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Country Saga #3
Water & Storm Country
Huck Jones, the son of the admiral of the Soaker fleet, has a legacy to live up to. Haunted by the distorted memories of his mother's untimely death, he must face his demons and the man who raised him as he strives to take the courageous step forward into manhood. When he's transferred to the worst-performing ship in the fleet, everything he believes is called into question when he meets a lowly brown-skinned bilge rat girl. Huck walks a deadly rope...
Meanwhile, Sadie, destined to be a Rider in the Stormer army, seeks to avenge her brother's death at the hands of the Soakers. Trained hard by her mother, an experienced Rider, Sadie knows strength and determination more than most. Her father, a Man of Wisdom, has shown his cowardice more times than she can count. As her world and family fall apart, she must cast aside her anger and focus on the wisdom she's always brushed off as foolishness.
Amidst everything, a Plague ravages all, discriminating against no one.
When four worlds collide, lines will be drawn, sides will be chosen, victory will be sought. Death will be wrought. The mysteries of the Cure for the deadly Plague will be uncovered. Who will survive? And what will those who do learn about themselves and the ones they love?
Meanwhile, Sadie, destined to be a Rider in the Stormer army, seeks to avenge her brother's death at the hands of the Soakers. Trained hard by her mother, an experienced Rider, Sadie knows strength and determination more than most. Her father, a Man of Wisdom, has shown his cowardice more times than she can count. As her world and family fall apart, she must cast aside her anger and focus on the wisdom she's always brushed off as foolishness.
Amidst everything, a Plague ravages all, discriminating against no one.
When four worlds collide, lines will be drawn, sides will be chosen, victory will be sought. Death will be wrought. The mysteries of the Cure for the deadly Plague will be uncovered. Who will survive? And what will those who do learn about themselves and the ones they love?
380 pages, Unknown Binding
First published May 28, 2013
67 people are currently reading
791 people want to read
About the author
David Estes
80 books2,673 followersGet a FREE short story from David Estes' #1 Amazon bestselling epic fantasy series, Fatemarked, when you sign up for his mailing list: https://www.subscribepage.com/b2v6v3
David Estes has written more than 40 science fiction and fantasy books. He loves chatting with his readers, all of whom he considers to be his friends. David lives in Hawaii with his beautiful Aussie wife, Adele, his moody cats, Bailey and Luna, and his rambunctious sons, Beau and Brody.
Join 3,000+ David Estes Fans and YA Book Lovers Unite in David Estes' official fan group at:
http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/7...
Books by David Estes:
-The Fatemarked Epic- For fans of A Game of Thrones, Lord of the Rings, and The Way of Kings! Four kingdoms. A century-old war. One ancient prophecy that could change everything.
-The Kingfall Histories- a follow up series to the #1 Amazon bestselling series, The Fatemarked Epic
-Strings- “A wonderful retelling of the Pinocchio story…I simply couldn’t put this book down.”—Rysa Walker, bestselling author of TIMEBOUND
-The Dwellers Saga and the Country Saga. Voted books to read if you enjoyed the Hunger Games on Buzzfeed and Listopia.
-Salem's Revenge trilogy- the witch apocalypse begins!
-Slip Trilogy- "Someone must die before another can be born..."
-The Adventures of Nikki Powergloves- Kid superheroes? 'Nuff said.
David Estes has written more than 40 science fiction and fantasy books. He loves chatting with his readers, all of whom he considers to be his friends. David lives in Hawaii with his beautiful Aussie wife, Adele, his moody cats, Bailey and Luna, and his rambunctious sons, Beau and Brody.
Join 3,000+ David Estes Fans and YA Book Lovers Unite in David Estes' official fan group at:
http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/7...
Books by David Estes:
-The Fatemarked Epic- For fans of A Game of Thrones, Lord of the Rings, and The Way of Kings! Four kingdoms. A century-old war. One ancient prophecy that could change everything.
-The Kingfall Histories- a follow up series to the #1 Amazon bestselling series, The Fatemarked Epic
-Strings- “A wonderful retelling of the Pinocchio story…I simply couldn’t put this book down.”—Rysa Walker, bestselling author of TIMEBOUND
-The Dwellers Saga and the Country Saga. Voted books to read if you enjoyed the Hunger Games on Buzzfeed and Listopia.
-Salem's Revenge trilogy- the witch apocalypse begins!
-Slip Trilogy- "Someone must die before another can be born..."
-The Adventures of Nikki Powergloves- Kid superheroes? 'Nuff said.
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February 7, 2015Water & Storm Country is OUT!! The third installment in The Country Saga is full of action, humor, twists and suspense! I hope you all enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it :) And remember, to get ready for The Earth Dwellers which comes out on September 5th, I highly recommending reading the entire Dwellers and Country Sagas first, here's a complete listing:
You can find all my books on Kindle here, or anywhere ebooks are sold or in paperback on Amazon.com. Thanks for all your incredible support, my dreams are coming true because of YOU!!
Books by David Estes at Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/David-Estes/e/B...
You can find all my books on Kindle here, or anywhere ebooks are sold or in paperback on Amazon.com. Thanks for all your incredible support, my dreams are coming true because of YOU!!
Books by David Estes at Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/David-Estes/e/B...
May 30, 2013
Quick review:
Cover: Very Nice
Rating: PG-13
Thumbs Up: 4.5
Overall: I enjoyed it
Characters: Well Done
Plot: Seeking parental approval while trying to be you
Page Turner: Yes
Series Cont.? Yes
Recommend: Yes
Book Boyfriend: Huck
SUMMARY (50 words or less)
David delivers as usual. This story is engaging, tugging at our most vulnerable heartstrings. Who doesn’t seek the approval of a parent or guardian? His brilliance is wrapping a story around it that’s not only interesting but unique. I love to fall into the pages of a David Estes book.
For a full review and yummy pic, see my blog post at:
http://mybookboyfriend.blogspot.com/2...
Cover: Very Nice
Rating: PG-13
Thumbs Up: 4.5
Overall: I enjoyed it
Characters: Well Done
Plot: Seeking parental approval while trying to be you
Page Turner: Yes
Series Cont.? Yes
Recommend: Yes
Book Boyfriend: Huck
SUMMARY (50 words or less)
David delivers as usual. This story is engaging, tugging at our most vulnerable heartstrings. Who doesn’t seek the approval of a parent or guardian? His brilliance is wrapping a story around it that’s not only interesting but unique. I love to fall into the pages of a David Estes book.
For a full review and yummy pic, see my blog post at:
http://mybookboyfriend.blogspot.com/2...
May 12, 2013
AHH THE FINAL COUNTRY SAGA BOOK! YAYYY! :) so this is an advanced review, because i am a beta reader for dave, but i'm giving y'all a bit of a sneak peek (not really, but kinda. wow im so vague ignore me lol)
this final installment puts us in the mind of not one, but TWO narrators. Huck is an admirals son in the Water Country (basically the ocean), and Sadie is the daughter of a warrior and a wise man in the Storm Country (coastal area frequented by violent storms).
Huck is made lieutenant on one of the worst ships in the fleet, and meets one of the ship slaves, who helps him start to look at things through a new light.
Sadie is ready to become a Rider, a warrior who rides into battle on her own steed. but when the Stormers begin to war with a nearby nation, it drastically changes her life.
throw into the mix the old FC and IC teams, and you've got ONE BIG clash of characters, situations, and drama. things are finally made clear, the true antagonist is revealed, and everything comes together.
the characters in this were fabulous! not only do you get Huck and Sadie's POVs, we get back into Sierra's and Dazz's heads a little bit :) the characters have amazing chemistry, and the romance was VERY WELL DONE (dave knows this is the hardest thing to please me on, but he HIT IT ON THE NAIL THIS TIME! :D )
in addition, there is a definite cliffhanger, which will lead to the upcoming book, The Earth Dwellers, which will complete the Dweller Saga. So make sure you've read both series :)
if you haven't read either series, you are definitely missing out. I rec reading the Dweller Saga, then the Country Saga. they're quick, enjoyable, and full of romance, action, drama, and everything else you'd want!
5/5 stars for a FABULOUS END TO A FANTASTIC SERIES!
this final installment puts us in the mind of not one, but TWO narrators. Huck is an admirals son in the Water Country (basically the ocean), and Sadie is the daughter of a warrior and a wise man in the Storm Country (coastal area frequented by violent storms).
Huck is made lieutenant on one of the worst ships in the fleet, and meets one of the ship slaves, who helps him start to look at things through a new light.
Sadie is ready to become a Rider, a warrior who rides into battle on her own steed. but when the Stormers begin to war with a nearby nation, it drastically changes her life.
throw into the mix the old FC and IC teams, and you've got ONE BIG clash of characters, situations, and drama. things are finally made clear, the true antagonist is revealed, and everything comes together.
the characters in this were fabulous! not only do you get Huck and Sadie's POVs, we get back into Sierra's and Dazz's heads a little bit :) the characters have amazing chemistry, and the romance was VERY WELL DONE (dave knows this is the hardest thing to please me on, but he HIT IT ON THE NAIL THIS TIME! :D )
in addition, there is a definite cliffhanger, which will lead to the upcoming book, The Earth Dwellers, which will complete the Dweller Saga. So make sure you've read both series :)
if you haven't read either series, you are definitely missing out. I rec reading the Dweller Saga, then the Country Saga. they're quick, enjoyable, and full of romance, action, drama, and everything else you'd want!
