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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
emotional
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
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
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:
Complicated
Really enjoyed this book. I binged read it in 2 days and now I’m sad it’s over. The FMC is strong & funny. I instantly liked her. The love interest is everything I want in a fantasy book boyfriend. The plot was intriguing and kept me wanting more. Some parts of the story were a little predictable, but there were enough twists and surprises that it was still exciting!
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
You need to add this book to your tbr! It was funny, it was sexy, and it was dark! I don't know how she managed all that in one book but she did and it was amazing! It also keep me guessing and there was some major surprises and the cliffhanger was out of this world!!!
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
4.5/5⭐️
Between life and death is such an amazing book. It is the debut novel of the author Jacklyn Kot and the first book in a new fantasy series. If you like elemental magic, slow burn romance, a complex world building, strong female characters and morally grey men then you should definetely read Between life and death. From page one we are thrown into the story and the action and from there it just keeps going up and up. The world building is so well done and the stakes are so high that leaves you wanting to read what happened next. The characters are so well done and so easy to fall in love with and feel for them. The author writes the characters point of view so well and really makes you feel connected to them. Sage was an amazing FMC, I loved her inner monologue and her personality. I am so exited to continue this series and see what else Jacklyn Kot has in store for us since this story was so good. Congratulation to them for this amazing debut novel and incredible story.
4.5/5⭐️
Between life and death is such an amazing book. It is the debut novel of the author Jacklyn Kot and the first book in a new fantasy series. If you like elemental magic, slow burn romance, a complex world building, strong female characters and morally grey men then you should definetely read Between life and death. From page one we are thrown into the story and the action and from there it just keeps going up and up. The world building is so well done and the stakes are so high that leaves you wanting to read what happened next. The characters are so well done and so easy to fall in love with and feel for them. The author writes the characters point of view so well and really makes you feel connected to them. Sage was an amazing FMC, I loved her inner monologue and her personality. I am so exited to continue this series and see what else Jacklyn Kot has in store for us since this story was so good. Congratulation to them for this amazing debut novel and incredible story.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
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:
No
I need more! 🥰 I couldn't put this down.
This was such a fun and enchanting read. I was obsessed with Sage, she's fierce, selfless, funny, and relatable. Her inner dialogue had me laughing and giddy squealing a lot, especially in scenes with Von. I loved their chemistry, their banter, and how she grew closer to him without it feeling too forced. I was completely invested in them both halfway through the book. They had me crying with the last few chapters, completely toying with my emotions.. i am not ok. The way the author writes really sucks you into the characters' thoughts and feelings. You can't not, connect with them.
This was easy to bindge read. It has short chapters and a slight dual pov. I did hope to get more of Vons perspective once we had it and I would have liked to have known more about where Von was disappearing to at times but I have a feeling that will come out in book two 🤞
I feel like we have just opened the seams of what this fantasy world has to offer as we discover it alongside Sage, I'm excited to see where this series goes.
This is a debut novel and i really hope that we get to see the rest of what she has to offer... no pressure, but I need book 2 .. like now 😚
This was such a fun and enchanting read. I was obsessed with Sage, she's fierce, selfless, funny, and relatable. Her inner dialogue had me laughing and giddy squealing a lot, especially in scenes with Von. I loved their chemistry, their banter, and how she grew closer to him without it feeling too forced. I was completely invested in them both halfway through the book. They had me crying with the last few chapters, completely toying with my emotions.. i am not ok. The way the author writes really sucks you into the characters' thoughts and feelings. You can't not, connect with them.
This was easy to bindge read. It has short chapters and a slight dual pov. I did hope to get more of Vons perspective once we had it and I would have liked to have known more about where Von was disappearing to at times but I have a feeling that will come out in book two 🤞
I feel like we have just opened the seams of what this fantasy world has to offer as we discover it alongside Sage, I'm excited to see where this series goes.
This is a debut novel and i really hope that we get to see the rest of what she has to offer... no pressure, but I need book 2 .. like now 😚
slow-paced
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This story follows the main character Sage, a young woman "cursed" with magic in a time when the king of her realm is burning people at the stake for having any magic. Early in the book Kaleb, a boy she grew up with as a brother is conscripted to join the kings armies, something that is known to be a death sentence, and she has to get him back. We follow sage on a journey of love, betrayal, growth and grief as she loses those she loves. The world is filled with hidden magic, interesting supporting characters, beautiful locations and fascinating lore about old and new gods and the magic within certain people.
