A Particular Boy Among Air Particles

Particular Boy #1

by Irvin Embalsado

How does one discover a magic system? Perhaps it's in the air a person breathes, if that person is as curious as a sixteen-year-old boy who explored the world by reading books in his wardrobe.

For most of his life, Cielo’s only view of the world came from the books he read inside his wardrobe. A closeted noble heir expected to inherit a future chosen for him, he has long dreamed of seeing what lies beyond the borders of his homeland. When unexplained tremors begin spreading across his ever-so-stable world called The Shell, a journal written by a dead explorer suggests the answers may lie beyond the sea, toward Ruin: a peculiar continent so out of place that no one understands why it exists at all. Determined to investigate, Cielo escapes home and embarks on a voyage where a handsome yet enigmatic traveler named O.G. unfathomably appears aboard his boat, completely dry after emerging from the open sea. The farther Cielo travels, the more he realizes that the world’s greatest mysteries may be tied to secrets hidden within the air itself, and the more he asks himself: who The Shell is O.G.?

Whatever happens, do not miss Chapter 48.

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A Particular Boy Among Air Particles is a fantasy adventure with a heart, a slow-burn mystery for readers who enjoy unraveling discoveries piece by piece while following a young man searching for his place in a wider world. The curious will be rewarded.

The novel combines the sense of wonder and discovery found in Brandon Sanderson’s Tress of the Emerald Sea with the gradual unveiling of larger truths reminiscent of Mistborn, while carrying some of the understated emotional tension present in T.J. Klune’s The House in the Cerulean Sea. Readers may also recognize influences from Avatar: The Last Airbender and Xenoblade Chronicles in the worldbuilding.

Story by Irvin Embalsado
Cover Illustration and Interior Design by Ali R.

Genres: Fantasy, Queer Fantasy

367 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 25, 2026

About the author

Irvin Embalsado is a queer Filipino fantasy author, a member of the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA), and a registered author with the Philippines’ National Book Development Board (NBDB).

A board-certified chemist and theater enthusiast, he discovered his love of storytelling through writing short stories and poetry in his youth. He later brought that passion to the stage, performing lead roles in several university theater productions before pursuing a career in laboratory and corporate work.

While pursuing his MBA in the Netherlands, he found time to read more widely and rekindled his passion for writing. His return to fiction began with his debut fantasy novel, A Particular Boy Among Air Particles , peaking at No. 6 in Cozy Fantasy on Amazon India and No. 14 in Coming-of-Age Fantasy on Amazon Italy. The novel has since become available through major retailers globally, including Barnes & Noble and Walmart.

Reviews

[Stress Reader]

A Particular Boy Among Air Particles ARC Review 


⭐⭐⭐⭐✨✨ 4.71, rounded up


🎼Eclipse by Delta


I stumbled onto this book on Reddit (r/NetgalleyCommunity). This sub is both amazing and terrible - amazing because it helps me find books like this as well as books I'm desperate to read that pop up as 'Read Now.' Terrible because it's singlehandedly obliterated my Netgalley ratio, repeatedly. 😅


📓 Some fantasy novels throw reads straight into war, while others invite them to wonder first. A Particular Boy Among Air Particles by Irvin Embalsado chooses the latter, weaving a story fueled by curiosity, quiet courage, and the irresistible desire to explore the unknown. With a coming of age heart, a slowly unfolding magical mystery, and a world that feels both whimsical and meticulously constructed, this debut captures the same sense of awe as classic adventure fantasies while carving out an identity wholly its own. If you love stories where discovery is every bit as thrilling as the destination, this is one you'll want to read. 


Overall, A Particular Boy Among Air Particles feels like it sits at the intersection of epic adventure and cozy fantasy: a story driven less by battles than by curiosity, friendship, and the joy of uncovering how a beautifully imagined world truly works with a thoughtful blend of wonder, mystery, and heartfelt exploration. 


✨ I loved the title from the moment I first saw it, but now that I know what I know - seriously, the title is genius. 


📘 Sixteen year old Cielo has spent years fascinated by the journal of the only explorer to cross the seas separating the world's isolated continents. When mysterious tremors threaten the stability of his home, he abandons the future others have planned for him and embarks on an impossible journey toward the nescience, perilous continent known only as Ruin. Along the way, strange companions, hidden truths, and a magic system women into the very air challenges everything he thought he knew about his world. And himself. 


"Will he find a way to get there in time? Well. Perhaps don’t hold your breath."


🫵🏼 A Particular Boy Among Air Particles is for readers who enjoy:

• fantasy that gradually grows to epic scale and almost has an air of cozy to it

• character-driven coming of age stories

• exploration, ancient mysteries, and hidden civilizations

• gentle humor balanced with emotional depth

• softly unfolding LGBTQIA+ rep 

• adventure games and/or animated series like Avatar: The Last Airbender and Castle in the Sky. 