5/5 stars for a FABULOUS END TO A FANTASTIC SERIES!
May 18, 2014
4.5 stars
Plot- 8.5/10
Characters- 8.5/10
Writing- 9/10
World Building- 9/10
TOTAL- 8.7/10
Quickie Review- Things are really heating up in this series. Water and Storm Country was another superb book from David Estes. We were introduced to two MORE new characters- Huck and Sadie. I've noticed that the general plotline was very similar to Ice Country, in that it went from introduction of new characters, to them finding out about the world's secrets, to them meeting the characters of the previous installment, to an epic battle at the end. Even though te general structure was similar, I found the pace better than in Ice Country. It was very quick; there was constantly something going on. I did find Huck's story slightly more interesting than Sadie's. And of course, in classic David Estes style, the book ended with a fantastic heart-pounding battle. The two new characters, Huck and Sadie, were very interesting. I though Huck was a very admirable and realistic character, and I found his story and his struggles very compelling. I wonder why the author decided to make him 14, which is quite young. I think readers would have related to him more if he was older. Nevertheless, I found the relationship that grew between him and Jade was quite touching, and well-thought-out. Sadie was more of an enigma. I didn't really know what I felt about her. At times I thought I liked her, but then she really irritated me. First of all, I hated how she was acting towards her father. She wasn't giving him a chance to explain hmself and was always running away from him and his words. I actually found her to be quite b*itchy, dare I say it, sometimes. As well, I didn't like her philosophy of remaining "strong" and shoving away emotion. Emotion is good to let out. Some of the strongest people in the world are very emotional; they just know how to use it to their advantage. Trying to bottle up all of the emotions running inside you can actually be detrimental to your health. Anyway, she did arm up to me eventually. Quite frankly, I didn't think her relationship with Remy was necessary, but I didn't mind it all the same. The only other gripe I have is that, the more characters there are, the harder it is to have a chance to keep developing all of them. I didn't get nearly enough Siena + Circ and Skye + Dazz as I would have liked. The writing was very good- it was less cheesy than in Ice Country, and David still managed the action scenes very well. Storm country was built up very well, and I was able to picture it in my head very easily. I can't wait to find out what life is like inside the glass dome. I do have some worries for the last book. I don't know how David is going to be able to resolve all of the stories of ALL 15 or so characters in one book (and not mae it seem rushed). But I am also really excited to see the Dwellers gang again, and I am waiting patiently to see how everything wil all turn out. Overall I thought Water Country was a solid continuation to the series, and I hope to get my hands on Earth Dwellers soon. Maybe I can give David that elusive 5th star in my reviews of his books. lol
Plot- 8.5/10
Characters- 8.5/10
Writing- 9/10
World Building- 9/10
TOTAL- 8.7/10
Quickie Review- Things are really heating up in this series. Water and Storm Country was another superb book from David Estes. We were introduced to two MORE new characters- Huck and Sadie. I've noticed that the general plotline was very similar to Ice Country, in that it went from introduction of new characters, to them finding out about the world's secrets, to them meeting the characters of the previous installment, to an epic battle at the end. Even though te general structure was similar, I found the pace better than in Ice Country. It was very quick; there was constantly something going on. I did find Huck's story slightly more interesting than Sadie's. And of course, in classic David Estes style, the book ended with a fantastic heart-pounding battle. The two new characters, Huck and Sadie, were very interesting. I though Huck was a very admirable and realistic character, and I found his story and his struggles very compelling. I wonder why the author decided to make him 14, which is quite young. I think readers would have related to him more if he was older. Nevertheless, I found the relationship that grew between him and Jade was quite touching, and well-thought-out. Sadie was more of an enigma. I didn't really know what I felt about her. At times I thought I liked her, but then she really irritated me. First of all, I hated how she was acting towards her father. She wasn't giving him a chance to explain hmself and was always running away from him and his words. I actually found her to be quite b*itchy, dare I say it, sometimes. As well, I didn't like her philosophy of remaining "strong" and shoving away emotion. Emotion is good to let out. Some of the strongest people in the world are very emotional; they just know how to use it to their advantage. Trying to bottle up all of the emotions running inside you can actually be detrimental to your health. Anyway, she did arm up to me eventually. Quite frankly, I didn't think her relationship with Remy was necessary, but I didn't mind it all the same. The only other gripe I have is that, the more characters there are, the harder it is to have a chance to keep developing all of them. I didn't get nearly enough Siena + Circ and Skye + Dazz as I would have liked. The writing was very good- it was less cheesy than in Ice Country, and David still managed the action scenes very well. Storm country was built up very well, and I was able to picture it in my head very easily. I can't wait to find out what life is like inside the glass dome. I do have some worries for the last book. I don't know how David is going to be able to resolve all of the stories of ALL 15 or so characters in one book (and not mae it seem rushed). But I am also really excited to see the Dwellers gang again, and I am waiting patiently to see how everything wil all turn out. Overall I thought Water Country was a solid continuation to the series, and I hope to get my hands on Earth Dwellers soon. Maybe I can give David that elusive 5th star in my reviews of his books. lol
May 25, 2014
NOT SPOILER FREE
/loud wailing in the distance/ This HAS to be my favorite book so far by David Estes. Everything I tell you, EVERYTHING was amazing about this book (almost everything). This was the cherry on top of the cake, the peanut butter to my jelly of a book. I adored most of characters in this book. The story was magnificent and I can only say one bad thing about the book - it was to short!
I LOVED Huck - he started out as this puppet of a boy, who followed his fathers every request to the best of his ability, had no thoughts of his own until the day he becomes a man. The day he's sent away to see if he's a sailor worth his salt.
This leads him to a crummy ship, with crummy workers and a crummy treatment of servants (the "bilge rats"). Huck begins as a feeble kid who follows his father, the Admiral of the fleet. But his prospects change when he meets and socializes with a bilge rat - which is a big no-no, interacting with the "scum" of the ship. Eventually Huck sees the faults and begins to cut himself away from his fathers influences.
MEANWHILE, on the island are a tribe of people called Riders and our other MC is Sadie. I had a few issues with Sadie (warning, harshness ahead) - I did not like her, if I'm being honest. She's one of my least favorite characters - but there's got to be a bad egg somewhere along the line. No she's not bad, but I just felt like she was so.. so unreasonable. She acted as if the entire world was out to get her, especially her father. And there wasn't much build for me to ever really like her - it was just "My father didn't save Paw, he's a coward, I'm a Rider I can't show emotions, yadayada".
However, I was able to block out the annoyity of Sadie and focused on the Riders. I loved the idea of this tribe, the horses, the fighting and the entire persona of the horse warriors as a whole. Estes illustrates a strong and loyal set of people, and I loved the images of this tribe that were presented.
In all honesty, I did favorite Huck's POV's over Sadie's - they were much more interesting and emotionally heartwarming.
And once again, the stories all come parallel to each other. MC's from Fire Country and Ice Country come to Water and Storm Country and form a formidable alliance while also discovering further atrocities brought forth from our baddies King Goff, Admiral Jones, and Roan.
Excellent read, I loved it altogether.
/loud wailing in the distance/ This HAS to be my favorite book so far by David Estes. Everything I tell you, EVERYTHING was amazing about this book (almost everything). This was the cherry on top of the cake, the peanut butter to my jelly of a book. I adored most of characters in this book. The story was magnificent and I can only say one bad thing about the book - it was to short!
I LOVED Huck - he started out as this puppet of a boy, who followed his fathers every request to the best of his ability, had no thoughts of his own until the day he becomes a man. The day he's sent away to see if he's a sailor worth his salt.
This leads him to a crummy ship, with crummy workers and a crummy treatment of servants (the "bilge rats"). Huck begins as a feeble kid who follows his father, the Admiral of the fleet. But his prospects change when he meets and socializes with a bilge rat - which is a big no-no, interacting with the "scum" of the ship. Eventually Huck sees the faults and begins to cut himself away from his fathers influences.
MEANWHILE, on the island are a tribe of people called Riders and our other MC is Sadie. I had a few issues with Sadie (warning, harshness ahead) - I did not like her, if I'm being honest. She's one of my least favorite characters - but there's got to be a bad egg somewhere along the line. No she's not bad, but I just felt like she was so.. so unreasonable. She acted as if the entire world was out to get her, especially her father. And there wasn't much build for me to ever really like her - it was just "My father didn't save Paw, he's a coward, I'm a Rider I can't show emotions, yadayada".
However, I was able to block out the annoyity of Sadie and focused on the Riders. I loved the idea of this tribe, the horses, the fighting and the entire persona of the horse warriors as a whole. Estes illustrates a strong and loyal set of people, and I loved the images of this tribe that were presented.
In all honesty, I did favorite Huck's POV's over Sadie's - they were much more interesting and emotionally heartwarming.
And once again, the stories all come parallel to each other. MC's from Fire Country and Ice Country come to Water and Storm Country and form a formidable alliance while also discovering further atrocities brought forth from our baddies King Goff, Admiral Jones, and Roan.
Excellent read, I loved it altogether.
September 24, 2014
I would like to thank David so much for asking me to be a beta reader for this most awesome book. I am totally honored that he would trust my opinion enough to allow me to see the book before it was finished. Let me tell you that you would never know it was a beta version. David is so clean with his editing it is a total pleasure to beta read anything he writes! Receiving this book for free has in no way influenced my opinion or review.
