Avidian

The Demon and the Savior #1

by Ashley R. O'Donovan

I can see the dead. They tell me their secrets. But this time, their secrets might get me killed.

My name is Kat Sinclair, and the Volkov family owns me. People like me, born with special abilities, are called Avids. But my gift doesn’t spare me from the demands of Marco Volkov, the ruthless family patriarch who keeps me in line with the ever-present threat of violence.

When a grisly double murder involving a family nephew and a cook shakes the household, I’m forced to uncover the truth. The whispers of the dead reveal more than I bargained for, unearthing secrets that could destroy the Volkovs—and me.

But I met a charming stranger who might be able to help. Except he doesn’t know about my gift, my scars, or the dark past I can’t escape. But in his eyes, I see something I thought I’d lost long ago—hope.

If I want to escape, I’ll have to play along. But this murder might be hiding something even more dangerous. If I’m not careful, I’ll be the next one the dead are whispering about.

Genres: Fantasy, Dystopia, Romantasy, Romance, Mystery, Paranormal, Fantasy Romance

362 pages, Paperback

Published March 25, 2025

Reviews

[Uswah · Rating 4 out of 5]

WELL, WELL, WELL! 👀

A murder mystery with supernatural elements?! THE REASON I WAS SOLD! 👀💙🖲️

I ABSOLUTELY ENJOYED IT!!! 💙💙💙

The writing style was great; it kept me hooked, and thankfully, there was no dragging—except for the word “tucking.” 😃

The ending left me on a cliffhanger... AAAAAHHH!!! Now I have to wait for the second book to be released! 😔 (Please make the wait quicker.)

Overall, the book was so good. There was this nickname that was kinda 🫤, but the plot and story were so captivating that I’m going to overlook it. But sometimes it’s hard to ignore lol…

The FMC, Katja, is an Avid—her ability allows her to see and communicate with the dead 👀. (interesting… right?) She solves the mystery under her boss, Marco—who is, ugh, yes, he is UGH. 🙄
Then we have the MMC, Malachi, who is hot 👀, morally gray, fiercely protective, and has a love for spicy romance books (👀). *shrugs* He even blushes when Katja discovers he’s reading one!Oh, and he’s also Marco’s son 👀, so I can sense some complications there. 🤭🤭🤭
But, there are issues related to her past, which is where the cliffhanger started, and... 😭 I NEED ANSWERS... NOW! My curious ahh can’t wait! 😭

This book was good, and I really enjoyed it. The last 20% was 🤯 (I think this emoji is enough to describe what I’m tryna tell ya).

OMGIIIEEEE, she also has a ghost pet dog (so cuuuuute! 🥹🥹🥹). Plus, there’s a secret organization involved too! 👀

‼️CHECK THE TW BEFORE READING IT‼️

WELL, HERE ARE THE TROPES:
💙 Dystopian Fantasy
🖲️ Forced Proximity
💙 Supernatural Abilities
🖲️ Forbidden Love
💙 Possessive MMC
🖲️ MURDER MYSTERY (yes, I’m writing this in all caps because, yeah 🤭)
💙 Slow Burn
🖲️ Touch Her and Die & Who Did This to You
💙 Hidden Agenda

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and BookFunnel for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts are my own.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly was NOT expecting this book and IT WAS GOOD. Paranormal, dystopian, dark, fantasy, mystery all mixed in one and it works. I NEED A BOOK TWO IMMEDIATELY PLEASE AND THANK YOU.

[Thais • tata.lifepages • · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you have been looking for a paranormal MURDER MYSTERY, you have to read this book! This is the first book in a dark dystopian fantasy romance series. If you are a fan of the TV series Silo, or The Hunger Games and Divergent, you will enjoy this new series! It has a refreshing blend of genres that kept me intrigued the entire time while reading. You can expect not only a post apocalyptic setting but also some mafia elements, crime mystery, slow burn romance, fantasy and paranormal! 🖤

The story is set in a world where people with unique abilities are trafficked and enslaved. They are known as Avids (think mutants like X-men!). We follow Katja, who is an avid who is able to talk to the dead 💀 she’s an orphan who has been trafficked for the past 8 years. Until one night near the compound where Katja lives she encounters Malachi, a handsome man visiting for his fathers business. Soon after Kat learns that he is the youngest son of her owner/master, the powerful man that controls the western district. Malachi proposes a deal to her: help him with a secret plan whilst solving a murder case. Kat couldn’t resist the opportunity to help other Avids. I love the unexpectedly alliances trope!

