Great adventure and a sequel that delivers a story as compelling as the first book. storm from the East has all the ingredients for a memorable YA and a fantastic MC!

This was my first book by this author, It was pretty enjoyable. I would give this book a 4.5 star rating! It was a pretty Quick and easy read!

I am surprised by how much I enjoyed this novel. It is so different from the first one - far more focused on war and politics, but you care so much for the characters that you have to keep turning the page. Joanna's depictions of war and what it can do to the country that has been invaded are raw and true. Of course there is a romance that will leave you fanning yourself. The character growth is also extremely well done. A solid sequel with lots of twists and turns; I can't wait for book 3.

I loved Dark of the West so when I got a copy of the second book, I let out a pterodactyl style screech (startling my cat and my significant other). Dare I say that Storm from the East was even more beautiful, intense and emotionally affecting than the first book? As well as being a sort of alt-historical romance, it’s also a deep meditation on what war does to people, how the choice you’re forced to make change you and rob you of illusions. I loved this book and now have only to face the long dreary days until the next one.

Several days after finishing it and I'm still thinking about all the things that happened, the tears, the heartache, the swoons and the FEELS!

Please don't read this review if you haven't read Dark of the West first - while there won't be spoilers from Storm from the East, there might be tiny ones from Dark of the West.

Let's me just say, Dark of the West, while really good, pales in comparison next to SftE - and I devoured DotW. I sneak-read at work, glaring at people for daring to interrupt. I mean, Athan and Aurelia were just getting started to get to know each other - Athan having unfortunate ulterior motives - and people dared interrupt me? Not that I didn't give the stink-eye while sneak-reading SftE. I did, I just didn't inhale it. I decided to savor it - plus, seems I'm a masochist because it hurt. It hurt so much.

DotW was simply the prelude of the war and battles, if you will. Yes, while it did have that coupe, things get serious in SftE. And I love that Ms. Hathaway pulls her readers into descriptive fighting scenes; she doesn't hold back or gloss over the heartbreaking events - the reality of a war, especially one where major countries are involved. The suffering, the losses of lives for power, for the greed of men.

Ali finds out gut-wrenching secrets. She's betrayed. The prologue from DotW? It starts making sense. My heart ached for Athan and I just know book three will kill me. Hand on heart, I'm positive, by the end of it all, I'll be a bawling mess.

It's heavy on war, on strategies but also on internal wars. So, so many things come to light, I could barely wrap my head around them all. So yes, pick up DotW and read it before SftW is out, in February. It'll be painful, but worth it. Brilliant writing, well-done research. Dedication.

Now I want to reread it. But I need time for my soul to heal.

I voluntarily agreed to read an early copy of this book and my rating is 5+++ stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Teen for the opportunity to read and review the E-Arc copy of Storm of the East by Joanna Hathaway.
The second book in the Dark of the West series bring war, romance, and a revolution to a head. The family secrets are being found out and true love seems far away. It is hard to believe that Joanna Hathaway's series is for young adults. Her writing style is eloquent and she has excellent world building skills.