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Evanstar Chronicles #1
Power Surge
Erin has just realized that for the entirety of their life, their family has lied to them. Their Sight has been masked for years, so Erin thought the Pixies and Mermaids were hallucinations. Not only are the supernatural creatures they see daily real, but their grandmother is an Elf, meaning Erin isn’t fully human. On top of that, the dreams Erin thought were nightmares are actually prophecies.
While dealing with the anger they have over all of the lies, they are getting used to their new boyfriend, their boyfriend's bullying ex, and the fact that they come from a family of Demon Hunters. As Erin struggles through everything weighing on them, they uncover a Demon plot to take over the world.
Erin just wants some time to work through it all on their own terms, but that's going to have to wait until after they help save the world.
While dealing with the anger they have over all of the lies, they are getting used to their new boyfriend, their boyfriend's bullying ex, and the fact that they come from a family of Demon Hunters. As Erin struggles through everything weighing on them, they uncover a Demon plot to take over the world.
Erin just wants some time to work through it all on their own terms, but that's going to have to wait until after they help save the world.
293 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2018
4 people are currently reading
212 people want to read
About the author
Sara Codair
35 books58 followersSara Codair is on a hiatus from writing at the moment. They are putting their energy into things like triathlons and their day job. One day they may return to writing. Goose the Meowditor certainly misses deleting their stories.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
July 12, 2019
I feel so insanely fortunate to be given the opportunity to review such a wide array of LGBTQ+ books on a weekly basis. Especially those written by members of the LGBTQ+ community that represent their #ownvoices experiences. This week’s read is a perfect example. Power Surge by Sara Codair is an impressive story with a diverse cast. It’s the kind of positive representation we really, really need out there, especially in the influential YA/NA genres.
Adolescents and young adults struggling with their identities need to see themselves in the stories they read. But more than that, they need to see that how they identify and who they love/are attracted to isn’t the sum total of their parts. And Codair does a phenomenal job of making Erin’s story about their adventure and interactions with the world around them, not about their struggles with gender identity. The reader is aware of Erin’s non-binary identity—it isn’t shied away from or hidden—but it simply is who they are, not the central conflict of the story.
I got so totally absorbed into this read. The story was fantastic, and the characters latched onto my heart. I was on the proverbial edge of my seat for a good chunk of the tale, and will absolutely be reading more from this author. Codair nailed this.
I would recommend this to anyone who loves young adult/new adult fiction. Especially if you enjoy that unique urban fantasy flair. Codair’s world is a vast and diverse one. It’ll leave you wanting much, much more.
Adolescents and young adults struggling with their identities need to see themselves in the stories they read. But more than that, they need to see that how they identify and who they love/are attracted to isn’t the sum total of their parts. And Codair does a phenomenal job of making Erin’s story about their adventure and interactions with the world around them, not about their struggles with gender identity. The reader is aware of Erin’s non-binary identity—it isn’t shied away from or hidden—but it simply is who they are, not the central conflict of the story.
I got so totally absorbed into this read. The story was fantastic, and the characters latched onto my heart. I was on the proverbial edge of my seat for a good chunk of the tale, and will absolutely be reading more from this author. Codair nailed this.
I would recommend this to anyone who loves young adult/new adult fiction. Especially if you enjoy that unique urban fantasy flair. Codair’s world is a vast and diverse one. It’ll leave you wanting much, much more.
February 19, 2019
Spoiler-Free Review: (Takes a slow breath) Honestly, I didn’t write this until three weeks after I finished Power Surge for several reasons, the primary one being the main character, Erin. In fact, Power Surge was almost a DNF read, but hold on, I want to tell you the things I enjoyed about the novel first.
What I liked: The concept of a part-elf demon hunter isn’t a new one, but Codair does an excellent job of creating a world hidden in plain-ish sight. I liked many of the characters, especially Erin’s grandfather and many of the side characters too (I specifically discuss one below). Erin has a lot to deal with both in their real and their magical lives, and the side characters are all there to help them. The sneaky demons were a treat too, but I like qualities like wordplay and compelling in my antagonists.
Considerations: I struggled with this novel on numerous levels.
