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Flickerstate
A Study In Drowning meets Neverworld Wake in this debut YA fantasy filled with lush world-building, heart stopping romance, and high-stakes competition that could be the key to everything.
Norah Sullivan has just discovered she's a a person who can manipulate probability. The same day Norah's navigation manifests, she and her father are swarmed by possibility beasts. When a possibility beast bites you, your risk of death skyrockets. And pretty soon, her father gets sick.
Desperate to find a cure, Norah applies to the Academy of Navigation, where there are rumors of restricted information on beast bites hidden in research archives. Once on campus, Norah learns that only senior research assistants are allowed in the archives—and you can only become one by winning a team trial designed to push your navigation abilities to the brink.
She'll need to rely on her roommates, as well as her peer mentor, the handsome Vik Souza, to win the competition. But trouble arises at every turn. There are tensions in the group, romantic complications, and unexplained student disappearances. As Norah gets deeper into the competition, she realizes not everything is as it seems, and the stakes are much higher than she ever could have imagined.
Norah Sullivan has just discovered she's a a person who can manipulate probability. The same day Norah's navigation manifests, she and her father are swarmed by possibility beasts. When a possibility beast bites you, your risk of death skyrockets. And pretty soon, her father gets sick.
Desperate to find a cure, Norah applies to the Academy of Navigation, where there are rumors of restricted information on beast bites hidden in research archives. Once on campus, Norah learns that only senior research assistants are allowed in the archives—and you can only become one by winning a team trial designed to push your navigation abilities to the brink.
She'll need to rely on her roommates, as well as her peer mentor, the handsome Vik Souza, to win the competition. But trouble arises at every turn. There are tensions in the group, romantic complications, and unexplained student disappearances. As Norah gets deeper into the competition, she realizes not everything is as it seems, and the stakes are much higher than she ever could have imagined.
400 pages, Hardcover
Published August 4, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 206 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
3.5
This was such a fun concept! Loved the merge between an elemental magic system x manipulating probability. We love a unique magic system!
This was ultimately just a fun read. Fast-paced, lots of YA elements that we love like a magical academy, trials, found friendships, hidden knowledge, etc. Complete with fun twists & turns that were fun to follow.
At the end of the day, I just didn't feel very connected to these characters. We were told many things about them, but I didn't truly feel their traumas & inner feelings - which ultimately led me to not really understand their actions & decisions. I also think there were a lot of "high school social ladder" student dynamics that affected a lot of our characters' interactions, and that's just not something that resonated with me in this story.
Overall, fun story. But I don't think it will be one that will stick in the long term!
This was such a fun concept! Loved the merge between an elemental magic system x manipulating probability. We love a unique magic system!
This was ultimately just a fun read. Fast-paced, lots of YA elements that we love like a magical academy, trials, found friendships, hidden knowledge, etc. Complete with fun twists & turns that were fun to follow.
At the end of the day, I just didn't feel very connected to these characters. We were told many things about them, but I didn't truly feel their traumas & inner feelings - which ultimately led me to not really understand their actions & decisions. I also think there were a lot of "high school social ladder" student dynamics that affected a lot of our characters' interactions, and that's just not something that resonated with me in this story.
Overall, fun story. But I don't think it will be one that will stick in the long term!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
✎ᝰ.┊My thoughts: This story really surprised me. I found myself unexpectedly invested in these characters, and by the end, I was completely rooting for them! The plot was well paced, and I stayed intrigued the whole way through. I needed to know what was going to happen to the people I’d grown so attached to.
Norah, our lead, is incredibly stubborn and intense, but she’s also afraid. Afraid of letting her family down, afraid of being vulnerable, and afraid of dying. She makes plenty of bad decisions, like not trusting her friends when she clearly needs them, that made me want to shake sense into her. This girl drove me absolutely insane, but I also related to her so much.
˖᯽ ݁˖┊What worked for me:
⇢ I honestly didn’t expect to love Vik this much, but here we are! He’s that quiet, reserved type who feels things so deeply, which makes him so likable to me personally. Ahhh, he’s the best.
⇢ The side characters felt fleshed out and real, not just background noise. I loved the found family aspect.
⇢ The story is well balanced between action and emotional stakes.
˖᯽ ݁˖┊What didn’t:
⇢ I know it’s YA and the romance is a subplot, but I’m still so salty that we only get crumbs of them together. I admit I might be a little too obsessed with Vik.
⇢ I struggled with Norah’s secrecy. I understood her being closed off with Bree, but keeping Candace in the dark for so long felt a bit forced and didn’t make sense to me.
⇢ Since it’s an Academy setting, I wanted more actual classroom moments.
✔ ┊Read this if you like:
⇢ Rivals to friends to lovers
⇢ Contemporary fantasy (modern tech meets magic)
⇢ High-stakes competition
I wish this was a duology so I could have more time with these characters.
─ ✦ ────
✎ᝰ.┊pre-read: Heart stopping romance, and a high stakes competition? I’m so ready to dive in.
⬫ ⬪ ⬫
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc!
Norah, our lead, is incredibly stubborn and intense, but she’s also afraid. Afraid of letting her family down, afraid of being vulnerable, and afraid of dying. She makes plenty of bad decisions, like not trusting her friends when she clearly needs them, that made me want to shake sense into her. This girl drove me absolutely insane, but I also related to her so much.
˖᯽ ݁˖┊What worked for me:
⇢ I honestly didn’t expect to love Vik this much, but here we are! He’s that quiet, reserved type who feels things so deeply, which makes him so likable to me personally. Ahhh, he’s the best.
