Let the Sky Fall by Shannon MessengerSeries: Let the Sky Fall #1
Published by: Simon Pulse on March 5, 2013
Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance
Pages: 416
Source: Purchased
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Rating: ★★★
Seventeen-year-old Vane Weston has no idea how he survived the category five tornado that killed his parents. And he has no idea if the beautiful, dark-haired girl who's swept through his dreams every night since the storm is real. But he hopes she is.
Seventeen-year-old Audra is a sylph, an air elemental. She walks on the wind, can translate its alluring songs, and can even coax it into a weapon with a simple string of commands. She's also a guardian—Vane's guardian—and has sworn an oath to protect Vane at all costs. Even if it means sacrificing her own life.
When a hasty mistake reveals their location to the enemy who murdered both of their families, Audra’s forced to help Vane remember who he is. He has a power to claim—the secret language of the West Wind, which only he can understand. But unlocking his heritage will also unlock the memory Audra needs him to forget. And their greatest danger is not the warriors coming to destroy them—but the forbidden romance that’s grown between them.
I’m not entirely sure how I feel about Let the Sky Fall. There were several things I didn’t like about this book, but there were a few things I did like. Ultimately, I wasn’t left with a sense of either love or hate. For the most part, I’m kind of indifferent.
I half liked, half disliked Vane. On the one hand, Vane definitely had the most personality of all the characters. I could feel him coming off the page (for better or for worse). He had a distinct voice that made him easily recognizable. A lot of the time I enjoyed his sarcasm and casual, informal speech. He sounded exactly like what he was: a teenage boy. But, Vane also had a tendency to be excessively and annoyingly obsessed with skimpy clothes on women. I laughed at the first few comments, but then they just kept coming and coming and coming. I felt like I was being hit with a hammer again and again. I JUST WANTED IT TO STOP!
I shift my weight, leaning at an awkward angle, but I manage to stay upright as Audra starts unbuttoning her jacket.
Man, I hope whatever she has under there is thin and lacy.
[..] she slips the heavy coat off her shoulders, revealing a plain black tank and a whole lot of creamy skin. Not exactly the sexy bra I’d been hoping for, but at least it’s tight and cut low.
Page 167
“Either way, you need to stay grounded, so it’s safer to stay away from temptation.”
The only temptation I’m feeling is to run my hands along the sliver of midriff peeking from the bottom of her tank top.
Page 168
Audra on the other hand, felt like an empty shell. Vane had all the personality, but I felt like Audra had none. Maybe it’s because she was so weighed down with guilt and self-loathing, but she always came off as so… monotone and robotic. She was lifeless. It made me wonder why the heck Vane liked her. I saw no personality from her, so what was there to like??? And honestly her whole “Vane will hate me! I killed everyone! Waaa” attitude really started to bug me. I mean, yes, it was sad and there were some scenes where I really felt for her, but this was something she complained about throughout the entire book and it just got so old.
And that brings me to my final point: the romance. I felt absolutely zero chemistry between Vane and Audra. And on top of that, their relationship was a little insta-lovey. They know each other for like four days and then they’re in love?? Ugh. What’s a bummer is that I felt like if there was actual chemistry between them, I think I would have loved the romance. It was one of those all encompassing, “I’d do anything for you” romances. If those are done well, I usually love them. But since this one had no chemistry and too much insta-love I couldn’t connect to it at all, so the whole thing was ruined for me.
But that out of the way, I did mostly enjoy the plot of Let the Sky Fall. I was pretty into the whole wind thing, the battles, and the sense of impending doom. Let the Sky Fall was not very fast-paced (until the end), but at least the book kept me going and wanting to find out how things would get wrapped up. I really liked the antagonist who was revealed at the end View Spoiler » . That’s the kind of character that I love to hate! It’s the kind that drives you nuts and you want them to get what’s coming to them.
So, ultimately, Let the Sky Fall was only okay for me. I think I would have enjoyed it massively more if I was a fan of the romance.
The Verdict
Vane’s a horny little devil. lol I guess it’s better than an empty shell. I’ve been running into “nothingness” characters lately.
Yeah, this is not for me.
I bought this a couple of months ago but haven’t read it yet. Those quotes are a bit off-putting for sure though! Hmm I’ve read quite a few mediocre books lately so this one will continue to stay on the back burner for now!
I totally agree. I had a similar reaction to Let the Sky Fall. Audra was the most disappointing to me. I wanted so much more with her character. I really did love the concept and I look forward to the second book (high hopes it improves–I think it will).
I hope we both like the second book, Kristen! I am curious to find out what happens next. 🙂 I think the second book just got put up on Edelweiss..
I’ve always been drawn to this cover, but I’m not even sure if I added it to my TBR. Bummed to know it was just ok.
Aaaw. I’m sorry you didn’t like this as much as me. You seriously HAV to like the characters for this book to work for you, and they did for me. Oh well. I’m glad it was good…? Haha I get what you’re saying about Vanes skimpy dress thing. That was kind of annoying. Haha. Ah well. That’s all I can say. I wish you liked it more, but alas and a lack..
<3333 Inky
So when should we do this hangout thing? I get back on the 6th..does second week of July work for you?
Yeah I’m bummed too! I’m really glad you loved it though. <3
I *think* the second week of July works for me. I don't usually plan that far ahead! LOL!
Ahh I haven’t read this one yet but I’m considering just passing it up because of the insta-love and the issues you had with the characters. I hate when characters are total shells and don’t really have personalities, and I also hate it when a character (especially a boy) acts like a stereotypical one who’s obsessed with things like skimpy clothes D:
Fantastic review, Ashley!
Yeah I hate that too!
I didn’t mind Vane’s comments at first… but then they just kept coming and coming and coming, and that’s when it got on my nerves!
Awww this one has such a pretty cover and a great synopsis, too bad you didn’t love it :/
I still haven’t read this but it sounds like a rather mixed opinion book. The romance isn’t awfully selling to me either, right now.
Brilliant review, Ashley! <33
Thank you Melanie! 🙂
So disappointed to hear that! I despise instalove more than anything in a book, and 4 days would just piss me off. I was reeeaaally looking forward to it, but now I’ll go in with much lower hopes! And you probably know by now that I don’t like too much romance, lmao. So the crappy romance might be enough to turn me completely off and end up ranting about this book. Now I’m kind of afraid to read it O_O
Yeah I think you might have a tough time with this one too because of how dominated it is by romance. I’d totally love to compare thoughts with you though LOL! I’m curious to see how you respond to it.
I shall still try! Probably not anytime soon though, too many other interesting books!
Like Eileen, I think I’m going to pass on this one. I’ve read several reviews and kept seeing that there was insta-love and I’m so DONE with insta-loves -_- although that cover is so gorgeous lol. Great review and I wish it would’ve been an awesome book instead of it just being “okay”.. Great review (:
Leigh
Little Book Star
This is a good serie but i prefer an other of Shannon Messenger : Keeper of the lost cities !