What do you think?
Rate this book
The Stormers Trilogy #1
Retrieve
What if the job you took to stay alive might be what kills you?
Kade knows what it is to suffer. He knows what it's like to lose everything and everyone around him.
His job in a Stormer Unit guarantees not just his survival in the decimated country of Azetaria, but his sister Meg's. Even if it means facing the Numachi warriors baying for his blood, he'll do what it takes to keep her safe.
Hadley is alone and surviving the only way she knows how. By hiding where predators won't find her and scavenging enough just to keep her alive.
When desperation drives Hadley to search for her missing brother, she mistakenly accepts the offer of recruitment into the Stormer's camp, only to be partnered with Kade and sent as a scout into Numachi territory.
The intimidating young Stormer may just know where her brother has gone. But can they stay alive long enough to find him?
Kade knows what it is to suffer. He knows what it's like to lose everything and everyone around him.
His job in a Stormer Unit guarantees not just his survival in the decimated country of Azetaria, but his sister Meg's. Even if it means facing the Numachi warriors baying for his blood, he'll do what it takes to keep her safe.
Hadley is alone and surviving the only way she knows how. By hiding where predators won't find her and scavenging enough just to keep her alive.
When desperation drives Hadley to search for her missing brother, she mistakenly accepts the offer of recruitment into the Stormer's camp, only to be partnered with Kade and sent as a scout into Numachi territory.
The intimidating young Stormer may just know where her brother has gone. But can they stay alive long enough to find him?
Kindle Edition
First published December 26, 2018
88 people are currently reading
287 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Addison-Fox
17 books459 followersSarah Addison-Fox is a New Zealand misfit with a weakness for stubborn heroes, fierce heroines, and stories that throw punches—sometimes literally. Whether she’s writing YA dystopian or steampunk, expect fast action, big feelings, and romance by the truckload.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
December 5, 2018
I really can't decide if I should rate this book four stars or four and a half stars. This is definitely my favorite book that I've read from Sarah Addison-Fox to date.
The first half of the book reminded me of Mulan which was awesome because it was hilarious. Hadley and Kade were both fun characters and definitely had human limitations. When I first read that these characters were called "Stormers" I had thought that they hunted storms like a previous book that I had read (Roar) so I was pleasantly surprised to learn that these characters went on all sorts of retrievals, the "storms" were simply the code word they used for the items they were retrieving. I have always had a weak spot for mercenaries so I was totally on board with this.
I would have liked more Prince of Persia elements. I went in expecting fiances enemies turned lovers, timey-wimey plot twists, never knowing who to trust, lots of banter, and ancient items of power. And while Retrieve did have some Prince of Persia elements- they were not these. Kade really reminded me of Destan, both capable and strong and fully able to handle other men, or in the very least take a few punches from them, but the second a woman comes into a scene become a bumbling mess- a terrified bumbling mess. I think that if Destan had thought of it, that he would have made Tamina dress up like a boy too.
Honestly, I don't fully understand Hadley's paranoia around men. I mean sure that some guys are creeps, but she seemed to hold all men to that standard. How could she when she spent the book looking for her brother Thomas who she obviously cared about and wasn't a creep? She should have known that there were also good men out there but she didn't seem to.
One other side note: Sarah Addison-Fox sure can write injuries and pain though. Whenever her characters are coalescing I actually feel their pain, that's how descriptive it is.
There is some swearing in this, a bit more than I remember being in her other books. Some violence, I actually really admired the fact that Kade could and would kill people if it came to that. I have read books with too many "capable" characters who shy away from killing the bad guys opposing them.
There are also some uncomfortable situations having to do with small spaces and states of undress. Lots of mentions of the bindings covering Hadley's chest.
Many thanks to the author for the copy which she provided. I received a complimentary copy of this novel. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.
The first half of the book reminded me of Mulan which was awesome because it was hilarious. Hadley and Kade were both fun characters and definitely had human limitations. When I first read that these characters were called "Stormers" I had thought that they hunted storms like a previous book that I had read (Roar) so I was pleasantly surprised to learn that these characters went on all sorts of retrievals, the "storms" were simply the code word they used for the items they were retrieving. I have always had a weak spot for mercenaries so I was totally on board with this.
I would have liked more Prince of Persia elements. I went in expecting fiances enemies turned lovers, timey-wimey plot twists, never knowing who to trust, lots of banter, and ancient items of power. And while Retrieve did have some Prince of Persia elements- they were not these. Kade really reminded me of Destan, both capable and strong and fully able to handle other men, or in the very least take a few punches from them, but the second a woman comes into a scene become a bumbling mess- a terrified bumbling mess. I think that if Destan had thought of it, that he would have made Tamina dress up like a boy too.
Honestly, I don't fully understand Hadley's paranoia around men. I mean sure that some guys are creeps, but she seemed to hold all men to that standard. How could she when she spent the book looking for her brother Thomas who she obviously cared about and wasn't a creep? She should have known that there were also good men out there but she didn't seem to.
One other side note: Sarah Addison-Fox sure can write injuries and pain though. Whenever her characters are coalescing I actually feel their pain, that's how descriptive it is.
There is some swearing in this, a bit more than I remember being in her other books. Some violence, I actually really admired the fact that Kade could and would kill people if it came to that. I have read books with too many "capable" characters who shy away from killing the bad guys opposing them.
There are also some uncomfortable situations having to do with small spaces and states of undress. Lots of mentions of the bindings covering Hadley's chest.
Many thanks to the author for the copy which she provided. I received a complimentary copy of this novel. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.
December 28, 2018
Retrieve is the first book in a new series available on Kindle Unlimited. It’s a dystopian world. Survival is just the beginning.
Hadley is a female in a man's world. Her brother has gone missing and she has no means to look after herself. She needs food but her job prospects are looking slim. Now she has to leave her home if she doesn’t want to become a rich man's plaything.
Kade is part of the Stormer unit. His job is to retrieve the unattainable. Mission impossible, but when he does actually get the desired results he still gets in trouble because he didn’t follow protocol. There is a new guy in camp and a new mission. It’s simple, cross enemy lines and bring back the princess. His partner is the new guy but he has secrets and an agenda of his own.
Hadley dresses as a guy and takes refuge at a local warrior camp. She tries to stay under the radar long enough to gain some meat on her bones. Unfortunately, she’s about to be sent on a mission with Kade.
This is a potential romance novel with adventure. The plot is entertaining, I liked the world built around the characters and the twist made it exciting. This is the first book in a series, Retrieve is the first adventure. I can’t wait for the next book.
I’m a Kindle Unlimited subscriber but I received an ARC. The next book is due out at the end of January so not long to wait. My review is honest and my own. I would definitely recommend this book. 5 out of 5.
Hadley is a female in a man's world. Her brother has gone missing and she has no means to look after herself. She needs food but her job prospects are looking slim. Now she has to leave her home if she doesn’t want to become a rich man's plaything.
Kade is part of the Stormer unit. His job is to retrieve the unattainable. Mission impossible, but when he does actually get the desired results he still gets in trouble because he didn’t follow protocol. There is a new guy in camp and a new mission. It’s simple, cross enemy lines and bring back the princess. His partner is the new guy but he has secrets and an agenda of his own.
