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

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: Crystal Caged (Air Awakens: Vortex Chronicles #5) by Elise Kova

Rating: ☆☆☆
Audience: NA Fantasy
Length: 426 pages
Author: Elise Kova
Publisher: Silver Wing Press
Release Date: March 11th, 2020
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The highly anticipated and breathtaking finale of Air Awakens: Vortex Chronicles by USA Today bestselling author Elise Kova.

One way or another… she will be the end of the world.

With powers that weren’t supposed to be touched by mortal hands, Vi Solaris is determined to free herself and the world from the deadly vortex it’s trapped in. This mission has taken her to forbidden lands and has transformed her from a sheltered princess to a fearsome warrior.

But the ultimate triumph requires the ultimate sacrifice, forcing Vi to choose between the last tethers to her humanity and the very people she’s sworn to protect.

Vi’s story of magic, sacrifice, triumph, and love reaches its epic conclusion in Crystal Caged. Air Awakens: Vortex Chronicles should be read in order:Vortex Visions Chosen Champion Failed Future Sovereign Sacrifice Crystal Caged

FINALLY FINISHED.

It’s no secret I LOVE the original Air Awakens series (for real, please go read this). So I dived into this one thinking I would at least really like it, and I am sad that it overall was a let down. To show you, it took me 4 days to read the original 5 books, and 2 years to finish this series.

My biggest issue was the entire basis for the plot. I never got fully behind it. It continues after the first series, and yet, twists back to it as well? I don’t know. Things became very convoluted and I found myself staring down an enigma that I just didn’t feel like solving.

The romance was great at least. I adored Taavin. He was tender and kind. Full of support for Vi, but also willing to go toe-to-toe with her if needed. I thought they were a true match and grateful the ending worked out for them (I thought it was heading in a different direction and I was going to riot). This ship was the high point throughout the books and kept me going when I wasn’t interested in the wider story.

I mostly read this to read the next series in this world (you don’t have to do that, but I’m, in general, a big Kova fan so why not?). I’m ready to move on and see what A Trial of Sorcerers has in store for me.

Overall audience notes:

  • NA Fantasy + Romance
  • Language: very little
  • Romance: kisses to closed and brief open
  • Violence: physical altercations, loss of loved ones, weaponry, magical attacks, near death experiences

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Monthly Reading Wrap-Up: July 2022

It was a great reading month around here!

Favorite Books: Air Awakens reread, Would You Rather, Songs of the Wicked, These Hollow Vows, These Wicked Bonds, Kulti, Master of Iron, Catherine Cowles books!

  • The Wedding Season by Katy Birchall
  • Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan
  • A Crown of the Gods (Shadows and Crowns #4) by S.M. Gaither
  • A Thousand Miles by Bridget Morrissey
  • [ARC] Hearts of Briarwall by Krista Jensen
  • [Reread] Earth’s End (Air Awakens #3) by Elise Kova
  • Mischief, Mayhem, and Marriage (Supposed Scandal #2) by Rebecca Connolly
  • Once Upon a K-Prom by Kat Cho
  • Naked in Death (In Death #1) by J.D. Robb
  • The Last of the Talons (Talons #1) by Sophie Kim
  • Fake it Till You Bake It by Jamie Wesley
  • [Reread] Water’s Wrath (Air Awakens #4) by Elise Kova
  • [ARC] Would You Rather by Allison Ashley
  • [Reread] Crystal Crowned (Air Awakens #5) by Elise Kova
  • Blood and Moonlight by Erin Beaty
  • [Novella] Finding Perfect (Hopeless #2.6) by Colleen Hoover
  • The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston
  • The Sin of Saints (Benevolence & Blood #1) by Lauren M. Leasure
  • Dream On by Angie Hockman
  • A Cowboy for Keeps (Colorado Cowboys #1) by Jody Hedlund
  • When He Was Wicked (The Bridgertons #6) by Julia Quinn
  • Songs of the Wicked (A Dreamer’s Misfortune #1) by C.A. Farran
  • [Reread] These Hollow Vows (These Hollow Vows #1) by Lexi Ryan
  • [ARC] Nothing More to Tell by Karen M. McManus
  • [ARC] The Make-Up Test by Jenny L. Howe
  • These Twisted Bonds (These Hollow Vows #2) by Lexi Ryan
  • [Reread] Kulti by Mariana Zapata
  • [Novella] Commit (The Sweet Rom”Coms” #2.5) by Kortney Keisel
  • [ARC] Master of Iron (Bladesmith #2) by Tricia Levenseller
  • Tattered Stars (Tattered & Torn #1) by Catherine Cowles
  • Mother of Death and Dawn (The War of Lost Hearts #3) by Carissa Broadbent
  • Falling Embers (Tattered & Torn #2) by Catherine Cowles
  • [ARC] The Ballad of Never After (Once Upon a Broken Heart #2) by Stephanie Garber
  • The Heart of a Cowboy (Colorado Cowboys #2) by Jody Hedlund
  • Doing Time (Wayfair Witches #12) by A.A. Albright
  • Tokyo Dreaming (Tokyo Ever After #2) by Emiko Jean
  • The Enemy and Miss Innes (Tales from the Highlands #2) by Martha Keyes
  • City of Gods and Monsters (House of Devils #1) by Kayla Edwards
  • The Beach Trap by Ali Brady
  • Class Act (The Thornback Society #1) by Aspen Hadley

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Book Review: Sovereign Sacrifice (Air Awakens: Vortex Chronicles #4) by Elise Kova

Rating: ☆☆☆
Audience: YA Fantasy
Length: 326 pages
Author: Elise Kova
Publisher: Silver Wing Press
Release Date: October 19th, 2019
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Vi was supposed to be the perfect crown princess. Then, she abandoned her throne.
Vi was supposed to save the world as its Champion. Then, the world she loved vanished.

Now, all she knows is that she has deadly magic and brutal cunning and she’s ready to settle some scores.

Old loves and new allies tell her to play it safe. But Vi is done with caution. She has a chance to right ancient wrongs and this princess-turned-warrior isn’t turning back.

She’s ready to bring an end to the vortex of death the world is trapped in.

The magic, romance, and epic adventure continue in book four of Air Awakens: Vortex Chronicles.

TOO MUCH OF A FLASHBACK.

I feel like I’ve really struggled through this series. It’s up and down. This was more of a down for me.

My biggest issue was that this book was essentially a flashback. I haaaaate flashback books. It’s fine when it’s part of the story that’s going forward, and yeah, things were moving forward. Yet this entire time it was essentially old news. I knew what was going to happen.

I’m still into the romance between Taavin and Vi. It’s sweet. I wish there was more between them. I’ve been enjoying the banter and the quiet moments they get together. It makes me hopeful for the finale of this series.

I don’t feel like I have much to say. I do enjoy the writing and the series at its base. This was just mostly a dud for me.

Overall audience notes:

  • Young adult fantasy
  • Language: light
  • Romance: kisses/make-outs
  • Violence: physical altercations, murder, elemental magic

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