Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Review: Let The Storm Break by Shannon Messenger

Let the Storm Break (Let the Sky Fall, #2)
Let The Storm Break (Sky Fall #2) by Shannon Messenger
Whirlwind romance and breathtaking action continues in the sequel to Let the Sky Fall, which Becca Fitzpatrick called “charged and romantic.”
Vane Weston is haunted. By the searing pull of his bond to Audra. By the lies he’s told to cover for her disappearance. By the treacherous winds that slip into his mind, trying to trap him in his worst nightmares. And as his enemies grow stronger, Vane doesn’t know how much longer he can last on his own.
But Audra’s still running. From her past. From the Gales. Even from Vane, who she doesn’t believe she deserves. And the farther she flees, the more danger she finds. She possesses the secret power her enemy craves, and protecting it might be more than she can handle—especially when she discovers Raiden’s newest weapon.
With the Gale Force weakened by recent attacks, and the power of four collapsing, Vane and Audra are forced to make a choice: keep trusting the failing winds, or turn to the people who’ve betrayed them before. But even if they survive the storms sent to destroy them, will they have anything left to hold on to?
Publishes in US: March 4th 2014 by Simon Pulse
Genre: YA fantasy
Source: Simon via Edelweiss
Series? Sky Fall #2
Let the Sky Fall (Let the Sky Fall, #1)
no info on release of book 3, untitled

Buy it: amazon
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Author stalk away: Blog • Twitter • Facebook • Goodreads

 
    I wanted to read Let The Storm Break because I enjoyed the world building and Audra's character in the last one, as well as the bond they had since childhood that developed into romance. Not to mention that before I ever started the series, the beautiful covers caught my eye, and this one lives up to the first as well. 
   Let the Storm Break was just as action packed as the last one, filled with suspense on what monstrosities Raiden will come up with next. As well as how to keep the language of the Westerlies, the "lost" language of the West Winds, who they think Vane is the only one with knowledge of how to wield it, and then you can harness the power of the four winds together, northerlies, southerlies, easterlies and westerlies. In this book even more so than the last one, I was beginning to see how the wind is almost personified because it sings songs, and it is drawn to the people who master and have the heritage of their language. They have personalities that are similar as well. 
    Especially the relationship that Audra forms with some of the westerly drafts, their fierce loyalty really amazed me, and as they are known for non-violence they have their own strengths and it was neat as both Audra and Vane learned more about their natures and how to best use the westerlies. But even with the power of the four, Raiden has figured out something even worse, the power of pain. This turns into a nightmare for those who are trying to conquer him and the storm troopers, hoping for peace. 
     I still enjoyed the romance although this one picks up right after the last, where Audra has left for the time being, and I have to see how that hurts both of them to be apart. But it definitely serves a purpose because Audra learns things she never would have otherwise that ends up giving them an advantage. It also allows Vane to get to know some of the other Gales, the other slyphs that are helping to protect him. He is knee deep in the politics though--learning what it means to be a leader to these people he just met in this supernatural world that he is still new to. And there is also the matter of Solara. She is a complex character and I find myself feeling for her, respecting her and understanding where she is coming from, but I also get pretty angry even though I understand some of her motivations. 
     I think that Vane has grown a lot in this one, and really has stepped up to what needs to be done instead of being so stubborn and wasting time where he could be making advancements to protect the people that he cares about and other innocents who will be caught in the crossfire. I think that he has gained even more strength, physical as well, but mental and letting some of his refusals be firm and that is the quiet strength and balance that I think the world of the sylph needs just a bit more of. 
     There were a few other new characters besides the above mentioned Solara-the lost princess that Vane was betrothed to. Gus, a guard that stepped in when Audra was figuring things out and Fang, uh Feng, lol both brought elements to the story, as well as some much needed lighter humorous moments. They also brought a different sort of training for Vane that he certainly needed and smacks on the head to get some sense into him, also when needed. 
     There is also a betrayal/traitor that made things much more difficult, but I am hoping that somehow there will be some major redemption or at least a major butt kicking. Not sure which I want to happen more. 
     The pacing was amazing, and there was always something going on action wise, setting things up or allowing the characters to discover things about themselves that they need to before moving on. There were some twists, some of which I predicted but hoped wouldn't actually be the case, and other things in the plot that I never saw coming. I love the set up of this world of the sylph and didn't want to leave it. This is a series that I will definitely be continuing to know what comes next. 
    The ending is really haunting and something that was hinted at so much in the first book. It made me respect but also strangle because of choices made, but I totally get why she did it and respect her too. I am certainly wanting to get my hands on the next one, but for now will contemplate how I think it will go down. 

