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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
mysterious
medium-paced
I didn't realize that this book was the first in a series until that cliffhanger ending. I'm really going to need the second book soon.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
8th & up
adventurous
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
disclaimer: I don’t really give starred reviews. I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Find me here: https://linktr.ee/bookishmillennial
This was a fun start to this series (unsure if it’ll be a duology or series!), though there are a lot of moving parts and characters to get to know, which if you’re like me, could be disorienting hahaha. However, I really enjoyed getting to know our main character Io, and her fated mate/fate thread sharer, Edei.
Io is a teenage private investigator and an Otherborn, which means she has powers leftover from the Greek gods/Fates who are no longer around. Her powers are related to adjusting folks’ fates, having the power to cut them, while her sisters Thais and Ava weave and draw the threads. She contemplates cutting her own fate thread as well, because “we don’t kiss other people’s boyfriends,” as Io and her sisters say lol! Edei already has a girlfriend when Io learns of him, so she doesn’t seek him out and sort of feels resigned to not ending up with her fate thread.
Io’s sister Thais leaves one day, and now Io is mostly helping disgruntled wives deal with their unfaithful husbands. Then, Io begins investigating a grisly mystery: somebody is abducting women, maiming their life-threads, and setting the resulting wraiths loose in the city to kill. She works with Edei to uncover dark secrets and this close proximity gets them both to question if they should simply give in to their fate threads!
Sometimes, the pacing felt a bit frenetic, especially when it came to explaining Io’s relationship with her sisters. I sort of got whiplash with that; I remember thinking, ‘Wait, when did their relationship turn down this road?! What did I miss?!’ So, sometimes I would have to rewind (listened to the audiobook) to try to grasp what happened, but it was mostly due to pacing and a lack of showing (and more telling/exposition).
Something I really appreciated was the queernormative world, with bisexual, trans, and nonbinary side characters!
Overall, I did enjoy listening to this and appreciated an ownvoices take on Greek mythology YA fantasy, so I will continue the series and I think the author does have a lot of promise!
This was a fun start to this series (unsure if it’ll be a duology or series!), though there are a lot of moving parts and characters to get to know, which if you’re like me, could be disorienting hahaha. However, I really enjoyed getting to know our main character Io, and her fated mate/fate thread sharer, Edei.
Io is a teenage private investigator and an Otherborn, which means she has powers leftover from the Greek gods/Fates who are no longer around. Her powers are related to adjusting folks’ fates, having the power to cut them, while her sisters Thais and Ava weave and draw the threads. She contemplates cutting her own fate thread as well, because “we don’t kiss other people’s boyfriends,” as Io and her sisters say lol! Edei already has a girlfriend when Io learns of him, so she doesn’t seek him out and sort of feels resigned to not ending up with her fate thread.
Io’s sister Thais leaves one day, and now Io is mostly helping disgruntled wives deal with their unfaithful husbands. Then, Io begins investigating a grisly mystery: somebody is abducting women, maiming their life-threads, and setting the resulting wraiths loose in the city to kill. She works with Edei to uncover dark secrets and this close proximity gets them both to question if they should simply give in to their fate threads!
Sometimes, the pacing felt a bit frenetic, especially when it came to explaining Io’s relationship with her sisters. I sort of got whiplash with that; I remember thinking, ‘Wait, when did their relationship turn down this road?! What did I miss?!’ So, sometimes I would have to rewind (listened to the audiobook) to try to grasp what happened, but it was mostly due to pacing and a lack of showing (and more telling/exposition).
Something I really appreciated was the queernormative world, with bisexual, trans, and nonbinary side characters!
Overall, I did enjoy listening to this and appreciated an ownvoices take on Greek mythology YA fantasy, so I will continue the series and I think the author does have a lot of promise!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Violence, Murder, Abandonment
Moderate: Death, Genocide, Transphobia
adventurous
dark
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:
Yes
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
[read in french]
It was a bit complicated to get into it with all the infos on the god descendants and their power, i wish there were (at least in the french version) a glossary explaining all the names and their powers ; there's so many that sometimes one is mentionned and you're like "wait what's their power like again?".
It was political plot surrounding gangs, but it also goes way deeper than that. And that's what I liked from this story, how complex it was. It kind of ended up being confusing sometimes, like they were getting everywhere and nowhere at the same time, but then it focused back again to the main plot. I really liked Io and Edei's relationship, and everything about their destiny. Bianca Rossi is a very interesting characters as well, especially towards the end.
I'm definitelly gonna read the next book!
It was a bit complicated to get into it with all the infos on the god descendants and their power, i wish there were (at least in the french version) a glossary explaining all the names and their powers ; there's so many that sometimes one is mentionned and you're like "wait what's their power like again?".
