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Legend of the Heirs #1
Butterflies That Never Die
In Leirianor, a land of shapeshifters, the Great Ladies of Death and Night once fought to the end for the throne. For thousands of years people have venerated them like goddesses, knowing that one day their Heirs would arrive to finish what they started.
In present times, seventeen-year-old Hannah Khoren uses her newfound powers to open a portal into Leirianor. Her plan is simple: find her missing best friend and return to her ordinary human life on Earth. But when Queen Arabella, assailed by fanatical rebels, discovers Hannah’s identity, she marks her as a threat that must be eliminated to protect her life… and her throne.
Hannah will have to untangle the web of intrigues woven around her and make allies out of enemies if she doesn’t want to end up dead. All while trying to control a blooming power that threatens to turn her into a monster. But if she wants to survive, she might have to turn into a monster anyways.
In present times, seventeen-year-old Hannah Khoren uses her newfound powers to open a portal into Leirianor. Her plan is simple: find her missing best friend and return to her ordinary human life on Earth. But when Queen Arabella, assailed by fanatical rebels, discovers Hannah’s identity, she marks her as a threat that must be eliminated to protect her life… and her throne.
Hannah will have to untangle the web of intrigues woven around her and make allies out of enemies if she doesn’t want to end up dead. All while trying to control a blooming power that threatens to turn her into a monster. But if she wants to survive, she might have to turn into a monster anyways.
- GenresFantasy
337 pages, Paperback
Published May 11, 2021
12 people are currently reading
311 people want to read
About the author
Aldara Thomas
3 books20 followersAldara Thomas grew up going back and forth between Madrid and Washington D.C. Butterflies That Never Die is her debut novel, the first in a fantasy trilogy.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
March 5, 2025
“The world is plagued by monsters, my dear. Don’t let fear of them take hold of you, for they can do you no harm. You are the moon, and all the beasts prowl at night.”
Sometimes first books are weak. Sometimes they’re well-intentioned, but simply lack some kind of je ne sais quoi. Sometimes they’re okay, but nothing to write home about. And sometimes… Sometimes you come across high-quality debuts, like miss Aldara Thomas’s “Butterflies That Never Die”, and have a hard time believing they are indie debuts at all.
In BTND we meet Hannah Khoren, who lost her parents and her memory at the age of seven. Lonely as her life can be at times, she can always rely on her friends Jessica and Margaret, at the Stone House boarding school. Things are starting to look dreadful as Hannah approaches her coming of age… But when Jessica gives her a magical necklace that sends Hannah to a completely different world, her birthday becomes the least of her concerns. Since Queen Arabella’s pyrrhic victory in the bloody civil war for the Throne of Bones, a few years ago, the Leirianensi people have been living in a perpetual state of unrest and tension, which has catalyzed a few assassination attempts already. And, although all Hannah wants is to return to her world, to her friends, soon enough her path crosses with Queen Arabella’s. The next chapter in the history of Leirianon is already written—and has Hannah’s name in it.
“They may have won one battle, but we have yet to lose a war.”
BTND was as beautiful and whimsical as its cover promised. Aldara’s Other World is brimming with magic and wonder. Being the huge fan of fantasy lore that I am, I found myself mesmerized by the Legend of the Heirs, the story about the Twelve Gods and Goddesses of Leirianon, and the magic inside each and every Leirianensi. In the Other World, everyone is born with a natural bond to an animal species, from which they obtain unique powers and into which they can shift thanks to their pendants. Fearsome Queen Arabella, for example, is better known as the Ice Serpent; whereas my cute boi Henry Bengal can shift into a tiger.
And when I say Henry is cute, I MEAN IT. In Hannah’s (and thus, Aldara’s) words, not mine:
“Henry was everything that was pure and good in that whole damn universe.”
Henry is the kind of smol bean you NEED to protect. And dear Lord, ain’t he sweet! But he isn’t the only character that made me swoon. There was Hannah, of course, who made me go all “YASSS” and “YOU GO” at all the right places. Then there was Alex Médoussa, a huuuge teddy bear I would hug anytime (except for when his hair turns pink. Not then. I don’t like electrocutions); Derek, my fave dark boy (Aldara, stop torturing him oml); and Queen Arabella! Although she can appear rather antagonistic at times, Arabella was my favourite. Right when you think you’ve got her figured out, she manages to surprise you and take your breath away. She’s smart. She’s got responsibilities. She’s the woman sitting on a throne claimed through death and blood, and she’s not taking any chances with those who would love to see chaos rise again. (Come on, she has survived more assassination attempts than all your US presidents together!) She’s a strong, level-headed ruler, as well as a young woman with a lot on her plate, and I simply adored her.
As one can tell from the 2039478 DMs I sent to Aldara, reacting to the story and her evil doings (no, I’m still not over Mario), the plot was also quite enjoyable and addictive! As I told her, I started reading the book and five seconds later, or so it seemed to me, I had already read 40 pages! WOW. Anyone able to get me so absorbed, taking into account my non-existent attention span, is definitely good! Some of the plot-twists made me scream and drop the Kindle, whereas some others made me tear up from the CUTENESS. (I’m still new to all of this ‘crying over books’ business, and it still takes me by surprise!)