✨ LGBTQIA+ rep could be me overthinking or seeing something that isn't there as it isn't stated explicitly as far as I can recall. 


❓QOTD: 


❗AOTD: 


📖 Plot 5/5

I love that the novel focuses on discovery, exploration, and unraveling the mysteries of the world. Leaning the magic system as Cielo does was fun and interesting. I enjoyed that embraced the adventure-driven structure and found it rewarding. It creates an exciting sense of wonder as Cielo explores and discovers the world at large. The mystery unfolds naturally as the stakes gradually increase. I loved the feeling of discovery with each new thing or area Cielo visits or learns.


📘 Themes, Metaphors, & Deeper Meaning 5/5

At its heart, the novel explores curiosity vs fear, growing beyond the expectations placed upon us, identity, the pursuit of knowledge, environmental balance, human connection, and how history shapes the present. It discusses how even seemingly insignificant (to the world as a whole) people can change the entire world. It's rich with symbolism (ha, once you read it you can't help but notice symbols) and the themes emerge organically. I adore that the emotions resonanate without becoming preachy and that it manages to keep an optimistic tone despite the dangers. I enjoyed the subtle metaphors, but I can see some readers preferring them to be more overt. 


✍🏼 Prose 4.5/5

Embalsado writes with an almost lyrical, almost whimsical style that emphasizes atmosphere and imagination. It offten lingers on richly imagined scenery, emotions, and wonder. 


I loved the beautiful descriptions, dreamlike atmosphere, immersive imagery, and sense of almost child-like wonder that matures alongside the protagonist. I love that it matures as the protagonist does - that heightened the immersion for me. 


My only qualm was a bit of repetition here and there. 


✨ I have aphantasia (no ability to picture things in my mind - it's just a empty void when I try). Embalsado often details character actions in a way that works wonderfully for me - but I can see people who are able to picture things not enjoying this aspect like I did. 


🎙️ Dialogue 4.5/5

I thoroughly enjoyed the the dialogue. There's some excellent banter. I especially loved the dry, sardonic sense of humor that tinges it at times. It tends to be more thoughtful than dramatic. Characters often discuss ideas, dreams, and discoveries more than exchange rapid-fire banter (which fits the characters and story well). I love that their conversations feel sincere and emotional moments feel genuine. 


I would've loved for the side/supporting characters to have a bit more distinction in their voices. 


⏳ Pacing 4.5/5


Deliberately measured pacing that's on thoughtful, immersive, and a bit on the slow side, and feels rewarding. Rather than hurtling from one action scene to the next, the story unfolds like an expedition with each new place, discovery, and conversation gradually revealing a larger picture. The emphasis is on exploration, mystery, and character growth, which encouraged me to linger in the world (rather than rush through it). I loved the steady sense of discovery and that chapter by chapter we learn more pieces of the world's history, geography, and magic. It made the exploration itself feel rewarding. The 'journey before destination' approach takes its time building emotional investment before raising the stakes. I love that the quieter moments deepen both the world and the characters - it makes later developments more impactful. The momentum is consistently forward. There's often a new mystery, location, or revelation pulling the story forward. 


The beginning was a tiny bit on the slow side. I was interested, but not quite invested the first few chapters or so. There were a couple of occasions where descriptions and reflective passages slowed momentum. 


🗺️ Worldbuilding 5/5

This aspect is a highlight of the novel. It's grand in scope, well developed and richly imagined. 


Initially, we're focused on a small part of a world (one continent out of 6). But within a few chapters, the world expands greatly and continues to do so throughout. Every new location introduces fresh cultures, mysteries, geography, and history.


I love that we explore and learn the world and its rich geography alongside Cielo. In the same way, we learn ancient lore and history. These things combined with adventure ste storytelling lead to organic, immersive worldbuilding. The world feels old and lived in. 


🔮 Magic 5/5

The magic system is well built and explained. It's deeply connected to the world's natural laws and revealed gradually through exploration. It's not quite a hard nor soft magic system, sitting somewhere in the middle. Magic use has rational, realistic consequences from using it. 


I love that the magic is unique (to me, at least, as I've never read magic like this) and feels integrated into the worlds ecology. I love that the discovery of magic mirrors Cielo's journey and consistent internal logic. 


👥 Characters 4.5/5

Cielo is a compelling, relatable protagonist whose greatest strength is his curiosity. His growth feels earned. Much of the novel focuses on how travel, friendship, and discovery gradually reshape his worldview. I love that we get strong friendships, emotional growth that feels natural, and character development driven by experience (rather than trauma). 


