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Finding
Sachi didn’t recognize him at first. She had waited so long, after all–a thousand human lifetimes of her heart beating when, when, when. She had almost given up hope, and then truly the Earth would have cried out.
But he came.
Addon travelled the magical realms for eons searching for her. A thousand human lifetimes of his heart beating when, when, when. But he would never give up, never stop looking.
Until finally, he found her.
Now the Goddess of Destruction and the fallen angel must face an ancient enemy, one who seeks to steal Sachi's destiny. The Sonelion, the cursed ones, have returned, waging destruction across the western mountains. Barren wombs, barren fields, barren hearts. Sachi and Addon will have to risk everything to stop them.
Worse - they'll have to risk each other.
Sometimes finding isn't enough.
Lovers of Scarlett St. Clair and Sarah J. Maas will love this steamy dark romantasy adventure (reader beware!).
Love your tropes? You'll find these, a little
Fated lovers
End of the world
No good decisions
Grey morality
Battle couple
Don't touch her
No sex allowed...
shapeshifter love
Nobody loves you like family
Noble demon
Good is not nice
But he came.
Addon travelled the magical realms for eons searching for her. A thousand human lifetimes of his heart beating when, when, when. But he would never give up, never stop looking.
Until finally, he found her.
Now the Goddess of Destruction and the fallen angel must face an ancient enemy, one who seeks to steal Sachi's destiny. The Sonelion, the cursed ones, have returned, waging destruction across the western mountains. Barren wombs, barren fields, barren hearts. Sachi and Addon will have to risk everything to stop them.
Worse - they'll have to risk each other.
Sometimes finding isn't enough.
Lovers of Scarlett St. Clair and Sarah J. Maas will love this steamy dark romantasy adventure (reader beware!).
Love your tropes? You'll find these, a little
Fated lovers
End of the world
No good decisions
Grey morality
Battle couple
Don't touch her
No sex allowed...
shapeshifter love
Nobody loves you like family
Noble demon
Good is not nice
176 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 31, 2024
26 people want to read
About the author
Veronica Ford
7 books1 followerLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
November 1, 2024
I’m not normally one to write book reviews, but I read this book for my Gender Representation in U.S. Pop Culture class at UConn and am supposed to write one up! Let me start by saying this: I love romance, I love love, and I love fantasy. This book is marketed as a romantasy, and so I was expecting to find these things within the pages, but I unfortunately never did. I’m not normally one to give a book a harsh rating. Most of the time, I’ll give books a high rating just because I had a good time while reading it. However, I can’t do that in this case because I spent the majority of my time questioning the intent of the book. On paper, this book seems like it could be feminist. The pantheon is almost entirely women with the Great Mother as a ruler, the goddess of destruction is a woman (Sachi), and her male love interest is nowhere near as powerful as her. A great premise, but for me, the execution did not follow through. Throughout the entirety of the book, even before any character has a sexual interaction, the male love interest, Addon, is constantly noting things about other’s bodies (he even mentions that one of the priestesses has hardened nipples, which is entirely unnecessary). Instead of the feminist fantasy I had hoped for, I was instead met with pages of this man objectifying bodies around him. I also didn’t care for the use of queerness in this book. The deity representing balance is meant to be without gender, but Ford refers to them as “god/dess” and “s/he.” Speaking from the position of a non-binary person, I found this to be incredibly disappointing…. non-binarity is not about being both man and woman at the same time all the time, it’s something that exists entirely outside of the binary. I don’t understand why Ford did not just refer to this character as “deity” or even use they/them pronouns. On top of that, Ford tries to add touches of queerness throughout the book, but they’re never expanded upon and never more than a sentence or two. In order for queerness to truly be an aspect of this book, there needs to be explicitly queer characters instead of Ford mentioning a sentence or two of vague, unspecified queerness. Finally, Sachi and Addon, the main pairing of this book, fell flat for me. Again, I remind you that this book is marketed as a romantasy, but never once are we given the impression that Sachi and Addon love each other, only that they are lustful towards the other. Of course, this isn’t a bad thing to have in a book, but most people expect love to be involved in their romantasies, and that simply wasn’t the case here.
October 31, 2024
Finding by Veronica Ford is a novella that surprised me to say the very least. I will say that I went into reading it with an EXTREME bias. I heavily judged the cover-art, and preemptively chalked it up to being another one of the 'spicy romance' stories I have come to loathe during my lifetime of reading. Sadly, my judgment tainted the reading experience.
The novella follows Sachi, the "Goddess of Destruction". She is a woman who is walled-off, angry, and somehow cold despite being gifted with the literal power of fire. (haha). She finds love and companionship in her soldier and consort, Addon. Their relationship develops, and the two foster an intense passion within each other. Their romance is fiery, passionate,very sexual at times. I didn't really enjoy their relationship whilst I was reading the novella. I thought that they should have shared more emotion with each other, and had actual conversations instead of just sex. The sexual scenes in which Sachi and Adon transform into different animals also threw me off quite a bit. It made it hard to figure out the larger themes of the novel, in my own opinion.
All that being said, I will say that Finding is a great example of feminism in the fantasy genre. Sachi is a powerful woman, and has no problem showcasing that power. Additionally, Adon becomes the less dominant person in the relationship, willingly accepting that Sachi is more powerful than him in almost every way. This is not something you usually see in most writing, and especially not within fantasy. Traditionally in fantasy media, the woman is portrayed as subservient to the male figures. Ford completely flips this narrative on it's head with Finding.
Overall, I thought the novella was just okay. I think it raised a lot of important points on feminism, and it was very refreshing to see an unapologetically powerful woman in a fantasy story. I was put off by the sex scenes in the story. I understand the reasoning for putting them in the novella and their addition to the larger story, but as a gay woman it just wasn't for me. Maybe if I had less judgment before reading I'd have rated it higher -- but I really don't know.
The novella follows Sachi, the "Goddess of Destruction". She is a woman who is walled-off, angry, and somehow cold despite being gifted with the literal power of fire. (haha). She finds love and companionship in her soldier and consort, Addon. Their relationship develops, and the two foster an intense passion within each other. Their romance is fiery, passionate,very sexual at times. I didn't really enjoy their relationship whilst I was reading the novella. I thought that they should have shared more emotion with each other, and had actual conversations instead of just sex. The sexual scenes in which Sachi and Adon transform into different animals also threw me off quite a bit. It made it hard to figure out the larger themes of the novel, in my own opinion.
All that being said, I will say that Finding is a great example of feminism in the fantasy genre. Sachi is a powerful woman, and has no problem showcasing that power. Additionally, Adon becomes the less dominant person in the relationship, willingly accepting that Sachi is more powerful than him in almost every way. This is not something you usually see in most writing, and especially not within fantasy. Traditionally in fantasy media, the woman is portrayed as subservient to the male figures. Ford completely flips this narrative on it's head with Finding.
