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Serendipitous Sight
Not yet published
Expected 26 May 26Draft day arrives, and Ciro Sinsal will do anything to keep his family safe.
In Maize, war is tradition—and Ciro’s wife comes from a line of warriors who answer the call without hesitation. When conscription looms, Ciro makes a desperate choice to protect the people he loves.
After an unexpected encounter with his Talonhound, Ciro discovers he can see disease—its spread, its hunger, its intent—like no one else can. Hoping to avoid the front lines, he enlists as a medic, believing his strange gift can save lives without demanding something in return.
He is wrong.
As war with the neighboring Coalition intensifies, Maize takes a keen interest in Ciro’s evolving abilities. Disease does not only heal or kill—it can be moved, shaped, redirected. What begins as mercy becomes strategy. What was meant to save begins to wound.
When the consequences of war follow Ciro home to Cornia, Maize’s capital, politics tighten their grip and peace becomes a fragile illusion. Caught between loyalty, family, and a power he no longer fully controls, Ciro must decide how much suffering he is willing to redirect in the name of love—and who will bear it when he does.
In a world where war demands sacrifice, defying death does not end it. It only changes its course.
In Maize, war is tradition—and Ciro’s wife comes from a line of warriors who answer the call without hesitation. When conscription looms, Ciro makes a desperate choice to protect the people he loves.
After an unexpected encounter with his Talonhound, Ciro discovers he can see disease—its spread, its hunger, its intent—like no one else can. Hoping to avoid the front lines, he enlists as a medic, believing his strange gift can save lives without demanding something in return.
He is wrong.
As war with the neighboring Coalition intensifies, Maize takes a keen interest in Ciro’s evolving abilities. Disease does not only heal or kill—it can be moved, shaped, redirected. What begins as mercy becomes strategy. What was meant to save begins to wound.
When the consequences of war follow Ciro home to Cornia, Maize’s capital, politics tighten their grip and peace becomes a fragile illusion. Caught between loyalty, family, and a power he no longer fully controls, Ciro must decide how much suffering he is willing to redirect in the name of love—and who will bear it when he does.
In a world where war demands sacrifice, defying death does not end it. It only changes its course.
406 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication May 26, 2026
About the author
Benjamin Kamphuis
4 books49 followersBenjamin Kamphuis writes fantasy for readers who crave magic systems with meaning, creatures with heart, and characters who confront the storm within. A mental health advocate and former anxiety survivor, Benjamin crafts young adult and adult stories that celebrate community, neurodivergence, and personal power.
Fans of Avatar: The Last Airbender, The Legend of Zelda, Pokémon, and RuPaul’s Drag Race will feel right at home in his worlds. Lyrical in tone and emotionally rich, his novels are written to remind readers that their inner world matters just as much as the outer one.
When he’s not writing, Benjamin draws inspiration from musicians like Mumford & Sons, Taylor Swift, and Noah Kahan, blending emotion with epicness.
Visit him at https://benkamphuis.com
Fans of Avatar: The Last Airbender, The Legend of Zelda, Pokémon, and RuPaul’s Drag Race will feel right at home in his worlds. Lyrical in tone and emotionally rich, his novels are written to remind readers that their inner world matters just as much as the outer one.
When he’s not writing, Benjamin draws inspiration from musicians like Mumford & Sons, Taylor Swift, and Noah Kahan, blending emotion with epicness.
Visit him at https://benkamphuis.com
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
May 5, 2026
I absolutely loved this book. This is book 4 of the Shades of Aura series by this author but isn’t really connected to the first 3, so you can read this without the first three. I enjoyed the first trilogy a lot but I think this is my favorite so far. The MMC Can see diseases that others cannot see. He goes to war as a medic to help the sick but his gift is discovered and is wanted to be used for a different purpose to help win the war. This goes against everything he stand for and he now we had a moral dilemma. That’s the part I loved exploring and seeing how the author navigates this conundrum. I kind of got emotional is some parts too. It may be bad but I wanted to see the so called best friend get more of what he had coming. That would have made me happy.
I want to thank BookSirens and the author for a free copy of the e-book. My review is voluntary.
I want to thank BookSirens and the author for a free copy of the e-book. My review is voluntary.
April 21, 2026
Hello, people!
First of all, let me mention that this book is the fourth book in the Shades of Aura series.
If you could identify a disease in someone and drive it away from them by transferring it to another, what would you do? How far would you go to save a loved one?
These are two issues that the author of the book touches on. All with a central axis of morality. And because I lost my dad when I was a child, if they told me that you could save him, I honestly don't know what I would do... Therefore, I felt this dilemma and the weight that such a thought, answer and decision adds to my soul.
I found the book's premise quite clever and original, which creates additional tension due to the "transfer" of the disease to another body. Additionally, due to this theme, the characters are well-written and real, they have depth and live with their own weight that darkens them internally. I understand that this can be heavy and difficult to read for some. Nevertheless, the author, I think, is trying, through his story, to put us in inner thoughts, to search deep within ourselves for our own answer, our own truth...
In conclusion, this is an important and special psychograph that is worth reading by everyone, which in combination with its direct, emotional, shocking, captivating and engaging writing creates an excellent read with dynamics and food for thought for all of us.
Read it!
Thank you very much to the author and Happily Booked PR for the eARC!
This is my honest review!
First of all, let me mention that this book is the fourth book in the Shades of Aura series.
If you could identify a disease in someone and drive it away from them by transferring it to another, what would you do? How far would you go to save a loved one?
These are two issues that the author of the book touches on. All with a central axis of morality. And because I lost my dad when I was a child, if they told me that you could save him, I honestly don't know what I would do... Therefore, I felt this dilemma and the weight that such a thought, answer and decision adds to my soul.
I found the book's premise quite clever and original, which creates additional tension due to the "transfer" of the disease to another body. Additionally, due to this theme, the characters are well-written and real, they have depth and live with their own weight that darkens them internally. I understand that this can be heavy and difficult to read for some. Nevertheless, the author, I think, is trying, through his story, to put us in inner thoughts, to search deep within ourselves for our own answer, our own truth...
In conclusion, this is an important and special psychograph that is worth reading by everyone, which in combination with its direct, emotional, shocking, captivating and engaging writing creates an excellent read with dynamics and food for thought for all of us.
Read it!
Thank you very much to the author and Happily Booked PR for the eARC!
This is my honest review!
Review of advance copy received from Author
"Was it better to throw in the warrior or the coward?" A choice to be made with our constant companion: fear.
Ciro was never the picture-perfect hero. He was a representation of what so many of us go through. But what makes him an undisputable hero figure is his constant decision to move forward even when it was hard, even when uncertainty dominated the circumstances, even when the internal spiral excelled at its job. He. Moved. Forward.
Ciro is many things: a husband, a friend, but most importantly, a dad. "They are our children. Our better halves talk about us to them."
A dad is very different from a father. A dad teaches his child everything he knows, tries to give them what he never had, even when it's unfair, even when it's hard because loving someone doesn't simply mean caring, but also showing up in every way that matters.
I really deeply appreciate the representation of someone who has to constantly deal with some form of anxiety and panic attacks as a main character someone who controls the wheel. Often, people who deal with the same symptoms are categorized as a burden, too much, or too weak. But Ciro broke that box by actively proving that yes, maybe we might need a bit more support, and yes, maybe what may appear as a "simple" decision can be a whole storm but that never meant it was impossible to achieve.
Furthermore, we see the importance of friendship and even the dissolution of some. Whether it was Victor, Ofelia, Ameen, or even Count Ariba, they all played a significant role in shaping Ciro as the protagonist we got.
The pacing throughout the story was appropriate to each event unfolding, and I personally found the ending bittersweet but I could never ask for a different version.
But Valeria was also a figure to admire a warrior who held firm beliefs, an anchor of stone, not only for her values but also for her family. A united family is one that sticks together through thick and thin. One of the hardest things anyone can figure out is compromise. We see her struggle with it, but so does Ciro. We see the real representation of what it means to be married not the easy sprint, but the whole marathon with its ups and downs.
Isabelle also stole the spotlight with her wit and character a perfect mix of both her parents. We see how important it is to be there for the children. Not perfectly we're messy and complicated but despite all that, a good person is someone who knows how to handle the good and the bad in the best way they know.
