Scan barcode
julalbert56's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Mostly, I was very bored listening to this book. I also did not vibe with the romance. Asher and Lore had no chemistry. At one point he says “I’m so much stronger than you” like shut up dude what a big ick. I know the twist is that he’s evil but their romance has to be at least a bit believable since the romance is a primary plot point I also felt like the world building was lacking. Mostly, if the fae, as explained in the beginning, are so picky about lineages, why why why would their evil plan be to mate with HUMANS, the one species they despise and look down on the most? The war in the South was also super sidelined and random, as was the scene with Grey and that Queen. How did Lore rescue him so quickly? It was so underwhelming. the only character I really liked was Isla, though it was funny that she was the only lesbian character and was described as having orange and pink/sunset clothing (literally the lesbian flag, not subtle lol). ALSO the writing gave very much YA (which I thought the book was) until a random sex scene? It threw me off. Anyway, not a huge fan.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual assault
eusteph's review against another edition
medium-paced
3.0
Lukewarm.
While I love supporting new authors, particularly Black authors, who write diverse stories, I would be remiss if I rated this book anything above a three-star.
The overall pacing of the story was good, good enough that I think this could have been read in one sitting. However, the plot and tropes didn't really seem out of the ordinary given the number of YA fantasy novels that I've read so far.
Although the smut scenes weren't entirely tasteless, they felt gratuitous. I wish there had been a few minor plot twists leading to the "final" twist. Maybe then I would have seriously considered reading the sequels to this series.
Maybe I'm just not the target audience for this book, who knows?
While I love supporting new authors, particularly Black authors, who write diverse stories, I would be remiss if I rated this book anything above a three-star.
The overall pacing of the story was good, good enough that I think this could have been read in one sitting. However, the plot and tropes didn't really seem out of the ordinary given the number of YA fantasy novels that I've read so far.
Although the smut scenes weren't entirely tasteless, they felt gratuitous. I wish there had been a few minor plot twists leading to the "final" twist. Maybe then I would have seriously considered reading the sequels to this series.
Maybe I'm just not the target audience for this book, who knows?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
lsol8tion's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I enjoyed this book a lot! For being the 1st book of a fantasy series, Lore of the Wilds waste no time getting into the action! The plot kicks off as soon as Chapter 2 starts. The world-building is placed throughout the story instead of being packed into the first few chapters, which I like. It helps that the audience is learning about fae society WITH Lore. I appreciate high fantasy books with magic systems, environments, and social dynamics that aren't too complicated to understand. The story didn't feel dragged out either (about 350 pages). I usually a few books at the same time, but I stayed committed to this book cuz I couldn't put it down!
I heard that this series will be a duology, and I'm not sure how I feel about that considering the fact that I think the fae wrold could be expanded on more especially with the threats of war at hand between the races of fae, and the humans needing to liberate themselves from oppression. Considering how Book 1 ended, Lore's gonna ne spending some time away from the citizens of Duskmere, so how can she teach them magic (her magic style is still unclear so I hope Book 2 will elaborate on that) and help strategize a revolution against the fae? I just don't think these huge conflicts can be efficiently resolved in Book 2, especially if it has the same amount of pages as Book 1 (I could always be proven wrong). I kinda hope the series will be expanded into a trilogy.
However, that plot-twist aboutAsher being Lord Syrelle in disguise GAGGED me!!! I had to close out my reading app & walk a few laps around my room! And that cliffhanger was absolutely illegal! Best believe I'm seated for book 2, and I'm excited to read more of Analeigh Sbrana's work.
I heard that this series will be a duology, and I'm not sure how I feel about that considering the fact that I think the fae wrold could be expanded on more especially with the threats of war at hand between the races of fae, and the humans needing to liberate themselves from oppression. Considering how Book 1 ended, Lore's gonna ne spending some time away from the citizens of Duskmere, so how can she teach them magic (her magic style is still unclear so I hope Book 2 will elaborate on that) and help strategize a revolution against the fae? I just don't think these huge conflicts can be efficiently resolved in Book 2, especially if it has the same amount of pages as Book 1 (I could always be proven wrong). I kinda hope the series will be expanded into a trilogy.