⇢ The side characters felt fleshed out and real, not just background noise. I loved the found family aspect.
⇢ The story is well balanced between action and emotional stakes.
˖᯽ ݁˖┊What didn’t:
⇢ I know it’s YA and the romance is a subplot, but I’m still so salty that we only get crumbs of them together. I admit I might be a little too obsessed with Vik.
⇢ I struggled with Norah’s secrecy. I understood her being closed off with Bree, but keeping Candace in the dark for so long felt a bit forced and didn’t make sense to me.
⇢ Since it’s an Academy setting, I wanted more actual classroom moments.
✔ ┊Read this if you like:
⇢ Rivals to friends to lovers
⇢ Contemporary fantasy (modern tech meets magic)
⇢ High-stakes competition
I wish this was a duology so I could have more time with these characters.
─ ✦ ────
✎ᝰ.┊pre-read: Heart stopping romance, and a high stakes competition? I’m so ready to dive in.
⬫ ⬪ ⬫
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc!
September 13, 2026
I had mixed feelings about this book. The premise was very interesting, but I didn't connect to the characters. I liked how unique the magic was, using playing cards and manipulating probability. I'm still a bit confused by how the magic works, the explanations were confusing. The pacing was fairly even, but the plot was boring during certain parts of the book. The trial part of the plot has been overdone, but there were a few surprises that made it unique. I enjoyed the magical academy setting especially the archives in the academy. The writing was concise and descriptive. The characters felt flat and a deep understanding of them was missing. I also didn't connect to the characters and didn't feel for them as I usually do in books. Norah was okay, I did like that family was so important to her, but the decisions she made frustrated me. I also wished she was more open to her friends. Vik was interesting, but I felt that I didn't know him enough and his character development wasn't explored. I felt the same about the side characters, but I did like how Norah interacted with Candace and Bree. I liked how the book ended and I'm glad the problems were solved. Overall, this book had great potential but the characters and aspects of the plot was disappointing.
July 9, 2026
4.5 ⭐️’s. I LOVE discovering an amazing book before it’s even released 😭⭐️ if you’re a fan of the one dark window magic system, this is that but 10x better!!
this is a YA fantasy that follows norah, who can manipulate probability. her and her dad are attacked by beasts and develop horrible bites. these bites don’t heal on their own, they actually cause you to die faster. since norah is younger, the bites won’t kill her as fast but her dad has 9 bites and a way higher chance. norah gets into a magical academy (think babel) to search for a cure for her and her dad but ends up uncovering a corrupt system within the school with people who know way more than they claim.
this was so well thought out. the world building and magic system is probably one of the most unique I’ve read in a really long time and I’m gonna need other fantasies to take notes! all of the characters were so fun and I also loved the mystery and romance aspect. this really had it all
this is a YA fantasy that follows norah, who can manipulate probability. her and her dad are attacked by beasts and develop horrible bites. these bites don’t heal on their own, they actually cause you to die faster. since norah is younger, the bites won’t kill her as fast but her dad has 9 bites and a way higher chance. norah gets into a magical academy (think babel) to search for a cure for her and her dad but ends up uncovering a corrupt system within the school with people who know way more than they claim.
this was so well thought out. the world building and magic system is probably one of the most unique I’ve read in a really long time and I’m gonna need other fantasies to take notes! all of the characters were so fun and I also loved the mystery and romance aspect. this really had it all
September 22, 2026
3.5/5 stars!!
the magic system in this book truly was super interesting, loved it!
the magic system in this book truly was super interesting, loved it!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
3.5 ⭐️
the concept for the magic system in this world (probability magic) is really unique, and i think that the implications of this type of magic are explained in a way that's both realistic and intriguing. i also found the plot to be engaging, and i found the "banding together" aspect to be a nice touch as well.
however, i will caution that this is a YA that reads like a younger YA; there's nothing inherently wrong with this, but depending on what you're looking for/expecting, i think that's a relevant factor to consider.
**thank you to Sourcebooks Fire for the ARC copy**
the concept for the magic system in this world (probability magic) is really unique, and i think that the implications of this type of magic are explained in a way that's both realistic and intriguing. i also found the plot to be engaging, and i found the "banding together" aspect to be a nice touch as well.
however, i will caution that this is a YA that reads like a younger YA; there's nothing inherently wrong with this, but depending on what you're looking for/expecting, i think that's a relevant factor to consider.
**thank you to Sourcebooks Fire for the ARC copy**
July 19, 2026
Flickerstate had a really intriguing premise, and the magic system was easily my favorite part of the book. The idea of Flickerstate—seeing probabilities of possible futures—felt fresh and gave the story a unique foundation that kept me interested.
That said, I couldn't shake the feeling that this story wanted to be something different than what ended up on the page. Throughout the book, it felt like it would have been stronger as a new adult fantasy set in a college or academy with characters who had just graduated from high school rather than as a young adult novel.
The world also hinted at some darker, more compelling elements that I wish had been explored further. The beasts attacking people had the potential to be genuinely terrifying, but they never quite reached the level of danger or intensity I was hoping for. Likewise, I wanted more depth from the character relationships. With slightly older characters, I think those friendships, rivalries, and emotional connections could have been developed in a much more meaningful way.
Since this is a debut novel, I think the author shows a lot of promise. My biggest takeaway is that it almost feels like an adult fantasy that was reshaped into YA somewhere along the publishing process. Whether that's actually what happened, I don't know, but that's how it read to me. The core ideas are strong, and I'd be interested to see what F.A. Davidson writes next because the creativity is definitely there.
