Vortex Visions (Air Awakens: Vortex Chronicles #1)

by Elise Kova

The fact that she’d never invested more time in learning his true nature, his hopes and dreams, when her friend was so invested, made Vi’s insides tighten slightly with guilt.

I love how even though this is a high fantasy universe, E.K writes in a way where i can easily relate to and connect with the characters

At the edge of the city was a ruin so ancient it was nearly taboo. Everyone had always been hushed about the worn and ominous structure. But with Martis’s lesson, Vi now knew why. If she was right, and this was the place her mother had retrieved an axe that had changed the course of history… then she could understand why it was willingly being expunged from memory. Expunged, just like her parents had decreed the dangerous Crystal Caverns following the Mad King’s uprising.

Air Awakens mention <3

Martis had said that following the fall of the Mad King Victor, the blight of the Crystal Caverns had been put to an end, once and for all, on the Main Continent. According to his telling, the crystals, once illuminated with their strange and twisted magic, had gone dark, fractured, and broken.

Air awakens mention

While white threads of magic continued to blur at the edges of her vision, the scene she was presented with was one of night.

New vision

“Are you all right?” The question was surprisingly sincere.

Enemies to lovers?

“Those men and women you saw with red eyes worshipping the evil god Raspian. They should be sealed away, but with the barrier that had been holding Raspian broken…”

Importgant plot point. Antagonist / villian unlocked?

“I am elfin.

Character description

“The elfin’ra are a splinter of elfin… their worship of Raspian has twisted them, changed their magic, their bodies. For it, they were banished to Salvidia over a thousand years ago.” “Salvidia…” Vi repeated. Her mind instantly summoned the map Sehra had shown her. “An island, far off to the south?”

Important info

“To give their god a mortal casing, and bring about the end of the world when he walks among us once more.”

Important plolt point: purpose of the elfin'ra ritual

man with glowing green eyes,

Character description

the crescent-shaped scar that ran along his cheek

Character Description - Taavin

I need your visions to know what path we’re on, and what the future will hold, so I can prevent the elfin’ra from achieving their dark goals.”

Taavins intentions - initikally i dont trust him idky. Prediction: he uses Vi to gain the power of the evil god Ra--

“Because you will need the full power of Yargen as her champion when the end of the world comes.”

Important Plot point : Vi's purpose

It was almost as if the Mother herself had conspired with Ellene the night before, for Vi couldn’t imagine a more perfect day for preliminary noru races leading up to the winter solstice.

Tbh at this point im over the side plot and am ready for more main action!

Vi would do her best to honor that promise despite all that was going on.

Prediction: something bad is going to happen revealing another plot point

She also, admittedly, needed a break after the night she’d had.

To my previous note: it makes sense to continue w the side plot as Vi states she needs a break...

Andru

Lol forgot about him. Prediction: he becomes her savior when Taavin betrays her

Romulin

Andru mentions Romulin frequently... Prediction... Theyre bffs and allies both looking out for Vi

brown hair tied back in a bun, straight posture, sword on her hip, usual Eastern golden-tan skin, nothing betraying any cause for concern on her face.

Character description . Jayme

So I’m thinking that I’ll take it out on the main road, and meet you both on the outer circle.”

Sus... Is something abt to happen to Jayme

She hadn’t received Romulin’s missive about the importance of Andru.

Weird sentence

His words were fond, but his eyes were distant.

Did he care for her family or not? Vi couldn’t put her finger on the answer.

You really do look just like her, our dear, late princess Fiera.” “My grandmother?” The woman nodded. “You have her hair, her voice, her blood, and her fire, too, from what I hear.”

Aldrik's mother?

“In the West, the Firebearers among us with the power to peer among the Mother’s lines of fate and look into the future will sell this ability to those who seek them out. The places they use their future sight for profit are called curiosity shops.”

Lol Vi was so the Mysterious firebearer in Air Awakens. This is her intro to becoming her.

“Should you ever decide to go West, seek me out at my curiosity shop in the Crossroads.

AIR AWAKENS

The lines of fate are wound so tightly around you that they could strangle you if you’re not careful.”

Quote for Vi... Contains deeper meaning

Darrus didn’t miss the chance to take Ellene’s hands. Vi couldn’t fight a smile—a smile that quickly vanished when she remembered Taavin’s nearly identical motions the night before. As though he too hadn’t wanted to miss a chance to… Focus.

icy blue eyes.

Character description . Andru

Andru clearly thought Romulin was more fit to lead. He knew Romulin better—the whole of the South would. Romulin was their darling child and she was… Vi swallowed. She was the faraway heir no one knew anything about and likely no one wanted.

“Get up!” Vi screamed. “Ellene!” Excitement turned to panic. “Stop, stop!” The other noru were coming in fast. Surely they’d seen what had happened? Surely they’d see Ellene on the ground through the dust cloud?

Here it is. The mishap of the noru races

“A terrible or brilliant stroke of luck.” Jayme frowned at it. “If you had been on that saddle, as we’d said was the intent… then you would’ve been the one trampled.”

Whoever saddled the noru purposely sabotaged Vi's. Andru?? Darrus

“Someone, I think was hoping you were on that saddle…” Jayme said. “Because this has been cut nearly all the way through.” “What?” Vi whispered. But what she really meant was why? “Someone wants you dead, princess.”

Plot point

no doubt unassuming to anyone who

Writing Edit... 'no doubt' made me confused

Andru. He had known she was intended to ride… and he had pressed for it.

Evidence to prove Andru is evil... But i think its Darrus

the granddaughter of the man who conquered this land and put it under the heel of the Empire. There are many, I’m sure, who remember seeing their loved ones die at the hands of a man bearing your name.

Air Awakens mention

“Those beasts, the riders could not even get them to stop for their future chieftain.” Andru looked back at Gormon. “Wild things.”

Booo Andru you whore. Dont like an animal hater

she was so much bait on a hook.

Writing edit... 'so much' feels unnecessary

“Be careful. You never know who might take advantage of your carelessness.”

This entire convo is sketchy. But for some reason i feel it might be Jayme

“Perhaps the best way to ensure that you do not reap destruction accidentally is by learning how to destroy things intentionally?”

There was a different feeling about her—her magic specifically. A feeling of control, of a deep understanding she’d never quite mastered before. Taking a deep breath, Vi held out her hand and let her magic lift off her skin. It hovered in the air, almost gracefully, tiny wisps of bright white light woven into threads that only she could command. For the first time in her life, Vi thought there might be something beautiful to magic. Not just any magic, but her magic.

Here shes beginning to accept who she is and embody herself. GLOW UP

over the narrow bridge of his nose. Vi studied his features—they were sharp, not unlike hers, but with a distinctly inhuman edge to them.

Character description... Taavin

“I know your face better than my own mother’s. You’ve reaped destruction on my mind with the mere sound of your voice. I lose days behind my eyelids and wake, only remembering your form.”

“And you’re a little annoying.” Vi didn’t expect him to smile at that, but he did. The shortest upturn of his mouth.

This banter reminds me of Aldrik & Vhalla's beginning relationship

feigned

For the first time in her life, Vi shared the sentiment with someone and did not have them immediately disagree. He didn’t try to point out all she had in the power of her station. Nor did he chastise her for the feeling of entrapment. He merely stood in quiet camaraderie.

Connection between taavin and vi

“No… the flame of Yargen has been burning since the goddess last left this world. It is a remnant of the goddess herself—and her power. Through it, her chosen voice hears the words of power Lightspinners use, as well as her guidance for the mortal realm she created.” He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “At least, that is what I am supposed to do.”

World buildikng + Taavins purpose as the Voice

“That my visions would reveal the locations of the apexes of fate—landmarks on the path of a dying world where my destiny overlaps with the champion’s. That the champion holds the key to fueling the flame once more, and making sense of Yargen’s will.”

Was she really so desperate for affirmation that she was doing all right?

Editing critic. Last half of sentence is unnecessary

“Oh, by the Mother,” Vi muttered, holding out her hand again. She took a breath, finishing a string of curses,