Review:
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher. This has not influenced my review.*
This was the first book in a new series, and between the realistic characters, adorable friendship, unique world-building, and detailed magic system, it’s off to an amazing start!
This book was urban fantasy, but more unique, and I loved it. It took place in New Atlantis, which exists in our world but is like a little country of its own where the Atlanteans live. The story, the city, the characters, and the writing were modern and urban, but it was mixed with magic and the Atlantean society (which consists of noble courts based on tarot cards) and its old ways. It was an interesting combo that sucked me into the story.
The setting itself was also really unique. The Atlanteans literally took abandoned buildings from all over the world, used magic to bring them to this island, and repurposed them. And for many of the buildings the characters visited, the author explained where they came from, what they originally were. There was also the Westlands, which was interesting in its own way because it was filled with wild magic. The anecdotes about things that had happened there, like time paradoxes, were so creative. So much thought was put into this world.
The magic system was interesting too. The scions, or some of them, had a power that related to their house. They also had general magic, but it was limited because they had to use sigils (which were not easy to come by) to store and use spells, and storing the spells took time, focus, and the use of special locations called sanctums.
Now let’s talk about the characters! They were so well-written. Some were intriguing. Some were mysterious. Some were likeable. Some were relatable. All were believable and three-dimensional. That was one of the best things about this book, how natural the characters and all their interactions felt, like I was reading about real people. They kept growing on me until I adored them and kept smiling at their banter and antics and relationships with each other.
Rune had a relatable, slightly sarcastic voice and was easy to root for. I felt oddly protective toward Matthias (Max) and Quinn. I can see why Rune was attracted to Addam, what with his tattoos, and his carefree barefoot dancing, and his compassion and empathy. I will admit, however, that I had mixed feelings about Brand. His answer to everything was violence, and I could excuse some of it (Dalton 100% deserved it), but not his treatment of Max. When a teenager under your care does something wrong, it’s not ok to dunk their head in a toilet or stick them out the window of a moving train. I know things are different in New Atlantis, but that really rubbed me the wrong way. But of course he had good traits too, and I don’t need to like everything about every character in order to appreciate how well-written they are.
Another great thing was the fantastic friendship between Rune and Brand. The banter between them was so much fun and cracked me up, but they also didn’t have issues with hugging, expressing how much they cared, and doing little things for each other, like giving their jacket when the other was cold. And the way Rune sometimes referred to Brand as “my Brand” was touching. There was nothing romantic between them, just pure, adorable friendship.
The blossoming romance was nice too. I got to see the characters spending enough time together and connecting to each other that I believed they were starting to develop feelings. But that’s all it was—the start of something, not a full-blown romance. And what’s cool about this society is that being LGBT+ is common and widely accepted.
I just realized I haven’t even mentioned the plot, but I promise that was good too! It was gripping and filled with plenty of action and just the right amount of mystery.
Last but not least, I want to give a *TRIGGER WARNING* for a couple very brief but explicit mentions of rape. When it was revealed just how terrible (terrible isn’t remotely a strong enough word) that incident in Rune’s past was, it nearly brought me to tears. It was not a thing that was brushed aside. It’s something that will likely always affect him.
Before I wrap this up, I want to thank Tammy @ Books, Bones, & Buffy and Kathy @ Pages Below the Vaulted Sky for raving about this book since I might’ve passed it by otherwise, and that would’ve been a real loss!
Overall, this was a gripping, unique start to an urban fantasy series with complex characters, interesting magic, and a unique world that I can’t wait to keep reading!
Recommended For:
Anyone who likes realistic and likeable characters, adorable friendship, magic, and completely unique urban fantasy world-building.
Yay, awesome review! I pretty much agree with everything you said. And the characters were so multidimensional, I just want to spend more time with all of them😊♥️
Thanks! I don’t always get attached to characters right from the first book, but I am already attached to these, so I am really excited for this series to continue!
Added it! This is definitely my kind of book.
Hey, what plugin or whatever do you use for the “Save my name, email …” checkbox?
I think you’re gonna love it! It does seem like your kinda book!
That’s just part of the WP comment system, as far as I know. If it’s not, then I have no idea how I got it lol.
Wow, thanks for the great review, this sounds awesome. I’m adding to my TBR but I kind of want to pop over to Amazon and just BUY IT RIGHT NOW. *stares at TBR Book Mountain* Yeah, adding to list… Must… not…. buy…. LOL
I’m writing a sort of paranormal/urban fantasy short stories for Camp NaNoWriMo, so this is especially interesting to me right now too. It’s always so cool to see how people incorporate the real world with the world of fantasy!
YOU SHOULD TOTALLY BUY IT RIGHT NOW 😉 I really thought it was great, I hope you do get a chance to read it!
If you like seeing unique ways that authors incorporate the real world with fantasy, this is perfect!
The setting in this, sounds great. I’m just imagining iconic buildings from all over on this awesome island. Great review, this series was not on my radar.
Tori @ In Tori Lex
The setting is so incredibly unique! And you can tell the author did his research to find these cool buildings. Thanks!
What a fabulous review, Kristen! It’s certainly made me want to track down this book.
Thanks! It’s a fantastic urban fantasy book, I hope you like it!
Now this sound right up my alley Adding to my list 🙂
It’s such a great book! I hope you love it!
Oh, wow. This sounds like it was a good read all around! I do love complex characters and well developed worlds. I will have to add this one to my tbr! I also love little gestures, and it seems like this book was full of those.
Great review!
It was, it had everything! I hope you love it if you try it 🙂
Thanks!
I was just reading about this book on another blog yesterday and thought it sounded fabulous, so I’m thrilled to see such a glowing review for it here 🙂
It’s great! I’m so glad so many people are loving it and talking about it!
Atlantis! I don’t think I’ve ever read anything set there — and this makes me sooo excited with the blurb and the characterisation.
It’s actually set in New Atlantis, which is an island off the US they’ve basically turned into their own realm/country. It’s very cool though!
Oooooh, yasss. I’m loving the sound of this one, particularly the old-world meets urban fantasy vibes! I’ve come across that style a few times before and loved it. As much as I love the bodyguard romance trope (SO MUCH!), I love the sound of Rune and Brand’s friendship too. We need more solid friendships in SFF!
I think you’d love this one! I’ve never come across a mix quite like that, I loved it. Lol I don’t think you’ll get any bodyguard romance, but I do think you’d love their friendship!
I wouldn’t have given this book a second glance because of its cgi-style cover so I’m surprised to learn from your review just how good a read it is. Now what’s that maxim about judging books?!
I actually really like the cover! It’s a painting, as far I know (albeit maybe digitally done) by artist Micah Epstein. Although *I* almost passed it up because I thought it was high fantasy, so I guess we’re both guilty of some cover judgment lol.
When it comes to great bromances in books I always think of Jace and Alec from the mortal instruments and the gang from the Raven Cycle as well. Also, this sounds like the perfect beginning to a new series! The world building sounds especially so well done and seeing as I am all about that I know I would love it. I love seeing such strong and good friendships and brilliant characterisation + magic system? It sounds too good to be real 😛
I haven’t read either of those, but I do plan to read Raven Boys! This was amazing though! I’m not even always a big fan of world-building, but this was just so interesting. Right? This book just had everything!
‘I can see why Rune was attracted to Addam, what with his tattoos, and his carefree barefoot dancing, and his compassion and empathy.’ – Lol, damn him and his sexiness! 😉
I think I fell a little bit in love with him myself lol.
Wow, the world building in this one sounds really interesting. Not gonna lie I want to read for that alone. But it sounds like you liked basically all the different elements of this book from characters to story and although there is a trigger warning for it, it does sound like the book as a whole was pretty damn good.
It’s so cool! You should read it for that reason alone. I wouldn’t even blame you lol. But luckily everything else is good too 😉