Friday, June 10, 2016

Air Awakens by Elise Kova [REVIEW]




TITLE: Air Awakens (Air Awakens #1)
AUTHOR: Elise Kova
PUBLISHER: Silver Wing Press
PUB DATE: Aug 27 2015

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.

Source: Goodreads

Rating:




“I am going to go into this world, and I don't care if you and your narrow mind cannot be a part of it.”

At the beginning of reading Air Awakens, I couldn’t help comparing it with The Last Airbender. You know, the cartoon? I haven’t watched every episode of it but enough of it to see the similarity of magic and lore. Although, I have to say while Airbender is a story that focuses on a war between elements against a corrupted army of Firebenders, and the developing friendships of characters with different elemental magic, upon reading Air Awakens, while also has the indications of war, was mainly focused on developing the bond between the protagonists. A love story, if I may say so.

I didn’t particularly like Aldrik at first. I mean, come on, the guy was an arrogant asshole to begin with. But I thought to give him a chance since I’ve read other books depicting snobby guys with layers of something more underneath. Thankfully, he didn’t fail to deliver. I didn’t love him in the end, but he’s tolerable enough and I want to see how far he can go to prove himself to Vhalla.

Speaking of Vhalla, I didn’t really see her as anything more than a typical YA heroine. She’s not exactly one of a kind but I’m excited to see how far her magic can take her.

Elise Kova’s writing and world building is simple and easy enough to understand. The complications come with character development. There are a lot more drama and secrets that go with each one of them. Some with prejudices, some with ignorance, and some with high and mighty self-righteousness. Not exactly deemed pleasant characters, but interesting.

Air Awakens has a very descriptive narrative on lore and characterization. It’s a slow burning read and the climax may have been a quick snag of a scene. Overall it was a profoundly concentrated introduction. Nonetheless, it was an invigorating read. With the hype of an on-going war, the intriguing development of elemental magic on the characters, and a blooming romance, it feels like a story worth reading the continuing books.



*Thank you, Elise Kova for providing an advance copy of Air Awakens.. Thank you for letting me read the first book from this series.