Jaran drew me in with its rich world-building and fascinating cultural detail. I enjoyed following Tess as she learns to navigate life among the Jaran, and her growth felt genuine and rewarding. The relationship between Tess and Ilya is layered with culture clash and slow-burn tension, which added depth to the story.

Overall, it’s an immersive and memorable read, perfect for anyone who enjoys character-driven science fiction with strong themes of identity, politics, and romance.

In Jaran, we meet Tess—a young woman who isn't comfortable as her brother's heir and isn't sure how to find a different role. She stumbles into intrigue on the world of Rhui and finds purpose as she works to solve the puzzle. As she settles in, Tess begins to understand the jaran people who adopted her, the lands she rides through, and what it means to be human and adapt to change. Elliot's world and character building is deep and rich; while this first book requires patience, the result is worth it. All four books of this series are worth the investment of time.