Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
I am obsessed. This was the first book I got to do an ARC read for and my god it was so amazing. The powers, the hidden secrets, and the betrayal was truly amazing. I can't wait for the next one already!!
Debut novel, ARC copy received in exchange for honest review:
This is a great debut YA novel. Fresh idea for magic where you earn your powers. Lysta is a great protagonist, there's a bit of a love triangle. I'm left with several questions unanswered, and it leaves off on a cliffhanger- I'll be reading the second book for sure!
Story is occasionally choppy, but overall very good.
This is a great debut YA novel. Fresh idea for magic where you earn your powers. Lysta is a great protagonist, there's a bit of a love triangle. I'm left with several questions unanswered, and it leaves off on a cliffhanger- I'll be reading the second book for sure!
Story is occasionally choppy, but overall very good.
This was my first ever ARC and I enjoyed every minute of it!
The plot for this book kept me hooked and I finished it in about a day and a half. The cliffhanger was incredible and left me with just enough questions leading into the next book! My only wish would have been for a little bit more detail, it was sometimes a bit difficult to picture the scene or could be a little confusing.
Overall, definitely enjoyed this book and can't wait for the next one! Thank you so much to Lauren for the ARC copy, can't wait to get my hands on a paperback with the beautiful artwork!
"War is coming and it will not confine itself to an hour."
The plot for this book kept me hooked and I finished it in about a day and a half. The cliffhanger was incredible and left me with just enough questions leading into the next book! My only wish would have been for a little bit more detail, it was sometimes a bit difficult to picture the scene or could be a little confusing.
Overall, definitely enjoyed this book and can't wait for the next one! Thank you so much to Lauren for the ARC copy, can't wait to get my hands on a paperback with the beautiful artwork!
"War is coming and it will not confine itself to an hour."
I don't remember exactly what I was feeling but I remembe feeling like the book didn't deliver I'm afraid. My biggest irk was the 'trial' situation. Like it lasted maybe 1 or 2 chapter ? Like the trial that defines and cements your magical powers, a trial so huge finishes in under 2 chapters?! Are you kidding me? That was laughable. I thought I missed chapters when I read that she came out the trial doors. Like??? Also the king/high lord guy of the MC's court is supposed to be like 50 or something (grey hair mentioned) and he takes orders/is okay with working with a teenager (male love interest) like this guy is chived up to be a huge tyrant and tyrants are arrogant bustards you think a tyrant will put aside his pride and be okay with working with a measly teenager (no matter how powerful he claims to be) either ways the king guy is also written funnily, Juvenile? He doesn't act his age. A guy who is like 50, a tyrant, someone who became the King not by inheriting the throne but by getting it for himself, such a character was not given justice, the author didn't write the character right. Maybe she was going for a 'grabdmaster' vibe from Ragnarok, but over there it makes sense (why the grandmaster has a funny demeanor but is a cruel-hearted being), there are otherworldly creatures in that planet, there's a big gladiator fight club situation. Like the grandmaster's character didn't seem out of place in an already out of place world. But here it doesn't make sense, the world wants to take itself seriously but the king is uh question mark question mark??
Anyways I read some reviews and it doesn't seem to be getting any good so it's a dnf for me.
Anyways I read some reviews and it doesn't seem to be getting any good so it's a dnf for me.
EDIT/2nd READ: Okay, no idea why I initially rated this a 4 star read because this has been one of my favorite books of 2024. I read this earlier in the year, and the Audio book recently just came out, so I decided to get it and support the author as I have been following her for a while now. I enjoyed the book just as much as the first time around, and this is an easy 5 star read. Lysta is such an amazing and independent female, and she is so strong. The little "Love triangle" they have going on is just great. Evander can kiss my a$$ honestly. In my first review I said he could have a redemption, and I TAKE IT BACK. The ending of the book had me on the edge of my seat with my cheeks clenched. I adore this book. I love the whole earned powers concept, and you get them based off of who you are as a person and how you handle situations (almost like divergent) - this has been and will continue to be a book I recommend to friends!
So, not going to lie, I struggled getting into the book in the beginning. It was slow and I just couldn’t wrap my head around the book. But I kept reading and I’m sooooo glad I did!!! I loved the book once I got into the good stuff
So, not going to lie, I struggled getting into the book in the beginning. It was slow and I just couldn’t wrap my head around the book. But I kept reading and I’m sooooo glad I did!!! I loved the book once I got into the good stuff
No spoilers!
“No bravery without fear. No strength without struggle.”
I was SO SURPRISED by how much I enjoyed this book. I was selected as an ARC reader and based on other people’s experiences with other ARC’s by other authors, I was expecting an average or mediocre book. I was SO WRONG and I’m glad I was. I was not expecting to completely devour this book in less than 2 days and can’t wait till the next book. Lauren Loscig fully drew me into this new book world less than 20 pages into the book. There were twists and turns, relational tension, political intrigue, and so many other of my favorite book tropes that I won’t spoil for you. It was fast and exciting and so much fun to read. Absolutely recommend.
“No bravery without fear. No strength without struggle.”
I was SO SURPRISED by how much I enjoyed this book. I was selected as an ARC reader and based on other people’s experiences with other ARC’s by other authors, I was expecting an average or mediocre book. I was SO WRONG and I’m glad I was. I was not expecting to completely devour this book in less than 2 days and can’t wait till the next book. Lauren Loscig fully drew me into this new book world less than 20 pages into the book. There were twists and turns, relational tension, political intrigue, and so many other of my favorite book tropes that I won’t spoil for you. It was fast and exciting and so much fun to read. Absolutely recommend.
I want to start off by saying WOW. What a phenomenal debut! From the storyline to the characterization, it’s so fresh and exciting! It reads like PJO or HP, something new happening every chapter. The beginning is quick and immediately jumps into action. One of my only quips is that I feel like so much went into emphasizing and hyping up the Trials, only for it to be a fast chapter with an immediate result. I wish it was a little more fleshed out, as well as the state of Falland before immediately heading to the capital. However, I personally LOVED the court politics and the interpersonal dynamics between Lysta and the Crowns and Heirs. The DRAMA!!! And that cliffhanger??? I don’t think I’m mentally prepared to wait for the second installment. Overall, it’s a fun and interesting read, and will definitely be updating myself on the next!
Thank you so much Lauren Losgic for sending me the ARC. I finally finished it and let me tell you it’s really good.
Where powers are earned not born with.
Lysta lives in fear of being forced in to Trials anytime by the crown of her state. The trails are a deadly tests that gifts with magical abilities to the participants. Lysta was eventually tricked and was forced in to the trails, where she gains a magical shield like ability. She finds an unexpected ally who is from another court and sees an opportunity to free herself and her people.
With the high responsibility Lysta has to convince the other Crowns to believe her story and save her people. Lysta now has to learn who to trust in mist of politics and power hungry enemies. It is a story of betrayal, precarious circumstances and plot twist.
Will Lysta convince the courts? Will they able to save the people on time?
Where powers are earned not born with.
Lysta lives in fear of being forced in to Trials anytime by the crown of her state. The trails are a deadly tests that gifts with magical abilities to the participants. Lysta was eventually tricked and was forced in to the trails, where she gains a magical shield like ability. She finds an unexpected ally who is from another court and sees an opportunity to free herself and her people.
With the high responsibility Lysta has to convince the other Crowns to believe her story and save her people. Lysta now has to learn who to trust in mist of politics and power hungry enemies. It is a story of betrayal, precarious circumstances and plot twist.
Will Lysta convince the courts? Will they able to save the people on time?
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