What you can expect:
✨loyal companion (ghost dog)
✨forbidden love
✨morally gray characters
✨who did this to you
✨powerful family/political intrigue
✨supernatural abilities
✨magical bloodline
✨murd€r mystery
✨possessive hero
✨he falls first

[chloe · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25⭐️
3/5🌶️
This one was good! It was an enjoyable, easy kind of story that you can just turn your brain off and read pretty effortlessly.
The story takes place is post apocalypse America that has been split by region and run by the wealthiest families in the country. There are people with magic, Avids, who are born with magical abilities (think like x-men type abilities) and these people are trafficked by the wealthiest families. Our FMC is one of these Avids and is owned by Marco, head of one of these families.

I had some issues with it. A lot of the conflict between the MMC and FMC could have been avoided by the simple usage of common sense and seemed to only be there for the sake of having conflict. The MMC was very immature and seemed unintelligent to me at first but he did get better as the story progressed. Also he reads spicy romances so that earned him some points back for me.

Overall this was a great story though and it was not predictable at all which I liked the most! After the plot twist at the end I definitely will read the next book.

Instalove, mystery, suspense, great banter, this one was definitely a fun read.

[Minni Mouse]

DNF at 12% because not for me.

“Aren’t you a little young to be out here this late and alone?” he says, and I scoff at him.

“I’m twenty-three years old and can take care of myself.”

“I mean no offense, but I’m surprised you don’t have a husband already, given how beautiful you are,” he says.

I bite my bottom lip, a nervous habit I really need to stop. “And what makes you think I don’t have a husband waiting for me at home?” I ask, bending my knees and turning slightly toward him, leaning my shoulder against the base of the tree.

“If I were your husband, you’d never have to be alone. Not because you need protecting—but because I’d make damn sure you never wanted to be anywhere else.”

This was by page four. (By the fourth paragraph, the love interest had already appeared.) Remember the days when books actually built up the beginning? When they took time to establish world building and characters and plot arc instead of relying on glossary and tropes to plop you in the middle of a thought?

[Karly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Avidian is a great binge read featuring a fun blend of genres. It's basically a mafia romance, murder mystery set in a post-apocalyptic, fantasy world (some characters have supernatural powers).

What to expect:
💙 Fantasy romance
💙 1st person, single POV
💙 Post apocalyptic world
💙 Forbidden romance
💙 Murder mystery
💙 Paranormal / ghosts
💙 Supernatural abilities
💙 Forced proximity

⚠️ Read CW/TW

Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️ (insta lust)

Avidian takes place in a post-apocalyptic America where those with magical abilities are traff!cked by rich powerful families. This story follows Kat who is owned by a family that exploits her supernatural abilities to see and speak to the dead. A double murder within the extended family ultimately lands her the responsibility to solve the case.

Overall, I had a lot of fun with this book. It's very fast-paced and has a casual tone. I (personally) wouldn't consider this a spicy book, but there is a playful dynamic between the FMC and MMC. I struggled to connect with their chemistry at first, but it felt more believable towards the end.

Even though this is book 1 in a series, I was hoping for a bit more world building and development around the magic system. I'm not sure I feel entirely rooted in this world, yet, but I'm hopeful the author will give us more details in book 2.

As someone who reads a LOT of romantasy, I would consider this a palette cleanser read. I think it'd be a great book for readers who tend to read a blend of romance and romantasy/fantasy, or those looking to dip their toes into the romantasy genre and want a darker, familiar world.

I chose to immersive read this book (it's on KU), and I really enjoyed the audiobook (a sincere thank you to the author for gifting me a copy). I definitely recommend this experience, and I plan to continue this series.

[Kirsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Murder. Mystery. Ghosts. A dystopian world that feels ripped straight from your 2000s fever dreams.”
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️

Series: The Demon and the Savior #1
Series Type: Series
Genre: Fantasy
Sub Genre: Dystopian Fantasy Romance

Tropes:
- Forced Proximity
- Morally grey MMC
- Mystery subplot
- Plot twists
- FMC
- MMC is a shameless flirt
- He’s Obsessed with her
- Who did this to you

Other:
- Fantasy Species: Ghosts, Human magic users, Humans
- Format: Digital ARC
- Plot/Character Driven: Plot
- Pacing: Medium
- POV: Single POV
- Narration type: 1st person
- Character gender : F/M
- Spicy chapters: 66%,86%
- Comparison titles: Murder mystery x hunger games world vibes
- Popular boyfriend comparison: Damon s Stefan Salvatore, he's also giving me Cormac Donnall vives from CC


👥 Characters
THEY. ATE. Katja? A ghost-seeing, sassy little badass who starts out with a touch of Stockholm Syndrome (oops), but she’s just a girl trying to survive with the cards she’s been dealt. And her charater growth? CHEF'S KISS.

And then we have MALACHI MALACHI MALACHI—he’s giving full-on Damon + Stefan murdered and mashed into one. Do I love him? Do I hate him? I DON’T KNOW. And that’s the best part.

🌍 World-Building & Magic
DO. NOT. LET. THE. COVER. FOOL. YOU. This is NOT some spaceship sci-fi nonsense. It’s dystopian as hell think Hunger Games districts, techy, grimy streets, but then posh ones, with a supernatural twist. The vibe? Dark, eerie, and thrilling.

❤️ What I Loved
THE MURDER MYSTERY. My pulse? THROUGH THE ROOF. The tension had me second-guessing everything, and I was too scared to read at night. Every chapter drops these eerie little snippets of "New World Order" rules, and I need more backstory, but I know Book 2 is gonna deliver.
And the magic? Subtle, grounded, almost scientific—it just works. Plus, HELLO 2000s dystopian vibes?!? I felt like I time-traveled to my Divergent/Hunger Games era, and I never wanted to leave. Also, the SPICE? Minimal but the book doesn’t even need it. The story is THAT good. And the CLIFFHANGER? I NEED BOOK 2 YESTERDAY.

💔 What I Didn’t Love
I just wanted MORE. More world-building, more backstory, more depth in the magic system. But I know we’re getting that next book, so I’m not docking points.

📝 Final Thoughts
If you’re a girlie who misses the golden age of 2000s dystopian-paranormal, this is your moment. The story is gripping, the tension is brutal, and I felt physically ill reading some of these twists. HIGHLY. HIGHLY. RECOMMEND.

[Adrianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am SO glad I signed up to ARC read this book! It’s outside my norm, so I was hesitant about it, plus I haven’t read anything by this author and all I can say is WOW.

From the first chapter, I was sucked in. I was genuinely upset when I had to put it down to be a wife and mom because I wanted to devour this book.

Characters: so unbelievably relatable. From the inner thoughts to the banter, you could feel Katja’s emotions. She is intelligent, calculated, and snarky. An FMC I could truly relate to. I’m honestly burned out by the fantasy FMC badasses that just have it all. Katja is not that way. Malachi on the other hand is the morally gray MMC we love. He’s got his own demons to battle and still manages to be a decent.

Plot: I haven’t read a lot like this. A completely original “murder mystery” that I need more of. There wasn’t a ton of world building and I didn’t feel like there was any unnecessary filler. Everything was relevant and the pace was good.

Spice: very tastefully done. There wasn’t a lot of spice as this was a slow burn but the little bit there was ended up well placed and not over the top.

The Ending: I might die soon without book 2. How do I even function with that cliffhanger?

Overall, I loved this book. It’s one I would have probably glanced over or added to my never ending TBR but I am SO glad I didn’t.

[Amanda Schneider · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you so much to the author, the publisher, and BookFunnel for sending me this arc in exchange for an honest review!

3.5 - I read this almost in entirely one sitting on a flight. I was very entertained and loved learning more about Avids. I loved Malachi right away, but I was able to guess a lot of the “twists” very easily and early. I think there was a lot left unsaid for a second book and I would absolutely love to see where this series goes.

