Air Awakens by Elise Kova

Air Awakens by Elise Kova
Air Awakens #1
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A library apprentice, a sorcerer prince, and an unbreakable magic bond...

The Solaris Empire is one conquest away from uniting the continent, and the rare elemental magic sleeping in seventeen-year-old library apprentice Vhalla Yarl could shift the tides of war.

Vhalla has always been taught to fear the Tower of Sorcerers, a mysterious magic society, and has been happy in her quiet world of books. But after she unknowingly saves the life of one of the most powerful sorcerers of them all—the Crown Prince Aldrik—she finds herself enticed into his world. Now she must decide her future: Embrace her sorcery and leave the life she’s known, or eradicate her magic and remain as she’s always been. And with powerful forces lurking in the shadows, Vhalla’s indecision could cost her more than she ever imagined.

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A library, an injured prince and a sorcerer, this book had me hooked from the first chapter. I actually couldn’t put it down, why did I wait so long to read this? The writing flows so well, I really struggled with putting this one down when I had to go to work. I love the sword and sorcery setting, and the magic system and everything. I think this might become one of my new favourite series.

"Too curious for her own good, the master had always scolded. Magic was dangerous."

I love the main character Vhalla, she is a library apprentice at the palace, and while I do get Sorcery of Thorns vibes from her character, the rest of the story is totally different. She is intelligent, and very well read, although is a bit lacking in real world experience. When she finds out she is actually a sorcerer, she does not take it well, and kind of goes into denial about the whole thing.

"Are you going to be the sorcerer who could have saved lives but chose instead to be no one?"

I like that Prince Aldrik is not your usual drop-dead gorgeous Prince Charming type. He’s actually not that attractive, has a temper to match his firebearer gift, and has issues with relationships on account of being a sorcerer (and possibly illegitimate), in a place where sorcerers are generally feared, if not downright scorned. The only non-sorcerer friend he has is his brother (charming and good-looking Prince Baldair), who he has quite an amusing relationship with, and I’m looking forward to seeing more of the two brothers.

“He’s a sorcerer. It makes people uncomfortable. Magic is something that should stay within the Tower.”

The potential(?) relationship between Vhalla and Aldrik is really quite sweet in the end but it’s a bumpy ride to get there. It goes from mystery to betrayal and mistrust to misunderstanding, but they do care about each other. It’s definitely a slow burn and at times they are quite confused about their feelings, but I loved every minute of it and I can’t wait for more of these two in the next book!

"I want a place you hardly dare to even whisper. I want the bravery to not only read, but to do. I want a man, not a library boy. A man who is tall and witty and knows more about the world than you would ever dare dream."

I do love the magic system as well. There are four types of sorcerer, Firebearers, Waterrunners, Groundbreakers, and Windwalkers. I always love reading about magic that is based on the elements and this book is no exception. As Vhalla hasn’t really begun her apprenticeship yet, we don’t see too much magic yet in this book, but I love the descriptions of what we do get. Once Vhalla is ‘awakened’, she feels the air differently, and I love the descriptions of it. I can’t wait to read more of the intricacies of the different elemental magics in future books, because I am definitely reading the rest of this series.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good sword and sorcery or historical fantasy, with a great magic system and unique characters.

Thanks for reading!

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