The political dilemma and world-building were nothing short of perfection, especially Gaia's deity and the different colored doors.
I know it might appear an odd comparison, but in some ways, Ciro's story has a lot in common with Odysseus's mythology.
I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it. And what will really help you understand who Ciro is and what truly made this book unforgettable; is a quote from within: "It was easier to say everyone else pushed me to the decisions I made. But really, it was me. All the dark, the light, the good, and the bad were part of my life. They were part of who I was, of the decisions I had made."
Thank you to the author and BookSirens for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Happy reading ◉‿◉
Ciro was never the picture-perfect hero. He was a representation of what so many of us go through. But what makes him an undisputable hero figure is his constant decision to move forward even when it was hard, even when uncertainty dominated the circumstances, even when the internal spiral excelled at its job. He. Moved. Forward.
Ciro is many things: a husband, a friend, but most importantly, a dad. "They are our children. Our better halves talk about us to them."
A dad is very different from a father. A dad teaches his child everything he knows, tries to give them what he never had, even when it's unfair, even when it's hard because loving someone doesn't simply mean caring, but also showing up in every way that matters.
I really deeply appreciate the representation of someone who has to constantly deal with some form of anxiety and panic attacks as a main character someone who controls the wheel. Often, people who deal with the same symptoms are categorized as a burden, too much, or too weak. But Ciro broke that box by actively proving that yes, maybe we might need a bit more support, and yes, maybe what may appear as a "simple" decision can be a whole storm but that never meant it was impossible to achieve.
Furthermore, we see the importance of friendship and even the dissolution of some. Whether it was Victor, Ofelia, Ameen, or even Count Ariba, they all played a significant role in shaping Ciro as the protagonist we got.
The pacing throughout the story was appropriate to each event unfolding, and I personally found the ending bittersweet but I could never ask for a different version.
But Valeria was also a figure to admire a warrior who held firm beliefs, an anchor of stone, not only for her values but also for her family. A united family is one that sticks together through thick and thin. One of the hardest things anyone can figure out is compromise. We see her struggle with it, but so does Ciro. We see the real representation of what it means to be married not the easy sprint, but the whole marathon with its ups and downs.
Isabelle also stole the spotlight with her wit and character a perfect mix of both her parents. We see how important it is to be there for the children. Not perfectly we're messy and complicated but despite all that, a good person is someone who knows how to handle the good and the bad in the best way they know.
The political dilemma and world-building were nothing short of perfection, especially Gaia's deity and the different colored doors.
I know it might appear an odd comparison, but in some ways, Ciro's story has a lot in common with Odysseus's mythology.
I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it. And what will really help you understand who Ciro is and what truly made this book unforgettable; is a quote from within: "It was easier to say everyone else pushed me to the decisions I made. But really, it was me. All the dark, the light, the good, and the bad were part of my life. They were part of who I was, of the decisions I had made."
Thank you to the author and BookSirens for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Happy reading ◉‿◉
Review of advance copy received from Author
Book Rating:⭐ 5/5
This book completely wrecked me in the best way possible. Serendipitous Sight feels like the start of a darker, more mature phase for the Shades of Aura series, and I was hooked from the very first page!!! Ciro is not your typical fantasy hero, and that is exactly what made him feel so real. He is anxious, messy, terrified half the time, and constantly carrying the weight of impossible choices, but he keeps moving forward anyway. Watching him struggle between protecting the people he loves and becoming something he no longer recognizes was heartbreaking and so incredibly compelling. I could not get enough.
What really stood out to me was how emotional and human this story felt underneath all the fantasy elements. The PTSD and anxiety representation hit hard, and the book does not shy away from showing the lasting impact war has on people and families. Ciro and Valeria’s relationship especially felt so raw and real. They love each other deeply, but that does not magically make everything easy, and I appreciated that so much. Their family dynamic absolutely got me emotional, too, especially with Isabella, who completely stole scenes whenever she popped in!!
