[Review] Let the Sky Fall by Shannon Messanger

 Let the Sky Fall
Let the Sky Fall #1
Shannon Messanger
March 5th, 2013
Simon Pulse
416 pages

Amazon/Book Depository/B&N

 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.

This book was free on pulseit.com last week so I took advantage of reading it. I wasn't disappointed.

While the book starts much the same way as an anime, it is endearing in its execution. How many times can a boy meet a mysterious girl? How many times will they have a connection? Divide by how intense the super powers are that the boy has. It's really just Bleach with more air and less demonic souls.

The POV changes ever chapter, and while that can get a little taxing when some of the chapters are a page and a half, the characters both have their own unique personalities and internal snark. Unlike most books written in this format, I didn't have a favorite character to read. I didn't feel taxed when the other character would make their thoughts and feelings known. They were both equally enjoyable.

The main baddie is named Raiden. While he was off screen the entire book, I completely imagined him as the Mortal Kombat character, silly hat and all. So, I had a knack for giggling every time they were attempting to tell me how terrible he was.

I'm still unsure of how terrible he is, as he didn't seem to be the one causing all the issues in the first place. That was a pretty big shocker. I probably shouldn't say anymore in order to not spoil y'all.

I was engrossed in the narrative and the book flew by. The only time I was pushed out of the story was the several page advertisement for In-n-Out. Granted, living near Chicago in a state that doesn't seem to even have ONE of these so called 'amazing' burger joints, I can't vouch if the hype is worth it. I didn't find it endearing. It took away from the plot.

That aside, it was a really fun book. Just different enough from the usual YA paranormal crowd to try. Uniquely voiced enough to enjoy.