Grounded

Airborne Saga #2

by Constance Sharper

At last, Avery thought that she had made it back to a normal high school life-- except for the death threats on her head and the harpie in her backyard. Trouble never stays far away though, and Mikhail hatches a plan that endangers life as she knows it. Avery is drawn back into a vicious harpie war and is finally forced to confront her relationship with Mason whether she is ready to or not.

Genres: Young Adult, Mythology, Romance, Paranormal, Fantasy, Magic, Greek Mythology

260 pages, Paperback

First published September 13, 2011

About the author

Constance Sharper juggles following her writing passion with completing her doctorate degree. She's been a lover of urban fantasy and young adult books, and published The Airborne Saga as her first series. She continues to write multiple books in the same and similar genres. She currently lives with her beagle and wishes a Starbucks would open up nearby.


Details of her whereabouts are best found at her site http://www.constancesharper.com or by following her twitter @CSibline.


Personal note:
I wish I could say I was on Goodreads as much as I should be, but I rarely am these days. So anyone who is trying to contact me, if you don't get a response from my Goodreads account, PLEASE email me! I don't ignore people, but I probably haven't checked my goodreads inbox!

As for questions in regards to book reviewers:
Unfortunately at this time I am unable to give out any paperback copies of my books to reviewers!
As for other questions about the books, most answers can be found on my website! Check it out before contacting me.

And be prepared. The harpie invasion is coming!

Reviews

[Courtney Wyant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely... Well written and I fell in love with the characters and also the plot. It took me 3 days to finish and it would have taken less but I kept getting my Nook taken away from me so I had to span out my reading.

Mason and Avery FINALLY a couple. I kept thinking that Adalyn was going to get between them but thank God she did not and Avery and Mason got together in the end even with Adalyn trying to kill Avery a few time. It kept me entertained on the way to a football game when I had nothing else to do so I grabbed my Nook, Mp3 player, and a package of gum.

There was finallly some romance between the two of them instead of the constant battering and Avery crushing on Mason. Mason fianlly returns the romance on Avery. Also new guy name Patrick, other than trying to kill Avery a few time, I reaelly liked him even though he tried to break up Avery and Mason by saying that Mason is just going to leave her when he becomes prince because a Prince can not have a human wife.

Patrick Smith : He has a cocky personallity that matches his grin. He is described tall, even for a harpy reaching about 6'10. He tried to get the attention of Avery and almost succeeded but Mason came in. Patrick said that he didn't want to kill Avery but he owed Adalyn alot so he tried to follow Masons ex-finaces orders but failed. Last fact about Patrick is that he is wanted dead or alive from the Harpy Prison with a reward for finding him.

I found two errors. One of them i can not remember but when I do I will post it but when Mason and Patrick were going to fight ,so that either Patrick had to stay away from Adalyn or Patrick gets to go on a date with Avery, it described Mason as the taller one and Patrick as the bulky one with muscles while in the front of the book it described it vise versa.


Alll together I loved it and cant wait til the next book in the series

[B at Spare Time Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very good follow up to book 1. I enjoyed the character development that happened. Harpies are so different from the traditional supernatural creatures popular right now. It's nice to have something new and refreshing to read about! I'm also glad that Mason finally made a choice! It will ne very interesting to see what happens next! With the transfer of magic and a new leader!

[Julie Salinas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Constance Sharper for an ARC copy of Grounded, sequel to Airborne. Avery and Mason, are they friends by circumstance or will the relationship develop into more than an awkward alliance? Just when I thought I could predict what would happen, twists and turns developed that were unexpected. Characters I didn't like became likable, but then who were the real enemies? Could Avery be *gasp* wrong? She makes choices,but are they the right ones? This is a fast paced story that makes for a good read. I want to believe in Harpies, I really do! And Sharper makes you believe that they are real.

[Rebecca Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Constance Sharper has done it again! (Kept me completely engrossed, that is.) Grounded is the sequel to Airborne, and in it we find Avery and Mason fighting not only sinister harpies, but also those who are trying to keep them apart. Grounded has as much, if not more, action as Airborne, and fans of Sharper definitely won’t be disappointed.

