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Traces: part one of the Traces trilogy
I fall, past the part of Cole that knows I'm here, past the part of him fighting for me to stop, the searing cold currents, the shadows. Past his shields.
Aiden has always been different, but it's not until a new student shows up in her podunk Pennsylvania town that she understands why. With his haunting, sleepless eyes, Cole sees through her lies hiding a secret as exhilarating as it is volatile: Aiden can't help but read minds.
Scalpel-smart and shadow-quiet, Cole takes the lid off her dreams and cracks her family's veneer of normalcy. But as Aiden begins to forge her future, a prying presence invades her town. Someone is hunting the gifted, and Cole is a target. To save him, Aiden needs to master her newfound talent and reach into the chasms in his past, retracing the forgotten years of his life. If she fails, he'll die. But his memories come at a harrowing price…
A thrilling blend of modern fantasy, psychological fiction and YA love story, Traces will resonate with those willing to embrace their own darkness.
Aiden has always been different, but it's not until a new student shows up in her podunk Pennsylvania town that she understands why. With his haunting, sleepless eyes, Cole sees through her lies hiding a secret as exhilarating as it is volatile: Aiden can't help but read minds.
Scalpel-smart and shadow-quiet, Cole takes the lid off her dreams and cracks her family's veneer of normalcy. But as Aiden begins to forge her future, a prying presence invades her town. Someone is hunting the gifted, and Cole is a target. To save him, Aiden needs to master her newfound talent and reach into the chasms in his past, retracing the forgotten years of his life. If she fails, he'll die. But his memories come at a harrowing price…
A thrilling blend of modern fantasy, psychological fiction and YA love story, Traces will resonate with those willing to embrace their own darkness.
- GenresFantasyYoung Adult
551 pages, Paperback
Published September 25, 2020
7 people are currently reading
160 people want to read
About the author
Sophie Johannis
5 books24 followersI write books for wounded weirdos who love poetry.
I also read nonstop (and keep forgetting to add my books to Goodreads...).
Review policy:
You might notice that the average number of stars I give books is pretty high. That's because I generally try to review a book according to what I think it's trying to be rather than what I think is cool. Example: I'm not going to give a bad rating to Pride and Prejudice because there aren't enough neurodivergent people with paranormal abilities in it, and I'm not going to give Romeo and Juliet a 1-star review just because I oppose child marriage. Similarly, I'm not going to deduct stars for a lack of political relevance from a book that's obviously meant to be purely light and entertaining, and I'm not going to deduct stars from a book focused on addressing current issues for prioritizing its message over its style. I also think that no book is (objectively) perfect -- you simply can't please everyone and think of everything at once. And that's perfectly okay.
Hence, I review...
- Self-published books / books by indie publishers: according to what I think the target audience would love about them, not necessarily according to my own personal preferences. As I read, I try to figure out what kind of person would love the book and why. If I don't have anything nice to say about an indie book, I don't publish a review at all because I don't want to make things more difficult for authors pouring their time, energy, and love into their books and don't get any corporate support whatsoever.
- Classics / canonical texts, particularly those written by old dead guys: absolutely 100 percent based on my own taste and perception of the book. This is where you might actually find negative reviews. I think that's fair because I'm only "punching up."
- Traditionally published books that aren't considered "classics": Somewhere in between, honestly, but it takes a lot for me to actually post a negative review rather than simply deciding not to review a book at all. I always want to appreciate the hard work that went into the book, but I also think that if a book is hyped like crazy, it's fair game.
Here's an incomplete list of things I actually do deduct stars for:
- Women "characterized" by boob size
- Bogus science, like "we only use 10 percent of our brains"
- Racism, homophobia, transphobia et cetera
- Inconsistencies, i.e. when it's obvious the author no longer remembers the plot of the first part when writing the second
- The glorification of toxic and straight-up abusive relationships
- Uncritical (or not sufficiently critical) portrayals of thinly veiled (or not-at-all-veiled) pedophilia
- Sub-par editing, particularly in professionally published books that are well-received
(and so on)
I also read nonstop (and keep forgetting to add my books to Goodreads...).
Review policy:
You might notice that the average number of stars I give books is pretty high. That's because I generally try to review a book according to what I think it's trying to be rather than what I think is cool. Example: I'm not going to give a bad rating to Pride and Prejudice because there aren't enough neurodivergent people with paranormal abilities in it, and I'm not going to give Romeo and Juliet a 1-star review just because I oppose child marriage. Similarly, I'm not going to deduct stars for a lack of political relevance from a book that's obviously meant to be purely light and entertaining, and I'm not going to deduct stars from a book focused on addressing current issues for prioritizing its message over its style. I also think that no book is (objectively) perfect -- you simply can't please everyone and think of everything at once. And that's perfectly okay.
Hence, I review...
- Self-published books / books by indie publishers: according to what I think the target audience would love about them, not necessarily according to my own personal preferences. As I read, I try to figure out what kind of person would love the book and why. If I don't have anything nice to say about an indie book, I don't publish a review at all because I don't want to make things more difficult for authors pouring their time, energy, and love into their books and don't get any corporate support whatsoever.
- Classics / canonical texts, particularly those written by old dead guys: absolutely 100 percent based on my own taste and perception of the book. This is where you might actually find negative reviews. I think that's fair because I'm only "punching up."
- Traditionally published books that aren't considered "classics": Somewhere in between, honestly, but it takes a lot for me to actually post a negative review rather than simply deciding not to review a book at all. I always want to appreciate the hard work that went into the book, but I also think that if a book is hyped like crazy, it's fair game.
Here's an incomplete list of things I actually do deduct stars for:
- Women "characterized" by boob size
- Bogus science, like "we only use 10 percent of our brains"
- Racism, homophobia, transphobia et cetera
- Inconsistencies, i.e. when it's obvious the author no longer remembers the plot of the first part when writing the second
- The glorification of toxic and straight-up abusive relationships
- Uncritical (or not sufficiently critical) portrayals of thinly veiled (or not-at-all-veiled) pedophilia
- Sub-par editing, particularly in professionally published books that are well-received
(and so on)
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February 7, 2021I just noticed authors can review their own books on here -- weird! -- and decided to have some fun with it, so here's an incomplete list of reasons NOT to read my novel.
#1: You want to read about cool people doing cool-people things, not a bunch of nerdy loners just trying to survive.
My protagonists are introverts who have personal reasons for not partying, drinking, and doing recreational drugs. While there are certain YA tropes I can't resist, this is one that simply doesn't work for the story I wanted to tell. (To be clear, it's still a fairly dark book whose movie adaptation (hey, a girl can dream!) would definitely have to be rated R -- cf. reasons #5 and #6.)
#2: You don't like romance unless there's a love triangle.
Pet peeve: love triangles that are actually just Vs.
#3: You prefer straight-forward prose that's easy to read; poetry is decidedly not your thing. You categorically hate first-person narrators.
First-person narrator, stream-of-consciousness-y rhythm, actual poems included in the novel. 'Nuff said.
#4: You don't want to root for protagonists who make irrational (and admittedly terrible) decisions.
I think a story in which everyone always does the right thing would get boring (and annoyingly unrealistic) very quickly. There also wouldn't be any reason for character growth.
#5: You don't want to read about things like depression and anxiety, (C)PTSD, and abuse.
I've repeatedly been asked how I can stand to write about horrific abuse, and -- more importantly -- its consequences, in such detail. I'm not a fan of gratuitous violence, but at the same time, I don't want to downplay the effect that certain experiences have on the human psyche.
While you're at it, please check out the content warnings I posted on my website: https://www.sophiejohannis.com/conten...
#6: You think fiction and social justice issues don't mix.
I think fiction and social justice issues are inextricably linked, and for at least half the population, merely existing is political. While amplifying #ownvoices is the most important way for white people like me to use their privilege -- ASIDE: YOU NEED TO READ LEGENDBORN BY TRACY DEONN TODAY!!! --, it would feel wrong to completely ignore racism and Islamophobia just because I haven't had to experience them personally when my friends have to deal with this kind of horrific bullshit every day.
#7: All your favorite books are hilarious and action-packed.
Some people have told me they love Aiden's self-deprecating sense of humor, and there's certainly a lot of telepathic action in the book. That said, many of the parts I consider most important are both very serious and very quiet. If you love fan fiction of the hurt&comfort variety, you might like it. If you need car chases and explosions to be satisfied, you probably won't.
TRACES is not for everyone, and that's completely alright. But if you do decide to give it a chance, I hope you'll recognize yourself between the lines.
#1: You want to read about cool people doing cool-people things, not a bunch of nerdy loners just trying to survive.
My protagonists are introverts who have personal reasons for not partying, drinking, and doing recreational drugs. While there are certain YA tropes I can't resist, this is one that simply doesn't work for the story I wanted to tell. (To be clear, it's still a fairly dark book whose movie adaptation (hey, a girl can dream!) would definitely have to be rated R -- cf. reasons #5 and #6.)
#2: You don't like romance unless there's a love triangle.
Pet peeve: love triangles that are actually just Vs.
#3: You prefer straight-forward prose that's easy to read; poetry is decidedly not your thing. You categorically hate first-person narrators.
First-person narrator, stream-of-consciousness-y rhythm, actual poems included in the novel. 'Nuff said.
#4: You don't want to root for protagonists who make irrational (and admittedly terrible) decisions.
I think a story in which everyone always does the right thing would get boring (and annoyingly unrealistic) very quickly. There also wouldn't be any reason for character growth.
#5: You don't want to read about things like depression and anxiety, (C)PTSD, and abuse.
I've repeatedly been asked how I can stand to write about horrific abuse, and -- more importantly -- its consequences, in such detail. I'm not a fan of gratuitous violence, but at the same time, I don't want to downplay the effect that certain experiences have on the human psyche.
While you're at it, please check out the content warnings I posted on my website: https://www.sophiejohannis.com/conten...
#6: You think fiction and social justice issues don't mix.