Blurb from Goodreads:
Huck Jones, the son of the admiral of the Soaker fleet, has a legacy to live up to. Haunted by the distorted memories of his mother's untimely death, he must face his demons and the man who raised him as he strives to take the courageous step forward into manhood. When he's transferred to the worst-performing ship in the fleet, everything he believes is called into question when he meets a lowly brown-skinned bilge rat girl. Huck walks a deadly rope...
Meanwhile, Sadie, destined to be a Rider in the Stormer army, seeks to avenge her brother's death at the hands of the Soakers. Trained hard by her mother, an experienced Rider, Sadie knows strength and determination more than most. Her father, a Man of Wisdom, has shown his cowardice more times than she can count. As her world and family fall apart, she must cast aside her anger and focus on the wisdom she's always brushed off as foolishness.
Amidst everything, a Plague ravages all, discriminating against no one.
When four worlds collide, lines will be drawn, sides will be chosen, victory will be sought. Death will be wrought. The mysteries of the Cure for the deadly Plague will be uncovered. Who will survive? And what will those who do learn about themselves and the ones they love?
What I love so much about this particular series is that you really don't have to read the other books to enjoy each one as they can almost a stand alines, specifically this one. If you just wanted to read a story that was totally awesome and not worry that you wouldn't understand it because there are characters you would not know or incidences you would not understand, then it's not a worry. Sure, David has finely integrated this book with the others, but you could still read it and totally get it without having read any of the others.
However, if you have not read the other two books in this series, then stop here, because there may be spoilers and I would hate to spoil it for you. Plus, I just think that you need to go read the other books in this series because, well, they are serious awesome sauce!
And I can honestly say that this is THE BEST book David has written so far. And he does the dual POV so flawlessly, it's just amazing!
This book introduces us to Huck and Sadie. Huck is from Water country while Sadie is from Storm country. Enemies from birth, thrown together out of necessity. Huck is young, but has quickly become a leader for the worst ship in Water Country. He is introduced to the extreme politics of the ocean and the fleet. Along the way, he begins to question those politics and why they are in place until he finally feels the need to do something about it. Sadie is becoming a Raider in Storm country; a warrior who will fight against the armies of Soakers in order to preserve her people. But like Huck, she begins to question the politics of what happens between the different nations, and in turn wants to find out what is really going on to make them be at war with each other. We follow both their stories as they slowly merge. As with his other books, David's characters are totally relatable and realistic for the world he has built. Their chemistry is easy and flows well. And each character is so distinct in their personality, it is easy to tell their voices apart as you jump from one POV to another.
David's writing is amazing. Really, he pulls you right into the story and there is no way that you cannot feel as if you are right there. And I never want to put his books down; this one is no different. I started and finished it in no time flat. I just had to find out what was happening. The pacing is spot on for sure! And I love how he slowly merges Storm and Water countries, and then he weaves in Fire and Ice countries until finally they are one. It's utterly incredible and amazing to read. He gives us action, adventure, heartbreak and love all rolled into one. He had me laughing and crying; CRYING, ugh!
And to top it off, boom, a small cliffhanger at the end and you finally see the Country Saga merging with The Dwellers Saga! WOW! I can't even say enough how excited I am to read the final installment in this series and understand their connection!
If you have not picked up David's book, what are you waiting for? And why did you read all the way to the end of this review? Well, I didn't really put any spoilers in, so I guess it's ok! LOL! So go out and get yourself copies of these books. You will not be disappointed, I promise you that!
5/5 stars
Blurb from Goodreads:
Huck Jones, the son of the admiral of the Soaker fleet, has a legacy to live up to. Haunted by the distorted memories of his mother's untimely death, he must face his demons and the man who raised him as he strives to take the courageous step forward into manhood. When he's transferred to the worst-performing ship in the fleet, everything he believes is called into question when he meets a lowly brown-skinned bilge rat girl. Huck walks a deadly rope...
Meanwhile, Sadie, destined to be a Rider in the Stormer army, seeks to avenge her brother's death at the hands of the Soakers. Trained hard by her mother, an experienced Rider, Sadie knows strength and determination more than most. Her father, a Man of Wisdom, has shown his cowardice more times than she can count. As her world and family fall apart, she must cast aside her anger and focus on the wisdom she's always brushed off as foolishness.
Amidst everything, a Plague ravages all, discriminating against no one.
When four worlds collide, lines will be drawn, sides will be chosen, victory will be sought. Death will be wrought. The mysteries of the Cure for the deadly Plague will be uncovered. Who will survive? And what will those who do learn about themselves and the ones they love?
What I love so much about this particular series is that you really don't have to read the other books to enjoy each one as they can almost a stand alines, specifically this one. If you just wanted to read a story that was totally awesome and not worry that you wouldn't understand it because there are characters you would not know or incidences you would not understand, then it's not a worry. Sure, David has finely integrated this book with the others, but you could still read it and totally get it without having read any of the others.
However, if you have not read the other two books in this series, then stop here, because there may be spoilers and I would hate to spoil it for you. Plus, I just think that you need to go read the other books in this series because, well, they are serious awesome sauce!
And I can honestly say that this is THE BEST book David has written so far. And he does the dual POV so flawlessly, it's just amazing!
This book introduces us to Huck and Sadie. Huck is from Water country while Sadie is from Storm country. Enemies from birth, thrown together out of necessity. Huck is young, but has quickly become a leader for the worst ship in Water Country. He is introduced to the extreme politics of the ocean and the fleet. Along the way, he begins to question those politics and why they are in place until he finally feels the need to do something about it. Sadie is becoming a Raider in Storm country; a warrior who will fight against the armies of Soakers in order to preserve her people. But like Huck, she begins to question the politics of what happens between the different nations, and in turn wants to find out what is really going on to make them be at war with each other. We follow both their stories as they slowly merge. As with his other books, David's characters are totally relatable and realistic for the world he has built. Their chemistry is easy and flows well. And each character is so distinct in their personality, it is easy to tell their voices apart as you jump from one POV to another.
David's writing is amazing. Really, he pulls you right into the story and there is no way that you cannot feel as if you are right there. And I never want to put his books down; this one is no different. I started and finished it in no time flat. I just had to find out what was happening. The pacing is spot on for sure! And I love how he slowly merges Storm and Water countries, and then he weaves in Fire and Ice countries until finally they are one. It's utterly incredible and amazing to read. He gives us action, adventure, heartbreak and love all rolled into one. He had me laughing and crying; CRYING, ugh!
And to top it off, boom, a small cliffhanger at the end and you finally see the Country Saga merging with The Dwellers Saga! WOW! I can't even say enough how excited I am to read the final installment in this series and understand their connection!
If you have not picked up David's book, what are you waiting for? And why did you read all the way to the end of this review? Well, I didn't really put any spoilers in, so I guess it's ok! LOL! So go out and get yourself copies of these books. You will not be disappointed, I promise you that!
5/5 stars
January 13, 2017
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
In this final episode of the Country Saga, we head to the land of the Soakers and the Stormers. Huck is the son of the admiral in the Soaker fleet, and this book opens with his coming of age as a Lieutenant in the Soaker fleet; and Sadie is to be a legendary Rider of the Stormers. Both of these strong characters tell their stories as each country wages war against the other.
Once again, I read this book with extreme emotions running gamut from extreme sadness and tears running down my cheeks to complete giddiness, to chuckling over a remark made by one of these beloved characters to pure elation and back again to tears, and then giddiness, over and over again. Estes delivers and tells his tale like no one else can. He has honed his mad talent to make it near impossible for me as the reader to pull out and realize that I’m not actually in the middle of a terrible storm at the edge of the ocean, but just physically sitting in my chair at home with my book (or ereader in my case) in hand.
And, yup, Estes has done it! I wasn’t sure how he was going to pull off concluding this series along with his sister series of The Dwellers whereby he has one last book left in his magic hat of tricks that pulls both series together and concludes them with The Earth Dwellers. But... He did it!! There is no doubt now that The Earth Dwellers will combine both series and I know that he will do it in his remarkable way and ease of bringing back all of our beloved characters we have grown to love so much in each of these books.
Thank you for the honor, David Estes, of letting me live in your world for the past six books and I, for one, Cannot. Wait. for the final book that ties both worlds together.
Merged review:
I just finished the audio having read this in print the first time. The performances of Kate Rudd as Sadie, Kirby Heybourne as Huck, and Khristine Hvam back as Siena (which seriously made me so happy!! And extremely emotional in Siena's first chapter!!). I'm a huge fan of both Kristine and Kate! This was my first time listening to Kirby and he was great as Huck. All 3 really captured the essence of their characters.
In this final episode of the Country Saga, we head to the land of the Soakers and the Stormers. Huck is the son of the admiral in the Soaker fleet, and this book opens with his coming of age as a Lieutenant in the Soaker fleet; and Sadie is to be a legendary Rider of the Stormers. Both of these strong characters tell their stories as each country wages war against the other.
Once again, I listened to this book with extreme emotions running gamut from extreme sadness and tears running down my cheeks to complete giddiness, to chuckling over a remark made by one of these beloved characters to pure elation and back again to tears, and then giddiness, over and over again. Estes delivers and tells his tale like no one else can. He has honed his mad talent to make it near impossible for me as the reader to pull out and realize that I’m not actually in the middle of a terrible storm, but actually driving in bright sunlight or wrapping Xmas presents.
