Welcome to the Fire Falling launch tour!! As you probably know by my gushing and fangirling, I loved Air Awakens, Book One in this series. If you’re friends with me on Goodreads, you may have seen my incoherent ramblings about how much I beyond loved Fire Falling, so I am so, so excited to get a chance to be on this tour! Now, if I can only figure out how to use words to express my feelings…
Oh! And Elise has generously set up a giveaway! A signed hardcover of Fire Falling, which would be kind of epic to win, no? And, since I am such a fan of this series, I figured I’d give away a couple of e-book copies (from the retailer of your choice) of either book in the series, because you seriously have to read this one!
Fire Falling by Elise Kova Series: Air Awakens #2
Published by Silver Wing Press on November 19th 2015
Pages: 378
Format:ARC
Soldier… Sorcerer… Savior… Who is Vhalla Yarl?
Vhalla Yarl marches to war as property of the Solaris Empire. The Emperor counts on her to bring victory, the Senate counts on her death, and the only thing Vhalla can count on is the fight of her life. As she grapples with the ghosts of her past, new challenges in the present threaten to shatter the remnants of her fragile sanity. Will she maintain her humanity? Or will she truly become the Empire’s monster?
Fire Falling is the second book in the Air Awakens Series.
You know when you’re reading a book, and suddenly you look down to see that you’re making actual puddles of tears on your own lap? Yeah, that is a thing, and it was the product of this book. This is one of those reviews that is extra hard to write because you just want to flail and throw the book at people. Yep, it was that good. I haven’t read a book that had me this entranced in a long while.
You probably want to know what was so epic, no? Great, because I shall tell you these things!
- That tiny, pesky worldbuilding issue I had in the first book? Gone, fixed, I am now informed and in the loop and have a map for reference. This is perfect. We also start to find out the stakes, both for Vhalla and the rest of the empire.
- Vhalla still amazes me at every turn. She’s still coming to terms with her situation, which means that sometimes she is bitter and angry and scared and miserable. And other times, she realizes that she needs to step it up and basically kicks ass. But she still needs a hug when it’s over. This is what makes Vhalla so real- yes, she can handle herself better now, she understands more of what is at stake in her world. But she is still just a young woman with feelings and emotions like everyone else, who is looking for friendship and acceptance and love. She knows you can be both tough and retain your humanity. She can love as fiercely as she fights; she can conquer enemies and nurture friendships. I love her now more than ever.
- There was a perfect balance between action and character development. There was a lot of action as Vhalla and the gang march to a war, of course. But there was plenty of restful periods where we got to know all of the side characters quite well. Since there’s only a finite number of people traveling, we get to really learn a lot about those involved with Vhalla. But the action scenes are full of tension, yet move at a pace where I never once felt lost. Best of all, the events really had quite a cumulative effect- the ramifications and fallout always had an impact on other scenes.
- The romance is so swoon-worthy I can hardly contain myself. I haven’t shipped a couple this hard in a long time. Even though there are so many reasons that they should be apart, their chemistry and affection is undeniable.
Bottom Line: While I loved Air Awakens, Fire Falling did the rare and fabulous job of outshining its predecessor. I basically don’t know what to do with myself until Earth’s End. Things definitely ended on a “need next book now” level, and I do. I absolutely do. Fire Falling made me swoon, laugh, cry (fine, sob), and I definitely count it among my favorite books. Next, please!!
About Elise Kova
Elise Kova has always had a profound love of fantastical worlds. Somehow, she managed to focus on the real world long enough to graduate with a Master’s in Business Administration before crawling back under her favorite writing blanket to conceptualize her next magic system. She currently lives in St. Petersburg, Florida, and when she's not writing can be found playing video games, watching anime, or talking with readers on social media. She is the author of the Air Awakens Series as well as the upcoming Loom Saga (Keymaster, 2017).
Pre-Order Fire Falling:
Elise’s Giveaway!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
My Giveaway!!
WATERRUNNER DUH. I am a swimmer so MAKES SENSE.
Also look at me forgetting about the giveaway. Why do I fail I life whyyyyy. Darn you school work for making me not paying attention.
I need the next book now too let’s be honest.
Hahah SAME. Seriously, how do we survive until Earth’s End? I cannot. I CANNOT.
I’m not sure what my ability would be.
Waterrunner
I’m so excited to see that you loved the sequel so much, Shannon! I really enjoyed the first book, especially the protagonist so I’m truly excited to see that she’s growing up even more. She sounds completely badass! And I’m really happy to hear that the world building is also stronger.
Wohoo for the swoony romance! I can’t wait to read this one already. 🙂
Lovely review!
Thanks!! It was so, so amazing. I really hope you love it too. Val even loved it and she is harder to please than I am, so that is a good sign, I think 😉 I feel like if you liked Air Awakens, you’ll love this one more.
