Gift from the Tree: Source of Elementra Book 1

Source of Elementra #1

by Willa Rae

Waking up on my twenty-sixth birthday, I had hoped to be left alone for one day, just one.What I didn’t expect was to receive a life-changing gift from a stranger.Or for my body to be offered up as a rite of passage for my husband’s initiation into a sick and twisted cult.When powers I never knew existed burst from within me, my husband’s study is left in ruin, with one man dead at my feet, and me passed out tied to a desk.After the chaos, I’m whisked away to my new home.Home to Elementra. To them.The Vito Nexus.When secrets are revealed and my memories start to unlock, what does it mean for us?Only Elementra knows, and she only tells me when she sees fit.Jump into the realm of Elementra where you'll find, magic, shifters, possessive/overly protective men, bonds, secrets, and so much more! Gift from the Tree is a full-length slow-mid burn reverse harem Romantasy novel and book 1 of the series, so expect a small cliffy. It may have triggers for some as it has intense, dark scenes/flashbacks of abuse to our FMC (not from our MMC’s), violence, delicious angst, steamy situations, and gritty language. Please read content warning in the book. Intended for ages 18+.

Genres: Fantasy, Why Choose, Paranormal, Dragons, Romance, Magic, Shapeshifters

469 pages, Paperback

Published March 6, 2024

About the author

Willa Rae is a debut indie author trying to bring the magical and nonmagical, wild, crazy, and questionable stories she creates in her mind to you.
Her list of WIP’s is a mile long which fuels her coffee, reading, and fictional men addiction.

So stay tuned and join Willa on her journey as she explores her life as a romance author!

Reviews

[Kalin · Rating 2 out of 5]

This had potential, but lemme rant for a second.

1️⃣ Authors do us such a disservice when they write crazy, over-the-top trauma that they then basically dismiss beyond some generic nightmare/comfort tropes.

2️⃣ I’m sooooo sick of infantilized FMCs. The stamping of feet when angry, bouncing and clapping hands when excited, needing to be carried to bed bc she’s a Sleepy Little Girl™️… 🤢

If anyone has recs for books in a similar style where the FMC is an adult that acts like she has a fully-developed frontal lobe, please share.

[cha · Rating 1 out of 5]

imagine waiting and hoping for YEARS for your nexus group to get a woman destined to be your group's true primary (like the central of the bond group and very very rare) only for her to turn out to be the most annoying, insufferable woman to ever exist in all the fucking realms. i would crash out

im mourning the possibilities of what this series could've been. decent concept but shit execution.

please stop telling me what im supposed to feel about certain characters or certain scenes. ill make my own decision based on the information you give me.

some asshole would say something kinda mean and the fmc would be like "oh he really hates me!" no he doesn't he's just short with you. another dumbfuck would say something not even that sad about his past and the fmc would cry like she was just told cats didn't actually exist. what he said wasn't even that sad. stop gaslighting me.

the fmc's trauma was handled so poorly it didn't even feel like she was dealing with what happened to her at all. felt like her backstory was just there to be a guilt fest for the guys. one of those "OH SHE WAS STRUGGLING WITHOUT US FOR SO LONG SHES SO STRONG UWUUUU I LOVE HER" moments.

also these people are all GROWN. the fmc is TWENTY SIX YEARS OLD. but she acts like she JUST turned sixteen. everyone in this goddamn academy act like they BARELY went through puberty

[britta ⋆˙⟡]

The word fuck is used 655 times in this book. 😂 couldn’t get past the immature writing in this. Were onto it, you’re a bad girl that came from abuse. see my highlights for a few examples of the FMC “badbitchness” in just the first few paragraphs.

[Darcey]

dnf @ 30%

why did i not like a single character here 🤨 and also give 0 craps about the plotline. alas, this one was not for me.

[Xime Ortiz · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5⭐️1🌶️

I was so looking forward to reading this, not only because of the TikTok extracts but because of the characters age. I thought I was getting into a mature, logical interesting RH but I got a generic, childish one with high school vibes.

