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Elementals: The Threats of Sky and Sea #2
Riot of Storm and Smoke
War draws closer, like a tide to the shore.
Bree and her friends have escaped the clutches of the Egrian King, but their troubles are far from over. Still reeling from the secrets that drew new breath when her father took his last, Bree sets off for the safety of Nereidium-- the kingdom she's just learned is hers.
But with the King's ire at its peak and war a certainty, Nereidium is no longer safe. As Prince Caden rallies the Egrian people against his tyrant father, Bree, Princess Aleta, and Tregle race to the Nereid shore to warn them of the incoming danger—and to put the Nereid Princess on the throne.
The only trouble there: Bree can’t bring herself to reveal that the Princess is her.
It’s not a dilemma she can waste time pondering. With a new weapon in his arsenal, the King's strikes are sure to be bolder than ever before. And Bree may not be ready to wear a crown… but she won't let her kingdom down without a fight.
Bree and her friends have escaped the clutches of the Egrian King, but their troubles are far from over. Still reeling from the secrets that drew new breath when her father took his last, Bree sets off for the safety of Nereidium-- the kingdom she's just learned is hers.
But with the King's ire at its peak and war a certainty, Nereidium is no longer safe. As Prince Caden rallies the Egrian people against his tyrant father, Bree, Princess Aleta, and Tregle race to the Nereid shore to warn them of the incoming danger—and to put the Nereid Princess on the throne.
The only trouble there: Bree can’t bring herself to reveal that the Princess is her.
It’s not a dilemma she can waste time pondering. With a new weapon in his arsenal, the King's strikes are sure to be bolder than ever before. And Bree may not be ready to wear a crown… but she won't let her kingdom down without a fight.
239 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 17, 2015
About the author
Jennifer Ellision
34 books377 followersUSA Today Bestselling Author Jennifer Ellision writes about daring young women in magical worlds. She survives on a steady diet of books, podcasts, and her favorite magical tropes. Jennifer frequently wakes up early to work before she has to "people" and can often be found squirreled away in her office, getting some writing done--or in her local library, agonizing over revisions.
If all else fails, look under the covers. She's probably hiding out with a good young adult fantasy series.
Leave our world and escape into one of hers. Get the free novelette that introduces Jennifer's first YA fantasy trilogy when you sign up for Jennifer's newsletter at: https://www.jenniferellision.com/get-...
If all else fails, look under the covers. She's probably hiding out with a good young adult fantasy series.
Leave our world and escape into one of hers. Get the free novelette that introduces Jennifer's first YA fantasy trilogy when you sign up for Jennifer's newsletter at: https://www.jenniferellision.com/get-...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
September 15, 2015
Who says all sequels have to go through second-book syndrome? Riot of Storm and Smoke surely didn't. It was still as engaging and easy to get into as the first!
One of the main things I really want to praise about this book is that I didn't have to worry about forgetting many details, which, obviously, I did. But Jennifer makes it easy for us to return to the world she created with insertions of small, subtle, but incredibly helpful recaps. Kudos to you, lady--that's a difficult feat you've conquered right there.
My booknesia aside, this book had lots of other awesome strengths as well. Let's delve into those.
1. We're shown more sides of each character. In the first book, I associated our heroine Bree with the word "strong," and now, while that statement still stands strong, I can also say I've finally seen her more vulnerable side. The same goes for Aleta. We also get to know Tregle's sweet--but definitely strong--side.
2. We're shown another side of the world. This book is full of travels, and so we're introduced to the other parts of the world this book's set in. And yes, I assure you, it's not info-dumpy at all. Everything's explained pretty simply, in fact.
3. The writing is so easy to get into! It's natural and conversational, with a hint of hey-I'm-a-fantasy-book! thrown in there for more authenticity.
4. The ending will make you gasp. Not kidding, friends. I finished this book before taking a shower one morning, and behold--I gasped! Yes, it's another cliffhanger, but it's a cliffhanger that'll make you want to run to Jennifer Ellision's house to steal her manuscript for book three.
The only downside is the romance. There were two in this book--one between the main characters, Bree and Caden, and another minor one between a certain two characters. As in the first book, I couldn't get myself to feel anything for Bree and Caden at all, which is unusual for my angst-loving self. The minor romance, though, I ADORED and totally ship. But no spoilers.
So, do I recommend this book and its predecessor, Threats of Sky and Sea? Why, yes, I totally do. Go read them. I'm serious.
One of the main things I really want to praise about this book is that I didn't have to worry about forgetting many details, which, obviously, I did. But Jennifer makes it easy for us to return to the world she created with insertions of small, subtle, but incredibly helpful recaps. Kudos to you, lady--that's a difficult feat you've conquered right there.
My booknesia aside, this book had lots of other awesome strengths as well. Let's delve into those.
1. We're shown more sides of each character. In the first book, I associated our heroine Bree with the word "strong," and now, while that statement still stands strong, I can also say I've finally seen her more vulnerable side. The same goes for Aleta. We also get to know Tregle's sweet--but definitely strong--side.
2. We're shown another side of the world. This book is full of travels, and so we're introduced to the other parts of the world this book's set in. And yes, I assure you, it's not info-dumpy at all. Everything's explained pretty simply, in fact.
3. The writing is so easy to get into! It's natural and conversational, with a hint of hey-I'm-a-fantasy-book! thrown in there for more authenticity.
4. The ending will make you gasp. Not kidding, friends. I finished this book before taking a shower one morning, and behold--I gasped! Yes, it's another cliffhanger, but it's a cliffhanger that'll make you want to run to Jennifer Ellision's house to steal her manuscript for book three.
The only downside is the romance. There were two in this book--one between the main characters, Bree and Caden, and another minor one between a certain two characters. As in the first book, I couldn't get myself to feel anything for Bree and Caden at all, which is unusual for my angst-loving self. The minor romance, though, I ADORED and totally ship. But no spoilers.
So, do I recommend this book and its predecessor, Threats of Sky and Sea? Why, yes, I totally do. Go read them. I'm serious.
December 16, 2017
This was a great sequel to Threats of Sky and Sea. It was just as good as the first if not better. The ending of the first book was so dramatic I couldnt wait to read the sequel. I liked how they had a clear goal they were trying to accomplish throughout this book. The plot was pretty straight forward but it kept my attention and went by quickly. I enjoyed how we got to see different perspectives. This series has a lot of amazing characters but I wish some of them were a bit more fleshed out.
I loved the main character Bree even though I didnt agree with all her decisions. She should have told her friends who she was. I enjoyed Brees character arc as she struggles to accept her life. I thought Prince Caden was a wonderful love interests and a likeable character. I had so many feelings when he was being interrogated. The new characters Liam, Elena, and Lilia were fantastic. I also liked that we get to see more of Meddie and Aleta even if their bickering drove me a little crazy. It would have been nice to see more of Clift. I like Tregle but he doesnt seem to have an important role in this book. Sometimes it felt like he was just there to be a love interest.
The ghost haunting and the elemental magic was entertaining. While reading I was hoping for a bit more elemental magic but the ending makes all that waiting worth it. We dont get as much political scheming or court life in this sequel which is something I really enjoyed in the first book. However the running and survival aspect added a good amount of suspense. This book ended on such a great cliff hanger I had to pick up the third book right away. Im sad the series is ending. I would recommend this series, especially if you like the Throne of Glass series.
*Received a copy in exchange for an honest review*
I loved the main character Bree even though I didnt agree with all her decisions. She should have told her friends who she was. I enjoyed Brees character arc as she struggles to accept her life. I thought Prince Caden was a wonderful love interests and a likeable character. I had so many feelings when he was being interrogated. The new characters Liam, Elena, and Lilia were fantastic. I also liked that we get to see more of Meddie and Aleta even if their bickering drove me a little crazy. It would have been nice to see more of Clift. I like Tregle but he doesnt seem to have an important role in this book. Sometimes it felt like he was just there to be a love interest.
The ghost haunting and the elemental magic was entertaining. While reading I was hoping for a bit more elemental magic but the ending makes all that waiting worth it. We dont get as much political scheming or court life in this sequel which is something I really enjoyed in the first book. However the running and survival aspect added a good amount of suspense. This book ended on such a great cliff hanger I had to pick up the third book right away. Im sad the series is ending. I would recommend this series, especially if you like the Throne of Glass series.
*Received a copy in exchange for an honest review*
September 8, 2016
Thanks to Jennifer Ellision for giving me this book to review.
Bree and her friends Aleta and Tregle have escaped the King and with the help of the Underground set of to the safety of Nereidium. However, Bree has a secret, that she is the rightful ruler of Nereidium and not Aleta but she cannot reveal this as Aleta would be a better Queen than her. With the King furious at Bree and Aleta’s escape, Prince Caden tries to rally his people against his tyrant father. However, no one is safe as the King has a new weapon which can kill hundreds at a time and may prevent Bree and Caden plan’s to stop him.
