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Destiny or Defeat: Book One of The Last Descendants
376 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 19, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 17, 2026
what a captivating debut! readers are immediately plunged into a vivid and immersive fantasy world, brimming with magic, betrayal, and political intrigue. i adored the characters and each of their arcs, and seeing them through to the end left a little piece of my heart broken with them.
i had a very few issues while reading; there were parts of the character development and relationships that i wanted to slow down a bit; some of it felt a bit too rushed, and i think expanding on those relationships would have given the characters and story even more depth than it already had. mainly, i wanted more; more world building, more character lore, more expansive dynamics. i was eating up every single character interaction, and i yearn for more.
overall, i really enjoyed this as a debut and can’t wait to keep up with this author ☺️
** free e-arc provided by the author in exchange for an honest review - thank you! **
i had a very few issues while reading; there were parts of the character development and relationships that i wanted to slow down a bit; some of it felt a bit too rushed, and i think expanding on those relationships would have given the characters and story even more depth than it already had. mainly, i wanted more; more world building, more character lore, more expansive dynamics. i was eating up every single character interaction, and i yearn for more.
overall, i really enjoyed this as a debut and can’t wait to keep up with this author ☺️
** free e-arc provided by the author in exchange for an honest review - thank you! **
June 14, 2026
I received an ARC from the author - thank you! This was the first ARC I have ever been asked to read and boy did I get lucky with this one. Destiny or Defeat is so good!!
The dedication alone had me hooked. The writing was amazing and the vocabulary was strong without sounding out of place. I have found myself to be quite picky over word choice and Racquel Sims has a proficiency in using elevated vocabulary in such natural ways.
The world building in this book was top tier. I was engaged the whole time and could really picture myself being in the story almost like I was watching a movie.
The action and trials and tribulations were perfect, the characters were complex, the story was fresh and entertaining. Overall I highly recommend this book. I cannot wait for the next book!!
The dedication alone had me hooked. The writing was amazing and the vocabulary was strong without sounding out of place. I have found myself to be quite picky over word choice and Racquel Sims has a proficiency in using elevated vocabulary in such natural ways.
The world building in this book was top tier. I was engaged the whole time and could really picture myself being in the story almost like I was watching a movie.
The action and trials and tribulations were perfect, the characters were complex, the story was fresh and entertaining. Overall I highly recommend this book. I cannot wait for the next book!!
June 19, 2026
**ARC READER**
Destiny or Defeat: Book One of The Last Descendants is a beautifully written fantasy that draws readers into a richly imagined, war-torn continent filled with magic, ancient gods, and unforgettable characters. The author's vivid world-building and diverse cast create an immersive experience, while the story weaves together themes of destiny, sacrifice, and the unlikely bonds forged in the fight to save their home. Despite the depth of its world and lore, the narrative is easy to follow and immediately engaging. An excellent debut novel that leaves readers eager to discover what comes next in the series.
Destiny or Defeat: Book One of The Last Descendants is a beautifully written fantasy that draws readers into a richly imagined, war-torn continent filled with magic, ancient gods, and unforgettable characters. The author's vivid world-building and diverse cast create an immersive experience, while the story weaves together themes of destiny, sacrifice, and the unlikely bonds forged in the fight to save their home. Despite the depth of its world and lore, the narrative is easy to follow and immediately engaging. An excellent debut novel that leaves readers eager to discover what comes next in the series.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I recieved an ARC of this book for free and this is my honest, voluntary review. I thoroughly enjoyed my time diving into this world. There is great tension written into the pages, some really interesting characters, and a dash of romance.
Its fade to black and the start to the series-so if you are like me, youll make it to the end and realize you have to wait for the next one and panic a little. There were a few scenes I wished for more, but only because I felt so invested in what was happening that leaving it was hard.
Its fade to black and the start to the series-so if you are like me, youll make it to the end and realize you have to wait for the next one and panic a little. There were a few scenes I wished for more, but only because I felt so invested in what was happening that leaving it was hard.
Review of advance copy
I received an ARC from the author. This story takes place in a world filled with magic and a unique cast of characters that draw you in from the start. As I was reading, I found myself wanting to know more and more about this world and its history. I’m typically a person that struggles with books in multiple POVs, but the author developed each character with their own distinct voice, and I never had to go back to remember who’s point of view I was reading. Overall, I strongly recommend this book and I am incredibly excited to see how this series develops!
June 27, 2026
I was on the hunt to read a fantasy book that was fresh and new. With the author allowing us into the minds and emotions of multiple characters- I was HOOKED. the magic system is new and refreshing. The yearning between characters and the friendships formed made me reaching for the next page. I’m so glad I chose to read this novel- and for someone’s first debut novel the author does a phenomenal job creating the story and world for us. I’m eager to read more from this author as she publishes more!
July 10, 2026
Thank you to Library Thing for the free early review copy!
I really enjoyed this!
(3.75)
The characters absolutely stole my heart, I love them all so much! I really liked the main conflict, and the fantasy creatures were scary in the best way. I feel that where this book lacked was in the romance; I felt that it happened very quickly and I didn’t feel a whole lot of emotional chemistry between them. I would love to read more from this author, and I would recommend this!
I really enjoyed this!
(3.75)
The characters absolutely stole my heart, I love them all so much! I really liked the main conflict, and the fantasy creatures were scary in the best way. I feel that where this book lacked was in the romance; I felt that it happened very quickly and I didn’t feel a whole lot of emotional chemistry between them. I would love to read more from this author, and I would recommend this!
May 26, 2026
Okay, this is my friend’s debut so I might be a smidge biased, but the ending to this one… wow! Sims delivered. It’s sword and sorcery with a fade-to-black romantic subplot full of tension and a killer cliffhanger. If you like tv shows like Merlin and Legend of the Seeker or book series like Throne of Glass or Realm Breaker, give this one a try.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews