Last year, I got in touch with the New Adult Romance genre because one of my bestest friends loves them dearly, and since we share a very similiar reading taste in terms of Fantasy, she gifted me the first three books of Mona Kasten's Again series. I immediately devoured the books, discovered this genre as one to flee to, and while I'm not reading many books of it, I knew I had to pick up Anabelle's the moment she announced it - which was shortly after I found this new obsession.

The Away series is build up similiarly to all the other New Adult romance books I've read or seen around. We will get a total of three books, each one focusing on a different couple while the characters remain connected. In this first installement, the protagonist Lia introduced us to the life and circle of friends in Berlin.

I always appreciate it when the main character of the first book is as new to the situation, and has to get to know the people as much as the readers do. What I also enjoyed was the setting. Usually, I find myself in fictional places in the US, despite the fact that the authors are German. This time, the story is set in Berlin. And while I hadn't been able to see lots of it two years ago when I visited, it very quickly became a city I was fascinated with. To be back there was a pleasure for me.

However, we didn't only see Berlin through the eyes of Lia who found her refugee in the city after a disastrous night ruined everything in the town she lived, but we also get to know it through Noah's point of view, who is Lia's love interest. I must admit, I love multiple POVs, and was intrigued to see this love story unfold from both POVs as I saw how great it worked before in other New Adult books. This time, however, I felt it took away too much of the tension that could've happened between the two main characters. This was also not my only issue with the dual perspective. While the readers, even when in Lia's head, never get a good glimpse of what happened in her past, we got way too much details of Noah's. Which also quickly got revealed in every conversation these two had. There was never once a moment, I felt like tension was able to be build. As much as I want to slap characters in other books for not saying something sooner (and this was a big message in this book), I always appreciated that the tragic backstory led up to incredible tension. Which didn't really work here. The only character I became a bit interested with was Noah's brother, who kept to himself. Generally, the side characters felt more interesting than the two protagonists, and I wasn't really able to get emotionally invested in their love. Which is a pity, since I like to read these books for the emotional rollercoaster they offer.

Overall though, it was a good book because the story was executed and well, and I liked Anabelle Stehl's writing, and the issues she's tackling in this book such as slutshaming, sexual assault, harrasment. But it wasn't the heart stopper I wished it would be.

And while I picked up the book as the sequel got released just a recently, I think I will take a break before I dive into Fade Away since I fear I will have similiar issues. However, this doesn't mean I won't read it, because I am very interested in Kyra's story, and hope that whatever problem I had with the connection between Lia and Noah is resolved with the next pairing.

I keep complaining about how hard writing reviews sometimes can be, but it has never been this hard. Not because I don‘t know what to say, but because of how much I need to say about this book. First off, I just want to say how incredibly proud I am of this sister duo who brought the magic they dreamt of alive. I had the incredible honor to follow Chiara and Maria - the C and M of the Karys duo - along their journey from the very idea they had to this final version. This book has ever since become a special place in my heart. And while the authors are some of my dearest friends, my review is not being influenced by their endless love, their constant support, and the beautiful friendship I get to experience with them on a daily basis. Trust me when I tell you, this book is one you have to add to your TBR. Best if it happens now.

Ilahara: The Last Myrassar is a story about a princess believed to be dead, growing up on a different continent where she had to try everything to blend in, and find a new pursuit of life to be able to forget the horrors that ended her bloodline and the reign of her parents, as well as to move on and seek the happiness she deserves. But whatever life she chose to live (and a badass one she chose), she has to face her past after a prophecy leads enemies and potential allies to the human continent, seeking the last Dragon-Blessed to either end her life or bring her back to the throne she belongs.

From the very beginning of the book, you get pulled into a world of assassins hiding in the shadows, intrigues at court, faes with elemental powers, sirens that await your death, and dragons. Especially dragons! I always appreciate great worldbuilding that offers you more than just one place, one court or one side of the story, and the authors did a phenomenal job in creating a world where you could see how the bits and pieces come together to a bigger picture. I loved how the journey took us through a variety of places in this book alone, and the writing style made it so easy to feel like you‘re actually there, discovering the lands of Ilahara and Havanya and the sea in between.

But a good story needs more than just an epic worldbuilding, and C. M. Karys delivered what I need the most: characters that will capture my heart. With a big cast of several characters who are all coming from different places and find themselves on different paths along their journey, we get to experience the world through multiple POVs as friends and foes are determined to get what they need in order to succeed. I felt for each of them. The various friendships between them was always so wholesome, and my need to protect them all only grew as I kept reading the book.

And what could make this book with amazing characters and incredible worldbuilding even better? Yes, romance. And the ones here are *chef‘s kiss*. You enjoy watching some yearning? Seeing someone fall for someone they shouldn‘t? A slow burn enemies to lovers trope that will keep you on the edge of the seat because tensioooon? You‘ve got it all. Knowing the authors and their personal taste in books, I knew I had to expect some romance that is ready to get my heartbeat up, but they excelled in this department. Even if I want to slap them because the slow burn is killing me. But we know all the good love stories do that to me.

Overall, all I‘m left to say is that this has been a favorite of mine for years now, and with each reread and each new draft, I loved it more and more, not knowing that this was possible. I can only highly recommend you to pick up this New Adult High Fantasy story if you‘re into enemies to lovers, elemental magic, faes, intriguing courts, badass characters with wholesome friendships, and dragons.

I‘m so ready for the whole world to be able to finally read this wonderful story. And to my dear friends who made it: I‘m so fucking proud of you. MY QUEENS! I love you!!!!

Now everyone go and pick up the book, and then get your pitchforks ready - BECAUSE WE NEED THE SEQUEL NOW!!!!!!