Let the Storm Break (Sky Fall, #2)

by Shannon Messenger

While teenaged Vane discovers more of what it means to be a windwalker and his guardian sylph Audra struggles with her deepest desires, both must band together to face greater challenges than they have ever known.

• ISBN10: 1442450452
• ISBN13: 9781442450455
• Publish Date: 9 February 2016 (first published 4 March 2014)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Imprint: Simon Pulse
• Edition: Reprint
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 416
• Language: English

Reviews

[ladygrey]

So the beginning annoyed me because it felt kinda pointless. Audra leaves to find a way to heal or figure out how to be whole—fine that kinda makes sense. But she doesn’t do anything with all those 20-odd days except randomly fly around before she decides to go home. Sure Messenger connects it into something of a plot but it still feels pointless.

Also, I will never understand why authors separate their main characters. The characters are rarely that interesting on their own—what’s interesting is the dynamic between them. In this case, Audra by herself really isn’t that interesting. Aston is a bit better, but not much. Vane fairs pretty well, but he has Gus and Solana and Arella which makes the difference. Those character interactions and not just pages of a character’s internal monologue make the story.

And it’s like halfway through the book before they finally get back together in some interesting sort of way (that isn’t mid-battle).

Once you get there, Vane and Audra getting back together is explosive and fun. Until it’s all ‘shocking revelation’ - ‘everyone is upset’ - ‘ah the characters now explain’ for like 4 chapters.

The end, while not especially gripping or perhaps as painful as Messenger might have liked, fit snugly into the plot as it had been set up and made the way for the third book. Which is something we’ll done.

Overall, though, there’s this chunks in the middle where the characters are dynamic and fun (Gus is a highlight - Solana is woefully underused) and the rest is either nearly boring or just a big battle.

On to the third...

[reveriesociety_]

Sadly, I couldn't get myself to keep reading it. It wasn't that I hated it, I just lost interest. :(

[Suz @ Bookish Revelations]

Let the Storm Break is a hale storm of action, romance, and powerful chemistry that will knock your socks off! Shannon Messenger is a fantastic author, who breathes so much wonder, life, and imagination into the stories she so masterfully weaves together. This book has so much to offer and then some, with danger lurking behind every gust of wind, life-altering choices, and swoon worthy romance that will knock the breath out of you. Audra and Vane's chemistry and charm, is ever bit as charming as it was in the first book, Let the Sky Fall. Packed with high volumes of intensity, Let the Storm Break will keep readers hanging onto the edge of their seats.

Part of what I enjoy the most about the Sky Fall series, is the interesting world building and elemental atmosphere that it has. Messenger has this way of pulling readers right into the story she's weaving all of these wonderfully appealing elements around. It's incredibly easy to connect with the characters and to feel with them, as they fight for their lives and deal with their own personal battles of self-conflict and deep emotion. The exploration of the gales, Vane and Audra's discovery of their abilities and what they can do with them, and the devastating power that Raiden has found is enough to take this second book to newer heights of fear and chaos. It's real, palpitating, and incredibly emotional and that's what makes this book so amazing in my personal opinion.

There's such a beautiful simplicity in Shannon Messgener's writing and part of the elements that she weaves into the story, that readers will come to respect and find enjoyable. Wonderfully realistic, beautifully written, and captivating Let the Storm Break will pull you in and charm you in so many fantastic ways that you'll not want to put it down until you've finished the last page. If you're looking for a book filled with all the right amounts of drama, action, and romance then this is the book that you'll want to pick up. It doesn't suffer from the second book syndrome in any way and you'll find yourself flying through the pages faster than you can turn them. It's one of my favorite books I've read so far this year and I'm excited to see where the story goes next.

(Full review, coming sooon.)

[jnikkir]

AWESOME sequel to Let the Sky Fall! Review to come :D