Overall, this was a solid debut with an imaginative magic system, even if I found myself wishing it had leaned into a darker, more mature version of the story it seemed to be setting up.
That said, I couldn't shake the feeling that this story wanted to be something different than what ended up on the page. Throughout the book, it felt like it would have been stronger as a new adult fantasy set in a college or academy with characters who had just graduated from high school rather than as a young adult novel.
The world also hinted at some darker, more compelling elements that I wish had been explored further. The beasts attacking people had the potential to be genuinely terrifying, but they never quite reached the level of danger or intensity I was hoping for. Likewise, I wanted more depth from the character relationships. With slightly older characters, I think those friendships, rivalries, and emotional connections could have been developed in a much more meaningful way.
Since this is a debut novel, I think the author shows a lot of promise. My biggest takeaway is that it almost feels like an adult fantasy that was reshaped into YA somewhere along the publishing process. Whether that's actually what happened, I don't know, but that's how it read to me. The core ideas are strong, and I'd be interested to see what F.A. Davidson writes next because the creativity is definitely there.
Overall, this was a solid debut with an imaginative magic system, even if I found myself wishing it had leaned into a darker, more mature version of the story it seemed to be setting up.
April 28, 2026
book 5 of my 24hr arc readathon!
the magic system was kinda confusing at first ngl so it took some time for me to understand it but other than that i loved it!! it was so fun!!, full rtc!
⤷ thank you to netgalley, the publisher and the author for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
︶︶︶⊹︶︶︶˗ˋ୨♡୧ˊ˗︶︶︶⊹︶︶︶
₊˚⊹♡ pre-read ♡⊹˚₊ ↴
saw this on read now and the cover looks fun??
the magic system was kinda confusing at first ngl so it took some time for me to understand it but other than that i loved it!! it was so fun!!, full rtc!
⤷ thank you to netgalley, the publisher and the author for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
︶︶︶⊹︶︶︶˗ˋ୨♡୧ˊ˗︶︶︶⊹︶︶︶
₊˚⊹♡ pre-read ♡⊹˚₊ ↴
saw this on read now and the cover looks fun??
March 31, 2026
This story has a very complex magical system that I still don’t fully understand but it is very fascinating. Flickerstate is a YA Dark Academia fantasy book that will definitely surprise you. The story gets really tense and Norah uncovers sinister secrets that change everything. The dialogue is quirky and fun. Strong character development. I enjoyed seeing Norah’s character grow and how she finally let people in. Also, the growth within the circle friends, especially when one of them is very unexpected. We also have a love interest. Book left on sort of a cliffhanger. I highly recommend this book to teenagers being that the book is adolescent.
Thank you to the author, Sourcebooks Fire and Netgalley for this gifted eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to the author, Sourcebooks Fire and Netgalley for this gifted eARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 28, 2026
3.25 stars! This is a YA dark academia modern-day fantasy with a very unique magic system rooted in mathematical probability.
Overall, it was decently entertaining and had an interesting premise. But I think it ended up being a bit too YA for me personally (to no fault of the book). The characters’ actions/thoughts felt quite young and the author did a bit of over explaining when it came to the plot and larger themes. That being said, I do think this book has wonderful messaging for the young adult audience.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Audio for the ALC!
Overall, it was decently entertaining and had an interesting premise. But I think it ended up being a bit too YA for me personally (to no fault of the book). The characters’ actions/thoughts felt quite young and the author did a bit of over explaining when it came to the plot and larger themes. That being said, I do think this book has wonderful messaging for the young adult audience.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Audio for the ALC!
September 19, 2026
I actually really enjoyed this. I was very hesitant at first but it turned out. The power took me a little to understand but I got it about half way through. I really liked the conflict as well, and all the characters. I think it was very well written.
Very mysterious, which was fun. I kind of wish we got a little more with just all the relationships and stuff rather than just focusing on them learning the power.
I don’t necessarily have anything I did not like about this book just some things I would have wished for a little more of. Of course I’m happy with a happy ending, but I wish we got a few more extra pages just to see if the thing worked perfectly. I also wish we got a little more of the romance, especially the rekindling. Still very good overall though.
Very mysterious, which was fun. I kind of wish we got a little more with just all the relationships and stuff rather than just focusing on them learning the power.
I don’t necessarily have anything I did not like about this book just some things I would have wished for a little more of. Of course I’m happy with a happy ending, but I wish we got a few more extra pages just to see if the thing worked perfectly. I also wish we got a little more of the romance, especially the rekindling. Still very good overall though.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you sourcebook audio for the alc 🫶
💭: This book had such an interesting magic system based on manipulating probabilities. It took me a second to wrap my head around it but once I figured it out I thought it was a very cool concept. I enjoyed the academy setting and the competitions that took place. I really liked the FMC Norah. She’s pretty intense and driven but at the same time she cares a lot about her family. The romance, although a minor part of the story, was sweet. I enjoyed the found family aspect and the side characters were well developed. There were some things I didn’t see coming and overall I was satisfied with the ending!
🎧: This audiobook is narrated by Carlette Odemwingie and I liked it! The narration was clear and well paced. I thought the range of voices was well done too!
💭: This book had such an interesting magic system based on manipulating probabilities. It took me a second to wrap my head around it but once I figured it out I thought it was a very cool concept. I enjoyed the academy setting and the competitions that took place. I really liked the FMC Norah. She’s pretty intense and driven but at the same time she cares a lot about her family. The romance, although a minor part of the story, was sweet. I enjoyed the found family aspect and the side characters were well developed. There were some things I didn’t see coming and overall I was satisfied with the ending!
