Item: Crystal Storm
Rating: 4
Author: Anjali Kay

Book Review :: Crystal Storm, by Morgan Rhodes

Crystal Storm by Morgan Rhodes
Series: Falling Kingdoms #5
Also in this series: Falling Kingdoms, Rebel Spring, Gathering Darkness, Frozen Tides, Immortal Reign
Published by Razorbill
on December 13th 2016
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult
Pages: 379
Goodreads

The ruthless Empress Amara of Kraeshia has taken the Mytican throne, and now uncertainty looms over the three kingdoms. Since Lucia unleashed the fire Kindred, wreaking havoc throughout the land, Myticans have been looking for someone—anyone—they can trust. They believe in Amara, not knowing her grand promises are built on lies.

In Paelsia, Magnus and Cleo reluctantly follow King Gaius to the home of his exiled mother, Selia. Selia is a powerful witch and claims she can help unlock the magic of the Kindred—if the visitors agree to her terms. When Jonas arrives from Kraeshia, he is shocked to find that his rebel army now includes his sworn enemies. Along with Nic, Felix, and the mysteriously resurrected Ashur, the contentious group agrees to cast aside old grudges—for now—and united against their common enemy: Amara.

Meanwhile, bearing the child of a Watcher and feared by all, Princess Lucia travels across Mytica to find her family. But time is running out. The impending storm signals the dark prophecy Timotheus warned her about. Her fate is written, and it includes none other than the rebel Jonas. When their paths collied, Jonas and Lucia must decide between blindly following their destiny or fighting for their own free will.

The battle for power culminates at the Paelsian palace, where Amara resides. Rain pours. Blood spills. And soon all will discover that the darkest magic comes at an even darker price.

Last updated on 14 October 2023

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My thoughts on Crystal Storm

My golly, what aren’t my thoughts. You remember how I said that a lot happens in Frozen Tides, the book before this one? Well it does and I stand by that, but Crystal Storm tops them all.

I won’t go into too much detail about Crystal Storm because I don’t want to give anything away. It’s already difficult trying to review a book when you’re so deep into a series, but I’ll pull out a few things for you so you get the main idea.

In Crystal Storm we learn a great deal about the past generations, namely King Gaius and a little of his childhood. This was a really great addition to the story line, as it meant a lot of other things fell into place in terms of relationships, other characters, and reasons behind actions. While some of the characters are growing on me and I like them a lot better than in previous books, there are still some that are annoying as flip.

“This is how it’s meant to be. It shows that everything that exists must one day change – but what is destroyed can be created again with patience and dedication.”

The build up to the insane ending was intense and I was not ready for those last pages. It definitely set the story for Immortal Reign, and I cannot wait to read it! There are various things that I feel need to happen in the final instalment of the Falling Kingdoms series, many of which are beginning to be set in motion in Crystal Storm. Will Jonas ever become less annoying? Will couples remain together? Will Mytica fall? Will Amara conqueror the world? Who will die?! Who will live, and at what cost? So many questions.

You’ve probably guessed I’ve definitely warmed to Falling Kingdoms as a series. In the first book I said that I enjoyed the story but it wasn’t wonderful. Now I love it, and I think that’s due to the fact that each book has gotten better and better. There has been great character development, and while I don’t love all the main characters, my opinion on each has change considerable from the first book.

Crystal Storm is book 5 and I still don’t know whose side I’m on.

Have you read the Falling Kingdoms series? What did you think of Crystal Storm?