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doccrac's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
keandrews95's review
5.0
I had been seeing a lot of good things about this book and I think it lives up to the hype! This fantasy book had such a great cast of characters and a plot that was simple but moved quickly. Skaar was wonderful and the antagonist was great, especially when his full motives were unveiled. The ending has a cool moment that reminded me so much of Attack on Titan. This story held my attention pretty much throughout the whole book. I enjoyed Lyss' journey; I appreciated that she was a normal girl caught up in all this. I'm all here for a girl and her monster. The magic was very cool and the world building kept me intrigued. I do think the book could have done with a glossary (I'm a glossary girl) since there were terms and things that I did fully grasp until later. 4.5/5
mixed_emoticon's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
An extremely well-written book that I cannot recommend enough. Having just finished reading it, the proper words escape me. I will try to update this later.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Death, Gore, and Death of parent
Moderate: Blood and Grief
Minor: Cursing and Animal cruelty
chloefrizzle's review
5.0
I was blown away by this book. It has the closeness of a magical-psychic-bond without the tropes of a romance. Instead, that closeness and friendship is used to work through character arcs and themes of letting people in.
EDIT: I originally gave this book 4 stars. Months later, I'm still thinking about it and itching to reread it. So I've upgraded it to 5 stars.
Check out my full video review at:
https://youtu.be/Ds-Kr7YsD78
Lyss is training in magic and the sword to become strong enough to kill her father’s murderer. Skaar is a magical monster who has recently escaped from captivity. When they collide, they accidentally get tangled up in a blood pact that both forces them to stick together and is likely to drive them insane.
I think the moment when I fully realized how magnificent this book is this: we are introduced to a new POV character. He is likeable and relatable. Then we figure out that he is our villain. And his Point of View chapters throughout the book were utilized just as well as that first one, both to help us understand him and to up the stakes for the protagonists.
This book is rich with character development and dramatic moments. The emotional moments with the characters are wonderfully balanced with action scenes and a quest. I loved every scene from beginning to end. Even more impressively, this book wraps up nicely while also leaving room for an engaging sequel.
Thanks to The Parliament House and Netgalley for a copy of this book to review. All opinions are my own.
EDIT: I originally gave this book 4 stars. Months later, I'm still thinking about it and itching to reread it. So I've upgraded it to 5 stars.
Check out my full video review at:
https://youtu.be/Ds-Kr7YsD78
Lyss is training in magic and the sword to become strong enough to kill her father’s murderer. Skaar is a magical monster who has recently escaped from captivity. When they collide, they accidentally get tangled up in a blood pact that both forces them to stick together and is likely to drive them insane.
I think the moment when I fully realized how magnificent this book is this: we are introduced to a new POV character. He is likeable and relatable. Then we figure out that he is our villain. And his Point of View chapters throughout the book were utilized just as well as that first one, both to help us understand him and to up the stakes for the protagonists.
This book is rich with character development and dramatic moments. The emotional moments with the characters are wonderfully balanced with action scenes and a quest. I loved every scene from beginning to end. Even more impressively, this book wraps up nicely while also leaving room for an engaging sequel.
Thanks to The Parliament House and Netgalley for a copy of this book to review. All opinions are my own.
booksnbones13's review
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
PHENOMENAL new fantasy, unlike anything i’ve read before in the absolute best way possibleÂ
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore
Moderate: Blood, Animal cruelty, Grief, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, and Violence
nightwing's review
Thanks to NetGalley & The Parliament House for the copy in exchange for an honest review. Sadly, I DNF'ed at 30% of the way through.
Lyss is having a great life until she's unfortunately bonded with a magical monster otherwise known as a Rarkyn. Now, both of them have to untangle the magical bond before it's too late and Lyss is driven to madness.
This book has everything I'd like but--it's missing some emotional connection with the characters. Its worldbuilding and magic system is very strong, I still couldn't connect with it. I feel bad about it though, the writing is comprehensive the magic system is something I haven't seen before. Other people who enjoy dark adult fantasy will most likely enjoy the story.
Lyss is having a great life until she's unfortunately bonded with a magical monster otherwise known as a Rarkyn. Now, both of them have to untangle the magical bond before it's too late and Lyss is driven to madness.
This book has everything I'd like but--it's missing some emotional connection with the characters. Its worldbuilding and magic system is very strong, I still couldn't connect with it. I feel bad about it though, the writing is comprehensive the magic system is something I haven't seen before. Other people who enjoy dark adult fantasy will most likely enjoy the story.
