The release date of Air Awakens is on the 27th, and that's only a few days away! 3 days to be exact! I hope you're as excited as I am! But prepare to be even more excited. Do you hate being left hanging from suspenseful cliffhangers at the end of books, only to realize that the sequel isn't coming out yet for another year, or even more (Game of Thrones fans, you know what I mean!)?
For Air Awakens, that isn't a problem. And many of you have been awaiting this cover reveal, so I present to you the cover of Fire Falling - Air Awakens #2!
Fire Falling Synopsis
Soldier… Sorcerer… Savior… Who is Vhalla Yarl?
Vhalla Yarl marches to war as property of the Solaris Empire. The Emperor counts on her to bring victory, the Senate counts on her death, and the only thing Vhalla can count on is the fight of her life. As she grapples with the ghosts of her past, new challenges in the present threaten to shatter the remnants of her fragile sanity. Will she maintain her humanity? Or will she truly become the Empire’s monster?
Air Awakens Release Date: August 27th, 2015
Fire Falling Release Date: November 19th, 2015
Giveaway!
Elise will be giving away one Advanced Reader Copy (signed too!) of Fire Falling! To enter, simply fill out this Rafflecopter.
Do you want to know more about the amazing characters you're reading about? Here are some character bios!
Character Bio: Vhalla Yarl
Air Awakens Age: 17-18
Height: 160cm (5′ 3″)
Birthday: Late Summer (Time of the Mother)
Born in: The East (Leoul, Cyven)
Eye Color: Brown, flecked with gold
Hair Color: Ashen Brown
Skin Color: Yellow-tinted tan, golden skinned
Build: Thin boned, small framed
Favorite Food: Lemon Cakes
Affinity: Windwalker
Personality: Curious, Kind, Determined, Inquisitive
Childhood: Vhalla was born in a small farming town in Leoul, located in the western portion of Cyven (otherwise called the “East”). Her father was a farmer and her mother was the daughter of the postmasters of Hastan (the Eastern Capital). Vhalla’s upbringing was balanced between helping (more like playing in the mud) in the fields where her family grew wheat and receiving a modest education from her mother. When Vhalla was eight her father enlisted as a soldier during the War of the Crystal Caverns, during which time her and her mother fell ill with Autumn Fever. Vhalla overcame the illness, but her mother did not and she died when Vhalla was ten. Her father returned home, the war won, shortly after and relieved their neighbors of the young Vhalla’s care. For her father’s service he was awarded a place in the palace guard in the Southern Capital of the Empire. He took his daughter to the Emperor and asked to trade his place in the guard for an opportunity for Vhalla to work in the palace as an apprentice.
Vhalla was eleven when she began studying under the Master of the Imperial Library, Master Mohned. Shortly after she joined the library staff another girl, Roan, joined as well. Fast friends, the children were eager to welcome the addition of another into their fold when Sareem, a boy about the same age, arrived. The three were mostly diligent to their duties but got into trouble from time to time. Sareem was often the instigator, dragging along a reluctant but willing Vhalla. Roan attempted to be the voice of reason, but to no avail.
So why Vhalla? She's unlike the many cliched female heroines you read about in books, the kind that swoon over the male protagonist at a first glance and immediately jump into an adventure for a chance to be with him. She's definitely stubborn and stands her ground, especially with Prince Aldrik! But she's also afraid of the power within her, this dark power that hasn't been seen in a hundred plus years. Think of... Mia Thermopolis from The Princess Diaries (book Mia!), but without the magic. She's so unsure of herself up until the end, when she truly embraces being a princess. In the same way, Vhalla is slowly embracing the air within her.
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| More gifs! Hooray! |
Character Bio: The Crown Prince Aldrik C. Solaris
Air Awakens Age: 24
Height: 188cm (6′ 2″)
Birthday: Late Winter (Time of the Father)
Born in: The West (Norin, Mhashan)
Eye Color: Black
Hair Color: Black
Skin Color: Pale, gray toned
Build: Lean, narrow hipped
Favorite Food: Candied Lemon Peels
Affinity: Firebearer
Personality: Withdrawn, Witty, Stubborn, Intellectual, Short-Tempered
Childhood: Aldrik’s mother was the youngest of four children in the ruling family of old Mhashan (the West). When the Emperor conquered Mhashan he took Aldrik’s mother for a bride and she was quickly with child. The short period of time between the announcement of pregnancy and the wedding, as well as the pace to which the wedding was conducted, led to rumors of Aldrik being conceived out of wedlock at best, illegitimate at worst. The rumors never quite faded as Aldrik’s mother died during childbirth.
Taken back to the South with his father, Aldrik grew up in the palace in the Southern Capital. During his childhood he made close friends with a Western girl, Larel Neiress, who was also a fellow Firebearer in the Tower of Sorcerers. The prince grew into his reputation as a brooding and harsh man, withdrawing from the world and keeping his thoughts close and his enemies in fear.
When he was twenty-two he marched to war with his father, the Emperor Solaris, for the first time, quickly earning the title of “Fire Lord” for his brutality with flame on the battlefield.
Why Aldrik? Well, I already said in my review why I love him so much. He's so much more than what his coldness and silver tongue suggest, and it's up to both him and Vhalla to trust each other, for his true nature can be revealed! Aka - what a sneaky character! He cares 100% for Vhalla, I believe, but where do his motives lie? What happens next? He's such an enigma, and I want to know more.
Finally... One last character bio (or is it...?)
Character Bio: Sareem Abban
Air Awakens Age: 19
Height: 170cm (5′ 7″)
Birthday: Spring (Time of the Dawn)
Born in: The South (Oparium, Lyndum)
Eye Color: Blue
Hair Color: Blonde
Skin Color: Olive tan
Build: Average build and frame
Favorite Food: Grilled Trout
Affinity: None, Commons
Personality: Protective, Thoughtful, Faithful
Childhood: Sareem Abban is the only son to Norin’s former master shipbuilder. His father was part of the wedding gift to the Emperor from the West after the Emperor Solaris’s union with the first Empress and moved to the Southern port of Oparium. Sareem’s mother helped to craft sailcloth, which is how his parents met.
Sareem’s father sought out an opportunity for his son at the palace in the Southern capital and Sareem was placed in the library for his cartography knowledge, skills, and penmanship. This was where he met Vhalla Yarl and he was quickly became enamored with her. Confused at how best to display his feelings, Sareem ended up pulling Vhalla into a number of situations the well-mannered girl wouldn’t have gotten into otherwise. However, his intentions remained lost on his friend.
Why Sareem? In a strange way, I was able to relate to him. With Vhalla's musings of not reciprocating his feelings, I felt a ton of sympathy for him, because I sure know how it feels like! Tons of spoilers if I say anything more but all the pity goes out to him.
Preorder Air Awakens today!
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About Elise Kova
Elise Kova has always had a passion for storytelling. She wrote her first novella, a high-fantasy, in sixth grade. Over the years she’s honed her love of literature with everything from fantasy to romance, science fiction to mystery, and whatever else catches her eye.Elise lives in Saint Petersburg, Florida, where she’s currently working on the next installment in her debut YA fantasy series: Air Awakens. She enjoys video games, anime, table-top role playing games, and many other forms of “geekdom.” She loves talking with fans on Twitter and Facebook. Visit her website here for more extras and news on her books!
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