The world-building and magic system were also incredible, but I expect nothing less of Benjamin, as I love his worlds, so this was no exception! The way disease and healing were woven into the magic felt so unique and honestly kind of terrifying in the best way. Every new revelation about Ciro’s abilities made the stakes feel heavier and heavier, especially once politics and war started twisting something meant to heal into a weapon. Benjamin also continues to create some of the coolest creatures and lore in this world. I was fully immersed the entire time and I know that we are just getting started!
Overall, this book was emotional, intense, thoughtful, and devastatingly beautiful. It explores grief, fear, love, sacrifice, and the impossible choices people make for family in such a powerful way. As a parent and a partner, I was so emotional reading this, and I appreciate all the work that Benjamin did to make sure this story felt so authentic! Easily one of my favorite books in the series, and I already know this story is going to stick with me for a long time.
This book completely wrecked me in the best way possible. Serendipitous Sight feels like the start of a darker, more mature phase for the Shades of Aura series, and I was hooked from the very first page!!! Ciro is not your typical fantasy hero, and that is exactly what made him feel so real. He is anxious, messy, terrified half the time, and constantly carrying the weight of impossible choices, but he keeps moving forward anyway. Watching him struggle between protecting the people he loves and becoming something he no longer recognizes was heartbreaking and so incredibly compelling. I could not get enough.
What really stood out to me was how emotional and human this story felt underneath all the fantasy elements. The PTSD and anxiety representation hit hard, and the book does not shy away from showing the lasting impact war has on people and families. Ciro and Valeria’s relationship especially felt so raw and real. They love each other deeply, but that does not magically make everything easy, and I appreciated that so much. Their family dynamic absolutely got me emotional, too, especially with Isabella, who completely stole scenes whenever she popped in!!
The world-building and magic system were also incredible, but I expect nothing less of Benjamin, as I love his worlds, so this was no exception! The way disease and healing were woven into the magic felt so unique and honestly kind of terrifying in the best way. Every new revelation about Ciro’s abilities made the stakes feel heavier and heavier, especially once politics and war started twisting something meant to heal into a weapon. Benjamin also continues to create some of the coolest creatures and lore in this world. I was fully immersed the entire time and I know that we are just getting started!
Overall, this book was emotional, intense, thoughtful, and devastatingly beautiful. It explores grief, fear, love, sacrifice, and the impossible choices people make for family in such a powerful way. As a parent and a partner, I was so emotional reading this, and I appreciate all the work that Benjamin did to make sure this story felt so authentic! Easily one of my favorite books in the series, and I already know this story is going to stick with me for a long time.
May 20, 2026
As a fan of Of Benjamin Kamphuis’ writing, I will admit to being so enamored by his young adult fantasy books that I feared that I may find his foray into adult fantasy lackluster in comparison.
I didn’t see how he could do both facets of the genre equally well, but I was surprised in the best way.
The main character Ciro discovers a magical ability to preemptively diagnose and treat illness, first in beasts, and then in people. As his homeland is smack in the middle of the war and each family must send a conscript to fight, this seems like an answered prayer at first. He can join as a medic, allowing his warrior wife to stay home with their daughter, and as a medic, hopefully not see any action and remain safe.
But things start to shift when his magic requires a sacrifice and he discovers that the sickness can be manipulated and weaponized, and someone must pay the price.
I quickly became obsessed with the moral dilemmas Benjamin explored in this story. Never one to shy away from the tough questions, he explored the heavier themes of just how far you’d be willing to go in order to save your family, save your child. How many people would you hurt in order to heal those who mean the most to you?
And also, how does shouldering the burden of these decisions change you as a person? How does it change your relationships and friendships? Will any of them ever be the same?
The author’s ptsd representation is real and raw and his unflinching look at the realities and consequences of war is immersive and heart breaking, while helping the reader truly walk in the main character’s shoes.
A thought provoking book that will make you feel the height of discomfort as you battle your own morals and what you feel is right. And yet, you will want more, as the addictive writing plows you toward the story’s end, and your need to know what ultimately befalls these incredibly flawed (human) and intriguing characters keeps you up at night.
Obsessively keeping my eye out for whatever blessings Benjamin’s talent bestows on us next.
I didn’t see how he could do both facets of the genre equally well, but I was surprised in the best way.
