The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
bookstorianreads's review
3.0
I like the plot. The writing was clunky and took me out of the story sometimes. Very intrigued about the sequel though.
Also, Gideon, you are a fool. Torin, go get your girl.
Also, Gideon, you are a fool. Torin, go get your girl.
authormirandajoy's review
5.0
WHAT A TREAT!
I kept seeing An Empress of Air & Chaos on Bookstagram (I am a HUGE sucker for romantasy) and finally gave it a shot.
This book was pure FUN!
First, I am a sucker for love triangles. I LOVE THE ANGST AND TENSION. Now, if you're not a fan of love triangles, you should still give this one a go. It's well done and the triangle is Salvatore brother-esque. Both brothers won me over.
The twists, the magic, the tension--all top tier. This was a GREAT debut from Noelle, and I'll read anything she puts out going forward.
I kept seeing An Empress of Air & Chaos on Bookstagram (I am a HUGE sucker for romantasy) and finally gave it a shot.
This book was pure FUN!
First, I am a sucker for love triangles. I LOVE THE ANGST AND TENSION. Now, if you're not a fan of love triangles, you should still give this one a go. It's well done and the triangle is Salvatore brother-esque. Both brothers won me over.
The twists, the magic, the tension--all top tier. This was a GREAT debut from Noelle, and I'll read anything she puts out going forward.
achaperonwrites's review against another edition
5.0
“He lowered his lashes before speaking in a low, husky voice, ‘One day you are going to want to kiss me. You are going to want to experiment with your feelings and step outside that bubble you have lived in for too long. You are going to want to
explore your deepest and darkest desires.’
She couldn't breathe, not when his face was so close to hers. She could see the air from his breath swirl past her.
‘And when you do, I will be waiting for you.’”
—
explore your deepest and darkest desires.’
She couldn't breathe, not when his face was so close to hers. She could see the air from his breath swirl past her.
‘And when you do, I will be waiting for you.’”
—
mchoy004's review
5.0
Okayyyyyyy, I LOVED this book. Like this has become a top book of 2022 for SURE.
This book was a total guilty pleasure read. It had so many similar elements from other books I love but still maintained an air of originality. If you love Damon Salvatore and good ol' love triangles involving two brothers fighting for the girl. YOU. WILL. LOVE. THIS. STORY!!!!!
As a Damon girl myself, you know I was down bad for Mr. Bad boy Torin Blacksteel. To be completely honest, I could kind of see this story as originating in vampire diaries fanfiction due to the similarities in the brother's personalities and looks. My favorite thing about this book is how (1) the book is written in the 3 POV (aka the best POV) and that (2) with each chapter the perspectives shifts to Emara, Torin, or Gideon. It kept the book fresh while still allowing us to get in the heads of the other characters.
Aside from the romance, I loved the world-building of this story. The Demon hunter clans, witch clans, werewolves, and the fae factions really reminded me of Cassandra Clare's multi-supernatural creature world, minus urban fantasy elements. The demon hunters had many similarities to shadowhunters - which, you know, no complaints here. This story was action packed, and I loved watching Emara slowly grow into her own.
I think parts of the book/Emara's journey seemed a little cheesy or played out, but again - I'm saying this is a guilty pleasure read - so these elements were very easily overlooked.
This book was a total guilty pleasure read. It had so many similar elements from other books I love but still maintained an air of originality. If you love Damon Salvatore and good ol' love triangles involving two brothers fighting for the girl. YOU. WILL. LOVE. THIS. STORY!!!!!
As a Damon girl myself, you know I was down bad for Mr. Bad boy Torin Blacksteel. To be completely honest, I could kind of see this story as originating in vampire diaries fanfiction due to the similarities in the brother's personalities and looks. My favorite thing about this book is how (1) the book is written in the 3 POV (aka the best POV) and that (2) with each chapter the perspectives shifts to Emara, Torin, or Gideon. It kept the book fresh while still allowing us to get in the heads of the other characters.
Aside from the romance, I loved the world-building of this story. The Demon hunter clans, witch clans, werewolves, and the fae factions really reminded me of Cassandra Clare's multi-supernatural creature world, minus urban fantasy elements. The demon hunters had many similarities to shadowhunters - which, you know, no complaints here. This story was action packed, and I loved watching Emara slowly grow into her own.
I think parts of the book/Emara's journey seemed a little cheesy or played out, but again - I'm saying this is a guilty pleasure read - so these elements were very easily overlooked.
babs_reviews's review
4.0
This was a good debut novel and wonderful start to a series.
