Storm the Earth is the sequel to Shatter the Sky. Sequels are always tough to review in general but this one in patricular is even tougher to really wrap me feelings around. I found Storm the Earth a decent series opener. Lesbians and dragons! You can't get any better than that. It saw beautiful writing, a slowburn romance, and riveting character arcs, and these are even more prominent in the sequel—I dare say they got even better.

Well's writing in this book is simply delectable. I’d forgotten how much I loved each word that Wells crafts—all of them feel so meaningful and valuable, and paint such a lovely picture of the setting, the characters, and their emotions. It’s elegant and fits the story so well, and it is so easy to devour and tempts you into reading more and more without you realizing.

While there were some things that didn’t quite work for me with this sequel, it was not enough to diminish my overall enjoyment of and love for this book and series. With truly gorgeous prose, an achingly heartwarming romance, and compelling characters, this makes a really great series to read.

3.75 Stars. This was better than I expected. After reading book one a few days ago, I was concerned that I might have some trouble with this read. I do my best to always keep an open mind so I read this book tonight with fingers crossed. I’m happy to say that not only was it better than I expected, but it was also more fun and exciting than book one was. But, and unfortunately there is a but, some of my worries did in fact come true. It was a pretty big disappointment because had some things gone differently, I would have loved this book instead of just liked it.

I want to start with the good part first. It won’t be any surprise but dragons, dragons, and more dragons. There is the cutest baby dragon ever, a giant take your breath away kind of dragon, and then plenty of fire breathing dragons. I really liked the storyline behind the dragons and I enjoyed how the main character Maren interacted with them. In fact all the scenes with Maren were really fun to read.

On to the parts that were disappointing. The number one thing really was the romance. I heard this series was going to be a sapphic romance with dragons, which is why I read this. The problem was the first book was basically a set-up for a M/F romance instead. And sure enough that’s where this book was leaning toward again. And even though Wells made the girlfriend into this awful character all of a sudden -so that she was always fighting with Maren- at least they had angry chemistry and some passion together. The prince character Maren had an opportunity to fall for was a bump on a log that was either always captured or injured and did not have one lick of chemistry at all with Maren. I’m okay with showing some growth which leads to two people no longer being a match but why couldn’t Maren have a chance to fall in love with a kickass princess instead? Luckily, there was so much action in this book that there was very little time for romance.

The other issue I had was the book split into two POV’s. Book one was only about Maren, this book we were stuck in the princes’ POV too. And the problem with that is he was just so boring. I didn’t get the appeal of him at all. Some scenes were interesting because we got to see the main “bad guy” up close, and finally he was not just a name. But quickly I would tire of this lackluster prince character and wished we were back flying with Maren and the dragons.

As you can see I have two pretty big complaints, but I still had a lot of fun with this book. Every scene with Maren was really entertaining and I was complete absorbed into her parts of this book. If only the prince character had disappeared or been really different, I would have loved this. I can’t really recommend this to someone looking for a wlw romance with dragons, but I would recommend it to people looking for just a YA fantasy read. Had I not had my hopes up for what this book appeared to be, I wonder if I would have been less disappointed. But even that would not have changed how completely boring the prince was.

Thank you kindly to Simon & Schuster for this ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.

3.5 STARS


When we left off in Shatter the Sky, everything turned on its head.


In the first book, Maren learned that the Aurati that kidnapped her girlfriend relied on the great dragon Naava to supply their prophecies, and that without her, they are little but false prophets. More than that, Maren learned it would be her power, her connections to the dragons that could save Zefed and Ilvera from the cruel machinations of Rafael, the emperor of Zefed and so-called Flame of the West.

Now, in Storm the Earth, Maren has to come to terms with her new responsibilities and the expectations placed upon her, not to mention the changing dynamics between her and Kaia. It's a rapidly changing world, and though it's one where she might have power, that doesn't make it easy.


My absolute favorite feature was the nuance of relationships, especially between Maren, Kaia, and Sev.


Normally, miscommunication frustrates me to no end. I despise when characters can't seem to tell each other how they're feeling and why. But that's because I most often run into miscommunication when there's little justification for it. Here, though, Rebecca Kim Wells goes to outstanding lengths to craft a realistic, crumbling relationship. 

It's not that Maren and Kaia don't want to communicate. But after the things Kaia endured at the hands of the Aurati, and Maren discovering her own independence without Kaia around to take the lead, neither girl is exactly who she used to be. They struggle to communicate more often than not because they've changed in ways that don't just go away with a good night's sleep and a hot meal.

Is it disappointing, to see these girls falling out of love? Of course! I want them to be happy, to find happiness. But that's a potential reality of first love: you fall out of it. 

I also appreciated that Maren is absolutely bisexual. There's no denying the fact that she loves Kaia, but she loves Sev as well. And while I do wish that we'd seen a more polyamorous route (Maren has two hands! everyone say she has heartmates, plural!), I genuinely loved the nuance and heartbreak that came from Maren and Kaia no longer sharing the bond they used to.


Where Storm the Earth lies at fault is in its plot depth.


Like Shatter the Sky, unfortunately, Storm the Earth has an amazing concept and lovable characters, but not nearly enough depth of plot. This time around, Sev's POV introduces an element of political intrigue that lies in strong contrast to Maren's more action-oriented escapades. That alone, I think, needed more time and depth, given that Sev finds himself in the court of the man who murdered his family, among other connections to his past that he's been on the run from in order to remove Rafael from power. There's so much rich emotional potential there, so much backstory that could be explored, and so many more complications. To watch things play out almost as expected, with minimal twists and turns, is something of a disappointment.

And Maren's POV, too, could have used some greater depth. Sure, I loved the exploration of her changing relationship with Kaia. Truly, I think it was outstanding. And I also have a soft spot for her journey from timid and passive to decisive and bold. But at the end of the day, some moments felt a bit too impersonal, or simply too flat. Or maybe the word I want is straightforward. No matter the word I choose, though, my feelings remain the same: I wanted more, and I didn't want it quite so linear or predictable.


In the end, this is a duology worth the time, if only you love dragons.


Is it silly to say this after complaining about the lack of depth? Hardly! If you're after a light read in the spirit of HTTYD, complete with a bisexual lead discovering her own confidence and her own heart, this duology is sure to satisfy that itch. It's not as if Shatter the Sky or Storm the Earth are bad books! I've given them 3.5 stars each because they don't suit me 100%, which is the eternal curse of subjectivity in reviews. Never does go away, does it?

Anyhow, if you think Storm the Earth is for you, then good news! It hits shelves in just two days, on October 13th. That's just enough time to place a last minute pre-order if you're so inclined, ensuring that gays and dragons and gays with dragons end up on your TBR! Personally, I can't pass that up! 🐉



CW: violence, sex scene (fade to black), loss of a loved one, torture, graphic injury, gore (including eye gore), nudity, animal abuse, animal death

[This review will go live on Hail & Well Read at 2 PM EST on 10/11/20.]

While Shatter the Sky seemed to be centered around Maren's quest for Kaia, Storm the Earth is about evolution. Because, what always fascinated me in stories, was what happens when they're reunited? We hear the stories about how they fall into each others arms and reconcile. But is that all there is? I flat out adored how Storm the Earth delves deeply into this question. Don't get me wrong, there's plenty of action, even more dragons than I remember in the first, but there's also glorious character development and exploration of what comes next.

Because in that whole journey, we're being tested, learning more about ourselves than we could have ever thought. Everything Maren knew was called into question. And that experience leaves a scar. In Storm the Earth, Maren has to truly figure out who she is, especially as Kaia's re-emergence reveals old patterns of behavior. When we've been together with someone for a while, or in the throes of first love, we can become stuck as the person we were when we met. It's one of those trials for a relationship, can it evolve? Is the person we become someone we still love?

What an incredible sequel. Storm the Earth is the second novel in Wells Shatter the Sky duology, and it is as amazing as the first.

Riveting Story
The story is possibly the best part of the series. For fans of dragon lovers, this is sure to satisfy because it has so many. There are times when the dragon-human bond is reminiscent of the Inheritance series by Christopher Paolini, but Storm the Earth stands on its own.

The novel continues the journey of Maren, picking up where the previous novel left off, where she is on the run on the back of an ancient and powerful dragon after rescuing her girlfriend, Kaia. It is such a compelling and action-packed way to start the novel, gripping the reader and thrusting them into this journey.

However, the action continues from there. Naava has tasked Maren with freeing the dragons to earn her help. Considering Naava has been held captive by humans for centuries. For Maren, alongside her girlfriend and the dragon kit she has bonded with, this is more than acceptable. Coming from the mountains, she has dreamed a time when the dragon tyrant no longer ruled, and that moment comes with her.

However, what is more, is the fact that Wells has decided to expand upon the perspectives of the story. Whereas the first novel followed Maren, this novel now follows Sev, the shadow prince. Sev was her companion in the previous novel and there was an attraction growing between the characters, adding in some tension between Maren and Kaia. Moreover, the reader gets to know Sev intimately in this novel.

Wells reveals bits and pieces of who Sev was before the tyrant took over, more about his past and who he was versus the person she is now. The reader can connect to him more strongly in this novel because his emotions and flashbacks, his pain, gives the story more layers and dimension.

Thrilling Characterization
While the reader gets to know Sev intimately, the reader sees just how much Maren has changed since she first started this journey. Not only that, but her relationship with Kaia has changed as well.

Ultimately, Kaia is unlikable in this novel and her inability to accept how Maren has changed makes her bitter and resentful. Kaia was always the girl in charge, always the one making the decision who wanted to make a mark on the world.

Nevertheless, it seems as though everything she wanted Maren has gotten. There is much tension between the two of them because of this that results in making Kaia undeserving of Maren.

Maren, for her part, does try, but after this journey, the reader sees just how much she has changed and grown, reflecting in the strain between the two girls. Maren has become a formidable character, growing in such a way that makes her compelling for the reader. It is great to see her come ahead, to be strong and decisive, to see her grow into her power of dragon song.

Final Thoughts
Storm the Earth is an excellent conclusion to a great series. It is filled with emotional and action-packed tension, leading the story to be compelling from beginning to end.