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ashleyj_reads's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
3.0
dcgu's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
morethanmylupus's review
2.0
This was an ok book. I wouldn't say I disliked it, but it doesn't stand out either. Some of the characters were interesting to follow, but their relationships didn't feel realistic, it was all very awkward. The plot was very simplistic with inconsistent pacing. If you can get through this one, it does seem like it has potential to become a more compelling series, but I don't think this is a very strong start.
A huge thank you to the author and the publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
jenwoodrum's review
4.0
Summary:
Blake has spent most of her life learning to deal with her gift - she can see emotionally charged memories from people's pasts as well as premonitions of their futures. When she is approached at college by a man named Nicholas, she learns she is not alone. Magically powered people contain Nine different types of giftings, and Blake finds herself trapped in a political war between factions wanting to use her, as she is more powerful than she realized.
This book was a super quick (one day), fun read. Overall, I felt like the cool aspects of the magic outweighed the parts I didn't like as much because I wanted to keep reading.
What I enjoyed:
Blake has spent most of her life learning to deal with her gift - she can see emotionally charged memories from people's pasts as well as premonitions of their futures. When she is approached at college by a man named Nicholas, she learns she is not alone. Magically powered people contain Nine different types of giftings, and Blake finds herself trapped in a political war between factions wanting to use her, as she is more powerful than she realized.
This book was a super quick (one day), fun read. Overall, I felt like the cool aspects of the magic outweighed the parts I didn't like as much because I wanted to keep reading.
What I enjoyed:
lizzie_shaju123's review
5.0
Okay, I am a fan of fantasy, horror, murder and mystery, and this book blended all these things so well!!
I absolutely adored this gem of a book, and cannot wait to read more from Kes Trester.
Thank you so much NetGalley for the arc.
I give 4.5/5 stars, I loved it so much!
I absolutely adored this gem of a book, and cannot wait to read more from Kes Trester.
Thank you so much NetGalley for the arc.
I give 4.5/5 stars, I loved it so much!
cltroy's review
5.0
*arc received from NetGalley*
Y’all… when I say that I think this has the potential to an amazing, each book will leave you hanging, kind of series… I cannot wait for the second book and already have my physical copy preordered for when it’s published in October
Y’all… when I say that I think this has the potential to an amazing, each book will leave you hanging, kind of series… I cannot wait for the second book and already have my physical copy preordered for when it’s published in October
azdesert_bookworm's review
4.0
In the first installment of a new fantasy series we see Blake, who has had a rough adolescence. Who wouldn’t have some issues if you had the ability to see promentions of those around you without any ability to control the visions? She finally hopes to start fresh when she moves to Santa Carla for college with her best friend, Scarlett. However, starting over isn’t what happens, instead she finds herself nose deep into a brand new world of The Nine, others who have special abilities.
On the surface, this book’s goal is to establish Blake’s place in this secret society, while learning some of the century old traditions that are becoming the crux of the internal tug of war for power. However we have a little murder mystery thrown in for fun.
The characters were ok. I’m hoping that as the series continues, the characters will continue to develop more. There is definite potential with them, but I felt that they were a little restrained. The dialogue was a little formulaic and at times slightly melodramatic, especially towards the end. However, the story was easy to read and flowed quickly from page to page.
The ending set the stage for book 2. There are some unanswered questions, some unclear events taking place, and new complications. It’s effective while not being an unbearable cliffhanger.
With it being a quick and easy read, it didn’t really leave me thinking and pondering anything when I was finished. The world has been successfully established, but there is clearly so much more to come. There is no real clear knowledge of what’s to come except for the little hints we received along the way, so I’m looking forward to the development of the characters and a more complex plot. I would definitely recommend this one if you enjoy YA fantasy and are in the mood for a little X-Men action.
Thank you NetGalley and Owl Hollow Press for an advanced copy of teh book in exchange for an honest review.
On the surface, this book’s goal is to establish Blake’s place in this secret society, while learning some of the century old traditions that are becoming the crux of the internal tug of war for power. However we have a little murder mystery thrown in for fun.
