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Earthsinger Chronicles #2.5
Hush of Storm & Sorrow
While battling a vicious winter storm, Roshon ol-Sarifor, along with his father and twin brother are kidnapped and thrust on a journey that takes them far from home—leaving his sister Jasminda believing them dead. Their captors claim that the Queen Who Sleeps is behind their abduction—She wants them to reclaim a magical object hidden in a deadly part of the ocean. But a violent encounter with a gang of pirates forces the ol-Sarifors to seek refuge on a smuggler's ship, where Roshon meets a girl unlike any he’s encountered before.
Ani Summerhawk never met a risk she didn’t take. But with a price on her head, she and her older brother need to make a quick getaway from a deal gone bad. Every ship in the sea is seeking the reward for returning her to a ruthless captain who believes she's his property. But when her brother agrees to transport three passengers to a dangerous destination, Ani’s heart is put on the line for the first time.
The two families battle a treacherous sea, greedy sailors, and a powerful mage as they struggle to retrieve and secure the ancient artifact. And the attraction between a high-spirited girl and a cautious boy comes to a head when they discover that their biggest fight just might be with each other.
Set two years before the events of Song of Blood & Stone, this action-packed novella answers the question of what happened to Jasminda’s family and sets the stage for the events in Cry of Metal & Bone (Earthsinger Chronicles, book 3).
Ani Summerhawk never met a risk she didn’t take. But with a price on her head, she and her older brother need to make a quick getaway from a deal gone bad. Every ship in the sea is seeking the reward for returning her to a ruthless captain who believes she's his property. But when her brother agrees to transport three passengers to a dangerous destination, Ani’s heart is put on the line for the first time.
The two families battle a treacherous sea, greedy sailors, and a powerful mage as they struggle to retrieve and secure the ancient artifact. And the attraction between a high-spirited girl and a cautious boy comes to a head when they discover that their biggest fight just might be with each other.
Set two years before the events of Song of Blood & Stone, this action-packed novella answers the question of what happened to Jasminda’s family and sets the stage for the events in Cry of Metal & Bone (Earthsinger Chronicles, book 3).
164 pages, ebook
Published March 16, 2020
About the author
L. Penelope
31 books1,050 followersL. Penelope (also writing as Leslye Penelope) has been writing since she could hold a pen and loves getting lost in the worlds in her head. She is an award-winning author of fantasy and paranormal romance.
She was born in the Bronx, just after the birth of hip hop, but left before she could acquire an accent. Equally left and right-brained, she studied Film at Howard University and minored in Computer Science. This led to a graduate degree in Multimedia and a career in website development. She's also an award-winning independent filmmaker, co-founded a literary magazine, and sometimes dreams in HTML.
Leslye lives in Maryland with her husband and their furry dependents. Sign up for new release information and giveaways on her website: http://www.lpenelope.com.
She was born in the Bronx, just after the birth of hip hop, but left before she could acquire an accent. Equally left and right-brained, she studied Film at Howard University and minored in Computer Science. This led to a graduate degree in Multimedia and a career in website development. She's also an award-winning independent filmmaker, co-founded a literary magazine, and sometimes dreams in HTML.
Leslye lives in Maryland with her husband and their furry dependents. Sign up for new release information and giveaways on her website: http://www.lpenelope.com.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 14, 2020
I am very glad I have an ARC of the third book waiting, because oh boy does this end on a cliffhanger! This novella fills in a bit of the plot as to what happened to Jasminda’s family and also more information about the death stone mentioned in the last book.
Roshon doesn’t really believe in the Queen Who Sleeps, and being kidnapped by a psychotic nun in her service doesn’t exactly help matters either. But his father, Dansig, feels compelled to answer her summons to find a mysterious object that’s apparently been lost in the ocean for centuries. A run-in with Raunian pirates complicates things even more, and soon they’re being pursued across the ocean. Can Roshon and his family retrieve the stone before it falls into the hands of their new enemies?
Each book and novella has built on the worldbuilding of the Earthsinger Chronicles, and this one is no different. This novella introduces the Raun pirates, specifically Tai and Ani, two siblings with a very complicated family relationship. While the Raunians consider piracy and smuggling perfectly honorable, breaking a contract will lead to a loss of honor and shunning – something that happened to their father. So while Ani is conflicted about the contracted apprenticeship her mother has set up for her with a very successful but cut-throat captain, she’s reluctant to break it. At least, until they decided to help Roshon and family out with their mission.
The story is focused on the relationship between Ani and Roshon, so much so that Dansig, his father, and Varten, his twin, seem like afterthoughts. Ani and Roshon are polar opposites – Roshon’s focused on planning and preparation, while Ani lives more in the moment. Their clashing personalities, though, hide a respect and attraction for the other person. The progression of their relationship was a bit quick for my liking, but it goes along well with the rest of the action-packed plot. The pacing is excellent, and more hints are given about amalgam magic.
Overall, this is an interesting addition to the Earthsinger universe, and it definitely sets the stage for the next book!
Roshon doesn’t really believe in the Queen Who Sleeps, and being kidnapped by a psychotic nun in her service doesn’t exactly help matters either. But his father, Dansig, feels compelled to answer her summons to find a mysterious object that’s apparently been lost in the ocean for centuries. A run-in with Raunian pirates complicates things even more, and soon they’re being pursued across the ocean. Can Roshon and his family retrieve the stone before it falls into the hands of their new enemies?
“None of us chose this, but the path is the way. We can’t do anything else but follow it, no matter where it goes.”
Each book and novella has built on the worldbuilding of the Earthsinger Chronicles, and this one is no different. This novella introduces the Raun pirates, specifically Tai and Ani, two siblings with a very complicated family relationship. While the Raunians consider piracy and smuggling perfectly honorable, breaking a contract will lead to a loss of honor and shunning – something that happened to their father. So while Ani is conflicted about the contracted apprenticeship her mother has set up for her with a very successful but cut-throat captain, she’s reluctant to break it. At least, until they decided to help Roshon and family out with their mission.
“The man was brave but foolish—two of Ani’s favorite qualities in a person.”
The story is focused on the relationship between Ani and Roshon, so much so that Dansig, his father, and Varten, his twin, seem like afterthoughts. Ani and Roshon are polar opposites – Roshon’s focused on planning and preparation, while Ani lives more in the moment. Their clashing personalities, though, hide a respect and attraction for the other person. The progression of their relationship was a bit quick for my liking, but it goes along well with the rest of the action-packed plot. The pacing is excellent, and more hints are given about amalgam magic.
Overall, this is an interesting addition to the Earthsinger universe, and it definitely sets the stage for the next book!
April 3, 2020
I kept an open mind when started to read this book. As a person who loves prequels, I was excited to read this knowing it was the tale of the family of one of my favorite characters Song of Blood & Stone. Jasminda was her name and Hush of Storm & Sorrow jumps right into the action of her brother looking for his twin. The intro automatically has me wanting to read more to see if he finds his brother and what happens next.
The excitement continues as the brothers reunite along with their dad. They happen to meet up with a pirate crew that helps theme along their journey. The story turns from Jasminda’s family to the relationship between one of the twins and the adventurous female pirate.
The focus of the relationship between the pirate and stow away started to drag and left the other characters behind. It felt to me the once main characters started to become special guest, appearing only when necessary or because they were in the beginning of the story. I learned a lot about the love birds hiding their interest from each other, but I wanted to know more about the other characters as well. I read on only because I wanted to know what happened at the end of the story. I mainly wanted to know because I was concerned for my favorite characters family.
If you are into a romance on the high seas of adventure and danger then this is for you. Hush of Storm& Sorrow will certainly keep you interested as it brings you along to a twisted ending. I won’t tell you what happens in the end. You are just going to have to ride the sea on their wild adventure.
The excitement continues as the brothers reunite along with their dad. They happen to meet up with a pirate crew that helps theme along their journey. The story turns from Jasminda’s family to the relationship between one of the twins and the adventurous female pirate.
The focus of the relationship between the pirate and stow away started to drag and left the other characters behind. It felt to me the once main characters started to become special guest, appearing only when necessary or because they were in the beginning of the story. I learned a lot about the love birds hiding their interest from each other, but I wanted to know more about the other characters as well. I read on only because I wanted to know what happened at the end of the story. I mainly wanted to know because I was concerned for my favorite characters family.
If you are into a romance on the high seas of adventure and danger then this is for you. Hush of Storm& Sorrow will certainly keep you interested as it brings you along to a twisted ending. I won’t tell you what happens in the end. You are just going to have to ride the sea on their wild adventure.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 18, 2022
- speaking dolphins
- Tattooed pirates with bright-coloured hair
- Unique world
So exited to get the story of Jasminda brothers. I wondered what happened to them in the first book and now we not only get an explanation but their own novella :) !
Is it just me or were the characters descriptions a bit off. I couldn’t picture how anyone looked like. That’s so annoying, and there is no fanart. What nation / race are the Raunians ?
Update : Tai Summerhawk is on the cover of the next instalment of the series and I know what he and the tattoos look l like now after I finished it.
Also, sometimes characters would just pop up out of nowhere. When were you introduced? Where you always on this ship? Then I realised it’s the fucking speaking dolphins 😂
And the cover. I didn’t know that, this world is so futuristic. I pictured the other books as a mix of historical & steam punk aesthetic but I was wrong.
Also , the romance was bad.
The names are a little bit ridiculous, especially because some have a German meaning - machen , varten und braloch. 😂
The chaotic reading experience was fun tho
„her face was blank of all expression“ what how would that look like ??
„The deepest you’ve gone is sixty meters, right?”
“Approximately.”
Both twins snorted in disbelief. “And now you’re going to go four times deeper?“
Suspend all disbelieve
Concept: ★★★★★ Characters: ★
Pacing: ★★★★★ Feels: ★
Writing style : ★★ Plot : ★★
- Tattooed pirates with bright-coloured hair
- Unique world
So exited to get the story of Jasminda brothers. I wondered what happened to them in the first book and now we not only get an explanation but their own novella :) !
Is it just me or were the characters descriptions a bit off. I couldn’t picture how anyone looked like. That’s so annoying, and there is no fanart. What nation / race are the Raunians ?
Update : Tai Summerhawk is on the cover of the next instalment of the series and I know what he and the tattoos look l like now after I finished it.
Also, sometimes characters would just pop up out of nowhere. When were you introduced? Where you always on this ship? Then I realised it’s the fucking speaking dolphins 😂
And the cover. I didn’t know that, this world is so futuristic. I pictured the other books as a mix of historical & steam punk aesthetic but I was wrong.
Also , the romance was bad.
The names are a little bit ridiculous, especially because some have a German meaning - machen , varten und braloch. 😂
The chaotic reading experience was fun tho
„her face was blank of all expression“ what how would that look like ??
„The deepest you’ve gone is sixty meters, right?”
“Approximately.”
Both twins snorted in disbelief. “And now you’re going to go four times deeper?“
Suspend all disbelieve
Concept: ★★★★★ Characters: ★
Pacing: ★★★★★ Feels: ★
Writing style : ★★ Plot : ★★
March 22, 2021
Alright, this book… not so great. Maybe because it’s about new characters we have not seen before and don’t really know what they’re like. I couldn’t really see myself invested in this book. I felt it a little draggy and just holding me back from reading the third book in the series. But, it was okay. The main storyline was interesting and I liked the introduction of a new culture and their surprisingly feminist views. It was nice to meet Tai before I continued on to the next book so that’s great.
May 8, 2022
I don't have all too much to say about this. It was quick and fun. It was nice to get to know Jasminda's brothers and father and learn what happened to them. I liked Ani and Tai and it was interesting to see a new culture in this world that we haven't learned much about. Also, hey, pirate adventures, that's fun. Ani and Roshon are about fifteen, and you can kind of tell, but they were still cute. The ending sure was intense and I'm excited to see where their story goes from here but overall it was good. Didn't blow me out of the water (pun intended) but wasn't bad either.
January 14, 2021
I really enjoyed this novella, possibly even more than the previous one. It also helped me connect some dots from the end of the second book that I had missed. Oops.
Hopefully, it also helps me feel a little more invested in the characters in the third book as well. Fingers crossed.
Hopefully, it also helps me feel a little more invested in the characters in the third book as well. Fingers crossed.
July 29, 2021
This novella is really only setting the stage for the next book. It introduces some new characters and how they met which I'm guessing will play into the plot of book three. I can't wait to dive in!!!
May 20, 2020
I just......
HOW DARE YOU
That's all I've got for now
HOW DARE YOU
That's all I've got for now
September 23, 2020
This novella that comes between books two and three of the Earthsinger Chronicles was everything I didn’t know I needed. I can’t really say who this book follows because of spoilers, but y’all!!!!!!! I loved it. There’s a truly excellently set up romance here that is apparently going to be resolved in the extended epilogue of Cry of Metal and Bone we’ll get from L. Penelope!
October 25, 2020
This novella is set before the start of book one and fills in some events that will be important for book three. So I of course had to read it before starting on book three.
This is a really cool novella. I liked Roshon: he's level headed, cautious, and brave. Ani is his complete opposite in a couple of things: she can be impulsive and carefree. Still I think they were a great match for each other.
I loved learning about Ani's homeland and its traditions. It added more depth to the already believable and intricate worldbuilding in this series.
The story was fun and exciting. As it sets the stage for the events in Cry of Metal & Bone it leaves a lot of things unresolved, so you bet I will pick up book three soon.
This is a really cool novella. I liked Roshon: he's level headed, cautious, and brave. Ani is his complete opposite in a couple of things: she can be impulsive and carefree. Still I think they were a great match for each other.
I loved learning about Ani's homeland and its traditions. It added more depth to the already believable and intricate worldbuilding in this series.
The story was fun and exciting. As it sets the stage for the events in Cry of Metal & Bone it leaves a lot of things unresolved, so you bet I will pick up book three soon.
June 20, 2020
Absolutely fantastic
For a novella i didn't think it would be important to the story of Earthsinger Series but boy was i wrong. I love Ani and Roshon I really ship them!
For a novella i didn't think it would be important to the story of Earthsinger Series but boy was i wrong. I love Ani and Roshon I really ship them!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews