2.5 Stars.
It sounded really interesting when i read the blurb, but honestly i found the characters to be quite boring. None of them really was interesting to me and i were quite bored because of that. The fantasy was kind of cool.

I really didn't expect to like this book so much. In fact, the first couple of chapters confirmed that I wouldn't. AND THEN IT GOT GOOD. It seems to be an alternate universe very similar to ours. Fast paced with non-stop action. A team of interesting friends who really care about each other and you can really root for. Even new friendships that just absolutely melt your heart. The romance is also sweet and subtle. I'm still shocked by the change in how I felt at the beginning of the book vs how I feel having finished it. A great read and I'm excited to see what else we get from Shauna Alderson.

I felt the whole time like I was missing information that could have been provided to feel more connected to the story and world it was set in. For one it is set in a present-day, sort of, maybe? But instead of Earth (or maybe it is?) it's a completely made up world of four lands? (kingdoms? countries? continents?). There was no book map of this world, which is a major bummer to me because I really appreciate when we're given a visual medium to set the stage.
It started off pretty quickly but still felt like it meandered for almost half the book before things really start to take off. And finally more things happen but then the twists and reveals and betrayals happen almost nonstop. You get to the time travel aspect by three quarters in and it keeps ramping it up with the threat of fixing everything before paradoxes and aberrations ruin the world. And that is the threat related to the Paragons. But there is this whole other plot only related to Randi and possibly something related with her bloodline not dealing with being a Paragon but these shadows she sees? Spirits? Beings from another dimension that are invading the world from fissures in space-time and how they'll take over the world eventually killing everyone...isn't resolved.
I was just a bit flummoxed as to how such a huge plot ends with a line about how they'd have time to figure it out and fix everything? But you never truly confirmed what this threat was in the first place, why Randi could only see them. It was the plot point I was most looking forward to being solved and now I'm left hanging as this is a standalone book. It even feels like this book could have been worked on and really fleshed out more and turned into a duology or trilogy if it had been in a different perspective or had multiple point of views. I give it credit for having a sort of original idea but it just felt a bit lackluster given all the elements it had threaded in.

Give me magic, a group of teens and a plot to save the world, and you can be sure I'll be on board with your book ! The blurb had me at the first sentence, and I couldn't wait to start reading !

Regarding the plot, I thought it was a pretty basic trope, with a teen who finds herself with mysterious powers and has to go on a quest to find others like her and make sure the world doesn't get destroyed because of an evil group of powerful people. Still, the magic context and the intrigue between all the characters made the whole story interesting to read. I was a bit thrown off by the beginning though. After something like 2 pages that introduce us to Randi, the main character, the author throws a million information about the Paragon mythology in the reader's face and I got really disturbed. I felt like I was drowning in information and I had no idea what to do with it. I also couldn't care very much about the whole mythology in general. I definitely would have prefered to see a proper mythology tree or have all the explanations about it in a few pages before or after the story.

I loved the characters. Really. As always, I prefered the side characters, but the whole friend crew around which the plot is centered is great, and has an amazing dynamics. There is a strong bond between them, and yet, they each have their own secrets, leading to plot twists that kept me reading on no matter how tired I was. Louis was definitely my favorite character and I'll now hold him dear in my heart <3

What makes me not rate Paragon 5 stars is the fact that even though there were some Paragon mythology scattered around the book at the beginning of chapters, in the story, the reader is not given much insight about it. I wanted to know more about the original Paragons, I wanted more magic, especially from Randi. I just wanted to have more magical elements and backstory incorporated IN the story.

Other than that, it was an entertaining book that had me captivated once I got over how fast paced the beginning was. The plot isn't boring, and the characters are likeable. Pretty good !

This book has everything I love: mystery, romance, strong characters, and a great plot! Just when I thought I had it figured out, something else changed; it really kept me on my toes. Eddy and Neil are both frustrating at times, but I think Randi has a good head on her and will make the best choice.

Each chapter begins with information about the paragons and legends surrounding them. This helps the reader become immersed in the world and learn right along Randi and her friends. There are some guy-wrenching moments, but in the end, it all makes sense and is for the best. If you like paranormal, mythological mysteries with romance and time travel thrown in, this book had it all!

I joined NetGalley years ago, and my account has been sitting there doing nothing. Well, 2020 has changed that! I re-activated my account and this was the first novel I downloaded.

Paragon, by Shauna Alderson, grabbed me first by the cover. I'm slightly obsessed with clocks—especially when you can see their inner-workings. I thought it was a beautiful image.

This book was categorized in the New Adult genre. I have been drawn to that category recently, as I am close in age to those characters than general YA or Adult fiction. I find it to be an easier connection to the character's when they are existing in this time frame. However, I think it may be mislabeled as New Adult, as our main character is 18, and still roots her pretty firmly in YA, in my opinion. That being said, after reading the excerpt, I was under the impression that this story was essentially taking place in present day, which it is. Sort of.

But, the first few pages of the novel had me wondering if that was really the case. It almost felt like originally the author was having this story take place in another time. Fast-forward to a few pages later, we were back in present day, taking a train and making a cellphone call.

That little blip aside, this book was gripping. I downloaded this book on a Saturday evening and finished by Sunday. The only reason it took me so long was because I was reading it on my cellphone because my Kindle decided to kick-the-bucket. I loved the little quotes prior to the chapters too. It provided information on the workings of the Paragons without disrupting the flow of the novel itself. This was a well used tool!

It was also full of unexpected twists -- particularly about our main character, Randi's cousin, Brittany. I did not expect her role to be what it was, so that was a nice little turn of events.

Alderson has me connecting with Randi right away. As someone who holds family very close, and enjoys that small town feel --I was right there with her when her little world got a whole lot less little. Of course, this is the start to a series, so now I have to patiently wait for book 2.

If you have a hankering for a fast-paced story filled with elemental powers, time travel, and a world where those who are tasked with protecting humanity are hunted for their power, this is the book for you.

P.S. I really dislike Eddy, if you've read this book, or finish reading it -- please tell me you don't like him either.