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Transfer
Nature is dying at an unprecedented rate, and one woman is at the heart of the catastrophe
Rue, the only person known to have five lines of magic, is scouted to hone her powers and learn advanced spells in Bernaf. When coerced to go to the elite school, she learns that her pentagon isn't the only thing that sets her apart. From the councilmen's obsession to losing contact with her parents, Rue learns she is wanted for more than her lines. As more truth is unveiled, and the more she yearns to escape, Rue realizes that she can't leave the castle walls.
Creed travels to Bernaf on a quest to seek and destroy the legendary Bane Witch, the woman blamed for the years long famine. His journey leads him to find the culprit, but he's surprised by her pentagon. Not only does she possess all lines, but she knows Transfer, a line of magic thought as unusable. With the help of the cryptic woman, Creed must push the limits of his untapped ability. Time is ticking and he has one chance to save his home–and the world.
Rue, the only person known to have five lines of magic, is scouted to hone her powers and learn advanced spells in Bernaf. When coerced to go to the elite school, she learns that her pentagon isn't the only thing that sets her apart. From the councilmen's obsession to losing contact with her parents, Rue learns she is wanted for more than her lines. As more truth is unveiled, and the more she yearns to escape, Rue realizes that she can't leave the castle walls.
Creed travels to Bernaf on a quest to seek and destroy the legendary Bane Witch, the woman blamed for the years long famine. His journey leads him to find the culprit, but he's surprised by her pentagon. Not only does she possess all lines, but she knows Transfer, a line of magic thought as unusable. With the help of the cryptic woman, Creed must push the limits of his untapped ability. Time is ticking and he has one chance to save his home–and the world.
278 pages, Paperback
Published September 30, 2023
3 people want to read
About the author
Lexi Cook
3 books4 followersLexi Cook is a fantasy author with a love of psychology and philosophy, leading to her novels that ask questions that take time to ponder. Publishing A Virtue’s Calling at the age of eighteen, she possessed a love of literature from an early age, later becoming a fascination with the publishing industry. Currently, she resides in Atlanta, working endlessly to earn her Managerial Sciences degree at Georgia State University. On top of being an HR Manager, she plans to publish more books that reach readers’ minds and hearts. In her free time, she likes to garden and expand her candle collection.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
October 2, 2023
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to the author and Book Sirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. All opinions are my own!
I was so torn on whether to give this book 3 or 4 stars, I really was! There's a great story here, set in an interesting world with a fun take on magic that is new to me. The plot outline is interesting, and the author does a good job of taking us back and forth between Rue's past and Creed's present in the different chapters. The foreshadowing is well done, and the book ends somewhat on a cliffhanger, but not a dissatisfying one. I really did enjoy this read!
Unfortunately, sometimes I struggled with the writing. I found it to be mostly just surface level issues with spelling (autocorrect is wonderful and awful simultaneously, when it changes what was obviously meant to be "rubble" to "ruble"), but also sometimes found the pacing and dialogue lacking compared to the originality and interest of the story.
To me, the most egregious issue was the sort of time skip between Creed meeting Rue to them having an established relationship (describing it would be spoilers, but I can safely say the nature of the relationship was not the issue itself). I really would have liked to see this relationship develop more, instead of skipping to a month later where it's an accepted fact. As it is, I feel a bit rushed into accepting what the feelings between the characters have become, and I would have liked a little more time seeing them interact and how their actions affect each other to cause things to develop the way they do.
That said, the intrinsic plot and world of the story really did intrigue me, to the point where I considered leaving a 4 star review. I've read far more "polished" but ultimately less interesting books, but the degree to which I feel the book could use some editing made me back it down to 3. However, I do intend to keep my eye on this author and series!
I was so torn on whether to give this book 3 or 4 stars, I really was! There's a great story here, set in an interesting world with a fun take on magic that is new to me. The plot outline is interesting, and the author does a good job of taking us back and forth between Rue's past and Creed's present in the different chapters. The foreshadowing is well done, and the book ends somewhat on a cliffhanger, but not a dissatisfying one. I really did enjoy this read!
