The Jealousy of Jalice

Full Review here - https://youtu.be/iqo7vQSy5NU

I really loved this story (and I don't read a TON of fantasy). I felt that I was fortunate enough to find the author's ‘pronunciation guide' before diving in an it really helped me grasp the terminology here. I really loved the ‘hints' of the origins behind these ‘spirits' and the origins of the realms and the world this all takes place in.
Points for:
-the layers of motivations and tactics and deceptions
-the worldbuilding and the layers of ‘lore' happening
-the character growth and the ‘facing your demons' literally and figuratively.
-the creatures - the flayers and Dokojin
-the darkness and the brutality

Well done!

3.5 stars

This is a pretty solid read especially when I think about this being the author's debut. It's a dark fantasy so I was excited to get into this new world. And the world is pretty complex. That was easily my favorite thing about this book. It gives off the feeling that only the surface was scratched in between all the realms and magic.

What stopped me from giving it more stars is that I had trouble connecting or caring about any of the characters. I didn't hate them. So that detachment took me out of the world a bit. I'm not trying to scare you off the book with that. Sometimes you just don't connect but if you like dark fantasy then this is definitely worth the read.