Riot of Storm and Smoke is a really good sequel and does not suffer the problems that often happen in middle books. I read this book really fast as I had to find out what happened next, but, I did find the beginning, with Bree and friends travelling, a bit dull. This book has the POV from both Bree and Caden and has more twists and action than the last book.
Bree is struggling in this book as she has lost her confidence and is tortured by what happened to her Da and Kat, but is still the practical barmaid she was in the first book. I liked Caden in this book as we got to see more of him and how loyal he is to his people. However, near the end of the book I found they were not very understanding but given how stressed they both were they did not act unrealistic. I was worried that there was going to be a love triangle with the introduction of a new female character but thankfully I had nothing to worry about.
I really enjoyed this book and I look forward to reading the next book Fall of Thrones and Thorns. I would recommend Riot of Storm and Smoke to fans of the first book Threats of Sky and Sea.
This and my other reviews can be found at Amethyst Bookwyrm
Bree and her friends Aleta and Tregle have escaped the King and with the help of the Underground set of to the safety of Nereidium. However, Bree has a secret, that she is the rightful ruler of Nereidium and not Aleta but she cannot reveal this as Aleta would be a better Queen than her. With the King furious at Bree and Aleta’s escape, Prince Caden tries to rally his people against his tyrant father. However, no one is safe as the King has a new weapon which can kill hundreds at a time and may prevent Bree and Caden plan’s to stop him.
Riot of Storm and Smoke is a really good sequel and does not suffer the problems that often happen in middle books. I read this book really fast as I had to find out what happened next, but, I did find the beginning, with Bree and friends travelling, a bit dull. This book has the POV from both Bree and Caden and has more twists and action than the last book.
Bree is struggling in this book as she has lost her confidence and is tortured by what happened to her Da and Kat, but is still the practical barmaid she was in the first book. I liked Caden in this book as we got to see more of him and how loyal he is to his people. However, near the end of the book I found they were not very understanding but given how stressed they both were they did not act unrealistic. I was worried that there was going to be a love triangle with the introduction of a new female character but thankfully I had nothing to worry about.
I really enjoyed this book and I look forward to reading the next book Fall of Thrones and Thorns. I would recommend Riot of Storm and Smoke to fans of the first book Threats of Sky and Sea.
This and my other reviews can be found at Amethyst Bookwyrm
October 2, 2016
*Source* NetGalley
*Genre* Young Adult, Fantasy
*Rating* 3.5-4
*MY Thoughts*
Riot of Storm and Smoke is the second installment in author Jennifer Ellision's Threats of Sky and Sea trilogy. This story picks up immediately where the first book left off. Bree, Aleta, and Tregle have escaped King Langdon's castle leaving many unanswered questions and bodies in their wake. For Bree, things are even more complicated after a shocking confession by the man who was thought to be her father. Bree was never was told the truth about her actual parentage, or the fate that awaits her if she can find a way to Nereidium, or the fact that she is a Water Wielder which came out in all its glory in front of a King.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews
http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...
Published August 18th 2015 (first published August 17th 2015)
*Genre* Young Adult, Fantasy
*Rating* 3.5-4
*MY Thoughts*
Riot of Storm and Smoke is the second installment in author Jennifer Ellision's Threats of Sky and Sea trilogy. This story picks up immediately where the first book left off. Bree, Aleta, and Tregle have escaped King Langdon's castle leaving many unanswered questions and bodies in their wake. For Bree, things are even more complicated after a shocking confession by the man who was thought to be her father. Bree was never was told the truth about her actual parentage, or the fate that awaits her if she can find a way to Nereidium, or the fact that she is a Water Wielder which came out in all its glory in front of a King.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews
http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...
Published August 18th 2015 (first published August 17th 2015)
January 3, 2019
Following their narrow escape at the end of book one, Bree and friends plunge right into another adventure. Bree is still suffering the repercussions of her father’s noble choice . . . and trying to process the secrets he shared with her. It turns out, Bree is far from the ordinary tavern-keeper’s daughter. She is in fact a dispossessed princess . . . and if she wants to save her kingdom, she’s going to have her work cut out for her!
Bree and Prince Caden (who’s just as dreamy as a reader can hope for) both have compelling storylines in this amazing sequel. It was wonderful to see Caden truly standing up to his father and leading the rebellion. Bree is a heroine I love to root for—smart, resourceful, compassionate. She takes an emotional beating, but it’s wonderful to watch her grow and mature through her heartache.
This action-filled sequel certainly does not suffer from second book syndrome. Jennifer Ellision raises the stakes again and again to keep her readers turning pages. I read the last third of it all in a rush and immediately dived into book 3 . . . which I’ll be reviewing next (as soon as I’ve finished it).
Bree and Prince Caden (who’s just as dreamy as a reader can hope for) both have compelling storylines in this amazing sequel. It was wonderful to see Caden truly standing up to his father and leading the rebellion. Bree is a heroine I love to root for—smart, resourceful, compassionate. She takes an emotional beating, but it’s wonderful to watch her grow and mature through her heartache.
This action-filled sequel certainly does not suffer from second book syndrome. Jennifer Ellision raises the stakes again and again to keep her readers turning pages. I read the last third of it all in a rush and immediately dived into book 3 . . . which I’ll be reviewing next (as soon as I’ve finished it).
September 23, 2015
Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales
Quick & Dirty: Wonderful sequel that I couldn’t put down! With its captivating world, cute romance and non-stop action this is sure to be a hit with all YA fantasy fans!
Opening Sentence: We leave the body in the tunnel and I try not to imagine my father lying there—alone and rotting away.
The Review:
Bree is lucky to be alive. She along with her friends have escaped the clutches of the evil king of Egrian. But their freedom came at a steep price, Bree’s beloved father gave his life so they could escape. Before he passed away he shared some of his secrets with Bree. It turns out she is the princess of Nereidium and if she wants to save her rightful kingdom she will have to hurry. The evil king has a new weapon at his disposal, and he plans to finally defeat Nereidium with it.
As Bree races to get to the Nereid shores, Prince Caden is rallying his people against his father. Caden has finally taken a stand and is leading the underground rebellion! He will have to find more allies if he wants to overthrow his father, and the path ahead is a dangerous one. Together Bree and Caden hope to save both of their kingdoms or die trying!
Bree is such a fun character. She is still a spunky, intelligent, and witty girl. But Her life has drastically changed recently, and her journey is far from over. She really struggles with grief and guilt throughout the story, but it causes her to grow tremendously as a person. My connection with her deepened and I think that she is an amazing heroine. She is far from perfect but her flaws just make her more relatable. She has a lot of fear of what is to come in her future, but she just keeps moving forward, which I found very admirable. I can’t wait to see where her story goes in the final book.
Caden is just as swoonworthy as ever. The POV was split between him and Bree, which I loved. It was great to be inside of his head, and to see how he dealt with certain situations. For so many years he has hidden who he really is from almost everybody, but now you get to see his true potential. He has become the leader he was meant to be. He is a loyal, kind person and it is easy to root for him. His relationship with Bree is adorable. Once again the romance is pretty subtle, but really sweet. I love them together, and I’m excited to see where the relationship goes.
Riot of Storm and Smoke is an action-packed high fantasy story you won’t want to put down. I was lucky to be able to read this right after reading the first book, so everything that happened was fresh in my mind. The story picks up right where the last one ended, and I basically flew through the entire thing. The plot thickened and easily kept me interested. The character development was perfect, and I fell in love with each character even more. The world that Ellision created is so captivating and intriguing. I do wish that there had been a little bit more romance in the story, but what little there was was done really well. Once again, the ending was pretty brutal and I don’t know how I’m going to wait to read the next book. I would highly recommend this series to all young adult fantasy lovers.
Notable Scene:
I’m cut off when Meddie’s cry rips through the air.
With no words exchanged, Aleta and I correct our course and bolt toward the sound. My heart jumps from my chest to my ears as we whip past branches, sprint over turned out roots.
We roar into the camp to find Meddie pinned beneath a man whose knee crushes her elbow to the ground. Tregle battle one women and a man. He summons a fireball from the air around us and its extinguished quickly by dirt that jolts forward from the ground.
FTC Advisory: Jennifer Ellision provided me with a copy of Riots of Storm and Smoke. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
Quick & Dirty: Wonderful sequel that I couldn’t put down! With its captivating world, cute romance and non-stop action this is sure to be a hit with all YA fantasy fans!
Opening Sentence: We leave the body in the tunnel and I try not to imagine my father lying there—alone and rotting away.
The Review:
Bree is lucky to be alive. She along with her friends have escaped the clutches of the evil king of Egrian. But their freedom came at a steep price, Bree’s beloved father gave his life so they could escape. Before he passed away he shared some of his secrets with Bree. It turns out she is the princess of Nereidium and if she wants to save her rightful kingdom she will have to hurry. The evil king has a new weapon at his disposal, and he plans to finally defeat Nereidium with it.
As Bree races to get to the Nereid shores, Prince Caden is rallying his people against his father. Caden has finally taken a stand and is leading the underground rebellion! He will have to find more allies if he wants to overthrow his father, and the path ahead is a dangerous one. Together Bree and Caden hope to save both of their kingdoms or die trying!
Bree is such a fun character. She is still a spunky, intelligent, and witty girl. But Her life has drastically changed recently, and her journey is far from over. She really struggles with grief and guilt throughout the story, but it causes her to grow tremendously as a person. My connection with her deepened and I think that she is an amazing heroine. She is far from perfect but her flaws just make her more relatable. She has a lot of fear of what is to come in her future, but she just keeps moving forward, which I found very admirable. I can’t wait to see where her story goes in the final book.
Caden is just as swoonworthy as ever. The POV was split between him and Bree, which I loved. It was great to be inside of his head, and to see how he dealt with certain situations. For so many years he has hidden who he really is from almost everybody, but now you get to see his true potential. He has become the leader he was meant to be. He is a loyal, kind person and it is easy to root for him. His relationship with Bree is adorable. Once again the romance is pretty subtle, but really sweet. I love them together, and I’m excited to see where the relationship goes.
Riot of Storm and Smoke is an action-packed high fantasy story you won’t want to put down. I was lucky to be able to read this right after reading the first book, so everything that happened was fresh in my mind. The story picks up right where the last one ended, and I basically flew through the entire thing. The plot thickened and easily kept me interested. The character development was perfect, and I fell in love with each character even more. The world that Ellision created is so captivating and intriguing. I do wish that there had been a little bit more romance in the story, but what little there was was done really well. Once again, the ending was pretty brutal and I don’t know how I’m going to wait to read the next book. I would highly recommend this series to all young adult fantasy lovers.
Notable Scene:
I’m cut off when Meddie’s cry rips through the air.
With no words exchanged, Aleta and I correct our course and bolt toward the sound. My heart jumps from my chest to my ears as we whip past branches, sprint over turned out roots.
We roar into the camp to find Meddie pinned beneath a man whose knee crushes her elbow to the ground. Tregle battle one women and a man. He summons a fireball from the air around us and its extinguished quickly by dirt that jolts forward from the ground.
FTC Advisory: Jennifer Ellision provided me with a copy of Riots of Storm and Smoke. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
August 9, 2015
What a fantastic middle book! It's got everything that a second book in a trilogy should have: plot development, action, character development, new conflicts and new characters!
Riot of Storm and Smoke starts right were Threats of Sky and Sea left us, but Jennifer does a very good of jogging our memory to bring us up to speed with lil nudges here and there, but nothing too repetitive that could bother someone binge reading the books.
The book is told in (mostly) alternating dual POVs, Bree and Caden's, and it manages to be distinct enough and to move along the plot, showing us what is going on both sides.
Bree is on the run with her friends and she's keeping quite a few secrets from them, which usually isn't the wisest course of action, but give the situation, I cannot really blame her for trying to figure out things on her own and trying to clutch to the last vestiges of her old life, even if she knows nothing is as she once believed. She's struggling with all the revelations and it shows in her grasp of her power.
Scaping the king will prove difficult enough even with the Underground's help and at every step of their way there's a new difficulty and we get quite a few surprises! We even meet some unexpected allies and an enemy comes back in a very different way winning a measure of reception even!
Kaden's side is no less painful and worrisome to read and although he grows a lot as a character, he is also dealing with some deep worries that sometimes hinder his ultimate goals of freeing his country and doing what's best for his people. His search for allies is not without even more danger than Bree's flight but he also finds himself with a loyal ally and friend that also has enough sass to keep him in check! I adored Lilia's names for him!
There's a lot of tension in the book, with a few more calm moments now and then that simply lull you into a feeling okay before some new worrisome twist is sprang on you! And the ending? Well, talk about an explosive climax in more ways than one! And yes, it does end in a cliffhanger!! BUT it's the exciting kind of cliffhanger, one that leaves you excited and making grabby hands for the next book, but not one that leaves you screaming in frustration!
A fantastic second book very much deserving of 4.5 stars!
Riot of Storm and Smoke starts right were Threats of Sky and Sea left us, but Jennifer does a very good of jogging our memory to bring us up to speed with lil nudges here and there, but nothing too repetitive that could bother someone binge reading the books.
The book is told in (mostly) alternating dual POVs, Bree and Caden's, and it manages to be distinct enough and to move along the plot, showing us what is going on both sides.
Bree is on the run with her friends and she's keeping quite a few secrets from them, which usually isn't the wisest course of action, but give the situation, I cannot really blame her for trying to figure out things on her own and trying to clutch to the last vestiges of her old life, even if she knows nothing is as she once believed. She's struggling with all the revelations and it shows in her grasp of her power.
Scaping the king will prove difficult enough even with the Underground's help and at every step of their way there's a new difficulty and we get quite a few surprises! We even meet some unexpected allies and an enemy comes back in a very different way winning a measure of reception even!
Kaden's side is no less painful and worrisome to read and although he grows a lot as a character, he is also dealing with some deep worries that sometimes hinder his ultimate goals of freeing his country and doing what's best for his people. His search for allies is not without even more danger than Bree's flight but he also finds himself with a loyal ally and friend that also has enough sass to keep him in check! I adored Lilia's names for him!
There's a lot of tension in the book, with a few more calm moments now and then that simply lull you into a feeling okay before some new worrisome twist is sprang on you! And the ending? Well, talk about an explosive climax in more ways than one! And yes, it does end in a cliffhanger!! BUT it's the exciting kind of cliffhanger, one that leaves you excited and making grabby hands for the next book, but not one that leaves you screaming in frustration!
A fantastic second book very much deserving of 4.5 stars!
October 14, 2016
This ones diverts away from action and palace intrigue into your more typical epic fantasy political chess game with armies and traveling across continents. I did miss the interaction between our main characters and there were a few instances where a reader with a good memory will remember something the character didn't. Overall, it moved the plot along, and ended in another spot that sent me headed to the next book.
December 9, 2017
my rating is 3.5 stars
Sequels are a tricky thing, but it satisfied me that this book starts off exactly where Book 1 ended so no time has passed and we can immediately see what happens next as Tregle, Aleta and Bree flee Langdon's castle. The writing is soooo well done, the story keeps you intrigued and I was eager to see where Bree's journey led her next.
I did not connect with this story as much as I hoped to, it was darker, more intense, innocence and hope seem lost, and some profanity used as well (nothing terrible but it was distracting for me). The chapters are split between Bree and Caden and they are separated for most of the story. Their affections also get more physical in this book, not crazy about that, and war looms for them both as they do what they can to escape the king and survive.
There is also more violence in this story, one torture scene (not graphic but unpleasant), and a few battle scenes. The king increases in paranoia and in murdering and alliances change. The king is only present in one scene, but his wicked tyranny ways are felt throughout.
I also thought the gang would be on the ship longer but it's only brief and towards the end. Bree spends MOST of the story unable to control water, she's hearing a voice from the dead (that was very strange for me), she meets a noble knight who helps train her, she gets attacked by a vicious dog, and she is forced to learn that she cannot drown. Her frustration with being unable to throw is tangible. I could relate to that in a spiritual way, but it kind of made the book a downer to me. Aleta and Meddie bring a little comic relief to the story, but for me it wasn't enough. Bree also needs to properly grieve her Da but is unable to as they have to escape the king and get to safety. I really wanted to love the story, but despite my feeling disconnected from the main characters I was VERY satisfied with the ending and eager to know what happens in Book 3.
Sequels are a tricky thing, but it satisfied me that this book starts off exactly where Book 1 ended so no time has passed and we can immediately see what happens next as Tregle, Aleta and Bree flee Langdon's castle. The writing is soooo well done, the story keeps you intrigued and I was eager to see where Bree's journey led her next.
I did not connect with this story as much as I hoped to, it was darker, more intense, innocence and hope seem lost, and some profanity used as well (nothing terrible but it was distracting for me). The chapters are split between Bree and Caden and they are separated for most of the story. Their affections also get more physical in this book, not crazy about that, and war looms for them both as they do what they can to escape the king and survive.
There is also more violence in this story, one torture scene (not graphic but unpleasant), and a few battle scenes. The king increases in paranoia and in murdering and alliances change. The king is only present in one scene, but his wicked tyranny ways are felt throughout.
I also thought the gang would be on the ship longer but it's only brief and towards the end. Bree spends MOST of the story unable to control water, she's hearing a voice from the dead (that was very strange for me), she meets a noble knight who helps train her, she gets attacked by a vicious dog, and she is forced to learn that she cannot drown. Her frustration with being unable to throw is tangible. I could relate to that in a spiritual way, but it kind of made the book a downer to me. Aleta and Meddie bring a little comic relief to the story, but for me it wasn't enough. Bree also needs to properly grieve her Da but is unable to as they have to escape the king and get to safety. I really wanted to love the story, but despite my feeling disconnected from the main characters I was VERY satisfied with the ending and eager to know what happens in Book 3.
March 16, 2016
This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
This second book in the series picks up right where ToSaS left off – with Bree and her friends fleeing the king. Bree is burdened with new secrets and finds that her power over water is more unreliable than ever, which makes her escape far more difficult than she had anticipated!
What Fed My Addiction:
No second book syndrome.
I felt like this second book was easily as strong as the first, possibly even slightly stronger, since we’d gotten all of those fantasy tropes out of the way. Even though much of the second installment was spent running , it never got dull – there was plenty of conflict and action along the way!
Caden’s POV.
I loved that we got to see the world through Caden’s eyes in this one! Understanding his conflicted feelings over his father made me care for him even more deeply than I had in the first book. And, even though Caden and Bree were apart for much of the book, I never felt like the story was disconnected in any way. Ellision did a wonderful job of weaving it all together.
New characters.
There were a few new characters introduced in this book, and I was a fan of them all. I love that Ellision gives her secondary characters depth and weight in the story.
Bree’s struggle with her powers.
This was a theme in this second book – Bree struggling to understand and control the element that has claimed her. I loved that her understanding of her powers was sort of wrapped up in her struggle to trust other people and the ghosts of her past that haunt her. She’s new to Elemental powers, but she has trouble confiding in the people who could help her because she feels like she needs to hide things from them – both because she doesn’t want to admit her shortcomings and because she fears some of the answers she might get.
What Left Me Wanting More:
Secrets and lies.
This book had pretty much everything I loved about the first book, so there wasn’t a whole lot that I didn’t like. Bree’s inability to admit her lack of powers or to confide in anyone about the fact that she was actually the princess (or talk about certain other issues which I won’t mention because they’d be spoilery) did go on a bit too long for my taste, but considering that conflict based on characters not talking to each other is a pet peeve of mine, it actually didn’t bother me nearly as much as it normally would have. (This was probably helped by the fact that there were plenty of other conflicts to keep me distracted!)
So, overall, book two in this series definitely lives up to the high standard that Ellision set in the first book. I’m eager to see how she finishes this trilogy off!
The Narration:
It took me just a little bit to get used to a new narrator for this second book, but Grace Glass’s voice was similar enough to Misty Daugherty’s that I might not have even noticed the difference if I hadn’t listened to them back-to-back. I think that Glass did a fantastic job delineating the voices. Since the book was told in both Caden’s and Bree’s POV’s and there were some characters with an accent (a Russian sounding accent), Glass had more to do than the narrator of the first book. Glass also managed to capture Bree’s spirit well – and matched Daugherty’s general narration style, which I appreciated.
I give this book 4/5 stars.
***Disclosure: I received this book from the author via Audiobook Blast! in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
This second book in the series picks up right where ToSaS left off – with Bree and her friends fleeing the king. Bree is burdened with new secrets and finds that her power over water is more unreliable than ever, which makes her escape far more difficult than she had anticipated!
What Fed My Addiction:
No second book syndrome.
I felt like this second book was easily as strong as the first, possibly even slightly stronger, since we’d gotten all of those fantasy tropes out of the way. Even though much of the second installment was spent running , it never got dull – there was plenty of conflict and action along the way!
Caden’s POV.
I loved that we got to see the world through Caden’s eyes in this one! Understanding his conflicted feelings over his father made me care for him even more deeply than I had in the first book. And, even though Caden and Bree were apart for much of the book, I never felt like the story was disconnected in any way. Ellision did a wonderful job of weaving it all together.
New characters.
There were a few new characters introduced in this book, and I was a fan of them all. I love that Ellision gives her secondary characters depth and weight in the story.
Bree’s struggle with her powers.
This was a theme in this second book – Bree struggling to understand and control the element that has claimed her. I loved that her understanding of her powers was sort of wrapped up in her struggle to trust other people and the ghosts of her past that haunt her. She’s new to Elemental powers, but she has trouble confiding in the people who could help her because she feels like she needs to hide things from them – both because she doesn’t want to admit her shortcomings and because she fears some of the answers she might get.
What Left Me Wanting More:
Secrets and lies.
This book had pretty much everything I loved about the first book, so there wasn’t a whole lot that I didn’t like. Bree’s inability to admit her lack of powers or to confide in anyone about the fact that she was actually the princess (or talk about certain other issues which I won’t mention because they’d be spoilery) did go on a bit too long for my taste, but considering that conflict based on characters not talking to each other is a pet peeve of mine, it actually didn’t bother me nearly as much as it normally would have. (This was probably helped by the fact that there were plenty of other conflicts to keep me distracted!)
So, overall, book two in this series definitely lives up to the high standard that Ellision set in the first book. I’m eager to see how she finishes this trilogy off!
The Narration:
It took me just a little bit to get used to a new narrator for this second book, but Grace Glass’s voice was similar enough to Misty Daugherty’s that I might not have even noticed the difference if I hadn’t listened to them back-to-back. I think that Glass did a fantastic job delineating the voices. Since the book was told in both Caden’s and Bree’s POV’s and there were some characters with an accent (a Russian sounding accent), Glass had more to do than the narrator of the first book. Glass also managed to capture Bree’s spirit well – and matched Daugherty’s general narration style, which I appreciated.
I give this book 4/5 stars.
***Disclosure: I received this book from the author via Audiobook Blast! in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
August 18, 2015
*I received a free copy from the author for an honest review*
A very good continuation to the first book in the series. But this too has only whetted my appetite for the world and characters abounding in the pages of this book.
The stormy book cover is very appropriate to the mood of the beginning of the book. Bree is angry and sad and prone to moody behaviour in the first part while Caden is busy making name for himself among his people as a people's Prince. Bree comes out a bit different from her ordeal which again adds to her strength of character. They travel different paths leading to the unfurling of their character traits layer by layer. Another person whom I loved in this book was Aleta who though, reads as a cold person, shows her vulnerable side more while Tregle, I think, comes into his power a bit more and is more confident than earlier. There were a few surprises among the new characters and the ghostly twist had me intrigued.
The pace of the story is steady and the tale kept me on my toes following the adventures of Bree and her friends fleeing from the King and the gathering of forces by Caden for revolting against his father. Though all scenes meshed together to lead to the climax, another cliffhanger, a couple felt superfluous to me. Then again that might have been my mind racing to catch up with the ending!
As for the setting, this is the book which is more about the "outer" world, about the people and the neighbouring kingdoms. This gives a pretty good picture about Bree's world and it felt a bit medieval in its feel. And the defiant stand against the Kind has increased my curiosity about Nereidium and her people!!
I am going to read the short stories based on this series while I am waiting for the third book. Is there any way to fast forward the time to 2016?? I can't wait at all!!
My one line review : A fantastic sequel with the characters and setting being revealed layer by layer.
My rating : 5/5
My reread factor : 5/5
Floryie @ http://thebookdrealms.blogspot.com
A very good continuation to the first book in the series. But this too has only whetted my appetite for the world and characters abounding in the pages of this book.
The stormy book cover is very appropriate to the mood of the beginning of the book. Bree is angry and sad and prone to moody behaviour in the first part while Caden is busy making name for himself among his people as a people's Prince. Bree comes out a bit different from her ordeal which again adds to her strength of character. They travel different paths leading to the unfurling of their character traits layer by layer. Another person whom I loved in this book was Aleta who though, reads as a cold person, shows her vulnerable side more while Tregle, I think, comes into his power a bit more and is more confident than earlier. There were a few surprises among the new characters and the ghostly twist had me intrigued.
The pace of the story is steady and the tale kept me on my toes following the adventures of Bree and her friends fleeing from the King and the gathering of forces by Caden for revolting against his father. Though all scenes meshed together to lead to the climax, another cliffhanger, a couple felt superfluous to me. Then again that might have been my mind racing to catch up with the ending!
As for the setting, this is the book which is more about the "outer" world, about the people and the neighbouring kingdoms. This gives a pretty good picture about Bree's world and it felt a bit medieval in its feel. And the defiant stand against the Kind has increased my curiosity about Nereidium and her people!!
I am going to read the short stories based on this series while I am waiting for the third book. Is there any way to fast forward the time to 2016?? I can't wait at all!!
My one line review : A fantastic sequel with the characters and setting being revealed layer by layer.
My rating : 5/5
My reread factor : 5/5
Floryie @ http://thebookdrealms.blogspot.com
August 21, 2015
After the hard-hitting death of her father, Breena and her friends Aleta and Tregle escaped the Egrian King while Prince Caden led rallies all throughout the kingdom to express dismay and raise rebellion against his own father. Finally, Bree learned that Nereidium is the kingdom that is rightfully hers. But part of her didn’t want to claim the throne.
