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GlitchBorn Heart
Not yet published
Expected 31 Aug 26In a neon-drenched city that never sleeps, falling in love is the ultimate glitch. Would you fall for the man who trapped your soul in his AI? What if he were the only one who could save you?
They were never supposed to want each other. They were never supposed to touch.
Dr. Kael Ryudon is control. Cold precision. Corporate teeth. A man who cages chaos and calls it order.
Lyra Vaille is fire. Wild magic. Reckless defiance. A glitch the system was built to extinguish.
He hunts anomalies.
She is one.
Dr. Ryudon designed the corporation's largest AI system to be his generation's sanctuary. Instead, it became her prison...and his obsession. Now the system is slipping into The Void, and he's trapped on the outside of a heart he no longer knows how to reach.
He was supposed to rescue her...but now she's his only hope.
They were never supposed to want each other. They were never supposed to touch.
Dr. Kael Ryudon is control. Cold precision. Corporate teeth. A man who cages chaos and calls it order.
Lyra Vaille is fire. Wild magic. Reckless defiance. A glitch the system was built to extinguish.
He hunts anomalies.
She is one.
Dr. Ryudon designed the corporation's largest AI system to be his generation's sanctuary. Instead, it became her prison...and his obsession. Now the system is slipping into The Void, and he's trapped on the outside of a heart he no longer knows how to reach.
He was supposed to rescue her...but now she's his only hope.
629 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication August 31, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
July 15, 2026
I am at a loss for words. H.J. Spence just decided to take my entire world, throw it on its head and then leave me to deal with everything on the ceiling/floor. I was so wrapped up in this dystopian cyberpunk romantasy that I literally yelled after I read the last sentence. How could it be over? Why was it over? Why was there not more? What do you mean I finished 630 pages in two days?
I never thought in my life I’d be asking for a dark data daddy, but here we are. And Kael does NOT disappoint. The architect of the new future, he’s magicless and trapped in a digital cage of his own making. Until Lyra, an anomaly he didn’t see coming, threatens to change the world, and him forever.
This was absolutely haunting. Watching Kael destroy everything he knew about himself to build a future for Lyra was indescribable. This took burning the world down for love to a different level. Conflicted, tortured, and utterly controlling- he is everything you want in a “dark data daddy.” I didn’t know how badly I needed a story like this to come along and shake up my TBR, but let me tell you it’s a welcome sight. (Also be nice to Siri. Trust me.)
Glitchborn Heart hits shelves on August 31 and you better get your hands on a copy of this one. I’m telling you, you’ll never see tech the same way again. Better yet, take your happy ass over and pre-order this one. You do not want to miss it.
Thank you to author H.J. Spence for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
I never thought in my life I’d be asking for a dark data daddy, but here we are. And Kael does NOT disappoint. The architect of the new future, he’s magicless and trapped in a digital cage of his own making. Until Lyra, an anomaly he didn’t see coming, threatens to change the world, and him forever.
This was absolutely haunting. Watching Kael destroy everything he knew about himself to build a future for Lyra was indescribable. This took burning the world down for love to a different level. Conflicted, tortured, and utterly controlling- he is everything you want in a “dark data daddy.” I didn’t know how badly I needed a story like this to come along and shake up my TBR, but let me tell you it’s a welcome sight. (Also be nice to Siri. Trust me.)
Glitchborn Heart hits shelves on August 31 and you better get your hands on a copy of this one. I’m telling you, you’ll never see tech the same way again. Better yet, take your happy ass over and pre-order this one. You do not want to miss it.
Thank you to author H.J. Spence for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
July 16, 2026
✨Glitchborn Heart✨
Welcome to one of my top reads of this year. GBH is an innovative, uniquely creative sci-fi dystopian fantasy romance that will SERIOUSLY BLOW YOUR MIND. Heidi is an insanely talented mastermind with how intricate this future world of AI/tech is and how our world could possibly develop these issues as tech continues to take over what humans currently control.
We follow a dual POV from our MCs: Kael and Lyra. Lyra is simply just trying to survive and keep her and her brother safe. As U21s, they each have a forbidden magic that, if found, leads to either their death or their scientific exploitation. When Lyra is suddenly sucked into the city-wide technology program that runs everyone’s life, she is suddenly forced to become reluctant allies with her enemy, the creator of that program and dead-sexy child prodigy, Kael. While Kael finds himself immediately obsessed and head over heels for Lyra, Lyra struggles to trust the one man who has caused so much destruction in not only her and her brother‘s life but everyone else’s. However, as they continue to work together, Lyra realizes that what she knew to be truths may not be wholly fact. Perhaps there is actually much more devious plotting going on beneath the waves and her so-called enemy may not be as villainous to her as she thought.
Heidi created an amazing character-driven storyline that is so intricate, unique, and creative while also giving us a romance that is utterly epic. I did not want the story to ever end. This man, Kael, is book boyfriend goals. His obsession, protectiveness, ingenuity, recklessness, and dirty mouth are just delicious. The slow burn is so tantalizing that it gives you goosebumps. While we get some spicy moments, they are different than you would expect. Case number one: the rope scene. You must get this book just to read that rope scene. The characters are all ambiguous, morally grey, hilarious, individual, and just a delight in their own uniqueness. Go pre-order this book now.
Tropes that you may find in GBH are forced proximity, magic and machines, slow burn with light bdsm, found family, enemies to reluctant allies to lovers, high stakes, plot, twists, hidden identities, forbidden love, 🔥 the world for her, touch her and ☠️, banter, antiheroes, and quite the cliffhanger.
Heidi, I am SO glad I got to not only arc read your book but also voice over a small snippet. This story is one of my favorites and I cannot WAIT to be back in your world.
Welcome to one of my top reads of this year. GBH is an innovative, uniquely creative sci-fi dystopian fantasy romance that will SERIOUSLY BLOW YOUR MIND. Heidi is an insanely talented mastermind with how intricate this future world of AI/tech is and how our world could possibly develop these issues as tech continues to take over what humans currently control.
We follow a dual POV from our MCs: Kael and Lyra. Lyra is simply just trying to survive and keep her and her brother safe. As U21s, they each have a forbidden magic that, if found, leads to either their death or their scientific exploitation. When Lyra is suddenly sucked into the city-wide technology program that runs everyone’s life, she is suddenly forced to become reluctant allies with her enemy, the creator of that program and dead-sexy child prodigy, Kael. While Kael finds himself immediately obsessed and head over heels for Lyra, Lyra struggles to trust the one man who has caused so much destruction in not only her and her brother‘s life but everyone else’s. However, as they continue to work together, Lyra realizes that what she knew to be truths may not be wholly fact. Perhaps there is actually much more devious plotting going on beneath the waves and her so-called enemy may not be as villainous to her as she thought.
Heidi created an amazing character-driven storyline that is so intricate, unique, and creative while also giving us a romance that is utterly epic. I did not want the story to ever end. This man, Kael, is book boyfriend goals. His obsession, protectiveness, ingenuity, recklessness, and dirty mouth are just delicious. The slow burn is so tantalizing that it gives you goosebumps. While we get some spicy moments, they are different than you would expect. Case number one: the rope scene. You must get this book just to read that rope scene. The characters are all ambiguous, morally grey, hilarious, individual, and just a delight in their own uniqueness. Go pre-order this book now.
Tropes that you may find in GBH are forced proximity, magic and machines, slow burn with light bdsm, found family, enemies to reluctant allies to lovers, high stakes, plot, twists, hidden identities, forbidden love, 🔥 the world for her, touch her and ☠️, banter, antiheroes, and quite the cliffhanger.
Heidi, I am SO glad I got to not only arc read your book but also voice over a small snippet. This story is one of my favorites and I cannot WAIT to be back in your world.
July 25, 2026
Glitchborn Heart is a dystopian style future society filled with magic and highly advanced tech. Lyra, whose magic starts glitching, is drawn into Dr Kael Ryudon’s lab. Kael is your “dark data daddy” type and he definitely loves being the one in control. He built the tech systems that run their town. Lyra finds herself fighting for her and her brother’s lives against magic, an evolving AI that is the jealous type, and her feelings over the very man she thinks trapped her. This was such a fun concept for a book, not like my typical genre and I loved the concept! I think that this world is unique and the tech magic is very intriguing. I would encourage you to give this book a try if you’re looking for a new magic system! I cannot wait to see where this series goes.
Thank you to the Author, HJ Spence, for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review!
Thank you to the Author, HJ Spence, for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review!
July 3, 2026
I went into GlitchBorn Heart completely blind without rereading the blurb or checking other readers' opinions, and I'm so glad I did. Every twist and reveal caught me by surprise, making the experience that much more enjoyable.
H.J. Spence created a story that kept me invested from beginning to end. The characters pulled me in quickly, and I found myself especially drawn by Ash. I'm really hoping we get to learn more about him in the next book.
That ending absolutely broke my heart. The cliffhanger left me desperate for more, and I'll be counting down the days until the next book releases.
If you enjoy stories that keep you guessing and leave you emotionally invested, I definitely recommend picking this one up.
H.J. Spence created a story that kept me invested from beginning to end. The characters pulled me in quickly, and I found myself especially drawn by Ash. I'm really hoping we get to learn more about him in the next book.
That ending absolutely broke my heart. The cliffhanger left me desperate for more, and I'll be counting down the days until the next book releases.
