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The Agapéd Bearer #1
Wishing Stars
The most powerful force in the universe falls out of the sky and into the hands of a magicless thirteen-year-old girl.
Lisa Robbie, a freckled, soon-to-be-eighth-grade girl from Keyport, New Jersey, happens upon a shooting star that isn’t merely space debris but is magic—the Agapéd Magic. This leads her to a whole new way of life where she learns she has the most powerful magic in all four galaxies, a power that the Guardians have waited 120 years for... and they are not too thrilled about it.
The only person who sees her worthy enough to wield this magic is the 700-year-old brutish Wishing Star gardener, Gaius. Still, even he won't tell her the Agapéd’s true purpose—the purpose for Lisa’s life. Why don't they like me having this magic? What is so special about it? Why are they keeping me and this Agapéd Magic a secret?
Curiosity takes Lisa’s new life down a path of nightmares as the Agapéd Magic begins to take a toll on her heart, and she must decide if this new way of life is worth all the pain and sorrow tagged along with it.
. . .
The Agapéd Wishing Stars begins the epic light-versus-darkness saga, a fantasy adventure perfect for those who enjoy constant tugging at their heartstrings and plenty of magical encounters.
Lisa Robbie, a freckled, soon-to-be-eighth-grade girl from Keyport, New Jersey, happens upon a shooting star that isn’t merely space debris but is magic—the Agapéd Magic. This leads her to a whole new way of life where she learns she has the most powerful magic in all four galaxies, a power that the Guardians have waited 120 years for... and they are not too thrilled about it.
The only person who sees her worthy enough to wield this magic is the 700-year-old brutish Wishing Star gardener, Gaius. Still, even he won't tell her the Agapéd’s true purpose—the purpose for Lisa’s life. Why don't they like me having this magic? What is so special about it? Why are they keeping me and this Agapéd Magic a secret?
Curiosity takes Lisa’s new life down a path of nightmares as the Agapéd Magic begins to take a toll on her heart, and she must decide if this new way of life is worth all the pain and sorrow tagged along with it.
. . .
The Agapéd Wishing Stars begins the epic light-versus-darkness saga, a fantasy adventure perfect for those who enjoy constant tugging at their heartstrings and plenty of magical encounters.
586 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 28, 2023
182 people are currently reading
5559 people want to read
About the author
Hannah Taylor Lindsey
4 books285 followersHannah Lindsey is the author of the Agapéd Bearer Saga, a YA coming-of-age fantasy with a wonderful mentor/mentee, the chosen one, and found family trope. And of course, tons of magic.
Hannah also illustrates her story and characters, showcasing her artwork on Instagram (@hmnnah.art) and on her website hmnnahart.com.
She lives with her husband in the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee.
WISHING STARS (book 1) and PARAGON GAMES (book 2) is out now!
Hannah also illustrates her story and characters, showcasing her artwork on Instagram (@hmnnah.art) and on her website hmnnahart.com.
She lives with her husband in the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee.
WISHING STARS (book 1) and PARAGON GAMES (book 2) is out now!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews
June 25, 2024
This book had all the final fantasy kingdom hearts vibes I’ve been searching for in a book, but I have a huge gripe with the writing:
-First of all, please for the love of all that is good, use a thesaurus. There has to be more adjectives to describe Giaus other than brawny and burly. Those words are used in almost every page and it’s overdone. Also “slag.” That’s been used excessively. Almost on every page of book 2 so far too.
-Secondly, we get that Lisa is pale. The constant reminders are frustrating. There’s mention of her pale skin and freckles in every chapter and often more than once.
-please fire your editor… and if you don’t have one, get one. Reading the same sentence back to back with slightly different wording isn’t fun to read. It’s fine if it happens once in a while, I mean that’s just human error, but the fact that it happens so often just solidifies that you don’t trust your audience to understand you, or you don’t trust your writing to convey what you want.
-tone down all the italicization of random words. It’s done so often the intended effect is lost.
-and now my biggest issue with the book: the big bad isn’t even mentioned until 80% in. 80% of the book is Lisa learning magic, but as the audience we have zero reason to root for her without a big bad. The plot doesn’t move and the final fight was rushed like I’ve never experienced before in a book.
The vibes are there, but the writing hurts my heart.
That being said, I’m starting book 2, but the bar is LOW.
-First of all, please for the love of all that is good, use a thesaurus. There has to be more adjectives to describe Giaus other than brawny and burly. Those words are used in almost every page and it’s overdone. Also “slag.” That’s been used excessively. Almost on every page of book 2 so far too.
-Secondly, we get that Lisa is pale. The constant reminders are frustrating. There’s mention of her pale skin and freckles in every chapter and often more than once.
-please fire your editor… and if you don’t have one, get one. Reading the same sentence back to back with slightly different wording isn’t fun to read. It’s fine if it happens once in a while, I mean that’s just human error, but the fact that it happens so often just solidifies that you don’t trust your audience to understand you, or you don’t trust your writing to convey what you want.
-tone down all the italicization of random words. It’s done so often the intended effect is lost.
-and now my biggest issue with the book: the big bad isn’t even mentioned until 80% in. 80% of the book is Lisa learning magic, but as the audience we have zero reason to root for her without a big bad. The plot doesn’t move and the final fight was rushed like I’ve never experienced before in a book.
The vibes are there, but the writing hurts my heart.
That being said, I’m starting book 2, but the bar is LOW.
September 14, 2023
this book. THIS👏BOOK👏
y’all lemme tell you. i’ve been following hannah for a little while now on instagram. seeing her succeed in not only completing this beautiful book, but also illustrating so much for it was so so so impressive and inspiring to me as a writer/artist myself. go follow her on instagram she’s incredible.
agaped bearer got me out of my year long reading slump i could NOT put this baby down.
(as you can see i finished this baby in 2 days so that should prove how good it is)
if you like the last of us, keeper of the lost cities, percy jackson, harry potter, or anything star wars, you will LOVE AGAPED BEARER!!
this coming of age, fantasy scifi is such a cozy, feel good read and it brought back my childlike love for books. it was mature without being to dark and funny and sweet without being childish. it was the perfect balance of maturity and innocence.
the characters are so well written and developed, especially the main characters gaius and lisa. (i love them so much it’s a problem🫂🥺)
each characters voice was so recognizable and i almost didn’t need hannah to clarify who was who because they were all so unique.
the characters are just incredible. the found family trope is my personal favorite and boy was this book a found family FEAST of a read. gaius and lisa are the most adorable pair i’ve ever read. grumpy and sunshine character duos just hit me right in the heart.
