Hello
happy readers! Happy April Fool’s
Day! I don’t have any pranks to pull but
instead a review to offer up. This book
came onto my radar after I was contacted by the author and since then I have
seen this book pop up in a few places and I can see why having now read it
myself. The book is Threats of Sky and Sea (Threats of Sky and Sea #1) by Jennifer Ellision and is the first book in
the series that already has book two, Riot of Storm and Smoke, out. I was provided a copy of the book by the
author in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Threats
of Sky and Sea is a strong fantasy story.
I was told others compared the story to Throne of Glass so I was already
hooked because I LOVE that series and I see the comparison. We follow sixteen year old Breena “Bree”,
small town barmaid working to keep the inn running with her Da. Everything is going pretty good until the
past comes knocking. Her father’s past
to be specific. See anyone with
Elemental gifts, control over fire, air, earth, or water are required to serve
the king and her father ran away from his service sixteen years prior with some
secrets. Taken to the king Bree is
desperate to escape before the somewhat mad and vicious king is able to use
them further. Time is short and lives
are on the line as the past must be unraveled and more.
One
of my favorite parts of this book was the main character. She’s sassy, strong, compassionate, and also
uses her brain and common sense more often than not. Wanting to help others in need even if
instinct may say run and hide, but still knowing you can’t rush into
everything. It’s a balance and I liked
it in Bree. She is trying to play along
and gain information to use in the end rather than making rash decisions. She’s multi-dimensional and sassy. There is this picture that shows up on my
Facebook all the time that makes me think of her and it makes me relate to her
all the more.
Ellision
also developed some interesting relationships.
First between Bree and her Da which I think anyone can root for and
adore. They are so at ease with one
another and even when she is confronted with the truth and knows he’s lied to
her for so long, she still instinctively believes and loves him and still hears
his voice in her head when she is doing things.
Then you as she moves through the story making both allies and enemies. From Tregle a Torcher whom I kind of liked a
lot though he wasn’t seen as much to the very bitchy and aloof Princess Aleta
that kind of grows on you as you read.
Lady Kat and the King whom you love you hate, seriously both were pretty
evil but Lady Kat…wow she just popped off the page for me as a psycho. Let’s not forget Caden, our Prince and heir
to the thrown so conflicted and caught between his roles. He doesn’t agree with his father’s politics
he had been a good father making it hard to think of him fully as an enemy.
We
also see the always, for me anyways, amusing side of someone of common/humble
begins brought into the proper society and struggling to play by the new
rules. As someone who is clumsy as can
be and horrid at proper etiquette in anything I always understand the struggle. There are some aspects that seem familiar and
I did see some things coming, but I enjoyed getting there. Funny enough I saw one thing coming but only
as I started to type my review did I process one scene and its significance. I had it based off my awesome deductive
powers and small hints here and there but nope the bigger signs went over my
head. Still the world was unique and the
control of the elements and the rules of magic were different and added their
own flare to things.
There
wasn’t a ton in the way of romance happening.
There were the start of some feels rolling in slowly, building up. I can appreciate it. I was hoping to see more of one part of it
but in a way it fit for who the specific character had been developed (yes I’m
being vague on purpose). Another aspect
went from slow thought to something more quickly but again circumstances being
what they are it gives a sense of urgency.
Still I hope to see more being built up in the next book, which again it
already out so I don’t have to wait accept for on my schedule.
I
really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to others, especially anyone
who did enjoy the Throne of Glass series or similar books like the Air Awakens
series (still only finished book one but it’s great). I’d love to hear your thoughts in the
comments below. What element would you
like to control? Personally it’s a touch call but I think I would lean towards
air just so I could keep cool all the time, though given my luck with getting
burned maybe fire would save me some pain.
One of those for sure!
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