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The Gemini Stones #1
A Legend in the Sky
Odd things shadow Naila Groenhart’s life.
Her touch can bring a flower to bloom and sometimes her eyes flash with gilded flames.
For as long as she can remember, she believed this power to be a figment of her imagination.
Until they find her.
Ruthless hunters.
Their prey? Her flames.
When they lure her from Earth to an archaic world, everything she thought a lie turns out to be a dangerous truth.
Until a prince—an heir to the very people who see her power as their heritage—offers to help her find a way home. But this quest is a dangerous one, that may demand an unspeakable price.
With her hunters tailing her every move, Naila must decide what sacrifice she’s willing to make to find a way back. Especially since her presence put something long feared into motion… and ancient secrets, dormant for ages, are starting to stir.
Perfect for fans of plot-heavy, character-driven tales with a touch of romance, A Legend in the Sky launches a spellbinding New Adult epic fantasy series inspired by the ancient Middle East.
Her touch can bring a flower to bloom and sometimes her eyes flash with gilded flames.
For as long as she can remember, she believed this power to be a figment of her imagination.
Until they find her.
Ruthless hunters.
Their prey? Her flames.
When they lure her from Earth to an archaic world, everything she thought a lie turns out to be a dangerous truth.
Until a prince—an heir to the very people who see her power as their heritage—offers to help her find a way home. But this quest is a dangerous one, that may demand an unspeakable price.
With her hunters tailing her every move, Naila must decide what sacrifice she’s willing to make to find a way back. Especially since her presence put something long feared into motion… and ancient secrets, dormant for ages, are starting to stir.
Perfect for fans of plot-heavy, character-driven tales with a touch of romance, A Legend in the Sky launches a spellbinding New Adult epic fantasy series inspired by the ancient Middle East.
508 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 15, 2025
3 people are currently reading
702 people want to read
About the author
Faye Oliander
2 books18 followersFaye Oliander is an Afro-Surinamese author of Fantasy & Science Fiction. Her books transport readers to non-Western settings, weaving epic adventures with a touch of romance.
Currently residing in a small European country with her beloved cat, Faye enjoys reading, practicing yoga, and indulging in her love for old-school music and movie soundtracks. A true foodie at heart, she's always on the lookout for her next culinary adventure.
Currently residing in a small European country with her beloved cat, Faye enjoys reading, practicing yoga, and indulging in her love for old-school music and movie soundtracks. A true foodie at heart, she's always on the lookout for her next culinary adventure.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
April 12, 2025
So thankful to participate in the book tour hosted by Colored Pages! Thanks to Faye Oliander for the ARC 🩷 Out on April 15, 2025 🗓️
A Legend In The Sky is one of the most unique books I have ever read! It's a beautiful mix of science fiction and fantasy with an incredibly diverse cast of characters and is basically a melting pot of culture. This was an intriguing, plot-heavy adult high fantasy story that involves a remarkable magic system I have never encountered before. I couldn't put it down! From the beginning towards the end of this book, we see our female main character traverse through worlds and time to understand the vastness of the sudden changes in her life, from being a simple, ordinary girl to a woman with a power that could destroy the world. What I loved more is how the FMC actually behaved realistically when it came to having sudden responsibilities with her newfound powers.
Next, the plot of the book discusses colonization which was handled amazingly. The diversity in the cast was amazing! I read about different characters of color and enjoyed how they complimented the story. Moreover, the romance subplot was so scrumptious! I loved the tension and the yearning and the OH SO DELICIOUS 'misunderstood villain' trope. The characters had amazing chemistry together (HOT MEN ALERT GUYS HOT MEN ALERT) and the subtleness of the found family was also a perfect addition. Not only that, but the author's beautiful prose made this debut infinitely better. Everything about this series was incredibly thrilling and enjoyable. And when I say it is NOTHING like I've read before, I am truly not exaggerating. The twists and turns were so amusing and unpredictable, and it will make you keep reading.
This book adds to the many reasons as to why we should support indie, fantasy BIPOC authors! This series has potential, I already see it. Faye Oliander knew what she was doing and I cannot wait for the sequel!
A Legend In The Sky is one of the most unique books I have ever read! It's a beautiful mix of science fiction and fantasy with an incredibly diverse cast of characters and is basically a melting pot of culture. This was an intriguing, plot-heavy adult high fantasy story that involves a remarkable magic system I have never encountered before. I couldn't put it down! From the beginning towards the end of this book, we see our female main character traverse through worlds and time to understand the vastness of the sudden changes in her life, from being a simple, ordinary girl to a woman with a power that could destroy the world. What I loved more is how the FMC actually behaved realistically when it came to having sudden responsibilities with her newfound powers.