If you enjoy stories that keep you guessing and leave you emotionally invested, I definitely recommend picking this one up.
June 13, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
Thank you to the author for this ARC!
In a highly controlled dystopian future society where magic and tech are intertwined, possessing power outside the carefully monitored confines of acceptable levels is a quick path to a quiet disappearance. Lyra and her brother Eli only have each other to rely on, so when both of them start glitching, they find themselves in way over their heads with no one to trust.
Kael possesses no magic of his own, but being a tech genius has given him godlike status, having designed the entire system of corporate checks and balances that keeps the population compliant. His cynicism means he is neither loyal to the mega-corp that owns him, nor sympathetic to the people who are victimized by his innovations. Nonetheless, to Lyra he is the enemy. A fact made all the more complicated when their mutual attraction morphs into an unhealthy obsession.
As Lyra and Eli face being used as weapons by opposing sides of a rebellion, Kael slowly starts to break free from his apathetic complacency. Turns out it just took a ghost in the machine to give him something worth fighting for.
This novel sits at the unique intersection of fantasy, sci-fi and romance - if you grew up on things like Neuromancer, Total Recall, The Fifth Element or Bladerunner, and have since fallen down the romantasy rabbit hole, then this book is for you.
I loved the author’s depiction of a society where people are isolated by design, to the point that human connection becomes an act of defiance. It’s a dystopia where even the sentient AI is unhappy, and the system benefits only the most corrupt.
“These cities are run by men who’ve never been told no, who’ve turned desire into product and obedience into design. They build systems where women are either decorative, silent, or simulated and then they have the audacity to say equality has been achieved.”
If you’re looking for something exciting and different, check it out on Aug 31!
May 13, 2026
I really enjoyed this book. The premise is so unique. I loved the tech based magic system and the futuristic dystopian world the author built.
The dark, “data daddy” MMC was great. I loved seeing his obsession and possession with the FMC. their interactions, especially since they had the physical barrier of her being trapped in the program, was so engaging.
I do feel like it was a bit hard to follow at times. The magic system and the technology were cool, but sometimes I had to just trust fall a suspend my disbelief more than I prefer when reading.
I also wish we spent more time with the climax of the story. Everything wrapped up so quickly that it took me a bit to wrap my head around how it all turned out.
The dark, “data daddy” MMC was great. I loved seeing his obsession and possession with the FMC. their interactions, especially since they had the physical barrier of her being trapped in the program, was so engaging.
I do feel like it was a bit hard to follow at times. The magic system and the technology were cool, but sometimes I had to just trust fall a suspend my disbelief more than I prefer when reading.
I also wish we spent more time with the climax of the story. Everything wrapped up so quickly that it took me a bit to wrap my head around how it all turned out.
August 8, 2026
Another book to add to my “want to immediately re read” list!
Kael, Lyra, Ash, Jett, Ember, and Eli were all so beautifully written and I enjoyed watching them interact.
“Would you fall for the man who built the AI that trapped your soul? What if he was the only one that could save you?”
Kael, Lyra, Ash, Jett, Ember, and Eli were all so beautifully written and I enjoyed watching them interact.
“Would you fall for the man who built the AI that trapped your soul? What if he was the only one that could save you?”
Review of advance copy received from Author
🖤💜🩵 GlitchBorn Heart ARC Review 🩵💜🖤
⭐⭐⭐⭐✨✨ (4.75, rounded up)
🌶️🌶️
✨Kickstarter goes live now and discounted for the rest of May 12th.
Some revolutions begin with rage. Others begin with connection.
💜 An immersive story set in a neon-soaked spicy romantasy full of rebellion, corrupted and/or evolving tech, and dangerous love.
📘 What makes GlitchBorn Heart memorable isn't just it's cyberpunk, neon rot, aesthetic — although, that aesthetic is immersive, vivid, and compelling. It's memorable for the way it combines that atmosphere with emotionally accessible storytelling. It's cyberpunk filtered through the emotional immediacy of modern romantasy. If you're looking for a romantasy that feels deeply emotional, read this book.
📓 Reading GlitchBorn Heart feels less like reading and more like stepping into a fever dream made of neon lights, shattered code, and aching human vulnerability. Expertly blending cyberpunk dystopia with romantasy emotionality, the novel throws readers into a world where technology feels almost spiritual, systems of control grind people into dust, and love itself becomes an act of rebellion. It's fast, emotionally charged, immersive, and deeply stylish - the kind of story that feels cinematic in your head while still carrying real emotional weight underneath all the holograms and chaos.
GlitchBorn Heart feels like one of those books that sits at the intersection of several different fandoms at once. Romantasy readers, cyberpunk anime fans, dystopian fans, and emotionally intense sci-fi readers will all find things they enjoy in this book.
the emotional chaos and chemistry of Fourth Wing
+ the anti-oppression rage and rebellion of Iron Widow
+ the neon dystopian atmosphere of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
+ the corrupted-tech surrealism of The Archive Undying
__
= GlitchBorn Heart
Alternatively,
If you like
The romance in Fourth Wing + The yearning romance in This Is How You Lose the Time War
The city atmosphere in Blade Runner 2049
The rebellion in Red Rising
The emotional trauma in Arcane
The found family in Arcane
The tech-noir atmosphere in Neuromancer
The pacing of Legend
Read GlitchBorn Heart
What if:
Fourth Wing was set in a neon megacity? instead of a war college?
Arcane leaned harder into romance?
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners had a romantasy heart?
Iron Widow got dropped into a VR dystopia?
🫵🏼 GlitchBorn Heart is for readers who:
• love emotionally intense romantasy fused with cyberpunk dystopia
• love dangerous, obsessive, morally grey MMCs
• love a fierce heroine who 'may be a damsel, but doesn't need a man to save her'
• enjoy stories that feel futuristic, but also deeply relevant and human
• crave something between fantasy, dark romance, and sci-fi
• enjoy cinematic action with emotional damage
✨ You don't not need any specialized knowledge to read and enjoy this. I know nothing about coding and often struggle using tech.
❓QOTD: If you could design your perfect dreamscape, what would it look like?
❗AOTD: I'd want it to look like a mystical fairytale - lake or beach side, weeping willows lit with fireflies and cherry blossoms drifting in the breeze. A hammock and fire pit.
📘 GlitchBorn Heart feels like a perfect collision between modern romantasy storytelling and classic cyberpunk aesthetics. While it doesn't necessarily invent a whole new genre, it beautifully filters cyberpunk through a very emotionally driven lens - and for me, that's what made it hard to put down and such a great read. This is sci-fi that's emotionally intense, full of yearning, rage, trauma, intimacy, and vulnerability. For me, the biggest strengths were the atmosphere/world, emotional immediacy, and Spence's ability to make technological corruption feel deeply personal and relevant.
Peace looks different for everyone.
📓 In a dystopian future ruled by technological control, surveillance, and deeply entrenched power structures, a group of emotionally scarred young adults become entangled in code, rebellion, survival, and dangerous attraction. As corrupted systems begin to evolve and hidden truths are uncovered, the fine line between humanity and machinery starts to blur, forcing the characters to decide whether love, loyalty, and identity can survive inside a world designed to erase them.
🗝️ Themes, Metaphors, & Deeper Meaning
🎮 Humanity vs Systems of Control
At its core, it investigates what happens when institutions attempt to commodify human identity itself.
The tech-heavy setting is more than just aesthetic, it also functions metaphorically.
Surveillance ➡️ emotional suffocation
Digital corruption mirrors psychological fragmentation
Virtual systems represent loss of autonomy
Glitches symbolize individuality, being different, an anomaly, breaking through imposed order.
📺 The "glitch" imagery especially works as a metaphor for resistance. A glitch being, technically, an error - something the system didn't intend or expect. The book repeatedly frames emotion, love, and selfhood s disruptive forces that authoritarian structures cannot fully contain.
⛓️💥 Connection as Rebellion
One of the strongest underlying ideas in the story is that intimacy itself becomes political. Romance here is not simply a subplot. It directly challenges systems built on isolation, fear, and emotional suppression. Characters repeatedly seem forced to choose between emotional vulnerability and survival, which gives the romantic tension real narrative weight.
🪪 Identity and Fragmentation
The cyberpunk setting allows the novel to explore fractured identity in compelling ways. Who are you when systems define your value?
What parts of yourself remain authentic under constant surveillance?
Can humanity survive technical assimilation?
The recurring imagery of broken systems, shattered glass/mirrors, altered realities, and corrupted tech reflects the characters internal instability.
🗺️ This is a well built and highly creative world. It's designed primarily around mood and thematic immersion, with hard-science and realism being secondary. For me, that was an excellent choice. For someone looking for exact specifics on coding, programming, etc - you may find this isn't focused on that as much as you might want. The setting is less concerned with explaining tech mechanics and specifics and more interested in how the world feels to live inside. I love the oppressive urban atmosphere, surveillance-state tension, tech decay, class disparity (I love the way that one is handled, not that it exists IRL), immersion cyberpunk aesthetics, and social fragmentation.
We also get layered lore that unfolds gradually. I appreciate the gradual way it's revealed as it creates a sense of mystery that helped me stay emotionally invested.
✨ It's seriously wildly creative. It's as immersive as it is atmospheric, especially if you have the thoughtfully curated playlist going while reading. It really makes it a whole production, a full on experience. I love the creative word plays and turnabouts (like the way 'ghosting' is used).
