The next strike falls directly through the circle of my arms, but it curves at the last moment. It follows the angle of my arms, curling to match my form, traveling an inch above my skin, moving with me instead of against me.
Another strike follows, joining the first and spreading across my body, curling around me in a white and blue light show. Strike by strike, the lightning follows my movements. As fast as I absorb one strike, another one hits, but the contact is soft now.
Sometimes I feel like the storm is an angry child who wants only to be noticed, to have someone take care of it. The first time the lightning moved with me, nobody believed me. Only my personal advisor, Elise, is allowed into the ante-room to watch me through the large glass panels on that side of the Vault. One day, my bonded partner will be allowed in here too, but for now Elise is my only witness and even she struggles to believe what she sees.
The lightning plays across my skin and taps my shoulder. I grin. The atmospheric force bearing down on me is stronger than ever.
I gasp against the sudden pressure. Then, just as fast, it lifts. Storm clouds gather at unnerving speed. The lightning gives way to something worse.
I never feared rain before I became the Princess. I take a deep breath. A blast of thunder tears my hearing to shreds and then the rain buck ets down.
Sometimes the rain is hot like lava. The first time it burned me, it shocked me to my core. So cold. I shudder so hard I lose my warrior pose. I frown, still holding my breath.
A whisper reaches me through the pounding flood of water. My feet are covered in the deluge and it rises to my calves, then my waist. I stretch out my arms, palms upward to the strange new beat.
Raindrops slam my skin. As it is, all I manage is a wonky, single eyebrow lift. Not yet. We need to share the physical burden and only the strongest male elf can share it with us.
I dare to take a breath, inhaling needles of cold water, and shout into the growing wind. Not by choice. By curse. What the…? She worried and she didnt seem perfect but it was nice to just see confidence like yep I can fight now I need to worry about someone else etc. Jan 10, Keely Dornom rated it it was amazing. High fantasy is my go to so this book was a pleasure to read. Amazing character development and the world building was brilliant. Literally dying for the next book! Mar 29, Cindee rated it it was amazing Shelves: exploration-of-middle-earth-orcs.
I loved this book so much it was different than any other book with elves I have ever read I thoroughly enjoyed all of the book. I loved the characters so much especially Marbella and Baelen I loved their relationship even with the amount of time they spent apart you would really tell how strong the love between them still was and how nothing could stop it anymore.
I also really liked they the characters were not teenagers and everything was more mature. I loved Marbella for her perseverance and I loved this book so much it was different than any other book with elves I have ever read I thoroughly enjoyed all of the book. I loved Marbella for her perseverance and the fact she would do anything just so Baelen would live and I still loved her strength of character she makes a great main character. I really loved the plot it takes place seven years after her powers injured the one she loved so she blamed herself for that and now he is back and in the competition for her hand in marriage.
The story is so great I really liked the embodiment of the Storm and how that was represented there was so many great things in this story I really liked and am looking forward to more soon.
Jan 23, Lucia rated it really liked it Shelves: adult-fantasy-tbr , fantasy-romance-tbr. It's readable, throws you right into the action, and accomplishes world building pretty quickly. It's got a strong feminist bent, which I enjoyed. The MC basically has to fight for her own hand in marriage in order to save her life. I had some issues with execution of the feminist arc, mainly that it takes her life being in danger for her to be like wow it's fucked up that men are going to compete for my hand in marriage but She's strong, fights well, is very kind, honorable—I enjoyed reading about her.
The magic in this is super cool, if underdeveloped. The storm chooses a new princess every few decades, and I loved seeing how this happens. There was just sooo much new magic being thrown at us on every page, and the plot couldn't contain it all.
There was littler explanation of "deep magic" and it felt as if the authors had written themselves into a hole with the basic plot line and then filled the magic in around it, rather than the two growing organically. Baelen is a great hero and love interest. I love this trend of protective, calm, stoic, badass dudes who just want to hype their girlfriends.
Sep 06, Nicole rated it it was amazing Shelves: kindle-unlimited , paranormal-romance , romance , fantasy , read-in It's been awhile since I read a fantasy romance book that hooked me like this one did. Marbella is such a strong and determined heroine. She is a little beaten down in the beginning, but she quickly learns to fight back, and once she does, she kicks ass and takes names. No bull shit, no muss, no fuss, she is fighting for her right to live free and she doesn't hold her punches.
The book also has some strong court intrigue vibes, and as the story unravels about the elven I loved this book so much. The book also has some strong court intrigue vibes, and as the story unravels about the elven council, I was hooked. I can't wait to find out what exactly transpired between the gargoyles and elves to put then at war, to have them hold such strong grudges, and if Marbella can bridge the gap between their races.
Although the romance with Baelen was a very slow burn, it also had an almost "fated mates" feel to it. I loved that they both seemed to entirely devoted to one another, and I can't wait to see their relationship explored in the rest of the saga. Thank god the next two books are coming within the next couple months!!
If you like fantasy romance, court intrigue, or just fun and unique fantasy worlds, this is the book for you! Oct 08, Abi rated it it was amazing Shelves: reads , inspiring , ku , beautiful-cover , beautiful-story , elves , freaking-awesome , favorites , hilarious , reads.
This is honestly the coolest book. I loved literally everything about it. The main character, Marbella, is incredible. The Storm, and her role as the Storm Princess, are really interesting. World building is excellent, and all of the other characters, especially the love interest, Baelen, are awesome! Elven culture is also very interesting. This book is paced fabulously, with action, excitement, intrigue, and romance. I read through the whole trilogy in two days, and I cannot recommend it enough This is honestly the coolest book.
