I really enjoyed learning more about the Air and Stone worlds. Each has their own particular weaknesses and strengths. And each Otherself is the same in so many ways, but also shaped by their unique environment into a unique person. The battle to save the Mirror Worlds is heating up, with Qeturah trying to sabotage the worlds for her own gain.

Air and Stone world really stood out to me. The fun steam-punk feeling of air with their dirigibles and technology, with the very almost sci-fi/fantasy feel of Stone with gargoyles and a more dystopian culture. As each Otherself meets their mate - in unexpected forms - I began to see the pattern. A pattern that was familiar without being repetitive.

I would have liked to see a little more from Fire and Water, but they just didn't have as large a part in this one. I'm curious to see how the game Qeturah is playing ends up. The powers of the Mirror Worlds are beginning to align against her.

*I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of this book*

(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)

There is one True World, and then there are the four Mirror Worlds: Fire, Water, Air, and Stone.
Audrey and Dorotea are “otherselves”—twin copies of each other who live on different Mirror Worlds.
On Air, Audrey has the ability to communicate with wind spirits. As war looms, she’s torn between loyalty to her country and her feelings for a roguish phantom who may be a dangerous spy.
Blackouts and earthquakes threaten the few remaining humans on Stone, who have been forced to live underground. To save her injured sister, Dorotea breaks taboo and releases an imprisoned gargoyle. Brooding, sensitive Jasper makes her wonder if gargoyles are truly traitors, as she’s always been told.
Unbeknownst to them, they both face the same enemy—an evil sorceress bent on shattering all the Mirror Worlds.

This is the second book in the Otherselves series. It would be advisable to read these books in order.

This is one of those books - much like the first in the series - where you just know there is a really, really good story inside but you just find yourself scrambling to make heads or tails of the story-telling.

The highlights are definitely here - a fascinating world-building going on. I was drawn into the story easily and found myself eager to discover more about the world that these 'Otherselves' inhabit. Also, a series of definite characters that stand apart from one another (which doesn't always happen in YA fantasy fiction!) and their stories are very intriguing. The other positive, for me, was the strong female lead - it doesn't always work but this story has done it very well...

However, I found myself constantly frustrated by the way the story was put together. At times, I felt like I was left dangling, waiting for something to happen - the next chapter, it felt like everything was rushed and crammed in together. I do think that, if the author had gotten the flow of this story right, it would have rated far better from me.


Paul
ARH

Definitely a solid second book in this series - can't wait to read the third and find out what happens next!

Received a reader copy in exchange for a fair review.
Thanks to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for the opportunity to read and review Amid Wind & Stone by Nicole Luiken. This is book two of the Otherselves series, which brings two more worlds into the story along with all of the characters, relationships and politics of each world- air and stone, on top of the same information from the fire and water worlds. The author's creative imagination is astounding because of the complexity of each world and how she brings everything together and makes it all work to become a full-on adventure, fantasy story. I give this book 4 stars for the devious antagonist, the complete world building and the interesting characters!