LISA
lisa is just so cute i could die. she reminds me a lot of my little sister actually. funny, kind, sometimes a little full of herself but in a charming way, bit of a clutz, sweet, unselfish, dedicated and strong of heart. she’s the first female mc that i’ve actually liked since sophie foster in book 9 of keeper of the lost cities. she has flaws and doubts herself for most of the book, so it is extremely satisfying to see her character grow and develop into a strong little girl.
she is beautifully written in such a way with book in her perspective. you feel like you are lisa exploring this new reality and meeting all of these characters.
GAIUS
oh gaius. my love. mi amor. i already have a thing for dilfs and this man was just made it even MORE of a problem. he’s mellow, a little sarcastic and goofy (only around lisa), strong, confident, humble, protective, talented and brave. his development is spot on as well. he starts off unsure of a lot of things but ultimately grows more confident in his own abilities and lisa’s. not only is he hot and muscly as HECK, he’s also a gardener. but not just any gardener, a MAGIC, STAR GARDENER. my man just loves his planties. he’s such a dork i love him.
kinda sorta spoilers in this section but not really:
for my christian readers out there, this book will be a TREAT! there is so much symbolism, analogies, and lines that are very spiritually inspiring and fun to analyze. i don’t know if this was hannah’s intent, but i sort of saw the story as a fantasy comparison to our own spiritual journeys. lisa is born for a higher purpose, bestowed upon her by the higher, magical entity of the universe called the Light. she’s guided in her journey by gaius who sacrifices everything in his power to make sure she reaches her full potential. there’s so much darkness for lisa overcome, but her and gaius overcome it together, even though he knows he doesn’t have to. ringin any bells??
anyway i’m rambling on but seriously. go read this book. you will not regret it.
the way hannah writes is beautiful and inspiring and makes me think differently about my life.
i am SO excited to read more about this beautiful story♥️
but if you’ll excuse me, i got to go do a re-read.
y’all lemme tell you. i’ve been following hannah for a little while now on instagram. seeing her succeed in not only completing this beautiful book, but also illustrating so much for it was so so so impressive and inspiring to me as a writer/artist myself. go follow her on instagram she’s incredible.
agaped bearer got me out of my year long reading slump i could NOT put this baby down.
(as you can see i finished this baby in 2 days so that should prove how good it is)
if you like the last of us, keeper of the lost cities, percy jackson, harry potter, or anything star wars, you will LOVE AGAPED BEARER!!
this coming of age, fantasy scifi is such a cozy, feel good read and it brought back my childlike love for books. it was mature without being to dark and funny and sweet without being childish. it was the perfect balance of maturity and innocence.
the characters are so well written and developed, especially the main characters gaius and lisa. (i love them so much it’s a problem🫂🥺)
each characters voice was so recognizable and i almost didn’t need hannah to clarify who was who because they were all so unique.
the characters are just incredible. the found family trope is my personal favorite and boy was this book a found family FEAST of a read. gaius and lisa are the most adorable pair i’ve ever read. grumpy and sunshine character duos just hit me right in the heart.
LISA
lisa is just so cute i could die. she reminds me a lot of my little sister actually. funny, kind, sometimes a little full of herself but in a charming way, bit of a clutz, sweet, unselfish, dedicated and strong of heart. she’s the first female mc that i’ve actually liked since sophie foster in book 9 of keeper of the lost cities. she has flaws and doubts herself for most of the book, so it is extremely satisfying to see her character grow and develop into a strong little girl.
she is beautifully written in such a way with book in her perspective. you feel like you are lisa exploring this new reality and meeting all of these characters.
GAIUS
oh gaius. my love. mi amor. i already have a thing for dilfs and this man was just made it even MORE of a problem. he’s mellow, a little sarcastic and goofy (only around lisa), strong, confident, humble, protective, talented and brave. his development is spot on as well. he starts off unsure of a lot of things but ultimately grows more confident in his own abilities and lisa’s. not only is he hot and muscly as HECK, he’s also a gardener. but not just any gardener, a MAGIC, STAR GARDENER. my man just loves his planties. he’s such a dork i love him.
kinda sorta spoilers in this section but not really:
for my christian readers out there, this book will be a TREAT! there is so much symbolism, analogies, and lines that are very spiritually inspiring and fun to analyze. i don’t know if this was hannah’s intent, but i sort of saw the story as a fantasy comparison to our own spiritual journeys. lisa is born for a higher purpose, bestowed upon her by the higher, magical entity of the universe called the Light. she’s guided in her journey by gaius who sacrifices everything in his power to make sure she reaches her full potential. there’s so much darkness for lisa overcome, but her and gaius overcome it together, even though he knows he doesn’t have to. ringin any bells??
anyway i’m rambling on but seriously. go read this book. you will not regret it.
the way hannah writes is beautiful and inspiring and makes me think differently about my life.
i am SO excited to read more about this beautiful story♥️
but if you’ll excuse me, i got to go do a re-read.
September 21, 2024
This book was everything I didn’t know I needed and more. The world building was top tier, the character development was phenomenal, and the balance of action and tender moments was perfection.
If you’ve ever been like me and wished you could read a book about your favorite video games and movies (I.e. Zelda, Kingdom Hearts, Studio Ghibli films), well folks…this is it!
Despite this being a chonker of a tome, it read fast. And for someone who has series commitment issues, that’s saying something. Call me obsessed 🥲
Onto book 2!
Also, Hannah’s art on IG is amazing! Highly recommend checking that out!
If you’ve ever been like me and wished you could read a book about your favorite video games and movies (I.e. Zelda, Kingdom Hearts, Studio Ghibli films), well folks…this is it!
Despite this being a chonker of a tome, it read fast. And for someone who has series commitment issues, that’s saying something. Call me obsessed 🥲
Onto book 2!
Also, Hannah’s art on IG is amazing! Highly recommend checking that out!
October 28, 2024
UM, WOW! 😭💛 I will never get tired of Lisa & Gaius moments. Ever. 🥹
April 29, 2024
The best way I can describe this book is if Studio Ghibli and Avatar: The Last Airbender had a baby, with a little influences of Star Wars, it would be The Agaped Bearer, and it was such a great start to what I am sure is going to be an amazing series that has world building on par with Percy Jackson, Shadow and Bone, Chronicles of Narnia, etc.
In terms of pacing, I will say it was a little slow for me just cause I'm used to fantasy stories that just jump right into the action whereas this one everything is a slow build up as it delves into the reality of Lisa, who is a child, learning to use her powers and adjusting to this new fantasy world, or really, universe where the stars are magical with immortal and magical beings and civilizations that definitely exceeds our own! The final battle though takes place during the last few chapters of the book, its quite epic and makes me more excited to read the second book which is all about action!
Speaking of Lisa, following her narrative was so fun as she truly is a relatable character and someone who you want to root for to succeed! Is it frustrating that she tends to get herself in trouble, yeah, but that's literally Percy Jackson too and like him, its bound to happen! The heartache that she dealt within the first book made me so teary eyed because her reaction felt so real and rooted in insecurities and fears that I can wholeheartedly relate to. I'm very excited to see more of this character's growth into becoming a more established and confident hero!
Gaius: THIS MAN HAS MADE ME BECOME SO UNHINGED AND FERAL I DECLARE HIM MY NUMBER ONE BOOK HUSBAND! The way he hesitated in becoming Lisa's mentor to watching him and her bond and see their relationship grow was so refreshing and sweet. HE STARTED BONDING WITH HER THE MOMENT SHE SHOWED HIM INTEREST AND BOOKS AND MAGIC AND THAT HAD ME SOLD ON HIM TOO! He is generally one of the most fascinating characters throughout the whole story and I was so pleased to see a POV from him (even though it crushed me on the inside in terms of context 😖). He cooks, he loves to read, he loves plants, he loves magic, AND HE BUILT IN ALL THE RIGHT PLACES?!?! Hannah, madam, I can't be held accountable for my actions regarding this man from here on out. 🤣
A lot of the side characters I thoroughly enjoyed reading, minus Vilmad, he can, not respectfully, be eaten by a giant venus flytrap plant. I know Gaius has one, its just never been confirmed lol.
Ecuras as a villain was an interesting read but I also wish I got more insight from his past relationship with Gaius and his time as The Agaped Bearer so to me he felt more compared to that of Ozai (A:TLA reference) where you hear his name throughout the story but his presence isn't really there till near the end, but also I understand why it had to be written out that way as again, this is Lisa's POV not Gaius' or Ecuras'.
I say this to everyone who reads this, it is enjoyable for all ages! Hannah as an author has a solid foundation in creativity that is gracefully present through her writing and the world and creatures that she created and clearly has put a lot of thought into it! I am very proud of her accomplishments through her storytelling and am so excited to see more from her as an author!
In terms of pacing, I will say it was a little slow for me just cause I'm used to fantasy stories that just jump right into the action whereas this one everything is a slow build up as it delves into the reality of Lisa, who is a child, learning to use her powers and adjusting to this new fantasy world, or really, universe where the stars are magical with immortal and magical beings and civilizations that definitely exceeds our own! The final battle though takes place during the last few chapters of the book, its quite epic and makes me more excited to read the second book which is all about action!
Speaking of Lisa, following her narrative was so fun as she truly is a relatable character and someone who you want to root for to succeed! Is it frustrating that she tends to get herself in trouble, yeah, but that's literally Percy Jackson too and like him, its bound to happen! The heartache that she dealt within the first book made me so teary eyed because her reaction felt so real and rooted in insecurities and fears that I can wholeheartedly relate to. I'm very excited to see more of this character's growth into becoming a more established and confident hero!
Gaius: THIS MAN HAS MADE ME BECOME SO UNHINGED AND FERAL I DECLARE HIM MY NUMBER ONE BOOK HUSBAND! The way he hesitated in becoming Lisa's mentor to watching him and her bond and see their relationship grow was so refreshing and sweet. HE STARTED BONDING WITH HER THE MOMENT SHE SHOWED HIM INTEREST AND BOOKS AND MAGIC AND THAT HAD ME SOLD ON HIM TOO! He is generally one of the most fascinating characters throughout the whole story and I was so pleased to see a POV from him (even though it crushed me on the inside in terms of context 😖). He cooks, he loves to read, he loves plants, he loves magic, AND HE BUILT IN ALL THE RIGHT PLACES?!?! Hannah, madam, I can't be held accountable for my actions regarding this man from here on out. 🤣
A lot of the side characters I thoroughly enjoyed reading, minus Vilmad, he can, not respectfully, be eaten by a giant venus flytrap plant. I know Gaius has one, its just never been confirmed lol.
Ecuras as a villain was an interesting read but I also wish I got more insight from his past relationship with Gaius and his time as The Agaped Bearer so to me he felt more compared to that of Ozai (A:TLA reference) where you hear his name throughout the story but his presence isn't really there till near the end, but also I understand why it had to be written out that way as again, this is Lisa's POV not Gaius' or Ecuras'.
I say this to everyone who reads this, it is enjoyable for all ages! Hannah as an author has a solid foundation in creativity that is gracefully present through her writing and the world and creatures that she created and clearly has put a lot of thought into it! I am very proud of her accomplishments through her storytelling and am so excited to see more from her as an author!
October 19, 2024
I discovered this series by finding the authors Instagram page! and I was completely mesmorised by her beautiful artwork and all of her posts dedicated to her book series. I really enjoyed the first book, it was so fun, it has a lot of my favourite tropes such as the chosen one, mentor/mentee relationship, magic/avatar the last airbender inspired-feels, and much more!
A great balance of light-hearted moments of childhood fun but also varies in its dark moments including anxiety, trauma, grief, self-doubt, and acceptance. I loved Lisa as our main character, she was full of curiosity, kindness and innocence and I just found her so refreshing and relatable to read the POV of a thirteen-year-old, it really reminded me of my own thoughts as younger girl. I am excited to read more of her personal journey as she matures throughout the books.
I highly recommend you check out the authors Instagram page, and I guarantee you will be hooked into scrolling through all of her posts!! @@hmnnah.art
A great balance of light-hearted moments of childhood fun but also varies in its dark moments including anxiety, trauma, grief, self-doubt, and acceptance. I loved Lisa as our main character, she was full of curiosity, kindness and innocence and I just found her so refreshing and relatable to read the POV of a thirteen-year-old, it really reminded me of my own thoughts as younger girl. I am excited to read more of her personal journey as she matures throughout the books.
I highly recommend you check out the authors Instagram page, and I guarantee you will be hooked into scrolling through all of her posts!! @@hmnnah.art
August 4, 2024
For my own sanity….I have to put this one down. I came for the authors art on Instagram (sooooo pretty) and I’m leaving because of the writing style (very juvenile but with good potential). As much as I wanted to love this book, I’ve been trudging my way through this one for a month now and I’m tired of my pitiful progress. We just don’t vibe. It shouldn’t be this hard.
