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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
What in the world... let’s just start with this: I hate Fallan. I’m 100% a Xavier girl—don’t ask me why, but I just am. While reading, I couldn't shake the feeling that the connection between Fallan and Forest felt off, even weird. At times, I couldn’t stand Forest either. I was seriously waiting for the badass side of her to come out—because when it did, I loved her. There were also some strange comments and a particular scene where Forest saw an older Xavier that made me wonder if someone was messing with her memories. It was all so unsettling, especially because when Xavier was first introduced, he seemed totally all over her, but it didn’t make sense until the truth about her connection with Fallan was revealed.
I’m definitely hooked on this story, though, especially the dynamic between Forest and Xavier (I love them with a bit of an edge, what can I say?). Everything about this world just calls to me. I literally started the second book already—it’s that addictive. Honestly, I’ll probably never stop talking about this series, so do yourself a favor and pick it up!
I’m definitely hooked on this story, though, especially the dynamic between Forest and Xavier (I love them with a bit of an edge, what can I say?). Everything about this world just calls to me. I literally started the second book already—it’s that addictive. Honestly, I’ll probably never stop talking about this series, so do yourself a favor and pick it up!
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
"It's within us that we'll find the strength to set ourselves free from the wickedness that scorches this earth," It whispers. "Time to fly, little bird."
I'm genuinely in love with this story. When I first saw the 700+ page count, I nearly backed out… 😳 that's a lot of trust to put in an author for the FIRST book in a series. It scared tf out of me, but I closed my eyes, dove in headfirst, and discovered a gem hiding on Kindle Unlimited.
This dystopian fantasy feels like if Divergent and Hunger Games had a baby, but with its own unique twists that keep it from feeling derivative. The forbidden romance? A masterclass in slow burn that had my heart in a complete chokehold. I was GONE. Completely wrecked. The tension between these characters built so beautifully 🥹 but also had me in whiplash mode lol so BEWARE.
The magic system proved surprisingly captivating, with enough complexity to feel fresh but not so convoluted that I got lost. And speaking of getting lost… the first half had me confused as hell, but deliberately so. The author crafts a story where you genuinely don't know who to trust. Every character exists in this morally gray space that had me constantly second-guessing my instincts. I TRUST NO ONE!
That ending though 🫣 I'm still recovering. The revelation I didn't see coming knocked the wind out of me, and the potential for world expansion feels intoxicatingly good.
A few honest warnings:
I'm genuinely in love with this story. When I first saw the 700+ page count, I nearly backed out… 😳 that's a lot of trust to put in an author for the FIRST book in a series. It scared tf out of me, but I closed my eyes, dove in headfirst, and discovered a gem hiding on Kindle Unlimited.
This dystopian fantasy feels like if Divergent and Hunger Games had a baby, but with its own unique twists that keep it from feeling derivative. The forbidden romance? A masterclass in slow burn that had my heart in a complete chokehold. I was GONE. Completely wrecked. The tension between these characters built so beautifully 🥹 but also had me in whiplash mode lol so BEWARE.
The magic system proved surprisingly captivating, with enough complexity to feel fresh but not so convoluted that I got lost. And speaking of getting lost… the first half had me confused as hell, but deliberately so. The author crafts a story where you genuinely don't know who to trust. Every character exists in this morally gray space that had me constantly second-guessing my instincts. I TRUST NO ONE!
That ending though 🫣 I'm still recovering. The revelation I didn't see coming knocked the wind out of me, and the potential for world expansion feels intoxicatingly good.
A few honest warnings:
- This is slow to medium paced with heavy emphasis on world building and character development. The action doesn't really kick in until the final stretch, which I suspect is setting up for a more fast-paced experience in the remaining 3 books.
- There are definitely some plot holes that I found myself willing to overlook because I was so invested in the characters and overall story.
- There are several grammar errors scattered throughout that made me wish the author had invested in professional editing… this story deserves that level of polish.
These issues are the only things keeping me from giving it a full 5 stars. But the plot, world building, and that heart-wrenching romance earn it a solid 4.2 from me. With 3 more books already available (thankfully not all 700+ pages), I have high hopes for where this series is headed.
If you're looking for a dystopian fantasy with romance that hits hard and world building that pulls you in, plus the satisfaction of supporting an indie author, this is your next read. 🤞🏽
DNFed at 20%. The plot was lost almost immediately. I know the author made multiple posts about this being edited but the amount of grammatical errors still present is so concerning. It took me completely out of the story—what little of it there was. I had no idea what was going on and it didn’t make much sense.
Leading with pregnant woman in a dystopia or alt universe that also led with examining childrens files just gave me the gut feeling something was going to happen that dealt with kids. As that is a trigger for me, I decided against continuing.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-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
The writing is very strange and I don’t like the pacing. There are also A.I. images that don’t match the vibe of the book.
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
For being entirely too long, it held my attention enough that I enjoyed it. I like the world more than I felt any particular love for the characters, but I'm still rooting for them.
I will agree that this book and especially the FMC reads very immature. We get it,your mind has been wiped a few times too many but like let's hear some people out on the information they're so desperately trying to get through to you before you wipe them back. Also, you cannot seriously tell me y'all's "insane history" is one night chatting at a party?? Anywho, I'll probably keep going because I really do want to know what happens.
I will agree that this book and especially the FMC reads very immature. We get it,
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
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:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes