Something unusual for a YA fantasy novel- Spin of Fate has a complicated magic system with complex world-building and focuses heavily on philosophical ideas about morality. Based loosely on the law of karma, the world is separated into four segments based on the "spin" of a person's soul and morals. We spend most of the book in the two middle spaces with a cast of morally gray, well-developed characters. There are rebels, corruption, mythical beasts, and a girl trying to reverse the spin of her soul to get back to her mother. I love the whole concept of the karma-based magic system, where your actions can spin your soul into another realm. It is pretty harsh. For a debut novel, I was pleasantly surprised by how in-depth the characters are, and each has their unique voice and the ability to have you flip your loyalty like a switch on who you should be cheering on. I highly recommend this book to fans of Brandon Sanderson and Christopher Paolini.
Audiobook Review: the narrator did a fantastic job distinguishing between characters, which can be hard to do with one narrator. I was never distracted by the story's pacing and thoroughly enjoyed it on audiobook.

This was a wonderful story bringing young adults from different realms together to fight for a common cause. I liked Aina's love and dedication to her mother and wanting to do what was right for everyone. The conversations between people on either side of the toranas was also really interesting to think about and how they communicated.

I really loved this book and I’m so grateful for the ARC!

The world and magic system were so easy to understand but not simplistic. I cannot wait for more from this series

Thank you NetGalley, PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group, and the author for this ARC of Spin of Fate by A.A. Vora!.

This is a great epic fantasy inspired by karma. With incredible world-building, fantastical beasts, beautiful prose, and a propulsive plot, this book will take your breath away!

A world where magic is governed, it’s separated by realms that house people with their morals.

This was definitely a fantasy that made their magic and systems easy to understand, although it is complex. The characters are always well developed.. with some morally gray characters I love!!! There also magical beasts. But o won’t go too into detail, because I hate when people spoil.

All in all, I love the banter and character development. And I loved the magic!

3.5 stars rounded up.

This was a great start to a new YA fantasy series!

I would've loved to bump this up to 4 stars, but the really long training sequence lost me. As an RPG player, I wasn't really blown away by the hard magic system. (Maybe it's a lot more impressive for casual fantasy readers and non-gamers?)

But I did appreciate how much thought was put into the magic system. Unlike your typical fantasy books, the characters did have limits to their powers and they felt human (or as realistic as you can portray magic) without being overpowered to all hell. Which is definitely a thing I hate with Chosen One tropes in YA fantasy.

I really liked the concept of realms/worlds, the magic/religion and the how each realm had their ideas of being a "good" person vs. "bad" person. I'm interested to see how the author plays this out.

This was one of those novels where I ended up liking all three MCs. They all brought different viewpoints and personalities to their shared quest. Strangely, I didn't outright hate Aranel. And I usually dislike poor little rich kid characters.

I'll be sure to keep an eye on this author's journey!

Thank you to G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for this arc.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the arc of this book. all opinions are my own.

This was fantastic. I really enjoyed it! I'd recommend it. Another great fantasy to check out!

Spin of Fate
by A.A. Vora
The Fifth Realm #1
YA Fantasy
NetGalley eARC
Penguin Group
Pub Date: May 7, 2024
Ages: 16+

Toranic Law decides who lives in which realm, who suffers war and pain, and who lives in luxury, but if one commits a sin they can fall down to the next realm and even down to the last, but those who are sinful, but begin to do good deeds can, but rarely, ascend to one of the upper realms.

Aina, who lives in the lower realm ascends but she wants to go back to find her mother and commits petty crimes hoping one of them will send her back down. Finding the Balancers, rebels who are trying to make the lives of those in the lower realms better, she descends with them.

Aranel, who lives in the shadow of his perfect older brother has crossed paths with Aina and is puzzled why she wants to descend. But in his attempt to ascend to the high realm after his brother ascends to be with their parents, Aranel accepts a mission to spy on the lower realm.

And there's Meizan, a young man of the lower realm, second of his clan who he is trying to save.