Seriously though, go check out the author’s art on Instagram.
Seriously though, go check out the author’s art on Instagram.
March 2, 2025
3.5 Stars
November 20, 2023
If you are looking for an amazing book series, full of with wonder with mind-blowing world building and love:
- found family
- elemental magic
- self-discovery
- the chosen one
- learning to believe in yourself
- the best and funniest mentor-mantee dynamic
- fight between light and darkness
Then this book is FOR YOU!
The story follows Lisa, a 13 year old ordinary girl, who stumbles upon a wishing star and this sets her on a journey out of the mundane 🥹 This first book from the series is wonderfully crafted and will make you super nostalgic (it made me at least! How I wish I would have been this cool in middle school like Lisa).😅
I loved getting to know the world, the magic, the guardians and the ongoing “battle” between light and darkness, right and wrong. It has the most adorable found family dynamics between Lisa and a grumpy guardian (who is really a sunshine incarnate deep within). He is caring, protective and has a MAGICAL garden. Goals😭🫶🏻
Lisa grows more confident as the plot progresses and I enjoyed all the evolving relationship withe the side characters as well.
I especially loved that the story is truly for middle graders, presenting value and writing with care. Even tho it is a MG book (as the series progress Lisa is more grown up), can be enjoyed for adults too.
Although this was a full of action fantasy it remained cozy and heartwarming throughout its entirety! Do not let Lisa’s age set you back from reading this fantastic novel — it was humorous, serious with enough maturity and softness.
Cannnnnot wait for book 2!
- found family
- elemental magic
- self-discovery
- the chosen one
- learning to believe in yourself
- the best and funniest mentor-mantee dynamic
- fight between light and darkness
Then this book is FOR YOU!
The story follows Lisa, a 13 year old ordinary girl, who stumbles upon a wishing star and this sets her on a journey out of the mundane 🥹 This first book from the series is wonderfully crafted and will make you super nostalgic (it made me at least! How I wish I would have been this cool in middle school like Lisa).😅
I loved getting to know the world, the magic, the guardians and the ongoing “battle” between light and darkness, right and wrong. It has the most adorable found family dynamics between Lisa and a grumpy guardian (who is really a sunshine incarnate deep within). He is caring, protective and has a MAGICAL garden. Goals😭🫶🏻
Lisa grows more confident as the plot progresses and I enjoyed all the evolving relationship withe the side characters as well.
I especially loved that the story is truly for middle graders, presenting value and writing with care. Even tho it is a MG book (as the series progress Lisa is more grown up), can be enjoyed for adults too.
Although this was a full of action fantasy it remained cozy and heartwarming throughout its entirety! Do not let Lisa’s age set you back from reading this fantastic novel — it was humorous, serious with enough maturity and softness.
Cannnnnot wait for book 2!
August 4, 2024
This book was amazing fantasy I cried laughed and screamed more than I expected to and I enjoyed every second of it would recommend
September 9, 2024
I first discovered Hannah’s enchanting illustrations on Instagram in late 2023, and I was immediately captivated by the magical characters she so vividly brought to life. As someone who’s always been drawn to mystical worlds, I felt an instant spark of excitement, especially about Lisa and her journey. This book reignited my love for reading, even causing me to set aside my beloved manga series to dive into this new adventure.
From the very first chapters, The Agapéd Bearer pulled me in with surprising speed. The world-building and character descriptions flowed effortlessly, painting vivid scenes in my mind as I followed young Lisa on her path. My connection to her was immediate and deep—when she wept, I felt her sadness so intensely that it brought tears to my own eyes. This emotional journey felt like a roller coaster, one filled with laughter, worry, joy, and sorrow. I’m incredibly grateful for the way the story made me reflect and feel so profoundly.
One of the things I appreciated most was how the book subtly touches on universal values and personal lessons. It reminded me of feelings and thoughts we often overlook, or even avoid, but that deep down we yearn to confront in order to set our souls free. The relationships between the characters were especially inspiring, encouraging me to reflect on my own connections in real life, urging me to approach them from a fresh perspective. I’ve always valued stories that not only entertain but offer life lessons, and The Agapéd Bearer is brimming with these insightful moments.
If I had one small critique, it would be the battle between Light and Darkness, which felt a bit rushed compared to my expectations. That said, the story quickly won me back with the emotional intensity that followed, so it wasn’t a lasting disappointment. And, without giving too much away, the second book more than made up for it! The battle scenes in the sequel were beautifully developed, showcasing Hannah’s growth as an author in such a short span of time. Paragon Games
In short, I highly recommend The Agapéd Bearer—not only for the captivating story but for the emotional and introspective journey it takes you on. If you love stories that resonate on a deeper level, you’ll want to follow Lisa’s journey and dive straight into the next book as well.
From the very first chapters, The Agapéd Bearer pulled me in with surprising speed. The world-building and character descriptions flowed effortlessly, painting vivid scenes in my mind as I followed young Lisa on her path. My connection to her was immediate and deep—when she wept, I felt her sadness so intensely that it brought tears to my own eyes. This emotional journey felt like a roller coaster, one filled with laughter, worry, joy, and sorrow. I’m incredibly grateful for the way the story made me reflect and feel so profoundly.
One of the things I appreciated most was how the book subtly touches on universal values and personal lessons. It reminded me of feelings and thoughts we often overlook, or even avoid, but that deep down we yearn to confront in order to set our souls free. The relationships between the characters were especially inspiring, encouraging me to reflect on my own connections in real life, urging me to approach them from a fresh perspective. I’ve always valued stories that not only entertain but offer life lessons, and The Agapéd Bearer is brimming with these insightful moments.
If I had one small critique, it would be the battle between Light and Darkness, which felt a bit rushed compared to my expectations. That said, the story quickly won me back with the emotional intensity that followed, so it wasn’t a lasting disappointment. And, without giving too much away, the second book more than made up for it! The battle scenes in the sequel were beautifully developed, showcasing Hannah’s growth as an author in such a short span of time. Paragon Games
In short, I highly recommend The Agapéd Bearer—not only for the captivating story but for the emotional and introspective journey it takes you on. If you love stories that resonate on a deeper level, you’ll want to follow Lisa’s journey and dive straight into the next book as well.
June 3, 2025
I’m so incredibly happy that I came across this book along with Hannah’s instagram. I read this entire novel while looking at her artwork, and I feel it really elevated my experience. I was able to feel even more attached to the characters— especially seeing them come to life through words and on the screen. I also had a specific playlist that went along with many of the scenes, which made my reading experience more enjoyable.
