A review by literaryweaponry
A Trial of Sorcerers by Elise Kova

adventurous medium-paced

4.25

I am a self professed lover of YA fantasy romance and Elise Kova is one of the queens of the genre. Last year, I read her Air Awakens series and was swept up in the story. This series, A Trial of Sorcerers, takes place in the same world. While you would get more out of the story by reading Air Awakens first, it is not technically necessary. I have not read her Vortex Chronicles which takes place in the same world and did not find, having not read that, I was unable to understand or fully enjoy this book. Everything is able to be understood on its own although there are callbacks to Air Awakens. However, if you didn’t know to look for them it would not detract from the story. 

Eira is everything I would expect out of an older teenaged character. She is learning about the wider world, who she can and cannot trust, and being a bit of an emotional wreck about the whole thing. She is also a passionate and very book smart character although her common sense is pretty much in the toilet which, again, is right on par for a late teen. 

Her family dynamics are also very complicated and, at times, down right mentally and emotionally abusive. While I enjoyed the beginning of Eira’s journey as a character, the family aspects annoyed me to no end. Her family claimed to love her but at every turn they crushed her hopes and dreams claiming it was for the best. While love can sometimes be painful, those who claim to love you should lift you up, even in the hard times. Especially in the hard times. Not try to grind your joy and passion into dust. 

Of course there is a love interest, a misunderstood bad boy, and a magical conundrum to overcome. Overall, the book was entertaining. It is an easy read that you can just sink into and it will sweep you away for a little while. I’m not looking for big, engrossing stories that you have to take notes to keep the details straight, I just want some escapism that lets my mind shut down for a little while. If that is something you like in fantasy, then I would recommend this book and this author with my whole heart.