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debbieh2109's review against another edition
5.0
Adventurous
Great story lots of twist and turns a real page turner once you start it will be hear to put down
Great story lots of twist and turns a real page turner once you start it will be hear to put down
briarrose1021's review
5.0
Arianna has struggled her entire life with the lightning magic she has inside of her, always seeking to suppress the anger and destruction that the voice seems to want to inflict. She has not had an easy life thus far. Her mother died giving birth to her, and the day she was born marked the beginning of a drought that has cursed the land ever since. As a result, many blame Arianna for the curse. When her father, who has been investigating the curse ever since in the hopes of finding a way to end it, is found killed - supposedly be a satyr - suddenly the situation for Arianna changes very rapidly. Not wanting to leave her village, Arianna plans to work in the mines. However, on her first day of work, two knights try to kill her when she shows up. She is able to escape, and she and her best friend leave the village on a quest to end the curse.
This was a really good book and I really enjoyed listening to it. The author did a wonderful job with the characters and the world-building that it was easy to visualize what was happening. I also really liked the way the author handled Arianna's struggles with how she views the satyrs, which has been greatly influenced by propaganda put out to increase the tensions between the fauns (satyrs) and the elves. The cunning of the bad guys was very well-done, and by the end I was moving him up my list of most hated villains. He did not surpass Professor Umbridge as my most-hated character in a book, but he did get pretty close. (Also, I'm avoiding naming the bad guy so I don't give away any spoilers).
Finally, I was able to listen to the audiobook version of this book and loved it. The narrator, Shannon Hobby, did a wonderful job. Indeed, she's one of the few narrators that I have found I do not have to speed up in order to have them approach a normal speaking speed. LOL. The only issue I had with the audiobook was that there were a few places where parts of sentences were repeated in sequence, most likely as a result of a mistimed pick-up. A quick run-through with an audio-proofer would fix that. That being said, it didn't happen often and didn't interfere with my listening. So don't let that be the reason you avoid the audiobook.
This was a really good book and I really enjoyed listening to it. The author did a wonderful job with the characters and the world-building that it was easy to visualize what was happening. I also really liked the way the author handled Arianna's struggles with how she views the satyrs, which has been greatly influenced by propaganda put out to increase the tensions between the fauns (satyrs) and the elves. The cunning of the bad guys was very well-done, and by the end I was moving him up my list of most hated villains. He did not surpass Professor Umbridge as my most-hated character in a book, but he did get pretty close. (Also, I'm avoiding naming the bad guy so I don't give away any spoilers).
Finally, I was able to listen to the audiobook version of this book and loved it. The narrator, Shannon Hobby, did a wonderful job. Indeed, she's one of the few narrators that I have found I do not have to speed up in order to have them approach a normal speaking speed. LOL. The only issue I had with the audiobook was that there were a few places where parts of sentences were repeated in sequence, most likely as a result of a mistimed pick-up. A quick run-through with an audio-proofer would fix that. That being said, it didn't happen often and didn't interfere with my listening. So don't let that be the reason you avoid the audiobook.
baskerville_book_reviews's review
5.0
I previously reviewed the prequel story in this series, Egris and the Silence of the Storm. While reading the prequel isn’t required to fully understand the story, I suggest it as it’s a nice bit of world-building and backstory.
A handful of the main plot points are all things you’ve likely heard before if you read fantasy. How many times have you seen the story of the rebel/driven parent who’s never around; only for their kid to grow up and discover they had a secret life as they meet their parent’s friends and Allies while digging through their past. Supernatural, The Amasai Rising Trilogy, the Inheritance Cycle, and so on. While it may not be original, it brings enough new to the table to keep it interesting.
As I said with the prequel story, it’s either intended for a younger audience or at least “kid friendly” a term I’ve always disliked. Despite that, I still found much to enjoy about it. It’s a series that I think would make a great beginner fantasy story for somebody new to the genre. The journey the characters go on does feel a bit rushed because it’s not an 800-page tome like so many other fantasy stories are. It makes for a nice in-and-out adventure.
I didn’t have any issues with the narrator until she said “clawred”. I’ve said many times in reviews, I truly can’t stand when professional narrators can’t pronounce basic words properly. There are a couple of times in the audiobook where you’ll hear the same line twice. It seems to be a rare issue with Audible audiobooks where audio sessions or parts aren’t connected properly. It’s not a common occurrence in the sorry, it happens maybe 2 – 3 times, but it can take you out of the moment.