Hadley dresses as a guy and takes refuge at a local warrior camp. She tries to stay under the radar long enough to gain some meat on her bones. Unfortunately, she’s about to be sent on a mission with Kade.
This is a potential romance novel with adventure. The plot is entertaining, I liked the world built around the characters and the twist made it exciting. This is the first book in a series, Retrieve is the first adventure. I can’t wait for the next book.
I’m a Kindle Unlimited subscriber but I received an ARC. The next book is due out at the end of January so not long to wait. My review is honest and my own. I would definitely recommend this book. 5 out of 5.
December 7, 2018
I beta read this for Sarah and I loved it! It's a super fun, fast-paced, full of fun plot twists, and full of wonderful characters.
I really really liked Kade. He's such a hotheaded guy, but so loyal to his family. He makes my heart happy. And Hadley is a very interesting character that is in for quite the journey.
The plot and setting is super fun and intriguing, with plenty of action! I really enjoyed the world that she constructed, and I'm so looking forward to exploring it more in the next few books!
I really really liked Kade. He's such a hotheaded guy, but so loyal to his family. He makes my heart happy. And Hadley is a very interesting character that is in for quite the journey.
The plot and setting is super fun and intriguing, with plenty of action! I really enjoyed the world that she constructed, and I'm so looking forward to exploring it more in the next few books!
December 26, 2018
WHAT. AAHH. There was a HUGE plot-twist near the end that had me gobsmacked, staring at my screen, and then that cliffhanger! I need to know what’s going oooon! Book 2, I need you ASAP. *collapses*
Ahem. I’m getting ahead of myself. :P
This is a super enjoyable fantasy/kingdom-adventure type story, with a hint of Mulan and just a smidge of Prince of Persia. Our heroine, Hadley, pretends to be a boy and joins up with our hero, Kade, who has been sent as one of the Stormers—a sort of secret special missions group—to rescue a princess from a hostile nation.
I liked Hadley and how the POV switched back and forth between her and Kade so we could see how they were reacting all the time. She’s tough and determined at times, which I loved, but I also appreciated how she was still very much a young woman lost in this rough world, and how it’s okay if she needs to cry or wish for a bath or want to wear a dress and be feminine, without in any way detracting from her grit and determination. It was just cool, okay?
Kade was pretty awesome and you can’t help but like his stubbornness and how he just keeps going, and how he doesn’t let anything stop him—and sometimes his thick shell cracks a little and he’s nice to Hadley in his brusque way and she doesn’t realize it. XD He's so dedicated to his mission and always looking out for those he loves, in his own way. Kade’s the best!
These two were so fun to read about on their journey together, and their relationship from not trusting each other and arguing all the time turns into something more and they learn to work with each other—ish. I love them and totally ship them and need to see where their story goes. :D
It’s very exciting and there’s a lot of traveling in deserts and through either ghost-towns (plague, yay) or a colorful market town in enemy territory, with ambushes and fights and arrows and knives and sneaking around and climbing walls and ALL the survival. The writing sometimes made me wish it had been edited one more time (though I did read an ARC, which means it wasn't the final version) but it’s very punchy writing and could just be the style—and like I said, was very exciting!
The world was cool and I’m curious to learn more about the countries and what’s going on. The semi-desert-y setting for a lot of it was unique and neat, and I loved how the mysterious Numachi people and their culture kept us on our toes. So intense!
It could get a little brutal sometimes and there’s a little language and the usual awkwardness connected with a gal trying to pretend to be a boy for part of the book. So if any of that bothers you, it might not be your cup of tea. But it’s much tamer than, say, Six of Crows, and it’s a really good book and so exciting and I enjoyed it a ton! ^_^
And like I said, there was this enormous plot twist that I totally didn’t see coming and turned everything on its head and just alkdljk! That was pretty awesome. :D It was a solid four-star read but that totally made me bump it up because I was impressed. XD (Plus I just love Kade and Hadley. *cough*)
Butbutbut I NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS. It’s not, like, a horrible cliffhanger, but it definitely left me wondering what on earth is going on and where things are going to go next! :O
If you need me I’ll just be over here watching the calendar until the release date of the sequel, because I love these characters and need to know what happenssss. O_O
(I received an e-ARC from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.)
Ahem. I’m getting ahead of myself. :P
This is a super enjoyable fantasy/kingdom-adventure type story, with a hint of Mulan and just a smidge of Prince of Persia. Our heroine, Hadley, pretends to be a boy and joins up with our hero, Kade, who has been sent as one of the Stormers—a sort of secret special missions group—to rescue a princess from a hostile nation.
I liked Hadley and how the POV switched back and forth between her and Kade so we could see how they were reacting all the time. She’s tough and determined at times, which I loved, but I also appreciated how she was still very much a young woman lost in this rough world, and how it’s okay if she needs to cry or wish for a bath or want to wear a dress and be feminine, without in any way detracting from her grit and determination. It was just cool, okay?
Kade was pretty awesome and you can’t help but like his stubbornness and how he just keeps going, and how he doesn’t let anything stop him—and sometimes his thick shell cracks a little and he’s nice to Hadley in his brusque way and she doesn’t realize it. XD He's so dedicated to his mission and always looking out for those he loves, in his own way. Kade’s the best!
These two were so fun to read about on their journey together, and their relationship from not trusting each other and arguing all the time turns into something more and they learn to work with each other—ish. I love them and totally ship them and need to see where their story goes. :D
It’s very exciting and there’s a lot of traveling in deserts and through either ghost-towns (plague, yay) or a colorful market town in enemy territory, with ambushes and fights and arrows and knives and sneaking around and climbing walls and ALL the survival. The writing sometimes made me wish it had been edited one more time (though I did read an ARC, which means it wasn't the final version) but it’s very punchy writing and could just be the style—and like I said, was very exciting!
The world was cool and I’m curious to learn more about the countries and what’s going on. The semi-desert-y setting for a lot of it was unique and neat, and I loved how the mysterious Numachi people and their culture kept us on our toes. So intense!
It could get a little brutal sometimes and there’s a little language and the usual awkwardness connected with a gal trying to pretend to be a boy for part of the book. So if any of that bothers you, it might not be your cup of tea. But it’s much tamer than, say, Six of Crows, and it’s a really good book and so exciting and I enjoyed it a ton! ^_^
And like I said, there was this enormous plot twist that I totally didn’t see coming and turned everything on its head and just alkdljk! That was pretty awesome. :D It was a solid four-star read but that totally made me bump it up because I was impressed. XD (Plus I just love Kade and Hadley. *cough*)
Butbutbut I NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS. It’s not, like, a horrible cliffhanger, but it definitely left me wondering what on earth is going on and where things are going to go next! :O
If you need me I’ll just be over here watching the calendar until the release date of the sequel, because I love these characters and need to know what happenssss. O_O
(I received an e-ARC from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.)
December 18, 2018
4.5 Stars! <3 =D
Let the fandom come with all of its awesomeness that this book brings. Because it was just AWESOME!!!
So we have this really cool plot of trying to rescue a princess and nothing is going right, and they are in enemy territory.
Did I mention how I love books about going into enemy territory to rescue princesses??? Because I do, so there.