Thank you for the honor, David Estes, of letting me live in your world (again) for the past six books. I'm downloading The Earth Dwellers right now so I can jump right back into this amazing world you've created. My absolutely favorite narrators are all back for the finale of this epic tale that ties both series together and I must run off now to start listening!
In this final episode of the Country Saga, we head to the land of the Soakers and the Stormers. Huck is the son of the admiral in the Soaker fleet, and this book opens with his coming of age as a Lieutenant in the Soaker fleet; and Sadie is to be a legendary Rider of the Stormers. Both of these strong characters tell their stories as each country wages war against the other.
Once again, I read this book with extreme emotions running gamut from extreme sadness and tears running down my cheeks to complete giddiness, to chuckling over a remark made by one of these beloved characters to pure elation and back again to tears, and then giddiness, over and over again. Estes delivers and tells his tale like no one else can. He has honed his mad talent to make it near impossible for me as the reader to pull out and realize that I’m not actually in the middle of a terrible storm at the edge of the ocean, but just physically sitting in my chair at home with my book (or ereader in my case) in hand.
And, yup, Estes has done it! I wasn’t sure how he was going to pull off concluding this series along with his sister series of The Dwellers whereby he has one last book left in his magic hat of tricks that pulls both series together and concludes them with The Earth Dwellers. But... He did it!! There is no doubt now that The Earth Dwellers will combine both series and I know that he will do it in his remarkable way and ease of bringing back all of our beloved characters we have grown to love so much in each of these books.
Thank you for the honor, David Estes, of letting me live in your world for the past six books and I, for one, Cannot. Wait. for the final book that ties both worlds together.
Merged review:
I just finished the audio having read this in print the first time. The performances of Kate Rudd as Sadie, Kirby Heybourne as Huck, and Khristine Hvam back as Siena (which seriously made me so happy!! And extremely emotional in Siena's first chapter!!). I'm a huge fan of both Kristine and Kate! This was my first time listening to Kirby and he was great as Huck. All 3 really captured the essence of their characters.
In this final episode of the Country Saga, we head to the land of the Soakers and the Stormers. Huck is the son of the admiral in the Soaker fleet, and this book opens with his coming of age as a Lieutenant in the Soaker fleet; and Sadie is to be a legendary Rider of the Stormers. Both of these strong characters tell their stories as each country wages war against the other.
Once again, I listened to this book with extreme emotions running gamut from extreme sadness and tears running down my cheeks to complete giddiness, to chuckling over a remark made by one of these beloved characters to pure elation and back again to tears, and then giddiness, over and over again. Estes delivers and tells his tale like no one else can. He has honed his mad talent to make it near impossible for me as the reader to pull out and realize that I’m not actually in the middle of a terrible storm, but actually driving in bright sunlight or wrapping Xmas presents.
Thank you for the honor, David Estes, of letting me live in your world (again) for the past six books. I'm downloading The Earth Dwellers right now so I can jump right back into this amazing world you've created. My absolutely favorite narrators are all back for the finale of this epic tale that ties both series together and I must run off now to start listening!
June 9, 2013
What else is there to say? I think I have used every adjective I can think of that is worthy of a David Estes novel! Oh well, I will still give it a go...
Every time David has a new book that I get my hands on, I know deep in my gut that it will be a wild ride. I also know that an Estes book will reignite my love for reading. I know that may sound odd to you, but it seems like right when I am burned out David delivers another brilliant work to light a fire under my ass and remind me how amazing books are to me!
Anyways, you probably want to know about the book, right? Water and Storm Country was a fantastic addition to the Country Saga. I still love how Estes shows different character points of view throughout the novel. And to me, the story always flows. It doesn't matter that these characters are all so different, because when we see from any of their points of view, we realize they all have the same feelings and emotions. This is what makes us human, makes us one. Fear, anger, love, hatred, all of these emotions bring the characters together. David Estes writing is a reflection upon our current society as much as it is a dystopian fiction. If we could recognize that our fighting is what makes us weak and that together we could be invincible, well maybe the world would have a happier ending.
Let's talk about the characters... newly introduced in Water and Storm Country are Huck, the Admiral's son aboard the ships of Water Country and Sadie, a Rider of Storm Country. Both characters have constant inner turmoil that is riveting to read. And of course, we welcome back the previous characters from Fire and Ice Country. I was so happy when they showed up!
Let's talk about the plot... BLEW MY MIND. Estes weaved it all so well. I never expected the ending. I am thrilled about it. I cannot wait for Earth Dwellers! Earth Dwellers will be the 4th and final book for both The Dwellers Saga and the Country Saga. Is that not bad ass?!? How do you make one book tie two series together. Well, if anyone can do it, it will be Estes.
Loved it, loved it, loved it.
5 stars for Water and Storm Country!
Every time David has a new book that I get my hands on, I know deep in my gut that it will be a wild ride. I also know that an Estes book will reignite my love for reading. I know that may sound odd to you, but it seems like right when I am burned out David delivers another brilliant work to light a fire under my ass and remind me how amazing books are to me!
Anyways, you probably want to know about the book, right? Water and Storm Country was a fantastic addition to the Country Saga. I still love how Estes shows different character points of view throughout the novel. And to me, the story always flows. It doesn't matter that these characters are all so different, because when we see from any of their points of view, we realize they all have the same feelings and emotions. This is what makes us human, makes us one. Fear, anger, love, hatred, all of these emotions bring the characters together. David Estes writing is a reflection upon our current society as much as it is a dystopian fiction. If we could recognize that our fighting is what makes us weak and that together we could be invincible, well maybe the world would have a happier ending.
Let's talk about the characters... newly introduced in Water and Storm Country are Huck, the Admiral's son aboard the ships of Water Country and Sadie, a Rider of Storm Country. Both characters have constant inner turmoil that is riveting to read. And of course, we welcome back the previous characters from Fire and Ice Country. I was so happy when they showed up!
Let's talk about the plot... BLEW MY MIND. Estes weaved it all so well. I never expected the ending. I am thrilled about it. I cannot wait for Earth Dwellers! Earth Dwellers will be the 4th and final book for both The Dwellers Saga and the Country Saga. Is that not bad ass?!? How do you make one book tie two series together. Well, if anyone can do it, it will be Estes.
Loved it, loved it, loved it.
5 stars for Water and Storm Country!
September 17, 2013
Another great David Estes read! I just love this world and this series, and each book seems to get better and better!
The world building in this one was fantastic. I was just absorbed in it. The wild and stormy ocean and shores, the ships and life aboard them, and the beautiful and crazy war horses--just amazing! I so wanted to be a part of all this, even though it was so wild and dangerous. Maybe because it was wild and dangerous.
This one is a dual POV between Sadie and Huck. Sadie is a Stormer, and lives with her parents in their tent like tribe. They want to live in piece, but must defend themselves constantly from the Soakers (people on the ships.) Hence their wild war horses, which they tame themselves. Huck is a Soaker, and is the son of the Admiral of the fleet. We start the story with him "becoming a man," and trying and failing to please his tyrant of a father.
I really liked both MCs, not as much a few other favorites, but enough that I was gripped with their stories. Everything they learn and everything that happens brings all the characters closer to the truth of what's really going on.
The suspense slowly builds until the end, where we get our epic battle scene with all of our favorite characters from the Country Saga. In the end, everyone's stories all tie up together, and finally everything starts making sense to everyone. And although Sadie's and Huck's dilemnas are solved, there is still plenty of story left for the final and epic conclusion to this series! I'm amazed at how the author managed to pull everything together. Just genius!
The world building in this one was fantastic. I was just absorbed in it. The wild and stormy ocean and shores, the ships and life aboard them, and the beautiful and crazy war horses--just amazing! I so wanted to be a part of all this, even though it was so wild and dangerous. Maybe because it was wild and dangerous.
This one is a dual POV between Sadie and Huck. Sadie is a Stormer, and lives with her parents in their tent like tribe. They want to live in piece, but must defend themselves constantly from the Soakers (people on the ships.) Hence their wild war horses, which they tame themselves. Huck is a Soaker, and is the son of the Admiral of the fleet. We start the story with him "becoming a man," and trying and failing to please his tyrant of a father.
I really liked both MCs, not as much a few other favorites, but enough that I was gripped with their stories. Everything they learn and everything that happens brings all the characters closer to the truth of what's really going on.
The suspense slowly builds until the end, where we get our epic battle scene with all of our favorite characters from the Country Saga. In the end, everyone's stories all tie up together, and finally everything starts making sense to everyone. And although Sadie's and Huck's dilemnas are solved, there is still plenty of story left for the final and epic conclusion to this series! I'm amazed at how the author managed to pull everything together. Just genius!
January 23, 2014
I enjoyed Fire Country and Ice Country so much, I couldn't wait for the third book to come out. Little did I know, it was already published, something I didn't learn until recently. As soon as I discovered I could purchase it, I did, and began reading it as soon as I possibly could. I finished it within eight hours because it was so good, I couldn't put it down.
I had thought this was the last book in the series, but I was wrong. There's another book that not only finished this series, but it also finishes another series, drawing the two worlds together into one final installment. I was very intrigued by this because it isn't something I've seen an author do before. I don't want to read the final book now until I've read the other series that it's connected to because I want to get the full experience. So as soon as I'm able to purchase the Dwellers Sage, I will be doing that!
Kudos, Mr. Estes! You've become one of my favorite authors!
