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Halos
Daydreamer Faye Wallace believes her recurring dreams of flying ships have a purpose beyond fantasy. And when Icarus—her swoon-worthy dream boy—knocks on the door, reality is swept away with her heart.
Charged with saving the sky world of Halos from a destiny of prophesied doom, Faye embarks on a journey to relive her whimsical visions.
Except for one problem: nothing about Halos matches what she remembers. Including Icarus.
Faye must sift truth from imagination and become the girl who saves her dreams—before they create a nightmare she can’t return from.
Charged with saving the sky world of Halos from a destiny of prophesied doom, Faye embarks on a journey to relive her whimsical visions.
Except for one problem: nothing about Halos matches what she remembers. Including Icarus.
Faye must sift truth from imagination and become the girl who saves her dreams—before they create a nightmare she can’t return from.
- GenresFantasyYoung Adult
ebook
Published August 22, 2021
1 person is currently reading
93 people want to read
About the author
Amber Lambda
5 books50 followersHailing from the Midwest plains where clouds and imagination roam, Amber Lambda is a young adult author, homeschool mom, K-drama and manga enthusiast, and a life-long dreamer. Though Amber’s ideas vary on the scale of whimsy and realism, her writer’s heart belongs to stories that are appropriate for the YA audience and filled with a blend of relatable characters, sweet romance, and relevant themes that will stay with the reader long after the last page.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
December 19, 2021
Came for the romance and stayed for the adventure
This was an imaginative adventure of a strong, young female character activelyseekingto fulfillher destiny no matter what the odds. The characters exist in a half-dream, half-awake, steampunkish reality but all come alive on the page. I really enjoyed the romantic aspect of this story and highly recommend this YA read to anyone.
This was an imaginative adventure of a strong, young female character activelyseekingto fulfillher destiny no matter what the odds. The characters exist in a half-dream, half-awake, steampunkish reality but all come alive on the page. I really enjoyed the romantic aspect of this story and highly recommend this YA read to anyone.
November 24, 2022
Halos is a very sweet book, and I loved the cast of characters! They're all very colorful and distinct. For myself, I didn't prefer so much purple prose, but in general Amber is very talented in the prose department. And the plot remained very engaging throughout, I was so wrapped up I managed to read it in only a few days. Thoroughly enjoyed!
August 25, 2021
This is a YA book that I can see appealing to young teens easily as well as older teens! The main character puts us consistently and firmly in the head of a realistic teenager, which I appreciate for the sake of the genre. Faye(MC) is boy crazy, not great at handling weapons, clumsy, naive in many ways, and relies on her ability to build meaningful relationships as her greatest contribution to her adventure, which I appreciate. She’s not badass in a traditional sense but is still our heroine. It makes me think maybe 16 year old me could last in a sky pirate adventure even though I’ve always labeled myself as “the first to die in the hunger games”🤪. The romance builds nicely and the initial kissing scene does not disappoint! 😍There’s vivid descriptions, especially in the heart of the book, the language used to paint the world of Halos was so immersive! Sometimes the means Faye employs to save Halos seemed a bit convoluted, which to be fair, part of her journey is trusting herself to find how she’ll save her dream world, but whenever there was a concrete tool to move her mission along, I was able to follow things easier. The side characters were rich and delightful! More Aster and Piers please! I’d recommend this book to teens interested in a dreamy romance with plenty of action, world building, and surprises! 🥰
April 8, 2022
Lots of action, lots of adventure. The story starts off in a flash and doesn’t stop until the end. It left me a little breathless at times, but the characters were engaging and carried me through to the end.
March 9, 2022
A sweet and encouraging adventure
Faye Wallace dreams about Halos, a world in the sky. When she learns that her dreams aren't just dreams but visions that could save or destroy Halos, Faye is sent on a journey to find the destroying force. Along her journey, Faye discovers how important her dreams and purpose really are.
Positives
I really love the feel of Halos. If you've ever dreamed of a fantasy world and wished it could be real, this book sprinkles belief on that hope. The book feels magical and full of wonder.
Faye (the main character) has a funny and cute personality full of enthusiasm, even when everyone around her doesn't have a spark of life. Her character epitomizes hope and believe when those feel lost.
The romance is cute, sweet, and YA (teen) appropriate.
Overall, the story shows that even when things don't go as you hoped, you can still find hope.