The plot was vague, it lack depth and it was just background noise. The world building was meh and the book as a whole felt dragged out.

I honestly hated the FMC. Even though Willow was 26 she had the mannerisms of a five year old, the stamping, bouncing and clapping and just crying about everything were beyond immature and everything was worse when the justification for it was hormones, her actions screamed 16 year old and I was beyond frustrated with her.
Not only was she dumb and irritating but her personality was based on her being horny, whiny and crying and being all over the place emotionally and once again blaming her hormones.

Her background was not only inconsequential but it was inconsistent with the rest of the story. Because where was all the trauma?! It went poof!! She had been beaten and SA’d for her whole life but se flinched all of two times and was okay with intimacy after like two days. I have no problem when this topics come up in books, I actually sometimes look for a FMC with a dark past that grows stronger because of it but not not only was Willow a doormat but all of her “trauma” was disregarded, ignored and overlooked not only by the other characters but by herself.

I wanted to love the MMC but I didn’t even liked their names. They were inconsequential and background noise.

What was the point of that long ass of a book?! 10 hours typical read?! There was no need for that amount of whining and childish behavior.

There was nothing actually that interesting in this to make it worthwhile, I insist I really wanted to love this but make yourself a favor and don’t read this.

[Mae W · Rating 1 out of 5]

Willow has some of the worst trauma I've personally seen in a RH novel, and I feel as though the author grossly mishandled it.

I ended up DNF this book about halfway through, so I don't know if it gets addressed later on, but it felt to me as though the author wanted an extremely angsty backstory, but it got out of hand - into the realm of torture porn.

Willow's trauma only came up at convenient times, and was conveniently missing at others. After all, you can't have that pesky SA trauma getting in the way of panting over abs, or whatever. (Just a note - I am not saying people that have experienced sexual assault can't experience sexual attraction. I just expect there to be a little bit of delicacy and nuance to it.)

Not to mention some of the dudes were clear copies from other RH novels. The only one who felt even a little original to me was the dragon.

I felt this entire novel was unoriginal, and failed to respectfully handle its own subject matter.

[Klizbet · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️ 4.5 Stars

**See Stats, tropes, steam, spice, etc. at the bottom**

Meet Willow—she’s our female lead in this series. Willow has had a crappy life. She was tortured and abused by her father before he sold her off to "that fucker," who turned out to be an even bigger monster. How she manages to stay positive and not become an evil heifer, I will never understand.

Anyway, on her 26th birthday Stuff Happens!! And Willow ends up whisked away into another realm called Elementra, where she meets the men fated to her.

But the guys don’t really trust her. Is she a spy? A liar? Or an evil shrew hiding behind innocent eyes? Strange things are happening in Elementra, and Willow is smack dab in the middle of all of it.

I love this book! Seriously, it’s become one of my new favorites. Yes, there are some editing issues… like how the author doesn’t seem to know the difference between “withering” and “writhing” (that one really got on my nerves). But I loved this story enough that I can overlook those problems.

‼️ P.S. the distrustful enemy theme between FMC and MMC's doesn't last very long, and the guys make up for it later. There is no abuse, either physical or emotional.

...But she does let them off the hook a little too easily.

⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻

Book One Details & Ratings

📚 Completed Series
👀 POV: Multiple, First Person
📖 Genre: Fantasy Romance
❣️ Romance Type: Reverse Harem
🎱 Tropes: Hidden (bound) Powers • Secret Heritage • Found Family • Abused but Powerful Heroine • (Reluctant) Fated Mate • Magic • Royalty • War • Amnesia (bound memories)

🌎 World-building: ★★★★★ (5/5)
⭐ Plot-line: ★★★★★ (5/5)
🤓 Character Development: ★★★★★ (5/5)
🙀 Suspense: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)
👥 Harem: 4 Men (Corentin, Caspian, Tillman, Draken)
🍒 Virgins: None
♥️ Romance: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)
🌶 Spice Level: ★☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5) No sex scenes in book one, only foreplay.

🔥 Burn: Slow (none in book one)
👄 Kinks: None in book one
🚫 No: cheating, bullying, dub/non-con (by MMCs)
‼️ Triggers: OW • rejected mate (kinda) • deception/betrayal • explicit domestic abuse • past rape • past torture • assault

⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻

[Melanie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’m bored…the book feels blah. You can tell it’s her first book. It’s like pulling finger nails here. She goes into stupid detail about stuff that really doesn’t add to the book it’s just filler/word count. Dnf 19% I’m not in the mood to try to deal with this book. There are better ones out there.

[Rambling Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tropes:
- Fated Mates
- Secrets/Miscommunication/Omission of Key info
- Tatted grump
- Controlling, "daddy" type
- Secret Softie
- Cinnamon Roll
- Insta-connections (not just mates, but other ones too)
- All-powerful FMC
- Abused/Rescued FMC
- Established harem

I know a lot of people see three stars and go "oh my god, they didn't like it!" but that's not the way I think.

If my husband brings home ice cream for dessert, I'm happy. I'm happiest if it's mint chocolate chip (5 stars for the hubs), but I won't turn down some cookie dough.

Gift from the Tree is my cookie dough. I'm not unhappy that that's what I've got, but I've been happier with other flavors.

GFT has a harem broken down into the classic tropes: cinnamon roll "I will love her forever," tattooed and a little twisted and definitely full of 'tude, control freak with a taste for a little discipline, and the buff warrior with a romantic sweet center.

As far as the tropes go, I didn't find anything startlingly original there, but Rae makes the effort to work some of their backstories into book one, so I did find it easy to differentiate them. I think book two is needed to get deeper than the trope and build on the foundation she's started fleshing out for each of them, but I don't have any complaints here.

Willow is likeable enough. She's a little whiplash-y, but Rae uses the magical bond to explain some of the emotional extremes that Willow goes through, so even if it was a little much for me at times, it worked with the storyline she was establishing. Sometimes, Willow felt young to me, especially when around her new bestie, but it's not something that hurts the story. She's lived a highly controlled life, so the glee that she has and the enthusiasm that grows from simple things can be explained away.

The worldbuilding was interesting enough to have me read it. I didn't feel like I was struck by lightning, but for those who like the classic layout of magical connection with woman at center, powers can grow, balance of elements, etc, it totally works. It still feels like Brae's world, but right now, it's a little more interchangeable for me with other books I've read.

[Melanie Jakusz · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of those books you don’t tell anyone in a professional setting you enjoyed, ya know?

[Silverlining2k6 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imagine The Bonds that Tie without all the assholes. That's what this book was.

When I first started this, I assumed it was going to be a blatant ripoff. I mean...a pre-established group of four guys waiting for the FMC to come along and complete their bond. A pair of brothers: one a control freak who functions as the leader and would do anything to protect his family, the other, an angry and bitter shadow daddy, who wants the FMC gone immediately. A strong silent military guy who trains the FMC and helps her become stronger. And a Golden Retriever Dragon Shifter who befriends the FMC and makes her smile. It's as if the original four Draven group was scooped up whole and moved to a new book universe.

But that's where the similarities end, because these guys actually have emotional intelligence. Even the meanest of the bunch is half as vindictive as the nicest in TBTT. Their motivations for keeping secrets from Willow are logical and even thoughtful, yet each experiences guilt for not being more transparent. And when the truth is revealed, they show contrition and promise to be better.

Additionally, the FMCs are nearly opposites. Oli suffers from debilitating guilt, avoids and fears her magic, and wants nothing more than to escape from her bond group. Willow's history of physical, emotional, and sexual trauma makes her crave connection and family. She wants to be loved and protected and shows nothing but curiosity and awe of the magic she never knew existed. She's much more willing to open up to platonic relationships as well. I love the bit about how her strong emotions and weeping come from the bond and how she can laugh at herself for her emotional outbursts. So far, she's a very likeable FMC and she's shown so much growth in a single book that I can't wait to see where she is at the end of the series.

The worldbuilding was adequate. There's been no mention of the word "fae" so I'm assuming the characters are all human (for lack of a better term). Elementra, the magical realm is separated from the non-magical realm, and from context, I'm assuming it occupies a different land mass? A bond group/Nexus consists of a female Primary and four males, and a "True Primary" situation (fated mates?) is very rare. Like TBTT, the villains are a shadowy rebel group, who attacks and abducts, but we know very little about who they are and what exactly they want.

This is a slow-burn, so, other than a few mildly spicy scenes with Draken, the romance was mostly centered around getting to know each other and strengthening emotional connections. I love slow burns, so I'm fine with that. One thing I loved is how insightful Willow is. She intuited things that most book characters would never even notice: how Contantin takes charge of everyone's wellbeing, but nobody ever asks him how HE'S doing; how Draken thrives on praise; how Caspian needs emotional healing, but cautiously, at a pace that won't spook him.

The romance isn't perfect, though. After a lifetime of being a virtual prisoner to her father and husband, Willow, a grown-ass woman of twenty-six had to ask for permission to spend a day with her best friend. And Contantin was reluctant to give it. This girl has proven herself in every way possible - she's smart, powerful, and ultra-controlled with her magic. Why are these men treating her like a flighty teenager instead of encouraging her to spread her wings and experience a measure of independence? Do better, guys.

Boyfriend ranking (from favorite to least)
This will be tough, since I have very few complaints.
1. Caspian - it's practically law that I will always fall for the broken, mistrustful one. Bonus that he's also the intellectual of the group. It would've been unrealistic for him to suddenly turn touchy/feely after his awakening, and I'm loving how he uses his shadows as a gradual stepping stone to intimacy. He'd have to do something really terrible to fall from my top spot.
2. Contantin - I'm loving where he is right now in the story. His longing for Willow is palpable, and knowing his type, he'll probably put up obstacles for taking it to the next level. This ranking may change after they bang and the sexual tension decreases.
3. Draken - The "instantly-obsessed-feral-for-his-FMC" guy. He's a total cutie, and I love these guys in M/F books. But in RH books, they always seem to fade in the shadow of the more tortured guys for me.
4. Tillman - Don't get me wrong. He's perfect and faultless. But every time I forget his name (often), I think of him as "Gryphon", and that should say enough.

[Toubob · Rating 3 out of 5]

Trigger warning there is mention of abuse some mentions are truly horrific. There are mentions of rape. One scene is of the h about to get gang raped before something stops it from happening.

For a first time author’s first book, this one is pretty good. The plot and character are pretty straightforward (basic) and use tried and true tropes you’ll recognize coming way before they do.

The plot is similar to the “Evelyn Maynard” series by Kaydence Snow and “The Bonds that Tie” by J. Bree.

One of my biggest problems with the book is how okay the FMC is. She doesn’t seem to have all that many problems with intimacy, sex, touch, etc. Yet she’s been isolated, beaten since she was 6 and raped along with beaten since she was 18. I feel like she would need at the very least some therapy. But nope she’s okay in crowded places, combat situations, etc.. I think she might have only had a handful of panic attacks throughout the book.

There are a few things that are intriguing. I will definitely read the 2nd book to hopefully get the answers to some of the questions that weren’t addressed in the book. Most of those questions I saw coming. They were as obvious as a dead fish to the face.

The lifespan of the people of Elemtra was never mentioned or even alluded to. I don’t think the ages of most of the characters are really defined. I know which man in the harem is the oldest/youngest. I know the FMC age but that’s about it. The lifespan is a big thing for me especially for books set in different realms. This is one of my little peeves for fantasy books.

[Ashley Horne · Rating 5 out of 5]

BEST BOOK IVE EVER READ!!!

I loved absolutely everything about this book and this is by far the best book I’ve ever read!! I would give it more than 5 stars if I could! For a debut author, Willa Rae went above and beyond and has some of the best writing I’ve ever seen! I would recommend this AMAZING book to everyone, especially those who like strong FMCs, magic, bonds, overprotective men!

I just want to be apart of this book and live in Elementra!Willow’s relationship with Corentin, Tillman, Caspian, and Draken wasn’t what I was expecting when I started this book, but let me just say, I am SO glad that it did. I have unexpectedly fallen in love with everyone and all of their unique personalities!!

My favorite part has got to be the imagery used in this book that paints a perfect picture of absolutely everything so it can all be imagined so well. Most books of this genre something just rush through and miss the fine details, but NOT this one. I’m so ready for book number 2 to fall in love with everyone even more and see what happens next!! Well done, Willa Rae! :)

[chelle (serial downvoter) · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF

Immature writing, unrealistic dialogue.

[Vanessa Oliveira · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm divided between 2,5 or 3 ⭐

So let's first talk about the elephant in the room. This book is HEAVILY inspired (😉) by The bonds that tie series. The MMcs are a copy/paste versions of the ones in BtT series.
Corentin = North Draven (from the need for control, the fact that his family owns the Academy, he's the leader and calls the shots).
Caspian = Nox Draven. The dark, tortured hero with a traumatic past who hates the H from the beginning. He also has a shadow power 🤡
Tillman = a drawn-by-a-kid version of Griphon. He can read minds or get into people's minds whatever, he's the leader of their task force, he trains the FMC to learn how to Fight. He's serious and silent. His bff out of the bond is also his second in command (Kieran, hello!).
Draken = I think the author tried to do a psycho MMC, but it didn't work. She ended up with Gabe, the big golden retriever who can turn (guess!) into a dragon. (Also the name, Draken/ Draven, rings Any bells?)

Then the side characters are also a copy and paste lol. Her instant bff Oakly is mated to Kieran (ops, sorry) I mean, Ry and his bond group. Or Nexus.

Now let's talk about the plot: there are three plot lines in this. The mystery of the FMC and what she is; the rebel force (again, the rebellion lol), and the cult. To be honest, the rebel force and cult were just meh imo. Just a reason to have enemies and a need for a task force.

Overall, this book is... Fine. I'm still not convinced. I'll read the next one to see if it gets better, but I have no idea why it will have 5 books. There's no plot for that!

Also, the characters are already half in love, which brings me to my next issue: the Nexus.

Again, the author tried hard to make a BtT wannabe, so the.MMCs are all distrustful and distant from the FMC for NO GOOD REASON, imo. One of the men they trust and is like family, Gasper, tells them repeatedly that the FMC isn't what they think she is. They fear she is a spy (and I'm a 100% certain the spy is the mean girl, but let's see), and one of the h, Caspian, hates her because a girl he had a thing for in the past sold him out. I don't like this reasoning because: 1- they always knew they would have a Primary. 2- come on, that's not a good enough reason!

Then, he badly manipulates his grown ass Brothers to follow his line of thought, even though it makes ZERO sense. Boohooo. The h, with the exception of Draken, treat the girl, who they all knew suffered A LOT, like shit. And then, out of nowhere, they change their mind. The most jarring for me was Caspian..in his pov, we see he wants nothing to do with her. Then, a few chapters down the line, he changes his tune. There are zero interactions between them, zero chemistry. Tbh Caspian could die and I wouldn't care because he's simply ABSENT.

The other two, Corentin and Tillman are juts boriiiiingggggg

Gosh are they boring. Tillman doesn't talk at all, so how am I to know what he feels, and Corentin only opens his mouth to say shit. Am I supposed to believe that the guy who slept with the most stupid (pardon my language) bimbo around is smart and controlled? Lol.

Also, I have no clue why the author added other gifts along with the elemental they already had. It isn't explained or makes any sense because why would they all have elemental gifts and a random one that has nothing to do with elements? The only reason I can find is to, again, copy from BtT. It'd have been better if she kept only the elemental ones.

Anyway, I'll read the next one to see what happens because I kinda liked the H, despite the fact that she cries so much in this book that my kindle got wet.

[Melo · Rating 3 out of 5]

DNF not for me

In two minds about this one, I didn't care for the heroine but I think there is a solid plot. Sadly my continued dislike for Willow put me off reading anymore. I've said this many times before some heroines have had really awful pasts but they are still relatable and likable. Willow isnt.

For the first time in her life she is not being abused. Yet rather than be grateful for it, she's turned into a cactus or porcupine or whatever other prickly thing comes to mind. She's fighting everything and lashing out, like seriously girl pick your battles. What really put me off was her wanting to know everything about everyone but getting over the top angry with questions about her.

Maybe therapy should have been included before getting into the plot.

[Tashi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have not written a review in so long not finding the books worthwhile I guess, but this .... Willa omg im sooo in love with this story these characters I stayed awake till 4 am finishing the first book I just couldn't sleep till I did and them started book 2 and still having to read a few chapters lol 😍 I came here to make sure u had more books I could read and died a little I side not seeing any more after this series plz plz tell me you are writing more and they will come out soon !!

[Margot (booked.unicorn) · Rating 2 out of 5]

⇢ 2 stars

Insufferable characters and unrealistic dialogues. Fmc is damaged but giving so much whiplash.
The fact that this book is making me hate on a DV survivor is pissing me off.

[Holly's Bookshelf · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a decent debut novel. Definitely could've been edited down and replaced the unimportant with more important bits. I didn't like how the Primary bond makes the women so emotional that they burst out in tears randomly, cant eat, sleep, and super horny if they aren't close to their bond. It doesnt show how strong the women could be and always have to reply on the men. Also, I'm very upset that there was absolutely zero grovel from them hiding the most important and sacred bond a person could have.

Willow acted like an 18year old instead of a 26 year old. Stomping her foot and folding her arms when shes upset, talking in a whiny tone, clapping and jumping up and down like an airhead. Her personality didn't match what she apparently went through in life. You mean to tell me someone who has experienced over 20 years of beatings and rapes didn't have any lasting effects? She just completely gets over it? Literally every man in her life was terrible to her and yet she started trusting at least one of these men instantly.

I wish we got more interactions with her other guys instead of just Draken. It felt like she's only meant to be with him. Yet we're told of the other interactions instead of show. I may read the next book but not pressed to.

[Veronika · Rating 3 out of 5]

I usually don’t get stuck on things but this one got me several times. One of them was the hair-dryer. The other one is stomping and clapping. And lastly I just love how every kind of bond is super rare yet the FMC has everything under the sun. I’ll continue to see because it has potential.

[Mariah]

DNF, when you can skip pages and chapters because there are no consequences for anything…yeah.

[Nadia Powell · Rating 1 out of 5]

What in the high school English project was that? I’m sorry but the FMC was the most annoying person that was ever written into literature. This is just like the bonds that tie series but worse.

Willow grows up in the non-magical realm and on almost being gang raped, emits a powerful blast of air that can be felt throughout realms. She gets saved by a grandfather figure and meets her four fated mates. Typical MMCs, the golden retriever, the headmaster, the quiet mind reader and the one that doesn’t want her. She then goes to an ‘academy’ to train her powers. Turns out, she’s actually really powerful and has numerous ‘rare bonds’.

What really gets me though is although she goes through all this trauma around daily beatings and SA, it’s all brushed under the rug and the MMCs ‘growl menacingly’ when she mentions it. She stomps her feet, claps her hands and cries too many times to count.

Poorly written characters, horrible world building and subpar plot. Truly could have been written by a 13 year old.

[Erika · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think this book had a good start and I liked the characters. I also typically love a bully romance where they then have to grovel. But with this book it really wasn’t satisfying. The male characters are either outright viciously mean, cold, or don’t talk to FMC at the beginning (except for Draken). They keep a huge secret for her while also witnessing the most traumatic moments of her life all of which is kept from her. At first she’s upset but then this becomes let’s do a fresh start….. It really cheapened the relationships for me because the male characters don’t actually do anything to regain her trust…. They just text her a bunch and look miserable without her. But past that and apologizing there is no building trust or really even acknowledging the harm they’ve caused

[Jessy E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I AM BLOWN AWAY!!!

