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blodeuedd's review
4.0
Books seldom make me want to pick the author's brain, but I just have so many questions! In a good way
These books feel so sci.fi. Like people went to a planet, forgot and started anew. It is fantasy with big guns. Now when I have read two books I have started to wonder, do they put all their energy and time into military tech (since they have no phones or well tv ;) They are constantly under attack and have been so for hundreds of years. Of course all they do then is military tech. See, I so want to ask the author these things.
Plus there is magic so why bother making things with tech when you can use magic.
Such a fascinating world. I at once had to check if there is a blurb for book 3, nope, but a cool cover. See all these books takes place on different continents, but what they have in common are freaky things trying to kill and eat them.
I ave not even started with the story! Right, princess Nix, her family are aholes and should die die die! She is given away to a foreign lord and this is the best thing that could happen, cos like I said, her father and brother needs to burn burn BURN! Poor Nix, she bore her scars well.
Donal, the highlander was awesome too. He was witty, and flirty, without coming on too strong, or making her uncomfortable.
This is military fantasy so there is a lot of fighting and trying to find the baddies.
Last thoughts
A really great and fun series! I can not wait for more. I do enjoy these. I also really liked the end of this one, it was so fitting.
Narration
The awesome Justine Eyre! I do love everything she does
Her voice for Earth is so fitting. I also like her other voices and as I am well aware of she does a great highlander brogue.
She brings everything to a narration and it makes for a great listen.
These books feel so sci.fi. Like people went to a planet, forgot and started anew. It is fantasy with big guns. Now when I have read two books I have started to wonder, do they put all their energy and time into military tech (since they have no phones or well tv ;) They are constantly under attack and have been so for hundreds of years. Of course all they do then is military tech. See, I so want to ask the author these things.
Plus there is magic so why bother making things with tech when you can use magic.
Such a fascinating world. I at once had to check if there is a blurb for book 3, nope, but a cool cover. See all these books takes place on different continents, but what they have in common are freaky things trying to kill and eat them.
I ave not even started with the story! Right, princess Nix, her family are aholes and should die die die! She is given away to a foreign lord and this is the best thing that could happen, cos like I said, her father and brother needs to burn burn BURN! Poor Nix, she bore her scars well.
Donal, the highlander was awesome too. He was witty, and flirty, without coming on too strong, or making her uncomfortable.
This is military fantasy so there is a lot of fighting and trying to find the baddies.
Last thoughts
A really great and fun series! I can not wait for more. I do enjoy these. I also really liked the end of this one, it was so fitting.
Narration
The awesome Justine Eyre! I do love everything she does
Her voice for Earth is so fitting. I also like her other voices and as I am well aware of she does a great highlander brogue.
She brings everything to a narration and it makes for a great listen.
wetdryvac's review
5.0
Love the world-build here. Crap-ton of non-con, though I've come to expect that from Arthur at this point.
ufcasey's review
2.0
1.5 stars
I had to force myself to continue reading this book at several points, I was just that bored. The plot went something like this (no real spoilers):
-Interesting abusive family dynamics
-Meet warlord
-Travel somewhere else, this might still be interesting?
-Ok, maybe not. Lots and lots of talk about the earth and wind and bipeds
-A really obvious double-crosser
-More boring earth/wind/bipeds
-Finally getting back to the interesting family dynamics!
-Nope, just kidding, more earth/wind/bipeds
-Relationship drama
-The End
If I read the word 'biped' ever again, it will be too soon. This book had very little secondary character development, the biggest part of the plot almost bored me to death, and the romance was just kind of thrown in there. I can't believe this is the same author of my beloved smutty Riley Jenson series :(
I had to force myself to continue reading this book at several points, I was just that bored. The plot went something like this (no real spoilers):
-Interesting abusive family dynamics
-Meet warlord
-Travel somewhere else, this might still be interesting?
-Ok, maybe not. Lots and lots of talk about the earth and wind and bipeds
-A really obvious double-crosser
-More boring earth/wind/bipeds
-Finally getting back to the interesting family dynamics!
-Nope, just kidding, more earth/wind/bipeds
-Relationship drama
-The End
If I read the word 'biped' ever again, it will be too soon. This book had very little secondary character development, the biggest part of the plot almost bored me to death, and the romance was just kind of thrown in there. I can't believe this is the same author of my beloved smutty Riley Jenson series :(
audiobookmel's review
3.0
My review and an extended sample of the audiobook are posted at Hotlistens.com.
3.5 stars
This is the second book in the Kingdoms of Earth & Air series by Keri Arthur. I really enjoyed the first book in this series, Unlit. I liked the world that Arthur had created. I liked the characters. I thought this was an urban fantasy series where we would follow the same character throughout the series. This is actually a paranormal romance where we have a different couple in each book. I don’t mind paranormal romances, it just wasn’t what I was expecting from reading the first book in the series. But, that’s not the first that this has happened to me and it isn’t a bad thing in my book. Here is what through me for a loop. While this story takes place in the same world, it isn’t anywhere close to the location of the first book. The characters are also all completely new. There isn’t much to bridge the gap between books one and two.
