The Prophet's Gambit by takes readers on a captivating journey filled with dreams, secrets, and a hidden realm. The story revolves around seventeen-year-old Aris, whose fascination with dreams leads her to discover her extraordinary abilities and a destiny intertwined with a forgotten realm called Krysidia.

One of the strengths of this novel lies in the author's ability to create a mysterious and alluring atmosphere. The concept of dreams and their significance in the plot is intriguing, and it keeps readers engaged from start to finish. The chemistry between Aris and Alek, with his golden eyes and enigmatic personality, adds an element of romance and tension that heightens the stakes.

However, one area where the story falls short is in its pacing. Some chapters feel unnecessary and drag down the overall plot progression. While they may provide additional insight into the characters or the world, they detract from the main storyline, leaving readers eager to return to the central conflict and the quest to find Krysidia.

Additionally, the character development, though adequate, could have been more nuanced. Aris, as the protagonist, undergoes significant growth, but other characters could have benefited from more depth and backstory to enhance their motivations and relationships.

Despite these flaws, The Prophet's Gambit remains an enjoyable read. The author's imaginative world-building and the central mystery surrounding Krysidia create a sense of wonder and intrigue that will captivate readers who enjoy young adult fantasy. With a stronger focus on pacing and character development, this book could have reached even greater heights.

Overall, The Prophet's Gambit offers a thrilling adventure into a world of dreams and prophecies, with enough twists and turns to keep readers engaged until the very end.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for giving me access to this arc.

3.5 stars / 5 stars

Things I loved:
Loved the characters and the storyline.
World building was great.
Things I didn’t love:
First chapter could have been a little better to help drawn in the reader.
A little confusing at times.

Excited to see where this story goes.

Thank you Net Galley and Hidden Grove Books for providing me with a copy of this book for a honest review.

“The Prophet’s Gambit” follows Aris a girl with dreams she can’t remember and that doesn’t really fit in with her peers. One day she meets Alek and all his friends. They make Aris discover the truth behind her parents accident, herself and her dreams. Will Aris and her new friends be able to save their world?

Aris was quite a good main characters I wasn’t a big fan of her, but she wasn’t terrible to be into her head. The side characters were also quite good as well, especially the siblings.

The world building was super interesting, the tarot cards and dream based world were super unique and interesting and it made me want to know more.

The ending was great, although the final page was crazy to read, but definitely pulled me in into finding out what happens next.

I recommend this if you’re into found family, enchanting world building.

Thank you netgalley for allowing me to both read and listen to the audiobook for this story.

I would recommend listening to the story and referring back to the ebook later. It's how I experienced it and felt like I enjoyed it more that way. It's a cute story with an interesting concept and would happily read the next installments.

Unfortunately this is a DNF for me. I got to 40% but I'm just not taking to the characters at all and the first few chapters inside dreams had been hard for me to get through as I wasn't hooked right away and didn't enjoy those chapters.

The book started looking up, for me personally, once the dreams were over but I feel like not a lot actually has happened so far and it feel strange we seen interactions with Aris and her friends a lot throughout but they mentioned her sister in one scene and they didn't even seem to acknowledge each other.

I do think the writing is good and I feel like people I know would like this but it's just not for me unfortunately and I can't motivate myself to keep reading. If I ever decide to revisit then I'll edit my review to update my thoughts.

2.5⭐

Thank you to Netgalley, Hidden Grove Books and the author for the review copy, provided in exchange for an honest opinion.

The world building and character development needs refinement. Some concepts and characters are thrown at the reader without giving proper context or explanation. Leaving massive gaps in the story and character behavior. Ended on a cliffhanger without providing any answers to the questions posed in this book. However, now that some of the world building and character introductions are out of the way the rest of the books in the series may not have these same faults.

