Threats of Sky and Sea

By: Jennifer Ellision

Narrated by: Misty Daugherty

Length: 8 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

Sixteen-year-old Breena Perdit has spent her life as a barmaid, innocent to her father's past and happily free from the Elemental gifts that would condemn her to a life in the Egrian king's army--until the day that three Elemental soldiers recognize her father as a traitor to the throne and throw him in jail along with the secrets from his last mission as the king's assassin. Secrets that could help the king win a war. Secrets he refuses to share.

Desperate to escape before the king's capricious whims prove to be her and her father's downfall, Bree bargains with him: information for their lives. It's a good trade. And she has faith she'll get them both out of the king's grasp in time.

But that was before the discovery that she's the weapon the king's been waiting for in his war.

Now time is running out. To save her father's life and understand her own, Bree must unravel the knot of her father's past before the king takes his life--and uses her to bring a nation to its knees.

©2014- present Jennifer Ellision (P)2015 Jennifer Ellision

Such a Great Start to a New Series!

Threats of Sky and Sea is the first book of a YA fantasy series that really hits the ground running. We’re treated to a fantastic new world, with a ton of great characters and even cooler abilities.

I’ve had a lot of trouble getting into books lately, regardless if it be an actual book or an audio, it’s not the books’ fault but they are usually the ones that suffer because of it. Sitting half-finished collecting dust both virtual and real. Threats of Sky and Sea had no such issues. It immediately drew me in with it’s clean and crisp style, and I legitimately enjoyed the slow build that Ellision used to grow her world. It’s a world with tenuous alliances, a king with a mind for power, and abilities that align with the elements. One thing that always gets point from me is the use of elemental abilities, there is just some innately cool about having a person being able to control fire or suck the air out of a room with a wave of their hand.

Our main character is Breena, a fiercely independent young woman who is forced into the high society of her kingdom…mostly against her will. She’s strong, loyal, and doesn’t willingly allow anyone to trample on her. For me, a character like Breena is very easy to like and understand, and I think I definitely needed another series with a character who reminds me a bit of myself. And the host of side characters, like Caden and her father, and their interactions are just as wonderful. There is a touch of romance, but it’s nice and light and it doesn’t become a focal point that distracts from the political and familial problems Breena has to face.

Misty Daughtery does a lovely job of narrating of the title. She has a distinctive voice, and really gives some unique life to the characters, but Bree is definitely my favorite. She has a light tone overall, but adds in that little touch of attitude that is just perfect.

Overall, I am more than pleased with Threats of Sky and Sea. It’s the perfect light fantasy, and I can’t wait to continue onto book two!

threats of sky and sea review

Would you consider the audio edition of Threats of Sky and Sea to be better than the print version?

Not sure, because I haven't read it.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Breena. Honestly she's an interesting unique main character.

What about Misty Daugherty’s performance did you like?

Voice performance.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Neither laughed or cried.

Any additional comments?

Enjoyable.

Story twists and turns like a mountain road!

From the very beginning, this story has some interesting plot twists that keep the reader guessing which direction it will go. A thoroughly enjoyable read from start to finish.

Deceit and Lies!

First of all I want to mention the cover. I find the cover is breathtakingly beautiful. The author, Jennifer Ellision did a great job with creating this story. I've heard of other stories that was about elementals but this one was different. I found this story to be extremely unique. I won't lie though and say it was absolutely perfect because I had a hard time connecting to the story and characters in the beginning. I found it went too slow at first but it soon picked up and I was happy that I continued to listen. Bree, the main character is such a strong character who's endured so much in this story. My heart aches for Bree and Caden because I know the two are meant to be together just as Aleta and Tregle are. Ellision has a wonderful imagination but she could've done more with the plot.

The narrator Misty Daugherty did a great job with her telling of this story. This is the first time I've listened to anything by her but I wasn't disappointed at all. Her take on the characters voices were extremely good. Although, I've heard the way dad should be said in the accent by Bree and its somewhat off a tad bit. I've heard it used many times, even in movies and she needs to fix the way she pronounces dad, because it sounded more like day than the way it should in that time. She did a wonderful job other than that and I was able to identify each character speaking throughout the story. I received this audio from the author through Audiobook Blast in exchange for an unbiased review.

Pleasantly surprised

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

I would recommend this audiobook because it was really good. The reader did a very good job.

What did you like best about this story?

The mystery and the fact that there's no love triangle in it there are so many books out there that has that plot line and it gets tiring especially when you like both guys and want the main character with both.

Which character – as performed by Misty Daugherty – was your favorite?