1) I’m afraid Erin falls into the what’s called the angry enby trope. They have a lot to be angry about and to work through, and demon hunting is certainly complicating things. That said, Erin’s more than snarky; they’re flat-out hateful to those trying to help them, and this doesn’t change much throughout the novel. Erin’s also violent to those same people, even their boyfriend. All this combined, and by the time I was 30% in I had to put the book down because I had come to detest Erin in general. It wasn’t that the enby rep was bad, rather, it was Erin I disliked. Regardless, I returned to the novel and waded through because it had a nonbinary main character. The general storyline is good, but I ended up disliking Erin even more at 100% than I did at 30%.
2) Jose (Erin’s boyfriend): Overall, I liked his character. That said, he’s, at times, sexist and misogynistic in his speech (referring to his ex-girlfriend as a “sex doll” immediately comes to mind) which rankled me. At other times he’s extremely passive when it comes to Erin’s abuse. Having mental or physical problems (Erin has ADHD and lives with depression) does not give someone a license to abuse, and this is what Erin does in several scenes. But Jose… He takes it to the point he comes across as Erin’s personal punching bag. At points, I wanted to yell at him, and I had to set down the novel, just for a couple of days this time, because of him.
3) Erin being non-binary: Yay for enby main characters! That said, I wish I had found Erin likable as a person. This has nothing to do with the enby rep (being nonbinary is the very least of Erin’s complications – they’re confident in their identity), but I take serious issue with their constant rage. A good character arc makes an attempt at remedying at least some of these issues, but I didn’t see any resolution or even progress in Erin’s problems. They better understand things by the end of the story and are talking about some issues, but that’s about it.
And, while I’m discussing non-binary status, there’s a minor rep problem that, while not significant, has niggled at me since I first read the story.
We learn Erin’s birth assignment in the first few chapters. While this doesn’t bother some people, it irked me, and what bothered me more is how it was revealed – via their inner commentary about their binder not fitting well since they’d gained weight and their breasts had taken on some of that gain.
Wait. Stop.
A) I didn’t need to know Erin’s assigned birth at this point because it’s unnecessary to the plot. It was an info dump.
B) While such internal dialogue might be part of Erin’s psychological issues, it sends a not so subtle and unhealthy message to readers concerning both weight and binding, and Codair does nothing to mollify or balance out the message. (Note: since I have never bound, I cannot speak with authority on the topic, but via research, I do know that it must be done correctly, can be very uncomfortable, can create scarring, and cannot be done full-time.)
Final thoughts: This book will make my Enby Book List, but I won’t be reading any more of the series because the main character is too hard to take.
Since I’m concentrating on nonbinary reads, I’m adding stars back to my reviews.
Three stars for positive rep in an otherwise unlikable protagonist
What I liked: The concept of a part-elf demon hunter isn’t a new one, but Codair does an excellent job of creating a world hidden in plain-ish sight. I liked many of the characters, especially Erin’s grandfather and many of the side characters too (I specifically discuss one below). Erin has a lot to deal with both in their real and their magical lives, and the side characters are all there to help them. The sneaky demons were a treat too, but I like qualities like wordplay and compelling in my antagonists.
Considerations: I struggled with this novel on numerous levels.
1) I’m afraid Erin falls into the what’s called the angry enby trope. They have a lot to be angry about and to work through, and demon hunting is certainly complicating things. That said, Erin’s more than snarky; they’re flat-out hateful to those trying to help them, and this doesn’t change much throughout the novel. Erin’s also violent to those same people, even their boyfriend. All this combined, and by the time I was 30% in I had to put the book down because I had come to detest Erin in general. It wasn’t that the enby rep was bad, rather, it was Erin I disliked. Regardless, I returned to the novel and waded through because it had a nonbinary main character. The general storyline is good, but I ended up disliking Erin even more at 100% than I did at 30%.
2) Jose (Erin’s boyfriend): Overall, I liked his character. That said, he’s, at times, sexist and misogynistic in his speech (referring to his ex-girlfriend as a “sex doll” immediately comes to mind) which rankled me. At other times he’s extremely passive when it comes to Erin’s abuse. Having mental or physical problems (Erin has ADHD and lives with depression) does not give someone a license to abuse, and this is what Erin does in several scenes. But Jose… He takes it to the point he comes across as Erin’s personal punching bag. At points, I wanted to yell at him, and I had to set down the novel, just for a couple of days this time, because of him.