Next, the plot of the book discusses colonization which was handled amazingly. The diversity in the cast was amazing! I read about different characters of color and enjoyed how they complimented the story. Moreover, the romance subplot was so scrumptious! I loved the tension and the yearning and the OH SO DELICIOUS 'misunderstood villain' trope. The characters had amazing chemistry together (HOT MEN ALERT GUYS HOT MEN ALERT) and the subtleness of the found family was also a perfect addition. Not only that, but the author's beautiful prose made this debut infinitely better. Everything about this series was incredibly thrilling and enjoyable. And when I say it is NOTHING like I've read before, I am truly not exaggerating. The twists and turns were so amusing and unpredictable, and it will make you keep reading.
This book adds to the many reasons as to why we should support indie, fantasy BIPOC authors! This series has potential, I already see it. Faye Oliander knew what she was doing and I cannot wait for the sequel!
March 28, 2025
5⭐
Thank you Faye Oliander for the ARC! The provision of this free digital review copy does not affect my reading, review or rating experience but I am grateful to the author.
A LEGEND IN THE SKY is a spellbinding New Adult epic fantasy series inspired by the ancient Middle East, plot-heavy, character-driven tale with a touch of romance, first in The Gemini Stones series by Afro-Surinamese debut author Faye Oliander.
To say this book blew my mind isn't impossible. This has to be the BEST indie fantasy novel I have ever read in my life till now. The author has so carefully crafted this novel, from the very first page, the thought put into his book is very visible.
The world-building was one of the most beautiful aspects of this book. It's very well crafted and explored as we're thrust into Lemuria. The middle-east setting was a prominent part of the world. The female friendship and found family aspect were the most beautiful parts of this book and need to be treasured. I loved the Mesopotamia-epic setting so much. I feel like that kind of setting is not explored a lot.
This book is not romantasy but an EPIC HIGH FANTASY. The romance here is a subplot and there's so much mystery behind it too and the dynamics will be explored towards the end of the book.
The plot twists in this book haf my jaw dropped. The last hundred pages felt like a slap in the face. The author has left subtle clues everywhere from the beginning but I had overlooked those little trinkets of information which impacted the ending of this book heavily.
Naila, in my mind, seemed very relatable in her actions and decisions. She's resilient and brave, ready to fight for the survival of those closest to her and would sacrifice anything to have them alive.
Some of the backstories made me sob because these characters deserve so much better than they were granted. Let's just say that tough choices were made and that impacted some of the characters a lot.
This did NOT feel like a debut novel at all. The effort put in by the author to make this a wonderfully polished manuscript has to be studied because I was so hooked to the writing style and narrative that I could not put the book down at all.
This book doesn't end on a cliffhanger entirely. I cannot wait to read the sequel and more amazing books from Faye Oliander!
Thank you Faye Oliander for the ARC! The provision of this free digital review copy does not affect my reading, review or rating experience but I am grateful to the author.
A LEGEND IN THE SKY is a spellbinding New Adult epic fantasy series inspired by the ancient Middle East, plot-heavy, character-driven tale with a touch of romance, first in The Gemini Stones series by Afro-Surinamese debut author Faye Oliander.
To say this book blew my mind isn't impossible. This has to be the BEST indie fantasy novel I have ever read in my life till now. The author has so carefully crafted this novel, from the very first page, the thought put into his book is very visible.
The world-building was one of the most beautiful aspects of this book. It's very well crafted and explored as we're thrust into Lemuria. The middle-east setting was a prominent part of the world. The female friendship and found family aspect were the most beautiful parts of this book and need to be treasured. I loved the Mesopotamia-epic setting so much. I feel like that kind of setting is not explored a lot.
This book is not romantasy but an EPIC HIGH FANTASY. The romance here is a subplot and there's so much mystery behind it too and the dynamics will be explored towards the end of the book.
The plot twists in this book haf my jaw dropped. The last hundred pages felt like a slap in the face. The author has left subtle clues everywhere from the beginning but I had overlooked those little trinkets of information which impacted the ending of this book heavily.
Naila, in my mind, seemed very relatable in her actions and decisions. She's resilient and brave, ready to fight for the survival of those closest to her and would sacrifice anything to have them alive.
Some of the backstories made me sob because these characters deserve so much better than they were granted. Let's just say that tough choices were made and that impacted some of the characters a lot.
This did NOT feel like a debut novel at all. The effort put in by the author to make this a wonderfully polished manuscript has to be studied because I was so hooked to the writing style and narrative that I could not put the book down at all.
This book doesn't end on a cliffhanger entirely. I cannot wait to read the sequel and more amazing books from Faye Oliander!
April 11, 2025
(Physical ARC provided for book tour hosted by Colored Pages)
Rating - 4⭐️
This is a debut new adult epic fantasy inspired by the ancient Middle East with a romance subplot.
I really loved the world building in this! It was vivid and really easy to immerse yourself in. I think my favourite part of this book was the plot twists because I was absolutely gagged reading it at 2am 🫣. It was so difficult for me to put the book down! The author cleverly placed seeds throughout the book to build up for the plot twists. I managed to guess a few plot twists earlier on but it didn’t hinder my enjoyment because I absolutely LOVED the plot twists 🙂↕️.
