Between Two Realms

Two Realms Series #1

by Mazrine L. Amaris

The book made of bookish dreams and tropes, made for fantasy romance lovers in mind. Between Two Realms is book #1 of the action-packed Two Realms Series by Australian author, Mazrine L. Amaris. A tale of prophecies, true heirs and true love, already written by the Fates above. She's torn between two realms but which does she choose? The only catch is that one has to lose. Imagine the fantasy world you've always dreamt of was real. In fact, you could travel there if you just caught the right train. Sophie Taliesin, epic fantasy bibliophile and lover of all things magical, made that discovery in her very own city - Melbourne, Australia. Following a bad date, she stumbles into the Faery realm and what she finds sets her world into a tumbling mess of adventure and adrenaline. Using the knowledge she amassed in what she thought was strictly fiction, she joins forces with new friends and a tall, dark and handsome warrior, to fight against the clutches of a corrupt throne. As her world and the Faery realm descends into chaos, she comes to a crossroad. Does she choose herself or does she save the dying kingdom? ♥ -- Tropes: Prophecies, strong female MC, cute meet cute, destined lovers, evil queen, dying kingdom, found family, portal fantasy, brooding warriors, betrayal, monsters and dragons

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Fantasy Romance, Fae, Romantasy, Fiction

270 pages, Hardcover

Published April 21, 2023

About the author

Mazrine L Amaris is the Vietnamese–Australian author of the Two Realms series.

Based in Melbourne, Australia, she’s only here to have fun. She’s a creative at heart who enjoys writing stories she wants to read and making music she wants to escape to.

The pandemic catapulted her desire to dream up a story worth reading. Woven with her lived experiences, a bit of magic and a pinch of spice, the Two Realms series is a world she hopes is worth escaping to.

Reviews

[Krystle Rouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

This wonderful author gave me an ARC to read that I throughly enjoyed. It is very fast paced with a few breathing points. Very fantasy driven. I loved the characters! She puts in so much effort to flesh out what makes each one them. Sophie is so funny! I love how there are two realms and Sophie is caught in between them. I can’t wait for the next book! I need it now!! I really enjoyed reading this book!

[Witchetty Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this was different in a good way! Australian elements with a fantasy loving book dragon who stumbles across a REAL fantasy world. Shut up and take my money. I am so excited for book two and see where this goes. Interesting writing and great imagery. I loved all the bookworm references.
*
With her morning mantra from reading to many fantasy books…could it be real?
““You are a badass fae queen. These mortals don’t know you and the power you hold. Make them think twice before messing with you.””

What if all that knowledge you learnt in books turned out not to be useless but real? Is she hallucinating or did she just jump a magical train in Melbourne Australia of all places to a faery realm?

Well tap into this book because this absolutely trapped me in its web.

I need book two asap!

Thanks to Books and B!tches for ARC, this is my totally honest and awesome opinions.

[Naiomi Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a cliffhanger. Found family, SFMC, Fae realm, Fae, set in Melbourne, Mystery, Evil Queen, death of friends. What more can you ask for.

I loved this book 📕. I need book 2 and more now as the cliffhanger at the end just had me wondering if I missed something or just didn’t realise what I thought could have been right.

[Brooke Brawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

This. Book. 👏🏼

When I saw Mazrine calling for reviewers for a portal fantasy set alongside Melbourne, AUS with the realm for Faery I quite literally volunteered as tribute & I am SO glad I did. This book had me HOOKED! I will admit the start can be a bit slow at times & dragged out ever so slightly but it was well worth it because the middle is when things really stepped right up!

We have magic, we have adventure, we have royals, we have fated mates, found family, we have mortals & immortals, we have portals, realms & magical beings. We have it all! & I mean, nobody can say no to a brooding fae warrior right??

This book is great for fans of SJMaas, Holly Black etc. whilst of course there are similarities in stories as expected with fae novels, this author has taken her own spin on things & made for some really great story telling. I found the characters to be completely loveable & I just want to know more about every one of them & their backstories. The world building was fantastic, it wasn’t too much for you to swallow like some other worldly fantasy books can be, it was the perfect amount that really painted a picture easily in my mind. It was such an easy to digest, easy page turner for me & I truly can’t wait to see how these worlds/realms continue to unfold.

The only reason this lost .5 of a ⭐️ for me was I went into this expecting more spice or at least longer scenes of spice & also the breaking the 5th wall at times was a little too often for my liking. I didn’t mind it here and there but in some moments I felt like it was a little too forced or frequent. There was also a moment that I won’t spoil but I feel like it was a little anticlimactic & could have been so much more impactful in a high intensity moment BUT by no means WHATSOEVER did it ruin my reading experience.

A wise woman once said “you should totally write a book about it. Honestly, the Aussie girls will EAT IT UP!” & EAT IT UP I did!! This book had me laughing, it had me completely invested, and at times it had my heart breaking. Lorrie darl, you were not wrong, you were not wrong at all 👏🏼

Also, the inclusion of a deaf character who uses sign. Good on you. We’re loving the representation for the deaf society.

What a debut novel, Mazrine, you have blown this out of the water. I absolutely CANNOT wait for book #2… with an ending like that how can I not want to immediately pick up the next? You know what they say, in the fae world.. Don’t. Trust. Anybody, only your own instincts.

Congratulations on the beginning of what I’m sure is going to be a very successful series. I need to know more about everybody & I need to know asap, I feel like I’ve just read a book laced with straight up crack.

[Emily Dunn-Ross · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC reader. Spoilers ahead.










Ok so you're probably wondering why i only rated this 3 stars. 90% of this book was very predictable for me. But the last 10% was preem. The language between friends was matey. It was a nice easy read. However, thats what it was, easy. Everything just fell into place too nicely, everything was perfectly constructed for this character.
We start out following sophie who goes on a date with a massive asshat who drugs her and ends up in the world of faery.
We instantly meet new bff and love interest everything is fine.
We have a little spice, a little romance but its TOO EASY. We fall into normalities too easily.
In the world of faery a week is a few days (?) In the mortal world.
In the mortal world is Sophies bff. Sophie goes missing for a few days and she covers for her with Sophies mother.
I cant go a day without speaking to my bff. So to me this seems completely alien.

There is a plot regarding children of faery going missing and this is a good plot. Its dark and a little twisted and nasty. There is a small chapter from the point of the queen after speaking to Sophies new fae bff Elowan. In which she reveals her great master plan, to me this seems exceptionally unnecessary and would have served better as a dirty plot twist later. Where is the mystery? The suspence?

However, the last 10% was everything i wanted it to be. Including a little dark a little twisted, and definitely not easy. The only issue i really have with this last section is a blacksmith who does blacksmithing shirtless which seems highly unsafe even for a fae.
There is a character who is mute and i enjoy their diversity, there isnt enough rep for deaf/mute people in fantasy books and i appreciate the representation.
In the last 10% everything sophie wants ends up falling apart and becomes dark, and inside im like finally we have ✨ arrived at our destination ✨
In short Sophie spends the entire book with the mantra of " im a badass fae queen " and it feels like this is to easy for her to ascertain throughout the book. Every trial and tribulation seems to nicely sort itself out.
I would reccommend the book for ages 16+ (plot 14 plus buy spicey bits and language).
I am excited to see how the story progresses and for a debut book its a pretty good crack. Im looking forward to seeing how this writer develops in the future.
Thankyou for allowing me to be an ARC reader. EmilyRemily

[Brylie · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are so many things about Between Two Realms that I loved. Disability rep. The main character having a love of Fae fantasy books. The references to said Fae fantasy books. The fact that Melbourne is the doorway into Faery. There is also a magnificent plot twist at the end of the novel. The sort of plot twist which kind of ensures that you read the next book just to so you can know what happens next.
However, there were also a whole bunch of things which prevented this book from being more than a 3 star read for me. I felt like the author could have done so much more within this story. There wasn’t enough tension in this book for my tastes. It felt like the main character overcame every obstacle put in front of her with ease despite the fact that she says she isn’t like the main characters in the Fae fantasies that she reads.
There is magic within this book. But I felt like it should have had bigger consequences within the story. The plot itself could have used a little bit more work to give the story some more pizzaz. Plot twists are revealed too early and too easily and many are predictable from the very start of the novel.
This novel has some romance and some spice within it. Honestly, I wanted more spice. Is that greedy? Maybe, but I feel like it could have been done and that it would have made the end of the novel a little bit more shocking.
Between Two Realms was an enjoyable, easy read but it wasn’t much more than that.

