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renatasnacks's review against another edition
3.0
I have a hard time retaining details from books after I read them--I mostly remember sort of a feeling/sense of "Oh I liked it" or "It made me feel sad" or whatever and maybe a few key moments. So when I'm reading series books with a pause in between I either need to re-read the series (big time commitment!) or read a helpful wiki summary (my usual go-to). Unfortch Shatter the Sky didn't develop the kind of devoted fandom who would make a wiki for this so I came up pretty dry looking for a good summary of the last one. Someone please make this.
Anyway I couldn't find a wiki and didn't re-read Shatter the Sky and as a result it took me awhile to find my footing with this one. Like wait......who? What? Why is everyone so concerned about essential oils??? (It's because you can use essential oils to brainwash dragons I guess)
So anyway it was kind of a confusing ride which is partly on me for not doing all my research. But still fun and interesting worldbuilding! I've had a big uptick in kids asking for dragon books lately (thanks Wings of Fire) and this has some choice dragon stuff in it.
PS also I read some other reviews on here who are upset bc this book has a love triangle with a bi main character, her girlfriend, and a new boy love interest, and like, not to deny anyone's feelings about wanting more purely f/f fantasy ofc but...it's valid for a bi woman to end up with a man! It doesn't make her not bi! And from the start Maren identified as bi! OK bye/bi.
Anyway I couldn't find a wiki and didn't re-read Shatter the Sky and as a result it took me awhile to find my footing with this one. Like wait......who? What? Why is everyone so concerned about essential oils??? (It's because you can use essential oils to brainwash dragons I guess)
So anyway it was kind of a confusing ride which is partly on me for not doing all my research. But still fun and interesting worldbuilding! I've had a big uptick in kids asking for dragon books lately (thanks Wings of Fire) and this has some choice dragon stuff in it.
PS also I read some other reviews on here who are upset bc this book has a love triangle with a bi main character, her girlfriend, and a new boy love interest, and like, not to deny anyone's feelings about wanting more purely f/f fantasy ofc but...it's valid for a bi woman to end up with a man! It doesn't make her not bi! And from the start Maren identified as bi! OK bye/bi.
rgreatreader's review against another edition
3.0
This book is even more of a mess than the previous one. And I really disliked how both Maren and the author treated Kaia.
marina_s's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
2.5
rosie66's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
eatbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
talaomte's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
jenny_librarian's review against another edition
5.0
5 stars
Trigger warnings: torture, death/murder, hate crimes
Content warning: racism, colonialism, (dragon) slavery
It's been about 2 years since I read Shatter the Sky, but the sequel reignited my love for this duology. It's not perfect, but damn was it a good dragon story!
Beware however that this book starts right after Shatter the Sky ends - and I do mean, RIGHT after - and there are little reminders of what happened previously. It's best if you go in having fresh memories of the first book.
Where most fantasy books default to white cishet normative culture, Shatter the Sky and Storm the Earth are all about spinning that default on its head. Pretty much all the characters are POC, the main character is from and Indigenous land colonialized by a tyrant who enslaves native beings from that land and fights for her people's (and the dragons being enslaved's) freedom, there is no hate against people for their sexual or gender orientation AT ALL, etc. It's just all around an inspiring read.
The MC is also bisexual, which was pretty obvious - if not stated outright, though I can't remember - in the first book. Some reviewers have been spewing biphobic comments about this second opus, but I think Maren's growth and her fractured relationship with Kaia is pretty realistic. I don't doubt that, if I was to reread the first book, I would see the little cracks that led to their fights in this second opus. Yes, there is wlw content in this book, but that does not negate the fact that Maren is bisexual and therefore attracted to more than one gender. Her attraction to Sev (and whatever might develop between them in this second book) doesn't mean her feelings for Kaia aren't real and that she isn't in love with a woman. Let bisexual people exist and stop saying an author wronged you when they made it clear from the get go that their MC wasn't only attracted to women.
However, concerning Maren and Kaia's relationship, I didn't like the way Maren disregarded Kaia's feelings towards her trauma and refused to accept Kaia's decision to forgive the Aurati again and again. When a victim tells you they've forgiven - or gotten over their anger - for their agressor, it's not your decision to carry that anger and hate. Maren never respected Kaia's decision, and that was problematic in itself. I think the author could have better framed it to make Kaia appear less as the "bad guy" in that aspect, since it was Maren who was in the wrong and I don't think she ever apologized for that.