The characters are complex and well fleshed out and there was even a sweet found family dynamic 🥹. Naila was a great protagonist to follow with nice character growth as she explores her own identity and where she belongs.
The fantasy terminology was easy and fun for me to follow as well. I enjoyed flicking back and forth through the story guide where all the terminology was. ALSO there’s a beautiful map included too!
The character who had the spotlight for me though was definitely the charismatic villain! 👀 I loved how mysterious and morally grey he was. I can’t wait to see more of him in the sequel! I’m looking forward to more interactions between him and the other characters🤭.
Rating - 4⭐️
This is a debut new adult epic fantasy inspired by the ancient Middle East with a romance subplot.
I really loved the world building in this! It was vivid and really easy to immerse yourself in. I think my favourite part of this book was the plot twists because I was absolutely gagged reading it at 2am 🫣. It was so difficult for me to put the book down! The author cleverly placed seeds throughout the book to build up for the plot twists. I managed to guess a few plot twists earlier on but it didn’t hinder my enjoyment because I absolutely LOVED the plot twists 🙂↕️.
The characters are complex and well fleshed out and there was even a sweet found family dynamic 🥹. Naila was a great protagonist to follow with nice character growth as she explores her own identity and where she belongs.
The fantasy terminology was easy and fun for me to follow as well. I enjoyed flicking back and forth through the story guide where all the terminology was. ALSO there’s a beautiful map included too!
The character who had the spotlight for me though was definitely the charismatic villain! 👀 I loved how mysterious and morally grey he was. I can’t wait to see more of him in the sequel! I’m looking forward to more interactions between him and the other characters🤭.
April 14, 2025
This cover had me instantly intrigued—and the story more than lived up to it. A Legend in the Sky is a vibrant and imaginative new adult portal fantasy that brings something truly fresh to the genre. The ancient Middle Eastern-inspired world-building is one of its strongest features: richly developed, immersive, and full of small, thoughtful details that make everything feel real. It’s not just a backdrop; it lives and breathes.
Naila is a great protagonist—soft, emotionally layered, and quietly powerful in a way that feels unique. I loved how vulnerable she was allowed to be without sacrificing her strength. And the other characters are just as wonderful. The relationships—particularly the platonic ones and the messy, nuanced family ties—were beautifully handled and felt like the emotional anchor of the story. That said, she sometimes plays a more reactive role in the narrative, and there were moments where the story seemed to place her on a bit of an idealized pedestal.
The prose is lyrical and lovely, though occasionally it veers into territory that feels just a touch overwritten or mismatched. Some of the dialogue is a bit stiff, and a few word choices pulled me out of the flow—but there’s also a real voice here, one that I think will only get stronger with time.
The romance that it seems to be heading for didn’t quite win me over this time—I think there’s room for growth there, and I’ll be curious to see how that dynamic evolves. But it's a long road for that person, in my opinion. But honestly, the rest of the story is strong enough that the romance felt more like a bonus than a necessity. The plot is packed with genuine surprises, and even when the pacing stumbled or a character choice felt a little convenient, I was too invested to care much. The emotional beats still landed.
This is a confident, heartfelt debut. The world, the characters, the atmosphere—it all left a lasting impression. I’m already excited for book two and to see this author grow into everything this story hints at.
Thanks so much to Colored Pages Book Tours and the author for the complimentary copy. This is an honest review and all opinions are my own.
Naila is a great protagonist—soft, emotionally layered, and quietly powerful in a way that feels unique. I loved how vulnerable she was allowed to be without sacrificing her strength. And the other characters are just as wonderful. The relationships—particularly the platonic ones and the messy, nuanced family ties—were beautifully handled and felt like the emotional anchor of the story. That said, she sometimes plays a more reactive role in the narrative, and there were moments where the story seemed to place her on a bit of an idealized pedestal.
The prose is lyrical and lovely, though occasionally it veers into territory that feels just a touch overwritten or mismatched. Some of the dialogue is a bit stiff, and a few word choices pulled me out of the flow—but there’s also a real voice here, one that I think will only get stronger with time.
The romance that it seems to be heading for didn’t quite win me over this time—I think there’s room for growth there, and I’ll be curious to see how that dynamic evolves. But it's a long road for that person, in my opinion. But honestly, the rest of the story is strong enough that the romance felt more like a bonus than a necessity. The plot is packed with genuine surprises, and even when the pacing stumbled or a character choice felt a little convenient, I was too invested to care much. The emotional beats still landed.
This is a confident, heartfelt debut. The world, the characters, the atmosphere—it all left a lasting impression. I’m already excited for book two and to see this author grow into everything this story hints at.
Thanks so much to Colored Pages Book Tours and the author for the complimentary copy. This is an honest review and all opinions are my own.
April 15, 2025
Mini review
WHAT A GEM. The story swept me away on fast paced adventure full of creatures of legends and Mesopotamia inspired mythology, sweet romance and heartwarming found family. Betrayals and plot twists that had me screaming. And Levias WHO YOU MUST MEET so we can discuss 🤣.
Full review
The ancient Middle East inspired world building and mythology are so unique and refreshing. Naila gets thrown into a different world after monstrous hunters come after her in this one and we learn about this new world along side her in bite sized pieces without being overwhelmed. And you know I cannot resist a good found family. Onyx, Silas, and Tryce are such fun and intriguing characters and their friendship with Naila as she navigates her new life is so heartwarming. The romance subplot is enough to satisfy without overtaking the main fantasy plot. But LEVIAS 👀🔥. I am DYING to see how that whole situation is going to play out.
The PLOT. The last act of the book was so unpredictable and full of all sorts of plot twists and I’m not talking about the obvious Levias one. This is a book you want to go back and read again to pick up on the subtle crumbs missed the first time.
With ancient cities to discover, identities to reveal, and magical abilities to unlock, A Legend in the Sky is an epic fantasy brimming with adventure you do not want to miss.
Thanks to Colored Pages Tours and the author for the ARC!
WHAT A GEM. The story swept me away on fast paced adventure full of creatures of legends and Mesopotamia inspired mythology, sweet romance and heartwarming found family. Betrayals and plot twists that had me screaming. And Levias WHO YOU MUST MEET so we can discuss 🤣.
Full review
The ancient Middle East inspired world building and mythology are so unique and refreshing. Naila gets thrown into a different world after monstrous hunters come after her in this one and we learn about this new world along side her in bite sized pieces without being overwhelmed. And you know I cannot resist a good found family. Onyx, Silas, and Tryce are such fun and intriguing characters and their friendship with Naila as she navigates her new life is so heartwarming. The romance subplot is enough to satisfy without overtaking the main fantasy plot. But LEVIAS 👀🔥. I am DYING to see how that whole situation is going to play out.
The PLOT. The last act of the book was so unpredictable and full of all sorts of plot twists and I’m not talking about the obvious Levias one. This is a book you want to go back and read again to pick up on the subtle crumbs missed the first time.
With ancient cities to discover, identities to reveal, and magical abilities to unlock, A Legend in the Sky is an epic fantasy brimming with adventure you do not want to miss.
Thanks to Colored Pages Tours and the author for the ARC!
April 9, 2025
Thank you to the author, Faye Oliander, for providing me with a digital ARC of A Legend in the Sky.
I rated this book 4 stars, and the blurb does not do this beautiful work justice. Naila is a complex and interesting FMC, and our story is told in third person, primarily from her perspective. There are brief moments where the story follows another character, but they are rare. The cast of side characters is well fleshed out and feel like complex, nuanced people with their own motivations, history, and baggage. My personal favorite side character is Onyx—she’s loyal and supportive and doesn’t ask for much in return, just freely offering her help and care.
Ultimately, this story follows a literal journey, and I have to admit the twists and turns truly surprised me (with the exception of one). I think where this book really shines is in the worldbuilding. The complex systems of government, the variety of creatures, and the types of magic (Æther users) are incredibly well thought-out. It was refreshing to dive into something that felt entirely new, with unfamiliar terminology and societal structures to learn. If complexity isn’t your thing, this might be overwhelming, but for readers who love a rich, layered fantasy setting, this is a gem.
This is Faye Oliander’s debut novel, and I think it’s a fantastic start to a new series. I can’t wait for the next book in The Gemini Stones series, to find out what happens next.
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April 28, 2025
Naila has always been viewed as odd by others. After all, she has seen flames on her hands, especially when emotions are high, and has been told each time by doctors and even her own mother, that they’re just hallucinations.
One day, she goes to visit her friend Philly, after an argument with her mother, when they are attacked by people called shadowreapers.
They grab Naila and throw her into a portal to a different world where she learns she’s not who she thought she was and that her hallucinations are not hallucinations but real.
This is a very unique fantasy. It definitely took me for a ride. I felt like I was thrown about a bit like Naila was being thrown into a portal, entering a new world where people know who and what she is, and learning that everything you knew about yourself was a lie. It’s a lot to take in lol.
Naila did rather well handling all these revelations. Upset about all the lies, but also excited to learn more. I also appreciate despite the lies or information held back by her mother and friend Philly, she still wanted to go back home and be with them and make sure they were okay. She is a VERY loving and caring character. She cared about EVERYONE’S wellbeing. Even strangers. She didn’t like violence, especially unnecessary violence, and she tried to avoid it as much as possible, even convincing others to avoid it. It was interesting to have such morally forward character versus some of the rather morally grey characters. I’m sure she was quite the enigma for them all.
There are quite a few characters. I really enjoyed them all. They were each unique and became a unique found family that kind of has some twists to it towards the end. Made for an interesting story. I didn’t know who to really trust or believe.
Rē was one of the more interesting characters. He was definitely mysterious. As well as, the stranger who saved Naila, who is very mysterious until we found out who he is.
The world itself is interesting and has a twist. That’s all I’ll say about it.