Unfortunately, sometimes I struggled with the writing. I found it to be mostly just surface level issues with spelling (autocorrect is wonderful and awful simultaneously, when it changes what was obviously meant to be "rubble" to "ruble"), but also sometimes found the pacing and dialogue lacking compared to the originality and interest of the story.
To me, the most egregious issue was the sort of time skip between Creed meeting Rue to them having an established relationship (describing it would be spoilers, but I can safely say the nature of the relationship was not the issue itself). I really would have liked to see this relationship develop more, instead of skipping to a month later where it's an accepted fact. As it is, I feel a bit rushed into accepting what the feelings between the characters have become, and I would have liked a little more time seeing them interact and how their actions affect each other to cause things to develop the way they do.
That said, the intrinsic plot and world of the story really did intrigue me, to the point where I considered leaving a 4 star review. I've read far more "polished" but ultimately less interesting books, but the degree to which I feel the book could use some editing made me back it down to 3. However, I do intend to keep my eye on this author and series!
October 1, 2023
Set in a magical realm where only a few have powers, This fantasy intertwines a spellbinding plot with themes of power, betrayal, and sacrifice. Rue's rare combination of five magical lines of powerful gifts draws her to an academy with darker intentions than learning and training in Magic.
Creed, a young man with no real powers, is driven by desperation to save his family from the sinister Bane witch's famine curse and to stop the destruction of all living things in nature. Through battles and moments of trust, the story explores the boundaries of power, the weight of betrayal, and the resilient bonds of friendship. An enjoyable read for those who love adventure and magic.
Creed, a young man with no real powers, is driven by desperation to save his family from the sinister Bane witch's famine curse and to stop the destruction of all living things in nature. Through battles and moments of trust, the story explores the boundaries of power, the weight of betrayal, and the resilient bonds of friendship. An enjoyable read for those who love adventure and magic.
October 2, 2023
I really wanted to like this because the concept sounded great but it was not well executed. I liked the back and forth between the timelines until everything converged but the storyline was rushed. There was not enough world building and introduction to the characters so I don’t feel invested enough to want to continue. I received a free ARC from BookSirens and this is my honest review
October 23, 2023
Interesting read by Lexi Cook. It was very interesting and kept me wondering what would happen next. I definitely recommend reading for yourself. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 13, 2023
Transfer has promise. It's a YA fantasy with an easy-to-follow magic system and clear-cut dual narrative perspectives. I enjoyed that the past and present storytelling weaved together for comfortable world-building. Pleasant reading experience all-around when you can understand the world's rules so clearly without an extended glossary and other supplementary materials.
Similar to my thoughts for Stars Like Acid , I feel like characters take a backseat in favor of the world itself. Characters feel like they have the barest motivations and voices to distinguish themselves and speak with a passive voice, even with the first-person narrations. Pivotal story elements may occur within a single sentence with scant internal character asides or reflections. For me, it can draw emotional distance and investment when events are told on a mostly physical level. It might be due to the lack of active voice.
Transfer is Cook's passion project that introduces a fantasy setting that I could get behind. It's got other YA action elements to attract, including the accepted use of weaponry in a seemingly dying world. The ending felt sudden rather than a hook to keep reading the series. I hope Cook keeps going to finish her story.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Similar to my thoughts for Stars Like Acid , I feel like characters take a backseat in favor of the world itself. Characters feel like they have the barest motivations and voices to distinguish themselves and speak with a passive voice, even with the first-person narrations. Pivotal story elements may occur within a single sentence with scant internal character asides or reflections. For me, it can draw emotional distance and investment when events are told on a mostly physical level. It might be due to the lack of active voice.
Transfer is Cook's passion project that introduces a fantasy setting that I could get behind. It's got other YA action elements to attract, including the accepted use of weaponry in a seemingly dying world. The ending felt sudden rather than a hook to keep reading the series. I hope Cook keeps going to finish her story.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews