![Awakening Storm: The Divine Tree Guardians (The Divine Tree Guardians Series Book 3) by [Emerald, Larissa]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51HoZPQSwXL.jpg)
I had reservations about this book because of how little I enjoyed Awakening Fire, the first book in The Divide Tree Guardians series. The plot in this story, however, was more clear, the characters simpler and more direct, the motivations easier to understand, the relationship still rushed but more believable, and the conclusion way less messy. Overall, the story was a huge improvement over the first book and I wouldn't be averse to continuing the series.
Aidan is the aloof and alone guardian in the middle of nowhere off the coast of northern Japan. He's had very little contact with others and creates what he needs to survive on his little island. There's someone else that lurks nearby but he keeps to himself so long as Theodora does as well. At least that's until Rhianna Mori ends up in the Dragon Vortex and no clue what real dangers she could find.
Rhianna is on a quest to find out what happened to her great-grandfather that disappeared without a trace a long time ago. Her dying grandfather would dearly like to know and so would she. When a chance to go to Japan and earn a lot of money by sticking it out on an uninhabited island come her way she jumps at the chance. What she doesn't realize is that she's going to be the catalyst for something much larger than she ever knew could exist.
Theodora is part siren, part Valkyrie and traps anyone who happens upon the island or in the surrounding sea. She sets her sights on Rhianna but so has Aidan. He'll do anything in his power to keep her safe. His desires changed from wanting to protect her by scaring her away to protecting her by throwing himself into another realm to rescue her. Together they discover the true fate of the captives and aim to free themselves and the others.
I thought the plot moved quickly and fluidly. With a bunch of the history and circumstances of the Tree, Custos, and the relationship to the guardians taken care of in book one this story could focus on the drama surrounding this particular location. The romance was short and quick, as is normal in these kinds of stories, and while there's not a lot of foundation building with time, there's the pressure and uncertainty of being in another realm that hurries things along. They learn that they can trust one another and rely on the other person's strengths. Despite the harrowing situation they find themselves in they move forward together in trust and affection. Passion is there too but I'm really glad it didn't overshadow the more real things that could hold them together.
The ending was a bit rushed, I'm not sure how I feel about the escape, theft, and liberation because it all happened so quickly and was slightly underwhelming after a lot of anticipation. The parting bit from the Demon Prince's point of view hints more for the series, kind of, but is centered on Aidan and Rhianna specifically so I'm not sure if it was just to hint to their lives not being all sunshine and rainbows after their escape or if it was to allude to more forces from the Dark Realm having more of an interest in the demise of Custos and its guardians.
Aside from those things the book was pretty enjoyable and a much shorter read than I expected. The series is moving in a positive direction and I could read more but would be okay if I ended my reading here too. The book was good, the characters were believable, and the happy anticipation of a future for them was a nice way to close out the story.
Aidan is the aloof and alone guardian in the middle of nowhere off the coast of northern Japan. He's had very little contact with others and creates what he needs to survive on his little island. There's someone else that lurks nearby but he keeps to himself so long as Theodora does as well. At least that's until Rhianna Mori ends up in the Dragon Vortex and no clue what real dangers she could find.
Rhianna is on a quest to find out what happened to her great-grandfather that disappeared without a trace a long time ago. Her dying grandfather would dearly like to know and so would she. When a chance to go to Japan and earn a lot of money by sticking it out on an uninhabited island come her way she jumps at the chance. What she doesn't realize is that she's going to be the catalyst for something much larger than she ever knew could exist.
Theodora is part siren, part Valkyrie and traps anyone who happens upon the island or in the surrounding sea. She sets her sights on Rhianna but so has Aidan. He'll do anything in his power to keep her safe. His desires changed from wanting to protect her by scaring her away to protecting her by throwing himself into another realm to rescue her. Together they discover the true fate of the captives and aim to free themselves and the others.
I thought the plot moved quickly and fluidly. With a bunch of the history and circumstances of the Tree, Custos, and the relationship to the guardians taken care of in book one this story could focus on the drama surrounding this particular location. The romance was short and quick, as is normal in these kinds of stories, and while there's not a lot of foundation building with time, there's the pressure and uncertainty of being in another realm that hurries things along. They learn that they can trust one another and rely on the other person's strengths. Despite the harrowing situation they find themselves in they move forward together in trust and affection. Passion is there too but I'm really glad it didn't overshadow the more real things that could hold them together.
The ending was a bit rushed, I'm not sure how I feel about the escape, theft, and liberation because it all happened so quickly and was slightly underwhelming after a lot of anticipation. The parting bit from the Demon Prince's point of view hints more for the series, kind of, but is centered on Aidan and Rhianna specifically so I'm not sure if it was just to hint to their lives not being all sunshine and rainbows after their escape or if it was to allude to more forces from the Dark Realm having more of an interest in the demise of Custos and its guardians.
Aside from those things the book was pretty enjoyable and a much shorter read than I expected. The series is moving in a positive direction and I could read more but would be okay if I ended my reading here too. The book was good, the characters were believable, and the happy anticipation of a future for them was a nice way to close out the story.
$5.00 on Amazon!
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