The second book in the Threats of Sky and Sea series is more impacting, a feat that usually isn’t achieved in sequels. Bree stood out in this second book. She got separated from the prince and had given herself reprieve from all that had happened to her and her family. An apparition dawned upon her, darker and more menacing than it was before, ghostly entities that would surely rattle the usually armed and ready Bree.
The other characters also became more striking and impressive as the story progressed. Others may have liked Aleta in the first novel (although I sure as hell didn’t) I somewhat pitied and liked her in this book. It wasn’t her fault after all that she was deceived about her identity.
And Caden, I don’t even know where to begin. He proved his worth and had clearly grown into a mature thinking prince. But I think he would have preferred to be called Rick, a far cry from his royal upbringing.
Jennifer Ellision yet again crafted another fantastic masterpiece. If I loved the first book, Threats of Sky and Sea, I’d say, Riot of Storm and Smoke had me clamoring for more! The ending, that chilling ending! The chaos, the distress, the the ghosts.. the lies.. and the dripping blood. Everything excites me!
The second book in the Threats of Sky and Sea series is more impacting, a feat that usually isn’t achieved in sequels. Bree stood out in this second book. She got separated from the prince and had given herself reprieve from all that had happened to her and her family. An apparition dawned upon her, darker and more menacing than it was before, ghostly entities that would surely rattle the usually armed and ready Bree.
The other characters also became more striking and impressive as the story progressed. Others may have liked Aleta in the first novel (although I sure as hell didn’t) I somewhat pitied and liked her in this book. It wasn’t her fault after all that she was deceived about her identity.
And Caden, I don’t even know where to begin. He proved his worth and had clearly grown into a mature thinking prince. But I think he would have preferred to be called Rick, a far cry from his royal upbringing.
Jennifer Ellision yet again crafted another fantastic masterpiece. If I loved the first book, Threats of Sky and Sea, I’d say, Riot of Storm and Smoke had me clamoring for more! The ending, that chilling ending! The chaos, the distress, the the ghosts.. the lies.. and the dripping blood. Everything excites me!
March 15, 2016
This book lived up to the first one very well. The characters were still amazing and fun, the use of magic was well written and the learning of it was good. The action was good, very descriptive and made perfect sense.
I loved how the secrets were revealed, like a slow drip. Kept tension and suspense very well.
The ending left a little to be desired though, very sudden, felt like it ended mid-scene, I know cliff hangers are common but this was even more drastic.
Very much looking forward to the next book in the series.
I loved how the secrets were revealed, like a slow drip. Kept tension and suspense very well.
The ending left a little to be desired though, very sudden, felt like it ended mid-scene, I know cliff hangers are common but this was even more drastic.
Very much looking forward to the next book in the series.
July 3, 2016
I was veryyyy disappointed with this book. I had anticipated this book for a while. I'm not happy in how it turned out. The very end, though was good. But I mean very end.
This book could have been easily narrowed down to a few chapters, maybe half the book. But as a whole book, it was slow and dreadful.
I do plan to read book 3. I'm just not as excited for it as I once was for the series.
This book could have been easily narrowed down to a few chapters, maybe half the book. But as a whole book, it was slow and dreadful.
I do plan to read book 3. I'm just not as excited for it as I once was for the series.
October 6, 2016
This was a tad long winded, still, the story progressed.
December 25, 2017
I liked this book very much. It has action, romance, fantasy worldbuilding, and everything I love about a good story. But, I’m afraid, I felt it lacked something. Let me explain myself.
This book picks up exactly where the previous one left it, right after Kat and Bree’s da’s deaths, and we meet our characters on the run for their lives, from the terrible King Langdon. Bree is still a great character, stranded in the middle between the barmaid and the royal. I love her practicality, her quick wit, and her curt, no-nonsense responses. She’s definitely not perfect, nor a princess, and she’s not to be trifled with. I love her attitude, her spunky manners, and the fact that she’s never a false person, having no qualms about saying what she thinks. I like her as a person, and in this book, I’m glad she could deepen her relationship with her friends and discover her powers as a Water Thrower. But after the first book, I ended up with a lot of questions that, sadly, weren’t answered. The plot centers mainly on the escape from Egria and the king’s clutches, and that’s pretty much all there is. There’s no new hints of Bree’s past, or her da’s, nor about her true parents, or Nereidium… And I really wanted to know more. Also, there’s little to no presence of Elementals in this book, we don’t get to know many new things about them, save Aleta and Tregle’s torching, and that Bree, as a Thrower, is able to breath underwater, because the Elements don’t harm their wielders. Shakers barely appear, and I’m sure they are more powerful than what can be read in the scene with the bandits. And, sadly, neither there’s anything about people like Kat, able to wield two elements at the same time. With that I’m not saying that the book is bad, I speak for myself saying that I would have liked to know all those things.
As I said, with Bree and her friends’ journey, and Caden’s quest to gather a rebel army and defy his father’s tyrannical reign, there’s practically no time to delve into the past, nor into the special characteristics of some places, like Clavins. But neither about the present, apparently, because we get to know characters like Meddie, Clifts and Liam, as a part of the Underground movement to dethrone Langdon, and there’s not even much about it. How many of them are they, what they do, where they are, how they work… It’s a rebellion, after all! I just hope we get to know more about it in the next book.
I liked all the new characters, especially the sisters from Masonstone, Elsbeth, Dorna and Lilia, and mostly Lilia, because she’s a royal, but also a natural warrior, and I felt really bad about what happened to her family, they didn’t deserved that. I also liked that we could know more –if only a little– about Kat, both through her ghost and her twin sister, Elena. And just like in the previous book, I loved Aleta, she’s still that strong, smart, stubborn girl, fit to be a queen, and I want to know more about her, like who her parents are, where she was born, how Kat found her… I like her relationship with Tregle, and I only grew a little tired of her bickering with Meddie, although even they knew when to stop and work together. The way Aleta is and was raised, surely she was going to find something to criticize in someone else’s leadership skills. Only a word on them after they were captured by the bandits and imprisoned: finding them felt a little too… simple? I mean, an overheard conversation revealed they were all together in the same prison, but I think it would have added complexity to their adventure if one of them was already sold as a slave, or something, and the master was a staunch supporter of the king, for example. But I’m not complaining, just stating the fact.
Again, and just like in the previous book, the love story isn’t well developed. I simply can’t see the chemistry between Caden and Bree, I don’t see where that irresistible pull to each other lies, if they barely interact in this book, and all the sudden they can’t live without each other. I, as a reader, just can’t root for a couple I don’t throughout understand. It’s not clear why they like each other, and their attraction doesn’t make much sense, at least for me. I do hope, however, that it gets better in the next book. As for Caden’s part of the story, I felt it lacked a big part that we deserved to know. He manages to escape the battle after the disaster caused by Ruin’s Reaping, but after that, we don’t get to know anything else about him, except the assumption of his death after the letter Liam reads (that I never believed, sorry). And suddenly, a couple of chapters later, he and Lilia appear alive in Clavins, and never say how they made it, or how they escaped after being defeated, and that would have been an interesting story, especially after the vicious attack and the new weapon they faced.
A word on the villain. It’s amazing how, even when King Langdon only has one scene in the entire book, is a constant presence that infuses permanent terror, mostly based on the force of his army. As a reader, I couldn’t help feeling how terrible he is and the lengths he’s ready to reach in the pursuit of his goals. Even when he’s out of the picture, I felt like he was everywhere, and that’s the best way to create a villain, in my opinion: scary, even when he’s not even there. But also as Caden’s father, a man he knew since forever, and now has become this twisted version of himself he needs to overthrow for the sake of his people.
The last part was just awesome, the sea battle was amazing, and it had me at the edge of my seat. Bree could finally let loose her Throwing abilities to save her loved ones and reach Nereidium, and perhaps it is me, that I read too many fantasy stories, but she finally did what it is always needed to wield any kind of power, and that I knew before her: feel it as a part of her, running through her veins, an indivisible part of her essence… Like she is water and water is her. Although as nobody explained that to her, is understandable. As for that cliffhanger in the end, it was mean, and it just makes me need to know more. How Aleta will react, how the people in the island will treat their princess after so many years… It makes me want to read the next book right now. And that’s what I’m going to do, for certain.
So, in short, it was a good book, but it had these moments, like the romance, that I wish, were more developed, and I definitely wanted to know more about the past, to care a little more about the present. It was, however, a really interesting adventure, and I’ll be reading the next installment as soon as I can!