🎧: This audiobook is narrated by Carlette Odemwingie and I liked it! The narration was clear and well paced. I thought the range of voices was well done too!
August 16, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book. I loved this book. The main character was very compelling. She was the epitome of any scared, insecure person. It bugged me that she didn’t tell Candace about her bites, Candace being the one person who would understand. But that goes back to the scared and insecureness. I enjoyed the friendships that developed between everyone. And was sad that Griffen was bad as he was an interesting character.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 23, 2026
This book isn’t even out yet and I’m already eager for a sequel! Norah is a powerful protagonist with a worthy mission when she gets to The Academy to study “navigation”. The magic in this book is well done and I love how the author incorporates it into the modern world in a way that feels contemporary. Vik, Cadance, Griffin, Bree and Mirabel are all fantastic side characters that add depth to the plot in different ways. There are lots of themes explored in this book, but the most prominent ones were class and access. A must read!
July 5, 2026
Thanks to Netgalley and Source Books for the eARC!
This may very well be my favorite YA fantasy of the year. Not only did we get an incredibly UNIQUE magic system based on future prediction and manipulation, but we had a fabulously hardcore female main character to make this story possible.
Norah is the FMC of my dreams. She’s intelligent and snarky, blunt and focused. She’s the girl that you want leading you in a fight… and also the girl you don’t want to piss off. 😂 I loved how easily she accepted her flaws (stubborn, willful, doesn’t like to ask for help) and ultimately embraced them. She is a female character that kids can look up to. I am so incredibly impressed and proud of her and of Davidson for creating her.
Now Vik is an exceptional MMC as well. He’s the “afterthought”, the one who was always just there beside his more impressive friends. Even though he’s an amazing navigator, he feels “less” because of the way others see him. Watching him blossom under Norah’s focused and confident gaze… it’s so breathtakingly beautiful. I love their dynamic and their chemistry. You can tell that they boost each other’s strength and cover each other’s faults. The two make a great team.
The plot itself was SO brilliant. I loved every second of reading it and couldn’t wait to get all the answers. Again, the magic system was flawlessly designed. I loved the ingenuity!
And the side characters were great too: each one concisely designed and beautifully crafted to make them unique and memorable. I truly felt like I was there with these girls, as a block mate.
I’d recommend this one to anyone who likes YA fantasy academia books and anyone looking for a unique magic system with a fierce FMC.
This may very well be my favorite YA fantasy of the year. Not only did we get an incredibly UNIQUE magic system based on future prediction and manipulation, but we had a fabulously hardcore female main character to make this story possible.
Norah is the FMC of my dreams. She’s intelligent and snarky, blunt and focused. She’s the girl that you want leading you in a fight… and also the girl you don’t want to piss off. 😂 I loved how easily she accepted her flaws (stubborn, willful, doesn’t like to ask for help) and ultimately embraced them. She is a female character that kids can look up to. I am so incredibly impressed and proud of her and of Davidson for creating her.
Now Vik is an exceptional MMC as well. He’s the “afterthought”, the one who was always just there beside his more impressive friends. Even though he’s an amazing navigator, he feels “less” because of the way others see him. Watching him blossom under Norah’s focused and confident gaze… it’s so breathtakingly beautiful. I love their dynamic and their chemistry. You can tell that they boost each other’s strength and cover each other’s faults. The two make a great team.
The plot itself was SO brilliant. I loved every second of reading it and couldn’t wait to get all the answers. Again, the magic system was flawlessly designed. I loved the ingenuity!
And the side characters were great too: each one concisely designed and beautifully crafted to make them unique and memorable. I truly felt like I was there with these girls, as a block mate.
I’d recommend this one to anyone who likes YA fantasy academia books and anyone looking for a unique magic system with a fierce FMC.
August 11, 2026
Flickerstate was such a fun listen! I loved the unique magic system and the academia setting along with the tests and trials.
It does take a moment to understand the magic and the world but once I got the hang of things I had a great time listening to this book. The characters felt a little plain intially, but I got more invested in them as the book progressed and by the end I really loved them. About halfway through the book a romantic subplot builds too which makes everything more interesting of course.
I really love the way the romance specifically is developed in the story. It felt like the natural course of things and I think it all played out perfectly. Vik was my favorite character; he's got that moody, misunderstood quiet boy thing going for him.
In addition to the magic and academia there is some sleuthing and a heist element. Alone, those are some of my favorite elements, but combined with the magic and academia it is the perfect combination of things! What a fun and wild ride.
It had been a bit since I had read something with a unique magic system like this so this book was a real treat and definitely a good one to check out if you're into interesting magic and academic settings.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Audio for the ALC.
It does take a moment to understand the magic and the world but once I got the hang of things I had a great time listening to this book. The characters felt a little plain intially, but I got more invested in them as the book progressed and by the end I really loved them. About halfway through the book a romantic subplot builds too which makes everything more interesting of course.
I really love the way the romance specifically is developed in the story. It felt like the natural course of things and I think it all played out perfectly. Vik was my favorite character; he's got that moody, misunderstood quiet boy thing going for him.
In addition to the magic and academia there is some sleuthing and a heist element. Alone, those are some of my favorite elements, but combined with the magic and academia it is the perfect combination of things! What a fun and wild ride.
It had been a bit since I had read something with a unique magic system like this so this book was a real treat and definitely a good one to check out if you're into interesting magic and academic settings.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Audio for the ALC.
August 4, 2026
This was a really nice surprise.
A novel with an interesting plot from the start, it gave me The Magicians vibes in the beginning but then it went in a completely different way. I was invested all the way from the start till the very end where I was rooting for the characters.