Bottom Line: Haunting middle book with lots of high costs towards steps to victory.

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Do you think you could hold out information under torture? 
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31 comments:

  1. I want to read this series soon, it sounds great! It's always good to see characters growing and developing throughout a series, as they make mistakes and learn from them.
    I'd like to believe that I could stay strong under torture, especially if people I loved where as risk if I gave in. But I suppose it depends how I was being tortured lol

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    1. I think the same, that I would hope to be strong, but don't know how it would play out

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  2. I want to read this series soon too. I'm pretty sure I already have the first book, but I haven't found the time to read it yet. I'm glad it's still working for you ;)

    Jessica @ Rabid Reads

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  3. I remember seeing Let the Sky Fall last year all over the place. Sadly I never bothered to read it, it's a shame. I see that this series is really interesting and I love action-packed books. Great review, Brandi :)

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    1. I ignored it for the longest time except for sighing over the cover

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  4. I didn't have much luck in enjoying Let the Sky Fall, to be honest. I think I dropped it after 80 or so pages.

    I hope the next one will be much better for you, Brandi.

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  5. I guess that would depend on the sort of information and torture.

    I'm glad to see your still enjoying the series and that the second book doesn't disappoint!

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  6. I am reading some great reviews on this series and I appreciate that this book avoids middle book syndrome!

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  7. I am thinking that I really need to get this series!

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  8. The world building and myth sounds fantastic and the villain is right up my alley. Monstrosity? Count me in!

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  9. I love the sound of this world. Actually started this last summer, but put it down since I couldn't connect with the characters. I'm glad that this is action packed and awesome though and yay for character growth :)

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  10. This is the first review I have seen of this one :)

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  11. Like Siiri, I put down the first book, but you are making me reconsider...
    Thanks so much for stopping by! Jen @ YA Romantics

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  12. Ooh you have me both excited and nervous to read this! I loved the first book, but this is definitely a take no prisoners kind of world, so I'm nervous about the ending. Lovely review!

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  13. This sounds like a unique story Brandi, I am curious about how all the winds work together. Fantastic review!

    Naomi @ Nomi’s Paranormal Palace

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  14. I need to read this series soon, like seriously. So many positive and praising reviews coming out! And it's a middle book of a series too which makes it extra awesome since it's not always we get a good middle book.

    As for your question, I don't think I can hold out. It's easy to say that "Yeah, I can, I will" but we're on that spot and we're the ones feeling the pain and psychological terror, we'd just want it to be over with. So, yes, I'd probably breakdown and say everything I know just for the pain to end! Haha.

    Faye @ The Social Potato

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    1. I am not good with pain, so I hope I am never in that sort of situation

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  15. Wonderful review Brandi I am glad you enjoyed it and love that there was development. I need to give this series a try!

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  16. Oh I was drawn in by these beautiful covers as well, but I could not get through the first book. Maybe I will try it again since our tastes are similar. I just didn't connect with the MC's in the first book. Great review, it makes me want to try again :)

    Would I hold up under torture? Ha! Try to bend my finger back and I'd sing like a bird. I would not be good as a spy!

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    1. Its hard if you don't get that connection with the characters

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  17. Oh yes I remember book 1! I'm glad this one is good too. I need to try them!

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  18. This sounds pretty amazing. Love that cover.

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  19. Ohhh I never got around to the first book and I really really wanted to! This sounds like it was a good follow up. Great review!

    Teresa @ Readers Live A Thousand Lives

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  20. This one was a good book! Audra's relationship with the westerly winds was so interesting...the world in this trilogy is fantastic!

    Great review :D

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  21. Don't you just love these covers?! I haven't read the first book but you make it sound really good. I love when books are fast paced with lots of twists.

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  22. aww heh I love his name, Vane kind cool! The story sounds amazing as well, curious about that haunting ending now.

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  23. I DNF'd the first book but it may have been my mood. I'm glad you really loved this one though! I was wondering what others were thinking of the series. I haven't really seen it around much.

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  24. I didn't care too much for the first book but it might have been my mood too, like Candace mentioned. I do like the sound of this second book though!

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  25. I'm glad this was a great sequel, Brandi. It sounds like it was really exciting. And I like that Vane did some growing. :) Great review!

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  26. I still need to read the first book! I'm glad the second book in the series was a good read! I will get to this series eventually!

    Great review!

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