Overall, I think this story is interesting and engaging. While the world lore is puddle deep, sometimes that’s for the best. I think it’s worth a read or listen.
NOTE: This copy was provided to me free of charge as a digital review copy. The opinions stated in this review are mine and mine alone, I was not paid or requested to give this book a certain rating, suggestion, or approval.
A handful of the main plot points are all things you’ve likely heard before if you read fantasy. How many times have you seen the story of the rebel/driven parent who’s never around; only for their kid to grow up and discover they had a secret life as they meet their parent’s friends and Allies while digging through their past. Supernatural, The Amasai Rising Trilogy, the Inheritance Cycle, and so on. While it may not be original, it brings enough new to the table to keep it interesting.
As I said with the prequel story, it’s either intended for a younger audience or at least “kid friendly” a term I’ve always disliked. Despite that, I still found much to enjoy about it. It’s a series that I think would make a great beginner fantasy story for somebody new to the genre. The journey the characters go on does feel a bit rushed because it’s not an 800-page tome like so many other fantasy stories are. It makes for a nice in-and-out adventure.
I didn’t have any issues with the narrator until she said “clawred”. I’ve said many times in reviews, I truly can’t stand when professional narrators can’t pronounce basic words properly. There are a couple of times in the audiobook where you’ll hear the same line twice. It seems to be a rare issue with Audible audiobooks where audio sessions or parts aren’t connected properly. It’s not a common occurrence in the sorry, it happens maybe 2 – 3 times, but it can take you out of the moment.
Overall, I think this story is interesting and engaging. While the world lore is puddle deep, sometimes that’s for the best. I think it’s worth a read or listen.
NOTE: This copy was provided to me free of charge as a digital review copy. The opinions stated in this review are mine and mine alone, I was not paid or requested to give this book a certain rating, suggestion, or approval.
manglitter's review
4.0
"Arianna and the Spirit of Storm" was an amazing fantasy story that I loved to dive in it with all the magic and the mythical creatures in it. It took some time to finish it due to my schedule but it was a nice read that I kept thinking about when I had to put the book down.
I liked the different POVs in this book mainly when it came to her father's narrative of his adventures to find the answers to the curse and to end the drought. I loved the mystery part about the king and Ariana's power that kept me hooked. The world created by the author was fantastic and kept the story more interesting.
This book was a nice discovery and a great adventure to continue in the next books that I will be waiting for.
Thank you to StoryOrigin for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I liked the different POVs in this book mainly when it came to her father's narrative of his adventures to find the answers to the curse and to end the drought. I loved the mystery part about the king and Ariana's power that kept me hooked. The world created by the author was fantastic and kept the story more interesting.
This book was a nice discovery and a great adventure to continue in the next books that I will be waiting for.
Thank you to StoryOrigin for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
mchaese's review
5.0
Arianna and the Spirit of the Storm is the first in a children's High Fantasy series, featuring elves, fauns and dwarves. Though it does have a slow start, the plot is revealed at page 30, and the story is revealed through multiple first person views.
What's great about this novel is that we follow a teenage heroine through a variety of biomes, it gives us a clear vision of the entire world and creates key relationships between every character that we meet. Clearly a lot of thought has gone into creating an immense amount of lore, I love reading about elemental mages and thought this book in particular portrays the main character majestically through her decision making, bravery, and smarts.
The flow is the biggest flaw, some plot twists are very predictable and when we do get introduced to new characters, we don't see enough of them. I would've expected a fantasy to be much more enchanting and to use more diverse language.
Overall, if you do push through this book, you are left with a memorable story about extremely interesting characters, and I feel excited to know what happens to Arianna in the second book. A feel-good story for those who love a good storm.
What's great about this novel is that we follow a teenage heroine through a variety of biomes, it gives us a clear vision of the entire world and creates key relationships between every character that we meet. Clearly a lot of thought has gone into creating an immense amount of lore, I love reading about elemental mages and thought this book in particular portrays the main character majestically through her decision making, bravery, and smarts.
The flow is the biggest flaw, some plot twists are very predictable and when we do get introduced to new characters, we don't see enough of them. I would've expected a fantasy to be much more enchanting and to use more diverse language.
Overall, if you do push through this book, you are left with a memorable story about extremely interesting characters, and I feel excited to know what happens to Arianna in the second book. A feel-good story for those who love a good storm.
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