Author: Elise Kova
Genre: young adult, fantasy, romance, magic
Published: August 27, 2015
Publisher: Silver Wing Press
Purchase: Amazon | B&N | Book Depository
A library apprentice, a sorcerer prince, and an unbreakable magic bond...
The Solaris Empire is one conquest away from uniting the continent, and the rare elemental magic sleeping in seventeen-year-old library apprentice Vhalla Yarl could shift the tides of war.
Vhalla has always been taught to fear the Tower of Sorcerers, a mysterious magic society, and has been happy in her quiet world of books. But after she unknowingly saves the life of one of the most powerful sorcerers of them all—the Crown Prince Aldrik—she finds herself enticed into his world. Now she must decide her future: Embrace her sorcery and leave the life she’s known, or eradicate her magic and remain as she’s always been. And with powerful forces lurking in the shadows, Vhalla’s indecision could cost her more than she ever imagined.
* * *
OVERALL, Air Awakens is a high fantasy that had me wanting for more! While the plot was very typical and perhaps formulaic, I still find it all in all enjoyable. I LOVE Vhalla and the romance was just all around perfect! The climax was thrilling and had me going through page after page and the ending left me wanting for more.
I can finally say that I'm finally getting into fantasy. Before, I dislike the genre possibly because after going through a couple of books I ended up not feeling it so much. I was probably not ready of getting into new world but now... yeah, I'm pretty much happy to pick up every fantasy novel! :D
Admittedly, Air Awakens started slow for me. I got bored a bit but that lasted for like two to three chapters. I personally just have a difficulty in getting into a new world but after those difficult moments, things just started flying really fast and next thing I know I'm already going through the last few chapters of the book. The details about its world kind of overwhelmed me at some point, but really it gets better each chapter.
Vhalla is a lovely heroine that I will never forget! I enjoyed her slow development from a library apprentice to the discover of her magic, her rejection of it, to her complete acceptance of it in the end. Her fears and doubts were well executed. They felt really natural. I mean at times we get enthusiastic about new adventure and discover of our new abilities but when you get so overwhelmed with what's going on and plainly end up getting confused and scared? That's okay and that's what (I think) Vhalla felt.
The romance! Oh the bloodydamn romance! It was one of my favorite parts of the book. Perhaps this is one of those romance that started on the wrong side. Prince Aldrik has a reputation of being an arrogant prince. I like Aldrik that way. His attitude of being prideful and all high and mighty immediately attracted me to him (and instantly adding him to my short list of book crushes!). The concept of Bonds was really interesting and perhaps it's what pulled the relationship between the two of them closer but I don't want to count so much on that since their interactions are always on point! And have I mentioned how swoon worthy Aldrik is?
Sareem and Roan, Vhalla's friends, played a huge role in the series. I like how their relationship really just stirred the whole story leading to the climax and ultimately the things that went on in the ending. Sareem is more of a childhood friend of Vhalla who developed feelings for her although she doesn't seem to reciprocate his feelings. Roan, on the other hand, is Vhalla's best friend. She pushes Vhalla to Sareem and how things just ended up on that side was really interesting. Completely made the climax a more exciting read.
The climax is definitely that gripping moment that had me turning the pages faster than before. I mean, I just can't wait to see what happens - what will be the outcome of Vhalla's actions, and decisions, what Roan's 'unexpected' revelation will do to Vhalla, how things will go for Vhalla and Aldrik, and ultimately how Vhalla will face the decision between staying as an apprentice and becoming a sorcerer.
Also, I did not expect Prince Baldair to play such a huge role in the story. I initially thought that he'll just be mentioned here and there but his contribution to the romance and the thrilling climax was noteworthy. I'd say that Kova perfectly wrapped every well and gave each character a significant role.
Admittedly, Air Awakens started slow for me. I got bored a bit but that lasted for like two to three chapters. I personally just have a difficulty in getting into a new world but after those difficult moments, things just started flying really fast and next thing I know I'm already going through the last few chapters of the book. The details about its world kind of overwhelmed me at some point, but really it gets better each chapter.
"What is wrong is that you cannot learn how to really do things from books." He ignored her open mouth, continuing, "They are starting points for principle, ... Experience is a far greater teacher." -loc856 - loc858
Vhalla is a lovely heroine that I will never forget! I enjoyed her slow development from a library apprentice to the discover of her magic, her rejection of it, to her complete acceptance of it in the end. Her fears and doubts were well executed. They felt really natural. I mean at times we get enthusiastic about new adventure and discover of our new abilities but when you get so overwhelmed with what's going on and plainly end up getting confused and scared? That's okay and that's what (I think) Vhalla felt.
The romance! Oh the bloodydamn romance! It was one of my favorite parts of the book. Perhaps this is one of those romance that started on the wrong side. Prince Aldrik has a reputation of being an arrogant prince. I like Aldrik that way. His attitude of being prideful and all high and mighty immediately attracted me to him (and instantly adding him to my short list of book crushes!). The concept of Bonds was really interesting and perhaps it's what pulled the relationship between the two of them closer but I don't want to count so much on that since their interactions are always on point! And have I mentioned how swoon worthy Aldrik is?
Sareem and Roan, Vhalla's friends, played a huge role in the series. I like how their relationship really just stirred the whole story leading to the climax and ultimately the things that went on in the ending. Sareem is more of a childhood friend of Vhalla who developed feelings for her although she doesn't seem to reciprocate his feelings. Roan, on the other hand, is Vhalla's best friend. She pushes Vhalla to Sareem and how things just ended up on that side was really interesting. Completely made the climax a more exciting read.
Men were not made to live in cages, Vhalla; it does things to the mind that are unlike any other hardship. -loc3615
The climax is definitely that gripping moment that had me turning the pages faster than before. I mean, I just can't wait to see what happens - what will be the outcome of Vhalla's actions, and decisions, what Roan's 'unexpected' revelation will do to Vhalla, how things will go for Vhalla and Aldrik, and ultimately how Vhalla will face the decision between staying as an apprentice and becoming a sorcerer.
Also, I did not expect Prince Baldair to play such a huge role in the story. I initially thought that he'll just be mentioned here and there but his contribution to the romance and the thrilling climax was noteworthy. I'd say that Kova perfectly wrapped every well and gave each character a significant role.
OVERALL, Air Awakens is a high fantasy that had me wanting for more! While the plot was very typical and perhaps formulaic, I still find it all in all enjoyable. I LOVE Vhalla and the romance was just all around perfect! The climax was thrilling and had me going through page after page and the ending left me wanting for more.
* * *
What I Like: (1) Vhalla is a lovely heroine that had her share of fears and doubts but her development was just great, (2) Prince Aldrik (this arrogant prince!!), (3) the thrilling climax!, (4) the ending - just really great and left me wanting for more, (5) Prince Baldair - I didn't expect myself to actually like him, while there's nothing completely special about him, I think that he's a really nice character with some interesting ways of his own
What I Didn’t Like: (1) the slow start - just felt like that for me. I was a bit overwhelmed by the things being thrown to me about the world, the magic, the war. - but that's just really it.
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| 4.5 |
~I received this book in exchange for an honest review~
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