If you’re like me, you’ll enjoy the world building that took place in book 1. It can be a lot for some, and although it can slow the plot a little, I was interested in everything that I read. It helped me envision the Agapéd much more clearly.
There were a few scenes that were so difficult to read, which I always want in a book. I need something that’ll get me to cry, or pull at my heart strings. I need something that’ll have me cheering for the main character. And interesting enough, even though the main character is so young, I didn’t find her to be annoying or overly naïve. She certainly felt more mature at times than I expected, which I appreciated.
I loved all of her interactions with the surrounding characters. Her and Gaius seriously heal my soul, and I’m so content that her mother is a beautiful role model for her. Just a lot of character development for Lisa, which is also a requirement for me.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and I’m looking forward to book 2!
If you’re like me, you’ll enjoy the world building that took place in book 1. It can be a lot for some, and although it can slow the plot a little, I was interested in everything that I read. It helped me envision the Agapéd much more clearly.
There were a few scenes that were so difficult to read, which I always want in a book. I need something that’ll get me to cry, or pull at my heart strings. I need something that’ll have me cheering for the main character. And interesting enough, even though the main character is so young, I didn’t find her to be annoying or overly naïve. She certainly felt more mature at times than I expected, which I appreciated.
I loved all of her interactions with the surrounding characters. Her and Gaius seriously heal my soul, and I’m so content that her mother is a beautiful role model for her. Just a lot of character development for Lisa, which is also a requirement for me.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and I’m looking forward to book 2!
February 17, 2024
This book knocked me out of my reading slump and was exactly what I was longing for—to get lost in a world (or series of vibrant worlds) of magic and enchantment! Hannah Lindsey paints the worlds with so much colour, creativity, and brilliance.
There was a perfect balance between dialogue and description which made the read carry smoothly with no “blockage” of text. I was impressed with the vast amount of stories (and adventures) the one book itself held. Who knew a book could cause so many emotions— moments that held me on the edge of my seat, made me tear up, and caused me to celebrate for Lisa! There were plot-twists and unpredictable events leading me into a “I’ve got to know! Just one more chapter…” cycle.
Hannah Lindsey is a phenomenal storyteller with a huge imagination. She has the ability to immerse her readers into her worlds of beauty, create suspense with characters of mystery, and entertain her readers with magical lore and gritty battles.
Each of her books and illustrations are beyond quality. Upon receiving her books or prints (if ordered from her Ko-fi shop), these orders came beautifully wrapped in the mail. She’s quick to communicate to her readers concerning release dates, updates, fan-support and additional illustrations.
The Agaped Bearer: Wishing Stars is a must have on your library shelf and to share with your friends longing for an adventure! Thank you Lindsey for opening up this portal for us to jump into an enchanted world away from ours!
There was a perfect balance between dialogue and description which made the read carry smoothly with no “blockage” of text. I was impressed with the vast amount of stories (and adventures) the one book itself held. Who knew a book could cause so many emotions— moments that held me on the edge of my seat, made me tear up, and caused me to celebrate for Lisa! There were plot-twists and unpredictable events leading me into a “I’ve got to know! Just one more chapter…” cycle.
Hannah Lindsey is a phenomenal storyteller with a huge imagination. She has the ability to immerse her readers into her worlds of beauty, create suspense with characters of mystery, and entertain her readers with magical lore and gritty battles.
Each of her books and illustrations are beyond quality. Upon receiving her books or prints (if ordered from her Ko-fi shop), these orders came beautifully wrapped in the mail. She’s quick to communicate to her readers concerning release dates, updates, fan-support and additional illustrations.
The Agaped Bearer: Wishing Stars is a must have on your library shelf and to share with your friends longing for an adventure! Thank you Lindsey for opening up this portal for us to jump into an enchanted world away from ours!
March 1, 2024
I. ABSOLUTELY. LOVE IT!!! I cannot tell you enough how good this book is! For a teen who loves fantasy, this is right up my alley. From the father figure mentor to the love interest, this has it all! And it's always cool to check out the art the author makes afterward as well. You already know I'm gonna try to get my hands on book two. If you're a fan of fantasy, I would definitely reccomend this.
The main character:
Lisa is an amazing character that a lot of us nerdy types can definitely relate to, although I definitely wish I could see more of her school life. And her fierce determination makes her oh so more lovable.
The mentor:
Gaius is the teacher we all wish we had. He's such a lovable guy and is always there when Lisa needs him, whether she needs saving from a monster or some comfort
The big bad:
You don't see him for most of the book but when you do he's constructed perfectly. Completely hateable in all aspects, it's obvious he's the bad guy.
The love interest:
Cal is indefinitely the best prince type character I've seen. Take Rhy from A Darker Shade of Magic and give him the power he needs to support the MC, and you have Cal.
Hannah, you did an amazing job structuring this book. I look forward to those to come!!!
The main character:
Lisa is an amazing character that a lot of us nerdy types can definitely relate to, although I definitely wish I could see more of her school life. And her fierce determination makes her oh so more lovable.
The mentor:
Gaius is the teacher we all wish we had. He's such a lovable guy and is always there when Lisa needs him, whether she needs saving from a monster or some comfort
The big bad:
You don't see him for most of the book but when you do he's constructed perfectly. Completely hateable in all aspects, it's obvious he's the bad guy.
The love interest:
Cal is indefinitely the best prince type character I've seen. Take Rhy from A Darker Shade of Magic and give him the power he needs to support the MC, and you have Cal.
Hannah, you did an amazing job structuring this book. I look forward to those to come!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 14, 2024
What a wonderful start to a YA series!
The worldbuilding is incredibly immersive. The author has done an incredible job at describing the different realms and the magic system. In the 1st part of the book, there's a lot of information that Lisa and we as readers have to process.
We follow along as Lisa is chosen by a magical force as the next person to protect the galaxies against the forces of darkness and help retain the balance in the universe.
In a way, this felt like a slice of life story: there's a lot of day to day scenes and combat training. We see the friends she makes along the way, Lisa's insecurities and how she juggles her life on earth with her continuing magic training.
I enjoyed the world that the author has created and the characters and look forward to seeing Lisa grow further into her role of the Agapéd.
•••
I have received an ARC from the author. My opinions are my own.
The worldbuilding is incredibly immersive. The author has done an incredible job at describing the different realms and the magic system. In the 1st part of the book, there's a lot of information that Lisa and we as readers have to process.