<< “I doubt anyone wants me on the throne anymore. I’m a monster.”
Derek chuckled. “People often prefer the monster they can tame.”>>
All in all, BTND was an incredible fantasy read. With a powerful (pun absolutely intended) cast of characters, a compelling worldbuilding, and breathtaking plot-twists, this novel is a strong first installment in the Legend Of The Heirs series—as well as a portal to another world. Readers, gather your belongings, wish your loved ones well, and open this book! Leirianor awaits you.
August 17, 2021
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book in exchange of an honest review. This review will be spoiler free.
When I started reading "Butterflies That Never Die" I didn't know what to expect. The stunning cover instantly caught my attention and the synopsis promised me an interesting plot, set in a magical world parallel to Earth (Leirianor) with shapeshifter magic. But I got so much more: a fantastically well crafted worldbuilding, weaved with political intrigues, lies, prophecies and Gods. I have always loved books that feature a world beyond our own so it's not a surprise that I couldn't put the book down.
The strongest asset of this book is, in my opinion, the meticulous worldbuilding Aldara has created and how it is weaved into the plot in a way that doesn't feel overwhelming. It is difficult to introduce a new world without infodumping all the information at first but she has managed this perfectly. Some people might find it confusing at first but just keep reading because everything will make sense at the end.
We are also presented with a big cast of characters. The main MC, Hannah, strong headed but full of insecurities and longing for a family, and her two best friends, Jessica and Margaret. But my favourite was Henry (sweet and lovely Henry). Derek and Arabella also won my heart because of their complexity and all the weight they carried on their shoulders. On this note, it is true I would have liked to see a little bit more of how they were coping with the trauma of surviving and winning a war and losing so many loved ones.
About the plot, it was very dynamic with the right dosis of action scenes (Aldara is really good writing these) and slower, more emotional moments. The last 40 pages were non stop and the plot twists at the end promise a really interesting sequel!
Butterflies That Never Die is a beautiful well written story about lost and found family, and friendship. Whereas I would have liked a little bit more character development, it is definitely a good strong start for the trilogy and I can't wait to read the sequel. Highly recommended!!
When I started reading "Butterflies That Never Die" I didn't know what to expect. The stunning cover instantly caught my attention and the synopsis promised me an interesting plot, set in a magical world parallel to Earth (Leirianor) with shapeshifter magic. But I got so much more: a fantastically well crafted worldbuilding, weaved with political intrigues, lies, prophecies and Gods. I have always loved books that feature a world beyond our own so it's not a surprise that I couldn't put the book down.
The strongest asset of this book is, in my opinion, the meticulous worldbuilding Aldara has created and how it is weaved into the plot in a way that doesn't feel overwhelming. It is difficult to introduce a new world without infodumping all the information at first but she has managed this perfectly. Some people might find it confusing at first but just keep reading because everything will make sense at the end.
We are also presented with a big cast of characters. The main MC, Hannah, strong headed but full of insecurities and longing for a family, and her two best friends, Jessica and Margaret. But my favourite was Henry (sweet and lovely Henry). Derek and Arabella also won my heart because of their complexity and all the weight they carried on their shoulders. On this note, it is true I would have liked to see a little bit more of how they were coping with the trauma of surviving and winning a war and losing so many loved ones.
About the plot, it was very dynamic with the right dosis of action scenes (Aldara is really good writing these) and slower, more emotional moments. The last 40 pages were non stop and the plot twists at the end promise a really interesting sequel!
Butterflies That Never Die is a beautiful well written story about lost and found family, and friendship. Whereas I would have liked a little bit more character development, it is definitely a good strong start for the trilogy and I can't wait to read the sequel. Highly recommended!!
April 7, 2021
3.5 out of 5 stars
I was sent an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed this book! There were some delightful plot twists throughout that really did surprise me, and definitely leaves me wondering where things will be going next. I also enjoyed the characters, especially the main character Hannah and even the more complex Arabella. I also think Henry is great and I can't wait to see where things go between him and Hannah.
However there were things that I wasn't so fond off. There were characters like Elizabeth who sort of disappeared from the book and weren't mentioned again, which I found to be a bit of a continuity error. Another issue I found, for me at least, was that there was a lot of telling in the sense that when there was vital information that needed to be included, it was often one character telling another character facts about this.
Things also tended to happen quite quickly for me (eg. Mario's feelings for Hannah) and I guess it did rub me the wrong way a little bit that the LGBT character (there could be more that I'm unaware of, but at least the one confirmed queer character) was killed off quite suddenly.
Nonetheless, this was an enjoyable read and I'll definitely be sticking around for the sequel.
I was sent an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed this book! There were some delightful plot twists throughout that really did surprise me, and definitely leaves me wondering where things will be going next. I also enjoyed the characters, especially the main character Hannah and even the more complex Arabella. I also think Henry is great and I can't wait to see where things go between him and Hannah.
