I found this book to be somewhat confusing in its structure. The introductory setting didn't seem all that realistic to me (and I know it is a fantasy book but I mean in the ways that the people were acting) and didn't seem to be setting up the world for the rest of the story, rather it was shoehorning characters into situations to set up the action. I was very close to not finishing this book because I wasn't able to get lost in the world or believe in the characters. Instead I skipped ahead and found the boo much easier to read from about a third of the way through.

The main character was pretty passive and although her internal monologue seems to indicate that she can be brave and forceful she lets other people make all her decisions for her. She runs away from confrontations (sometimes literally) and allows herself to be treated poorly by pretty much everyone in her life. She also doesn't really seem to have lasting emotions and somehow doesn't hate her mother for making her enter a bachelor type competition where she is viewed as a prize rather than a person.

This book and the world has potential and I would consider reading the follow up when it is published.

I could not put this book down. Yes, it was a bit referential (Bachelorette), but it was enjoyable, the characters were likeable, it was well written, and I wanted to see how it would end (even if I knew in broad strokes who would end up together).

There were a few parts of the world-building and "magic" (for lack of a better term) that confused me at times, but I didn't think that detracted from the stories. I also didn't love the occasional times the author switched perspectives. I preferred hearing the story from Cassie's viewpoint.

For a young adult book this was pretty clean, although there was discussion of violence and physical abuse.

I look forward to more from this author!

Thank you publishers and NetGalley for the free e-ARC.

**Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.**

1/5
The synopsis of the story was interesting and I wanted something easy to read (it reminded me of "The Selection"), but, oh noooo.

Cassie, the main character, is neither strong nor independent. The interactions she has with other characters in the beginning are so aggravating and cringey that I found myself skipping paragraphs/pages.

The world-building is almost non-existent (at least in the beginning). I was so confused as to where the story was headed (there's zoological research, mentors, rival planets, The Bachelorette-type shows/programs??). help

Dennian was the most interesting part, but I couldn't continue reading, even for his backstory.

This is an intriguing read no doubt because from the summary you look forward to a story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Cassie, I like her, we've just met in this book and I am yet to see her grow into her own- stand up for herself and chart her own path. Her mother, not so much, however I do understand why she was needed to give Cassie that push because she signs her up and guilts her into joining a tele-program seeking a potential suitor for her.
I felt like there was so much information surrounding the tele-program and Governor Suri's rule, and this did not appeal to me as much. I loved the detail on Dennian- and his journey to the program and how he relates with Cassie- now that right there is the story and it's sad that this only comes towards the end.
Thank you Netgalley for the eARC. I'll admit that this being the first book does not really entice or draw anyone in as such, wish there wasn't so much focus surrounding the tele-program and more on the leads.

**1.5 Rating**

Disclaimer: I received this arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review of the material.

It's not everyday you come across a synopsis that includes the terms "zoological research" and "rival planets." Let's add sugar crystals to our muffin top and throw in keepers and dragons and tigers (Oh my!) all amidst a bachelorette type back drop. I was intrigued.

So why did I rate this 1.5? The main character, Cassie, and the bachelorette scenario. Cassie is 17 and her mother forces her into a tele-program for a future husband using guilt. We learn her mother regrets marrying for love and only wants Cassie to do this program so she (the mother) is set for life and can be on the financial level of her ex-bff. Cassie does not come off as a heroine or women of strength either. Chapters are stretched around the making and filming of this tele-pogram she is on. Only towards the end does she finally come into her own but it's so far at the end that I have already lost my liking for her as a character.

I did have to make myself continue through the majority of the book until the end. The saving grace for the story line is Dennian. I truly think if the bachelorette aspect were removed and Dennian became the main character this could have been a hit for me. There is SO much potential for HIS story. What he went through during his training, the trails, his family heritage, the political backstabbing, deaths etc. The book would be true to it's name at that point as well.

So this is set in a futuristic universe were there is one ruler Governor Suri and her mystical advisor the Keeper who basically run the galaxy. Dragons used to walk amongst them and now are apparently no more although that is definitely something up for debate. What isn't in doubt is the existence of majestic, magical tigers and as this story begins in a zoo it feels right to mention these mysterious and dangerous creatures as they do become integral as the story progresses .
Cassie has a school project that means she needs a mentor at the zoo and she persuades the reluctant Dennien to allow her to shadow his work. Everything crashes around Cassie when her father suddenly dies and her mother fighting her grief enters Cassie in a bachelorette type show and you've guessed it Cassie is selected to be the lucky or unlucky bride !
This started as more of a paranormal story with the possibility of Dennien being able to communicate with animals. Then it quickly moves on from that and the majority of this story charts what happens when Cassie gets sucked into the television show. It is a brutal look at what could go on behind the scenes with corruption and trickery that was very distasteful. Of course Dennien does come back into the story and that's when the author gets to explore the sci fi aspects of her story.
This is aimed at those younger then me so I did feel the romantic aspects were very teenage but as Cassie is seventeen I won't mark it down because of it. I'm sure many readers will hate her mother but I could sympathise slightly as not only has she lost her husband but in this futuristic world she's about to lose her home too now that she's single. What I didn't like was the rapid way it moved from Cassie doing her project to suddenly being on the television show as the timing felt wrong. Perhaps if the author had written this as a story that began after the death of Cassies father so that we know this was something already arranged I would have felt it flowed better as it just seemed as if there was no time for grieving. There are several revelations during the final third of this book and it certainly held a few surprises.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair

Thank you to Net Galley and IPBA for allowing me to read an ARC of this YA novel. I should admit, before commenting, that I'm a little beyond the typical age range for this novel, which may affect my insights.


I was excited to begin Nikki Moyes’ The Keeper because it seemed to offer an ecological message wrapped in genre fiction: a blend of science fiction and fantasy, twined like the gold and silver dragons on its cover.

The book starts promisingly, focusing on Cassie, a student and would be wildlife documentarian, and Dennian, a seemingly mute researcher with a love for big cats. The text is composed of short, sharp sentences contribute to a fast pace, but quickly become dull as they are unvaried. Unfortunately, the pacing quickly becomes garbled: characters suddenly form deep emotional attachments or suddenly die or are suddenly in turmoil - without explanation enough to win and keep the reader’s attention.

The book then makes a dramatic shift as Cassie becomes the center of a Bachelorette-like reality television show. Her interest in documentary filmmaking would make this ripe ground for comparison, but the author focuses, instead, on the capitalism/greed of Cassie’s mom and the very, very vapid dialogue of the contestants. Furthermore, the science fiction and fantasy elements feel like cut outs that have been glued to a story that wants to be current YA fiction. As this is the first in a projected series, the author may address this in future novels. For now, in the end, any promise of a redeeming ecological message is buried by unsympathetic characters and subpar writing.