3) Erin being non-binary: Yay for enby main characters! That said, I wish I had found Erin likable as a person. This has nothing to do with the enby rep (being nonbinary is the very least of Erin’s complications – they’re confident in their identity), but I take serious issue with their constant rage. A good character arc makes an attempt at remedying at least some of these issues, but I didn’t see any resolution or even progress in Erin’s problems. They better understand things by the end of the story and are talking about some issues, but that’s about it.
And, while I’m discussing non-binary status, there’s a minor rep problem that, while not significant, has niggled at me since I first read the story.
We learn Erin’s birth assignment in the first few chapters. While this doesn’t bother some people, it irked me, and what bothered me more is how it was revealed – via their inner commentary about their binder not fitting well since they’d gained weight and their breasts had taken on some of that gain.
Wait. Stop.
A) I didn’t need to know Erin’s assigned birth at this point because it’s unnecessary to the plot. It was an info dump.
B) While such internal dialogue might be part of Erin’s psychological issues, it sends a not so subtle and unhealthy message to readers concerning both weight and binding, and Codair does nothing to mollify or balance out the message. (Note: since I have never bound, I cannot speak with authority on the topic, but via research, I do know that it must be done correctly, can be very uncomfortable, can create scarring, and cannot be done full-time.)
Final thoughts: This book will make my Enby Book List, but I won’t be reading any more of the series because the main character is too hard to take.
Since I’m concentrating on nonbinary reads, I’m adding stars back to my reviews.
Three stars for positive rep in an otherwise unlikable protagonist
did-not-finish
January 30, 2019DNF @ 15%
I might try to come back to this at a later date, but I just couldn't get into this book at all. It felt like the author was trying to be "edgy" and create an "unlikeable" main character that we'd end up rooting for, but it was just cringeworthy. The first 15% of the novel is steeped in misogyny and it was super uncomfortable to read. I don't find myself liking a love interest who refers to his ex-girlfriend as a "breathing sex doll" or a main character who is violently antagonistic towards said ex-gf just because she happened to date and have sex with the guy they like.
The mental illness rep (ADHD and depression) was good and I was interested to see how that would develop, especially being an #ownvoices aspect, but it was really the only aspect that kept me reading to 15%.
I might try to come back to this at a later date, but I just couldn't get into this book at all. It felt like the author was trying to be "edgy" and create an "unlikeable" main character that we'd end up rooting for, but it was just cringeworthy. The first 15% of the novel is steeped in misogyny and it was super uncomfortable to read. I don't find myself liking a love interest who refers to his ex-girlfriend as a "breathing sex doll" or a main character who is violently antagonistic towards said ex-gf just because she happened to date and have sex with the guy they like.
The mental illness rep (ADHD and depression) was good and I was interested to see how that would develop, especially being an #ownvoices aspect, but it was really the only aspect that kept me reading to 15%.
July 30, 2020
Sara Codair has created a wondrous world for the “Evanstar Chronicles.” At first I was a little intimidated because there is so much information that Codair provides. Finally, it just seemed to click for me at about chapter six (I think). It isn’t the world today that is the abundance of information, that tracked fine - it was the information from the past. What is important? What do I need to know right now? Is this just backstory? Should I be taking notes? (laugh) I am such a geek.
Erin is such a wonderful character. I am sure that anyone who has had to take medication can relate to Erin’s predicament. Side effects can be brutal, no matter what the medication is for and Erin has had some tough side effects. So imagine suddenly seeing things that may or may not be there (laugh). Head trip.
Then add in high school life and living your true gender identity. High school sucks on the best of days. If you are even slightly different it can be hell. Erin is hitting all of the bully target marks. It gets worse when José, an athlete and popular guy at school, dumps the top mean girl to ask out Erin. Codair brings all of this to life with anger, pain, and humor from Sam and Mel.
Codair adds bisexuality, young love, self-trauma, attempted rape, and death to this already compelling story. Did I forget to mention the action sequences? Or the mysteries involved? Or the plethora of interesting secondary characters?
If you have not started the “Evanstar Chronicles” you still have time, because the latest book just came out! I love this one and cannot wait to get started on the next one.
I received an ARC of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.
Erin is such a wonderful character. I am sure that anyone who has had to take medication can relate to Erin’s predicament. Side effects can be brutal, no matter what the medication is for and Erin has had some tough side effects. So imagine suddenly seeing things that may or may not be there (laugh). Head trip.
Then add in high school life and living your true gender identity. High school sucks on the best of days. If you are even slightly different it can be hell. Erin is hitting all of the bully target marks. It gets worse when José, an athlete and popular guy at school, dumps the top mean girl to ask out Erin. Codair brings all of this to life with anger, pain, and humor from Sam and Mel.
Codair adds bisexuality, young love, self-trauma, attempted rape, and death to this already compelling story. Did I forget to mention the action sequences? Or the mysteries involved? Or the plethora of interesting secondary characters?
If you have not started the “Evanstar Chronicles” you still have time, because the latest book just came out! I love this one and cannot wait to get started on the next one.
I received an ARC of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.
March 27, 2020
The plot and setting are both lovely examples of urban fantasy, but what I really loved were the characters. I often have trouble keeping a large cast of characters straight, but every one in this book felt unique and distinct. The story does a good job with some tough issues (), treating them seriously without dwelling or romanticizing them. The is definitely the first book in a series, but it does not end on a cliffhanger. I can't wait to get my hands on book 2!
March 27, 2019
If you asked me to describe this book in one sentence I would say it is basically a queer YA Dresden Files. Suffice to say I'm a fan.
This book was action-packed and intense. I felt one of the fight scenes was a little confusing but this didn't really detract from the book overall.
I loved the non-binary and other queer representation in this book. I picked it up because I was feeling pretty bad about things related to being trans and really wanted to read some genre fiction with a trans MC and this book was everything I wanted it to be.
All that said there are a couple of issues I feel the need to bring up. The first is the lesser of the two; I really wish we'd seen a bit more of Erin's mum. I understand why she wasn't featured much but I think it would have made the ending more impactful and honestly I'm just very interested in her character. I really hope we get more of her in book 2
One thing I've seen mentioned in other reviews that I also feel the need to mention is José's comment relating to his ex-girlfriend near the beginning of the book. I know a lot of other reviewers have issues with the misogyny of this comment but while this is an issue my bigger problem with this comment is that it seems pretty OOC for the José we get to know later in the book
I really look forward to seeing how this series progresses especially in regards to Erin's mental health and the character relationships.
In conclusion I have one just one question: When can I read book 2?
Content Warnings: panic attacks, sexual assault/attempted rape, abuse, self-harm, attempted suicide, misgendering/transphobia, fat-shaming, misogyny
This book was action-packed and intense. I felt one of the fight scenes was a little confusing but this didn't really detract from the book overall.
I loved the non-binary and other queer representation in this book. I picked it up because I was feeling pretty bad about things related to being trans and really wanted to read some genre fiction with a trans MC and this book was everything I wanted it to be.
All that said there are a couple of issues I feel the need to bring up. The first is the lesser of the two; I really wish we'd seen a bit more of Erin's mum. I understand why she wasn't featured much but I think it would have made the ending more impactful and honestly I'm just very interested in her character. I really hope we get more of her in book 2
One thing I've seen mentioned in other reviews that I also feel the need to mention is José's comment relating to his ex-girlfriend near the beginning of the book. I know a lot of other reviewers have issues with the misogyny of this comment but while this is an issue my bigger problem with this comment is that it seems pretty OOC for the José we get to know later in the book
I really look forward to seeing how this series progresses especially in regards to Erin's mental health and the character relationships.
In conclusion I have one just one question: When can I read book 2?
Content Warnings: panic attacks, sexual assault/attempted rape, abuse, self-harm, attempted suicide, misgendering/transphobia, fat-shaming, misogyny
July 28, 2019
As a genderqueer/fluid person, it was wonderful to see some quality non-binary rep in a story that didn't just focus on the character's gender struggles. We deserve adventures beyond those associated with defending our identities. Thank you to this lovely author for their honest and encouraging work.
January 28, 2019
Power Surge is Part 1 of the Evanstar Chronicles. Erin has a lot on their plate. Having recently come off meds for ADHD, they they think the visions they are experiencing are due to mental health problems. From being stalked by a sinister demon, to seeing fairies and pixies flitting in front of them, it isn’t surprising they think they are slowly going insane. Added to that, they are dealing with unfamiliar feelings for Jose, a childhood friend who has now become more than just a good friend, and at night they are haunted by nightmares. Also, there is the issue of being non-binary in a college full of jocks and prom queens, most of whom dismiss Erin as an ugly nobody, and family issues as well, as their previously close-knit family seems to be falling apart.
So it’s a lot to take in. Understandably, there’s a lot of description as at first, as we need to see inside Erin’s head to understand what they are going through. The balance of dialogue and prose is a little uneven, giving the story a slightly confusing start and this did mean my attention strayed a little, trying to grasp all these different conundrums and elements of Erin’s character. Having said that, the writing was incredibly good, and I really felt Erin’s dilemma as a young person trying to deal with the real world as well as what they assume is incipient madness.
The scene where they find out they are not alone, and Jose is right there with them, also seeing visions, is the best in the book in my opinion. I really felt their relief and joy. Until then, they had been keeping Jose at arm’s length, not wanting to inflict their problems onto him. They had been dealing with the bitchy girls in their social group, and feelings of isolation, so that scene was a wonderful moment.
There were also some gorgeous warm scenes with Erin’s family, and some really terrifying ones when the demons reveal themselves. Power Surge is a melting pot of young people’s issues, dealing with mental health, bullying, gender identity, family crises, superheroes who cannot fly and saving the world from imminent disaster.
Okay, so I didn’t connect with the book as much as I wanted to, mainly due to trying to process all these aspects whilst my brain was fried from dealing with Christmas, but that isn’t the author’s fault. This is a solid story of good v. evil, told by a narrator with vary real issues in a strange, creepy and sometimes beautiful world.
Finally, two things. First, the way they deal with mental health, not demonising it, but acknowledging it can really ruin a persons’ life, is brilliant and unafraid to say “look, this is just how it is sometimes, and it sucks.”
And second, the pronouns weren’t even an issue. Erin is non-binary, and the them/their pronouns sounded as natural as she/her or he/him do in 99.9 percent of fiction, This is an #ownvoices author who deserves recognition from readers of all genders.
So it’s a lot to take in. Understandably, there’s a lot of description as at first, as we need to see inside Erin’s head to understand what they are going through. The balance of dialogue and prose is a little uneven, giving the story a slightly confusing start and this did mean my attention strayed a little, trying to grasp all these different conundrums and elements of Erin’s character. Having said that, the writing was incredibly good, and I really felt Erin’s dilemma as a young person trying to deal with the real world as well as what they assume is incipient madness.
The scene where they find out they are not alone, and Jose is right there with them, also seeing visions, is the best in the book in my opinion. I really felt their relief and joy. Until then, they had been keeping Jose at arm’s length, not wanting to inflict their problems onto him. They had been dealing with the bitchy girls in their social group, and feelings of isolation, so that scene was a wonderful moment.
There were also some gorgeous warm scenes with Erin’s family, and some really terrifying ones when the demons reveal themselves. Power Surge is a melting pot of young people’s issues, dealing with mental health, bullying, gender identity, family crises, superheroes who cannot fly and saving the world from imminent disaster.
Okay, so I didn’t connect with the book as much as I wanted to, mainly due to trying to process all these aspects whilst my brain was fried from dealing with Christmas, but that isn’t the author’s fault. This is a solid story of good v. evil, told by a narrator with vary real issues in a strange, creepy and sometimes beautiful world.
Finally, two things. First, the way they deal with mental health, not demonising it, but acknowledging it can really ruin a persons’ life, is brilliant and unafraid to say “look, this is just how it is sometimes, and it sucks.”
And second, the pronouns weren’t even an issue. Erin is non-binary, and the them/their pronouns sounded as natural as she/her or he/him do in 99.9 percent of fiction, This is an #ownvoices author who deserves recognition from readers of all genders.
November 1, 2018
Power Surge is a great read, especially as it has a non-binary protagonist who's not afraid to punch evil in the face. At the same time, they are a complex character with emotional problems. There is a great tradeoff between seeing the main character at their most vulnerable, needing help from their friends and family, and at their most competent, battling demons. There's a good setup for the rest of the series, and I'm looking forward to reading it!
March 11, 2020
Erin is fueled by rage. They get misgendered, bullied, lied to, assaulted, and they’re a teenager, so the rage is understandable. I found Erin fascinating, and I kept wondering if their anger and inner turmoil would become a strength or their downfall.
