lauralight's review against another edition
5.0
My first fantasy book and it was amazing! Well done to Shameez :) I cannot wait to read the second!
elmarie_bassage's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I found the characters and story compelling. The writing style was easy to read. I found the worldbuilding to be slightly lacking, but since this is the first boo in a trilogy, that might improve.
shelfindulgentbookworm's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
tbrwarriors_87's review against another edition
5.0
South African Author!
When Cassia is not at the hospital studying to be a Dr or taking care of her terminally ill sister, she seems to be dreaming of her best friend Lucas who disappeared 4 years ago.
Cassia has never gotten over the sudden disappearance of her best friend. He was there one moment and gone the next, no one is even looking for him anymore.
She started having dreams of Lucas a few nights ago. Lucas is trying to tell her something but she can't hear what he is trying to say, and she can't get to him in her dream.
Cassia's little sister Calla struggles with excruciating pain that comes and goes, the Dr's say she is dying but NO ONE can tell them what's wrong with her.
One night whilst studying in the hospital, Cassia is accosted by a stranger in VERY odd clothing - he knows who she is and INSISTS he come along with him, a fight ensues but inevitably Cassia wakes up in Selene with a necklace around her neck, a necklace sporting 8 feathers...
Cassia is thrown into a world she does not know, learning things she never imagined real and come to terms with the fact that not everything is as she always thought about the people she loves nor herself. Cassia may have learnt how to save her sister, but she only has until the last feather falls to save her friend, save a realm and her own sister.
I absolutely devoured this book I think in like 5 sittings total. This was such an original story and will have you hooked from the first page. It was just so immersive and so much fun.
Both character and plot driven, there is ALWAYS something happening. You both LOVE Cassia as a main character and want to smack her at times
When Cassia is not at the hospital studying to be a Dr or taking care of her terminally ill sister, she seems to be dreaming of her best friend Lucas who disappeared 4 years ago.
Cassia has never gotten over the sudden disappearance of her best friend. He was there one moment and gone the next, no one is even looking for him anymore.
She started having dreams of Lucas a few nights ago. Lucas is trying to tell her something but she can't hear what he is trying to say, and she can't get to him in her dream.
Cassia's little sister Calla struggles with excruciating pain that comes and goes, the Dr's say she is dying but NO ONE can tell them what's wrong with her.
One night whilst studying in the hospital, Cassia is accosted by a stranger in VERY odd clothing - he knows who she is and INSISTS he come along with him, a fight ensues but inevitably Cassia wakes up in Selene with a necklace around her neck, a necklace sporting 8 feathers...
Cassia is thrown into a world she does not know, learning things she never imagined real and come to terms with the fact that not everything is as she always thought about the people she loves nor herself. Cassia may have learnt how to save her sister, but she only has until the last feather falls to save her friend, save a realm and her own sister.
I absolutely devoured this book I think in like 5 sittings total. This was such an original story and will have you hooked from the first page. It was just so immersive and so much fun.
Both character and plot driven, there is ALWAYS something happening. You both LOVE Cassia as a main character and want to smack her at times
suzanna_gg's review against another edition
4.0
This was fun!! I wish there was a little more space to flesh out the Selene characters but thank u shameez for keeping a friendship a friendship!! I def played into the trope but anyways!! Excited to read the arc for the next one:)
nikireadsstuff's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
kosmikastaway's review against another edition
5.0
It has a little bit of everything written beautifully at an engaging pace. Characters I've grown to love and look forward to the next installments.
readingcaffeinated's review against another edition
4.0
If you love character driven adventures, then run - don't walk - to your nearest book store and get yourself a copy of this book. The author has the impeccable talent to bring you an adventure filled with witty banter, epic action and enough intrigue that you will be suffering from a book hangover. Luckily for you Book 2 will be hitting the shelves soon (Keep an eye out for my review tomorrow) and you will be able to return to the world of Selene and all the epicness that it brings.
With characters for everyone's tastes and flavors, this descriptively rich story was probably one of the most easiest to read fantasy books I have had the pleasure to enjoy in quite some time. For a debut author, I am absolutely blown away by her ability to bring this story world to life with so much detail an yet not info-dumpy in the slightest. This is definitely an author to watch. She is already a firm favorite of mine.
With characters for everyone's tastes and flavors, this descriptively rich story was probably one of the most easiest to read fantasy books I have had the pleasure to enjoy in quite some time. For a debut author, I am absolutely blown away by her ability to bring this story world to life with so much detail an yet not info-dumpy in the slightest. This is definitely an author to watch. She is already a firm favorite of mine.
stewardofbooks's review
3.0
Magic and monsters and the chance of a miracle cure for her little sister. When Cassia finds herself dragged into a parallel realm against her will, her life is forever changed. As she becomes increasingly involved in events beyond her control, Cassia is confronted with a lot of secrets from the past and has to come to grips with a reality very different from the one she has always known.
I really enjoyed the world building and the general storyline as well as many of the side characters. I would love to see what happens to them as the series continues. Unfortunately the three main characters and the romance fell a little flat for me. It was (and this is my personal opinion) too much of the usual YA fantasy love triangle that everyone seems to be writing. It feels over used and I think that the three main characters had a lot more potential to be something new and fresh in this specific genre.
I really enjoyed the world building and the general storyline as well as many of the side characters. I would love to see what happens to them as the series continues. Unfortunately the three main characters and the romance fell a little flat for me. It was (and this is my personal opinion) too much of the usual YA fantasy love triangle that everyone seems to be writing. It feels over used and I think that the three main characters had a lot more potential to be something new and fresh in this specific genre.
lilmermaidwrites's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault and Sexual violence