[Angel Charms · Rating 5 out of 5]

Constance Sharper didn't dissapoint me. This book was just as good as the first one, if not better. Loved all chars, story, narration and everything.

[Mia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grounded is the second installment from Constance Sharper's exhilarating Airborne Saga. I really enjoyed the first book, Airborne, and left me wanting for more so I was really looking forward into reading Grounded. I had high expectations on this one because Airborne was really amazing. And Grounded did not disappoint!

One of the reasons why I really love the Airborne Saga is because there is always something happening that will catch your attention. Constance has her own way of doing that brilliantly and that's one of the things I absolutely love about her. The whole plot was engrossing and gripping!! I feel so lucky to be able to read this! Seriously, if you haven't picked up this book or the first one, you should grab one ASAP!

Avery, as always, I love her! She's still the spunky yet caring and independent girl I've known from the first book, if not tougher. I love the fact that sometimes she doesn't need Mason in order to get herself out of trouble or save herself. She's definitely far from a "damsel in distress". And finally, finally, after enduring the painful tension they had on the first book, Avery and Mason are finally together! As in as a couple. This is perhaps one of the reasons why I'm looking forward to Grounded. They complement each other and I also love how much faith they have on each other, it's just so cute and romantic!

The supporting characters are also entertaining and added certain thrill on the story. Leela got involved on the whole Harpie thing but she quickly redeemed herself. On the other hand, Adalyn finally got what she deserved (cue evil laughs) Okay, I don't hate her that much, just a little (Teehee!). Eva, hmmm, I have a feeling about this Harpie girl and it's not a good one. Then, there is a new character (sort of), Patrick, who is another Harpie, and a strong and flirtatious one, too. He's kind of interesting and I hope we can learn more about him on the next installment, Windswept.

If you enjoyed Airborne, you'll love Grounded! I think this is my favorite Airborne book. It's intense and definitely addictive! I highly recommend this refreshing Urban Fantasy adventure about Harpies!

[Joshua Weston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

[Kim (Sliced Open Reviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

YES! YES! YES! YES! KNOCK OUT! Constance Sharper did it, she REALLY did it. Sharper surpassed every single preconceived notion of mid-series novels I have ever had and/or felt. She must have found the cure for the “mid-series blues” because there was NO sign of it here, I mean none, not even a hint. Beyond that, she created a second book with what I think is a stronger plot than the first.

Grounded takes off right where Airborne left us hanging, and yes, I do mean hanging because Shaper also created an AMAZING cliff hanger in Airborne (good thing I got to read both back to back because I’m extremely impatient!). She also ties up somethings in this book for me. I had some strange feelings about our main characters in the first book, not bad feelings, but just really different…

Expert from my review of Airborne:

Sharper also managed to do something with the main characters that I have never experienced before. She created a female-lead that meets my high expectations, she created a male-lead-love interest that I never fell for, but still love, and a female-2nd-lead (BF to the lead) that I love to hate – sounds interesting, right? That’s because it is and it is one of the things I fell in love with most with this book.

Quick overview of main characters:

Avery: is the type of heroine that I like to read, she’s strong, slightly “forward” and I just love female leads that aren’t whiney and scared. She’s strong and I definitely fell right in pace with her.

Mason: tall, dark, mysterious, slightly aggressive and while most YA authors fight to make you swoon for the male lead, I have to admit, I never fell for Mason. In my mind it worked out well, because it keeps me reading to see the relationship grow and try and understand Avery’s passion. So, maybe it will come, and I will swoon as usual!

Leela: well, Leela and I have a love hate relationship. I love to hate her. I’m not sure why, I still cannot pin point the exact reason that I have this feeling. And while I love to hate her, I love to read her. Another extremely amazing thing about Constance Sharper’s writing, it is not very frequently that I hate a character, but love to read them. I just think there is something buried under Leela that will come out…I will just have to sit back and wait!