Negative: The frequent use of sentence fragments sometimes confused me. I know many YA books embrace this style, but it sacrifices the clarity of complete sentences.
Overall, Halos was fun, magical, hope-giving, cute, and a joy to read. I think teen girls would most enjoy Halos as well as dreamers of all ages.
Faye Wallace dreams about Halos, a world in the sky. When she learns that her dreams aren't just dreams but visions that could save or destroy Halos, Faye is sent on a journey to find the destroying force. Along her journey, Faye discovers how important her dreams and purpose really are.
Positives
I really love the feel of Halos. If you've ever dreamed of a fantasy world and wished it could be real, this book sprinkles belief on that hope. The book feels magical and full of wonder.
Faye (the main character) has a funny and cute personality full of enthusiasm, even when everyone around her doesn't have a spark of life. Her character epitomizes hope and believe when those feel lost.
The romance is cute, sweet, and YA (teen) appropriate.
Overall, the story shows that even when things don't go as you hoped, you can still find hope.
Negative: The frequent use of sentence fragments sometimes confused me. I know many YA books embrace this style, but it sacrifices the clarity of complete sentences.
Overall, Halos was fun, magical, hope-giving, cute, and a joy to read. I think teen girls would most enjoy Halos as well as dreamers of all ages.
July 11, 2022
Let me start off my saying I started reading this book and had a hard time putting it down. Every night I looked forward to stepping back into the world of Halos, which was intricately created by Lambda. The story starts out with a bang – full of action and adventure. Her pacing was on point and each chapter ended with a nudge to continue reading to find out what happens next!
I loved the characters of Faye and Icarus. Their chemistry was palatable, and the sweet romance between these two was swoon worthy. The supporting characters were just as well-crafted and the rich world building was amazing!
I also enjoyed the overarching theme of this book – to follow your dreams. What a positive message that gives such hope to the reader. Lambda does a fantastic job of pulling the reader in and allowing them to have a fun time reading such an enjoyable story.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it to all ages and lovers of fantasy with a mix of sci-fi, adventure, action, intrigue, and sweet romance. I look forward to reading more of Lambda’s work in the future.
I loved the characters of Faye and Icarus. Their chemistry was palatable, and the sweet romance between these two was swoon worthy. The supporting characters were just as well-crafted and the rich world building was amazing!
I also enjoyed the overarching theme of this book – to follow your dreams. What a positive message that gives such hope to the reader. Lambda does a fantastic job of pulling the reader in and allowing them to have a fun time reading such an enjoyable story.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it to all ages and lovers of fantasy with a mix of sci-fi, adventure, action, intrigue, and sweet romance. I look forward to reading more of Lambda’s work in the future.
September 26, 2023
This book was a pleasant surprise.
It's the story of a girl who falls into her dreams, only to discover they are not as wonderful as she dreamed them to be. She is tasked with the difficult task of saving the beloved world of Halos, using glimpses of her dreams with the help of a motley crew of sky pirates and a stubborn android.
I loved the fantasy of this entire novel. The characters were fun and the story moved at an exciting pace. I loved Faye and her innocent naivety. The turmoil she faced was believable and done in such a way that growth was happening with every page turn.
The ending was how this review did not gain a full 5-star rating. It felt rushed. Elements coming together too quickly and everything happening all at once. It left me disappointed with how everything turned out, wishing there was more of a reason for it all coming together as it did.
Overall, this was a fun, whimsical read that will leave you feeling young at heart ❤️
It's the story of a girl who falls into her dreams, only to discover they are not as wonderful as she dreamed them to be. She is tasked with the difficult task of saving the beloved world of Halos, using glimpses of her dreams with the help of a motley crew of sky pirates and a stubborn android.
I loved the fantasy of this entire novel. The characters were fun and the story moved at an exciting pace. I loved Faye and her innocent naivety. The turmoil she faced was believable and done in such a way that growth was happening with every page turn.
The ending was how this review did not gain a full 5-star rating. It felt rushed. Elements coming together too quickly and everything happening all at once. It left me disappointed with how everything turned out, wishing there was more of a reason for it all coming together as it did.
