Showing posts with label Jennifer Ellision. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jennifer Ellision. Show all posts

Friday, September 30, 2016

Fall of Thrones and Thorns by Jennifer Ellision - Review + Giveaway!


War hurtles in, a typhoon over the sea.

After Bree’s life was torn apart, Nereidium had represented a haven to her. A place that—if she could save it—was beyond the King’s reach.

And, at last, she’s arrived upon its shores. But things in Nereidium are not what they should be.

The land is plagued by a rash of mysterious earthquakes, the likes of which it’s never known. The governors are distracted by old traditions, while Bree and her friends grapple with changing identities and the sense that the longer they wait to take action… the greater the danger from Egria grows.

Bree is tired of living under the shadow of King Langdon’s power. And she’s tired of waiting for him to be the first to act.

In this final chapter of the Threats of Sky and Sea series, it all comes down to Nereidium or Egria. To Bree or the King. It’s kill… or be killed.

And not everyone will escape the battle unscathed.

----------------------------- Amazon, B&N, Goodreads ----------------------------

I am so excited to be part of the blog tour for Fall of Thrones and Thorns! I love this series and could not wait for this last book.

Fall of Thrones and Thorns starts off right where Riot of Storm and Smoke left off. This review won't include spoilers, so I won't give too much away, but book 3 really delves into the internal conflicts that have plagued Bree since revelations in book 1. I loved watching her character grow and how she approaches all these huge decisions before her. While she acts a little immature at times and seems to make some poor choices, I really enjoy her as a character and as a young woman trying to do right by her own morals while also trying to save and help all those around her.

The world is made even bigger and new characters are introduced. I loved seeing more of Nereidium and learning more about other cultures. The difference between it and Egria are vast and conflicts of family and loyalty are brought to the forefront.

While lots of things happen in this book, the emotional journey of Bree is really at the center, her emotions and decisions related to all the turmoil in Nereidium and Egria (along with her merry band of pals). It's really a story of people trying to combine who they want to be with who they have been told they are and the difficulties with that identity.

Overall I really enjoyed this book. The characters were interesting, the world continued to develop, and tensions between family, friendship, and potential romance worked well with the political conflicts. While Bree and her friends sometimes act a little immature and some things didn't end as neatly as I was anticipating, this book is a satisfying ending to a romping, magical adventure.

For fans of the previous two books in the series, or for readers who enjoy action-packed fantasy with a hint of romance, this is a must read. I'm so happy I came across this series on a whim years ago and with where the series ended.


Find out more about Jennifer and her books here: http://www.jenniferellision.com

Jennifer Ellision spent a great deal of her childhood staying up past her bedtime with a book and a flashlight. When she couldn’t find the stories she wanted to read, she started writing them. She loves words, has a soft spot for fanfiction, and is a master of the fangirl flail. She resides in South Florida with her family, where she lives in fear of temperatures below 60 Fahrenheit.

Jennifer is the author of the YA fantasy series, Threats of Sky and Sea, as well as the New Adult contemporary novel, Now and Again.

Happy Reading!

Jasmine

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Riot of Storm and Smoke by Jennifer Ellision - Review

Release Date: August 18, 2015*

War draws closer, like a tide to the shore.

Bree and her friends have escaped the clutches of the Egrian King, but their troubles are far from over. Still reeling from the secrets that drew new breath when her father took his last, Bree sets off for the safety of Nereidium-- the kingdom she's just learned is hers.

But with the King's ire at its peak and war a certainty, Nereidium is no longer safe. As Prince Caden rallies the Egrian people against his tyrant father, Bree, Princess Aleta, and Tregle race to the Nereid shore to warn them of the incoming danger—and to put the Nereid Princess on the throne.

The only trouble there: Bree can’t bring herself to reveal that the Princess is her.

It’s not a dilemma she can waste time pondering. With a new weapon in his arsenal, the King's strikes are sure to be bolder than ever before. And Bree may not be ready to wear a crown… but she won't let her kingdom down without a fight.

---------------------------- Amazon, B&N, Goodreads ----------------------------

I was so excited with Jennifer offered Riot of Storm and Smoke, the sequel to Threats of Sky and Sea, to bloggers. I really enjoyed the first book in this series and I was anxiously waiting for Riot, which starts right where Threats left off.

I am a huge fan of fantasy and characters that are more than they appear, and when it comes to magic,  battles, politics, and hidden identities, Riot has it all. I enjoyed seeing Bree continue to develop and grow, especially after the events that happened at the end of the first book. The rest of the cast are also present and always developing, especially Caden. New characters and ghosts of old ones work well in the story, never crowding too much despite the growing number. I loved the fantastical and magical elements -  the worlds seems developed and interesting and Bree's movements within the world are what really drove the story for me.

I cannot wait until the third book. The story ends on a cliff hanger and while I thought certain moments seemed a little slow, I really enjoyed the trajectory of the story and the overall pace. Perfect for fans of the Throne of Glass series and other fantasy adventure stories with strong heroines.
*It's available on Barnes and Noble RIGHT NOW! GO BUY IT A WEEK EARLY WOOOO!

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Find out more about Jennifer and her books here: https://speakingjenerally.wordpress.com

Jennifer Ellision spent a great deal of her childhood staying up past her bedtime with a book and a flashlight. When she couldn’t find the stories she wanted to read, she started writing them. She loves words, has a soft spot for fanfiction, and is a master of the fangirl flail. She resides in South Florida with her family, where she lives in fear of temperatures below 60 Fahrenheit. She’s also one of the bloggers behind the book blog The Bevy Bibliotheque.

Her debut YA epic fantasy, Threats of Sky and Sea, is available now, as well as a short prequel entitled Sisters of Wind and Flame.

Happy Reading!

Jasmine