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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
When I say I absolutely devoured this book — I’m not joking, I read it in one sitting because I couldn’t put it down.
There were so many elements to this book that made this a top tier read for me:
1. The world building and magic system was fascinating and unique. It was fun learning what different individuals could do and how they manifest such vast powers. I am so intrigued to learn more about these in the next books. I loved how we saw Fia train and grasp her understanding of these powers along with her.
2. The dedication line set the entire tone for the book: “this novel is a love letter to the power of friendship and the bonds that turn even the darkest realities into something extraordinary.” The found family between Fia and Osta hit home for me because they are two best friends who act like sisters. As someone who doesn’t have siblings my friends are like family to me and I just felt this to my core.
3. Fia struggles to accept who she is as a person at the start of this story. This forces her to be sarcastic, stubborn, and unnecessarily hard on herself. By the end of this story, Fia grows to love herself with self acceptance and pride in her abilities.
4. The plot twist at the end of the book. I had a feeling something like this was possible based on the hints we were given sporadically throughout the pages, but I did not anticipate her being able to wield the shadows. I am SO curious about the Umbra.
5. I appreciate how this book dives into deep and complex social issues revolving around bigotry and prejudice. Reading IS political and stories like these are extremely important.
6. The pronunciation guide at the start was SO HELPFUL!! More fantasy authors should add things like this to their stories.
I have a lot of unanswered questions at the end of this book that have me itching for the next read! I have a theory that the man at the end of the book was an old lover and I’m kind of hoping that’s the case because I did see Laryk as end game for Fia. I’m so excited to learn more about Fia’s backstory with Umbrathia and the world as a whole.
There were so many elements to this book that made this a top tier read for me:
1. The world building and magic system was fascinating and unique. It was fun learning what different individuals could do and how they manifest such vast powers. I am so intrigued to learn more about these in the next books. I loved how we saw Fia train and grasp her understanding of these powers along with her.
2. The dedication line set the entire tone for the book: “this novel is a love letter to the power of friendship and the bonds that turn even the darkest realities into something extraordinary.” The found family between Fia and Osta hit home for me because they are two best friends who act like sisters. As someone who doesn’t have siblings my friends are like family to me and I just felt this to my core.
3. Fia struggles to accept who she is as a person at the start of this story. This forces her to be sarcastic, stubborn, and unnecessarily hard on herself. By the end of this story, Fia grows to love herself with self acceptance and pride in her abilities.
4. The plot twist at the end of the book. I had a feeling something like this was possible based on the hints we were given sporadically throughout the pages, but I did not anticipate her being able to wield the shadows. I am SO curious about the Umbra.
5. I appreciate how this book dives into deep and complex social issues revolving around bigotry and prejudice. Reading IS political and stories like these are extremely important.
6. The pronunciation guide at the start was SO HELPFUL!! More fantasy authors should add things like this to their stories.
I have a lot of unanswered questions at the end of this book that have me itching for the next read! I have a theory that the man at the end of the book was an old lover and I’m kind of hoping that’s the case because I did see Laryk as end game for Fia. I’m so excited to learn more about Fia’s backstory with Umbrathia and the world as a whole.
adventurous
mysterious
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
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I'm just... not buying any of this. I don't know.
I am dnfing at 50%. This book has all the elements to a good story but they aren't coming together for me. The FMC and MMC don't spend enough time together for me to believe they are forming a relationship.
Fia's friend is annoying and I could do with a whole lot less of her and her constant cheerfulness given she and Fia are treated like dirt by a lot of the nobility which keeps them poor and only allows them to work in service positions.
And the whole scene with Fia and the guard who was responsible for her friends' deaths would have been an epic emotional moment but it was glossed over and Fia was unbothered by it all, laughing and chumming it up at a ball days later when you would think she would be traumatized by what she witnessed and what memories she was forced to relive thanks to the actions of the MMC.
This feels like it's trying to be a fourth wing or other academy/military academy stories but everything feels surface level with no real depth in the storytelling.
