Donna E. Lane continues the story of The Whisperers with her second book, Sky Light Rises. The sun does not rise and casts the world into darkness. Amadah and Aleshanee are dead, causing the Jacinthi and Jasperi clans into a disagreement about what they should do. They decide to head to the Beryli’s land, where it may be free from toxins. Fala negotiates with Malia’s group to allow the Saphiri and mixed clans to live on their lands. Kindred arrives and resurrects Amadah and Aleshanee. She advises the clan members never to be alone and to prepare for war. Meanwhile, Skia Skotos has chosen Ogima as a vessel, and intends to continue his attempt to be the supreme leader of the planet. Leenha plots her attack, so she can take Kilichi as a slave.

Donna E. Lane’s Sky Light Rises is enchanting. It overjoyed me that Fala survived despite being targeted by Skia Skotos. There was a lot of focus on how much conflict was building between the Jacinthi and Jasperi. The clans’ past separation displays perfectly how the Beryli clan is possessive of their land. Likewise, Ogima seems to be an odd choice for a vessel for Skia Skotos, especially since he has lost his mind. The ominous message that Kindred leaves for the group increases the tension and suspense in this high-conflict story. The characters are struggling for survival, adapting to each other’s traditions, and exposure to the influence of the Dark Whispers. I could imagine every change in the mentality of Nikani, and I was on edge with the impending threat they could face. I recommend Sky Light Rises to avid readers of fantasy stories with well-developed characters facing a multitude of adversaries.

Sky Light Rises by Donna E. Lane is the second book in the Whisperers series. The survivors from the twelve clans face the consequences after a meteor wipes out everything they know. They soon begin to separate while struggling to adapt to their new circumstances and survive against hostile forces. Their only chance is if they can successfully reunite with the First World but their path is filled with many obstacles that will push them to choose between love and self while battling against the dark forces of Skia whose plans have hit a snag to destroy the Second World. Can the survivors gain entry into the First World before Skia's dark forces or will his plans succeed to see the Second World crumble?

The story weaves between various characters from different clans once isolated from each other with their societies and cultures. Various romantic entanglements are carefully woven throughout the different clan dynamics such as Nikani and his unrequited feelings for Amadah, the bond between Misa and Kilchi, and Yahto and Keme vying for Malia's attention. These dynamics also make clever use of the fantasy background that Donna E. Lane explores. Strong Christian elements are included, primarily through the lessons the characters learn such as maintaining faith even in the impossible, and through the Whisperers who reference the Music (which represents joy and redemption), how love never fails, and love. Balancing out the survivors' stories of redemption and faith are the dark forces of Skia who has sinister plans to conquer and destroy. Underneath the exploration of darkness are other themes such as facing temptation as Skia is luring and manipulating others into helping him such as Ogima who faces this very plight. The sky light rising is a moment in the book that is poignant and represents the heart of the story, which is hope. The writing is character-driven, maintaining a strong emotional exploration for each character with lovely scenic details woven throughout. Sky Light Rises continues to explore the journeys of these characters as they face survival, obstacles, faith, choices, and love on a quest to the First World.