I think fiction and social justice issues are inextricably linked, and for at least half the population, merely existing is political. While amplifying #ownvoices is the most important way for white people like me to use their privilege -- ASIDE: YOU NEED TO READ LEGENDBORN BY TRACY DEONN TODAY!!! --, it would feel wrong to completely ignore racism and Islamophobia just because I haven't had to experience them personally when my friends have to deal with this kind of horrific bullshit every day.
#7: All your favorite books are hilarious and action-packed.
Some people have told me they love Aiden's self-deprecating sense of humor, and there's certainly a lot of telepathic action in the book. That said, many of the parts I consider most important are both very serious and very quiet. If you love fan fiction of the hurt&comfort variety, you might like it. If you need car chases and explosions to be satisfied, you probably won't.
TRACES is not for everyone, and that's completely alright. But if you do decide to give it a chance, I hope you'll recognize yourself between the lines.
April 6, 2021
"Humans are more than the sum of their damage." - Traces
Traces is a paranormal psychological YA-thriller that enthralls readers with its deeply insightful contemplations on the workings of the human mind.
Not shying away from touching uncomfortable topics that some may find hard to stomach, it's the kind of book that speaks of dark and unvarnished truths and stays lingering in the heads of a susceptible audience.
Summary: Aiden has always shown a mask to the world to hide that something is wrong about the way she perceives her surroundings. When the withdrawn, mysterious Cole appears at her school she learns about her telepathic abilities for which she is being targeted by an unknown force. In order to protect themselves Aiden must learn to control her gift and help Cole retrieve his lost memories in time.
The story is aimed towards all people who ever felt different, left out, struggling with depression, anxiety or self-doubt (So basically everyone?) and doesn't seize to hit the right chords with every topic it touches.
Behind all the darkness and severity lies a message of optimism. In its center it is a story of friendship, found family and spiced with the sweetest kind of soft slow-burn romance.
As a coming-of-age story it perfectly portrays teenage angst and insecurities with focus on the process of overcoming them, coping with trauma and finding your place in the world by opening up and learning to trust in others.
The writing style is most exceptional and makes the book really stand out from the mass of YA-literature. It's written in first-person and partially consists of a sort of experimental stream-of-consciousness rendition, right from the protagonist's head. It does a great job of capturing the reality of thought process, making the character come to life as the reader experiences her authentic and raw emotions. The writing is heavy on prose and beautiful metaphors, touching and unsettling in equal parts.
It's unique, highly immersive and chaotic. I think fans of Shatter Me will love this, too!
I was captivated right from the start by this character-driven, atmospheric book which absorbed me so thoroughly that I rushed through its over 500 pages within the shortest time without even realizing it.
I immensely loved all of the flawed, complex characters and was able to relate with them all on so many levels. The story was gripping and the writing brilliant.
It's an overall fantastic first book for this trilogy and I can't wait to get my hands on the next installment.
Thank you so much Sophie Johannis for reaching out to me and enriching my life with your amazing book! It deserves all the recognition it can get.
Traces is a paranormal psychological YA-thriller that enthralls readers with its deeply insightful contemplations on the workings of the human mind.
Not shying away from touching uncomfortable topics that some may find hard to stomach, it's the kind of book that speaks of dark and unvarnished truths and stays lingering in the heads of a susceptible audience.
Summary: Aiden has always shown a mask to the world to hide that something is wrong about the way she perceives her surroundings. When the withdrawn, mysterious Cole appears at her school she learns about her telepathic abilities for which she is being targeted by an unknown force. In order to protect themselves Aiden must learn to control her gift and help Cole retrieve his lost memories in time.
The story is aimed towards all people who ever felt different, left out, struggling with depression, anxiety or self-doubt (So basically everyone?) and doesn't seize to hit the right chords with every topic it touches.
Behind all the darkness and severity lies a message of optimism. In its center it is a story of friendship, found family and spiced with the sweetest kind of soft slow-burn romance.
As a coming-of-age story it perfectly portrays teenage angst and insecurities with focus on the process of overcoming them, coping with trauma and finding your place in the world by opening up and learning to trust in others.
The writing style is most exceptional and makes the book really stand out from the mass of YA-literature. It's written in first-person and partially consists of a sort of experimental stream-of-consciousness rendition, right from the protagonist's head. It does a great job of capturing the reality of thought process, making the character come to life as the reader experiences her authentic and raw emotions. The writing is heavy on prose and beautiful metaphors, touching and unsettling in equal parts.
It's unique, highly immersive and chaotic. I think fans of Shatter Me will love this, too!
I was captivated right from the start by this character-driven, atmospheric book which absorbed me so thoroughly that I rushed through its over 500 pages within the shortest time without even realizing it.
I immensely loved all of the flawed, complex characters and was able to relate with them all on so many levels. The story was gripping and the writing brilliant.
It's an overall fantastic first book for this trilogy and I can't wait to get my hands on the next installment.
Thank you so much Sophie Johannis for reaching out to me and enriching my life with your amazing book! It deserves all the recognition it can get.
April 11, 2021
I am so glad to have found this book! Traces is a triumph, showcasing not only the author's agility, imagination, and skill but also her courage and compassionate heart. Johannis's style is poetic, introspective, and spangled with gorgeous detail. You will fall completely in love with Aiden and Cole, tender survivors navigating the long process of repairing their broken senses of self and trust. Traces is the first book of a trilogy, but is a deeply satisfying read as a standalone-- so don't wait to start this one!
I have to give Johannis an extra nod for her effortless inclusion of diverse characters and experiences, and for her big-hearted perspective on unconventional and struggling families. Traces is a heroic gift, elevating the YA fantasy genre, and I cannot wait for the rest of the trilogy!
I have to give Johannis an extra nod for her effortless inclusion of diverse characters and experiences, and for her big-hearted perspective on unconventional and struggling families. Traces is a heroic gift, elevating the YA fantasy genre, and I cannot wait for the rest of the trilogy!
July 10, 2023
Before I start this review, I want to thank Sophie!
I am so thankful that you sent me a copy of your beautiful book after talking on Instagram, and I am honoured that you trusted me enough to share your characters with me. You have written something special, and I can't wait to follow Aiden and Coles's journey throughout the trilogy!
This review will be detailed, and I won't hide away from any of the darker subjects brought forward within the book, so please be aware.
This book spoke to me on a whole other level. I felt a deep connection to both Aiden and Cole and the writing. I've connected with books and characters before, but nothing like what I felt with Traces. I felt this deep, unexplainable connection between the language used and the writing style Sophie chose. I felt like I was inside Aidens mind; the writing was fast and unpredictable, but it made sense, specifically to me, whose brain works very much the same.
Traces brought forward many topics that can be difficult to discuss (Autism-Metal Health-Race-Religion-Social Status). Still, I think Sophie handled it in such a caring and delicate way.
A significant subject throughout the book that I connect with is Autism. I realise that both Gracie and
Cole has Autism, but I see the similarities in Aiden too. As someone with Autism, I often find it hard to connect with autistic characters, especially when authors make them robotic and cold. With Sophie, she wrote characters that felt real and warm and whole.
I adored Cole and Gracie and loved that they could find safety and security in each other. I feel like Gracie was able to trust Cole, and Cole was able to trust Gracie. This is why they talk to each other in the library because they see each other for who they indeed are, and it's a beautiful scene. My heart felt so full from that scene, and that was the exact moment I fell in love with Cole.
Aiden and Cole are meant to be; they were meant to be from the very beginning. Whilst reading Traces, I couldn't help but feel as if they were magnets draw to each other. They knew how to handle each other without trying, what to say, what not to say, and it was beautiful to read. Of course, they were awkward, that's how relationships start, but they were also solid and considerate of each other boundaries. Both Aiden and Cole have been through so much, and they both learnt to trust each other, and it's beautiful. They both balance each other beautifully, and I can't wait to see what happens to them throughout the rest of the series!!
I'll admit that this book may not be for everyone; it has a complex writing style that can be difficult to navigate; however, I thought it was brilliant. I loved the complexity of the chosen style; it honestly felt like I was inside Aidens brain. I also love the amount of detail that Sophie could include within the pages; it was phenomenal.
I could go into much more detail about why I love Aiden and Cole and why I think this book deserves more than five stars, but then I'd need to write my own book.
I am so thankful that you sent me a copy of your beautiful book after talking on Instagram, and I am honoured that you trusted me enough to share your characters with me. You have written something special, and I can't wait to follow Aiden and Coles's journey throughout the trilogy!
This review will be detailed, and I won't hide away from any of the darker subjects brought forward within the book, so please be aware.
"I rest my head against the windowpane and close my eyes for a moment, but it changes nothing about the fact that I'm caught in a dense tangle of voices."
This book spoke to me on a whole other level. I felt a deep connection to both Aiden and Cole and the writing. I've connected with books and characters before, but nothing like what I felt with Traces. I felt this deep, unexplainable connection between the language used and the writing style Sophie chose. I felt like I was inside Aidens mind; the writing was fast and unpredictable, but it made sense, specifically to me, whose brain works very much the same.
"Sound-sight-smell-taste-even touch- there's always too much of everything at once, especially in crowds; I know it sounds stupid and completely insane, but I feel too permeable most of the time, things just get to me."
Traces brought forward many topics that can be difficult to discuss (Autism-Metal Health-Race-Religion-Social Status). Still, I think Sophie handled it in such a caring and delicate way.
A significant subject throughout the book that I connect with is Autism. I realise that both Gracie and
Cole has Autism, but I see the similarities in Aiden too. As someone with Autism, I often find it hard to connect with autistic characters, especially when authors make them robotic and cold. With Sophie, she wrote characters that felt real and warm and whole.
I adored Cole and Gracie and loved that they could find safety and security in each other. I feel like Gracie was able to trust Cole, and Cole was able to trust Gracie. This is why they talk to each other in the library because they see each other for who they indeed are, and it's a beautiful scene. My heart felt so full from that scene, and that was the exact moment I fell in love with Cole.
