A review by emwhitten
Water's Wrath by Elise Kova

4.0

Honestly so confused on how I feel about this book!! The first three in the series were 5 star reads. The pacing and writing and plot twists and everything we’re absolute perfection. And this one was still really good. The pacing and stuff just felt a little weird maybe? Like the action and stuff at the beginning with the knights of Jadar was so interesting but then it was just over? It felt really rushed. Like I wanted to see more of Valla and Jax being bad ass together and their friendship forming and doing more against the knights instead of just being taken down right away. And then Jax was just alive?? But didn’t try and go after her even though it was obvious she was kidnapped? And Valla never mentions to Aldrik that he gave her a vessel that saved her? And then I loved that it was so easy for them to get back together and I loved all the sweet moments between them. But the middle just dragged. It felt wayyyyy too long like either more plot driven things needed to happen there or maybe not as many fluff parts. I cried so hard when Baldair died though, and the fact he was going to take over the throne broke my heart. Valla actually annoyed me a little in the book for once because for how much she preaches that she hates secrets and no one can keep secrets from her, she sure kept a lot of her own. I feel like a lot of the victor stuff could have been avoided is she just trusted people and talked about what was happening. I loved all of Aldriks growth though! He’s such a dreamboat! Their final reunion after Baldairs death was beautiful. And the ending scene in the crystal caverns where Valla died and lost her magic and the bond was broken was heartbreaking but again, it felt rushed! Like I wish it would be taken up more than just the last 15 percent of the book. I feel like it could have been done a little bigger if that makes sense? Obviously we know Valla is gonna get her magic back though so I’m excited to see how that happens! Idk all in all I liked the book and love the series, just felt like this one was weird pacing wise and maybe not everything was put together as perfectly as the other ones.