book and I really loved seeing that.
This book is about hope, friendships, faith, and trying to make the world a better place.
**I want to thank the author and publisher for an early copy in exchange for my honest review!
September 26, 2022
Book 2 in the duality. My biggest complaint is book 2 came out over a year when the 1st one was written. I had to reread book 1 just to understand book 2. Still it a wonderful book and fun to read. The story of the mist effecting the world. Can Cass and Theo discover a cure before the whole world is taken over in the mist??
I love Morgan Busse fantasy writing. Christ is always the center of the story but her worlds are so much fun reading. Highly recommend!!
I love Morgan Busse fantasy writing. Christ is always the center of the story but her worlds are so much fun reading. Highly recommend!!
September 14, 2022
"He was her anchor, and she was his fire."
What a riveting conclusion to the Skyworld duology! The action in the fast-paced plot picks up right after how things ended in the first book without missing a beat. Theo's stalwart commitment to finding the cure for everyone from the Mist grows stronger with each encounter with the Turned, with those who try to eliminate them and their research, and with those who risk their safety to help them. Theo and Cass' faith and driving passion for justice and mercy make them the perfect pair; they balance each other out in thought and action and work totally in sync. Cass learns to overcome her prejudice against privileged rulers and realizes that there is more to life than just survival. I loved Cass' spunk and boldness which melded well with Theo's pragmatism and steadfastness. Their romance that develops in this book is sweet and so achingly tender. If you are a fan of young adult fantasy/steam punk genre, this is a must read. You won't be able to put it down.
I received the book from the publisher via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.
What a riveting conclusion to the Skyworld duology! The action in the fast-paced plot picks up right after how things ended in the first book without missing a beat. Theo's stalwart commitment to finding the cure for everyone from the Mist grows stronger with each encounter with the Turned, with those who try to eliminate them and their research, and with those who risk their safety to help them. Theo and Cass' faith and driving passion for justice and mercy make them the perfect pair; they balance each other out in thought and action and work totally in sync. Cass learns to overcome her prejudice against privileged rulers and realizes that there is more to life than just survival. I loved Cass' spunk and boldness which melded well with Theo's pragmatism and steadfastness. Their romance that develops in this book is sweet and so achingly tender. If you are a fan of young adult fantasy/steam punk genre, this is a must read. You won't be able to put it down.
I received the book from the publisher via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.
January 27, 2023
Burn the monster, don’t feed the monster.
August 30, 2024
Unique world, unique plot, not-very-unique romance. Overall a decent YA steampunk.
Content:
Violence, romance
Content:
Violence, romance
July 10, 2023
Just like my review on the fist book,
This book series it definitely worth ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!
It’s beautifully written!
The plot 🤯🤌🏻
With a side of clean romance! 🥰🥹 (enemies to lovers kinda thing 😉)
The world on the verge of destruction!
Finding a cure! 🤯
100/10 recommend! Do yourself a favor and go get yourself a copy! Trust me!
This book series it definitely worth ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!
It’s beautifully written!
The plot 🤯🤌🏻
With a side of clean romance! 🥰🥹 (enemies to lovers kinda thing 😉)
The world on the verge of destruction!
Finding a cure! 🤯
100/10 recommend! Do yourself a favor and go get yourself a copy! Trust me!
October 27, 2022
I'm a little disappointed by the fact that there weren't more Turned battles. O.o
-alas...this book wrapped up the story very neatly.
-alas...this book wrapped up the story very neatly.
August 16, 2023
What a fun spooky read! Perfect for fall and Halloween, it’s such a fun way to read about zombies and the power of doing the right thing no matter the outcome.
•
Four out of five stars
•
Four out of five stars
June 26, 2022
Blood Secrets is the sequel to Secrets in the Mist. The Skyworld duology is absolutely fantastic and I highly recommend it! Be sure to start with the first book!
It’s a race against time for Theo and Cass as the Mists are rising. Will they find a way to protect everyone from the Mist before it covers everything?
In this relatively fast-paced story, Theo and Cass are joined once again by a balanced cast of supporting characters—some to help and some to hinder them—as they search for a way to protect the people from the deadly spores within the Mist.
An excellent conclusion to the duology! And a wonderfully imaginative YA Steampunk Fantasy. I’d recommend it for teen and adult readers.
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5 stars)
I received an ebook ARC of Blood Secrets from the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my honest thoughts about this book.
It’s a race against time for Theo and Cass as the Mists are rising. Will they find a way to protect everyone from the Mist before it covers everything?
In this relatively fast-paced story, Theo and Cass are joined once again by a balanced cast of supporting characters—some to help and some to hinder them—as they search for a way to protect the people from the deadly spores within the Mist.
An excellent conclusion to the duology! And a wonderfully imaginative YA Steampunk Fantasy. I’d recommend it for teen and adult readers.
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5 stars)
I received an ebook ARC of Blood Secrets from the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my honest thoughts about this book.
