Prism Cloud (Harbinger #4) by Jeff Wheeler

Friendship is strained to its breaking point in Wall Street Journal bestselling author Jeff Wheeler's fourth Harbinger novel. 

When the emperor is assassinated, Sera Fitzempress is the noble most eligible to inherit the empire. Her upcoming marriage to the prince would cement her position. And as a champion for peace, Sera is the only promise of hope for staving off war between the worlds of Kingfountain and Muirwood. But standing between her and her enemies is just one devastating secret.

Sera's best friend, Cettie, a girl born of a lower class, has made a shattering discovery: her entire existence has been a lie. Now, Cettie must give up the only life she's known and fought for and leave behind the man she loves to stop Sera's wedding. For this discovery could bring the whole Kingfountain to ruin.

As Cettie struggles to determine her true loyalties and loves, her allies fall to wicked plots, and she becomes increasingly alone on her journey to a destiny she never wanted- one that could ignite an unstoppable war.

Review

If you have not read the first books in this series, I recommend starting with my reviews of them. Here are the reviews to the first 3 books:

Review of Book #1: Storm Glass

Review of Book #2: Mirror Gate 

Review of Book #3: Iron Garland

IKLKJLKHOLY BALLS!

I didn't see anything from this book coming!

I don't want to give anything away... I don't even know what to say right now that won't give away any spoilers...

I thought this book was going to be the last book in the series. I didn't realize there was going to be one more book after it, so this may have influenced my expectations. I expected things to end happily in this book, or a least happy-ish.

Everything in the series has been leading up to this book. During the first few books, the author did an excellent job of character development and world building. In this book, he switches everything up and lets us in on some huge secrets as to how everything fits together.

TBH, I loved Cettie in the first 3 books. I'm not really sure how I felt about her in this book... I know I didn't feel the same though (ugh! It's so hard to do this without giving away spoilers!) I have faith that she will redeem herself by the end though.

I do know how I felt about Sara in this book! In the first 3 books, I really liked her, but I feel like she finally blooms in this book.

I will try not to include too many spoilers to this book, besides what is alluded to in the synopsis above from GoodReads.

However, it's like everything turns upside down in this book!

In the last book, things have started settling down a bit for Cettie and Sera, and it seems that way at the beginning of this book, as well. It definitely doesn't stay that way though!

Look at this AWESOME artwork from Jeff Wheeler's website! This link will take you to the page that talks all about the world in this series. Check it out!

I absolutely can't wait for the next book in the series, Broken Veil, to be released. Jeff Wheeler's website says it will be released on June 11, 2019.

I received a copy of this book from the publishers, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. 

Iron Garland (Harbinger #3) by Jeff Wheeler

Wall Street Journal bestselling author Jeff Wheeler continues his majestic Harbinger series in a world where motivations are as mysterious as magic. 

For three years, Sera Fitzempress has been a pawn in a gilded prison - the floating manor of Pavenham Sky. Disgraced and exiled from society, she has been isolated from the downtrodden she's determined to liberate. But although Sera may seem subservient on the outside, the stubborn princess has only emboldened.

Now in charge of her family's estate, Cettie Pratt has grown into an independent young woman, although she continues to be tested by the high society of the clouds. Advancing in the magic of the Mysteries, Cettie is also a useful tool of defense during turbulent times. However, as more of Cettie's mysterious past comes to light, her greatest challenge may be a reckless stranger with a dark secret.

The fog of war is drawing in, and with it comes a startling new enemy who may unravel secrets that both women would prefer to stay hidden. But their secrets may be the only way to stop the coming darkness...

Review

If you have not read the first book in the Harbinger series, click here to read my review of Storm Glass (book #1).

I will try not to include too many spoilers of Mirror Gate (book #2) in this review, but this book starts a few years after Mirror Gate ends.

Yet again, Jeff Wheeler kept me on the edge of my seat, speeding through this book because I couldn't wait to see what happened next!

