{YA Review} Let the Sky Fall (Sky Fall #1) by Shannon Messenger

{YA Review} Let the Sky Fall (Sky Fall #1) by Shannon Messenger

Seventeen-year-old Vane Weston has no idea how he survived the category five tornado that killed his parents. And he has no idea if the beautiful, dark-haired girl who’s swept through his dreams every night since the storm is real. But he hopes she is.Seventeen-year-old Audra is a sylph, an air elemental. She walks on the wind, can translate its alluring songs, and can even coax it into a weapon with a simple string of commands. She’s also a guardian—Vane’s guardian—and has sworn an oath to protect Vane at all costs. Even if it means sacrificing her own life.

When a hasty mistake reveals their location to the enemy who murdered both of their families, Audra’s forced to help Vane remember who he is. He has a power to claim—the secret language of the West Wind, which only he can understand. But unlocking his heritage will also unlock the memory Audra needs him to forget. And their greatest danger is not the warriors coming to destroy them—but the forbidden romance that’s grown between them. (Blurb via Goodreads)

{Details} Hardcover, First Edition, 416 pages. Published March 5th 2013 by Simon Pulse Source: library

{Rating} 4/5

{Review} There is so much to like: Vane and Audra, the mysteries of the West Wind, the drama, the forbidden romance, the Disney worthy evil mother. Told in alternating perspectives we get both Vane's sarcastic, very teenage boy voice and Audra's serious, focused, driven tone.

Vane and Audra are both sylphs but they're so very different. Vane has a family, love, acceptance, friends, all the things Audra lacks. But life isn't perfect, he has missing memories and dreams of a girl that gets between him and any possible romantic relationship.

Poor, poor Audra. Her entire life is being Vane's guardian. Everything she does revolves around keeping him safe. She is willing to make any sacrifice, trying to make things right, to be worthy. Everything she does is colored by her guilt and sorrow.

"My chest hurts for her. For the scared little girl she was. For the hard, broken girl she's become. I can't imagine growing up with that kind of guilt on my shoulders. No wonder she pushes everyone away." (Messenger, 319)

I liked the way Messenger slowly revealed the truth to the reader and to Vane, I felt like I was right there along with him. We didn't get to see a whole lot of character development from Audra, this book seemed to spend more time setting the stage, explaining why she is the way she is, I hope to see more of her growth as the series progresses. The next book in the series, Let the Storm Break, comes out in March of next year. I can't wait!