Breaking for Breath is the third book in S.E. Palmer's Power Wielders. We are back at Tynewood, where student Kaiya is still struggling to find her footing as the chosen wielder of water. Fire wielder Ross is left in a coma after a catastrophic confrontation with the scheming Jax. Now, Kaiya and the wind wielder, Benji, together with loyal friends Ashley and Taylor, must track down the mythical Origin Trees. These are their only hope of waking Ross. They face the sinister Shadow Puppets, eerie visions of past wielders, and a fragile alliance with Jax himself before the group treks into a valley poisoned by the Shard of Chaos. They must confront the monstrous wolves named Past, Fear, Truth, and Future, which prey on their most intimate insecurities. The tension builds with dangers as they advance toward the Fire Tree, where saving Ross could mean convincing a grieving man that life is still worth living; no small task as the shadows close in.

You have action, suspense, growing tension, and, most of all, magic in this spellbinding book. What makes the magic enticing is how firmly it is rooted in the characters. S.E. Palmer's approach to YA urban fantasy is unique, and the characters are intriguing. Kaiya’s self-doubt makes her not only flawed, but utterly relatable; Benji’s devotion to his grandfather, who suffers from dementia, is inspiring; and Ashley’s loneliness makes you ache for her. Jax’s arc is exceptionally accomplished, following a journey from being a villain to an uneasy ally. These well-built characters are thrust into a meticulously drawn world with elements of magic, such as the ancient Triad trees, the creepy Shadow Puppets, and the shadowy Order with its secretive, selective histories. These elements inject a sense of mythology into the writing. Breaking for Breath is well-paced, and the breakfasts and college deadlines move alongside balcony rescues and elemental battles. This urban fantasy examines friendship, power, and balance. It is a delight for readers who enjoy characters facing an unwritten future; it is a big-hearted, absorbing read that will leave you eager for the next book in the series.

S.E. Palmer’s Breaking for Breath starts with Kaiya Parks stepping off a rock face into a glowing forest pool. This leap of faith creates the tone for the novel. Ross is the Triad's grumpy fire wielder, who is in a coma, left in the space between sleep and waking after a confrontation with the scheming Jax. Kaiya, the water wielder, is still struggling to harness her powers, and Benji, the wind wielder, must hold the fractured team together. Kaiya’s vivid dreams and water-borne visions of the past help her uncover the ancient dance between the Triad trees and the seven shadow trees. It also helps uncover the moment a sinister creature shattered the balance forever. Meanwhile, the Fragment Queen becomes bolder: a Shard freezes diners on Brook Lane, the group’s campsite is stalked by wolves, and Ross becomes a target. Their only hope is to locate the legendary Fire Tree at Hell's Ladder, and to succeed, they must accept an uneasy alliance with Jax. But after enduring everything, can they face the ultimate test: Ross himself?

Breaking for Breath is a twisty third installment in the Power Wielders series. Kaiya struggles with confidence, but she has the heart of a wanderer and her fear of the future makes her a lovable, relatable heroine. Benji’s background makes him solitary, and his connection with his fading grandfather infuses the story with pathos. Jax is the compelling wildcard who drives the suspense. The intricate and elaborately drawn world sucked me in with the origin Trees, the Order’s secretive archives, and the creepy Shadow Puppets. You feel as though you have stepped into a mythical world. I was intrigued by how well the author explores the theme of balance: college versus destiny, light versus shadow, and friendship versus secrecy. S.E. Palmer paints a dazzling portrait of school life while drawing readers in with bursts of action in this well-plotted, suspenseful YA urban fantasy, crafted with memorable characters.