So this story follows Princess Nyx Bel-Hannon. Her father is the king, though he has not done what is required of the the ruler of Cannamore. The ruler for over a thousand years has been able to pull a sword from the crystal throne. However, Nyx is the one who pulled the sword, not her father or her brother. So the men covered it up so that she wouldn’t become the ruler. They also put bracelets on her that gave them full control of her and tortured her in several different ways.
Nyx is sent off to fit with other prisoners in what would basically become a suicide mission. Her father and brother want her to die. While we don’t see any of the torture firsthand, we do get some of the details, so beware of people to people who might be triggered by such things (and think of the ways that women are tortured).
It’s not a bad story. The action is pretty good. However, I didn’t really like the characters. Nyx isn’t a bad character. She’s isn’t prissy and has had a hard life. Her father and brother made things very difficult for her. I don’t know what it was that she didn’t click with me. I was also not pulled in by her love interest, Donal. Again, I don’t know why he didn’t click with me. He was a good guy and really stood beside Nyx and let her lead and just supported her when she needed it.
I really wish that I could put a finger why this story wasn’t as good for me as the first book. Like I said, the action wasn’t bad. The story plot was a good story. While the characters aren’t bad, they just didn’t click for me for whatever reason. Maybe it was my mood. I’m not sure. I did enjoy it, just not nearly as much as the first story. I do highly recommend that people give the series a try. I will still try the next book to see if it was just my mood or whatever because I do love this world.
Narration
Justine Eyre is a favorite narrator of mine. I really enjoy the voices that she does. She does a great job with both male and female voices, no matter the size of the cast.
**I'd like to thank the publisher for providing me with a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 stars
This is the second book in the Kingdoms of Earth & Air series by Keri Arthur. I really enjoyed the first book in this series, Unlit. I liked the world that Arthur had created. I liked the characters. I thought this was an urban fantasy series where we would follow the same character throughout the series. This is actually a paranormal romance where we have a different couple in each book. I don’t mind paranormal romances, it just wasn’t what I was expecting from reading the first book in the series. But, that’s not the first that this has happened to me and it isn’t a bad thing in my book. Here is what through me for a loop. While this story takes place in the same world, it isn’t anywhere close to the location of the first book. The characters are also all completely new. There isn’t much to bridge the gap between books one and two.
So this story follows Princess Nyx Bel-Hannon. Her father is the king, though he has not done what is required of the the ruler of Cannamore. The ruler for over a thousand years has been able to pull a sword from the crystal throne. However, Nyx is the one who pulled the sword, not her father or her brother. So the men covered it up so that she wouldn’t become the ruler. They also put bracelets on her that gave them full control of her and tortured her in several different ways.
Nyx is sent off to fit with other prisoners in what would basically become a suicide mission. Her father and brother want her to die. While we don’t see any of the torture firsthand, we do get some of the details, so beware of people to people who might be triggered by such things (and think of the ways that women are tortured).
It’s not a bad story. The action is pretty good. However, I didn’t really like the characters. Nyx isn’t a bad character. She’s isn’t prissy and has had a hard life. Her father and brother made things very difficult for her. I don’t know what it was that she didn’t click with me. I was also not pulled in by her love interest, Donal. Again, I don’t know why he didn’t click with me. He was a good guy and really stood beside Nyx and let her lead and just supported her when she needed it.
I really wish that I could put a finger why this story wasn’t as good for me as the first book. Like I said, the action wasn’t bad. The story plot was a good story. While the characters aren’t bad, they just didn’t click for me for whatever reason. Maybe it was my mood. I’m not sure. I did enjoy it, just not nearly as much as the first story. I do highly recommend that people give the series a try. I will still try the next book to see if it was just my mood or whatever because I do love this world.
Narration
Justine Eyre is a favorite narrator of mine. I really enjoy the voices that she does. She does a great job with both male and female voices, no matter the size of the cast.
**I'd like to thank the publisher for providing me with a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
emmar's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
blood_rose_books's review
3.0
This is the second book in Keri Arthur's Earth and Air series, Unlit is the first book but there is no connection to the first books in the series. I enjoyed the first, so if you can pick it up too.
Keri Arthur enters back into the world of Earth and Air but something is draining the Earth of it's magic:
Whomever draws the sword from the Glass Throne is destined to be the next ruler and bring peace and prosperity to Cannamore. For thousands of years that individual was the first born son but Princess Nyx Bel-Hannon is not male and not the first born but she and not her brother was able to draw the sword. As this defies tradition and her father's plans Nyx is forced into silence and her powers muted. But darkness is starting to flow across the land, The Earth is losing her power, her voice and those in power continue to ignore it. As punishment for a crime Nyx is sent to the front lines to battle of the battlefield in the hope that she will be killed but Nyx has extremely different plans. To free herself from the bonds that tie her and to take her rightful spot on the throne and to save the land that she loves.