So, in Grounded we keep all of the above characters and build a couple other prominent ones that I will get to in a minute, first, let’s revisit each character:

Avery: Sharper held strong with Avery, never abandoning the strong sense of who this character is.
Mason: Ok I was totally right, I think I started to swoon somewhere in Grounded, but I like that I had to wait and let my feelings for him develop, keeps it real and a lot less “loved you the moment I met you” which is very refreshing in a YA read.
Leela: well, I don’t like to include spoilers, but I will try and keep the spoiler rate low here, my strange feelings for her were totally justified and while I still have a love-hate feeling for her, at least now I understand why!

In this book we also add Mikhael, Patrick and Adelyn to what I would call the main character pool. Sharper also does an outstanding job with them, keeping up with her ability to create mystery behind each character to keep pulling you in. I’m still a bit floored at Sharper’s development of characters, I find it unique, but simple, she somehow knows when its right to give you just enough about a character to keep you going until she gives you a little bit more, building and building upon each characters background and present.

Sharper kept up with her action in this book as well, and dare I say that I was further on the edge of my seat for this book than in the first?! I think I can, because I was surely immersed, ignoring phone calls and all to keep reading!

Now I sit, attempting to reign in my impatient attitude, for the release of Windswept…don’t know the official release date yet, but be sure to watch for an Anticipation update for it!

Review by Sliced Open Reviews
Source: Purchased

[Jagged · Rating 1 out of 5]

Uh...well, as you can see...this book took me five days to read...
That. Doesn't. Happen. Often.

Why did I finish this? I don't even know.

Anywho...what was up with referring to Leela as "the girl"? And Nate as "the boy"? I honestly cannot remember if this took place in the first book...but I can tell you, I really noticed it in this book. It was really kind of degrading to the characters. It made me feel like I wasn't supposed to take them seriously, or even really consider them true characters to this story.
Perhaps this would have been picked up by an editor...as with a lot of the other editing issues.

There was all this notoriety going down with the harpies which confused the holy hell out of me. How could their behaviour and emotions be notorious if no one knows they exist? I get it, Sharper had to make it seem like Avery actually knew what she was talking about, but yeah, she didn't...

The plot annoyed me. This was written in a way that was very patronizing to the reader. The plot was so dumbed down, that things were explained to you at least three times, just in case you couldn't understand it the second time around. The plot was not complex. There really was no need for this.

*Nit pick* There is just no way the conversation between Avery and Mason took 5 minutes while she was hiding out in the bathroom.

I don't know, I just couldn't really see Avery actually playing politics and battle planning with the harpies. None of it was plausible. She really needed to be a stronger character with more intelligence for the role she was given. She just didn't fit the bill.

I also had an issue with the magic not working for the majority of the book, then miraculously kicking ass later on. I suppose all this "growing" that was being mentioned was meant to explain this. And I would have been fine with it had there been some kind of build up to her being able to do some damage, rather than how suddenly, and conveniently, her magic was now effective. Especially in the time frame given. In one battle she barely phases the harpies, yet minutes later she's frying Mikhail? No...I don't think so.

The romance...Oh my. I can't really call it romance. Avery and Mason were not a good fit. Avery breaks up with Mason, and then somehow she expects him to still be her boyfriend? Their relationship was all over the place. There was no actual connection between them.

There was a need for characterization. They all talked and pretty much acted the same. The only true distinction between the lot of them were their names. Not good.

That aside: the overall idea behind this series wasn't horrible. I definitely preferred the first book over this one. I most certainly will not be reading the next one. If there had been a way to make the first one a stand alone, I really think it would have been better that way.

[Marsha · Rating 3 out of 5]

(3.5 Stars). "Grounded" begins shortly after Avery returns to school. Her roommate and best friend, Leela has been acting strange and Avery is concerned that the thrall placed upon her by Mikhail is not totally gone. To make matters worse, Mason is going to Portland to see his fiance, Adalyn. Although Avery has been fighting her attraction to Mason, the news of his impending reunion with Adalyn the harpie is not welcomed.

While Mason is away, Adalyn send a harpie, Patrick to protect Avery. Ha! Like we are going to believe that. Patrick tries to make the moves on Avery but when he is unsuccessful, he tries to kill her. After narrowly escaping with the aid of all people, Nate, she reconnects with Mason. They proceed to try to avoid a harpie war and take over by Mikhail.