[Emma Schissel · Rating 3 out of 5]

**received as an ARC

i enjoyed the premise, but i didn’t love the writing style. i think it’s just a personal preference, nothing against author at all. it was cool that she used the united states as the location and everything happened after the fall of democracy (which feels very on the nose right now). all in all i liked it, might not read the second one but it did leave on a cliffhanger so I may just to find out what happens.

[Anna-Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5 ⭐️I really enjoyed this. The pacing was good, the murder mystery was fun. I also liked how the plot slowly got more intricate as I read. The characters are amazing and I love the female main character. Super fun read and I’m excited for the next book!!!

[Ariel · Rating 5 out of 5]

My thoughts are so scattered. Where do I even start with "Avidian?" First the disclaimer, I did sign up to be on the ARC team through an ad the author, Ashley O'Donovan, put out. I loved the summary. It felt like a mesh of genres that immediately peaked my interest. I really wanted to read the story. My review here was optional and done voluntary. These words are my own. Robotic necessities done, about the book...

It jumps into an unknown time, when the US has gone through an unspecified event that led to distraction and then redistribution of territories. If there is one flaw with the story, is that it had very little details to this catastrophic event. It was pivotal in creating the Avids. I viewed Avids like the X-Men. Randomly mutated humans that just want to be treated normal. However, in this universe, they lost and became a slave class. They are now rounded up and traded among mafia dons and treated like cattle. This is where Avidian really starts. Following a lovely young lady named Katja. Her power, calling upon ghosts and being able to commune with them. She's been fortunate enough to find the situation and be in front of the right people that her power affords her some luxuries others like her don't have. Although, her Mafia master and his son's don't hesitate to remind her. For profit, she is summoned to help another Mafia head when a murder in his home is committed.

So we have our dystopian story set up, as well as a mafia crime. Katja is left to uncover secrets while playing politics between the masters, and trying to survive their threats of harm or tossing her to the wastelands.

Katja's name is often, unfortunately, shortened to Kat. This was a little on the nose tying it to "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins. I rather liked her name in longform. Anyways, I found her to be more cuddly than her 12th district counterpart. She came off sweet and broken, in a horrible situation. Nieve rather than cutthroat. Malachi, the man who catches her eye, is more that type. Her affections, or lack thereof, and his bluntness add to the romance aspect of the story. Between her rules, self imposed and pushed on her forcefully lend to a slow burn that as a reader you can never know if it is to be trusted.

In an attempt to stay spoiler free.. this is all I will really say. The majority of what I have said depicting the first few chapters. What I will say were there were definitely dystopian elements. Parts that reminded me of "The Hunger Games," or "The Maze Runner." Even the show "The 100" from time to time. The crime mystery as its own, I don't think would have much substance. Ghosts play vague with Kat and she isn't able to examine much evidence hands on. With the ties to Malachi and her past, as well as how her "owner" plays in, there is more mystery and suspense. The romance, I enjoyed. It takes its time, feeling more organic and real, especially given Katja's situation.

I was glued to the story. Only set it down when I had to, and got right back into it when I could. It felt like a more mature dystopian story. It wasn't exactly mind bending, but it was fun. Playing to what I liked about those other tales, but adding in deeper, darker and more risquè elements. It all made for a easy, very entertaining read. Even with it being left widely open for another book.

[KMart Vet · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a dystopian world where people with magical abilities are treated like property. It blends mafia vibes with a supernatural twist. Kat, who can see and speak to the dead, is pulled into solving a murder that threatens to expose long-buried secrets.

I found myself really drawn to the atmosphere of this world, but I do wish that it had gone even darker. The magic system is intriguing, especially through Kat’s bond with the dead (the ghost dog was a cute touch).

The characters sometimes feel like they wandered in from a much lighter book. Malachi has this flirty, playful energy that doesn’t always match the reality of what he knows Kat has endured. It made some of their early interactions feel a little off-kilter, like the emotional weight and the behavior didn’t fully line up. The immaturity of the characters gave the tone a distinctly YA feel, even though the themes are much heavier, and this is clearly an adult book.

That said, I did enjoy how the relationship develops. The bond that forms between them feels more grounded as the story goes on.

Overall, Avidian is entertaining, fast-paced, and filled with cool ideas. I just wish the characters behaved like they were living in the world the plot actually created.