"It seems like most people are better at handling these things than I am," I say. "They eventually figure out a way for things to make sense. I guess some of them find a cause to focus on and get things done. Or maybe they will stop caring eventually. And I don't know how to care any less, and I keep wondering how I'm supposed to make plans when everything's chaos and nothing even remotely makes sense."
Aiden and Cole are meant to be; they were meant to be from the very beginning. Whilst reading Traces, I couldn't help but feel as if they were magnets draw to each other. They knew how to handle each other without trying, what to say, what not to say, and it was beautiful to read. Of course, they were awkward, that's how relationships start, but they were also solid and considerate of each other boundaries. Both Aiden and Cole have been through so much, and they both learnt to trust each other, and it's beautiful. They both balance each other beautifully, and I can't wait to see what happens to them throughout the rest of the series!!
"Cole is my light and my dark, and I'm his dark as much as I'm his light. We're kaleidoscopes to each other. Regardless of what broke us and shook us up, creating patterns that couldn't be more different, what we share is no more and no less than out most essential shards. Thats why he understands me so well. That's why, with Cole, looking too close has never been anything but looking just close enough."
I'll admit that this book may not be for everyone; it has a complex writing style that can be difficult to navigate; however, I thought it was brilliant. I loved the complexity of the chosen style; it honestly felt like I was inside Aidens brain. I also love the amount of detail that Sophie could include within the pages; it was phenomenal.
I could go into much more detail about why I love Aiden and Cole and why I think this book deserves more than five stars, but then I'd need to write my own book.
March 12, 2021
I don't even know where to begin. I finished the book yesterday but needed to take the time to get my thoughts together. I want to make sure I do this review correctly. This book needs to be in everyone's hands.
** Note the author does note some touchy subjects that some peeps might not want to read about. So definitely check those out.
Traces made its way into my top 5 favorite books. This book really sunk its claws into me and has not let go. This book is real folks. Real with traces of fiction. I am emotional and feel open and raw from the words on each page.
Writing Style: Beyond unique. It took me about less than a quarter of the book to get used to it. I have never read anything like it. Then it just clicked and everything feel into place for me. Getting the story from the MC POV is something you need to put your seatbelt on for. You are in her head. IN IT. You get thoughts and thoughts bouncing off each other, neurons colliding, atoms exploding. You are IN her dead and its the most beautiful thing I personally have ever read.
I was able to relate to Aiden, her thoughts, over thinking, over analyzing things and then over analyzing what she is over analyzing. You learn so much about secondary characters that she makes you feel like they are main characters themselves. Being able to see Cole's POV as well was something I didn't know I needed while reading this. I hope to see more of his POV. Hint Hint Sophie ;) The writing was beautiful, poetic, raw, chaotic (in an amazing way).
Characters: Like said above, Aiden really brings you into the other characters. I feel like I know all of them and have an idea how their past lives prior to when the book takes place. I cant wait to see them in the future books to dig deeper. Aiden and Cole, are two of my favorite characters in general. I'm still blown away by the thoughts of these characters. I loved the monolog between them. Two characters that don't want to be in the world but want to be a part of each other. Two characters who are fighting their past demons but deep down want to fight for their future with each other. Two characters that don't want to let anyone in, except each other. Two characters who found family outside of their own. DAMN I loved these two people. They became people to me. If anyone asks, I will talk about Aiden and Cole as if they were sitting here with me in my living room. Sophie made them living, breathing, thinking people.
Plot: I LOVED THE ENTIRE PLOT/ STORY. Listen, the amount of information that is dropped is a lot, but throughout the book, not all at once. Its not overwhelming and its done perfectly so you can still follow and understand everything. It was beautifully done. Each page, you are just drawn in more and more. I couldn't read it fast enough, but I tried my best to take my time to absorb each page. There were twists that I didn't see coming. I usually am able to predict a book in the beginning chapters. I was not able to do this with Traces. There were some things that I had concluded that ended up being true, but the twists and turns I did not see coming and I loved it. I don't want to be able to always predict the book I am reading.
To sum it up, this book was real, raw, emotionally captivating, relatable (for me) and it definitely left its traces in me. I have never been so emotionally impacted by a story and this one has me shook (in a great way).
If you are able to handle real life, then this story is for you. If you are able to read about real life trauma's, this book is for you. If you are able to accept that not everyone is ok on the inside, this book is for you. If you have ever felt invisible, then this book is for you. If you have ever been talked through instead of talked to, then this book is for you.
I am truly honored to have been able to read this book and that it founds it's way to me. As well as have had the opportunity to talk with Sophie about her work of freaking art. I hope my review does this book justice, I feel my words are not even close enough to explaining this book and are not worthy of it.
I truly am counting down the seconds until I can get book two in my hands.
** Note the author does note some touchy subjects that some peeps might not want to read about. So definitely check those out.
Traces made its way into my top 5 favorite books. This book really sunk its claws into me and has not let go. This book is real folks. Real with traces of fiction. I am emotional and feel open and raw from the words on each page.
Writing Style: Beyond unique. It took me about less than a quarter of the book to get used to it. I have never read anything like it. Then it just clicked and everything feel into place for me. Getting the story from the MC POV is something you need to put your seatbelt on for. You are in her head. IN IT. You get thoughts and thoughts bouncing off each other, neurons colliding, atoms exploding. You are IN her dead and its the most beautiful thing I personally have ever read.
I was able to relate to Aiden, her thoughts, over thinking, over analyzing things and then over analyzing what she is over analyzing. You learn so much about secondary characters that she makes you feel like they are main characters themselves. Being able to see Cole's POV as well was something I didn't know I needed while reading this. I hope to see more of his POV. Hint Hint Sophie ;) The writing was beautiful, poetic, raw, chaotic (in an amazing way).
Characters: Like said above, Aiden really brings you into the other characters. I feel like I know all of them and have an idea how their past lives prior to when the book takes place. I cant wait to see them in the future books to dig deeper. Aiden and Cole, are two of my favorite characters in general. I'm still blown away by the thoughts of these characters. I loved the monolog between them. Two characters that don't want to be in the world but want to be a part of each other. Two characters who are fighting their past demons but deep down want to fight for their future with each other. Two characters that don't want to let anyone in, except each other. Two characters who found family outside of their own. DAMN I loved these two people. They became people to me. If anyone asks, I will talk about Aiden and Cole as if they were sitting here with me in my living room. Sophie made them living, breathing, thinking people.
Plot: I LOVED THE ENTIRE PLOT/ STORY. Listen, the amount of information that is dropped is a lot, but throughout the book, not all at once. Its not overwhelming and its done perfectly so you can still follow and understand everything. It was beautifully done. Each page, you are just drawn in more and more. I couldn't read it fast enough, but I tried my best to take my time to absorb each page. There were twists that I didn't see coming. I usually am able to predict a book in the beginning chapters. I was not able to do this with Traces. There were some things that I had concluded that ended up being true, but the twists and turns I did not see coming and I loved it. I don't want to be able to always predict the book I am reading.
To sum it up, this book was real, raw, emotionally captivating, relatable (for me) and it definitely left its traces in me. I have never been so emotionally impacted by a story and this one has me shook (in a great way).
If you are able to handle real life, then this story is for you. If you are able to read about real life trauma's, this book is for you. If you are able to accept that not everyone is ok on the inside, this book is for you. If you have ever felt invisible, then this book is for you. If you have ever been talked through instead of talked to, then this book is for you.
I am truly honored to have been able to read this book and that it founds it's way to me. As well as have had the opportunity to talk with Sophie about her work of freaking art. I hope my review does this book justice, I feel my words are not even close enough to explaining this book and are not worthy of it.
I truly am counting down the seconds until I can get book two in my hands.
March 10, 2021
This book is really something else. The characters are amazing in their unique ways and the writing style is also different from other books and very good. The book includes poetry and, in one brief sequence, screenplay. The text alignment changes and the brackets change from normal to square brackets (which totally makes sense). I don't write about this, because it is bad (I actually loved it). I just want everybody to be prepared.
Only one minus point, because the text gets a bit overwhelming sometimes, which made me lose focus. But as the main character also is overwhelmed in some cases, it totally makes sense.
CW: Violence; Abuse; Mental illness, self-harm, and suicide; Addiction and substance abuse; Abduction; Ableism; Racism and Islamophobia; Kidnapping and abduction; Dying and death;
Animal cruelty and animal death (source: https://www.sophiejohannis.com/conten...)
Only one minus point, because the text gets a bit overwhelming sometimes, which made me lose focus. But as the main character also is overwhelmed in some cases, it totally makes sense.
CW: Violence; Abuse; Mental illness, self-harm, and suicide; Addiction and substance abuse; Abduction; Ableism; Racism and Islamophobia; Kidnapping and abduction; Dying and death;
Animal cruelty and animal death (source: https://www.sophiejohannis.com/conten...)
February 24, 2022
Please be aware of the trigger warning and content warnings before reading this book.
(content / trigger warning for: depression, anxiety, violence, abuse, self harm, suicide, addiction and substance abuse, abduction, ableism, racism, Islamophobia, kidnapping, death, animal cruelty, animal death)
There is this quote that says "we lose ourselves in books - we find ourselves there too" and that is the perfect way to describe Traces in my opinion.
This book is unlike anything I've ever read before. Not just the story is entirely unique and has never been done before, but also the format and writing style are truly something special. (The writing is so beautiful).
The characters are very interesting to read about. Especially Cole. As soon as he was introduced I already loved him. Aidens and Coles relationship is so pure and they are both really complex characters but fit together so well.
Aiden is such a lovable character and I'm so glad we got her narrative (and I mean it felt quite literally like I could see everything through her eyes).
This book is made for people who love detail. The author has such an eye for the littlest details, which makes the book absolutely incredible. The smallest things are captured and put into words. Every word, every sentence, every gesture has such importance.
