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momwithareadingproblem's Reviews (1.18k)
I received an eARC of this book via the publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.
Talise is back! Air Storm by Kay L. Moody is the tenth installment of The Elements of Kamdaria, and the story just keeps getting better. Please note that while I’ll try my best to avoid spoilers, there may be minor spoilers to previous installments in this review. With Claye’s betrayal behind her and Aaden by her side, Talise is ready to step into the role as rightful ruler of Kamdaria. Her only obstacle now is her father. Be prepared for battle in Air Storm.
I have loved Talise since the start of the series. I love her determination and loyalty, and I love that she has no problem establishing right from wrong. I’ve honestly missed her strength in the last few books. While doubting Aaden’s loyalties, then Claye’s betrayal, Talise has struggled with her mission and her confidence. Those struggles melt away in this installment as she finally learns to trust Aaden and confronts Claye.
Oh how I’ve missed Aaden! Aaden was such a strong presence in the first several installments, and then he disappeared on mission for the emperor. He thought it was the right choice, but he’s since learned the mistake he made in leaving Talise. Nothing has changed for him, and he is determined to prove to her that he will never leave again. I love how he shows Talise that he believes in her by simply being there and standing by her side. He doesn’t have to put on a show or use words, his actions speak for him.
This installment deals with Talise and her closest friends in the storm, ready to plan for battle. They’ve had to seek help from the enemy, Kessouku, and as a trade off, Talise is getting to train with the Amulet. The only problem is she is also training Claye and River to use it. River, of course, hates Talise and uses every opportunity to kill her. Claye claims to still love her, however even I don’t trust that. His feelings seem awfully shallow. I’m just not ready to forgive him.
Overall I really enjoyed this installment. It is action packed and slowly leading us to the final showdown between Talise and the emperor. If you enjoy YA fantasy, I cannot recommend this series enough.
Talise is back! Air Storm by Kay L. Moody is the tenth installment of The Elements of Kamdaria, and the story just keeps getting better. Please note that while I’ll try my best to avoid spoilers, there may be minor spoilers to previous installments in this review. With Claye’s betrayal behind her and Aaden by her side, Talise is ready to step into the role as rightful ruler of Kamdaria. Her only obstacle now is her father. Be prepared for battle in Air Storm.
I have loved Talise since the start of the series. I love her determination and loyalty, and I love that she has no problem establishing right from wrong. I’ve honestly missed her strength in the last few books. While doubting Aaden’s loyalties, then Claye’s betrayal, Talise has struggled with her mission and her confidence. Those struggles melt away in this installment as she finally learns to trust Aaden and confronts Claye.
Oh how I’ve missed Aaden! Aaden was such a strong presence in the first several installments, and then he disappeared on mission for the emperor. He thought it was the right choice, but he’s since learned the mistake he made in leaving Talise. Nothing has changed for him, and he is determined to prove to her that he will never leave again. I love how he shows Talise that he believes in her by simply being there and standing by her side. He doesn’t have to put on a show or use words, his actions speak for him.
This installment deals with Talise and her closest friends in the storm, ready to plan for battle. They’ve had to seek help from the enemy, Kessouku, and as a trade off, Talise is getting to train with the Amulet. The only problem is she is also training Claye and River to use it. River, of course, hates Talise and uses every opportunity to kill her. Claye claims to still love her, however even I don’t trust that. His feelings seem awfully shallow. I’m just not ready to forgive him.
Overall I really enjoyed this installment. It is action packed and slowly leading us to the final showdown between Talise and the emperor. If you enjoy YA fantasy, I cannot recommend this series enough.
I received an eARC of this book via the author. This does not effect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.
What a start to the series! Sting Magic by Sarah K.L. Wilson is a fantastic, quick read that takes you on an adventure through a cursed woods with a daring heroine and a caged bird. Friends if you like YA fantasy, I highly recommend you read this one.
The story begins on Aella’s Hatching Day at the far edges of the Winged Empire. Aella is a force to be reckoned with. On her Hatching Day, she doesn’t expect to hatch, show magic, but she does. However unlike everyone in the empire, Aella doesn’t hatch a bird, but bees. She is an abomination, an oddity, and the prince claims her as his, taking her with him as they continue their track across the empire.
Le Majest claims he is there to bring peace, yet he sows discord, taking the villagers’ weapons, their only defense against the Forbidden. Aella has spent her entire life at the edge of the empire fighting the Forbidden, a twisted sort of magic that consumes everything in its path. Seeing her family and others forced to give up their only defense stirs a resentment that has been building within her.
I really like Aella. She’s snarky, stubborn, and rebellious by nature. Her disappointment in her bee magic is quickly tempered by her fascination with them. Why is she different? What can she accomplish with her bees? How can she get back to her family? All of these questions run in a loop in her mind.
The plot of this story follows Aella as she travels with Le Majest. She meets another hatchling that he picked up on the journey and initially clashes with her. Then there is Osprey, the prince’s bodyguard. He also has a fascination with Aella, but he seems to be on her side. She wants to trust him, but his ties to the prince hold her back. Os is my favorite character. I can’t wait to figure him out more.
Overall I really enjoyed Sting Magic. I read it in one sitting, devouring Aella’s story. I love the world-building and can’t wait to find out more about the Winged Empire, the Forbidden, and what Aella’s magic means for her. If you’re looking for an adventure, look no further than Empire of War and Wings.
What a start to the series! Sting Magic by Sarah K.L. Wilson is a fantastic, quick read that takes you on an adventure through a cursed woods with a daring heroine and a caged bird. Friends if you like YA fantasy, I highly recommend you read this one.
The story begins on Aella’s Hatching Day at the far edges of the Winged Empire. Aella is a force to be reckoned with. On her Hatching Day, she doesn’t expect to hatch, show magic, but she does. However unlike everyone in the empire, Aella doesn’t hatch a bird, but bees. She is an abomination, an oddity, and the prince claims her as his, taking her with him as they continue their track across the empire.
Le Majest claims he is there to bring peace, yet he sows discord, taking the villagers’ weapons, their only defense against the Forbidden. Aella has spent her entire life at the edge of the empire fighting the Forbidden, a twisted sort of magic that consumes everything in its path. Seeing her family and others forced to give up their only defense stirs a resentment that has been building within her.
I really like Aella. She’s snarky, stubborn, and rebellious by nature. Her disappointment in her bee magic is quickly tempered by her fascination with them. Why is she different? What can she accomplish with her bees? How can she get back to her family? All of these questions run in a loop in her mind.
The plot of this story follows Aella as she travels with Le Majest. She meets another hatchling that he picked up on the journey and initially clashes with her. Then there is Osprey, the prince’s bodyguard. He also has a fascination with Aella, but he seems to be on her side. She wants to trust him, but his ties to the prince hold her back. Os is my favorite character. I can’t wait to figure him out more.
Overall I really enjoyed Sting Magic. I read it in one sitting, devouring Aella’s story. I love the world-building and can’t wait to find out more about the Winged Empire, the Forbidden, and what Aella’s magic means for her. If you’re looking for an adventure, look no further than Empire of War and Wings.
This is one of those books that has been on my TBR forever! Thanks to #coyer book club, I finally got around to reading it last month. And y’all I could kick myself for how long I waited to read it. Half-Blood by Jennifer L Armentrout is an urban mythology set in North Carolina (I believe, don’t hate me if I’m wrong). In this world, Hematoi are descendents of half-gods and considered pure-bloods. Half-bloods, like our main character, are the result of a Hematoi and mortal union. Hematoi have god-like powers. Half-bloods do not, however they are stronger than the average mortal. My copy of Half-Blood had the prequel novella Daimon. If you haven’t read that prequel, I highly recommend it. I skipped it at first because I wanted to jump right into the main story, but I felt lost. I went back and read it, and suddenly everything made sense. Half-Blood is a fantastic, edge of your seat read, perfect for fans of urban fantasy/mythology.
