In the most dangerous part of the empire, Talise’s survival has never been in greater jeopardy.
And her heart has never been broken so completely.
When she discovers something is poisoning the land, the pursuit of it provides ample distraction from her aching heart. But the conflict in Kamdaria is only just beginning. Now she must choose whose side she’s really on.
Choosing one side could mean … really on.
Choosing one side could mean treason but choosing the other could mean death.
Water Storm is episode 9 of The Elements of Kamdaria. Don’t miss the other books in this novella series.
Episode 1: Ice Crown
Episode 2: Wind Crown
Episode 3: Dust Crown
Episode 4: Flame Crown
Episode 5: River Gate
Episode 6: Smoke Gate
Episode 7: Vine Gate
Episode 8: Ember Gate
Episode 9: Water Storm
Episode 10: Air Storm
Episode 11: Earth Storm
Episode 12: Fire Storm
Or get the bundles that include 4 novellas each
The Elements of the Crown
- (includes novellas 1-4: Ice Crown, Wind Crown, Dust Crown, and Flame Crown)
The Elements of the Gate
- (includes novellas 5-8: River Gate, Smoke Gate, Vine Gate, and Ember Gate)
The Elements of the Storm
- (includes novellas 9-12: Water Storm, Air Storm, Earth Storm, and Fire Storm)
more
I am loving this series! I love the incredible world that this author has built, I love the storyline that continues to grow and change and I love the characters that have grown and develop as we have journeyed with them. Once again I found myself totally engrossed and enthralled as Talise battles with betrayal and other emotions as she makes her way back to Storm and their troubles. If you haven’t read the other books then I truly and highly recommend them, you will not be disappointed!
Of course I loved this installment of the book. These characters have gotten under my skin and I am always left craving more!
“No matter what happens between us, I will fight at your side until the very end.”
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Great continuation of the series. Kay L Moody never disappoints! There is always some action, some romance, and intrigue in every episode This is our first visit to The Storm, which is a harsh poverty stricken part of Kamdaria. Talise has to decide which enemy is greater and possibly become allies. Lots of fun! Lots of Aaden
I received an eARC of this book via the author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.
Talise and her friends are entering the lowest circle of the empire in Kay L. Moody’s latest release Water Storm, the 9th installment in The Elements of Kamdaria. This serial series is addictive! I love the bite sized novellas. Each one tells a story of its own while expanding the series arc. Please note that while I do my best to avoid spoilers, there may be spoilers to previous installments in this review. In Water Storm, Talise must learn to trust her own judgment after a devastating betrayal and loss at the Ember Gate.
Talise is once again unsure of herself after someone close to her betrayed her in the worst possible way. Confused and angry, she tries to push it out of her mind and instead focus on their immediate problem: the Storm. To escape Kessouku, Talise leads her friends into the Storm. What was once her childhood home, Talise now sees the Storm for what it truly is: a prison. Determined to make a difference while they are there, Talise enlists her friends’ help in finding a way to keep the citizens fed through the harsh winter ahead.
Aaden is back and full force. I missed him! He is such an integral character to the story and Talise. His quiet confidence is shaken slightly by Talise’s cold reception, but that doesn’t stop his own feelings. It was easy for me to forgive him, Talise not so much. They have a ways to go yet.
This installment focuses on what I believe to be the endgame for the series. New information makes it to Talise, and it rocks her to the core. Now she and her friends must decide who they can trust and a shaky alliance is formed. Water Storm is everything I’ve come to expect from the series: high stakes action, a touch of romance, and a dash of adventure. If you enjoy serial series or YA fantasy, I highly recommend it.
The previous book left Talise and her supporters fleeing to Storm – a place that might be even more dangerous than what they are running from. Once there they are shocked by what they find – not only are these people cut off from resources, they are being actively poisoned. Talise is again forced to evaluate who she can trust, who are her allies, who is the enemy. All while trying to convince the residents of Storm that she is not their enemy as they act out of desperation and self-preservation. Unlikely alliances are forged in this complex battle to save a fractured kingdom. As with previous books, I appreciate the thought given to unintended consequences. Even the best intentions can have grievous side effects and this series does not shy away from exploring those. Sometimes circumstances demand that the “best” choice is one our characters thought they would never entertain.
For #TeamAaden vs #TeamClaye…. yeah more drama. Talise has matured and is seeing both men through different eyes. She’s more guarded, but her heart refuses to give up. Some nice moments of teamwork that hearken back to better times.
This is the first book in the Storm arc, but book 9 in the elements of Kamdaria. This series builds on previous books and really needs to be read in order as there is a lot of information from previous books that is necessary to understand this book.
*I received an eARC from the publisher.*
After that last cliff hanger, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on Water Storm, but even before I realized where things were headed, I was hoping to see more of the storm. There are so many things going on in Talise (and her friends’) life and many of them point to the Storm, or at least that is where many answers and the beginning of many of the problems they hope to eliminate lie. Plus, I’m loving these characters, I loved them before, but after the last few installments, I love them with a whole new appreciation, and highly recommend fans of the series pick this one up! If you haven’t started the series yet, you can do that too with Ice Crown, they are super quick reads, so you’ll be caught up in no time!
Wonderful read and characters a must read. . .
It was bound to happen at some point: Talise was destined to return to the Storm. Her mother is buried there, and the grave is unmarked. But Talise needed to remind herself of her roots. This time, however, she is not an outcast, and she brings friends.
What amazes me most is that Talise is in a storm of emotions (so poetic) as she grows up and deals with betrayals from family, lovers, and her own citizens. In the Storm, everything seems worse, and I love how the descriptions portray the situation. Kids in the streets don’t play, they aim stones. People steal water and food. I am surprised the well is not tolled by an armed Gangleader. But wait! The well is dry.
