A review by maralaene
Air Awakens by Elise Kova

adventurous challenging emotional tense fast-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? It's complicated

4.25

I picked up this book and I couldn’t put it down.

I have been meaning to read this book for a while now and it was recommended by a friend. But in all honesty I picked it up over lots of other books on my TBR for a May reading challenge! But I am so glad I did.

This was an easy, YA fantasy read that I thoroughly enjoyed. The story itself gave me ATLA vibes with the magic system, being the last wind mage in history and all. Although she’s supported by fire rather than water mages. 

As a first book I flew through it and wholeheartedly can’t wait to read the rest. And I think that is a success. It’s a story about growing into yourself, and learning not to judge a book by its cover. And when your choices are taken from you, learning to step up and work to make it your own. I loved Vhalla as a character (though I did have to look through interviews to figure out how to say it). She was loveable but far from perfect, and probably a bit naive and too easily trusting, but in some ways that is what makes her endearing. 
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