this book is a captivating YA fantasy that introduces a world of paranormal intrigue. with it's fast-paced plot and well-developed characters, it's a thrilling read that will keep you hooked. while the ending leaves you wanting more, the conclusion leaves you feeling excited for the rest of the series. if you enjoy urban fantasy with a touch of romance, this is a must-read.

Thank you to Net Galley and Owl Hollow Press for the ARC. This sounded a lot like something I would like, I love school settings and murder mysteries but unfortunately I could not connect with the characters.

Was a solid YA paranormal fantasy, but there were some elements that felt rather basic and held me back from rating higher.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of <i>The Nine: Origins</i> in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

<h4 style="margin-top: 84px;">The Gist</h4>

<i>The Nine: Origins</i> by Kes Trester is a riveting blend of fantasy and adventure that takes readers on an exhilarating journey through a world filled with magic, mystery, and intrigue. Set in a richly imagined universe where nine powerful families hold the key to the balance of power, Trester weaves a complex tale of love, betrayal, and redemption.

<h4>The Details</h4>

One of the most compelling aspects of the book is Trester's world-building. The author creates a vivid and immersive world that readers will find themselves engrossed in.

The characters in <i>The Nine: Origins</i> are interesting. As the story unfolds, readers will find themselves becoming invested in the fate of these characters, rooting for them as they navigate the dangers and challenges that lie ahead.

<h4>The Verdict</h4>

Overall, <i>The Nine: Origins</i> is an entertaining read that will appeal to fans of fantasy and adventure alike. Kes Trester has crafted an immersive and unforgettable tale.

This was so fun!! I really enjoyed reading this and I would definitely read more from this author again! This book would benefit from another round of edits but I don't think it affected my enjoyment a lot.

This was an ok book. I wouldn't say I disliked it, but it doesn't stand out either. Some of the characters were interesting to follow, but their relationships didn't feel realistic, it was all very awkward. The plot was very simplistic with inconsistent pacing. If you can get through this one, it does seem like it has potential to become a more compelling series, but I don't think this is a very strong start.

A huge thank you to the author and the publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

I adored the world building and elements in this! This one in the series, as can be seen in the title, is more focused on the “origins” of it. The concept of nine gifts is quite interesting. The book, and the cover, started off really promising.

However, the execution was disappointing. It felt way fast paced than I’d like. There’s a different between a fast going book and a fast paced book. It just lacked a depth. Those elements have a lot of opportunities to be explored, yet, it lacked the require depth to make the story more interesting. I know it’s YA but it doesn’t mean things need to be brushed off.

I have to say that the YA Authors are stepping up their game. I have been reading this genre a lot more recently. The books are well written, exciting and just wonderful. This book is certainly added in this mix. Blake as the ability to see other people's past and future and she is hiding this fact from others. But, one day she sees the future of a classmate and she decides to intervene. After this occurrence she transported into a different time. A time where there is a paranormal society and war is at the cusp. The story has a little romance, a smidge of the paranormal and a tad of suspense. A Young Adult Fantasy story with a breathtaking plot, wonderful characters, and magnificent world building. An outstanding YA book.

Disclaimer: Thank you NetGalley and Owl Hollow Books for this review copy and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This sounded so good when I requested it but by time I got to it, I think my reading style had changed. Will I go back to it? Probably. But I haven’t finished it so far.

This book has a different quality about it that makes it very easy to read and make you think about it after you put it down. I highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone!

I dnfed this book at 5% in, I couldnt get into the writing style at all. I kept putting it down because I couldnt get into it.

Looooved this book and these characters so much, I’ve already pre-ordered the next book. Great premise, just enough world building for the first of a 9 book series, and enough twists to make you want to know what is coming next for these characters.

Thank you to Owl Hollow Press and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The best aspect of this book is that it’s a quick, easy read with likable characters. However, I think it appeals more to a YA audience due to the lack of complexity. I found myself wanting more in terms of storyline and development. I likely will not continue the series but I will recommend this book to friends and fellow book lovers who prefer YA.

fell very short for me. story dragged and i just couldn't quite get into it even though the description seemed promising.

"The Nine: Origins" by Kes Trester is a gripping beginning to what promises to be an exciting series. This novel is a captivating exploration of origins, secrets, and the intertwining lives of intriguing characters.

Trester's writing style is immersive and suspenseful, drawing readers into a world of mystery and intrigue. The characters in the novel are compelling and multi-dimensional, each with their own pasts and motivations that add depth to the narrative.

At the heart of the story is a complex web of interconnected lives and hidden truths. The author skillfully weaves together various perspectives, creating a narrative that keeps the reader engaged while hinting at larger mysteries yet to be uncovered.

"The Nine: Origins" is successful in establishing a richly layered world with a sense of enigma and tension. The exploration of character dynamics and the gradual unveiling of secrets create an atmosphere of anticipation that compels the reader to keep turning the pages.

In conclusion, "The Nine: Origins" is a promising start to a series that promises excitement and intrigue. If you're looking for a novel that introduces you to a cast of captivating characters while setting the stage for a larger narrative, this book offers a compelling and engaging read that will leave you eager for more.

Although I don’t normally enjoy fantasy set in present time this one hit different. I wasn’t as excited as others seem to be but I did find myself wanting to finish it. I am hoping the next installment will pull me in further.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
The first thing that attracted me to this book was the cover. I chose to read this book after reading the description and decided to give it a go. This is the first book in the Nine series. I was happy to see that characters were easily relatable and well written. This book took me a few days to read because I would go through moments where chapters were sometimes slower than others. I look forward to reading the next book.

This one was an easy read. Not a masterpiece but wasn't mediocre either. Just the perfect balance if you're in the mood for that type of stories.

The cover initially drew me to this as it's so beautiful! This was a really good YA novel, introducing Blake Wilder and the idea of the Nine abilities that certain people have. I thought it was going to be a bit Harry Potter-esque with a magic school system, but we didn't get to see that at all since the school is in England and this novel is set in America. Nevertheless, it was an enjoyable read with likeable characters and an easy to follow plot that kept me interested and keen to read the next one!

2.5 stars

The Nine: Origins feels like a lower-stakes, non dark academia version of The Atlas Six.

Blake has had the 'power' to see premonitions since she was little. And while some might see this as a superpower, you are bound to be bullied for being 'different' in school. So she and her best friend flee to the other side of the state to get a new start, where she hopes to just ignore her powers.

But that turns out to be impossible, because incredibly hot and incredibly British Nicholas shows up, asking her to join The Nine, a secret society for people like her, with powers.

The Nine is basically a murder mystery but with people with powers. It follows a bland main character and an 'it-boy' that falls for her, with lots of mentions of how it seems unlikely that 'a guy like Nicholas' falls for 'a girl like [Blake]'.

The pacing was incredibly slow because Trester keeps describing the Tesla Nicholas rented in detail, the main characters were unremarkable while supporting characters read like stereotypes of ´the theatre kid´ and the ´the rich real estate developer´ et cetera. This all kept pulling me out of the story, which is a shame because the mystery was set up well, just like the conclusion was.

All in all not the absolute worst or DNF worthy, but definitely not the best book out there either. If Trester continues this series, I don´t think I will read the sequel sadly.

**Thank you to Netgalley and Owl Hollow Press for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review