**Disclaimer: I was given a free e-book in exchange for an honest review.**
I’d like to begin by thanking The Fantastic Flying Book Club for choosing me to be a part of this tour. Please check out the other stops along the tour for other reviews, playlists, and other fun posts about this book and the author, Joanna Hathaway.
Check out the full tour schedule here!
Giveaway
Prize: Win (1) of (3) copies of STORM FROM THE EAST by Joanna Hathaway (US Only)
Starts: February 5th 2020
Ends: February 19th 2020
Direct Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/d9681b86459/
Title Storm from the East (Glass Alliance #2)
Author Joanna Hathaway
Publisher Tor Teen
Release Date February 11, 2020
Description from Amazon
War has begun, and the days of Athan’s and Aurelia’s secret, summer romance feel a world away. Led by Athan’s father, the revolutionary Safire have launched a secret assault upon the last royal kingdom in the South, hoping to depose the king and seize a powerful foothold on the continent. Athan proves a star pilot among their ranks, struggling to justify the violence his family has unleashed as he fights his way to the capital—where, unbeknownst to him, Aurelia has lived since the war’s onset. Determined to save the kingdom Athan has been ordered to destroy, she partners with a local journalist to inflame anti-Safire sentiment, all while learning this conflict might be far darker and more complex than she ever imagined.
When the two reunite at last, Athan longing to shake the nightmare of combat and Aurelia reeling from the discovery of a long-buried family truth come to light, they’ll find the shadow of war stretches well beyond the battlefield. Each of them longs to rekindle the love they once shared . . . but each has a secret they’re desperate to hide.
Initial Thoughts
I was so excited to be chosen for this tour. I’m also really glad I waited to read Dark of the West until December because I would definitely have needed a re-read before tackling Storm from the East.
Some Things I Liked
- Warfare and strategy. I am obsessed with the vivid details that Joanna Hathaway uses to describe the action sequences. The descriptions of the fighting scenes are so well done, they almost felt like they were playing out in my mind like a movie. Additionally, I love that military tactics and strategy play such a large role in the story. YA is a genre that, often times, glosses over politics and international relations are not fully fleshed out plot points. This series is an incredibly well-done exception to that notion.
- Romeo and Juliet vibes. As much as they break my heart, I love the star-crossed lovers feelings we get from Athan and Aurelia. Every new twist puts them on opposite sides of this war and all I wanted was for them to be reunited and happy. Joanna Hathaway did an amazing job building the tension between them while keeping the reader engaged in their story. I particularly enjoyed the letters they wrote to each other (that they had no intention of sending). I loved that they captured the candid, unfiltered feelings they had for each other.
- Intricate world building. The political landscape as well as the world building in the Glass Alliance series are some of the best I’ve ever read. Every detail has purpose and each plot twist made me feel like my heart was going to leap out of my chest. Secrets, alliances, and betrayals are never in short supply in this world and I can’t wait to see what else is in store for these amazing characters.
Series Value
Not only will I be continuing with this series when book #3 comes out, I will definitely be rereading the first two books. Much like I always say with re-watching Peaky Blinders, this series has major re-read value. I can easily see myself discovering new details and picking up on subtle tidbits that I missed the first time around. I love a series with high re-read value.
Similarly, I would really like to see spin-off stories about the minor characters. From this book, Cyar and Tripp would be fun characters to read more about, and I’d like to know more about Aurelia’s extended family. I’d love to see novellas or bonus chapters (wink wink, Tor Teen and Joanna Hathaway 😉).
Final Thoughts
This book had everything I could have wanted in a sequel. Historical fiction vibes in a fantasy setting, an epic romance that literally broke my heart into a billion (billion, not million) little pieces, incredible re-read value, a stunning cover, and lush prose that, when read, felt like the scenes were coming alive in my mind.
Confession time, I started this book yesterday. I read for every free minute I had. I finished all 500 glorious pages in under 24 hours because I couldn’t stop reading. If you like any of the things I listed above, this series, and this book in particular, will not disappoint.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Recommendations for Further Reading
- Untitled Book #3 by Joanna Hathaway – this is a gimme-rec. Obviously, I haven’t read the next book in the series yet (again, wink wink Tor Teen, I’m ready for it whenever you have it 😂), but, I believe in the trajectory of this series. If the next book is anywhere close to as good as the first two, it’s going to be a must-read.
- Fireborne by Rosaria Munda – if you liked the elements of politics and warfare in Storm from the East, try this series by Rosaria Munda.
- Circle of Shadows by Evelyn Skye – if you like the revolution and military concepts seen in Storm from the East give this series by Evelyn Skye a read. The next book is coming out on Tuesday.
Author Bio
Her debut novel DARK OF THE WEST is the first in a World Wars-infused fantasy series of forbidden love and deadly revenge. STORM FROM THE EAST will hit shelves on February 11, 2020
AUTHOR LINKS
Website: http://www.joannachathaway.com/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16071792.Joanna_Hathaway
Twitter: https://twitter.com/hathawayjojo
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spitfirewriter/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.es/pequenotigre/dark-of-the-west/
BOOK LINKS
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45043929-storm-from-the-east
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2RoNSv0
B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/storm-from-the-east-joanna-hathaway/1131253787;jsessionid=63C9017C6FE19F8CEB83D5887DAACC13.prodny_store02-atgap12?ean=9780765396464
Book Depository: https://www.bookdepository.com/author/Joanna-Hathaway
iTunes: https://books.apple.com/us/book/storm-from-the-east/id1461771523
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/storm-from-the-east-1
Google Books: https://books.google.co.uk/books?vid=ISBN9780765396464&redir_esc=y
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