It's in the details, both big and small.
🔮 The magic system is well developed and explained. I love that it blurs the lin between sci-fi technology and fantasy-style power systems. Rooted in advanced technology, corrupted systems, altered realities, a mysterious inciting event, and possibly enhanced abilities tied to digital and/or virtual spaces. It's almost treated mythically, rather than coldly mechanical. I love the connection between their magic and emotions and that it gives the story a strong sense of progression. I also love how the development of the system is linked to uncovering hidden truths, expanding awareness of the world, and realizing the scale of institutional manipulation.
✍🏼 Highly readable, modern, accessible, and masterfully immersive, the prose nears lyrical at times. Lush, vivid descriptions creates a highly atmospheric read. Descriptions, especially during action scenes, are cinematic and sensory-heavy environments. The emotionally-charged internal monologue works well to make you feel with the characters (dual POV). I love the sharp tonal contrast between beauty and decay. The writing prioritizes momentum, which I think worked very well for this story.
The vivid atmospheric vibe is built through neon lights, urban decay, holographic images (and other digital/virtual imagery), fragmented emotional observations, and high emotional intensity.
The little bits of humor, most often in dialogue, added so much to the characters, as well as brought some needed levity to tense situations. "Jacking in" was a creative and funny choice that made me chuckle numerous times. The humor also shows the found family dynamic as it grows and strengthens, which I appreciate.
🎙️The dialogue is often emotionally-direct, and I love that. It's also tension-heavy. Rather than hyper-literary, the dialogue in this book focuses moreso on emotional subtext, flirtation under pressure, ideological conflict, trauma-driven interactions, and banter mixed with vulnerability. My favorite bits of dialogue comes during moments where attraction collides with mistrust, rebellion clashes with fear, and when characters attempt emotional honesty in dangerous situations. There's a fair bit of "edge" to the conversations — sharp emotional turns, defensive humor, and guarded vulnerability — which I feel fits the cyberpunk romantasy beautifully.
⏳ The pace is fairly fast, without feeling rushed. It's a story that you're immediately immersed (I was, at least). High stakes are set early on, tension keeps escalating, cinematic flow to action, and strong forward narrative momentum - all of those things keep the pace zipping along.
👥 We get a diverse cast (MMC is Japanese), and I love that. I love that the emotional core of this book is its characters. They're well developed, have depth, nuance, and personality. They're shaped by trauma, oppression, survival instincts, emotional isolation, and distrust of authority. I love that their emotional vulnerability becomes part of the conflict itself. The found family is quite solid, with secondary characters even contributing to their found family.
✨ Linked to my only qualm is one part of the found family seemed to fall into the dynamic a bit quicker than I prefer. It ends up making sense for this character, fits her personality perfectly, so I mostly let this go. 😆
Lyra's friendship with Ash was so quick,
✨ My only qualm, and it's tiny, is that the relationships moved a bit quicker than I prefer.
🖤 I love that thejr relationship is narratively meaningful, rather than an added bonus or just decorative. Their emotional bond directly reinforces the novels themes — connection vs control, humanity vs dehumanization, and intimacy as resistance.
I love that we have an entirely obsessed with her MMC who seeks to control everything around him (due to spoiler reasons). Yet, he empowers Lyra to discover her "own inner strength and resilience."
The romance resonated so strongly with me because trust in their situation and relationship feels radical, their attachment and then growing feelings creates both a strength and a weakness, and being emotionally open becomes dangerous. I love that their relationship dynamic is built around emotional survival as much as attraction.
Their chemistry works because both characters are emotionally damaged in complimentary ways, creating friction, tension, and eventual emotional payoff.
I'm generally not a huge fan of love triangles. There's kinda, sorta, one in this, but I actually enjoyed it a lot. It's handled in a thoughtful way that carries plot-weight.
📚 Read if you liked: GROW [Your Own Boyfriend] (Jennifer M Waldrop), The Archive Undying (Emma Mieko Candon), Gearbreakers (Zoe Hana Mikuta), Iron Widow (Xiran Jay Zhao), The Genesis of Misery (Neon Yang), Nothing Out There (Mae Harcourt), The Stars Too Fondly (Emily Hamilton), This Is How You Lose the Time War (Amal El-Mohtar), or Legend (Marie Lu).
Thank you to @ hj Spence for the opportunity to read this gifted eARC. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and freely given.
⭐⭐⭐⭐✨✨ (4.75, rounded up)
🌶️🌶️
✨Kickstarter goes live now and discounted for the rest of May 12th.
Some revolutions begin with rage. Others begin with connection.
💜 An immersive story set in a neon-soaked spicy romantasy full of rebellion, corrupted and/or evolving tech, and dangerous love.
📘 What makes GlitchBorn Heart memorable isn't just it's cyberpunk, neon rot, aesthetic — although, that aesthetic is immersive, vivid, and compelling. It's memorable for the way it combines that atmosphere with emotionally accessible storytelling. It's cyberpunk filtered through the emotional immediacy of modern romantasy. If you're looking for a romantasy that feels deeply emotional, read this book.
📓 Reading GlitchBorn Heart feels less like reading and more like stepping into a fever dream made of neon lights, shattered code, and aching human vulnerability. Expertly blending cyberpunk dystopia with romantasy emotionality, the novel throws readers into a world where technology feels almost spiritual, systems of control grind people into dust, and love itself becomes an act of rebellion. It's fast, emotionally charged, immersive, and deeply stylish - the kind of story that feels cinematic in your head while still carrying real emotional weight underneath all the holograms and chaos.
GlitchBorn Heart feels like one of those books that sits at the intersection of several different fandoms at once. Romantasy readers, cyberpunk anime fans, dystopian fans, and emotionally intense sci-fi readers will all find things they enjoy in this book.
the emotional chaos and chemistry of Fourth Wing
+ the anti-oppression rage and rebellion of Iron Widow
+ the neon dystopian atmosphere of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
+ the corrupted-tech surrealism of The Archive Undying
__
= GlitchBorn Heart
Alternatively,
If you like
The romance in Fourth Wing + The yearning romance in This Is How You Lose the Time War
The city atmosphere in Blade Runner 2049
The rebellion in Red Rising
The emotional trauma in Arcane
The found family in Arcane
The tech-noir atmosphere in Neuromancer
The pacing of Legend
Read GlitchBorn Heart
What if:
Fourth Wing was set in a neon megacity? instead of a war college?
Arcane leaned harder into romance?
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners had a romantasy heart?
Iron Widow got dropped into a VR dystopia?
🫵🏼 GlitchBorn Heart is for readers who:
• love emotionally intense romantasy fused with cyberpunk dystopia
• love dangerous, obsessive, morally grey MMCs
• love a fierce heroine who 'may be a damsel, but doesn't need a man to save her'
• enjoy stories that feel futuristic, but also deeply relevant and human
• crave something between fantasy, dark romance, and sci-fi
• enjoy cinematic action with emotional damage
✨ You don't not need any specialized knowledge to read and enjoy this. I know nothing about coding and often struggle using tech.
❓QOTD: If you could design your perfect dreamscape, what would it look like?
❗AOTD: I'd want it to look like a mystical fairytale - lake or beach side, weeping willows lit with fireflies and cherry blossoms drifting in the breeze. A hammock and fire pit.
📘 GlitchBorn Heart feels like a perfect collision between modern romantasy storytelling and classic cyberpunk aesthetics. While it doesn't necessarily invent a whole new genre, it beautifully filters cyberpunk through a very emotionally driven lens - and for me, that's what made it hard to put down and such a great read. This is sci-fi that's emotionally intense, full of yearning, rage, trauma, intimacy, and vulnerability. For me, the biggest strengths were the atmosphere/world, emotional immediacy, and Spence's ability to make technological corruption feel deeply personal and relevant.
Peace looks different for everyone.
📓 In a dystopian future ruled by technological control, surveillance, and deeply entrenched power structures, a group of emotionally scarred young adults become entangled in code, rebellion, survival, and dangerous attraction. As corrupted systems begin to evolve and hidden truths are uncovered, the fine line between humanity and machinery starts to blur, forcing the characters to decide whether love, loyalty, and identity can survive inside a world designed to erase them.
🗝️ Themes, Metaphors, & Deeper Meaning
🎮 Humanity vs Systems of Control
At its core, it investigates what happens when institutions attempt to commodify human identity itself.
The tech-heavy setting is more than just aesthetic, it also functions metaphorically.
Surveillance ➡️ emotional suffocation
Digital corruption mirrors psychological fragmentation
Virtual systems represent loss of autonomy
Glitches symbolize individuality, being different, an anomaly, breaking through imposed order.
📺 The "glitch" imagery especially works as a metaphor for resistance. A glitch being, technically, an error - something the system didn't intend or expect. The book repeatedly frames emotion, love, and selfhood s disruptive forces that authoritarian structures cannot fully contain.
⛓️💥 Connection as Rebellion
One of the strongest underlying ideas in the story is that intimacy itself becomes political. Romance here is not simply a subplot. It directly challenges systems built on isolation, fear, and emotional suppression. Characters repeatedly seem forced to choose between emotional vulnerability and survival, which gives the romantic tension real narrative weight.
🪪 Identity and Fragmentation
The cyberpunk setting allows the novel to explore fractured identity in compelling ways. Who are you when systems define your value?