As for what actually happens in this book, I loved every page of it. I knewPiera as a traitor from the beginning, but the discovery was still pretty good. The blurry line of friends and foe was interesting to navigate too, with many morally grey characters toeing it throughout the story. The whole thing is still pretty idealistic (greed leading to a person's downfall isn't exactly reality) but hey, that's what books are for, right?
I think any lover of dragons who wants an inclusive story would be delighted with this duology.
Trigger warnings: torture, death/murder, hate crimes
Content warning: racism, colonialism, (dragon) slavery
It's been about 2 years since I read Shatter the Sky, but the sequel reignited my love for this duology. It's not perfect, but damn was it a good dragon story!
Beware however that this book starts right after Shatter the Sky ends - and I do mean, RIGHT after - and there are little reminders of what happened previously. It's best if you go in having fresh memories of the first book.
Where most fantasy books default to white cishet normative culture, Shatter the Sky and Storm the Earth are all about spinning that default on its head. Pretty much all the characters are POC, the main character is from and Indigenous land colonialized by a tyrant who enslaves native beings from that land and fights for her people's (and the dragons being enslaved's) freedom, there is no hate against people for their sexual or gender orientation AT ALL, etc. It's just all around an inspiring read.
The MC is also bisexual, which was pretty obvious - if not stated outright, though I can't remember - in the first book. Some reviewers have been spewing biphobic comments about this second opus, but I think Maren's growth and her fractured relationship with Kaia is pretty realistic. I don't doubt that, if I was to reread the first book, I would see the little cracks that led to their fights in this second opus. Yes, there is wlw content in this book, but that does not negate the fact that Maren is bisexual and therefore attracted to more than one gender. Her attraction to Sev (and whatever might develop between them in this second book) doesn't mean her feelings for Kaia aren't real and that she isn't in love with a woman. Let bisexual people exist and stop saying an author wronged you when they made it clear from the get go that their MC wasn't only attracted to women.
However, concerning Maren and Kaia's relationship, I didn't like the way Maren disregarded Kaia's feelings towards her trauma and refused to accept Kaia's decision to forgive the Aurati again and again. When a victim tells you they've forgiven - or gotten over their anger - for their agressor, it's not your decision to carry that anger and hate. Maren never respected Kaia's decision, and that was problematic in itself. I think the author could have better framed it to make Kaia appear less as the "bad guy" in that aspect, since it was Maren who was in the wrong and I don't think she ever apologized for that.
As for what actually happens in this book, I loved every page of it. I knew
I think any lover of dragons who wants an inclusive story would be delighted with this duology.
cynsworkshop's review against another edition
4.0
Originally reviewed on Cyn's Workshop
What an incredible sequel. Storm the Earth is the second novel in Wells Shatter the Sky
duology, and it is as amazing as the first.
Riveting Story
The story is possibly the best part of the series. For fans of dragon lovers, this is sure to satisfy because it has so many. There are times when the dragon-human bond is reminiscent of the Inheritance series by Christopher Paolini, but Storm the Earth stands on its own.
The novel continues the journey of Maren, picking up where the previous novel left off, where she is on the run on the back of an ancient and powerful dragon after rescuing her girlfriend, Kaia. It is such a compelling and action-packed way to start the novel, gripping the reader and thrusting them into this journey.
However, the action continues from there. Naava has tasked Maren with freeing the dragons to earn her help. Considering Naava has been held captive by humans for centuries. For Maren, alongside her girlfriend and the dragon kit she has bonded with, this is more than acceptable. Coming from the mountains, she has dreamed a time when the dragon tyrant no longer ruled, and that moment comes with her.
However, what is more, is the fact that Wells has decided to expand upon the perspectives of the story. Whereas the first novel followed Maren, this novel now follows Sev, the shadow prince. Sev was her companion in the previous novel and there was an attraction growing between the characters, adding in some tension between Maren and Kaia. Moreover, the reader gets to know Sev intimately in this novel.
Thrilling Characterization
Wells reveals bits and pieces of who Sev was before the tyrant took over, more about his past and who he was versus the person she is now. The reader can connect to him more strongly in this novel because his emotions and flashbacks, his pain, gives the story more layers and dimension.
While the reader gets to know Sev intimately, the reader sees just how much Maren has changed since she first started this journey. Not only that, but her relationship with Kaia has changed as well.