We follow along as Lisa is chosen by a magical force as the next person to protect the galaxies against the forces of darkness and help retain the balance in the universe.
In a way, this felt like a slice of life story: there's a lot of day to day scenes and combat training. We see the friends she makes along the way, Lisa's insecurities and how she juggles her life on earth with her continuing magic training.
I enjoyed the world that the author has created and the characters and look forward to seeing Lisa grow further into her role of the Agapéd.
•••
I have received an ARC from the author. My opinions are my own.
February 12, 2025
I didn’t end up finishing this one.
I don’t know if the reason I didn’t enjoy what I read was because it is meant for a younger age or just because the writing wasn’t for me. Due to this take the rest of the review with a grain of salt.
Some of the problems I had was the way things were described felt cookie cutter and bland. (Like you meet a character and the author immediately describes their hair color and style and what they are wearing)
The world building was good except fact that they said the Milky Way was the whole universe when it is just our galaxy and they implied that other stars were different universes. (Nit picky comment I know, but it threw me out of the world when they explained it)
I don’t know if the reason I didn’t enjoy what I read was because it is meant for a younger age or just because the writing wasn’t for me. Due to this take the rest of the review with a grain of salt.
Some of the problems I had was the way things were described felt cookie cutter and bland. (Like you meet a character and the author immediately describes their hair color and style and what they are wearing)
The world building was good except fact that they said the Milky Way was the whole universe when it is just our galaxy and they implied that other stars were different universes. (Nit picky comment I know, but it threw me out of the world when they explained it)
August 17, 2024
Read this book!!!!!!! It has everything you could ever want!!
It has christian themes, no spice, no language, handsome prince, mentor-mentee relationship, coming of age, good vs dark magic, epic world building, and so much more!!!
The author also makes tons of gorgous art on her Instagram @hmnnah.art .Go follow and support her!
This book is so good, I found nothing bad in it!
Ages 12+ (there are so kinda intense battle scenes, and a death. so decide for yourself.)
It has christian themes, no spice, no language, handsome prince, mentor-mentee relationship, coming of age, good vs dark magic, epic world building, and so much more!!!
The author also makes tons of gorgous art on her Instagram @hmnnah.art .Go follow and support her!
This book is so good, I found nothing bad in it!
Ages 12+ (there are so kinda intense battle scenes, and a death. so decide for yourself.)
December 26, 2024
The first half of the book is super slow. I wish I could have sped it up, but once you get to the middle, it all becomes so much more interesting! I love the relationships Lisa has and how much she grew as a person in this book. I also love that it didn't end in a cliffhanger as so many series books do!
June 9, 2025
OH MY GOODNESS. So much to say about this book…
First of all, I sobbed on multiple occasions. I loved Lisa’s relationship with her mom and Gaius, and I’m looking forward to learning more about Cal too… 👀
The setting is so enchanting, literally all of my favorite things combined. The descriptions take some getting used to, though, and the book is about 80% worldbuilding so it takes a little while for the plot to get moving. I’m not usually one to last through slow paced books, but I enjoyed the world and characters enough to keep reading (plus I could tell it was going to get better).
Some of the writing/grammar came off as somewhat amateurish (e.g., a few misplaced commas (“darn, it.”), Lisa’s inner interjection, “so cool!” every few pages in the middle section), but not enough for me to be too put off—and I’m a very picky grammar-reader. 😆😅
Overall, it was an amazing book and I can tell the next ones are going to be even better! Once you get past the first half, you won’t want to put it down. If you’re a fan of Keeper of the Lost Cities, this is its YA older sister!
First of all, I sobbed on multiple occasions. I loved Lisa’s relationship with her mom and Gaius, and I’m looking forward to learning more about Cal too… 👀
The setting is so enchanting, literally all of my favorite things combined. The descriptions take some getting used to, though, and the book is about 80% worldbuilding so it takes a little while for the plot to get moving. I’m not usually one to last through slow paced books, but I enjoyed the world and characters enough to keep reading (plus I could tell it was going to get better).
Some of the writing/grammar came off as somewhat amateurish (e.g., a few misplaced commas (“darn, it.”), Lisa’s inner interjection, “so cool!” every few pages in the middle section), but not enough for me to be too put off—and I’m a very picky grammar-reader. 😆😅
Overall, it was an amazing book and I can tell the next ones are going to be even better! Once you get past the first half, you won’t want to put it down. If you’re a fan of Keeper of the Lost Cities, this is its YA older sister!
June 19, 2025
Somehow it took me awhile to get into this story. I think I was just too excited after seeing all the author’s beautiful artwork leading up to actually reading that I couldn’t wait for the action to start. But, before I knew it, the introduction and world building was over and I could not put the book down. I kept thinking of the story and characters throughout the day and was completely enchanted. I am so happy I splurged on the illustrated editions. The drawings are beautiful and add so much to the reading experience. I cannot wait to read more of Lisa, Cal, Gaius, Tuff, and all the rest. ☺️
July 1, 2025
AHHHHG OMG I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS BOOK!!!!!!
100000000000,00000000000,000,00,00000,000,0,000000000000/10
I was actually super surprised that this book was as good as the people on pintrest said!!!! I’m so glad j read this book and I hope you do too!!!
Now the only thing that I was a bit sad abt was the lack of romance but the next 3 books made up for the lack of romance!
You should soooo read this book the writing is absolutely amazing and there were only a few grammar mistakes but nothing crazy!
A song that I listened to a ton when I read this was:
https://open.spotify.com/track/7CiDwK...
If u can’t use the link then here’s the song:
In My Room by: Chase Peña
Au revoir!!!😚
100000000000,00000000000,000,00,00000,000,0,000000000000/10
I was actually super surprised that this book was as good as the people on pintrest said!!!! I’m so glad j read this book and I hope you do too!!!
Now the only thing that I was a bit sad abt was the lack of romance but the next 3 books made up for the lack of romance!
You should soooo read this book the writing is absolutely amazing and there were only a few grammar mistakes but nothing crazy!
A song that I listened to a ton when I read this was:
https://open.spotify.com/track/7CiDwK...
If u can’t use the link then here’s the song:
In My Room by: Chase Peña
Au revoir!!!😚
January 9, 2024
Este libro... ESTE LIBRO 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Lisa y Gaius tienen un lugar tan preciado en mi corazón que no creí dar a otro libro
Hace mucho qie tenía ganas de un libro así con fantasía, heroísmo, amistad, AMISTAD nada de romance forzado ni nada
Fue la mejor forma de empezar el 2024 lector
Lisa y Gaius tienen un lugar tan preciado en mi corazón que no creí dar a otro libro
Hace mucho qie tenía ganas de un libro así con fantasía, heroísmo, amistad, AMISTAD nada de romance forzado ni nada
Fue la mejor forma de empezar el 2024 lector
January 27, 2025
I did not expect to bawl my eyes out
This book was truely magical and I am excited to continue Lisa's story
This book was truely magical and I am excited to continue Lisa's story
April 21, 2025
GAIUS😭
March 15, 2025
It is the best book I have ever read I can’t wait to read the second book!! I love Lisa’s and Gaius‘ relationship, ist is so cute! I absolutely loved it❤️!
August 21, 2025
Pues me ha gustado mucho 😭
Una aventurita en un mundo mágico con personajes chulos y una prota que me cae bien, un librito donde los personajes crecen conforme avanzan los libros por lo que la historia de cada uno es lenta y tranquila,
¡Pero en el buen sentido!
Una aventurita en un mundo mágico con personajes chulos y una prota que me cae bien, un librito donde los personajes crecen conforme avanzan los libros por lo que la historia de cada uno es lenta y tranquila,
¡Pero en el buen sentido!
January 5, 2024
I really love this book 🥰 It got me wanting to start reading books again
March 18, 2025
Oh wow! I have been waiting to read this book for so long (I had no way of reading it) and boy, it did NOT disappoint!
First: Lisa
Last: Robbie
Oh. My. Goodness. SHE'S AWESOME. THERE ARE NO WORDS TO DESCRIBE. She is just so sweet. I love her healthy relationship with her mother, I mean, they love each other, and they have fun, and they have a true mother-daughter relationship. Relationships with kids and parents often depend on personalities, siblings, if both parents are alive, schedules, etc, etc. And their relationship was a good one! Lisa was so excited about magic, (she overused the word "cool"; she just loved it SO MUCH and I can't say that I blame her) and eager to learn, and eager to prove that she was worthy of the Agaped magic, and worthy she is. I especially loved her relationship with Tuff. He helped her through some tough times, too (get it?), that were so important as a character for Lisa. It made her seem more real as a character. Some books, especially some dystopian books, don't always show the nightmares, or the pain, the sorrow of what Lisa went through (like in the Hunger Games, if I remember right, Katniss didn't really dwell on the death, but I could be wrong). But also, Lisa didn't do it on purpose. [this is probably so confusing, but you'll know what I mean when you read the book, which you should do, *wink*]
First: Gaius
Last: The Keeper *wink*
OHMYGOODNESSGAIUSISSOSWEETAAAAHHHHH. Gaius. Honestly, I don't think I need to say more, but I will because you're most likely reading this because you haven't read the book, and you probably want a little insight on him. Gaius. He's one of the three Keepers. His job is to grow them. He plants them, fertilizes them, and tends to them, until they are ready to "harvest". That's when the next Keeper will take over. He's the kind of guy who mostly wants to be left alone, and is a grump, but also the guy that we all love. (let's, be honest, we all love the grumps) He starts out teaching Lisa magic and then teaches her how to use her magic in a fight against someone and then takes her in to live with him. The two form a great relationship that turns from mentor/mentee to father/daughter. The found family trope is one of my favorites, and this one is done beautifully.
ALSO, THAT GAIUS POV CHAPTER! WHAT! HANNAH, MY HEART.
First: Caelum
Last: Sonon
He isn't a main character, but he is just too good to not say something about, regardless. He's a prince. His mom and dad are the queen (cause that's how that works tehehe). He's training to be a Hunter, and he has magic that he wants to hide, for fear that his parents and the people in his kingdom will look down on it, seeing as he will one day be the king. He's a strong, good fighter, and he's gonna be a good king when the time comes. But he IS still a teenage boy, might I add. He's so kind to Lisa and shows her around the castle and his kingdom and even takes her on rides in the forest on his Gora bear, Honey. Cal is great.
Anyways...
Lisa learns magic and uses it to fight the Darkness. Her magic is very Avatar the Last Airbender-like, as she can basically earth and water bend. Maybe even air bend, idk... *innocent look* She lives with a nice couple and their daughter before taking magic learning on full-force and moves in with Gaius, furthering their amazing relationship. She also joins Cal in learning to wield swords and become a Hunter, which is how they meet, and their friendship is formed.
I particularly loved this book for the action. I love a good book with sword and combat fighting, and being able to "bend" almost all of the elements just made it so much better. The relationships between literally everyone in this book ALSO made it so much better. And Tuff. He's adorable. And Cal. He's definitely a new book crush. And Gaius. Words cannot express. And Inna. She is so kind, and like a second mother, I feel like.
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars, on a scale of one-to-ten, it's a ten, and I would MOST definitely recommend this to ANYONE willing to read it. It is so worth your time, and plus, who doesn't love a thick book, am I right? Do me a favor, go and read it.
Hannah also has an Instagram account where she posts all of her art for this series. Her art is wonderful, and I love her style. If you have Instagram, it's worth checking out, trust me. Although, the scenes she draws will provide spoilers, so if you don't like that... be warned.
*This is a clean book with no language and nothing TOO gruesome or gross, in my opinion, and there is no language*
First: Lisa
Last: Robbie
Oh. My. Goodness. SHE'S AWESOME. THERE ARE NO WORDS TO DESCRIBE. She is just so sweet. I love her healthy relationship with her mother, I mean, they love each other, and they have fun, and they have a true mother-daughter relationship. Relationships with kids and parents often depend on personalities, siblings, if both parents are alive, schedules, etc, etc. And their relationship was a good one! Lisa was so excited about magic, (she overused the word "cool"; she just loved it SO MUCH and I can't say that I blame her) and eager to learn, and eager to prove that she was worthy of the Agaped magic, and worthy she is. I especially loved her relationship with Tuff. He helped her through some tough times, too (get it?), that were so important as a character for Lisa. It made her seem more real as a character. Some books, especially some dystopian books, don't always show the nightmares, or the pain, the sorrow of what Lisa went through (like in the Hunger Games, if I remember right, Katniss didn't really dwell on the death, but I could be wrong). But also, Lisa didn't do it on purpose. [this is probably so confusing, but you'll know what I mean when you read the book, which you should do, *wink*]
First: Gaius
Last: The Keeper *wink*
OHMYGOODNESSGAIUSISSOSWEETAAAAHHHHH. Gaius. Honestly, I don't think I need to say more, but I will because you're most likely reading this because you haven't read the book, and you probably want a little insight on him. Gaius. He's one of the three Keepers. His job is to grow them. He plants them, fertilizes them, and tends to them, until they are ready to "harvest". That's when the next Keeper will take over. He's the kind of guy who mostly wants to be left alone, and is a grump, but also the guy that we all love. (let's, be honest, we all love the grumps) He starts out teaching Lisa magic and then teaches her how to use her magic in a fight against someone and then takes her in to live with him. The two form a great relationship that turns from mentor/mentee to father/daughter. The found family trope is one of my favorites, and this one is done beautifully.