Overall, this was a fun, whimsical read that will leave you feeling young at heart ❤️
December 18, 2021
This story was an adventure! One that I loved to the very end. It blendes the up beat daydreaming vibes with the melancholy of how things don't always turn out the way you want them to, in the best of ways. The characters felt real. I loved exploring the world of Halos and experiencing all the emotions that went along with it for our 2 protagonists! Overall I would say this is a great YA book for both younger and older teens.
August 7, 2022
Halos is a dreamy fantasy with sci-fi elements where daydreams come true—even if how they come true isn’t quite what our heroine had hoped! I enjoyed the large cast of colorful characters. The writing style is detailed and fanciful which is well suited to the tale.
A great YA book for daydreamers!
A great YA book for daydreamers!
August 26, 2021
This book was an adventure. And I’m not only referring to the genre, but the experience as a reader as well. As an avid, dare I say maladaptive, daydreamer, I felt Faye’s enthusiasm and eagerness to live the expeditions she so vividly experienced. The need to find proof that it was not all part of her imagination fuels her excitement to fulfill what she is told is her destiny without questioning anything beyond clarification.
The writing is just perfection. I thoroughly enjoyed reading her emotions and descriptions, with enough detail to help set your own imagination in flight. And the foreshadowing has to be my favorite thing of the whole book.
From the moment it begins, you are thrust into Faye Wallace’s life and, for the most part, you are just as lost as she is when it comes the Halos’ background and history so you are forced to relive the reality of her daydreams with her, without knowing the truth or outcome. It makes way for unexpected twists and turns that keep you reading and wanting more. I have never highlighted a book as much as I did this one and I’m glad I did. The hints I did catch made me feel like a genius while the ones I didn’t made me praise Amber Lambda’s mind for being able to come up with it.
Aside from adventure, the book also focuses heavily on Purpose. The responsibility of the protagonist that was forewarned, the responsibility of seeking and assisting and helping the mission succeed, it’s all leading to one same goal but the truth that hides behind it is what keeps you reading the book. Just an inkling of “seems too good and simple to be true” with a crooked smile here and a snap of annoyance there, it just doesn’t settle. And Icarus, “a seed kept from growth”. Other than the adventures of Faye, Icarus’s development is what kept me going. I could only pass the page and hope for more of the small changes you can see, hoping he’d see what she dreamed him as.
But honestly this book is much more. You have adventure, a slow blooming romance, friendship, found family and much more. This book is just amazing; I finished it in one go, could NOT put the book down. I don’t remember the last time a book kept me anxiously waiting to know what happens next, to read so fast the words blur and you’re forced to read the page once more. I truly recommend everyone to give Halos a chance because it will truly suck you into a world of adventure where imagination and reality meet.
One of my favorite quotes was: “You don’t know how lucky you are. To follow your dream and move on yo the next.” It kind goes to show how we can take certain things for granted and not fully appreciate the things we have and are capable of. But also the beauty behind imagination and following your dreams (literally) because you don’t know what might be.
The writing is just perfection. I thoroughly enjoyed reading her emotions and descriptions, with enough detail to help set your own imagination in flight. And the foreshadowing has to be my favorite thing of the whole book.
From the moment it begins, you are thrust into Faye Wallace’s life and, for the most part, you are just as lost as she is when it comes the Halos’ background and history so you are forced to relive the reality of her daydreams with her, without knowing the truth or outcome. It makes way for unexpected twists and turns that keep you reading and wanting more. I have never highlighted a book as much as I did this one and I’m glad I did. The hints I did catch made me feel like a genius while the ones I didn’t made me praise Amber Lambda’s mind for being able to come up with it.
Aside from adventure, the book also focuses heavily on Purpose. The responsibility of the protagonist that was forewarned, the responsibility of seeking and assisting and helping the mission succeed, it’s all leading to one same goal but the truth that hides behind it is what keeps you reading the book. Just an inkling of “seems too good and simple to be true” with a crooked smile here and a snap of annoyance there, it just doesn’t settle. And Icarus, “a seed kept from growth”. Other than the adventures of Faye, Icarus’s development is what kept me going. I could only pass the page and hope for more of the small changes you can see, hoping he’d see what she dreamed him as.
But honestly this book is much more. You have adventure, a slow blooming romance, friendship, found family and much more. This book is just amazing; I finished it in one go, could NOT put the book down. I don’t remember the last time a book kept me anxiously waiting to know what happens next, to read so fast the words blur and you’re forced to read the page once more. I truly recommend everyone to give Halos a chance because it will truly suck you into a world of adventure where imagination and reality meet.