Overall, I thought the novella was just okay. I think it raised a lot of important points on feminism, and it was very refreshing to see an unapologetically powerful woman in a fantasy story. I was put off by the sex scenes in the story. I understand the reasoning for putting them in the novella and their addition to the larger story, but as a gay woman it just wasn't for me. Maybe if I had less judgment before reading I'd have rated it higher -- but I really don't know.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 26, 2024
This is a spicy romantic fantasy read that you can binge in a day! I read this one last week and I think it’s perfect for mythology fans & all consuming romance.❤️ and I was surprised that for such a short read the story has amazing worldbuilding 🙌🏻
We follow Sachi, the goddess of Destruction. She has never taken a lover for no man could survive her. Until a mysterious man appears, who is determined to be her consort. Sachi is intrigued, and it doesn’t hurt that he’s drop dead gorgeous and sparks a flame in her that should have been forbidden…
What you can expect:
🥀forbidden / sworn off love
🥀he’s obsessed
🥀she’s a badass battle goddess
🥀bodyguard
🥀who did this to you
🥀morally grey characters
🥀 spice 🔥
We follow Sachi, the goddess of Destruction. She has never taken a lover for no man could survive her. Until a mysterious man appears, who is determined to be her consort. Sachi is intrigued, and it doesn’t hurt that he’s drop dead gorgeous and sparks a flame in her that should have been forbidden…
What you can expect:
🥀forbidden / sworn off love
🥀he’s obsessed
🥀she’s a badass battle goddess
🥀bodyguard
🥀who did this to you
🥀morally grey characters
🥀 spice 🔥
March 8, 2025
This book was a mixed bag for me. I believe it would have benefited from being a full novel so it could explore the different aspects of characters and the readers could see more elements of their relationship. This book centers on Sachi, the Goddess of Destruction, and her consort and first swordsman, Addon. Addon is intent on finding Sachi so that she may finally kill him, as he is unable to die naturally. Sachi enjoys her destruction, but not casualities that come with it, so she destroys with her version of mercy. She does not want to kill Addon and instead makes him her consort. After seeing his fighting skills, she also makes him her “First” (her right-hand swordsman), replacing her previous first, Rohrik.
The thing that made me give this book three stars was how fast-paced Sachi and Addon’s relationship progressed and that I didn’t find their characters all too complex or interesting. Rohrik, a small antagonist for part of the book, was the most interesting and well-written character for me. I understood and could relate to his motivations the most out of anyone. I love romance and fantasy, they are two of my top genres, but this one in particular just didn’t do enough for me. I wanted to see more character depth and backstory, as well as Sachi and Addon getting to know one another in a way that doesn’t involve sex or pent-up horniness. This might just not be the book for me as I don’t often read smut books or Ancient Greek/Roman inspired fantasies.
The thing that made me give this book three stars was how fast-paced Sachi and Addon’s relationship progressed and that I didn’t find their characters all too complex or interesting. Rohrik, a small antagonist for part of the book, was the most interesting and well-written character for me. I understood and could relate to his motivations the most out of anyone. I love romance and fantasy, they are two of my top genres, but this one in particular just didn’t do enough for me. I wanted to see more character depth and backstory, as well as Sachi and Addon getting to know one another in a way that doesn’t involve sex or pent-up horniness. This might just not be the book for me as I don’t often read smut books or Ancient Greek/Roman inspired fantasies.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 31, 2024
"Finding," written by Veronica Ford, is a brilliant feminist novella, containing many multi-dimensional characters paired with a captivating plot to keep readers engaged. The story follows the tale of Sachi, the "Goddess of Destruction." Focusing on Sachi's character for a moment, despite her title as the Goddess of Destruction, it's clear to the reader early on that Sachi possesses a heart, even going as far as to make sure that she doesn't arbitrarily kill a group of villagers as she relishes in the destruction of their village. She is by no means an irrational wielder of destruction, demonstrating several times that she possesses reason and is deliberate in what she chooses to destroy. Moreover, Sachi's character embodies several core feminist values. She is a powerful and empowering figure without adopting traits synonymous with masculinity to be as strong as she is, demonstrating that women can be strong while possessing their femininity. In my opinion, the construction of Sachi's character, as well as her development throughout the novella, highlights Ford's clever thinking that is ever present throughout the novella. Sachi finds herself balancing her responsibilities and duties while also battling temptations and emotions that she is unfamiliar with.
Returning to the plot, Sachi would soon meet her future consort, Addon, a character many of my peers found polarizing. While I didn't have any strong feelings towards Addon as a character, considering him to be a tad bit bland but still somewhat enjoyable, what I will say is that Addon demonstrated growth throughout the story, beginning as a character who initially saw Sachi as nothing more than a means to an end to later forging a genuine relationship with the Goddess of Destruction. Without any spoilers, Addon undergoes several tests administered by Sachi's siblings, who are also Gods and Goddesses, to prove his love, all of which, I would argue, strengthen his love for her while simultaneously suppressing his initial intentions. The internal battles both Sachi and Addon face within their relationship allow readers to stay hooked and engaged. I found myself rooting for the two to work despite the conflicts that stood in the way early on.
As someone new to the romantic fantasy genre, I thoroughly enjoyed interacting with many of the themes within the novella. From the complexities of love and companionship and recognizing one's responsibilities and a duty to uphold them, Ford presents several concepts for readers to analyze. On a slightly unrelated note, what I found particularly brilliant was Ford's decision to omit the character's racial identities, leaving the reader to fill in the blanks. Typically in literature, I've found that we are forced to imagine the main cast as being white while fitting a heteronormative binary. With 'Finding,' however, it is up to the reader to imagine the characters in a way that helps make their experience enjoyable. This is something that I genuinely appreciate about Ford's writing and a component absent from many other novellas. Overall, Veronica Ford's 'Finding' was an enjoyable read with an ending that leaves the reader wanting more.
As a minor disclaimer, despite the novella's captivating storyline and interesting characters, there are some sexual themes present that may make some uncomfortable. As someone who enjoyed the book, I will say that I was a bit taken aback while reading some of the scenes, as they are very detailed and appear without warning. Nevertheless, I believe those who read the book will not be disappointed and will hopefully enjoy it as much as I did. I highly recommend it!!
Returning to the plot, Sachi would soon meet her future consort, Addon, a character many of my peers found polarizing. While I didn't have any strong feelings towards Addon as a character, considering him to be a tad bit bland but still somewhat enjoyable, what I will say is that Addon demonstrated growth throughout the story, beginning as a character who initially saw Sachi as nothing more than a means to an end to later forging a genuine relationship with the Goddess of Destruction. Without any spoilers, Addon undergoes several tests administered by Sachi's siblings, who are also Gods and Goddesses, to prove his love, all of which, I would argue, strengthen his love for her while simultaneously suppressing his initial intentions. The internal battles both Sachi and Addon face within their relationship allow readers to stay hooked and engaged. I found myself rooting for the two to work despite the conflicts that stood in the way early on.
As someone new to the romantic fantasy genre, I thoroughly enjoyed interacting with many of the themes within the novella. From the complexities of love and companionship and recognizing one's responsibilities and a duty to uphold them, Ford presents several concepts for readers to analyze. On a slightly unrelated note, what I found particularly brilliant was Ford's decision to omit the character's racial identities, leaving the reader to fill in the blanks. Typically in literature, I've found that we are forced to imagine the main cast as being white while fitting a heteronormative binary. With 'Finding,' however, it is up to the reader to imagine the characters in a way that helps make their experience enjoyable. This is something that I genuinely appreciate about Ford's writing and a component absent from many other novellas. Overall, Veronica Ford's 'Finding' was an enjoyable read with an ending that leaves the reader wanting more.
As a minor disclaimer, despite the novella's captivating storyline and interesting characters, there are some sexual themes present that may make some uncomfortable. As someone who enjoyed the book, I will say that I was a bit taken aback while reading some of the scenes, as they are very detailed and appear without warning. Nevertheless, I believe those who read the book will not be disappointed and will hopefully enjoy it as much as I did. I highly recommend it!!