What parts of yourself remain authentic under constant surveillance?
Can humanity survive technical assimilation?
The recurring imagery of broken systems, shattered glass/mirrors, altered realities, and corrupted tech reflects the characters internal instability.
🗺️ This is a well built and highly creative world. It's designed primarily around mood and thematic immersion, with hard-science and realism being secondary. For me, that was an excellent choice. For someone looking for exact specifics on coding, programming, etc - you may find this isn't focused on that as much as you might want. The setting is less concerned with explaining tech mechanics and specifics and more interested in how the world feels to live inside. I love the oppressive urban atmosphere, surveillance-state tension, tech decay, class disparity (I love the way that one is handled, not that it exists IRL), immersion cyberpunk aesthetics, and social fragmentation.
We also get layered lore that unfolds gradually. I appreciate the gradual way it's revealed as it creates a sense of mystery that helped me stay emotionally invested.
✨ It's seriously wildly creative. It's as immersive as it is atmospheric, especially if you have the thoughtfully curated playlist going while reading. It really makes it a whole production, a full on experience. I love the creative word plays and turnabouts (like the way 'ghosting' is used).
It's in the details, both big and small.
🔮 The magic system is well developed and explained. I love that it blurs the lin between sci-fi technology and fantasy-style power systems. Rooted in advanced technology, corrupted systems, altered realities, a mysterious inciting event, and possibly enhanced abilities tied to digital and/or virtual spaces. It's almost treated mythically, rather than coldly mechanical. I love the connection between their magic and emotions and that it gives the story a strong sense of progression. I also love how the development of the system is linked to uncovering hidden truths, expanding awareness of the world, and realizing the scale of institutional manipulation.
✍🏼 Highly readable, modern, accessible, and masterfully immersive, the prose nears lyrical at times. Lush, vivid descriptions creates a highly atmospheric read. Descriptions, especially during action scenes, are cinematic and sensory-heavy environments. The emotionally-charged internal monologue works well to make you feel with the characters (dual POV). I love the sharp tonal contrast between beauty and decay. The writing prioritizes momentum, which I think worked very well for this story.
The vivid atmospheric vibe is built through neon lights, urban decay, holographic images (and other digital/virtual imagery), fragmented emotional observations, and high emotional intensity.
The little bits of humor, most often in dialogue, added so much to the characters, as well as brought some needed levity to tense situations. "Jacking in" was a creative and funny choice that made me chuckle numerous times. The humor also shows the found family dynamic as it grows and strengthens, which I appreciate.
🎙️The dialogue is often emotionally-direct, and I love that. It's also tension-heavy. Rather than hyper-literary, the dialogue in this book focuses moreso on emotional subtext, flirtation under pressure, ideological conflict, trauma-driven interactions, and banter mixed with vulnerability. My favorite bits of dialogue comes during moments where attraction collides with mistrust, rebellion clashes with fear, and when characters attempt emotional honesty in dangerous situations. There's a fair bit of "edge" to the conversations — sharp emotional turns, defensive humor, and guarded vulnerability — which I feel fits the cyberpunk romantasy beautifully.
⏳ The pace is fairly fast, without feeling rushed. It's a story that you're immediately immersed (I was, at least). High stakes are set early on, tension keeps escalating, cinematic flow to action, and strong forward narrative momentum - all of those things keep the pace zipping along.
👥 We get a diverse cast (MMC is Japanese), and I love that. I love that the emotional core of this book is its characters. They're well developed, have depth, nuance, and personality. They're shaped by trauma, oppression, survival instincts, emotional isolation, and distrust of authority. I love that their emotional vulnerability becomes part of the conflict itself. The found family is quite solid, with secondary characters even contributing to their found family.
✨ Linked to my only qualm is one part of the found family seemed to fall into the dynamic a bit quicker than I prefer. It ends up making sense for this character, fits her personality perfectly, so I mostly let this go. 😆
Lyra's friendship with Ash was so quick,
✨ My only qualm, and it's tiny, is that the relationships moved a bit quicker than I prefer.
🖤 I love that thejr relationship is narratively meaningful, rather than an added bonus or just decorative. Their emotional bond directly reinforces the novels themes — connection vs control, humanity vs dehumanization, and intimacy as resistance.
I love that we have an entirely obsessed with her MMC who seeks to control everything around him (due to spoiler reasons). Yet, he empowers Lyra to discover her "own inner strength and resilience."
The romance resonated so strongly with me because trust in their situation and relationship feels radical, their attachment and then growing feelings creates both a strength and a weakness, and being emotionally open becomes dangerous. I love that their relationship dynamic is built around emotional survival as much as attraction.
Their chemistry works because both characters are emotionally damaged in complimentary ways, creating friction, tension, and eventual emotional payoff.
I'm generally not a huge fan of love triangles. There's kinda, sorta, one in this, but I actually enjoyed it a lot. It's handled in a thoughtful way that carries plot-weight.
📚 Read if you liked: GROW [Your Own Boyfriend] (Jennifer M Waldrop), The Archive Undying (Emma Mieko Candon), Gearbreakers (Zoe Hana Mikuta), Iron Widow (Xiran Jay Zhao), The Genesis of Misery (Neon Yang), Nothing Out There (Mae Harcourt), The Stars Too Fondly (Emily Hamilton), This Is How You Lose the Time War (Amal El-Mohtar), or Legend (Marie Lu).
Thank you to @ hj Spence for the opportunity to read this gifted eARC. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and freely given.
July 22, 2026
I absolutely loved this one. The world has been living rent free in my head ever since I finished it. The blend of magic and technology was so creative, and I couldn’t get enough of this futuristic setting.
The characters were just as compelling as the world. I found myself completely invested in what happened to them, and I especially loved the tension between the two leads. It had mystery, action, romance, and enough twists to keep me glued to the pages. I already know this is a book I’ll be thinking about for a long time. If you love sci-fi romance with unforgettable worldbuilding, don’t sleep on this one.
The characters were just as compelling as the world. I found myself completely invested in what happened to them, and I especially loved the tension between the two leads. It had mystery, action, romance, and enough twists to keep me glued to the pages. I already know this is a book I’ll be thinking about for a long time. If you love sci-fi romance with unforgettable worldbuilding, don’t sleep on this one.
Want to Read
July 29, 2026*street team & eARC* 🥳
July 5, 2026
In a world of dystopian neon, your mortal future is never certain. Your dreams are not your own. Your magical powers- forbidden. And Love? What does that even mean?
This book stemmed from such a unique idea that I instantly fell in love with it! I will admit, there is a LOT of detail in the beginning to get through, which is the only reason I gave it the 4 stars. The author does provide you with a guide in the front of the book, however, as a quick reference to the different types of magic and where things are in the city of Oneiro. Once you have the background information down, you are literally sucked in. This book has so many twists and turns that you are constantly guessing where it will bring you next. Although I gave this one 2 chili peppers on the spicy scale, the MMC is completely obsessed with the fierce, never-back-down FMC, and their relationship grows so much throughout the story that by the end you are begging for more to come.
My favorite aspect of this book is that the character storylines are left open- so you are able to imagine so many different ways for them to be wrapped up in book 2 of this duology.
I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone with a great imagination for tech and dystopian futures, and definitely if you enjoy highly detailed story lines.
Oh! And did I mention there is an entire playlist of chapter-by-chapter songs to follow along with??
What an amazing concept dreamt up by the wonderful HJ Spence. I know I can’t wait for book 2 to come out!
***Edited upon re-read of book: June 30-July 3***
I wanted to update this review, based on a re-read of Glitchborn Heart. The first time reading, I was so drawn in by the concept that I admit I read through it quite quickly, which I feel resulted in my 4 star review (in addition to the reasonings given in original review). I had the time and opportunity to read this again and I honestly believe this book deserves a 5 star rating. As mentioned many times, the concept is so new and fresh, it draws you in making you want to keep reading to see how it will all pan out. The character development was genius as well. The FMC goes from accepting the change of society to seeing the possibilities of a better future. She also faces many internal battles and finds solace in those she never would have imagined would be her metaphorical backbone.
In short- I love this book more and more every time I think on it. I will definitely return to this and read again in the future. I’m already anxious to see what happens in the sequel!
This book stemmed from such a unique idea that I instantly fell in love with it! I will admit, there is a LOT of detail in the beginning to get through, which is the only reason I gave it the 4 stars. The author does provide you with a guide in the front of the book, however, as a quick reference to the different types of magic and where things are in the city of Oneiro. Once you have the background information down, you are literally sucked in. This book has so many twists and turns that you are constantly guessing where it will bring you next. Although I gave this one 2 chili peppers on the spicy scale, the MMC is completely obsessed with the fierce, never-back-down FMC, and their relationship grows so much throughout the story that by the end you are begging for more to come.
My favorite aspect of this book is that the character storylines are left open- so you are able to imagine so many different ways for them to be wrapped up in book 2 of this duology.
I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone with a great imagination for tech and dystopian futures, and definitely if you enjoy highly detailed story lines.
Oh! And did I mention there is an entire playlist of chapter-by-chapter songs to follow along with??
What an amazing concept dreamt up by the wonderful HJ Spence. I know I can’t wait for book 2 to come out!
