Review: Vortex Visions by Elise Kova

VORTEX VISIONS

Air Awakens: Vortex Visions

Book One

by Elise Kova

Silver Wing Press

YA Fantasy

374 pages

A desperate princess, a magical traveler, and a watch that binds them together with the fate of a dying world.

Vi Solaris is the heir to an Empire she’s barely seen. Her parents sacrificed a life with her to quell a rebellion and secure peace with a political alliance. Now, three years past when her wardship should’ve ended, Vi will do anything to be reunited with her family.

The Empire is faltering beneath the burden of political infighting and a deadly plague. Yet, Vi can’t help but wonder if her inability to control her magic is the true reason her parents haven’t brought her home. Suspicion becomes reality when she unleashes powers she’s not supposed to have. 

Powers that might well cost her the throne.

As Vi fights to get her magic under control, a mysterious stranger appears from across the world. He holds the keys to unlocking her full potential, but the knowledge has an unspeakable price — some truths, once seen, cannot be ignored.

All eyes are on her and Vi must make the hardest choice of her life: Play by the rules and claim her throne. Or, break them and save the world

MY TIDBITS

A rich, fantasy world builds the perfect setting for secrets, evil intrigue and a burning hope to simply reunite with family.

After her birth, Vi was separated from her twin brother to grow up in the north in an attempt not only to insure both the siblings safety but also to smooth over relations after a brutal war. Despite the original agreement, Vi has yet to be brought back to her family and home. She suspects it has something to do with her difficulties in grasping her own magic. When a very dangerous situation finally causes her magic to awaken, she discovers that more than one secret has been kept from her. Deadly creatures, a mysterious voice, the unknown will of a goddess, and visions which promise a terrifying destruction of the world are only the beginning of the new reality Vi finds herself caught up in.

Fans of magic, strong female heroines, whispers of romance, treachery, heart break, family bonds, and evil plots will find themselves lost in this world. The author creates a castle and people to sink into and get lost in. And it doesn't stop there. Each character has a distinct personality and some hold secrets more than close. While friendships are true and loyalty abounds, there's the constant and growing hum of a dangerous threat as the chapters continue. Some things come to light in this first novel, but the author appears to be holding back with the promise of much more to come in the rest of the series.

Vi is a character with heart but many sharp corners. Her basic longing to finally be together with her family makes her a character to love. Headstrong determination does lead her into sticky situations, and she makes mistakes. There's something about her attitude in dealing with others, which slides a little wrong at times and made me question whether her friends were more loyal to her than she to them...but I can't put my finger on exactly what it is. But this wasn't enough to make the story any less fun to read, and I read most of it in one setting.

There is a mound of danger approaching, and this creates a wonderful tension. The author is weaving a nice web of conspiracy and intrigue. Various threats come from various directions, and while Vi suspects there might be a connection, it's not clear in how far the dangers are related and how they will later spin around each other. But each one is deadly and each one hits at an entirely different level. It makes for a grabbing read.

This does end on a complete cliff-hanger, which is something I'm not a huge fan of. But I am very curious to see where it goes from here and what evil Vi is really up against, who she can truly trust, and whether the hints at a future romance pan out.