This was such a lovely debut! I’m thrilled it’s going to be in Fairyloot’s Romantasy box as I am desperate for a special edition of this gorgeous, romantic story! Five stars!

The pacing of this was a bit slow. The language would throw me off sometimes but this was overall an enjoyable read. I love the magic elements. For a debut book it was pretty good!

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book.

I didn't know what I was in for with this book, but it definitely took me on a bunch of unexpected twists and turns. Even made me rethink some of the scenes that I didn't think there significant.
The summary of the book is on the book's profile so I'm not going to summarize it, just give my thoughts.

At first I started this book slowly to get out of a slump and the beginning of the book, while fantastical, was warming up to the events that kickoff the book. It started a bit slow for me, but it picked up eventually.

What I love the most about this book is how it gave me Lirael (by Garth Nix) vibes- magical library, learning and seeking magic, finding that our FMC is destined for life-saving adventure. I loved those bits. I also really liked that our FMC is in her 20's. That took the motivations to survive and the feelings she had for each of the people she met and her situation more relatable to me.

The parts that I think the author did really well was placing the two MMCs in Lore's life. It took me a minute to understand the purpose and motivations of each guy, but as the story went on, it became more and more clear how it was important for Lore to be around them whether it be for plot's sake or Lore's sake. I don't want to spoil how important this is so make sure you read the book to understand what I mean.

All around, this book was a good adventure. The descriptions beautiful and concise and the characters being well thought out.

The hype surrounding this book has been unreal. It was what initially drew me in, I had been hearing about this book everywhere. Thankfully, I really enjoyed it!

Wow, I was blown away by this book! I enjoyed the different story elements and scenes, it was fast paced without feeling like you’re stopping and not knowing where you’re at in the story. Lore, Asher, Isla, and Finndryl are a fun group, and I was not expecting the twist at the end at all.

Adventure, magical books and libraries, new fae books, and a caring found family vibe. I love Lores sense of adventure and her loyalty to her friends. Such an incredible read, I can’t wait for the next one and the continuation of their adventures!

rating: 2.75/5
spice: 1.75/5

I randomly selected this on NetGalley because I heard it was written by a bookstagrammer and was so excited to support a fellow bookstagrammer... but unfortunately I just didn't like Lore of the Wilds. I was left with so many questions throughout the book and ultimately confused with the pacing and characters.

I feel like we skipped over a couple scenes of progress with how one moment Lore was going to sleep and the next she's already in a whole new location. Don't even get me started about Grey!! That whole thing just didn't make sense!

I was intrigued by Asher in the beginning and then the ending happened and it just sealed my thoughts in that this was poorly done. The idea was incredible and couldn't been executed a lot better if added in depth of characters, plot, and even the relationships between characters. I just had an issue with so much, the story was entirely juvenile unfortunately. Lore and Isla, like did she really just act like that upon their first meeting?? Who does that? A HUMAN especially??

also the fact that she's a human and has no previous experience with magic but of course she becomes so powerful and knowledgable so fast, oooh ahhh. no mishaps or hiccups!!

Don't even get me started on the love triangle that felt oddly forced and now I understand why and it only aggravates me because now I have to read the series as they release because I need answers and have hope the writing will get better.

Lore of the Wilds is marketed as a New Adult Fantasy which means it includes smut/spice, but it's written like a juvinelle YA fantasy novel with a spicy scene awkwardly slapped in the third half and it really needs to be YA, this isn't the NA vibes.

I’d been anticipating Lore of the Wilds for quite some time, back when it was going to be independently published rather than traditionally published. The premise of this novel seemed really cool and intriguing, though it did not work out well for me. I think, after this book, it’s evident that cozy fantasies are just not for me. It’s just taken me way too long to finish this. As much as I love the vibes of cozy fantasy, more often than not, they fail to hold my attention. I need more than just pretty writing and a cozy feel to enjoy a story. Despite not loving this book, I’m really glad it’s been getting a lot of attention, and I hope that publishers can see the demand for diverse romantasy in the future. There are not many POC-centered romantasies, specifically ones featuring Black characters and love interests written by Black authors, so I am happy this book exists even though I wasn’t a fan.

Another one of my anticipated reads disappointing me. I’m so curious what publishers are thinking re: marketing these days. The amount of tropes applied to this book in the marketing phase were almost all incorrect and misleading. While it is technically romantasy, there’s no love triangle present in this book (though you can see the seeds being planted), there’s no polyamory, barely any magical library, and it’s not adult, I’m sorry it’s just not. This YA with a sex scene. The writing isn’t bad but it reads so incredibly young. The main character is immature and has very little character development or growth as the story proceeds. The love interest is flat and obviously hiding something. Their relationship is just insta-love. I came away not shocked by the ending, unsurprised by the twist and mostly meh about the entire experience.

This is not a bad book necessarily? It just really wasn’t for me. I think a lot of people will like this and good for them.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon/Harper Voyager for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was a pretty fun read! First and foremost, this is a diverse, YA fantasy romance. I really appreciated the enchanted library! Also, the cover is gorgeous!

Overall, I just had some issues with the pacing and consistency throughout the story.

I would recommend this to any YA readers who love fantasy and romance! 💗

A great debut Fantasy Series. The beginning was a little slow going, but once it picked up the pace, I was hooked. The ending had me reeling!