The setting is great although I was expecting a little more of actual academic content, but overall it was really well done. This is a well paced novel with a great narration by Carlette Odemwingie.
To be honest, for a debut novel it was a great one. I could really connect to the characters, even if some of them made me a bit mad some times. The ending was also great and not at all predictable.
I'm really looking forward to more books by this author.
Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Audio for an ALC of this novel, all opinions are my own.
A novel with an interesting plot from the start, it gave me The Magicians vibes in the beginning but then it went in a completely different way. I was invested all the way from the start till the very end where I was rooting for the characters.
The setting is great although I was expecting a little more of actual academic content, but overall it was really well done. This is a well paced novel with a great narration by Carlette Odemwingie.
To be honest, for a debut novel it was a great one. I could really connect to the characters, even if some of them made me a bit mad some times. The ending was also great and not at all predictable.
I'm really looking forward to more books by this author.
Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Audio for an ALC of this novel, all opinions are my own.
August 5, 2026
An addictive contemporary academia fantasy with a unique, complex magic system that was surprisingly easy to grasp thanks to the author's writing style.
Norah was a fantastic FMC to follow as she navigated brutal trials while keeping her dangerous secret hidden from her peers and teachers. With her family's future hanging in the balance, the life-or-death stakes made every difficult decision she made feel completely understandable. I also loved watching her character grow as she slowly learned to trust people outside of her family. The dynamic between Norah and Vik perfectly captured the enemies-to-lovers trope I adore, and their constant push and pull kept me invested in whether they would ever get together.
There were a few moments where the pacing slowed, but that felt fitting for the academic setting. I'd recommend this to readers who love academia stories, high-stakes character growth, and a unique magic systems.
I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Norah was a fantastic FMC to follow as she navigated brutal trials while keeping her dangerous secret hidden from her peers and teachers. With her family's future hanging in the balance, the life-or-death stakes made every difficult decision she made feel completely understandable. I also loved watching her character grow as she slowly learned to trust people outside of her family. The dynamic between Norah and Vik perfectly captured the enemies-to-lovers trope I adore, and their constant push and pull kept me invested in whether they would ever get together.
There were a few moments where the pacing slowed, but that felt fitting for the academic setting. I'd recommend this to readers who love academia stories, high-stakes character growth, and a unique magic systems.
I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 24, 2026
This was an interesting young adult fantasy with a dark academia setting. I was easily immersed into the world the author created.
I was super intrigued by the magic system right off the bat. However, it was quite complex and I had a hard time visualizing certain aspects surrounding the magical elements of the story. Maybe this was just a me problem though.
I really enjoyed the characters in this book. There was a lot of character development and growth, especially with Norah, which I loved to see. I was definitely rooting for the characters throughout.
Read this if you like:
🃏Deadly trials
♠️Academy setting
🃏Rivals to lovers
♠️Probability magic
Thank you @sourcebooksfire for the gifted copy of the book.
I was super intrigued by the magic system right off the bat. However, it was quite complex and I had a hard time visualizing certain aspects surrounding the magical elements of the story. Maybe this was just a me problem though.
I really enjoyed the characters in this book. There was a lot of character development and growth, especially with Norah, which I loved to see. I was definitely rooting for the characters throughout.
Read this if you like:
🃏Deadly trials
♠️Academy setting
🃏Rivals to lovers
♠️Probability magic
Thank you @sourcebooksfire for the gifted copy of the book.
July 12, 2026
**ARC Won from Goodreads giveaway**
4.5/5⭐️ If you're looking for a YA fantasy with a magic system that actually feels new, this is it. Learning the mechanics of 'flickerstate' was a highlight for me. I also appreciated the emotional maturity between the leads; mentor/mentee relationships are hard to pull off, but these two communicate openly and honestly. Coupled with a romance that breaks the usual mold, this was an incredibly fun read. I'll be first in line for book two!
4.5/5⭐️ If you're looking for a YA fantasy with a magic system that actually feels new, this is it. Learning the mechanics of 'flickerstate' was a highlight for me. I also appreciated the emotional maturity between the leads; mentor/mentee relationships are hard to pull off, but these two communicate openly and honestly. Coupled with a romance that breaks the usual mold, this was an incredibly fun read. I'll be first in line for book two!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 21, 2026
The absolute highlight of this book is its inventive magic system. The concept of the "flickerstate"(the space between nothingness and reality where the future is born) is incredibly creative and masterfully unfolded.
Davidson populates this world with terrifying flickerbeasts that literally feed on human futures, raising the stakes to an absolute fever pitch. Norah is a brilliantly crafted protagonist; her fierce independence, stubbornness, and relatable fear of vulnerability make her beautifully fallible and deeply human. Supported by a fantastic cast of morally gray characters and loyal roommates, the emotional core of the book shines just as brightly as the action.
A smoother pacing of the world-building exposition would have made the initial transition into the academy a bit easier to digest. However, once the rules of the world click, the plot moves at a breakneck speed.
Davidson populates this world with terrifying flickerbeasts that literally feed on human futures, raising the stakes to an absolute fever pitch. Norah is a brilliantly crafted protagonist; her fierce independence, stubbornness, and relatable fear of vulnerability make her beautifully fallible and deeply human. Supported by a fantastic cast of morally gray characters and loyal roommates, the emotional core of the book shines just as brightly as the action.
A smoother pacing of the world-building exposition would have made the initial transition into the academy a bit easier to digest. However, once the rules of the world click, the plot moves at a breakneck speed.
September 28, 2026
For a debut book this was really promising! I think some of the characters lacked depth, and a lot of the tropes felt very worn to me. There was nothing about this book that surprised me, but it was entertaining and quick! I’ll say I don’t feel like I totally understand the magic system- like I don’t feel like the cards were as big of a deal as I was made to believe they would be? But fun good times.
September 14, 2026
Ohhh this was an interesting one! A bit hard to understand the concept of flickerstate at first but this sucked me in. Some parts of the story were to obvious, and some too complex, but an overall good fantasy debut!
October 5, 2026
another delayed review for NetGalley. 3.5/5 stars. This was an interesting take on magical realism with people developing gifts for essentially probability and being able to influence the future because of it. A lot of it does deal with cards and choices, but there's also a lot of other scientific/realism with it...and of course some monsters. It was a quick read and new in the content compared to other YA novels.
Read
August 10, 2026If you liked A Deadly Education and An Arcane Inheritance, you'll like this.
August 17, 2026
Written for high schoolers but also relevant to middle school. I received an ARC from the publisher at a conference. A fascinating concept and a world I would love to learn more about.
October 3, 2026
Any teens who enjoy fantasy books with world building are going to love this book! The main character has discovered she is a navigator (a person who can manipulate probability. That same day, she and her dad are swarmed by flicker beasts. When one of those bites you, your risk of death skyrockets. Her father gets very sick. She applies to attend a prestigious school, The Academy of Navigation, because she has heard they have information on beast bites. Thus starts her journey to get accepted into the school, the program and find an antidote to help her dad’s illness.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Fire for a gifted copy!
Thank you to Sourcebooks Fire for a gifted copy!
August 2, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25/5
Flickerstate is a cinematic, sweeping YA fantasy.
I had a blast with this one. The characters were compelling and vivid, and Norah was an excellent main character. The settings were immersive and enchanting, and the dark academia atmosphere was excellent. The magic system was spectacular, creative, and fun, and the romance was addictive. The plot was entertaining, although I longed for a bit deeper development. The pacing fit the story nicely. F.A. Davidson’s prose was vibrant, emotional, and energetic with an eerie undertone. I absolutely recommend this one!
Carlette Odemwingie was a wonderful narrator. Her voice fit the characters, atmosphere, and emotion beautifully. I highly recommend the audiobook!
Thank you to the publisher for the free ARC and ALC!
Flickerstate is a cinematic, sweeping YA fantasy.
I had a blast with this one. The characters were compelling and vivid, and Norah was an excellent main character. The settings were immersive and enchanting, and the dark academia atmosphere was excellent. The magic system was spectacular, creative, and fun, and the romance was addictive. The plot was entertaining, although I longed for a bit deeper development. The pacing fit the story nicely. F.A. Davidson’s prose was vibrant, emotional, and energetic with an eerie undertone. I absolutely recommend this one!
Carlette Odemwingie was a wonderful narrator. Her voice fit the characters, atmosphere, and emotion beautifully. I highly recommend the audiobook!
Thank you to the publisher for the free ARC and ALC!
September 22, 2026
"The future.... I got to get a better look at this Doc"
As children (especially boys) we have all posed each other the question of what super power would you have if you could have any. You will mostly get a smattering of the usual from said kids; super strength, flight, invisibility, super speed, ect. If posed that question these days however I would probably have to answer probability manipulation. It's the thing that makes the Scarlet Witch so powerful in Marvel comics, it's the supernatural ability that The Absolute gives to Hadrian Marlowe in "The Empire of Silence" series that makes him so incredibly powerful, and it is the ability that the navigators of the novel Flickerstate possess. Having recently completed The Empire of Silence (just a few months ago) I thought of how interesting the juxtaposition was between those two representations of it. In Silence it is presented as a thing only one person can do, a supernatural ability given to a human from a godlike super being that lives backward through time. Here in Flickerstate however it is never presented as supernatural at all but is always presented in scientific terms. Even when Norah jokingly mentions it as a supernatural ability she is scoffed at. The idea of being able to see the possibilities of the future and change them is a truly fascinating one and I think building a world around that is an interesting and effective idea for Miss F.A. Davidson. I can't help but wonder what the future of this will be since it is not presented as a series but certainly could be. So while I ponder the future let me talk to you about the past.
At the intersection of a CW Primetime drama, a Shonen (or Shojo? Are they magical girls?) anime, and the X-Files lives Flickerstate. I am certainly not going to sit here and tell you I am better than YA fiction and in fact very much enjoyed a YA fantasy trilogy in Nevernight not too long ago. I think the form is truly never going to go out of style and is certainly buffeted by the success of things like Shonen anime. There is something so wonderfully familiar about a good old school setting, young love, and the struggle against authority. At times I feel like this book overgrows it's own YA roots and becomes something truly unique. To that end I am not sure this book really NEEDED a love story, much like Nevernight, especially since the love story didn't have all that much of an impact on the main narrative but unlike Nevernight it does not pull focus at any point away from the story and is just kind of a nice accessory to it. I think just like in Nevernight our basic setup gives us everything we need to focus on. A fantastic intro setpiece gives the reader everything we need to know about the world; navigation is an ability few people have but is fostered and taught in those it develops in, it first emerged after the testing of atomic weapons, it introduced the world to a new and dangerous threat the flickerbeasts who can increase your chances of sudden death. Our main character, the fantastically well written Norah Sullivan, has herself been bitten once and her father several times meaning that both of them do not have much time left. It's straightforward and to the point and sometimes that is the best way to kick a fantasy/sci-fi book off.
The school angle of it all makes sense. Norah looked at cures to beast bites and found there was really only one place to look for it; the Highwall Archive. Said archive is at "The Academy" where the best navigators go to learn so that is where Norah must go. She finds out that she has to win a competition to even get access to these tomes and the first 2/3 of the book focuses on her making allies of her roomates and attempting to win the trials. This is really where I feel the Shonen-ness of it all. This is a classic Shonen show set up where you have a plucky underdog with a mission who has to bring together a rag tag crew and overcome competitors in a tournament to win some glory or prize this protag desperately needs. Along the way Norah meets Vik a student who has been at the academy since the beginning and who is interested in leaguing; a type of navigation where the navigators share their power equally and it multiplies navigation power exponentially. Vik is the Mulder character in this story. Handsome and aloof but on a mission of his own to find out what happened to his best friend at the academy who went crazy, left, and eventually died. While he agrees to train Norah he has to succeed on another team to accomplish his own goal which puts our star crossed lovers at cross purposes. I think this is where the story does a great job and does a bit of a disservice at the same time. I really enjoyed the scenes of Norah and Vik training together because it gives you more insight into how navigation works (and the different types) but also creates this underlying tension as they slowly build toward a final showdown between Norah and Vik's respective teams. Norah has to stop their romantic involvement for the final trial but nothing much comes of this as they end up getting right back together when she has to scramble and figure out another way to find a cure for herself and her father. It makes narrative sense BUT does not amount to much in the end so I am just not sure how I feel about it. You never feel that the two of them won't end up together in the end so when they do they lack of drama in that story line feels a bit odd.
The navigation itself I found to be fascinating and, as the title of the book, it should be. I think the modes of navigation and how it all works is explained well and the almost cerebral artsyness of it in play is fascinating to watch and experience. Sometimes when power sets or magic systems have to be explained some authors can be a little too long winded about it. For the most part, since Norah is a bit of a neophyte, we are learning right alongside her but when it's time to explain an new power or concept or how Norah plans to make things work it just makes sense. I really enjoyed all the flickerstate "battles" and how the powers were kept grounded in science. I kept thinking I was getting into a fantasy book but I am reminded through out the story that no, this is science fiction SON. I also think the mystery elements (more of the X-Files of it all) were done quite well. Candace being healed of a bite almost from jump gives you a bit of a red herring early in the book but the conclusion to that information is quite satisfying, Vik's quest to figure out what happened to Jake likewise, and the mysteries of bite healing and their intersection with leaguing are all given great airtime and all integrated well into the finale and the falling action at the end of the book. The story definitely moves too. Certainly not a short book coming in around 400ish pages but you very rarely feel like your time is being wasted and nothing in it is too abstract to get your head around which makes for a nice easy breezy read.
I really think Miss Davidson's character work is great. She may rely a BIT too much on certain YA character stereotypes (here we are back at the Shonen-ness of it all); the fashionista, the ditz, the boody handsome boy, the golden retriever wise cracking boy, the snooty nemesis and so forth. None of the characters themselves feel like stereotypes and that is especially true for Norah. She feels like a real flesh and blood human who is extremely relatable. Who among us would not go to any extremes to save those we love. I love how Norah pushes her friends away in her efforts to find the answers she wants and has to deal with that as a central character theme. Her stress and isolation can really be felt by the reader and who among us couldn't relate to that. Outside of Norah I think the characterizations of the rest of the cast are thin but I still think Davidson does a really good job making you root for this team. I also love that the main conceit is that Norah tries to do this all on her own but the true solution to the problem is absolute and total cooperation. I think that is a lesson we can all do a little learning from in the end.
I would say this was a good but nothing special novel and would make a fantastic beach read. Something you don't need to spend time mulling over or writing theories about on reddit kinda thing. If you are looking for something nice and light/breezy with a bit of a fantasy/sci-fi tilt to it and enjoy a good strong female lead you have got something here in spades. If this is a one off I think it's still a great book but Davidson built such an interesting world here and the implications of what the characters discover in the finale would have big implications on the bigger world I would say you gotta do a little more. Perhaps I am just too series brained right now but I truly believe that. Though no one knows what the future holds I hope the future holds more Flickerstate in it.
As children (especially boys) we have all posed each other the question of what super power would you have if you could have any. You will mostly get a smattering of the usual from said kids; super strength, flight, invisibility, super speed, ect. If posed that question these days however I would probably have to answer probability manipulation. It's the thing that makes the Scarlet Witch so powerful in Marvel comics, it's the supernatural ability that The Absolute gives to Hadrian Marlowe in "The Empire of Silence" series that makes him so incredibly powerful, and it is the ability that the navigators of the novel Flickerstate possess. Having recently completed The Empire of Silence (just a few months ago) I thought of how interesting the juxtaposition was between those two representations of it. In Silence it is presented as a thing only one person can do, a supernatural ability given to a human from a godlike super being that lives backward through time. Here in Flickerstate however it is never presented as supernatural at all but is always presented in scientific terms. Even when Norah jokingly mentions it as a supernatural ability she is scoffed at. The idea of being able to see the possibilities of the future and change them is a truly fascinating one and I think building a world around that is an interesting and effective idea for Miss F.A. Davidson. I can't help but wonder what the future of this will be since it is not presented as a series but certainly could be. So while I ponder the future let me talk to you about the past.
