Tag Archives: earth’s end

The cover for Water’s Wrath has been revealed…

The fourth book in the Air Awakens series is two months away but that doesn’t mean we have to wait that long for the cover. So here it is in all its glory.

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Water’s Wrath Synopsis

Librarian turned sorcerer. Sorcerer turned hero. Hero turned puppet.

The Solaris Empire found victory in the North and, at the cost of her heart and her innocence, Vhalla Yarl has earned her freedom. But the true fight is only beginning as the secret forces that have been lurking in the shadows, tugging at the strings of Vhalla’s fate, finally come to light. Nowhere is safe, and Vhalla must tread carefully or else she’ll fall into the waiting arms of her greatest foe. Or former lover.

Release Date: April 26th, 2016

Water’s Wrath Preorder Links

A few notes from Elise Kova

Cover Reveal Exclusive: My Thoughts on the

Covers’ Symbolism So Far

Six months ago, almost to the day, Air Awakens came out. It was my debut novel as an independent author, no publisher and no agent behind me, and I had no idea what would come of it. Now, six months later, I can’t believe I’m revealing the cover on the fourth book of the Air Awakens series.

I say every cover is my favorite, because it gets harder and harder to pick. Each of the covers, in their own way, has been perfect for the book they belong with. My cover artist, Merilliza Chan, is amazing at taking direction and incorporating my suggestions. Part of why each cover is perfect is because there are little hints, teasers, and call-outs to the story within. Without giving too many spoilers, here’s a couple notes on each of the Air Awakens covers so far!

Air Awakens

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First off, notice how Vhalla’s sash is black. In the book, the sash that goes with her apprentice robes is cerulean. This, combined with her robes slowly turning black around the back of the cover is indicative of sorcery making a mark on her. But she hasn’t yet committed, she has yet to don all-black robes. The wind in her hair and sense of movement is a call-out to her affinity. The book in her hands, is representative of three things: her work in the library, the book she exchanges notes in, and the book she brings to the garden. Which, speaking of, the roses around her… well, if you’ve read the book you know what, or who, those are meant to symbolize. But I told Meril I wanted something ominous, something wicked about them. And the thorns going through them were perfect!

Fire Falling

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Here is the first cover we see our dark prince on. Fire Falling is named after three incidents in the book… When Aldrik falls to his knees before Vhalla in the Crossroads, the Rites of the FALLen in the Crossroads for another, and the end of the book. Since two of the three aspects of the title of the book related to Aldrik it was only natural that he had to be on the cover. In Fire Falling, Aldrik is beginning to function as a guiding force for Vhalla and, on the cover, he’s looking over his shoulder at her. He can’t openly admit to their association. Vhalla’s eyes are glowing orange and she’s alight, immersed in flame. This was done to symbolize their Bond and Joining. That not only can his flames not harm her, but that he is connected on a mental and magical level. She is also wearing the armor Aldrik crafted for her.

Earth’s End

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Now, the symbolism is beginning to get heavy. Vhalla is alone again on the cover, venturing into the wilderness. She’s almost facing the camera, symbolizing how she is growing into her own and becoming a more realized person. In the sky above her is a fire bird. We literally see this formed in the book, but it also is symbolic of a phoenix, rising from its own ashes. I think this works for Vhalla and Aldrik in their own ways through Earth’s End. The cloak she’s wearing is the one she receives from Tim with slash marks. The watch in her hand was gifted to her. And, in her other hand, we see a special sort of magic… Finally, one other note…Carved into a tree that’s on the back of printed books is a symbol – that is actually the symbol of Shaldan!

About the Author

elise kovaElise Kova has always had a passion for storytelling. She wrote her first novella, a high-fantasy,in sixth grade. Over the years she’s honed her love of literature with everything from fantasy to romance, science fiction to mystery, and whatever else catches her eye.

Elise lives in Saint Petersburg, Florida, where she’s currently working on the next installment in her debut YA fantasy series: Air Awakens. She enjoys video games, anime, table-top role playing games, and many other forms of “geekdom.” She loves talking with fans on Twitter(@EliseKova) and Facebook (/AuthorEliseKova). Visit her website, EliseKova.com/, for news and extras about her books!

Author Links:

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Earth’s End

Earths-End-Cover

Earth’s End

by Elise Kova

Rating: 4.5/5

At the end of Fire Falling I was happy with Vhalla’s growth, well holy flaming cheese balls Vhalla became that character that people dream of. She was brave and strong. She was smart and loyal. She was fire and air. She became the kind of person people in real life strive to be. They do not let what has happened to them tear them down but rather build them up so they can face a world without fear. I wish that one day I can take the bad-assery that Vhalla has and adapt it to my own life. (But not for battle or anything because I do not think I will be battling anytime in my near future.) Elise Kova succeeded yet again in writing a fantastic fantasy that kept your finger on the edge of the page anticipating every turn.

In Earth’s End, Vhalla risks her own life to save the crown prince. She reaches the forefront of battle and learns that she is no longer just fighting for her freedom but for her life.

That was an awful description, I know, but I really can’t say much because I know you guys aren’t in to spoilers. (Curse those damn spoilers and how they ruin friendships forever.) This book was fantastic though. We see Vhalla rise from the ashes of a gut wrenching ending in Fire Falling and grow into an amazing character. I never thought Vhalla would become such an inspiring and powerful character but she does and she does not just do it a little, she does it a lot. She definetly adapted some traits of our favorite silver tongued prince into her own being because she insults the Emperor to his face a few times but in the most cunning ways. She becomes a soldier but not just one who fights because of their duty, she is a soldier worthy of running an Empire and leading a country to victory. Words can really not express how much I loved Vhalla in this book, beyond words, and I am excited for her next adventure.

Then there is Aldrik. He kind of turned into a love sick puppy in this book. And I wanted to slap him across the face a few times. He lost his edge, his mysteriousness, his dark side. It was disappointing because it was not the Aldrik I fell in love with. However, I have no doubt that in the next book we will see the return of Aldrik and in a much more intense and brooding way than when we first met him in Air Awakens.

We were also introduced to the major of the Black Legion in this book, Jax. What a fantastic character. He made me laugh quite a few times and it was the perfect comic relief in those high tension moments.

Elecia became much more likable in this book and for that I was grateful. I hope that she has a more prominent role in the next few books.

As far as the plot goes, I thought it was pretty good. But there were times were I thought it did drag a little bit. There was a bit of repetitiveness in Vhalla/Aldrik interactions. And to be honest, Daniel kind of seemed like another one of Vhalla’s dogs. We are introduced to a bit more about crystals and the Northerners. Both topics intrigued me and I know they are both going to play an epic role in the next books. The Emperor also showed us even more of his malice. Even though I hate him and his close minded, power hungry ways, I think it added a lot more drama to the story and helped drive the plot. (cough..the ending…cough)

As I always say everyone needs to go pickup this book series and read it. Don’t worry about a long wait either, book four, Water’s Wrath, comes out April 26, 2016!

 

I am leaving you at that because I have some major plot predictions that I am gonna discuss below. So anyone who has read this book keep reading so we can discuss!!

 

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Okay I think we lost them…

First off, can you believe that ending?!? Like what are you doing to me Elise Kova? I mean that last freaking sentence in the book! “His screams of anguish”

 

Can I just grab Aldrik and give him a hug? Maybe in bed? Like a cuddle party? But without clothes…

But seriously it was kind of his fault. He did not have to act the way that he did toward her. Dummy! They could have worked it out. Somehow. Like kill the emperor or maybe the daughter of the Chieftan of the North. But that is neither here nor there because either way Aldrik needs to put his big boy pants back on and figure some shit out.

So this is my basic theory: Shit gonna go down.

Here is a more elaborate theory: Vhaldrik have to work, I mean they are Joined! I think Vhalla is going to travel to the west. Become close with Lord Ophain. She will visit the libraries of magic and try to learn more about the magic she felt when she was projecting in Soricium. She also wants to learn more about the power of crystals and these crystal weapons. But during all of this she will be riddled with dreams, memories of Aldrik’s past. She will discover his deepest secrets, the role of Egmun and even possibly Victor in all of this, and then she will return to the capital. I do not know what will await her there but I’m guessing it wont be good. I think the woman that Aldrik is promised to is going to have a powerful magic, maybe try to control him. Who knows but I bet it will be anything but a friendly reunion when Aldrik and Vhalla meet again.

 

Let me know your predictions in the comments below!!


late night chats, cookies, and writing advice

So as I usually do whenever I sit down to start writing a blog or write my manuscript I decide the first thing I should do is distract myself with the interwebs for a few hours. (Seriously though, I sat down at 930 this morning to start reviews and its now 3pm.) Anyways, I came across this live chat with Elise Kova and Susan Dennard from January 23rd. I was actually going to participate in it but then remembered on January 24th so that did not really work out as planned. I posted the video below so you can all watch if you so desire…

I love both these authors. They are very real people and I love their personalities.

