REVIEW

---

Can you still remember my excitement when I finished reading Stolen Songbird by Danielle L. Jensen? It was totally like what I’m feeling right now. OR MAYBE EVEN MORE THAN THAT.

Like… let me show you exactly what I mean…

Ladies and gentlemen, if you are into young adult high-fantasy, then let me introduce to you, Air Awakens! You will surely love this!

A journey to Solaris Empire!

If there’s only one word to describe my stroll in Solaris Empire, it was totally EPIC!!!

First of all, let me talk about the cover. I won’t let this book review be published without mentioning the beautifully crafted cover of Air Awakens. I commend Merilliza-chan for her amazing skills and for creating such wonderful piece of art. The cover was one of the main reasons why I got interested into this book in the first place. And she’s a Filipina too! Isn’t it awesome?

Superb world building and storytelling.

I was just few pages in but I already found myself digging deeper and completely being consumed by the story. The magical elements were totally rad! This was an Empire where common people were afraid of sorcerers. They believe that anyone who possess magical powers are dangerous and scary. Even Vhalla Yarl, the protagonist of the story, a smart library apprentice who loves books, grew up believing that sorcerers are scary people. Not until one day, when she discovered that she’s actually one of the people she was afraid of.

Air Awakens kind of gave me the world of Akagami No Shirayukihime except Air Awakens was a lot more magical. Being completely transported into a whole new world is one of the reasons why I love high fantasy, and I thank Elise Kova so much for giving me no less than what I was looking for into an out-of-this-world journey.

In for the character development

Vhalla started as the common library girl — fragile, innocent, meek and plain. But as the story developed, she, as well developed into a a lot more likable kick-ass heroine that you’ll totally grow to love. And then we also have the royal-freaking-Crown Prince Aldrik. He’s that enigmatic, confusing, dark but charming and protective at the same time kind of prince. What more can I say, seriously?

I also appreciate the side characters such as Larel, Master Mohned, Sareem and of course, Prince Baldair. They were given enough exposure for us to get to know more about them and to like (or hate) them at some point.

Romance that will keep you hanging.

I mean, you’ll be like “JUST KISS ALREADY ASSDGSFKLSA!”

And there’s the word “BOND”. This one has a significant meaning to me (after reading Stolen Songbird), and when it came to picture, I knew that this is gonna be awesomesauce!!!

And around at almost the end of the book, we were given some bad-ass inferno scene. That was some great war/fight scene introduction. What more in the second book?! And then, and then, and then, Elise teased us at the end of the new mooooore kick-ass Vhalla!

Right now, my only wish for Christmas is a copy of Fire Falling. I’m barely hanging on for dear life! This series is pretty underrated and I believe that more readers should dig into this.

Y U NOT SELL THIS HERE IN PH??? WHY?!

DEAR ELISE KOVA,

I THANK YOU FOR WRITING SUCH WELL-CRAFTED MASTERPIECE!

LOVE,
ERIKA, YOUR INSTANT FAN

---