This book started off decent, but I got bored. There's a lot of 'religion/rich vs poor' in this book, heaven, hell, and the in between, and how the struggles of the lower realms reflect the real world. And while the book was good, I don't feel as if there was enough about the magic, which I thought was an interesting take, but lacked detail.

What made the book disappointing was a mix between the blurb and the book cover. The magnificent beasts were only mentioned, and those that were centered were similar to monkeys and/or lacked the description needed to make them grab my attention. The buried gods were also only mentioned, and the magic needs more depth. Yes, there were battles but they were hidden under the teenage drama of the three MCs.

More world/magic/creature building is needed as is some maturity to these characters except for Aranel, he's spoiled upper so his characterization fits.

Doubtful I'll continue the series.

2 Stars

As someone who grew up in a strict religious environment, "Spin of Fate" by A. A. Vora resonated with me deeply. This high fantasy debut, inspired by the law of karma, expertly weaves intricate world-building with thought-provoking themes that challenge rigid religious ideals.
Following Aina, a lower who ascended to the upper realms, and her fellow Balancers, Aranel and Meizan, the story delves into the complexities of faith, morality, and the consequences of defying the status quo. Vora's portrayal of the characters' struggles and their questioning of the Toranic Law felt authentic and relatable, especially for those grappling with their own religious doubts.
"Spin of Fate" is an engaging and thought-provoking read that left me eager for more in the series. Its unique blend of fantasy elements and philosophical themes makes it a standout debut that will appeal to fans of Avatar: The Last Airbender and Naruto, as well as anyone who appreciates stories that challenge societal norms and explore the depths of personal belief.

**Thank you to the author and Penguin Teen for the ARC of this title. This in no way changed my rating. I also want to thank ReadsWithRachel because she recommended I try this one out**

This book needs more hype and I will not shut up about it. The book follows three characters who are from different realms that are separated by how "good" or "sinful" you are: Paramos, the top realm for the best of the best; Mayana, the middle "good" realm; Malin, the middle "bad" realm; and Narakh, the bottom realm for the worst of the worst. The characters are named Aina, a Malini girl who ascends to Mayana, but wants to go back to Malin to save her mother; Aranel, a Mayana boy who ends up in Malin as a spy; and Meizan, a Malini boy who is separated from his clan. They all end up in a group called the Balancers, who want to equalize all the realms. But who can be trusted and who is telling the truth?

I LOVED this book. The book asks a lot of questions about whether people are born or made "good" or "sinful", what truly is "equal", and what's best for society vs. the individual. The characters are complex and have ever-shifting alliances. There's an implied polyamorous love triangle, as well. The Fantasy elements are well done and thought out. I can't wait for book 2! I am so excited to share this book with my library patrons.

5/5 stars

So obviously, I’m a cover snob, and this bad boy is a piece of art. A peacock snake mix, who would’ve ever thought that would be as awesome as it is. The magical beasts were my favorite part of this book.

This was a high fantasy, complex hard magic, and wild world building. A. A. Vora also brings in the influence of Indian philosophy and Japanese manga.

Aina, Meizan and Aranel are the 3 teenage MCs. I absolutely love the family and enemies to friends in this one. The growth of the characters was fun to watch.

If you are a lover, a fantasy, high fantasy, magic, and incredible magic beasts… You’ll definitely want to check this one out!

Be sure to check out the “Of Language and Nomenclature” and the Authors note at the end.

Thanks for the publisher for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was...just okay. I wish I liked it more because the world-building is really intricate and well put together. The unfortunate part is that I didn't really care for any of the characters. I was really enraged with all of them, mostly Aina. I struggled to understand how she could have such strong feelings for her mother when the latter basically verbally and physically abused her. Her mother said she "loved" her daughter, but it was hard to believe that. At one point Aina said it was better to have that type of mother than no mother at all and I-- Um, no. Sorry, girlie, but we're not doing that in this day and age even in a fantasy world.

As for Meizan and Aranel... They were...fine. Meizan has a lot of anger and he really channels that (often literally), but he's really blinded by the loyalty he has for his clan and his hatred for Aranel. Aranel has his own prejudices and a "goody two shoes" attitude, but his eyes are really opened over the course of the novel, and I feel his pain when he realizes those he thought he could trust, he can no longer trust because they lied to him.

I wish we had focused on one or two characters. I understand the author's desire for the reader to have a perspective from everyone within the different "levels" but I felt like it really bogged the story down. I didn't think we spent enough with each character individually before we were whiplashed into the POV of another one.

Ultimately, a bit of a disappointment.

This was such a wonderful book, I'm like mind-blown at the complicated magic system and politics, AND THE AMAZING CHARACTERS. Seriously, if you read YA fantasy, pick this up!!!!

Also can we please talk about the cover 😭 I could stare it forever, it's so majestic and pretty and conveys the vibes of the book so perfectly

TWs - murder, war, premeditated/experimental murder

-- ty to the author, the publisher and @coloredpagesbooktours for an advanced copy!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the world building and magic system in this book. Hard magic systems are a rarity now a days so it was nice to see in this book. The mythology is entirely new and made up for this world but does pull inspiration form Hinduism as well as other beliefs form India and Japan.

The book reminds we a little of Naruto. I think both this and Naruto are fine but I don't love them and can't quit put my finger on why.

The fantastical animals are my favorite part. I love how unique they where and the glossary of them at the back was a real treat to read. If the author ever wants to make companion book encyclopedia of all the creatures of this world complete with pictures and Bios I would buy that in a heartbeat!

The book as multiple POVs whos storylines all converge. This is done very well with equal time given to each POV. That beings said books with multiple POV are not my cup of tea and a struggled to get through this book as a result. If you like books with different POVs this story is for you, if you don't this book isn't going to change your mind. Again this is no fault of the stories just a personal preference.

This was quite the premise. Imagine a world that is literally based on karma… Think of this as a four-tier cake… this story takes place in the middle two tiers… Morally gray… my favorite. Spin of Fate will have you thinking about some very philosophic questions…

The world-building and magic system was fascinating but also, at times, overwhelming, especially the magic system. That’s not a bad thing; there were just reminders every now and again that I need to remember that the magic system is intricate. I know earlier it sounded like I was being sarcastic about loving morally gray characters, but I really mean it. The characters were interesting, and the main characters were dynamic and complex. Some of them were also a little gullible, but, I mean, they’re young. Also, I love a reluctant leader… don’t ask because I can’t explain it.

The pacing wasn’t always my favorite; I was kind of expecting this to be action-packed, every page is a page-turner. However, it didn’t really detract from the story. With this being book 1, expect there to be parts that are just giving out information, which isn’t a bad thing. We want this book to make sense later. So, when you feel like you are in an info dump part of the story, remember that this information will either be useful later in the story or help set up book 2.

Overall, this was quite enjoyable, and I’m excited for Book 2.

Indian mythology-based magic system + Avatar: The Last Airbender found family vibes. 10/10 recommend!

The world-building is incredible -- had a fun time trying to map the Hindu mythological references with stories I had heard growing up. Very curious to know how someone unfamiliar with Hindu mythology feels about it tho -- I can see it being a bit overwhelming or confusing at times (or maybe not! I might have read into things bc of my overfamiliarity with it). The characters were well-developed (some of their actions and choices are frustrating, but totally what the character would do). The end got too philosophical but got resolved quickly.

What an incredible debut!! Can't wait for Book 2!

4.25 stars

I'm really surprised that I haven't heard more about this book, and that at the time I'm writing this review it has less than 100 reviews on Goodreads. If you like high fantasy, unique worlds and magic, found family, moral ambiguity, religious manipulation and de-programming, and (per other reviewers bc I still have not seen them) Avatar: The Last Airbender and Naruto, you HAVE to check this out.
This is the first in a series that takes place in a world that operates based on Toranic Law, a beefed-up version of karma. There are four realms with various degrees of suffering or wealth, and people's place in them is determined by how pure their soul is. Do enough good things? In theory, you can ascend. Terrible person? Get ready to descend. And the brightness of someone's soul, or keiza, is clearly visible to everyone, reinforcing hierarchy even more. 

This story follows 3 POV characters thrown together by unexpected circumstances when they are all recruited to join a rebel faction operating in a lower realm. Aina is one of the few lower-born people to ascend to a higher realm. But she's been committing crimes ever since she got there, desperate to descend again to be reunited with her mother. Meizan is a lower and a vicious warrior who will do anything to keep his clan alive. And Aranel is a spoiled upper-born noble who's been sent to spy on the rebels. 

I'm generally more of a character over plot reader, and often say I could happily read about great characters just going grocery shopping. None of these are new all-time favorite characters, but I have a feeling that this first book has set the foundation for some really great development as the series moves forward, and I'm excited to see it. Meanwhile, this book might be YA, but its magic system and world were smarter than me. I'm not ashamed to say it. It made total sense every time something got explained, but it was complex and not intuitive to me, but honestly, that just made it feel more real. I don't know the scientific reasoning behind every real-world phenomenon, either. If you're more of an adult fantasy fan, you might still really enjoy this. And if you read this and start to get a little lost in the weeds of the world to start, I promise it is worth sticking it out. Thanks to Penguin Teen and the author for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review!

"Spin of Fate" is a debut fantasy by A.A. Vora, following the lives of 3 characters in a world separated into multiple realms; 2 good, 2 bad. The realm you're allowed to live in is based on the spin of your soul, and the story is heavy handed in its theme that just because you are born in one realm due to poor/good luck, doesn't mean that's where you belong, but there is no way to change the system. The story follows Aina, Aranel, and Meizan as they join up with a clan called the "balancers", who claim to want equality for realms. They all join for very different reason; Aina, to find her mother, Aranel, as a spy, and Meizan, who has just lost his entire clan.

Pros:
I was very excited to read this book, as I have seen a couple people on booktube promote this recently. I loved the rich world building, with 4 separate realms that allowed people to live in them based on the amount of "good" in them. The balancers are trying to change the unjust nature to the realm separation, but some things aren't as they seem. There was a very interesting magic system involving chitrons, which allowed the characters to change the environment around them. The plot was fast paced and extremely unique and interesting. This is great for YA readers, as it was clean, had age appropriate content, and focused on characters that were aged 16-18.

Cons:
Unfortunately the characters fell flat for me. Aina was supposed to be 16 and acted like she was 12. She was so immature it was hard to believe she was a teenager. Aranel was obsessed with being good and never really made much progression, and Meizan was only concerned with the possibility of finding his clan. There was a love triangle that was very poorly done and really didn't need to be included. I wish the story was about the characters friendships instead of the characters suddenly being like "I all of a sudden have feelings for this other character". I also continued to dislike both Aina and Aranel through to the end of the story. They are just SO STUPID and neither of them make choices that make sense. It's like they both understand the antagonist's actions and still trust them to do the right thing, even though they witnessed what the antagonist's actions have done to others. Meizan was the only character that was likable and stuck to his morals.

This story was promoted as similar to "Avatar the Last Airbender". This is entirely untrue; as a huge avatar fan, I see no similarities. Please go into this book knowing it is entirely unique!

Overall, I think this is a great fantasy debut with rich world building, great for YA readers. I suspect adults might find the characters a bit young and insufferable. You will like this book if you are interested in books where characters have to fight to change the system, where there is fast paced plot progression, and an interesting magic system. I'd give this a 3.5/5 stars and would definitely like to continue reading the series to find out what happens next.

Thank you so much to netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.

This book was a blast to read and I could not put it down. I pretty much stayed up all night reading this. I saw in the description that it was for fans of Six of Crows and Avatar the Last AirBender and so this book was right up my ally and it did not disappoint. The only thing I am upset about is that I don't have a physical copy yet to put on my shelf that is how much I loved it. The world building was great and I really got to understand the society I was placed in. The characters were all unique and lively which helped to elevate the world building and story elements. The fantasy aspects were clearly well thought out and developed and damn for a first book in a series this is everything you could ask for. I can't wait to see what else comes from The Fifth Realm because Vora has be 1000% hooked.