Reviews

So overall this book was interesting and kept me entertained. The main plot is based around a suspenseful mystery of the ghost character's death. It is told in 3 POVs of the ghost, empath and werewolf. There were some points that it seemed overcomplicated for no reason, but I think they were suppose to be plot twists? It didn't really come off as that because there was little build so we already were not sure what to expect. After I purchased this book, I realized it was a Wattpad book ... and it does read like a wattpad story where chapters are written one at a time rather than a cohesive preplanned plot.

A point for me is that there was representation of an intersex, nonbinary Asian character. Now as I don't identify with those groups, I am not a clear judge on problematic representation but I will say it came off as exoticizing. This queer character is also a sex worker based in japanese folklore who gives everyone a Japanese nickname. It just felt like ... a lot.

becauseidontknow's review

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adventurous inspiring mysterious 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? N/A

5.0

dtaylorbooks's review

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adventurous emotional mysterious tense 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? It's complicated

3.0

From a pure story standpoint, LEAD ME ASTRAY is a fun story with a lot going on, yet it’s pretty easy to follow. I loved the chemistry between the characters and the poly romance. The dynamic between the three of them was filled with tension and lust that really just pulsed off the page. I couldn’t have asked for more there.

I liked how different the paranormal story was, how the vampire of the group wasn’t the one that everyone was lusting after. The vampire was kept as a murderous villain, and I totally appreciate that. I also liked how the alpha werewolf was put in his place more than once. It really deconstructed that whole trope and made the three characters in the relationship be on the same footing.

The variety of the characters was also refreshing. Mys’s nonbinary body created a rather interesting love scene that I was totally on board with. I honestly think Mys and Ravani had more chemistry than anyone else, but I don’t think Aurie was a wrench in anyone’s spokes or anything. She fit in nicely, but the real chemistry was between Ravani and Mys.

When Wattpad publishes a book, they publish the book and then put that published version in Paid Stories for people on the platform to read for those who don’t want to buy the actual book. I get the business side of this. However, what I read was definitely a serial novel that really wasn’t adapted for a traditional novel format. The pacing was kind of hinky and sagged a bit in the middle, plus it veered off course a couple of times in these side stories that work in serial fiction, but less so in a traditional novel format.

On top of that, it could have used a heavier hand in copyediting. My default for reading on Wattpad is way more forgiving, so it didn’t bother me as much. But knowing this was also the print version made me cringe. This is not the first time I’ve seen a more lateral move for Wattpad in turning a serial novel into a print novel and at least for me personally, it’s not the greatest. Based on some of the other reviews I’ve read, others are also picking up on this too. What’s excusable on a platform like Wattpad is less so in a published work.

To be clear, I don’t blame the author for this. Responsibility lies firmly on Wattpad. They keep doing it so I imagine is largely works for them. Neat! I personally seem to keep having the same issue with Wattpad books, where it might have been manageable as a serial on the platform, but my brain is not accepting that same book in print because it’s expecting a book that’s written for print. Not a book that was written as a serial that’s being shoved into the more traditional space. This is probably the third or fourth Wattpad book that I’ve felt this way about, so it’s definitely a pattern I’m picking up.

I would definitely recommend reading it on the Wattpad platform over the print. At least personally, my brain switches to something that’s way more forgiving and, had I read it in print, I’m not sure I would have gotten through it. On Wattpad, I found it to be an enjoyable story that worked for the platform.

pyrocat's review

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dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

2.5

dietzan's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny mysterious tense fast-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? Yes

3.5

nieceyb's review

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adventurous emotional funny mysterious tense medium-paced

5.0

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