However, that plot-twist about
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual content
singingshooter's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.75
Really struggled with how choppy this book felt.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Slavery, and Violence
Minor: Rape
naomi_k's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Xenophobia, and Violence
Moderate: Classism, Hate crime, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Forced institutionalization, Colonisation, Toxic relationship, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Rape, and Sexual content
Minor: War and Alcohol
kstacy91's review
Librarian here to leave a review on a book I was REALLY looking forward to. This book is poorly edited and written. So much so that it was distracting. The descriptions were all over the place. For example, Lore is speaking with the High Steward about why she’s there and suddenly we get a description of the room and what he looks like. It threw me off completely. Then, I came across the part where she entered the library, which was beautifully written! But after that section, she’s back outside the library again and convincing herself to open the door to the library. I couldn’t push through after that. Though this is marketed towards adults, it’s definitely YA. Yes, there’s sexual content (because I flipped through to find it), but it aligns with current YA trends, descriptions, and patterns that are acceptable for the genre. Overall, the writing is stilted, lacks depth, and consistency. While I think the author has some great ideas, the delivery was so lackluster that any positives were snuffed out instantly.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape and Sexual content
destdest's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
First, I LOVE this cover (shoutout to the artist @green446004 (instagram) and fantasy Black people. Let’s go!
But the pacing and storytelling weren’t for me. The writing felt heavy on the telling and was too fast-paced. But the last third of the book picked up until it jumped the shark a little bit. I thought the book would take place in one location and was surprised when it moved to somewhere unexpected for the brunt of the book.
With the worldbuilding, the fae/different types of fairies are established to be very dangerous. There's a serious class issue and they all have unique magical traits, view humans as beneath them, and are execution-style scary supposedly. But, it didn't make any sense the way and how quickly Lore would mouth off. She wavered between being afraid of them to not caring. Can or cannot these people smite you where you stand???
I wanted to like Asher and Lore more, but their connection felt like we were on a speed-run. The core building of their relationship mostly happens offscreen, so the romantic strides felt unearned. I couldn't get into their banter either. Also, the ending... I don't even know even more. what? whole time he's been living a lie??? did he get lost in the lie? why did he let the relationship go romantic if he was just using her?
i didn't want to mention them making out after finding out the human women are being forcefully impregnated because I thought it was a final hurrah/going out with a bang because they might die. but nah, it makes sense. y'all are acting horny after hearing that??? because you're a doggone villain!
The second male lead, Finndryl was rude and standoffish, but he was the strong, quiet type. These are the main types who have undying loyalty to the fmc when they get their act together lol. He and Lore kept getting on each other's nerves for the smallest things, but I liked him better because we got to see him slowly defrost. Then, freeze again. Slightly thaw. And freeze again.
Unfortunately, the majority of the character interactions felt like I was being "told" things. Let it marinate. Lore's friendship with Grey didn't have much time, but I believed in their relationship way more than the one with Asher and later Isla.
The editing process probably cut a lot of things which made the book pacing feel too fast. I don't like needless filler, but I think it would've made me more invested in the characters. One scene I liked in particular was when Lore gets pushed in a swing. Just a peaceful moment that let the story breathe.
Still, I'd check out book two! I'm ready to see Lore gain mastery over her skills. I also want to see the Finndryl route.
2.5 stars
Drinking Games:
But the pacing and storytelling weren’t for me. The writing felt heavy on the telling and was too fast-paced. But the last third of the book picked up until it jumped the shark a little bit. I thought the book would take place in one location and was surprised when it moved to somewhere unexpected for the brunt of the book.
