Hello
happy readers. I hope you had a great
weekend. I managed to get some reading
done and do a few productive things as well so I'm calling it a win! That said last week I finally finished book
two in the Air Awakens series by Elise Kova, Fire Falling. I did a read along back in November last year
for Air Awakens, which I reviewed here, when Fire Falling was set to come
out. I fell in love with this book and
quickly purchased the sequel. I also
started it straight away but I sort of got a bit ahead of myself and had at one
point like 12 books going at once most of which were fantasy so I had to put a
hold on some to manage it. That said I
continued the ones I was farthest in and having only started this one it got
put on hold. I was super excited when I
got my stuff together and had the chance to dive back into Fire Falling. So I'm thrilled to share my thoughts and
feels because there are LOTS. Spoilers
for the first book, duh.
Sometimes
when I take a break from books I lose my place in the story and have to go back
and start over or at least read a few past chapters which I why I try not to
have to do it. Trying to do better. That said, I didn't have to do that with this
one. I picked up right where my kindle
left me and I knew instantly what was happening and I was right back in the
story. Maybe because I know book three,
Earth's End is already out and book four, Water's Wrath is set to release soon
I'm staying super amped. How can you not
with the books coming out so close to one another it's every readers
dream! Picking up where we left off
Vhalla no longer has the life she once knew but is now the only Windwalker and
property of the crown and being sent to the war front despite her lack of
training or skill after a farce of a trial. Her goal: Stay alive and try to maintain her humanity
and not be pushed past her breaking point.
First,
I don't recommend reading the last quarter of this book in public. It's intense throughout for sure and had
plenty of moments of talking to the device in my hand moments but the end….my co-workers
have persisted teasing me about my reaction each day. I have no shame and tell them vividly where
they can shove said comments and we laugh because it's all well meaning but
still. There is a LOT happening and it
just hits all over the place.
Now
for the juicy parts. Despite magic
traveling to the war zone still takes lots of time. I liked that we were on this journey and
along the way in down time it was put to use training. It was smart and fun. Vhalla needs help in both physical components
of battle and in using her newly found magic if she hopes to survive. I was also giddy with excitement when Larel
and Fritz joined her as well because they were just so much fun and some of my
favorite scenes were of the three of them.
Their comradery was on point and the connection between Vhalla and Larel
that started in book one grew so beautifully here. I also enjoyed getting to know some of the
other characters a bit better like Prince Baldair and Daniel though I am a bit
conflicted about them, Elecia as well.
Fire
Falling also showed more of the divide between the regular soldiers and the
legion. The two princes and their two
commands. Also along for the journey is
the Emperor who is not my favorite person.
Lots of strategy and such playing out in this one as we play politics
you expect in times of war and it's always hard figuring out who you can and
can't trust. We also see more of a
relationship of sorts building between Aldrik and Vhalla. He's not the easiest person in the world to
get to know both in who he acts in general always hot and cold but also the
little trouble of his dad being the Emperor and again not a very nice guy. Still seeing the back and forth on his side
was hard at first until they are able to really talk, which they do. They still have some fumbles about
communication here and there but overall I have to say one of my favorite
things about them is that they just say what they want/mean for the most
part. Neither is up for games. I really enjoyed their scenes together and
how no matter their station or title they were more of themselves with each
other and as we see that with Vhalla and Larel and Fritz seeing the somewhat
softer side to Aldrik around her is always nice.
There
is so much happening at the end and I am dying to read the next book. I already have it and I can read it any time
but I'm a bit leery to start right away given I am reading a few books right
now, and if I'm honest I'm still processing the end o the book. Plus, can't give my co-workers any additional
taunt material! Still every time I pick
up my kind I want to go to it so I doubt I'll be able to hold out long. Maybe until book four is officially out next
week so I will have that safety net of sorts.
Even though it put my poor heart through some feels or maybe because of
it, I really loved this book. I can't
wait to see where the author is going but I'm going to be sticking around to
find out. I'd love to hear your thoughts
below in the comments.
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