[Sam’s Sagas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dude the ending!? 🫣🫣 nothin like a murder mystery with some paranormal/magic. I received this as an eARC and it did not disappoint. The writing style and descriptions were great, slow burn, and a nice twist at the end. Did I suspect the ending? A wee bit, I went back and forth between a couple people but I had a strong inkling lol I don’t usually try and figure anything out though, just enjoy the ride and see how it goes lol I really liked this one though and I’m curious how it will continue and what more of the magic system we’ll learn!

[Rayy Shouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 ⭐️

[Hillary · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5 ☆

Thank you to the author for a copy of the ARC! This is my voluntary review.

What I enjoyed:
I was interested with the premise of the book and this post-apocalyptic society. I was also curious about the main character’s powers and how they would develop as the book went on.

What I did not enjoy so much:
The mystery in the center of the plot seemed to take a bit long to unfold. I wish there was more world building and backstory to the society they’re in. I also was able to guess the plot twist at the end so it was not as much of a shock to me.

Overall, this was a solid first book in a series and I am curious how the story will continue to evolve!

[Ana Lucia Blandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to received an ARC of this book!

A Dark and Addictive Dystopian Fantasy

“Avidian: The Demon and the Savior” is the kind of book that sinks its claws into you and doesn’t let go. From the moment I stepped into its brutal dystopian world, I was hooked. The setting is richly detailed, immersive, and haunting—a perfect backdrop for the high-stakes power struggles and hidden dangers lurking beneath the surface.

Kat Sinclair is everything I love in a protagonist—strong, resilient, and caught in a web of secrets and deception. Watching her navigate this dangerous world, uncovering mysteries while fighting for her own survival, was absolutely gripping. And the slow-burn romance? Perfection. The tension, the longing, the undeniable chemistry—it all built up so beautifully, making every interaction feel intense and meaningful.

Then there’s Malachi. Mysterious, intense, and layered, he brings a new level of intrigue to the story. His connection with Kat was electrifying, and I loved watching their relationship evolve—complex, sometimes frustrating, but deeply passionate. Malachi’s presence adds depth to the narrative, making him an essential part of Kat’s journey.

The mystery at the heart of the story kept me guessing, and just when I thought I had it figured out, that final plot twist completely shattered me. I need the next book immediately!

If you love dystopian fantasy with a fierce heroine, a romance that burns slow but deep, and a plot that keeps you on edge until the very last page, this book is for you.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – An unforgettable, thrilling read that left me craving more.

[CandyXmas · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review!

Avidian is an urban fantasy and romance, wrapped in a thrilling murder mystery. The worldbuilding is immersive, and the characters are well developed and leave you intrigued. The romance feels organic, balancing perfectly with the suspense of the unfolding mystery. Fans of romantasy and crime-solving tales will find themselves hooked from the first page to the last. I highly recommend for anyone who loves a bit of magic with their mysteries!

I'm looking forward to see what happens in book 2!

[PineappleJelly · Rating 1 out of 5]

I thought the premise of this book sounded really great, but the immaturity of the writing really hampered things almost immediately.

The very first chapter sees our heroine Kat meet our 'mysterious stranger' Malachi. Kat can apparently see the golden flakes in his brown eyes even though it's night time. Within the next few pages they have a painfully written conversation in which they both share a lot of very personal information about themselves even though they just met and Kat is trying to keep her identity a secret, we get the line "Your eyes - fucking hell, Katja, you could start wars with them" which is almost nauseatingly cringey (again, they met TWELVE seconds ago) and they share an almost kiss in which our mysterious stranger 'makes a guttural sound' when Kat bites his earlobe.

This all happens, if you can believe it, before we've even hit 4% of the book.

This sort of supercharged pacing between the main characters really screams YA to me (even Wattpad, if I wanted to be uncharitable), which is a shame because this is supposed to be an adult romance. Where's the build up? Where's the progression? Why do we even care about the romance between these two characters who we basically don't even know yet? Beats me!