Demons from the Underworld have unleashed a fury on the kingdom, slaughtering village after village. Emara, loses everything she's known to the demons and almost loses her life but is saved by the Blacksteel brothers. Learning about the supernatural world alongside best friend Cally, she has to face truths that were kept from her.
The Blacksteel brothers; Torin and Gideon, both have potential as a romantic interest for Emara but I'm personally rooting for Torin because....oof.
As with most first books there is more informational world building than action. Learning about witches, shapeshifters and demon hunters, Emara must figure out who she is or else be lost.
Looking forward to the next installment.
Demons from the Underworld have unleashed a fury on the kingdom, slaughtering village after village. Emara, loses everything she's known to the demons and almost loses her life but is saved by the Blacksteel brothers. Learning about the supernatural world alongside best friend Cally, she has to face truths that were kept from her.
The Blacksteel brothers; Torin and Gideon, both have potential as a romantic interest for Emara but I'm personally rooting for Torin because....oof.
As with most first books there is more informational world building than action. Learning about witches, shapeshifters and demon hunters, Emara must figure out who she is or else be lost.
Looking forward to the next installment.
abrattebo's review
4.0
I have been meaning to write this review for FOREVER! So, on we go!
First and foremost, a very big congratulations to the author on this debut novel. I have been anxiously engaged in her journey as a writer and I think many reviewers forget is that each novel is that author’s baby. It takes courage, bravery, self-reflection, and for the author to go on a whole journey of days and nights devoted to telling a story. So thank you, for giving us this gift of yourself! I am inspired!
Now for my very honest review…
I did really enjoy this book. I remember absolutely loving the amount of snark and sarcasm that pass between the characters. And to be completely honest, their personalities really shone through. To me, I find that having that balance of serious but smart and quippy comebacks is so hard to find. I also love the fact that the main characters were so very well developed. I found myself falling in love with them (especially those brothers… but who wouldn’t? Am I right?).
I also very much enjoyed the plot and where this story was taking it. Now, my specialty is being able to see plots coming from miles away. It’s a game of mine to see if I can pick them apart. This particular book I managed to have the end goal sorted about midway. It didn’t detract at all from the story for me, as I was just curious to see how the author would weave the events together to get the exact ending. It was diverting and entertaining for sure.
I would say that my big critiques for this book are just a few. 1) I felt like the world building was a bit soft? Especially when trying to understand the home the MC grew up in and their seemingly small town, but then how you have the rich and influential pulling the strings. It didn’t feel quite as strong as some other aspects of the book. 2) Other characters outs side of the main MCs that you see every few pages were weak as well (i.e. the big fight scene in the forest, I felt like the wolves and their characters and relationships were really without much explanation. And I felt like more involvement of them in the story would’ve really helped to give the story some more depth). 3) This one I’m sure will come with time (and the next book…hint hint), but I’m looking forward to added depth to all the MCs. I felt like I saw a good chunk of them, that the layers were beginning to get peeled back on them, BUT I feel like we have somehow just scratched the surface.
Overall, I am excitedly looking forward to the sequel. Sign me up!
First and foremost, a very big congratulations to the author on this debut novel. I have been anxiously engaged in her journey as a writer and I think many reviewers forget is that each novel is that author’s baby. It takes courage, bravery, self-reflection, and for the author to go on a whole journey of days and nights devoted to telling a story. So thank you, for giving us this gift of yourself! I am inspired!
Now for my very honest review…
I did really enjoy this book. I remember absolutely loving the amount of snark and sarcasm that pass between the characters. And to be completely honest, their personalities really shone through. To me, I find that having that balance of serious but smart and quippy comebacks is so hard to find. I also love the fact that the main characters were so very well developed. I found myself falling in love with them (especially those brothers… but who wouldn’t? Am I right?).
I also very much enjoyed the plot and where this story was taking it. Now, my specialty is being able to see plots coming from miles away. It’s a game of mine to see if I can pick them apart. This particular book I managed to have the end goal sorted about midway. It didn’t detract at all from the story for me, as I was just curious to see how the author would weave the events together to get the exact ending. It was diverting and entertaining for sure.
