Earth's End by Elise Kova Series: Air Awakens #3
Published by Silver Wing Press on February 11th 2016
Pages: 350
Format:ARC
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.
Book Three of the Air Awakens Series
First, a huge Happy Book Birthday to Earth’s End!!!
Now, the hard part: How to review this book without A) Flailing incoherently like an idiot; or B) Spoiling anything from the first two books. Am I up for the task? Guess we’re about to find out.
(Only the best books ever are graced with a CT GIF.)
I’ll start by saying that I have literally not a bad thing to say about this book. Like, I actually tried to think of something I didn’t like, and I came up empty. I read Earth’s End in what felt like minutes. When I finally finished, it was 6am, my heart was in my damn throat, and I am pretty sure I will never recover. You want feels? You’ll get them. You want tense, edge of your seat moments? You’ll get them too. Want some lighthearted interactions to break up the hell of war? Done. You want the most swoon-worthy romance ever? Hell yes, this book has it in spades.
So you want to know why Earth’s End, the third (and middle!) book delivers, somehow even more than the last two, which I seriously did not think possible? Of course you do.
- Vhalla is stronger than ever, but she’s still the Vhalla we fell in love with. It’s not spoilery to say that she is a Windwalker, and with that comes a lot of power. And she’s been through a lot in these three books. So it stands to reason that she is getting to be one hell of a strong woman. But even though she’s becoming tougher, more sure of herself, there are still incredibly vulnerable moments that take us back to Vhalla on the first page of the series. So there’s tons of growth, but it’s not only realistic, it’s keeping in line with who Vhalla is as a person.
- The relationship is so beautiful, but so real. So many times in fantasy books, the relationships never have to deal with any “real world” problems, mostly because they aren’t happening in the real world. But with this relationship, it feels epic and amazing, but it also feels very, very relatable. Sure, their problems aren’t going to be the same as yours or mine, but they struggle to find balance with “work”, with family and friends, with communication- all the things that a normal couple would have issues with. Only, they’re in the midst of a war and have special abilities and are the most amazing OTP in the history of ever. It’s kind of amazing that the author is able to achieve this balance, and it makes the romance even more appealing.
- It’s absolutely morally complex. Nothing is black or white, right or wrong. There’s an incredible moment where Vhalla realizes that war has two sides- and how easy it is to overlook that the other side is essentially made up of citizens just trying to live their lives too. That’s one small example (for the sake of non-spoiler-ness), but it’s things like that that make this series incredibly thought provoking. When these things play out on the pages, it has a profound impact on the characters, and certainly made me stop and think.
- The side characters are fabulous– both the existing ones, and the new ones. We’re introduced to some new characters that are really enjoyable, and are provided some great moments by those that have already been featured. Some of the characters bring humor, some bring insight, some bring loyalty, and of course, some bring general evilness, but they all bring something to the table. There are no “filler” characters here, they all mean something to the story, and have personalities that pop off the page.
- This series may destroy me. I have fallen in love with so many of the characters, and I have had my feelings yanked all over the place throughout the series, and this book was definitely no different. I experienced tension, joy, laughter, love, fear, and yes, a certain amount of ugly crying and crushing of my soul, but I feel that’s the mark of a really incredible reading experience, so it’s a huge positive.
Bottom Line: What more can I say? Elise Kova has somehow done it again, and written a book even stronger than the first two, because apparently she also has magical abilities. In seriousness, I have fallen so in love with this series, and I am blown away by this series’ ability to reel me and never let go. I simultaneously can’t wait to find out what happens next while never, ever wanting it to end. But let’s be real- Water’s Wrath can’t get here soon enough!
I love this book, and I want you to love it too! I am going to give away a paperback copy and two ebook copies of Earth’s End to celebrate its book birthday! BUT, on the off chance you have not heeded my recommendations and read the previous books, you CAN choose one of the earlier books in the series (Air Awakens or Fire Falling). And if you have already bought this one yourself, you can choose a pre-order of Water’s Wrath. Because I am nice like that 😉 Also, it’s International, as long as TBD ships for the paperback, and you can receive an Amazon Kindle book for the e-copies!
Okay wow this review makes me want to read this series more than ever! I mean look at that cover! How badass does she look! I love books that has complex characters, and all the side characters actually mean something to the story. I have Air Awakens and Fire Falling, but somehow never around to read them. Hopefully I could read them soon!
I loved the first book, but didn’t get a chance to get to the 2nd one, but I’m so ridiculously excited seeing how much you adored this 3rd installment. I love it when a series seems to get better and better and man, along with the covers getting prettier, it sounds like the story/characters/romance get awesomer too! I’m thinking I need to binge-read these 2 books before Water’s Wrath comes out ASAP!
I love what you had to say about the relationship. You’re so right. So often it doesn’t come across as realistic because they aren’t facing real problems and morally complex stories!! You make me want to drop everything and just pick this up!!
Fabulous review, Shannon! Love your enthusiasm. 🙂
I just finished Air Awakens this morning, and I LOVED IT!
I totally admit that I skipped this entire series due to the covers. Um, I don’t like it when they use animation for covers (also, i am a complete cover snob). The last series i finished was The Lunar Chronicles. The latest series that drove me insane fangirling was An Ember in the Ashes.
Eek, I’m happy you LOVED this! I haven’t read the books at all – but I HEAR SO MANY PEOPLE LOVING IT 😀
I especially like how you said it’s morally complex – that really motivates me to read it more!
Love your review – you can really see how much you loved it! 😀
How do you always manage to get me wanting to read books that are sooooo NOT my kind of book?!? This sounds AWESOME!! And something I never would have looked twice at. Well done, Shannon. Well done. 😀
How have I not heard about this series?! This sounds amazing, so happy this installment was such a hit for you, too! That is the best feeling. Lovely review Shannon!
I have FINALLY read the first book in this series and I must say thank you for introducing me to this wonderful world. I already have Fire Falling ready and waiting on my bedside table and I can’t wait to start it. I am so happy that this series just continues to build on the last book. I love what you said about the relationship because it makes it so much easier to relate to and it just fuels the support I have for this couple. No relationship is perfect and I like that getting t to see them at their best and their worst. Although I don’t think I’ll ever be prepared for the pain haha.
I am slightly worried at the possibility of a love triangle occurring, especially since I’m already invested in Aldrik and Vhalla. I do hope my fears are misplaced.
Love this series, it is amazing, I love how the relationship between Vhalla and Aldrik is cemented, its more than just their bound and it makes it so real <3
So I am guilty of skimming this review because it sounds fabulous but I haven’t read books 1 and 2. But morally complex?!? Fabulous lady characters?!?!? FABULOUS SIDE CHARACTERS?!?!? And just the premise! I’m definitely making this a priority — and not just because the title is truly fabulous ;P
NEED. NEED. And guess who discovered the next title for you? Yes it was me. Let’s not tell Elise that I was at your house and saw your copy because how can you avoid me sneaking around your room? I also may have almost read it while you were not looking. Unfortunately I was too busy looking after your children. HAHAH.
I want to buy a paperback of this. The cover is too gorgeous to not. Same with Fire Falling.
I know you better work with this review girl! Ahh, I’m reading Earth’s End now, and gah it’s so amazing. Everything you mentioned hits this book right on the head, and I can’t wait to get further in! Be prepared for your DM’s to be attacked lol.
I’ve heard so much about this series lately, and I’m glad you enjoyed it Shannon! It definitely sounds like the concept is really fascinating and yes to the awesome meaningful characters and the morally concept decisions! When a book can really wrap it’s way into your heart, you know it’s going to be good. Wonderful review lovely!
This sounds REALLY good. I hadn’t heard of it before.
Karen @For What It’s Worth
Is it just me or did this whole series get published extremely fast? I mean, no complaints! I am sure readers love the fact that they didn’t have to wait too long for sequels! I just remember hearing about book one towards the end of the year and then suddenly there was book two and NOW the finale is out? I can’t WAIT to read this series because everyone seems to love it and I am so glad you enjoyed the conclusion to things as well <3
I love this series so much!! And yes augh the wait for Water’s Wrath is going to be so hard!