I find it incredible that this is a debut novel. I thoroughly enjoyed it! I was captivated by the world-building, the characters, and the unique perspective on relationships. I was particularly delighted by the introduction of a best friend bond, which is a fresh and refreshing take on the concept that I’m genuinely happy to see!! I LOVE ALL THE CHARACTERS let me tell you! Even though there was a cliché on the one character who’s hesitant with the bond, the author did it justice and didn’t make it an over the top bullying or anything. I loved Caspian and getting to know him more! I am utterly obsessed with this series. Thanks for curing my book slump!

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ⭐️

I’m a sucker for a story like this and was not disappointed at all! Hopping straight into the next book … (please check trigger warnings before reading as there’s some rough moments in here)

[Trey U · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️

Disclaimer: I’m going to review it without spoilers at the top, then create a line and anything below that line will be spoilers. Do with that what you will.

I’ve been waiting for the final book of the series to be close to being released before I started this series, and unfortunately the wait to start the series is a little iffy. There’s so much about this book that I enjoy and there’s so much potential, but there are some major proponents of the book that kind of let me down and brought my feelings for this first book to go down. I’m going to continue reading the series and hoping it gets better.

What I liked:
- The best part of this book is how comedic it is. The lack of sugarcoating things and some of the insults and dialogue were just hilarious. There’s also a wholesome “found family” aspect of the book that I really enjoyed.
- When Willow shows her badass side, I LOVE her. She’s mouthy and possessive and doesn’t mess around, whether it’s with the bad guys, her men, or the dumb bitch that’s her “competition”
- A realm focused on matriarchal leadership. We love to see it!
- Draken because he’s actually not toxic.
- Caspian because TENSION! And I know in the end, he’s gonna be my favorite.

What I didn’t like:
- The beginning of the book just was so abrupt and didn’t resonate the way I think the author intended it to to make people care for the FMC. It was just SO woe is me but just stating past things and it just fizzled.
- The almost Instalove that happens in this book with some of the men. There’s some tension and what not but there’s also some quick confessions and/or sex scenes that I just felt shouldn’t have happened yet. Spicy books are starting to seem a little lazy by putting them in so quickly rather than building yearning, tension, etc.
- Pathetic FMC. We get it, she’s small and broken and blah blah blah. This book takes some of the aspects even further and it just gets to be so annoying and draining.
- Draken’s name. All I can think of is Dr. Draken from Kim Possible 😂

SPOILERS BEYOND THIS POINT
————————————————————


What I liked:
- Her meeting Tillman and instantly claiming him and saying “mine” before passing out. YES! 👏🏼 About time an FMC claims the men instead of the other way around.
- How late in age you are before you’re fully trained and mature with your powers. I love older characters even if older is late twenties. For the women of the realm, they start at 26 and aren’t done until around 30.
- The world building is pretty interesting. Nexus, Primary, other rare bonds, elemental powers, additional “gifts”, etc. I’d have liked a map and further explanation of the actual realm though.
- The Memoria stone explaining how quick she is to learn her powers, how she doesn’t know things, etc. It’s an interesting take and makes you want to know more about the stranger.
- Knew the rebels were going to be her father’s weird cult but the ending was still really good and how her dad and husband will instantly know where she is from the red powder that the shifter smashed when stomping his foot.
- Her first territorial moment with Gima. “Your conversation ends now” and Tillman just nods and the men follow her like little puppies. Absolutely iconic!
- Willow’s final possessive scene with Gima. Girl was RUTHLESS and wasn’t holding anything back. When she’s like this, I’m obsessed with her.
- Gaster and the period/IUD scene was honestly so freaking hilarious. I was laughing repeatedly over this.
- Tillman choking her was intense. Especially since he’s secretly this romantic (haven’t seen it though) and he’s calm and then he’s just boom about to kill her.
- One of the guys (Draken) calling a guy an incredibly stupid cookie was one of the funniest insults I’ve ever heard!

Favorite quotes:
- Fuck, she’s so perfect. Even when she’s crushing my manhood.
- Those two small women have whipped eight grown-ass men into silence with just looks every time one of us have tried to hurry this along, so we’ve just resorted to standing here, waiting.

