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A review by andra_mihaela_s
Aurora by Laurie Dubay
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
4.5
4.5stars
The 3rd book in the "Winter Fire" series feels like a much needed comeback after book 2,where the focus was onto Jenna and her confusion on how to react at what was happening around her.
"Aurora" is a book mainly about plot development, well crafted lore and connections vital for the story and character journey, and, last but not least, construction of a new relationship between Jenna and Loki - what kind of relationship? read and find out! ^_^
This installment assured me that I need to read the whole series, because I absolutely have to know what happens!
I want to pay special attention to Loki and his role in this book. I really enjoyed his portrayal as more of a quiet individual, that thinks deeply and never shares more than strictly necessary in order to keep an advantage in the game he's currently playing. He doesn't have a playfull side...which is understandable, given the fact that for a majority of the plot, we don't see amusing situations, distractions or lighter topics as a forfront, but heavy subject and what happens with the God at Ragnarok - and we all know that Loki is captive until it begins...so ,yes, he's character fits the plot very well.
I enjoyed Jenna's struggle with Bren and Loki, the feelings she gets from both of them and what exactly does that make her. I think the author handled very well this narrative thread. Usualy I don't like any kind of "cheating", but here is more of a feeling Jenna gets from Loki. Also, i think her image of Bren is deconstructed very well, which ,again, is normal. She meets Ullur, and not Bren - and that will affect her given the differences. As with Loki...I believe she's finding a constant in him, due to the fact he was himself from the first contact.
I'm happy Dubay doesn't follow the old narrative of turning the first guy bad/evil/abusive/etc. in order to make the second seem a better fit for the MC. Instead she makes Jenna struggle with her subconcious, makes her try to ignore signs of change in her and her relationships (both with Bren, and Loki) and even gives her a reprive in the final part of the book(the whole thing with Sif :) ^^) In this moment, I'm not convinced that Dubay will make Jenna choose Loki over Bren or vice versa...this is good writing! I look forward to further development! ^^
Another positive is the cultural aspects in Aesir, Jotun and Venir introduces due to plot. That is much appreciated and I think gives a high value to the text.(we can see a similar pattern in way of thinking and behavior for each individual and not only as a race!..e.g: our gods from Asgard are always quick to judge, act hastily and impose their will...Bren, Thor, Frey,Dag; while Jotuns are more observant and cautious: Loki, Ferbauti and Gymir are prime examples...this is attention to details!^_^)
Also, we have myths and connections between the Gods well intertwined to our story (we get Gymir, Gerd, Ferbauti, explenations to Skye attachment to Sif, Surt, and more info on Val), and lots of worldbuilding (Niflheim,Jotunheim, Asgard, a description of the Muspells teritory..all the good stuff! ^^)
Overall, this book is a corner stone in my opinion. It gives the solid worldbuilding; supplies necessary explanations for characters and their connections with each other; shows how the magic is working and all the supernatural elements are explaining; plus it's shaping a more profound romance for both Jenna and Bren and Jenna and Loki.(I reduced half a star due to some repetitive actions during the jurney..it was quite obvious that time passing needs to be felt, but more details shouldn't be avoided due to fear of losing the reader...he/she/they will enjoy it very much given the rest of the book and the author's writing style)
I highly recommend this series! I really think that fans of a slow burn romance and fans of yearning will surely enjoy this! :)
Enjoy
The 3rd book in the "Winter Fire" series feels like a much needed comeback after book 2,where the focus was onto Jenna and her confusion on how to react at what was happening around her.
"Aurora" is a book mainly about plot development, well crafted lore and connections vital for the story and character journey, and, last but not least, construction of a new relationship between Jenna and Loki - what kind of relationship? read and find out! ^_^
This installment assured me that I need to read the whole series, because I absolutely have to know what happens!
I want to pay special attention to Loki and his role in this book. I really enjoyed his portrayal as more of a quiet individual, that thinks deeply and never shares more than strictly necessary in order to keep an advantage in the game he's currently playing. He doesn't have a playfull side...which is understandable, given the fact that for a majority of the plot, we don't see amusing situations, distractions or lighter topics as a forfront, but heavy subject and what happens with the God at Ragnarok - and we all know that Loki is captive until it begins...so ,yes, he's character fits the plot very well.
I enjoyed Jenna's struggle with Bren and Loki, the feelings she gets from both of them and what exactly does that make her. I think the author handled very well this narrative thread. Usualy I don't like any kind of "cheating", but here is more of a feeling Jenna gets from Loki. Also, i think her image of Bren is deconstructed very well, which ,again, is normal. She meets Ullur, and not Bren - and that will affect her given the differences. As with Loki...I believe she's finding a constant in him, due to the fact he was himself from the first contact.
I'm happy Dubay doesn't follow the old narrative of turning the first guy bad/evil/abusive/etc. in order to make the second seem a better fit for the MC. Instead she makes Jenna struggle with her subconcious, makes her try to ignore signs of change in her and her relationships (both with Bren, and Loki) and even gives her a reprive in the final part of the book(the whole thing with Sif :) ^^) In this moment, I'm not convinced that Dubay will make Jenna choose Loki over Bren or vice versa...this is good writing! I look forward to further development! ^^
Another positive is the cultural aspects in Aesir, Jotun and Venir introduces due to plot. That is much appreciated and I think gives a high value to the text.(we can see a similar pattern in way of thinking and behavior for each individual and not only as a race!..e.g: our gods from Asgard are always quick to judge, act hastily and impose their will...Bren, Thor, Frey,Dag; while Jotuns are more observant and cautious: Loki, Ferbauti and Gymir are prime examples...this is attention to details!^_^)
Also, we have myths and connections between the Gods well intertwined to our story (we get Gymir, Gerd, Ferbauti, explenations to Skye attachment to Sif, Surt, and more info on Val), and lots of worldbuilding (Niflheim,Jotunheim, Asgard, a description of the Muspells teritory..all the good stuff! ^^)
Overall, this book is a corner stone in my opinion. It gives the solid worldbuilding; supplies necessary explanations for characters and their connections with each other; shows how the magic is working and all the supernatural elements are explaining; plus it's shaping a more profound romance for both Jenna and Bren and Jenna and Loki.(I reduced half a star due to some repetitive actions during the jurney..it was quite obvious that time passing needs to be felt, but more details shouldn't be avoided due to fear of losing the reader...he/she/they will enjoy it very much given the rest of the book and the author's writing style)
I highly recommend this series! I really think that fans of a slow burn romance and fans of yearning will surely enjoy this! :)
Enjoy
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and War