The main character Ciro discovers a magical ability to preemptively diagnose and treat illness, first in beasts, and then in people. As his homeland is smack in the middle of the war and each family must send a conscript to fight, this seems like an answered prayer at first. He can join as a medic, allowing his warrior wife to stay home with their daughter, and as a medic, hopefully not see any action and remain safe.
But things start to shift when his magic requires a sacrifice and he discovers that the sickness can be manipulated and weaponized, and someone must pay the price.
I quickly became obsessed with the moral dilemmas Benjamin explored in this story. Never one to shy away from the tough questions, he explored the heavier themes of just how far you’d be willing to go in order to save your family, save your child. How many people would you hurt in order to heal those who mean the most to you?
And also, how does shouldering the burden of these decisions change you as a person? How does it change your relationships and friendships? Will any of them ever be the same?
The author’s ptsd representation is real and raw and his unflinching look at the realities and consequences of war is immersive and heart breaking, while helping the reader truly walk in the main character’s shoes.
A thought provoking book that will make you feel the height of discomfort as you battle your own morals and what you feel is right. And yet, you will want more, as the addictive writing plows you toward the story’s end, and your need to know what ultimately befalls these incredibly flawed (human) and intriguing characters keeps you up at night.
Obsessively keeping my eye out for whatever blessings Benjamin’s talent bestows on us next.
May 22, 2026
Overall, I enjoyed this installment in the Shades of Aura series and rated it 3.25 stars, though I do think readers may get more out of it if they are already familiar with the previous books. While the author states this can be read as a standalone, the story felt very much like part of a larger saga. The plot itself is complete and understandable on its own, but I often felt like I was missing additional depth surrounding the world building, political systems, and history of the setting.
The pacing is slow and steady throughout, but it consistently held my attention. One of the most interesting aspects of the book was the setting itself. At first it feels almost historical in tone, but modern technologies are woven into the world in unexpected ways, creating a unique atmosphere. I also found it interesting that Spanish was treated as a separate fictional language rather than simply acknowledged as Spanish.
The magic system was one of the strongest elements for me. I especially enjoyed watching Ciro’s abilities slowly evolve over the course of the story and seeing the emotional toll of being manipulated and used by both the government and military. His journey was compelling, even when the emotional connection to the characters felt somewhat distant for much of the book.
That emotional attachment was what kept this from being a standout read for me. I wanted to connect more deeply with Ciro and the supporting cast, but that connection didn’t fully click until near the end of the novel.
Even so, this is a story that has lingered in my mind for weeks after finishing it, which says a lot about the atmosphere and ideas Kamphuis created. While it wasn’t a book I completely loved, it was thoughtful, unique, and memorable.
Thank you to the author for giving me an E-ARC and the opportunity to give my honest review.
The pacing is slow and steady throughout, but it consistently held my attention. One of the most interesting aspects of the book was the setting itself. At first it feels almost historical in tone, but modern technologies are woven into the world in unexpected ways, creating a unique atmosphere. I also found it interesting that Spanish was treated as a separate fictional language rather than simply acknowledged as Spanish.
The magic system was one of the strongest elements for me. I especially enjoyed watching Ciro’s abilities slowly evolve over the course of the story and seeing the emotional toll of being manipulated and used by both the government and military. His journey was compelling, even when the emotional connection to the characters felt somewhat distant for much of the book.
That emotional attachment was what kept this from being a standout read for me. I wanted to connect more deeply with Ciro and the supporting cast, but that connection didn’t fully click until near the end of the novel.
Even so, this is a story that has lingered in my mind for weeks after finishing it, which says a lot about the atmosphere and ideas Kamphuis created. While it wasn’t a book I completely loved, it was thoughtful, unique, and memorable.
Thank you to the author for giving me an E-ARC and the opportunity to give my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Serendipitous Sight is a wonderful continuation of the Shades of Aura series. I adored the story and the concept was excellent and very relevant.
The cover is very well designed. I liked the Dio de los Muertos vibes. The colours were excellent. I thought that it was extremely eye-catching.
I loved the writing! It was excellent and the story flowed beautifully. The book is written in first person and from Ciro's point of view. I liked this style a lot.
The setting was excellent. It was set in Maize and a few surrounding areas which was wonderful. I enjoyed the uncovering of more places in the Shades of Aura world. Ben's world-building is faultless and it's a tremendous writing skill he has.
The magic system in this world is wonderful. I love that it tied into disease and illness. It was dealt with compassion and empathy which are definitely more skills Ben has and does well.
The characters were excellent and they were very well developed and thought out. I really liked Ciro. I enjoyed his journey uncovering his powers and dealing with them under horrendous pressures of war and pestilence.
I definitely recommend the book but do check out the Toterrum Trilogy first, the first three Shades of Aura books.
The cover is very well designed. I liked the Dio de los Muertos vibes. The colours were excellent. I thought that it was extremely eye-catching.
I loved the writing! It was excellent and the story flowed beautifully. The book is written in first person and from Ciro's point of view. I liked this style a lot.
The setting was excellent. It was set in Maize and a few surrounding areas which was wonderful. I enjoyed the uncovering of more places in the Shades of Aura world. Ben's world-building is faultless and it's a tremendous writing skill he has.
The magic system in this world is wonderful. I love that it tied into disease and illness. It was dealt with compassion and empathy which are definitely more skills Ben has and does well.
The characters were excellent and they were very well developed and thought out. I really liked Ciro. I enjoyed his journey uncovering his powers and dealing with them under horrendous pressures of war and pestilence.
I definitely recommend the book but do check out the Toterrum Trilogy first, the first three Shades of Aura books.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC REVIEW I received this book from the author and am choosing to review it of my own free will.
I have so much to say about this book. It made me laugh in parts. It also ripped my heart out and stomped on it in parts. It was a super quick and easy read. The storyline just completely drew me in. The plot was solid. I loved the descriptions of all the different beasts. I was drawn in from the very first sentence of the book. I have never read or even heard of the rest of the series, but now that I have read this book I will definitely go back and read the rest of the series.
This book talks about so many relatable things. Love. Family. Friendship. Betrayal. Sickness. Death. Mental health issues like PTSD. Anger. Fear. The overwhelming urge to protect those you love at any cost.
I truly felt everything Ciro, the main character, was feeling. Benjamin is very gifted at all the details and being able to make his readers step into his characters' shoes.
This book contains war. It features character death. Severe illness. Major PTSD and Other mental health issues. I give this book 6 ⭐. I recommend having a box of Kleenex on standby while reading this.
Thank you Benjamin for the opportunity to read and review your book in advance.
I have so much to say about this book. It made me laugh in parts. It also ripped my heart out and stomped on it in parts. It was a super quick and easy read. The storyline just completely drew me in. The plot was solid. I loved the descriptions of all the different beasts. I was drawn in from the very first sentence of the book. I have never read or even heard of the rest of the series, but now that I have read this book I will definitely go back and read the rest of the series.
This book talks about so many relatable things. Love. Family. Friendship. Betrayal. Sickness. Death. Mental health issues like PTSD. Anger. Fear. The overwhelming urge to protect those you love at any cost.
I truly felt everything Ciro, the main character, was feeling. Benjamin is very gifted at all the details and being able to make his readers step into his characters' shoes.
This book contains war. It features character death. Severe illness. Major PTSD and Other mental health issues. I give this book 6 ⭐. I recommend having a box of Kleenex on standby while reading this.
Thank you Benjamin for the opportunity to read and review your book in advance.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Serendipitous Sight by Benjamin Kamphuis is a heavy, emotionally charged dark fantasy that doesn't shy away from the harsh consequences of its magic system. As part of the Shades of Aura series, this story follows a battlefield medic who gains the ability to see and move diseases, saving loved ones by transferring their illnesses to others.
What I Loved:
Deeply Emotional Stakes: The central dilemma—how far would you go to save those you love?—is gut-wrenching. The book perfectly captures the moral ambiguity of "necessary" evil.
Unique Magic System: The concept of moving physical illness rather than just curing it adds a unique layer of tension to the genre.
Character-Driven Plot: The characters feel real, managing not just the external fantasy elements but their own internal struggles.
Why 4 Stars:
The story is compelling, but it is very heavy and dark in tone, which may not be for everyone. However, for those who love stories with high emotional stakes and meaningful magic, this is an incredible, haunting read.
What I Loved:
Deeply Emotional Stakes: The central dilemma—how far would you go to save those you love?—is gut-wrenching. The book perfectly captures the moral ambiguity of "necessary" evil.
Unique Magic System: The concept of moving physical illness rather than just curing it adds a unique layer of tension to the genre.
Character-Driven Plot: The characters feel real, managing not just the external fantasy elements but their own internal struggles.
Why 4 Stars:
The story is compelling, but it is very heavy and dark in tone, which may not be for everyone. However, for those who love stories with high emotional stakes and meaningful magic, this is an incredible, haunting read.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Wow! I read Ben's first book, and while I loved it, this one absolutely blows it out of the water.
The concept was so neat. What happens if someone can *see* disease? Are they obligated to use their powers for good? How accountable do we hold them for healing others?
I was hooked from page one.
I'm not a fantasy reader & I was a bit nervous to dive in, but I found myself reading on my Kindle while making dinner, changing laundry, and taking a walk. I couldn't put it down!
My only critique is the ordering of the books, which I found very distracting. Did I just read a book in a series? I read it as a standalone, and it was great. I kept wondering if I was supposed to read anything before this. The index at the start made me feel more confused. There seems to be two "sets" of books, and this is number 6... but isn't this a new series? I found that perplexing and it is still bothering me.
Besides that, this is one of those novels that had me yearning for my own laptop to start writing. It really drew me back into reading & writing.
Well done, Ben.
The concept was so neat. What happens if someone can *see* disease? Are they obligated to use their powers for good? How accountable do we hold them for healing others?
I was hooked from page one.
I'm not a fantasy reader & I was a bit nervous to dive in, but I found myself reading on my Kindle while making dinner, changing laundry, and taking a walk. I couldn't put it down!
My only critique is the ordering of the books, which I found very distracting. Did I just read a book in a series? I read it as a standalone, and it was great. I kept wondering if I was supposed to read anything before this. The index at the start made me feel more confused. There seems to be two "sets" of books, and this is number 6... but isn't this a new series? I found that perplexing and it is still bothering me.
Besides that, this is one of those novels that had me yearning for my own laptop to start writing. It really drew me back into reading & writing.
Well done, Ben.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Serendipitous Sight by Benjamin Kamphuis is an Epic Fantasy with healing powers, found family, beasts with powers, mental health rep and immense depth in the characters. I loved this book! There are a lot of morally gray situations and questions to wrestle with in this tale! I love a book and author that get you thinking about dilemmas people come across in life. This book absolutely delivers on that and how characters will respond in good, bad and ugly ways. The way war time action, epic journeys and repercussions of power both natural and supernatural are on display throughout really spoke to me. I like being able to ride the wave of adventure AND having the opportunity to contemplate the morality of choices along the way. This results in feeling your way through a book as opposed to simply following along. That takes a lot of skill. Our MMC, Ciro is not your typical hero. He has mental health issues which are represented so eloquently. He isn’t the bravest guy in the land and he is often in a struggle. His growth is really special to witness. The other characters are also detailed and stand out as individuals. I cannot forget to mention the top notch world building! I already NEED to know what happens next!! Thank you to Netgalley and Benjamin Kamphuis for allowing me read this book in advance!
Review of advance copy received from Author
*Review from an advanced readers copy*
This book had me on an emotional roller coaster ride the entire time. The author captured such great impactful moments between Ciro and other characters or him and other events. The author showed that even though it might seem like a cool/good thing to be able to see disease and potentially help others, it can also be a huge burden. There were happy moments, angry moments, and sad moments. The ending left me choked up and wanting more. This story was beautifully written with amazing details leaving me entranced. I can’t wait to read more.
This book had me on an emotional roller coaster ride the entire time. The author captured such great impactful moments between Ciro and other characters or him and other events. The author showed that even though it might seem like a cool/good thing to be able to see disease and potentially help others, it can also be a huge burden. There were happy moments, angry moments, and sad moments. The ending left me choked up and wanting more. This story was beautifully written with amazing details leaving me entranced. I can’t wait to read more.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is the fourth book within the series and I was honored to be part of the arc team for each of them! Benjamin Kamphuis's writing has a wonderful way of looping you in and becoming the characters. I love that each book is a continuous representation of mental health. Breaking the stigma within books!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book was a ride from start to finish. It was very much out of my usual wheelhouse and strictly fantasy. And boy howdy was this a tale. This book follows Ciro and his discovery of seeing diseases. He sees different icons for diseases and all is well until his country plans on going to war. He enlists as a medic to keep his family safe, this war ends up consuming his life for years and all the while his gift has proven invaluable to his comrades. That is until he accidentally creates a super-disease and it spreads like the plague. Only he can cure it (as far we know) and the rest of the book is spent through his eyes trying to work through the PTSD from the war and come to terms with this new reality. Infused with Hispanic culture throughout and color as far as the eye can see, this book really takes you on a trip. I really enjoyed this one, except the animals kinda weirded me tf out 🤣. Overall, I definitely recommend if you want a powerful and heart warming read.
Review of advance copy received from Author
For me the story had a bit of a slow start. There were dilemmas to solve and some mental health issues. The story is very well written and some parts are very relatable, even to modern life. I enjoyed the magic.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Serendipitous Sight
By: Benjamin Kamphuis
5🌸
First and foremost, Thank you Ben for the opportunity to read this book in its unfinished stage!
I got the chance to Beta/ARC read this book. I can’t wait to re-read it again as a finished copy, the book was that good!!
This book portrays a lot of darker themes like PTSD and war time situations and a parent who will protect family at whatever cost.
As someone who loves reading fantasy books, I really enjoyed how raw and real the emotions were while reading this, and I appreciate a book more when I can relate to many of the situations it represents.
With being a veteran, my husband (also a veteran) who also lives with PTSD (it is not for the faint of heart, and I don’t wish this on anybody.) and having family history of the military, this book really resonated with me.
Ben did a wonderful job representing these themes and the character progression was extraordinary! And always a favorite of mine is the beasts of biome!! (if you love Pokémon, you will love these beasts!!)
If you have read his Toterrum Trilogy and thought I really loved this but wanted something geared more towards the adult fantasy, then this is that book!!
There was great character development and excellent PTSD representation.
The story line of best friends having a falling out and then reconnection after years was really well expressed.
The book felt real and raw with emotions (very relatable) as if I was right there with them.
The relationship between the MMC and spouse was like real life (they had some troubles with communication at points, but pulled through and found a way to overcome them. (It’s nice to read something that feels real and not always the fairytale type where nothing ever goes wrong, or that the spouse could do no wrong.)
By: Benjamin Kamphuis
5🌸
First and foremost, Thank you Ben for the opportunity to read this book in its unfinished stage!
I got the chance to Beta/ARC read this book. I can’t wait to re-read it again as a finished copy, the book was that good!!
This book portrays a lot of darker themes like PTSD and war time situations and a parent who will protect family at whatever cost.
As someone who loves reading fantasy books, I really enjoyed how raw and real the emotions were while reading this, and I appreciate a book more when I can relate to many of the situations it represents.
With being a veteran, my husband (also a veteran) who also lives with PTSD (it is not for the faint of heart, and I don’t wish this on anybody.) and having family history of the military, this book really resonated with me.
Ben did a wonderful job representing these themes and the character progression was extraordinary! And always a favorite of mine is the beasts of biome!! (if you love Pokémon, you will love these beasts!!)
If you have read his Toterrum Trilogy and thought I really loved this but wanted something geared more towards the adult fantasy, then this is that book!!
There was great character development and excellent PTSD representation.
The story line of best friends having a falling out and then reconnection after years was really well expressed.
The book felt real and raw with emotions (very relatable) as if I was right there with them.
The relationship between the MMC and spouse was like real life (they had some troubles with communication at points, but pulled through and found a way to overcome them. (It’s nice to read something that feels real and not always the fairytale type where nothing ever goes wrong, or that the spouse could do no wrong.)
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book was great.
It was original, thrilling and very thought provoking. The characters are also enjoyable and relatable.
It was original, thrilling and very thought provoking. The characters are also enjoyable and relatable.
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