This book gives our main character an expanding found family, beautiful relationships, LGBTQ representation (in side characters), disability representation (again in side characters, one blind and one non-verbal), fated lovers, a few major plot twists at the end and a cliff hanger that leaves you wanting to read the next book asap. This book also contains some pretty explicit spice.
The reasons that I've given this 3 rather than 5 stars are that there were some issues with vocabulary used and sentence structure in parts of the book that snapped me right out of my immersion in the story. I also had some issues with the pacing of the story and inconsistencies in the way the main character went from thinking about every detail of what was happening to her and around her to thinking very vaguely and stating things out loud that didn't sound natural to not saying things that they probably should. It was very clear when the author did and didn't want us to know things as readers because the MC either inserted something unnaturally into conversation or completely neglected to even think about the details of things in their own inner dialogue. I didn't feel like I was actually in this characters mind when they were ignoring major plot points even in their own head which is something I personally don't like. If the person who's head I'm in is in on a plan it feels strange to not be in the know with them. Again, this caused issues with my ability to immerse myself fully in the book and story being told.
All that said, I enjoyed the book by the end and definitely want to read the next and see what happens next after that cliffhanger!
*disclaimer: I was given an arc of this book to read in exchange for a review. this does not impact the honesty of my review.*
This book gives our main character an expanding found family, beautiful relationships, LGBTQ representation (in side characters), disability representation (again in side characters, one blind and one non-verbal), fated lovers, a few major plot twists at the end and a cliff hanger that leaves you wanting to read the next book asap. This book also contains some pretty explicit spice.
The reasons that I've given this 3 rather than 5 stars are that there were some issues with vocabulary used and sentence structure in parts of the book that snapped me right out of my immersion in the story. I also had some issues with the pacing of the story and inconsistencies in the way the main character went from thinking about every detail of what was happening to her and around her to thinking very vaguely and stating things out loud that didn't sound natural to not saying things that they probably should. It was very clear when the author did and didn't want us to know things as readers because the MC either inserted something unnaturally into conversation or completely neglected to even think about the details of things in their own inner dialogue. I didn't feel like I was actually in this characters mind when they were ignoring major plot points even in their own head which is something I personally don't like. If the person who's head I'm in is in on a plan it feels strange to not be in the know with them. Again, this caused issues with my ability to immerse myself fully in the book and story being told.
All that said, I enjoyed the book by the end and definitely want to read the next and see what happens next after that cliffhanger!
*disclaimer: I was given an arc of this book to read in exchange for a review. this does not impact the honesty of my review.*
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
I was fortunate to receive an ARC copy of this book and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Jaclyn truly was right in her dedication - I have found my new book boyfriend!
Von - the mysterious, heavily tattooed and crude male who captures the heart of Sage, our FMC.
If you're after morally grey men, fated mates, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, high fantasy with lots and lots of secrets, then do give this book a try! It has lots of emotions, twists, turns and fantastic side characters who help keep the story interesting.
There were only a few things that stopped me from rating this any higher;
1. There is a strange choice of language in some parts (not a huge fan of the word pegged and its overuse- and no it's not in that sort of context!)
2. I was also confused as to what, if any, time period this was set in. It seemed to be set in a magical almost medieval context, but there would be language and setting description used later in the book that would contradict that. I understand this is high fantasy but it did get somewhat muddled in the middle of the book.
However, overall I did enjoy the book and cannot wait for a sequel - you can't leave us hanging with that ending!
Jaclyn truly was right in her dedication - I have found my new book boyfriend!
Von - the mysterious, heavily tattooed and crude male who captures the heart of Sage, our FMC.
If you're after morally grey men, fated mates, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, high fantasy with lots and lots of secrets, then do give this book a try! It has lots of emotions, twists, turns and fantastic side characters who help keep the story interesting.
There were only a few things that stopped me from rating this any higher;
1. There is a strange choice of language in some parts (not a huge fan of the word pegged and its overuse- and no it's not in that sort of context!)
2. I was also confused as to what, if any, time period this was set in. It seemed to be set in a magical almost medieval context, but there would be language and setting description used later in the book that would contradict that. I understand this is high fantasy but it did get somewhat muddled in the middle of the book.
However, overall I did enjoy the book and cannot wait for a sequel - you can't leave us hanging with that ending!