Ultimately, Kaia is unlikable in this novel and her inability to accept how Maren has changed makes her bitter and resentful. Kaia was always the girl in charge, always the one making the decision who wanted to make a mark on the world.
Nevertheless, it seems as though everything she wanted Maren has gotten. There is much tension between the two of them because of this that results in making Kaia undeserving of Maren.
Maren, for her part, does try, but after this journey, the reader sees just how much she has changed and grown, reflecting in the strain between the two girls. Maren has become a formidable character, growing in such a way that makes her compelling for the reader. It is great to see her come ahead, to be strong and decisive, to see her grow into her power of dragon song.
Final Thoughts
Storm the Earth is an excellent conclusion to a great series. It is filled with emotional and action-packed tension, leading the story to be compelling from beginning to end.
See more reviews at Cyn's Workshop and follow me on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Spotify Podcast | YouTube | BookBub | Goodreads+ | LinkedIn
What an incredible sequel. Storm the Earth is the second novel in Wells Shatter the Sky
duology, and it is as amazing as the first.
Riveting Story
The story is possibly the best part of the series. For fans of dragon lovers, this is sure to satisfy because it has so many. There are times when the dragon-human bond is reminiscent of the Inheritance series by Christopher Paolini, but Storm the Earth stands on its own.
The novel continues the journey of Maren, picking up where the previous novel left off, where she is on the run on the back of an ancient and powerful dragon after rescuing her girlfriend, Kaia. It is such a compelling and action-packed way to start the novel, gripping the reader and thrusting them into this journey.
However, the action continues from there. Naava has tasked Maren with freeing the dragons to earn her help. Considering Naava has been held captive by humans for centuries. For Maren, alongside her girlfriend and the dragon kit she has bonded with, this is more than acceptable. Coming from the mountains, she has dreamed a time when the dragon tyrant no longer ruled, and that moment comes with her.
However, what is more, is the fact that Wells has decided to expand upon the perspectives of the story. Whereas the first novel followed Maren, this novel now follows Sev, the shadow prince. Sev was her companion in the previous novel and there was an attraction growing between the characters, adding in some tension between Maren and Kaia. Moreover, the reader gets to know Sev intimately in this novel.
Thrilling Characterization
Wells reveals bits and pieces of who Sev was before the tyrant took over, more about his past and who he was versus the person she is now. The reader can connect to him more strongly in this novel because his emotions and flashbacks, his pain, gives the story more layers and dimension.
While the reader gets to know Sev intimately, the reader sees just how much Maren has changed since she first started this journey. Not only that, but her relationship with Kaia has changed as well.
Ultimately, Kaia is unlikable in this novel and her inability to accept how Maren has changed makes her bitter and resentful. Kaia was always the girl in charge, always the one making the decision who wanted to make a mark on the world.
Nevertheless, it seems as though everything she wanted Maren has gotten. There is much tension between the two of them because of this that results in making Kaia undeserving of Maren.
Maren, for her part, does try, but after this journey, the reader sees just how much she has changed and grown, reflecting in the strain between the two girls. Maren has become a formidable character, growing in such a way that makes her compelling for the reader. It is great to see her come ahead, to be strong and decisive, to see her grow into her power of dragon song.
Final Thoughts
Storm the Earth is an excellent conclusion to a great series. It is filled with emotional and action-packed tension, leading the story to be compelling from beginning to end.
See more reviews at Cyn's Workshop and follow me on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Spotify Podcast | YouTube | BookBub | Goodreads+ | LinkedIn
stevieharrington's review against another edition
4.0
(I listened on audiobook so idk how to spell anyone’s names bear with me)
I saw the split with Kaya coming, so I wasn’t mad at it when it happened. This was a story of growing out of love with someone who was very important to you at one stage of your life but who no longer gives back what you need once you’ve changed. I loved this!!!!
I saw the split with Kaya coming, so I wasn’t mad at it when it happened. This was a story of growing out of love with someone who was very important to you at one stage of your life but who no longer gives back what you need once you’ve changed. I loved this!!!!
kayladaila's review against another edition
5.0
I loved Shatter the Sky and I loved Storm the Earth! Maren is again on a journey, this time with more confidence in herself, and interesting companions. Way more dragons in this book!
Minor spoiler, but I thought this book would include some polyamory. I guess the publishing world isn’t there quite yet.
Minor spoiler, but I thought this book would include some polyamory. I guess the publishing world isn’t there quite yet.