[Georgia · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you Mazrine for generously giving me a copy of Between Two Realms! (I’m so sorry it’s taken me this long to finish it and write this review). This was my last read for 2023 and what a way to finish off the year!

Mazrine’s Between Two Realms is a fae romantasy unlike any I have read before. Of course, we do not go without the agonisingly handsome MMC and the kick-ass friends. But what I absolutely loved about Mazrine’s book is that it was set partially in Melbourne! It is so refreshing to read about Australian characters and locations! This helped me form an instant connection to the main character, Sophie. That, and her absolute love of fae and fantasy books. What could be more relatable than that?

I really liked the main character Sophie. A bookworm thrust into her dream world of Faery, hoping it’ll be just like the books and that she can be a bad ass warrior alongside them. I’m sure many of us would hope the same if we were thrust into the world of the fae. Sophie is a funny, likeable and generally well-rounded FMC. There are a couple of moments where she goes back on her own word and resolve very quickly, and some readers might criticise her for that. But in all honesty, how many of us also do the same thing every now and then? We cannot be strong all the time and we all make mistakes. The same can be said for Sophie, which adds to the realism of her character.

The last ten chapters had me absolutely hooked, turning the page (digitally at least, since I was reading this as an eBook) to find out what was going to happen. That being said, I do feel like the pacing could have been better. The first part of the story was slow and the last part felt very fast and almost rushed. This is the first book in a series, though, so I know there’s always some slower worldbuilding and character introduction parts at the start of a series.

✅ Romantasy
✅ Adventure
✅ Magic
✅ Found family
✅ Fated mates
✅ Representation (mute character and sign language)

If you’re a fan of the Folk of the Air series and the A Court of Thorns and Roses series, you’ll absolutely enjoy Between Two Realms (Do check the content warnings though!). I’ll definitely be picking up the next book!

Congratulations on a wonderful debut novel Mazrine! 💖

[Mandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was such a fun dip into a world of what ifs. I loved that it was set in Melbourne and that was such a breath of fresh air.

Sophie is such a likeable character and from the start I was rooting for her, her naivety and bravdo was so endearing and I love how journey from the start to end. That cliffhanger...Amaris really knows how to keep a reader hanging. Her writing is so familiar, it's like opening up your favourite book as a kid, the one you want to reread over and over again.

If you love fantasy slipping between the cracks and challenging what is real and what isn't, then this book is for you? Because what do you mean you can catch a train to Faerie? Then Between Two Realms is a book for you.

[Nataša Xerri · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful read. This book had all the elements I like in a book, but what made me love it more was that it was set right here, in Melbourne! When does that ever happen?! Maz has created characters that you can't help but love and hate. Characters that make you smile with their easy banter and a fae world you wish you could catch a train from Flinders to visit. And what a cliffhanger the ending was! Looking forward to diving right into the sequel.

[Kims.reading.nook · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm in absolute shock... WHAT A CLIFFHANGER 😶😶
This book was BRILLIANT and I can't wait to jump straight into book 2. I'm so ready for more of the badass that is Sophie, her epic found family and the wonderful world of Faery 💫

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

A round of applause for our girl!
Beautifully written and the fact it’s a book based in my hometown Melbourne just gave me the warm fuzzies.

World building not complex , story easy to follow and super engaging. But umm that freaking ending?! I feel like I just got Tamlin’d 🫠

[thatcuriousonereads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been lucky enough to receive an ARC for Mazrine L. Amaris’s debut novel Between Two Realms, an epic tale of adventure, love, friendship and power; if you love our fantasy Queen SJM, you’ll want to explore the stories stored in Mazrine’s mind.
This story had me feeling it all! I was screaming, laughing, crying violently. I FELL HARD for the characters - from our fearless FMC, her fierce comrades, hunky royal guard love interest, I’ll take one of each thanks!
The story is captivating, addictive and deep. There are so many twisty-twists where you think you know where it’s headed, but you don’t. It was so much fun watching the writing and storytelling improve along the way, which makes me incredibly keen to see where this goes, and hungrily consume the rest of this epic tale.