It was political plot surrounding gangs, but it also goes way deeper than that. And that's what I liked from this story, how complex it was. It kind of ended up being confusing sometimes, like they were getting everywhere and nowhere at the same time, but then it focused back again to the main plot. I really liked Io and Edei's relationship, and everything about their destiny. Bianca Rossi is a very interesting characters as well, especially towards the end.
I'm definitelly gonna read the next book!
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
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
This book is a mesmerizing blend of mystery, romance and mythology that transports us, readers into a world dripping with atmosphere and rich with danger. The author's writing skillfully weaves together a dark and captivating tapestry of intrigue, drawing readers into a web of secrets and fated connections.
The story's compelling characters are intricately entwined in a modern myth, their lives intertwining in unexpected and sometimes perilous ways. As the narrative unfolds, readers are pulled deeper into a world where threads of destiny and desire bind the characters together, creating a sense of both foreboding and irresistible allure.
The author's evocative prose brings the setting to life, immersing readers in a world where ancient legends and contemporary dilemmas collide. The writer's vivd descriptions and keen attention to detail create a sense of palpable tension and mystery, keeping readers on the edge of their seats throughout the story.
In conclusion this book i s a captivating and atmosperic read that will appeal to fans of drak romance, intricate mythology and compelling storytelling. I think the author has created a novel that lingers in the mind long after the final page (like it happened to me), leaving readers eager for the sequel in this enchanting and enigmatic series.
All in all, I gave it 4,5 stars, because it's still not their with my 5 star reads but it's really close.
The story's compelling characters are intricately entwined in a modern myth, their lives intertwining in unexpected and sometimes perilous ways. As the narrative unfolds, readers are pulled deeper into a world where threads of destiny and desire bind the characters together, creating a sense of both foreboding and irresistible allure.
The author's evocative prose brings the setting to life, immersing readers in a world where ancient legends and contemporary dilemmas collide. The writer's vivd descriptions and keen attention to detail create a sense of palpable tension and mystery, keeping readers on the edge of their seats throughout the story.
In conclusion this book i s a captivating and atmosperic read that will appeal to fans of drak romance, intricate mythology and compelling storytelling. I think the author has created a novel that lingers in the mind long after the final page (like it happened to me), leaving readers eager for the sequel in this enchanting and enigmatic series.
All in all, I gave it 4,5 stars, because it's still not their with my 5 star reads but it's really close.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A Greek author writing about Greek mythology, specifically focusing on descendants of the Fates, the three sisters who can cut, draw, and weave the life threads? A PI who is hired to solve the mystery of who is abducting women by a mob boss and has to work with her fated soulmate? Three sisters at odds? A gorgeous cover? I'm in.
Sadly, this book did not work for me. Characters came and went, with many new characters being introduced even later on in the book, many of whom are inconsequential, and I had a hard time keeping track of them. At 50% I had a vague idea of what's going on, but every scene change took me off guard and I was scrambling to connect the dots. A chapter ends, and the next one picks up a while later, and sometimes has a fill-in recap, of how they got there, and sometimes the story just moves on. Even at 85% when a name is brought up I still had no idea who it was. There were just too many characters, too many threats, too many places, and overall, just too much happening and a lot of extra information that I assume is for worldbuilding but really just muddled the atmosphere. I felt overwhelmed with everything being introduced and then never spoken of again and was not able to really connect with the world or the politics.
Io is a bit frustrating of a character. Her relationship with her sisters defines her in a way, so does trying to avoid her fate thread. I liked her power, the fate threads, but they felt underutilized or mostly used to get her out of binds. Her outbursts felt like they came out of nowhere, and she makes up her mind quickly with insufficient evidence. Her PI experience doesn't help her solve the mystery. I wanted more scenes of her and her sisters together, even if they're flashbacks to one of the good times, rather than just referencing it in broad strokes.
Edei I liked a lot more than Io. That's not saying a whole lot though. He's solid and loyal and somehow willing to give it all up for a girl he met maybe a day and a half ago. He doesn't contribute a lot to the "investigation", other than being there as muscle and to distract Io, but I liked his characterization.
They absolutely don't feel like they belong together, and a lot of their "joking" moments were forced. I didn't buy their chemistry.
The Magic
It seemed like the author was having problems balancing her magic, that careful line of "not enough magic" and "this is too powerful". Magic felt like an afterthought, not a key part of the world.
Her friend being able to put people to sleep? Very cool, except if she had that power, why was she chasing after Io and not just putting her to sleep? Why was there this huge scene about them being chased and being terrified if she could just put the pursuers to sleep? The next morning, she put someone to sleep just fine. Is it a one-person thing? Is there a cooldown?