At the start of our story, Alex has just returned to the Covenant, a school that trains the Hematoi and half-bloods in their history and to fight daimons, fallen pure-bloods who, for lack of better terminology, remind me of vampires feeding on the blood of Hematoi. Alex’s mother took her away from Covenant three years ago for reasons Alex has never known. When the daimons found them, Alex was forced to run and found herself back with the Covenant. Her entire life up til three years ago was focused on training to be a Sentinel, a guardian/soldier of the Hematoi. Now she’s back and forced to follow the rules set out by the Covenant, one of them being no romantic relationship between a pure and half-blood. This is hard for her when her crush also happens to be her trainer.
Aiden is a pure-blood and offers to train Alex, get her up to speed so she has a fighting chance at reaching her goal of being a Sentinel. I like Aiden. He’s very by the book, reminds me a little of Zayne from Armentrout’s Dark Elements. Even when he is by the book though, he is looking at how to bend the rules. He lost his parents when he was younger and was forced to raise his little brother while still not an adult himself. This makes him sympathetic to Alex who has just lost her mother to the daimons and has never known her own father.
The plot of this one sets the stage for the entire series. Alex trains with Aiden and learns what she can about the Hematoi and daimons. As she readjusts to her old life, she also hunts for what sent her mother into hiding three years earlier. No one is aware, and rumors abound. My heart hurt for Alex as she struggled with the loss of her mother, falling into old routines, and hiding her growing feelings for Aiden. But then again, forbidden romance makes the best kind
At the start of our story, Alex has just returned to the Covenant, a school that trains the Hematoi and half-bloods in their history and to fight daimons, fallen pure-bloods who, for lack of better terminology, remind me of vampires feeding on the blood of Hematoi. Alex’s mother took her away from Covenant three years ago for reasons Alex has never known. When the daimons found them, Alex was forced to run and found herself back with the Covenant. Her entire life up til three years ago was focused on training to be a Sentinel, a guardian/soldier of the Hematoi. Now she’s back and forced to follow the rules set out by the Covenant, one of them being no romantic relationship between a pure and half-blood. This is hard for her when her crush also happens to be her trainer.
Aiden is a pure-blood and offers to train Alex, get her up to speed so she has a fighting chance at reaching her goal of being a Sentinel. I like Aiden. He’s very by the book, reminds me a little of Zayne from Armentrout’s Dark Elements. Even when he is by the book though, he is looking at how to bend the rules. He lost his parents when he was younger and was forced to raise his little brother while still not an adult himself. This makes him sympathetic to Alex who has just lost her mother to the daimons and has never known her own father.
The plot of this one sets the stage for the entire series. Alex trains with Aiden and learns what she can about the Hematoi and daimons. As she readjusts to her old life, she also hunts for what sent her mother into hiding three years earlier. No one is aware, and rumors abound. My heart hurt for Alex as she struggled with the loss of her mother, falling into old routines, and hiding her growing feelings for Aiden. But then again, forbidden romance makes the best kind
The Rook by Frost Kay picks up almost exactly where [b:The Hunt|48574235|The Hunt (The Twisted Kingdoms #1)|Frost Kay|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1571971159l/48574235._SY75_.jpg|73903729] left off. Tempest has returned to the king, claiming her place on his war council, and acting as a spy for the Jester. However her world is about to implode. Secrets and lies are the game, but is Tempest ready to put her wits against the Fox and the Hounds that raised her? Find out in The Rook.
I already loved Tempest before starting this book, but y’all I adore her. She is headstrong, stubborn, and loyal to a fault. Her sense of morality guides her actions, and her heart breaks when those she trusts fall outside her moral bounds. It is so easy to root for her and cheer her on as she takes on the crown and the Jester.
Fox is back and brings Tempest to his masquerade ball. He parades her around as his to control, when in reality Tempest plans to betray him if it will save her home and the innocents there. I love Fox. He’s as tricky and sly as you would expect a fox to be. Yet his actions speak louder than his words. While Tempest can’t see it, it’s clear to the reader that he cares for her. While his half-truths break Tempest’s heart, my heart broke for him as he hid his true feelings.
The plot thickens for the series here. Focusing on the Jester’s court and the unrest among the Hounds, Frost Kay weaves an unputdownable tale as Tempest is forced to choose sides in the coming war. And war is coming. There is no doubting that! This is a fast-moving read that once finished I felt like I’d read two stories, as Tempest splits her time between the Jester and the King’s court. However I love how the author ties these two together.
Overall I loved The Rook. I devoured it, and now I’m dying to get my hands on the next book. If you like enemies-to-lovers romance and intricate court intrigue, I highly recommend it.
I already loved Tempest before starting this book, but y’all I adore her. She is headstrong, stubborn, and loyal to a fault. Her sense of morality guides her actions, and her heart breaks when those she trusts fall outside her moral bounds. It is so easy to root for her and cheer her on as she takes on the crown and the Jester.
Fox is back and brings Tempest to his masquerade ball. He parades her around as his to control, when in reality Tempest plans to betray him if it will save her home and the innocents there. I love Fox. He’s as tricky and sly as you would expect a fox to be. Yet his actions speak louder than his words. While Tempest can’t see it, it’s clear to the reader that he cares for her. While his half-truths break Tempest’s heart, my heart broke for him as he hid his true feelings.
The plot thickens for the series here. Focusing on the Jester’s court and the unrest among the Hounds, Frost Kay weaves an unputdownable tale as Tempest is forced to choose sides in the coming war. And war is coming. There is no doubting that! This is a fast-moving read that once finished I felt like I’d read two stories, as Tempest splits her time between the Jester and the King’s court. However I love how the author ties these two together.
Overall I loved The Rook. I devoured it, and now I’m dying to get my hands on the next book. If you like enemies-to-lovers romance and intricate court intrigue, I highly recommend it.
The pace set in [b:Sting Magic|55264263|Sting Magic (Empire of War and Wings #1)|Sarah K.L. Wilson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1599516541l/55264263._SY75_.jpg|86176623] continues in Sarah K.L. Wilson's Hive Magic, book two of Empire of War and Wings. Please note that if you haven’t read book one of this series, there may be spoilers to that book in this review. Read at your own risk. Aella and her new-found friends are fleeing downriver after their encounter with the Forbidden. With Le Majest injured by Aella’s hand, Osprey is struggling against the magic that holds him captive, the magic that demands he take Aella’s life if Le Majest doesn’t survive. New enemies, new magic, and new bonds are forged in Hive Magic. Get ready for another wild ride!
Aella is simply amazing. I love her! She is such a strong and resilient character, willing to do whatever is necessary to get back to the family she loves. She is forced to do a lot of things that she wouldn’t choose for herself in this book, and yet she comes out so much stronger for it.
Osprey is the ship that I will go down with. He is such a complex character, but at the same time not. I think the author has done a fantastic job of showing him and his struggles through Aella’s eyes. Aella doesn’t see what he is doing, his struggles. In fact, she blames him for SO much. But as the reader you see through that blame and see him. I love it! Fantastic writing here.
As they flee from the Forbidden, Aella and her new friends come across a tribe of people who have a unique manifestation of their magic. This group leads them to a new clue about what is happening in the empire and how the Forbidden is spreading on their shores. My favorite thing about this series is the world-building. It’s fully immersive. I lost myself in this one and I couldn’t love it more for that!
Overall, I liked Hive Magic. I love Aella’s growth as she becomes more comfortable and begins experimenting with her bee magic. I love Osprey and hurt for him as he struggles against the ties that bind him. I adore Wing Ivo. He is probably my favorite, even though I didn’t mention him above. He’s like a father-figure type character, and honestly his relationship with Aella reminds me a little of Haymitch and Katniss from The Hunger Games. If you enjoy YA fantasy, I highly recommend this one.
Aella is simply amazing. I love her! She is such a strong and resilient character, willing to do whatever is necessary to get back to the family she loves. She is forced to do a lot of things that she wouldn’t choose for herself in this book, and yet she comes out so much stronger for it.
Osprey is the ship that I will go down with. He is such a complex character, but at the same time not. I think the author has done a fantastic job of showing him and his struggles through Aella’s eyes. Aella doesn’t see what he is doing, his struggles. In fact, she blames him for SO much. But as the reader you see through that blame and see him. I love it! Fantastic writing here.
As they flee from the Forbidden, Aella and her new friends come across a tribe of people who have a unique manifestation of their magic. This group leads them to a new clue about what is happening in the empire and how the Forbidden is spreading on their shores. My favorite thing about this series is the world-building. It’s fully immersive. I lost myself in this one and I couldn’t love it more for that!
Overall, I liked Hive Magic. I love Aella’s growth as she becomes more comfortable and begins experimenting with her bee magic. I love Osprey and hurt for him as he struggles against the ties that bind him. I adore Wing Ivo. He is probably my favorite, even though I didn’t mention him above. He’s like a father-figure type character, and honestly his relationship with Aella reminds me a little of Haymitch and Katniss from The Hunger Games. If you enjoy YA fantasy, I highly recommend this one.
I received an eARC of this book via the publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.
The end is fast approaching for The Elements of Kamdaria series, and y’all I am NOT ready! Earth Storm by Kay L. Moody is the next to last book in the series, and it has set a heart-stopping pace. Please note that if you have not read the previous books in the series, there may be spoilers to those books ahead. Talise and her friends have formed a tenuous alliance with Kessouku. With her army back and a large contingent of Kessouku on her side, Talise is ready to take down the walls surrounding the Gate and the Crown. Then, it will be time to face the emperor.
Talise has always been a force to be reckoned with, but all of her training and preparations from her time in the Storm to her time at the palace as Master Shaper come together here. I had chill bumps reading as she stepped into the role she was born to. Talise never wanted the crown. As the youngest daughter of the emperor, it would never have come to her if not for Kessouku’s butchering all those years ago. Now Talise’s love and duty to Kamdaria drives her every action and most of her thoughts. It made it easy to understand why her soldiers and closest friends were willing to follow her. I would follow her!
While the story ultimately focuses on Kessouku and the wall, there is also some romance. Aaden has been back for a while and given Talise the space she asked for. Now she’s ready to admit her feelings for him, but she’s unsure if he still returns those feelings. Aaden is Talise’s rock, always in her corner, and always willing to fight at her side. He doesn’t try to hold her back, instead he asks what he can do to help her accomplish her goals. Who wouldn’t love that?
Overall, Earth Storm is a fantastic addition to the series. In it, the author ties together every loose thread from the previous installments, bringing Talise to the final part of her story whole and confident in her mission. Kamdaria will never be the same after what happens in these pages, and as Talise hopes for a brighter future, I can only hope the same. I cannot wait to see the final battle in Fire Storm.
The end is fast approaching for The Elements of Kamdaria series, and y’all I am NOT ready! Earth Storm by Kay L. Moody is the next to last book in the series, and it has set a heart-stopping pace. Please note that if you have not read the previous books in the series, there may be spoilers to those books ahead. Talise and her friends have formed a tenuous alliance with Kessouku. With her army back and a large contingent of Kessouku on her side, Talise is ready to take down the walls surrounding the Gate and the Crown. Then, it will be time to face the emperor.
Talise has always been a force to be reckoned with, but all of her training and preparations from her time in the Storm to her time at the palace as Master Shaper come together here. I had chill bumps reading as she stepped into the role she was born to. Talise never wanted the crown. As the youngest daughter of the emperor, it would never have come to her if not for Kessouku’s butchering all those years ago. Now Talise’s love and duty to Kamdaria drives her every action and most of her thoughts. It made it easy to understand why her soldiers and closest friends were willing to follow her. I would follow her!
While the story ultimately focuses on Kessouku and the wall, there is also some romance. Aaden has been back for a while and given Talise the space she asked for. Now she’s ready to admit her feelings for him, but she’s unsure if he still returns those feelings. Aaden is Talise’s rock, always in her corner, and always willing to fight at her side. He doesn’t try to hold her back, instead he asks what he can do to help her accomplish her goals. Who wouldn’t love that?
Overall, Earth Storm is a fantastic addition to the series. In it, the author ties together every loose thread from the previous installments, bringing Talise to the final part of her story whole and confident in her mission. Kamdaria will never be the same after what happens in these pages, and as Talise hopes for a brighter future, I can only hope the same. I cannot wait to see the final battle in Fire Storm.
