Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.28 AVERAGE
4.28 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
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:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
I totally related to Rayna, the MC, especially when she showed up at school and was struggling with leaving the past behind and coming to some tough realizations. I haven't read anything like that in a book before, though many people have probably experienced it too.
Otherwise, it started out a little predictable in the first half, but really came into its own when more details were revealed. Then it became more unique and unexpected. I found it to be a well-thought out and well-paced storyline and characters. I started out reading books about magical education and this is a great adult version for anyone else who did too.
Will read the next one!
And that cover?! Stunning! 4.5/5.
Otherwise, it started out a little predictable in the first half, but really came into its own when more details were revealed. Then it became more unique and unexpected. I found it to be a well-thought out and well-paced storyline and characters. I started out reading books about magical education and this is a great adult version for anyone else who did too.
Will read the next one!
And that cover?! Stunning! 4.5/5.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
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:
Complicated
Tropes:
Found family
One bed
Magic academy
Flirty Mind speaking
Light spice
By the Orchid and owl is not just a pretty cover. This book was INCREDIBLE. oh my god. If Harry potter and fourth wing had a baby and it's uncle was acotar, this would be it. The world building, the magic system, the side characters?! Absolutely incredible. The main characters? Super relatable and Coen can get it!
It deserves every one of these stars as it absolutely rocked my socks off. I am UNWELL with the ending and I only wish Mariah could write as fast as I devoured this book because I need book two ASAP.
Thank you to Mariah for fitting me in as a last minute arc reader. I'm so incredibly happy to have read this book. 💕 All opinions are my own.
Found family
One bed
Magic academy
Flirty Mind speaking
Light spice
By the Orchid and owl is not just a pretty cover. This book was INCREDIBLE. oh my god. If Harry potter and fourth wing had a baby and it's uncle was acotar, this would be it. The world building, the magic system, the side characters?! Absolutely incredible. The main characters? Super relatable and Coen can get it!
It deserves every one of these stars as it absolutely rocked my socks off. I am UNWELL with the ending and I only wish Mariah could write as fast as I devoured this book because I need book two ASAP.
Thank you to Mariah for fitting me in as a last minute arc reader. I'm so incredibly happy to have read this book. 💕 All opinions are my own.
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
adventurous
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:
No
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
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:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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:
Yes
Mariah, what did you do to me?! I NEED this second book! I read this ARC is only 2 days!
For anyone seeking a book that fuels your need for a magical adventure, this is the one! Welcome to the island of Eshol, where all 18 year olds are brought to the Institute to receive their Brand that gives them a piece of the island’s magic. However, when Rayna Drey is set to receive her magic, an unfamiliar force within her is awakened. She must figure out what this force is before the Good Council does. And, by the way, she has to collaborate with a dangerous (and hottttt) mind manipulator to do so. This story of secrets, magic, desire, loyalty, and trust is one that will make you place guards around your heart, just to destroy them and scramble to put them back together.
Fantastic, fantastic, fantastic read!
For anyone seeking a book that fuels your need for a magical adventure, this is the one! Welcome to the island of Eshol, where all 18 year olds are brought to the Institute to receive their Brand that gives them a piece of the island’s magic. However, when Rayna Drey is set to receive her magic, an unfamiliar force within her is awakened. She must figure out what this force is before the Good Council does. And, by the way, she has to collaborate with a dangerous (and hottttt) mind manipulator to do so. This story of secrets, magic, desire, loyalty, and trust is one that will make you place guards around your heart, just to destroy them and scramble to put them back together.
Fantastic, fantastic, fantastic read!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Violence
adventurous
funny
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:
No
I was intrigued by the book from the start! Couldn’t stop reading to find the answers. There were moments that made me laugh and moments that made me cry. Also, the cliffhanger is 🤯! When does book 2 come out?
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping
Minor: Sexual assault, War
This had me sucked in from the beginning. Rayna enters the school where people are branded with magic in order to learn how to use it for the next five years. The purpose is to help them become worthy citizens, but Rayna quickly finds out that not everything is as it seems.
Coen is a fifth year student with so many secrets Rayna isn't sure what to think. But then he lets her in and she sees an entirely new side of him as they slowly fall for each other. Decisions are made to keep loved ones safe, and secrets are revealed by the island itself. Can they survive the revelation of what's going on, and will they remember it so they can fight back?
This was so good! Major Fourth Wing meets Divergent vibes, and a great academic setting. Absolutely love the protectiveness of Coen, and how their romance progressed. I cried at the end, omg, and that cliffhanger!
Coen is a fifth year student with so many secrets Rayna isn't sure what to think. But then he lets her in and she sees an entirely new side of him as they slowly fall for each other. Decisions are made to keep loved ones safe, and secrets are revealed by the island itself. Can they survive the revelation of what's going on, and will they remember it so they can fight back?
This was so good! Major Fourth Wing meets Divergent vibes, and a great academic setting. Absolutely love the protectiveness of Coen, and how their romance progressed. I cried at the end, omg, and that cliffhanger!