'Defining Justice' (Threats of Sky and Sea #0.6) by Jennifer Ellision

This ‘Threats of Sky and Sea’ novella takes place before the start of book 1, however, I recommend reading book 1 first, for greater understanding and appreciation.

This novella reveals Prince Caden's break from his father's ideology of ruling and the start of his movement to protect citizens of Egria.  A must-read for ‘Threats of Sky and Sea’ readers.

Thanks to author Jennifer Ellision for providing an electronic copy in exchange for an honest review.

‘Fall of Thrones and Thorns’ (Threats of Sky and Sea #3) by Jennifer Ellision

5 magical stars!

A gripping conclusion to the trilogy, ‘Fall of Thrones and Thorns’ picks up where 'Riot of Storm and Smoke' left off, immediately after the exciting cliffhanger-reveal.  Young barmaid Breena Perdit has come a long way from the cozy Bridge and Duchess Inn hidden away in small town Abeline.  She has learned much about her ancestry and her ability to Wield/Throw her Element of water.

‘Fall’ begins on the shore of Nereidium as Bree, Prince Caden, and their companions escape the clutches of evil King Langdon of Egria.  Whatever peace the group finds, it cannot last long as Shaker-created earthquakes pose a serious threat to the peaceful island.  After time spent learning Nereidium history and customs, and learning more about themselves individually, Bree, Caden, and Aleta lead the group back to Egria, to secure the safety and future of both Egria and Nereidium.

This action-adventure tale is told from multiple perspectives, including Bree, Caden, and Aleta.  The story remains clear to follow thanks to author Jennifer Ellision’s skilled writing.  Feelings and relationships between characters are believable and feel real as they develop.  As characters discover truths about themselves and grow internally, the progressions make sense and feel natural.

I highly recommend the ‘Threats of Sky and Sea’ series to any reader who enjoys magic, court intrigue, YA and fantasy.  These page-turners are captivating and thoroughly enjoyable!

‘Fall of Thrones and Thorns’ will be available on September 27, 2016.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

‘Breathe In’ (Threats of Sky and Sea, #0.7) by Jennifer Ellision

5 stars!

This ‘Threats of Sky and Sea’ novella takes place before the start of book 1, however, I recommend reading book 1 first, for greater understanding and appreciation.

This is the tale of Lady Corrine, Duke Ardin’s wife, how she met Ardin, how he stole her breath away, in the romantic sense, and what happened such that Corrine and Bree never met.  A must-read for ‘Threats of Sky and Sea’ readers.

Currently available for free as part of the Kindle Unlimited program.

‘Sisters of Wind and Flame’ (Threats of Sky and Sea 0.5) by Jennifer Ellision

5 stars!

This ‘Threats of Sky and Sea’ novella takes place before the start of book 1, however, I recommend reading book 1 first, for greater understanding and appreciation.

‘Sisters of Wind and Flame’ is the tale of Lady Katerine and her twin sister, Elena, and how they came to be in the King of Egria’s service.  We follow the events that led up to Ekaterina changing her name to Katerine, and get to see more of Bree’s Da.  A must-read for ‘Threats of Sky and Sea’ readers.

Currently available for free as part of the Kindle Unlimited program.

‘Riot of Storm and Smoke’ (Threats of Sky and Sea #2) by Jennifer Ellision

5 stars!

'Riot of Storm and Smoke' picks up immediately where ‘Threats of Sky and Sea’ left off, in the middle of the action and is just as captivating and easy to get into as ‘Threats.’  Told from the dual perspectives of Bree and Caden, we follow each of their paths as the King reacts to his missing prisoners.

Strap in tight, ‘Riot’ is every bit the action-adventure that ‘Threats’ is.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

'Threats of Sky and Sea' (Threats of Sky and Sea #1) by Jennifer Ellision

5 stars!

Elemental magic wielders, political intrigue, a power-hungry King and a Prince who values the rights of his people over the expansion of their lands.

Though barmaid Breena Perdit lives a simple and happy life for 16 years, there is much her father has kept hidden from her. This well-written tale was a joy to read, to root for Bree as she learns the ins and outs of life at Court and discovers the truth about her past.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

‘The Alchemists of Loom’ (Loom Saga, #1) by Elise Kova

5 stars!

Elise Kova, talented author of the elemental magic series ‘Air Awakens’ introduces us to a new world full of magic, dragons, and political intrigue.  Part steampunk, part action-adventure, ‘The Loom Saga’ takes place in an extremely developed alternate world of Loom and its land-above-the-clouds, Nova.  Kova has seamlessly integrated steampunk inventions with dragons, chimera, and a third new species, called Fenthri, into a clear to follow and fast-paced plot.

‘The Alchemists of Loom’ is narrated, primarily, by three main characters; Arianna (Chimera), Cvareh Xin (dragon), and Florence (Fenthri).  Each is fully developed; their thoughts and motivations easy to understand and agree with, despite some hidden agendas thrown in for good measure.  The different narrations blend together perfectly to provide readers with a more complete picture of the story than each character possesses on their own. 

I recommend this magical adventure to any reader who enjoys dragons, steampunk, and fantasy.  ‘The Alchemists of Loom’ will be available from your favorite bookseller on January 10, 2017.

Thanks to Elise Kova and NetGalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

'Echo in Time' (Echo Trilogy, #1) by Lindsey Fairleigh

5 time bending stars!!

Excellent blend of supernatural beings, Egyptian legends, and feisty archaeologist book-worm, with a time-travel element and a slight romance twist.  This series is quickly becoming a favorite!

'Echo in Time' is available on the Kindle Unlimited program.

‘Prodigal’ and ‘Riven’ (The Lost Imperials #2 and 3) by Sherry D. Ficklin and Tyler Jolley

5 time-bending stars!

'Prodigal' and ‘Riven’ are the second and third entries in a series of 4 steampunk time-travel novels.  Please read ‘Extracted’ (and my review) before continuing this review.

As with ‘Extracted,’ authors Ficklin and Jolley seamlessly integrate steampunk inventions, clothing, and accessories into a clear to follow and fast-paced plot.  The main characters and their significant others are developed and complex.  Whereas ‘Extracted’ is told through the duel points of view of Lex and Ember, ‘Prodigal’ and ‘Riven’ are told from the points of view of their significant others.

Each book picks up exactly where the plot left off in ‘Extracted.’  ‘Prodigal’ follows the events that occur next from Stein’s point of view.  ‘Riven’ follows the events that occur next from Ethan’s point of view.  For us Romanov sibling fans, not to worry – each book heavily involves Lex and Ember.

When we last saw her, Stein was reading an old Tesla journal.  She learns

interesting information regarding her biological family members, and gets the idea to run a blood test; a paternity test.  With Nobel’s help, she confirms the identity of her biological father, but also learns that her body is breaking down and dying quite rapidly.  She and Ember travel through time to learn more about her ailments and the tests run on her as a baby, before ultimately deciding that Tesla himself is the only one who might be able to save her.

Stein’s discoveries also motivate her to move out from The Hallows headquarters.  Lex, Ember, Ethan, Nobel, and Sisson join her in discovering a new hideout and gathering enough loot to make it a home.  It is during one of these trips that Lex and Ethan run into some trouble, and Ethan remembers rather emotional moments from his past.  The strong emotions cause him to ‘fracture’ through time, to literally bounce around from one moment to the next, into different places and times.  Only the knowledgeable Stewart Stills understands what is happening to Ethan, and is able to train him to control the fracturing.

‘Riven’ also gives us a glimpse of an anomaly in the timeline; an alternative and dystopian future that was never supposed to happen.  We also learn more about Sisson, and why she alone has been tasked with procuring a special chemical from the future for Claymore’s helmet.

Though ‘Extracted’ did not end on a cliffhanger, both ‘Prodigal’ and ‘Riven’ do.  The books end on the same cliffhanger, however, each present different tidbits of information, as told from Stein and Ethan’s perspectives, and readers are privy to the secrets kept by each.  Looking forward to the future release ‘Absolution’ (The Lost Imperials #4).

I highly recommend these page-turners to any reader who enjoys time travel, steampunk, YA and fantasy.

‘Extracted’ (The Lost Imperials #1) by Sherry D. Ficklin and Tyler Jolley

5 time-bending stars!

‘Extracted’ is the first in a series of steampunk time-travel novels; the best I’ve ever read!

Authors Ficklin and Jolley seamlessly integrate steampunk inventions, clothing, and accessories into a clear to follow and fast-paced plot.  The main characters and their significant others are developed and complex.  It was a joy to read such fleshed out characters, to understand their motivations and to agree with their thoughts completely.

‘Extracted’ is told through the duel points of view of Lex and Ember, which blend together to provide readers with a more complete picture of the story than either character has on their own.  When the story begins, Lex is a member of the Hallows, and Ember is a student of the Tesla Institute.  They are time travelers, but on opposite sides of the war between the Hallows and the Institute; each group asserting that they protect changes in the time stream from the other. 

Each group has their own method by which they travel through time, clearly explained and easy to understand.  However, both methods lead to each traveler losing their memory on their first trip into the time stream.  When Lex and Ember run into each other, their memories come flooding back and create even more questions than they answer for the reader.

Though there are two additional published books (Prodigal and Riven), and one future release (Absolution) in The Lost Imperials series, ‘Extracted’ does not end on a cliffhanger.  It is clear that the story can now go in any direction, and to any time period, but there is no annoying feeling of absence so often present in cliffhangers.  Excited to spend more time in this universe and with these characters.  Onward to read ‘Prodigal!’

I recommend this page-turner to any reader who enjoys time travel, steampunk, YA and fantasy.

Currently available for only $0.99 on Amazon!

Thanks to NetGalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.