The World Building:
I really loved the world building in this book. Deserts have always been an interesting landscape for me. The ways the Stormers and the Numachi live is very interesting. The Numachi wear different color warpaint that distinguishes which group they live in. And some are really aggressive. =p And the Stormers go about trying to retrieve items in the Numachi territory. And they have a tattoo on their forearm. And the languages! Love the different languages added. =)
The Azetaria were starving. And the Amaria were some-what well off.
The Main Characters:
Hadley!!! So she was like awesome! (Yes, I know, that word is going to be used a lot). Anyway, she wasn't awesome in the sense that she was awesome but because she decided to pretend to be a boy to try to find her brother. Do you know how much courage it takes to do that? Especially since she was afraid of guys? Like scary. And even though she struggled in so many areas, she hardly ever complained and she just kept moving forward. Wow. I don't even know what to say, but I love her for this. She is the kind of person who I consider as being cool.
Kade, kinda annoyed me in this book at times. There were times he was just so hard on Hadley because he didn't want to babysit the newbies, then because she was a girl, and then so on and so on. But I love that deep down he actually cared for Hadley and kept doing things for her when he thought she wasn't looking and sometimes when she was. Yeah, he kinda grew on me after a while.
I love how the romance in this book is not instant; I hate instant romance, so I was glad when it was not that... Mostly they can't stand each other. But deep down... Read the book and find out!!!
Content in Book:
1. Hadley was pretending to be a boy, which resulted in a few embarrassing moments. Including: boys undressing and bathing in front of her. Asking her to undress and bathe, several times. A bathtub scene where Hadley is bathing with Kade's back to her, and Kade saw her "curves" and that she was a girl from looking at the reflection in his knife. Not too descriptive but a little more on the embarrassing side.
2. Some swearing.
3. Violence. (Hand-to-hand combat, arrows, knives, and lots of injuries. Not too descriptive).
4. Mentions of people starving.
5. Mentions of people selling their family members into slavery to make money. Other description of slavery. Some descriptions of what sometimes happens to women.
6. Mentions of other gods.
7. Stabbing a horse with a knife to avoid seeing Banshee wolves.
8. Mentions of an illness.
Will I Continue With the Other Books in the Series???
YES!!! I LIKE NEED TO KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT RIGHT NOW!!!!
Who Would I Recommend This Book To:
Those who like the kingdom/adventure genre. Those who like books with good world building. Those who like good characters.
Let the fandom come with all of its awesomeness that this book brings. Because it was just AWESOME!!!
So we have this really cool plot of trying to rescue a princess and nothing is going right, and they are in enemy territory.
Did I mention how I love books about going into enemy territory to rescue princesses??? Because I do, so there.
The World Building:
I really loved the world building in this book. Deserts have always been an interesting landscape for me. The ways the Stormers and the Numachi live is very interesting. The Numachi wear different color warpaint that distinguishes which group they live in. And some are really aggressive. =p And the Stormers go about trying to retrieve items in the Numachi territory. And they have a tattoo on their forearm. And the languages! Love the different languages added. =)
The Azetaria were starving. And the Amaria were some-what well off.
The Main Characters:
Hadley!!! So she was like awesome! (Yes, I know, that word is going to be used a lot). Anyway, she wasn't awesome in the sense that she was awesome but because she decided to pretend to be a boy to try to find her brother. Do you know how much courage it takes to do that? Especially since she was afraid of guys? Like scary. And even though she struggled in so many areas, she hardly ever complained and she just kept moving forward. Wow. I don't even know what to say, but I love her for this. She is the kind of person who I consider as being cool.
Kade, kinda annoyed me in this book at times. There were times he was just so hard on Hadley because he didn't want to babysit the newbies, then because she was a girl, and then so on and so on. But I love that deep down he actually cared for Hadley and kept doing things for her when he thought she wasn't looking and sometimes when she was. Yeah, he kinda grew on me after a while.
I love how the romance in this book is not instant; I hate instant romance, so I was glad when it was not that... Mostly they can't stand each other. But deep down... Read the book and find out!!!
Content in Book:
1. Hadley was pretending to be a boy, which resulted in a few embarrassing moments. Including: boys undressing and bathing in front of her. Asking her to undress and bathe, several times. A bathtub scene where Hadley is bathing with Kade's back to her, and Kade saw her "curves" and that she was a girl from looking at the reflection in his knife. Not too descriptive but a little more on the embarrassing side.
2. Some swearing.
3. Violence. (Hand-to-hand combat, arrows, knives, and lots of injuries. Not too descriptive).
4. Mentions of people starving.
5. Mentions of people selling their family members into slavery to make money. Other description of slavery. Some descriptions of what sometimes happens to women.
6. Mentions of other gods.
7. Stabbing a horse with a knife to avoid seeing Banshee wolves.
8. Mentions of an illness.
Will I Continue With the Other Books in the Series???
YES!!! I LIKE NEED TO KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT RIGHT NOW!!!!
Who Would I Recommend This Book To:
Those who like the kingdom/adventure genre. Those who like books with good world building. Those who like good characters.
May 15, 2021
WOW!!! This book was absolutely amazing, I could hardly put it down! :D I can not wait to read book 2!!
When I saw that the series was described as Prince of Persia meets Mulan, I knew I had to read it since Prince of Persia is one of my top favorite movies and I am a HUGE Disney fan ;) I was not disappointed :D
The worldbuilding though!! Sarah Addison-Fox did a fantastic job with this! It felt real and I could easily see everything that was described. I felt like I was actually there, which is hard to do for me sometimes. It isn't often that a book can make me forget where I am, but this one did and it was amazing! <3<3
Hadley and Kade are incredible main characters. Even though we learn a little more about Hadley throughout the book than we Kade, they both have very intriguing pasts. I look forward to learning more about Kade.
Content Note: There is violence, mild language, and mild sexual content.
I received a complimentary copy of this book for promotional purposes. A positive review was not required. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
When I saw that the series was described as Prince of Persia meets Mulan, I knew I had to read it since Prince of Persia is one of my top favorite movies and I am a HUGE Disney fan ;) I was not disappointed :D
The worldbuilding though!! Sarah Addison-Fox did a fantastic job with this! It felt real and I could easily see everything that was described. I felt like I was actually there, which is hard to do for me sometimes. It isn't often that a book can make me forget where I am, but this one did and it was amazing! <3<3
Hadley and Kade are incredible main characters. Even though we learn a little more about Hadley throughout the book than we Kade, they both have very intriguing pasts. I look forward to learning more about Kade.
Content Note: There is violence, mild language, and mild sexual content.
I received a complimentary copy of this book for promotional purposes. A positive review was not required. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 4, 2019
This was my first ever Sarah-Addison book, but I know for sure that it will not be my last!!! I jumped to the opportunity to read this book when the arc signups first started happening. I do not regret one thing.
Although can we please talk about this ending! Um, I know that the next book comes out next month but still I don’t think I can wait that long!!! I am hoping that Sarah has arcs for her next two books because honestly guys, I cannot wait to read the next two books!
Everything about this book drawls you in from the very first sentence. I finished the entire thing in three hours and could easy read the second book too, if it was out. But can I just say that Hayden and Kaden were great character and I cannot wait to read more about them!! *whispers* Hopefully we’ll get more romance.
