Earth's End

“Aldrik, he had nothing to do with this.” Vhalla took a half step in front of Baldair, stopping the older prince's advance.“A new low, even for you, brother,” Aldrik said with disdain. “Getting your whore to protect you.”Vhalla's arms hung limply at her sides, suddenly at a complete loss.“Don't call her that! You don't mean it.” Baldair's defense was touching, but completely ignored by Aldrik.“Oh? Slut then?” Aldrik grimaced as the word tore itself from his tongue. “Who's next, now that you've had both princes? Going to crawl into bed with my father?”

Usually flipping through a book to convince me to read it works well. At least, it seldom causes me to give up on a book. But when I found this little conversational nugget, I knew I was done. See, I'm funny, I like romances that actually talk to each other without insulting the other, couples that actually respect each other. Ones that actually feel healthy. Yeah. This ain't it. Because it just ain't.

It truly makes me sick that this couple is the endgame, that girls still think Aldrik is a good love interest and that I ever thought these two made a cute couple. (Back in book one, I didn't hate the idea of them being romantically involved, I would have just preferred a friendship instead. But now, I...I just can't with the name-calling and verbal abuse.)

(No, I didn't actually read much more of the book than this conversation and the events leading up to it. (I'm just not going to make a special shelf for this book and I think this is the only way I can write my feelings for it.) If you want to tell me how it all makes perfect sense in context, feel free to do so. But I warn you, I won't believe you because I'm not okay with any person calling their lover a ‘whore' or a ‘slut' as a derogatory slur. And, I find it quite telling that this is what Aldrik chooses to insult when he gets angry.)

Poor Vhalla I hate the way his relationship with Aldrik turns out as the book end, oh dear god also she lost another friend, from the innocent girl we met in book one there is no much left behind, she was not just send to war as a punishment but also lost faith in love during the process, lost her identity and through the course of the war is autonomy. it was a rough path for Vhalla to win their freedom, or at least what she taught being free once was.

This was MUCH better than the first two books in this series. Vhalla stopped being as whiny as she was before, and decided it was time to become a big girl and make her own choices. Aldrik kinda made me mad in the last 10% but I'm ready to see what Vhalla's little solo-girls trip brings her.

‘Earth's End' is the third novel of the ‘Air Awakens” series written by Elise Kova. In this novel, Vhalla, and the rest of the army has finally reached the warfront in the North. The war is explored throughout this novel.

Throughout this novel, the relationship between Vhalla and Aldrik leaps forward, as Vhalla's character grows even stronger as a person and as she starts to control her elemental abilities even more. There are new characters that are introduced in this novel. The novel ends with a cliff-hanger that is just as great as the second novel. I gave this novel 5/5 Stars.

CAWPILE SCORE
C-7
A-8
W-8
P-6
I-8
L-7
E-8
TOTAL-7.43/10

CAWPILECharactersAldrick—dude you have a lot more issues, but I can only blame you 50%. Your dad sucks, and is unnecessarily cruel to you. Plus whatever Egmun did to youDaniel—Just back off dude. She doesn't feel the same towards you. She thought she might she doesn't . quite being a creep. Glad you didn't betray her for the axe like I thought you would. I also thought you were the traitor sorry not sorry for thatVhalla—tons of emotional variance which is good for somebody in her situation. Deciding though she never really loved him only to flip flop at end over again. I'm not a fan of. Wants to always do the right. Steals the Axe. Hopefully to keep it away EmperorFritz is FritzBaldair—Tries to repair relationship with brother. Helps Vhalla out a lot. Much better than I thought he would beElecia—fallen into healer role. Emperor—not cool enough for me to remember his stupid name. stupid head. Obsessed with Conquer and Hatred. Possible Corruption going on?? Controlled. Or just EVIL can't see the forest for the TreesSometimes people need help to change, especially after dealing with an abusive emperor (and Egmun) their whole lifeAtmosphereElise does her atmosphere well, when its required, especially during very emotional scenes it lands incredibly land. Othertimes its less noticeable but still there. Certain battle scenes almost felt like dances to me and I liked that.WritingExcellent job on writing again. The emotions run high and you can certainly feel it thanks to her writing.PlotThe Plot of this book is minor and not minor at the same time. Its basically get to the front lines, then win some battles. I'm intrigued to see what the plot does with the Crystal Axe. I like the escalation of tension, but am slightly disappointed by the drama of teenagers getting in the way.InvestmentI really want Vhalla to succeed and to be happy. So far these things are not happening for her. I'm predicting she goes West with Aldricks Uncle. LogicThings make sense, except for Vhalla's Exceptional Magical Fighting ability. I'm totally 100% willing to give her regular fighting ability through the Bond, but the Magical side Air and Fire are different so it shouldn't work the same, and she never really trains. Does “minor” training. Lifting things, throwing, but nothing war basedHer Projecting was coolEnjoymentLoved most of the relationship drama. Love to hate Daniel. And General Schnurr and the emperor. Aldrick X Vhalla is great. Don't you dare mess it up EliseMiscAlso Axe that cuts through anything. And you believe it. So have it cut through engagement or use it on your bond that you hate now. Vhalla's dreams of Aldrick's past. Opening the Box. It's the same box that had the Cuffs.. Perhaps Aldrick is already tainted by crystal.Going with Schnurr (WHO HATES YOU) alone is always a bad ideaI knew Aldrick would be alive. Love the desperate Flight.oohh will Vhalla learn to fly?? A seed of doubt watered by fear... A great lineThe depiction of Aldrick's alcoholismHer choices were servitude or death. Doesn't have to be her death. Easily could be the emperor's deathVHalla has to get the last push on Aldrick. His attitude calling her woman. Just way out of character. Don't like itThe feeling the Axe Blade gives to her.The Final Fight against the North. Aldrick and Vhalla acting as one. Creating a Phoenix
I will be talking about it on Libromancy https://libromancy.podbean.com/ on 10/23/2022

Thank you for breaking my heart.

This is an odd one to give 3 stars to.
Firstly, I am hugely excited to read the next book and will start reading it as soon as I can.
Secondly, I flew through the book and it was certainly enjoyable on the whole and a good book when viewed as a whole.
Then, there was the romance. Horrible, boring, cliche and only forgivable because it set up its own demise.
Also- what did you do with my aldrik? Whilst he needed a fair bit of character development, he just becomes a love blinded idiot for the second half of this book.
I am in the habit of ignoring romances when reviewing YA. 80% of the time I vehemently dislike the way they are handled. But this romance ruined an otherwise decent book, with some amazing parts and some no so amazing parts.