Title: Crystal Crowned (Air Awakens #5)
Author: Elise Kova
Genre: Young Adult, High Fantasy, Magic,
Expected Publication: July 12th, 2016
Publisher: Silver Wings Press
Format: ARC
Source: Author
Pre-order at: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | National Bookstore | Fullybooked
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?
* Review *
Previous reviews of books in the series
Air Awakens | Fire Falling | Earth’s End | Water’s Wrath
(I received an advanced copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book.Thank you, Elise)
Oh boy, is it really the end? The curtains closed. What is life… if there’s no Aldrik and Vhalla? Jax? Fritz? And the Golden Guards? And… and… Solaris Empire?
Well, yup! This will be my final Air Awakens review (I’m here hoping for a novella real soon!). It’s not like I can avoid this, it just makes me sad.
Last year, I discovered Air Awakens when I met (virtually) Elise Kova, the author, on a Twitter chat. Then I got my copy later on, it’s all thanks to a BD credit giveaway I won on Instagram. I immediately dived into reading the book… Let me tell you — not once did I ever regret joining the Air Awakens fandom. In fact, I am just so grateful and happy that I got to discover the world of Air Awakens and to know the author behind it.
Elise Kova is such an amazing person! She loves connecting with her readers as much as possible, even with her busy life. Because she gives us plenty details about the world of Air Awakens, that helped us indulge the world even more. It’s quite amazing!
Going back to my thoughts about Crystal Crowned, I know that this review won’t be short. To be honest, Crystal Crowned was my least favorite in the series so far. Nope, don’t get me wrong.
It doesn’t mean that I disliked it, in fact, I still LOVED it.
You know, this is the thing about this series. If I’m going to be more critic, I personally think that it fell a little short for a series-ender; but if you’d ask me this — did I enjoyed it for the hell of it? Yes, A LOT. Did I like the ending? Yes, I am SOOO happy about the ending!
So you might be asking again, “then what made you think that it fell short and why is it your least favorite if you seem to LOVE it after all?”
If I’d go into details, I might accidentally spill some spoilers, but I think, the major drawback for me was Vhalla, or rather, what happened to Vhalla in Crystal Crowned. It was insane, I don’t mean it in a bad way. But as much as I understood what was happening, the course of events was a little too forced to me at some point. I think I just totally didn’t expect all the happenings in Crystal Crowned. Also, there were casualties and outcomes that I think I just couldn’t absorb quite properly. I guess I was a little taken aback.
But the thing about Elise Kova’s world and writing was, even if I wasn’t sure what to feel about the happenings at some point, I just can’t stop reading, and the magic was still there.
There’s this strong pull in Air Awakens series that I just couldn’t quite ignore. So that only left me going with the flow and letting it pull me hard until the end.
I know that this review might confuse you. It’s not like I’m hiding it, but yes, I am biased for this series, but I also want to be honest with my personal ratings. So after pondering for quite some time, I’ve come up with my current rating.
Only in the middle of the progress fell kind of short, but overall, the ending kind of pull it all together. It was a satisfying closing. I wished there’s more after this, but I also know that that’s not how it works.
And if I’m going to rate the whole series, it will still go beyond 5-star.
Even if Crystal Crowned is not my favorite among the books in the series, it didn’t in any way deteriorate or drag the quality of the series as a whole. It will always remain amazing as it is.
Okay, I just love Air Awakens series beyond anything imaginable fangirling moments I’ve had my entire life. And right now, it’s a mixed feelings of sadness and contentment I have for the ending of this series. Only in the middle of the progress fell kind of short, but overall, the ending kind of pull it all together. It was a satisfying closing. I wished there’s more after this, but I also know that that’s not how it works. Thank you, Elise, for this chance of wonderful journey. The story written in papers may have ended, but the real substance will forever remain in your readers’ hearts.
YOU! If you haven’t read this series yet… IT’S THE DAMN TIME!
* 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.
Author Links:
Erika is a freelance content writer and illustrator from the Philippines. Aside from her love of arts and reading, she loves taking photos, coffee, cats, and fairies. She’s into fantasy, historical fiction, and contemporary, and anything young adult genres.
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