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A review by kaylacreviews
In the Jaded Grove by Anela Deen
4.0
In the Jaded Grove by Anela Deen was a charming New Adult portal fantasy with a strong cast of diverse characters, clean romance, and a refreshing twist on fairy lore. Anela succeeded in covering heavy topics, including grief, PTSD, and depression, in a candid yet compassionate way. I consider this work New Adult because Jessa was twenty-two, but it's also suitable for mature young adults. Anela wrote this book using alternating points of view, which provided me a better understanding of both Jessa and Simith. I identified well with the main characters and enjoyed their development. I also loved the supporting characters, and I appreciated that none of the romance was rushed or bogged down with lust.
While I enjoyed the author's concise, crisp writing style, I did wish for a little more detail when it came to world-building. There were some beautiful descriptions of various settings, but I still had a hard time envisioning the world. Furthermore, some passages felt a bit clipped. The author had a way of jumping right to the chase, cutting out many details of the characters' adventure. Most of the time, I was thankful for this because it quickened the pace. There were times, however, when it simply made the story feel rushed, especially at the end. It was great that the author wrapped the story up so neatly, but the resolution seemed glossed over. That said, I adored In the Jaded Grove and I'd love to read more from Anela Deen.
(Disclaimer: I received a free digital copy of this book from Storytellers On Tour for review purposes. All opinions in this review are my own and are honest and unbiased.)
Trigger Warning: This story contains themes of violence, trauma, torture, grief, and mentions of the death of a loved one (in the past, not on page)
While I enjoyed the author's concise, crisp writing style, I did wish for a little more detail when it came to world-building. There were some beautiful descriptions of various settings, but I still had a hard time envisioning the world. Furthermore, some passages felt a bit clipped. The author had a way of jumping right to the chase, cutting out many details of the characters' adventure. Most of the time, I was thankful for this because it quickened the pace. There were times, however, when it simply made the story feel rushed, especially at the end. It was great that the author wrapped the story up so neatly, but the resolution seemed glossed over. That said, I adored In the Jaded Grove and I'd love to read more from Anela Deen.
(Disclaimer: I received a free digital copy of this book from Storytellers On Tour for review purposes. All opinions in this review are my own and are honest and unbiased.)
Trigger Warning: This story contains themes of violence, trauma, torture, grief, and mentions of the death of a loved one (in the past, not on page)