Supporting characters have each contribute meaningfully to the journey, though some receive more development than others. Their arcs are more subtle than Cielo's, which I think works well. 


I would've loved for some side characters to be a bit more developed, a bit more page time. I do wonder if the side characters were intentionally limited in order to ensure the focus stayed on the main character - Cielo. Regardless, I would've like just a touch more development of them. 


📚 Read if you enjoyed:


BIPOC Comps

Green Bone Saga (Fonda Lee)

The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi (SA Chakraborty)

The Jasmine Throne (Tasha Suri)

Legendborn (Tracy Deonn)

A Master of Djinn (P. Djèlí Clark)

Raybearer (Jordan Ifueko)


Queer Comps 

The Sunbearer Trials (Aiden Thomas)

Witchmark (CL Polk)

The House in the Cerulean Sea (TJ Klune)

The Lightning Struck Heaet (TJ Klune)

In Other Lands (Sarah Rees Brennan)

A Taste of Gold and Iron (Alexandra Rowland)


Indie Comps

The Fall Before Flight (Kristine Castillo Negron)

The Ore Monger (Zaid Hasan)

Of Hoarfrost and Blood (Scarlet Tempest)

The Devil's Apprentice (Kenneth B Andersen)

To Touch a Silent Fury (RA Sandpiper)

Gift of the Shaper (DL Jennings) ✨I think this one is indie but I'm not 100% sure


Trad Pub Comps

Mistborn (Brandon Sanderson)

Tress of the Emerald Sea (BrandoSando)

The Wizard of Earthsea (Ursula K LeGuin)

The Girl who Drank the Moon (Kelly Barnhill)

The Bone Ships (RJ Barker)

The Lies of Locke Lamora (Scott Lynch)



Thank you to Irvin Embalsado, Amazon KDP, and @netgalley for the opportunity to read this eARC. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and freely given.

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author has set out, I think, to produce a book in somewhat the style of Brandon Sanderson. The difference is that while Sanderson's worldbuilding always has some off-the-wall aspect to it, he always manages to make that difference, and the rest of their world, feel plausible, while this one never achieved that as far as I was concerned.

It's set on a very small world. There are six landmasses, described as "continents," but the smallest of them can be seen all at once from a hot air balloon, and they're no more than a day's boat journey apart, so to my mind they would be better described as an archipelago of islands. (I live on a moderately large island. You can't remotely see all of it at once even from a high-flying aeroplane.) The boat in which Cielo, the protagonist, tours this world is a lifeboat from a larger vessel, but carries enough fuel to get to all the "continents." Why would this be, when nobody ever visits another "continent" because each society has everything it needs locally, and a lifeboat would only ever need to get back the short distance to its home "continent," and for that matter there are never incidents at sea that would even require a lifeboat? The only answer I can think of is "so the story can happen," which is never a good answer.

What's more, those societies themselves make little sense. One, for example, has a decaying punk-rock city in which people seem to spend most of their time high and either listening to music or driving round in "smoke-belchers." There's no indication of how food, or drugs, or smoke-belchers, or amplifiers, or electric guitars, or lights are produced, or by whom, but maybe it just all happens offstage (literally). Oh, there is an indication of how some food is obtained: they eat rats. On skewers.

All of the societies seem cartoonish and incomplete, despite the assertion that all of them have everything they need without each other. This assertion, by the way, is delivered in infodump by an intrusive narrator who sometimes speaks directly to the reader, but who then mostly takes a step back for the rest of the book. The bulk of the narrative is indistinguishable from close third person following Cielo, except when it suddenly hops into the head of his friend O.G. briefly. There are a number of instances of what would, in close third person, be POV violations, such as casually naming cultural features that the writer and the readers would recognise but Cielo should not, or naming characters he meets before they introduce themselves.

The worldbuilding wasn't the only part that didn't make sense to me, either. There were multiple moments when I thought there was an obvious action for Cielo to take - such as teaching his parents to heal so that the whole weight didn't fall on his shoulders - but he doesn't, I assume because the predetermined plot and the idea of him as a lone hero took precedence.

We do eventually learn why this world is like it is, and it then kind of makes sense, but it's still pretty fanciful, and I didn't buy in. Still, the characters are just appealing enough, and the emotional beats strong enough, that the story held together and kept my interest, even if it reminded me more of Alice in Wonderland or the Phantom Tollbooth than Tress of the Emerald Sea.

The Netgalley pre-publication version I had was also reasonably well edited, apart from missing the past perfect tense occasionally when talking about something that had happened before the narrative moment.

It does have strengths, but for me they're outweighed by the inconsistent POV and the implausible worldbuilding, and it ends up at three stars.

[cyra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Uhhh I don't want to be mean here, which is crazy because usually I just say whatever I want, but for this one I'll try my very best to be nice.

A Particular Boy Among Air Particles follows Cielo, a young boy who's very curious about the world, as he journeys around the small world of The Shell in search for the reason why there are unprecedented tremors forming in his land. He also really likes breathing. Super cool.

The world, as a concept, was very fascinating. The problem was that I struggled to get into it. I think, to enjoy this book, you really have to just shut off your brain and accept that this is just how things are in this funky fantasy land. The question of why this world works the way it does eventually get resolved, but hmm. I wasn't super convinced by it.

The writing was plain and formulaic, relying on telling rather than showing. It was also extremely repetitive, to the point where it felt a little insulting to my intelligence. Information that I already knew very, very well was rehashed to me quite often. The novelty of exploring the world wore off really quickly for me so I spent most of the book being very bored. Cielo and O.G. also weren't very memorable imo. Like they're cool, and I probably don't want them to die? But that's the extent of my feelings towards them.

The author clearly loved writing the book, so I hope other people will enjoy it, too. It just wasn't for me.

Early on during my read through I made some joke about O.G. being a Gen Z that transported into Cielo's world. It's so crazy that it's almost true.

Thank you NetGalley and Amazon KDP for this ARC; all thoughts are my own.

[ReadingIsFun · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this story. There were parts that made me a bit too excited, so I flew through the pages a bit too fast and missed a few finer details along the way, though... I think. That is purely down to my own excitement, not the author's writing. I thought the story was well-written and engaging. Thought I read it on Kindle Unlimited, so I wanted to order a paperback and take my time to absorb every detail.
I hope the story gets adapted into a movie or an animated series one day.

[Virouet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Irvin Embalsado, Amazon KDP, and NetGalley for this eArc.

I've given this book a 3.5 rating.

The story has a really interesting premise and a unique magic system that to me stood out as fresh and new. Exciting new abilities through controlled breathing and (almost) meditation, count me in - if only it worked in real life too! Cielo as a character is a little detached at first, but as I read along his personality became clearer and he grew on me, I was very much rooting for him towards the end! OG was a little harder to get a read on, but that was intentional by the author - I would have loved to have gotten to know him a bit better though!

The parts where this book feel a bit short for me was the pacing, and some details that took me out of the reading experience. I'll try my best to explain while keeping it as free of spoilers as I can below.

The pacing at the start is a bit slow, with the better portion spent on detailing Cielo's reading habits - I think the first couple of chapters would have hooked me faster if they were tidied up a little bit. When things start happening and Cielo sets out on his quest the pacing is better, and the lulls between events more spread out. When I got near the ending I thought the quest had been a couple of weeks long based on all the skills and information Cielo learnt along the way, only to find out it the story happened over much shorter period - and this brings me to the details

Cielo's world is a world within a world. Similar to Whoville on the snowflake, where time moves faster. This however is never introduced as a natural part of the plot at the start. Instead the story is paused towards the end and this detail about the world/plot is directly explained to the reader by the author. This took me out of the reading experience entirely. The science behind the world was really interesting, and I think it would have benefitted the story greatly if the world lore was introduced at the very start by the characters themselves. It would still support and enhance the narrative and mysteries Cielo tries to solve, and (in my opinion) also make the reveal of another major character's origin more impactful.

The story is told through Cielo's perspective, we have insight into his thoughts and what he thinks about the happenings and people around him. On two occasions earlier on (I think) we suddenly get insight into one line of thought from OG, and not until towards the end is there a larger part from his perspective. These early parts would work better if he whispered them out of earshot instead, as it was a bit jarring to suddenly switch perspective for only a sentence or so. I also think that reading more from OG's perspective would have made the growing attraction between him and Cielo build more naturally, as it feels a bit onesided and surface-level through Cielo's eyes alone.

All in all I think this is a very promising debut, and look forward to reading more from the author!

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story seems to be written with a lot of care and attention to detail, like the author really wanted to communicate his exact vision. And that's a very respectable undertaking, but it doesn't always make for great readability. There's a focus on introducing the world, the geography, the culture, before ever truly introducing our character. There's no contextual anchor to help the reader place these details in relation to the person we're supposed to follow along with.

I've read (and put down) enough fantasy books to know there's absolutely a demographic that will love the immediate and thorough world-building, as well as the precise descriptions about character actions (things like "he did a, b, c" rather than a simple "he tossed and turned"). Truly, the story reads more like a script that was adapted to book format, but someone missed the part where the reader's imagination is meant to have a role in the process.