October 30, 2024
Overall I think this was a pretty good book, I will admit it was not the type of romance I expected. I had to read this book for an assignment which I think made it more interesting because it helped me view the book in many different aspects. The book is about the goddess of destruction named Sachi, who is balancing her duties and responsibilities while discovering herself and her feelings for the love interest who recently just entered her life. The love interest is a soldier named Adon who becomes her consort and her first. Their relationship becomes passionate and fiery, but they very quickly realize how difficult it will be because she is the goddess of destruction and she could hurt him tremendously. Personally, I am a sucker for romance and enjoyed the slow burn the book gave. I also liked how the roles were reversed. In a normal romance novel, it is always the guy receiving the pleasure, they are the ones in power but in this novel, it is the girl. Personally, I really enjoyed seeing that because you never get this POV, it was different, and I think it made it more relatable to girls in a way. It shows that it's not always the man in power, that we can be in that position too, and that we also have these hardships. I liked the slow burn between Sachi and Adon because it keeps you on your toes and keeps you reading because you want to see what they will do to "finally be connected" (once you read the book you'll get why I put in parenthesis, I don't want to give a lot away lol). With their love story, I was thrown off at the end of the book.... with the type of sex they had. It happens towards the end of the book, and to be honest I was not expecting that and it was just a different type of graphic if that makes sense. It wasn't my cup of tea. Overall I do think the author did a good job having the storyline move smoothly, great descriptions- made it easy to imagine in your head while reading, I like the thrill it had to it during the fighting scenes, the tight relationship Sachi and her family have. The only critic/thing that bugged me was how fast Adon's motive changed for wanting Sachi. I love romance so I was very basis and tried to gaslight myself that he didn't only want her for sex in the beginning, but when I think about it, that was what he was thinking about throughout the book. The motive wasn't straight/moved quickly like I wish we had gone through more of his thought process. Many will argue and yes, he did travel to come find her/see her and basically knew nothing about her (yes, it is very cute) but it's the way anytime he thought of her it was sexual. I wish it went deeper into his emotions and hers. I feel like there should be a balance when it comes to romance books of sexual and emotional. It was always very sexual, yes there were its separate moments but I do wish we got to read more of what they thought of each other on an emotional level not just the things they both have in common. I know that deep emotional connection is there but I felt like I never got to experience it. I did enjoy reading this book and I do recommend it to others who seek a different perspective on the romance trope. I really enjoyed it and will definitely read the next book in the series when it comes out!
November 1, 2024
"Finding: Goddess of Destruction" by Veronica Ford is about Sachi, the titular goddess, and Addon, a human and Sachi's consort-to-be. Sachi is looking for someone to connect with, which she has often been unable to do due to her power; Addon has lived and died multiple times, and seeks Sachi as a means to a final death. The book follows the two of them as they develop feelings for each other and try to navigate said feelings. Minor spoilers follow.
Personally, I was intrigued by the book's premise, and I did enjoy the first few chapters because I liked the worldbuilding and was excited for a romance (as this novella is marketed as a romantasy). However, I was very disappointed to find a complete lack of said romance; instead the story revolved mostly around lust. While I have no issues with books with smutty scenes or overall themes, the story and whatever messages Finding had completely fell flat due to the near-absence of emotional connection and intimacy between the main characters. For the most part, the only thing they liked about each other was their physical appearance and attractiveness, which felt quite shallow and even objectifying at times, based on Ford's descriptions. In addition, Sachi both physically and emotionally reduced herself on several occasions, including points where Addon was being downright demeaning to her, which bothered me and felt like a departure from the strong and take-no-shit character that was introduced at the beginning. The book also had a strongly heteronormative and allonormative subtext, which really put me off as a queer reader, especially considering I was assigned this book for a class that emphasized intersectional and inclusive feminism. Personally, I would not have finished the book had it not been an assignment.
I think Finding really had a lot of potential, which is part of why I was so disappointed. There was such interesting worldbuilding around Sachi and her siblings (all of whom were gods/goddesses), and foreshadowing of a powerful enemy that they had to defeat, but it was tossed aside for gratuitous descriptions of boobs and horniness. One of the main conflicts of the story was that Sachi and Addon couldn't have sex, and I think Ford really could have explored the ways the two characters could navigate other forms of connection and intimacy that either didn't involve sex, or explored the many other ways for the characters to have a physical relationship that broke away from the traditional, limited, and patriarchal ideas of what sex is. It was unfortunate that Ford did not take this approach. An additional insult to injury was Ford's use of Generative AI images to promote her book on social media, which shows a severe disrespect (or extreme ignorance at best) around the craft and effort of creative arts, and the ways AI harms both creatives and the environment. Overall, I did not enjoy this book and would neither recommend it nor explore other works by this author.
Personally, I was intrigued by the book's premise, and I did enjoy the first few chapters because I liked the worldbuilding and was excited for a romance (as this novella is marketed as a romantasy). However, I was very disappointed to find a complete lack of said romance; instead the story revolved mostly around lust. While I have no issues with books with smutty scenes or overall themes, the story and whatever messages Finding had completely fell flat due to the near-absence of emotional connection and intimacy between the main characters. For the most part, the only thing they liked about each other was their physical appearance and attractiveness, which felt quite shallow and even objectifying at times, based on Ford's descriptions. In addition, Sachi both physically and emotionally reduced herself on several occasions, including points where Addon was being downright demeaning to her, which bothered me and felt like a departure from the strong and take-no-shit character that was introduced at the beginning. The book also had a strongly heteronormative and allonormative subtext, which really put me off as a queer reader, especially considering I was assigned this book for a class that emphasized intersectional and inclusive feminism. Personally, I would not have finished the book had it not been an assignment.
I think Finding really had a lot of potential, which is part of why I was so disappointed. There was such interesting worldbuilding around Sachi and her siblings (all of whom were gods/goddesses), and foreshadowing of a powerful enemy that they had to defeat, but it was tossed aside for gratuitous descriptions of boobs and horniness. One of the main conflicts of the story was that Sachi and Addon couldn't have sex, and I think Ford really could have explored the ways the two characters could navigate other forms of connection and intimacy that either didn't involve sex, or explored the many other ways for the characters to have a physical relationship that broke away from the traditional, limited, and patriarchal ideas of what sex is. It was unfortunate that Ford did not take this approach. An additional insult to injury was Ford's use of Generative AI images to promote her book on social media, which shows a severe disrespect (or extreme ignorance at best) around the craft and effort of creative arts, and the ways AI harms both creatives and the environment. Overall, I did not enjoy this book and would neither recommend it nor explore other works by this author.
November 4, 2024
Veronica Ford’s novella, Finding, is an ambitious take on the fantasy-romance genre that leaves readers with mixed feelings. The story kicks off strong, throwing us into a vibrant world where Sachi, the badass Goddess of Destruction, is craving connection after what feels like an eternity alone. Enter Addon, a fallen angel who’s been searching the magical realms for ages just to find her. The setup screams epic love story with a side of danger, and at first, it totally delivers. But as the story unfolds, some cracks start to show.
Ford’s world-building is impressive. She creates a setting full of magic, divine beings, and ancient rivalries that keep things interesting. The Sonelions, the villains causing chaos, add an extra layer of tension that lifts the story beyond just romance. The subplot with Rohric’s betrayal, where he’s manipulated by the Sonelions, is especially well done and shows Ford’s knack for weaving intrigue into the plot.
Sachi is a standout character. It’s refreshing to see a powerful female lead who isn’t afraid to own her strength. She’s fierce but has her vulnerable moments that make her relatable. Addon, on the other hand, flips the usual fantasy script. He’s not the all-powerful male hero; instead, he’s more than okay with taking a back seat to Sachi’s dominance. This twist adds a cool touch to the story and makes it feel unique.
