The Omen Girl was absolutely fantastic! The author wrote a story that was so well written I found myself flying through the pages, unable to put the book down, pondering what would happen next. My favorite piece of this entire story was how believable the characters were.

The writing is clear and clean, and very immersive. The book hums along at a good clip, but the pacing makes sure we're given time to breathe between plot-intensifying moments. The story was absolutely engaging and the work that went into the settings was noticeable and superb. I felt absolutely transported and I'm so incredibly glad I was able to read an arc of this story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Wattpad books for an ARC copy!

I'm always interested in Asian-inspired fantasy and there were a lot of really cool elements in this YA story. The magic and the use of stars in the world building was so cool and not a magic system I think I've personally seen. That combined with the technology used in the world made for an intriguing setting.

The characters were also engaging enough with Sozo's arc being the most interesting to me with Naqi a close second. I do think that most of the other characters felt rather one-note and forgettable.

Overall, this book felt like it could have been at least 50 pages longer to really build up and flesh out characters and more of the world. If you're just looking for a quick, exciting read then you might be satisfied. But I personally felt like I was introduced to cool characters and a unique world and left disappointed when much was left only explored at surface level.

This book has a great premise, but it leaves a bit to be desired.

One of the key things that stood out to me was the worldbuilding here, and how it takes a fantasy science fiction take. It has a lot of themes of technology combined with magic, and talks of other planets and modern-day devices. I thought that this was such a unique setting, and it did catch my attention.

I also liked the character building in this story, and how we got to see Sozo change and grow as an individual. At many times she was morally grey, but as she experiences and meets more people, she discovers that what she was raised to believe was wrong. I also liked Naqi, who accepted and loved her despite how she behaved or treated others, and his characterization felt like a fresh breeze of air.

While these two characters shone in their roles, I do think that many of the other characters felt flat. Especially the villain of the story, but to avoid spoilers, I will not go any further there. There was a motive, but other than that there was little to nothing more to them.

I also felt like parts of the story were not fully fleshed out, and weirdly, just would throw something in or ignore something for the rest of the story. Such as how did Sozo become marked? Who was her family? How was she raised by Esp? How does the government here work? Overall, there was just a lot left unanswered or even half answered, and it left me with the feeling that it was unfinished. Also, I hated the ending... and I'm just gonna leave it there.

This book did have some strengths, but in the end of the day I think it could have been fleshed out a bit more. It felt unfinished and a little disappointing at the end of the day.

Sozo is an Omen—someone whose misdeeds have formed a magical stain upon her skin. But Sozo isn’t like other Omens. She has the power to temporarily hide her Omen and pass as normal. This ability has allowed her to enter the temple and bodn with a star so she can win the Decade Race and be granted a wish. Along the way she makes new friends and discovers some who she thought were friends were actually enemies.

The magic in this story is actually really unique—based on stars and using stardust through whistling, which allows the star-bonded to board a glider and fly. There’s a whole history and religion built around the stars that is something completely new I have never seen before.

The story itself deals with some heavy themes: friendship, inner strength, what makes someone good or evil, perception, and especially conscience and guilt. Sozo is a hard protagonist, used to going it alone and terrified to be caught at any moment. Making friends is hard for her because she is certain she would be rejected and even put to death once anyone discovers her stain. Despite the fact that she is lying to everyone, and even the fact that she has killed before, she still wants to win the race and help all the other Omens who haven’t been as fortunate as her. In contrast, all the other competitors, like Roaz are foils for her kindness. The other competitors cheat and bully her, and only are out for themselves, but yet they do not carry Omens themselves.

I was a little confused about what age group this book was geared towards, as the characters seem to be preteens but deal with a lot of adult themes and struggled. Also I wasn’t quite certain whether Sozo and Naqi were supposed to just be friends or romantic interests as it is hinted several times that they might be.

Overall a quick and easy read with lush worldbuilding and cool magic, but probably not something I would end up rereading.

Sozo harbors an Omen, a stain under the skin that grows and carries the threat of turning her into a monster. She and so many like her are seen as cursed and treated as outcasts...if not killed. Her rare talent to hide her stain ends her with a group of rebels, who wants her to enter a competition with the chosen people in a deadly race with scooters powered by a star. The winner receives a wish, any wish, and it will be granted no matter how impossible it seems. Not only must she survive and keep the strengthening monster inside of her hidden, but stars cannot be lied to, and they are said to destroy the stained.

The tale begins with Sozo staring at the stars with her parents before their deaths. With several mini-chapters, the beginning drops enough tidbits in time jumps (Sozo's past) to lay the background for her situation and a bit of the world background. The normal flow begins as she's finished with the training, shortly before the day where the potential racers are chosen by a star. From here, it's a fast-paced read with surprises coming quick and the tension humming high.

Despite the fast pacing, there's quite a bit of character development to give this tale heart. Sozo's monster isn't only a dark stain, but she carries heavy, inner demons. As a character, she's more than rough along the edges, very off-putting, and difficult to like even for the reader, at times. While this makes her unenjoyable, at first, it opens up tons of room for growth, and the author uses this. The characters around her meld in with just enough depth to make them interesting, while the action and other intrigue mounts to drive the story forward.

It's an original surmise with an intriguing world. Especially the beginning gave just enough to sink in and enjoy...and it is a fun, grabbing read. Questions surrounding the magic, society, training and such were left open. This more superficial feel permeates many aspects of the read and writing, which will delight quick-paced adventure fans, who simply want to enjoy a fresh, tense, and exciting read with just enough inner struggles to root for the heroine until the very end.

thank you to netgalley and wattpad webtoon book group for providing me with a preview arc! review is my own.

through the extensive detail and descriptive depths of the narrators feelings, <b>the omen girl</b> creates a world that will capture you and thrust you into the mystical world the story builds for you. every page will leave you just as captivated as the previous, and you will quickly be enchanted by the characters of the story. there is more behind these pages than just a world riddled with prejudice that teaches the reader a lesson to take home with them once you put this book down. if you are looking for a story full of tender moments and tales of finding strength in yourself to overcome diversity when the world has turned their back on you, do not hesitate to pick up this book. you will not regret it.