My only issue with this series is that all of the books weren't released at the same time, so I have had to wait in between releases to see what happens next!

The author continued to do an excellent job of world-building and character development, as well as introducing us to some new characters that we will grow to love and/or hate. Many, you do not know whether you should love or hate them, and certainly not whether or not the characters should trust them. The author sucks you into this book with the amazing world he's built, and his characters keep you glued to the pages, determined to learn about what they do next.

The ending to this book was a bit anticlimactic. Yes, secrets were revealed and a bit plot point ramps up at the end. However, I found that it was a little lacking in excitement. It definitely sets up the scene for a super exciting beginning of book #4 though. In some ways, I am a little happy about this, if this book ended in a huge cliffhanger, I would be complaining even more about how long I have to wait to read the next book.

I haven't had time to read the Kingsfountain books yet, but this book just reinforced my need to get them and read them... like NOW.

However, I hope I find an ARC of Prism Cloud (book #4) soon so that I don't have to wait until March to read it!

I received a copy of this book from the publishers, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

Mirror Gate (Harbinger #2) by Jeff Wheeler

Wall Street Journal bestselling author Jeff Wheeler continues his wondrous Harbinger series in which two young women unite as two worlds approach the brink of war...

Though relations between Princess Seraphin Fitzempress and her father have been strained, Sera's royal position has remained unchallenged. Filled with self-doubt, she struggles to grasp the Mysteries- her greatest trial yet.

An education in the enigmatic magic is a necessary one, should Sera plan to rise in her station and invoke her powers during war. But the emperor's death now leaves both Sera and her ambitios father eligible for the throne- a contest the prince regent intends to win. Even if it means an alliance with a rival empire.

Sera's hope lies in Cettie, a waif raised in the world below, whose life has intertwined with sera's in the most unexpected ways. The Mysteries come easily ot Cettie, and her studies have begun to yield new insight into her growing powers. But those same powers put Cettie in the path of those who would destroy her. 

Now as the threat of war ignites and an insidious sickness spreads throughout the kingdom, Sera and Cettie will need to gather their courage and fight for each other's lives... and for the future of their endangered world.

Review

This book picks up several years after the first book in the series, Storm Glass, left off. 

WARNING: SPOILERS FROM THE FIRST BOOK AHEAD. If you have not read Storm Glass, it's review instead by clicking here: Review of Storm Glass

When the book begins, Cettie and Sera have been at Muirwood Abbey for the past 4 years, learning the Mysteries. 

I would love for Jeff Wheeler to write a novella telling more about what happened in the 4 years between Storm Glass and Mirror Gate. 

As we learned in Storm Glass, Cettie has an affinity for the Mysteries, and they come to her easily. Sera, on the other hand, sucks at it, and not mastering the Mysteries may put her destiny at risk.

One thing that frustrated me in this book is how everyone kept explaining that all Cettie's problems would be solved once she learns the Mysteries, even though some of those problems were life threatening, and no one ever recommended taking the test early or anything... Not even a couple of weeks earlier than planned... Smh

I read a retweet that said sometimes I want to hug Jeff Wheeler, and other times, I want to throw him off the edge of a sky manor. I had the same feelings several times while reading this series! I've been on a roller coaster of emotion throughout both books!

😘

😄

😲

😮

OMG! That is all I have to say after reading this book! I don't want to give away any spoilers about this book or it's ending, so please just go read it! 

This book was just as good, if not better than the first book! I am glad we finally learned a little more about the Mysteries, though! I was getting tired of everyone talking about them and not explaining anything. 

The only thing I'm not happy about is having to wait to see what happens next! I looked on Jeff Wheeler's website, and it looks like book #3, Iron Garden, will be released in November, which is waaaaay too long.  

This book was AH-MAY-ZING! Again, Jeff Wheeler blew my mind! I can't wait to read the next book in the series! If I can't find an ARC soon, I plan to read the Kingsfountain and the Legends of Muirwood series so that I understand more about Cettie's world. 

I received a copy of this book from the publishers, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.