But here’s where things get tricky. The romance between Sachi and Addon is intense, maybe too intense. Their relationship is driven by a lot of steamy scenes, which, while exciting, don’t leave much room for emotional depth. I found myself wanting more genuine moments between them, more real conversations instead of just heat. And some of those explicit scenes, especially the ones involving animal transformations, felt a little out there and distracted from the bigger themes.
The novella’s short length doesn’t help. Ford does a good job setting up character development and deeper themes, but it’s rushed. The plot moves fast, and there’s not enough time to dig into what really drives Sachi and Addon. Addon’s love for Sachi is mentioned, but we don’t see much to back it up. Sachi’s shift from being closed off to opening up is hinted at but could’ve been more impactful if we’d spent more time in her head.
The tone of the writing is engaging, but it sometimes struggles to balance the epic scale of the story with the more intimate character moments. I often found it hard to pin down what Sachi and Addon really wanted beyond their attraction to each other. Also, the repeated mentions of Sachi’s small size compared to her power were a bit jarring and took away from her image as a fearsome goddess.
Ford’s world-building is impressive. She creates a setting full of magic, divine beings, and ancient rivalries that keep things interesting. The Sonelions, the villains causing chaos, add an extra layer of tension that lifts the story beyond just romance. The subplot with Rohric’s betrayal, where he’s manipulated by the Sonelions, is especially well done and shows Ford’s knack for weaving intrigue into the plot.
Sachi is a standout character. It’s refreshing to see a powerful female lead who isn’t afraid to own her strength. She’s fierce but has her vulnerable moments that make her relatable. Addon, on the other hand, flips the usual fantasy script. He’s not the all-powerful male hero; instead, he’s more than okay with taking a back seat to Sachi’s dominance. This twist adds a cool touch to the story and makes it feel unique.
But here’s where things get tricky. The romance between Sachi and Addon is intense, maybe too intense. Their relationship is driven by a lot of steamy scenes, which, while exciting, don’t leave much room for emotional depth. I found myself wanting more genuine moments between them, more real conversations instead of just heat. And some of those explicit scenes, especially the ones involving animal transformations, felt a little out there and distracted from the bigger themes.
The novella’s short length doesn’t help. Ford does a good job setting up character development and deeper themes, but it’s rushed. The plot moves fast, and there’s not enough time to dig into what really drives Sachi and Addon. Addon’s love for Sachi is mentioned, but we don’t see much to back it up. Sachi’s shift from being closed off to opening up is hinted at but could’ve been more impactful if we’d spent more time in her head.
The tone of the writing is engaging, but it sometimes struggles to balance the epic scale of the story with the more intimate character moments. I often found it hard to pin down what Sachi and Addon really wanted beyond their attraction to each other. Also, the repeated mentions of Sachi’s small size compared to her power were a bit jarring and took away from her image as a fearsome goddess.
October 31, 2024
"Finding" was an immensely passionate novel that explores the lives of our protagonists, Sachi and Addon, including a complicated and conflicted attraction towards one another. In the beginning, we discover the history of the two characters,which displays their unwavering love for each other and their roles as guardians of their realm. The story centers around the rekindling of a relationship between two of the characters who were formerly in love, but are now prohibited from being together because of their roles as protectors of the realm. Another storyline also takes place with Sachi and Addon and their forbidden love, which showcases sacrificial love and its complications. Relating to a common trope in real life, they must focus on protecting the realm from Sonelion and give up hope for their relationship, as many people in reality have to sacrifice their relationship for a greater cause. Without any spoilers, the conclusion was widly unexpected in my opinion, because it seems that it is left to interpretation for the readers.
One thing I will say is that I don't particularly enjoy endings that leave room for interpretation or "cliffhangers". However, many might disagree because there's no room to get upset or be dissatisfied with a chosen ending. I just wish we got to experience more of this novel because it felt unfinished, and I would have liked to see the rekindling of Sachi and Addon's relationship. Something that I felt the author did really well was the stylistic elements of her writing. I felt it was very easy to utilize imagery and see the words coming to life through imagination because of how descriptive some of the scenes were. Of course, I don't think I enjoyed this style during the *spicier* scenes, but in all other instances. It was also a good balance between complexity and consideration for the audience because even though the scenes were described in a complex manner, it was still very easy to follow what was going on. Last but not least, my favorite part of this novel is the reversed gender roles. Often times in romance and in fantasy, we see men taking on traditional masculine roles and leaving the women for lesser importance or taking dominance over their character. That is absolutely not this case for this text, where Sachi is portrayed as kind-of a badass and has the power over men. I enjoyed this aspect because it was a refreshing break from what you normally read in this genre, and because #girlpower.
Overall, I enjoyed this book but wish we got more, and also a better ending.
One thing I will say is that I don't particularly enjoy endings that leave room for interpretation or "cliffhangers". However, many might disagree because there's no room to get upset or be dissatisfied with a chosen ending. I just wish we got to experience more of this novel because it felt unfinished, and I would have liked to see the rekindling of Sachi and Addon's relationship. Something that I felt the author did really well was the stylistic elements of her writing. I felt it was very easy to utilize imagery and see the words coming to life through imagination because of how descriptive some of the scenes were. Of course, I don't think I enjoyed this style during the *spicier* scenes, but in all other instances. It was also a good balance between complexity and consideration for the audience because even though the scenes were described in a complex manner, it was still very easy to follow what was going on. Last but not least, my favorite part of this novel is the reversed gender roles. Often times in romance and in fantasy, we see men taking on traditional masculine roles and leaving the women for lesser importance or taking dominance over their character. That is absolutely not this case for this text, where Sachi is portrayed as kind-of a badass and has the power over men. I enjoyed this aspect because it was a refreshing break from what you normally read in this genre, and because #girlpower.
Overall, I enjoyed this book but wish we got more, and also a better ending.
November 1, 2024
I think Finding accomplishes a lot for the length that it is. The premise of the book is that the goddess of destruction (of an alternate fantasy world) Sachi, has taken a consort who has offered himself to her, Addon. As we experience their growing relationship together, We see trouble is brewing across the land due to the interference by the Sonelions, creatures from the east who are hoping to cause total destruction and eradicate the gods.
Ford does a very good job of balancing subplot with main plot, by not giving in too much to either, and knowing when to switch focus or blend the two to create intrigue. The subplot that is given, that of the Sonelions, is very interesting, and it ends at just the perfect point to make you want to buy the second book to see where it heads. We see Sachi's relationship and views of Rohric, her former First, or right hand man, deteriorate over the course of the book, just for us to gain some sympathy back as we see how he was manipulated and used by the Sonelions against his will. I think this plotline was beautifully executed, and showed the more calculating, work oriented side of Sachi.
In terms of the romance of the book, I felt it was lacking. Sachi and Addon have a very sexually charged relationship, which makes sense as he is her consort. However I feel like what the characters explicitly think or feel doesn't line up with any of their actions. Both characters are completely separated as soon as they meet for basically a full year, yet their feelings continue to grow despite having little to no contact with one another. Addon hints at feeling love but there is nothing in his actions or the writing to back this up. Sachi feels like she is relegating him to strictly coworker. The whole 'will they won't they' aspect of it seems to fall on more of the won't they side of things. As an aside, for being a book written relatively recently I also didn't love the constant comments about how small and tiny and petite Sachi was, it felt a bit degrading even though she is the goddess of destruction.
I understand this is the first of the series, and I'm excited to see where it leads with the fantasy aspect, but I was a bit disappointed in terms of the romance aspect of the novella, as they felt more like coworkers than a potential match.