However there were things that I wasn't so fond off. There were characters like Elizabeth who sort of disappeared from the book and weren't mentioned again, which I found to be a bit of a continuity error. Another issue I found, for me at least, was that there was a lot of telling in the sense that when there was vital information that needed to be included, it was often one character telling another character facts about this.
Things also tended to happen quite quickly for me (eg. Mario's feelings for Hannah) and I guess it did rub me the wrong way a little bit that the LGBT character (there could be more that I'm unaware of, but at least the one confirmed queer character) was killed off quite suddenly.
Nonetheless, this was an enjoyable read and I'll definitely be sticking around for the sequel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 19, 2021
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book was very different than anything I've read before and not exactly what I expected, but it didn't disappoint. I always love books that feature a world beyond our own that our MC gets sucked into against there will or something similar. I won't lie, the book was hard to get into at first. There is a lot of worldbuilding and it's hard to explain things without infodumping, so I was confused for a little while about certain things, but by the end, a lot of that had been cleared up, which I'm super grateful for. And, while the book started slow, the plot twists at the end were well worth the wait. I definitely didn't see that part of the book coming (when you know, you'll know).
As for the characters, I'm still not sure who my favourite is. It might be a cross between Derek and Henry, who are so different, that my choice probably seems super weird lol. I liked that we got to see from a bunch of different perspectives, especially Arabella, though the chapter POVs aren't labelled, so sometimes I wasn't sure who's head we were in. Arabella is the villain (I think) though there are plenty of times where you can kind of see her side.
I also really liked the concept of the magic in this world, where everyone can shapeshift into a specific animal and some people have powers alongside that, like ice and fire.
And I think that's all I can really say without getting into spoilers, but yeah. I really enjoyed the book and I'm excited to see where Aldara takes the characters in book 2, which I will definitely be picking up : )
This book was very different than anything I've read before and not exactly what I expected, but it didn't disappoint. I always love books that feature a world beyond our own that our MC gets sucked into against there will or something similar. I won't lie, the book was hard to get into at first. There is a lot of worldbuilding and it's hard to explain things without infodumping, so I was confused for a little while about certain things, but by the end, a lot of that had been cleared up, which I'm super grateful for. And, while the book started slow, the plot twists at the end were well worth the wait. I definitely didn't see that part of the book coming (when you know, you'll know).
As for the characters, I'm still not sure who my favourite is. It might be a cross between Derek and Henry, who are so different, that my choice probably seems super weird lol. I liked that we got to see from a bunch of different perspectives, especially Arabella, though the chapter POVs aren't labelled, so sometimes I wasn't sure who's head we were in. Arabella is the villain (I think) though there are plenty of times where you can kind of see her side.
I also really liked the concept of the magic in this world, where everyone can shapeshift into a specific animal and some people have powers alongside that, like ice and fire.
And I think that's all I can really say without getting into spoilers, but yeah. I really enjoyed the book and I'm excited to see where Aldara takes the characters in book 2, which I will definitely be picking up : )
May 15, 2021
Like a cake: it takes time to bake but in the end you get a delicious treat.
The book is a little slow to start, taking time to establish multiple pics, the history, and the world. There are several time jumps, some of which I wanted to know what happened in between, and I thought one specific relationship could have used more development, but when the climax began I couldn't put the book down. Piece fell into place and a bigger picture was revealed.
The set up is kind of like baking a cake: ingredients (characters) are collected, put together, stirred up (beginning signs of intrigue), and and then carefully baked and the cake is decorated. It takes a bit of time and patience, but its all needed for the cake to look and taste great.
The book is a little slow to start, taking time to establish multiple pics, the history, and the world. There are several time jumps, some of which I wanted to know what happened in between, and I thought one specific relationship could have used more development, but when the climax began I couldn't put the book down. Piece fell into place and a bigger picture was revealed.
The set up is kind of like baking a cake: ingredients (characters) are collected, put together, stirred up (beginning signs of intrigue), and and then carefully baked and the cake is decorated. It takes a bit of time and patience, but its all needed for the cake to look and taste great.
May 18, 2021
Within the first few lines of this book you are immediately taken into another world other than our own. After reading the first chapter I kept wanting to continue to read and learn more about Hannah and her connection to Leirianor. I appreciated that one is able to see the different sides of the characters, especially Arabella’s. While the world jumping and plot twists happen rather quickly, it nevertheless kept me turning every page. I often wonder what animal I’d shapeshift into. One of my favorite things about reading fantasy is that I can be transported to other worlds that I would love to be able to visit and explore and Leirianor did not disappoint! I won’t go deep into details as to avoid spoilers but I am looking forward to reading the sequel. The epilogue definitely left me wanting more.
*Disclaimer: I was sent an ARC in exchange for a review. My thoughts and opinions are solely my own.
*Disclaimer: I was sent an ARC in exchange for a review. My thoughts and opinions are solely my own.
June 13, 2021
I was very kindly sent an ARC of this book to review honestly by the author.
I know Aldara to be a very meticulous world-builder, and her debut displayed this perfectly. The magic system, the politics, the web of lies connecting everything together... glorious. The way everything slowly starts connecting together only to unravel after fumbling about in the dark is delightful and satisfying, and combined with twists and turns I never could've anticipated, makes for a wonderful, breathtaking, impressive read. Filled with blood, of course. Found that out the hard way.
This is definitely more of a plot-driven book in my opinion, as character development felt to be more of a secondary priority, with plot and worldbuilding being first and foremost in the picture. That doesn't stop characters such as Arabella, Hannah, and Katherine from being quite realistic in their behavioral changes, but it does make characters such as Margaret, Henry, and Jessica seem rather flat.
The pacing was awkward in the beginning of the book. There was a bit of head-hopping going on that made it rather hard to follow, and for the most part, none of the characters grew on me until I reached around a third of the way in. Some of the dialogue felt unnatural, and the voice, while distinct, could have been stronger. There were also quite a few characters introduced in the beginning whose existence became very hard to keep track of (especially appearances and names) when they came back later and sent me for a loop as I tried to remember who they were and their significance.
Overall, though, this was a very satisfying read, especially the latter part of the book. It felt active and in motion, leaving me questioning what would happen next with every line I read. While the beginning could've been stronger, the middle and ending was so satisfying to read as it kept me on my toes. Would 100% read the second installment of the series.
I know Aldara to be a very meticulous world-builder, and her debut displayed this perfectly. The magic system, the politics, the web of lies connecting everything together... glorious. The way everything slowly starts connecting together only to unravel after fumbling about in the dark is delightful and satisfying, and combined with twists and turns I never could've anticipated, makes for a wonderful, breathtaking, impressive read. Filled with blood, of course. Found that out the hard way.
This is definitely more of a plot-driven book in my opinion, as character development felt to be more of a secondary priority, with plot and worldbuilding being first and foremost in the picture. That doesn't stop characters such as Arabella, Hannah, and Katherine from being quite realistic in their behavioral changes, but it does make characters such as Margaret, Henry, and Jessica seem rather flat.
The pacing was awkward in the beginning of the book. There was a bit of head-hopping going on that made it rather hard to follow, and for the most part, none of the characters grew on me until I reached around a third of the way in. Some of the dialogue felt unnatural, and the voice, while distinct, could have been stronger. There were also quite a few characters introduced in the beginning whose existence became very hard to keep track of (especially appearances and names) when they came back later and sent me for a loop as I tried to remember who they were and their significance.
Overall, though, this was a very satisfying read, especially the latter part of the book. It felt active and in motion, leaving me questioning what would happen next with every line I read. While the beginning could've been stronger, the middle and ending was so satisfying to read as it kept me on my toes. Would 100% read the second installment of the series.
September 16, 2022
To start off, the story/plot itself was very good, I enjoyed that. I also really enjoyed the character development with Hannah and Derek. I thought the world building was also very phenomenal and gorgeous in my mind. Also, have you seen the cover of the book? It’s beautiful.
The reason I gave it three stars though is because some of the character development felt rushed to me. One in particular was Margaret. Like at the big tower battle it felt like one minute she was Margaret and the next she was Stella and there was no “wow that’s crazy, I’m shock”. No she just went right along with it and I just feel like any other person would be at least a little taken aback. Also Laila (the mother) switched up so fast on Hannah/Tara when she found out the truth. Like girl you just led her to her death and you’re gonna act like it’s not big deal? Ehhhh.
Lastly, this wasn’t like a huge deal for me because she’s independently published, but the spelling and grammar. I had to go back and reread some sentences throughout the book so I could better understand what she meant to write.
All in all though, this book was very good and I will most definitely be reading “Beasts that Never Slumber” ^.^
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 28, 2022
*YA Fantasy
*Lost & Found Family
*Friendship
*Fantastic World Building
*Portals
*Magic
*Shapeshifters
Butterflies That Never Die has fantastical world building. I absolutely love the magical pendants that portal the characters to another world! The elemental magic and shape shifting is miraculous. Plus, there are multiple plots twists that you don’t see coming!
However, there are A LOT of characters and I struggled keeping track of who is who, what they do, and how they are significant in the story.
Due to the writing style being more telling, it lacked some description, thoughts, and feelings for me personally. I found myself confused at times as well as lacking a connection to the characters.
Overall intriguing read and I’m very curious to see how book two unfolds after that cliffhanger ending in book one!
*Lost & Found Family
*Friendship
*Fantastic World Building
*Portals
*Magic
*Shapeshifters
Butterflies That Never Die has fantastical world building. I absolutely love the magical pendants that portal the characters to another world! The elemental magic and shape shifting is miraculous. Plus, there are multiple plots twists that you don’t see coming!
However, there are A LOT of characters and I struggled keeping track of who is who, what they do, and how they are significant in the story.
Due to the writing style being more telling, it lacked some description, thoughts, and feelings for me personally. I found myself confused at times as well as lacking a connection to the characters.
Overall intriguing read and I’m very curious to see how book two unfolds after that cliffhanger ending in book one!
November 6, 2022
I think this was such a beautifully written novel!!
Hannah, Jessica, and Margaret have such an amazing bond. In the end, it is found out why the bond is so close (huge spoiler). I think the author did an amazing job at unveiling exactly how each character piece fits into one huge story.
Henry is literally the cutest, sweetest, most caring, sensitive, and brave character!! He sacrifices himself. I am so happy for the romance that blooms at the very end of the novel with….. (read and find out).
Arabella is strong and feisty. This is not always a benefit to her. I hope so much that her family bond will be brought together instead of torn apart more.
There are beautifully written supporting characters, Derek, Hector, Katherine for example.
- Shapeshifters
- Found Family
- Royalty
- Elemental Magic
- World Building
- 0/5 🔥
Definitely a great set up novel to the series!
Hannah, Jessica, and Margaret have such an amazing bond. In the end, it is found out why the bond is so close (huge spoiler). I think the author did an amazing job at unveiling exactly how each character piece fits into one huge story.
Henry is literally the cutest, sweetest, most caring, sensitive, and brave character!! He sacrifices himself. I am so happy for the romance that blooms at the very end of the novel with….. (read and find out).
Arabella is strong and feisty. This is not always a benefit to her. I hope so much that her family bond will be brought together instead of torn apart more.
There are beautifully written supporting characters, Derek, Hector, Katherine for example.
- Shapeshifters
- Found Family
- Royalty
- Elemental Magic
- World Building
- 0/5 🔥
Definitely a great set up novel to the series!
November 1, 2022
4.5☆
In the world where Hannah is an orphan and passing school and avoiding detentions to get to her dream of the theater, her best friend Jessica's stories were never meant to sprout or hold any truth.
Aldara builds a very indepth fantasy world with all different creatures/shifter and magical powers. Throughout the story, we see Hannah grow and slowly learn who she truly is and what she is capable of. We see action, love, danger, death, friendship and betrayal.
This story is truly an artwork with a painted world in your mind, emotion provoking scenes, and a found family to die for. The plot twists and surprises will catch you off guard but make you more invested in the MCs.
In the world where Hannah is an orphan and passing school and avoiding detentions to get to her dream of the theater, her best friend Jessica's stories were never meant to sprout or hold any truth.
Aldara builds a very indepth fantasy world with all different creatures/shifter and magical powers. Throughout the story, we see Hannah grow and slowly learn who she truly is and what she is capable of. We see action, love, danger, death, friendship and betrayal.
This story is truly an artwork with a painted world in your mind, emotion provoking scenes, and a found family to die for. The plot twists and surprises will catch you off guard but make you more invested in the MCs.
May 17, 2021
Will be posting my review later 😊
Read
July 30, 2021DNF'D at 28%. Not a bad book, but the writing style, pacing, plot-centric focus and emphasis on telling vs showing wasn't for me.
May 3, 2021
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is a strong debut from Aldara Thomas. With it being the first in the series, there's definitely a lot of set up that has to happen with the world building and preparation for book two and I would say that overall Thomas delivered. Thomas' action scenes were beautifully constructed and her prose is compelling. I found myself completely engrossed in the book. I had a strong grasp on the world of Leirianor and I felt the delivery of the information was really well done. The plot was well executed and I was really engaged throughout the book. I would say that this book felt more plot driven than character driven, which I mention only because I know my preference falls more towards character driven stories. Some of the characters felt a little flat to me and I struggled with some of the dialogue, but the standouts for me for sure were Arabella and Derek.
I'm intrigued with where this story is going and thought Thomas did a phenomenal job showcasing the messy politics of the world without portraying anyone as truly good or evil. Everyone has a lot of gray area, and that was my favorite part of the book. (I'm on team Arabella tbh.) But I am excited to see what happens going forward. Book one did wrap up a lot of loose ties in a way that felt really satisfying, while still making me want to read the rest of the series to see how the story is going to unfold.
The only things I struggled with was that I did sometimes get confused whose perspective we were in near the beginning of the book. POVs aren't labelled (which is fine) but because there are so many perspectives showcased, it did surprise me when we switched from Hannah to Margaret at first. That flow definitely improved as the book went on though. Another thing that caught my attention, and was mentioned in another review, is the only out LGBTQ+ character is which I found disappointing even though it did help propel the plot forward.
I do recommend this book, though, especially for fans of shapeshifters, palace politics, and lovers of fantasy. There were a lot of really great twists and it was hard to put down.
This is a strong debut from Aldara Thomas. With it being the first in the series, there's definitely a lot of set up that has to happen with the world building and preparation for book two and I would say that overall Thomas delivered. Thomas' action scenes were beautifully constructed and her prose is compelling. I found myself completely engrossed in the book. I had a strong grasp on the world of Leirianor and I felt the delivery of the information was really well done. The plot was well executed and I was really engaged throughout the book. I would say that this book felt more plot driven than character driven, which I mention only because I know my preference falls more towards character driven stories. Some of the characters felt a little flat to me and I struggled with some of the dialogue, but the standouts for me for sure were Arabella and Derek.
I'm intrigued with where this story is going and thought Thomas did a phenomenal job showcasing the messy politics of the world without portraying anyone as truly good or evil. Everyone has a lot of gray area, and that was my favorite part of the book. (I'm on team Arabella tbh.) But I am excited to see what happens going forward. Book one did wrap up a lot of loose ties in a way that felt really satisfying, while still making me want to read the rest of the series to see how the story is going to unfold.
The only things I struggled with was that I did sometimes get confused whose perspective we were in near the beginning of the book. POVs aren't labelled (which is fine) but because there are so many perspectives showcased, it did surprise me when we switched from Hannah to Margaret at first. That flow definitely improved as the book went on though. Another thing that caught my attention, and was mentioned in another review, is the only out LGBTQ+ character is which I found disappointing even though it did help propel the plot forward.
I do recommend this book, though, especially for fans of shapeshifters, palace politics, and lovers of fantasy. There were a lot of really great twists and it was hard to put down.
November 1, 2022
How can I even start to tell you, tell anyone, about this book?? I first started reading this book about two years ago as a beta honor, and I was immediately enthralled. It was an honor reading it as a beta, and even a bigger honor being accepted as an ARC Reader. I love all characters and I really really enjoyed the multiple pots throughout the story. BTND is a very unique and captivating story and being able to see this story through the eyes of four very different characters was such a treat. The author managed to create such a special world and oh god, I love Leirianor. I love how the characters are all shapeshifters but not one is the same.
I can easily say that BTND is the best book I've read so far this year, and probably will be my favorite book of 2021, as it was my favorite book when I first beta read it in 2019. I think I loved it even more this year, and it was such a beautiful escape from reality. You simply can't put this book down while you're reading it, and when you finish it, you'll miss Leirianor with all your heart and will want to go back to reading it all over again.
I can easily say that BTND is the best book I've read so far this year, and probably will be my favorite book of 2021, as it was my favorite book when I first beta read it in 2019. I think I loved it even more this year, and it was such a beautiful escape from reality. You simply can't put this book down while you're reading it, and when you finish it, you'll miss Leirianor with all your heart and will want to go back to reading it all over again.
October 23, 2022
Okay, This was such a fun read! It is YA and I enjoyed the story so much!
May 6, 2022
I enjoyed this book A LOT.
It was such a ride, as in bomb dropped after bomb haha like a roller coaster. I have few guesses right and few wrongs, so it's safe to say that the plot was very nice. The writing style is good and enjoyable, also it's fast paced but not hard to follow. Also love the world building and the lore that shaped the story. It was amazing!
About the characters, I love each and every single one from Hannah, Margaret, Jessica, Henry, Katherine, Derek... I could go on haha. But if I have to pick a fav it would always be Henry! Such sweet tiger roll we need to protect at all cost.
Overall, it was very enjoyable and a solid 5 from me. Looking forward the next book!
It was such a ride, as in bomb dropped after bomb haha like a roller coaster. I have few guesses right and few wrongs, so it's safe to say that the plot was very nice. The writing style is good and enjoyable, also it's fast paced but not hard to follow. Also love the world building and the lore that shaped the story. It was amazing!
About the characters, I love each and every single one from Hannah, Margaret, Jessica, Henry, Katherine, Derek... I could go on haha. But if I have to pick a fav it would always be Henry! Such sweet tiger roll we need to protect at all cost.
Overall, it was very enjoyable and a solid 5 from me. Looking forward the next book!
July 9, 2021
Reading this book has been a two and a half week roller coaster ride. From the minute you read the first word to the end of the book you are being bombarded with surprises and thats what I call an excellent book. Its a true page turner and its very visual. As you read each page you can vividly visualize the scenes, the characters and VFX. This book would be an Oscar winner if it were adapted into a film in my opinion!
December 16, 2021
3.5 - 4 stars!
This book was delightful, fun, and an all round easy read. Definitely reminds me of early 2010’s fantasy but with a mash-up of new fantasy tropes and feelings added in.
While there - in my opinion - did seem to be some jumps in timelines at times and a few characters who came (and the story following their povs for a few lines before switching back) and went more than others, I enjoyed this story and Hannah herself most of all, so I’m looking forward to number 2!
This book was delightful, fun, and an all round easy read. Definitely reminds me of early 2010’s fantasy but with a mash-up of new fantasy tropes and feelings added in.
While there - in my opinion - did seem to be some jumps in timelines at times and a few characters who came (and the story following their povs for a few lines before switching back) and went more than others, I enjoyed this story and Hannah herself most of all, so I’m looking forward to number 2!
December 28, 2022
I orginally got this book because I saw the cover on tiktok and fell in love! When I got around to reading this book, I read it in 2 days! I loved the Authors world building, and the idea that each character has specific animal like atributes/powers. There is so much detail the world of Leirianor and the plot twists will pull you in! The last 50 pages were really intense and the slight cliffhanger left me screaming! I am very excited for book 2!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 18, 2021
A beautifully written YA fantasy. A portal? Check. A trio of orphans from our world transported to another? Check. A sinister queen? Fascinating magic? A dark, delicious villain? Alllll the checks. I found this indie fantasy well-written, intriguing, haunting, and addicting. Excited for the next installment.
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November 13, 2021Clever, fresh and fun.
Magical portals that bring shapes shifting folks to earth is the most recognizable element from other stories. Everything else is witty and fresh to me. A very enjoyable quick read, with characters that stick with the reader for a long time.
Magical portals that bring shapes shifting folks to earth is the most recognizable element from other stories. Everything else is witty and fresh to me. A very enjoyable quick read, with characters that stick with the reader for a long time.
February 28, 2022
“The world is plagued by monsters, my dear. Don’t let fear of them take hold of you, for they can do you no harm. You are the moon, and all the beasts prowl at night.”
A beautiful triumph of a debut!! Gorgeous world building, complex characters, and a gripping story!
A beautiful triumph of a debut!! Gorgeous world building, complex characters, and a gripping story!
October 26, 2022
3.5 Stars - Disclaimer, I received this book for free along with Beasts That Never Sleep as an ARC!
Overall, this book was a really fun read. The world was unique, and not what I expected when I first began reading this book. There was a variety of different characters all with their own story to tell. There was politics, a found family, and more.
If you like a fast-paced plot-based book, with magic, shifters, found-family trope, politics, rebellions, and the like, then this book is for you! If you want something that is a bit more character-focused, then this might not be the book for you.
The one problem I had with this book that I think lowered my review from a 4 to 3.5, is the number of characters that were introduced. I'm used to having a lot of characters, but these are usually built out over time such as in Throne of Glass where it isn't until the last book that we get all the character povs. Here, we are introduced to three girls, a queen, three more characters on the MC's side, and then three more characters on the Queen's side. Because this is a plot-centered book, there wasn't any time to build a reader-character relationship in this book. There were too many characters to keep up with, and sadly I could only connect with one.
Honestly, I want an entire book about Derek and Margaret because they're my favorites.
Anyway, I'm excited to read the next book and see the continuation of the story are that ending!
Overall, this book was a really fun read. The world was unique, and not what I expected when I first began reading this book. There was a variety of different characters all with their own story to tell. There was politics, a found family, and more.
If you like a fast-paced plot-based book, with magic, shifters, found-family trope, politics, rebellions, and the like, then this book is for you! If you want something that is a bit more character-focused, then this might not be the book for you.
The one problem I had with this book that I think lowered my review from a 4 to 3.5, is the number of characters that were introduced. I'm used to having a lot of characters, but these are usually built out over time such as in Throne of Glass where it isn't until the last book that we get all the character povs. Here, we are introduced to three girls, a queen, three more characters on the MC's side, and then three more characters on the Queen's side. Because this is a plot-centered book, there wasn't any time to build a reader-character relationship in this book. There were too many characters to keep up with, and sadly I could only connect with one.
Honestly, I want an entire book about Derek and Margaret because they're my favorites.
Anyway, I'm excited to read the next book and see the continuation of the story are that ending!
October 2, 2022
A very beautiful start to a whole new world of YA Fantasy! Aldara Thomas has created a truly massive world with never ending possibilities. But what's even better is the character group that we get to follow through their building process.
My favorite part is seeing our main characters take on the pieces of themselves that align with their legendary Heir. This kick off story leads itself to what I'm sure will be an amazing series full of action and adventure!
My favorite part is seeing our main characters take on the pieces of themselves that align with their legendary Heir. This kick off story leads itself to what I'm sure will be an amazing series full of action and adventure!
October 17, 2021
The bad of this book is that the second is not yet available
November 22, 2025
Butterflies 🦋 that Never Die
I don’t like hiding my reviews because of spoilers but there will be spoilers in this review, so you’ve been warned.
Quotes and Curses September box themed “Into the Unknown”… and every time I hear that I think of Frozen II 😂
Straight away I was hooked.
Hannah is a trouble maker. Within twenty pages she’s broken a bitch’s nose with a fat ass history book. That’s the kinda sanctioned violence I’m after 😂😉 especially when the weapon is a book 📖
On a side note, my sister’s name is Hannah, so it’s difficult to not imagine the MC as my sister, even though they don’t look anything alike.
The pacing in this book was really frustrating. It seems like they’ve been in Leirianor for three days, suddenly it’s three weeks later? So we miss a lot of them learning about this new world, the customs, the expectations, the landscape. And so we, as the reader, don’t learn it either. So I felt a little lost and detached because I didn’t get to experience exploring the new world. I feel we missed a lot of crucial world building, and if we had been let in more, it would have been so easy to love it.
But regardless of that, I was really into the world that Aldara has built. It had a supernatural vibe with high fantasy names and included a magic system that wasn’t too convoluted or difficult to understand. I’ll be the first to admit I don’t read a lot of shifters novels, so I can’t base it on anything, but the shifting parts made sense at least to me, so that was a bonus.
It also bugs me that for the first quarter to third of the book, it is solely in Hannah’s POV, then it switches to multiple POVs and it got really confusing until I figured out what was happening. I think it would have been a lot better if the POVs were labeled.
There is also a LOT of characters and I feel like we are introduced so fast that I forget a lot of them, who they are, what they do and their significance to the plot. Or insignificance. Too many stories interwoven together, so it was easy to get lost.
And, add to boot, Hannah is not the special character in this novel. Normally, the MC is the super special heroine, but it doesn’t seem that way. And don’t get me wrong, I love me a little normal MC rather than ultra special but to me it doesn’t sit right in this novel.
Add to that the POV switching, and the fact that Hannah isn’t involved in a massive event in about halfway, it really just solidifies the fact that Hannah is only a foot in the door involved in everything that is going on.
To be fair, I wasn’t expecting the reveals towards the end of the book, so it really threw me a bit, but also made me understand that it seems everyone has some sort of special involvement, but Hannah is the ultra-special one. Ugh, but whatever.
I like the way Aldara has woven a whole web of lies and it takes the whole book to unravel them. It creates tension and motive for a lot of the characters, and also explains the reasons why some personalities are filled with angst and torment. It means that we get a lot of fucked up, complicated characters and that always makes a story interesting, and it was done well as well (looking at you Mr Derek).
Something Hannah said in this book really irked me. “Family or powers: each girl got one back. Surely that had to be fair.” Ummm… no. That is absolutely a deplorable, shitty thing to say. It makes Hannah seem immature, and not a real friend. I didn’t necessarily mind Hannah as our MC, but some things she did made her seem quite immature, like a child throwing a tantrum. Some of her motives and reasoning for the way she acts isn’t always explained very well either. I much prefer Margaret, she seems strong, kind-hearted and someone who has her head screwed on right. Definitely looking forward to more of her in the next book!
A three star read 🌟🌟🌟 it was interesting and enjoyable enough that I got through it. I will probably read the next one in the series! There is a lot that is unresolved and if this first book is anything to go by, there are a lot of secrets still waiting to be revealed.
I don’t like hiding my reviews because of spoilers but there will be spoilers in this review, so you’ve been warned.
Quotes and Curses September box themed “Into the Unknown”… and every time I hear that I think of Frozen II 😂
Straight away I was hooked.
Hannah is a trouble maker. Within twenty pages she’s broken a bitch’s nose with a fat ass history book. That’s the kinda sanctioned violence I’m after 😂😉 especially when the weapon is a book 📖
On a side note, my sister’s name is Hannah, so it’s difficult to not imagine the MC as my sister, even though they don’t look anything alike.
The pacing in this book was really frustrating. It seems like they’ve been in Leirianor for three days, suddenly it’s three weeks later? So we miss a lot of them learning about this new world, the customs, the expectations, the landscape. And so we, as the reader, don’t learn it either. So I felt a little lost and detached because I didn’t get to experience exploring the new world. I feel we missed a lot of crucial world building, and if we had been let in more, it would have been so easy to love it.
But regardless of that, I was really into the world that Aldara has built. It had a supernatural vibe with high fantasy names and included a magic system that wasn’t too convoluted or difficult to understand. I’ll be the first to admit I don’t read a lot of shifters novels, so I can’t base it on anything, but the shifting parts made sense at least to me, so that was a bonus.
It also bugs me that for the first quarter to third of the book, it is solely in Hannah’s POV, then it switches to multiple POVs and it got really confusing until I figured out what was happening. I think it would have been a lot better if the POVs were labeled.
There is also a LOT of characters and I feel like we are introduced so fast that I forget a lot of them, who they are, what they do and their significance to the plot. Or insignificance. Too many stories interwoven together, so it was easy to get lost.
And, add to boot, Hannah is not the special character in this novel. Normally, the MC is the super special heroine, but it doesn’t seem that way. And don’t get me wrong, I love me a little normal MC rather than ultra special but to me it doesn’t sit right in this novel.
Add to that the POV switching, and the fact that Hannah isn’t involved in a massive event in about halfway, it really just solidifies the fact that Hannah is only a foot in the door involved in everything that is going on.
To be fair, I wasn’t expecting the reveals towards the end of the book, so it really threw me a bit, but also made me understand that it seems everyone has some sort of special involvement, but Hannah is the ultra-special one. Ugh, but whatever.
I like the way Aldara has woven a whole web of lies and it takes the whole book to unravel them. It creates tension and motive for a lot of the characters, and also explains the reasons why some personalities are filled with angst and torment. It means that we get a lot of fucked up, complicated characters and that always makes a story interesting, and it was done well as well (looking at you Mr Derek).
Something Hannah said in this book really irked me. “Family or powers: each girl got one back. Surely that had to be fair.” Ummm… no. That is absolutely a deplorable, shitty thing to say. It makes Hannah seem immature, and not a real friend. I didn’t necessarily mind Hannah as our MC, but some things she did made her seem quite immature, like a child throwing a tantrum. Some of her motives and reasoning for the way she acts isn’t always explained very well either. I much prefer Margaret, she seems strong, kind-hearted and someone who has her head screwed on right. Definitely looking forward to more of her in the next book!
A three star read 🌟🌟🌟 it was interesting and enjoyable enough that I got through it. I will probably read the next one in the series! There is a lot that is unresolved and if this first book is anything to go by, there are a lot of secrets still waiting to be revealed.
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