(Also was this scene solely so she and Edei could "sleep" in a bed together and be teased, and for the bad guys to conveniently talk about the information? "Yeah, didn't find them, time to give up and not mention this ever again.")
Near the end, her sister says Io just needs to present her name and she can get in, she's already been cleared to do so, but instead of doing so, Io uses her power to disable a guard with the reply of "there's no time!" ...Because using her name would be so much more difficult?
This book is like an onion with layers upon layers, but I barely understand the first layer, not to mention whatever came after. The characters flip-flopped, they're friends, they're not, they're bad, or maybe not?
Overall, this book just didn't work for me, but I liked the concept and the casual nonbinary and bisexual rep. The writing style itself I enjoyed, but I struggled to finish this book, confused about the motivations, confused about what was happening, and not entirely sure what I read. There's a bit of timey-wimey going on, and not in a good way, and we're left to fill in the gaps because the instruction manual was lost.
I think if there was a lot less introduction of characters and places and other magical structures that weren't instrumental in this book, and more emphasis on Io, her relationships with the key characters, and if the ending wasn't a fresh info dump, then maybe? Just maybe? It might work?
All I know is that even in the last 20%, when a character's name was brought up, I still had no idea who they were outside of her love interest, the politician, the "mob queen" (stated many, many times)", and her sisters without heavy guesswork and context clues.
Sadly, this book did not work for me. Characters came and went, with many new characters being introduced even later on in the book, many of whom are inconsequential, and I had a hard time keeping track of them. At 50% I had a vague idea of what's going on, but every scene change took me off guard and I was scrambling to connect the dots. A chapter ends, and the next one picks up a while later, and sometimes has a fill-in recap, of how they got there, and sometimes the story just moves on. Even at 85% when a name is brought up I still had no idea who it was. There were just too many characters, too many threats, too many places, and overall, just too much happening and a lot of extra information that I assume is for worldbuilding but really just muddled the atmosphere. I felt overwhelmed with everything being introduced and then never spoken of again and was not able to really connect with the world or the politics.
Io is a bit frustrating of a character. Her relationship with her sisters defines her in a way, so does trying to avoid her fate thread. I liked her power, the fate threads, but they felt underutilized or mostly used to get her out of binds. Her outbursts felt like they came out of nowhere, and she makes up her mind quickly with insufficient evidence. Her PI experience doesn't help her solve the mystery. I wanted more scenes of her and her sisters together, even if they're flashbacks to one of the good times, rather than just referencing it in broad strokes.
Edei I liked a lot more than Io. That's not saying a whole lot though. He's solid and loyal and somehow willing to give it all up for a girl he met maybe a day and a half ago. He doesn't contribute a lot to the "investigation", other than being there as muscle and to distract Io, but I liked his characterization.
They absolutely don't feel like they belong together, and a lot of their "joking" moments were forced. I didn't buy their chemistry.
The Magic
It seemed like the author was having problems balancing her magic, that careful line of "not enough magic" and "this is too powerful". Magic felt like an afterthought, not a key part of the world.
Spoiler
Io snipping her friend's thread? I liked that. Liked that it stunned her and was a part of the escape.Her friend being able to put people to sleep? Very cool, except if she had that power, why was she chasing after Io and not just putting her to sleep? Why was there this huge scene about them being chased and being terrified if she could just put the pursuers to sleep? The next morning, she put someone to sleep just fine. Is it a one-person thing? Is there a cooldown?
(Also was this scene solely so she and Edei could "sleep" in a bed together and be teased, and for the bad guys to conveniently talk about the information? "Yeah, didn't find them, time to give up and not mention this ever again.")
Near the end, her sister says Io just needs to present her name and she can get in, she's already been cleared to do so, but instead of doing so, Io uses her power to disable a guard with the reply of "there's no time!" ...Because using her name would be so much more difficult?
This book is like an onion with layers upon layers, but I barely understand the first layer, not to mention whatever came after. The characters flip-flopped, they're friends, they're not, they're bad, or maybe not?
Overall, this book just didn't work for me, but I liked the concept and the casual nonbinary and bisexual rep. The writing style itself I enjoyed, but I struggled to finish this book, confused about the motivations, confused about what was happening, and not entirely sure what I read. There's a bit of timey-wimey going on, and not in a good way, and we're left to fill in the gaps because the instruction manual was lost.
I think if there was a lot less introduction of characters and places and other magical structures that weren't instrumental in this book, and more emphasis on Io, her relationships with the key characters, and if the ending wasn't a fresh info dump, then maybe? Just maybe? It might work?
All I know is that even in the last 20%, when a character's name was brought up, I still had no idea who they were outside of her love interest, the politician, the "mob queen" (stated many, many times)", and her sisters without heavy guesswork and context clues.
adventurous
dark
emotional
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