June 21, 2023
These books were way to short! I love this series so much 😭
July 17, 2022
What a great conclusion to the Skyworld duology! It picks up right where the first one left off, so I'd definitely recommend picking up Secrets in the Mist before diving into this one.
I loved the first book, so I was very eager for this sequel. And I've gotta say, it did not disappoint. I wanted to take my time and spend as long as I could with these characters in this fascinating world. I tried to read it slowly, but as you can probably imagine, that didn't happen. I couldn't help but speed through it. It was fast paced and incredibly hard to put down.
This was a very satisfying conclusion, though I kinda wish it had been a little longer. Things wrapped up pretty quick in the end, but, all in all, it was an incredibly entertaining read. It's a definite must read for steampunk fans, but I think it'd be a good introduction for those not familiar with the genre too.
I received an advanced copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.
I loved the first book, so I was very eager for this sequel. And I've gotta say, it did not disappoint. I wanted to take my time and spend as long as I could with these characters in this fascinating world. I tried to read it slowly, but as you can probably imagine, that didn't happen. I couldn't help but speed through it. It was fast paced and incredibly hard to put down.
This was a very satisfying conclusion, though I kinda wish it had been a little longer. Things wrapped up pretty quick in the end, but, all in all, it was an incredibly entertaining read. It's a definite must read for steampunk fans, but I think it'd be a good introduction for those not familiar with the genre too.
I received an advanced copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.
August 8, 2022
WOW. First of all, why have I not taught my youngest child to read yet? I'm sitting here, innocently trying to read this book, and she wants me to read to HER!! Argh! Here's the secret: read one chapter of this to yourself, then read one of her books. Repeat as needed.
Anyway, I think this series is my favorite of the ones I've read by Morgan Busse. I love how this book picks up exactly where Secrets in the Mist left off.
I read this book in one day (even with small-child book breaks), and had to start taking breaks toward the end of it for 2 reasons: 1, I didn't want this book to end, and 2, it was so intense and my heart felt like it was pounding out of my chest!
Excellent, EXCELLENT duology. You will definitely want to read Secrets in the Mist before this one, so go read it now and then grab Blood Secrets as soon as it comes out. You'll thank me later.
Anyway, I think this series is my favorite of the ones I've read by Morgan Busse. I love how this book picks up exactly where Secrets in the Mist left off.
I read this book in one day (even with small-child book breaks), and had to start taking breaks toward the end of it for 2 reasons: 1, I didn't want this book to end, and 2, it was so intense and my heart felt like it was pounding out of my chest!
Excellent, EXCELLENT duology. You will definitely want to read Secrets in the Mist before this one, so go read it now and then grab Blood Secrets as soon as it comes out. You'll thank me later.
July 1, 2022
I love the steampunk feels that Blood Secrets gives off! After discovering that she is the Cure, Cassie and Theo brave numerous adventures together to figure out how to save the rest of the world. Kept me on the edge of my seat - between the romance (which was decently clean!) and tense action scenes, I could barely read fast enough. I did find the ending to be a bit of a letdown after such an awesome book.
I highly recommend buying and reading both Secrets of the Mist and Blood Secrets! I sincerely enjoyed reading this unique genre, and kudos to the author for creating and developing such an intricate world.
I received a free eARC of this book, and my review is entirely my own.
I highly recommend buying and reading both Secrets of the Mist and Blood Secrets! I sincerely enjoyed reading this unique genre, and kudos to the author for creating and developing such an intricate world.
I received a free eARC of this book, and my review is entirely my own.
October 15, 2022
This one was a hard one for me, but I'm going with a 3.75 star rating for this. I enjoyed the novel, but I can't say that it truly gripped me enough to give a solid four star rating. I am a huge fan of Morgan L. Busse, but this one fell a bit flat for me.
I would have liked more about Elaeros once Cass decided to call on him, but there wasn't even a moment she had with him outside of a brief wanting to follow him.
The romance was cute, I swooned over Cass and Theo!! They were too cute and I love the Daedalus crew to pieces.
As for Luron, the Staggs and the Kingsford family I felt like they needed some justice done.
Charity was amazing and I enjoyed Adora.
Overall, it was an easy read, but I was just expecting a bit more with the stakes high. However, I enjoyed the story and the ending. It was a fun Christian fantasy read.
I would have liked more about Elaeros once Cass decided to call on him, but there wasn't even a moment she had with him outside of a brief wanting to follow him.
The romance was cute, I swooned over Cass and Theo!! They were too cute and I love the Daedalus crew to pieces.
As for Luron, the Staggs and the Kingsford family I felt like they needed some justice done.
Charity was amazing and I enjoyed Adora.
Overall, it was an easy read, but I was just expecting a bit more with the stakes high. However, I enjoyed the story and the ending. It was a fun Christian fantasy read.
