Title: Threats of Sky and Sea (Threats of
Sky and Sea #1)
Author: Jennifer Ellision
Publisher: Smashwords Edition, 253 pages (May 16th 2014)
From: from author
Format: e-book
Add to: Goodreads
Synopsis: Sixteen year-old Breena Perdit has spent her life as a barmaid, innocent to her father’s past and happily free from the Elemental gifts that would condemn her to a life in the Egrian King’s army. Until the day that three Elemental soldiers recognize her father as a traitor to the throne and Bree’s father is thrown in jail—along with the secrets from his last mission as the King’s assassin. Secrets that could help the King win a war. Secrets he refuses to share.
Desperate to escape before the King’s capricious whims prove her and her father’s downfall, Bree bargains with him: information for their lives. It’s a good trade. And she has faith she’ll get them both out of the King’s grasp with time.
But that was before the discovery that she’s the weapon the King’s been waiting for in his war.
Now, time is running out. To save her father’s life and understand her own, Bree must unravel the knot of her father’s past before the King takes his life– and uses her to bring a nation to its knees.
Review: 3.5-4 stars - When I first received the request to review this book, something about it reminded me of Maria V. Snyder’s Study series; I’ve also seen a few comparisons to Sarah J. Maas’ Throne of Glass series.
Having read Threats of Sky and Sea, the
Study series and the first book in the Throne of Glass series I can honestly
say that although there are a few similarities, it definitely holds it’s own in
the fantasy genre.
Breena (Bree) has lived all of her life in
Abeline. Her father owns The Bridge and Duchess Tavern where Bree works as a
barmaid.
One night when collecting firewood in the
forest; Bree happens upon a group of Adept also known as Elementals (Fire,
Water, Air and Earth users). The Adept can control the elements, once trained they
can get them to do anything. The trio led by Lady Katerine know Bree saw what
they were doing in the forest and threaten her to keep secret what she saw.
As the tavern closes for the night, Bree
discovers that she has been living a lie for her entire life. When the Adept
identify her Father as someone who ran away from the King’s army 16 years ago;
a secret her Father has kept. Bree’s life is about to change forever.
Although Bree to her knowledge has never
had any connection with Elementals, the King is sure with a bit of training she
could have powers. Training commences and brings a shock to Bree; something
that she never thought possible has happened. She is adept.
The King wishes to use Bree for his own
gain. Her Father has information the King wants, Bree is his leverage to get
that information. She must decide whether or not she is willing to be a weapon
in his army or risk losing her Father.
Bree is a strong character. Even at her 16
years she is feisty, loyal and ready to deal with whatever is thrown her way.
She is perfect as the lead character in this book.
I will be honest when reading this book I
felt a few parts were a bit slow. I wanted more to happen. When you reach the
end of the book, especially around chapter 37, you realise they were building
to this moment. Up until then the book was hovering between a 3-3.5 stars for
me. Then so near to the end, so much happened; including the reveal of a secret
I hadn’t seen coming.
Another slight downside of this book for me
was that the world building didn’t engage me a hundred percent. Although the
world was discussed, I prefer to be thrown in at the deep end. Surrounded,
sometimes wrapped up in a world, imagining everything from the type of castle
to the smells in the air.
This could however be grown on in Riot of
Storm and Smoke, book 2 in the series, which I eagerly look forward to reading.
I definitely have high hopes for book 2 in
the series. I need to know what becomes of the “awesome foursome” as I lovingly
have nicknamed Breena, Prince Caden, Princess Aleta and Adept Tregle.
I have also noticed on Goodreads that there
is a prequel to this series Sisters of Wind and Flame. I’m off to find that as
soon as I’ve finished writing my review. I’m intrigued to learn more about how
everything began.
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