2.5 rounded up to 3

Rose has made a life for herself in a remote village. But when the mist plague reaches her home, she finds herself swept away into a world of intrigue and deadly secrets.

Read if you like:
-Fae
-Secret Identities
-Opposing Courts
-Gods & Magic

Compass Points was billed as an adult romantasy, but it read more like a YA book. I wish there had been more world building as I felt like parts of this were simple/bare bones. There could have been more added to really bring this world to life. Not a bad book, just not one that really captured my imagination.

Compass Points
Compass Points Book 1
By Jillian Witt
5 ⭐️

This is exactly what I like in a lighter (as opposed to dark fantasy/romantasy) themed Fae based romantasy. This story is creative and, while somewhat predictable, it has me very invested in needing to know what happens next. This is a series; book 1 doesn’t have an intense cliffhanger. I love the MCs: Rose, Luc, and I’m including the sassy familiar-like sidesick Arie in that list. Their banter was delightful throughout. There is a bit of spice but nothing too crazy imo.

This was a great introduction for a series. Compass Points (from my interpretation of it) is about a society that is led by royalty or nobles that represent the points of a compass that form gangs or territories? Fae and humans exist in this book. To be a compass point you must be fae (surprise surprise) and then you take a test that is like a handful of quests? The story starts and kicks off fast which is great, but it misses a lot of information that leads you your own interpretation of things. The female main character is a magical weapon maker, accompanied by a “shape shifter”. The male lead seems to be the lead of the whole compass. Pro-tip would be to google definitions the names/titles of the royalty just to help you get an idea of who they represent. Anyways, the king comes to the weaponry and this mist comes to hurt them and the adventure takes from there. The female leads family was slaughtered when she was younger so of course she is really guarded and unsure of a lot of things. Together they must figure out why and where the deadly mist is coming from.

The author drops a couple of bombs in this book that catch you out of nowhere but connect a couple of dots. Absolutely loved the ending with everything.

During the story the author goes back and forth between times periods and the three main ones are to represent:
1. How she discovered she had power
2. The level of her power
3. Why she is hiding her power

There was a couple of instances where time changes were within the chapters and it was incredibly hard to deceiver when and where they were.

This is an easy and quick read. However, sometimes it’s missing a lot and messy writing. I am hoping the following books in the series fills in the gaps.

Finally, I don’t think this should have been labeled a romance. There’s maybe two hot and heavy kissing scenes. Other than that there’s no romance.

This could be a standalone if you decide not to continue with the series.

Book art would have been great for this book.

I really enjoyed this one! The concept of the compass points felt so original and refreshing. I absolutely loved Rose and Luc—they had such great chemistry, and their banter was everything I hoped for. The animal shapeshifting was such a fun element, and I always appreciate a strong female lead, which Rose delivered perfectly.

The story gave me major Emily Wilde vibes, which I loved—it had that same blend of adventure, charm, and magic. Since this is the first book in a trilogy, not everything was wrapped up, but it left me eager to dive into book two and see where the story goes next!

Fake dating, elemental magic, an animal companion and a strong female main character are all components of the adult romantic fantasy set in a world inspired by the United States National Parks. Compass Points was the debut novel for author, Jillian Witt and the first novel in her Compass Pojnts series. Read above for book information. I loved this Romantasy story. Rose was a strong FMC and Luc a strong, upstanding, alphamale. The chemistry between them was impossible to miss and the slow burn was delectable. The world-building was very effective. The story is part politics, part mystery, and a quest to save the world as they knew it. I loved each twist the story took, giving me a piece of the puzzle I wasn’t expecting. I am very much looking forward to reading the next book in this series, Tangled Power. I definitely recommend this novel for readers who enjoy romantasy stories. This book is available as part of the Kindle Unlimited subscription, audible.com, or on Hoopla. I give this book 4.5 ⭐️ rounded to 5⭐️ on Goodreads and retail sites.

I would like to thank Jillian Witt for providing this book in exchange for my honest review and to prepare for the ARC review of Book 3 next month. All opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you so much for the arc copy of this book- I was so excited to see that I got approved.

This was a quick enjoyment read for me, I wanted something I could read through in a day and thats exactly what I got with this book. Its about Rose who lives in a remote village making weapons and trying to avoid compass point who are fae and very important leaders. The only issue is there is a mist that is extremely deadly spreading throughout the land. One day it spreads to her village and that is where she meets Luc. I did like the idea of Rose being a weapons master and able to put her powers into the weapons that she created. During the middle of the book I did start getting a little bored and things just didnt feel like they were smoothly moving throughout the book but it came and went as the book went on. If you're looking for a *vibe* read then this is it but if you're looking for a fantasy master piece with moving parts, world building and literary analysis then this would not be it for you.

