Earth's End by Elise Kova

Earth's End
Air Awakens: Book Three
Written by Elise Kova
Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance
Published February 11th 2016 by Silver Wing Press
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★★★
A woman awoken in air, a soldier forged by fire, a weapon risen from blood.

Vhalla Yarl has made it to the warfront in the North. Forged by blood and fire, she has steeled her heart for the final battle of the Solaris Empire’s conquest. The choices before Vhalla are no longer servitude or freedom, they are servitude or death. The stakes have never been higher as the Emperor maintains his iron grip on her fate, holding everything Vhalla still has left to lose in the balance.

Vhalla Yarl has evolved over the past year. She has gone from a small, mousey library apprentice to a revered and admired Windwalker - a one of a kind sorceress. It is her time to make well on her binding to the Emperor. The Solaris army is months away from war in the North, and the only being who can bring them victory is Vhalla. However, greater things are in store for young Vhalla. She is in love with the crown prince, Aldrik.

Together the two must not only prepare for battle with an outer enemy, but also within their own walls. The Emperor will do anything to assure that his son does not end up with the likes of Vhalla, even if it means killing her - but not before she has proved useful in winning the battle between the Northern people. Aldrik swears he will see no harm come to her - no matter the cost. But the cost may come at a higher price than either of them ever imagined.

Kynndra's Thoughts

Okay, first and foremost - let me elaborate that I LOVED Air Awakens and Fire Falling with every fibre of my being. I adored the story and the characters to a T. Everything about the series to the covers ensnared me. I was absolutely thrilled when I got my copy of Earth's End. I was looking forward to it for a few months, and thankfully the wait went by faster than I thought it ever would.

Unfortunately, I found Earth's End to be slightly disappointing. I can't help but wonder if I'd grown unattached to the story or the characters within those eleven weeks between books two and three. I don't think that's the case. But somehow, it just felt different than when I'd began this series. That's not to say the book was awful o- it really wasn't, I just believe it lost something it had in the beginning.

I really think where it went wrong for me is the fact that book three was 85% sappy romance. It was no longer that slow burning, dark and alluring relationship we had between Vhalla and Aldrik. Aldrik was what really got me. He used to be this intimidating, snarky and attractive guy we all know and love as the common trope in YA Fantasy. Mr. Dark and Mysterious suddenly did a 360 into whipped and annoying ville. He was clingy and needy - and most of his dialogue resorted to "my lady, my love" or some rendition of that. It really just came out of nowhere - this sudden change of personality. I genuinely hope in the next books we return to a much more interesting Aldrik.

Vhalla too, I found changed - though not as drastically as Aldrik. Her's was more growth than anything. Instead of being a terrified, untrained sorceress fledgling she was now a badass Windwalker who could thoroughly use her powers in such a way that made for a few exciting action scenes. When she wasn't enamoured by Aldrik, she was entertaining and made for a fun banter between secondary characters (even though they rarely made an appearance this time around).

In general the writing and the plot were done very well and still gave the book the push I was looking for. Elise still amazes me how she's able to push out books faster than any other author I know of. I cannot wait to see how Vhalla and Aldrik move forward in the upcoming installments - it will without a doubt be a ride. I'm so thrilled by the many routes the story can now go.

In Conclusion

Despite the disappointment that the book revolved around a unsatisfying romance (only in my opinion), I still enjoyed the magical world Elise has built. The powers that the sorcerers wield were intriguing - something I'm looking forward to exploring in the upcoming books. The plot developed well and made me lurching for the next chapter - and after that ending, I'm dying to continue as it was left on a HUGE cliffhanger. Once again, can we do a round of applause for the cover artist? She never ceases to amaze me. I'm envious of such talent!

Kynndra is waddling her way through life trying to figure stuff out.


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16 comments

  1. I still have only read Air Awakens and Fire Falling, which really needs to change because I do want to read Earth's End. I'm sorry to hear that Aldrik is more gushy than usually, I did really like him in the first two books, so I'm hoping maybe this won't bother me as much? Who knows? At least I've been warned :)

    Awesome review Kynndra!! I love this series, but at this rate, I will be really far behind!

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    1. I loved Aldrik in books one and two. He was perfect and unique and all around charming. I was so crushed he turned into this gushing mess of making everything revolve around Vhalla. I'm hoping he's his old self in book four! Who knows, it might not bother you!

      Thank you! And I know, Elise pushed books out so fast (both a blessing and a curse!)

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  2. Practically everyone I know have been enjoying these books. Though, sorry this latest one was a disappointment. It sucks when you slowly feel the love draining. Lol.

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    1. Lmao it really does suck, Joy. I really hope that it returns in book four. We'll just have to see I guess.

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  3. Oh man, I don't know if I should read the first two books anymore! Sappy romance annoys me a bit :/ And I don't want to start a book series, if I know the third book isn't going to appeal to me! Thanks for letting me know there's a sappy romance here, Kynndra! I'm still weighing up whether I should start the Air Awakens series, and yeah, this is another factor to consider!

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    1. Ahh! No Geraldine, I still recommend reading the series. Book three is just a minor hiccup for me. I still adore it. This one was just lacking. I'm hoping it's better in book four. I genuinely hope you go ahead and start it! c:

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  4. Aw, that's a bummer the romance turned so sappy and not nearly the same burning passion as it once was. I haven't read any of these, but I've heard good things about the first book. I'm sorry the third didn't quite live up to the first two!

    -Lauren

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    1. It was such a huge bummer! I'm holding out hope that book four is better c:

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  5. I still haven't read Air Awakens even though it's been on my tbr since forever! I really should get into it. And yes, those covers are amazing! My favorite is Fire Falling though :D I'm a bit worried about the sappy romance, but I hope Vhalla's character development would make up for it!

    Tasya // The Literary Huntress

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    1. Fire Falling is by far my favorite cover and book. It's the best out if the three and I have yet to read the fourth! I can't wait to see if the romance is better in this one. I really hope it is as I love this series! Thanks, Tasya!

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  6. The artwork on this cover really is pretty. Too bad you didn't feel this one as much as the others. Still sounds like a great series.

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    1. I love the artwork so much. It always stuns me! Yeah, it's a shame but I'm hoping the rest of the series goes well.

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  7. That sounds like a bit of a disappointment that one of the characters had a personality transplant :/ hopefully things go back to normal with the next book!

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  8. I mean, I loved the sappy romance, because well, I love sappy romance bwahah. I think it's really good that you talked about it this way though, because I am sure a lot of people feel like you do and don't love when things get sappy, which is something I tend to forget about!

    I do agree that Vhalla definitely developed a lot as a character. As for Aldrik... my thoughts have been (since the beginning, really) that the whole dark and mysterious thing is such a huge sham, and he's really just a nice guy who is wayyyy too afraid to get hurt. So I kind of felt like this WAS the real him? Especially because he had such a rapport with Baldair too- the only other person in the damn world that he felt comfortable around, basically. But again, totally my opinion!

    I am nearly done with Water's Wrath, and the tone is definitely different. Especially in the romance department. So hopefully you will enjoy it!! Great review :)

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