Showing posts with label a trial of sorcerers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label a trial of sorcerers. Show all posts

10 Apr 2023

Review: A TOURNAMENT OF CROWNS by Elise Kova, Book #3 of A TRIAL OF SORCERERS!

10 April 1 Comments

A TOURNAMENT OF CROWNS

Author: Elise Kova
Series: A Trial of Sorcerers #3
Source: Audio from Audible
Publisher: Silver Wing Press
Publication Date: September 13, 2022

Overall Rating:
Diversity Rating:
Representation: gay side characters

Summary:
From the co-host of chart-topping true crime podcast Morbid, a thrilling debut novel told from the dueling perspectives of a notorious serial killer and the medical examiner following where his trail of victims leads

Something dark is lurking in the Louisiana bayou: a methodical killer with a penchant for medical experimentation is hard at work completing his most harrowing crime yet, taunting the authorities who desperately try to catch up.

But forensic pathologist Dr. Wren Muller is the best there is. Armed with an encyclopedic knowledge of historical crimes, and years of experience working in the Medical Examiner's office, she's never encountered a case she couldn't solve. Until now. Case after case is piling up on Wren's examination table, and soon she is sucked into an all-consuming cat-and-mouse chase with a brutal murderer getting more brazen by the day.

An addictive read with straight-from-the-morgue details only an autopsy technician could provide, The Butcher and the Wren promises to ensnare all who enter.
Purchase:
Amazon | TBD
Read my review of A TRIAL OF SORCERERS!
Read my review of A HUNT OF SHADOWS!

Content Warning: abuse of a family member and blood from some scenes during the competition, grieving, mentions of death

This was a little disappointing - mostly because it feels like it's dragging instead of getting to the interesting parts. I think there are too many things happening that don't have enough satisfying threads throughout the novels to keep me interested. 

I was really happy with the fact that this series is following someone who isn't a royal and tangentially related to the previous events of the Air Awakens world, but I am disappointed with how things are intertwined and integrated. The most interesting part of Eira is how she shows her strength and her mysterious parental lineage and that is barely touched upon in this book.

Also the romance is just not there for me at all. There was too much build up in the previous books only for this one to be a let down. I think that's the struggle with knowing this series is 5 books - there is too much book timespan for it to feel super satisfying because there's too much time for things to go well or poorly.

I will finish the series but I hope I'm not let down the way I was with the Vortex Chronicles at the end!

Have you read this series? Are you going to pick this up?
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12 Dec 2022

Review: A HUNT OF SHADOWS by Elise Kova, Book #2 in A Trial of Sorcerers

12 December 0 Comments

A HUNT OF SHADOWS

Author: Elise Kova
Series: A Trial of Sorcerers #2
Source: Audio from Audible
Publisher: Silver Wing Press
Publication Date: March 1, 2022

Overall Rating:
Diversity Rating:
Representation: gay side characters

Summary:
Eira is now a champion of the Solaris Empire. She’s off to a land she’s only dreamed about. But a nightmare awaits her.

Her sworn enemy has escaped. His allies are powerful and deadly. And Eira finds herself tangled in the dangerous web of the undercity of Risen where the mysterious Court of Shadows and lethal Pillars battle for the fate of the kingdom.

But vengeance has a price. When Eira is captured by her enemies, it’s not only her life, but the lives of her friends, and the man she loves most, at stake. The woman she was won’t be enough to turn the tides churning against her from long before she was born. She’ll have to become something more. She’ll have to love deeper and fight fiercer than ever before.

The only way to kill a legendary champion, will be to become one herself.

Experience Eira’s adventure in the A Trial of Sorcerers series by USA Today bestselling author Elise Kova today, for readers who enjoy young adult, epic fantasy, filled with sorcery, deep friendships, forbidden romance, and tales of faraway lands.
Purchase:
Amazon | Chapters | TBD
Content Warning:  sexual harassment, torture, fire explosions resulting in loss of life, kidnapping, death of a loved one (discussed), mild gore and blood.

Read my review of A TRIAL OF SORCERERS!

I'm seeing a lot of pattern in the way the Air Awakens related series are going. That's both a good and bad thing. I loved Eira as a character, and having her focus on revenge and also being curious about a new land, was great! She had such great character development throughout this and I really liked exploring more of her magical abilities.

However, I'm not totally feeling the romance. Looking back at my reviews for the Vortex Chronicles series (and Air Awakens), after book two of each of those I was very meh on the romance as well. I hope that changes as things continue and progress forward. I was definitely rooting for them, but there's not enough on the page for me to really believe it.

But the worldbuilding, the setting, and the overarching plot is so exciting and intense! I loved every second of it and sometimes wish we got other perspectives in this one so that I could see some of the moving pieces behind the scenes that we don't get from Eira (who is very much in the dark and making her own decisions based on what she knows).

If you are planning on reading this, I still very much think you should read the entire Air Awakens and Vortex Chronicles series so that you get to experience the lush worldbuilding of the setting and not get spoiled for those if you end up going back to them.

I have definitely seen Kova's craft improve book over book and series over series and this is shaping up to be the best one yet. I can't wait to see where this goes next with A TOURNAMENT OF CROWNS!

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26 Sept 2022

Audio Review: A TRIAL OF SORCERERS by Elise Kova

26 September 0 Comments

A TRIAL OF SORCERERS

Author: Elise Kova
Series: A Trial of Sorcerers #1
Source: Audio from Audible
Publisher: Silver Wing Press
Publication Date: March 4, 2021
Overall Rating:
Diversity Rating:

Summary:
Ice is in her blood.

Eighteen-year-old Waterrunner Eira Landan lives her life in the shadows — the shadow of her older brother, of her magic’s whispers, and of the person she accidentally killed. She’s the most unwanted apprentice in the Tower of Sorcerers until the day she decides to step out and compete for a spot in the Tournament of Five Kingdoms.

Pitted against the best sorcerers in the Empire, Eira fights to be one of four champions. Excelling in the trials has its rewards. She's invited to the royal court with the “Prince of the Tower,” discovers her rare talent for forbidden magic, and at midnight, Eira meets with a handsome elfin ambassador.

But, Eira soon learns, no reward is without risk. As she comes into the spotlight, so too do the skeletons of a past she hadn't even realized was haunting her.

Eira went into the trials ready for a fight. Ready to win. She wasn't ready for what it would cost her. No one expected the candidates might not make it out with their lives.

This is the first book in a young adult, epic fantasy that's a tale of competition, coming of age, distant lands, elemental magic, and romance. It's perfect for fans of the Legend of Korra, Truthwitch, and A Sorcery of Thorns.
Purchase:
Amazon | Chapters | TBD
Another foray into the Air Awakens world, A TRIAL OF SORCERERS hits it out of the park with the elemental fantasy novel genre. This plays on the trope and concept of magical trials and does it really well. I liked seeing returning characters and some new ones as well. I am glad we're starting to delve more into the other worlds that are connected. But there were some parts of that felt so rushed and I wanted more slow burn than what we got, especially around the romance.

This first book reintroduces us to the Air Awakens and the Vortex Chronicles world. So much was similar yet different but being reacquainted felt like a breeze. Partly in thanks to seeing familiar faces - especially Vhalla's! She was involved with the competition which was full of thrills. The trials were nerve-wracking to watch but fulfilling in action. You never knew who was going to end up on whose side. Also, in true Elise Kova fashion, we're kept on our toes with the romance. It's most definitely a slow burn. I pray something more will happen in the next book ;)

I really enjoyed Eira's character. She carried a heavy burden despite her young age. Her stubbornness grated on my nerves sometimes but I completely understood she had good reasons to be. I delighted in watching Eira stand up for herself. While I wasn't very surprised by the twist about her, I thought the build up to it was quite nice. The truth was already there in the little details. I was sad to see how much a betrayal affected Eira but I kind of love the hardened version of her. Can't wait to see more of it!

I found the villain in A Trial of Sorcerers to be a bit obvious. I'm not sure if Elise intended for it to be but this character's sweet words and nice acts made me very wary. It was impossible not to suspect this person. I was on high alert whenever said person was around so I was not the least bit surprised when the reveal happened. I was, however, surprised by Eira and how her singular focus achieved something incredible. Sorry for the vagueness, just know that she really is a wonderful main character.

While this is a "standalone" in the sense that it starts a new series, it DOES spoil Air Awakens AND Vortex Chronicles so if you care about that, be sure to read those first. It also made me want a "prequel" type book about Adela lol so Elise, if you're reading this, please 🥺

I listened to this as an audiobook and the narrator was PERFECT. Highly recommend doing that if you have an extra credit somewhere!

Have you read this book? Are you going to pick this up?
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