***Edited upon re-read of book: June 30-July 3***
I wanted to update this review, based on a re-read of Glitchborn Heart. The first time reading, I was so drawn in by the concept that I admit I read through it quite quickly, which I feel resulted in my 4 star review (in addition to the reasonings given in original review). I had the time and opportunity to read this again and I honestly believe this book deserves a 5 star rating. As mentioned many times, the concept is so new and fresh, it draws you in making you want to keep reading to see how it will all pan out. The character development was genius as well. The FMC goes from accepting the change of society to seeing the possibilities of a better future. She also faces many internal battles and finds solace in those she never would have imagined would be her metaphorical backbone.
In short- I love this book more and more every time I think on it. I will definitely return to this and read again in the future. I’m already anxious to see what happens in the sequel!
July 29, 2026
GlitchBorn Heart was easily a five-star read for me. As someone who already loves cyberpunk settings and dystopian worlds, I was immediately pulled into this one—but the way H.J. Spence blends the two with magic and futuristic technology made the world feel completely its own.
One of my favorite parts of this book was the atmosphere and worldbuilding. Oneiro City felt so vivid that there were moments where I genuinely felt like I was there alongside the characters. The neon, the technology, the magic, and the darker dystopian elements all worked together so well. I loved getting lost in this world and discovering more of it as the story unfolded.
The characters kept me just as invested. There’s tension, mystery, romance, twists, and that slow-burn pull that had me wanting to know what was going to happen next. And that ending?! I am absolutely going to need more of this series. 👀
What makes this even more impressive is that GlitchBorn Heart is H.J. Spence’s debut novel. She created such an immersive and unique world, and I cannot wait to see where she takes the DreamLess Series next.
Thank you so much, H.J. Spence, for allowing me to ARC read GlitchBorn Heart in exchange for my honest review. 💜 I’m so excited for everyone else to experience Oneiro City—and I already can’t wait for more from the DreamLess Series!
One of my favorite parts of this book was the atmosphere and worldbuilding. Oneiro City felt so vivid that there were moments where I genuinely felt like I was there alongside the characters. The neon, the technology, the magic, and the darker dystopian elements all worked together so well. I loved getting lost in this world and discovering more of it as the story unfolded.
The characters kept me just as invested. There’s tension, mystery, romance, twists, and that slow-burn pull that had me wanting to know what was going to happen next. And that ending?! I am absolutely going to need more of this series. 👀
What makes this even more impressive is that GlitchBorn Heart is H.J. Spence’s debut novel. She created such an immersive and unique world, and I cannot wait to see where she takes the DreamLess Series next.
Thank you so much, H.J. Spence, for allowing me to ARC read GlitchBorn Heart in exchange for my honest review. 💜 I’m so excited for everyone else to experience Oneiro City—and I already can’t wait for more from the DreamLess Series!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was fully immersed in the city of Onerio. Described as a neon-drenched city that never sleeps, this dystopian, cyberpunk world had me immediately absorbed into the story.
After playing Cyberpunk 2077 and watching Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, I was excited to dive into this story, and I had unnecessarily high expectations. Fortunately, HJ Spence did not disappoint.
She did a fantastic job of describing everything, allowing the reader to create colourful imagery of a dark dystopian world where the majority of people are fighting for their lives. This is especially difficult for those anomalies who have magic, because magic is a threat. Our FMC, Lyra, just so happens to be one of those anomalies, and not only that, she falls head over heels for the one who is in charge of hunting them, Dr. Kael Ryudon. I enjoyed these two characters. They both had dark and mysterious vibes, and when they came together the tension was strong. He is immediately down bad for her, and she’s hesitant because he is an anomaly hunter! Not only that, he has also designed the corporation's largest AI system to be his generation's sanctuary, and in her eyes, he has built this for the enemy, so the tension is high.
Without giving anything away, Lyra’s soul becomes trapped in the doctor’s AI, and I was so intrigued by this. It actually created more enemies, and I couldn’t get enough. I was flying through this story. I will say, this is a personal problem. I was so into the dystopian and cyberpunk aspects of this novel that once the romantasy started to have more weight to it, I was annoyed. Enough of that; let's get down to the problem at hand, because this is serious, life or death. Stop flirting. Don’t get me wrong, they were a great pair, some great banter, and some very spicy scenes.
Overall, I enjoyed this story; it was a lot different from what I’ve been reading, so it held my attention. I definitely recommend adding Glitchborn Heart to your TBR.
After playing Cyberpunk 2077 and watching Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, I was excited to dive into this story, and I had unnecessarily high expectations. Fortunately, HJ Spence did not disappoint.
She did a fantastic job of describing everything, allowing the reader to create colourful imagery of a dark dystopian world where the majority of people are fighting for their lives. This is especially difficult for those anomalies who have magic, because magic is a threat. Our FMC, Lyra, just so happens to be one of those anomalies, and not only that, she falls head over heels for the one who is in charge of hunting them, Dr. Kael Ryudon. I enjoyed these two characters. They both had dark and mysterious vibes, and when they came together the tension was strong. He is immediately down bad for her, and she’s hesitant because he is an anomaly hunter! Not only that, he has also designed the corporation's largest AI system to be his generation's sanctuary, and in her eyes, he has built this for the enemy, so the tension is high.
Without giving anything away, Lyra’s soul becomes trapped in the doctor’s AI, and I was so intrigued by this. It actually created more enemies, and I couldn’t get enough. I was flying through this story. I will say, this is a personal problem. I was so into the dystopian and cyberpunk aspects of this novel that once the romantasy started to have more weight to it, I was annoyed. Enough of that; let's get down to the problem at hand, because this is serious, life or death. Stop flirting. Don’t get me wrong, they were a great pair, some great banter, and some very spicy scenes.
Overall, I enjoyed this story; it was a lot different from what I’ve been reading, so it held my attention. I definitely recommend adding Glitchborn Heart to your TBR.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is one of the most unique and interesting books I’ve read. It is a dystopian romance that has a cyberpunk like aesthetic with tech magic thrown in. When you start listing all the tropes and genres this book covers it makes it sound completely crazy and like it would make no sense; but I’m here to tell you, I don’t know what kind of voodoo HJ Spence has in her brain that comes out in her writing but man does it work!! This is not my typical book that I would automatically reach for. Dystopian - yeah. Neon and tech magic with AI and all that - nope! But I’m here to tell you, I am SO glad I thought to give this book a chance. It is amazing and truly unique in its story and vibe. HJ Spence is a wonderful writer and her words on the page will have seeing the story, feeling the characters and wishing you could be a fly on the wall to watch it all play out. You’ll gasp, you’ll laugh, you may cry but you will love this story and her writing.
The story is set the the near future in a neon filled cyberpunk dystopian city, Oneiro, after a celestial/cosmic event took place. During this event they now call Starfell, most of the young people walked away with tech magic. Now everything revolves around tech and AI.
Kael is the genius mastermind behind the AI that rules and runs the city. Meanwhile; Lyra and her brother Eli are the ones hiding their magic because their king of magic is what the city calls an anomaly. He hunts anomalies and she is one. Will they break the system or will the system break them?
This book has found family, enemies to lovers, a slow burn surrender, an FMC who turns out to be fierce along with an MMC that morally grey who is obsessive and has that touch her and die quality so many of us crave to read about. And don’t even get me started on Ash and Jett!! This is a must read book you do not want to miss. I can promise you that! Now go read this book and fall in love or hate with the newest Dark Data Daddy in the book world.
The story is set the the near future in a neon filled cyberpunk dystopian city, Oneiro, after a celestial/cosmic event took place. During this event they now call Starfell, most of the young people walked away with tech magic. Now everything revolves around tech and AI.
Kael is the genius mastermind behind the AI that rules and runs the city. Meanwhile; Lyra and her brother Eli are the ones hiding their magic because their king of magic is what the city calls an anomaly. He hunts anomalies and she is one. Will they break the system or will the system break them?
This book has found family, enemies to lovers, a slow burn surrender, an FMC who turns out to be fierce along with an MMC that morally grey who is obsessive and has that touch her and die quality so many of us crave to read about. And don’t even get me started on Ash and Jett!! This is a must read book you do not want to miss. I can promise you that! Now go read this book and fall in love or hate with the newest Dark Data Daddy in the book world.
Review of advance copy received from Author
😏🤭Dark brooding tattooed MMCs for the book girlies. 🤭😏🤭😏🤭
I have a 5 star book I want to tell you about, where the character and world building is vivid and electrifying! The author's hyper sense of imagination brings the plot alive in a very visual sense. I could write a novella just out of all the quotes I loved from the main characters. There's banter and yearning. . . and a little spice.
Have you heard about GlitchBorn Heart yet? It's a dystopian romantasy book that was written by H.J. Spence. . .not just any dystopian, but one blended with Cyberpunk romantasy elements. . . .a unique plot that I REALLY enjoyed. At the 94% mark, I was really beginning to second guess where the author was taking us with the story. I don't like Jett! The spin at the end is dizzying . . in a really GOOD bad way! I'm ready for book 2!!!
As a side note, when you get a second, go look up the KYOTO LANTERN FESTIVAL. It's mentioned in the book with a sweet memory attached.
I narrowed it down to just a few of the quotes that I liked:
✨️I'm a powder keg of magic
✨️She’ll be mine, and the price anyone pays for touching her will be something catastrophic only I decide.
✨️Just being in the same room with Kael feels like standing too close to a flame you know will burn you.
✨️“Ready as I’ll ever be. Can’t wait to become a sexbot!”
✨️“You’re not right, Kael. You’re dark, dangerous, like a fire that doesn’t care who or what it burns alive. And I’m the idiot standing too close to the flames.”
“Safety is a lie people tell themselves. I’m not safe, a monster maybe. But I’m loyal. And deep down, you want that. You want this monster to chase you, to catch you. Stick with me, Taiyō, and you’ll quickly learn what it costs when I stop pretending to be civilized.”
✨️I’ll worship her until the stars fall again.
I have a 5 star book I want to tell you about, where the character and world building is vivid and electrifying! The author's hyper sense of imagination brings the plot alive in a very visual sense. I could write a novella just out of all the quotes I loved from the main characters. There's banter and yearning. . . and a little spice.
Have you heard about GlitchBorn Heart yet? It's a dystopian romantasy book that was written by H.J. Spence. . .not just any dystopian, but one blended with Cyberpunk romantasy elements. . . .a unique plot that I REALLY enjoyed. At the 94% mark, I was really beginning to second guess where the author was taking us with the story. I don't like Jett! The spin at the end is dizzying . . in a really GOOD bad way! I'm ready for book 2!!!
As a side note, when you get a second, go look up the KYOTO LANTERN FESTIVAL. It's mentioned in the book with a sweet memory attached.
I narrowed it down to just a few of the quotes that I liked:
✨️I'm a powder keg of magic
✨️She’ll be mine, and the price anyone pays for touching her will be something catastrophic only I decide.
✨️Just being in the same room with Kael feels like standing too close to a flame you know will burn you.
✨️“Ready as I’ll ever be. Can’t wait to become a sexbot!”
✨️“You’re not right, Kael. You’re dark, dangerous, like a fire that doesn’t care who or what it burns alive. And I’m the idiot standing too close to the flames.”
“Safety is a lie people tell themselves. I’m not safe, a monster maybe. But I’m loyal. And deep down, you want that. You want this monster to chase you, to catch you. Stick with me, Taiyō, and you’ll quickly learn what it costs when I stop pretending to be civilized.”
✨️I’ll worship her until the stars fall again.
Review of advance copy received from Author
*4.25 stars!*
This book was unlike anything I've ever read before. It's a dystopian cyberpunk romance, and saying it had me intrigued would be an understatement.
I'm not usually drawn to stories centered around robotics or advanced technology, but this one completely surprised me. The story follows our FMC, Lyra, who refuses to accept the way her world has been programmed to operate. While she isn't officially part of the rebellion, she also won't stand by and support Vikkcorp or the way the corporation controls society. She and her brother possess powerful abilities that they've managed to keep hidden, but as the story unfolds, that becomes increasingly difficult.
Lyra crosses paths with our MMC Kael, the head engineer of Vikkcorp. He's the brilliant mind behind much of the technology she despises, making him the very person she should consider her enemy. Despite that, she's drawn to him before discovering who he really is. When everything takes a devastating turn and Lyra finds herself helpless and fully immersed in the technology that controls their world, Kael becomes the only person who can save her.
One of the creepiest aspects of this book was watching the AI Link begin to develop emotions and learn how to bypass the limitations Kael the creator had put in place. It felt futuristic but also eerily believable, which made it all the more unsettling.
This story kept me hooked from beginning to end, and that ending absolutely broke my heart. I really felt for Kael... because his little Taiyo may not be his little Taiyo anymore.
💚 Favourite Quotes 🩷
“From the moment I saw you in that club I knew you were a spark, no, a flame I’d chase forever.”
“If falling for the villain is a sin, then damn me all to hell”
This book was unlike anything I've ever read before. It's a dystopian cyberpunk romance, and saying it had me intrigued would be an understatement.
I'm not usually drawn to stories centered around robotics or advanced technology, but this one completely surprised me. The story follows our FMC, Lyra, who refuses to accept the way her world has been programmed to operate. While she isn't officially part of the rebellion, she also won't stand by and support Vikkcorp or the way the corporation controls society. She and her brother possess powerful abilities that they've managed to keep hidden, but as the story unfolds, that becomes increasingly difficult.
Lyra crosses paths with our MMC Kael, the head engineer of Vikkcorp. He's the brilliant mind behind much of the technology she despises, making him the very person she should consider her enemy. Despite that, she's drawn to him before discovering who he really is. When everything takes a devastating turn and Lyra finds herself helpless and fully immersed in the technology that controls their world, Kael becomes the only person who can save her.
One of the creepiest aspects of this book was watching the AI Link begin to develop emotions and learn how to bypass the limitations Kael the creator had put in place. It felt futuristic but also eerily believable, which made it all the more unsettling.
This story kept me hooked from beginning to end, and that ending absolutely broke my heart. I really felt for Kael... because his little Taiyo may not be his little Taiyo anymore.
💚 Favourite Quotes 🩷
“From the moment I saw you in that club I knew you were a spark, no, a flame I’d chase forever.”
“If falling for the villain is a sin, then damn me all to hell”
Review of advance copy received from Author
Loved this to break up my normal fantasy reads! A dystopian cyber romantasy!! And need more like it immediately! An eccentric, intense, futuristic read! The whole thing gave me Matrix and fifth element vibes but more like if they were made today.. And that is a top teir compliment coming from my mouth because those are cult favorites in my house! This had More intense yearning. Technology that was so advanced but written so well i didn't feel like i couldn't understand. And with magic! The Characters are all so unique and it balances out perfectly. Lyra is pure emotion and loyalty. Her brother Eli is troubled but loving and I just want to hold him and shake him at the same time. Kael is a dark tortured soul who thrives on control and discipline. Ash is a rockstar heartthrob with amazing comedic timing. Ember is sweet, sassy and someone you'd want in your corner. Jett, mysterious rebellion leader, I need to know more before I decide my feelings so that will have to wait for the next book! He's hiding something but I cant tell if it will be for the greater good yet or not. And then there's LINK, the AI in the system that sees all and helps hunt and erase the magic anomalies, and is pretty terrifying..This book was action packed with a digital punch! Everything moment felt vibrant and alive! The playlist really Intensified each chapter!! The Action, emotions, Intense want even when you shouldn't.. All of the feelings, love and rage heightened. A high tech world, Corrupt government with magic weaved in and people who are worth risking it all to save. I can't wait to continue this creation!
Review of advance copy received from Author
What does it take to dismantle a system so deeply engraved in one's bones, so crucially woven into oneself? What does it take for the creator themselves, the architect of an entire structure, to reduce it to ashes? To do the one thing they never thought possible: to lose control entirely?
All it takes is a person worth losing control for. And that person exists, and her mere presence enough to tear down systems, beliefs, and ideas. That's what it takes, and it's a sight to behold.
GlitchBorn Heart tore my walls down. It rampaged through my systems, burning anything and everything. It collapsed me, and it rewrote me, code by code. My system will never be the same after reading this story and getting to know these characters. There's only a neon glitch, a current running through my blood. Nothing else matters.
GlitchBorn Heart stole me from the waking world, and I never stood a chance. This isn't merely a sci-fi story, not just a love story born under the bright neon lights. This is a deconstruction, a tearing down of one's beliefs, one code at a time. There are no heroes here; there are only people trying to survive and trying to do what they feel is right.
Neon lights may wash out almost everything. But they can't rinse one's soul, not completely. And my soul remains trapped in the system, failing (and not wanting) to escape.
The ending gutted me to the core, but the core isn't melted yet. It pulses softly, waiting for the sequel to light the world on fire again.
Thank you, HJ, for this masterpiece of a story. Words cannot express my gratitude for the privilege of being one of your early readers.
All it takes is a person worth losing control for. And that person exists, and her mere presence enough to tear down systems, beliefs, and ideas. That's what it takes, and it's a sight to behold.
GlitchBorn Heart tore my walls down. It rampaged through my systems, burning anything and everything. It collapsed me, and it rewrote me, code by code. My system will never be the same after reading this story and getting to know these characters. There's only a neon glitch, a current running through my blood. Nothing else matters.
GlitchBorn Heart stole me from the waking world, and I never stood a chance. This isn't merely a sci-fi story, not just a love story born under the bright neon lights. This is a deconstruction, a tearing down of one's beliefs, one code at a time. There are no heroes here; there are only people trying to survive and trying to do what they feel is right.
Neon lights may wash out almost everything. But they can't rinse one's soul, not completely. And my soul remains trapped in the system, failing (and not wanting) to escape.
The ending gutted me to the core, but the core isn't melted yet. It pulses softly, waiting for the sequel to light the world on fire again.
Thank you, HJ, for this masterpiece of a story. Words cannot express my gratitude for the privilege of being one of your early readers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book completely consumed me. From the very first page, I was hooked and didn’t want to put it down. The author has created characters that feel so incredibly real; their emotions are raw, their pain is palpable, and their determination is absolutely unbreakable. Lyra stole my heart. She’s carrying the impossible weight of protecting what’s left of her family while desperately trying to control a power that feels like it’s ready to tear through her at any moment. Her strength, vulnerability, and fierce determination made her impossible not to root for. And then we have Kael… our broody, dark, mysterious male lead who is the ultimate M&M; hard shell on the outside with a heart that’s so much softer than he wants anyone to know, and oh so delicious 😋. Watching the layers of these characters slowly unravel was one of my favorite parts of this story. The author does an incredible job reminding us that nothing and no one is ever exactly what they seem. Between the author’s playlist, the stunning imagery, and the atmosphere woven into every scene, I felt like I had stepped directly into this futuristic world. I could feel the tension humming beneath the surface, the electricity in every moment, and that same buzzing sensation stayed with me long after I turned the final page. There were so many moments where I literally said, “what the fuck” (and I mean that as the highest compliment). The twists, the emotions, the chemistry, and the sheer intensity of this story have left me desperate for more. This book got under my skin, took over my thoughts and I wouldn't want it any other way
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to the author for an ARC of this debut novel!
Glitchborn Heart is a futuristic dystopian novel filled with excellently crafted setting descriptions and truly creates an incredible atmosphere to fall into. The setting may have honestly been some of my favourite aspects of this story: if Back to the Future, Sin City and Tron had a baby I feel like that would sort of give you a mild idea of what Oneiro City is like.
Every character in this story is flawed in some way, which I think just makes them all seem so extremely human in the midst of this tech-focused world. There is a lot for these characters to overcome both from outside forces and from within themselves as well. Personally, I am really hoping we see more abput Ember in the future books because her character really spoke to me.
This story is filled with incredible world building and I have a feeling we have only really scratched the surface. I love how the author managed to weave magic and tech into a story in a way that somehow still managed to feel organic. I was concerned how the two would blend but the combination creates depth and intrigue and adds a lot to the story.
The romance in Glitchborn Heart is absolutely a slow burn. You are getting spice but not a whole lot of it. But you will get yearning and obsession and need in huge doses.
I enjoyed the plot of this novel quite a lot. I thought it was a unique take on an oppressed society and the people within it. I will say there were certain points I got a bit lost due to the extent of the technological references, but I think that is a personal thing and not really a comment on the story itself. That ending?? Damn!
Glitchborn Heart is a futuristic dystopian novel filled with excellently crafted setting descriptions and truly creates an incredible atmosphere to fall into. The setting may have honestly been some of my favourite aspects of this story: if Back to the Future, Sin City and Tron had a baby I feel like that would sort of give you a mild idea of what Oneiro City is like.
Every character in this story is flawed in some way, which I think just makes them all seem so extremely human in the midst of this tech-focused world. There is a lot for these characters to overcome both from outside forces and from within themselves as well. Personally, I am really hoping we see more abput Ember in the future books because her character really spoke to me.
This story is filled with incredible world building and I have a feeling we have only really scratched the surface. I love how the author managed to weave magic and tech into a story in a way that somehow still managed to feel organic. I was concerned how the two would blend but the combination creates depth and intrigue and adds a lot to the story.
The romance in Glitchborn Heart is absolutely a slow burn. You are getting spice but not a whole lot of it. But you will get yearning and obsession and need in huge doses.
I enjoyed the plot of this novel quite a lot. I thought it was a unique take on an oppressed society and the people within it. I will say there were certain points I got a bit lost due to the extent of the technological references, but I think that is a personal thing and not really a comment on the story itself. That ending?? Damn!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Welcome to Onerio City - a dystopian cyberpunk world controlled by The Corporation... 👀
"Starfell wasn't the night the sky broke. It was the night we did."
Firstly, I just want to say a hugeeeee thank you to the author H. J. Spence for allowing me to read my FIRST EVER ARC! 💜🩵
GlitchBorn Heart is such an interesting and unique blend of romantasy and Sci-Fi, bringing magic and tech into its own unparalleled system. The character development throughout this book was amazing, though I do desperately need to see a prequel story of Ash & Kael...
Featuring a dual perspectives narrative told from the eyes of Lyra, our fierce FMC who just wants to protect what remains of her family against the Corporation; and Kael, former child prodigy data-mad creator of the system.
Overall this was a really strong debut novel, and it's definitely left me needing more... I'd love to see more of Ash/Kael's friendship before Starfell, as well as other perspectives of Starfell too. Being such a huge event that has changed everybody's lives it would be great to understand more how people's lives were affected by this on an individual level.
But more than that, I need to see where book 2 is going........ 😉💜🩵
GlitchBorn Heart is available for pre-orders now, with a variety of incentives available via the authors IG page. Go pre-order now! Its coming August 31st! 💜🩵
"Starfell wasn't the night the sky broke. It was the night we did."
Firstly, I just want to say a hugeeeee thank you to the author H. J. Spence for allowing me to read my FIRST EVER ARC! 💜🩵
GlitchBorn Heart is such an interesting and unique blend of romantasy and Sci-Fi, bringing magic and tech into its own unparalleled system. The character development throughout this book was amazing, though I do desperately need to see a prequel story of Ash & Kael...
Featuring a dual perspectives narrative told from the eyes of Lyra, our fierce FMC who just wants to protect what remains of her family against the Corporation; and Kael, former child prodigy data-mad creator of the system.
Overall this was a really strong debut novel, and it's definitely left me needing more... I'd love to see more of Ash/Kael's friendship before Starfell, as well as other perspectives of Starfell too. Being such a huge event that has changed everybody's lives it would be great to understand more how people's lives were affected by this on an individual level.
But more than that, I need to see where book 2 is going........ 😉💜🩵
GlitchBorn Heart is available for pre-orders now, with a variety of incentives available via the authors IG page. Go pre-order now! Its coming August 31st! 💜🩵
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book is unlike anything I've ever read. Imagine your soul trapped in an AI, built by a hunky man willing to risk everything for you and that's just the beginning of this wild ride.
This dystopian cyberpunk romantasy pulls you straight into the LINK and doesn't let go. The FMC is refreshingly strong and unapologetically outspoken, delivering one liners so sharp they had me laughing out loud. Her wit is matched only by her resilience, making her a character you can't help but root for.
The writing flows beautifully, carrying you through a plot that's genuinely unique in the romance genre. The love story that unfolds is darkly beautiful,equal parts tender and twisted in the best possible way. And that ending? I didn't see it coming. I literally said "seriously, what the hell?" and stared at my tablet for several moments, trying to process what just happened.
The world building is impressive: high tech, futuristic, and immersive. Full disclosure I'm "old" and it took me a moment to catch up with some of the techie speech, but I loved every moment of it. The author creates a believable future that feels both thrilling and terrifying.
If you're looking for a romance that breaks the mold and takes you somewhere completely unexpected, this is it.
This dystopian cyberpunk romantasy pulls you straight into the LINK and doesn't let go. The FMC is refreshingly strong and unapologetically outspoken, delivering one liners so sharp they had me laughing out loud. Her wit is matched only by her resilience, making her a character you can't help but root for.
The writing flows beautifully, carrying you through a plot that's genuinely unique in the romance genre. The love story that unfolds is darkly beautiful,equal parts tender and twisted in the best possible way. And that ending? I didn't see it coming. I literally said "seriously, what the hell?" and stared at my tablet for several moments, trying to process what just happened.
The world building is impressive: high tech, futuristic, and immersive. Full disclosure I'm "old" and it took me a moment to catch up with some of the techie speech, but I loved every moment of it. The author creates a believable future that feels both thrilling and terrifying.
If you're looking for a romance that breaks the mold and takes you somewhere completely unexpected, this is it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
🌶
I absolutely loved reading Glitchborn Heart! From the very first page I was completely hooked. The atmosphere pulled me in instantly and I never wanted to leave. The dystopian sci-fi world was incredibly unique, immersive and so easy to understand I was swept into it from the start.
This book had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. Constantly needing to know what was going to happen next.
One of my favorite things about this book was the characters. I honestly can't even choose a favorite because every single one of them brought something special to the story. They all felt important, lovable and unforgettable. But let's be real... Kael. 🫠🫠 This man had me absolutely swooning!
The banter between the characters was perfection. It had me smiling, laughing and giggling like a schoolgirl while the emotional moments hit just as hard.
And that ending... WOW. It was such a powerful, shocking way to end the book. I finished it completely speechless and immediately needed the next installment.
If you're a fan of dystopian sci-fi with unforgettable characters and a story that refuses to let you put it down you need to add Glitchborn Heart to your TBR!!! Trust me...This is one you don't want to miss!
HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!
I absolutely loved reading Glitchborn Heart! From the very first page I was completely hooked. The atmosphere pulled me in instantly and I never wanted to leave. The dystopian sci-fi world was incredibly unique, immersive and so easy to understand I was swept into it from the start.
This book had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. Constantly needing to know what was going to happen next.
One of my favorite things about this book was the characters. I honestly can't even choose a favorite because every single one of them brought something special to the story. They all felt important, lovable and unforgettable. But let's be real... Kael. 🫠🫠 This man had me absolutely swooning!
The banter between the characters was perfection. It had me smiling, laughing and giggling like a schoolgirl while the emotional moments hit just as hard.
And that ending... WOW. It was such a powerful, shocking way to end the book. I finished it completely speechless and immediately needed the next installment.
If you're a fan of dystopian sci-fi with unforgettable characters and a story that refuses to let you put it down you need to add Glitchborn Heart to your TBR!!! Trust me...This is one you don't want to miss!
HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
"Let the stars fall all over again. I'll gladly catch every single one in my hands, even as they scorch me to the bone, just to place them at her feet so she'll never walk in the dark alone
again."