With the worldbuilding, the fae/different types of fairies are established to be very dangerous. There's a serious class issue and they all have unique magical traits, view humans as beneath them, and are execution-style scary supposedly. But, it didn't make any sense the way and how quickly Lore would mouth off. She wavered between being afraid of them to not caring. Can or cannot these people smite you where you stand???
I wanted to like Asher and Lore more, but their connection felt like we were on a speed-run. The core building of their relationship mostly happens offscreen, so the romantic strides felt unearned. I couldn't get into their banter either. Also, the ending...
i didn't want to mention them making out after finding out the human women are being forcefully impregnated because I thought it was a final hurrah/going out with a bang because they might die. but nah, it makes sense. y'all are acting horny after hearing that??? because you're a doggone villain!
The second male lead, Finndryl was rude and standoffish, but he was the strong, quiet type. These are the main types who have undying loyalty to the fmc when they get their act together lol. He and Lore kept getting on each other's nerves for the smallest things, but I liked him better because we got to see him slowly defrost. Then, freeze again. Slightly thaw. And freeze again.
Unfortunately, the majority of the character interactions felt like I was being "told" things. Let it marinate. Lore's friendship with Grey didn't have much time, but I believed in their relationship way more than the one with Asher and later Isla.
The editing process probably cut a lot of things which made the book pacing feel too fast. I don't like needless filler, but I think it would've made me more invested in the characters. One scene I liked in particular was when Lore gets pushed in a swing. Just a peaceful moment that let the story breathe.
Still, I'd check out book two! I'm ready to see Lore gain mastery over her skills. I also want to see the Finndryl route.
2.5 stars
Drinking Games:
- Lore fretting about her hair
- Asher’s "long legs"
- Lore drinking too much alcohol
- Finndryl being moody
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcohol, and Alcoholism
Minor: Abandonment, Rape, and Sexual content
CW: forced breedingbooknerderika's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
4.0
Alright this was a lot.
The story started with a pretty steady plot and then it was one thing after another after another just all over the place. I kind of enjoyed it though, it kept my ADHD brain engaged. Especially as I tried to remember if things had been said before or if the characters were having a conversation about something new even though it was familiar to them. Basically as if I had missed out on some previous conversations, which from the pacing of this happened more often than I liked.
Aside from that, I enjoyed the characters and the growing romance. I went into this expecting a fun fantasy and I'm not going to be too nitpicky about it.
I will say I feel like the 2nd book will be better than the first, at least that's the impression I got from the ending. I'm crossing my fingers that that's the case because I like this story.
That ending left me shocked although it really shouldn't have. I think I just didn't want to believe that after everything the characters had been through. I was mad but also a little relieved that I could finally root for the other (no spoilers) without feeling bad for the first.
The story started with a pretty steady plot and then it was one thing after another after another just all over the place. I kind of enjoyed it though, it kept my ADHD brain engaged. Especially as I tried to remember if things had been said before or if the characters were having a conversation about something new even though it was familiar to them. Basically as if I had missed out on some previous conversations, which from the pacing of this happened more often than I liked.
Aside from that, I enjoyed the characters and the growing romance. I went into this expecting a fun fantasy and I'm not going to be too nitpicky about it.
I will say I feel like the 2nd book will be better than the first, at least that's the impression I got from the ending. I'm crossing my fingers that that's the case because I like this story.
That ending left me shocked although it really shouldn't have. I think I just didn't want to believe that after everything the characters had been through. I was mad but also a little relieved that I could finally root for the other (no spoilers) without feeling bad for the first.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Vomit, Blood, Addiction, Kidnapping, Violence, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Murder, Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Death, Cursing, and Gore
niita's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I’m just ready for the second book, man….. I am SO shook about that ending. Albeit, I’m heartbroken….. 💔😔.
Content Warnings
Minor: Blood, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
rebeccajost's review against another edition
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Kidnapping, War, Violence, Classism, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Trafficking, Sexual violence, and Pregnancy