I had thought this was the last book in the series, but I was wrong. There's another book that not only finished this series, but it also finishes another series, drawing the two worlds together into one final installment. I was very intrigued by this because it isn't something I've seen an author do before. I don't want to read the final book now until I've read the other series that it's connected to because I want to get the full experience. So as soon as I'm able to purchase the Dwellers Sage, I will be doing that!
Kudos, Mr. Estes! You've become one of my favorite authors!
August 25, 2013
I wish to thank the author, David Estes, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Yes, I did buy it too, but I always do with this author!
This book had me going back and forth. When I saw that it was for both the Water and Storm countries, I wasn’t sure how well it would be. David has always done so well with sticking to one country or area so well that I was really looking forward to two separate books. I blocked that from my mind while I started and tried to keep blocking it as the story went on but I just finished this book a few minutes ago and still wish he had done separate books. Sorry David! I’ll come back to this in a few.
Let’s forget the previous for the moment. This book had me soaring along the seas like a pirate and dreaming of cloaked, sword wielding mysterious warriors. Part of the story brought me back to the land of Peter Pan, Christopher Colombus and Blackbeard and not in any negative way. I love a good sea story and the workings of the crew and the how outsiders were treated. To try to piece together how it worked without mutiny and then seeing from all points how a mutiny is actually just moments from happening, which brings me back to the workings of the crew and the ways and reasons how the authority figure keeps on ruling. Then there are the black cloaked riders, full of mystery and I’m imagining fair complexion, long dark hair, long sharp swords and horses that would put the finest stallions today to shame. Lightening quick responses from both riders and their steed, who flow into one beautiful masterpiece. My mind was blown and this is due to the always creative weaving storytelling of David Estes. That man can tell a story and you are right there in the thick of the action.
So, you’re probably now wondering what the heck is wrong with me. Why I didn’t like the two stories mixed into one. There is so much that could have been written about both countries. So much that could have been written about all the main characters. Huck from the Water country and Sadie from the Storm country. Poor Sadie, I feel, got the short end of the stick. There is so much more that rounds out this character that I, as a reader, can feel but do not know. I would have liked to have read more about her parents and her growing up. More of her budding romance with Remy. More about her inner turmoil. And I would have liked to know more about Storm country as a whole. From Water country, I would have liked to know more about Hobbs and his seething hatred of Huck, more about the friendship of Cain and Huck, more about the life Huck experienced from the time his mother died to the time that this story starts. I also would have liked a bit more in the romance area at the end, for Huck and the woman he fell in love with.
In conclusion, this isn’t my favorite book of David Estes, but it’s not one I would ever pass over either. It took me places that I haven’t been for years and my imagination was lit up, which I must say does trump a lot of things. I recommend this to everyone that’s read or reading or about to read his Dwellers and Country Saga series and I can’t wait to dig into The Earth Dwellers which brings both of those series together in one big show down. I’m jumpy with anticipation on that one, which will be released on September 5th! Both series are YA dystopian novels and are appropriate for just about all ages.
This book had me going back and forth. When I saw that it was for both the Water and Storm countries, I wasn’t sure how well it would be. David has always done so well with sticking to one country or area so well that I was really looking forward to two separate books. I blocked that from my mind while I started and tried to keep blocking it as the story went on but I just finished this book a few minutes ago and still wish he had done separate books. Sorry David! I’ll come back to this in a few.
Let’s forget the previous for the moment. This book had me soaring along the seas like a pirate and dreaming of cloaked, sword wielding mysterious warriors. Part of the story brought me back to the land of Peter Pan, Christopher Colombus and Blackbeard and not in any negative way. I love a good sea story and the workings of the crew and the how outsiders were treated. To try to piece together how it worked without mutiny and then seeing from all points how a mutiny is actually just moments from happening, which brings me back to the workings of the crew and the ways and reasons how the authority figure keeps on ruling. Then there are the black cloaked riders, full of mystery and I’m imagining fair complexion, long dark hair, long sharp swords and horses that would put the finest stallions today to shame. Lightening quick responses from both riders and their steed, who flow into one beautiful masterpiece. My mind was blown and this is due to the always creative weaving storytelling of David Estes. That man can tell a story and you are right there in the thick of the action.
So, you’re probably now wondering what the heck is wrong with me. Why I didn’t like the two stories mixed into one. There is so much that could have been written about both countries. So much that could have been written about all the main characters. Huck from the Water country and Sadie from the Storm country. Poor Sadie, I feel, got the short end of the stick. There is so much more that rounds out this character that I, as a reader, can feel but do not know. I would have liked to have read more about her parents and her growing up. More of her budding romance with Remy. More about her inner turmoil. And I would have liked to know more about Storm country as a whole. From Water country, I would have liked to know more about Hobbs and his seething hatred of Huck, more about the friendship of Cain and Huck, more about the life Huck experienced from the time his mother died to the time that this story starts. I also would have liked a bit more in the romance area at the end, for Huck and the woman he fell in love with.
In conclusion, this isn’t my favorite book of David Estes, but it’s not one I would ever pass over either. It took me places that I haven’t been for years and my imagination was lit up, which I must say does trump a lot of things. I recommend this to everyone that’s read or reading or about to read his Dwellers and Country Saga series and I can’t wait to dig into The Earth Dwellers which brings both of those series together in one big show down. I’m jumpy with anticipation on that one, which will be released on September 5th! Both series are YA dystopian novels and are appropriate for just about all ages.
May 13, 2013
I got a copy for beta read and an honest review. As my review is based on the beta read it may be even better now!
As soon as I got this for Beta read I immediately wanted to start reading it. I quickly finished my current read, because I had to read this book. The next day I ended up staying up late to finish this book and from 40% in I didn’t put it down and finished the rest in one sitting (I even got an achievement from my Kobo for reading 2 hours in a row).
Water&Storm Country starts off with the lives of two people, one a girl who lives in storm country and the other is a boy in Water Country. The connection with the rest of the story and characters of the earlier books becomes only obvious late in the book. I loved the story, I loved getting to know Water and Strom Country and I loved reading about both characters. Often when there was a point of view switch I sat there thinking “No I want more of this character” and then a minute later I would be completely engrossed into the other characters storyline. Both storylines are interesting and even though they switch pov after every chapter, which did interrupted the flow a bit at times, I didn’t really care because I love both storylines.
The story is fast paced, although the beginning is a bit slow in comparison when the reader still has to get to know the two new characters. But soon I just couldn’t put it down anymore and I wanted to keep reading, wanting to know if some of my predictions would come true.
The characters are both amazing, although I kept forgetting both of their names. Sadie is a girl from Strom Country and I really liked her character even though she had some big problems keeping her temper in check sometimes. I liked how real she felt. Huck the boy of water country is amazing too and they both change and grow so much during their stories. The side characters are also great, although due to the two storylines I felt like there was a little less attention to the side characters. I would’ve liked getting to know some of the side characters a bit better.
The world building is done great too and I really felt like I was there in either Water or Strom Country. Although there are a few questions left unanswered.
To Conclude: Water and Strom country is an amazing book. I loved the story, it was fast paced and I couldn’t put it down. The characters are amazing too and the world is great. I also liked how this story connected with the series so far.
As soon as I got this for Beta read I immediately wanted to start reading it. I quickly finished my current read, because I had to read this book. The next day I ended up staying up late to finish this book and from 40% in I didn’t put it down and finished the rest in one sitting (I even got an achievement from my Kobo for reading 2 hours in a row).
Water&Storm Country starts off with the lives of two people, one a girl who lives in storm country and the other is a boy in Water Country. The connection with the rest of the story and characters of the earlier books becomes only obvious late in the book. I loved the story, I loved getting to know Water and Strom Country and I loved reading about both characters. Often when there was a point of view switch I sat there thinking “No I want more of this character” and then a minute later I would be completely engrossed into the other characters storyline. Both storylines are interesting and even though they switch pov after every chapter, which did interrupted the flow a bit at times, I didn’t really care because I love both storylines.
The story is fast paced, although the beginning is a bit slow in comparison when the reader still has to get to know the two new characters. But soon I just couldn’t put it down anymore and I wanted to keep reading, wanting to know if some of my predictions would come true.
The characters are both amazing, although I kept forgetting both of their names. Sadie is a girl from Strom Country and I really liked her character even though she had some big problems keeping her temper in check sometimes. I liked how real she felt. Huck the boy of water country is amazing too and they both change and grow so much during their stories. The side characters are also great, although due to the two storylines I felt like there was a little less attention to the side characters. I would’ve liked getting to know some of the side characters a bit better.
The world building is done great too and I really felt like I was there in either Water or Strom Country. Although there are a few questions left unanswered.
To Conclude: Water and Strom country is an amazing book. I loved the story, it was fast paced and I couldn’t put it down. The characters are amazing too and the world is great. I also liked how this story connected with the series so far.
June 8, 2013
FIVE STARS!!! David Estes had done it again, writing another brilliant book that stirs up a myriad of emotions (including tears) and makes me blissfully content at the conclusion. It is truly mind boggling to me that his writing has gotten better, because it is oh so good, but it really has! The vivid imagery of the Soaker's life at sea that David created simply swept me away in the first few chapters. There's a poetic quality to this book and yet it is not just stuffed with monotonous adjectives, but instead it feels real and true. The other thing I noticed that David has perfected is the way the character's subconscious dialogue is woven throughout what they are experiencing. It is perfectly choreographed; including The Evil that is Sadie's inner voice of blind hatred and revenge and Huck's inner voice of self doubt and blame.