One of my favorite quotes was: “You don’t know how lucky you are. To follow your dream and move on yo the next.” It kind goes to show how we can take certain things for granted and not fully appreciate the things we have and are capable of. But also the beauty behind imagination and following your dreams (literally) because you don’t know what might be.
November 6, 2021
Sweet and melancholy all at once.
Halos had this beautiful feel of a half-remembered dream or childhood memory—the type that leaves you feeling somewhat melancholy when you awaken, but in a soft, restful sort of way. Much like the protagonist’s daydreams, it didn’t turn out the way I had expected…and very much like the protagonist, I was ok with that outcome. As a creative (maladaptive) daydreamer myself (Husband: “Did you see that [insert interesting thing here]?” Me: [yanked from a fictional world] “What thing?”), I can very easily drift into idealized worlds of my own making. While I retreat to stories in order to reemerge fortified better against the harshness of life, I’m learning more and more that all daydreams—all stories—have downsides. Halos, like a really good parable or fable, communicates that truth gently, kindly, and through characters that I very dearly wish I could sit down to tea with. Imagine Owl City's music played against the lessons learned from reading the Inkheart trilogy, and you have a good idea of what reading Halos is like. Throw in a very sweet, gradual romance and a highly relatable discussion on finding one's purpose in life, and you have a book that will teach you some things, but make you ok with the learning.
Halos had this beautiful feel of a half-remembered dream or childhood memory—the type that leaves you feeling somewhat melancholy when you awaken, but in a soft, restful sort of way. Much like the protagonist’s daydreams, it didn’t turn out the way I had expected…and very much like the protagonist, I was ok with that outcome. As a creative (maladaptive) daydreamer myself (Husband: “Did you see that [insert interesting thing here]?” Me: [yanked from a fictional world] “What thing?”), I can very easily drift into idealized worlds of my own making. While I retreat to stories in order to reemerge fortified better against the harshness of life, I’m learning more and more that all daydreams—all stories—have downsides. Halos, like a really good parable or fable, communicates that truth gently, kindly, and through characters that I very dearly wish I could sit down to tea with. Imagine Owl City's music played against the lessons learned from reading the Inkheart trilogy, and you have a good idea of what reading Halos is like. Throw in a very sweet, gradual romance and a highly relatable discussion on finding one's purpose in life, and you have a book that will teach you some things, but make you ok with the learning.
November 12, 2021
This is a sweet YA fantasy romance about a young girl who is chasing her dreams into a fantastic world that sits in the skies above our world. Faye records her dreams in pictures and one day, the object of her dreams and her wildest desires turns up on her doorstep. And so begins an adventure of self-discovery that takes her into a sky world with pirates, fighting, intrigue and betrayal.
Well written with nicely drawn characters, this book will definitely appeal to a YA readership and the romantic element has a curious twist thrown into the mix, which I won’t spoil for you here. It is an interesting perspective on finding meaning in life and I find myself empathising with Faye; I too was a daydreamer and found my Halos in books like these.
Action-packed from the start, the author drops you right into this new world without over-explaining. The pace was a little slow in places, lacking some narrative drive and conflict between the characters, but this picks up later on, so it is worth sticking with it as you won’t be disappointed.
Well written with nicely drawn characters, this book will definitely appeal to a YA readership and the romantic element has a curious twist thrown into the mix, which I won’t spoil for you here. It is an interesting perspective on finding meaning in life and I find myself empathising with Faye; I too was a daydreamer and found my Halos in books like these.
Action-packed from the start, the author drops you right into this new world without over-explaining. The pace was a little slow in places, lacking some narrative drive and conflict between the characters, but this picks up later on, so it is worth sticking with it as you won’t be disappointed.
December 2, 2021
Wonderfully Sweet, Clean Adventure-Romance with Depth!
Do you enjoy fun, action-filled fantasy/sci-fi adventure with super sweet romance? If so, you’ll enjoy Halos as much as I did! Faye begins as a lighthearted dreamer, but she grows into a strong, courageous heroine who fights for more than her dreams: saving the hearts of those closest to her. Icarus was my favorite character, less because he was such a swoon-worthy hero, but more due to his inner journey from emotionless, mission-driven android to something more “real” (no spoilers!). The world of Halos was so vivid and captivating: a wide cast of characters and interpersonal dynamics as well as colorful imagery. I wasn’t expecting so much science, which was right up my alley, along with history and folklore, but Amber’s research and presentation are truly breathtaking. I highly recommend this CLEAN debut novel and am looking forward to more from Amber Lambda!