The story and world itself is fascinating, but the characters are everything. I was hooked the entire way through the story and it felt like even though I'm so different than any of those characters I still felt understood? If that makes sense to anyone. You will most likely find yourself along Aidens and Coles journey.
If you want a book that you will never forget please read Traces. It will not let you go and you will love these characters forever.
You will love Traces if you love:
- romance
- unique characters
- serious topics, like mental health
- diversity
- detail
- something new
- getting completely lost in a book
- flawless writing
The author kindly sent me a copy of Traces to review. All my opinions are my own and I was not payed to do a review.
(content / trigger warning for: depression, anxiety, violence, abuse, self harm, suicide, addiction and substance abuse, abduction, ableism, racism, Islamophobia, kidnapping, death, animal cruelty, animal death)
There is this quote that says "we lose ourselves in books - we find ourselves there too" and that is the perfect way to describe Traces in my opinion.
This book is unlike anything I've ever read before. Not just the story is entirely unique and has never been done before, but also the format and writing style are truly something special. (The writing is so beautiful).
The characters are very interesting to read about. Especially Cole. As soon as he was introduced I already loved him. Aidens and Coles relationship is so pure and they are both really complex characters but fit together so well.
Aiden is such a lovable character and I'm so glad we got her narrative (and I mean it felt quite literally like I could see everything through her eyes).
This book is made for people who love detail. The author has such an eye for the littlest details, which makes the book absolutely incredible. The smallest things are captured and put into words. Every word, every sentence, every gesture has such importance.
The story and world itself is fascinating, but the characters are everything. I was hooked the entire way through the story and it felt like even though I'm so different than any of those characters I still felt understood? If that makes sense to anyone. You will most likely find yourself along Aidens and Coles journey.
If you want a book that you will never forget please read Traces. It will not let you go and you will love these characters forever.
You will love Traces if you love:
- romance
- unique characters
- serious topics, like mental health
- diversity
- detail
- something new
- getting completely lost in a book
- flawless writing
The author kindly sent me a copy of Traces to review. All my opinions are my own and I was not payed to do a review.
March 16, 2021
I have no words to put to sum up how this book made me feel. I was broken to tiny little pieces only to be mended and broken again and again. I have cried. Yes and I admit I did cuz anyone who will this book will cry as well.
✨Spoiler free review👇✨
𝕋𝕚𝕥𝕝𝕖: Traces
𝔸𝕦𝕥𝕙𝕠𝕣: Sophie Johannis
ℙ𝕒𝕘𝕖 𝕔𝕠𝕦𝕟𝕥: 552 pages
ℝ𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
𝕎𝕒𝕣𝕟𝕚𝕟𝕘 :
Not everyone can read this book make sure to check trigger warning before reading it
𝕊𝕦𝕞𝕞𝕒𝕣𝕪:
Aiden has never felt like she belonged somewhere. Always living in the shadow of her brother. Now that he is gone to college she is left with no shadow to hide under. She struggles through everyday counting when she can be free. Until she meets him and he makes her stop counting. He makes her stop.
𝔽𝕒𝕧𝕠𝕣𝕚𝕥𝕖 𝕢𝕦𝕠𝕥𝕖: (— Irrelevant)
𝕋𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤 𝕀 𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕝𝕝𝕪 𝕖𝕟𝕛𝕠𝕪𝕖𝕕:
⭐️ The way the characters are written is impressive. The amount of feeling you get through the pages of the book is unexplainable!
⭐️ This book made me cry and I can’t say many books did that to me
⭐️ The writing is very unique and different
⭐️ The effort put into studying different aspects of science and medicine to put this book together is incredible and can be seen through every single page of the book.
𝕋𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤 𝕀 𝕕𝕚𝕕𝕟’𝕥 𝕖𝕟𝕛𝕠𝕪:
⭐️ I cant think of anything to add to this section only that I still have to wait to get part two 🤣🤣 the wait will kill me
✨Spoiler free review👇✨
𝕋𝕚𝕥𝕝𝕖: Traces
𝔸𝕦𝕥𝕙𝕠𝕣: Sophie Johannis
ℙ𝕒𝕘𝕖 𝕔𝕠𝕦𝕟𝕥: 552 pages
ℝ𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
𝕎𝕒𝕣𝕟𝕚𝕟𝕘 :
Not everyone can read this book make sure to check trigger warning before reading it
𝕊𝕦𝕞𝕞𝕒𝕣𝕪:
Aiden has never felt like she belonged somewhere. Always living in the shadow of her brother. Now that he is gone to college she is left with no shadow to hide under. She struggles through everyday counting when she can be free. Until she meets him and he makes her stop counting. He makes her stop.
𝔽𝕒𝕧𝕠𝕣𝕚𝕥𝕖 𝕢𝕦𝕠𝕥𝕖: (— Irrelevant)
𝕋𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤 𝕀 𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕝𝕝𝕪 𝕖𝕟𝕛𝕠𝕪𝕖𝕕:
⭐️ The way the characters are written is impressive. The amount of feeling you get through the pages of the book is unexplainable!
⭐️ This book made me cry and I can’t say many books did that to me
⭐️ The writing is very unique and different
⭐️ The effort put into studying different aspects of science and medicine to put this book together is incredible and can be seen through every single page of the book.
𝕋𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤 𝕀 𝕕𝕚𝕕𝕟’𝕥 𝕖𝕟𝕛𝕠𝕪:
⭐️ I cant think of anything to add to this section only that I still have to wait to get part two 🤣🤣 the wait will kill me
March 6, 2021
Captivating from start to finish.
Traces is a brilliantly crafted, breathtaking novel about people who are really just learning how to exist despite the trauma they’ve been through. It’s almost difficult to put my feelings about this book into words because of how stunning it was.
Right off the bat, it’s clear that Johannis doesn’t play by the rules most authors abide by. Her writing style is unique, captivating, and allows Aiden’s thoughts to be painted across the page rather than written.
The characters in Traces don’t simply “leap” off the page. These characters slowly burrow into your heart, and before you know it they’ve become a part of you.
Traces is no ordinary story. This book is a canvas that Johannis has masterfully covered with enigmatic characters, a wintery backdrop, and so many real, crisp feelings— pain, heartbreak, joy, hope, fear, love.
On days where I couldn’t find time to pick up this book, I felt constantly drawn to it, almost aching to pick it up again. It’s the perfect story if you want to actually feel something real and intense and beautiful, and it’s characters will leave traces of themselves inside of you long after you close the book.
Five out of five stars. It deserves no less.
Traces is a brilliantly crafted, breathtaking novel about people who are really just learning how to exist despite the trauma they’ve been through. It’s almost difficult to put my feelings about this book into words because of how stunning it was.
Right off the bat, it’s clear that Johannis doesn’t play by the rules most authors abide by. Her writing style is unique, captivating, and allows Aiden’s thoughts to be painted across the page rather than written.
The characters in Traces don’t simply “leap” off the page. These characters slowly burrow into your heart, and before you know it they’ve become a part of you.
Traces is no ordinary story. This book is a canvas that Johannis has masterfully covered with enigmatic characters, a wintery backdrop, and so many real, crisp feelings— pain, heartbreak, joy, hope, fear, love.
On days where I couldn’t find time to pick up this book, I felt constantly drawn to it, almost aching to pick it up again. It’s the perfect story if you want to actually feel something real and intense and beautiful, and it’s characters will leave traces of themselves inside of you long after you close the book.
Five out of five stars. It deserves no less.
August 9, 2021
This is such a special book. It isn’t very often that you come across a gem of a story that is so utterly beautiful and stunningly unique. Aiden is a telepath, but more than that, Aiden is a young girl that just wants to be understood. She wants to be loved and accepted for exactly how she is. As someone who is dismissed in the family for being “fragile” she is someone who shows an enormous amount of strength and resilience despite the abuse she receives. I found her to be so courageous and instantly connected to her vulnerability.
The relationship between Cole and Aiden was written with so much care. It was poetic, chaotic, silent, and explosive. Both have been abused. Both have had to claw their way out of immense darkness and despair. I absolutely loved both of them so much. It takes effort and dedication to write characters that leap off the pages and grab ahold of your heart. I’ve never read anything quite like it before. This is an absolute must-read.
The relationship between Cole and Aiden was written with so much care. It was poetic, chaotic, silent, and explosive. Both have been abused. Both have had to claw their way out of immense darkness and despair. I absolutely loved both of them so much. It takes effort and dedication to write characters that leap off the pages and grab ahold of your heart. I’ve never read anything quite like it before. This is an absolute must-read.
January 31, 2024
4.5 ⭐ AN UNDERRATED YA FANTASY MASTERPIECE. That's what this book is.
Tortured teens. Telepathic abilities. Wintery small town setting. Dysfunctional blood families and functional found families. And so much representation that made me feel so so seen!!!!!!
Gosh, I have once again found a book that has shaken me and spun me around and turned me upside down to the point where I am almost dizzy and delirious and struggling to form thoughts into words into a review. With immersive writing and characterization reminiscent of Shatter Me and Solitaire, the ride is so good it not only feels but IS real to you. It's something of an artistry. It was slightly frustrating reading my ebook copy because I just wanted to annotate and doodle and POUR my thoughts onto the pages of this book. (I did it digitally, but it's not the same). Nevertheless, I greatly enjoyed my reading experience.
These characters are so so special. There's Aiden, a neurodivergent empath hiding behind her protective shield of lies and Cole, an autistic insomniac whose own shields hide a horrific past. I found pieces of myself in both of them. Aiden's heightened sensory input and protectiveness towards her family (at the expense of her own well-being) and Cole's love for black coffee and cinnamon and his inability to fall asleep... These are all things I relate to so deeply! And the way these experiences are written? It's like having my brain exposed. I particularly loved how all these things that we (I) usually hate about ourselves (myself), all these "issues" that inhibit the lives of many, are reimagined as supernatural abilities. While still maintaining all the struggles and difficulties of experiencing/having them! The side characters are equally delightful, and I especially adored Layla, the Afghan best friend. She's a MUSLIM who wears HIJAB, just like me!!! :D
Told mostly from Aiden's POV, I felt like I've been living in her brain these past few days. Somewhere between the relatability and immersion, I lost distinction between reading and experiencing. Where did I end and where did Aiden start? I both experienced her as a real person and experienced myself AS her. I can't explain. This book is just magic, okay? I felt Aiden's hurt and I felt Aiden's love (especially as her feelings grew for a particular sleep-deprived cinnamon roll). I felt this story with every fiber of my being.
I want to fill my bedroom walls with the words of this book. Not just a few quotes, but I need all 500+ pages of this book layered down as wallpaper.
Props to the author. Because that was incredible.
⚠️ TWs: Violence, Child abuse, Mental illness, Self-harm, Attempted suicide, Addiction, Ableism, Racism, and Islamophobia, Animal cruelty and death, Reference to sexual assault ⚠️
Tortured teens. Telepathic abilities. Wintery small town setting. Dysfunctional blood families and functional found families. And so much representation that made me feel so so seen!!!!!!
Gosh, I have once again found a book that has shaken me and spun me around and turned me upside down to the point where I am almost dizzy and delirious and struggling to form thoughts into words into a review. With immersive writing and characterization reminiscent of Shatter Me and Solitaire, the ride is so good it not only feels but IS real to you. It's something of an artistry. It was slightly frustrating reading my ebook copy because I just wanted to annotate and doodle and POUR my thoughts onto the pages of this book. (I did it digitally, but it's not the same). Nevertheless, I greatly enjoyed my reading experience.
These characters are so so special. There's Aiden, a neurodivergent empath hiding behind her protective shield of lies and Cole, an autistic insomniac whose own shields hide a horrific past. I found pieces of myself in both of them. Aiden's heightened sensory input and protectiveness towards her family (at the expense of her own well-being) and Cole's love for black coffee and cinnamon and his inability to fall asleep... These are all things I relate to so deeply! And the way these experiences are written? It's like having my brain exposed. I particularly loved how all these things that we (I) usually hate about ourselves (myself), all these "issues" that inhibit the lives of many, are reimagined as supernatural abilities. While still maintaining all the struggles and difficulties of experiencing/having them! The side characters are equally delightful, and I especially adored Layla, the Afghan best friend. She's a MUSLIM who wears HIJAB, just like me!!! :D
Told mostly from Aiden's POV, I felt like I've been living in her brain these past few days. Somewhere between the relatability and immersion, I lost distinction between reading and experiencing. Where did I end and where did Aiden start? I both experienced her as a real person and experienced myself AS her. I can't explain. This book is just magic, okay? I felt Aiden's hurt and I felt Aiden's love (especially as her feelings grew for a particular sleep-deprived cinnamon roll). I felt this story with every fiber of my being.
I want to fill my bedroom walls with the words of this book. Not just a few quotes, but I need all 500+ pages of this book layered down as wallpaper.
Props to the author. Because that was incredible.
⚠️ TWs: Violence, Child abuse, Mental illness, Self-harm, Attempted suicide, Addiction, Ableism, Racism, and Islamophobia, Animal cruelty and death, Reference to sexual assault ⚠️
March 12, 2021
SPOILER/TRIGGER ALERT
I’m sitting in front of my computer and I don’t know how to start this review. Whatever I will write, it won’t do the perfection and genius of this book justice. TRACES completely took me by surprise, left my heart sore and my skin scraped raw.
Characters
Aidan is a character like no other, completely immersed in her thoughts and feelings, not sure how to handle her pain and thus burying it deep inside of her. She is beautiful inside and outside, brave, smart, compassionate, caring and I immediately fell in love with her and her story.
Cole is beautifully unique as well, completely withdrawn and silent, intelligent, caring and selfless.
But with Aiden his ice-shields begin to melt and only Aiden seems to understand his feelings and thoughts. The blooming relationship between the two of them is the most beautiful thing that’s ever been written in my opinion. The entire book is full of soft, stolen glances, unspoken words, silent communication, tentative touches and a longing so strong it broke my heart. It is a love so unique, you will never find anything similar in a book and two soulmates so sweet and loveable you won’t be able to put the book down. In fact, I have never had more butterflies constantly in my stomach than while reading this book. I almost thought I was riding on a rollercoaster.
Writing Style
Sophie Johannis’ writing style is perfectly fitting for a heart-wrenching book like hers. The way she describes feelings like pain, love, longing, fear is so remarkable that I had to put the book down at one point because it became too intense and got too close to me. Also the story is primarily told from Aiden’s perspective and thoughts and the sentences perfectly fold into each other, sometimes jumping from thoughts to actions and actions of other people but still aligning with each other and feeling coherent. Her language is also full of stunning metaphors and imagery and rhetorical devices that made me feel every emotion with the characters.
Plot
I felt like the first 2/3 of the book concentrated on the relationship between Cole and Aiden, how their love starts to bloom and how Aiden had to adjust to her new talents. But that was totally fine for me. Every evening I looked forward to reading again because I just wanted to be with them and experience their sweet love and all those soft emotions.
But then the last third of the book completely shook me but I sadly can’t tell much without heavily spoiling the plot. I’m just saying that everything went down, and the big finale was very suspenseful, and I had to put the book down at that point because I honestly couldn’t stand the worry and pain and I had to get back into reality for a couple of hours and distance myself from the emotional rollercoaster.
So all in all I couldn’t put TRACES down. It touched my heart and soul and I loved every word of it.
I’m also telling you that even though Sophie Johannis was so kind to gift me a copy of her work all the thoughts in this review are only my honest opinion and feelings. I get emotional about books I truly loved and I’m not exaggerating.
The book is a one in a lifetime read and I cannot say anything else but that I loved it to the bottom of my heart and that I have no words for it and you have to read it for yourself to fully understand it.
I’m sitting in front of my computer and I don’t know how to start this review. Whatever I will write, it won’t do the perfection and genius of this book justice. TRACES completely took me by surprise, left my heart sore and my skin scraped raw.
Characters
Aidan is a character like no other, completely immersed in her thoughts and feelings, not sure how to handle her pain and thus burying it deep inside of her. She is beautiful inside and outside, brave, smart, compassionate, caring and I immediately fell in love with her and her story.
Cole is beautifully unique as well, completely withdrawn and silent, intelligent, caring and selfless.
But with Aiden his ice-shields begin to melt and only Aiden seems to understand his feelings and thoughts. The blooming relationship between the two of them is the most beautiful thing that’s ever been written in my opinion. The entire book is full of soft, stolen glances, unspoken words, silent communication, tentative touches and a longing so strong it broke my heart. It is a love so unique, you will never find anything similar in a book and two soulmates so sweet and loveable you won’t be able to put the book down. In fact, I have never had more butterflies constantly in my stomach than while reading this book. I almost thought I was riding on a rollercoaster.
Writing Style
Sophie Johannis’ writing style is perfectly fitting for a heart-wrenching book like hers. The way she describes feelings like pain, love, longing, fear is so remarkable that I had to put the book down at one point because it became too intense and got too close to me. Also the story is primarily told from Aiden’s perspective and thoughts and the sentences perfectly fold into each other, sometimes jumping from thoughts to actions and actions of other people but still aligning with each other and feeling coherent. Her language is also full of stunning metaphors and imagery and rhetorical devices that made me feel every emotion with the characters.
Plot
I felt like the first 2/3 of the book concentrated on the relationship between Cole and Aiden, how their love starts to bloom and how Aiden had to adjust to her new talents. But that was totally fine for me. Every evening I looked forward to reading again because I just wanted to be with them and experience their sweet love and all those soft emotions.
But then the last third of the book completely shook me but I sadly can’t tell much without heavily spoiling the plot. I’m just saying that everything went down, and the big finale was very suspenseful, and I had to put the book down at that point because I honestly couldn’t stand the worry and pain and I had to get back into reality for a couple of hours and distance myself from the emotional rollercoaster.
So all in all I couldn’t put TRACES down. It touched my heart and soul and I loved every word of it.
I’m also telling you that even though Sophie Johannis was so kind to gift me a copy of her work all the thoughts in this review are only my honest opinion and feelings. I get emotional about books I truly loved and I’m not exaggerating.
The book is a one in a lifetime read and I cannot say anything else but that I loved it to the bottom of my heart and that I have no words for it and you have to read it for yourself to fully understand it.
March 20, 2021
Thank you to Sophie Johannis for sending me this beautiful ARC!
First of all- Traces covers some potentially triggering subjects so here is a content warning:
- Violence
- Abuse
- Mental illness, self-harm and suicide
- Addiction and substance abuse
- Abduction and kidnapping
- Ableism
- Racism and Islamophobia
- Dying and death
- Animal cruelty and animal death
CW source: www.sophiejohannis.com/content-warnings
Sophie has such a unique writing style. I’ve never read a book written in first person where I truly felt like I was in the brain of the protagonist.
You actually get the mess of thoughts swimming around and colliding with one another in Aiden’s head. You feel Aiden’s anxiety, how she overthinks and examines everything and everyone around her. You are truly reading through her eyes, and when I say that, I mean you forget who you are and where you are and you step inside of Traces and share a body with Aiden. You see what she sees, smell what she smells, hear what she hears and feel what she feels down to the most minute detail.
The characters in Traces are also so complex and interesting and I had such a wonderful time reading, especially with the joyful way Sophie writes about her autistic characters. I work really closely with people on the spectrum and they bring me so much joy. It was so wonderful to eat these characters written a real people, rather than the stereotypical way I normally see. I feel like Traces has some really authentic and beautiful representation.
Only on page four was written, “The way I see it, a book is Pandora’s matchbox and I’m the world’s most inconspicuous pyromaniac, playing with fire whenever I part the covers.” and I thought ‘this book is going to be so poetic’ - and then there WAS poetry! Sophie really treats us to all of her brilliant writing arsenal.
Traces really was a joy to read, and as I said above, it was so unique. A real breath of fresh air.
First of all- Traces covers some potentially triggering subjects so here is a content warning:
- Violence
- Abuse
- Mental illness, self-harm and suicide
- Addiction and substance abuse
- Abduction and kidnapping
- Ableism
- Racism and Islamophobia
- Dying and death
- Animal cruelty and animal death
CW source: www.sophiejohannis.com/content-warnings
Sophie has such a unique writing style. I’ve never read a book written in first person where I truly felt like I was in the brain of the protagonist.
You actually get the mess of thoughts swimming around and colliding with one another in Aiden’s head. You feel Aiden’s anxiety, how she overthinks and examines everything and everyone around her. You are truly reading through her eyes, and when I say that, I mean you forget who you are and where you are and you step inside of Traces and share a body with Aiden. You see what she sees, smell what she smells, hear what she hears and feel what she feels down to the most minute detail.
The characters in Traces are also so complex and interesting and I had such a wonderful time reading, especially with the joyful way Sophie writes about her autistic characters. I work really closely with people on the spectrum and they bring me so much joy. It was so wonderful to eat these characters written a real people, rather than the stereotypical way I normally see. I feel like Traces has some really authentic and beautiful representation.
Only on page four was written, “The way I see it, a book is Pandora’s matchbox and I’m the world’s most inconspicuous pyromaniac, playing with fire whenever I part the covers.” and I thought ‘this book is going to be so poetic’ - and then there WAS poetry! Sophie really treats us to all of her brilliant writing arsenal.
Traces really was a joy to read, and as I said above, it was so unique. A real breath of fresh air.
April 16, 2021
Book review - Traces 🕊
By @sophiejohannis
This book really touched me on a deeper level.
It starts off a bit hard to grasp, and seems like a normal YA book with teenage drama and the new guy at school drama.
The writing style where you read the main charachters thoughts and the actual dialogue/ happenings in first person tok a few chapters to get into.
But as the book progress you grasp the deeper story and meaning and i understood why it could rather be charachterised as psysiological fiction.
The way the author captures the different feelings and connections between the main charachters are amazing.❤️
And how when the storyline progress and we get to know happenings and trauma the main characters has experienced you are so connected to the story that you just need one more chapter, one more page....
The book surprised in a way that it is so deeper and more complicated then i thought. 🤩
It is beautifully written and you get so invested in the charachters and how they are processing their thoughts that i cried several times during the story.
The plot evolves around the main charachter who discovers she is an emphat who can read others minds. She must learn how to manage her ability and soon discovers that there are bigger forces who also wants to know more about her.😨
She discovers so much about herself during this book and she finally finds a kindred spirit in a person she never knew excisted.
But as the troubles keep coming she also has some family drama that we slowly understand more and more about. And her childhood has not been easy.😭
I loved the ending of this book and was touched to the core.
Cant wait for the next book in this series
🌟🌟🌟🌟
By @sophiejohannis
This book really touched me on a deeper level.
It starts off a bit hard to grasp, and seems like a normal YA book with teenage drama and the new guy at school drama.
The writing style where you read the main charachters thoughts and the actual dialogue/ happenings in first person tok a few chapters to get into.
But as the book progress you grasp the deeper story and meaning and i understood why it could rather be charachterised as psysiological fiction.
The way the author captures the different feelings and connections between the main charachters are amazing.❤️
And how when the storyline progress and we get to know happenings and trauma the main characters has experienced you are so connected to the story that you just need one more chapter, one more page....
The book surprised in a way that it is so deeper and more complicated then i thought. 🤩
It is beautifully written and you get so invested in the charachters and how they are processing their thoughts that i cried several times during the story.
The plot evolves around the main charachter who discovers she is an emphat who can read others minds. She must learn how to manage her ability and soon discovers that there are bigger forces who also wants to know more about her.😨
She discovers so much about herself during this book and she finally finds a kindred spirit in a person she never knew excisted.
But as the troubles keep coming she also has some family drama that we slowly understand more and more about. And her childhood has not been easy.😭
I loved the ending of this book and was touched to the core.
Cant wait for the next book in this series
🌟🌟🌟🌟
May 8, 2021
Thanks to the lovely Sophie for providing me with a copy of this amazing book 💙
Ooooh where to start?
Things I loved about this book:
- The German culture mentions
- The German language used correctly (as a German teachers this makes me so happy)
- The representation
- How well autism was described, as a teacher I recognised it immediately.
- How quickly I fell in love with (most) characters. Aiden’s mom’s a bitch though.
- The beautiful descriptions about anxiety that made me recognise myself & feel understood.
Thing I didn’t like:
- That book 2 is not here :(
HIGHLY RECOMMEND, but watch out for the trigger warnings:
Violence
Abuse
Mental illness, self-harm, and suicide
Addiction and substance abuse
Abduction
Ableism
Racism and Islamophobia
Kidnapping and abduction
Dying and death
Animal cruelty and animal death
Ooooh where to start?
Things I loved about this book:
- The German culture mentions
- The German language used correctly (as a German teachers this makes me so happy)
- The representation
- How well autism was described, as a teacher I recognised it immediately.
- How quickly I fell in love with (most) characters. Aiden’s mom’s a bitch though.
- The beautiful descriptions about anxiety that made me recognise myself & feel understood.
Thing I didn’t like:
- That book 2 is not here :(
HIGHLY RECOMMEND, but watch out for the trigger warnings:
Violence
Abuse
Mental illness, self-harm, and suicide
Addiction and substance abuse
Abduction
Ableism
Racism and Islamophobia
Kidnapping and abduction
Dying and death
Animal cruelty and animal death
October 7, 2021
This book is so crazy. Normally I'm not the guy who likes to read fantasy/romance novels. But this was different. As a non native English speaker the buildup sometimes was hard to follow and some pages had to be read twice but soon you'll fall in love with the characters!! At first the punctuation is cruel to the eye hehehe, I've never seen so many -- and [ ] but there was a point when I started to love and understand it! And the diversity not just of the characters but of the style of writing itself is just beautiful. The change of poems, wonderful storytelling and some parts that could even be interpreted as song lyrics is phenomenal. So looking forward to reading the second part!!!
March 6, 2021
Wow, just Wow!! Sophie has taken me on such a journey with Traces, I've cried, laughed and loved along with the characters from the first page right to the end. I also found Traces extremely relatable, finding parts of myself, my partner and friends in the story.
Sophies writing kept me hooked and although Traces is based in our world I felt like I plummeted to earth everytime I had to put the book down. Aiden and Cole are such beautiful characters inside and out and I can't wait to read more of their story. I can't recommend this book enough to anyone considering reading it! Traces is as amazing on the inside as it is on the outside and is written by a fabulous author. I've never read a book before that has pulled me so deeply into the story and it's very rare for me to cry at a book yet Traces had me physically crying my eyes out this morning. No spoilers here but let me just say it's an amazing feeling when an author makes you REALLY feel something for their characters to the point that you need tissues!
I have to say a huge thank you to Sophie for sharing her story with me and inviting me into the Traces journey. I appreciate this opportunity so much and I'm already looking forward to book two!!
Sophies writing kept me hooked and although Traces is based in our world I felt like I plummeted to earth everytime I had to put the book down. Aiden and Cole are such beautiful characters inside and out and I can't wait to read more of their story. I can't recommend this book enough to anyone considering reading it! Traces is as amazing on the inside as it is on the outside and is written by a fabulous author. I've never read a book before that has pulled me so deeply into the story and it's very rare for me to cry at a book yet Traces had me physically crying my eyes out this morning. No spoilers here but let me just say it's an amazing feeling when an author makes you REALLY feel something for their characters to the point that you need tissues!
I have to say a huge thank you to Sophie for sharing her story with me and inviting me into the Traces journey. I appreciate this opportunity so much and I'm already looking forward to book two!!
August 7, 2023
I want to get right to the meat of this review of Sophie Johannis’s Traces. This book is rewarding. Johannis has crafted an absolute gem of a story in so many ways. Go get it, then come back and finish my review. :)
Usually, I write a summary of the story before I get going on the review. I’m going to skip that step so there is room for my thoughts and praise. I will write that Traces has elements of a coming-of-age story, it has a compelling love story, it has thrilling action and a unique combat element.
I like my novelists to be poets. A poet understands the value of a perfectly-worded phrase. A poet hears music in language. Traces is a poet’s novel. Beautiful lines blossom on every page. Not purple prose; it’s just that there are so many sentences with just the right words creating just the right images. As a words-first reader, this book rewarded me on every page. I found myself taking pictures of my favorite lines so that I could savor them. At one point the main character wishes she could whisper. She hears in “every word a synonym for fear.” The line is so right and so beautiful. And every page has careful lines like this. Johannis also plays with form. Certainly the words have meaning, but so does the way they are composed on the page. This is such an ambitious novel. Rewards on every page for careful reading.
Beyond being a word-first reader, I’m a character guy. I need the music of language and characters that I care about. Ms. Johannis knows these characters like they are her own children. I often get deep enough into a story that I feel like I know what a character should do or say, and sometimes I feel like a writer makes a decision that works for the story but not for the character. I never found that. Not once. These characters are real. And yet they are unpredictable. I was often surprised by what they do, but it always felt right. One of my favorite examples is when the main character, Aiden, watches her mentor swim. It would have been easy to gloss over the moment, but Aiden watches and can’t help but think he “ought to keep his arms straighter.” Aiden was a competitive swimmer, and the line just does exactly what it should. It reveals something about Aiden’s inability to turn off her mind while also giving the mentor a definable humanity. By the end of this story, I absolutely adored the characters I was meant to connect with emotionally, and I found complex layers even in the characters opposing my newly discovered friends. I was rewarded again and again.
Lastly, the pacing of this novel is just flat-out perfect. Stories as complex as this, with as many twists and developments as this tend to have low moments. I was compelled every page. I know that most readers are story-first, and in Traces you’ll find a story to tear through. Much of the action occurs as mental combat inside of special, powerful minds, and Sophie makes it work. And the love story that builds from the first page to the last is just exactly right. It never feels forced or rushed or simplified or even inevitable. It just feels right. The trick is to take your time and you will be….rewarded.
That is the thing that stands out again and again. This is a rewarding story. It’s beautifully and carefully crafted. It is about people you will care deeply about. It tells a story you will want to know. Rewarding writing, rewarding characters, rewarding story. Get a copy and take your time reading it. It’s totally worth it.
Usually, I write a summary of the story before I get going on the review. I’m going to skip that step so there is room for my thoughts and praise. I will write that Traces has elements of a coming-of-age story, it has a compelling love story, it has thrilling action and a unique combat element.
I like my novelists to be poets. A poet understands the value of a perfectly-worded phrase. A poet hears music in language. Traces is a poet’s novel. Beautiful lines blossom on every page. Not purple prose; it’s just that there are so many sentences with just the right words creating just the right images. As a words-first reader, this book rewarded me on every page. I found myself taking pictures of my favorite lines so that I could savor them. At one point the main character wishes she could whisper. She hears in “every word a synonym for fear.” The line is so right and so beautiful. And every page has careful lines like this. Johannis also plays with form. Certainly the words have meaning, but so does the way they are composed on the page. This is such an ambitious novel. Rewards on every page for careful reading.
Beyond being a word-first reader, I’m a character guy. I need the music of language and characters that I care about. Ms. Johannis knows these characters like they are her own children. I often get deep enough into a story that I feel like I know what a character should do or say, and sometimes I feel like a writer makes a decision that works for the story but not for the character. I never found that. Not once. These characters are real. And yet they are unpredictable. I was often surprised by what they do, but it always felt right. One of my favorite examples is when the main character, Aiden, watches her mentor swim. It would have been easy to gloss over the moment, but Aiden watches and can’t help but think he “ought to keep his arms straighter.” Aiden was a competitive swimmer, and the line just does exactly what it should. It reveals something about Aiden’s inability to turn off her mind while also giving the mentor a definable humanity. By the end of this story, I absolutely adored the characters I was meant to connect with emotionally, and I found complex layers even in the characters opposing my newly discovered friends. I was rewarded again and again.
Lastly, the pacing of this novel is just flat-out perfect. Stories as complex as this, with as many twists and developments as this tend to have low moments. I was compelled every page. I know that most readers are story-first, and in Traces you’ll find a story to tear through. Much of the action occurs as mental combat inside of special, powerful minds, and Sophie makes it work. And the love story that builds from the first page to the last is just exactly right. It never feels forced or rushed or simplified or even inevitable. It just feels right. The trick is to take your time and you will be….rewarded.
That is the thing that stands out again and again. This is a rewarding story. It’s beautifully and carefully crafted. It is about people you will care deeply about. It tells a story you will want to know. Rewarding writing, rewarding characters, rewarding story. Get a copy and take your time reading it. It’s totally worth it.
March 28, 2021
It was a quick and lovely journey, I want it to last longer! Loved the development of the characters too much and the plot with a few twists that had me schocked.The only negative part. if it's negative at all, was that in some parts in my opinion the descriptions was too long. I am looking forward to the next book! On of my favorite reads in 2021, it felt like coming home, indeed!
March 19, 2021
I've never before read a book like it!
Here are a couple reasons why:
* it takes you on an emotional journey/rollercoaster. And I don't mean emotions regarding the characters..no it will make you relate and get right up there into your own issues. In other words, it can be quite triggering (so beware...still at least for me the journey was worth it).
* the writing style is quite unique. It can be a bit confusing and difficult to follow at times but it is absolutely meant to be like that, as it reflects the characters state of mind. Basically, you are inside her head!
* the characters are so real and relatable. Also all of them, not just the main characters, are complex and feel very tangible. What I very much enjoyed was the diversity in the characters and the fact that it wasn't made a defining feature. It was introduces in a subtle way which didn't give you the impression that it was just added for the sake of it. And it only caught my attention because it didn't make me cringe or roll my eyes.
If you are looking for an easy read, keep searching. But if you are up for some confrontation with yourself and want to read a kind of book you have never read before...try it! I don't think you will regret it!
Here are a couple reasons why:
* it takes you on an emotional journey/rollercoaster. And I don't mean emotions regarding the characters..no it will make you relate and get right up there into your own issues. In other words, it can be quite triggering (so beware...still at least for me the journey was worth it).
* the writing style is quite unique. It can be a bit confusing and difficult to follow at times but it is absolutely meant to be like that, as it reflects the characters state of mind. Basically, you are inside her head!
* the characters are so real and relatable. Also all of them, not just the main characters, are complex and feel very tangible. What I very much enjoyed was the diversity in the characters and the fact that it wasn't made a defining feature. It was introduces in a subtle way which didn't give you the impression that it was just added for the sake of it. And it only caught my attention because it didn't make me cringe or roll my eyes.
If you are looking for an easy read, keep searching. But if you are up for some confrontation with yourself and want to read a kind of book you have never read before...try it! I don't think you will regret it!
September 1, 2021
So I finished this book last night and needed today to process to leave a review that fully describes how I feel.
This book was so well done, I related to so many topics. Sophie captured the thoughts and feelings of both characters fantastically.
I am an over thinker so the constant questioning of Aiden about herself/thoughts and how she interpreted what Cole had said to be something else because she didn't feel like she was good enough... I felt deeply ( I felt like her thoughts are my thoughts on a daily basis)
The way the characters are far from perfect in their own ways but no matter what they were going through or their past..... it was not giving up on them or leaving them behind regardless of how much they tried to push them away!
Your past should not define who you have become and Sophie brings this to the forefront in such a way that you can not help feeling for them.
I Literally wanted to jump into this book and hug Cole! After what he went through and to finally admit what he admitted at the end after battling his own demons and letting Aiden in was so emotional. I also wanted to hug them both after Chapter 27!! Absolutely broke me!
It took me a long time to read this book as the way it is wrote is completely different to anything I have read before and my brain process struggled a little to start with but I son settled into it.
Thank you Sophie for this amazing story!
This book was so well done, I related to so many topics. Sophie captured the thoughts and feelings of both characters fantastically.
I am an over thinker so the constant questioning of Aiden about herself/thoughts and how she interpreted what Cole had said to be something else because she didn't feel like she was good enough... I felt deeply ( I felt like her thoughts are my thoughts on a daily basis)
The way the characters are far from perfect in their own ways but no matter what they were going through or their past..... it was not giving up on them or leaving them behind regardless of how much they tried to push them away!
Your past should not define who you have become and Sophie brings this to the forefront in such a way that you can not help feeling for them.
I Literally wanted to jump into this book and hug Cole! After what he went through and to finally admit what he admitted at the end after battling his own demons and letting Aiden in was so emotional. I also wanted to hug them both after Chapter 27!! Absolutely broke me!
It took me a long time to read this book as the way it is wrote is completely different to anything I have read before and my brain process struggled a little to start with but I son settled into it.
Thank you Sophie for this amazing story!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 27, 2022
Traces follows Aiden a young girl who is learning to use and control her telepathic abilities while being targeted by some crazy birds with an unknown motive. After meeting the mysterious Cole she starts to work with him to understand her powers better and to help him retrieve memories from his past.
Traces was a strong character read for me, I was more invested in these in-depth characters and the way they saw the world than the actual plot. There were a couple of characters with Autism which I found really interesting to see how that was handled, the writing style was definitely interesting and like nothing I've ever read before, it took me a few chapters to follow but once I was there it flowed really well and I enjoyed the pace of something very different.
There's some difficult subjects touched upon throughout, again they were handled really well. There were points I felt really devastated and hurt for the MC's, after learning what they had been through just broke my heart!
I loved the interactions between Aiden and Cole, some simple but really beautiful moments happen. I really loved how they were with one another, something about their relationship felt very true and real to life. I was really happy to see a few of the end chapters from Cole's POV, it really added to the story and I was so glad to get an insight in to his thoughts and feelings.
Overall this was a great read, very character driven and atmospheric, while not afraid to touch on some tough topics. It had me captivated all the way through.
A big thank you to Sophie for sending me a copy of your book!
Traces was a strong character read for me, I was more invested in these in-depth characters and the way they saw the world than the actual plot. There were a couple of characters with Autism which I found really interesting to see how that was handled, the writing style was definitely interesting and like nothing I've ever read before, it took me a few chapters to follow but once I was there it flowed really well and I enjoyed the pace of something very different.
There's some difficult subjects touched upon throughout, again they were handled really well. There were points I felt really devastated and hurt for the MC's, after learning what they had been through just broke my heart!
I loved the interactions between Aiden and Cole, some simple but really beautiful moments happen. I really loved how they were with one another, something about their relationship felt very true and real to life. I was really happy to see a few of the end chapters from Cole's POV, it really added to the story and I was so glad to get an insight in to his thoughts and feelings.
Overall this was a great read, very character driven and atmospheric, while not afraid to touch on some tough topics. It had me captivated all the way through.
A big thank you to Sophie for sending me a copy of your book!
November 14, 2020
My friend‘s @sophiejohannis book TRACES is finally live and out in the bookworld for you to buy and enjoy!
Dive into the world of Aiden and Cole. Get to know them, get to love‘em, learn and fail with them. You will probably find bits and pieces of your teenage (and/or adult) self in them. Bats will become dear to you and you‘ll have newfound love and appreciation for your own ”found family“, should you have been in need of one, like I was.
Get it on amazon and support my friend and the beautiful story she created for readers everywhere! Thanks!!!
coverdesign by donn marlou ramirez
4.5 bat wing stars
ARC kindly provided by the author.
Read, reviewed and talked over with love and awe for her work.
Dive into the world of Aiden and Cole. Get to know them, get to love‘em, learn and fail with them. You will probably find bits and pieces of your teenage (and/or adult) self in them. Bats will become dear to you and you‘ll have newfound love and appreciation for your own ”found family“, should you have been in need of one, like I was.
Get it on amazon and support my friend and the beautiful story she created for readers everywhere! Thanks!!!
coverdesign by donn marlou ramirez
4.5 bat wing stars
ARC kindly provided by the author.
Read, reviewed and talked over with love and awe for her work.
April 5, 2021
A very good book that I read almost a month ago! There were way too many details in the beginning for me get in my head but once I went through the first 50 pages, I got so into the book that I didn't mind it at all! The main characters were very well developed and the side characters were also very helpful when it came to understanding the story better.
In addition to all the above, we get to see people with special abilities, telepaths, being divided in three categories. The author also addresses the problems that POC as well as what autistic people have to deal with every single day.
If you're a fan of romance, mystery, details and discussions of serious topics, then you'll definitely enjoy it!
Can't wait to read the second installment 💗
In addition to all the above, we get to see people with special abilities, telepaths, being divided in three categories. The author also addresses the problems that POC as well as what autistic people have to deal with every single day.
If you're a fan of romance, mystery, details and discussions of serious topics, then you'll definitely enjoy it!
Can't wait to read the second installment 💗
April 4, 2021
Reading it right now and all I can say is i already love it!!!!!! I am so excited to have my own adventure with this book!!!
AND I AM INLOVE WITH THE COVER. Yes it is, I am indeed afraid to damage it.
Looking for a sign? HERE IT IS. YOU MUST BUY A COPY AND READ IT NOW. ♡
ALSO PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THIS BOOKS HAS TRIGGER WARNING!!!!!
(will edit this after reading & will probably gonna share my own thoughts)
AND I AM INLOVE WITH THE COVER. Yes it is, I am indeed afraid to damage it.
Looking for a sign? HERE IT IS. YOU MUST BUY A COPY AND READ IT NOW. ♡
ALSO PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THIS BOOKS HAS TRIGGER WARNING!!!!!
(will edit this after reading & will probably gonna share my own thoughts)
October 13, 2021
Content Warning: While an excellent book, it does contain some sensitive material including- violence; abuse; mental illness, self-harm, and suicide; addiction and substance abuse; abduction; ableism; racism and Islamophobia; kidnapping and abduction; dying and death; animal cruelty and animal death.
I buddy-read this book with the fabulous @bekahberge. What a poetic, wild ride. Told in deep POV, with rich, beautifully composed prose, this book is an absolute triumph. Aiden and Cole, both tragically broken, are two sides of the same coin. There’s also a Darcy-esque quality to Cole, brooding yet tender, and some heartbreaking moments as Aiden peels back the layers of his emotional onion.
On pins & needles until the release of the sequel. Well done!!
I buddy-read this book with the fabulous @bekahberge. What a poetic, wild ride. Told in deep POV, with rich, beautifully composed prose, this book is an absolute triumph. Aiden and Cole, both tragically broken, are two sides of the same coin. There’s also a Darcy-esque quality to Cole, brooding yet tender, and some heartbreaking moments as Aiden peels back the layers of his emotional onion.
On pins & needles until the release of the sequel. Well done!!
August 24, 2021
Traces is a psychological fantasy book (Young Adult) centering around the maincharacters Cole and Aiden.
Sophie Johannis managed to create beautifully in-depth written characters. I loved reading about them and they are that kind of characters that I catch myself thinking about eventhough I already finished the book. The characters were super authentic in my opinion and I loved the diversity.
I adored the unique and beautiful writing style, it mostly read like poetry and different text alignments were used to make certain situations more understandable. The main POV was Aiden's but we also got Cole's POV in some parts and I loved the way Sophie integrated that into the book. The way those POVs (mostly Aidens) were written gave you a good insight into the head of the character and at times it felt like getting sucked into her head.
I also love that the author is super approachable about her book and you can talk about it with her. Thank you for that!
No words can express the love I feel for this book so best is to give it a try yourself <3
Note: The book does have some content warnings so maybe take a look at those before reading.
In conclusion I would say that it was definitely one of my favorite books this year and I am really looking forward to read the rest of the trilogy!
Sophie Johannis managed to create beautifully in-depth written characters. I loved reading about them and they are that kind of characters that I catch myself thinking about eventhough I already finished the book. The characters were super authentic in my opinion and I loved the diversity.
I adored the unique and beautiful writing style, it mostly read like poetry and different text alignments were used to make certain situations more understandable. The main POV was Aiden's but we also got Cole's POV in some parts and I loved the way Sophie integrated that into the book. The way those POVs (mostly Aidens) were written gave you a good insight into the head of the character and at times it felt like getting sucked into her head.
I also love that the author is super approachable about her book and you can talk about it with her. Thank you for that!
No words can express the love I feel for this book so best is to give it a try yourself <3
Note: The book does have some content warnings so maybe take a look at those before reading.
In conclusion I would say that it was definitely one of my favorite books this year and I am really looking forward to read the rest of the trilogy!
October 24, 2023
(Stealing this beautiful phrase from Sophie herself) I wish I could give this book an entire sky full of stars. I almost don't know what to say--except I have plenty to say, probably too much. I'll start by saying how this book seriously impacted my own experiences with being on the autistic spectrum, and how chapter after chapter I felt validated, seen, and incredibly loved.
***MINOR SPOILERS BELOW***
Hearing Cole's POV especially totally threw me off, in a good way. It was a choppy yet deliberate way of thinking and talking, and I read it so quickly--because I understood it so well. Sophie's use of giving things life, from tree branches to sunsets to simple tasks--it made my creative, artistic brain incredibly happy. I fell in love with Aiden and her found family, I cried so hard in some places, I had to set the book down and pace and BREATHE in others, even resorting to putting my head in my hands. And I laughed! So much! What a phenomenal journey.
This wasn't just a book with a beginning, middle and end with lovely characters. I was in the story with them. I felt Aiden's hurt, I felt Layla's hugs and Cara's smiles and Donovan's kind voice. I felt Dawn's soft fur. Sophie did a spectacular job breaking my heart, and I mean that so sincerely. I cannot wait to read the next book in the trilogy, and I hope to finish it in time before the finale is released!
As I said before, thank you Sophie for going through everything you did to get to this point, to write this book, and to impact so many like me.
***MINOR SPOILERS BELOW***
Hearing Cole's POV especially totally threw me off, in a good way. It was a choppy yet deliberate way of thinking and talking, and I read it so quickly--because I understood it so well. Sophie's use of giving things life, from tree branches to sunsets to simple tasks--it made my creative, artistic brain incredibly happy. I fell in love with Aiden and her found family, I cried so hard in some places, I had to set the book down and pace and BREATHE in others, even resorting to putting my head in my hands. And I laughed! So much! What a phenomenal journey.
This wasn't just a book with a beginning, middle and end with lovely characters. I was in the story with them. I felt Aiden's hurt, I felt Layla's hugs and Cara's smiles and Donovan's kind voice. I felt Dawn's soft fur. Sophie did a spectacular job breaking my heart, and I mean that so sincerely. I cannot wait to read the next book in the trilogy, and I hope to finish it in time before the finale is released!
As I said before, thank you Sophie for going through everything you did to get to this point, to write this book, and to impact so many like me.
May 14, 2021
I have never read a book like this one. The writing style is different. Unique. Rough and sometimes hard to understand. And you know what? It makes you dive inside the head of Aiden.
The emotions, raws.
The characters, incredible, cute, lovable.
The pain, rough and rough and rough.
The story, beautiful. Broken and still alive in someway.
I am so IN LOVE WITH THIS BOOK.
I am going to go cry myself to sleep because i can't stand any more feelings right know. Read it. It's unique.
I love you Aiden.
I love you Cole.
The emotions, raws.
The characters, incredible, cute, lovable.
The pain, rough and rough and rough.
The story, beautiful. Broken and still alive in someway.
I am so IN LOVE WITH THIS BOOK.
I am going to go cry myself to sleep because i can't stand any more feelings right know. Read it. It's unique.
I love you Aiden.
I love you Cole.
March 2, 2023
Don’t know where to start so I guess with my feelings…
“Who needs sight when touch defines what matters?” -Aiden
I feel alone without Aiden & Cole to keep me company. Without their lovely, inspiring weirdness & their unique silent language. I understood everything they felt. Their weird matched my own 💙
My eyes couldn’t fathom the idea of looking anywhere else that wasn’t following their journey. Like any good book will do to you, I cried, laughed, got scared/scarred & most importantly of all… I lived their every thought & emotion. Aiden specifically went through situations that hit home for me. I loved seeing her progress & Cole’s throughout TRACES. Their process of falling in love… something just lured them in instantly. I’m not sure I can express how much I’ve connected with them & their story or how much I LOVE this book. Can’t wait to read BELOW & the final installment this summer!
“—Anything you can imagine, you can —evoke in someone else.” -Cole
“I shouldn’t even be allowed near people. I obviously don’t speak their language.” -Aiden. (If that ain’t the truth..)
“Who needs sight when touch defines what matters?” -Aiden
I feel alone without Aiden & Cole to keep me company. Without their lovely, inspiring weirdness & their unique silent language. I understood everything they felt. Their weird matched my own 💙
My eyes couldn’t fathom the idea of looking anywhere else that wasn’t following their journey. Like any good book will do to you, I cried, laughed, got scared/scarred & most importantly of all… I lived their every thought & emotion. Aiden specifically went through situations that hit home for me. I loved seeing her progress & Cole’s throughout TRACES. Their process of falling in love… something just lured them in instantly. I’m not sure I can express how much I’ve connected with them & their story or how much I LOVE this book. Can’t wait to read BELOW & the final installment this summer!
“—Anything you can imagine, you can —evoke in someone else.” -Cole
“I shouldn’t even be allowed near people. I obviously don’t speak their language.” -Aiden. (If that ain’t the truth..)
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