The Dweller and Country Sagas have the richest characters that make the reader really feel like you know them; great characterisation continues with Huck and Sadie. I loved Huck's vulnerability as he tries so desperately to meet his father's expectations and become a man. Huck discovers his own independent voice and as he gathers the courage to rebel against his father's evil idealism, he transforms into a man of integrity and valour. It was awesome to witness this change in him and how it affected, not only him, but the very actions of those around him.
I'm not sure how David Estes manages to continue to write with such originality and produce beautiful characters and stories so quickly, but as a fan and reader, I'm happy to indulge in the fruits of his literary labor. I seriously can't wait to read The Earth Dwellers and I will be counting down the days until the release September 5th!
The Dweller and Country Sagas have the richest characters that make the reader really feel like you know them; great characterisation continues with Huck and Sadie. I loved Huck's vulnerability as he tries so desperately to meet his father's expectations and become a man. Huck discovers his own independent voice and as he gathers the courage to rebel against his father's evil idealism, he transforms into a man of integrity and valour. It was awesome to witness this change in him and how it affected, not only him, but the very actions of those around him.
I'm not sure how David Estes manages to continue to write with such originality and produce beautiful characters and stories so quickly, but as a fan and reader, I'm happy to indulge in the fruits of his literary labor. I seriously can't wait to read The Earth Dwellers and I will be counting down the days until the release September 5th!
June 7, 2013
Hmm where to start... This may be my favorite of Estes books yet. It was brilliant and magnificent and I loved it and I loved the soakers especially , Those parts were particularly well written...I felt like I was there on that ship with Huck & Cain. I could practically smell the salt water and feel the ocean breeze ( and that has nothing to do with the fact that I live 4blocks from the ocean in NJ) The book drew you in instantly and never once let you go. It was well worth the wait. I cried for poor Hucks mother, but loved that he ran into so many people who supported him and were on his side , he was such a sweet boy and he really deserved some good people . I worried Sadie would lose control....and the END Oh my goodness!!! That is all I will say. Ice country was my favorite before now but I think Estes has out done himself once again, when Dazz and Skye all showed up in storm county eak! & The horses were beautiful. You were really able to feel the power in these wild horses and the connection , the bond they had with their rider. The only complaint I have is that it's over. I highly recommend this book to anyone reading this review ... Though if you've read any of Estes books I'm sure your already eager to jump into water & storm country and if you haven't start at the beginning of the series trust me you'll thank me. I am going to be really sad to see this saga come to an end in September.
June 7, 2013
http://divainpyjamas.blogspot.com.au/...
Change is upon them. It's more than war, it's a fight against justice, bringing peace between the regions and questioning what you thought you knew... And what the reality of the new world is.
War is just a prelude to bigger things to come.
It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of David Estes and both the Dwellers and Country saga series. Like so many who were giddy over The Hunger Games series, I've never been able to fill that void... Until David came along. He creates tough, sassy and independent female heroines that can only be rivaled by the likes of Katniss Everdeen and Allison Sekemoto of The Immortal Rules. I can't recall any author having two current series that merge into one epic story, it's brilliant and well thought out.
Throughout both series (Country Saga and The Dwellers), all the characters are connected, knowingly or not, cross paths and share each others journey. Each new edition in the series have a similar feel, but the 'country' quirks set them apart, especially the slag terms. It's endearing.
I NEED The Earth Dwellers... And everything I read between now and it's release, is just going to feel like I'm biding time. It's going to be epic, worlds will collide and I want a front row seat.
Change is upon them. It's more than war, it's a fight against justice, bringing peace between the regions and questioning what you thought you knew... And what the reality of the new world is.
War is just a prelude to bigger things to come.
It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of David Estes and both the Dwellers and Country saga series. Like so many who were giddy over The Hunger Games series, I've never been able to fill that void... Until David came along. He creates tough, sassy and independent female heroines that can only be rivaled by the likes of Katniss Everdeen and Allison Sekemoto of The Immortal Rules. I can't recall any author having two current series that merge into one epic story, it's brilliant and well thought out.
Throughout both series (Country Saga and The Dwellers), all the characters are connected, knowingly or not, cross paths and share each others journey. Each new edition in the series have a similar feel, but the 'country' quirks set them apart, especially the slag terms. It's endearing.
I NEED The Earth Dwellers... And everything I read between now and it's release, is just going to feel like I'm biding time. It's going to be epic, worlds will collide and I want a front row seat.
June 26, 2013
I wanted to give this book a four star from the beginning of the book just because of all the perfect little romances that just magically all work out. EVERY book has a romance where against all odds, two people come together and become the perfect couple -- and I HATE that. Alas, I could not go with the 4 star review because it wasn't a four star.
It took me a bit to really get into the book (I blame Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, which I was 50% done with at the time of this start) but I stuck with it because I always enjoy Estes' work. He has a way of making you care about each of his characters and splits the chapters up between different points of view, which drives me crazy because it's always right when I'm about to discover something with the other character.
Honestly, I forgot all about the glassies until Wilde came into the picture and brought them back up. I was so worried about the stormers and soakers that I kind of just forgot about the other war. It was absolutely awesome how Estes brought together all of these different people and then BAM brings in the moon dwellers. I've been waiting for the Moon Dwellers to continue for three(? four?) books now.
I would LOVE to see David write in third person. All of his books have the same writing style and I think it would be great to see a different mix from him -- but clearly this style works for him.
It took me a bit to really get into the book (I blame Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, which I was 50% done with at the time of this start) but I stuck with it because I always enjoy Estes' work. He has a way of making you care about each of his characters and splits the chapters up between different points of view, which drives me crazy because it's always right when I'm about to discover something with the other character.
Honestly, I forgot all about the glassies until Wilde came into the picture and brought them back up. I was so worried about the stormers and soakers that I kind of just forgot about the other war. It was absolutely awesome how Estes brought together all of these different people and then BAM brings in the moon dwellers. I've been waiting for the Moon Dwellers to continue for three(? four?) books now.
I would LOVE to see David write in third person. All of his books have the same writing style and I think it would be great to see a different mix from him -- but clearly this style works for him.
September 27, 2013
The more I read David Estes books, the more I love them! Once again, a book that did not fail to keep me entertained til the last minute.
Overview: Read Estes write up on his books. I don't ever want to give to much away. As a reader, I want to just tell you all about the books and series.
Characters: Once again you experience two new characters in this book. Huck the son of the Soaker Admiral, and Sadie, a soon to be Rider for the Stormers. You see these two characters struggle to discover their identity, and where they fit in their perspective worlds. Estes has created new characters for you to laugh, cry, shout, and be happy for. How will all of these characters from the previous books meet and fit into this story....I guess you will have to read it and find out.
Plot: Fast pace. Easy to follow. Fun to read. Enough said
Setting: Some of the settings in this book are places I have never been, and things I have never experienced. But I can easily see each of these characters as if I were doing them myself. That to me is amazing. To be able to create a place that doesn't really exist and make you feel as if you have been there and experienced that. Now that is a writer.
David Estes is a talented young writer, who I am looking forward to seeing more work from in the future.
Overview: Read Estes write up on his books. I don't ever want to give to much away. As a reader, I want to just tell you all about the books and series.
Characters: Once again you experience two new characters in this book. Huck the son of the Soaker Admiral, and Sadie, a soon to be Rider for the Stormers. You see these two characters struggle to discover their identity, and where they fit in their perspective worlds. Estes has created new characters for you to laugh, cry, shout, and be happy for. How will all of these characters from the previous books meet and fit into this story....I guess you will have to read it and find out.
Plot: Fast pace. Easy to follow. Fun to read. Enough said
Setting: Some of the settings in this book are places I have never been, and things I have never experienced. But I can easily see each of these characters as if I were doing them myself. That to me is amazing. To be able to create a place that doesn't really exist and make you feel as if you have been there and experienced that. Now that is a writer.
David Estes is a talented young writer, who I am looking forward to seeing more work from in the future.
June 30, 2013
By far this is Estes best book. I have mentioned in previous reviews that I have favored the "Country Saga" over the "Dweller Saga." If there are any Dweller fans who are on the fence about picking up the sister series, go ahead and do it! Not only is it great but you'll be tickled to find the amount of detail that has gone into this particular book to help weave all of them together. It makes you feel like you are on the inside.
I really like books that bring a number of different stories from different perspectives all together. Jitterbug Perfume was probably the first book I read that did it well. The Demon Cycle went to a whole different out-of-this-world level with perspective story telling.
These books from both series do tell the story from different characters point of view. Now "Water and Storm Country" really gets into the story weaving sister series part of it, and has built up a ton of suspense in the process! It sounds like the final book of the "Dweller" series, "The earth Dwellers" will let us in even more to these ever-linked worlds.
Absolutely worth a read, but is even better if you can make it through the "Dweller Saga" first.
I really like books that bring a number of different stories from different perspectives all together. Jitterbug Perfume was probably the first book I read that did it well. The Demon Cycle went to a whole different out-of-this-world level with perspective story telling.
These books from both series do tell the story from different characters point of view. Now "Water and Storm Country" really gets into the story weaving sister series part of it, and has built up a ton of suspense in the process! It sounds like the final book of the "Dweller" series, "The earth Dwellers" will let us in even more to these ever-linked worlds.