*If you like what you read, you can find me in my blog for more reviews and other articles: http://abookandateacup.blogspot.com.ar/*
This book picks up exactly where the previous one left it, right after Kat and Bree’s da’s deaths, and we meet our characters on the run for their lives, from the terrible King Langdon. Bree is still a great character, stranded in the middle between the barmaid and the royal. I love her practicality, her quick wit, and her curt, no-nonsense responses. She’s definitely not perfect, nor a princess, and she’s not to be trifled with. I love her attitude, her spunky manners, and the fact that she’s never a false person, having no qualms about saying what she thinks. I like her as a person, and in this book, I’m glad she could deepen her relationship with her friends and discover her powers as a Water Thrower. But after the first book, I ended up with a lot of questions that, sadly, weren’t answered. The plot centers mainly on the escape from Egria and the king’s clutches, and that’s pretty much all there is. There’s no new hints of Bree’s past, or her da’s, nor about her true parents, or Nereidium… And I really wanted to know more. Also, there’s little to no presence of Elementals in this book, we don’t get to know many new things about them, save Aleta and Tregle’s torching, and that Bree, as a Thrower, is able to breath underwater, because the Elements don’t harm their wielders. Shakers barely appear, and I’m sure they are more powerful than what can be read in the scene with the bandits. And, sadly, neither there’s anything about people like Kat, able to wield two elements at the same time. With that I’m not saying that the book is bad, I speak for myself saying that I would have liked to know all those things.
As I said, with Bree and her friends’ journey, and Caden’s quest to gather a rebel army and defy his father’s tyrannical reign, there’s practically no time to delve into the past, nor into the special characteristics of some places, like Clavins. But neither about the present, apparently, because we get to know characters like Meddie, Clifts and Liam, as a part of the Underground movement to dethrone Langdon, and there’s not even much about it. How many of them are they, what they do, where they are, how they work… It’s a rebellion, after all! I just hope we get to know more about it in the next book.
I liked all the new characters, especially the sisters from Masonstone, Elsbeth, Dorna and Lilia, and mostly Lilia, because she’s a royal, but also a natural warrior, and I felt really bad about what happened to her family, they didn’t deserved that. I also liked that we could know more –if only a little– about Kat, both through her ghost and her twin sister, Elena. And just like in the previous book, I loved Aleta, she’s still that strong, smart, stubborn girl, fit to be a queen, and I want to know more about her, like who her parents are, where she was born, how Kat found her… I like her relationship with Tregle, and I only grew a little tired of her bickering with Meddie, although even they knew when to stop and work together. The way Aleta is and was raised, surely she was going to find something to criticize in someone else’s leadership skills. Only a word on them after they were captured by the bandits and imprisoned: finding them felt a little too… simple? I mean, an overheard conversation revealed they were all together in the same prison, but I think it would have added complexity to their adventure if one of them was already sold as a slave, or something, and the master was a staunch supporter of the king, for example. But I’m not complaining, just stating the fact.
Again, and just like in the previous book, the love story isn’t well developed. I simply can’t see the chemistry between Caden and Bree, I don’t see where that irresistible pull to each other lies, if they barely interact in this book, and all the sudden they can’t live without each other. I, as a reader, just can’t root for a couple I don’t throughout understand. It’s not clear why they like each other, and their attraction doesn’t make much sense, at least for me. I do hope, however, that it gets better in the next book. As for Caden’s part of the story, I felt it lacked a big part that we deserved to know. He manages to escape the battle after the disaster caused by Ruin’s Reaping, but after that, we don’t get to know anything else about him, except the assumption of his death after the letter Liam reads (that I never believed, sorry). And suddenly, a couple of chapters later, he and Lilia appear alive in Clavins, and never say how they made it, or how they escaped after being defeated, and that would have been an interesting story, especially after the vicious attack and the new weapon they faced.
A word on the villain. It’s amazing how, even when King Langdon only has one scene in the entire book, is a constant presence that infuses permanent terror, mostly based on the force of his army. As a reader, I couldn’t help feeling how terrible he is and the lengths he’s ready to reach in the pursuit of his goals. Even when he’s out of the picture, I felt like he was everywhere, and that’s the best way to create a villain, in my opinion: scary, even when he’s not even there. But also as Caden’s father, a man he knew since forever, and now has become this twisted version of himself he needs to overthrow for the sake of his people.
The last part was just awesome, the sea battle was amazing, and it had me at the edge of my seat. Bree could finally let loose her Throwing abilities to save her loved ones and reach Nereidium, and perhaps it is me, that I read too many fantasy stories, but she finally did what it is always needed to wield any kind of power, and that I knew before her: feel it as a part of her, running through her veins, an indivisible part of her essence… Like she is water and water is her. Although as nobody explained that to her, is understandable. As for that cliffhanger in the end, it was mean, and it just makes me need to know more. How Aleta will react, how the people in the island will treat their princess after so many years… It makes me want to read the next book right now. And that’s what I’m going to do, for certain.
So, in short, it was a good book, but it had these moments, like the romance, that I wish, were more developed, and I definitely wanted to know more about the past, to care a little more about the present. It was, however, a really interesting adventure, and I’ll be reading the next installment as soon as I can!
*If you like what you read, you can find me in my blog for more reviews and other articles: http://abookandateacup.blogspot.com.ar/*
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 29, 2016
I started this audio so many times over the last few months but always ended up putting it aside, to tell the truth, I'm not even sure what it was that didn't grab me this time. I think maybe it was a case of the narrator and the fact that I found Bree to be different than she was in book 1, but I eventually decided that I would finish it no matter what, and I'm glad I did!!
Anyway, the plot, for the most part, was kind of fast paced. By that I mean that Caden's POV was fast paced but Bree just plodded along. Bree is finally free of the evil king, but at a steep price, her father didn't make it and was killed by Kat, not before sharing some vital information with Bree. Bree along with Aleta and Tregle have to make their way to Nereidium and warn them of the King coming. Meanwhile Caden is on his own journey of trying to find an army to go against his father. Can he do it before it's too late?
As I said, I found Bree's story a little boring. I know she was mourning her father and trying to digest the secrets he told her but I found her to be totally different than she was in book 1. In the first one she was kick ass but here she was second guessing herself all the time. I so wanted her to take control and do what she needed to, but she didn't.
Now Caden was as awesome as ever. He really is totally delicious!!! I loved seeing his POV and hope we see more of it in the next installment!
In all, this was a bit of a mixed bag for me. I found it hard to get into at first but about three quarters of the way through, the action really took off and I was engrossed in the end. I will definitely check out the next book in the series to see where the story goes and will still recommend the series to everyone.
Grace Glass took a while to get used to as well. She had a wide variety of accents but I found her female voices to be very similar. But yet, she really brought the book alive. She really understood the story and knew when to add urgency and when to slow down.
*I received a copy of this for review. This in no way affected my thoughts.*
Anyway, the plot, for the most part, was kind of fast paced. By that I mean that Caden's POV was fast paced but Bree just plodded along. Bree is finally free of the evil king, but at a steep price, her father didn't make it and was killed by Kat, not before sharing some vital information with Bree. Bree along with Aleta and Tregle have to make their way to Nereidium and warn them of the King coming. Meanwhile Caden is on his own journey of trying to find an army to go against his father. Can he do it before it's too late?
As I said, I found Bree's story a little boring. I know she was mourning her father and trying to digest the secrets he told her but I found her to be totally different than she was in book 1. In the first one she was kick ass but here she was second guessing herself all the time. I so wanted her to take control and do what she needed to, but she didn't.
Now Caden was as awesome as ever. He really is totally delicious!!! I loved seeing his POV and hope we see more of it in the next installment!
In all, this was a bit of a mixed bag for me. I found it hard to get into at first but about three quarters of the way through, the action really took off and I was engrossed in the end. I will definitely check out the next book in the series to see where the story goes and will still recommend the series to everyone.
Grace Glass took a while to get used to as well. She had a wide variety of accents but I found her female voices to be very similar. But yet, she really brought the book alive. She really understood the story and knew when to add urgency and when to slow down.
*I received a copy of this for review. This in no way affected my thoughts.*
October 1, 2016
My Rating: 4 ½ Stars
*I received a free digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
Riot of Storm and Smoke picks up exactly where book 1 left off as if they were really one book rather than two. In this installment, Bree and her allies are on the run trying to get to safety as the King searches for them. We get both the point of view of Bree and Caden, the King’s son, which I found interesting since Threats of Sky and Sea focused on Bree’s POV. Bree is haunted by the events from the previous book, yet continues to remain strong and determined. Caden also must face the consequences of his actions as he gathers allies to help bring down his father.
In Riot of Storm and Smoke, we also get to meet some new and intriguing characters that help the group on their journey. I was thrilled to see such strong female characters portrayed in this story, including Bree and Aleta, Caden’s former betrothed, from the first book as well as a couple of new characters. It was nice to read about independent female characters who are perfectly capable of saving themselves.
As with the first book in the series, Threats of Sky and Sea, this book once again ends on a MAJOR cliffhanger…even more so than the first book. I was really glad that I had the next book already lined up to read so I was able to continue the story immediately. I would definitely recommend reading this series in order as the books read as if they were one big book broken into separate parts.
