The Burning Sky (Elemental Trilogy, #1)

by Sherry Thomas

[Amber (The Literary Phoenix)]

There's a lot of really enjoyable elements to THE BURNING SKY and I love Iolanthe's arc at the end of the book. There's transmogrification and elemental magic and wyverns and magical training grounds and a lot of bits and pieces to this story that make it an enjoyable read.

That said.

Stylistically, the writing is flat and unexciting. The world is developed in a very straightforward way rather than the slower, more gradual blossoming I'm used to in fantasy. I was brought into this world through the action sequences, not through the world building. Additionally, the characters don't develop well. Iolanthe's character growth is convenient and situational. Prince Titus's is more stable at the start of the story, but I don't feel his character really went anywhere in THE BURNING SKY. There were attempts to create a romantic relationship, but they were sloppy at best, as though the romance is being forced upon two incompatible people. Really it just made it awkward.

Regardless, I enjoyed the story itself and the characters as they were. If you're looking for a fantastical work of art, I don't think THE BURNING SKY is it. But in so far as a pure entertainment, THE BURNING SKY has it in spades.

For a more detailed review and other bookish goodies, stop by The Literary Phoenix.