Nobody's Quest

The Nobody Chronicles #1

by Alyssa Day

For a hundred years, Altarra has burned. The goddess of war, Morrigan, has conquered kingdom after kingdom, leaving only ruin in her wake. Every prophecy says the same thing—nobody can defeat her.

And after a century of failure, someone finally takes that literally.

When the goddess Artemisen chooses Soli Graymind—a nobody from the lowest caste who suffers from chronic depression—to lead one last desperate quest, the world laughs. But Soli won’t be alone. She’s joined by five others just as broken, just as lost:

A thief with no Guild.
A noble with no wealth.
A sorcerer with no hope.
A warrior with no morals.
And a prince with no kingdom—the one man she can’t stop thinking about, even when hope itself is dying.

Together, they are Altarra’s last chance.

Because maybe being a "nobody" is more powerful than anyone imagines—including themselves.

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Romance, Fantasy Romance, Adult, Audiobook, Fiction

400 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 2, 2026

About the author

ALYSSA DAY is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of romantasy, paranormal romance, and mystery novels whose books have sold more than a million copies and been translated into many languages, although she’s holding out for Klingon. She has lived with and battled chronic depression for her entire life and finally admitted it to her family—and the world—in 2014. Life is better now, because depression lies and tells us we’re alone.

We’re not.

Alyssa (as Alesia Holliday) is a diehard Buckeye from The Ohio State University who graduated summa cum laude from Capital University Law School in Ohio and practiced as a trial lawyer for several years before coming to her senses and letting the voices in her head loose on paper. She has lived all over the country and all over the world, including the Philippines, Turkey, and Japan.

When she’s not traveling to new adventures, she lives in Florida with her Navy Guy husband, spends time with her two amazing kids, and rescues dogs.

Especially pugs.

Reviews

[Maddie]

DNF at 44 pages.

this reads somehow simultaneously juvenile and incomprehensible at the same time. in the first 40 pages, we get kidnapped from our crappy job by the kings guards, meet the king AND the prince, get a bath, meet like 8 new characters, be escorted to touch a cursed amulet, get a bunch of worldly exposition weirdly freely given that we are a literal peasant, watch someone spontaneously burst into flames from touching said cursed amulet, touch the cursed amulet ourselves, get possessed by a goddess and begin to formulate a quest plan with the king's closest advisors.

i simply cannot.

**thank you to Entangled / Red Tower for the ARC copy**

[The Royal Reader]

DNF at 17%

Everything is so one-dimensional, there’s no unique characteristics or sense of intrigue, and the pacing feels very jumbled. DNFing ARCs makes me feel very guilty because I usually feel obligated to push through, but I’m just done with this one. I just can’t; I’ve been in such a slump for the past few months, and I need good, quality literature.

Thank you to Entangled Publishing for sending me an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Kirinna]

"Soli Graymind―a nobody from the lowest caste who suffers from chronic depression will lead one last desperate quest."

YES!! Very excited to see depression representation in a FMC, let's hope this book slaps because I sure am ready for it. 🥹✨

[MoonlitMeow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Soli Graymind is a nobody. She’s an indentured servant, who scrubs the floor at the library, who stuffs word clippings in her hair secretly so the Sisters of the library won’t punish her for her love of reading. One day, to her surprise she’s gathered up from the floor by the King’s guards, and whisked away to the palace. She’s informed that she and the others surrounding her were selected because they are all nobodies. Furthermore, one of these nobodies could possibly be the key to saving the kingdom…should they survive touching the amulet, and the quest that follows. Soli, having been a nobody her whole life, knows this must be a huge mistake and realizes her life is in immediate danger.

Nobody’s Quest is a fun adventure filled read with suspense, thrills, humor, found family, and romance. The FMC struggles with a mental health issue called the “Gray Mind.” Soli has always believed her social status is servitude, her mental health makes her useless to the kingdom, and she’s of no importance to anyone, let alone saving a kingdom. Nobody’s Quest is not only a story about an adventure quest, but it’s the quest of a nobody growing and believing in themself until they become a somebody. This story is a window into those who struggle with self-doubt and how courage, friendship, and self-confidence can change a person’s journey through life.

This was a wonderful read with lots of humor, compassion, romance and excitement.

Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for the eARC in return for my unbiased review.

[Sally May *✧･ﾟ]

This is giving big found family, six of crows vibessssss

[Amanda | escapetoerilea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Red Tower/Entangled and Tantor Audio for entrusting me with a gifted galley and ALC!

