Isla's Reach: The Breaths and Depths

The author is possibly best known as WitchKingReads for great reviews, and I was so excited when I saw she was writing! This is book 1 of The Breaths and Depths and there's definitely more to come. Not sure how they can top this cover though!
The world was interesting and the characters come alive. The magic is super important but comes across as more of an undertone than an actual moving piece of the plot. But that in itself is actually part of the plot, which I won't mention because spoilers. Iona's Breath is harnessed by those able and it's kind of like being an airbender or wind controller. 
The thing that stuck out to me—as it took me a full month to read this which is not usual for me—is that part one builds into such a climax, with so much happening and it's so brutal, that afterwards it just feels like starting over. I of course applaud any style attempt that isn't the exact norm, but usually with a journey based fantasy you start on the bottom knowing you're going uphill the entire time to the climax. It certainly doesn't go into slog territory at all, but it was harder for me to adjust. Especially coming off of so much loss in part one, I just didn't feel like I had long enough with the characters. Of course the ending climax is awesome and actiony, it just didn't feel as big as part one. 
I enjoyed the world, and people, and the possibilities. I believe the things left undone or unsaid in this one will built to an absolutely explosive second novel. I look forward to it. Personally a 3/5* thank you for the arc, I preordered one too!