High Level Review: This book is entirely set up for the remainder of the series. I wouldn’t call this high quality, but I enjoyed it still. I would call this a CW show in book form.

Plot: In a magical realism setting where Gifted (magical) live among normal humans, they have big culture differences and existential threats. They have polyamorous relationships called bonds (multiple fated mates), but our FMC Oleander cannot live a normal life with her bonds, or else risk harming everyone around her. (It seems more plot will be revealed later in the series.)

Praise: I like the found family vibes, the trials that feel like if hunger games were a class you take at Gifted College, and the final action sequence. It absolutely made me want to pick up book two. It’s a quick and easy read with short chapters.

Critiques: The writing could feel all over the place at times. I got very frustrated with the never-ending teasing of (information to be revealed at the end of book one), which made me feel like it should have been  edited down and combined with book two?

CW/TW: Trauma, violence, bullying and harassment, sexual assault, death of loved one, forced relationships, fear of oneself, manipulation, torture, abduction, betrayal of a loved one