1st reading: I knew almost immediately that Romulin and Andru were lovers. Maybe we were supposed to figure that out quickly? Pretty freakin' sure Jayme is Daniel's daughter. Curious about the Le'Dan involvement in the illegal(?) trade with the Crescent Continent, and how Erion might be involved. Is the mystery woman from previous installments Dia? What caused Raspian's tomb to open? Was it the Crystal Cavern? Was it the freeing of achel? (I think the former.) I think the reason why the "Main Continent" is called the Dark Isle and is shunned by the rest of the world (as well as explain why magic doesn't work the same way there as everywhere else) is because it's where Raspian was entombed.
And no, Aldrick's not dead. The author wouldn't have such a pivotal figure from her previous series die off camera. ( )

Verdict is still out

I'm not sure what to think on this. I read the first series and loved it but this one seems kind of slow moving and I haven't warmed to any of the characters.

Vi is boring and either self absorbed or clueless because she has written letters all her life to her brother yet knows nothing personal about him. She also knows nothing about her friend, Jayme. Why?

Why did her mom name her Vi and not Larel who was a good friend?

One thing that bores and annoys me is long drawn out details on the process of magic. It's as interesting as describing how an engine works. Ugh!

I'm not sure if I'll continue the series. ( )

Read? Yes. Absolutely love? Well...not yet.

Not to spend too much time on the prior books, but Air Awakens was my favorite Elise Kova series. The final chapters of Crystal Crowned, getting wrecked in Water's Wrath, and of course the ever-quotable Aldrik were sharp in my mind when I jumped into this new series.

In the best way...Vortex Visions was definitely a first book (of 5?). Our main girl Vi survives skirmishes, explorations, and at least two existential crises all while trying to exert some of her own personality and giving her friends the attention they deserve. And of course, the main cast from Air Awakens pops up in the background. There's just a lot going on, so it was not as much time spent on the characters' personalities.

But the book's conclusion sets up many interesting possibilities, including the opportunity to travel to unseen (from the reader's perspective) lands, interact with more of the AA 1st generation characters, and dive deeper into new character backstory.

So, if the idea of more sorcerer shenanigans, an existential evil, and Jax as an uncle aren't quite enough to lure you in, I offer one last motivation: have you seen the cover for Failed Future? ( )

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.

I received a complimentary copy and am giving this 4.5 stars but rounding up. ( )