May 24, 2022
Book 2 in Busse's Skyworld steampunk series brought the satisfying conclusion I was hoping for. If you haven't read book 1 - Secrets in the Mist - stop here and go read it! Everyone else go get book 2! Theo glides an unconscious Cass to the fringe town of Duskward. They are eluding many enemies including the gold masked Luron who can exist in the Mist and whoever sent him to hamper or even kill Theo and Cass. Cass worries she will never fit into Theo's world despite their chemistry and mutual goals. And then there's the question: Is the world really worth saving? Pick up the book and find out!
I received a complimentary ARC from the author. This review is my own opinion and was not coerced or agreed upon.
I received a complimentary ARC from the author. This review is my own opinion and was not coerced or agreed upon.
August 30, 2022
Morgan L. Busse’s Secrets of the Mist picks up right where we were left at the end of Secrets in the Mist. There is a good balance of reminders of what we’ve already read with the plot of the second book.
Theo and Cass make a great team—strengthening each other in their weak areas, challenging each other with new possibilities or accepting the truth of their world, and outrunning those who want to keep the world the way it is. Theo wants to make the world better for all while Cass is a reluctant hero in this story.
This book is about faith, discovering who you can trust on your team, friendship, and being the difference to make the world a better place. And though the stakes remain high throughout the story, the ending was too rushed for my preference.
Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive or negative review. All opinions are my own.
Theo and Cass make a great team—strengthening each other in their weak areas, challenging each other with new possibilities or accepting the truth of their world, and outrunning those who want to keep the world the way it is. Theo wants to make the world better for all while Cass is a reluctant hero in this story.
This book is about faith, discovering who you can trust on your team, friendship, and being the difference to make the world a better place. And though the stakes remain high throughout the story, the ending was too rushed for my preference.
Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive or negative review. All opinions are my own.
June 3, 2022
I love that I now have a Christian option for steam punk or gear punk! Such a fun book. With a slow burn romance, tense zombie scenes, fun sky flying scenes, intrigue, exploration, and a look into a world of oppression and pride, this story hooked me and zipped me right through the story at super speed. A fun book!
June 30, 2022
Picking up when “Secrets of the Mist” left off (and I mean RIGHT where it left off) Blood Secrets takes you on a fast paced, heart pounding ride from beginning to end. I thought the conclusion came together a little too neatly, but all in all, you don’t want to miss this conclusion to Morgan’s Skyworld duology.
I was given an ARC of Blood Secrets from the publisher in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.
I was given an ARC of Blood Secrets from the publisher in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.
November 6, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed Blood Secrets, and liked it more than the first book in the series. It has a much greater emphasis on the moral dilemmas created by the Mist and their current society, and I felt like that focus gave more depth to Cass as a character which is what I was hoping for. This sequel made this series a read-again one for me!
December 14, 2022
3.5 ⭐️
April 26, 2023
A satisfying conclusion. Well worth reading.
April 9, 2023
Definitely loved this one more than the second one, the series is looking good so far!!!
August 10, 2022
4.5 stars!
Morgan L. Busse is the queen of characters. I’ve been reading her books since long before I started a blog, and I’ve always marveled at her ability to bring characters to life as she does. Cass and Theo are such intricately and lovingly crafted characters that I couldn’t help but root for them.
I also appreciated how this story lacks angsty, morally gray characters. Instead, it trades postmodern tropes for realistic inner struggles that both main characters grapple with even as they fight for the future of their world.
Another theme that is vividly portrayed is that of an individual’s worth regardless of station. Many of the upper-class members and leaders of the Five Families utterly disregard the lives of the lower classes. Their callous view of humanity is in stark juxtaposition to Theo and Cass’s and leads them to examine their own views, and the two struggle both inwardly and outwardly to discern truth from lies and fleeting feelings.
Blood Secrets is arguably even more atmospheric than Secrets in the Mist, another aspect that drew me deeply into this sequel. Vivid imagery brought the Mist and the Daedalus to life and let the story soar to new heights.
This installment also held more political intrigue, and by the end, I never knew who we could really trust!
I received an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Full content and personal review at: https://bookishmusings.com/review/blo...
Morgan L. Busse is the queen of characters. I’ve been reading her books since long before I started a blog, and I’ve always marveled at her ability to bring characters to life as she does. Cass and Theo are such intricately and lovingly crafted characters that I couldn’t help but root for them.
I also appreciated how this story lacks angsty, morally gray characters. Instead, it trades postmodern tropes for realistic inner struggles that both main characters grapple with even as they fight for the future of their world.
Another theme that is vividly portrayed is that of an individual’s worth regardless of station. Many of the upper-class members and leaders of the Five Families utterly disregard the lives of the lower classes. Their callous view of humanity is in stark juxtaposition to Theo and Cass’s and leads them to examine their own views, and the two struggle both inwardly and outwardly to discern truth from lies and fleeting feelings.
Blood Secrets is arguably even more atmospheric than Secrets in the Mist, another aspect that drew me deeply into this sequel. Vivid imagery brought the Mist and the Daedalus to life and let the story soar to new heights.
This installment also held more political intrigue, and by the end, I never knew who we could really trust!
I received an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Full content and personal review at: https://bookishmusings.com/review/blo...
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