The characters were ok. I’m hoping that as the series continues, the characters will continue to develop more. There is definite potential with them, but I felt that they were a little restrained. The dialogue was a little formulaic and at times slightly melodramatic, especially towards the end. However, the story was easy to read and flowed quickly from page to page.
The ending set the stage for book 2. There are some unanswered questions, some unclear events taking place, and new complications. It’s effective while not being an unbearable cliffhanger.
With it being a quick and easy read, it didn’t really leave me thinking and pondering anything when I was finished. The world has been successfully established, but there is clearly so much more to come. There is no real clear knowledge of what’s to come except for the little hints we received along the way, so I’m looking forward to the development of the characters and a more complex plot. I would definitely recommend this one if you enjoy YA fantasy and are in the mood for a little X-Men action.
Thank you NetGalley and Owl Hollow Press for an advanced copy of teh book in exchange for an honest review.
selsbookcorner's review
4.0
"The power of the one is the power of the many."
The 18-year-old Blake Wilder can see into the future and the past of the people around her, she is a voyant. She wanted to live a normal life, go to college, get a boyfriend, and maybe see a few football games there. This is why she only let a few trusted people know about her premonitions, out of fear she would be seen as a freak. Due to this, she never acted upon her visions and never dared to change the future until one day when she witnesses a premonition of one of her classmates dying in an accident. Coincidentally this was also the day she was approached by a complete stranger, who seems to know everything about her and wants her to join the secret society of The Nine. Once amongst The Nine, multiple murders happen around Blake and it is for her and her friends within The Nine to solve them.
⭐⭐⭐.75
This book is a decent start to a series I'm definitely intrigued to continue! I loved the cover and the premise of the book and was not disappointed. I am an absolute sucker for books that include characters with extraordinary abilities and secret societies and The Nine: Origins combines both.
The magic system of The Nine is very well thought out and features a variety of abilities. The characters however felt a little flat at times and made it hard for me to bond with them. I really hope this will change with the second installment of the series and we will see some better character development.
This was a really fast read, everything is happening quite quickly and made the pacing seem odd at times. What I also did not enjoy as much was the kind of insta-love that happened between our protagonist Blake and Nicholas, and the later forming love triangle.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book though and cannot wait to read the next one especially after this twist and the promising ending!
Thank you to Kes Trester, Owl Hollow Press and Netgalley for an advanced readers copy, all opinions on this book are my own.
Review on my blog
The 18-year-old Blake Wilder can see into the future and the past of the people around her, she is a voyant. She wanted to live a normal life, go to college, get a boyfriend, and maybe see a few football games there. This is why she only let a few trusted people know about her premonitions, out of fear she would be seen as a freak. Due to this, she never acted upon her visions and never dared to change the future until one day when she witnesses a premonition of one of her classmates dying in an accident. Coincidentally this was also the day she was approached by a complete stranger, who seems to know everything about her and wants her to join the secret society of The Nine. Once amongst The Nine, multiple murders happen around Blake and it is for her and her friends within The Nine to solve them.
⭐⭐⭐.75
This book is a decent start to a series I'm definitely intrigued to continue! I loved the cover and the premise of the book and was not disappointed. I am an absolute sucker for books that include characters with extraordinary abilities and secret societies and The Nine: Origins combines both.
The magic system of The Nine is very well thought out and features a variety of abilities. The characters however felt a little flat at times and made it hard for me to bond with them. I really hope this will change with the second installment of the series and we will see some better character development.
This was a really fast read, everything is happening quite quickly and made the pacing seem odd at times. What I also did not enjoy as much was the kind of insta-love that happened between our protagonist Blake and Nicholas, and the later forming love triangle.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book though and cannot wait to read the next one especially after this twist and the promising ending!
Thank you to Kes Trester, Owl Hollow Press and Netgalley for an advanced readers copy, all opinions on this book are my own.