Ford does a very good job of balancing subplot with main plot, by not giving in too much to either, and knowing when to switch focus or blend the two to create intrigue. The subplot that is given, that of the Sonelions, is very interesting, and it ends at just the perfect point to make you want to buy the second book to see where it heads. We see Sachi's relationship and views of Rohric, her former First, or right hand man, deteriorate over the course of the book, just for us to gain some sympathy back as we see how he was manipulated and used by the Sonelions against his will. I think this plotline was beautifully executed, and showed the more calculating, work oriented side of Sachi.
In terms of the romance of the book, I felt it was lacking. Sachi and Addon have a very sexually charged relationship, which makes sense as he is her consort. However I feel like what the characters explicitly think or feel doesn't line up with any of their actions. Both characters are completely separated as soon as they meet for basically a full year, yet their feelings continue to grow despite having little to no contact with one another. Addon hints at feeling love but there is nothing in his actions or the writing to back this up. Sachi feels like she is relegating him to strictly coworker. The whole 'will they won't they' aspect of it seems to fall on more of the won't they side of things. As an aside, for being a book written relatively recently I also didn't love the constant comments about how small and tiny and petite Sachi was, it felt a bit degrading even though she is the goddess of destruction.
I understand this is the first of the series, and I'm excited to see where it leads with the fantasy aspect, but I was a bit disappointed in terms of the romance aspect of the novella, as they felt more like coworkers than a potential match.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 1, 2024
Veronica Ford's "Finding" is a novella that has a blend of romance and fantasy. The story revolves around Sachi, the "Goddess of Destruction," whose character goes against traditional views and Addon who is yearning to have her. Sachi even though being a Goddess shows vulnerability and strength, making her an complex figure. She uses her destructive powers with a surprising sense of reason, choosing her actions thoughtfully, which shows both empathy and power to her character. The relationship between Sachi and Addon, is an important aspect of the novel. Their relationship opposes typical romantic tropes by reversing gender roles; Sachi possesses the power and Addon being the weaker one. This reverse gender roles allows readers to see a love story where the woman is not just strong but also holds influence over her partner. Addon who's initial motivation was just to die at her hands, he however then develops a physical love for her after seeing her. Some people may say that he only wanted her for her looks, but Ford does a great job by having the looks come after the fact that he had been searching for her. Because he wanted her before seeing her.
The author really didn't create an emotional romantic connection, it was more of a lustful one. Which I am not opposed to but it might not be for everyone. I do respect that Ford allowed Sachi to be the one in charge of the relationship, and I do find it interesting that a Goddess allowed her self to be vulnerable by choice to her Consort. Which shows that it's okay to be vulnerable to the right person. The romantic description in this novella will give the reader an experience. However, the explicit scenes did catch me off guard as I normally would not go for a book with spice. Even though there was spice it does take an interesting turn into how it is portrayed and how it plays out. It was definitely unlike any other book I have read before in that aspect.
Overall, "Finding" is an interesting read that offers a unique perspective on romantasy. It has a lot of rich character individuality and an engaging plot. It’s an enjoyable journey for anyone seeking a different take on the genre. This Novella was quite an interesting read for sure.
The author really didn't create an emotional romantic connection, it was more of a lustful one. Which I am not opposed to but it might not be for everyone. I do respect that Ford allowed Sachi to be the one in charge of the relationship, and I do find it interesting that a Goddess allowed her self to be vulnerable by choice to her Consort. Which shows that it's okay to be vulnerable to the right person. The romantic description in this novella will give the reader an experience. However, the explicit scenes did catch me off guard as I normally would not go for a book with spice. Even though there was spice it does take an interesting turn into how it is portrayed and how it plays out. It was definitely unlike any other book I have read before in that aspect.
Overall, "Finding" is an interesting read that offers a unique perspective on romantasy. It has a lot of rich character individuality and an engaging plot. It’s an enjoyable journey for anyone seeking a different take on the genre. This Novella was quite an interesting read for sure.
October 26, 2024
3.5/5 I read this book for an assignment in class and overall I thought it had pretty cool concepts, however, I was not a fan of the romance in this book. I thought the entire concept of Sachi and her family being goddesses/gods/deities from different cultures around the world was super interesting, as in most books the author usually pulls from one or two cultures. I also liked the familial and sibling bond they all shared, super cute scenes to read. However, I was not a fan of Sachi's relationship with Addon (love interest in this book) because I feel like it didn't develop in any aspect except sexually. Ford introduces Addon to be this mysterious guy who is only there to use Sachi as an "ends to a mean." Addon often repeats this phrase to himself. I get what Ford was trying to do here to show him dropping his ulterior motive because he got to know Sachi and love her, but the issue I have is I feel like he didn't love her in an emotional sense (only sexual) and him changing his motive felt very sudden. I am a hopeless romantic, so maybe I'm a bit biased, but their relationship fell flat and I wish they opened up to one another a little more before Addon realized his motive changed. Also, I thought them changing into full animals was a little strange. Strange in the sense that it's from the norm, but also in the sense it felt a little weird to read. As a reader, these scenes of Addon and Sachi finally getting to be intimate with one another did not make me giddy, but instead made me uncomfortable because they were animals. I think taking the human aspect out of these scenes furthered my belief of the lack of romance between them. On the flipside, they wanted one another so badly they turned into animals to do so because that was the only way.
Overall, the fantasy part of the book was great and super interesting to read. I just personally was not the biggest fan of the Romance part.
Overall, the fantasy part of the book was great and super interesting to read. I just personally was not the biggest fan of the Romance part.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 2, 2024
I would like to preface this by saying that I am personally not a fan of the Romantasy genre. In general, the writing reads as formulaic and I prefer more experimental literature. As far as Romantasy goes, Finding was one of the better books I have read in this genre.
I took some issues with the portrayal of goddesses from actual religions and mythos, particularly with the goddess Brigid. While it is true that Brigit (Middle Irish spelling) was an Irish goddess before the time of St. Brigid, there are so many more interesting and powerful women in the Tuatha de Danann that had much more significance to Irish mythology. Irish mythology is not well represented in modern literature, usually appearing in the form of watered-down "fairy" characters that have zero characteristics of actual faeries. So that was a little disappointing for me.
I took some issues with the portrayal of goddesses from actual religions and mythos, particularly with the goddess Brigid. While it is true that Brigit (Middle Irish spelling) was an Irish goddess before the time of St. Brigid, there are so many more interesting and powerful women in the Tuatha de Danann that had much more significance to Irish mythology. Irish mythology is not well represented in modern literature, usually appearing in the form of watered-down "fairy" characters that have zero characteristics of actual faeries. So that was a little disappointing for me.
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November 2, 2024This book sparked a joy for reading fantasy that I did not think I had. I typically do not read fantasy, but this book being a romantacsy incorporated my favorite genre of literature.
The book begins with the goddess of destruction, Sachi, meeting a seemingly mortal man name Addon who aims to be her consort. The both of them begin their own journeys within the novel, Addon is dedicated to leading her army and Sachi is busy withe her sibling discussing the problems of the west. As the moments they interact are only far and few we see them separately enjoy the same things. One specific scene is Addon is fighting the previous leader of the army and it is clear that he enjoys fighting and is an experienced fighter. Another scene that parallels this is when Sachi is fighting with her sister for fun, she is a skilled and beautiful fighter. They immediately spark interest in each other when they first meet, but since they do not interact one on one a ton, the attraction becomes extremely apparent in the novel.
I enjoyed how quick and to the point this novel was, I understand that it can seem like Sachi and Addon may not have a lot in common because of their lack of interactions but We can see them enjoying the same things separately. So as a reader I am able to infer that they would most likely enjoy the same things if they were given the chance to spend more time together. I also think the interactions they did have were packed with meaning, for example both Sachi and Addon enjoy reading therefore they exchange poems and books throughout the novel. I really enjoyed the romance of the novel, they had really good chemistry and were both clearly attracted to each other. It was nice to know that the relationship was not once sided, Sachi and Addon were both very interested in exploring each other. Though this book being so short, we do only get to see a window of their blooming relationship, it was beautifully written and left me longing for more.