Bree

Any additional comments?

I got this audiobook for free for an honest review. I really loved it. Jennifer did a great job writing it and Misty did a great job reading it.

Not a bad READ.

I pushed myself through this one because the storyline was a neat concept. Overall, the story was compelling, though I think some of the characters (*cough*the king*cough*) could have been way more developed and the climax isn't exactly unexpected. I'm really picky about my narrators and this one almost made me quit the book. There's a southern or Texan accent that fades in and out (maybe that's intended with the use of "da" and "ma"). Her voice is very throaty and breathy so it often sounds like she's almost reading to herself under her breath. Many of the characters come off sounding whispery and overly languid, like everyone's trying to be Jessica Rabbit or something. I guess just sample before you buy.

Great Story - Excellent Fantasy Series

Who was your favorite character and why?

Breena is my favorite character. She is whitty, smart and knows when to keep quiet. Her Father has had a great influence on her life and the relationship between Berrna and Da is well written. Cat and the King are excellent agonists and keep the story moving forward.

How could the performance have been better?

The Narrator was VERY hard to listen to. She does some of the voices well, but the rest sounds like she is about to fall asleep. I had to play this book with the volume high because I could not always hear her voice. She mumbles often. Finally, I gave up and I bought the kindle version and read it instead of listening to it past a certain point. It was just too hard for me to continue listening....her reading was dull. It was hard to tell who was speaking in certain scenes. Many of the reviews say that her narration was good, I did not agree. I guess it is just personal preference.The second book in the series is narrated by a different person and the second narrator is much better.

Any additional comments?

I really love this story. The author has a talent for describing people and places so that I did not have a hard time invisioning them in my mind. Please do not judge the author based on the narrator. The story line is VERY good and I am already listening to the second book Riot of Storm and Smoke. Book 2 is even better than the first (both are great). The characters are more evolved and the narrator is great.

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

Adventurous New YA Series with Exceptional Heroine

Any additional comments?

Threats of Sky and Sea by Jennifer Ellision is an adventurous YA novel that is a cross between the Princess Diaries and The Last Airbender. Like the Princess Diaries, our heroine is 16-year-old Breena Perdit who grew up a relatively normal kid but she is secretly of noble blood in a Kingdom across the globe that may soon be in jeopardy unless she comes to the rescue. [Not like the Princess Diaries, she is a motherless daughter of a pub owner, who has worked the last few years as a barmaid.] Like The Last Airbender, there are a few people born with the natural ability to control one of the four Earthen natural elements: Fire, Earth, Water, and Air. Those that control fire are called Torchers and their abilities and the Egrian Kingdom is the focus of this book. Those who can control the earth or ground are called Shakers; those who control water are known as Throwers; and those who control air are called Riders. Included in the title is "Volume 1" so I can't help but hope there will be at least 4 books — one for each element. Although the story starts off slowly, the pace picks up quickly, and when it does, it is a whirlwind of excitement.

The story begins shortly before Bree and her father are captured; unbeknownst to Bree her father is a deserter of the Egrian army who disappeared 16 years ago on a secret mission for the king. Apparently Bree's father was ordered to do something so heinous that he escaped rather than execute the king's orders. Both Bree and her father are thrown in jail when they arrive in Egria. When the king condemns Bree to death, the king's son Caden saves her by pointing out that she is of noble blood and can't be condemned for the sins of the father. This obviously translates into a friendship between Bree and Caden and a promise of something more, possibly, if he doesn't get married within the next few weeks. While Bree learns how to be a noble, she also plans her escape with her father who remains in jail.

I listened to the Audible version of this story narrated by Misty Daugherty who did an admirable job. Although Bree is written as a very feisty and intelligent character who never rests, I felt Misty's portrayal of her was rather dull. Plus, I heard a constant static noise in the background. Once I sped up the narration, it was better. Despite its flaws I enjoyed the story so much, I will definitely listen to the next book in the story, especially because it has a different narrator. I received a copy of this audiobook from audiobook blast in exchange for an honest review.

Fun fun!

The was a fun book! Easy to listen to the story line because it was well developed, and so were the characters. Can't wait to listen to more from this author. Worth a credit! Only complaint is the terrible narration. If it hadn't been for the enticing writing I never could have gotten past this annoying narrator!

I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Blast.

Good story

What did you like best about Threats of Sky and Sea? What did you like least?

This is a quick paced story. I enjoyed the story itself. The narration is terrible. She mumbles and doesn't finish words. It drove me crazy. I wish I had listened to the demo before I bought the book.