Threats of Sky and Sea (Threats of Sky and Sea, #1)

by Jennifer Ellision

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 Bree’s father is thrown 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 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 with 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.

• ISBN10: 1494955849
• ISBN13: 9781494955847
• Publish Date: 14 April 2014
• Publish Status: Active
• Imprint: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 360
• Language: English

Reviews

[inlibrisveritas]

#TakeControlThon book 1

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!

[tweetybugshouse]

This is another series that i picked up solely based on the blurb and cover. That is one stunning cover. That being said this did not disappoint for me it has elements of two of my favorites from the past year. Throne of Glass and Kiss of Deception it in now way is better then those books it just is awesome cause i loved both of those books.

I love the main character she has got a tongue on her and knows how to spit out those fantastic one liners that you just dying to share with everyone and i did via my kindle since i bought the book. My favorite part and what i love most about this kind of book is that you think you know what is fact and that what you been presented is totally true then the author throws you a curve ball and your like what what wait a minute. Loved this book and i am jumping into book two. I am on tour for it so look for my tour post on August 22nd.

[Angie]

I received an ARC through NetGalley.

I was really looking forward to Threats of Sky and Sea, and while I did enjoy it, I found it too predictable to love it. When we meet Bree, she's just a barmaid, working at an inn with her father. While out chopping wood she stumbles upon some elementals who are looking for a traitor. Of course, their mission brings them right to her inn where they promptly arrest her father and drag them both back the castle. Bree's father is taken to the dungeon, but she is given lessons on being a lady, and undergoes some cruel experiments directed by the king. Turns out that Bree's entire life is a lie, and there's an entire kingdom in trouble that she can save if the king doesn't use her to destroy it first.

Threats of Sky and Sea didn't impress me at first. It was the typical you are not who you think are you but you have great power plot. However, soon enough, I was quite invested in Bree's story. I liked her a lot. She's not a proper lady like the king wants her to be, but she also doesn't go out of her way to be unladylike just to spite him. She knows it's important to play along in order to stay alive and have any hope of escaping with her father. She's also not so stupid to refuse to learn how to control her power, despite not wanting it in the first place. It's another skill that might save her life and those around her.

You may be happy to learn that there is no insta-love or a love triangle in Threats of Sky and Sea. In fact, there's a distinct lack of romance, which made me a little sad, but I did enjoy getting to know the characters first before any relationship drama is thrown in. Bree does like someone, and these feelings come out at the end, but she decides that now is not the time to act on them. Much more important things are happening that require a clear head, something one does not have while making out. I am looking forward to how this develops in future books, since I am such a sucker for forbidden romances.

I did figure out every twist in Threats of Sky and Sea. They were way too obvious to me, and I was annoyed rather than excited to find that I was correct. I was kind of hoping to be wrong, and that it would be something else that would cause a reaction. Unfortunately, that just did not happen. I didn't dislike anything that was happening, but there were no surprises which made the experience less fun.

In the end, I did enjoy Threats of Sky and Sea. It's a good, quick read with likeable characters (except the king and Katerine, of course). It does fall prey to many cliches and tropes, and doesn't do anything new with them which was disappointing. I do plan on continuing the series, since I am interested to find out how Bree handles all of these new truths. I also need to know what really happened to her mother!

Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.