The story is well written. I enjoyed a lot of the world and character building. We really get to know the characters, sort of, and the world, sort of. However, I felt the pacing was off sometimes. It seemed like they got to places very fast and met up with people that they saw a day ago in this new location which I didn’t understand how that was possible. A lot of things that happened were very convenient for the characters and I didn’t understand how the things happened were so convenient.
Then the twists which were a lot and thrown at me all at once about 70% or more into the book, and although most were predictable, one I didn’t see, but I think because it didn’t make sense how that came to be. There’s no background explaining, and it was odd. I get why we would pull that twist, but I also need to be explained to as to how this came to be. Less telling more showing. One of the other twists was a bit out there(literally) too and made me laugh, I’ll admit 😅
The romance also is very fast. I’m hoping the romance does not go the way it’s going now because I don’t find it believable. Especially when Naila literally said at the beginning that she knew flirty boys are trouble and she knows to stay away from them, and yet she falls for him like everyone else? That was disappointing in my opinion. Hopefully it will go a different route 😏
I would give this 3.5 ⭐️. 3 seems to not be enough and yet 4 seems too generous. It’s a well written book and kept my attention, I just wish some of the pacing was different and maybe more detail about certain things explaining how they came to be or how they happened the way they did would help.
Overall, definitely a good read and I would recommend it! I do look forward to the next book!
Thank you to the author for the e-ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
One day, she goes to visit her friend Philly, after an argument with her mother, when they are attacked by people called shadowreapers.
They grab Naila and throw her into a portal to a different world where she learns she’s not who she thought she was and that her hallucinations are not hallucinations but real.
This is a very unique fantasy. It definitely took me for a ride. I felt like I was thrown about a bit like Naila was being thrown into a portal, entering a new world where people know who and what she is, and learning that everything you knew about yourself was a lie. It’s a lot to take in lol.
Naila did rather well handling all these revelations. Upset about all the lies, but also excited to learn more. I also appreciate despite the lies or information held back by her mother and friend Philly, she still wanted to go back home and be with them and make sure they were okay. She is a VERY loving and caring character. She cared about EVERYONE’S wellbeing. Even strangers. She didn’t like violence, especially unnecessary violence, and she tried to avoid it as much as possible, even convincing others to avoid it. It was interesting to have such morally forward character versus some of the rather morally grey characters. I’m sure she was quite the enigma for them all.
There are quite a few characters. I really enjoyed them all. They were each unique and became a unique found family that kind of has some twists to it towards the end. Made for an interesting story. I didn’t know who to really trust or believe.
Rē was one of the more interesting characters. He was definitely mysterious. As well as, the stranger who saved Naila, who is very mysterious until we found out who he is.
The world itself is interesting and has a twist. That’s all I’ll say about it.
The story is well written. I enjoyed a lot of the world and character building. We really get to know the characters, sort of, and the world, sort of. However, I felt the pacing was off sometimes. It seemed like they got to places very fast and met up with people that they saw a day ago in this new location which I didn’t understand how that was possible. A lot of things that happened were very convenient for the characters and I didn’t understand how the things happened were so convenient.
Then the twists which were a lot and thrown at me all at once about 70% or more into the book, and although most were predictable, one I didn’t see, but I think because it didn’t make sense how that came to be. There’s no background explaining, and it was odd. I get why we would pull that twist, but I also need to be explained to as to how this came to be. Less telling more showing. One of the other twists was a bit out there(literally) too and made me laugh, I’ll admit 😅
The romance also is very fast. I’m hoping the romance does not go the way it’s going now because I don’t find it believable. Especially when Naila literally said at the beginning that she knew flirty boys are trouble and she knows to stay away from them, and yet she falls for him like everyone else? That was disappointing in my opinion. Hopefully it will go a different route 😏
I would give this 3.5 ⭐️. 3 seems to not be enough and yet 4 seems too generous. It’s a well written book and kept my attention, I just wish some of the pacing was different and maybe more detail about certain things explaining how they came to be or how they happened the way they did would help.
Overall, definitely a good read and I would recommend it! I do look forward to the next book!
Thank you to the author for the e-ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 19, 2025
4.5 stars - I am so incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have received an advanced copy of A Legend in the Sky from the author! 🫶
A Legend in the Sky is such a beautiful and incredible debut novel that now holds a piece of my heart! 🥹💕 The world-building in this story is simply magical and I was immediately drawn into the world from the very first page! 🫶
Something I thought that was incredibly refreshing while reading was Naila having super curly hair! 🫶 It’s rare when I read about characters having really curly hair and since I happen to have curly hair myself it made me highly relate to her in this way! 🥹
The friendships in this story are beautiful and I loved it! ❤️ Naila and Onyx’s friendship in particular is so special! 🫶 It’s an incredible epic fantasy with a touch of romance and found family and those are some of my favorite things so this was truly so fun to read! 🥰 I seriously can’t wait to read the next one in the series! 🥳🎉
If you love epic fantasy with a touch of romance, found family, big surprises, an FMC with curly hair, slow burn, incredible friendships then be sure to read this book because it is such a wonderful debut novel! 🫶
A Legend in the Sky is such a beautiful and incredible debut novel that now holds a piece of my heart! 🥹💕 The world-building in this story is simply magical and I was immediately drawn into the world from the very first page! 🫶
Something I thought that was incredibly refreshing while reading was Naila having super curly hair! 🫶 It’s rare when I read about characters having really curly hair and since I happen to have curly hair myself it made me highly relate to her in this way! 🥹
The friendships in this story are beautiful and I loved it! ❤️ Naila and Onyx’s friendship in particular is so special! 🫶 It’s an incredible epic fantasy with a touch of romance and found family and those are some of my favorite things so this was truly so fun to read! 🥰 I seriously can’t wait to read the next one in the series! 🥳🎉
If you love epic fantasy with a touch of romance, found family, big surprises, an FMC with curly hair, slow burn, incredible friendships then be sure to read this book because it is such a wonderful debut novel! 🫶
April 15, 2025
Faye's debut left me awe of her world building and characters!
The most interesting and unique aspect of this epic high fantasy is the world building— drawn from the legends of Asian mythology with the diverse set of characters, presenting the ethnicity of Asian and African population. The legends will have you turning pages to know more.
Naila, by far was the relatable character with adorable quirks. Other than Naila, Tyrce and Onyx were my favourite characters!
There were a few phrases which felt repetitive, that affected my reading experience.
It would be better categorised as an epic fantasy adventure rather than romance— the romance is a sub-plot which wasn't much explored in this book but hopefully it will be in the next installment. Even though the romance was minute, there were plenty of moments filled with slow touches and swoon.
The intensity between the supposed love interest and Naila was so enjoyable to read!
Thanks Faye for an ARC copy. This review is voluntary and is not influenced by anything.
The most interesting and unique aspect of this epic high fantasy is the world building— drawn from the legends of Asian mythology with the diverse set of characters, presenting the ethnicity of Asian and African population. The legends will have you turning pages to know more.
Naila, by far was the relatable character with adorable quirks. Other than Naila, Tyrce and Onyx were my favourite characters!
There were a few phrases which felt repetitive, that affected my reading experience.
It would be better categorised as an epic fantasy adventure rather than romance— the romance is a sub-plot which wasn't much explored in this book but hopefully it will be in the next installment. Even though the romance was minute, there were plenty of moments filled with slow touches and swoon.
The intensity between the supposed love interest and Naila was so enjoyable to read!
Thanks Faye for an ARC copy. This review is voluntary and is not influenced by anything.
April 18, 2025
A Legend in the Sky by Faye Oliander
Series: The Gemini Stones, Booke One
Genre: Romantasy I Epic Fantasy I Character Driven I New Adult
Setting: Ancient Middle East
Length: 508 pages
Release Date: April 15, 2025
✨check trigger warnings on author's website ✨
Thank you to Color pages book tours and Faye Oliander do the finished copy!
What an adventure! I loved this character driven story about our FMC Naila who is transported into another world. While she is trying to make sense of this world she is also trying to find her best friend, Phillipe to return to earth. Naila finds that something she was always made fun of back on Earth is the key to unlocking something magical in this realm. I loved the twists and turns that were unveiled, there is a pronunciation guide and a glossary of words for the language the author came up with that I referenced a lot. Please let’s do to this for every fantasy book. It was so immensely helpful. While this book is marketed as a romantasy I don’t feel that the romance over shadowed the fantasy. I personally would classify it as an epic fantasy with a romance subplot although I can see how going forward romance may play a bigger role in the over arching story. I can’t wait to read book two!
Series: The Gemini Stones, Booke One
Genre: Romantasy I Epic Fantasy I Character Driven I New Adult
Setting: Ancient Middle East
Length: 508 pages
Release Date: April 15, 2025
✨check trigger warnings on author's website ✨
Thank you to Color pages book tours and Faye Oliander do the finished copy!
What an adventure! I loved this character driven story about our FMC Naila who is transported into another world. While she is trying to make sense of this world she is also trying to find her best friend, Phillipe to return to earth. Naila finds that something she was always made fun of back on Earth is the key to unlocking something magical in this realm. I loved the twists and turns that were unveiled, there is a pronunciation guide and a glossary of words for the language the author came up with that I referenced a lot. Please let’s do to this for every fantasy book. It was so immensely helpful. While this book is marketed as a romantasy I don’t feel that the romance over shadowed the fantasy. I personally would classify it as an epic fantasy with a romance subplot although I can see how going forward romance may play a bigger role in the over arching story. I can’t wait to read book two!
April 18, 2025
If you love portal fantasy, love triangles, cool magic systems, and world building, this story is for you. Not only do I love all of the characters (even the villains are interesting and I want to see more of) but the story kept me intrigued the whole way. Plus it's based on middle eastern mythologies, which often get overlooked in a lot of the fantasy world.