Review on my blog
midnight_lit_'s review
3.0
I have very mixed feelings about this book and thus, I've given it 3 stars.
initially, each chapter's ending felt very abrupt and there was no continuity. It definitely doesn't feel like a smooth ride and I struggled to keep up with it. On the other hand, It does get interesting after a while and I did like the ending. I am very curious about the sequels.
The world building was familiar and yet different. It takes some time to understand the different terms. One major negative note about the book was that I didn't feel connected to any character. Not the protagonists, not the side characters and not the villains. This could be because of the writing or it could be because they weren't interesting enough and I was very irritated with Blake in the beginning. Hopefully this gets better.
initially, each chapter's ending felt very abrupt and there was no continuity. It definitely doesn't feel like a smooth ride and I struggled to keep up with it. On the other hand, It does get interesting after a while and I did like the ending. I am very curious about the sequels.
The world building was familiar and yet different. It takes some time to understand the different terms. One major negative note about the book was that I didn't feel connected to any character. Not the protagonists, not the side characters and not the villains. This could be because of the writing or it could be because they weren't interesting enough and I was very irritated with Blake in the beginning. Hopefully this gets better.
the_coycaterpillar_reads's review
3.0
The Nine: Origins is a promising introduction to this fantasy series. It is an ambitious mix of the supernatural and coming of age. Upon browsing Netgalley I found this intriguing book, the synopsis sounded awesome, and the book cover had me instantly hitting request. I was instantly hit with the passion and love poured into this book. Instantly I was hit with characters that sparked with life. Combing the elements, foresight, telekinesis, and the other six special gifts. It’s not easy to combine these elements into a fantasy story but Kes Trester achieved it with relative ease.
The Nine: Origins is the first book in The Nine series. Blake Wilder, 18, can see pivotal moments in other people’s lives. It seems enhanced by the power of touch and hasn’t caused the loss of lives so far. That all changes when she witnesses a car crash that will affect the future of a boy she goes to school with. This event leads her to meet Nicholas the son of the Chancellor of a secret organisation that could potentially be falling apart at the seams. She needs to pick sides, but whom can she trust? She is a powerful voyant and is a strong card to hold on either side, her alliance could be the deciding factor on who could win the power struggle.
This story isn’t bad by any account, but I did struggle with certain elements of it. The pacing of the story seemed to be inconsistent, and I went through periods of not being able to turn the pages quickly enough to finding some of the chapters a bore. The relationship between Blake and her best friend, Scarlett felt very stilted, and I personally didn’t feel that Scarlett had much of a role except to be Blake’s best friend. It was mildly frustrating. The Romance between Nicolas and Blake seemed very fast, even for young adults. I would’ve personally preferred a slower burn over a few books, I believe that would’ve created more of a realistic timeline of things.
Overall, a great book with a killer premise, I just personally felt the execution was somewhat lacking.
The Nine: Origins is the first book in The Nine series. Blake Wilder, 18, can see pivotal moments in other people’s lives. It seems enhanced by the power of touch and hasn’t caused the loss of lives so far. That all changes when she witnesses a car crash that will affect the future of a boy she goes to school with. This event leads her to meet Nicholas the son of the Chancellor of a secret organisation that could potentially be falling apart at the seams. She needs to pick sides, but whom can she trust? She is a powerful voyant and is a strong card to hold on either side, her alliance could be the deciding factor on who could win the power struggle.
This story isn’t bad by any account, but I did struggle with certain elements of it. The pacing of the story seemed to be inconsistent, and I went through periods of not being able to turn the pages quickly enough to finding some of the chapters a bore. The relationship between Blake and her best friend, Scarlett felt very stilted, and I personally didn’t feel that Scarlett had much of a role except to be Blake’s best friend. It was mildly frustrating. The Romance between Nicolas and Blake seemed very fast, even for young adults. I would’ve personally preferred a slower burn over a few books, I believe that would’ve created more of a realistic timeline of things.
Overall, a great book with a killer premise, I just personally felt the execution was somewhat lacking.