Nobody's Quest by Alyssa Day
The Nobody Chronicles book 1
Releases June 2!

Narrated by Maeve York
Maeve did an excellent job with this story! I have enjoyed books by her before, so was happy to see her name on this one! I loved her emotion and the voices she used for the characters. She especially brought our main gal to life with both humor and somber notes when she is struggling with her depression. Audio note: My brain needs faster speeds for audio and this narration/recording sounded great at higher speeds.

Dangerous quest to release a trapped goddess
Found family
Mental health rep
Prophecy/chosen one
Slow burn
Who did this to you
One horse

Soli is nobody. Indentured to a library to scrub floors. But one day she is brought to the king. They need a "nobody" to defeat the goddess of war. She is sent on a quest with an unlikely crew to be the last hope of the kingdom.

I enjoyed this adventure! It was great to see Soli go on such a journey to no only being free, but to believing in herself! It was also fun that she was such a knowledge nerd from books, but then would run into problems with real world - like not knowing how to swim. I also liked the crew she found herself with and their antics. The MMC and Soli had great chemistry and certain things were discovered along the way for him too, though I admit to still side eyeing him a bit after some comments he made along the way. Finally, I'm especially happy with a sassy new addition a the end that I can't wait to see more in the next book! Will be looking forward to the next part of the adventure!

[Kylee McCumber · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars - thank you to Entangled Publishing for including me in the ARC campaign! A fantastic, five-star, romantic fantasy. I loved the concept of this book and the amount of different classic fantasy elements that were woven in. Soli Graymind has been marked for making gray mind disease and is deemed a nobody, until several soldiers come to find her at request of the king. Soli is exactly what the king needs, a nobody. Someone tied to nothing, unknown by all, a true nobody. To save the old goddess, a nobody needs to go on a quest. Soli takes on this epic challenge to save their kingdom. The romantic fantasty aspect was spot on! It wasn’t a romantasy, it was a true romantic fantasy and one of the best I’ve read in a long time. I loved the way Day was able to focus so much on mental illness, especially depression, throughout this book. It was handled with great care and was such an important part of the story. I am already looking forward to the continuation of the series!

[Krista Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Both a devastating ending but also hopeful for what’s next, I’m excited for the next book and the continuation of this quest after the author left off with it unfinished but not a total cliffhanger!

You follow the story through the eyes of Soli - a girl who has spent most of her life in indentured servitude at the library cleaning and marked as a Gray mind because of the way her brain works and sometimes send her into this headspace she cannot escape from sometimes for weeks at a time and she’s forced to shutdown and become unresponsive. When she’s summoned by the king, along with other “nobody’s” from his kingdom to complete a goddesses quest and find keys to unlock her from her prison her sister trapped her in and save their dying realm, turns out she is the true nobody in the prophecy and is able to touch the amulet that burns all others to dust. She is sent off on a mission along with the prince she finds immensely attractive, her thief friend, and several others to collect the other keys on a dangerous quest before the year runs out and the world can no longer be saved.

This book was filled with exciting battle scenes that had me on the edge of my seat, plenty of tension with the MMC and a bound of friendship and found family between the FMC and the rest of the quest gang that had me happy she finally found people to rely on. I was so nervous for this group the entire book and couldn’t believe a few of the reveals at the end and the devastation of losing anyone along the way. I can’t wait to see how the author continues this story next and continues to build this complex and immense world into the princes fallen kingdom. Overall my rating 4.7/5!

Thanks to the author for the gifted copy, all opinions given are my own!

[Andi]

DNF at page 57

This unfortunately read like a romantasy trope and cliche check list, with extremely shallow characters and a "who hurt you?" from a supposedly "mercilessly cold" prince who everyone fears to an indentured servant he's only glimpsed twice within the first 30 pages.

Thank you to Entangled/Red Tower for the advanced copy.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book sounded so interesting but unfortunately it fell flat for me.

I loved the idea of a quest & the side characters were all very interesting & enjoyable! I also really liked the mental health representation in our main character Soli. She had so much potential & there were definitely moments where she shined.

What I didn’t love was trying to figure out the magic & history. I don’t feel like it was explained very well & there was very little world building. I also felt Soli was a bit too young to be the female heroine. She seemed to constantly need affirmations from her group. I think if she was a bit older & more sure of herself it would have worked better. Once she was chosen by the goddess, I feel like that should have been quite the confidence boost but she continuously questioned herself.

Also what was that ending??? So random. I don’t think I’ll be continuing the series.

Thank you Red Tower & Entangled publishing for the early copy to review.

[Kari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nobody’s Quest had such a cool premise that I couldn’t wait to read this one. I loved the idea of a ‘nobody’ becoming the hero in the story. Even better we get an epic adventure quest. I also really enjoyed the chronic depression representation featured through Soli’s ‘grey mind’. I also thought Soli’s development arc was incredibly well written. The chemistry between Soli and the Prince was everything. I loved watching their relationship unfold. I’m also a huge fan of the found family trope, and it was used expertly in this book. I do wish that Day had used more show to get points across rather than just telling readers things. The ending has me hooked into the series. The audiobook narration was enjoyable and easy to follow. I felt the narrator captured Soli’s essence well and nailed the overall vibe of the story. I definitely plan to continue on with this series.

eARC courtesy of Redtower Books
ALC courtesy of Tantor

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ending is everything!

This was such a unique story! It kept me interested the whole way through their journey and trying to figure out more about each of the characters on the quest and whether I trusted them or not. Some really surprised me! I also love the representation in it as Soli deals with her disability through their difficult quest. I absolutely loved the epilogue though. The new character introduced and some events that happened just before have me so excited for where the next book will lead!

Thank you to the publisher for the early copy of this book!

[Romantasy Melody · Rating 3 out of 5]

(2.5 stars)

I really loved the concept of Nobody’s Quest. The play on words within a prophecy sounded fun, and I was interested to read about a main character struggling with depression undertaking a great journey. Unfortunately, I thought the delivery of this story had some issues that prevented me from really connecting to the characters or world.

The overarching idea presented in the book, that someone low in society with no powers can be the chosen one, is good, and the quest provided structure for the novel. But I found the bulk of the quest boring. There wasn’t much escalating tension, and most of the time it seemed the FMC had an impenetrable bubble around her. No matter what obstacles she was utterly unprepared to face, most of the time she came out ultimately unscathed. And while I appreciated the inclusion of depression in the form of Gray Mind and thought the descriptions of the attacks Soli's own mind initiated were well done, her struggle seemed sugar-coated to me because she had so much overwhelming support from those around her. It was predominantly presented as an internal struggle, and only briefly touched on the complications depression can bring to interpersonal relationships in real life.

I really struggled with the world-building. I felt like there were misses on both high-level and detailed descriptions. Places and terms were thrown in without building a history or reference for them, and I struggled to build a clear picture in my mind of the society or setting. There were also a lot of random facts about the magic system added throughout the novel that seemed out of nowhere. By the end of the book, I was not surprised at “surprising” magical events because I’d been conditioned that there was no rhyme or reason to when new information was presented.

From the beginning I was confused by Soli. She so quickly alternated between cowardness and boldness that I couldn’t grasp what her personality really was. There was so little focus on her background too. For example, she says Trick is her best friend but doesn’t provide any details about how they became friends or practiced their friendship. This is emblematic of this novel telling rather than showing character history, which prevented me from building the characters up in my mind, and forming connections to them. The supporting characters were all rather bland; there was maybe one morally gray character in the entire novel. They were all evil for no reason, or so sweet it was giving me cavities. There was no nuance, and so there was no range in the treatment of Soli as a Gray Mind to challenge and elevate her personal growth in a way I was craving.

While the novel’s story could stand on its own without the romantic subplot, it was a constant focus. There are individual moments that I thought were fun (like when Soli and the Prince pretend to be mercenaries), but overall, I wasn’t into the romance. It’s very much instant love and didn’t bring any kind of meaningful storyline to the novel. Romance would also occur in moments that made no sense, which is one of my biggest literary pet peeves. While they did have struggles in the relationship, it felt very cliché and I thought it could have been more closely associated with the Gray Mind to bring more emphasis to it. That told me as a reader that these two people haven’t looked at each other much beyond the surface.

I really wanted to like this novel, but it ultimately fell short for me. I could see why people would enjoy it; it has a lot of elements that I usually find super enjoyable. But that missing connection to the people and places prevented me from really getting into it.

Thanks to Entangled Publishing for an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for my honest review.

[RosieRitesReviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tropes:
🗡️ Reluctant Chosen One
🎭 Band of Misfits
⚡ Gods at War
🤝 Reluctant Allies to Something More
🗺️ Quest Across Dangerous Land
🧠 Mental Health Representation

The goddess of nature and balance, Artemisen, has been locked in a crystal tomb after losing a battle against Corvynne, the goddess of war and death. For nearly a century, Artemisen’s imprisonment has caused droughts, withering crops, and even the stars to disappear in Altarra. It has been said by the Oracles that nobody can touch the amulet, that nobody can defeat Corvynne...  

Nobody's Quest is a fast-paced romantasy about Soli, a 20-year-old indentured servant, taken to the castle and sent on a quest to gather the keys needed to free Artemisen before time runs out.  
Thank you to Entangled Publishing Insiders for introducing me to this book and giving me the chance to read it. Nobody’s Quest is full of hilarious inner monologue, adventure, and steamy romance. The found family, utter heartbreak, and nonstop action kept me eagerly turning the page.  
Soli is a strong character: orphaned at four, coping with “grey mind” (aka serious depression), and enduring harsh punishments from the library sisters. She is outspoken, witty, and selfless, which honestly makes her perfect for the quest. Then there's Prince Kaelen, who is not so different from Soli in many ways, except for being given a better opportunity in life due to his title. From the moment Kaelen says, “Who hurt you?”, I knew the connection between him and Soli was going to be strong. What I didn’t expect was how instantly steamy it would be, since the book was marketed as a slow-burn romance. I actually enjoyed the fast-paced romance between these two; it really added to Soli’s healing arc. Overall, Nobody’s Quest was a joy to read, and I am eager to continue The Nobody Chronicles!!

Thank you again to Entangled Publishing Insiders for providing me a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!!        

[Milly Chantrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nobody's Quest is a fast-paced romantasy that blends adventure, found family and romance into an engaging and highly readable story.

What stood out most to me was the cast of characters. Alyssa Day takes the time to develop each member of the group, making their relationships feel authentic and giving the found family dynamic real emotional weight. Soli was an especially easy protagonist to root for. Her journey from feeling invisible and insignificant to confronting impossible challenges made her a relatable and compelling heroine.

I also enjoyed the relationship between Soli and Kaelen. Whilst I personally would not describe it as a slow burn, their dynamic was witty, entertaining and added plenty of heart to the story.

The adventure itself kept me invested throughout. Ancient keys, dangerous quests and a world on the brink of chaos created a story that never felt slow or repetitive. The opening in particular hooked me immediately and carried me through the book with ease.

The ending was unexpectedly emotional and left a lasting impression. One quote that perfectly captures the heart of the novel is: "Storms pass, pain ends, we will never quit."

Readers should be aware that the book explores themes of depression, negative self-talk and childhood trauma.

Overall, this was an enjoyable and heartfelt adventure with a memorable cast of characters and a message of hope at its core.

[Danielle Valdez · Rating 4 out of 5]

2 chili peppers as they did have sex, it was open doors, but they didn't describe it much.
1st person POV of only Soli.

This book was good. It was really unusual and dealt with depression in what they call "grey mind." Their kingdom is dying and they need a nobody to go on a quest and Soli is just that, a nobody. The prince of no land goes with her along with a hodge podge crew of warriors, a sorceress, some guard and a thief. They go on a quest to get 2 keys to help goddess. Throughout the trip chemistry between her and the price gets hotter. And this group goes through so many trials and Soli really has to face her fears and get through her hard times.

The writing is good. There is a significant amount of inner monologue. A lot of tell and not showing. Which most of the time I don't mind but felt like it stuck out to me.

I enjoyed Soli's journey. Who she is at the end is not how she was at the start and to see her believe in herself was beautiful. I love found family, gets me every time.

There was enough action, romance, drama to keep me entertained.

Kaelean and his double personality stumped me. I thought maybe that would explained. Is it so they are made more for eachother. And the ending made me feel like some questions I had got answered but not really.

Overall I really enjoyed it and I would certainly read the next book to find out what happens.

Thank you Entangled for the arc.

[Blair Warner · Rating 5 out of 5]

An indentured servant, a "Nobody", that is what Soli is. That is exactly what they are looking for when the kings guard comes and takes her to the throne room. She touched an amulet no one should be able to touch... and now she has been chosen by a goddess that is trapped and she must find a set of keys to save her to release her. Together with Prince Kaelen and a her rag tag group the are off on an adventure.
I have been in a romqantasy mood and this hit the spot. I really liked Soli. I found her character really likable. Her struggle with mental health and depression, known as gray mind, in this story is relatable. As someone who has struggled with it my entire life it is always nice to see mental health rep in books and one that is accurate. The authors note in the front is not one to miss either when it comes to gray mind and depression so please read it. I thought her growth throughout the book was also really well done.
I loved the found family aspect of this book with her and her friends. Trick stood out. He is a thief, and her friend from the beginning of the book.
I loved Kaelen. He is one of those MMCs that are right up my alley. Their romance is a slow burn and delicious. That with the world/character building and a quest kept me turning the pages eagerly until the every end.
This will be a book that I end up rereading before the next one...which I am going to be anticipating.
I always love a story line with a quest and this is a quest worth reading!
Thank you to Red Tower|Entangled for the complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

“You make it sound like i’m some sort of chosen one, when all I am is a nobody”

A quest to free a goddess imprisoned by her own sister who can only be freed by a nobody. Soli is that nobody. She suffers from a mental condition called Gray Mind that basically puts her through episodes where she can’t fight the fog that takes over.

She has so much depression, anxiety and feels as if she is nothing, no one of importance, yet ironically becomes someone who is extremely important to this quest. Watching her overcome these emotions that she has battled most of her life was one of the best parts of this story. I loved the found family aspect of this, this motley crew of people from different backgrounds thrown together for this one mission of saving their world by saving their goddess.

There are funny moments, there’s banter, there’s a hot shifter mmc, and everything moves along super quickly! I did feel like the story started off strong for me, than I couldn’t connect at one point towards the middle, but then reconnected again towards the end.

I need more of the breeze that flows over the stream to make music in the sunlight on the mountain in winter. 👀 ( iykyk ) This was an exciting turn of events, and I can’t wait to see what happens next with this!

( thank you to red tower books and entangled publishing for the physical galley )

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a blast with this book, it was entertaining and had just the right amount of spice, tension and longing.
Solitude (Soli) Grace Graymind is an indentured servant, being so use to being invisible to everyone and dealing with depression, hence the graymind name. Is suddenly finding herself as someone with others to lean on, a mission to accomplish and an admirer with purple eyes.
This is a big change and throughout the book she slowly starts to find some self-esteem and believes that she can indeed completing the quest.
I absolute lovedddd the found family and Prince Kaelen.
I am very excited for the next one in the series, especially with the epilogue.

Breeze that flows over the stream to make music in the sunlight on the mountain in winter.
Not extinct. Hungry. Can I eat this purple-eyed human? iykyk

[Ciera (Bookedinperpetuity) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The most dangerous thing a heroine can be is underestimated. 💅🏻

Nobody’s Quest completely won me over with its determined heroine, slow-burn romance, epic adventure, and a found family that’s as chaotic as it is lovable.

Soli has spent her whole life being overlooked, but when she’s chosen for a quest that could save the goddess and stop the world from falling apart, she discovers that being a “nobody” might be her greatest strength.

If you love romantasy with heart, adventure, and characters you can’t help but root for, this one deserves a spot on your TBR.

[Amber | AmberNReadit · Rating 4 out of 5]

I couldn't put this romantasy down, I was immediately invested in Chapter 1. An invisible servant has to go on a quest because they specifically need a 'nobody'. I really liked the pacing in this book and the world building was minimal which I appreciated it. We went right into the story and didn't waste any time. The characters (especially the FMC) were very relatable and I felt the tension between the MMC and FMC.
I'm looking forward to book 2!

Thank you to the author and Red Tower/Entangled Pub for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Barbara Schoonover · Rating 5 out of 5]

When your life takes an unexpected turn from its ordinary, low class existence, what do you expect to happen?

Not traveling across the realms with a to pretty for words prince, an elf, a warrior, a sorceress, a thief and a couple of soldier, at least that’s Soli Greymind thinks.

When she is swiftly pulled away from her duties as an indentured servant she fully expects that her life is coming to an end. What she doesn’t plan for is a Goddess to choose her, a Nobody, to carry out an age old prophecy to free her from the prison her sister places her in.

What follows is a whirlwind adventure, battles beyond comprehension, loss, and finding not only yourself but a family in the process. Soli may not think she is worthy of what the Goddess wants but by the end she realizes she is worth so much more than the world told her she was.

I received this book as an ARC from the publisher, this is my own unbiased review.

[mickey]

dnf at 200 pages. the premise had such potential. sadly it kept reading like fanfiction and the characters felt bland.

[Kateslitbookcase · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Entangled Publishing for the eARC of Nobody’s Quest!

The only issue I had was I wish there would have been a little more relationship development between Soli and the prince it was just a little to insta love for me but I still really enjoyed them. And I’m not ever mad about fated mates 😂.

If y’all are looking for an epic adventure that starts from the very beginning and never slows down this is the book for you! It featured such fun, unique, and different characters all while showing the beauty of finding your self worth and bravery of fighting depression/anxiety even when scared was so beautiful. This is one of the few books I’ve read that has openly talked about anxiety and depression and as I know of lot of people that have dealt with this things it’s so refreshing to see a contemporary YA book portray it. Also I loved where it left off, souls bonding with an animal ??? YAY!, and can’t wait to read the next one.

[Siobhan Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

In my entire life. I can count the times I’ve said this on one hand, and it’s happened to me twice this week: if Nobody’s Quest didn’t have Alyssa Day’s name on the cover, I wouldn’t know she wrote it. It’s an (almost) entirely new voice, and it’s still excellent. I was lucky enough to get an e-ARC, so here’s my review.

Full disclosure: I hate the Romantasy subgenre, both conceptually and in what I’ve read so far, and if this hadn’t been Alyssa Day, I’d have skipped it entirely. But just as with her PNR Atlantis series, she delivers despite the required Genre Tropes. Also, sex scenes bore me, so I skim them for important dialogue. Day is one of the few writers I find interesting enough in the rest of her books that the sex scenes don’t take over the story and turn me off. More on this below.

Day gives us a heroine with clinical depression. Having suffered from Major Depressive Disorder myself, she does an amazing job of presenting it in a first-person POV. I deeply appreciated the content warnings at the beginning of the book, because she describes it well enough that I could have been very triggered had I not been expecting and braced. Because of this, Day’s trademark quirky humor is extremely subdued. It’s still there, but unlike in her Atlantis and Dead End books, it’s spread out and much subtler. This is a much more serious approach.

The world is wonderfully complicated, the characters are well-rounded, our band of heroes is absolutely supportive of our heroine’s Greymind (her world’s name for depression). I would have liked to see maybe one of our group not quite getting it, but since plenty in this world don’t, I’m not going to complain too much. The Bad Guys are irredeemably Bad, the world-ending crisis is indeed world-ending and extremely time-sensitive.

Most of all, our heroine who is chosen for strength of will (learned battling depression and abuse) and purity of heart — isn’t as pure as all that. She’s willing to do what she has to do, even if it’s not all shiny and good.

However. Also unlike the Atlantis & Dead End books, the romance is not the focus of the book, although it’s definitely present. In fact, it’s the reason for the 4 stars instead of 5 stars. It seems forced, and the graphic sex scenes are the only time I felt like I was reading a familiar Day novel. So forced, in fact, that the romance could have been entirely cut and the book would have stood. I read once, on the blog of an author who was publishing romances, that the genre definition of Romance is that if you cut that element, there would be no book. That’s definitely NOT true of Nobody’s Quest. The romance and therefore the sex seem almost shoehorned in, perhaps to make it fit that “Romantasy” category. There’s a romance between two B-level characters that seems far more natural and based on mature interest rather than sheer proximity.

Nobody’s Quest is a fun fantasy read. The heroine with mental health issues, the complexity of the world, the subtle quirky humor, all would give it 5 stars. The romance and sex that seem more than a bit contrived knock it down to four. But again, those bits are easily skimmed over, and certainly won’t stop me from pre-ordering Book Two, whenever it comes out.

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

One thing I've established in the past few months is that I really enjoy the romantasy genre. Nobody's Quest by Alyssa Day is another good example of this. The publisher mentioned that it includes themes that are important to me — depression, loneliness, and the feelings of invisibility we all occasionally suffer from. And, of course, as the title makes clear, there is an epic quest, too. I knew this title was going to be a good fit for me.

Solitude Grace, or Soli as her friends call her, lost her mother when she was only 4 years old. Ever since then, she's been what Pyrrh calls a "Nobody". These are people who are indentured servants, often kept from their freedom even long after their term should be up. So it's very unexpected when the king sends soldiers to take Soli to the palace. It's time to save the goddess Artemisen, or the world will end. In order to do so, they need a Nobody who can touch an amulet without combusting. Soli is that girl. Now they must quest to find three keys to join with the amulet in order to free the goddess. What follows is a tale of epic adventure, travel, and Soli and a prince starting to fall hard for one another.

This quest fantasy, of course, has the all-but-required oddball cast of characters traveling together. Their banter, camaraderie, and flirtation are all fun to witness. Each character has their quirks and their story. Soli is the most developed of the bunch, though, of course, as the story is told entirely in her first-person narration. I found her to be extremely relatable, as I've fought anxiety and depression for around half of my life now. She's much more resilient than she gives herself credit for and possesses the same attitude I strive to embody every day.

Day uses clean, emotionally immersive prose that is fast-paced and highly bingeable. Her fantasy worldbuilding is accessible and woven naturally into the story; it's very easy to place myself in the story and see the surroundings. She does a nice job of balancing cinematic quest energy with tender romantic moments. The reader gets ancient magic and goddess lore, dangerous travel and high stakes, found family dynamics, slow-burn romance, and maybe best of all, an underestimated heroine finding her strength. She does a good job of gradually building the drama during each chapter, many ending with a cliffhanger. And, while I think some transitions during the chapters could have been made more smoothly, I absolutely loved the blurbs from books and folklore of their culture that began each one.

Trigger warnings include portrayals of depression, references to abuse in childhood, violent battle scenes, and explicit consensual sex. While these triggers don't occupy huge chunks of the story, readers should be aware of their existence.

Nobody's Quest was such a fun romantasy to lose myself in for hours at a time. I would liken it to Mayhem and the Mortal and Rings of Fate. If you have read either of these or just love the genre like I do, this is a good book to spend a few days with.

Nerd Rating: 🤓🤓🤓🤓— a heroine worth cheering for

I read a digital copy made available by Red Tower Books (Entangled Publishing) through NetGalley, and this review reflects my honest opinion.

[TheRedBookBox · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nobody's Quest by Alyssa Day - minor spoilers - I’m disappointed by the mental health/depression representation in this book. The heroine lives with depression and for the first 95% of the book, the descriptions were very realistic; I have depression and could see myself in a number of situations that the heroine was in. Everything sounded very vivid and real. The author even took the time to include a note saying that she made the choice to portray a depressive episode being over in two days in a certain part of the story, but for many folks those episodes last weeks or months. I was so happy to see the heroine accomplish her quest and start to thrive living with her depression . . . and then at 96% through the story, after the big climatic scene, the author made it into a “magical disability”. The heroine found out she had a “superpower” caused by the depression. It really bothered me that she couldn’t just have depression like ~15% of folks in the US AND have other unrelated aspects of herself that allow her to succeed; depression has to be what gives the heroine a leg up over all the other characters. Additionally, while I won’t spoil exactly how the magic works, it was an upsetting insinuation about how depression affects people that allows for the magic to happen. FWIW, given that 95% percent of the representation was great, I feel I could recommend this book for folks who are looking for that type of story, so long as there’s a disclaimer about the ending as well. And maybe the author has an amazing way to account for the magic part in book two, or will start book two by explaining that it was a misunderstanding at the end of book one. If she does though, she really shouldn’t have stuck the magic at the end of book one; she should have put it all together in book two. This was a really uncomfortable cliff hanger.

If you put aside the depression/magical disability aspect, the book was great. It had clear writing, good pacing, and some wonderful social commentary. I really enjoyed the first 95% of it. Just understand what you’re signing up for when you read it.

Thank you to Alyssa Day and Entangled Publishing for the Advanced Reader’s Copy!

Notes:
-1st person heroine POV
-Open door spice scenes
-Violence, blood, and graphically described injuries

[Robin Combs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nobody’s Quest is a standout entry in the high fantasy genre, delivering a gripping blend of adventure, emotion, and slow-burn romance that’s hard to put down. From the very first pages, Alyssa Day creates a richly imagined world that feels both dangerous and immersive, pulling readers into a story where the stakes are high and the characters feel deeply real.

At the heart of the novel is Soli, a protagonist who is refreshingly different from the typical “chosen one.” She begins as someone overlooked and underestimated, and her journey is not just about saving a goddess or completing a quest—it’s about discovering her own worth. Soli’s growth feels authentic and relatable, especially for readers who have ever struggled with feeling invisible or not “enough.” Watching her step out of the shadows and claim her place is one of the most rewarding aspects of the story.

