Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie R. Wheadon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Ponderous backstory bogs down "air elemental" romance.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 12+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 2 parent reviews
Based on 23 kid reviews
Kids say this book features engaging characters and a captivating plot, though some found aspects of the romance and violence a bit inappropriate for younger readers. Many enjoyed the character development, particularly the dynamics between the two main characters, while some critics highlighted a perceived overemphasis on romantic attraction and mild language.
- engaging characters
- captivating plot
- romance dynamics
- mild language
- character development
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Vane thinks he's just another Southern California kid lazing through a summer, sweating it out in the desert heat and hoping to finally kiss a girl on a blind date. When the big moment finally arrives, a huge gust of cold wind knocks the would-be kissers apart. Enter Audra, an air elemental called a sylph, who's been secretly protecting Vane for the past 10 years -- because he's actually a sylph who's lost his memory and fated to be bound for life to the first person he kisses. Between warding off romantic partners and hiding Vane from the enemies who killed his parents, she's been busy. Vane and Audra finally meet, but, before he has a chance to understand the situation, he has to prepare for a cosmic battle while coping with romantic feelings for Audra.
Is It Any Good?
After werewolves, vampires, and angels, you can just see the publishers wondering what to do for an encore, and that's the book's only problem: the setup. Despite author Sharon Messenger's heroic efforts to keep readers interested with lush romantic scenery and tense personal struggles, there's a steep learning curve involving four winds and their personalities, the powers of sylphs, and Vane's role in the cosmic drama. Let the Sky Fall has some great characters and an intriguing twist at the end, setting up a sequel that benefits from the first book's world-building.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the appeal of fantasy romances. How are mythical and otherworldly creatures such as vampires, werewolves, and angels more romantic than mere mortals? Which are your favorites?
A big moral dilemma, in fiction and in real life, is whether violence is ever justified. What do you think? What might be some examples?
Do you like Let the Sky Fall enough that you think you'll continue with the series? Why, or why not?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , STEM
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Simon Pulse
- Publication date : March 5, 2013
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 12 - 17
- Number of pages : 416
- Available on : Paperback, Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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