seherina's review
challenging
dark
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Thank you Love Book Tours and NetGalley for the chance to read and review the Rarkyn’s familiar by Nikky Lee.Â
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The Rarkyn’s Familiar came out on the 19th of April and was published by 510. It was published by The Parliament House and is the authors debut novel! The book is young adult dark fantasy and monster fiction book.Â
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If you’re a fan of books like Mistborn, and The Witcher this book is for you! Like those, The Rarkyn’s familiar is not a light read, but one that you need to read slowly to really absorb. I don’t mean that it’s boring though. It’s a great book!Â
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Lyss has her own reasons for training and wanting revenge; they keep her going but she’s not a cruel person and has formed meaningful relationships with those around her. When she and the rarkyn, who is someone I would die for, go on their journey to separate their link, they’re both able to be gentle with each other despite what has happened to them.Â
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happily_undignified's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
The Rarkyn's Familiar by Nikky Lee is an epic fantasy perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo, Holly Black, or Sarah J. Mass. This book has all the ingredients of an Epic Fantasy. Detailed world building, interesting characters, devious magic, and tons of action made this book an interesting read but I felt disconnected from the characters and couldn't really get into it. I thought Lyss was a dynamic MC and I liked her perseverance through the book. Three stars from me due to confusing storyline at times and slow pacing.Â
mybooknookandme's review
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
A stunning debut
booksmakemyheartgofast's review
5.0
This book has been in the making since 2006! Funny enough, that’s when I was born too. Not to be dramatic, but it’s almost like I’ve been waiting my whole life for this.
Most of the arc’s I get (thank you, NetGalley) are debuts, like The Rarkyn’s Familiar. And with most, you kind of notice that, but this pleasantly surprised me.
The beautiful writing has enough YA in it to suck you in its fast-paced plot and has enough charm and allure to make the world feel as magical as it is.
The world has a Tolkien-like vibe to it. That being: a good fleshed out unique world that feels so much bigger than the book and heroic and grey characters!
Every monster, aetherling and magic was strangely unique and balanced. (My favorite aetherling, besides Skaar, is probably the Smarokk. They are the bugs and critters of the Otherworld: Small, perhaps a bit stupid, but mostly adorable with their little shadowy figures and piercing lights for eyes.)
It also lays its seeds for the later parts in the trilogy (which, off topic, I can’t wait for!) where, I’m guessing, politics and higher beings will be at play!
The world will draw you in, for sure, but it’s characters will make you stay. Lyss is sweet and fierce and couldn’t be a better match for the rarkyn, who is kind of a softie behind all that trauma.
Another thing this book does extremely well is multiple pov’s. I like my books with multiple perspectives (especially from the main crew), but this book took it a step further and makes you feel for its villain, who is genuinely tragic.
These characters form real complicated relationships with each other and it makes you feel for them. Even if it goes against your moral code or the other characters you’re rooting for.
The Con
The only thing Nikky Lee wasn’t prepared for was my own stupidity. When I read YA I like to tune the working part of my brain out and just gobble up toddler-vocab words. Nikky Lee forces you to think, to put the pieces together yourself and pay attention.
And now please, GIVE ME THAT SEQUAL!
TW: Flashback on-page parent death, flashback on-page sibling death, lots of gore, beheading, injury, lots of blood, (no major character) death.
(Thank you Nikky Lee, the publisher and NetGalley for this amazing copy of The Rarkyn’s Familiar!)
Most of the arc’s I get (thank you, NetGalley) are debuts, like The Rarkyn’s Familiar. And with most, you kind of notice that, but this pleasantly surprised me.
Lyss accidentally bonds herself to a rarkyn, an aetherling, a monster. What she doesn’t know is that he’s lost everyone dear to him too young, too. And when they find themselves trapped together, all they want is out.
A story of a girl and a monster trying to break their pact, whilst being chased by worse.
The beautiful writing has enough YA in it to suck you in its fast-paced plot and has enough charm and allure to make the world feel as magical as it is.
The world has a Tolkien-like vibe to it. That being: a good fleshed out unique world that feels so much bigger than the book and heroic and grey characters!
Every monster, aetherling and magic was strangely unique and balanced. (My favorite aetherling, besides Skaar, is probably the Smarokk. They are the bugs and critters of the Otherworld: Small, perhaps a bit stupid, but mostly adorable with their little shadowy figures and piercing lights for eyes.)
It also lays its seeds for the later parts in the trilogy (which, off topic, I can’t wait for!) where, I’m guessing, politics and higher beings will be at play!
The world will draw you in, for sure, but it’s characters will make you stay. Lyss is sweet and fierce and couldn’t be a better match for the rarkyn, who is kind of a softie behind all that trauma.
Another thing this book does extremely well is multiple pov’s. I like my books with multiple perspectives (especially from the main crew), but this book took it a step further and makes you feel for its villain, who is genuinely tragic.
These characters form real complicated relationships with each other and it makes you feel for them. Even if it goes against your moral code or the other characters you’re rooting for.
The Con
The only thing Nikky Lee wasn’t prepared for was my own stupidity. When I read YA I like to tune the working part of my brain out and just gobble up toddler-vocab words. Nikky Lee forces you to think, to put the pieces together yourself and pay attention.
And now please, GIVE ME THAT SEQUAL!
TW: Flashback on-page parent death, flashback on-page sibling death, lots of gore, beheading, injury, lots of blood, (no major character) death.
(Thank you Nikky Lee, the publisher and NetGalley for this amazing copy of The Rarkyn’s Familiar!)