The world-building was intricate, and I really enjoyed the snippets from Evanstar family documents and other records at the beginning of each chapter. This bonus material solidified the paranormal world and made it authentic.
To read the full review, visit my blog: https://www.rjsorrento.com/blog/book-...
If you’re seeking a paranormal mystery with a badass nonbinary protagonist, check out Power Surge by Sara Codair.
Note: I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The world-building was intricate, and I really enjoyed the snippets from Evanstar family documents and other records at the beginning of each chapter. This bonus material solidified the paranormal world and made it authentic.
To read the full review, visit my blog: https://www.rjsorrento.com/blog/book-...
If you’re seeking a paranormal mystery with a badass nonbinary protagonist, check out Power Surge by Sara Codair.
Note: I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 22, 2018
Power surge is a supernatural thriller encompassing gender neutral pronouns and the LGBT community. Erin is bound by fate to be a Demon Hunter. You’ll journey through the struggles of erins life and the mysteries of the supernatural would.
I was given this book by Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
I was given this book by Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
January 20, 2019
This book has so much creativity and emotion woven throughout it. I loved that the main character had amazing friends and family to lean on when they needed it. A great YA book with lots of great messages!
October 22, 2018
Great book, looking forward to the sequel!
April 13, 2019
Great read, very interesting story with well developed characters.
September 20, 2020
*I received a free review copy in exchange for an honest review of this book.
Power Surge blends mundane kinds of trauma, pain, and grief with the heady rush of learning that magic is real and there's more going on than most people know. Erin is sad and brave and wonderful; fighting against darkness and despair.
It fits within the genre of "person who thinks they're ordinary finds out they have powers and also responsibilities", but it feels like it takes seriously the idea that these are otherwise ordinary people who have to deal with some very dark and stressful things, both because they have powers and from things that have nothing to do with their abilities. It has strong themes of unaddressed grief and trauma, and part of the story is how some of those things are examined and addressed.
The narrator is very blunt and matter-of-fact which helps to ground the story when so many strange things are happening. Depending on whether you read the prequel story, Life Minus Me, the early parts of the book can either be a gradual reveal of the truth or feel a bit like a detective story where the reader is waiting for the MC to figure out what we already know to be happening. I read Life Minus Me before this book, and I think I recommend doing it the other way around. I think they can be enjoyed in either order, but it depends on whether you want a quick sketch of the world and then to watch someone else slowly discover it (read Life Minus Me, then Power Surge) or you want to discover a brand new world with the main character, then explore an older story from it with an\ relatively experienced character as a guide (read Power Surge, then Life Minus Me).
The depictions of trauma are handled well in terms of spacing, level of detail, and relative attention paid to each one. Look to the CWs at the end of this review (they can also be found in the front of the book), but the way each event is spaced out and they are balanced in relation to each other meant that, at least for me, I had enough detail to understand Erin's state of mind without being subjected to pages of ideation all at once. This is a book which takes the time to show the lingering effects of various kinds of trauma and that means it sometimes depicts characters not handling trauma well.
Book CWs for violence, discussion of off-page abuse, death of a parent, mentions of off-page sexual assault, brief on-page depictions of attempted sexual assault, self-harm, suicidal ideation, bullying.
Power Surge blends mundane kinds of trauma, pain, and grief with the heady rush of learning that magic is real and there's more going on than most people know. Erin is sad and brave and wonderful; fighting against darkness and despair.
It fits within the genre of "person who thinks they're ordinary finds out they have powers and also responsibilities", but it feels like it takes seriously the idea that these are otherwise ordinary people who have to deal with some very dark and stressful things, both because they have powers and from things that have nothing to do with their abilities. It has strong themes of unaddressed grief and trauma, and part of the story is how some of those things are examined and addressed.
The narrator is very blunt and matter-of-fact which helps to ground the story when so many strange things are happening. Depending on whether you read the prequel story, Life Minus Me, the early parts of the book can either be a gradual reveal of the truth or feel a bit like a detective story where the reader is waiting for the MC to figure out what we already know to be happening. I read Life Minus Me before this book, and I think I recommend doing it the other way around. I think they can be enjoyed in either order, but it depends on whether you want a quick sketch of the world and then to watch someone else slowly discover it (read Life Minus Me, then Power Surge) or you want to discover a brand new world with the main character, then explore an older story from it with an\ relatively experienced character as a guide (read Power Surge, then Life Minus Me).
