After finishing Blackflame, I couldn’t possibly sleep that same day without starting the next book in this amazing series, Skysworn. In this post, I’m also reviewing Ghostwater (Book 5 of the Cradle series) because, in my opinion, they feel like one continuous adventure split across two books. Skysworn focuses more on worldbuilding and introducing new factions, while Ghostwater delivers the major level-ups and breakthroughs for Lindon. These two installments mark a major shift in both the scale of the story and the maturity of the characters.
Skysworn – Book 4 Review
Skysworn feels like a breather — but not in a bad way. It slows things down just enough to reflect on the consequences of Lindon’s actions in Blackflame. We’re introduced to the Skysworn, the Blackflame empire’s elite military force, and the story leans more into political tension, factional conflict, and character development.
We also get deeper insights into the backstory of Yerin, who gets more space to shine. While it’s a bit less explosive than Blackflame, I appreciated the quieter moments — especially how it expands the world of Cradle and explores the power structure of the empire. That said, the final act still delivers with high stakes and intense battles.
Ghostwater – Book 5 Review
And then comes Ghostwater, my favorite book so far in the Cradle series. It throws Lindon into an artificial pocket world filled with rare treasures, deadly challenges, and high-stakes opportunities for advancement — and it is so much fun.
As I mentioned, Skysworn doesn’t feature any major breakthroughs for Lindon, and that’s because Ghostwater handles all of that and more. The growth Lindon experiences here is enormous compared to previous books. It follows the formula of a dungeon crawl, but with real consequences and incredible payoff.
The pace picks up again, and we get some of the best training and power progression sequences in the entire Cradle series. This is the point where Lindon truly begins to feel like a force to be reckoned with, and the story sets the stage for even greater things to come.
Final Thoughts on Skysworn & Ghostwater
Together, Skysworn and Ghostwater strike a perfect balance: one grounds the characters in the consequences of their choices, while the other launches them into thrilling, high-stakes growth. Will Wight continues to master the art of pacing, progression fantasy, and character-driven storytelling.
If Blackflame was where the Cradle series found its stride, Ghostwater is where it takes off running.
Ratings
- Skysworn: ★★★★☆ – Solid worldbuilding, slower pace, but strong character work
- Ghostwater: ★★★★★ – Inventive, fast-paced, and hugely satisfying
