Book Review: The First of Their Kind by Iolanda R. Santos

I want to thank NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of The First of Their Kind, and I must say, this book was a thrilling ride from start to finish. Set in a world where magic is outlawed, the stakes couldn’t be higher for the characters, and I found myself completely absorbed in their struggles.

Ashe, the skilled assassin with a forbidden power, immediately captured my attention. Her determination to find her sister despite the risks involved made her a compelling protagonist. I appreciated how Santos crafted Ashe's character; she’s tough yet vulnerable, constantly wrestling with her morals while navigating a dangerous landscape.

On the other side, we have Eleanora, the princess raised to disdain anything non-human. Her journey of self-discovery as a shapeshifter is both poignant and gripping. I loved how her character evolves, challenging her ingrained beliefs and learning to embrace her true identity. The dual perspectives of Ashe and Eleanora not only added depth to the story but also highlighted the complex nature of their world.

The world-building is richly detailed, painting a vivid picture of Atjas and its dark, oppressive atmosphere. Santos has a talent for immersing readers in her settings, making it easy to feel the tension and fear surrounding magic in this kingdom. The themes of betrayal and alliance are expertly woven into the plot, keeping me on edge as I turned each page.

I also enjoyed the budding relationships throughout the story. The dynamics between the characters, especially between Ashe and the judgmental Mage, brought an interesting layer of tension and humor. Their interactions were not only entertaining but also added depth to their development as they faced external and internal challenges.

While the pacing felt a bit uneven at times, with some sections dragging while others flew by, the overall journey was rewarding. The twists and turns kept me guessing, and I appreciated how Santos skillfully balanced action with character growth.

Overall, The First of Their Kind is a captivating blend of fantasy, romance, and moral dilemmas. I

The First of Their Kind is so good. It's that good of a story. I recommend everyone to read this book as fast as they can because it's really good and the characters are fantastic and the story line is lovely.

First of Their Kind by Lolanda Santos is definitely
a captivating novel that dives deep into the complexities of identity and belonging. Santos weaves a compelling narrative around unique characters who challenge societal norms, making readers question what it truly means to be "different." The prose is engaging and thought-provoking, with a plot that balances between thrilling action and introspective moments. This book is perfect for readers who enjoy speculative fiction with a strong emotional core.

This was an interesting concept and a solid first book of the series. I struggled to stay interested in so many different perspectives (3 at a max would have worked well here and given more character development) but overall enjoyed following Ashe's journey. I'll definitely pick up the next instalment!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you NetGalley.

The First of their Kind is a really solid book.

What I liked:
- The characters felt very much real and alive. Unlike many other books, the characters weren't 100% good or evil; no mustache-twirling villains or selfless heroes ready to save all the little guys. Everyone was a mixture of selflessness and selfishness; the Light Mage is a jerk, the assassin is driven by love, the torture expert is bubbly, the escort/spy is loyal, and the tiger-princess is weak. All the characters were motivated by their own goals, their motivations were easy to understand and made sense in relation to who they were.
- Ashe was a very relatable protagonist. Although I wish she would have wallowed in self-hate less, her internal monologue was rich and complex, and I found myself amazed at how human she felt. She was full of contradictions and insecurities, but also hope and love. The decisions she made and the actions she took were all aligned with her internal turmoil, which was very well done.
- King Byron was a good villain. He was not evil for the sake of being evil (which is boring); he was afraid and paranoid. These feelings fueled his intolerant policies about magic, the Great Hunt, and his spiraling down during the book. Through the book, he became more and more unhinged, unstable, isolated, and paranoid. And I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. King Byron is a formidable antagonist because he is both powerful and unpredictable.
- The world seemed rich in history, religion, and culture. I am looking forward to exploring more of it.

What I did not like:
- I don't think I needed 5 POVs. Ashe's and Eleanora's were essential because they are the main storylines for the trilogy (I am assuming), King Byron's was a nice addition because I like villains, but I found that Theo's point of view did not add anything to the story. And Myren's was even less necessary, happening only once.
- I felt like the love/romance portion of the book was its weakest point. I get that Ashe was always attracted to Theo, but he went from not trusting her to being in love with her without transition. I thought their feelings could have developed more gradually and spent less time in the "He obviously hates me, even though he gives me all the signs of being infatuated with me" phase.
- Eleanora's deprogramming and unlearning of her hate towards magic was too rapid. She spent the entirety of her life being taught that magic needed to be hated and eradicated, but she let go of her prejudice in less than a week by talking to a stranger. I found that hard to believe.

What I am neutral about:
- The plot was simple. Not necessarily a bad thing (especially when it is well executed), but nothing surprised me. It felt like a video game: you have your quest, gather allies, train your group, beat the minions, and then the boss, before being allowed into the next level of the game. Book #2 is going to be the next level, and book #3 is going to include the final boss. However, for this story I think it worked; it was character-driven, not plot-driven. Or maybe I enjoyed the characters more than I enjoyed the plot.

Overall, I find this was a very good book and I am looking forward to reading the next installment in the trilogy!