fullybookedpenguin's reviews
130 reviews

I don't usually hate books, and I rarely leave reviews, but this series is so poorly executed that I ended up in a rage while reading.
Characters were so frustrating. The main relationship was toxic and grooms an abusive, unhealthy dynamic. There was only one character I liked and the rest I absolutely hated.
There were red flags everywhere and our main character was blinded to it all by an unbelievable 'love' that we are expected to believe in with no building.
Anyone with two brain cells would be frustrated by how insane the main characters are and how they lose all their common sense.
The main plot driving event for the whole series, which stems from the ending of the first book, is entirely unbelievable and against our FL's character.
I could go on about the plot but honestly the time I spent to read the book was enough of a waste of time so I'll leave my wasted time at this.

Content Warnings

Air Awakens by Elise Kova

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adventurous emotional tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

1.0

Don't be fooled by the 'quiet library book girly thrown into magic and intrigue' premise. Our main female lead Vhalla, isn't the smart, intelligent librarian the intro suggests.
The initial force that brings Vhalla and Crown Prince Aldrik together may have been meant to come across as a kind of academic rivalry and challenge, but instead is dripping with insults, genuine abuse and down-troding by the Prince towards Vhalla. Through this, though I was put off and saw red flags flying our female lead's brain cells slowly escape her and are replaced with an attraction that is forced and cringe.

One gripe I especially have is her sudden behaviour towards one of her besties, who when confronted with her sorcery, is shocked and then investigates ways to prevent it: Vhalla becomes bitchy, shows no grace and blames the friend, despite the fact that she had the exact same reaction when she found out.
TO continue with her loss of all sensible reasoning, Vhalla ends up following a row of out of character decisions and events that leads to the big finale and into the rest of the series. By out of character, I mean, she loses all librarianisms which were supposed to be so important to her, and chases after the Prince by embracing noble fanfare and carryings on.

Overall the characters are unlikeable and the plot is melded together by dumb decisions that will frustrate anyone with a little intellect.
Very disappointing read, as I was hoping for a strong female lead with the smarts to counter her foes and the willingness to grow to overcome challenges, I don't find that here.

Content Warnings