I would say that my big critiques for this book are just a few. 1) I felt like the world building was a bit soft? Especially when trying to understand the home the MC grew up in and their seemingly small town, but then how you have the rich and influential pulling the strings. It didn’t feel quite as strong as some other aspects of the book. 2) Other characters outs side of the main MCs that you see every few pages were weak as well (i.e. the big fight scene in the forest, I felt like the wolves and their characters and relationships were really without much explanation. And I felt like more involvement of them in the story would’ve really helped to give the story some more depth). 3) This one I’m sure will come with time (and the next book…hint hint), but I’m looking forward to added depth to all the MCs. I felt like I saw a good chunk of them, that the layers were beginning to get peeled back on them, BUT I feel like we have somehow just scratched the surface.
Overall, I am excitedly looking forward to the sequel. Sign me up!
megankate18's review
4.0
"Pushing the boundaries is the only way for a woman to make a path for herself in this world."
This book has it all:
-Strong FMC
-Witches, Fae, Shifters, Demons
-Love Triangle
-All Three POVs
-WARRIOR BROTHERS
-Enemies-ish to Lovers AND Friends to Lovers
-Protective Love Interests
-Strong Familial Friendship
The tension. THE TENSION. There is no spice, but a tiny bit of steam and the slow burn is so good.
I loved the strong friendship between the FMC and her best friend.
The world building was interesting and had all of our favorite types of beings in it.
The writing could use some refining which is why I docked it a star.
Overall, this was excellent and I ate it up. This book felt like a setup for so much more and I can't wait to see where the story goes! I'm immediately jumping into book two with that ending!
This book has it all:
-Strong FMC
-Witches, Fae, Shifters, Demons
-Love Triangle
-All Three POVs
-WARRIOR BROTHERS
-Enemies-ish to Lovers AND Friends to Lovers
-Protective Love Interests
-Strong Familial Friendship
The tension. THE TENSION. There is no spice, but a tiny bit of steam and the slow burn is so good.
I loved the strong friendship between the FMC and her best friend.
The world building was interesting and had all of our favorite types of beings in it.
The writing could use some refining which is why I docked it a star.
Overall, this was excellent and I ate it up. This book felt like a setup for so much more and I can't wait to see where the story goes! I'm immediately jumping into book two with that ending!
starseternal182's review
5.0
So I've been sitting on this review since I finished in December 2021. Which I only do when I truly enjoy a book and want to think about what I want to say. Also I didn't want to let the characters go yet as I am highly HIGHLY anticipating the sequel.
This book is an upper YA/NA fantasy book (I really hope the second book leans more into NA but I'm happy either way) that follows the main character Emara as she loses everything and begins to discover who she is. She has a charming and witty best friend that would do anything for her and vice versa and she meets some swoon worthy demon hunter brothers (REMIND YOU OF ANYTHING?? It did for me in the absolute best way). Emara is not a weak character, despite awful things happening to her over and over she gets up, and she demands to be the one to save herself. She does not rely on a man to save her, she saves herself. There are witches and demons, possibly fae? and demon hunters. This book set up for the world to expand even more in future books, but does not leave with the taste of a cliffhanger. Basically she gives you just enough to come back for more. And come back I will because I might be obsessed with a certain demon hunter and I need more of him in the next book.
Fantasy, witches, demon hunters, romance, love triangle, betrayal, gut wrenching pain (don't most books do this to me?), mystery, haunted pasts, and a future unknown villain that I know is going to be rough..
The writing is impeccable, I was sucked in the whole time and I could barely put this book down. I read with a friend and we both are now obsessed. I cannot believe this is a debut author and book because it read better than some popular fantasy series out there. Do not sleep on this author or this book!
This book is an upper YA/NA fantasy book (I really hope the second book leans more into NA but I'm happy either way) that follows the main character Emara as she loses everything and begins to discover who she is. She has a charming and witty best friend that would do anything for her and vice versa and she meets some swoon worthy demon hunter brothers (REMIND YOU OF ANYTHING?? It did for me in the absolute best way). Emara is not a weak character, despite awful things happening to her over and over she gets up, and she demands to be the one to save herself. She does not rely on a man to save her, she saves herself. There are witches and demons, possibly fae? and demon hunters. This book set up for the world to expand even more in future books, but does not leave with the taste of a cliffhanger. Basically she gives you just enough to come back for more. And come back I will because I might be obsessed with a certain demon hunter and I need more of him in the next book.
Fantasy, witches, demon hunters, romance, love triangle, betrayal, gut wrenching pain (don't most books do this to me?), mystery, haunted pasts, and a future unknown villain that I know is going to be rough..
The writing is impeccable, I was sucked in the whole time and I could barely put this book down. I read with a friend and we both are now obsessed. I cannot believe this is a debut author and book because it read better than some popular fantasy series out there. Do not sleep on this author or this book!