a spectacular debut of YA fantasy
Release Date: June 28, 2022
Genres: YA Fantasy, Romance
Pages: 448
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press (Wednesday Books)
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
SYNOPSIS
Alessa’s is a Finestra, whose gift from the gods is supposed to magnify the magic of a Forte, her partner. They are the saviors for when the demons will come to kill everyone on their island.
But Alessa’s gift kills everyone she touches instead, including her three previous Fortes.
With the attack immanent, she must hurry to find a way of controlling her power and a willing partner before the invasion.
The people are beginning to lose faith in her, and when a priest convinces others that Alessa is cursed rather than blessed, they want her assassinated.
Alessa hires Dante, a marked killer, to be her personal bodyguard. But Dante is hiding secrets of his own that could mean her downfall or her key to survival.
Alessa will have to turn to unconventional means to learn how to master her gift and save them all.
REVIEW
What a spectacular debut… just wow! This will quickly become a cult favorite for YA fantasy readers. I couldn’t put it down and I will be anxiously awaiting the next book in this series.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Characters:
The development of Alessa’s character is one you can rally behind and will have you rooting for her to take up her rightful place and show the world what she is capable of. From socially awkward to valiant leader, you can truly see the transformation of her character throughout the story.
Dante will have you swooning for the misunderstood bad guy. I think Alessa and Dante just might be my new favorite book couple.
They have an intoxicating chemistry and a supportive tenderness that everyone will crave more of.
This is a relationship with actual depth, where they truly become friends – not just a sexual spark or the love at first sight trope. Even the the side characters are layered, quirky, and lovable.
They become a found family that I enjoyed getting to see take shape and grow.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Plot:
This story had never a dull moment. I was hooked from beginning to end and so invested in everything that was happening.
The dynamic atmosphere of dark and light draws you in like a magnet.
The political undertones of the story creates drama in the plot and really speaks to themes that are forever relevant – like equality, power, and prejudice.
There are unexpected turns and some twists I was so excited to be right about.
It all leads to a calamitous conclusion that will leave you both quenched and thirsty for more.
⭐⭐⭐⭐World-building:
I am utterly obsessed with this doomsday world.
I would love for more depth into the lore, that is the one place I felt was a little flat, but only because I found the world the author created to be so intriguing and magical it made me want to learn more about how it came to be, the legends of the gods, and the epic creation story.
It was all so fascinating that the scant amount of information given left me a little lacking.
I would be thrilled to continue learning about this story world in the next book.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Writing:
The voice and style creates an emotional climate.
The banter of dialogue is glorious and will have you laughing in the face of all the darkness. The entire story is a mood.
There is a near perfect balance between all the narrative aspects in this book.
I never felt bogged down or slowed by anything in particular, which is a wonderful achievement, especially for a debut (still hard to believe this is a debut with how good it really is).
It is the perfect mixture of all things to create a masterful story that I got lost in.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for blessing me with an advanced copy of this masterpiece in exchange for my honest feedback!
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