At the intersection of a CW Primetime drama, a Shonen (or Shojo? Are they magical girls?) anime, and the X-Files lives Flickerstate. I am certainly not going to sit here and tell you I am better than YA fiction and in fact very much enjoyed a YA fantasy trilogy in Nevernight not too long ago. I think the form is truly never going to go out of style and is certainly buffeted by the success of things like Shonen anime. There is something so wonderfully familiar about a good old school setting, young love, and the struggle against authority. At times I feel like this book overgrows it's own YA roots and becomes something truly unique. To that end I am not sure this book really NEEDED a love story, much like Nevernight, especially since the love story didn't have all that much of an impact on the main narrative but unlike Nevernight it does not pull focus at any point away from the story and is just kind of a nice accessory to it. I think just like in Nevernight our basic setup gives us everything we need to focus on. A fantastic intro setpiece gives the reader everything we need to know about the world; navigation is an ability few people have but is fostered and taught in those it develops in, it first emerged after the testing of atomic weapons, it introduced the world to a new and dangerous threat the flickerbeasts who can increase your chances of sudden death. Our main character, the fantastically well written Norah Sullivan, has herself been bitten once and her father several times meaning that both of them do not have much time left. It's straightforward and to the point and sometimes that is the best way to kick a fantasy/sci-fi book off.
The school angle of it all makes sense. Norah looked at cures to beast bites and found there was really only one place to look for it; the Highwall Archive. Said archive is at "The Academy" where the best navigators go to learn so that is where Norah must go. She finds out that she has to win a competition to even get access to these tomes and the first 2/3 of the book focuses on her making allies of her roomates and attempting to win the trials. This is really where I feel the Shonen-ness of it all. This is a classic Shonen show set up where you have a plucky underdog with a mission who has to bring together a rag tag crew and overcome competitors in a tournament to win some glory or prize this protag desperately needs. Along the way Norah meets Vik a student who has been at the academy since the beginning and who is interested in leaguing; a type of navigation where the navigators share their power equally and it multiplies navigation power exponentially. Vik is the Mulder character in this story. Handsome and aloof but on a mission of his own to find out what happened to his best friend at the academy who went crazy, left, and eventually died. While he agrees to train Norah he has to succeed on another team to accomplish his own goal which puts our star crossed lovers at cross purposes. I think this is where the story does a great job and does a bit of a disservice at the same time. I really enjoyed the scenes of Norah and Vik training together because it gives you more insight into how navigation works (and the different types) but also creates this underlying tension as they slowly build toward a final showdown between Norah and Vik's respective teams. Norah has to stop their romantic involvement for the final trial but nothing much comes of this as they end up getting right back together when she has to scramble and figure out another way to find a cure for herself and her father. It makes narrative sense BUT does not amount to much in the end so I am just not sure how I feel about it. You never feel that the two of them won't end up together in the end so when they do they lack of drama in that story line feels a bit odd.
The navigation itself I found to be fascinating and, as the title of the book, it should be. I think the modes of navigation and how it all works is explained well and the almost cerebral artsyness of it in play is fascinating to watch and experience. Sometimes when power sets or magic systems have to be explained some authors can be a little too long winded about it. For the most part, since Norah is a bit of a neophyte, we are learning right alongside her but when it's time to explain an new power or concept or how Norah plans to make things work it just makes sense. I really enjoyed all the flickerstate "battles" and how the powers were kept grounded in science. I kept thinking I was getting into a fantasy book but I am reminded through out the story that no, this is science fiction SON. I also think the mystery elements (more of the X-Files of it all) were done quite well. Candace being healed of a bite almost from jump gives you a bit of a red herring early in the book but the conclusion to that information is quite satisfying, Vik's quest to figure out what happened to Jake likewise, and the mysteries of bite healing and their intersection with leaguing are all given great airtime and all integrated well into the finale and the falling action at the end of the book. The story definitely moves too. Certainly not a short book coming in around 400ish pages but you very rarely feel like your time is being wasted and nothing in it is too abstract to get your head around which makes for a nice easy breezy read.
I really think Miss Davidson's character work is great. She may rely a BIT too much on certain YA character stereotypes (here we are back at the Shonen-ness of it all); the fashionista, the ditz, the boody handsome boy, the golden retriever wise cracking boy, the snooty nemesis and so forth. None of the characters themselves feel like stereotypes and that is especially true for Norah. She feels like a real flesh and blood human who is extremely relatable. Who among us would not go to any extremes to save those we love. I love how Norah pushes her friends away in her efforts to find the answers she wants and has to deal with that as a central character theme. Her stress and isolation can really be felt by the reader and who among us couldn't relate to that. Outside of Norah I think the characterizations of the rest of the cast are thin but I still think Davidson does a really good job making you root for this team. I also love that the main conceit is that Norah tries to do this all on her own but the true solution to the problem is absolute and total cooperation. I think that is a lesson we can all do a little learning from in the end.
I would say this was a good but nothing special novel and would make a fantastic beach read. Something you don't need to spend time mulling over or writing theories about on reddit kinda thing. If you are looking for something nice and light/breezy with a bit of a fantasy/sci-fi tilt to it and enjoy a good strong female lead you have got something here in spades. If this is a one off I think it's still a great book but Davidson built such an interesting world here and the implications of what the characters discover in the finale would have big implications on the bigger world I would say you gotta do a little more. Perhaps I am just too series brained right now but I truly believe that. Though no one knows what the future holds I hope the future holds more Flickerstate in it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 3, 2026
This book left me reeling! The magic system was so uniquely interesting, the world-building was great, and I was really invested in these characters. This magical dark academia had secrets, trials, and an FMC who is not one to trust easily, but grows so much by the end. The slight romance and growing friendships woven in between the chaos were a reprieve that was needed, especially in the darker moments, but it worked SO well, in my opinion. Overall, this was such a unique YA dark academia that I think more people need to add to their immediate TBR!
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