Above the Black · #2 / 3
Among Serpents
Strap in for a high-octane mission that hurls Conrad and crew toward jaw-dropping discoveries that could trigger total obliteration, in Book Two of the Above the Black fantasy trilogy from the New York Times bestselling author of Sky's End.
It takes guts to rise to the top of Meritocracy. It’ll take sheer ruthlessness to stay there. As militants and monsters lay waste to the Skylands, Uncle’s lawless tyranny threatens to unravel fragile Trade alliances. Conrad, no longer a mere Captain, now commands a squadron of ships at the order of the King. But Conrad’s High status can’t protect him from his own turmoil, and the price of power is steeped in blood.
Tormented by tragedies of war and by betrayal from his own family, Conrad must prove his worth to all of the Skylands. Led by an unhinged Explorer, Conrad embarks on a secret expedition to turn the tides of battle—before another island falls at the jaws of the gigataun. It’s a journey fraught with peril: Deadly monstrosities. Sabotage. Stowaways. And with friendships pushed to the brink and gentle romance stirring, Conrad will have to muster more than courage to weather the raging storms ahead.
Order your copy of Book Two of the Above the Black trilogy and continue the adventure! Marc J Gregson expands his fast-paced fantasy universe with shocking twists, treacherous battles, and a memorable cast of characters. Fans of Frank Herbert and Jules Verne will appreciate touches of classic science fiction, including speculative frontiers and turbulent political intrigue.
The series
Above the clouds, there are no rules—only survival.
Read full series description
In Above the Black, Marc J. Gregson crafts a world where islands float in the sky and gravity isn’t the only force threatening to pull people under. At the heart of this young adult fantasy series is Conrad, a seventeen-year-old boy with nothing to lose and everything to prove. When he's forced into a deadly competition aboard a warship that prowls the skies like a predator, he isn't just fighting to live—he’s chasing secrets that could topple the fragile order of this airborne world.
But this isn’t just another tournament story. The battles in the sky are brutal, yes—but it’s the emotional terrain that hits hardest. Trust is fleeting, loyalty is dangerous, and the truth? Often more lethal than a blade. Gregson weaves sweeping world-building with intimate, character-driven tension, letting readers feel the cold wind of the upper atmosphere and the deeper chill of betrayal. Floating cities, sky serpents, political intrigue, and quiet moments of hope—the series balances spectacle with soul.
With Sky’s End already earning acclaim for its cinematic scope and heartfelt intensity—and a film adaptation in the works—this series is quickly establishing itself as a standout in the YA fantasy genre. Perfect for fans of fierce competitions, found family dynamics, and morally gray choices, Above the Black doesn’t just imagine a world above the clouds—it dares you to fall through it.
What price would you pay to rise above the wreckage of who you were? This series asks, and never lets you look away.
Be the first reviewer
Sign in and write the first reader review.