Fia's friend is annoying and I could do with a whole lot less of her and her constant cheerfulness given she and Fia are treated like dirt by a lot of the nobility which keeps them poor and only allows them to work in service positions.
And the whole scene with Fia and the guard who was responsible for her friends' deaths would have been an epic emotional moment but it was glossed over and Fia was unbothered by it all, laughing and chumming it up at a ball days later when you would think she would be traumatized by what she witnessed and what memories she was forced to relive thanks to the actions of the MMC.
This feels like it's trying to be a fourth wing or other academy/military academy stories but everything feels surface level with no real depth in the storytelling.
fast-paced
Loveable characters:
No
Pacing makes no sense and is to the severe detriment of the story
OMG... this was so gooooooood. I NEED book 2 ASAP.
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
An impressive debut that’s worth the read! Although it took a little while to fully hook me, the payoff was worth it- stick with it, and you’ll find yourself unable to put it down!
New Adult Romantasy
It gives me Fourth Wing vibes with and X-Men-like twist (as someone who loves both). It doesn’t focus on the romance as much or dive as deep into details as Fourth Wing. I’ve heard it’s similar to Powerless (haven’t read that one yet), but it also gave me some Red Queen vibes with marginalization and forced circumstances—though that’s where the comparisons end for me!
The FMC really grew on me!! She starts out a bit tortured and brooding (for good reason!). This is part of her development, you just have to be patient. She is balanced well by her sunshine of a best friend, whom I adore. I’m looking forward to reading more of the FMC in the next book! Without giving too much away, the FMC’s ability is fascinating, and watching it evolve was a highlight for me. I can’t wait to see where it goes in the rest of the series.
I really liked the Morally-Grey Mentor/Mentee Enemies-to-Lovers dynamic and its potential. I did have a hard time catching up to Fia’s perspective of the MMC. The development skipped some steps for me but there is definitely an audience for it!
Osta stole my heart. This book nails the girl’s-girl best friend trope, which is something I’ll never get tired of! I really connected with Ma, and the found family with other recruits is something I want to see more of in the next books.
I will DEFINITELY be picking up the sequel as soon as I can get my hands on it. Osta must be protected at all costs, and (SPOILER ALERT) I have not been able stop thinking about the “princess” hints at the end... I just cannot wait for book 2!!
Tropes:
Powerful FMC
Magical abilities
Slow burn enemies to lovers
Strong female friendship
Found family
Spice
New Adult Romantasy
It gives me Fourth Wing vibes with and X-Men-like twist (as someone who loves both). It doesn’t focus on the romance as much or dive as deep into details as Fourth Wing. I’ve heard it’s similar to Powerless (haven’t read that one yet), but it also gave me some Red Queen vibes with marginalization and forced circumstances—though that’s where the comparisons end for me!
The FMC really grew on me!! She starts out a bit tortured and brooding (for good reason!). This is part of her development, you just have to be patient. She is balanced well by her sunshine of a best friend, whom I adore. I’m looking forward to reading more of the FMC in the next book! Without giving too much away, the FMC’s ability is fascinating, and watching it evolve was a highlight for me. I can’t wait to see where it goes in the rest of the series.
I really liked the Morally-Grey Mentor/Mentee Enemies-to-Lovers dynamic and its potential. I did have a hard time catching up to Fia’s perspective of the MMC. The development skipped some steps for me but there is definitely an audience for it!
Osta stole my heart. This book nails the girl’s-girl best friend trope, which is something I’ll never get tired of! I really connected with Ma, and the found family with other recruits is something I want to see more of in the next books.
I will DEFINITELY be picking up the sequel as soon as I can get my hands on it. Osta must be protected at all costs, and (SPOILER ALERT) I have not been able stop thinking about the “princess” hints at the end... I just cannot wait for book 2!!
Tropes:
Powerful FMC
Magical abilities
Slow burn enemies to lovers
Strong female friendship
Found family
Spice
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Xenophobia, War, Classism