Even though Kade annoyed me a lot at times, he still is on my list of best male protagonist. He's definitely up there!! xD
Hadley was an amazing character and I really liked her. Even though I couldn't relate to her on a few levels. I am very impressed by her bravery of dressing like a guy in order to try to find her brother.
I really cannot wait for the next book. The next three weeks cannot come soon enough!!
Although can we please talk about this ending! Um, I know that the next book comes out next month but still I don’t think I can wait that long!!! I am hoping that Sarah has arcs for her next two books because honestly guys, I cannot wait to read the next two books!
Everything about this book drawls you in from the very first sentence. I finished the entire thing in three hours and could easy read the second book too, if it was out. But can I just say that Hayden and Kaden were great character and I cannot wait to read more about them!! *whispers* Hopefully we’ll get more romance.
Even though Kade annoyed me a lot at times, he still is on my list of best male protagonist. He's definitely up there!! xD
Hadley was an amazing character and I really liked her. Even though I couldn't relate to her on a few levels. I am very impressed by her bravery of dressing like a guy in order to try to find her brother.
I really cannot wait for the next book. The next three weeks cannot come soon enough!!
December 24, 2018
Wow! Addison-Fox's newest trilogy starts out with a bang!
The line "Prince of Persia meets Mulan" has been used to describe this series, and I think it is most apt!
If nothing else, this author's worldbuilding is incredibly unique! Addison-Fox creates a whole new world, yet describes it so well, I am instantly in Azetaria, the country in which this story takes place. This author's writing style is definitely light on description, but as I said, I never struggle to understand what is going on or where I am. I very much enjoy her dialogue-forward style.
Our male MC, Kade, is a very complex character, and Retrieve only scratches the surface. I am greatly looking forward to delving deeper into his character in the coming books. Hadley is also multifaceted, and I very much liked her character. She's tough, and she does what she has to do, but she also has a very sweet feminine side and is frequently unsure of herself and afraid. The contrast makes for a very involuted character.
The plot just doesn't stop. From page one, it grabs your interest, and doesn't let go until the book ends - and not even then. I was nearly constantly on the edge of my seat, and am very eager to read the rest of the series.
My main reason for docking a star off my rating was due to some content that I felt was unnecessary, as well as a few aspects of the story that felt a little raw to me. A little more polish could have been used in some places, but overall, that didn't affect my enjoyment of the story.
All in all, Addison-Fox pens an intriguing and interesting fantasy novel that I greatly enjoyed. Recommended for fans of fast-paced fantasy with lots of adventure!
CONTENT NOTE: Recommended for ages 17+ due to mild swearing, violence, and some minor sexual content. If a movie, this would likely be rated PG.
FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book for promotional purposes. A positive review was not required. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
The line "Prince of Persia meets Mulan" has been used to describe this series, and I think it is most apt!
If nothing else, this author's worldbuilding is incredibly unique! Addison-Fox creates a whole new world, yet describes it so well, I am instantly in Azetaria, the country in which this story takes place. This author's writing style is definitely light on description, but as I said, I never struggle to understand what is going on or where I am. I very much enjoy her dialogue-forward style.
Our male MC, Kade, is a very complex character, and Retrieve only scratches the surface. I am greatly looking forward to delving deeper into his character in the coming books. Hadley is also multifaceted, and I very much liked her character. She's tough, and she does what she has to do, but she also has a very sweet feminine side and is frequently unsure of herself and afraid. The contrast makes for a very involuted character.
The plot just doesn't stop. From page one, it grabs your interest, and doesn't let go until the book ends - and not even then. I was nearly constantly on the edge of my seat, and am very eager to read the rest of the series.
My main reason for docking a star off my rating was due to some content that I felt was unnecessary, as well as a few aspects of the story that felt a little raw to me. A little more polish could have been used in some places, but overall, that didn't affect my enjoyment of the story.
All in all, Addison-Fox pens an intriguing and interesting fantasy novel that I greatly enjoyed. Recommended for fans of fast-paced fantasy with lots of adventure!
CONTENT NOTE: Recommended for ages 17+ due to mild swearing, violence, and some minor sexual content. If a movie, this would likely be rated PG.
FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book for promotional purposes. A positive review was not required. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
December 9, 2018
AHHHHH!! That was Soo amazing!! For one this is the best book I have read by Sarah Addison Fox and it surpasses most of my favorite romance novels, because of the way she can make a relationship so amazing. The whole time they are focused on their mission their growing closer without meaning to!! I love the way she writes!
The world in this book is so uniquely fashioned and it holds such magical beauty in the way it's created. The different cultures and languages, plus the speaking dialects. I love how there are four different sections of Stormers and four different sections of Numichi warriors. Plus the plants and the way they are created to be different healing plants. So cool.
The characters... love love love.... talking about characters!! All the side characters were intriguing as I got to see bits of their personality. ( in my opinion Carl could use some shaping.... xD ) Meg and Thomas were probably my favorite side characters, probably because each means so much to Hadley and Kade.
Kade ~ Definitely my favorite character in this book. His tough and rugged personality is attractive, plus his skill in combat! Love all the descriptions that were given about his scuffles and how he held himself with such confidence.
Hadley ~ I love her, mainly for her tree climbing skill... xD But also because I connect with her. The fear she feels and being extremely wary around "predators" it always sent chills through me! Her ability to act strong even when she wasn't was pretty cool. I can definitely say Kade and Hadley belong together.
The word building was beautiful to me and she definitely was not a preachy author! So yay! Super excited to be reading Sarah Addison Fox's books! I got this in exchange for an honest review. Hopefully I can keep up with her! Now... To go find the next book....
The world in this book is so uniquely fashioned and it holds such magical beauty in the way it's created. The different cultures and languages, plus the speaking dialects. I love how there are four different sections of Stormers and four different sections of Numichi warriors. Plus the plants and the way they are created to be different healing plants. So cool.
The characters... love love love.... talking about characters!! All the side characters were intriguing as I got to see bits of their personality. ( in my opinion Carl could use some shaping.... xD ) Meg and Thomas were probably my favorite side characters, probably because each means so much to Hadley and Kade.
Kade ~ Definitely my favorite character in this book. His tough and rugged personality is attractive, plus his skill in combat! Love all the descriptions that were given about his scuffles and how he held himself with such confidence.
Hadley ~ I love her, mainly for her tree climbing skill... xD But also because I connect with her. The fear she feels and being extremely wary around "predators" it always sent chills through me! Her ability to act strong even when she wasn't was pretty cool. I can definitely say Kade and Hadley belong together.
The word building was beautiful to me and she definitely was not a preachy author! So yay! Super excited to be reading Sarah Addison Fox's books! I got this in exchange for an honest review. Hopefully I can keep up with her! Now... To go find the next book....
January 2, 2019
Review:
This was such a well-written book! Sarah writes in an extremely talented way, which means that all her characters' thoughts, descriptions, even pain... go right to the reader. I felt what the characters were feeling, and it really helped me connect to what they were going through. Speaking of which... I really liked the characters (Kade and Hadley)!
A couple of months ago I read Disowned, the first book of Sarah's other popular series (Allegiance), and I have to say I didn't really like the main character. However, that didn't happen at all in Retrieve. I love Kade and Hadley both so much as characters- I found myself similar to Hadley in her stubbornness and also to Kade in his frequent annoyance with people. ;P I loved seeing how they grew as individuals as well as how they grew together. 'Twas super sweet. :D I do wish that the book could've included more of Thomas, though.