Although this was the second book in this series, you really could lead it as a stand alone. I actually do not know where in the timeframe this book takes place after the first, maybe thousands of years later or maybe just a distant land. We are really given no frame point, which I am kind of disappointed in as I enjoyed the first book. There are some similar themes between the two book such as being an outcast, never truly fitting in, hiding/concealing true power, fears of discovery, flaunting authority etc. Additionally, the creatures are similar to the first one, bug like creatures that live within the Earth and want to rule all. As it was similar to the first I felt like I knew what was going to happen as after reading this book it does not feel completely unique as I found the first.
Nyx is a great lead character, and hardly the princess that anyone expects her to be (really they think she is a trollop who will sleep with anyone). Nxy was never the daughter that her father wanted and with her mother dead, he takes full advantage of his power over her. The hatred that Nyx has to her father and brother is really what she uses to survive as long as she did and her thirst for revenge. She does not trust anyone, other than herself, and she can come across as spoiled at times in her comments as she thinks she knows best but she is really just trying to protect herself. What I liked about Nyx was her resilience to be true to herself when she could, as well as, never forgetting what has happened to her and powering through it all to learn new skills and help others.
As this was a Keri Arthur book I knew that there was going to be some type of romance in the novel, however, I was pretty surprised how the romance is downplayed, really more flirting and sexual tension for the most part. This probably has much to do with Nyx's past and what she was forced to do as her father could control her. However, there is quite a bit of talk /innuendos about man parts and sex.
This was a good read and an interesting different, but yet the same, take on the world that Arthur has created (still wishing there was more connection to the first). Nyx was the standout for me in this book, kind of like Neve in the first book in the series. I look forward to picking up the third book in the series.
Enjoy!!!
Keri Arthur enters back into the world of Earth and Air but something is draining the Earth of it's magic:
Whomever draws the sword from the Glass Throne is destined to be the next ruler and bring peace and prosperity to Cannamore. For thousands of years that individual was the first born son but Princess Nyx Bel-Hannon is not male and not the first born but she and not her brother was able to draw the sword. As this defies tradition and her father's plans Nyx is forced into silence and her powers muted. But darkness is starting to flow across the land, The Earth is losing her power, her voice and those in power continue to ignore it. As punishment for a crime Nyx is sent to the front lines to battle of the battlefield in the hope that she will be killed but Nyx has extremely different plans. To free herself from the bonds that tie her and to take her rightful spot on the throne and to save the land that she loves.
Although this was the second book in this series, you really could lead it as a stand alone. I actually do not know where in the timeframe this book takes place after the first, maybe thousands of years later or maybe just a distant land. We are really given no frame point, which I am kind of disappointed in as I enjoyed the first book. There are some similar themes between the two book such as being an outcast, never truly fitting in, hiding/concealing true power, fears of discovery, flaunting authority etc. Additionally, the creatures are similar to the first one, bug like creatures that live within the Earth and want to rule all. As it was similar to the first I felt like I knew what was going to happen as after reading this book it does not feel completely unique as I found the first.
Nyx is a great lead character, and hardly the princess that anyone expects her to be (really they think she is a trollop who will sleep with anyone). Nxy was never the daughter that her father wanted and with her mother dead, he takes full advantage of his power over her. The hatred that Nyx has to her father and brother is really what she uses to survive as long as she did and her thirst for revenge. She does not trust anyone, other than herself, and she can come across as spoiled at times in her comments as she thinks she knows best but she is really just trying to protect herself. What I liked about Nyx was her resilience to be true to herself when she could, as well as, never forgetting what has happened to her and powering through it all to learn new skills and help others.
As this was a Keri Arthur book I knew that there was going to be some type of romance in the novel, however, I was pretty surprised how the romance is downplayed, really more flirting and sexual tension for the most part. This probably has much to do with Nyx's past and what she was forced to do as her father could control her. However, there is quite a bit of talk /innuendos about man parts and sex.
This was a good read and an interesting different, but yet the same, take on the world that Arthur has created (still wishing there was more connection to the first). Nyx was the standout for me in this book, kind of like Neve in the first book in the series. I look forward to picking up the third book in the series.
Enjoy!!!
laurla's review
-i am confused as to how this novel relates to the first one in the series.
-the 'string of fire' seems a blatant copy of the ring of fire on earth. yet its unclear if this series this is earth or some alien planet or anything.
"no amount of pleasure can ever justify the denial of choice, Marttia. in using the power of the bracelets to make me do as you wished rather than simply asking, you went against all teachings of the goddess."
-the 'string of fire' seems a blatant copy of the ring of fire on earth. yet its unclear if this series this is earth or some alien planet or anything.
"no amount of pleasure can ever justify the denial of choice, Marttia. in using the power of the bracelets to make me do as you wished rather than simply asking, you went against all teachings of the goddess."