The book begins with the goddess of destruction, Sachi, meeting a seemingly mortal man name Addon who aims to be her consort. The both of them begin their own journeys within the novel, Addon is dedicated to leading her army and Sachi is busy withe her sibling discussing the problems of the west. As the moments they interact are only far and few we see them separately enjoy the same things. One specific scene is Addon is fighting the previous leader of the army and it is clear that he enjoys fighting and is an experienced fighter. Another scene that parallels this is when Sachi is fighting with her sister for fun, she is a skilled and beautiful fighter. They immediately spark interest in each other when they first meet, but since they do not interact one on one a ton, the attraction becomes extremely apparent in the novel.
I enjoyed how quick and to the point this novel was, I understand that it can seem like Sachi and Addon may not have a lot in common because of their lack of interactions but We can see them enjoying the same things separately. So as a reader I am able to infer that they would most likely enjoy the same things if they were given the chance to spend more time together. I also think the interactions they did have were packed with meaning, for example both Sachi and Addon enjoy reading therefore they exchange poems and books throughout the novel. I really enjoyed the romance of the novel, they had really good chemistry and were both clearly attracted to each other. It was nice to know that the relationship was not once sided, Sachi and Addon were both very interested in exploring each other. Though this book being so short, we do only get to see a window of their blooming relationship, it was beautifully written and left me longing for more.
November 7, 2024
(somewhat a bit of spoilers ahead?)
Genuinely, while reading “Finding” by veronica Ford there was this constant thought or even question that kept popping into my mind. “Why do so many romance books tend to have the same tropes and same storyline?” It’s always the innocent girl vs the big masculine man who the girl just has to put up with. I really am into romance books but to be truthfully honest I don’t necessarily feel as though this is a book that I would have picked up to read on my own. I will say that this book was unique in its own special way and I say this because our main characters Sachi and Addon are seen to have this perfect balance of romance and spiciness.
It was super explicit and erotic and you see that in this book these characters cannot necessarily have sex with one another because they can’t touch each other and I feel as though this is what makes the book unique. I feel like in most romance books the male love interest is always deemed as having to hold back their love for the main female character because he’s too nonchalant and doesn’t want to show his true emotions but we see as though he actually ends up falling for her. Sacchi is deemed as a goddess in this book, and I feel as though she sort of stands out because she doesn’t fit the norms of how woman is portrayed and how they are expected to act.
Overall, I actually did like the book, I just was a bit taken back by the immense sex scenes and the typically “nonchalant man falls for the innocent girl” sort of trope so if you are into books like this then this is literally the perfect book for you
Genuinely, while reading “Finding” by veronica Ford there was this constant thought or even question that kept popping into my mind. “Why do so many romance books tend to have the same tropes and same storyline?” It’s always the innocent girl vs the big masculine man who the girl just has to put up with. I really am into romance books but to be truthfully honest I don’t necessarily feel as though this is a book that I would have picked up to read on my own. I will say that this book was unique in its own special way and I say this because our main characters Sachi and Addon are seen to have this perfect balance of romance and spiciness.
It was super explicit and erotic and you see that in this book these characters cannot necessarily have sex with one another because they can’t touch each other and I feel as though this is what makes the book unique. I feel like in most romance books the male love interest is always deemed as having to hold back their love for the main female character because he’s too nonchalant and doesn’t want to show his true emotions but we see as though he actually ends up falling for her. Sacchi is deemed as a goddess in this book, and I feel as though she sort of stands out because she doesn’t fit the norms of how woman is portrayed and how they are expected to act.
Overall, I actually did like the book, I just was a bit taken back by the immense sex scenes and the typically “nonchalant man falls for the innocent girl” sort of trope so if you are into books like this then this is literally the perfect book for you
October 30, 2024
If you enjoy having your expectations flipped upside down, I would definitely recommend this book to you! I didn't know what to think going into this book, but the relationship between Addon and Sachi is much deeper than it may seem. I myself am a romance lover and I've read and seen many versions of the intimate stereotype that can be portrayed in films and books, and I felt that this book transcended those stereotypes entirely. Sachi is a brave and fearless goddess that never apologizes for what has to be done. Addon is a strong, loyal, capable warrior who lets Sachi be who she is. He doesn't try to change her or live up to the standard that she holds because he knows that he could never be as powerful as her, however, he also isn't afraid of her which allows her to be more of herself. She learns so much from being put on a somewhat equal playing field as Addon and I find that very kind. He admires and acknowledges the power she holds, but he doesn't let that consume her. I thought, going into this, that I was going to be overwhelmed with romance and that the main plot wouldn't matter, but the overarching plot of the book was never diminished for me. I felt that the romance was more prevalent in the areas that it should be, and I also felt that it didn't overtake the areas it shouldn't. The only 'critique' I have about the book was the course of time that they chose to spend being physically intimate with each other. I felt that it could've commenced at a different time in the book, but it didn't ruin the book for me in a way that made me enjoy it less.
October 31, 2024
I enjoyed this book. The novella portrayed some great concepts, such as overcoming lust and finding true, deep love. I found Sachi (the main character) to be written very well, as she portrayed a personality full of strength and power. I enjoyed reading about her dominance, for example, and I loved the idea of a main female character in a story being more dominant than her muse, Addon. An example of this was during the scene where she and Addon fight — she ultimately takes the upper hand and dominates Addon. From this scene we get the understanding that Addon enjoys being the one dominated, which was a unique twist on conventions. I enjoyed the plot to this book as well, as I thought it helped shaped the storyline, which teased readers with the trope of true love. I think this book is also a good mix of romance and fantasy. Along with that, it does an excellent job at challenging the idea that men are the only ones capable of destruction and dominance.
Despite the great things this book portrays, I did think the writing was poor at times. I think there was a bit too much sexual action, as it became a distraction to the true message of the plot. I also felt that it was almost a little too gratuitous, as it goes into extreme detail of animals partaking in sexual intercourse, suggesting a bestiality that was uncomfortable to read and enjoy. Overall, I found this book to be interesting and a fun read, despite its few flaws. I would recommend this book to someone whos looking for a spicy, fun, as well as a quick read.
Despite the great things this book portrays, I did think the writing was poor at times. I think there was a bit too much sexual action, as it became a distraction to the true message of the plot. I also felt that it was almost a little too gratuitous, as it goes into extreme detail of animals partaking in sexual intercourse, suggesting a bestiality that was uncomfortable to read and enjoy. Overall, I found this book to be interesting and a fun read, despite its few flaws. I would recommend this book to someone whos looking for a spicy, fun, as well as a quick read.
November 1, 2024
Finding: Goddess of Destruction Book 1 by Veronica Ford delivers an action-packed, mythological romance that centers around Sachi, a fierce goddess balancing her duty with her personal desires. Sachi is a powerful and complex lead, as the goddess of destruction struggling with the tension between responsibility and the pull of her heart. Addon, her fated lover, quickly falls for her, showing unwavering devotion and helping her find confidence in her powers. I loved their mutual admiration and the way Addon brings out Sachi’s strengths, even if their relationship unfolds a bit too quickly for my taste. Though I prefer a slower, more developed love story, I’m sure many readers will appreciate the intensity of their connection. A great surprise that really drew me into their relationship was the vulnerability shown by Sachi. Ford introduces intriguing elements, such as Sachi’s dual relationships with gods and goddesses who shift between their divine and human forms. This feature, however, was challenging to follow at times. Without clear distinctions, I initially found the transitions between forms confusing, leading to some misinterpretation until the difference eventually clicked.