The story itself was really engaging and absorbing- I finished the entire book in one sitting, which should tell you a lot. The plot wasn't very... detailed? it was very simple plot, needless to say. But it certainly wasn't boring at all.
Overall:
Ms. Addison-Fox creates such an enthralling and beautiful story in Retrieve. She writes such amazing characters and weaves a simple but captivating plot, and I enjoyed it so much! Definitely worthy of a read, and I can't wait for Retreat to come out! 4 stars.
FTC DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review as part of this blog tour. All thoughts are my own and a positive review was not required.
This was such a well-written book! Sarah writes in an extremely talented way, which means that all her characters' thoughts, descriptions, even pain... go right to the reader. I felt what the characters were feeling, and it really helped me connect to what they were going through. Speaking of which... I really liked the characters (Kade and Hadley)!
A couple of months ago I read Disowned, the first book of Sarah's other popular series (Allegiance), and I have to say I didn't really like the main character. However, that didn't happen at all in Retrieve. I love Kade and Hadley both so much as characters- I found myself similar to Hadley in her stubbornness and also to Kade in his frequent annoyance with people. ;P I loved seeing how they grew as individuals as well as how they grew together. 'Twas super sweet. :D I do wish that the book could've included more of Thomas, though.
The story itself was really engaging and absorbing- I finished the entire book in one sitting, which should tell you a lot. The plot wasn't very... detailed? it was very simple plot, needless to say. But it certainly wasn't boring at all.
Overall:
Ms. Addison-Fox creates such an enthralling and beautiful story in Retrieve. She writes such amazing characters and weaves a simple but captivating plot, and I enjoyed it so much! Definitely worthy of a read, and I can't wait for Retreat to come out! 4 stars.
FTC DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review as part of this blog tour. All thoughts are my own and a positive review was not required.
December 23, 2018
Yas, yas, yas! This book--I loved it. I read it through fast, for me. The setting was very unique. Reminded me almost of a western, but with plenty of spec fic elements to ground it in the genre. I can't say enough about Kade and Hadley and their budding attraction. Kade is just my type of guy: rough and tough around the edges, hard-bitten and ready to do what he has to do, but with a soft spot for his lady and a dedication to duty. Hadley--I loved her character. She was so real! She was tough when she needed to be, cried when she was scared, and most of all she was determined. Determined to keep on, no matter the cost to herself, no matter how hard things got. I just really liked her. This book completely captured my interest. Can't wait for the next one!
January 13, 2019
Full Review:
Well, that wasn’t what I was expecting. I don’t really know what I was expecting, but this novel surprised me – especially the ending. Because…where is book two? I know we only have to wait a month till that one comes out, but I kind of need to know how the story continues. :)
Anyway!
The first bit of this book definitely had a “Mulan” feel to it which was great. I liked the characters – I liked Hadley from the start, though Kade took a smidgen longer. He’s a rough one. ;) But it was enjoyable seeing their journey together. This is an action-filled story that keeps you on your toes. And I was actually quite thankful for that! I wanted something that kept me wanting to read. “Retrieve” definitely did that.
I’m not sure what this book is technically classified as, but it felt quite “fantasy” like without the magic elements, and I liked that a lot. Kind of like Jaye L. Knight’s Ilyon Chronicles. :) The world was very real, and my mind had no trouble picturing everything. And it was great that even though the book centered on two characters almost exclusively, it wasn’t boring at all, nor did you wish for more character interaction – I loved Hadley and Kade’s relationship. And I want to see it continued. Bring on book two. ;)
One thing I will say – there is a fair amount of swearing involved, and while I know that it was realistic for the character, I didn’t care to read all the cursing continuously. It didn’t shock me, but I wasn’t a fan either. I get when something needs to be realistic, but I prefer the “He cursed” or “swore” etc. Actually reading the words isn’t my favorite, because in essence then I am swearing and that is not a habit I want.
There were mentions of ‘gods’ (ex. “If the gods were real, they wanted nothing to do with them”, etc.), and one they referred to as the Ancient religion, which I assume is alluding to Christianity since the one time it was mentioned, the ‘h’ in “Him” was capitalized. It was very brief in this book, definitely not center or even side plot yet. Not sure if that will change in the next book, though I am curious to see. As it is, I wouldn’t classify this as a Christian book, but it was clean and wholesome (except for the swearing).
If you’re looking for an adventure novel with great characters and exciting plot (not to mention the need to keep reading even when the next book isn’t out…) be sure to check out this one. I enjoyed it very much!
July 4, 2019
After finishing up the delightful dystopian/fantasy Allegiance series earlier this year, I was beyond excited when Sarah Addison-Fox announced her upcoming series, The Stormers Trilogy. Book one of the series, Retrieve, has been said to be similar to Prince of Persia and Mulan, and I personally noticed some similar flavors of The Hunger Games as well. This colorful mix ends up producing an outstanding first installment of The Stormers Trilogy!
What I Liked:
Hadley's Motivation: Hadley, our heroine in this series, has the same kind of persistent motivation to survive that we need more of in literature. If you're looking for a dystopian series with a strong female protagonist like Katniss Everdeen, look no further than Retrieve!
Kade's Broodiness: I guess that's the word I'm aiming for. XD Kade's resistance to wanting to help Hadley is purely palpable in the way the author describes it. Although the way Kade treats Hadley made me initially dislike him, I have a feeling he may take the same route Torrance does in Sarah's Allegiance series.
World Building: The world building in this novel is much more descriptive than I remember the first in the Allegiance series being, and I was instantly intrigued when the dystopian elements came into play. I can't wait to see what happens next!
What Was Iffy:
Getting to Know the Characters: Though this aspect is not a major issue, I wish we had learned a little more about Kade and Hadley besides both of them being insistent on protecting their siblings. I'm sure we'll find out more about them further along in the series though! :)
That being said, I'm beyond pumped for Book Two to release in January! :D
I received a free ebook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the aforementioned thoughts are my own, and a positive review was not required to receive the ebook.
What I Liked:
Hadley's Motivation: Hadley, our heroine in this series, has the same kind of persistent motivation to survive that we need more of in literature. If you're looking for a dystopian series with a strong female protagonist like Katniss Everdeen, look no further than Retrieve!
Kade's Broodiness: I guess that's the word I'm aiming for. XD Kade's resistance to wanting to help Hadley is purely palpable in the way the author describes it. Although the way Kade treats Hadley made me initially dislike him, I have a feeling he may take the same route Torrance does in Sarah's Allegiance series.
World Building: The world building in this novel is much more descriptive than I remember the first in the Allegiance series being, and I was instantly intrigued when the dystopian elements came into play. I can't wait to see what happens next!
What Was Iffy:
Getting to Know the Characters: Though this aspect is not a major issue, I wish we had learned a little more about Kade and Hadley besides both of them being insistent on protecting their siblings. I'm sure we'll find out more about them further along in the series though! :)
That being said, I'm beyond pumped for Book Two to release in January! :D
I received a free ebook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the aforementioned thoughts are my own, and a positive review was not required to receive the ebook.
February 22, 2019
*4.5
Full review on my blog: https://novelsdragonsandwardrobedoors...
This was AWESOME. It was reminiscent of Blades of Acktar, in the best ways. Hadley and Kade were amazing protagonists (both of whom I want to snuggle in a blanket and put them in the "safe character space" corner because please let them rest they're tired). Knowing this was going to be a romance just meant that I shipped it immediately and while nothing really happens with it in this book (I'm sure it's going to get serious in the next ones), there were some really cute moments. My shipper heart is happy.
But really it was also an awesome adventure that I could see as a movie, 100%. Kade is a kick-butt boy who's secretly soft and sad and I love him. Hadley is a scared girl who can climb really well and is generally distrustful but when she trusts she trusts completely and I love her. I just love them both and love them together a lot okay there were a lot of cool fight scenes but also some good Soft scenes that I highly appreciated. Gosh, I'm easy to please. Give me a scene where one love interest falls asleep on the other's shoulder and I'm set. xD
Also THAT ENDING. *screams for next book*
So yeah. Highly recommend.
4.5 stars.
**I was sent a copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.**
Full review on my blog: https://novelsdragonsandwardrobedoors...
This was AWESOME. It was reminiscent of Blades of Acktar, in the best ways. Hadley and Kade were amazing protagonists (both of whom I want to snuggle in a blanket and put them in the "safe character space" corner because please let them rest they're tired). Knowing this was going to be a romance just meant that I shipped it immediately and while nothing really happens with it in this book (I'm sure it's going to get serious in the next ones), there were some really cute moments. My shipper heart is happy.
But really it was also an awesome adventure that I could see as a movie, 100%. Kade is a kick-butt boy who's secretly soft and sad and I love him. Hadley is a scared girl who can climb really well and is generally distrustful but when she trusts she trusts completely and I love her. I just love them both and love them together a lot okay there were a lot of cool fight scenes but also some good Soft scenes that I highly appreciated. Gosh, I'm easy to please. Give me a scene where one love interest falls asleep on the other's shoulder and I'm set. xD
Also THAT ENDING. *screams for next book*
So yeah. Highly recommend.
4.5 stars.
**I was sent a copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.**
April 30, 2020
This was a really fun story!
I thought it to be fairly fast-paced and occasionally really intense. (Not a bad thing however!) Hadley and Kade's adventures were far from dull and made me laugh. Well, at least when they weren't in danger. They definitely have some dangerous moments and just had me saying "Come on. Come on. Come on." when reading. All the while gripping my Kindle a little harder and reading a little faster. I mean, running across rooftops is pretty epic and also internally yelling "DON'T FALL!"! ;)
However, totally my favorite part was the twist she threw in there! I didn't see that coming concerning the "mastermind" behind certain events. I'm SUPER curious to see with the ending and those new developments where things will be going in Retreat. Things definitely got a lot more complicated (and not just because of a certain female as Kade might think LOL).
Another great story from this author! If you need a world to escape in and want something different, I totally suggest Retrieve. :)
I thought it to be fairly fast-paced and occasionally really intense. (Not a bad thing however!) Hadley and Kade's adventures were far from dull and made me laugh. Well, at least when they weren't in danger. They definitely have some dangerous moments and just had me saying "Come on. Come on. Come on." when reading. All the while gripping my Kindle a little harder and reading a little faster. I mean, running across rooftops is pretty epic and also internally yelling "DON'T FALL!"! ;)
However, totally my favorite part was the twist she threw in there! I didn't see that coming concerning the "mastermind" behind certain events. I'm SUPER curious to see with the ending and those new developments where things will be going in Retreat. Things definitely got a lot more complicated (and not just because of a certain female as Kade might think LOL).
Another great story from this author! If you need a world to escape in and want something different, I totally suggest Retrieve. :)
January 19, 2019
This book surpassed my expectations! I wasn’t actually sure what to expect because I have a weird aversion to reading plot synopsises and there were some things about the Allegiance series that I didn’t love. But did I enjoy Retrieve? The answer is a resounding “Yes!”. I read it in pretty much one sitting; it was very easy to lose myself in the story and the characters.
Hadley was a great heroine and I felt that she was different from most of the ‘action girl’ heroines that you read about these days. She made plenty of mistakes but that didn’t stop her from learning and growing. She didn’t welcome pain or hardship or battles but she didn’t shy away from them either. Basically, she was tough without losing her heart. Kade was intriguing – I really hope Sarah explores his backstory in the next two books because I could definitely see myself falling for him if she deepened his character. (He was still a well-drawn character, though.) (Although, tbh, I don’t think any of Sarah’s characters could take Torrance’s place in my heart [he’s from the Allegiance series].)
The plot was super interesting and fast-paced. Really dug it. And there were a few surprises along the way which made me happy. I feel like there’s a great, amazing world waiting to explode in the next two books. I only got a few glimpses here and there but I’m trusting Sarah not to mess it up. (She’s really good at world-building.)
As for the overall writing, I’d say that the writing is way better than in the Allegiance series (I know I keep comparing the two, but I can’t help it!). Tighter, more evocative, and stylistically better in pretty much every way.
Overall, I’m hugely excited to see where this series goes! If you enjoy action/adventure/romance stories set in fantasy worlds, please give Retrieve a try. (You can buy it on Amazon and add it to your ‘to-read’ shelf on Goodreads.)
I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.
Hadley was a great heroine and I felt that she was different from most of the ‘action girl’ heroines that you read about these days. She made plenty of mistakes but that didn’t stop her from learning and growing. She didn’t welcome pain or hardship or battles but she didn’t shy away from them either. Basically, she was tough without losing her heart. Kade was intriguing – I really hope Sarah explores his backstory in the next two books because I could definitely see myself falling for him if she deepened his character. (He was still a well-drawn character, though.) (Although, tbh, I don’t think any of Sarah’s characters could take Torrance’s place in my heart [he’s from the Allegiance series].)
The plot was super interesting and fast-paced. Really dug it. And there were a few surprises along the way which made me happy. I feel like there’s a great, amazing world waiting to explode in the next two books. I only got a few glimpses here and there but I’m trusting Sarah not to mess it up. (She’s really good at world-building.)
As for the overall writing, I’d say that the writing is way better than in the Allegiance series (I know I keep comparing the two, but I can’t help it!). Tighter, more evocative, and stylistically better in pretty much every way.
Overall, I’m hugely excited to see where this series goes! If you enjoy action/adventure/romance stories set in fantasy worlds, please give Retrieve a try. (You can buy it on Amazon and add it to your ‘to-read’ shelf on Goodreads.)
I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.
January 2, 2023
EOTWASKI -- CRUEL WORLD FOR A POOR YOUNG GIRL. Obtained from Amazon for free December 30, 2022.
December 20, 2018
I'm going to break this down into sections, as it's the easiest for me.
The Characters. I liked Kade. It's possible that I only drew this comparison because I've been spending so much time reading reviews about Bitter Winter, but he reminds me a bit of Jace from the Ilyon Chronicles series (that's a big compliment by the way). I hope Meg gets more "screen time" in the later books, because she intrigued me. I definitely was interested in the pasts of the characters. How did they end up where they are?
The Story. I'm going to be honest, I wanted to read this book because I heard it was "Prince of Persia meets Mulan". I get the Mulan part but I didn't so much understand Prince of Persia. It's okay though, because the storyline is super interesting in and of itself. I have to hand it to Sarah, she writes very unique and compelling plots. I read her book Disowned and thought the same thing. Since it is a trilogy, this book is kind of the lead-in and so the ending feels rather abrupt. But the author's goal is to keep you reading, so that works well in her favor :)
Content. This is definitely a book for older readers. Kade is a warrior. There's blood and violence. Hadley ran from a situation that could have been bad for her and she's rather afraid that all men want to take advantage of her. Then there is the language. I don't remember any language in Disowned, so if it was there, it was minimal. This is the one drawback for me and I was very disappointed in how much language there was. Not necessary at all.
In summary, this is a unique, compelling book that probably isn't for anyone under at least sixteen. I am interested to see where this story goes and if I get the chance to read the other two books, I will take it! That's the one bummer to reading indie books is, the library doesn't have the rest of them. I just don't have enough money to buy entire series of books!
If you'll excuse me, I think I want to go watch Prince of Persia now :)
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
The Characters. I liked Kade. It's possible that I only drew this comparison because I've been spending so much time reading reviews about Bitter Winter, but he reminds me a bit of Jace from the Ilyon Chronicles series (that's a big compliment by the way). I hope Meg gets more "screen time" in the later books, because she intrigued me. I definitely was interested in the pasts of the characters. How did they end up where they are?
The Story. I'm going to be honest, I wanted to read this book because I heard it was "Prince of Persia meets Mulan". I get the Mulan part but I didn't so much understand Prince of Persia. It's okay though, because the storyline is super interesting in and of itself. I have to hand it to Sarah, she writes very unique and compelling plots. I read her book Disowned and thought the same thing. Since it is a trilogy, this book is kind of the lead-in and so the ending feels rather abrupt. But the author's goal is to keep you reading, so that works well in her favor :)
Content. This is definitely a book for older readers. Kade is a warrior. There's blood and violence. Hadley ran from a situation that could have been bad for her and she's rather afraid that all men want to take advantage of her. Then there is the language. I don't remember any language in Disowned, so if it was there, it was minimal. This is the one drawback for me and I was very disappointed in how much language there was. Not necessary at all.
In summary, this is a unique, compelling book that probably isn't for anyone under at least sixteen. I am interested to see where this story goes and if I get the chance to read the other two books, I will take it! That's the one bummer to reading indie books is, the library doesn't have the rest of them. I just don't have enough money to buy entire series of books!
If you'll excuse me, I think I want to go watch Prince of Persia now :)
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
January 3, 2019
full review @ annie-louise-twitchell.blogspot.com
I love the way Sarah writes. Her prose has this inherent gracefulness, without being sappy or mushy or anything like that. The way she wields her pen is just delicious.
As always, she brings real people onto the pages. Hadley... precious little Hadley reminds me of myself a few years. I love her. I want to hold her hand and give her hot cocoa.
The Numachi are possibly my favorite group of people in the book, which is interesting because they're introduced as the villains. (Stopping here to avoid spoilers.) I love what I learned about them in Retrieve and I can't wait to learn more in the next two books.
The world building is the only thing that I felt somewhat lost in, mostly the weather patterns, but that was a pretty minor thing. We're in the dead of winter here so I'm aware of the weather, and also read the book too fast because AHHHHHH.
Five stars, would hand this to a 16+ teen with no hesitation.
I love the way Sarah writes. Her prose has this inherent gracefulness, without being sappy or mushy or anything like that. The way she wields her pen is just delicious.
As always, she brings real people onto the pages. Hadley... precious little Hadley reminds me of myself a few years. I love her. I want to hold her hand and give her hot cocoa.
The Numachi are possibly my favorite group of people in the book, which is interesting because they're introduced as the villains. (Stopping here to avoid spoilers.) I love what I learned about them in Retrieve and I can't wait to learn more in the next two books.
The world building is the only thing that I felt somewhat lost in, mostly the weather patterns, but that was a pretty minor thing. We're in the dead of winter here so I'm aware of the weather, and also read the book too fast because AHHHHHH.
Five stars, would hand this to a 16+ teen with no hesitation.
September 25, 2020
This is the first book I have read of Sarah’s and I enjoyed this very much.
It engaged my attention throughout and I found the characters solid and believable.
It was an interesting journey of mystery and intrigue with a bit of romance .
I don’t put spoilers in my reviews, suffice to say I can’t wait for the next in the series.
It engaged my attention throughout and I found the characters solid and believable.
It was an interesting journey of mystery and intrigue with a bit of romance .
I don’t put spoilers in my reviews, suffice to say I can’t wait for the next in the series.
May 3, 2020
3,5 ☆
I was long unsure what to think of this book. I like the world building, but not everything get explained. Kade is supposedly a young Stormer, but the description makes me think of someone older and more experienced. His way of sometimes ignoring orders is the only thing that makes him young in my eyes. Still, I'm quite fond of Kade. Sure, he's a bit "grumpy" when he has to take care of the newbie Hadley, but later we can see that he's rather thoughtful. Hadley is trying to keep a low profile when she joins the Stormers so it takes a while before we get to know her. As a girl masquerading as a boy she sometimes end up in awkward situations which, in turn, was awkward to read about. There's nothing strange with Hadley being scared and unsure, but it got a bit tiresome with her "teary eyes" and lip chewing. In spite of that, she does some things that take a lot of courage, even if it's not expressed as much. Both Kade and Hadley grew on me while I read.
The mission both of them is sent on proves to be a bit mysterious. Not everything get solved before the book ends, but that makes you want to read the next one of course!
* I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. *
I was long unsure what to think of this book. I like the world building, but not everything get explained. Kade is supposedly a young Stormer, but the description makes me think of someone older and more experienced. His way of sometimes ignoring orders is the only thing that makes him young in my eyes. Still, I'm quite fond of Kade. Sure, he's a bit "grumpy" when he has to take care of the newbie Hadley, but later we can see that he's rather thoughtful. Hadley is trying to keep a low profile when she joins the Stormers so it takes a while before we get to know her. As a girl masquerading as a boy she sometimes end up in awkward situations which, in turn, was awkward to read about. There's nothing strange with Hadley being scared and unsure, but it got a bit tiresome with her "teary eyes" and lip chewing. In spite of that, she does some things that take a lot of courage, even if it's not expressed as much. Both Kade and Hadley grew on me while I read.
The mission both of them is sent on proves to be a bit mysterious. Not everything get solved before the book ends, but that makes you want to read the next one of course!
* I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. *
May 8, 2020
This is a fast-paced, heart-pounding, page-turning novel. I love Kade and Hadley, the main characters and narrators of the novel. Kade is a broodish analyzer, Hadley is a sensitive risk-taker. Their romance is subtle but present throughout the story, and I look forward to seeing how it develops in the other books.
I gave this book four of five stars because the setting is more like an impressionist painting than a realistic portrait. This may be good for some young adult readers, but it could be a problem for those who suffer from Aphantasia.
For those more sensitive readers, there are some curse words and inappropriate situations. The curse words are few, but they are there. As for inappropriate situations, the whole story centers around Kade and Hadley being alone together on an adventure. This results in some inappropriate situations, such as them sleeping in the same bed (nothing happens). Did this bother me? No. But for some, it may.