Anyway, back to the premise. Nothing about the blurb suggested to me that this was going to be a dystopian novel set in a future version of the US called 'Sunderlands' which formed in the wake of climate disasters and viral outbreaks, but uh, that's where we are. At the same time, Kat is something called an 'Avid' - a person born with special abilities like being able to see and speak with the dead. Are these abilities related to the climate disasters and disease outbreaks? No one knows! They just appeared one day apparently. Kat discovers her ability after a car crash in which her whole family dies, and is promptly kidnapped from her foster home and thrust into an underground smuggling ring in which avids are being bought and sold to the highest bidder. I originally assumed this would be a fantasy novel based off the blub, and to be honest the whole dystopian element doesn't quite gel together with the avid stuff. The world building we get feels loose at best, and never gets to the level of feeling satisfying or well conceived. Which is a shame because I really do think there's something to this idea, and a stricter editor could have really made something interesting out of this.

I dnf'ed at 11%.

[Krisreadsbookz · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF’ed 20%

I had high hopes for this book. The plot is really intriguing—mystery, extraordinary abilities to speak with the dead… But I already knew who the MMC would be by page three, and he was in love by Chapter 6. Well, I’m done at Chapter 6.

[Chandler · Rating 4 out of 5]

True Rating: 3.5

Avidian is a romantasy and murder mystery wrapped with a dystopian bow. It has a very cool magic system and the characters were well written, particularly Kat.

I received an eARC from the author and BookFunnel.

Katja Sinclair is an Avid, a person born with special powers. The cause of the mutation is unknown. The Avids are a slave class; collected, traded, and mistreated. Kat can see and communicate with the dead, making her a valuable asset to her boss, Marco. Because her gift is unique and valuable, Kat is treated marginally better than her fellow Avids but that doesn’t mean she is exempt from Marco and his sons’ cruelties. She is enlisted by Marco to a new job; solving a murder for the crime family. To do this, she must conjure the deceased and seek out the culprit. Along the way, she meets a man named Malachi who catches her eye. The romance is a slow burn filled with banter and trust building.

Avidian is well paced. A lot of information is packed into the novel but it never feels overwhelming or convoluted. The writing is nice and characters fairly well fleshed out. I appreciate that Katja’s personality wasn’t painted as extreme in either direction. Oftentimes, FMCs are portrayed as weak and fragile or so tough and strong that it defies believability. Katja was perfectly in between. A young adult who has lived her fair share of tragedies but is determined to free herself and as many Avids as she can. The romance subplot felt authentic and adorable.

My main points have nothing to do with what is included in the story. They’re with what information was not provided. We know that it’s a post democratic world. We know about the Avids and the Avid market. What we don’t know is WHAT happened to the world they’re in. Climate change? War? Nuclear? It was suggested Avids came about as a virus or through evolutionary necessity but it’s intentionally vague. Maybe these questions will be answered later in the series but I would have loved more world building and explanation. Some characters were introduced and then just forgotten (Katja’s Avid friend and the boy). Again, maybe they will serve a purpose in later books. The actual mystery we are supposed to be solving wasn’t that interesting to me. I felt myself glazing over it and when the twist happened I didn’t actually care that much. That being said, the cliffhanger was well done! I may just have to continue the series to find out what happens.

Overall, I would recommend this to fantasy/romance readers looking for a fast paced read with magical and paranormal elements. Well done to Ashley O’Donovan on a great first novel of the series!

[Lex Mak · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 freaking ⭐️
My jaw is on the floor, that ending was criminal!!!!

This was such a good time, I feel like so much happened, but the pacing was done so well for a 350 page book. And I need more, what happens next?! When is book two? I have so many questions!

This was different, and I loved every minute of it. It’s a post apocalyptic fantasy romance. The FMC Kat loses her family in an accident at a young age and because she possessed these powers as an Avid - society believes them to be useful to them so she is sold off to a man named Marco. Marco has many uses for her as Kat can speak to the dead, which was a really neat aspect to the book.

The whole premise of this book is a murder mystery mixed with some dystopian vibes.. and cutesy flirty bantery love story. The MMC Malakai, ugh he was such a flirt 🤣 he had me blushing and kicking my feet at some of the things he was saying to Kat.

I’m so glad I picked this up. It was perfect to get me out of my slump! I’ll be thinking about this book until I get some answers!!

