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clowdywings's review against another edition
2.0
This was a hard book to read. It's depressing in a lot of spots and it has a dark undertone to everything. This is set in the military and I think there were two wars. It was fairly compelling, so I was able to finish it.
The writing wasn't the best. There was quite a bit of telling and very limited showing. I also got confused at the sentence order occasionally. One sentence would say something, then the following talked about the topic even better and would have been better if it was first.
The characters were probably the best part. I didn't really like the main character, Vhalla, too much. I pitied her often and occasionally enjoyed her narrative but I just couldn't connect with her as I did the first. I think there was too much character change in the first book. She was a completely different character. I mean, it makes sense, considering what she went through. I just didn't enjoy it too much.
I liked the crown prince and the main character's friend much more than the mc. The friend was sweet and relatable and the crown prince was funny and interesting.
One thing I absolutely hated was the romantic encounters. Every time they had a moment, the crown prince would say something along the lines of "you should probably leave." In response every single time (I'm not joking, it really did happen that much), Vhalla would say, "I suppose."
The ending was pretty pointless and cruel. I don't see the reason why it had to happen. It's so bad it makes me not want to read the next book.
I really like the cover. It's done quite well and looks good.
***
Edit:
I totally forgot this until now but it needs to be said. The consistency is pretty bad. I'll give you a glaring example. (Probably spoilers, so watch out. I tried not to spoil anything but I did quote some lines.)
Page 19-20 says, "Vhalla had never been taught how to properly ride... From a young age she'd rode astride, so sitting in a saddle seemed a natural stance."
Okay... What?
First of all, that's confusing.
Secondly, the author is contradicting themselves.
Thirdly, I don't think it works that way. You need to learn how to deal with the saddle and the reins. It's not going to seem like a "natural stance" because she's ridden bareback before.
So, continuing on page 20, there's a bunch of horse stuff that contradicts what I said above. And then on page 21, I really got frustrated, enough so that I slammed the book shut and had to take a breather.
Here's the line; "You're holding the reins too tightly," Vhalla advised quietly over Fritz to Larel, who seems to be having trouble controlling her horse. [pg 21]
Vhalla, that's a no. You don't know how to deal with the reins. You weren't trained. Please stop.
So there's a glaring inconsistency that I found. I personally have not ridden a horse before, but I do know that you need training to control horses properly.
The author just got lazy in this point. The author could have said that the group went through horseback riding lessons for a month or so prior. But they chose not to say that.
The writing wasn't the best. There was quite a bit of telling and very limited showing. I also got confused at the sentence order occasionally. One sentence would say something, then the following talked about the topic even better and would have been better if it was first.
The characters were probably the best part. I didn't really like the main character, Vhalla, too much. I pitied her often and occasionally enjoyed her narrative but I just couldn't connect with her as I did the first. I think there was too much character change in the first book. She was a completely different character. I mean, it makes sense, considering what she went through. I just didn't enjoy it too much.
I liked the crown prince and the main character's friend much more than the mc. The friend was sweet and relatable and the crown prince was funny and interesting.
One thing I absolutely hated was the romantic encounters. Every time they had a moment, the crown prince would say something along the lines of "you should probably leave." In response every single time (I'm not joking, it really did happen that much), Vhalla would say, "I suppose."
The ending was pretty pointless and cruel. I don't see the reason why it had to happen. It's so bad it makes me not want to read the next book.
I really like the cover. It's done quite well and looks good.
***
Edit:
I totally forgot this until now but it needs to be said. The consistency is pretty bad. I'll give you a glaring example. (Probably spoilers, so watch out. I tried not to spoil anything but I did quote some lines.)
Page 19-20 says, "Vhalla had never been taught how to properly ride... From a young age she'd rode astride, so sitting in a saddle seemed a natural stance."
Okay... What?
First of all, that's confusing.
Secondly, the author is contradicting themselves.
Thirdly, I don't think it works that way. You need to learn how to deal with the saddle and the reins. It's not going to seem like a "natural stance" because she's ridden bareback before.
So, continuing on page 20, there's a bunch of horse stuff that contradicts what I said above. And then on page 21, I really got frustrated, enough so that I slammed the book shut and had to take a breather.
Here's the line; "You're holding the reins too tightly," Vhalla advised quietly over Fritz to Larel, who seems to be having trouble controlling her horse. [pg 21]
Vhalla, that's a no. You don't know how to deal with the reins. You weren't trained. Please stop.
So there's a glaring inconsistency that I found. I personally have not ridden a horse before, but I do know that you need training to control horses properly.
The author just got lazy in this point. The author could have said that the group went through horseback riding lessons for a month or so prior. But they chose not to say that.
oliofficialx's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
sarsarsarsarsar's review against another edition
3.0
I liked the first book so much more. The beginning was promising with all the drama but this whole book felt like planted he-said/she-said and was kind of boring. Where are my tropes on tropes on tropes??? Where are the emotional stakes???