I would definitely be a waterruner. I love swimming and Water it’s just my prefered element
Totally with you there!! 🙂
It’s gotten to the point where I dread writing reviews for the books I think are AMAZING because jhdfjkgvjxcliycdsu it is so damn difficult .______. TBH I would rather review a crappy book than a favorite it is so much easier lol I am slow to read high fantasy, but I am perking up to hear there is romance yaaaaaay! I need to get to this series. Eventually. Before I am old. 😀 Great review!
YES. I think it is much easier to review a crappy book. I mean, you hate EVERYTHING so you can go on for days. With a book you love, it’s like you just want to hug it and then yell at everyone to read it! And definitely do read this series, I kind of love it, clearly 😀 Thanks so much!
Great Review! I’m glad you enjoyed this book! You made it sound so exciting and interesting, I’ll have to add it to my TBR list 🙂
Best,
https://www.theliterarycove.wordpress.com
Aw thanks! I hope you enjoy it if you do 😀
i got commons… surprise surprise… haha
Hahhaha. I was SURE I would get commons if not Waterrunner 😉
I a commons D: ahha, anywho… I want to read this series, you know..since you made it sound so amazing 😛
Awww thank you! I really hope you get the chance to read it soon, it is quite fabulous. And the best part is, there’s only about 3-4 months in between books it seems! YAY!
Congrats on writing a coherent review! 🙂 I love it when the sequel manages to be better than the first book! It’s also good to know that the main character isn’t as annoying and the world now makes sense. I so need to get on this series already. I realize it’s only like $4, but I’m cheap, so I entered the contests! hehe I got Waterrunner too!
Aww thanks 😉 I agree, it is such magic when a sequel is better, and it does NOT happen often! I hope you do win Molly, it’s so good and I think you’d really like it! And YAY Waterrunners Unite! 😀
The worldbuilding issue was the main problem I had in Air Awakens, so glad that’s cleared up 😀 AND DUDE I NEED MORE ROMANCE I NEEDED KISSES I HAD NEVER WANTED ROMANCE IN A FIRST BOOK SO MUCH IN MY LIFE. But for real, I just wanted to smoosh their faces together. THE CHEMISTRY. Ohhhhh, I got Firebearer!
Yes, that is what prevented me from giving it 5 stars too- so this was very good indeed. AnD RIGHT!? GAH the chemistry! I wanted to smoosh their faces together too- I felt like a kid playing Barbies, trying to make them all kiss hahah. OHH Firebearer!! You may be the first one here so far!
Maybe firebearer since I’m a fire sign, although any of them would be be pretty cool! I haven’t read the books yet, but I want to read them ASAP! They sound amazing and they’ve been raved about by so many people! Thanks for the amazing giveaways!
Aw I really hope you enjoy them when you get a chance! I have loved them both so far 😀 And you’re very welcome!
I’m a WINDWALKER! How cool is that? This was a fun post and poll. Great review, it makes me want to run out and read this right now.
OOOH you are the elusive WINDWALKER! So you are our heroine, eh? That sounds about right, actually. I can see it! And thanks so much!!
I took the quiz and got waterrunner, but I have to admit I’m not a big fan of water. I see myself more as a windwalker.
Maybe your special Waterrunner powers will also instill a love of water? 😉
Good point. Maybe waterrunner isn’t so bad afterall.
I’ve seen this book around but haven’t read a review on it before, so it definitely sounds like Vhalla is a fascinating and well-rounded heroine who you could really relate to! I love the world building here too.
Ohhh yes, Vhalla is like, my spirit animal. She acts like I presume I would in these situations, and I LOVE HER. Definitely read Air Awakens- but know that Fire Falling gets even better 😀
Okay, I am officially sold. I simply MUST get my hands on this series. For one, the covers are absolutely stunning. It always makes me happy when the second book improves on the first one and knowing there’s a good balance between the action and character development is a bonus. I’m ready for this emotional roller-coaster.
Aw YAY! I hope you like it! I agree, the covers are beyond gorgeous (I am participating in the 3rd cover reveal next week too, EEP!) and I agree- it is SUCH a good sign when the books get BETTER. I really am excited for you to read them!!
Thanks for highlighting this series. I hadn’t seen it before, but it definitely looks like something I’d like. *adds books to towering TBR pile* I got Windwalker when I took the quiz, which sounds really cool. (For some reason, I thought I’d end up with Groundbreaker.) Thanks for the giveaways! 🙂
Aw I really hope you enjoy it if/when you read it! And Windwalker is the coolest thing you can be in this series- so you must be pretty fabulous 😀 And you’re quite welcome!!
I haven’t read Air Awakens yet, because it’s not available through any of the libraries in my state. 🙁 It sounds amazing, though, from everything I’ve heard. The quiz tells me my affinity is water, but I think a combination of fire and air is more accurate, haha. Thanks for the giveaway!
haven’t read this
I’m a Windwalker~
I already told you on your cover reveal post that I hadn’t heard of this series, but your love of it convinces me I need to read it!!
Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction
Unfortunately, I have not read Air Awakens, but I think I would love it!
I haven’t read any of these books but this series sounds so amazing!!!