So why did I post this??

Because I wanted to. Well because I am working on the reviews for their books, Truthwitch by Susan Dennard and Earth’s End by Elise Kova. So look for those in the next 24 hours.

As a writer, and by that I mean a person with two hands that sometimes writes down really crazy ideas on scraps of paper or on a computer and tries to make sense of them in some way that kind of resembles a story, I love reading advice. It is motivational and inspiring. It helps push me to continue what I am doing in hopes that one day my word vomit will actually be a completed novel. Susan Dennard has great advice for writers on her website. Click here to get some of that magical cookie madness. I really encourage every aspiring writer to read some of her advice! It’s fantastic with everything from the word vomit to query letters to publishing.

Speaking of cookies I really want some right now. For real when are my girl scout cookies showing up?!??! Every time I say my dogs name (Samoa) I start to drool for some of those tasty, delicious Caramel deLites!

cookies

Maybe I’ll just go make some…

 


Earth’s End comes out tomorrow!!!

 

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You all probably know that I love the Air Awakens series. It was in my top reads of 2015 and I reviewed both Air Awakens (read my review here)  and Fire Falling (and this review here). And now finally after a long three month wait Earth’s End (book #3) is finally here!! And I have all the info you need for it as well as an exclusive excerpt from the book!

Earth’s End (Air Awakens #3)
by Elise Kova
Release Date: February 11th 2016

Summary from Goodreads:

A woman awoken in air, a soldier forged by fire, a weapon risen from blood.

Vhalla Yarl has made it to the warfront in the North. Forged by blood and fire, she has steeled her heart for the final battle of the Solaris Empire’s conquest. The choices before Vhalla are no longer servitude or freedom, they are servitude or death. The stakes have never been higher as the Emperor maintains his iron grip on her fate, holding everything Vhalla still has left to lose in the balance.

Book Three of the Air Awakens Series

Add to Goodreads

Air Awakens on Goodreads

Fire Falling (Air Awakens #2) on Goodreads

Earths-End-Cover

Just look at that cover!!! ♥♥♥♥♥

Buy Links

 

About the Author

elise kovaElise Kova has always had a passion for storytelling. She wrote her first novella, a high-fantasy, in sixth grade. Over the years she’s honed her love of literature with everything from fantasy to romance, science fiction to mystery, and whatever else catches her eye.

Elise lives in Saint Petersburg, Florida, where she’s currently working on the next installment in her debut YA fantasy series: Air Awakens. She enjoys video games, anime, table-top role playing games, and many other forms of “geekdom.” She loves talking with fans on Twitter (@EliseKova) and Facebook (/AuthorEliseKova). Visit her website, EliseKova.com/, for news and extras about her books!

Author Links:

WebsiteGoodreadsTwitterFacebook

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You can also enter to win a copy of Earth’s End and some cool swag!!

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And finally what you have been waiting for!! An exclusive excerpt from Earth’s End

Vhalla snapped the reins and dug her heels into Baston’s sides, forcing him into an all-out run. From above, she heard the shouts of her waking enemy.

Thick and melodic calls erupted in the night, a language completely foreign to Vhalla’s ears. She didn’t have to know the words to know they weren’t friendly, so Vhalla pushed harder, pressing herself to Baston. Vhalla took a breath as she heard arrows being knocked overhead.

The sound of bowstrings being drawn in mass made gooseflesh dot her arms. Another shout, a single word and arrows cut through the air, determined to rain death around her. Even if Vhalla was certain her chainmail would shield her, the horse was completely unarmored; if Baston died, she was as good as dead. Vhalla twisted in her saddle, sweeping a hand through the air. The curtain of wind sent the arrows scattering harmlessly.

They shouted in protest, angst-ridden that she continued on unscathed.

The second assault came faster and hastened Vhalla’s mounting frustration. She had to be out of their range soon. More lights began to blaze above and behind her, casting the ground below in a faint glow. The light illuminated the edge of the city, and Vhalla was forced to stake her life on the hope that once she was out they wouldn’t catch her.

The arrows soared through the air once more and Vhalla twisted, knocking them away in mass. She expected to hear a cry for a third assault, but instead what she heard was even more disheartening. Two words that someone said in a thick Southern Common.

“Wind Demon!”

She became their prey. The sound of thundering hooves came from the direction of where the city first began.

Vhalla crossed under the edge of the city, plunging into the welcoming darkness. Had it been a day ago, Vhalla would not have given those riders a moment’s worry. Baston would outrun any normal horse, plus with her wind he was faster than thunder across the sky. But Baston had been ridden hard with only a brief rest.

Vhalla shifted her vision and peered over her shoulder. In the distance she saw them, riding relentlessly after her.

Sweating, panting, clutching the reins with white knuckles, Vhalla pushed all her energy into the wind at Baston’s and her back. More—they both had to give more. In her blind determination she almost missed the whiz of an arrow through the air.

Vhalla thrust out her arm and stopped the arrow midflight. She closed her fist and threw her arm backwards. The arrow turned and sped back at its original owner. Vhalla watched it soar straight into the Northerner’s eye, the one she pointed a finger at. The man slumped, and then fell off his saddle. She swallowed hard, looking away as the others’ cries grew louder.

Eyes, she would always go for the eyes. Whether someone was or wasn’t a Groundbreaker with stone-like skin was a risk she couldn’t take; she wouldn’t have many shots. Another archer held his bow, waiting for a different opportunity to take his chance.

Baston was already breathing heavy, and Vhalla knew she had to get them off her tail. The four riders behind her rode on fresh mounts and had the advantage of their night’s worth of sleep. Vhalla turned and pointed a finger. Sweeping her hand upward, an arrow freed itself from the other archer’s quiver. With a twist of her wrist, and the keen focus of a killer, Vhalla sent it into the unsuspecting Northerner’s eye.

One of the remaining two riders fell away as they swerved through the trees, his companion pushing forward. As the man swung wide, Vhalla realized they were trying to flank her. Vhalla grabbed for the dagger strapped to her wrist, sending it straight for his eye.

In the process, the woman rider had caught up with Baston, raising a wickedly curved blade toward his haunches. Vhalla threw out her other arm, sending the rider toppling head over heels. It wasn’t chance that the assailant’s blade slit her wielder’s throat in the fall.

Vhalla held out an expectant palm, her own dagger returning to it after a moment.

Wiping the blood on her thigh, she quickly sheathed it against her wrist before grabbing the reins once more. Vhalla swallowed a cry for speed; shouting at the horse would not make it go faster. It would only further compromise her position.

Vhalla pressed her lips together, forcing herself to keep her composure. It was not the first person she had killed. She had killed on the Night of Fire and Wind, she had killed the man who had murdered Larel, and she had killed with her bare hands at the Pass.
What had sunk deep into her bones was the acceptance of what she must do. It was knowing she had become a killer. It was how easy it was for her to slay her foes without even thinking of each of them as a whole person that showed Vhalla she’d gone far down a path she’d never wanted. They were entities, enemies, barriers, but they weren’t human.

Distracted by her inner conflict, Vhalla was caught completely off-guard by the first assault coming from the trees. A Groundbreaker swung down from the air, bringing his sword against the back of her head. Vhalla attempted to dodge at the last second, but it was too late. The blade slipped off her chainmail but it left her vision blurred and her ears ringing.

She blinked, trying to sort her senses as she pushed Baston onward, putting the assailant behind them. Groundbreakers jumped from limb to limb in the trees above her—free and fearless. Vines came to life to meet their extended hands, allowing them to soar through the air. With a twist or a tug, their lifeline shrunk back, curling around branches to pull them upward.

She wanted to feel amazed; perhaps she would have, if these people weren’t out to kill her. Another swung low, and Vhalla dropped off to the side of the saddle to dodge. Righting herself, Vhalla redrew her dagger in one quick motion as a third swung forward to attack. She sent the blade soaring through the vine the Groundbreaker held.

The man fell through the sky; Vhalla’s mind betrayed her, showing a different body plummeting through the air.

With a growl, she turned her blade to the next Northerner she saw, relying on the same tactic. She would show them why one did not hang above the head of the Windwalker. The other body fell with a sickening thud, and Vhalla left them behind her. With a twitch of her wrist, her blade returned to her hand.

Baston’s pace had slowed, and Vhalla snapped his reins again. This was the first time the beast did not heed her command, and she felt uneasiness settle across her.

Five Northerners still jumped from tree to tree overhead as dawn began to fade into early morning. Vhalla wondered if they were biding their time for rider and mount to tire. If she were they, she’d do the same thing. Baston’s sides heaved with exhaustion.