The land is becoming infertile, the water drying up…it is an environmental catastrophe. However, Talise develops an extremely clever and imaginative way to help the poor help themselves. After all, give the poor a fish and it lasts one meal. Give them the tools to fish and skills to use, and they can sustain themselves a lifetime.
All the supporting characters each have clever additions to help the Storm citizens. Yes, Aaden proves he has always acted in her interest, but she is so torn up by multiple betrayals that she is having difficulty accepting him until the end. Claye is supportive, too, despite being her enemy now. Rio (a personal fave as well), is the solid meta-organizer that puts her ideas into the tasks by person.
I hope the love triangle continues; I could totally see her in an alliance required by the Kessoku with Claye as consort, and Aaden as partner. Who knows, though? To be continued…
This whole series feels like a serial, and each episode can take about 4 hours of my time. Despite being involved in two other ARCs, I absconded and read this one instead. What a unique, entertaining, and clever fantasy!
Another wonderful book by Author Kay L. Moody.
Talise is such a amazing character.
I love reading books by this author.
So much excitement in each one. Couldn’t put it down.
I highly recommend reading any or all of her books…
I loved it.
I haven’t realized how much I missed Talise until I started reading Water Gate.
It’s been so long
This time Talise is helping the people from the Storm grow food and even teaches a little girl how to shape.
Besides helping the people she uncovers a plan to poison the water and earth in the Storm and she makes an unexpected alliance.
I’m so glad Aaden has returned but he still has to work hard to get her back. It was nice to see how they react to each other and how well they work together. They make a perfect team and I believe that in the future their connection will be even stronger
Thank you Marten Press for the eARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
Talise and her friends are in the Storm. It’s worse than when she lived there. They come to a small village and are attacked by the scared villagers and Talise decides to help them. Between her and Aaden they start digging a new well. The others pitch in and soon the villagers also help. One small step at a time and the well is finished and then they build a greenhouse. Something is still very wrong with the soil and the reasons throw Talise into a tailspin.
New fears are faced and unlikely alliances are formed. I love the characters and the progression of this story. Well written.
What I hate the most about Kay’s books (this series in particular) is that I lose sleep every time she sends me a new book. They are simply unputdownable! I was particularly excited for this book because Aaden was back. We all needed him to be back. This book covered Talise dealing with her recent betrayal and struggling to trust Aaden again, while simultaneously doing what she always does, bringing help and hope to those most in need – this time in the Storm.
A couple things I totally loved about this book. In the first chapter, there is this thought by Talise, “She had no time to be worried about romance or kisses or frustrating young men.” I remember reading The Hunger Games and thinking, they’re in the middle of a war, why is Katniss always thinking about boys. So happy that this was acknowledged and pushed aside. They are also in the middle of a war.
Second, we finally get some sense of the emperor’s agenda. And whether or not he is a good guy (although his strategy was never in question). In my opinion, the not knowing had dragged out way too long, to the point that I didn’t even care if he was good or bad – I just wanted to know! So now we know. At least until Kay throws another twist at us in the next book.
Finally, Aaden. I have always loved Aaden and had a hard time believing he had betrayed Talise. Regardless of everything, he just didn’t seem the type. But I love how this book shows even more clearly the type of person he is and everything he has going for him. I love that he is for Talise no matter what she decides, even if that means defying his father and the emperor and everyone else. I love that while he may have had little choice in the decision he made, he still regrets making it. And I love what Wendy, the ultimate best friend says to Talise when she is still struggling to trust Aaden. “It’s okay… You’ll learn to trust again; you just need more time to heal. But you should know, I trust Aaden.” And I also have faith that Talise will come to trust and fully love Aaden again. I can’t wait for the next book. Please write faster!
I received a free ARC from the author and have reviewed it willingly.
When Talise and her small band of friends return to the Storm, the most dangerous and deprived part of the empire, things are worse than she remembered. People are starving and hopeless with little chance of prosperity and lack the basic necessities to live. As she and her friends work to bring water, greenhouses, and hope to the people, Talise realizes that something is poisoning the land and people.
Talise strives to find out more about the poison, and when her suspicions are realized, she must decide who the real enemy is. She must also face her breaking heart and feelings for the men who hurt her. With so much at stake, Talise has everything to lose.
I love that Talise continues to learn from her mistakes and from the issues she encounters along her journey. Talise has several epiphanies about her father, her enemies, her relationships, and herself throughout the story. She finally comes to terms with the man that her father is and continues to process her turbulent feelings for all of the main men in her life. She is deeply wounded by betrayal and finds it hard to forgive and move forward, especially when she has to face her feelings for Clay and Aaden. Luckily, she has Wendy to support her and offer guidance.
Wendy shines in this book. Smart, talented, and fiercely loyal, she’s the one person who has stood by Talise from the beginning. She shows such strength of character and loyalty to Talise – not the cause or kingdom, just to her best friend. I love her character, and this book really highlights the wonderful and deep friendship between Talise and Wendy. She is also Talise’s advisor and often offers wisdom and clarity, which I love! The women in this series are strong, wise, and fierce!
Like the other books in this series, Water Storm is filled with unexpected twists and turns. As they travel through the Storm, malnutrition, starvation, and desperation is evident. Talise and her small band of followers encounter new and shocking obstacles, and alliances change. I feel like just when I think I know which direction the story is heading, Moody changes paths in the most intriguing and thought-provoking way. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book as alliances continue to shift, and Talise has to face feelings of betrayal, guilt, and more.
Thanks so much to Marten Press and the author for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
Just as good as the previous books in the series. Talise is back and facing even more challenges and hard choices in this book.