I enjoyed this second book in the series; but, I must admit it was not as good as the first. At times, the plot was a little ridiculous and unbelievable. For example, Avery is gone from school for a week and no one calls her family, nor do they try to reach her. Additionally, I tired of the bickering between her and Mason. One minute they are a couple; then, the next they're off. I felt at times Sharper was extending the plot because she did not have a clear sense of where she wanted their relationship to go.

Finally, this time Mason and Avery's relationship just did not work for me. Despite the off and on situation, they just did not have as much chemistry as before. After a few stolen kisses we are expected to believe that they are ready to commit to each other forever. Avery is 17 not twelve! I am hoping that the next book in the series, "Windswept" will provide greater clarity and get back to the interesting storyline from the first book.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grounded is the second installment in the Airborne Sage by Constance Sharper and what a wonderful sequel it was! It was well written and I was completely engrossed in Avery's story once again!

The story starts off where the first one left off - at that huge cliffhanger I might add! Avery is back and school and Mason is hiding out in the forests once again trying to keep an eye out for the harpies that want her dead. Since there hasn't been any attacks in the last few weeks Mason lets Adalyn talk him into visiting her. Mason still has another harpies come to keep an eye on everything, but the harpies, Patrick, is a friend of Adalyn's.

Patrick is a very confident and flirtatious kind of harpies. He likes to try to come onto Avery a couple times throughout the book. Although Avery has a feeling that things aren't all that they seem to be with him she puts those thoughts on the back burner because her BFF Leela is acting very strange. She is secretive and out all hours of the night and Avery will stop at nothing to find out why she is being this way.

All Avery wanted to do was go back to school and graduate high school, but it doesn't look like it is going to happen. With Patrick being untrustworthy, Mason out of the picture and Leela acting so strange Avery is thrust back into the harpies world again fighting for her and her friends lives.

Grounded was just as action packed as Airborne so readers will be pleased! There is more romance and wonderful writing that creates beautiful scenes all throughout the story. I loved Grounded more than I liked Airborne I think. :) If you haven't read this series then you need to. It is a must read if you're looking for something completely different!

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, I really liked the first book and honestly, I liked this one too but as much as it pains me to say, what the HELL was up with Avery. It was like she was getting stupider, she just kept doing the same dumb stuff as she did in the first book. By now, she should have known to not give away her location but she kept doing that and going places alone. Good grief girl, you're still in grieve danger. I don't know this book didn't really tell you much about anything, nothing more about the powers, nothing more about the father, it was just a book so Harper and Avery to get together. I like them together, I do but he just got out of a relationship so it's kind of ridiculous to rush and he annoyed me too. Seriously, you're fiancee is a freaking psycho, why do you keep talking to her? Anyhow I liked it though, I can't wait for the third one soooo I rate this 3.2 stars.

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want a story that will keep you on edge, with snark a little lust and a pn emotion not normally associated with harpies aka love. This books for you...

Avery and Mason are hiding in plain site she's back at school but something is up on more fronts than one. Mason called away by his ex-fiancé leaves a friend of hers to watch over Avery, however Patrick is not quite what one would expect or want in a protector. Things spiral out of control quickly.

Mikhal is not going to give up his hunt for Avery and Mason and learning that someone unexpected is helping him makes decisions more difficult to make.

Avery has not one but two people out to kill her will either be successful?

Will Mason finally make his choice clear between Avery and Avalyn?

When the dust settles who will remain?

This is a great fast paced read I thoroughly enjoyed it hope you will too.

Happy reading!

[Mel (Daily Prophecy) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Avery and Mason are back. Mikhael is after them, because they stole the magic he want to posses. We also get to meet Patrick. First, he tries to kill Avery in order to his debt to Adelyn, but he actually likes Avery. Blablabla. That wasn't such an interesting development.

They ultimately face Mikhael and it's a pretty hard battle.

Overall, I liked the book, but as you can see, there's not really much happening. Most of the time it's about the fight between Avery and Mason. She likes him, she envies Adelyn, he denies his feeling, then admits he likes her. They fight again and they still end up with eachother. Yeah, bet you didn't expected that..