Love Triangle
Found Family
Paranormal
Quest

Thank you to NetGalley for an arc. It was a good book! I enjoyed the characters and the world building. I gave it three stars because I wanted a little bit more from the story overall,

Thank you to Hidden Grove Books for an early digital copy of The Prophet's Gambit.
This is, by far, one of my new favourite books of the year and cannot wait for it to come out in October (will definitely need a physical copy of this). This books takes place in the modern day world but shifts between the reality and what I like to say is dream world.
The characters are very realistic and I enjoyed their portrayal throughout the book as well as their change as the story progresses. Aris, to me, is a very relatable character and enjoyed reading from her view as I saw myself in her. I really enjoyed the representation of panic attacks and not having a main character who is invincible. The group dynamic was written very well and actually found myself wanting to be there with them. The story itself, took a while to fully understand but the world building and magic element, to me, was very unique and immersive.
I thought the writing was beautiful, with it being atmospheric and descriptive. So much so I wished I could be in those ruins or in the cavern at the end of the book. The characters were written as real people not just fantasy characters with special powers.
I loved the romance as it was subtle and didnt take over the whole book. I have to say Lochlen was my favourite as he wasnt your typical moody love interest but had a more vulnerable side to him that only the reader really got to see. I
I cannot praise this books enough so thank you to Ellie Evaris for providing me with a new favourite!!!

I am just not sure what went on with this one, it seemed quite jumbled up and to me it did not make sense.

This book gripped me instantly—it immediately took me back to reading all my favorite series as a teen, as every YA should. The series has wonderful potential, but I feel like the first book was not ARC ready yet. It needs a lot more editing, and I'm not talking about simple spelling and grammar... I'm talking multiple fully fleshed out, down and dirty, hardcore rewrites. I can tell the author has incredible passion for this series, I'm really excited to see where it goes and how it grows, and I think the publisher is doing her a disservice publishing too early. Granted, many first books in a series are rocky, and then the second book knocks it out of the park and clears things up, so I'm definitely not bashing this book. I just want to see it have the success it deserves.

The beginning was phenomenal, and then the middle lost its way. None of the characters except Lochlen were completely developed, and there is no chemistry between Alek and Aris. The chemistry is only between Aris and Lochlen. Everybody, except Lochlen, seemed to have no passion or feelings and almost felt robotic/uncaring. Feelings were said more than felt, and in many places, not even said at all. Character motivation, the teens' powers, and the story's mythology weren't believable until the last quarter of the book, but I dont want to hold that against the story because they were all chasing a pipe dream until the end, so I can let some disbelief slide. Aris's foster dads alluded to explaining things to Aris and Evie, and then nothing ever came of that—I'm not sure how anything would either when the teens are all in Krysidia now. There were some plot holes and inconsistencies, but nothing major, especially when I expect we are going to learn a lot more in the second book that will clear things up and make them flow nicer. My main issue is the relationships between the characters—they don't feel authentic and need more work, and then the "angry" chapters with Alek, then Lochlen saving him, then the fallout weren't believable because nothing about Alek's character up to that point hinted toward that behavior. After the wishy-washiness of the middle, however, the story found it's way again in the last 40-50 pages.

My biggest pet peeve, which I can't even give the benefit of the doubt to because it doesn't make sense at all, is there's no way Aris wouldn't have had psychic experiences before Lochlen "taught" her. With the ring, they would have come naturally, and she should have had them for years, like everyone else's powers. And then, why all the sudden would they explode in intensity near the end out of nowhere (including her remembering dreaming with Lochlen)?

In the end, I loved this book, and I'm going to buy a copy when it's released. The only thing I'm sad about is since I read the ARC so soon before the release date, that means I have to wait even longer for the second book. Highly recommend, and I'm praying the publisher gives this author her chance to shine. She deserves it. I haven't read a book come from the heart like this in a long time, and I haven't had a book boyfriend in years! I need more Lochlen in my life ASAP!

I felt like I was constantly missing something while reading this book.

While I loved the concept and see great potential for this author- I found myself lost and confused from the very first chapter. Im not sure if it was how the dreams were portrayed or if they were just too “dreamlike” and confusing overall. I also felt like certain aspects were incredibly detailed while others, such as how exactly Lochlen and Aris’ dreams were linked.. weren’t.

