Tag: a trial of sorcerers

ARC Book Review: An Heir of Frost (A Trial of Sorcerers #4) by Elise Kova

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy
Length: 413 pages
Author: Elise Kova
Publisher: Silver Wing Press
Release Date: February 16th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The fate of five kingdoms teeters on the knife’s edge, and Eira’s destiny is in the icy grasp of the Pirate Queen.

After a narrow escape from the brutal end of the Tournament of Five Kingdoms, Eira and her friends find themselves prisoners of the legendary Pirate Queen Adela. To most, death follows shortly after the pirate queen’s icy stare. But for Eira, those all too familiar eyes hold long-sought truths.

As she and her friends dive deeper into the pirates’ world, their magic is pushed to the brink. Morals are tested. Old passions reignite, and fresh desires spark. But love can be the deadliest vulnerability.

Amidst high-seas action, close-call escapes, and unraveling the twisted political machinations that happen in the shadows of their world, a haunting question looms larger and larger:

How much are they prepared to sacrifice for what they believe in?

An Heir of Frost is the fourth book in A Trial of Sorcerers, a young adult, epic fantasy series intended for readers who love stories involving: sorcerer competitions, slow-burn romance, adventures to distant lands, good triumphing over evil, and elemental magic.

Don’t miss a single book in the A Trial of Sorcerers series. Readers should first read A Trial of Sorcerers, A Hunt of Shadows, and A Tournament of Crowns before starting An Heir of Frost.

Thank you to Elise Kova for an eARC and ARC.

WHERE IS BOOK FIVE.

I CAN NOT. I need the conclusion to this series ASAP. Ahhhhh Elise Kova writes some of the best cliffhangers I’ve ever read and this was no different. There’s so many unanswered questions (in the best way) and I can’t wait for the epic finale.

AND TO SEE WHERE THIS LOVE TRIANGLE GOES.

I have thoughts and implications and I swear if I’m wrong I will probably feel some intense rage so let’s hope that goes well. Because gosh dang those were some FIERY kisses and I was here for every moment. Even caught myself conflicted a few times.

Eira is just my favorite. I LOVE the character growth over the whole series. From naive and not open about trusting and her plans, to learning to lean on others and work together all while strengthening her own powers is next level. I love this found family group and the ups and downs that they go through. It brings all the feels. And now I’m also in love with Adela??? The pirate queen is exactly the type of character I was hoping she’d be and was the perfect figure for Eira at this point in her life. I love where this is going.

The whole book was a ride. I found myself inhaling the pages and did not want to put it down. I love love love being back in the Air Awakens universe (have you read that yet because YOU SHOULD). Not so casually waiting till I can get my hands on book five.

Overall audience notes:

  • Upper YA Fantasy
  • Language: very little
  • Romance: vague almost love scene; otherwise heated make-outs
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of life, loss of loved ones, weapons/magical/physical violence, torture

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Book Review: A Tournament of Crowns (A Trial of Sorcerers #3) by Elise Kova

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy Romance
Length: 428 pages
Author: Elise Kova
Publisher: Silver Wing Press
Release Date: February 24th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A Royal Tournament. Thrilling Magic. Deadly Mysteries. Slow-Burn Romance.

Last night, Eira killed a man.

However justified her actions were, many now regard her as a cold-blooded murderer and a heretic who extinguished their hope. But there’s no time to explain herself. She barely has a chance to wash the blood off her hands before the Tournament of Five Kingdoms begins.

Sequestered with the other champions for the duration of the tournament, Eira must now navigate the games, her competition, the enemies who hunt her head, and — somehow worse than all the rest — being stuck in close quarters with the man who broke her heart.

All is fair in love and magical tournaments, and Eira is ready for the fight of her life.

Get ready for twists you never saw coming in A Tournament of Crowns. This series is perfect for readers who enjoy young adult, epic fantasy full of elemental magic, slow-burn romance, found family, and battles for the futures of kingdoms set in a world you’ll never want to leave.

Don’t miss a single book in the A Trial of Sorcerers series. Readers should start with A Trial of Sorcerers, and then A Hunt of Shadows, before reading A Tournament of Crowns.

GIMME MORE.

This book was fantastic. I just thoroughly enjoyed reading every page and feel like this was exactly what the series needed to add a little umph.

I looove Eira. and I love her growth. She really puts forth a lot of effort into acknowledging her mistakes and trying to do better. I love how tightly knit her friendships are with Noelle and Alyss and that they work as a TEAM and lean on each other when needed. Good friends never gets old in books.

The romance was young adult angsty. And surprisingly I was here for it all. I liked the give and take. The actual conversations surrounding their true feelings between Cullen and Eira. Even the different ways things went I thought worked. It made sense for the plot and I am expecting even more romantic entanglements in the future.

I thought the setting for this was fun too. It was like the Olympics but make it fantasy. I enjoyed seeing all of the nations together and going through different competitions and the quieter moments where groups started connecting.

This book was just what I needed. I can’t wait to see what happens next.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy + Romance
  • Language: a little
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: physical, magical, and weapons violence, loss of loved ones, near death experiences

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ARC Book Review: A Hunt of Shadows (A Trial of Sorcerers #2) by Elise Kova

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: NA Fantasy Romance
Length: 382 pages
Author: Elise Kova
Publisher: Silver Wing Press
Release Date: March 1st, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The second book in A Trial of Sorcerers is filled with forbidden magic, shadowy intrigue, heart-pounding action, and slow-burn romance.

Eira is now a champion of the Solaris Empire. She’s off to a land she’s only dreamed about. But a nightmare awaits her.

Her sworn enemy has escaped. His allies are powerful and deadly. And Eira finds herself tangled in the dangerous web of the undercity of Risen where the mysterious Court of Shadows and lethal Pillars battle for the fate of the kingdom.

But vengeance has a price. When Eira is captured by her enemies, it’s not only her life, but the lives of her friends, and the man she loves most, at stake. The woman she was won’t be enough to turn the tides churning against her from long before she was born. She’ll have to become something more. She’ll have to love deeper and fight fiercer than ever before.

The only way to kill a legendary champion, will be to become one herself.

Experience Eira’s adventure in the A Trial of Sorcerers series by USA Today bestselling author Elise Kova today, for readers who enjoy young adult, epic fantasy, filled with sorcery, deep friendships, forbidden romance, and tales of faraway lands.

A Hunt of Shadows takes place after the events of A Trial of Sorcerers. Readers should begin with A Trial of Sorcerers before reading A Hunt of Shadows.

Thank you to the author for an eARC.

A JOURNEY.

Kova really likes to hit you with the punches in the end ya know? My heart is hurting after that ending. I knew something was coming and now I have to contend with waiting until next year for more answers for my love birds! THE AUDACITY.

I loved the journey Eira went on as a character. Heck bent on revenge at the beginning she learns over time to open up and rely on others. I liked her acknowledgement of her faults and the way she unfurled as a force to content with. I adored all of her friendships. I love a strong friend group and even the more salty characters are charming and perfectly placed.

The plot slowed in the middle with all of the Court of Shadows talk. It took up a lot of space and dragged for a bit. That was my only major complaint. I think a little more build up in the romance before things got heated would have been nice too. But that made more sense with the ending and subsequent plot lines so I’ll let that one slide.

I absolutely hate all of these villains. Yet I love that I hate them. The writing here is amazing at really building up that awfulness and dread every time The Pillars come into play. They’re terrific antagonists and I can’t wait for the ultimate takedown.

This series is full of action and heart. Romance and friendships. Twists and turns and the cliffhangers I have come to expect. I love this universe and can’t wait for the next book!!

Overall audience notes:

  • NA Fantasy Romance
  • Language: very little
  • Romance: one vague open door
  • Violence: mild gore/blood
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: sexual harassment, torture, fire explosions resulting in loss of life, kidnapping

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Book Review: A Trial of Sorcerers (A Trial of Sorcerers #1) by Elise Kova

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Audience: NA Fantasy
Length: 355 pages
Author: Elise Kova
Publisher: Silver Wing Press
Release Date: March 4th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Ice is in her blood.

Eighteen-year-old Waterrunner Eira Landan lives her life in the shadows — the shadow of her older brother, of her magic’s whispers, and of the person she accidentally killed. She’s the most unwanted apprentice in the Tower of Sorcerers until the day she decides to step out and compete for a spot in the Tournament of Five Kingdoms.

Pitted against the best sorcerers in the Empire, Eira fights to be one of four champions. Excelling in the trials has its rewards. She’s invited to the royal court with the “Prince of the Tower,” discovers her rare talent for forbidden magic, and at midnight, Eira meets with a handsome elfin ambassador.

But, Eira soon learns, no reward is without risk. As she comes into the spotlight, so too do the skeletons of a past she hadn’t even realized was haunting her.

Eira went into the trials ready for a fight. Ready to win. She wasn’t ready for what it would cost her. No one expected the candidates might not make it out with their lives.

This is the first book in a young adult, epic fantasy that’s a tale of competition, coming of age, distant lands, elemental magic, and romance. It’s perfect for fans of the Legend of Korra, Truthwitch, and A Sorcery of Thorns.

WELCOME BACK TO SOLARIS.

Ahhhhh I’m so happy I loved this one. I LOVE AIR AWAKENS WITH MY WHOLE BOOKISH SOUL. And when the Vortex Chronicles let me down I didn’t know what to expect with A Trial of Sorcerers. Thank heavens it was a HIT.

I felt a reawakening of my love for Kova’s writing and expert slow burn and torturous romance scenarios. I loved Eira. I loved how much she learned to believe in herself and stand up on her own. I also felt like there were some nods to Elsa from Frozen. I love a bad-a ice queen so no complaints here. It was delightful.

Completely tortured by a love triangle where I just KNEW what was going to happen and wasn’t surprised (but not in a bad way) when things unfolded as they did. I honestly would have been upset otherwise. I can’t wait for more of Cullen. ALL THE CULLEN.

The plot is intricate and I’m amazed how easily another story in this universe has been unwoven. I think it’s going to be another great series ahead and I am anxious for book two.

Overall audience notes:

  • NA Fantasy + Romance
  • Language: very little
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: physical and magical altercations
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of a loved one (on page), near death experiences

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