The dynamic between Soli and Prince Kaelen adds another compelling layer. Their relationship builds gradually, with tension and emotional depth that make the slow-burn romance feel earned rather than forced. Alongside them, the supporting cast helps create a strong sense of found family, adding warmth and connection amid the danger and uncertainty of their journey.

Alyssa Day’s writing is engaging and accessible, with a strong sense of pacing that keeps the story moving. Action, intrigue, and character development are well balanced, making it easy to stay invested from beginning to end. The worldbuilding unfolds naturally without overwhelming the reader, and the sense of looming chaos beyond the palace walls keeps the tension high.

One of the most intriguing elements of the book is its ending. The epilogue, in particular, adds an unexpected layer of mystery and leaves readers with plenty to think about. It raises new questions while hinting at what’s to come, making the wait for the next installment feel especially difficult.

Overall, Nobody’s Quest is a compelling and emotionally resonant fantasy that will appeal to fans of character-driven adventures and romantasy. With a relatable heroine, engaging relationships, and a story that balances heart and high stakes, it’s a memorable start to what promises to be an exciting series. I loved it!

[Nicki Hamilton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Alyssa Day for the ARC in exchange for my opinion.

I would rate this as a 3.5 star book. We have a very interesting premise of the FMC Soli has a mental disorder and is chosen to go on a mission to save the world with a small crew. This is a good story about found family, persevering, overcoming your inner self. We are left with a cliff hanger so of course we need the second book!


*****SPOILERS*******

Here is where I believe things could have been better. We quickly get thrown into the story without much preamble or explanation. This does help with the drawing into the story. My problem was that things still didn’t get explained. You end up being thrown into this story like you should already know about “grey mind” It keeps being mentioned but no explanation.

Then we have the inner monologue of Soli. She was a slave from childhood, was abused and mistreated but taught herself to read and then consumed everything she could while she worked in the library and can recall it to a “Sheldon” like level. Her inner monologue sounds more like a form of autism than depression. There are hints of the depression but I wouldn’t say she struggles with that as much as it’s a side effect of how she was raised and is now thrown into the real world with no experience.


This book feels rushed when it comes to character building and world building. We barely know the characters, we don’t get to know much about them due to so much time being spent on inner monologue. The romance between FMC and MMC seems rushed considering she has spent most her life as a slave and only had 1 friend. Interestingly enough, when it comes to the spicy scenes, she claims it’s not her first time. Uhhhhh…..when did she have time to have sex and with who??? Prince Kaelen spends a lot of time attempting to be gentleman but doesn’t seem to take it easier with her “first time” (whether it really is or not) and just “plows” on through the act.


With all of this said, I still really want to know what happens next. I think this has potential but at 348 pages (kindle count) was rushed. This should have easily been in the 400-600 page range so there was time to flesh out the characters and world build a little better.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

They say nobody can defeat the goddess of war and death. Soli Greymind happens to be just that. Nobody.

I had been waiting for this book, and it did not disappoint. This is such a fun, fast-paced read. I couldn't put it down. It is packed with action, danger, death, magic, and yearning. The writing was so good in places that I had to pause and just let it settle into my brain. And then there were times I found myself laughing out loud at the wit and audacity - especially when Chitai was flirting. I have to tell you, that woman warrior has game, lol. Kaelen has some good lines, himself.

All of the characters were well-written and likeable, though Trick got on my nerves sometimes with his overprotectiveness. I get, however, using him to highlight Kaelen and his respect for Soli's agency. I truly felt for each member of the company on this quest, this little found family that has come so far. And I was so excited by the character that joins us at the end of the book. It makes waiting for book 2 that much harder!

I loved watching Soli come more and more into her own, learning that this Nobody can be so much more, without needing to be "fixed." Seeing her friends love and support her when she has only known cruelty, without expecting her to change who she is, was such a balm. Kaelen's "who did this to you" energy really felt like he took deep, personal offense at every act of cruelty Soli has ever faced.

I also love the representation of depression in this book. While mental health is less stigmatized than it has been in the past, it is still meaningful to see a world where it is persecuted as it is in this book, and the struggle for dignity despite that. We might not still be subjected to the indignities that those who have come before us have faced, many with mental health struggles still don't have as much support as they deserve. But as the author reminds us: when we survive and conquer a period of grey in real life, we're big damn heroes.

Ain't we just

I am so thankful to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this ARC and I can't gush about this book enough.