Absolutely worth a read, but is even better if you can make it through the "Dweller Saga" first.
June 10, 2013
Water and Storm Country by David Estes is the third amazing book in the Country Saga. Like Fire Country and Ice Country this book exceeded my expectations and only a skilled writer, like Mr. Estes, could pull off an imaginative & detailed storyline with a smooth delivery of a complex POV dialogue. The main characters, Huck & Sadie, have amazing "book chemistry" and their journey to find the truth as to why their nations are at war with each other will leave you feeling like you've just ridden a bad a** roller coaster ride.
Water and Storm Country is a fast paced read that will leave you wanting more and anticipating the next installment - possibly a crossover between the Dwellers & Country Saga characters?? So, if you have not read any of this author's books here is my advice - get started now!! I will personally guarantee you will not be disappointed and you will most likely find yourself falling in love with his characters as well as his fun loving approach to life. *****5/5 stars ******
Water and Storm Country is a fast paced read that will leave you wanting more and anticipating the next installment - possibly a crossover between the Dwellers & Country Saga characters?? So, if you have not read any of this author's books here is my advice - get started now!! I will personally guarantee you will not be disappointed and you will most likely find yourself falling in love with his characters as well as his fun loving approach to life. *****5/5 stars ******
June 20, 2013
Of course I loved this book. Each book in the Dwellers and Country Saga has me reaching for the next one in the series and now there's only one left. I cannot believe this crazy journey will be all over soon :-( but I've enjoyed the heck out of it! Now on to this specific book...
Both of the main characters are young and seeking the approval of their parents. Sadie wants to make her mother proud and become a fierce Rider while Huck wants to be a strong leader like his father, the Admiral. Every child goes through this faze and sometimes you realize that being exactly like your parents is a blessing or you realize that they aren't as perfect or as good as you thought. Sadie and Huck grew to make their own choices and choose their own fate, though not without a little heartbreak in the process. How you react to tragedy says a lot about your character and by the end they are both physically and emotionally strong.
Having the whole group unite in the final chapters was fun to read. It makes me so incredibly excited for the finale
Both of the main characters are young and seeking the approval of their parents. Sadie wants to make her mother proud and become a fierce Rider while Huck wants to be a strong leader like his father, the Admiral. Every child goes through this faze and sometimes you realize that being exactly like your parents is a blessing or you realize that they aren't as perfect or as good as you thought. Sadie and Huck grew to make their own choices and choose their own fate, though not without a little heartbreak in the process. How you react to tragedy says a lot about your character and by the end they are both physically and emotionally strong.
Having the whole group unite in the final chapters was fun to read. It makes me so incredibly excited for the finale
June 20, 2013
So another whirlwind story that leaves you wide-eyed, breathless, and hungry for more. I kind of have a love/hate relationship with these books. I love every word of them, but I hate when it ends. I am seriously having anxiety about there being only one more book!
In all seriousness, this book is interesting and well-written. I appreciate how easy it is to slip into the story and to feel the characters in your bones. One of my favorite series of all time and certainly worth a read.
In all seriousness, this book is interesting and well-written. I appreciate how easy it is to slip into the story and to feel the characters in your bones. One of my favorite series of all time and certainly worth a read.
June 7, 2013
Another fabulous story by David Estes! I really liked the dual perspectives in this installment of the country books. Huck is my favorite character yet! He had so many inner battles to deal with and unlike the other characters, he really didn't have any friends to help him cope with his crappy situation/father.
I cannot wait to see how everything blends together in the Earth Dwellers!
I cannot wait to see how everything blends together in the Earth Dwellers!
July 14, 2014
Third book in a series. I keep getting sucked into these young-adult novels. This one isn't bad, although most of the characters are a bit one-dimensional. They are fast reads, and interesting premise about impact of a culture's physical environment on the culture.
July 17, 2019
Wow
I have a 5star because the plot was amazing and entertaining. Very captivating.the author surprised me again with great characters and seamless love story
I have a 5star because the plot was amazing and entertaining. Very captivating.the author surprised me again with great characters and seamless love story
May 3, 2014
love love loved this story!! the writing is flawless! Good job David *high fives*
March 26, 2018
Another amazing Country Saga story. I loved how there were two seemingly separate stories from the points of view of Sadie and Huck and then they merged together, and then merged with our friends from Fire Country and Ice Country and is all set up for the big finale in Earth Dwellers!! I can't wait. There are a lot of terrible leaders in these countries and it was great to see how Sadie and Huck developed along the way. This is one you won't want to miss.
February 28, 2018
Easily one of my favourite David Estes books to date. There’s something about a people who like to ride wild horses in a stormy country and people living an almost pirate-like lifestyle on a ship.
I also really liked Huck and Sadie. They are some of my favourite characters in the series. I liked them better than Siena and Dazz in the previous novels and I really enjoyed their stories.
Sadie wants to be a rider like her mother but she has so much contempt for her father, a so-called wise man who let her brother, Paw, die when raiders attacked their camp when she was small.
Huck has always been a disappointment to his father. At 14 he is finally becoming a man and yearns for recognition from his father. But then is allocated to the worst ship on the fleet. It is a chance to prove himself but will his father ever accept his son, when he couldn’t save his own mother?
I really enjoyed reading this novel. Especially the chapters with Huck in them. I can’t wait to read the final novel of the series, even though it’s been so long since I read the other books with the dwellers below the surface of the earth in them.
I will have to buy the final novel soon.
I also really liked Huck and Sadie. They are some of my favourite characters in the series. I liked them better than Siena and Dazz in the previous novels and I really enjoyed their stories.
Sadie wants to be a rider like her mother but she has so much contempt for her father, a so-called wise man who let her brother, Paw, die when raiders attacked their camp when she was small.
Huck has always been a disappointment to his father. At 14 he is finally becoming a man and yearns for recognition from his father. But then is allocated to the worst ship on the fleet. It is a chance to prove himself but will his father ever accept his son, when he couldn’t save his own mother?
I really enjoyed reading this novel. Especially the chapters with Huck in them. I can’t wait to read the final novel of the series, even though it’s been so long since I read the other books with the dwellers below the surface of the earth in them.
I will have to buy the final novel soon.
July 27, 2013
So it's come to this. Once again, I gush about how awesome David's writing is, how great he is at storytelling. Only this time, I also plead with him to hurry up and get the final book out. Seriously, David, I don't wanna wait till September. I...I just can't wait that long...
Water & Storm Country, the third book in the Country Saga, uses alternating viewpoints to tell the stories of Huck, a Soaker from Water Country, and Sadie, a future Rider from Storm Country. Huck must live up to his Admiral father's high expectations - though he always seems to fall short - as he becomes a man. He must whip the fleet's worst ship into shape, earning the respect of the crew - an hopefully his father. However, meeting a lovely "bilge rat" girl makes Huck begin to question his father's character and why he even cares whether he has the man's respect. Sadie struggles to deal with her brother's death and her father's cowardice while training to be a Rider under her strong warrior mother. When tragedy, however heroic it may be, hits Sadie's family, she questions her misplaced anger and almost allows it to consume her in her quest for revenge. When foreigners arrive in Storm Country, four worlds collide and a long-awaited battle begins.
Okay, wow. That was just great. David has done it again. After Fire Country and Ice Country, I knew Water & Storm Country would occur both during the events of the previous novels and after. I was able to better enjoy the plot on its own, as well as pick up hints as to where the plot was in relation to the plot of Ice Country. This just makes the world building of the saga so much better. I'm not sure if I can describe just why this makes it better. I guess it's a little like a TV series, maybe a soap opera, with one episode focusing on the plot of one character while the next focuses on another character's plot at the same time and so forth, with all the characters' stories coming together in a big way, just in time for May Sweeps. Yeah, I watch soaps. At least they give me a way to describe the world of the Earth Dwellers.
Naturally, I had trouble putting this book down. I read well into the night, long after my self-imposed stopping time. I probably would have read all night, if my eyes hadn't decided to close on their own. David's worlds just suck me in and I have trouble letting myself pull back out of them. I loved that, while they come from warring tribes, essentially two different worlds, Huck and Sadie are so similar. They both strive to be like their parent, Huck wanting to be a great man and sailor like his father and Sadie striving to be a great Rider like her mother. They both witnessed death at a young age and struggle to deal with it through their own distorted memories. They do deal with it differently. Huck blames himself for his mother's death and fears his father also blames him and hates him for it. Sadie blames her father for what she perceived as cowardice and loses all respect for him, while carrying around anger at her loss and hatred for the Soakers for causing that loss. They both learn that their parents aren't exactly who they think they are and try to come to terms with that lesson while making their own decisions and deciding just what kind of individual they want to become.
Oh, and boom. Here's Siena, Dazz, and the gang, right on schedule. And here are some secrets that are revealed. And some questions that need answered. Oh, and just when it seems we'll all live more or less happily ever after, here's the set-up for The Earth Dwellers. Well. Way to leave me even more excited, David.
As usual, David does not disappoint. Water & Storm Country provides the perfect action-packed penultimate book in the Dwellers/Country Universe. The series will be concluded in September with The Earth Dwellers, and I. Can't. Wait.
