Review: Air Awakens (Air Awakens #1) by Elise Kova

Air Awakens
(Air Awakens #1)

by Elise Kova

August 25, 2015

377 pages

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Goodreads Summary:

A library apprentice, a sorcerer prince, and an unbreakable magic bond...

The Solaris Empire is one conquest away from uniting the continent, and the rare elemental magic sleeping in seventeen-year-old library apprentice Vhalla Yarl could shift the tides of war.

Vhalla has always been taught to fear the Tower of Sorcerers, a mysterious magic society, and has been happy in her quiet world of books. But after she unknowingly saves the life of one of the most powerful sorcerers of them all—the Crown Prince Aldrik—she finds herself enticed into his world. Now she must decide her future: Embrace her sorcery and leave the life she’s known, or eradicate her magic and remain as she’s always been. And with powerful forces lurking in the shadows, Vhalla’s indecision could cost her more than she ever imagined.

Review

Lately I've been reading a lot of contemporaries even though my favourite has always been fantasy. Air Awakens perfectly reminds me of that love. It reawakened me (hahaha sorry I had to do it!). The world was vast and majestic, the story was magnetic with bewitching characters whose powers fascinated me. All combined, it was flawless.

I raced through the first half of Air Awakens like a maniac because I couldn't wait to read it. I needed to meet all the characters, get a sense of their magic and just be inside this curious new world. A lot of the book focused on Vhalla figuring herself out which greatly helped me relate to her. My heart really started pounding when the action arrived in the latter half of the book. Things were happening left and right. We go from dancing in a grand ballroom to sparring in a chaotic town square then to lying on the cold stone floor inside a cell, I couldn't get enough! The trial reminded me a little of A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas. There was no shortage of surprises by the end of the book.

How does a simple library apprentice get swept up into such craziness? Vhalla, the poor girl. Sorcery has upended her world. Known as a Windwalker, she has control over air and wind. At first, Vhalla resisted the idea of herself having any sort of association with magic. She grew up afraid of sorcery so how can she be the very thing she feared? However, as she's guided by books (*high fives) and a certain infuriating prince, she comes to understand and accept magic. Vhalla is incredible. We got to learn so much about her and witness her growth. "She'd cut and cut until she was sculpted into something better, something stronger." (p.375). I thoroughly appreciated her every thought and action. What a tough girl she is!

So my first impression of Aldrik = bossy and rude. Basically he was extremely unlikable. I couldn't  believe that roof scene. He pushed her off the roof! What a great start for them. I didn't think I'd be able to get pass that but then he goes and shows he can be endearing and sweet. There's also an intensity to him I've not seen in many characters. Aldrik radiated power but gave nothing of himself away. Such a curious man. His status as Crown Prince only served to make him more tempting to me. I know I'm not the only one ;) So swoon-worthy!

Vhalla and Aldrik clearly care for each other (very much). She admits to having feelings (beyond friendship) for Aldrik yet she doesn't know exactly what those feelings represent. Aldrik too, with his hot and cold demeanor, makes it confusing to know whether his feelings for Vhalla are romantic or not. I pray that she means more to him than just 'the first Windwalker in nearly 150 years'. It's fair to say nothing will be confirmed until the characters themselves acknowledge it. Oh the sweet torture.

Baldir is... interesting. He comes into the story late but I'm fairly intrigued to see what kind of a role he'll have. There seems to be a love and hate thing going on between him and his brother so I'd like to get to know their relationship better. More, more, more please.

Hells to the yes for more fires and wind storms. I seriously was not kidding when I say Air Awakens rekindled my love for fantasy. I can only imagine what kind of excitement Fire Falling will bring! Now do yourself a favour and get on reading with this beauty.

 

 

I had the pleasure of reading Fire Falling, the second book in the series early so look for my review next week!