ALSO, THAT GAIUS POV CHAPTER! WHAT! HANNAH, MY HEART.
First: Caelum
Last: Sonon
He isn't a main character, but he is just too good to not say something about, regardless. He's a prince. His mom and dad are the queen (cause that's how that works tehehe). He's training to be a Hunter, and he has magic that he wants to hide, for fear that his parents and the people in his kingdom will look down on it, seeing as he will one day be the king. He's a strong, good fighter, and he's gonna be a good king when the time comes. But he IS still a teenage boy, might I add. He's so kind to Lisa and shows her around the castle and his kingdom and even takes her on rides in the forest on his Gora bear, Honey. Cal is great.
Anyways...
Lisa learns magic and uses it to fight the Darkness. Her magic is very Avatar the Last Airbender-like, as she can basically earth and water bend. Maybe even air bend, idk... *innocent look* She lives with a nice couple and their daughter before taking magic learning on full-force and moves in with Gaius, furthering their amazing relationship. She also joins Cal in learning to wield swords and become a Hunter, which is how they meet, and their friendship is formed.
I particularly loved this book for the action. I love a good book with sword and combat fighting, and being able to "bend" almost all of the elements just made it so much better. The relationships between literally everyone in this book ALSO made it so much better. And Tuff. He's adorable. And Cal. He's definitely a new book crush. And Gaius. Words cannot express. And Inna. She is so kind, and like a second mother, I feel like.
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars, on a scale of one-to-ten, it's a ten, and I would MOST definitely recommend this to ANYONE willing to read it. It is so worth your time, and plus, who doesn't love a thick book, am I right? Do me a favor, go and read it.
Hannah also has an Instagram account where she posts all of her art for this series. Her art is wonderful, and I love her style. If you have Instagram, it's worth checking out, trust me. Although, the scenes she draws will provide spoilers, so if you don't like that... be warned.
*This is a clean book with no language and nothing TOO gruesome or gross, in my opinion, and there is no language*
June 7, 2024
his book is INCREDIBLE. voice acting is spot on. and so realistic and raw. they cry and the characters cry they are in pain when the characters are. the performance is So good! and the book? the plot is epic. high stakes, high fantasy magical worlds! it's beautiful. the relationship are so real and genuine and believable. I loved seeing the mother daughter relationship and the mentor mentee relationship with Lisa and guias grow into something more familial. and the friendships? it explores how some people only tolerate you but that real friendship can be found with the right people. athen there is the grief. there is lasting effects of the terrible and terrifying things that happen to Lisa, as it should be, the way the author has her process her grief with you is so real and raw and beautiful.
literally my new favorite book/series. I can't wait to lead more
literally my new favorite book/series. I can't wait to lead more
September 17, 2025
If I had read this book when I was below 20, I would have given it a 4/5. As an adult it is *slightly* less gripping (but only a little).
It’s the story of 13 years old Lisa Robbie, a shy little who does not think she is anything special. Her life completely changes when a literal ball of magic falls in her garden and chooses her heart as a home. Some mysterious guardians guide her to other universe and explain to her what the Agaped magic is - offering her to train. She then lives through a series of magical training accompanied by her friends Vahalla and Cal and her brute teacher Gaius. She decides to be a Hero and to hunt down magical beasts made from Dark magic, which the Agaped magic was made to destroy.
The story in itself is beautifully described. The visuals of this magical world are phenomenal. Personally I am not much one for long deacriptive paragraphs and unfortunately the first half of the book is full of them. Aside from the descriptions slowing down the pace, the story seems at a bit of a stall for the first 300 pages before picking up speed. You know how in most books the hero goes through months of training in little flashbacks? Well, here you get the full thing. Which is still enjoyable, mind you, but it does not exactly keep you turning pages.
Things change at the first plot twist - no spoilers. Lisa has to go through grief as a kid, which is no easy thing to describe. She then realises that her destiny is much more dangerous than it looked on the surface.
I think that this is the point where - as an adult - I started to question the plot a little. What type of adults would let a literal child put herself in danger like that? Then again, as a child I used to love Percy Jackson and the characters were 12. That’s because I WANTED adventures to be possible when I was 12 myself. I wanted to believe that if it had been me, I could have also fought monsters. So I can see how 13 years old-Fede would have loved this plot as well.
All in all, it was an excellent feel good fantasy to take me out of my monotonous life.
It’s the story of 13 years old Lisa Robbie, a shy little who does not think she is anything special. Her life completely changes when a literal ball of magic falls in her garden and chooses her heart as a home. Some mysterious guardians guide her to other universe and explain to her what the Agaped magic is - offering her to train. She then lives through a series of magical training accompanied by her friends Vahalla and Cal and her brute teacher Gaius. She decides to be a Hero and to hunt down magical beasts made from Dark magic, which the Agaped magic was made to destroy.
The story in itself is beautifully described. The visuals of this magical world are phenomenal. Personally I am not much one for long deacriptive paragraphs and unfortunately the first half of the book is full of them. Aside from the descriptions slowing down the pace, the story seems at a bit of a stall for the first 300 pages before picking up speed. You know how in most books the hero goes through months of training in little flashbacks? Well, here you get the full thing. Which is still enjoyable, mind you, but it does not exactly keep you turning pages.
Things change at the first plot twist - no spoilers. Lisa has to go through grief as a kid, which is no easy thing to describe. She then realises that her destiny is much more dangerous than it looked on the surface.
I think that this is the point where - as an adult - I started to question the plot a little. What type of adults would let a literal child put herself in danger like that? Then again, as a child I used to love Percy Jackson and the characters were 12. That’s because I WANTED adventures to be possible when I was 12 myself. I wanted to believe that if it had been me, I could have also fought monsters. So I can see how 13 years old-Fede would have loved this plot as well.
All in all, it was an excellent feel good fantasy to take me out of my monotonous life.
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