This magical book has a strong FMC who just wants to find a portal back home. She makes friends and creates her own found family while discovering who she is. MMC is kind of a rogue but is very lovable too. This isn't a romance but there is a bit of it in there. Plus the art is fantastic.
I can't wait for the rest of this unputdownable series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This magical book has a strong FMC who just wants to find a portal back home. She makes friends and creates her own found family while discovering who she is. MMC is kind of a rogue but is very lovable too. This isn't a romance but there is a bit of it in there. Plus the art is fantastic.
I can't wait for the rest of this unputdownable series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 14, 2025
Book review: 3.85/5 ⭐️
Genre: high fantasy/sci-fi
Themes: destiny, colonizers, subjugation, quest, otherworldly
This is described as an epic adult fantasy and epic is surely the word for it. It is a complex magical system with incredible world building on the scale of your all time favourite fantasies. Like GoT or LOTR it can come across as confusing at times with so many moving parts and different kingdoms, creatures and even languages, but the diversity and melting pot of cultures and traditions just make it more interesting and immersive. The inclusion of lost civilizations and the stars was a creative way to create lore within this world and build a history into the story. It is ripe with danger in a world unlike any other.
Overall, I found the story very creative with a surprising sci-fi twist. There were some overarching themes that commented on colonialism, the patriarchy and inherited trauma making for some heavier matter though it was a youthful quest that dominated the plot. The adventure itself was action packed with our group of warriors on a quest to return Niala home, but of course this is no simple task. Along the way, new challenges will arise and a destiny will be revealed. History will come crashing with the present and unexpected players will enter centre stage.
It is a debut so there were some distracting niggles for me. While it is considered a novel for adults, the characters are all really young and they read a little YA. Most are terribly naive and impetuous, highlighting their youthful POV. And while I enjoyed the sense of a found family, I did think the MC was a little bland and the relationships felt a little superficial, especially the romance though this was only a minor part of the story. I normally like the roguish rake, but Silas came off a bit arrogant and grasping instead of charming. Onyx and Tryce were better developed and Levias was by far the most interesting character, but Naila was unmemorable, which is a shame because this is really her story. I needed her to be better defined and to have some discernible traits besides always being demure and treated like an outsider. She wasn’t really shaped by her past and her actions were sometimes contradictory to her projected mindset. She saw the world a little too black and white. It made her a weak link in this story for me.
Overall, it was well written although there were some inconsistencies. This may be more easily discernible to me personally because I am detailed orientated, but when an object is ripped away and trampled by a stampede in one scene only to be used in the next as a binding all I am doing is wondering how instead of focusing on the story at large. Or why Lemuria look exactly like Earth and yet all the library searching yielded no such revelation. This may not bother other readers, but it was one of the reasons this highly creative and well built world were not rated higher for me.
I really liked the general world building and while there were little breadcrumbs dropped along the way the reveal played out well, and there were a few well hidden surprises. I liked the morally grey cameos a great deal and the villains were by far the most interesting personas. The magical system, creatures and lore of the stars kept me turning pages as did the action packed pace of the novel. A brilliant debut that I am sure will continue to sparkle as the series continues.
Thank you to Colored Pages book Tour and Faye Oliander for this book and letting me be part of this book tour!
Genre: high fantasy/sci-fi
Themes: destiny, colonizers, subjugation, quest, otherworldly
This is described as an epic adult fantasy and epic is surely the word for it. It is a complex magical system with incredible world building on the scale of your all time favourite fantasies. Like GoT or LOTR it can come across as confusing at times with so many moving parts and different kingdoms, creatures and even languages, but the diversity and melting pot of cultures and traditions just make it more interesting and immersive. The inclusion of lost civilizations and the stars was a creative way to create lore within this world and build a history into the story. It is ripe with danger in a world unlike any other.
Overall, I found the story very creative with a surprising sci-fi twist. There were some overarching themes that commented on colonialism, the patriarchy and inherited trauma making for some heavier matter though it was a youthful quest that dominated the plot. The adventure itself was action packed with our group of warriors on a quest to return Niala home, but of course this is no simple task. Along the way, new challenges will arise and a destiny will be revealed. History will come crashing with the present and unexpected players will enter centre stage.
It is a debut so there were some distracting niggles for me. While it is considered a novel for adults, the characters are all really young and they read a little YA. Most are terribly naive and impetuous, highlighting their youthful POV. And while I enjoyed the sense of a found family, I did think the MC was a little bland and the relationships felt a little superficial, especially the romance though this was only a minor part of the story. I normally like the roguish rake, but Silas came off a bit arrogant and grasping instead of charming. Onyx and Tryce were better developed and Levias was by far the most interesting character, but Naila was unmemorable, which is a shame because this is really her story. I needed her to be better defined and to have some discernible traits besides always being demure and treated like an outsider. She wasn’t really shaped by her past and her actions were sometimes contradictory to her projected mindset. She saw the world a little too black and white. It made her a weak link in this story for me.
