The Burning Sky by Sherry Thomas

Author: Sherry Thomas

Publisher: Harper Collins

Publication Date: September 17, 2013

Pages: 480

Format: Hardcover

My Rating: ⭐⭐

Purchase Links: [Chapters/Indigo] [Amazon]

Goodreads Synopsis:

It all began with a ruined elixir and a bolt of lightning. Iolanthe Seabourne is the greatest elemental mage of her generation—or so she's been told. The one prophesied for years to be the savior of The Realm. It is her duty and destiny to face and defeat the Bane, the most powerful tyrant and mage the world has ever known. This would be a suicide task for anyone, let alone a reluctant sixteen-year-old girl with no training. Guided by his mother's visions and committed to avenging his family, Prince Titus has sworn to protect Iolanthe even as he prepares her for their battle with the Bane. But he makes the terrifying mistake of falling in love with the girl who should have been only a means to an end. Now, with the servants of the tyrant closing in, Titus must choose between his mission—and her life. The Burning Sky—the first book in the Elemental Trilogy—is an electrifying and unforgettable novel of intrigue and adventure.

My Review:

I picked up this book mainly for its epic cover. I felt that it called to me, every time I would enter Chapters, I would seek it out and stare at it. I had such high hopes and bought the book. Sadly, my feeling was oh so wrong.

The story is told in two POV. Usually I like that. I like reading what’s going on in both the guys and the girls head. I didn't like it here. There was a constant flip between Iolanthe and Titus multiple times within the same chapter. It was very chaotic and disorienting. I had a really hard time understanding what was going on, sometimes I would re-read the passage multiple times trying to figure it out and sometimes I would just go on reading hoping for clarification later. There were footnotes provided but they were useless. There was constantly useless jargon that I did not need to know or just stated the obvious. I didn't get used to who I was reading until close to the end.

Thomas kept referring to Iolanthe being this great elemental mage but I didn't see any of this greatness. She was just so bland and ordinary. There wasn’t much to her character, and it very much felt like 2D. I felt the same with Titus though he had a little bit more depth to his character. There was very little character development. They were clever and flawless people, everything that was thrown at them was solved perfectly and with little or no trouble.

I didn't feel the insta-love that was between Iolanthe and Titus. I actually don't feel anything for any of the characters. They went back and forth a lot, I love you but I cant or shouldn't... I do remember that there was a couple of funny and cute lines that I started looking forward to. I felt as though they were my reward for pushing on.

I enjoyed the magical elements, the spells, potions and mythical creatures. I do feel that instead of emphasizing the world and character the spells and potions were the main focus. A lot of scenes where Titus would cook a potion up or say a magical spell. I loved the fairy tale book that they would transport into to practice and train. And I loved the dragons! Dragons are my favourite mythical creatures, so that was a bonus.

By far the best part for me was the last couple chapters. It started picking up by then and we got to see less talking and more doing/action. Overall The Burning Sky for me was meh. I probably will continue the series only because I bought them all and I'm hoping that it gets better. We will just have to wait and see!

#YA #2star #sherrythomas #theburningsky #fantasy