The depictions of trauma are handled well in terms of spacing, level of detail, and relative attention paid to each one. Look to the CWs at the end of this review (they can also be found in the front of the book), but the way each event is spaced out and they are balanced in relation to each other meant that, at least for me, I had enough detail to understand Erin's state of mind without being subjected to pages of ideation all at once. This is a book which takes the time to show the lingering effects of various kinds of trauma and that means it sometimes depicts characters not handling trauma well.
Book CWs for violence, discussion of off-page abuse, death of a parent, mentions of off-page sexual assault, brief on-page depictions of attempted sexual assault, self-harm, suicidal ideation, bullying.
May 23, 2020
First off, this was not for me. Don’t get discouraged by the rating. It was not for me. I loved the plot and the characters. Especially with a mc using they/them pronouns. I even loved the diversity in species and quotes . I loved the chaotic personality from the mc.
What if I did not like the rushed romance. But than again I don’t like romance. So, on that half kind of made me lose interest. I’m grateful for the author sending me a ARC. I’m here to put it down. Cause it was a good book.
I definitely recommend it if you’re into friends to lovers, demons, elves , a mc who who’s very different, and just overall more everything in this.
But I definitely don’t recommend it , if your like me . Someone who’s not a fan of romance, cause it’s there and it’s most likely going to stay. That’s it.
What if I did not like the rushed romance. But than again I don’t like romance. So, on that half kind of made me lose interest. I’m grateful for the author sending me a ARC. I’m here to put it down. Cause it was a good book.
I definitely recommend it if you’re into friends to lovers, demons, elves , a mc who who’s very different, and just overall more everything in this.
But I definitely don’t recommend it , if your like me . Someone who’s not a fan of romance, cause it’s there and it’s most likely going to stay. That’s it.
March 5, 2020
Hi Readers! I should have done this a while ago, but I'm going to use this space to share Power Surge's content warnings. I've provided page numbers for warnings referring to specific things that only happen once or twice. The page numbers are based on the paperback and may not line up exactly in the ebook.
Violence
Discussion of off-page abuse
Death of a parent (Chapter 21 p. 213)
Mentions of past off-page sexual assault
Brief on-page depictions of attempted sexual assault (Ch. 27 p. 286)
Self-harm
Suicidal ideation
Bullying
Misgendering (Chapter 20, p. 206 and Chapter 24 p.239-240)
If you want more specific information about the content warnings, feel free to send me a DM on twitter or use the contact form on my website. Thank you!
Violence
Discussion of off-page abuse
Death of a parent (Chapter 21 p. 213)
Mentions of past off-page sexual assault
Brief on-page depictions of attempted sexual assault (Ch. 27 p. 286)
Self-harm
Suicidal ideation
Bullying
Misgendering (Chapter 20, p. 206 and Chapter 24 p.239-240)
If you want more specific information about the content warnings, feel free to send me a DM on twitter or use the contact form on my website. Thank you!
October 13, 2020
This is not a book aimed at me, in any way shape or form. So there were parts of it that I’m not sure if they didn’t work, or didn’t work for me.
The world seems generally interesting, but the characters were all over the place personality wise, by and large for the first chunk I didn’t like anyone, and only really powered through because this came recommended.
I’m still rating it 4 stars, because it does even out. There is good representation. And I’ve read far worse books and rated them adequate to decent.
The world seems generally interesting, but the characters were all over the place personality wise, by and large for the first chunk I didn’t like anyone, and only really powered through because this came recommended.
I’m still rating it 4 stars, because it does even out. There is good representation. And I’ve read far worse books and rated them adequate to decent.
Read
April 11, 2021DNF @ 61%
I liked this, especially the nonbinary protagonist and learning about magical world, but I unforunately read this at the wrong time. I got so busy I couldn't read, and then never found my way back into it. Really hoping to pick it up some other time though, I enjoyed the companion novella, Life Minus Me, a lot.
I liked this, especially the nonbinary protagonist and learning about magical world, but I unforunately read this at the wrong time. I got so busy I couldn't read, and then never found my way back into it. Really hoping to pick it up some other time though, I enjoyed the companion novella, Life Minus Me, a lot.
listed
March 13, 2020
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