DNF. I really liked the premise but the writing did not work for me at all. It wouldn't be fair to the book if I finished reading and gave it a low rating.

Congratulations to Analeigh Sbrana on her debut novel, this is a great success! The buildup to this book/the marketing were fantastic and I was ecstatic when I received an ARC for this book.
The world building/establishment of the magic system were executed really well and I truly fell in love with the world that Analeigh Sbrana created.
I am glad that there will be more books following this one because I really felt like I could have gotten to know more about Lore, her powers, and her relationships with the other characters.
I cannot wait to read the next book!

This was a good debut novel! It did feel like it lacked some unique voice for me. It felt like the worldbuilding didn't draw me in as much as I like. There is good potential for a great series here!

I wanted to love this one but it fell extremely flat for me. The concept was amazing and something I was very interested in. However, it felt like the author was just telling me what was happening instead of describing the world and what was going on in the story. It felt disjoined, like we would go from one action to another without any explanation as to why it was happening. I will say that I enjoyed the overall plot of the book and will likely be reading the second book, if only because I’m curious as to how the author will write it.

4⭐
0.5🌶️

Lore of the Wilds had such a beautifully strong start by showcasing a town of humans imprisoned by the neighboring fae. After an earthshake occurs, Lore, skilled in languages, is tasked to work in the magical palace library where no fae can enter in exchange for rebuilding her town and saving her people. Lore finds a book that is seemingly empty and harmless, but ends up being an item of great magical power. It showed her the dark horrors that have occurred after she left. Using her magic and some allies she gained along the way, Lore goes on the run to save the people she loves.

The world-building is deep in the beginning and can definitely be overwhelming, however, after the first 20% I felt like I got a grip of the world and everything in it at that point. I really love the magical library and how well done it was. Lore being a chaotic & unreliable FMC was phenomenal. Any time she was faced with a conflict, I expected her to go one way, but she flipped the script and did something unhinged. I loved that.

The romance with Asher definitely felt a bit forced, but understandable with the situation of how they met and interacted in the beginning. I was most definitely rooting for Lore to pick grumpy Finn over Asher as their interactions increased. He really cares for her and he better be end game or else...

I know it is sold as a romantasy but this is that in the loosest way. There are fantasy elements & romance elements, but you're not going to get the same feeling as other big name romantasy titles. This 100% felt more like a YA novel with a sprinkling of spice rather than an adult novel. If the spice was omitted, I felt like the plot and writing would feel like it made more sense. I'm not saying that's a bad thing, my expectations were a bit different.

Jaw on the floor plot twist! Unreal!

"Power is beautiful and, Lore, you're the most beautiful creature I've ever lain eyes on." swooooon

📖 Magic Library
📖 Love Triangle
📖 Chaotic FMC
📖 Unique Magic system
📖 Great world building
📖 Plot TWIST & Cliffhanger 😑

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Avon & Harper Voyager for the eARC of Lore of the Wilds by Analeigh Sbrana.

What a fun and easy dip into fantasy. After multiple high stakes series, this is beautiful and whimsical palate cleanser that leaves you wishing for more fairytales in real life. A stunning debute novel.

Lore, a human living in the only human territory on the planet, is coerced to leave her city to help fae royalty unlock the magic inside the library that has been warded against anyone with fae blood to enter. As Lore learns more about the library, a grimoire calls out to her and makes a bargain to protect her if she takes its magic within her. While on the run with her bodyguard, Lore begins to learn to harness the magic and cast spells, all while the fae are working on a plan of revenge to steal the grimoire and return it to it's owner.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️ 4.5/5
Spice: 🌶️ 1/5

Tropes:
Bodyguard
Hidden Powers
Magical Quest

Triggers:
Extreme Poverty
Kidnapping
Slavery
Assumed SA

My thoughts:
What an awesome book with great, easy-to-follow world building! Lore is no damsel in distress and instead works with those protecting her to keep herself and the human population safe. My only complaint is that there isn't a sequel release date yet!

I really enjoyed this book and am very excited for the sequel! The world building was strong and the characters had good depth. I think the pacing in the beginning was a little quick, but that could also be me wishing we spent more time cataloging the library! I love cataloging and was so excited on how a magic system would impact the workflow. That's likely a complaint more unique to me as someone in cataloging and libraries.

This book was not what I was expecting. It was a good first book but when I am given the premise of a magical library, I expect to be in the magical library for most of the book. The romance was also a bit off. At one point I thought the love interest might be the someone introduced later in the book. I did like the ending and while pick up the second book.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was one of my most anticipated books of the year and overall it did not disappoint. I loved all the characters and the story and I cannot wait to continue this story and world. I will say some of the plot points were a little rushed and the pacing in the book was weird (there would be large times jumps randomly) but those things didn’t overly deter from my enjoyment of the book. This book is marketed as a love triangle and while yes there are two male leads I wouldn’t 100% consider it a love triangle at least not yet. The romance is also not the main focus of this story so if you are going into it with that mindset just know that this is more of a fantasy world with small glimpse of romance. If you are looking for spice there is really only one scene towards the end. These are not things though that bother me but I know some people will be disappointed if they are expecting heavy amounts of romance. Again so happy I read this book and can’t wait for the rest of the series.