My only complaint, lol, was wanting more between the end and the epilogue, but my imagination has already filled that in.
Do you enjoy fun, action-filled fantasy/sci-fi adventure with super sweet romance? If so, you’ll enjoy Halos as much as I did! Faye begins as a lighthearted dreamer, but she grows into a strong, courageous heroine who fights for more than her dreams: saving the hearts of those closest to her. Icarus was my favorite character, less because he was such a swoon-worthy hero, but more due to his inner journey from emotionless, mission-driven android to something more “real” (no spoilers!). The world of Halos was so vivid and captivating: a wide cast of characters and interpersonal dynamics as well as colorful imagery. I wasn’t expecting so much science, which was right up my alley, along with history and folklore, but Amber’s research and presentation are truly breathtaking. I highly recommend this CLEAN debut novel and am looking forward to more from Amber Lambda!
My only complaint, lol, was wanting more between the end and the epilogue, but my imagination has already filled that in.
April 15, 2022
I received a copy of this book from voracious readers only
this is a great adventure story and i like the land of halos and the worldbuilding the idea of space pirates the characters seem a little young but thats okay as they meant to be teenagers so could appeal to a younger audience as well the romance is wholesome and not overbearing and i liked the ending as i didnt go the way you expect as a typical happy ending
this is a great adventure story and i like the land of halos and the worldbuilding the idea of space pirates the characters seem a little young but thats okay as they meant to be teenagers so could appeal to a younger audience as well the romance is wholesome and not overbearing and i liked the ending as i didnt go the way you expect as a typical happy ending
April 27, 2022
This was an exciting book full of adventure as well as well defined characters. This book goes through Faye Wallace's adventure of saving Halos, the land of her dreams. She finds that what she has always thought were dreams were just visions of her future. Now that she knows, she must do everything possible to save Halos from certain destruction.
September 13, 2021
Love, love, LOVED this fantastical YA fantasy. It was a page-turner and I stayed up late to find out how it ended. But it was so worth it! Pirates, dream worlds, epic battles, and romance. This story has it all.
October 21, 2021
Magical and Sweet
Such a light, fun read! Halos is filled with loads of whimsy, adventure, swooning, and the perfect amount of magic. I loved it! 💘
Such a light, fun read! Halos is filled with loads of whimsy, adventure, swooning, and the perfect amount of magic. I loved it! 💘
April 29, 2022
This was such a unique imaginative story and I loved how the author blended a dreamy world with adventure and mystery!
July 11, 2023
This book was an adventure. And I'm not only referring to the genre, but the experience as a reader as well. As an avid, dare I say maladaptive, daydreamer, I felt Faye's enthusiasm and eagerness to live the expeditions she so vividly experienced. The need to find proof that it was not all part of her imagination fuels her excitement to fulfill what she is told is her destiny without questioning anything beyond clarification.
The writing is just perfection. I thoroughly enjoyed reading her emotions and descriptions, with enough detail to help set your own imagination in flight. And the foreshadowing has to be my favorite thing of the whole book.
From the moment it begins, you are thrust into Faye Wallace's life and, for the most part, you are just as lost as she is when it comes the Halos' background and history so you are forced to relive the reality of her daydreams with her, without knowing the truth or outcome. It makes way for unexpected twists and turns that keep you reading and wanting more. I have never highlighted a book as much as I did this one and I'm glad I did. The hints I did catch made me feel like a genius while the ones I didn't made me praise the author's mind for being able to come up with it.
Aside from adventure, the book also focuses heavily on Purpose. The responsibility of the protagonist that was forewarned, the responsibility of seeking and assisting and helping the mission succeed, it's all leading to one same goal but the truth that hides behind it is what keeps you reading the book. Just an inkling of "seems too good and simple to be true" with a crooked smile here and a snap of annoyance there, it just doesn't settle. And Icarus, "a seed kept from growth". Other than the adventures of Faye, Icarus's development is what kept me going. I could only pass the page and hope for more of the small changes you can see, hoping he'd see what she dreamed him as.
