I hate giving a negative review but this book fell short big time.

The characters felt underdeveloped, the plot was lacking in areas.

This book has so many rave reviews so I am in the minority with my views, I would recommend you read the book for yourself and make your own opinion.

Years after a magical war where the supernaturals help to save the humans, they are now treated like second class citizens. Cressa has to hide her necromancy talents. To use them is to break the rules but without them she has no way to raise money. Money she needs if she ever wants to free her mother from the Reformatory prison. When she is approached by a stranger with an opportunity to raise money, she can’t resist. What his intentions are surrounded in mystery, but she finds herself unable to say no. She finds herself caught up in a supernatural battle and too many unanswered questions, but the attraction she feels for Noah and the need to free her mom is to great for her to turn back.

Let’s start with I liked the story. I found the characters entertaining and the plot an engaging one. And while I did enjoy the story, there were a few moments where I found myself frustrated with the plot and the characters.

I liked Cressa. Her talent was fairly interesting and the predicament she was in was a tough one. Trying to come up with money to free her mom, I feel for the girl. However, there were moments I just wanted to shake some sense into her. Girl, you just met him and now you are breaking the law for him?! Shake, shake, shake! Equally, I found myself drawn to Noah and how he started out as this enigma. What is he in this supernatural world? What are his intentions? Hmmm…definitely a mystery to be solved. I’ll admit, there were a few times I doubted his motives. There’s quite a bit of angst between these two and it took me a while to sort out I hadn’t picked up a garden variety PNR, but one that is more in-line with young adults. AHA! That would explain my shake need with Cressa.

The world-building to the story could have been a bit more fleshed out. Why was there a previous war? Why are supernaturals treated so poorly? And what is the deal with the need for the Reformatory? Inquiring minds want to know. While Cressa is struggling to sort out her dramas and emotions, I’m trying to sort out what is going on. Normally, I’m okay with a story unfolding itself at its own pace. However, I found myself getting impatient and eventually frustrated with the unknown answers. Maybe my questions will get answered further into the series. Guess I’ll have to read the next book to find out.


Stars: 3
I received this book from Netgalley. I was not compensated for the book other than the entertainment it provided. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you for Netgalley and the publisher for an e-arc copy in exchange for an honest review.

Where to begin, I was attracted to this book because of it's rave reviews and because I love urban/paranormal fantasy above all genres.

Since the ratings are so high for this book, there must be something wrong with me, but I really did not enjoy much of it. This review is not spoiler free so beware.

The characters are mediocre, Cressa the main heroine is downright annoying especially with the dumb things she is doing again and again. Like waking up the dead for not even that much money (honestly she can work for that sum) night after night, even after being warned multiple times. The story, the supernaturals and their abilities felt as if along the way new ideas were born and thrown into the mix randomly trying to make it smoothly blent in. Like hey I am a phoenix, btw I have totally random powers like telekinesis and then 2/3 or even more in btw phoenixes have mates, boom you're my mate without any bouildup other than YA type attraction. No emotional depth and 2d cliche lines. The supermatural races, talents aren't really explained nor do we get an in.depth background on them, Everything happens randomly and even though there are side characters, they are even less developed than the main ones and that says a lot. I don't even know what happens with the exes of both girls?

I really want to say something nice about this, but I think the only thing I've liked about it was the concept and the only thing keeping me from giving up was the 3 hours long train ride. I am so sorry to say these things too because I really wanted to like it and I very much hate to write low score reviews.

Being a huge fan of this kind of stories i wanted to give this book a chance and see what it is about. Well, it was good and it had an interesting story,interesting enough for me to want to read the next book. Good right?Yes,very good.

But...Despite the fact that i enjoyed reading this book and i liked the characters,i thought that everything happened way too fast.It could have been something amazing and i admit that i wanted more,especially because i wanted to read more about Noah.Hehe.
I admit that at the beginning i was a little confused because i didn't understand a few things .It was a little strange for me ,but piece by piece everything changed and i got to the point where i knew that it will be good.

I liked Cressa and Noah.Well,Noah because of the whole " mystery guy" thing he had and Cressa becaause she was fighting for something(someone) even if she didn't know the whole truth. I wanted to shake some sense into River , he was acting strange,yet he did some things that changed my mind about him. Rome? Interesting guy or whatever he was( i know what but i won't write it here). Brit? Not sure what to write about her.

Necromancer. Conjurer. Phoenix. Oh my, i never thought i will get the chance to read about this kind of characters and i admit that it was a crazy rollercoaster. It was fun, because i love this kind of supernatural stories, and it was a bonus the way it was written. But.. Some scenes, on my opinion, were a little forced, something that made me give this book less stars.
Overall?Good story.Good characters.Despite the flaws,it was an interesting story.

Read this in one sitting, totally enjoyed it, I even shed a few tears.
I look forward to finding out what happens with Rome, Brit, Cressa and Noah,I imagine a few laughs with Rome.