When I saw this book on the Kindle Unlimited list, I was in awe of that cover. Look at that powerful statement. The sandglass, the vines and the bird – it screamed magic.

Review:

This is a captivating fantasy novel and the first book of The Mousai series. We follow the adventures of Larkyra after her coming of age, some glimpses of her early life and of the guilt she carries.

With a rich and immersive world, Mellow has blended magic, romance and mystery which kept the reader wanting more from start to finish. The narrative primarily focuses on Larkyra who is sent on a mission by her father to investigate a neighbouring kingdom and its Duke.

In this book, the themes of family, loyalty and the struggle for upholding justice were explored. Familial bond is one of the pillars of the series, portrayed by showcasing the strength of the sisters’ relationship with each other, and how they support each other no matter what. The book also delves into power and corruption in contrast to the themes of righteousness, fairness and heroism.

The detailed description of this fantastical world was delivered in an evocative way, as such it has brought the world to life, making it easy for readers to imagine, and get lost in the story. The pace is balanced for me, with the right selection of where tension and action occur. However, I can see that some readers may find the middle of the book slower, and may feel dragged on, compared to the faster pace you have in the beginning and then at the end later on.

Overall, it is intriguing and captivating. It was beautifully written and I can’t wait to start the next one, soon. Solid 4 stars.

A really good start!

Famous highlights:

“The road to anything truly worth having is often steep, but think of the view when you get there.”

“Yes. Life is made to move in one direction—forward,” continued Larkyra. “It is our souls that act as the winds guiding its course. Life can be given to all, but only our souls decide how we want to live.”

Remarks:

• Strong FMC
• Dual POV
• Adult Theme/Setting
• Unique Magical World
• Slow Burn