The writing is just perfection. I thoroughly enjoyed reading her emotions and descriptions, with enough detail to help set your own imagination in flight. And the foreshadowing has to be my favorite thing of the whole book.
From the moment it begins, you are thrust into Faye Wallace's life and, for the most part, you are just as lost as she is when it comes the Halos' background and history so you are forced to relive the reality of her daydreams with her, without knowing the truth or outcome. It makes way for unexpected twists and turns that keep you reading and wanting more. I have never highlighted a book as much as I did this one and I'm glad I did. The hints I did catch made me feel like a genius while the ones I didn't made me praise the author's mind for being able to come up with it.
Aside from adventure, the book also focuses heavily on Purpose. The responsibility of the protagonist that was forewarned, the responsibility of seeking and assisting and helping the mission succeed, it's all leading to one same goal but the truth that hides behind it is what keeps you reading the book. Just an inkling of "seems too good and simple to be true" with a crooked smile here and a snap of annoyance there, it just doesn't settle. And Icarus, "a seed kept from growth". Other than the adventures of Faye, Icarus's development is what kept me going. I could only pass the page and hope for more of the small changes you can see, hoping he'd see what she dreamed him as.
September 16, 2022
I've been excited to read this book for a long time and I'm so glad I finally got to it because it really was a whimsical, sweet book with lots of heart! I thought the world was so creative and interesting. It gave me definite Studio Ghibli vibes with the whole "kingdom in the sky" setting. I also liked that the science is almost steampunk! Or airpunk? One of the punks!
In any case, we need more soft, fluffy, feminine sci-fi and this one really nails it! In fact, it's almost a shame that this book is a standalone because I would've loved to get to know this world better. But alas, as far as I can tell, one book is all we get!
If I'm being honest, the climax didn't make a ton of sense to me, and part of me feels like I'm missing something about the central message or theme. I think all the ingredients were there but I was left with a lot of questions, too. I'm satisfied but not satisfied, if that makes any sense. Like a piece of cake that was just a little too small!
But what really sold me on the book was our leading couple. I'm as much a sucker for the grumpy/sunshine trope as anyone and I loved the contrast between Faye and Icarus. I loved that all of Faye's dreams about Halos got turned on their head (including her dreams about Icarus) and I loved how it laid the foundation for them to build an actual relationship. I also just loved Icarus, period. Stoic, emotionless, task-oriented android(ish) boy who learns how to love? Sign me up.
I think it's perfectly okay to enjoy a book based on a few well-done elements, and I'm giving it to Halos because I loved the world's aesthetic and enjoyed the main characters so much, even if the plot wasn't what I'd hoped for. I'm in the business of fair reviews so I hope this does it justice! If you like whimsical, sweet, romantic YA with soft sci-fi elements, this is a fun read!
In any case, we need more soft, fluffy, feminine sci-fi and this one really nails it! In fact, it's almost a shame that this book is a standalone because I would've loved to get to know this world better. But alas, as far as I can tell, one book is all we get!
If I'm being honest, the climax didn't make a ton of sense to me, and part of me feels like I'm missing something about the central message or theme. I think all the ingredients were there but I was left with a lot of questions, too. I'm satisfied but not satisfied, if that makes any sense. Like a piece of cake that was just a little too small!
But what really sold me on the book was our leading couple. I'm as much a sucker for the grumpy/sunshine trope as anyone and I loved the contrast between Faye and Icarus. I loved that all of Faye's dreams about Halos got turned on their head (including her dreams about Icarus) and I loved how it laid the foundation for them to build an actual relationship. I also just loved Icarus, period. Stoic, emotionless, task-oriented android(ish) boy who learns how to love? Sign me up.
I think it's perfectly okay to enjoy a book based on a few well-done elements, and I'm giving it to Halos because I loved the world's aesthetic and enjoyed the main characters so much, even if the plot wasn't what I'd hoped for. I'm in the business of fair reviews so I hope this does it justice! If you like whimsical, sweet, romantic YA with soft sci-fi elements, this is a fun read!
September 18, 2025
Halos is such a breathtaking blend of fantasy and imagination that it swept me away from the very first page. Amber Lambda has a gift for weaving whimsical dreamscapes with heart-pounding stakes. The world of Halos is vibrant, enchanting, and layered with mystery, yet it carries a haunting undertone that keeps you hooked.