I feel like the entire book was incredibly fast paced and that may have added to my confusion a bit. There were moments I found myself getting lost in the story but it would almost feel like coming out of a daze of confusion at points as well.

All of that being said- I did enjoy the characters and the concept as a whole. I would definitely read more from this author and continue this series to see where these characters end up.

Thank you to Net Galley and Hidden Grove for this ARC.

If you were to measure my obsession with this book on a scale of Love to I’m Tearing My Eyeballs Out, I would be on the manic end. I was immediately invested in the plot and the world building was so well done that I could grasp everything super quickly. I loved this book so much and knew, even when I was only half way through, that this would become one of my favourites. (I even accidentally dropped my phone over something Alek said to Aris during a storm). I’ll be forever mourning the romance that could have been between Lochlen and Aris, though (I’m their biggest fan) (I hope Lochlen gets the girl) (I’m a Lochlen girlie). All the characters were so well written and I loved reading about their journey to home, or, Krysidia, however, I will respectfully be needing a second book ASAP because that ending left me screaming and crying.

This book has such great potential. I love the characters, the storyline and the magic system. However, it is not without its flaws.

The first chapter could have been handled better as it is one of the most crucial parts in the story for its hook. But a lot has happened as if the author picked up on a scene from nowhere that I wondered if there was some missing pages that I didn't know. I understood it must have been done for the mystery but it just didn't work for me. And who was the dead woman at the beginning anyway? Why should she matter in the story? Not so much background was provided so it was hard to keep up with the subtle messages and hints of the past. I struggle with some vague details.

At first I thought her father is alive. This scene's from one of the earlier chapters. Chapter 2 or 3, maybe? He's supposed to give her a ride home from the barn. Until it was revealed later on that he died. I don't know if it was my fault for not understanding well or was it the way it was written? But oh, that moment of realization! David and Ashton are her "dads," her biological father's bestfriends. If only it was mentioned earlier.

The reason why the Anathemians were banished was revealed later on and I was surprised Aris did not question it as soon as she learned about them.

I so, so want to love this story a hundred percent. Everything about it. The plot. The dream concept. The chemistry and tension between the characters. But my mind's in a jumble just by reading this book. Most of the time I spent processing what I just read. Unclear motivations. Unnecessary subplots.

It must have been good if Evie and Aris' relationship was shown in a few scenes just so we can understand why Aris was reluctant to leave. I wanted to see their sibling connection, but unfortunately, there's nothing in the book. I didn't even remember they had a single scene where they talked.

And lastly, the biggest question of all: How are Lochlen and Aris' dreams connected? Is that a prophet thing?

One good thing in this book is the use of symbolism. Aris' dreams symbolizes something in her life, as evident in the story.

Wolf: Having a wolf dream where you are being attacked or chased by a wolf can be a way to bring attention to the ways you are being held back on your spiritual journey. This is often related to carrying the energetic burdens of others or feeling bullied, judged, or controlled by others.
Forest: betrayal and disappointment or care and caution
Lost shoe: people dream about losing shoes because they feel insecure, unprepared, stagnant, lack of support, and lost.

I wanted to love this book so much!!! The concept of weaving a romance into a dream realm where one person forgets when they wake up?! This easily could have been my favorite book of the year. Unfortunately, it wasn't.

I started this title on audiobook and had to pause at around 40% when I heard Lochlen say <spoiler>"You really don't remember?" </spoiler> ?!?!!?!? I felt like I had missed some details while multitasking and went back to request another copy of the ARC in ebook format. After re-reading I realized that I didn't miss any details, it just felt like the plot's pacing was all over the place. I read until about 60% until I gave up and had to go back to the audiobook if I wanted to finish it this year.

<b>Other thoughts:</b>

There are so many characters in this book and it doesn't feel like any of them are completed. It was hard to keep up with so many introductions and remember who they are later in the story.

The romance between Aris and Alek didn't feel authentic. It seemed like it was supposed to be insta-love, but it wasn't quite there.

Some of the plot points felt unfinished and confusing. For example, there wasn't much detail on the magic mechanics.



Overall, I was disappointed. :(

I sincerely thank Netgalley for sending me the ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.

Seventeen-year-old Aris has always been obsessed with dreams, even if she can't remember most of them. She's spent her life waiting for something to happen, chasing a memory always just eluding her grasp. That is, until she meets Alek—a boy with golden eyes and a knack for avoiding injury.
A tarot reading leads him and his friends to believe she's the key to finding Krysidia—the hidden realm from which their ancestors were banished—but only if Aris can learn to trust her newfound abilities does she stand a chance at fulfilling the deck's prophecy. To make matters worse, Lochlen, the only one capable of guiding her training, seems to have it out for her, and despite his efforts to keep his distance, Aris can't shake the sense of familiarity she gets when he's around.
Torn between a desire to prove herself and letting Alek continue to protect her, Aris must face the fact that her life will never be the same. Wherever magic goes, death seems to follow, and when Aris learns the car wreck that killed her parents was no accident, she realizes Krysidia is more than just a legend—it's their best hope of survival. That is, if it even exists . . .

The Prophet's Gambit is the first volume of a new fantasy series by Ellie Evaris, and it lived up to the hype. The plot was engaging from the beginning, but after a slow start - probably because of the world building needed, it really pulled me into the plot and story. Evaris writing is well done in the fantasy genre and I loved the characters and their development throughout the book.
The only downside throughout the book was the pacing. Sometimes it felt very rushed or plot points were resolved too quickly in the story.

It's been ages since I found a good YA contemporary fantasy series and THIS was exactly what I needed to get back into the genre! I want to be a prophet now (and I think I might steal Lochlen's deck of tarot cards)

Albeit struggling with relatively long chapters at first (maybe it was the Kindle), the characters and the world-building had me on my tippiest tippity toes. The first chapter and the whole dream sequence, I was already a goner. I really wanted to read more of the dreams. And the mythology parts surprisingly had me more intrigued to dive deeper into the realm (I mean, how cool does 'Krysidian' and 'anathemian' sound)

But the best part for me, that ultimately made me love this book as much as I did, is the dynamic between the six main characters and their powers. AND I did not expect the minor twist drops towards the end (also love how there's a pronounciation guide at the end).

Also, I'm stuck in another love triangle 🫠 Although I have a feeling she'll end up with Alek, there's just something about Aris and Lochlen that has me chanting 'be still my heart'. I literally bookmarked every interaction between them and I almost cried when she finally said, "found you" 🥹

Gah - I'm too invested, I need the second book to drop in my lap STAT!

𝗩𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗰𝘁: Stunning debut! Keep an eye out for this one 🪄

I really enjoyed this one. For a debut novel I think the author done a good job in setting up a world full of magic and suspense. Thank you for the opportunity to read this one

THIS BOOK!!!


Seventeen-year-old Aris has always been obsessed with dreams, even if she can't remember most of them. She's spent her life waiting for something to happen, chasing a memory always just eluding her grasp. That is, until she meets Alek—a boy with golden eyes and a knack for avoiding injury.
A tarot reading leads him and his friends to believe she's the key to finding Krysidia—the hidden realm from which their ancestors were banished—but only if Aris can learn to trust her newfound abilities does she stand a chance at fulfilling the deck's prophecy. To make matters worse, Lochlen, the only one capable of guiding her training, seems to have it out for her, and despite his efforts to keep his distance, Aris can't shake the sense of familiarity she gets when he's around.
Torn between a desire to prove herself and letting Alek continue to protect her, Aris must face the fact that her life will never be the same. Wherever magic goes, death seems to follow, and when Aris learns the car wreck that killed her parents was no accident, she realizes Krysidia is more than just a legend—it's their best hope of survival. That is, if it even exists . . .

The Prophet's Gambit is the first volume of a new fantasy series by Ellie Evaris, an emerging author with incredible talent.

I didn't know what to expect from this book. The plot intrigued me right away, as well as the cover is the title, but I didn't know if it would fully match my tastes or not. Well, I loved it. From the first to the last page. It was really, really hard to put it away even for 5 min.

The author's writing is very smooth, involving so romantic.

It often happens that, when you are a beginner, you go to create dialogues that are not very dynamic and clumsy but this is not the case. The dialogues created by the author are extremely dynamic and well studied. And the characters😫😫😫

MAMMA MIAA

Although the characters are numerous, they are all well characterized and interesting. Unique!
It was impossible for me not to empathize with some of them.
Worldbuilding is not overly difficult to understand. I probably would have preferred to explain it in more depth, but it doesn't matter. However, I really appreciated it.

The only negative note is the time frame. Sometimes it seemed to me that some events were very hasty or that too much time had passed between one event and another. 😰

It was, all in all, a compelling and super appreciated read. I can't wait for you to read it too!

I sincerely thank Netgalley, Hidden Grove Books, and Ellie Evaris for sending me the ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. All the considerations are mine.

The first thing that drew me to this book was the cover – its absolutely beautiful. Then I read the synopsis and was hooked. It promises love triangles, prophecies and dreams. I assume it’s a debut novel in a series to come, so I jumped at the chance to read it.

The first chapter was gripping, and I found Aris to be a strong heroine. It was a very engaging story with an interesting magic system that I felt could have done with a bit more fleshing out. I had a few moments where I was quite confused about the overall worldbuilding. I wish that the author had explored the theme of Aris’ dreams a lot more than they did – I imagine this is something that could be picked up in a sequel to help add a little more depth. It felt like this book had a very strong start plot-wise, but it was quite rushed/under-developed toward the end. It’s hard to believe all of this happened in a two-week time span.

I felt like the characters could do with a bit more depth – I want to really be able to understand their motives and their purposes in the story, and sometimes found this difficult to do with specific characters. I liked the inclusion of non-binary characters but found it quite difficult to follow the reading of they/them pronouns, often wondering who the writer was referring to. Fortunately, I was also given a Audiobook version of this ARC, and found it a lot easier to follow along with someone actually acting out the voices separately from the general narration.

Overall, I think this is a really promising debut novel. It has the base of a good magic system, compelling characters and story. I can’t wait to find out what happens next.

Thank you NetGalley, the author and publisher for having this available as an ARC.

This review is tough for me because I have mixed feelings. During my reads, if I ever feel like I’m getting lost in the story, I read other peoples reviews to see if I’m not the only one. I noticed some people mention that this story is vague and I have to agree. Don’t get me wrong, the writing and flow is great but it’s the lack of specificity that’s got me still wondering.

So we follow a girl Aris who is a normal teenager, she’s at a party and notices something that doesn’t seem real. Her friends are trying to set her up with one of the jocks Brent at school but she’s not interested. Aris has always been a bit different and that’s okay. Brent harasses her, in swoops Alek who helps her out of that situation and then he changes her life. Alek believes Aris can help he and his friends find a lost world called Krysidia. Unbeknownst to her, she has magical powers which lie within a ring that she has always worn since her mother passed. Aris has never been told anything about her family history, so could this really be true?

I enjoyed all the characters within this book and the relationships built as Aris meets the small group of five trying to escape into this lost world of Krysidia. There wasn’t enough explanation as to how the group came together beforehand. There wasn’t enough explanation of the magical system. There wasn’t enough history of why it was important for these kids to get back to Krysidia, as it seemed that their ancestors were banished to earth and no one knows why. Because it’s been thousands of years since their ancestors were banished, we don’t know how the information was passed down and no one seemed to record it either. One of the group Yuki mentions he researched for 8 years to find the door to Krysidia and one of his parents did 30 years prior. It’s possible their ancestors left for a reason.

Anyway, I felt the book was very descriptive in the characters actions and the world around them, but not where it mattered. Because it’s left on a cliffhanger, I still want to know how the story plays out. Maybe this book is vague on purpose because it’s leading into the question of what’s so good/bad about Krysidia and we’ll only find out in book two.