Overall Rating: 🔮🔮 = Not for me
Vibes: Secret societies • Hidden magic • Adventure • Mystery
Action: Moderate
Spice: 🚫 None
Age Group: YA
⚠️ Warnings
Violence • Domestic abuse • Mental health themes • Drug use • Death
My Thoughts
I never want to dislike a book.
I know how much time, effort, and creativity goes into writing a novel, so I always try to find something to appreciate. Unfortunately, this one just wasn't for me.
I will say this upfront: I actually enjoyed the first book the most out of the series so far. It introduced an intriguing premise that had me excited to continue.
After Quinn finally becomes a Seeker, everything she thought she knew is turned upside down. The noble purpose she believed she was training for isn't what it seems, and the people she trusted become increasingly difficult to read.
As the story progresses we're introduced to several new characters, including Shinobu, Quinn's cousin (despite the characters repeatedly insisting he isn't really her cousin...the family tree in the back of the book would suggest otherwise), along with Quinn's boyfriend, her parents, and two mysterious beings known as Dreads.
The overall premise is genuinely interesting. Multiple characters become caught in a conflict that began long before they were born, and their lives slowly become intertwined through betrayals, secrets, and hidden agendas.
Where the story lost me was in its execution.
The magic system never felt fully developed, leaving me with more questions than answers. The teenage characters often behaved and reasoned like much older adults, making it difficult for me to connect with them. I also struggled with Quinn's naivety. Considering the intense training she'd undergone her entire life, I found it hard to believe she never questioned that something about the organization seemed...off.
By the end, I finished the book more because I wanted to see it through than because I was invested in the story.
That doesn't mean others won't enjoy it—it simply wasn't the right fit for me.
Final Take
While the central mystery and premise had a lot of potential, I never felt fully invested in the characters or the world. If you're looking for a YA fantasy with secret societies and hidden conspiracies, you may still enjoy this series, but it ultimately didn't deliver on the promise of its premise for me.
You Might Like This If You:
- Enjoy YA fantasy with secret organizations.
- Like stories built around mysteries and conspiracies.
- Don't mind softer or less-defined magic systems.
- Prefer character drama over intricate worldbuilding.
If you're looking for a tightly constructed magic system or highly believable character decisions, this one may not be the best fit.
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