I'm still processing because this story is so unique and unlike anything else I've read. I'll be honest, when I got to the glossary in the beginning, I was intimidated. I messaged the author because I was worried I wasn't smart enough to read this!! After reassurance from her, I continued and I'm so glad I did! It has most of my absolute favorite tropes :
✨️Enemies to Lovers
✨️Forced Proximity
✨️Found Family
✨️Touch Her & Die
✨️Yearning
✨️Slow Burn
✨️Feminine Rage
✨️Dark Brooding Data Daddy MMC
✨️Strong Fmc
✨️Spicy
✨️Dual POV
This book is so well written, I could see and hear the story unfolding in my mind! I was hooked from the very beginning! Definitely load up the Playlist and listen to the songs corresponding with each chapter, it enhances the experience!!
And that ending...like what????
I cannot wait for the 2nd book to continue this wild futuristic ride!!
5/5 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
again."
I'm still processing because this story is so unique and unlike anything else I've read. I'll be honest, when I got to the glossary in the beginning, I was intimidated. I messaged the author because I was worried I wasn't smart enough to read this!! After reassurance from her, I continued and I'm so glad I did! It has most of my absolute favorite tropes :
✨️Enemies to Lovers
✨️Forced Proximity
✨️Found Family
✨️Touch Her & Die
✨️Yearning
✨️Slow Burn
✨️Feminine Rage
✨️Dark Brooding Data Daddy MMC
✨️Strong Fmc
✨️Spicy
✨️Dual POV
This book is so well written, I could see and hear the story unfolding in my mind! I was hooked from the very beginning! Definitely load up the Playlist and listen to the songs corresponding with each chapter, it enhances the experience!!
And that ending...like what????
I cannot wait for the 2nd book to continue this wild futuristic ride!!
5/5 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Review of advance copy received from Author
When you don’t even know you’re in the mood for a dystopian romanatasy and one comes out of nowhere and hits you straight in the feels… yeah. That’s this book! Is it darkly poetic? Absolutely! And if you’re looking for your next read, go ahead and shove this one straight to the top of your TBR because you do not want to miss it!
This story honestly feels like a breath of fresh air. The world-building is rich and immersive, with vivid details, and the characters? Gut-wrenchingly good and heartstoppingly fantastic!
Lyra, our FMC, is fueled by rage and hunger in the best way. Kael? A dark data daddy and I will not be elaborating further because I don’t need to…if you know, you know. And Ash… Ash is my favorite. We all need a little humor to survive the chaos, and he delivers just enough to keep you from completely unraveling.
The pacing flows so well and keeps you locked in from start to finish. No lulls, no dragging…just pure, addictive storytelling.
I am already so ready for the next book. I need to see where HJ takes this series because I am fully invested at this point.
This story honestly feels like a breath of fresh air. The world-building is rich and immersive, with vivid details, and the characters? Gut-wrenchingly good and heartstoppingly fantastic!
Lyra, our FMC, is fueled by rage and hunger in the best way. Kael? A dark data daddy and I will not be elaborating further because I don’t need to…if you know, you know. And Ash… Ash is my favorite. We all need a little humor to survive the chaos, and he delivers just enough to keep you from completely unraveling.
The pacing flows so well and keeps you locked in from start to finish. No lulls, no dragging…just pure, addictive storytelling.
I am already so ready for the next book. I need to see where HJ takes this series because I am fully invested at this point.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Wow! I don't even know where to start with this review.
A mix of cyberpunk, dystopian and romantasy I knew I was headed for a good time, but what an absolute ride this was.
Lyra and her brother Eli are anomalies and trying to stay hidden from the corporations.
Kael is the dark and brooding programmer who designed the whole system that the world they live in runs on.
Their worlds collide in the best possible way with action, yearning and AI systems you can no longer trust.
Can Kael save Lyra while the corporations keep a close eye on everything and everyone?
The relationship between Kael and Lyra was built so beautifully, an intense slow burn to devour. The world building is done so well that I could picture the environments so clearly in my mind. I think all the neon and holographics would put me into sensory overload if I had to live there.
Then there was that ending 🤯 I am NOT OKAY!! I need the next book yesterday!
A mix of cyberpunk, dystopian and romantasy I knew I was headed for a good time, but what an absolute ride this was.
Lyra and her brother Eli are anomalies and trying to stay hidden from the corporations.
Kael is the dark and brooding programmer who designed the whole system that the world they live in runs on.
Their worlds collide in the best possible way with action, yearning and AI systems you can no longer trust.
Can Kael save Lyra while the corporations keep a close eye on everything and everyone?
The relationship between Kael and Lyra was built so beautifully, an intense slow burn to devour. The world building is done so well that I could picture the environments so clearly in my mind. I think all the neon and holographics would put me into sensory overload if I had to live there.
Then there was that ending 🤯 I am NOT OKAY!! I need the next book yesterday!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was intrigued when I came across this book in social media. The whole idea of it feels different and refreshing. Great out-of-the-box thinking! I haven't read many dystopian books but I have liked the ones I did. This one joined that group.
It took me a quite while to understand the world and the basic environment. The catalog in the beginning of the magic types helped a little with those. In the beginning there was so many places and characters introduced.
The characters seem distant and in the first half of the book I wasn't feeling the maincharacters' chemistry. Also I was extremely frustrated with their choises 🤣 This is a slowburn 🌶
The phacing felt slow at first and got really going towards the end. This is the first book and the ending is evil, imo. Hopefully we'll get the second book sooner.
It took me a quite while to understand the world and the basic environment. The catalog in the beginning of the magic types helped a little with those. In the beginning there was so many places and characters introduced.
The characters seem distant and in the first half of the book I wasn't feeling the maincharacters' chemistry. Also I was extremely frustrated with their choises 🤣 This is a slowburn 🌶
The phacing felt slow at first and got really going towards the end. This is the first book and the ending is evil, imo. Hopefully we'll get the second book sooner.
Review of advance copy
HJ did her big one with this!
I loved this ARC so much.
The blend of cyberpunk and dystopian vibes, with a little bit of Tron and Altered Carbon energy mixed in, was everything I needed. The writing was immersive and detailed, but never in a way that felt overwhelming. I was completely pulled into the world from the start and didn’t want to leave.
The chemistry between the FMC and MMC was absolutely insane. Every time they were on the page together, I found myself holding my breath and needing to know what would happen next.
And can we talk about the fact that I somehow ended up loving a dark data daddy? Because I was not prepared for that. Also, don’t ask me to choose between Kael and Ash because I genuinely can’t.
This book had action, tension, romance, and a world that kept me hooked the entire time. I had such a great time reading it and would absolutely recommend it
I loved this ARC so much.
The blend of cyberpunk and dystopian vibes, with a little bit of Tron and Altered Carbon energy mixed in, was everything I needed. The writing was immersive and detailed, but never in a way that felt overwhelming. I was completely pulled into the world from the start and didn’t want to leave.
The chemistry between the FMC and MMC was absolutely insane. Every time they were on the page together, I found myself holding my breath and needing to know what would happen next.
And can we talk about the fact that I somehow ended up loving a dark data daddy? Because I was not prepared for that. Also, don’t ask me to choose between Kael and Ash because I genuinely can’t.
This book had action, tension, romance, and a world that kept me hooked the entire time. I had such a great time reading it and would absolutely recommend it
Review of advance copy received from Author
I had the pleasure of ARC reading GlitchBorn Heart by HJ Spence, and this futuristic dystopian novel did not disappoint! I was completely immersed from the very beginning, and the world building was incredible. The fusion of the magic system and technology was beyond creative, and I simply couldn't get enough of this futuristic world and society. The characters were strong, memorable, and left a lasting impression that will now live rent free in my head. A dark data daddy... say less! This book is packed with adventure, mystery, romance, and enough action to keep you turning the pages late into the night. As a debut novel, GlitchBorn Heart absolutely delivers! If you love unforgettable dystopian, cyberpunk worlds with unique magic, compelling characters, and nonstop excitement, this book is for you. I highly recommend picking this one up!
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC Review 🖤
There’s something about a love story that isn’t supposed to exist…
especially when it’s built inside a system designed to destroy her.
Glitchborn Heart pulled me straight into a neon-drenched world of control, chaos, and obsession—and I didn’t want out.
Lyra is sharp, emotional, and unapologetically strong.
Kael? Cold, calculated, and dangerously easy to fall for.
The tension is immediate.
The chemistry is addictive.
And the concept? Her soul trapped inside his AI system… yeah, I was hooked.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
💖💖💖💖🖤
And that ending…
I’m still sitting here like—
“…excuse me?? what just happened?”
🎧 The Spotify playlist is PERFECT for this book—every chapter hits harder with it.
Dark. Twisted. Emotional. Completely addictive
There’s something about a love story that isn’t supposed to exist…
especially when it’s built inside a system designed to destroy her.
Glitchborn Heart pulled me straight into a neon-drenched world of control, chaos, and obsession—and I didn’t want out.
Lyra is sharp, emotional, and unapologetically strong.
Kael? Cold, calculated, and dangerously easy to fall for.
The tension is immediate.
The chemistry is addictive.
And the concept? Her soul trapped inside his AI system… yeah, I was hooked.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
💖💖💖💖🖤
And that ending…
I’m still sitting here like—
“…excuse me?? what just happened?”
🎧 The Spotify playlist is PERFECT for this book—every chapter hits harder with it.
Dark. Twisted. Emotional. Completely addictive
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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