Maz delves into some pretty real themes throughout, which may be confronting to some, but unfortunately they are all too common in today's society.
Trigger warnings are:
drug use/impairment
alludes to sexual violence
detailed violence and gore
coercion/manipulation
domestic abuse

[J.A. Jude · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to start by saying that I LOVE that this book was set in my hometown of Melbourne, Australia. I thought that was so unique and was the driving force for me reading this book. The Aussie slang and references made me feel at home and I was ALL FOR IT!

If you are a lover of fantasy, long journeys, relatable/adorably silly female MCs, the Faerie world and sexy warriors, then Between Two Realms may very well be your next add to that ever-growing TBR list. The storytelling was great and the characters were likeable and relatable. You'll also be in for some plot twists and heartbreak (I am still recovering).

I'm still newer to the fantasy world and some elements I found to be maybe a little childish (talking racoon fae that gave me Rocket from Gaurdians of the Galaxy vibes) but that could very well be due to my lack of exposure and might be common among other Faerie books. Overall, it was no biggie and not a large part of the story. There was also a darker storyline with children that I wasn't expecting - a great twist but slightly disturbed (you've been warned). One of my favourite things about this book though was the casual references to other popular books and how the main character Sophie knows everything she does about the world she is thrown into because of the books she's read. Although I might not relate to Sophie in every way, it made me feel like I could take on Faerie too!

The story had me turning the pages and even though I truly thought the storyline was one that would be easy to predict, as things start to unwind in the later parts of this book, you soon become aware that won't be the case. I was not expecting that ending. Safe to say I am very ready for book 2. I need answers!

Would definitely recommend this book, especially to fellow Aussies. Love to see that representation!

[westcountryreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall I enjoyed this book, it had both some unique elements but also time old favourites. In summary, we follow Sophie, a human girl who adores fantasy books knowing them only as stories… until she accidentally ends up in Faery and her whole understanding of her life changes.

I’m not a big fan of urban based fantasy, so it took me a while to get into the book where the focus was on Sophie’s life in the human realm. However once we got to Faery I very quickly took a liking to the side characters and it got a lot easier to read for me. The world of Faery itself is very similar to some other books, but the magic, or mana, is different to those books and very elemental based which I quite liked. Sophie as a main character I liked, she’s down to earth and normal and her humour and relationships with the face side characters was enjoyable.

Some things didn’t quite hit for me though. For example time works differently in the realms which works in the early part of the book, but towards the end the fact that Sophie is away from home for a long period with no one knowing where she’s gone is entirely overlooked. There were mentions of creatures I’d like to have seen more from, but perhaps that’ll come in the second book. The ending also seemed a bit rushed, but similarly it does make me want to read book 2 to check what does actually happen.

Some things I really enjoyed - Sophie’s constant surprise and excitement over her realisation of Faery being real is fun and she had me laughing out loud a couple of times. Though I found the story predictable it actually had twists which meant my predictions were focused on the wrong characters and I enjoyed being taken by slight surprise.

[Mollie Crook · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book from the author which I was really excited about as the synopsis was as if someone had handpicked all of my favourite tropes and plot lines and popped them into a book made just for me.

The plot moves VERY quickly, for the entire book I had the feeling of not being able to catch my breath. At times this made some of the relationships seem to go from 0 to 100 real quick. Having said this, I loved the found family/reunited family subplot, and the side characters were super loveable. I hope as the series goes forward we get to know the side characters more and develop some more backstory.

The fated love aspect of the story is one of my favourite tropes, but I admit I was glad to see it done slightly differently. In attempt to avoid spoilers, I won't say too much, but the twist towards the end is very very well done, I can honestly say it was not how I expected it to happen!

Speaking of the ending...that cliffhanger!!!

I admit, I usually only like a cliffhanger if the next book is out and ready for me to devour, but I'll forgive this one since I knew it was an ARC and I might have to wait a while to continue the story.

I can't help but wish there was a bit more fleshing out to the whole book, its pretty short and I wonder if the plot and characters would've benefitted from a little bit more time to get to know them and immerse myself in the world.

On the whole I really enjoyed this book, I like the plot, I like the characters, and I'll for sure read the next book when I can!

Thanks again to Mazrine for the review copy! 🖤

[Nikki's Dragon Den · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Book 1 finds Sophie, a mid 20s year old from Melbourne, finding herself in Fairie and let's be honest, jumping from one horrifying ordeal to the next.