Overall, it was well written although there were some inconsistencies. This may be more easily discernible to me personally because I am detailed orientated, but when an object is ripped away and trampled by a stampede in one scene only to be used in the next as a binding all I am doing is wondering how instead of focusing on the story at large. Or why Lemuria look exactly like Earth and yet all the library searching yielded no such revelation. This may not bother other readers, but it was one of the reasons this highly creative and well built world were not rated higher for me.
I really liked the general world building and while there were little breadcrumbs dropped along the way the reveal played out well, and there were a few well hidden surprises. I liked the morally grey cameos a great deal and the villains were by far the most interesting personas. The magical system, creatures and lore of the stars kept me turning pages as did the action packed pace of the novel. A brilliant debut that I am sure will continue to sparkle as the series continues.
Thank you to Colored Pages book Tour and Faye Oliander for this book and letting me be part of this book tour!
April 9, 2025
Faye’s debut fantasy is rich in world building, complex characters, a unique magic system, and beautiful art which sets it apart from all the familiar stories we’ve been reading these days. There are layers upon layers within this book just waiting to be discovered, and through Naila-the FMC’s, beautifully written journey, readers are able to do just that. She isn’t just the highlight of the book, each character has a complex backstory, and coupled with the middle eastern setting and twists and turns you’ll never expect, this is a ride you won’t want to miss. I’m already looking forward to the next.
April 18, 2025
I was blown away by the detail, world building, and interesting characters that abounded in this book. Our heroine never knowing about her origins discovering herself and making new connections where she actually fits in… Chefs kiss. Not only where the main character is fully flashed out, but the side characters were just as believable. I was immediately immersed in the story and could not find my way out until the last page. The only thing I’m currently unhappy about is that I don’t have the next book right now.
May 9, 2025
I know you're not supposed to judge a book by it's cover, but it's what caught my eye. This cover is gorgeous and I plan on getting a physical copy for a book trophy because of it. That's not the only reason, the book itself- the characters, the plot, the setting and the world this author created - was equally as lovely. I absolutely loved reading this book. I thought it was well written and enjoyable. I got pulled into the story and didn't want to get out.
September 11, 2025
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: twenty twenty-five is the year of phenomenal debut authors !!!!! Seriously though, the cover is absolutely breathtaking and the plot is bewitchingly refreshing, which makes me even more excited for the sequel xo
March 21, 2025
So ridiculously excited for this!!!
May 25, 2025
A Legend In The Sky by Faye Oliander 🌌✨️
When I started the e-ARC of A Legend In The Sky, I didn't think it was going to be such an adventure 🌌.
Straight off the bat, the story starts really strong—I was completely drawn in and knew this book was going to be insanely great, and I was not at all disappointed ✨️.
Naila has special powers, she gets kidnapped, meets a really, really cool badass woman in the forest who saves her, and they become besties! Naila just wants to go back home after being taken, and on her journey, she meets so many interesting new people. They go out on an epic adventure together—with weapons, sea men, ocean dragon creatures, and so many other magical beings ⚔️🐉.
The middle-eastern setting, the relatable characters, the beautiful clothing, the powers and the gods. honestly it was the New Adult Epic Fantasy I've been waiting for a long time. There is no feeling of familiarity with other fantasy stories and that's a bonus because when you read one YA fantasy it feels like you've read them all but this was fresh and exciting.
Faye Oliander has managed to create something so special ✨️—a mind-blowing world filled with gods, love, plot twists you’ll never see coming, and characters that are so relatable. Man, the ending of this book? Chef’s kiss 🤌🏼
I am obsessed and cannot wait for Book 2 in The Gemini Stone series!
A Legend In The Sky is out on April 15th—this is a total must-read! 📚🌠
When I started the e-ARC of A Legend In The Sky, I didn't think it was going to be such an adventure 🌌.
Straight off the bat, the story starts really strong—I was completely drawn in and knew this book was going to be insanely great, and I was not at all disappointed ✨️.
Naila has special powers, she gets kidnapped, meets a really, really cool badass woman in the forest who saves her, and they become besties! Naila just wants to go back home after being taken, and on her journey, she meets so many interesting new people. They go out on an epic adventure together—with weapons, sea men, ocean dragon creatures, and so many other magical beings ⚔️🐉.
The middle-eastern setting, the relatable characters, the beautiful clothing, the powers and the gods. honestly it was the New Adult Epic Fantasy I've been waiting for a long time. There is no feeling of familiarity with other fantasy stories and that's a bonus because when you read one YA fantasy it feels like you've read them all but this was fresh and exciting.
Faye Oliander has managed to create something so special ✨️—a mind-blowing world filled with gods, love, plot twists you’ll never see coming, and characters that are so relatable. Man, the ending of this book? Chef’s kiss 🤌🏼
I am obsessed and cannot wait for Book 2 in The Gemini Stone series!
A Legend In The Sky is out on April 15th—this is a total must-read! 📚🌠
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