It was okay, but I liked the first one more.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing indie book done for the Airborne series. I did notice a few little errors in the book. Some concerning the size difference between Mason and Patrick's height. One part sounds like he's older and taller than Mason. Then later Patrick is said to be shorter and stockier. Make up your mind already. Hopefully we also get more backstory and development on Patrick's character next time. Also a few moments where past tense was used instead of the proper present tense (simply grammar). Otherwise I enjoyed the story and how the characters stepped up to the challenges, and also developed in their relationships. Can't wait for the Windswept novel next year!

[Tia · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Grounded, Avery returns back to school, soon Mason leaves her to head back to his ex-fiance to figure some stuff out but not before his ex-fiance sends a man named Patrick to "protect" her.

Avery's best friend ends up betraying her and Patrick tries to kill her, so she flees once again from her boarding school and rushes to the love of her life's side; Mason.

Together they find out what Mikhail and The Band are doing. They join forces with their other enemies to attempt to defeat Mikhail and his Band. The enemy of my enemy is my friend.

The ending is WIDE open but had a lot of finality to it, so you get ready for the next book.

[Mischa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Re-read in 2020: Oh wow, now I totally get why this series was my favorite. Regretfully, I cannot keep this at the 5 stars it was on previously, like I did with the four-star review of the first installment, because that would be just too much (especially considering the grammar errors in this one), but this is, genuinely, a really, really good four-star-read. It was packed full of action, the story flew a bit better than in the first installment, and the writing also lost some of its naïvety. Overall, I'm so happy I'm enjoying this series even several years down the line. Such a nice feeling when that happens.

[Kami Dodson-Perry · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book wrapped up a lot of the loose ends which is nice in case there is not a 3rd one. It also left saying a lot is to come in the lives of Avery & Mason so it seems that the story will continue in book 3. I will be on the lookout for it. In this 2nd part of the story Avery & Mason become a lot closer & Mason has to choose between the 2 woman who love him. He also now has to deal with the magic that he absorbed from Avery. Avery tries to teach Mason how to use the power/magic within himself. There is a lot of fighting still just like book 1. Patrick is introduced, a stranger with no past to speak of, who is he, can he be trusted & whose side is he really on.

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first book in the series, Airborne, I thought was ok and it had potential. I wasn't exactly blown away by it but I decided to give Grounded a chance anyway as i thought it may get better. Especially since it's under £2 on Amazon.

I am so glad I did. This book was excellent, it had a stronger more interesting plot line, the characters had more depth and there was a lot of time devoted to the relationship between the main characters. Although annoyingly Adalyn is still around for the majority of the book.

Is there a next one in the series? If so I would definately read the next installmant.

[Tamis Guarnero · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me encanto!!!! Por primera vez creo que la protagonista no fue tonta ni nada por el estilo eso me gusto xD

Mason ♥ aunque hubo memento en que lo quise golpear aun así lo quiero.

El libro es genial, tiene un buen ritmo, muy buenos personajes, y sobre todo la acción y romance son muy buenos!! No puedo esperar para leer el 3.

[Regina · Rating 4 out of 5]

not bad for a sequel though Mason annoyed me a little in this one...gosh its called communication. He kinda sucks at it....Adalyn is still a bi--atch, no surprise there...i will probably read the next book.

[Sasha]

Can't wait

[Tjaša · Rating 5 out of 5]

F***** amazing...even better than the first one...I can hardly wait for more...

[Jenie]

i can't wait :))

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

More of everything that keeps you wanting more!

[Krystle · Rating 4 out of 5]

As good as the first... leaves you wondering how life will work out for the main characters in book #3.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read. I really liked the whole harpie idea after I finally got used to it. Not to mention the tension between Mason and Avery was incredible!

[Minerva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grounded is the second book, Airborne the first, by Constance Sharper. I enjoyed both very well.
I hope there is a third. Avery was a very brave and strong character. I loved Mason.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series, I can't wait to read the next one!

[Melissa Simão · Rating 2 out of 5]

Might as well finish the series *groan*