A review by booklifeisthelife
The Abandoned Realm by Brittany Hansen

adventurous dark emotional sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

Alright so. I enjoyed this book on a basic level and adored the characters.

But I also really didn't like them at times. Bex and Talera really got on my nerves with their childish attitudes. They aren't 16. They are both adults. Yet they were yelling at each other, throwing insults, saying super harsh words. I understand emotionally there was a lot going on but to me that's no excuse for how they behaved. I also didn't like how a lot of the characters acted like these authors (besides Huxby) dropped their story out of malice or knew what it would cause. I know their actions caused them to be ripped from their lives but they didn't know that. They had no idea. I understand them being frustrated and angry, I do, but really, their intentions weren't like that, they didn't have any idea and I didn't think it was fair for them to be treated as they were. I am happy a lot of the characters realized this as the story went on or at least put their angry aside for the greater good and that they were able to connect, especially Bex and Talera. Seeing their bond grow was nice. I liked seeing them both grow as characters. As for the romance between Bex and Owen, it was surprising for me and seemed to happen out of nowhere. I wasn't super into it but I also wasnt adverse towards it. For me it felt like a way for Bex to find courage and face fear, to say her feelings aloud. Which was nice. Added a little more to her character. I felt really bad for her because of her mom but at least she had her dad. Which brings me to something else I really disliked. Her and Grant had no moment after leaving the realm. I wanted to see them talk about it, hug, her showing relief that he was okay, see if she told him the truth or if she lied to him. But no, nothing besides showing us what she broke on his copy of her book. Yay to her being an author though! Happy about that. And that Author offered her what he did and saw her potential. I also loved what she did for Talera, bringing her mom to her. I love her for that and I'm happy Talera has her. I am curious though. How is her mom going to react to having two daughters? Of them even being basically the same person. Or are they really the same person since now they both have different experiences? They can both grow into two different people, go into two different directions. I liked that rehnir got a small redemption as his last act alive. That he chose to do good in his final moments. I would have liked to get more background on him. I also didn't like how all the death and destruction wasn't really mentioned all that in depth after it was over.

Overall I think this is a 3 star for me. I was able to enjoy this book but there was a lot I didn't enjoy. Honestly I felt like I was reading a story on wattpad. Which I read on a decent amount and there are good, decent stories on there. But this book has the same vibe. With the writing and the childish and not super in depth written characters. But either way, don't regret reading and I had a nice time.