(Book 5 in the Falling Kingdom Series)

Author: Morgan Rhodes.

Length: 379 pages.

“The fire that hollows us out is what allows us to be filled with strength and power where before there was none.” 

Goodreads Synopsis.

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.

My Thoughts.

I feel like I’ve said this in every review for the books in this series, but I don’t care. This story has changed SOOOO much. I don’t know if I’m this surprised because I am a newbie in this genre or if this is really as amazing as I think it is. I just cannot understand how this turned into such a big mess, and one that I didn’t see coming at all.

Choices, princess. Life seems to be all about them.

If I had to describe Crystal Storm in one phrase it would be this one: live in the present, not in the past. I love the fact that throughout this series, particularly in this book, the characters are faced with impossible decisions. As I’ve said in previous reviews, these books rely heavily on what the characters decide to do for themselves, and, at the end of the day, we never know what they will choose to do. However, I do think that this is what has allowed the author to give everyone in this book character growth. In spite of this, this series is not character driven because there is a perfect balance between their journey and the plot. Everything is astoundingly woven together and I think this is why I am loving it so much.

Something I can’t not mention is that I had major Jacob and Bella vibes in several scenes. I will not specify between which characters but I think that it was very interesting. I am not a fan of Jacob and I don’t like love triangles (I think that most of the time they are unnecessary). For the last couple of books I was very nervous that the author would include one, and I am so glad that she didn’t. Some might say that what happened is a triangle, but I arduously defend that it’s not. In fact, I quite enjoyed it and I thought it was very clever. These characters formed a very deep bond from the very beginning and they love each other very much. However, they weren’t meant to be and they knew it because they both fell in love with other people. This helped them create a beautiful friendship that I absolutely loved reading about.

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.

Magnus and Cleo continue to be my favorites and I must admit that Jonas is making his way up the very tall pedestal that I placed them in. I still do not like Lucia and Amara. I hate them (just in case you were wondering). In regards to King Gaius, I did not particularly like very much some of the decisions the author took with his character development. The situation made sense and it didn’t really affect his personality, for which I’m grateful for, but it did shift his objectives so I’m not so sure about that. Nic, Ashur, Felix and Nerissa are lovely and I’m also very excited to see where the last stretch of their journey will take them.

If you still haven’t picked up this series, please do. It’s amazing.