9 Books
See allFirst half of this book is an exercise in frustration, but at least in the second portion the mystery starts to get good.
A solid, interesting story! I wish there had been more of the spooky aspects and creepy moments, because those excelled as they unfolded! The main characters also could have used more time to develop. Especially within their budding attraction to one another; it would've been nice to see it all start to really tangle together and offer even more of a threat over their heads.
An interesting start.
It's not quite what I expected from the blurb and tags I saw while doing my preliminary research (before purchasing). I went in expecting more horror and wound up in a thriller-dystopian mash up.
The main character can be a bit dry and cold, but then you realize that's exactly what she's supposed to be. She's not out for peace and love, she's there for very serious reasons. She has the motivation and means to be a problem for people, and so she's going to fulfill that promise. Some might even call her kind of monstrous, but she's got plans to see through and little to no reason to stop before they're done.
There are certainly a lot of political issues in this world that don't start getting unpacked until the latter third of the book. (And they probably come more to the forefront in book 2). But overall the world building is good. The magic? - some of it sounds silly but makes sense. Some of it is more realistic and other bits lean heavier into fiction. It's a mixed bag.
(Undecided yet on whether or not to continue this trilogy.)
A wonderfully written story of desperation, the depths love will drive someone to, magic, and female power.
This book has a lot of things you need to pay attention to and remember in order not to get lost at some points, but the real and main heft of what is happening in this story seems to take place in the latter half. That's where the threads start to really weave together and connect. I cannot say I was surprised by any of the twists and turns it took, but it was a fun ride nevertheless.