What I didn’t like:
- The beginning of the book. I know the author had to set the scene that her father and husband are terrible and what she’s gone through. The events are terrible. But the character just comes off very whiny and annoying to me. They could have done an epilogue or a flashback or something to have us experiencing some of it vs her just going on an internal rant about stuff.
- It’s a matriarchal society and yet the men still just treat her (a primary) as less than. I know it’s supposed to be protective but it’s always the same limit her knowledge to control her situation.
- Willow has been alone her entire life and gone through some terrible shit. Yet she trauma dumps with men she barely knows over breakfast so casually? The dialogue was poor in this scene and it just didn’t seem logical.
- Her fear of pools because of what her husband recently did, yet that’s where she wants taken on the tour? And not only that, she dips her feet in. It just doesn’t make sense. I know it was to set the scene where she reacts to almost being pulled in but my god.
- This girl has been raped REPEATEDLY and almost had a 17-person gang rape happen…but it’s 55% into the book and she’s BEGGING for sex with one of the men? What in the actual fuck? I know there’s a deeper connection because she’s the Primary but she doesn’t know this. She wasn’t fighting it or having intimacy issues really or anything. She just wants dicked down. Like come on, if you’re gonna put this graphic trauma in then make it realistic when sex becomes a thing. Especially when she’s so reactive with other things like a raised voice, slamming things, etc. It just wouldn’t go down like this so easily. Sexual assault/rape isn’t just some trauma filler. It’s real to many and should be used accordingly.
- The patheticness of the FMC. She’s small, she can’t handle things, etc. Hell she needs healing powers used for a damn blood draw. Like come on. She has such awesome moments but equally has so many just pathetic moments. I’m tired of these stereotypes built into FMCs.
- She regularly mouths off to him in the beginning of the book but in the end of the book, she’s got like debilitating fear for her husband? Make it make sense.

[MsRHReviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am loving this series already! It's Academy, paranormal, fated mates, not insta-love, an unknowingly supe FMC... this book has it ALL.

Willow has been abused and beaten by her father her entire life. When she was old enough, she was forced into a marriage to someone even worse. Her only escape was to a clearing in the woods behind their properties, specifically to a willow tree. She always felt at home there, comforted and even loved, somehow. 

One day, something happens to her when she's forced into a horrible situation. A power unlocks, and she's whisked away to another realm. She learns that she has the power to control air. Her body starts going through some changes, seemingly, and she doesn't understand them all. The four men she meets there aren't very forthcoming about it. Eventually, a secret is revealed that puts a strain on any kind of friendship or otherwise that they may have had. 

Be warned there's some tough subjects brought up if you have triggers. Child abuse, rape, attempted rape, kidnapping, etc. 

I was totally hooked on this book from the moment I started reading it, and I'm about to dive into the second book immediately!! HIGHLY recommend!!

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really good. I’m still on the fence about coming back and giving it 4.5/5 stars because I know the only reason I knocked it is personal issues with book plots in general and not necessarily this singular book.

It felt a little like Bonds That Tie series meets Zodiac Academy series meets Cursed Legacy series. It took me a little bit at the beginning to get into it (again, I think that was a me issue with limited time to sit down and dig in), but once I did, all I wanted to do was sit down and dig into it until I was finished. It made me laugh, swoon, get all heartpangy, and while there was heavy petting from one MMC, I’m really ready to get into the spice.

I can’t wait to hop into the next book!

[Bonnie Amelia · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 ✨ rounded up. This had potential, but the writing and dialogue were rough. Also I’m not sure the point of writing a 26 year old FMC and marketing that aspect if they are going to have the mentality and behaviors of a preteen. The plot was interesting enough, but it definitely felt like it dragged. Also, the story felt a little too similar to The Bonds That Tie series, especially some of the characteristics and powers of the MMCs.
I’m definitely bummed! I was excited about this series, but I don’t see myself continuing it.

[Niki Fixtion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Downloaded on a whim

I downloaded it in a hurry without even reading the blurb, fully expecting to not finish it since I was just looking for something to pass some time. I was pleasantly surprised and it hooked me from the start. I've already started book 2 and can't wait to see what happens next