Faye is such a relatable character, caught between her dreamy visions and the harsh edge of reality. Watching her grow from a daydreamer into someone who must face truths and fears was inspiring and emotional. And then there’s Icarus. Amber did an amazing job crafting him into that perfect mix of charming and mysterious. He’s the kind of character who lingers in your mind long after you finish reading.
What I loved most is how the story plays with the idea of dreams versus reality, and how easily one can blur into the other. It felt like a fairytale, but with enough darkness to make you hold your breath, wondering if Faye could truly save her world or herself.
Faye is such a relatable character, caught between her dreamy visions and the harsh edge of reality. Watching her grow from a daydreamer into someone who must face truths and fears was inspiring and emotional. And then there’s Icarus. Amber did an amazing job crafting him into that perfect mix of charming and mysterious. He’s the kind of character who lingers in your mind long after you finish reading.
What I loved most is how the story plays with the idea of dreams versus reality, and how easily one can blur into the other. It felt like a fairytale, but with enough darkness to make you hold your breath, wondering if Faye could truly save her world or herself.
Read
March 1, 2023DNF at about 15%
This had been recommended by me by a friend, and although I could appreciate the tone of the story, and I think I'd probably come to like the MMC, this just wasn't for me. At least not in my current mood. The responses of the FMC sometimes felt a bit over the top, whereas I had trouble buying how quickly she agreed to go on this quest that came out of nowhere and was offered to her by strangers who basically abducted her with all good intentions.
I expect the worldbuilding of this cute little YA story with ships in the sky, will be great, and who knows, I might come back to it.
This had been recommended by me by a friend, and although I could appreciate the tone of the story, and I think I'd probably come to like the MMC, this just wasn't for me. At least not in my current mood. The responses of the FMC sometimes felt a bit over the top, whereas I had trouble buying how quickly she agreed to go on this quest that came out of nowhere and was offered to her by strangers who basically abducted her with all good intentions.
I expect the worldbuilding of this cute little YA story with ships in the sky, will be great, and who knows, I might come back to it.
April 23, 2024
A fantastic clean fantasy with compelling characters, uniquely cool worldbuilding, and a plot that kept me guessing what would happen next! The female main character, Faye, had a lot of spunk and heart. I would have loved to be part of the crew of the flying ship Arcadia with her. I really liked the male main character, Icarus, as well, as he struggled between the things that had been told him in training and the things that Faye and his heart were trying to teach him. The characters all had pronounceable names (which I really appreciate in a fantasy book), the descriptions were vivid, and the supporting characters were memorable. I highly recommend this book!
August 31, 2022
I loved the way this book made me relook at everything with a different perspective. The split between Halos and Beneath and their opposing culture and attitudes really drove home the point that everyone has their own perspective. The world was incredibly detailed and rich, though the characters felt a bit superficial at times. One to savour!
October 10, 2024
If half stars were allowed, I would give this a 2.5. I feel like the concept was great, but the delivery was lacking. I feel like there were some pacing issues and missed opportunities for better world building and character development. Overall enjoyable, but it would have benefitted from some more edits.
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May 1, 2024This is a good, clean, and well-told tale in a bright and imaginative setting. Safe, Trustworthy, Vibrant, Unpredictable -- it's a modern take on a high-seas adventure. It's one of those books that will get this age group hooked on reading.
August 15, 2024
Never stop believing in your dreams! ...except when they're wrong.
I loved it. The characters, and the twists and turns of trying to sort dreams and reality. There were a few details (minor) that confused me. But, overall, a very sweet, clean adventure romance.
I loved it. The characters, and the twists and turns of trying to sort dreams and reality. There were a few details (minor) that confused me. But, overall, a very sweet, clean adventure romance.
July 14, 2025
My favorite and least favorite aspect of this book is that I never knew who the “bad guy” was. Kept me guessing. I personally struggled a bit with the narrative but overall an enjoyable fantastical read.
September 12, 2023
Very sweet, inventive and creative storyline. Amber did a good job tying up all the loose ends by the end of the story.
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August 8, 2024 halos
overview: DNF at 43%. I’m just not invested.
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content: no content warnings so far.
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💌PS (I LOVE YOU)
— Kirsten <3
overview: DNF at 43%. I’m just not invested.
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content: no content warnings so far.
———
💌PS (I LOVE YOU)
— Kirsten <3
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