The Dragons of Nova (Loom Saga) Hardcover – July 11, 2017

*ARC provided by Keymaster Press in exchange for an honest review*
"Your song will flat, I fear, since I have heard the truth of its melody."
(I am still in shock over this book... I have no idea how to make my emotions known but I will definitely try for all of you.)
This is the sequel to the beauty that was The Alchemists of Loom. (If you haven't read it yet, go go go!) I have to take a second to praise Kova's sequels for never EVER falling flat to her readers but doing the exact opposite. I already know that I will always love anything from Elise Kova but this book took my awe to a whole new level. I will always treasure Air Awakens with my entire being but I think DoN has officially become THE book I'll recommend from Elise until my last breath. I think a lot of it has to do with this being an adult novel/series. It didn't restrain the force that is Elise Kova and boy, did it pay off. This book to her epicness to new heights and I can't wait to see what she does with book 3!!!!
"No half measures." Yveun might speak the words, but Elise Kova is the embodiment of such a phrase. Her writing is beyond savage and unusually tender at the same time. She played my emotions like a ukulele and I loved every second of it. You can do that anytime, Elise!
This novel takes place in a new setting, Nova, the Dragon Land, and I loved witnessing Ari and Cva switching roles because of it. Ari is now the one out of her element and the journey she let us see through her eyes was nothing short of interesting.
As greedy as I've become for every detail of these characters, I was also equally greedy for details of the world around them. This rarely happens since I'm usually too focused on the characters to even think about the setting. Leave it to Elise to explode my expectations.
We are introduced to new POV's and I honestly couldn't choose a favorite. But if I really have to, my favoritism lies between Cvareh and Petra!! I am afraid to admit that I didn't notice how much I missed my baby Cva until my first sighting of him in this book. I swooned and died on the spot, only to be resurrected by his adorable quirkiness. That man is something else, and I love him beyond belief. Also... Holy Gods. I appreciated Petra in TAoL but I ADORE that woman now. She's my role model from now on and I will live only to make her brutal majesty proud. Arianna also blew me away in this novel. She is the definition of BADASS but she took it to- you guessed it-new heights. The character developments were beyond magical and oh so fulfilling.
Another thing that I deeply appreciate about this series is how diverse it is. It's navigated in a subtle and perfect way, just how diversity should always be handled. The chapters were short so even though there are a few characters to keep track of, it was fairly easy to devour.
The ending has me super excited -and nervous- about what is to happen but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't pumped for the most part!!

Rating: 5 Stars

So when we left off in book one we found out Ari was the only perfect chimera and only one who knows how to make them. Florence is now a chimera herself and determined to fight in the resistance. Cvareh (not how I was thinking this was spelled from listening to the audiobooks) is working to make an alliance with the resistance to bring down the dragon king so his sister will take over. Ari doesn't want any part but decides to go up to Nova and speak with his sister in person and see if she trusts her before making any decision on sharing the knowledge they need. So Ari, the white wraith, enemy to all dragons is now in Nova home of dragons. She is ready to feel out his sister and gather some other information while there. While there she finds herself closer to her goal of vengeance against the one who betrayed her and the rebellion all those years ago. Still as Cvareh and his sister, all of house Xin really find themselves in a treacherous political battle with the king Ari is pulled into the fray as the Crimson Court exposes her secrets and push things between her and Cvareh. All while Florence is still back down on Loom trying to find her place in the world but determined to fight for a better and free Loom using all the skills she has learned.

WOW

I could have listened to this in one day. In one sitting really. But I was trying to be good and spread it out listening at the beginning of my work shift for a while until my co-worker arrived. This was both amazing and frustrating. Having finished it, I need book three stat. My emotions were all over the place, especially at the end when things are happening. I had that moment of checking to see how much time was left and trying to figure out how some things could be resolved/fixed in that time and knowing there wasn't enough time but still hopping.

I loved it if you can't tell. I love Ari. She is so strong and determined. Still she is very flawed and I think that makes me love her more. She wars with herself between emotion and fact all the time. Typically such a factual and to the point character watching as emotion works its way into her life more and more is captivating. All emotion and not just in reference to Cvareh. Seeing him in his element, at home in his fancy clothing and where people know and respect him. Ari is now the fish out of water so to speak having to be warned and told of their customs to prevent her from getting herself caught. I loved the role reversal. Them together though, I was so anxious. I had been wanting something to happen since book one and while it looked like it might something always came up. The tension as this continues was real and thick.

Also having a good bit of the story taking place on Nova, and not just from the dragon kings, aka the big bad, perspective we got to see the positives of Nova. I can now say I see both the good and the bad of both place and Florence is still my favorite person in either world. She is all the best of both. She understands the flaws in both systems and she is ready and willing to do what she can to fix things. She has faith in people even when everything says she shouldn't. I admire that about her.

We get to meet many new people both in Nova and Loom some we like others we hate. I know I went back and forth and I don't know if it’s the world or not but I was suspicious of anyone I liked for a good bit. We got to see more of how the worlds work and the culture that compels them forward. More about guilds and the time before dragons. There is so much happening in the present from battles of wills and teeth and claws it keeps you glued to your seat.

This book felt much more adult and powerful. We had plenty of bad things happening in the first book this one really showed you the evils of the world from the harvesting rooms, the shadow world, and the garden of evil. There was so much happening in this book that continues to build a much larger story and coming war. So much has happened that has left me with so many different theories and concerns because well stuff is serious. The ending….I just can't. I mean I was concerned one thing was happening and then as soon as hope it would be fixed…BAM hit with multiple other things and I don't know what to think. This book was amazing on so many levels and I can't wait for The Rebels of Gold to come out.

Congrats to Elise Kova on another great story!
The Dragons of Nova is a great and solid sequel to The Alchemists of Loom, we continue to find out more information about this world where the story takes place and also more about the place where the dragons live, Nova; so of course the world building expands and Elise doesn't disappoint.

The book starts right after where the first one ended, so you know Cvareh and Arianna are going to Nova. She needs to be sure if she can trust the dragons, specifically Cvareh and her kin but that trip will also put our characters in difficult positions, secrets from the past will be revealed and then there's also their own feelings, so you know this is gonna be complicated. It was great to know more information about Ari's past, there's some interesting twists to the story and personally I truly enjoyed to read about how her relationship with Cvareh continues to unfold.

You also have some new POV's in this book, I won't say which they are to avoid spoilers buy they add to the story and it also lets you know what their motivations are, to get a bigger picture of it all.
And speaking of other characters I was also a fan of Florence on this book; it's great to see how she's gaining confidence and becoming quite a force to be reckoned it.

I will say The Dragons of Nova has a slower pace than the first book, there isn't as much action but rather intrigue and a bit of politics but I while I did miss some of the fights this wasn't boring, Elise's writing and the story kept me engaged and by the time the book ends I was wishing I had the third book because that one's gonna intense!! I cant wait!!
Completely recommended!!