Water & Storm Country, the third book in the Country Saga, uses alternating viewpoints to tell the stories of Huck, a Soaker from Water Country, and Sadie, a future Rider from Storm Country. Huck must live up to his Admiral father's high expectations - though he always seems to fall short - as he becomes a man. He must whip the fleet's worst ship into shape, earning the respect of the crew - an hopefully his father. However, meeting a lovely "bilge rat" girl makes Huck begin to question his father's character and why he even cares whether he has the man's respect. Sadie struggles to deal with her brother's death and her father's cowardice while training to be a Rider under her strong warrior mother. When tragedy, however heroic it may be, hits Sadie's family, she questions her misplaced anger and almost allows it to consume her in her quest for revenge. When foreigners arrive in Storm Country, four worlds collide and a long-awaited battle begins.
Okay, wow. That was just great. David has done it again. After Fire Country and Ice Country, I knew Water & Storm Country would occur both during the events of the previous novels and after. I was able to better enjoy the plot on its own, as well as pick up hints as to where the plot was in relation to the plot of Ice Country. This just makes the world building of the saga so much better. I'm not sure if I can describe just why this makes it better. I guess it's a little like a TV series, maybe a soap opera, with one episode focusing on the plot of one character while the next focuses on another character's plot at the same time and so forth, with all the characters' stories coming together in a big way, just in time for May Sweeps. Yeah, I watch soaps. At least they give me a way to describe the world of the Earth Dwellers.
Naturally, I had trouble putting this book down. I read well into the night, long after my self-imposed stopping time. I probably would have read all night, if my eyes hadn't decided to close on their own. David's worlds just suck me in and I have trouble letting myself pull back out of them. I loved that, while they come from warring tribes, essentially two different worlds, Huck and Sadie are so similar. They both strive to be like their parent, Huck wanting to be a great man and sailor like his father and Sadie striving to be a great Rider like her mother. They both witnessed death at a young age and struggle to deal with it through their own distorted memories. They do deal with it differently. Huck blames himself for his mother's death and fears his father also blames him and hates him for it. Sadie blames her father for what she perceived as cowardice and loses all respect for him, while carrying around anger at her loss and hatred for the Soakers for causing that loss. They both learn that their parents aren't exactly who they think they are and try to come to terms with that lesson while making their own decisions and deciding just what kind of individual they want to become.
Oh, and boom. Here's Siena, Dazz, and the gang, right on schedule. And here are some secrets that are revealed. And some questions that need answered. Oh, and just when it seems we'll all live more or less happily ever after, here's the set-up for The Earth Dwellers. Well. Way to leave me even more excited, David.
As usual, David does not disappoint. Water & Storm Country provides the perfect action-packed penultimate book in the Dwellers/Country Universe. The series will be concluded in September with The Earth Dwellers, and I. Can't. Wait.
November 1, 2013
This is the last of Estes' Country trilogy , three books set in the same world as his Dweller series. The Dwellers books were written first, I think. The three Country books (Fire, Ice, Water and Storm countries) stand more on their own. It's still best to read Fire Country first, but these books are clearly different worlds. And Estes is a master world builder.
As long as you understand the premise --generations ago, a meteor destroyed civilization on the Earth's surface. Survivors gathered in giant underground caverns and son and on the surface in small, disparate groups above -- you can start with either trilogy. I vote for the Moon Dwellers, Estes' first book.
All three country books are five-star reading, as are two of the Dweller books. The middle Dweller suffered from mid-trilogy syndrome but is still four-star. The Country books stand their because they take place in four different worlds with four different plot lines. the Dweller books are essentially one (very good) long novel.
Water & Storm Country could easily be two separate books. The worlds interact somewhat but are just as different as those of Fire Country and Snow Country. I just think Estes wanted parallel trilogies.
The people of Water Country often clash with the people of Storm Country over resources close to shore. They and the Storm people seem to be fighting over nothing but old grudges and pride.
The lead Water Country character, Huck, is the son of the stern admiral of the Water fleet. His story is far more intertwined with that of Jade, a "bilge rat" -- one of the all-but-slaves who live in squalor below decks and do the worst work. She is a Fire Country person who was captured by Icers, then sold to Water Country. The interaction between Huck and Jade is far more important to this book than that between Huck and Sadie, the main character in Storm Country.
Storm Country is the land adjacent to the waters. The focus of these people is their fights and their magnificent horses. Sadie's mother is a Rider, one of its warriors. When she is injured in an incursion against Ice Country leaders, Sadie blames her father, a "Seer" whose visions guide his people. Sadie also blames him for the death of her brother in a Water Country raid when both were young. Sadie's plot revolves around resolving that relationship, along with her growth as a Rider.
Sadie and Huck's paths merge in a climactic battle. A short but key meeting between Sadie and Huck, prophesied by her father, ends propels us toward to final book in the two series, the Earth Dwellers.
That book brings the Dweller people and the Country people together. It’s also very good, but that’s a topic of another review.
As long as you understand the premise --generations ago, a meteor destroyed civilization on the Earth's surface. Survivors gathered in giant underground caverns and son and on the surface in small, disparate groups above -- you can start with either trilogy. I vote for the Moon Dwellers, Estes' first book.
All three country books are five-star reading, as are two of the Dweller books. The middle Dweller suffered from mid-trilogy syndrome but is still four-star. The Country books stand their because they take place in four different worlds with four different plot lines. the Dweller books are essentially one (very good) long novel.
Water & Storm Country could easily be two separate books. The worlds interact somewhat but are just as different as those of Fire Country and Snow Country. I just think Estes wanted parallel trilogies.
The people of Water Country often clash with the people of Storm Country over resources close to shore. They and the Storm people seem to be fighting over nothing but old grudges and pride.
The lead Water Country character, Huck, is the son of the stern admiral of the Water fleet. His story is far more intertwined with that of Jade, a "bilge rat" -- one of the all-but-slaves who live in squalor below decks and do the worst work. She is a Fire Country person who was captured by Icers, then sold to Water Country. The interaction between Huck and Jade is far more important to this book than that between Huck and Sadie, the main character in Storm Country.
Storm Country is the land adjacent to the waters. The focus of these people is their fights and their magnificent horses. Sadie's mother is a Rider, one of its warriors. When she is injured in an incursion against Ice Country leaders, Sadie blames her father, a "Seer" whose visions guide his people. Sadie also blames him for the death of her brother in a Water Country raid when both were young. Sadie's plot revolves around resolving that relationship, along with her growth as a Rider.
Sadie and Huck's paths merge in a climactic battle. A short but key meeting between Sadie and Huck, prophesied by her father, ends propels us toward to final book in the two series, the Earth Dwellers.
That book brings the Dweller people and the Country people together. It’s also very good, but that’s a topic of another review.
June 6, 2013
I recived the arc from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Wow. Where to begin. This was, by far, my favourite in the Country series. And I gave them all 5 stars, so that should tell you something.
Water and Storm Country alternates POV between: Huck, a Soaker working to prove himself to his father; and Sadie, a tough rider from Storm Country.
Initially I found it hard to like Sadie. She is very stubborn and cold to her family and friends, and I just couldn't understand why. Jump to about halfway in the book. Tears. Just tears. Her story is pretty heartbreaking and you go along with this emotional rollercoaster with this character. I find that my favourite characters in general are the ones that I didn't like at the beginning, ones that took time to grow on me. Sadie was not an exception to that. She goes through a lot of self discovery and growth as a character and I really like seeing that journey.
Huck's story is more about coming of age and figuring out who he wants to be as a person. He has a difficult family life, to say the least, and just wants to prove himself to his father and himself. We see him learn to lead and stick up for both himself and others-and, of course, fall in love.
Their stories intertwine with each other, as well as some familiar faces from Ice Country and Fire Country, which is always nice to see!
As much as I love Siena, it was a bit jarring to have her POV in a couple of chapters at the end of the book. I was used to Huck and Sadie, and while it makes sense for the epilogue, it took me a bit to get back into her mindset.
I can't wait for the Earth Dwellers (September, why are you so far off?!)! In Water and Storm Country, we got more insight into the large plot - the Glassies planning to attack everyone, , and a group of kick ass characters ready to make it all go down.
5 stars.
Wow. Where to begin. This was, by far, my favourite in the Country series. And I gave them all 5 stars, so that should tell you something.
Water and Storm Country alternates POV between: Huck, a Soaker working to prove himself to his father; and Sadie, a tough rider from Storm Country.
Initially I found it hard to like Sadie. She is very stubborn and cold to her family and friends, and I just couldn't understand why. Jump to about halfway in the book. Tears. Just tears. Her story is pretty heartbreaking and you go along with this emotional rollercoaster with this character. I find that my favourite characters in general are the ones that I didn't like at the beginning, ones that took time to grow on me. Sadie was not an exception to that. She goes through a lot of self discovery and growth as a character and I really like seeing that journey.
Huck's story is more about coming of age and figuring out who he wants to be as a person. He has a difficult family life, to say the least, and just wants to prove himself to his father and himself. We see him learn to lead and stick up for both himself and others-and, of course, fall in love.
Their stories intertwine with each other, as well as some familiar faces from Ice Country and Fire Country, which is always nice to see!
As much as I love Siena, it was a bit jarring to have her POV in a couple of chapters at the end of the book. I was used to Huck and Sadie, and while it makes sense for the epilogue, it took me a bit to get back into her mindset.
I can't wait for the Earth Dwellers (September, why are you so far off?!)! In Water and Storm Country, we got more insight into the large plot - the Glassies planning to attack everyone, , and a group of kick ass characters ready to make it all go down.
5 stars.
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