I read through the whole trilogy in two days, and I cannot recommend it enough. Check it out! It's 5 stars all the way through, and each book builds so well on the previous one. I have plans to reread them soon! Reread May 1, This was really good! I really enjoyed this reread, and I can't wait to go onto book 2! Sep 02, Megpie rated it it was amazing Shelves: paranormal-other , sooooooooo-good , strong-female-lead , holy-hot-heroes , 5-star-books , first-in-favorite-series , amazingly-epic-reads , fantasy-high-fantasy , paranormal-gargoyle , royalty.
Strong, powerful, extremely likable heroine. Please bring on book two ASAP. Sep 03, Ino rated it it was amazing. The main characters usefulness is very important to me so I'm glad that we didn't get a useless princess here. She's smart,resourceful and even though her powers and fighting skills are on that Deus X level she's still amazing on her own.
I'm absolutely interested in the next installment. Apr 16, Georgina Greenwood rated it really liked it. Oh wow. Not what I expected at all. Mar 03, anjuli rated it liked it Shelves: audiobook , fantasy , fae , cliffhanger. I didn't know what to expect when I started listening to it. But the story is engaging and entertaining despite some plot holes. The world building is not huge or clunky.
You are pretty much put in the middle of it. The storm princess is about Marbella and her ability to control and wield storm. Without her, the fae are pretty much doomed. She is protected by her storm guard and basically, nobody can touch her physically or metaphorically.
Yet, there are forces working against her to remove her as the storm princess and get all her power. She's not like the other storm princesses that have been there before her.
He's also in love with Marbella. Also, they both share a past. He is protective, calm, stoic, powerful and not a jackass. While I am all for a-hole dudes turned lovable He's a good guy and will go to any length to protect Marbella. The story revolves around the championship and the manipulation of the Elven commanders. They are hell bent on controlling the outcome to suit their needs. Not to mention, they will stop at nothing to achieve their goals.
I wish there was more explanation for the curse magic used. Little bit more of the world to understand it better. The princess being a bit more proactive and do more than just wield storm. I would like to know more about the Gargoyles, who are enemy numero uno.
I guess we find out more about them in book 2. I must say, the narrator did an awesome job with the voices, tones and emotions. My own eyes are still half closed. We navigate the corridors until we reach the clearing leading out to the river. For the most part, the major Houses occupy their own lands throughout Erawind and only visit the city on formal occasions. Now, I pause with the river on my left until I sense movement a short distance behind us.
Perfect timing. Jordan to my outer right. My guards split into three lines, with me in the middle of the central one. Each pace-keeper at the front will move to the back of the line after five minutes, sharing the responsibility for keeping us in unison. If the male elves want to pass us, they will have to move right by her.
For a minute, I sink into the rhythm of movement, the river sparkling to our left, the grassy slopes glittering with dew. A moment later, the heavier footsteps of male elves reach us. While we run with quiet stealth, they sing as they run, making their presence known.
While the House of Reverie is known for its ability to cultivate plants, the House of Splendor is known for its voices. Right now, spinning gold is about welcoming the rising sun, and sheltering silver is a tribute to the waning moon. In battle, the meaning is far more gruesome: spill blood and bury the enemy. They veer out from behind us onto the grass. As they draw level with us, their harmony becomes respectful of our gender.
The House of Splendor is also known for being more progressive than the other Houses, encouraging its females to take up positions traditionally reserved for males. The expanse beside the river is wide enough to accommodate multiple jogging groups. One of the males breaks off from his group, jogging closer to Jordan. He does the same and settles into stride with her. They may not be able to speak to each other, but he found a way to tell her he still loves her.
For the first time in days, my heart swells. We run together for the next thirty minutes until the sun breaks across the horizon. Now that the sun is rising, that illusion will be hard to maintain. As soon as the sky brightens, she calls for the Storm Command to break away from the males, turning as a group and cutting across the slope to take the shortcut back to my quarters. As I turn away from the sun, a shadow passes across it. I squint back to identify it. Just a bird. When we reach the War Room to begin my training, Elise is waiting for us.
I dare to hope. Could this young man be my intended bridegroom? Mortified at having thought him low born, I want to sink into the ground and disappear. With my cheeks burning, I can do nothing but beg his forgiveness. I—I didn't know. I'm merely an illegitimate son. One of many. Why do I swallow back disappointment?
Why should it matter whether or not he is a prince, a stable hand or a bastard? I've known him for only the space of a few breaths. Yet for a moment, I wished I were betrothed to him. After all, I'm older than you are. He speaks with insolent boldness. In my place, Lysandra would strike him for it. I only veil my face in helpless modesty as his words echo in my mind.
He thinks I'm pretty? I've seen my reflection in polished mirrors and worried over the length of my nose. Does he not see the flaws? The black filly gives an impatient snort then nudges against Cassander's shoulder. I flush. To hide it, I press my cheek against the horse's long neck. Styx smells of the olive oil that has been brushed into her coat to make her gleam. She nickers gently in appreciation of my touch. Then Cassander flourishes me a bow.
I search for my mother in the women's quarters. Instead, I find Lysandra playing a game with one of the slaves. Lysandra's pretty head is bent in concentration as she races her agate stones across the game board. I hope she doesn't look up and notice me. I almost make it round the lotus-capped pillar before I hear Lysandra crow, "There she is!
The new Queen of Thrace. I should run away before she can tease me.
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