This book is told in first-person, present tense POV.
Below contains spoilers and why I didn't like this book:
The first few pages of the book were alluring: the dark vibes, the setting, the people of their village all sussing the MC and her brother, the brooding "monster," and even the MC's brother's dark abilities had me drawn in. But then it dragged. Now, I don't mind slow stories as long as there are strong enough stakes with equally appealing characters.
Unfortunately, the MC herself wasn't someone I wanted to root for. In the beginning, it's fine for the MC to make some foolish choices, but to continue what she thinks is "self-sacrifice" to protect her brother gets old really fast. The stakes aren't strong enough for the MC to do the things she does, especially when all that matters to her is her younger brother, who she's cared for like an overprotective mother (on a side note: the brother is old enough at this point to have a voice, let his sister know there are things he wants to do without her constantly smothering him, but when he does have his say, it's much later). Now, I don't mind the Chosen One trope, but the way this one was written I kept asking, "why?" Because it didn't make any sense for the MC, this particular MC, to be said chosen one, much less the MC. Seriously, someone please tell me why this girl is the one telling us this story? And why does it have to be her of all characters? What would've been better is if the antagonistic force was known to us from the beginning, this "Corruption" which would've propelled the MC to fight against it or take it on. Maybe if we knew how the Corruption took her family and threatened her and her brother on a personal level, maybe it would've made us care a bit more for her.
And let's not get started on the insta-lust "romance." The MC has been hating and fearful of the "monster" who supposedly killed his family as a boy, but for some reason, the moment he's nice to her (or more like tolerant of her), she's lusting after him. The hate literally fades overnight. And there was no connection between them to even ship them. Plus, they barely know each other before they're professing their love and making out like they won't live to see the next day 🙄 YA really needs to stop with this. Life ain't like this and forcing this notion upon teens will only damage them, just like the way a certain company with an anthropomorphic mouse as its mascot has been doing for over a hundred years 😬 (Also, why is the toxic letters cult agenda being forced down our throats? It's like every single trad pub book published after 2015 is pushing this immoral agenda with a few lines, attempting to normalize degeneracy, when it has nothing to do with the story or the plot!!!)
Now, onto world-building. It's minimal since most of the story takes place in the Lakesedge estate. The descriptions and imagery are nice, but some were repetitive as the story progressed, and felt drawn out. We're told there is a place called the Maylands where magic-users called alchemists live and train their abilities, but there's little else about this world. Speaking of magic, the magic system was unclear. The people who have magic abilities are given to them by the two deities they "worship"--all we know is the only way to use their magic is to draw marks on their bodies, which results in permanent tattoos.
Also, about these "deities"--one is symbolic of life and light, and the other is death and darkness, but if they are all-powerful deities, why would there need to be two of them? Couldn't one encompass all powers if they're omnipotent? IMHO, these aren't "gods" but demons being worshipped since why would a "god" NOT be able to stop the spread of the "Corruption" that is initially from him? 🤔 And why would he want something in return for minor help? A "god" wouldn't need anything in return since they're omnipotent. And why appear to the MC as a creepy-looking man who thinks he's clever withholding information about their bargains? This sounds more like some mischievous demon than a god. Also, why would a "god" need to say "good luck" if they know what's going to happen? Either the author doesn't know what a "god" is or didn't want to use the term demon--because that's exactly what these beings are, especially if people are making bargains and dealings with them. (On a side note: this story has more pagan and witchy vibes, which makes sense when they're using magic and drawing sigils and worshipping demons). Also, if the MC has light magic, why turn to the dark demon and not the one who represents "light"? Unless there isn't someone who reps light and it's all metaphorical for how dark their world is 🤷♀️? Or is it because of her being abused and forced to pray to this "Lady of light" which is why she doesn't turn to her for help?
I don't recommend this book nor will I read its sequel.
Below contains spoilers and why I didn't like this book:
The first few pages of the book were alluring: the dark vibes, the setting, the people of their village all sussing the MC and her brother, the brooding "monster," and even the MC's brother's dark abilities had me drawn in. But then it dragged. Now, I don't mind slow stories as long as there are strong enough stakes with equally appealing characters.
Unfortunately, the MC herself wasn't someone I wanted to root for. In the beginning, it's fine for the MC to make some foolish choices, but to continue what she thinks is "self-sacrifice" to protect her brother gets old really fast. The stakes aren't strong enough for the MC to do the things she does, especially when all that matters to her is her younger brother, who she's cared for like an overprotective mother (on a side note: the brother is old enough at this point to have a voice, let his sister know there are things he wants to do without her constantly smothering him, but when he does have his say, it's much later). Now, I don't mind the Chosen One trope, but the way this one was written I kept asking, "why?" Because it didn't make any sense for the MC, this particular MC, to be said chosen one, much less the MC. Seriously, someone please tell me why this girl is the one telling us this story? And why does it have to be her of all characters? What would've been better is if the antagonistic force was known to us from the beginning, this "Corruption" which would've propelled the MC to fight against it or take it on. Maybe if we knew how the Corruption took her family and threatened her and her brother on a personal level, maybe it would've made us care a bit more for her.
And let's not get started on the insta-lust "romance." The MC has been hating and fearful of the "monster" who supposedly killed his family as a boy, but for some reason, the moment he's nice to her (or more like tolerant of her), she's lusting after him. The hate literally fades overnight. And there was no connection between them to even ship them. Plus, they barely know each other before they're professing their love and making out like they won't live to see the next day 🙄 YA really needs to stop with this. Life ain't like this and forcing this notion upon teens will only damage them, just like the way a certain company with an anthropomorphic mouse as its mascot has been doing for over a hundred years 😬 (Also, why is the toxic letters cult agenda being forced down our throats? It's like every single trad pub book published after 2015 is pushing this immoral agenda with a few lines, attempting to normalize degeneracy, when it has nothing to do with the story or the plot!!!)
Now, onto world-building. It's minimal since most of the story takes place in the Lakesedge estate. The descriptions and imagery are nice, but some were repetitive as the story progressed, and felt drawn out. We're told there is a place called the Maylands where magic-users called alchemists live and train their abilities, but there's little else about this world. Speaking of magic, the magic system was unclear. The people who have magic abilities are given to them by the two deities they "worship"--all we know is the only way to use their magic is to draw marks on their bodies, which results in permanent tattoos.
Also, about these "deities"--one is symbolic of life and light, and the other is death and darkness, but if they are all-powerful deities, why would there need to be two of them? Couldn't one encompass all powers if they're omnipotent? IMHO, these aren't "gods" but demons being worshipped since why would a "god" NOT be able to stop the spread of the "Corruption" that is initially from him? 🤔 And why would he want something in return for minor help? A "god" wouldn't need anything in return since they're omnipotent. And why appear to the MC as a creepy-looking man who thinks he's clever withholding information about their bargains? This sounds more like some mischievous demon than a god. Also, why would a "god" need to say "good luck" if they know what's going to happen? Either the author doesn't know what a "god" is or didn't want to use the term demon--because that's exactly what these beings are, especially if people are making bargains and dealings with them. (On a side note: this story has more pagan and witchy vibes, which makes sense when they're using magic and drawing sigils and worshipping demons). Also, if the MC has light magic, why turn to the dark demon and not the one who represents "light"? Unless there isn't someone who reps light and it's all metaphorical for how dark their world is 🤷♀️? Or is it because of her being abused and forced to pray to this "Lady of light" which is why she doesn't turn to her for help?
I don't recommend this book nor will I read its sequel.