*I received a free digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
Riot of Storm and Smoke picks up exactly where book 1 left off as if they were really one book rather than two. In this installment, Bree and her allies are on the run trying to get to safety as the King searches for them. We get both the point of view of Bree and Caden, the King’s son, which I found interesting since Threats of Sky and Sea focused on Bree’s POV. Bree is haunted by the events from the previous book, yet continues to remain strong and determined. Caden also must face the consequences of his actions as he gathers allies to help bring down his father.
In Riot of Storm and Smoke, we also get to meet some new and intriguing characters that help the group on their journey. I was thrilled to see such strong female characters portrayed in this story, including Bree and Aleta, Caden’s former betrothed, from the first book as well as a couple of new characters. It was nice to read about independent female characters who are perfectly capable of saving themselves.
As with the first book in the series, Threats of Sky and Sea, this book once again ends on a MAJOR cliffhanger…even more so than the first book. I was really glad that I had the next book already lined up to read so I was able to continue the story immediately. I would definitely recommend reading this series in order as the books read as if they were one big book broken into separate parts.
December 6, 2016
First off, that cover is gorgeous.
A Riot Of Storm and Smoke sucked me in with it's constant action and fast pace. I genuinely enjoyed every part of it. The hardships that each character endured pulled on my heartstrings and compelled me to continue turning each page despite my sleepy eyes. I couldn't help but feel an admiration towards every one of the characters, so strong-willed and indomitable-- a team to be reckoned with, with or without their Elemental gifts.
As the second book in the series, I was looking forward to experiencing a stronger chemistry between Caden and Bree. The romance was rather dull. I didn't get a sense of passion between the two. Maybe it's because Caden himself is a character that I find underdeveloped and overall uninteresting. Beyond being a prince with a strong sense of morality who leads a rebellion against his father, his presence in the story recedes against Bree, Aleta, Meddie, even Tregle.
Miss Ellision knows how to write the best dialogue. The conversations felt relatably real. There were serious moments, witty comebacks and quality banter. It wasn't overdone at all and pleasantly amusing.
There were a lot of darker moments incorporated into the book. The PG atmosphere downplayed the severity of emotions, like watching a movie where the superheroes slaughter human enemies but never touches upon any remorse for their actions. But recognising that the series isn't going for an all-serious ambience, it wasn't an issue.
And shit, that ending was dramatic enough to rival the first. I'm rooting for you, Bree!
A Riot Of Storm and Smoke sucked me in with it's constant action and fast pace. I genuinely enjoyed every part of it. The hardships that each character endured pulled on my heartstrings and compelled me to continue turning each page despite my sleepy eyes. I couldn't help but feel an admiration towards every one of the characters, so strong-willed and indomitable-- a team to be reckoned with, with or without their Elemental gifts.
As the second book in the series, I was looking forward to experiencing a stronger chemistry between Caden and Bree. The romance was rather dull. I didn't get a sense of passion between the two. Maybe it's because Caden himself is a character that I find underdeveloped and overall uninteresting. Beyond being a prince with a strong sense of morality who leads a rebellion against his father, his presence in the story recedes against Bree, Aleta, Meddie, even Tregle.
Miss Ellision knows how to write the best dialogue. The conversations felt relatably real. There were serious moments, witty comebacks and quality banter. It wasn't overdone at all and pleasantly amusing.
There were a lot of darker moments incorporated into the book. The PG atmosphere downplayed the severity of emotions, like watching a movie where the superheroes slaughter human enemies but never touches upon any remorse for their actions. But recognising that the series isn't going for an all-serious ambience, it wasn't an issue.
And shit, that ending was dramatic enough to rival the first. I'm rooting for you, Bree!
September 7, 2015
That was a slow reading! The story got better at the end, actually! I still think the first book was much more exciting! On "Riot of Storm and Smoke", Bree acts without thinking in a few moments on the story, and as always, because of her reckless action, she brings problems not just to her, but also to her friends. She kept for herself, the fact that on this book, she couldn't use her powers! The whole book she is powerless! Her friends are counting on her, but she hide it from them, while talk about it, would be better! Caden, finally start to gather forces, to fight against his father. He is becoming much more like a leader! I like his character! But i don't know, even so, the pacing on the story was draggy! I feel they were all powerless! All the time, loosing against the king! Actually, when Bree, Caden, Aleta and others are going to Nereidium that things get interesting! And the end, well, that end made me curious to read the sequel! I'm wondering about how will Aleta deal with the news to find out about her false identity! But still, that was a weak reading and my expectations on the last book, aren't that high.
October 8, 2016
I received a free copy through Netgalley, in return for an honest review. A review of the trilogy as a whole will appear on my blog: http://www.lezendleven.blogspot.nl
I loved the way this second book didn't read like a book to get book #1 and book #3 together. It is connected to the first book with subtile flashbacks, without the annoying 'I remember, for the people who haven't read the previous installment ...' Meanwhile, the characters got even better and especially more balanced and real.
I loved the way this second book didn't read like a book to get book #1 and book #3 together. It is connected to the first book with subtile flashbacks, without the annoying 'I remember, for the people who haven't read the previous installment ...' Meanwhile, the characters got even better and especially more balanced and real.
Read
February 12, 2016Bloggers! Booktubers! Review e-copies of RIOT are now available. If you'd like one, please e-mail me (jenniferellision@gmail.com) with your preferred format: epub or mobi :)
Now available as an audiobook! Audible codes for review available to interested reviewers.
Now available as an audiobook! Audible codes for review available to interested reviewers.
September 20, 2016
This book had me on the edge of my seat. Those revalations, the action, the romance. Nail biting stuff, loved it
December 24, 2016
review here
June 26, 2017
http://functioninginsanity.blogspot.c...
Rating: 4.5 Stars
We pick up pretty much where the last one left off. I did a double check and I read book one in April of last year which is a while. I had been somewhat concerned I might have forgotten some things but I worried for nothing. As soon as I started listening it all came back to me. Bree, Aleta, and Tregle are on the run in the secret tunnels fleeing after Lady Kat had just killed Bree’s Da and in turn Bree had used her water throwing ability and killed her, just not in time to save her Da. Not before she revealed that it is she not Aleta, who is the stolen Nereid Princess. Now they must run and escape the kings clutches before he continues in his plans to use her and the Princess (whom he doesn’t realize are really one in the same) to try and conquer Nereid. Caden stays behind to try and continue his work, try to influence his father from his side but he quickly realizes his father has become madder than he knew and he is no longer safe to play his heir. He must build up his own forces and try to stop his father.
Bree is struggling. She just learned everything she knew about her life is not true. Losing her Da and finding out he wasn’t really her father at all, hard to take it all in. Oh and try handling all of that while running for your life. You really dive into the fray here and the tension is thick from the start. I like that she is struggling with everything. She struggles with it throughout the book and that seemed so real and raw to me that I instantly wanted to hug her several times while reading. Then on the flip side we have Caden’s POV who also loses a father in a sense. His father, the King, is still alive yes but he has long since changed from the father he knew and is now completely focused on conquering no matter the cost, even his own son and heir. That is hard to accept. He’s not just fighting against a tyrannical ruler but his own father whom he has fond memories of.
We learn more about the different abilities and the world with politics and alliances. I liked diving into the magic and seeing the limits and restrictions. No one is all powerful. While Bree’s gift is rare and powerful she struggles with it, understanding it and how to wield it. War is on the brink and the King holds a sinister weapon that could wipe out the world. She isn’t sure who she is or wants to be. Not wanting to reveal herself as the true princess but also wanting to meet and connect with any possible family she may have left in Nereidium. Still we learn that magic skill level and training can lead to all sorts of things that not many know about. This lead to a character I never thought I’d ever care about finding a sort of redemption in a sense.
Being on the move and seeing more of the world as a whole was great but I think my favorite part was getting to meet some new characters. While I enjoyed small group I instantly liked some of our new ones. They banter and verbally (sometimes literally) spar with the characters we know while we watch them grow and develop. There was some romance in this as well, not a huge part of the story but still a slight presence and one in particular you just want to make happen!
We are on two separate journeys through most of the book and it allows the story to widen its reach. We see Caden try to rally troops to his side as he fights with the Underground. Old friends forced to make a choice to friendship or safety for their home and people. War is never easy and none of the decisions are as well. Its messy and complicated and no good easy answers, everything has a price. This book really shows that and while I secretly wanted everything to work out for my groups and my characters to not be hurt or worse war is tough. So my poor heart was racing as the story ramped higher and tighter. I got a bit teary at a certain part and it just hit me so suddenly.
I think this was a strong follow up and it leaves you hanging that’s for sure with the ending. Thankfully I don’t have to wait and went ahead and got the audiobook to the third and final book in the series. I hope to finish it soon, though no trips this week so might be a bit slower depending on work. Still I would recommend this book and series.
Rating: 4.5 Stars
We pick up pretty much where the last one left off. I did a double check and I read book one in April of last year which is a while. I had been somewhat concerned I might have forgotten some things but I worried for nothing. As soon as I started listening it all came back to me. Bree, Aleta, and Tregle are on the run in the secret tunnels fleeing after Lady Kat had just killed Bree’s Da and in turn Bree had used her water throwing ability and killed her, just not in time to save her Da. Not before she revealed that it is she not Aleta, who is the stolen Nereid Princess. Now they must run and escape the kings clutches before he continues in his plans to use her and the Princess (whom he doesn’t realize are really one in the same) to try and conquer Nereid. Caden stays behind to try and continue his work, try to influence his father from his side but he quickly realizes his father has become madder than he knew and he is no longer safe to play his heir. He must build up his own forces and try to stop his father.
Bree is struggling. She just learned everything she knew about her life is not true. Losing her Da and finding out he wasn’t really her father at all, hard to take it all in. Oh and try handling all of that while running for your life. You really dive into the fray here and the tension is thick from the start. I like that she is struggling with everything. She struggles with it throughout the book and that seemed so real and raw to me that I instantly wanted to hug her several times while reading. Then on the flip side we have Caden’s POV who also loses a father in a sense. His father, the King, is still alive yes but he has long since changed from the father he knew and is now completely focused on conquering no matter the cost, even his own son and heir. That is hard to accept. He’s not just fighting against a tyrannical ruler but his own father whom he has fond memories of.
We learn more about the different abilities and the world with politics and alliances. I liked diving into the magic and seeing the limits and restrictions. No one is all powerful. While Bree’s gift is rare and powerful she struggles with it, understanding it and how to wield it. War is on the brink and the King holds a sinister weapon that could wipe out the world. She isn’t sure who she is or wants to be. Not wanting to reveal herself as the true princess but also wanting to meet and connect with any possible family she may have left in Nereidium. Still we learn that magic skill level and training can lead to all sorts of things that not many know about. This lead to a character I never thought I’d ever care about finding a sort of redemption in a sense.
Being on the move and seeing more of the world as a whole was great but I think my favorite part was getting to meet some new characters. While I enjoyed small group I instantly liked some of our new ones. They banter and verbally (sometimes literally) spar with the characters we know while we watch them grow and develop. There was some romance in this as well, not a huge part of the story but still a slight presence and one in particular you just want to make happen!
We are on two separate journeys through most of the book and it allows the story to widen its reach. We see Caden try to rally troops to his side as he fights with the Underground. Old friends forced to make a choice to friendship or safety for their home and people. War is never easy and none of the decisions are as well. Its messy and complicated and no good easy answers, everything has a price. This book really shows that and while I secretly wanted everything to work out for my groups and my characters to not be hurt or worse war is tough. So my poor heart was racing as the story ramped higher and tighter. I got a bit teary at a certain part and it just hit me so suddenly.
I think this was a strong follow up and it leaves you hanging that’s for sure with the ending. Thankfully I don’t have to wait and went ahead and got the audiobook to the third and final book in the series. I hope to finish it soon, though no trips this week so might be a bit slower depending on work. Still I would recommend this book and series.
January 25, 2020
★ ★ ★ ★
War draws closer, like a tide to the shore.
Bree and her friends have escaped the clutches of the Egrian King, but their troubles are far from over. Still reeling from the secrets that drew new breath when her father took his last, Bree sets off for the safety of Nereidium- the kingdom she's just learned is hers.
But with the King's ire at its peak and war a certainty, Nereidium is no longer safe. As Prince Caden rallies the Egrian people against his tyrant father, Bree, Princess Aleta, and Tregle race to the Nereid shore to warn them of the incoming danger--and to put the Nereid Princess on the throne.
The only trouble there: Bree can't bring herself to reveal that the Princess is her.
It's not a dilemma she can waste time ponderin. With a new weapon in his arsenal, the King's strikes are sure to be bolder than ever before. And Bree may not be ready to wear a crown... but she won't let her kingdom down without a fight.
THOUGHTSWhat did I take so long to pick up this series? I mean seriously -- I've had the books for like forever! This book was a bit of an eye opening compared to Threats of Sky and Sea, there you are gently sucked into a very sweet and promising romance between Bree and Prince Caden.
Riot of Storm and Smoke the lovers are parted for the majority of the book and I have to say it did Bree the world of GOOD! *well partially* I get that Bree has had her world turned up side down, haunted by the person who killed her father and loosing her power is major but she becomes a bit of a *whiny biatch!* but she’s not the only one yes Prince Caden has also been threw the ringer and it’s changed him too. Torture will do that to a guy but its like he's had a bit of a personality change
There's one bit of the book that kinda annoyed/confused me - maybe I misread the book but the description of Caden and Bree doing more then kissing is more than confusing, one minute they’re kissing the next Bree is putting her clothes back on! She’s seventeen years old, I’m pretty sure it was more then kissing. I think my issue was in the way the scenes are written, the author appears to shy away from going into too much detail *I'm not looking for hot sex scene this is a YA Novel* but the scene is awkward.
While I'm bashing the book a little bit I'll also admit I can't wait to read the next installment especially due to the cliffhanger at the end *I shall not spoil it for you* Hopefully in Fall of Thrones and Thorns there will be more of the witty banter, more romantic and an epic finale.
**Thanks to the Author and Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 6, 2019
Riot of Storm and Smoke did not dissapoint. Life got in the way so I’ve been away from my big beautiful book life! I am back! It had been so long since I read the first book in this series I could not remember the details but I did remember how much I loved it!. I was able to connect to the characters right away and was introduced to several new ones. It took me a bit into the book to get my footing but once I did I was back in an elemental world full of adventure!
The Story, corrupted by power The King has gone too far. He has lost the prize he thought he had and his maddness knows no limits. Thankfully there is an underground set to take care of the people against tyranical rule. With the help of Caden they have made plans to face the man that would see the whole world under his boots.
The End, amazing I just kept going… on to the next book! I had to find out what would happen and you will too. The end is a liitle cliffy so be sure to have the next installment handy because trust me when I say you wont want to miss this. There is plenty of wonderful resolution and the story lines progress very well. I was extremely happy with the way everything played out but it certainly cannot be a stand alone.
Rating
4.5 If you are looking for a well writtend young adult fantasy that is full of fun and excitement this is the one for you. The characters and the concepts are all very intresting and Ellision’s writing will have you turning the pages non stop!
The Story, corrupted by power The King has gone too far. He has lost the prize he thought he had and his maddness knows no limits. Thankfully there is an underground set to take care of the people against tyranical rule. With the help of Caden they have made plans to face the man that would see the whole world under his boots.
The End, amazing I just kept going… on to the next book! I had to find out what would happen and you will too. The end is a liitle cliffy so be sure to have the next installment handy because trust me when I say you wont want to miss this. There is plenty of wonderful resolution and the story lines progress very well. I was extremely happy with the way everything played out but it certainly cannot be a stand alone.
Rating
4.5 If you are looking for a well writtend young adult fantasy that is full of fun and excitement this is the one for you. The characters and the concepts are all very intresting and Ellision’s writing will have you turning the pages non stop!
February 1, 2019
The 2nd book in Threats of Sky and Sea finds our heroes fleeing for their lives as they do their best to evade capture by King Langdon of Egria. He who has forever been power crazed, has now truly gone over the brink into madness and as Bree, Aleta and Tregle flee towards Nereidium Prince Caden is imprisoned by his own father. The trip they make across the desert is not a joke and they are fighting for their lives more than once, whilst Caden does his best to gather an army of volunteers who want to see him on the throne, after being rid of the King who is a menace to all their lives. Lives which he does not even consider when he plots their capture. A book which kept me reading with my heart in my mouth all the while, fearing for the lives of our heroic rebels. I love that the female characters are so strong and opinionated and real bad-ass and highly recommend that all who enjoy strong female characters read this series. Also the characters are very lovable especially Caden who though a Prince is also a rebel and part of the underground faction. The fact that many of them own magical powers wielding the elements according to their affinity is awesome in its own right, and fire torchers, water throwers and air shifters all go to make this series one to be truly enjoyed! This book leaves us at a most interesting part of the story so on wards to book 3!!
September 20, 2019
A strong second entry, but Caden is possibly my least favorite character in this (besides, you know, the villains.) He's not a bad person, but he's not very compelling or interesting most of the time, and to be honest, he seems useless half the time. Also, the romance between Bree and Caden is nonexistent and feels shoved in since there isn't any chemistry or build up. So is Aleta and Tregle's romance.
June 22, 2018
IMMEDIATE dnf for me upon realizing the author must have had a stroke or something, because nothing else explains the sudden switch to multiple first person perspectives in this book. The last book wasn't like this, and it makes NO SENSE to suddenly decide in the middle of a series to change to this style, which, by the way, is only ever used by weak writers. I'm so disappointed. Trash!
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