This was a strong start to the Compass Points series, it had that element that I was looking for and enjoyed how good everything worked in the genre. The characters had that element that I was looking for and enjoyed the overall feel of them. I enjoyed the way this was everything that I was looking for and enjoyed the start of this. Jillian Witt has a strong writing style and am excited for more.

I received an advance reader's copy of Compass Points (Compass Points #1) by Jillian Witt from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I’m always excited to read a new-to-me author and Jillian Witt did not disappoint. Overall, I quite enjoyed the book and the morning flew by while I read. There was action, intrigue, and chemistry. The characters were fairly well-crafted, the pace of the novel was mostly steady, and there were some surprises. Definitely worth reading the entire series if future books are this well crafted.

Compass Points is the first book in the Compass Points series written by Jillian Witt.

*Elemental magic
*Fake dating
*Romantasy slow burn

This book takes place is the magical lands of Compass Points, Luc from the Suden and Rose from the Norden. Both main characters posses a form of elemental magic, Rose having two forms.

The book opens up with a mysterious Mist that is trying to take over different villages, if it succeeds it takes everyone inside the village.

Luc and Rose are determined to find out how the mist is working, and stop it from harming more villages. With a trusty sidekick, is the form of a familiar, they set off towards Norden land for help.

I loved how Luc did not use his mind magic on Rose because he wanted her to remember every one of their interactions. 🥰

There is some spice, but you’re going to have to wait for it to suddenly show up. This book is a slow burn, a few kisses throughout the book but the one, and only, intimate scene doesn’t happen until around 85%.

Fantasy romance isn’t a favorite genre of mine but this was written well, it does end in nice spot but the story will be continued into the next book in the series. Overall, it was written well and I enjoy the characters and the storyline.

Thank you to the Myth and Magic Book Club and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this title!

Format: NetGalley ebook
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Overall Score:⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level:🌶️🌶️
Characters: Rose (FMC) & Luc (MMC)

Yes Yes Yes! I am so glad this story has other installments, what an enjoyable read! It puts me in the mind of The Golden Compass and Emily Wildes's Encyclopedia of Faries. There is fake dating, political unrest, enemies to lovers, friends to enemies, magic, and a formidable MFC.

I have already started book 2.

Thank you Netgalley, ARC provided by Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, and Jillian Witt for an ARC of this fantastical book. I am leaving this honest review voluntarily and without coercion.

Compass Points begins with Rosie, an armorer, being approached by a man named Luc looking for help with weapons to use against a mist that is destroying town after town. She initially does not want to help due to a history we are not privy to. She is eventually drawn in and through her growing relationship with Luc and flashbacks we get as a reader, we begin to understand her past and role in this world.

Despite the overall conflict going on, there isn't a super dramatic third act that readers are pulled through. I felt like it was set up really well as a book one in a series, where obviously more drama is to come. The magic system is very interesting, and leaders are tied to compass points, and each has different abilities. I also enjoyed Rosie's relationships with Luc and Arie. Shout out to a shifter animal sidekick who can speak in her mind. The page count is also fairly low for a romantasy, without feeling like we miss plot beats. I'll gladly continue on in this series!

Thanks to Jillian, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, and NetGalley for an egalley of this book for an honest review.

If you are looking for an introduction into reading fantasy, this is a good series to start. It’s quick and to the point. World building is there and apart of the story line compared to other fantasy book series that have books that are smokey world building.

Thank you Netgalley, author, and publisher for the ARC.

Compass Points by Jillian Witt is such a good book. Jillian is a genious! I rated it 5 stars. I truly recommend everyone to read this book as fast as they can because it's really good.

This story is so unique and fun. I love Rose and found her to be a great FMC, I loved her personality and really enjoyed the witty banter between her and Luc. I liked the relationship between Luc and Rose and felt that they're slow burn felt genuine. The world building in this book was done well I am really keen on the setting being based on national parks. It gave a familiarity that I think brought the story closer to the heart. One of my favorite things about this book is the magic system I love elemental magic and I love this take with the compass Points and keeping balance. Ari was an absolute delight and I loved the reveal at the end, Meddling gods, one bed, fake dating, and return of the chosen one. All my favorite tropes wrapped into a great light fantasy. I can't wait to start book two!

I loved this!
An adult story, for adults, featuring adults!
A rarity to be sure!
I loved that the two mains treat each other with respect and thoughtfulness.
They trust each other despite their pasts (though MMC is still a mystery, I’m guessing it’s not cupcakes and rainbows)

The only thing I wish I knew more was about their world. It sounds so tiny, like more of a small country. What if the rest of their planet? Maybe that comes out in the next book?
Which I will definitely be reading!!!!