I can’t be as forgiving with the lack of world building and story telling with this book bc not enough juicy distractions were happening for the entire second half basically and all these pointless things kept happening?
At this point I hope everyone dies.
On to book 3!
I can’t be as forgiving with the lack of world building and story telling with this book bc not enough juicy distractions were happening for the entire second half basically and all these pointless things kept happening?
At this point I hope everyone dies.
On to book 3!
oonagh_'s review
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
inessova's review against another edition
5.0
I spent all day reading; I just couldn't stop.
This is the second instalment of The air awakens series and it's better than the first. The side characters are simply amazing and their friendship with Vhalla is precious.
I loved how they helped her improve her fighting skills.
I also loved her relationship with Aldric and especially when she helped him with his princely work. They are both so smart, and they trust each other's opinion. Plus, their chemistry is phenomenal.
But that cliffhanger...
Now I need the next book
This is the second instalment of The air awakens series and it's better than the first. The side characters are simply amazing and their friendship with Vhalla is precious.
I loved how they helped her improve her fighting skills.
I also loved her relationship with Aldric and especially when she helped him with his princely work. They are both so smart, and they trust each other's opinion. Plus, their chemistry is phenomenal.
But that cliffhanger...
Now I need the next book
lillmosen's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
allivenger's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this book better than I did the previous book and I did like the previous book. This book starts right up where we left off (I love when that happens) with Vhalla joining the army. Along for the ride are her two best friends who support her when she has obvious PTSD from the night of fire and wind (as it will be called for the remainder of the series).
I loved how the author was able to portray Vhalla's struggles with PTSD and death and grief. It resonated with me and didn't feel fake for the sake of the story. They were believable. The romance was super slow this book as well with both of the characters thinking the other isn't interested (communication you two! come on!) and when they finally got the chance to be together I was frustrated with them both. sorrynotsorry. I love Vhalla and our first prince so much. Their bond becomes stronger and new questioned arise during their time together that only adds to what is going on.
and THE ENDING. Holy jeeze the ending gutted me. Not sure how much our girl Vhalla can take but I am ready to find out. If you liked the first book then you will absolutely like this one. It just continues on and gets better as the book goes along. I can't wait to read Earth's End.
I loved how the author was able to portray Vhalla's struggles with PTSD and death and grief. It resonated with me and didn't feel fake for the sake of the story. They were believable. The romance was super slow this book as well with both of the characters thinking the other isn't interested (communication you two! come on!) and when they finally got the chance to be together I was frustrated with them both. sorrynotsorry. I love Vhalla and our first prince so much. Their bond becomes stronger and new questioned arise during their time together that only adds to what is going on.
and THE ENDING. Holy jeeze the ending gutted me. Not sure how much our girl Vhalla can take but I am ready to find out. If you liked the first book then you will absolutely like this one. It just continues on and gets better as the book goes along. I can't wait to read Earth's End.
maddi_bernards's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
pandasxl's review against another edition
2.0
DNF, 41% Completed:
+ Reading 10+ chapters of Vhalla and company marching to the North was boring, and no amount of "magic training" or relationship drama could've made it interesting.
+ I hated Aldrik's hot and cold attitude towards Vhalla. I get that there's reasons for why he acted that way but I hated that he only showed tenderness to Vhalla when she was upset -- that dynamic just wasn't for me.
+ Vhalla showed signs of jealousy in Air Awakens, but it becomes extremely annoying in Fire Falling with her rivalry with Elecia. I know that Vhalla is 18, but I couldn't deal with those two fighting for the attention of a man. LADIES PLEASE STAND UP!!!
+ The story felt like it had too many side characters that didn't add anything interesting. Elecia was boring and cliche. Fritz and Laurel were babysitters. Daniel and Craig were soldiers....Just a lackluster cast.
+ This book was so boring, I could not physically bring myself to finish reading it. I would have to listen to the audiobook version or a watch a video summarizing it. Overall, 1.5 stars. Sorry.
+ Reading 10+ chapters of Vhalla and company marching to the North was boring, and no amount of "magic training" or relationship drama could've made it interesting.
+ I hated Aldrik's hot and cold attitude towards Vhalla. I get that there's reasons for why he acted that way but I hated that he only showed tenderness to Vhalla when she was upset -- that dynamic just wasn't for me.
+ Vhalla showed signs of jealousy in Air Awakens, but it becomes extremely annoying in Fire Falling with her rivalry with Elecia. I know that Vhalla is 18, but I couldn't deal with those two fighting for the attention of a man. LADIES PLEASE STAND UP!!!
+ The story felt like it had too many side characters that didn't add anything interesting. Elecia was boring and cliche. Fritz and Laurel were babysitters. Daniel and Craig were soldiers....Just a lackluster cast.
+ This book was so boring, I could not physically bring myself to finish reading it. I would have to listen to the audiobook version or a watch a video summarizing it. Overall, 1.5 stars. Sorry.
sameriffic's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0