Review: Let the Sky Fall by Shannon Messenger

Let the Sky Fall is the story about Seventeen-year-old Vane Weston who somehow managed to survive a devastating so called category 5 tornado that took his parents lives and later finds out there's more to his past than meets the eye. It's also about Seventeen-year-old Audra a sylph, or an air elemental who's Vane’s guardian and a part of the so called Gale Force that was put together to stop their nemesis from completely destroying the sylph and capturing the last Weston.

Let the Sky Fall is told in alternating POV's which actually worked in this case since you wanted to know what the characters were feeling about certain revelations, their feelings towards each other, and what the future may bring to them both after their actions. I found the whole idea behind the Sylph to be very interesting and entertaining. I also liked learning about the 4 languages of the various winds: Northerlies, Southerlies, Easterlies, and Westerlies.

Between the two characters, I definitely enjoyed Audra more even though she clearly had a self-sacrificing and self-loathing opinion of herself and her actions on the night Vane's parent's were killed. She gave up Ten years of her life in order to become the youngest guardian and Windwalker in order to protect Vane from being captured by the Gale's nemesis or doing something silly like bonding with a human. Her mother basically turned her back on Audra, yet that didn't stop her from doing her job to the best of her ability. Audra is hands down very tough, determined, and focused on her goals of protecting Vane even with her heart pulling her in different directions. I would, however, liked to have seen more of her background with her father whom it appears she takes her own bravery from. Her father was definitely a driving force in her life before he was taken away saving the Westons.

While Vane isn't a distraction to me, he made it hard to like him at times especially when he makes it known that Audra's wardrobe needed to be skimpier. Obviously stereotypical male shenanigans. It's obvious that readers are going to feel some sympathy for him being the last remaining Weston in existence and realizing that others gave their lives in order from him to survive. In the end, however, my opinions may have changed because he finally understood what he needs to do in order to save Audra and himself from Raiden and his stormers and to become his own person. It's interesting that I actually gave this story props for having a very supportive family option for Vane. It's always nice to see a story that has family members who actually give a crap about what happens to you.

I am one of those readers who expects a whole lot from my stories including suspense, action, no 3-way love triangles, and a story that leaves me wanting more. I expect that if there is going to be a battle, that it's huge, and has many participants and the victors are left bloody and grateful to be alive. Let the Sky Fall, unfortunately, falls a little flat in this area which was a surprise since it built up my anticipation from the first page. While there is a battle, it wasn't enough to say WOW! I'm glad, however, that Messenger tied up the loose ends between Audra and her mother Arella, as well as the truth behind Vane's parent's deaths. Now, we can move forward to the next book and find out what happens to Audra, but especially Vane, and Kaiden who was stirring in the background throughout this book.

Title - Let the Sky Fall (Let the Sky Fall # 1)
Author - Shannon Messenger
Publisher - Simon Pulse
Released - March 5th 2013
Genre - YA Paranormal
Borrowed from my local library