Hello there people!
Today is a new week and one of those Mondays after working the weekend, so nothing much is different for me!
I'm hoping to get some quiet time to read at the cottage during this week since I work the weekend once again... On the bright side that'll mean a lil extra on my next pay check, which will be highly welcome!
For this week's Mark This Book Monday I have an ARC of a book that I have been eagerly awaiting and when the author asked if I wanted to get I'm surprised she didn't go deaf from my squealing... I guess she's like she lives in Florida!
As an ARC it is part of ARC August and as a fantasy book it'll also count towards my 105 Challenge!
Riot of Storm and Smoke by Jennifer Ellision
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
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!
View all my reviews
Today is a new week and one of those Mondays after working the weekend, so nothing much is different for me!
I'm hoping to get some quiet time to read at the cottage during this week since I work the weekend once again... On the bright side that'll mean a lil extra on my next pay check, which will be highly welcome!
For this week's Mark This Book Monday I have an ARC of a book that I have been eagerly awaiting and when the author asked if I wanted to get I'm surprised she didn't go deaf from my squealing... I guess she's like she lives in Florida!
As an ARC it is part of ARC August and as a fantasy book it'll also count towards my 105 Challenge!
Riot of Storm and Smoke by Jennifer EllisionMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
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!
View all my reviews
What's this now, Pili? A second book that's not all filler and setup for book three? SOLD!!!! I still need to read the first book obviously, but I'm thrilled to see this second installment was such a winner:)
ReplyDeleteI do hope you'll read both and loved them as much as I did Jenny! =D
DeleteA double challenge count, you go girl! :D
ReplyDeleteThank you Linda! =D
DeleteI love how the second book is just as good as a first, and doesn't fall to having second book syndrome. It's hard to find a book like this one.
ReplyDeleteMiddle book syndrome is usually too common, right?
DeleteLooks like a great book Pili :D So glad you liked it sweet girl. The cover looks so pretty :) Sounds like a great book. Not for me, but getting curious ;p Thank you for sharing about it sweetie. <3
ReplyDeleteThank you sweetie! And the cover is absolutely gorgeous, isn't it??
DeleteAh! I've not heard of this one! I think I remember seeing the first book around, thinking the cover was BEAUTIFUL. This one is quite striking as well! It sounds very unique and interesting, and I think the alternating POVs is probably handy. But noooooo, cliffhanger, ahhh! Hopefully the next book takes care of that ending!
ReplyDeleteExcellent review, Pili!
Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!
Both covers are absolutely striking!! Cliffies are evil indeed!
Delete