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A review by gwyyy
The Prophet's Gambit by Ellie Evaris
1.0
Thank you netgalley and hidden grove books for the ARC.
This book has such great potential. I love the characters, the storyline and the magic system. However, it is not without its flaws.
The first chapter could have been handled better as it is one of the most crucial parts in the story for its hook. But a lot has happened as if the author picked up on a scene from nowhere that I wondered if there was some missing pages that I didn't know. I understood it must have been done for the mystery but it just didn't work for me. And who was the dead woman at the beginning anyway? Why should she matter in the story? Not so much background was provided so it was hard to keep up with the subtle messages and hints of the past. I struggle with some vague details.
At first I thought her father is alive. This scene's from one of the earlier chapters. Chapter 2 or 3, maybe? He's supposed to give her a ride home from the barn. Until it was revealed later on that he died. I don't know if it was my fault for not understanding well or was it the way it was written? But oh, that moment of realization! David and Ashton are her "dads," her biological father's bestfriends. If only it was mentioned earlier.
The reason why the Anathemians were banished was revealed later on and I was surprised Aris did not question it as soon as she learned about them.
I so, so want to love this story a hundred percent. Everything about it. The plot. The dream concept. The chemistry and tension between the characters. But my mind's in a jumble just by reading this book. Most of the time I spent processing what I just read. Unclear motivations. Unnecessary subplots.
It must have been good if Evie and Aris' relationship was shown in a few scenes just so we can understand why Aris was reluctant to leave. I wanted to see their sibling connection, but unfortunately, there's nothing in the book. I didn't even remember they had a single scene where they talked.
And lastly, the biggest question of all: How are Lochlen and Aris' dreams connected? Is that a prophet thing?
One good thing in this book is the use of symbolism. Aris' dreams symbolizes something in her life, as evident in the story.
Wolf: Having a wolf dream where you are being attacked or chased by a wolf can be a way to bring attention to the ways you are being held back on your spiritual journey. This is often related to carrying the energetic burdens of others or feeling bullied, judged, or controlled by others.
Forest: betrayal and disappointment or care and caution
Lost shoe: people dream about losing shoes because they feel insecure, unprepared, stagnant, lack of support, and lost.
This book has such great potential. I love the characters, the storyline and the magic system. However, it is not without its flaws.
The first chapter could have been handled better as it is one of the most crucial parts in the story for its hook. But a lot has happened as if the author picked up on a scene from nowhere that I wondered if there was some missing pages that I didn't know. I understood it must have been done for the mystery but it just didn't work for me. And who was the dead woman at the beginning anyway? Why should she matter in the story? Not so much background was provided so it was hard to keep up with the subtle messages and hints of the past. I struggle with some vague details.
At first I thought her father is alive. This scene's from one of the earlier chapters. Chapter 2 or 3, maybe? He's supposed to give her a ride home from the barn. Until it was revealed later on that he died. I don't know if it was my fault for not understanding well or was it the way it was written? But oh, that moment of realization! David and Ashton are her "dads," her biological father's bestfriends. If only it was mentioned earlier.
The reason why the Anathemians were banished was revealed later on and I was surprised Aris did not question it as soon as she learned about them.
I so, so want to love this story a hundred percent. Everything about it. The plot. The dream concept. The chemistry and tension between the characters. But my mind's in a jumble just by reading this book. Most of the time I spent processing what I just read. Unclear motivations. Unnecessary subplots.
It must have been good if Evie and Aris' relationship was shown in a few scenes just so we can understand why Aris was reluctant to leave. I wanted to see their sibling connection, but unfortunately, there's nothing in the book. I didn't even remember they had a single scene where they talked.
And lastly, the biggest question of all: How are Lochlen and Aris' dreams connected? Is that a prophet thing?
One good thing in this book is the use of symbolism. Aris' dreams symbolizes something in her life, as evident in the story.
Wolf: Having a wolf dream where you are being attacked or chased by a wolf can be a way to bring attention to the ways you are being held back on your spiritual journey. This is often related to carrying the energetic burdens of others or feeling bullied, judged, or controlled by others.
Forest: betrayal and disappointment or care and caution
Lost shoe: people dream about losing shoes because they feel insecure, unprepared, stagnant, lack of support, and lost.