Let the Sky Fall

Book review by Carrie R. Wheadon, Common Sense Media
Let the Sky Fall Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 12+

Ponderous backstory bogs down "air elemental" romance.

Shannon Messenger Fantasy 2013
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Parents say

age 16+

Based on 2 reviews

Kids say

age 12+

Based on 18 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this book.

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What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Let the Sky Fall is the first in Shannon Messenger's fantasy-romance series about beings called air elementals or sylphs. The romance doesn't get very physical, since lead characters Vane and Audra would be bonded for life if they kissed. Besides, they're more preoccupied with saving themselves from the beings who killed his parents and her father a decade before and who tortured and killed many others, including one family that was "torn apart like rag dolls." In a climactic battle, turbulent winds stab an enemy. Audra, a strong character working through a lot of guilt, will especially appeal to girls; the peaceable Vane makes for a good contrast and may inspire interesting discussions about the role of peacemakers in wartime.

Community Reviews

swajoed
swajoed Adult
November 19, 2021
age 18+

Overly erotic

I got halfway through before I quit reading it. The whole story is very erotic. There wasn’t any sex or nudity – at least not in the first half – but there is a LOT of attention given to the sexual attraction between the two main characters. It’s full of things like “my breath caught in my throat as I realized I was only a few inches from his bare chest“ and “when she took off her jacket I was disappointed that what she had underneath wasn’t small and lacy“ and “I could feel her heartbeat through her thin shirt.” Not only is the story more erotic and sexualized than I would want my kids reading, I decided it wasn’t great for me to be reading it either, which is why I quit halfway through. If you don’t mind the sexualization, I thought the story itself was fine.

This title has:

Too much sex
3 people found this helpful.
Sydrasquid123
Sydrasquid123 Adult
July 6, 2020
age 14+

Disapointed

I am very disappointed that Shannon messenger would make a book with cursing. I liked her other books but this one was in the no zone. The attire they are wearing is not something i want my kid wearing and the concept of two people having to kiss to save the world is not something i would not want to read about. if inappropriate scenes were gone I would not even consider to read the book my daughter is 8 and does not need any bad role models in her life. If i were you I would get keeper of the lost cities it has a good plot and is appropriate that is a book my kids had no trouble reading.

This title has:

Too much sex
Too much swearing
See all 2 parent reviews

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

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