Riot of Storm and Smoke

Threats of Sky and Sea, Volume 2

De: Jennifer Ellision

Narrado por: Grace Glass

War draws closer, like a tide to the shore. Bree and her friends have escaped the clutches of the Egrian king, but their troubles are far from over. Still reeling from the secrets that drew new breath when her father took his last, Bree sets off for the safety of Nereidium - the kingdom she's just learned is hers. But with the king's ire at its peak and war a certainty, Nereidium is no longer safe. As Prince Caden rallies the Egrian people against his tyrant father, Bree, Princess Aleta, and Tregle race to the Nereid shore to warn them of the incoming danger - and to put the Nereid princess on the throne. The only trouble there: Bree can't bring herself to reveal that the princess is her. It's not a dilemma she can waste time pondering. With a new weapon in his arsenal, the king's strikes are sure to be bolder than ever before. And Bree may not be ready to wear a crown...but she won't let her kingdom down without a fight.

©2015 Jennifer Ellision (P)2016 Jennifer Ellision

Outstanding Non-Stop YA Nautical Adventure!

Any additional comments?

Riot of Storm and Smoke is a fantastic follow up to the first book in the Threats of Sky and Sea series by Jennifer Ellision. No sophomore slump here — it's actually much improved! Like I mentioned in my review of the first book, this series is a cross between the Princess Diaries and The Last Airbender due to our heroine growing up not knowing she is of royal blood and because certain people are born with the ability to control the natural elements. At the end of the first book, we discover Bree has the ability to control water, which is a very unique talent and she is the first to grace the boundaries of Egria with such powers in 16 years. Bree and her friends Aleta and Tregle escape the Egrian King, but not without the loss of Bree's father. This book centers around Bree's and her friends's long treacherous journey to the kingdom of Nereidium, whose land and its people are known for their affinity with water (just the opposite of the Egrians). Meanwhile Prince Caden recruits hundreds of supporters to overthrow his evil father who will stop at nothing to capture Bree so he can use her and her power as a weapon against Nereidium. With the help of the underground and some wonderful strong supporting characters, our quartet of heroes finally reach the Nereid shores after a truly horrific and epic battle on the high seas.

There are several things that made this story so much better than the first book in the series: First, better character development of the four main characters; we get glimpses into their childhoods and the circumstances that helped shape them into the outstanding characters that they are. Second, the intensity and sense of danger start from the very first chapter. Bree, Aleta, and Tregle are literally fleeing for their lives; you can't help but feel the pressure and struggles the three friends face. Plus, for the first half of the book Caden is being brutally tortured by his father in the King's attempts to find out where Bree escaped to. Third, I really appreciated the way the couple's relationships were handled with no graphic sex scenes. Fourth, Bree never gave up on her friends, even when she was separated from them and thought her powers abandoned her. Bree never abandoned them and never stopped looking for them until she eventually found them and freed them from impending slavery. And Fifth, the ending was simply sublime! I couldn't have thought it possible to have such a great ending in a second book without it being a cliffhanger. Bravo, Ms. Ellision!

I listened to the Audible version of this story narrated by Grace Glass who did an outstanding job. Grace portrayed Bree as a very likable young lady surrounded by unbelievable events. She had great intonation and pace, keeping the story suspenseful throughout. She had differing voices for male and female characters, and expressed urgency when appropriate. Despite receiving a copy of this book in exchange for a review, I loved it so much I listened to all 9+ hours all in one day. I can't think of any higher praise than saying I just couldn't stop listening to it!

Accepting yourself or not can affect you

Is there anything you would change about this book?

In the beginning, I found Bree's sections a bit slow as we wait for her to leave the city. We learn of a few new pieces, like the Underground. But Caden's sections, that feel shorter, are more enticing as he's in trouble with his father, the king.

Bree does make poor choices in this story. I know she's young and innocent to the way of things, but I had to roll my eyes a time or two. However, the bad decisions bring her learn new things. But did she learn from what she did wrong? I don't know.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

We end on a good yet suspenseful note. I am curious as to what comes next. Will Bree, Caden, Aleta, and Tregle along with their new friends get the help they need? Will they fight the Egrian King? Where will everyone fall in the way of stations? I am curious to see this through to the end.

Did Grace Glass do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

This is my first listen with Grace Glass. I was worried for a moment with the reading of the title. It felt slow and drawn out with pauses between the words and like she was trying to enunciate clearly for the listener. Once we get into the story she slips into different tones and feel for the characters as they speak. There are moments I felt she was trying hard for clear speaking and enunciating the words crisp which slowed the momentum slightly. But as a whole, I enjoyed Grace's impressions of the characters and emotions as they spoke.

Do you think Riot of Storm and Smoke needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

This book is part of a series and there is to be more to come. By the ending here, we are needing it.

Any additional comments?

This book has alternating POV's between Bree and Caden. This gives us the view of what is happening with the King that's maddeningly obsessed with taking Nereidium and Bree along with Aleta and Tregle trying to get away. We also get short sections at the end of each chapter that are sections from a journal or letters sent while the civil war starts.

There are people who die. I was worried about those who do the killing, at such a young age. At first I didn't think the actions affected them, but then we see the struggles they have with the ghosts they face after the actions settle in. I'm glad they struggled with these actions, it makes them feel as they have a heart and conscience.

Bree is full of worries and she needs someone to talk things out with, but there is no one. She compares herself to the regal air of Aleta, and doubts she'll ever have that way about herself. That she will have to keep her secret, if it's even true.

*This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBlast dot com, at my request.

Couldn't put it down!!

What did you love best about Riot of Storm and Smoke?
It was a strong continuation of the first book, I liked listening to Bri grow up throughout the book. She struggles with her elemental powers and the process of how she handles it, learning from mistakes as she goes.

Caden also starts coming into his own, hearing his backstory on how he began to support the underground was enlightening and how he truly cares for “his” people. I wanted to know more about what drove the king insane, Caden shares his memories of when his father was a good father, and I think this could be explored more. It’s good that it didn’t focus on the romance between Caden and Breena, because for me it felt slightly forced in the first book; the budding romance between Aleta and Tregle was awesome, I so want those two to be together.


Any additional comments?
Bottom line, I need book three and I need it yesterday!

"I received this book at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review, courtesy of Audiobook Blast"

A strong Second Book in this Series

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this book to a friend. I love the way the book is split into multiple viewpoints. It is nice to climb into Caden's head and see why he is so conflicted about his father. It is nice to know that Caden has so much depth and it makes me like him more. I like knowing that the King was nice at one point in time. I think the author does a good job stepping out of the first person into a multiple person book.

The new characters are interesting and bring a good flow into Breena's struggle with revealing herself to her kingdom. Brenna's struggle to learn and control her elemental gift gives the story a nice twist. The elemental gifts Ellison has created in this world are different from typical fae/elemental books being written at this time.

I highly suggest that the prequel - Breathe In - be read at this point. The short story of Corrine and Duke Ardin is a nice read while waiting for the nex book in this series.

What does Grace Glass bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

It was a pleasure hearing Grace narrate this book.

Any additional comments?

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBlast dot com.

Great book

What did you love best about Riot of Storm and Smoke?

that it was as great as Threat of Sky and Sea

What did you like best about this story?

there was a little more romance in this one and that ending wow.

What does Grace Glass bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

a voice to the characters that you will want to listen to over and over again

Any additional comments?

This book was just as good as the first one. great characters and a great storyline. Jennifer has knocked another book out of the park with this sequel and made me want more