I liked Sophie a lot, she has this air about her that even though she isn't doing great, she is going to try her best to persevere. At times I felt like shaking her because of her just shocking decision making skills, but I really felt like that added some reality to her characterisation (because really who wouldnt be freaking out in her situation). The side characters I instantly fell in love with! The banter and rubbing they give and take is just so perfect. The only character I wasn't a fan of was our MMC. I felt pressure to like him but i just... there was something wrong and for about 80% of the book it drove me crazy and then... I completely understood where the writer was going with it and honestly... bravo...

honestly, I did take a little while to get into the story and although I was enjoying the read, it was sitting at around 3.5 stars until the end where it just blew my mind and made me really appreciate what I had gone through to get to this point of the story and I became hooked. I immediately picked up the next book to read and loved every second of it.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a debut!!! All the tropes and staples you love and expect, without being predictable for a second. Much like Sophie’s fateful train, this isn’t going where you think it’s going.

Between Two Realms is an epic adventure across the Faery realm through the eyes of a motley crew of new friends, but it’s also a journey of self discovery for our hilarious, sometimes clumsy, always bad-ass protagonist, Sophie. With all her Australian-isms and relatable internal monologue, you’ll fall in love with her immediately. We love a relatable queen.

Exploring this incredible universe Maz has created is such a sensory treat. Layered with relationship drama and mysterious creatures and hunky fae and mind-bending magic and ass-kicking and steamy bits and twisty cliffhangers… I couldn’t put it down.

It’s full of scares and tugs at the heart, I screamed and cried but it also made me laugh out loud - it is such a fun read. A real joy, I cannot wait for the next one!!! (Seriously though I need the next one. Addicted.)

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Welcome to Faery. I promise we don't bite unless you ask." This line perfectly sets the tone for the enchanting journey that follows—a journey filled with the allure of a beloved world, captivating characters like the Elite and the fierce Sophie, and the enigmatic presence of Kaine.

As a fan of prophecies and fated mates, I was swept away by the excitement of it all. The protagonist's boundless energy and enthusiasm added a charming touch to the narrative and making me fall in love with her as a character.

But then came the revelation—that Kaine might not be destined for her—and my heart sank. His sudden change in behavior left me reeling, questioning everything I thought I knew about their connection. I have so many questions right now. How could the prophecy be wrong? How are they not fated? And what about her memories?

With so many questions swirling in my mind, I can't help but eagerly await the next installment, desperate for answers and eager to see where this captivating tale will lead.

[Tien · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm dead.

WHAT is THAT ending❗❕❓❔‼️⁉️

Please tell me book 2 is coming very very shortly 🥺🙏

I love portal fantasy and along with fated lovers AND a dragon, imma like Bring It On! I'm not usually into faes in my stories but these faes are completely other. And this world is absolutely gorgeous, my childhood dream came true basically and it was for this MC, Sophie Taliesin. I love how Sophie is an introvert and not fully confident in herself and yet, she's very intelligent and can stand on her own feet. She developed so much and her relationships with her friends and mother were adorable. Of course, he is a swoon and a half with a man bun!

There were a bit of a spicy content, though for me, they were a little too quick (if you know what I mean). I would require at least another page per exploit, please.

And... MORE DRAGON please.

My thanks to the author for gifting me an ecopy of this book. Thoughts are mine own.

[Gayertree Subramaniam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantasy is not my preferred genre, but that has all changed after reading this debut novel by Mazrine L. Amaris. What a ride I was taken on! It had all the tropes one seeks when wanting to escape into a world of fiction - the drama, romance, adventure, betrayal, all of it kept me wanting more and more and more! The main female character was written thoughtfully and was very relatable in many ways. Witnessing her journey of growth was one that was very satisfying. The friendships and relationships she nurtured along the way, were wholesome to follow along with. I found myself thinking about the plot when I wasn't reading it, and wondering what was going to happen next, or what twist I was to anticipate in coming chapters. I was hooked thoroughly! Highly recommend if you're after a binge-worthy read. FIVE STARS!

[Escape Into Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listen, Im pretty sure I fell off the face of the earth with being busy and finally got around to finishing my ARC of this wonderful book! And then immediately bought a physical copy. I loved the world that Mazrine has built so much. The human world, the train as the portal, the fae realm, all so incredibly detailed without info dumping.