Overall, I enjoyed this story and loved reading it.
I gave this book four of five stars because the setting is more like an impressionist painting than a realistic portrait. This may be good for some young adult readers, but it could be a problem for those who suffer from Aphantasia.
For those more sensitive readers, there are some curse words and inappropriate situations. The curse words are few, but they are there. As for inappropriate situations, the whole story centers around Kade and Hadley being alone together on an adventure. This results in some inappropriate situations, such as them sleeping in the same bed (nothing happens). Did this bother me? No. But for some, it may.
Overall, I enjoyed this story and loved reading it.
February 21, 2020
I couldn't get passed the relationship between Hadley and Kade (too many eye-rolling "oh geez" moments). It's something i would of enjoyed as a teenager but i found it to be too much for me. The book's cover and title suggests a lot more action since it is about a retrieval mission...but instead focuses almost completely on the two character's feelings (or trying to deny their feelings) of each other
January 4, 2019
I enjoyed the bickering and the awkwardness. Bickering is the best when you know they're meant for each other!
But, that said, I was a bit confused as to if this was a Christian book? There were a few mentions of the Ancient and the way they talked about it made me think that was supposed to be the God figure. But then throughout the book there were quite a few occasions where characters cuss - D**n and h*ll. It was just a little wierd that there was cussing and a supposedly Christian book. And it made me feel a bit uncomfortable when Kade finds out Hadley's a girl and the resulting thoughts afterword. Ijust felt like it could have been handled a little more conservatively, but that's just my personal opinion.
But, that said, I was a bit confused as to if this was a Christian book? There were a few mentions of the Ancient and the way they talked about it made me think that was supposed to be the God figure. But then throughout the book there were quite a few occasions where characters cuss - D**n and h*ll. It was just a little wierd that there was cussing and a supposedly Christian book. And it made me feel a bit uncomfortable when Kade finds out Hadley's a girl and the resulting thoughts afterword. Ijust felt like it could have been handled a little more conservatively, but that's just my personal opinion.
December 26, 2018
This book is submerged in a fantasy world where survival is key to making it through another day.
Through two perspectives, we follow Hadley who is a girl trying to find her brother after suddenly leaving her to fend for herself, the world that can be brutal to young girls. So, with little choice left, she joins the Stormers disguised as a boy in the hopes to get enough supplies and strength to run off and continue to look for her brother.
Then there's Kade, the guy who is stuck training Hadley as his next partner. With a secret mission to find the kidnapped princess, they begin to trek through the kingdom. But soon after finding out Hadley's secret, their mission turns into a battle of trust and survival.
I will say that reading this book, I found myself immersed in some parts, but overall, I wish there was more world building. The concept of the book was unique, and I think it sets up a good foundation for a series with the ending, but I just wanted a little more from the story. Hopefully this is one of those series that begins to elaborate the suppressed world they are in after the action of the first book.
I gave this one 3 out of 5 stars. The characters were fun, and they interacted nicely together through their teamwork in the mission. I liked the plot twist towards the end when it came to the princess, and it left a more realistic vibe to the story.
I would like to know more about the king and how their world became in shambles. Overall, this was a rather quick read with under 200 pages. I think that if you are looking for a YA story that is shorter yet leaves that fantasy taste in your mouth, this may be one to pick up next!
January 13, 2019
I was very apathetic toward this book. I didn't care about it. Most of the pieces weren't bad, they just really didn't wow me.
The MCs' relationship, which is the main focus of the book, just... didn't feel very natural to me. :/ Also, I kinda get why Kade acted the way he did to Hadley, but I feel like his motivations weren't really made clear, and I couldn't really get on-board with his decision. I feel like there were definitely better ways he could have handled things.
The whole book felt like set-up, too. It felt really slow, despite the action in it. It felt like nothing was really happening, it was just... action to be action? Maybe the next book would be better, since things are mostly set up now? I don't know.
Overall, I just thought it was a pretty "meh" book.
The MCs' relationship, which is the main focus of the book, just... didn't feel very natural to me. :/ Also, I kinda get why Kade acted the way he did to Hadley, but I feel like his motivations weren't really made clear, and I couldn't really get on-board with his decision. I feel like there were definitely better ways he could have handled things.
The whole book felt like set-up, too. It felt really slow, despite the action in it. It felt like nothing was really happening, it was just... action to be action? Maybe the next book would be better, since things are mostly set up now? I don't know.
Overall, I just thought it was a pretty "meh" book.
January 3, 2019
My first read from author Sarah Addison-Fox & the first book in The Stormers Trilogy, was well-written & enjoyable, a well-woven tale over the length of the book. I’m voluntarily reviewing this book. It looks to be the beginning of an enjoyable series that I look forward to reading. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
December 28, 2018
A chance to read a book described as “Prince of Persia Meets Mulan”? YES PLEASE and THANK YOU. I read the entire book in one sitting and it definitely held my interest.
I liked Kade and Hadley, and thought both of them had compelling reasons for the choices they made. I’m trying not to give spoilers, since this book comes out December 26. It is definitely a Young Adult story, but without a lot of the angst many books in the genre contain (a definite plus for me!). The story moved along quickly, with realistic set-backs as the characters work to accomplish their mission.
There’s a bit of romance brewing, but I appreciated that the book was still clean and sweet. While the story ends with the major plot threads tied up, it does end on a bit of a cliff-hanger. It left me intrigued and wondering what comes next in the series. As book one of a planned trilogy, I’m invested in the world and characters and look forward to seeing what happens next.
I liked Kade and Hadley, and thought both of them had compelling reasons for the choices they made. I’m trying not to give spoilers, since this book comes out December 26. It is definitely a Young Adult story, but without a lot of the angst many books in the genre contain (a definite plus for me!). The story moved along quickly, with realistic set-backs as the characters work to accomplish their mission.
There’s a bit of romance brewing, but I appreciated that the book was still clean and sweet. While the story ends with the major plot threads tied up, it does end on a bit of a cliff-hanger. It left me intrigued and wondering what comes next in the series. As book one of a planned trilogy, I’m invested in the world and characters and look forward to seeing what happens next.
December 24, 2018
I literally loved everything about this book. Written in the third-person, it aptly reads between Kade’s view and Hadley’s view. As a team, these characters work well together. They truly balance each other out and they make a great team.
One of the things that I really liked about this book was the world building. In the beginning, Addison-Fox explains the basics and gradually as we’re reading we’re told more and more about the world, its cultures, customs, and habits.
Retrieve releases December 26th, and I really hope that you end up reading it. It’s truly one great book filled with action and intrigue. It was a super quick read for me and I couldn’t put it down. Addison-Fox has created a story that you won’t want to put down and leaves you wanting the next one as soon as you finish.
One of the things that I really liked about this book was the world building. In the beginning, Addison-Fox explains the basics and gradually as we’re reading we’re told more and more about the world, its cultures, customs, and habits.
Retrieve releases December 26th, and I really hope that you end up reading it. It’s truly one great book filled with action and intrigue. It was a super quick read for me and I couldn’t put it down. Addison-Fox has created a story that you won’t want to put down and leaves you wanting the next one as soon as you finish.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews