This is the first in the series and debut novel for N.A. Betts.  It's sold as an epic fantasy adventure, and as is necessary for the genre, the first book is full of world-building and exposition.  I enjoyed the character development and story-telling style, and the action and adventure kept me hooked throughout the book.  I'm looking forward to seeing more of this universe as the series progresses.

⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Epic Fantasy

Second Earth Setting

Light vs. Shadow

Reluctant Protagonist

Transformative Power

Adventuring Party

Elemental Magic 

 

This was definitely something way out of my normal wheelhouse.  I'm not a big sci-fi fan but was intrigued by the idea of a sapphic western with sci-fi elements.  The first half was quite slow, giving lots of exposition to set up the dystopian-type world that the story takes place in.  As the relationship between our two FMCs grew and the stakes grew higher, the book picked up in pace and was an enjoyable read overall.  I really enjoyed the relationships that Cassidy built with other characters in California, but was a bit unsatisfied with the medical/mystery elements of the story.  This was a debut novel by the author and I definitely enjoyed the book and am looking forward to see what she writes in the future.

⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

🌶️/5

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Found Family

Small Town

Forced Proximity

Dystopian Landscape

Sapphic Slow Burn

Stardew Valley x Westworld

Wild West with a twist 

 This book started off well and got even better as it went on.  Despite some very familiar tropes that I've been reading lots of lately, this book felt new and fresh and I was hooked from the first page.  The book is sold as Upper YA Fantasy Romance and has done a great job establishing itself for that demographic.  This was pretty low(no)-spice compared to my usual reads, but Kathryn has set up some intriguing storylines moving forward. I absolutely loved Briar, the kickass FMC.  She held her own and I was rooting for her the whole time.  One of my favourite parts of the book was the friendship that formed between Kenna and Briar.  It would have been so easy to make them "enemies" and paint Kenna as the "other girl" but their relationship blossomed despite their circumstances.  The world-building was straightforward, but effective, giving you just enough to leave you wanting more.  And that ending?  Don't even get me started! My only complaint about the book is now I must wait for the next one!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

🌶️/5

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Enemies-to-Lovers

Found Family

Dark Academia

Enchanted Forest

Shifters

Unlikely Allies

Demons & Destruction

St@bby Side Characters

Witty Banter