I admire the author's obvious love for his story. I imagine there's no small amount of difficulty in letting go of a narrative just enough to make room for the reader's collaboration, trusting them to see what you see.

I appreciate the opportunity to read an advance copy from NetGalley, and despite this book not being my cup of tea, I look forward to seeing what comes next.

[Anjali Ok]

A Particular Boy Among Air Particles is one of those books that rewards curiosity. Following Cielo's journey beyond the world he knows, the story unfolds as a slow-burn adventure filled with exploration, discovery, and a growing sense of wonder. I particularly enjoyed how each new place revealed another piece of the larger mystery, making me feel as though I was travelling alongside him. And O.G.? Easily my favourite character. Every appearance added a spark to the story and kept me eager to turn the page.

This isn't a book that rushes to its destination. The pacing is deliberate, and there were moments when I wished certain aspects of the worldbuilding were explored more deeply. Yet, as the pieces gradually came together, the story became increasingly rewarding. What stayed with me after finishing wasn't just the twists or revelations, but the feeling of venturing into the unknown. If you enjoy coming-of-age fantasies that value wonder, curiosity, and discovery over constant action, this is a journey worth taking. 📚✨

[Cass · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

I received a free e-arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest opinion.

This is a very creative and unique book, and I enjoyed every second of it. I really loved this world and exploring it with Cielo. Everything was thoroughly explained but I wish we got more time on each continent. Honestly I would read a sequel of Hankxr's journey just to see more of it.

The side characters were also very fun to read. While a little one dimensional at times (though I believe that was intentional) they were still unique people in themselves and presented different situations throughout the book.

Despite being an amazing book, the storytelling is a little heavy handed at times, and I think another pass with an editor might have helped. As it is, while overall very good there are a couple sections where it instead feels like the author does not trust his audience to put together clues themselves. I did like how much background this gave in a straightforward way, however it was just too much, and I feel like he could have gone about it another way.

While rated as New Adult I do believe that it can be read and enjoyed by a YA and adult audience as well, as there was nothing that would inherently make it for an older audience.

Overall this book is definitely worth the read, and I'm looking forward to seeing what Embalsado writes next.

[a r u s h i · Rating 3 out of 5]

i received an arc copy of a particular boy among air particles by Irvin Embalsado and first of all, a huge thank you to the author and publisher for the opportunity to read and review it.

this was a bit of a slow-burn experience for me. i have to admit that it took me a while to fully connect with the story and its characters. for the first half, i found myself appreciating the worldbuilding and atmosphere more than feeling emotionally invested in where the plot was heading. it wasn’t until around the 50–60% mark that i became genuinely eager to know what would happen next and found myself turning the pages much faster.

what stood out most to me was the atmosphere. the world feels vast, mysterious, and carefully constructed, with a sense of wonder woven through its landscapes, history, and discoveries. there is a quiet, reflective quality to the storytelling that gives the book a distinctive feel. rather than relying on constant action, it takes its time exploring its characters, relationships, and the questions at the heart of the story.

cielo was probably the character i found myself gravitating toward the most. i enjoyed watching his journey unfold, and i appreciated how many of the relationships in this book felt warm. there are some lovely character moments scattered throughout the story that gave the world a sense of heart and humanity.

personally, i felt the pacing remained fairly steady throughout. there are certainly moments of tension, excitement, and emotional highs and lows, but overall the story maintained a more measured rhythm rather than a dramatic rollercoaster. whether that works for you will depend on what you enjoy as a reader.

i think readers who love immersive fantasy, thoughtful worldbuilding, character driven journeys, and stories that slowly reveal their secrets will likely get the most out of this one. if you’re looking for a quieter fantasy that focuses on discovery, relationships, and a sense of wonder rather than nonstop action, this may be worth adding to your tbr.

overall, while it took me some time to fully settle into the story, i ended up appreciating the imagination behind the world, the heart of its characters, and the themes woven throughout the narrative. definitely one for readers who enjoy taking their time with a fantasy world and letting it unfold at its own pace.

[Kokechii · Rating 3 out of 5]

I admit I absolutely misread the pub date when requesting this on NetGalley as I usually like to give myself time to read requested books. So the email that the book came out surprised me and made me dive in.

It's a solid 3.5 stars for me and mostly due to my own personal reading tastes. People have likened this to Sanderson's work, but as someone who has recently started one of his books for the first time, the thing that bothered me with Sanderson bothered me here: the narrator addressing us. Ages ago when I read books like that I liked it, but nowadays it bothers me because it pulls me out of the universe I'm in and slams me back into reality, breaking the immersion. I'm well aware it's my own personal hangup and that there are readers out there that really like this style but it did impact my enjoyment.

By not knowing Sanderson and his worlds, the feeling I got from this while reading it was that of the smaller or bigger glimpses we see in the works of Shinichiro Watanabe, anime director (Cowboy Bebop, Space Dandy etc.). The worldbuilding mostly greatly reminded me of his works so my mind imagined certain places and people in a comic-anime style in my head, just making them more vivid. Personally I think the worldbuilding is the strongest point of this book and while there are maybe some parts missing, you can see the imagination and care the author took in creating it.

The pacing was also an issue with me, I felt myself dragging a bit to the 50-55% of the book but then once it picks up, it really picks up and pays off. I loved the vibes in this, the entire atmosphere, the worldbuilding and Cielo. I loved diving into this as something completely new in the idea of the story and the mystery, but I will admit I didn't fully connect so some emotional beats didn't hit as they were supposed to.

In any case, I would recommend this for reading if you like interesting worldbuilding and magic systems set in a cozy fantasy and coming of age story. I would also just like to say how much I love the title!

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions expressed in this review are voluntary and my own.

[IU_read · Rating 4 out of 5]

~3.8 stars~

First of all I would to say thank you to Irvin (Author) for this Arc.

Fantasy is my main genre so Im really excited when i received this book. At first I thought this book just simple adventure of 16 year old boy who "run" from home to investigate earthquakes. I like Cielo character and O.G is another great character. However, I have an issue where im not a fan of too many characters which made this story is hard to follow.

I mean, initially there a little bit of too many characters introduced and it was hard for me to catch up. Sometimes there is also lack of chemistry between the other characters and kinda feel a bit out of place. This my personal opinion, because i prefer less characters initially so it would be easy for me to read. I also feels that, at the initial world building continents is you know kinda small? limited? im not sure how to describe but i feels its not worth it for Cielo to travel because of that. This might be due my mindset because i really have big expectation for this book so when the continents describe feels very small of islands, it makes me felt a bit off to me.

This is a slow book but after 60% the world building story start come together, well i mean make sense. But there is a some of "holes/questions" that need to fill in here, you know what i mean if you read this book. Some of them doesnt make sense, it just happen because it kinda need to.

BUT I'm glad i chose to finish this book because it get interesting half of the book. I finish this within two days which is quite fast for me and i thought if there is 2nd book, this can broaden the world building to other continents. Some people compare this to Brandon Sanderson series and Alice in wonderland but for me, this is more to Peter Pan vibes. Its not about the magical but I feel "The shell" is kinda look like of the island from the movie.


Will i reread this book? No
Will i read the 2nd book (if got new book)? Yes
Do i recommend this book? Yes only if you read slow burn cozy fantasy

[readwithsamy · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐ 4.5/5

This book surprised me in the best way.

At first, I thought I was picking up a simple adventure story about a boy who dreams of exploring the world beyond his home. What I found instead was a thoughtful coming-of-age journey filled with discovery, curiosity, and some incredibly creative world-building.

Cielo was easy to root for. His love for exploration and desire to understand the world around him made his journey engaging from start to finish. I enjoyed watching him step outside of what was familiar and experience new places, people, and ideas.

One of the strongest aspects of this book is its world-building. Each continent feels distinct, and I loved uncovering new details alongside the characters. The author introduces concepts gradually, allowing the bigger picture to come together over time. There were several moments where I found myself connecting earlier details and appreciating how much thought had gone into the world.

I also enjoyed the themes of curiosity, learning, and finding your own path rather than simply following someone else’s footsteps. Those ideas remained consistent throughout the story and gave the adventure a deeper meaning.

The pacing was slower in some sections, and it took me a little while to fully understand where the story was heading, but once everything started connecting, I became much more invested in the journey.

Overall, this was a unique and imaginative read that blends adventure, discovery, and thoughtful world-building in a memorable way.

Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy. All thoughts are my own.

[Bhawna Jha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Halfway through this book, I remember being surprised by how much I was enjoying it. Now that I’ve finished it, I can confidently say that it exceeded my expectations.

The story follows Celio, a boy who dreams of exploring the world beyond the one he knows. Having grown up reading the journals of a legendary voyager who sailed across distant continents, documenting everything he encountered, Celio becomes fascinated with the unknown. When life around him begins to unravel, he decides to embark on a journey of his own towards the farthest and most mysterious inhabited continent, a place about which very little is known.
I won’t say much more because discovering the story for yourself is part of the experience. What I can say is that the premise is wonderfully imaginative, and the way the plot unfolds kept me invested throughout. Every new revelation made the world feel larger and more intriguing.
What I appreciated most was the sense of wonder and adventure woven into the narrative. The author gradually expands the story in ways I didn’t anticipate, making the journey feel rewarding from beginning to end.