For readers who enjoy romantic tropes like "fated lovers" with strong female leads, Finding is a fresh and exciting quick read. Although the rapid progression of Sachi and Addon’s romance left me wanting more depth, the book's short length and engaging storyline make it perfect for fans of powerful, assertive feminist characters.
For readers who enjoy romantic tropes like "fated lovers" with strong female leads, Finding is a fresh and exciting quick read. Although the rapid progression of Sachi and Addon’s romance left me wanting more depth, the book's short length and engaging storyline make it perfect for fans of powerful, assertive feminist characters.
November 1, 2024
Spoilers: I had to read this for a WGSS class, but I’m not really sure why. We’re talking about romantasy books, and this seems like it would be a romance/love story based on the description but there isn’t really much love in it between the main characters. To me it just felt like the characters really wanted to have sex, and Addon was definitely sexually attracted to her, but there was no real reason for them to love each other, and it never seems like they do. This would be fine! I am not stranger to erotica, but even his sexual attraction to her didn’t feel that special with how he slept with another woman (granted he had to which feels weird in itself due to him not having a choice if he wanted to pass the trial? At least he thought of Sachi?) and he kept noticing other women’s nipples. Sachi also slapped him, which would’ve been insane if he slapped her so I don’t think it’s ok for her to hit him. Even if he’s into it, it’s not like she asked first. I wish we got more of the plot with the impending war. It seemed really interesting and I was hoping to read more about it, but it ends before much happens. The world building was really cool and I really enjoyed the side characters and their interactions with the main characters. Sachi with her siblings was really sweet to see. But she’s still powerful and doesn’t need to sweeten herself to be respected by mortals, which I enjoyed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 1, 2024
Sit back for the ride
Finding is a novella that will surprise the unsuspecting reader. I appreciate Finding’s inclusion of subversive aspects to typical conceptions of sex, relationships, and the body in them, though it was a bit hard for me to really see those choices on the first read. On reflection after reading, I’m more able to appreciate the themes of the novella. The main characters do change and grow throughout the book, but it can be hard to notice because those moments maybe aren’t lingered on enough or given enough weight. I caught myself really wanting a deeper experience of Sachi and Addon’s thoughts and feelings. The concept of a Goddess learning how to be vulnerable and empathize with humans is so interesting, and I wish it was delved into more.
I hold back from a higher review not because of the presence of elements I dislike (I personally find the author’s choices intriguing), but because of the absence of a groundedness in the tone of the writing and in their characters. While it is a short novella, I felt that I had little sense of what was important to our main characters, the things they dreamed of and feared. It may also be because of the limits of the length of the novella that the characters’ actions and thoughts felt more plot-driven to me. I’d be interested to see how the author builds on Addon’s character in the next book.
Finding is a novella that will surprise the unsuspecting reader. I appreciate Finding’s inclusion of subversive aspects to typical conceptions of sex, relationships, and the body in them, though it was a bit hard for me to really see those choices on the first read. On reflection after reading, I’m more able to appreciate the themes of the novella. The main characters do change and grow throughout the book, but it can be hard to notice because those moments maybe aren’t lingered on enough or given enough weight. I caught myself really wanting a deeper experience of Sachi and Addon’s thoughts and feelings. The concept of a Goddess learning how to be vulnerable and empathize with humans is so interesting, and I wish it was delved into more.
I hold back from a higher review not because of the presence of elements I dislike (I personally find the author’s choices intriguing), but because of the absence of a groundedness in the tone of the writing and in their characters. While it is a short novella, I felt that I had little sense of what was important to our main characters, the things they dreamed of and feared. It may also be because of the limits of the length of the novella that the characters’ actions and thoughts felt more plot-driven to me. I’d be interested to see how the author builds on Addon’s character in the next book.
October 29, 2024
This was actually a pretty good read, the cover made think that it was going to be one of those corny romance books that you find in Target but it beat my expectations! I really liked how the relationship between Sachi and Addon took the regular romantasy troupes and flipped it on it's head, as I continued through the book I found myself going "You know what, hell yea Addon you read that smut book.", but I also wish that this story was a bit longer so we as readers had time to get more lore of the surrounding world. I found that the book was too fast? In the sense that a lot of characters were thrown at you that it was hard to remember everyone who was mentioned. Also, I thought it was really funny how we skip over the fact that the only reason Sachi and Addon even have a relationship is because he wanted to die for good. This point is literally never brought up again and it's so odd especially for this "romance". This is another reason why I wished the book was longer, I feel like their relationship isn't as flushed out as it should be. I can't really see romance, but I do see sexual infatuation and companionship, which is fine but it's just not romantic. But then again it may be that was because of the society it's set in which seems to be very sexually liberating and fluid? All that aside I really did like the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 29, 2024
Overall, I really enjoyed this novella. It was definitely a surprising book in many ways. The main character, Sachi, is one of the strongest characters I have ever encountered. She has virtually no weaknesses, she can kill people without even touching them, and she is known as “the Destroyer.” This book is very spicy and explores the themes of love versus lust and the roles each plays in relationships. The gods and goddesses-Sachi’s siblings-in the book all have a certain specialty that they have that they use in order to test Sachi’s consort, Addon. I really liked this book because I thought it was unorthodox. The normal gender roles for this romance were swapped. Instead of the stern, unemotional man character being broken down by the sweet, impressive female character it is the opposite, which I think is very refreshing. It’s also not super often you see a female character that is stronger than any other character by a huge margin. Not only that, but I also really enjoyed the exploration of a softer side of Sachi throughout the text. Even though she is such a strong, stern leader, through finding a connection in Addon, she is able to get in touch with a softer, more vulnerable side of herself.
October 30, 2024
So I liked the book. For me, fantasy isn't my favorite genre and I find it hard to follow along with the many characters and storylines. I read at a much slower pace so with this book I would have loved to have more time personally but I know I had to keep up with my class, so I finished it after everyone already finished reading. The basics of the plot really draw me in because of the destined lovers trope sprinkled in with fantasy. The book follows Sachi and her consort Addon as they figure out their relationship and deal with an ancient enemy, Sonelion. What I like about the book is how complex Sachi is, I think many strong main characters are often all-powerful and barely have depth to them. Her thoughts on destruction, sacrifices, etc really make this book more enjoyable trying to see how her story unfolds. I mainly read romance books so I really liked her relationship with Addon, it gets spicy and unexpected so I had to sometimes re-read a chapter or just take a minute to process because they have some interesting scenes in the book but we see how much they care about each other. This book has made me more interested in the fantasy world so I definitely will be adding a few fantasy books on my TBR list.
November 1, 2024
This book is considered a romantasy and the real issue I had with it might not be issues for you if you're familiar with the genre and enjoy it's tropes. Veronica Ford's writing style is so beautifully simple it has made me want to start writing because of how accessible it feels. The world is so amazing and well developed, filled with engaging characters, my problems really arise because of how invested I was in the world and story. There are moments in the book that really took me out and disappointed me. I understand that a lot of romance stories involve sexual and erotic themes and moments, I don't necessarily have an issue with that. There were moments of eroticism that I really enjoyed. There were also moments that I wish weren't there because they cheapened the scene for me. An amazing dialogue between two interesting characters, where we see the relationship between them, I am so invested, and then we learn about how a woman's nipples are showing through her shirt. Just like that I'm disengaged. I wish I was given the chance to feel the weight of the scene before it was lessened. This said, if you enjoy romance and fantasy this'll be an interesting book for you. I enjoyed it despite the few moments I wish I could've held on to for longer.
November 4, 2024
This is a book in a genre I generally don't read! Three stars feels fitting for this book. On one hand, I appreciate that there are some aspects of this book that go against typical literature norms - the woman are allowed to be fully powerful and also be aware just how powerful they are. The men are also allowed to feel vulnerable without being threatened. I really enjoyed and noted those two things.
I'll also give this book credit because again, this is not my general genre, and it's difficult to write a book that appeals to outside your normal base.
The reason I didn't give this book more stars was simply because I would have appreciated a lot more world building about the looming wars and geopolitics that seem to set the setting for most of the book. This information is briefly talked about but only at a surface level. I also don't find the relationship compelling between the two main characters. There is a lot of lust, and a lot of passionate sex, but I thought the burn could have been a lot better - it was hard to believe they were truly in love rather than just infatuated with each other and their bodies. Veronica Ford definitely seems to be like a talented writer, and I'd be curious to see what the sequels will hold.
I'll also give this book credit because again, this is not my general genre, and it's difficult to write a book that appeals to outside your normal base.
The reason I didn't give this book more stars was simply because I would have appreciated a lot more world building about the looming wars and geopolitics that seem to set the setting for most of the book. This information is briefly talked about but only at a surface level. I also don't find the relationship compelling between the two main characters. There is a lot of lust, and a lot of passionate sex, but I thought the burn could have been a lot better - it was hard to believe they were truly in love rather than just infatuated with each other and their bodies. Veronica Ford definitely seems to be like a talented writer, and I'd be curious to see what the sequels will hold.
October 29, 2024
The lives of the protagonists, Sachi and Addon, and their conflicted passions brings the intensity and creates an interesting story line in novel Finding. The beginning of the novel teaches us about the two characters' past, their unwavering love for one another, and their roles as world guardians. The narrative centers on the reunion of two people who were previously in love but are now prohibited from being together due to limitations caused by their duties as world guardians. The forbidden love between Sachi and Addon is one example of how this book uses the trope of the sacrifice for the greater good. Also another trope, in order to protect their world from the Sonelion, the two must give up their love and passion for one another. I liked the ending, I assumed it would’ve been a basic trope of love being restored among the lovers after everything they been through together, but that wasn’t necessarily the case. Overall, the book has similar common tropes that many authors use when creating fantasy love stories, but with significant twists that leave the reader anticipating a plot that differs from what really going to occur.
October 29, 2024
A Romantasy Without Romance
"Finding" by Veronica Ford is a romantasy novella. I was surprised to discover that Ford's novella focuses almost exclusively on the physical relationship between the protagonists, Sachi and Addon, with little to no emotional depth or character connection. Sachi is an unusually dominant partner, which is a refreshing role reversal from the traditional "alpha male" trope—yet here, it leaves Addon as an underdeveloped character without agency or personality, resembling a "pretty boy" accessory. Instead of empowering the dynamic, it inadvertently reinforces a concerning power imbalance. For readers approaching this relationship with a feminist lens like me, this dynamic may feel unsettling. While it challenges typical gender norms, it inadvertently reinforces a troubling power imbalance that detracts from the relationship's authenticity. That said, the story does have a redeeming character: Rohric. Rohric is my favorite character in the book, His unexpected character shift adds a layer of intrigue that the main storyline lacks, providing a surprise that left a positive impression.
"Finding" by Veronica Ford is a romantasy novella. I was surprised to discover that Ford's novella focuses almost exclusively on the physical relationship between the protagonists, Sachi and Addon, with little to no emotional depth or character connection. Sachi is an unusually dominant partner, which is a refreshing role reversal from the traditional "alpha male" trope—yet here, it leaves Addon as an underdeveloped character without agency or personality, resembling a "pretty boy" accessory. Instead of empowering the dynamic, it inadvertently reinforces a concerning power imbalance. For readers approaching this relationship with a feminist lens like me, this dynamic may feel unsettling. While it challenges typical gender norms, it inadvertently reinforces a troubling power imbalance that detracts from the relationship's authenticity. That said, the story does have a redeeming character: Rohric. Rohric is my favorite character in the book, His unexpected character shift adds a layer of intrigue that the main storyline lacks, providing a surprise that left a positive impression.
November 1, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. This was my first time reading a romantasy, however I often read romance novels, so it was right up my alley. I found the plot to be very compelling and kept my attention. Finding by Veronica Ford captivates readers with a blend of romance, mystery, and fantasy that creates an enchanting feeling. The world-building is very well done, transporting readers into a magical setting that feels alive with details and emotion. The characters, especially Sachi, are well-developed, each with their own secrets, objectives, and personal growth that invest you in their journeys. Sachi stands out to me with her determination and vulnerability. Her journey to understanding herself and her own powers is inspiring. Ford also creates a perfect balance between suspense and romance. The way she unfolds the main mystery, while deepening Sachi’s relationship with Addon, is very engaging. There are also some ‘spicy’ scenes so be prepared for that. Overall, Finding offers a magical story about self-discovery, love, and the courage to find your own path. I recommend this to any new fantasy readers like me.
November 1, 2024
I would like to start off this review by confessing I do not usually read romantasy, so I may not be well-versed in this genre, take everything I say with a grain of salt lolz.
Throughout this book we follow our main characters Sachi (the goddess of destruction) and Addon (her consort) and their relationship (or as I personally felt lack there-of). While this book is centered on this relationship, I found it hard to connect to them because I did not see the connection between them throughout this story. Yes, they had sexual tension but that was about all they had. I wanted a deeper meaning! I wanted something long-lasting! YEARNING! Instead all that was present was lust.
On the other hand, I enjoyed the character of death in this book. There was tragic aura of how death was the invisible hand throughout this book. Sachi can not escape death but does not resent this. I have a personal liking to books with elements like this.
In general, I feel like this book would have been better off as just a fantasy but then again I do have to give it credit because it is a novella and there is only so much you can fit in a small amount of words.
Throughout this book we follow our main characters Sachi (the goddess of destruction) and Addon (her consort) and their relationship (or as I personally felt lack there-of). While this book is centered on this relationship, I found it hard to connect to them because I did not see the connection between them throughout this story. Yes, they had sexual tension but that was about all they had. I wanted a deeper meaning! I wanted something long-lasting! YEARNING! Instead all that was present was lust.
On the other hand, I enjoyed the character of death in this book. There was tragic aura of how death was the invisible hand throughout this book. Sachi can not escape death but does not resent this. I have a personal liking to books with elements like this.
In general, I feel like this book would have been better off as just a fantasy but then again I do have to give it credit because it is a novella and there is only so much you can fit in a small amount of words.
November 1, 2024
Veronica’s use of gods and goddesses made for a really cool setting that gave the romance an epic feel. Mixing mythology with romance added a mysterious vibe that pulled me into this world where love and power were tied together. Sachi’s character stood out the most; she wasn’t just reacting but actually taking control of her life, which made her story feel strong and empowering. I especially liked how she chose to go after Addon on her own terms, making her journey feel fresh and full of self-discovery, not just a typical romance. One tricky thing, though, was how a bunch of characters were introduced all at once, which made it hard to keep up at first. There were so many names right off the bat that I had to keep going back to remember who was who. As someone new to romance, I was a bit surprised by the intimate scenes, but they were handled really well—tasteful and meaningful without feeling overdone. The romance wasn’t just about attraction; it showed real respect and growth between Sachi and Addon. In the end, this book went beyond just romance. It explored independence, choice, and strength with the perfect touch of myth, making it a story that left a big impression on me.
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