Let the Storm Break (Sky Fall)
Vane and Audra and an intriguing cast of secondary characters return in Messenger’s solid second book in the Sky Fall series. While wrestling with the realization that he is not human—and will someday be a king—Vane also attempts to juggle his ongoing attraction to Audra, as well as figure out how to defeat a host of enemies determined either to use him for their own nefarious ends or simply eliminate him. Audra also struggles with her attraction to Vane, albeit from a distance, as she flees her own past and tries to come to grips with her current reality and potential future. Strikingly evil Raiden and multinuanced Solana stir the plot aplenty with their own motives and actions, all of which tangle together in a satisfying story. New directions, plot twists, and dangers seemingly at every turn keep the pace lively. A cliff-hanger ending may frustrate some readers, but it ensures eager anticipation for the next book. Grades 7-12. --Julie Trevelyan