Their presence began to wear on Vhalla, and she watched them with bated breath, waiting for the next assault. Another hour passed and Baston slowed to a trot; she expected this to be the moment they attacked. But the Northerners held fast, following from welcoming branch to welcoming branch, each bent to meet their feet and hands.

They were toying with her, like cats with a mouse.

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Are you all as excited as I am?!?!!? If you have yet to read this series go buy a copy and start it now! I do have to warn you though, it will be hard to put down.

Don’t forget to check out YA Bound Book Tours, our gracious host for this book blitz!!

YA Bound Book Tours

 

 


Hello, it’s me…

I cannot believe it is February. The last three months have flown by like crazy. No they haven’t. In all honesty, I have been extremely busy. I have barely been reading! I resorted to romance novels for two months because they require the least amount of attention. I do not want to see one for at least six months. I think all relationship expectations have officially been thrown out the window. I do not think my boyfriend is going to lavish me in diamonds, take me on a private jet to a tropical island, or surprise me by telling me he is a CEO billionaire. I would, however, not mind at all if he surprised me with a puppy! I could handle that. Oh wait, he did!

samoa

My precious baby Samoa!!

I am in love with my puppy. She is 12 weeks old and such a sweetheart. Nothing beats cuddling up with her and reading!

My work load has finally lightened and now I feel like I can start reading epic fantasies again. (and I have! Just finished Truthwitch. Loved it. More on that later.) Oh, and writing. After a two month hiatus my novel is back to being written. Kind of. As per usual I have my constant back and forth of changing major plot elements and enough doubt to convince any jury I am innocent of murder. But I am trying to just finish the dang thing and worry about everything else when I start editing.

So let’s get down to business. I am compiling a few blog posts into one because I can. Anyway, here is my list of favorites from 2015.

Drumroll please…

 

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Queen of Shadows by Sarah J Maas

The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh

Magonia by Maria Dahvana Headley

Fire Falling by Elise Kova

Bone Gap by Laura Ruby

Air Awakens by Elise Kova

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas

Wild Reckless by Ginger Scott

It is really hard to decide on a favorite but I did put those in order of what I thought (well remember) were the best of the best.

Honorary Mentions (books not released in 2015 but I read and loved)

These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman

Abhorsen by Garth Nix

Lirael by Garth Nix

In the Shadow of Blackbirds by Cat Winters

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz

Despite my reading struggle at the end of the year I managed to pull out reading 95 books (thanks romance novels!) out of my 100 book goal. I would say that is quite a success!

And now a list of January release I was super pumped for and are currently sitting in a pile on my desk.

Truthwitch by Susan Dennard (review to come soon!)

Passenger by Alexandra Bracken

Sword and Verse by Kathy MacMillan

The Impostor Queen by Sarah Fine

 

Would you like February releases too? Good! Because here they are…

Earth’s End by Elise Kova

Assassin’s Heart by Sarah Ahiers

Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard

 

And finally here is a list of books coming out in the rest of 2016 that I cannot wait for. Some are far away. Others are sooner. But none of the dates can come fast enough because I would really like someone to kindly place them in my hands right now. Actually someone could throw them at my head right now and I would probably be happy. I’ll take a black eye and broken nose if it means I can dive into these gems sooner.

 

The Rose and the Dagger by Renee Ahdieh

Throne of Glass 5 (since we do not have a title yet) by Sarah J Maas

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J Maas

The Last Star by Rick Yancey

A Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir

Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo

 

Hmmm… I feel like I am forgetting something. Hmmm… what could I possibly have forgotten. I mean there can’t be anything more exciting than these books, right?

Just kidding. And we only have to wait 28 more days!!!!

lady midnight

 

 

I have been waiting years for this series. And I was so disappointed when they changed the date from Fall 2015 to Spring 2016 but it’s almost here and it’s surreal.

 

There are a few other books that came out at the end of 2015 that are also sitting in the massive pile on my desk. I plan on getting to them in the next couple of months.

Inherit the Stars by Tessa Elwood

These Shallow Graves by Jennifer Donnelly

Wandering Star by Romina Russell

Ten Thousand Skies Above You by Claudia Gray

 

WOW! I have a lot of reading to do. And I am positive I have missed quite a few books I want to read. I am really excited to read Elise Kova’s next books in here stunningly beautiful epic Air Awakens series. Everyone needs to read this. I am not lying. You will not regret it. I am hoping the new series that begin this year are just as enthralling as the ones I love and that are near and dear to my heart. Let me know what you are looking forward to this year!


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