If you’re someone who enjoys adventure, exploration, mystery, and imaginative world-building, I would definitely recommend picking this up. It’s one of those books that starts with curiosity and ends by leaving you with plenty to think about.

A thoroughly enjoyable read.
☺️😍😁

[M.T. Groom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Debut novel, and you can tell in both the good and bad ways.

The good first. The premise is lovely. A boy who has only seen the world through books read inside a wardrobe, then suddenly on a boat heading for the one place his world does not explain. Cielo is easy to like. Not annoyingly brave, just curious, which suits the book. O.G. turning up bone dry in open water is a great hook and the author does not rush to answer it. The magic tied to air is the standout, revealed slowly, never dumped on you in a lecture. Chapter 48 does earn the hype in the blurb. Did not see it coming.

The world building is genuinely impressive for a first book. The Shell, Ruin, the whole geography of it, all clearly mapped out in the authors head long before he started writing.

Now the less good. The opening hundred pages are heavy going. A lot of setup, a lot of names, and the story does not really start until the boat leaves. I nearly gave up twice. The middle stretch at sea also drifts, fitting maybe, but a few chapters could of gone without losing anything. Some of the side characters never quite land either.

Comparisons to Sanderson are fair enough but do not go in expecting that level of polish. This is rougher. Its also more charming then most polished books manage.

Four stars. Worth sticking with past the slow start. Ill read the next one.

[thetbrdiaries_ · Rating 5 out of 5]

A particular boy among air particles is a story about Cielo, a young boy who belongs to the noble family of Xhasenthor.
He found a journal of Hankxr the only person who traveled around The Shell. The journal made Cielo curious about the other continents. The story unfolds the journey of Cielo around the shell. He discovers that different air particles in different countries allowed the nobles to do various things. But strange things were beginning to happen which were destroying The Shell and to protect it Cielo had to find out a way.


This genre is not something I usually read and didn't expect to like it much but surprisingly I did. The story held me captivated since the first chapter. I was just as curious as Cielo to find out what would happen in the next continent. I loved the character of OG. The plot had me completely hooked. I loved the fact that his parents understood the need at the end and helped him out. Also loved how the people of different continents were portrayed, how the continents were completely different from each other.

If you are looking for an out of the box read this one is for you.

[Ruth Cumberbatch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cielo is heir to the Noble House of his continent on a well ordered world. Five stable continents each with their Noble Houses, plus a sixth unlivable continent, Ruin. Cielo has read the journal of an explorer, and has always wanted to follow in his footsteps. When his stable world starts to shake Cielo steals a boat to travel to all of the other continents. He is accompanied by the mysterious O.G. who appeared on the boat out of nowhere. Cielo discovers that each continent gives him a different power, but the world is becoming much more unstable, and the answer lies in Ruin.

My first thought about this book was “strange title”, but in fact it is a brief summary of the story. So I could have skipped my summary when the author put it so much better.

It took me a little while for me to get into the book, but as soon as Cielo started on his journey I started to enjoy it. It has an interesting type of magic, and I loved the explanation of the air particles. I definitely recommend this book from a debut author.


I received an ARC which in no way affected my review.

[Alexander Arel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got an advance copy of this book from the author’s website. Reading the book was time well spent.

The book blends cozy fantasy and epic fantasy pretty seamlessly. It begins with a named Cielo, who journeys out to identify the root cause of the sudden earthquakes in the world. Along the way, he encounters a mysterious man named O.G., whom I believe is the standout character of the book. He’s charming, actually quite hilarious, and the truth about him was insane. Didn’t see it coming, to be perfectly honest.

Without giving much away, the worldbuilding is impressively distinct. The character and flavor of each continent is clear and wildly different from one another, and yet they are familiar to anyone who’s watched fantasy or anime growing up.

Much of the charm in this book is revealed at the end and it’s hard to describe it without spoiling. What I can say, however, is that the emotional journey going there was definitely worth the read.

[ameera · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! It was such a fun fantasy to get lost in. Cielo was so easy to root for. His curiosity about the world was honestly contagious, and I loved watching him go from reading about adventures in his wardrobe to finally going on one himself.
Then... this mysterious guy somehow appears on his boat. Completely dry. 😭 I spent the next several chapters asking the exact same thing as Cielo. Who is this man?!

One of my favorite things about this book was the world-building. The idea that each continent has its own air, and that learning how to breathe it in a certain way gives you a different ability, was so creative. Every time Cielo reached a new destination, I couldn't wait to see what made that place unique.

Then the ending happened...
"You were... the only friend I had. Thank you."
Yeah... that absolutely broke me.

Overall, A Particular Boy Among Air Particles is such a fun mix of adventure, mystery, discovery, and really creative world-building.

[Autummskies · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting magic system!! One of the more unique ones I’ve encountered. Overall, I enjoyed this character driven fantasy. It had a great coming-of-age story mixed in with the wonder of discovering a hidden magic system. Cielo was a sweet protagonist that you couldn’t help rooting for. I also enjoyed his friendship with O.G. a lot as I think they complimented each other well. I only wish there was more of them together!!

I did find chapter 48 a huge info dump that while it was interesting to read, it did halt the narrative a bit jarringly. This book is also tagged as a queer fantasy, however, other than a small hint of Cielo being queer, there was really no other queer elements to the story, which was a bit disappointing. If this does become a series, I do hope this gets explored more.

Overall, if you are looking for a slower coming-of-age character driven fantasy this is an interesting read!

Thank you to Netgalley and Amazon KDP for the ARC. All thoughts are my own.

[Saskia Veldhuis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very unusual and creative world, where Cielo is the first in a hundred years to visit the other continents of this world. While I really appreciated his journey and scientific way of figuring out how magic worked for him, it was occasionally difficult to make sense of the various places - the musical one for example - did they do anything but drugs, concerts and eating rats? Not all places felt as if they could exist without trade. I know this is fiction, but that was just a bit too much of a struggle. O.G. was a mystery from the start, and his true nature was really quite amazing. The last sentences and the cover are particularly beautiful.
Thanks for the advance copy via Booksprout, I am happy to leave a voluntary review.

[Elise Silleman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

A Particular Boy Among Air Particles is a slow burn fantasy read following a heir named Cielo who desires to see what the universe offers outside of his homeland. He escapes and goes on the adventure to discover more.

I really liked the beginning of this book and was reading on the edge of my seat, but it fell off when a bit after Cielo meeting up with Heart and Bones. I felt the story became very repetitive and when I think it’s progressing the same thing is mentioned again, just differently. This story has a lot of potential, but it just did not hold my attention throughout.

[Sarah Kerr · Rating 5 out of 5]

With its inventive premise and meticulous world-building, A Particular Boy Among Air Particles offers a refreshingly original take on fantasy. The author demonstrates a clear, deliberate hand, constructing a universe that feels both thoughtful and immersive. I was particularly impressed by the detailed mechanics behind the air particles, which showcase the care taken to realize this unique vision. It is a remarkable debut that signals a promising new voice in the genre.

[Roby Viteno · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got the ARC but also purchased the ebook. There were a few changes

There's so much to say about this book, but I want to highlight the twist at the end! So awesome, and I didn't expect a Sci-Fi twist. The story would have still been strong on its own, but having that foundation and reason behind the The Shell and the magic system was really brilliantly done

[Shaiju · Rating 5 out of 5]

Curiosity drew me into this novel, and the detailed world building kept me reading. Cielo is a likable protagonist, and the unfolding mystery is engaging without feeling rushed. The writing is polished, immersive, and rewarding for readers who enjoy thoughtful fantasy built around exploration and discovery.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this through an ARC from the author.

All I can say is wow! That twist at in the end was unexpected and I should’ve seen it coming as someone from a science background. I had to read back some chapters from a different perspective.

Absolutely well done!

[Saptaparna Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dammm.... This boook was way better than i expected. It was soo interesting and kept me hooked. I am soo grateful to get the opportunity to be an ARC reader.
And about the twist brooo i didn't except that. Loved loved it. Totally recommended.

[Gayathri · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Particular Boy Among Air Particles was a fun and imaginative adventure.
I loved following Cielo as he used Hankxr's journal to travel across six unique continents, meet new people, and uncover the mysteries of his world.
The friendship between Cielo and O.G. added warmth to the story, and the sense of exploration made me feel like I was travelling alongside them. I was also pleasantly surprised by the connection to the periodic table, which added a creative twist to the fantasy world.
A charming journey filled with adventure, friendship, discovery, and wonder.

[Krishnamika Rajput · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolute Banger Debut.
Please do give this one a read. The exploration of air particles, which provides magic. What a concept. 10/10 for this.

[Reena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! The highlight for me was the Cielo and O.G. dynamic. There was subtlety to their interactions but the way the author described it with physical gestures and simple facial expressions made their friendship feel so real.

[Nat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I posted this initially in NetGalley but it might be better to post it here too:

The story develops its own identity through its distinct continents and unique mystery (and an even more unique twist). Melo was a standout side character, and the reveal surrounding The Shell and O.G. genuinely caught me off guard. A fun fantasy adventure that wears its influences proudly while telling a story all its own.