Title: Fall of Thrones and Thorns
Series: Threats of Sky and Sea (#3)
Author: Jennifer Ellision
Pages: 234
Genre: Fantasy
Release Date: September 27, 2016
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MY RATING: 4 OUT OF 5 STARS. AN AMAZING CONCLUSION TO A LACKLUSTER SERIES. RECOMMENDED.
War hurtles in, a typhoon over the sea.
After Bree’s life was torn apart, Nereidium had represented a haven to her. A place that—if she could save it—was beyond the King’s reach.
And, at last, she’s arrived upon its shores. But things in Nereidium are not what they should be.
The land is plagued by a rash of mysterious earthquakes, the likes of which it’s never known. The governors are distracted by old traditions, while Bree and her friends grapple with changing identities and the sense that the longer they wait to take action… the greater the danger from Egria grows.
Bree is tired of living under the shadow of King Langdon’s power. And she’s tired of waiting for him to be the first to act.
In this final chapter of the Threats of Sky and Sea series, it all comes down to Nereidium or Egria. To Bree or the King. It’s kill… or be killed.
And not everyone will escape the battle unscathed.
~My Thoughts~
Fall of Thrones and Thorns was a lovely surprise; the action was intense, the plot was well-structured, the characters came alive, and the narrative was sharp, focused, and well-written. A vast improvement over the previous two books in the series, the world of Jennifer Ellision’s elementals finally shines, creating a story worth reading and maybe even worth waiting for.
Overall, I think the greatest aspect of this novel are the characters. Bree is feisty, determined, and finally sympathetic; Aleta is fierce and strong, but hopeful, and broken in all the right ways. Caden is a strong leader and a sweet love interest, while Tregle contrasts him with a darker side and a darker history, but as a more passionate lover. Meddie is snarky and surprisingly wicked; Liam is endearingly sweet while still being all-business, all-class. Lilia and Elena are left a little more in the background, but still stand apart as empowered female characters, unafraid to fight and absolutely unwilling to back down.
The battle scenes in this novel are also an impressive improvement over the last two books, adding tension and stakes to a series that always felt like it had none. There is finally a sense of real danger for the characters you’ve come to care for, and in a narrative carried almost exclusively by the main and supporting cast, it’s both refreshing and exhilarating to finally worry about who might actually die before the series is over.
As for the setting, the island city of Nereidium, introduced at last in this book, is a lush, Ancient Greek/Roman-inspired location, with togas and temples and an acropolis. It’s a country with its own history and religion, and feels more fleshed-out and immersive than any other place we’ve been introduced to throughout the series. It’s almost a pity we didn’t spend the entire book there, as it is easily the most beautiful and best described location in the entirety of this trilogy, but in the very least, your attachment to the island does heighten your sense of danger, as a loss for Bree and her friends will also mean a loss of Nereidium and its people.
All of that being said, there are, of course, a number of plot holes and inconsistencies with the novel, but for once, they do not overpower the story itself. I think Ms. Ellision could benefit from a sharp-eyed line editor, because many of the worst problems in the series are the result of a careless throwaway line, or a scenario that almost makes sense (save for some element of plain ridiculousness, like half the army somehow finding new clothes to disguise themselves with despite being in the middle of a desert, or Meddie being able to sneak through the city wall by moving loose rocks).
This series has been a bit of a bumpy ride, but if you enjoyed the first two books in the series, you will adore the last one. It is everything the other two books seemed to promise you: it’s explosive, dangerous, high-stakes, and emotional. It’s a story about empowered women leading a revolution and empowered men doing the same; it’s a story about friendship and forgiveness and love and determination. It’s a story as sweet as it is surprisingly devastating, with a setting that finally feels real and lush. You’ll actually laugh once or twice, and sweat for maybe half the book, worried about characters that finally transform from loose silhouettes to endearing, fully-fleshed people, with major and minor romances that are so adorable you don’t even care that it’s embarrassingly convenient. I can’t say the series is worth it if you didn’t like the first book, but if you stuck it out, your patience will be rewarded tenfold with a novel that is leagues better than its previous counterparts, and with an ending that does everything great about this book absolute justice.
About the Author
Jennifer Ellision was born and raised in South Florida and lives in perpetual fear of temperatures below 60F. She spent a great deal of her childhood staying up past her bedtime with a book and a flashlight. When she couldn’t find the stories she wanted to read, she started writing them. She has an OTP, loves character analysis, and is a master of the fangirl flail, with a particular soft spot for fanfiction. She frequently bursts into song (and they are often of a Disney persuasion). Sailor Moon is one of her favorite things on this planet.
Threats of Sky and Sea is her first novel.
She also blogs at The Bevy Bibliotheque, where she talks about books, TV, movies, and other things that she goes fangirl over. For review requests or blog inquiries, please visit http://www.thebevybibliotheque.net to contact the blogger who best suits your request.
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Elise 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.
Jeff Wheeler took an early retirement from his career at Intel in 2014 to become a full-time author. He is, most importantly, a husband and father, and a devout member of his church. He is occasionally spotted roaming among the oak trees and granite boulders in the hills of California or in any number of the state’s majestic redwood groves. He is the author of The Covenant of Muirwood Trilogy, The Legends of Muirwood Trilogy, the Whispers from Mirrowen Trilogy, and the Landmoor Series.
Desiree Williams is a dreamer by day and chocoholic by night. She lives in the beautiful state of Kentucky with her husband and daughter, where she juggles life as a wannabe supermom. Desiree is a lover of food and avoider of dirty dishes. She delights in making people laugh and strives to bring hope and love with her wherever she goes.
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!
Book Recs and Paperweights 