Kaine, Elowan and Sophie were fantastic characters. I loved the banter, the support and that they all stood on their own when they weren't together. I love multiple POVs also, so this was perfect for me.

Were some parts predictable? Yes. But I never mind that! It actually makes me feel better about myself when I can guess some parts 🤣 it helps me feel part of the story and the world!

I cannot wait for the novella and book two!

[Catherine Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book, it’s amazing to have it set partially in my home town of Melbourne - it’s rare to have our local iconic locations and tidbits in book, loved it!
The storyline is well thought out and the characters have depth to them.
Loved the Faery books references, that had me smiling.
The mystery and suspenseful elements had me on the edge of my chair and not being able to put the book down - and yes I will admit it was in the very early hours of the morning when I finally reached that cliffhanger ending.
That ending was … I don’t have words, I actually wanted to scream.
Overall a great book and I can’t wait to read what happens next.

[Billie-Jean H · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I received this arc I was excited by the premise. Regular girl gets caught up in the land of faerie queens and handsome warriors. I know, that’s the plot for so many but in this twist the FMC is a Romantasy reader who wishes she could get caught up in the stories. Who doesn’t right? So we join Sophie as all our fantasies come to life. There’s a mysterious but handsome warrior, a brotherly side kick, strong female friendship, family secrets, fated mates and an evil queen. It’s so much fun and well worth the read. Looking forward to the next one to see each of these characters grow and to head towards a final epic battle. We are all Sophie.

[Vicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I loved Sophie, and this was a great spin on someone falling into a magical world . I loved that Sophie knew the tropes, etc, as she was also a massive fantasy bookworm! I really liked the story and loved how it didn't take itself too seriously and leaned into the tropes and stereotypes. I absolutely adored Ellie and Cam. They were amazing sidekick/side characters, and Queen Calliea was the ultimate badie! This had some great twists and that ending!!!! I can't wait for book 2!

[Pandora · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable easy read. Some aspects for me were a little too predictable and the writing and repetition could use a little work (but it's understandable for a first book).
I did like the unique connection between the land of Faery and the real world, it's definitely not something I've seen used before. However, I didn't quite feel that connected to the characters or to the main relationship in the book. Overall definitely a good first book and I'm interested to see how the author improves in the next one.

[Asapadventuresbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an amazing debut novel. It is so nice to have the MC being from Melbourne! The story is fast paced and fun. It has all the troupes and fantasy references you want and provides a kick arse story along the way. The main chapter is a strong female lead who is not afraid to put herself out there. Love her.

Mazrine also manages to include nods to parts of pop culture and fantasy novels that just makes you feel more connected to the story she is weaving.

Cannot wait for the next one!

[Mazrine Amaris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay so I totally wrote this but I've also just reread it since writing it two years ago!

For me, this was all about pacing and taking the tropes you know and love, and applying twists to them. Sophie is my favourite accidental hero and Kaine... well if you read it, you know how I feel about Kaine.

If you're after an easy, fantasy romance to tie you over your next giant series, Between Two Realms is it!

[Carly Bauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved it, ended on a cliffhanger. Left me needing the next book in the series. I’m hating this not knowing what happens. Loved the character growth for the main character. Full of surprises some happy, some not so good! Love the first friend (Ellie) she makes in the fae realm, I think she might be one of my favourite characters, their combined humour together is great. Can’t wait to read what happens next!

[caitys.booknook · Rating 4 out of 5]

2024:
I really enjoyed this book. It was very quippy. I felt an easy connection to the FMC and the one liners relating back to books, gave it a nice light and easy touch.
The progression of the story slowed down a bit, especially after she failed to return to Sortera but a push through, and that ending was more than worth it. The relationship dynamic began as one would expect but definitely ended up nowhere near what I thought.
I look forward to reading book 2 and seeing where the story heads.

[avicantstopreading · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall it was pretty cool! I wish the predator from the beginning of the book reappeared so we could figure out why he was so weird—not that other predators aren’t weird. If I remember correctly, he paused when looking at her “tattooed” arm. I smell fish. Anyways, Sophie and Kaine were cute, you know, until they weren’t. I feel like some parts were a little played out and everything could’ve been wrapped up in one book, but I can see the appeal behind another one. I do recommend, though!