[Tal Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 Stars
This book started with the potential to be 5 Stars but the middle fell a bit flat for me. It started with an interesting dystopian/fantasy plot with a romantic sub-plot. However, mid-way through the romance became the main plot. I love a good romance but it didn't build the way I am used to as a sub-plot and instead the fantasy aspect took a backseat to the romance. That being said, the last 20% really brought this book back for me and gave it the cliffhanger ending I always love in a good fantasy series. I was able to predict the major plot twist but I would not say it was easily predictable unless you're really paying attention to the Easter eggs throughout the book. My only other complaint that kept this from being a 5 star was some of the writing. The FMC at times felt like she was 16 years old based on her dialogue in my opinion. And while most fantasy books have the line "I released the breath I didn't realize I was holding" *insert eye roll* this book used that line FOUR TIMES! Overall I would still recommend this book to friends and will definitely be continuing with the series.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

This is a story about a paranormal murder mystery and its set in a gritty dystopian world, following Kat Sinclair who is an “Avid” and can see and speak to the dead. She’s bound to the ruthless Volkov family and gets caught up in solving a double murder while juggling secrets, a morally grey love interest, and her own survival. I enjoyed the mystery side of it and the world-building but there was something I couldn’t quite put my finger on that kept me from fully loving it. To be fair, I read this while dealing with a lot of back pain, so I might not have been in the best headspace to connect with it. I want to re-read before picking up book two because I think the story has the potential to grab me more the second time around.

[Daniela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mein erstes Buch der Autorin und nicht mein Letztes.
Schwache 4 Sterne für das Buch - weil wir einfach nicht viel/genug über Avids erfahren, aber Schreibstil, Plot, Pacing haben mich überzeugt und auch unsere weibliche Hauptfigur mochte ich sehr.
Gibt natürlich auch etwas romance in dem Buch:
Das ging mir persönlich zu schnell von 0 auf 100, aber die zwei sind süss zusammen.
Ich freu mich auf Band 2!

[Brittany Cabrera · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ OMG THAT CAME OUT OF NOWHERE I LOVED THIS SO MUCH. A DYSTOPIAN murder mystery with supernatural elements?! THE REASON I WAS SOLD! 🖲️👏🏼

A ghost-seeing, sassy little badass meets gold retriever lover boy. YES PLZ.

I want sooooo much back story on this dystopian world. The new order??? I know it’s coming with book 2 and I can’t wait. I NEED A BOOK TWO IMMEDIATELY PLEASE AND THANK YOU.

"Touch her, and I promise your death won't be a slow one” 🤭🤤

[A. Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review.

Incredible, I devoured this book. Inhaled it in less than 12 hours. How have I never read anything by this author? I can't wait to see where this series goes and will be reading more of her works.

"They say the monarchy saved us, but when the truth is written by those who rule, trust becomes a luxury none of us can afford."

I went into this ARC absolutely blind. It is a fast and well paced dystopian mystery. The story follows a nice logical progression. I enjoyed the way the story was presented and how hints were vaguely sprinkled throughout the story. I might have guessed part of the final scene, but it in no way took away from my enjoyment. Honestly, the whole thing has me excited for the next book. There feels like there is so much story left to be told, so much more that we can uncover, which is absolutely thrilling. There is a light creepy vibe due to Katja's ability, but I absolutely loved the extra layer those vibes provided. This was such a unique read, and it was so fun to read.

The world is set in a future United States, broken into different regions. The weather seems much harsher than it is now. And we don't have a clear idea of the world outside of the United States, but in a dystopian universe, this would be expected. I am always greedy for as much world building as I can possibly get. Despite that, I could easily picture the places where our story took place. I felt immersed fully in the story.

Our characters are an interesting bunch, and I appreciate that the story is only from the point of view of Katja. I felt like I could fairly easily picture pur characters, but that we have so much more to learn about many of them. I love that aspect because of what it adds to our mystery.

I highly highly recommend this story. It's a great fast read, and I can't wait to see where this story goes in the next book.

[Helle Pedersen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5 ⭐️

[Rachel C · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fairly quick, fun-but-dark read. Set in dystopian former USA - part murder mystery, part romance, with a cliffhanger that makes me hope book 2 is somewhere on the way

[Keila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book. I need to discuss that ending with someone immediately! I love the characters, Katja is such a fantastic FMC. Also Malachi! I love me a morally grey MMC. Absolutely could not put it down. When does the next one come out?! Need it now.