Review ~ "Fire Falling" by Elise Kova

Title: "Fire Falling"
Series: Air Awakens #2
Author: Elise Kova

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Published: November 19, 2015
Publisher: Silver Wing Press
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance
Pages: 378
Format: Paperback
Source: Bought

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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.

Waiting on Wednesday #34: "Crystal Crowned" by Elise Kova

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event, hosted Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

 

Title: "Crystal Crowned"

Author: Elise Kova

Expected Publication: July 12, 2016

Long live Solaris.

One bloodthirsty ruler has been overthrown by another, casting the shadow of death over the Solaris Empire. Vhalla Yarl stands upon the stage of fate, prepared to do battle one final time. Fragile alliances will be tested and new bonds will be formed as the world is reshaped. She fights as the champion of peace, but when the night is darkest will she be able to pay the price of a new dawn?

I've only read Air Awakens, but I hope to catch up and read Fire Falling and Earth's End pretty soon. I absolutely loved the characters and the world-building, and can't wait to see what happens to Vhalla next! I've heard so many great things!

 

Preorder

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What are you waiting on?

Cover Reveal ~ "Water's Wrath" by Elise Kova

 

Water's Wrath (Air Awakens #4) by Elise Kova 
Release Date: April 26th, 2016
 
Summary

Librarian turned sorcerer. Sorcerer turned hero. Hero turned puppet.

The Solaris Empire found victory in the North and, at the cost of her heart and her innocence, Vhalla Yarl has earned her freedom. But the true fight is only beginning as the secret forces that have been lurking in the shadows, tugging at the strings of Vhalla’s fate, finally come to light. Nowhere is safe, and Vhalla must tread carefully or else she’ll fall into the waiting arms of her greatest foe. Or former lover.

 
Add to Goodreads
 
Air Awakens on Goodreads
 
Fire Falling (Air Awakens #2) on Goodreads
 
Earth’s End (Air Awakens #3) on Goodreads
 
Pre-Order Links
Amazon│Barnes & Noble│iTunes│Amazon UK
 
Cover Reveal Exclusive: My Thoughts on the Covers’ Symbolism So Far
Six months ago, almost to the day, Air Awakens came out. It was my debut novel as an independent author, no publisher and no agent behind me, and I had no idea what would come of it. Now, six months later, I can’t believe I’m revealing the cover on the fourth book of the Air Awakens series.
 
I say every cover is my favorite, because it gets harder and harder to pick. Each of the covers, in their own way, has been perfect for the book they belong with. My cover artist, Merilliza Chan, is amazing at taking direction and incorporating my suggestions.
 
Part of why each cover is perfect is because there are little hints, teasers, and call-outs to the story within. Without giving too many spoilers, here’s a couple notes on each of the Air Awakens covers so far!
 
Air Awakens
 
First off, notice how Vhalla’s sash is black. In the book, the sash that goes with her apprentice robes is cerulean. This, combined with her robes slowly turning black around the back of the cover is indicative of sorcery making a mark on her. But she hasn’t yet committed, she has yet to don all-black robes. The wind in her hair and sense of movement is a call-out to her affinity. The book in her hands, is representative of three things: her work in the library, the book she exchanges notes in, and the book she brings to the garden. Which, speaking of, the roses around her… well, if you’ve read the book you know what, or who, those are meant to symbolize. But I told Meril I wanted something ominous, something wicked about them. And the thorns going through them were perfect!
 
Fire Falling
 
Here is the first cover we see our dark prince on. Fire Falling is named after three incidents in the book… When Aldrik falls to his knees before Vhalla in the Crossroads, the Rites of the FALLen in the Crossroads for another, and the end of the book. Since two of the three aspects of the title of the book related to Aldrik it was only natural that he had to be on the cover. In Fire Falling, Aldrik is beginning to function as a guiding force for Vhalla and, on the cover, he’s looking over his shoulder at her. He can’t openly admit to their association. Vhalla’s eyes are glowing orange and she’s alight, immersed in flame. This was done to symbolize their Bond and Joining. That not only can his flames not harm her, but that he is connected on a mental and magical level. She is also wearing the armor Aldrik crafted for her.
 
Earth’s End
 
Now, the symbolism is beginning to get heavy. Vhalla is alone again on the cover, venturing into the wilderness. She’s almost facing the camera, symbolizing how she is growing into her own and becoming a more realized person. In the sky above her is a fire bird. We literally see this formed in the book, but it also is symbolic of a phoenix, rising from its own ashes. I think this works for Vhalla and Aldrik in their own ways through Earth’s End. The cloak she’s wearing is the one she receives from Tim with slash marks. The watch in her hand was gifted to her. And, in her other hand, we see a special sort of magic… Finally, one other note… Carved into a tree that’s on the back of printed books is a symbol – that is actually the symbol of Shaldan!
 
About the Author
Elise Kova has always had a passion for storytelling. She wrote her first novella, a high-fantasy, in sixth grade. Over the years she's honed her love of literature with everything from fantasy to romance, science fiction to mystery, and whatever else catches her eye. 
Elise lives in Saint Petersburg, Florida, where she's currently working on the next installment in her debut YA fantasy series: Air Awakens. She enjoys video games, anime, table-top role playing games, and many other forms of "geekdom." She loves talking with fans on Twitter (@EliseKova) and Facebook (/AuthorEliseKova). Visit her website, EliseKova.com/, for news and extras about her books!
 
Author Links
Website│Goodreads│Twitter│Facebook
 
GIVEAWAY
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Cover Reveal Organized by
 
YA Bound Book Tours

Top Ten Tuesday #42: New-To-Me Favorite Authors I Read For The First Time In 2015

 

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.
 
This Week's Topic:
Top Ten New-To-Me Favorite Authors I Read For The First Time In 2015

 

1.

Jodi Meadows

 

2.

Elise Kova

 

3.

Erin Bowman

 

4.

Leigh Bardugo

 

5.

Mindee Arnett

 

6.

Kimberly Derting

 

7.

Morgan Rhodes

 

8.

Elizabeth May

 

I know I only have 8 authors on here, and I read a few other new authors, but they didn't become favorites. I doubt that I'll read any new authors this year, but I plan on reading a ton of new ones next year!

Waiting on Wednesday #25: "Fire Falling" by Elise Kova

 

 

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

 

Title: "Fire Falling" 
Author: Elise Kova
Expected Publication: November 19, 2015

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.

I loved the first book, Air Awakens, and immediately started counting down the days until the release date. I can't wait to read about Vhalla's adventures, especially after how Air Awakens ended! At least I didn't have to wait too long. Plus it comes out the day after my birthday!
 

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 What book are you waiting on?

Review ~ "Air Awakens" by Elisa Kova

Title: "Air Awakens"
Series: Air Awakens, #1
Author: Elisa Kova

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Published: August 27, 2015
Publisher: Silver Wing Press
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Magic
Pages: 377
Format: Paperback
Source: Bought

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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.