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End the census. Unite the people.
The In Between is a land of unrest. Those with power are forced to subdue who they are - or face death as a consequence. In the South, an ancient villain is gathering his army, determined to wipe Potens out.
Unfortunately, the only person that can save them believes the In Between to be a fairytale.
Ivy Andersen lives in the Above, a world where those with powers are welcome. But when Jacob Grimm turns up at her door, knowing that she is the only one who can save his home, he turns her world upside down.
And awakens an unimaginable power within her.
The power of an Elemental.
For fans of Shadow and Bone, Stardust and all things fairytale, Torn is a fantasy about a world trembling on the edge of war - and only one woman who can stop it.
Jasmine Watson's debut novel Torn is the first instalment in the Verse of Grimm trilogy. The second instalment will be released in Autumn 2022.
The In Between is a land of unrest. Those with power are forced to subdue who they are - or face death as a consequence. In the South, an ancient villain is gathering his army, determined to wipe Potens out.
Unfortunately, the only person that can save them believes the In Between to be a fairytale.
Ivy Andersen lives in the Above, a world where those with powers are welcome. But when Jacob Grimm turns up at her door, knowing that she is the only one who can save his home, he turns her world upside down.
And awakens an unimaginable power within her.
The power of an Elemental.
For fans of Shadow and Bone, Stardust and all things fairytale, Torn is a fantasy about a world trembling on the edge of war - and only one woman who can stop it.
Jasmine Watson's debut novel Torn is the first instalment in the Verse of Grimm trilogy. The second instalment will be released in Autumn 2022.
354 pages, Paperback
First published September 21, 2021
23 people are currently reading
1012 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
July 23, 2022
Wow!! I realyl enjoyed this! You can tell how much work has been put into this beautiful book!!The world building, characters, plot - just wow! The characters were really great and I really felt like I got to know them through the book
This is a perfect book for fans of shadow & bone and stardust (love that movie) and fairytales!! <3
The writing was a little hard to get into and as someone that has English as their second language it was a bit hard to understand sometimes but overall I really liked this a lot!
This is a perfect book for fans of shadow & bone and stardust (love that movie) and fairytales!! <3
The writing was a little hard to get into and as someone that has English as their second language it was a bit hard to understand sometimes but overall I really liked this a lot!
July 7, 2025
Actual rating: 1.5 ⭐️
I'll start by saying that I got wind of this book on BookTok. It was being hyped by a few reputable people, and I love a good fairytale retelling, so I thought I'd give it a whirl. BookTokers... I've got some words for you.
First off, I will give credit to the basic plot. It was an interesting enough story, but it was very underdeveloped. I love a fast paced book, but there's a difference in a fast pace and just rushing through things. "Torn" is, unfortunately, firmly in the latter group. So many times, I had to go back and read a section to try and understand how it had progressed so quickly in just one or two paragraphs. Suffice it to say, that was very irritating.
Now, on to the bulk of the problems with this book: the writing. It is not just a question of style, in this case. There are some serious problems with even just the fundamentals. The author has a significant misunderstanding of how to use dialogue tags properly. I lost track of the number of run-on sentences (hint: it's a lot) and yet every other sentence was some contrived simile or metaphor. It became incredibly taxing to read. Dropped commas EVERYWHERE, and en dashes used where commas or periods should be. And please, please... learn how to use a semicolon properly before scattering them in almost every paragraph.
There were also numerous instances of the wrong word being used in a sentence.
Ex 1: "From what I can *gleam* from that conversation..." (Page 67) The correct word is "glean".
Ex 2: "...my interest was *peaked*." (Page 72) The word is "piqued".
Ex 3: "'I come out with some half-witted *trollop* most of the time.'" (Page 142) I'm not entirely sure what word the author meant to use here (probably "tripe", if I were to hazard a guess) but the character is referencing getting sayings tattooed on him. I'm sure the author didn't mean he was getting prostitutes tattooed on his arms.
I have *many* more examples. And don't get me started on the repeated use of "span" instead of "spun", and "smelt" instead of "smelled". From what I could gather, this was beta-read by a few different people, including another published author. I don't understand how all of these things slipped through the cracks.
Another gripe is the serious lack of worldbuilding. The concept of a land filled with the creatures and characters we used to read about as children is absolutely wonderful. But the execution here is, frankly, downright lazy. There's no explanation about the boundaries between the two worlds beyond "only accessible through a portal", nor is there any explanation about the magic system in this world. It's just... there. This is clearly supposed to be a fantasy world, but there were many times where the characters were speaking like modern day teenagers. Oh, and both the people from the "normal" world and the fairytale world believe in, and appear to worship, the Christian God... WHAT?
I could go on about what a huge disappointment this was, but I'm really not trying to bash the author. It's a huge thing to put yourself out there and publish something you've worked really hard on. But you're not doing yourself any favors by only having your friends and family beta read something before publishing it. Hire a professional editor. You've got the makings of a great series on your hands, but as it stands now, this is just another run-of-the-mill amateur entry born from KDP. Really sad about this one.
I'll start by saying that I got wind of this book on BookTok. It was being hyped by a few reputable people, and I love a good fairytale retelling, so I thought I'd give it a whirl. BookTokers... I've got some words for you.
First off, I will give credit to the basic plot. It was an interesting enough story, but it was very underdeveloped. I love a fast paced book, but there's a difference in a fast pace and just rushing through things. "Torn" is, unfortunately, firmly in the latter group. So many times, I had to go back and read a section to try and understand how it had progressed so quickly in just one or two paragraphs. Suffice it to say, that was very irritating.
Now, on to the bulk of the problems with this book: the writing. It is not just a question of style, in this case. There are some serious problems with even just the fundamentals. The author has a significant misunderstanding of how to use dialogue tags properly. I lost track of the number of run-on sentences (hint: it's a lot) and yet every other sentence was some contrived simile or metaphor. It became incredibly taxing to read. Dropped commas EVERYWHERE, and en dashes used where commas or periods should be. And please, please... learn how to use a semicolon properly before scattering them in almost every paragraph.
There were also numerous instances of the wrong word being used in a sentence.
Ex 1: "From what I can *gleam* from that conversation..." (Page 67) The correct word is "glean".
Ex 2: "...my interest was *peaked*." (Page 72) The word is "piqued".
Ex 3: "'I come out with some half-witted *trollop* most of the time.'" (Page 142) I'm not entirely sure what word the author meant to use here (probably "tripe", if I were to hazard a guess) but the character is referencing getting sayings tattooed on him. I'm sure the author didn't mean he was getting prostitutes tattooed on his arms.
I have *many* more examples. And don't get me started on the repeated use of "span" instead of "spun", and "smelt" instead of "smelled". From what I could gather, this was beta-read by a few different people, including another published author. I don't understand how all of these things slipped through the cracks.
Another gripe is the serious lack of worldbuilding. The concept of a land filled with the creatures and characters we used to read about as children is absolutely wonderful. But the execution here is, frankly, downright lazy. There's no explanation about the boundaries between the two worlds beyond "only accessible through a portal", nor is there any explanation about the magic system in this world. It's just... there. This is clearly supposed to be a fantasy world, but there were many times where the characters were speaking like modern day teenagers. Oh, and both the people from the "normal" world and the fairytale world believe in, and appear to worship, the Christian God... WHAT?
I could go on about what a huge disappointment this was, but I'm really not trying to bash the author. It's a huge thing to put yourself out there and publish something you've worked really hard on. But you're not doing yourself any favors by only having your friends and family beta read something before publishing it. Hire a professional editor. You've got the makings of a great series on your hands, but as it stands now, this is just another run-of-the-mill amateur entry born from KDP. Really sad about this one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 12, 2022
UPDATE 12/4/22:
There is now a second edition released of this book to tackle the editing errors and make for a cleaner copy and hopefully, a more enjoyable read! I want to take this time to thank everyone who has believed in me and my story, and for the honest words of those who have raised valid critiques. As a debut author, there have been lessons to be learned and I want to do the very best I can to tell my story in the way it deserves to be told.
I believe that the second edition of this book is the very best version of Torn that I can present to my readers! Thank you to everyone who has read and reviewed, you have no idea how much it helps me! And now, I'll duck back into my writer's hole and get back to writing book two as Goodreads is for readers, not authors!
Lots of love to my readers,
Jasmine
P.S. Rating 5 stars because I love this book and the characters with my whole heart. I hope you will, too!
There is now a second edition released of this book to tackle the editing errors and make for a cleaner copy and hopefully, a more enjoyable read! I want to take this time to thank everyone who has believed in me and my story, and for the honest words of those who have raised valid critiques. As a debut author, there have been lessons to be learned and I want to do the very best I can to tell my story in the way it deserves to be told.
I believe that the second edition of this book is the very best version of Torn that I can present to my readers! Thank you to everyone who has read and reviewed, you have no idea how much it helps me! And now, I'll duck back into my writer's hole and get back to writing book two as Goodreads is for readers, not authors!
Lots of love to my readers,
Jasmine
P.S. Rating 5 stars because I love this book and the characters with my whole heart. I hope you will, too!
September 11, 2021
Firstly I’d like to say how excited I was to get an ARC of this book!!
Torn is a YA fantasy debut set in the world of The Inbetween. Those with powers are subdued and a villain is planning to wipe them all out. Ivy, the only one who can save them, doesn’t believe this world exists.
The description on the back relates this book to Stardust by Neil Gaiman and I REALLY agree with this, it definitely has that feel to it and I found the pacing very similar too. But, more than that I loved the addition of different fairytales pulled together, especially the princesses - Bunmi being my favourite. Their powers and personalities reflected fairytale elements that I recognised but with a fun/stronger side to them.
Ivy’s character was so relatable and I loved her attitude towards a sense of ‘home’ whether she could figure out what that was or not. I loved hearing her fond memories of times in her past and the conflict she had; did she want to return to ‘The Above’? Was there even anything left if she did? Or has she found something more in the In Between?
Favourite quote:
“She wasn’t Atlas; she wasn’t alone. The world wasn’t upon her shoulders. So why did it feel like it was?”
I’m definitely excited to read the next instalment, I have some theories about book two based on a couple of things and I can’t wait to see if my intuition was right!
Torn comes out on the 21st of September and if you love fairytales and magic I suggest you give it a go!
Torn is a YA fantasy debut set in the world of The Inbetween. Those with powers are subdued and a villain is planning to wipe them all out. Ivy, the only one who can save them, doesn’t believe this world exists.
The description on the back relates this book to Stardust by Neil Gaiman and I REALLY agree with this, it definitely has that feel to it and I found the pacing very similar too. But, more than that I loved the addition of different fairytales pulled together, especially the princesses - Bunmi being my favourite. Their powers and personalities reflected fairytale elements that I recognised but with a fun/stronger side to them.
Ivy’s character was so relatable and I loved her attitude towards a sense of ‘home’ whether she could figure out what that was or not. I loved hearing her fond memories of times in her past and the conflict she had; did she want to return to ‘The Above’? Was there even anything left if she did? Or has she found something more in the In Between?
Favourite quote:
“She wasn’t Atlas; she wasn’t alone. The world wasn’t upon her shoulders. So why did it feel like it was?”
I’m definitely excited to read the next instalment, I have some theories about book two based on a couple of things and I can’t wait to see if my intuition was right!
Torn comes out on the 21st of September and if you love fairytales and magic I suggest you give it a go!
February 11, 2022
jasmine 😭😭 u really had to rip my heart out at the end didnt you 🤠
thank you so much for sending me your book, i enjoyed it immensely. you can tell how much time and work has gone into the building of each character, the romances, the world building and the plot… it’s books like these that reinforce to me how much i would struggle to write a book. i could not come up with this stuff!!!
the reason i’ve given it 4 stars is because in some places i was a little bit confused and it did take me a while to get into the writing style.. but thats very subjective hahaha
the sign of a good book: i would think about the characters when i wasn’t reading it 🥺 i just wanted to know what was gonna happen next... you never know who you can trust & i still dont 😭
i definitely agree with the blurb that says for fans of shadow and bone and stardust!!! i also think if u like fairytale vibes this is one for you 💕
bring on book 2 !!!
thank you so much for sending me your book, i enjoyed it immensely. you can tell how much time and work has gone into the building of each character, the romances, the world building and the plot… it’s books like these that reinforce to me how much i would struggle to write a book. i could not come up with this stuff!!!
the reason i’ve given it 4 stars is because in some places i was a little bit confused and it did take me a while to get into the writing style.. but thats very subjective hahaha
the sign of a good book: i would think about the characters when i wasn’t reading it 🥺 i just wanted to know what was gonna happen next... you never know who you can trust & i still dont 😭
i definitely agree with the blurb that says for fans of shadow and bone and stardust!!! i also think if u like fairytale vibes this is one for you 💕
bring on book 2 !!!
December 24, 2021
Really a 4.5!! That ending was craaaazy!!!!
I really really loved this book. I thought the world was interesting and unique. The characters were awesome and I really felt I got to know them by the end of the book. I
also really liked all the parallels to the Grimm fairytales.
I want more! I need book two. I have to know what happens, I'm so invested.
Let's talk about the ending for a second. The last 50 pages or so was a wild ride and let me tell you I WASN’T READY. A lot of times in YA books the stakes aren't very high at all. When I tell you no one is safe? NO. ONE. IS. SAFE. I honestly thought that made it so much more believable (even though it broke my heart).
The only minor issue I had was the grammatical and spelling errors. This was mentioned in another review, but I thought that theirs was super harsh so I hate to even write this, but I always give fair and honest reviews. I don't want to deter people from reading it (because I thought it was fantastic!!!), but I do want to be transparent. I will say that it made it harder to read, so in book two it would be really great to see it be professionally edited. It's honestly so good and the errors kind of took away from that, which is unfortunate.
Please read it! So much fun. I can't wait for book 2!!!!!!!
I really really loved this book. I thought the world was interesting and unique. The characters were awesome and I really felt I got to know them by the end of the book. I
also really liked all the parallels to the Grimm fairytales.
I want more! I need book two. I have to know what happens, I'm so invested.
Let's talk about the ending for a second. The last 50 pages or so was a wild ride and let me tell you I WASN’T READY. A lot of times in YA books the stakes aren't very high at all. When I tell you no one is safe? NO. ONE. IS. SAFE. I honestly thought that made it so much more believable (even though it broke my heart).
The only minor issue I had was the grammatical and spelling errors. This was mentioned in another review, but I thought that theirs was super harsh so I hate to even write this, but I always give fair and honest reviews. I don't want to deter people from reading it (because I thought it was fantastic!!!), but I do want to be transparent. I will say that it made it harder to read, so in book two it would be really great to see it be professionally edited. It's honestly so good and the errors kind of took away from that, which is unfortunate.
Please read it! So much fun. I can't wait for book 2!!!!!!!
June 26, 2022
I did struggle with this book a bit. The writing style is just not for me. However the last 100 pages of the book had me gripped and I will probably read book 2
September 23, 2021
3.5 stars(rounded up)
Ivy Anderson lives an un-enchanting but normal life in the Above. Until Jacob Grimm turns up telling her she's a being with an incredible power and is the only one who can defeat a powerful enemy of the In Between... oh, and said villain has kidnapped her best friend.
There is so much to love about this book - the characters, the world, the constant zig-zig of the unguessable plot - there is something for everyone be that the action, the villain, the internal conflict of our characters or the many popular tropes that Watson has managed to pack into this novel.
In its simplest form, Torn is an "adult fairytale adventure". Some other reviewers have compared it to Neil Gaiman's Stardust, but considering it isn't a novel I've read, I'm going to throw another comparison into the ring and say it's reminiscent of Disney's Twisted Fairytales Collection.
Jasmine Watson is a very talented writer who's skills can only improve as she continues her career. Her biggest strength is in how each of her characters are distinct, with personalities that are so different from each other. Even though there are a many number of main and supporting characters - not one is neglected and it's easy to love, hate or be suspicious of them.
Additionally, there is a very nice, equal balance between action, character and exposition (all wonderfully and not overly descriptive) - a balancing act which not many writers can do well - which means the novel has no down time; it keeps the pace alive and the imagination thriving. However, because of this perfect triad, at the start of the book when there is little action, the exposition took over a little and Watson could have afforded to streamline it a little and it still wouldn't have taken anything from the magic. The only reason I mention this is because I know some readers, like me, don't like a novel full of unnecessary words, but I beg you to continue reading because it turns into some of the best writing from a debut novelist I've had the pleasure of reading.
There are one or two unanswered questions in my mind after finishing this novel (that don't relate to the typical 'what happens next?' that comes from a cliffhanger ending) and that's the only reason this is a half-star rating. These questions could have been answered in this novel rather than waiting for another installment and it wouldn't have taken away from a reader wanting to continue the series because the world, cliffhanger and brilliance of the characters were strong enough to do so regardless.
That being said, I can't wait to read Girl on Fire when it's released next year (and which I anticipate being even better than Torn, and I feel very thankful that Jasmine sent me an ARC which I'm already lending out to reader friends who I know will love this book as much as I did.
Ivy Anderson lives an un-enchanting but normal life in the Above. Until Jacob Grimm turns up telling her she's a being with an incredible power and is the only one who can defeat a powerful enemy of the In Between... oh, and said villain has kidnapped her best friend.
There is so much to love about this book - the characters, the world, the constant zig-zig of the unguessable plot - there is something for everyone be that the action, the villain, the internal conflict of our characters or the many popular tropes that Watson has managed to pack into this novel.
In its simplest form, Torn is an "adult fairytale adventure". Some other reviewers have compared it to Neil Gaiman's Stardust, but considering it isn't a novel I've read, I'm going to throw another comparison into the ring and say it's reminiscent of Disney's Twisted Fairytales Collection.
Jasmine Watson is a very talented writer who's skills can only improve as she continues her career. Her biggest strength is in how each of her characters are distinct, with personalities that are so different from each other. Even though there are a many number of main and supporting characters - not one is neglected and it's easy to love, hate or be suspicious of them.
Additionally, there is a very nice, equal balance between action, character and exposition (all wonderfully and not overly descriptive) - a balancing act which not many writers can do well - which means the novel has no down time; it keeps the pace alive and the imagination thriving. However, because of this perfect triad, at the start of the book when there is little action, the exposition took over a little and Watson could have afforded to streamline it a little and it still wouldn't have taken anything from the magic. The only reason I mention this is because I know some readers, like me, don't like a novel full of unnecessary words, but I beg you to continue reading because it turns into some of the best writing from a debut novelist I've had the pleasure of reading.
There are one or two unanswered questions in my mind after finishing this novel (that don't relate to the typical 'what happens next?' that comes from a cliffhanger ending) and that's the only reason this is a half-star rating. These questions could have been answered in this novel rather than waiting for another installment and it wouldn't have taken away from a reader wanting to continue the series because the world, cliffhanger and brilliance of the characters were strong enough to do so regardless.
That being said, I can't wait to read Girl on Fire when it's released next year (and which I anticipate being even better than Torn, and I feel very thankful that Jasmine sent me an ARC which I'm already lending out to reader friends who I know will love this book as much as I did.
September 14, 2021
This book was very kindly sent to me by the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
~Short Synopsis~
The land of the In Between is a kingdom in strife. As declared by the royal family, those with powers have no freedom and have to take part in a census that controls their lives. When an ancient enemy returns Jacob Grimm knows there is only one person who can help...the only problem is Ivy Andersen believes the In Between to be a fairytale. When Grimm turns up at her door in the Above, Ivy must come to terms with the fact that the In Between is not only real but she is their only hope. Her world is thrown upside down when she discovers that she also has the powers of an Elemental.
~Review~
I was very excited to get my hands on this book as it is compared to Stardust and Shadow & Bone which are two books I love! And I'm pleased to say I was not disappointed. The world that Watson creates is exquisite and very much deserving of the comparison to Gaiman's world in Stardust. I would even go as far as to say that TORN is a YA alternative to Stardust.
TORN has a strong cast of characters who are complexed and intriguing. I particularly liked Jacob Grimm and I cannot wait to learn more about him (I'm a sucker for a morally grey character). Ivy is a likeable protagonist and her choices and reactions to what is happening around her are believable. She's another character that I can't wait to see grow and develop through the books. And if you're a fan of the found family trope then you'll definitely enjoy these characters.
This book has plot twists at every turn and will definitely have you rereading pages to check 'yes that actually did just happen'. And I loved that it subverted a lot of my expectations. I'm excited for the next instalment as, warning, it ends on a pretty major cliff hanger!
Torn: Verse of Grimm Book One comes out September 21st and I highly recommend you support this indie author by pre-ordering yourself a copy now.
~Short Synopsis~
The land of the In Between is a kingdom in strife. As declared by the royal family, those with powers have no freedom and have to take part in a census that controls their lives. When an ancient enemy returns Jacob Grimm knows there is only one person who can help...the only problem is Ivy Andersen believes the In Between to be a fairytale. When Grimm turns up at her door in the Above, Ivy must come to terms with the fact that the In Between is not only real but she is their only hope. Her world is thrown upside down when she discovers that she also has the powers of an Elemental.
~Review~
I was very excited to get my hands on this book as it is compared to Stardust and Shadow & Bone which are two books I love! And I'm pleased to say I was not disappointed. The world that Watson creates is exquisite and very much deserving of the comparison to Gaiman's world in Stardust. I would even go as far as to say that TORN is a YA alternative to Stardust.
TORN has a strong cast of characters who are complexed and intriguing. I particularly liked Jacob Grimm and I cannot wait to learn more about him (I'm a sucker for a morally grey character). Ivy is a likeable protagonist and her choices and reactions to what is happening around her are believable. She's another character that I can't wait to see grow and develop through the books. And if you're a fan of the found family trope then you'll definitely enjoy these characters.
This book has plot twists at every turn and will definitely have you rereading pages to check 'yes that actually did just happen'. And I loved that it subverted a lot of my expectations. I'm excited for the next instalment as, warning, it ends on a pretty major cliff hanger!
Torn: Verse of Grimm Book One comes out September 21st and I highly recommend you support this indie author by pre-ordering yourself a copy now.
October 25, 2021
This was a great debut novel for Jasmine Watson.
A YA fantasy novel with descriptive language and a rich array of characters.
The connections with some of the characters did feel a little rushed and I think that there needed to be at least mentioning of more time spent between characters getting to know each other and developing those relationships because I didn’t feel connected to some of them at all.
The main character is very cool and I love the world Jasmine has created, I hope she expands on the world building in the second novel!
Something I really didn’t enjoy was the change in POV. Usually the change in POV is helpful when you need to see something from a different perspective; for example if they are apart from the main character or at least are witnessing a scene differently.
I felt that the random changing of POV did not really add to this novel and actually messed up the flow a little bit, information given from the other POV was usually self explanatory from the MCs POV. For example, as much as I loved Marina, I didn’t enjoy her POV as I found them a bit repetitive and unnecessary! It might have been cooler if it were a split between Ivy and Nikos POV instead.
The second novel does set us up for a better use of POVs which I am excited for! I just hope the author discontinued changing POV seemingly midway through a scene for no real reason!!
I’m really excited to see where this journey continues in the next book!! Thanks for the read!
A YA fantasy novel with descriptive language and a rich array of characters.
The connections with some of the characters did feel a little rushed and I think that there needed to be at least mentioning of more time spent between characters getting to know each other and developing those relationships because I didn’t feel connected to some of them at all.
The main character is very cool and I love the world Jasmine has created, I hope she expands on the world building in the second novel!
Something I really didn’t enjoy was the change in POV. Usually the change in POV is helpful when you need to see something from a different perspective; for example if they are apart from the main character or at least are witnessing a scene differently.
I felt that the random changing of POV did not really add to this novel and actually messed up the flow a little bit, information given from the other POV was usually self explanatory from the MCs POV. For example, as much as I loved Marina, I didn’t enjoy her POV as I found them a bit repetitive and unnecessary! It might have been cooler if it were a split between Ivy and Nikos POV instead.
The second novel does set us up for a better use of POVs which I am excited for! I just hope the author discontinued changing POV seemingly midway through a scene for no real reason!!
I’m really excited to see where this journey continues in the next book!! Thanks for the read!
July 4, 2022
Lots of twists and turns, and glimpses of grimm's tales in the different characters. Want to know more about the world and what happens next.
August 12, 2022
I have no idea why so little people have read this book. It’s absolutely amazing and i loved every minute of it. It really deserves more recognition!!
December 12, 2021
What an enchanting story from Jasmine Watson’s debut book. It was when I finally made it to the In-Between that I really discovered the charm and wonder of this story, alongside my intrigue to learn more about the powers of characters. I found Jasmines writing style very aligned with fantasy realms, specifically her use of metaphors throughout.
It had a ‘Halloween Town’ atmosphere that made this adventure and world feel so comforting and enjoyable to explore. That being said, there is clearly so much MORE to explore. As the book was coming to an end I knew there would be more, but then the final chapter really set the tone for how expanse this world will actually be and has me intrigued.
I was very torn (hah) between a 3 and a 4 star for this book as again there was a lot of charm to it and the adventure at hand, but I do feel like I didn’t get a chance to learn enough about our characters. I would have loved more Ivy and Niko before Ivy’s adventure really started, as it would have made the plot points later in the book so much stronger. I think each character in our Sanctuary group has so much more to offer us and I want to see more of their stories and history some how.
Minor spoilers below!!!
I’m super stoked to see these two characters in the last chapter come back as they were characters I wanted to read a lot more of. I feel like they play a massive role in the world building and character development for our protagonist!!
It had a ‘Halloween Town’ atmosphere that made this adventure and world feel so comforting and enjoyable to explore. That being said, there is clearly so much MORE to explore. As the book was coming to an end I knew there would be more, but then the final chapter really set the tone for how expanse this world will actually be and has me intrigued.
I was very torn (hah) between a 3 and a 4 star for this book as again there was a lot of charm to it and the adventure at hand, but I do feel like I didn’t get a chance to learn enough about our characters. I would have loved more Ivy and Niko before Ivy’s adventure really started, as it would have made the plot points later in the book so much stronger. I think each character in our Sanctuary group has so much more to offer us and I want to see more of their stories and history some how.
Minor spoilers below!!!
I’m super stoked to see these two characters in the last chapter come back as they were characters I wanted to read a lot more of. I feel like they play a massive role in the world building and character development for our protagonist!!
October 6, 2021
Kiss me quick before you go?
That will undoubtedly be the most heart wrenching love story I’ve ever read.
I follow jasmine on TikTok and have been very excited for this release since she first started talking about it. It was so worth the wait! I adored this whole book, I will start with anything I didn’t like; since there are so few. It was hard to follow some of the characters and remembering who was who at first and there were moments that it was so fast paced I had to go back a few pages to figure out how certain things had progressed. BUT
definitely one of my favorite books from this year!
I loved ivy and as a foster kid/ adopted kid I really felt close to her and her never really feeling like you belonged. She was smart and powerful and we all love that. The cast of characters was very diverse and exciting, which made the heartbreak so much worse. This book had a beautiful world that, while initially confusing, I fell in love with. There was a good balance of world building and action that there was nothing boring about it, well done. I was utterly heartbroken several times and honestly I couldn’t tell you which hurt me worst. I can’t even tell you how many plot twists this book had while still managing to stay on base with the original plot. For a shorter book this was magnificent. Well done jasmine 💚
I am SO excited for the next book
That will undoubtedly be the most heart wrenching love story I’ve ever read.
I follow jasmine on TikTok and have been very excited for this release since she first started talking about it. It was so worth the wait! I adored this whole book, I will start with anything I didn’t like; since there are so few. It was hard to follow some of the characters and remembering who was who at first and there were moments that it was so fast paced I had to go back a few pages to figure out how certain things had progressed. BUT
definitely one of my favorite books from this year!
I loved ivy and as a foster kid/ adopted kid I really felt close to her and her never really feeling like you belonged. She was smart and powerful and we all love that. The cast of characters was very diverse and exciting, which made the heartbreak so much worse. This book had a beautiful world that, while initially confusing, I fell in love with. There was a good balance of world building and action that there was nothing boring about it, well done. I was utterly heartbroken several times and honestly I couldn’t tell you which hurt me worst. I can’t even tell you how many plot twists this book had while still managing to stay on base with the original plot. For a shorter book this was magnificent. Well done jasmine 💚
I am SO excited for the next book
February 3, 2022
I really enjoyed this story!
Being a debut novel, this one was very high on my list of books I wanted to read this year and I'm so glad I did. I know the author is currently working on book 2 and I ended this one WISHING I could start book 2 right away. It really pulled me in at the end, I was not expecting that last chapter!
That being said, the reason I'm rating this one 3.5 is because I would have really loved more detail. The worlds that these characters are living in sound so interesting and beautiful, but I had a hard time picturing much of it as the descriptions were fairly vague. I would have loved a lot more time taken in certain moments as the main character Ivy experienced the things around her.
I am really looking forward to following Jasmine as she continues this series, and anything else she writes. She has a fan in me! :)
Being a debut novel, this one was very high on my list of books I wanted to read this year and I'm so glad I did. I know the author is currently working on book 2 and I ended this one WISHING I could start book 2 right away. It really pulled me in at the end, I was not expecting that last chapter!
That being said, the reason I'm rating this one 3.5 is because I would have really loved more detail. The worlds that these characters are living in sound so interesting and beautiful, but I had a hard time picturing much of it as the descriptions were fairly vague. I would have loved a lot more time taken in certain moments as the main character Ivy experienced the things around her.
I am really looking forward to following Jasmine as she continues this series, and anything else she writes. She has a fan in me! :)
September 7, 2021
This is a new YA Fantasy series and I loved it! The world-building and magic system were unique and I was constantly learning more about them as the story goes on. The descriptions were beautiful and you can picture scenes and characters so clearly in your head. The story flowed incredibly well and there were many twists-and-turns that surprised me! The characters were relatable and there was fun, witty banter. I also appreciate the multiple POV and felt more connected to the main group of characters because of that. I love the dynamic between certain characters and my favorite relationship was between an unlikely pairing! I can’t wait for the next book!
October 10, 2021
Torn: Verse of Grimm is the first book in new author Jasmine Watson fantasy series. This book was beautifully written, with avid and colourful characters that stir the humour, laughter and love in even the darkest soul! I loved this debut and what a fantastic start to a writing career!
Ivy Anderson lives a mundane life until the rueful Jacob Grimm arrives in her life, turning Ivy’s world completely upside down when her bestie is kidnapped.
The world building, magic system and characters give you such an autumn warmth that it makes you glow!
I can’t wait for book 2!!
Hurry up Jasmine ♥️♥️♥️
Ivy Anderson lives a mundane life until the rueful Jacob Grimm arrives in her life, turning Ivy’s world completely upside down when her bestie is kidnapped.
The world building, magic system and characters give you such an autumn warmth that it makes you glow!
I can’t wait for book 2!!
Hurry up Jasmine ♥️♥️♥️
January 19, 2022
Well this was pretty amazing I must admit. First off, loved the cover and that is what drew me into the story initially, and the world is unique and sets up for the story quite well. I would go ahead and leave this as a 4.5 review, editing could be a little cleaner, but it doesn't take away from the story.
The author is very talented and man that ending was insane! Seriously, the build up and exectuion was amazing and I need to talk about it with someone XD So Im getting a few friends to read it so we can. But seriously pick this book up, and I look forward to what this author will come out with in the future!
The author is very talented and man that ending was insane! Seriously, the build up and exectuion was amazing and I need to talk about it with someone XD So Im getting a few friends to read it so we can. But seriously pick this book up, and I look forward to what this author will come out with in the future!
August 27, 2021
I was lucky enough to be sent an ARC of this beautiful book by Jasmine!
Now, where do i start…
Torn is a YA high fantasy debut, perfect for fans of Shadow and Bone, Stardust and just fairytales as a whole. I can’t even begin to explain how much i loved this book; it’s world building, magic system, and characters. The writing was elegant, and the use of multiple perspectives was ingenious.
I found myself on the edge of my seat constantly, and that cliffhanger made me so anxious for the next instalment.
I cant recommend this more and i cannot wait for book two!
4.5/5 :)
Now, where do i start…
Torn is a YA high fantasy debut, perfect for fans of Shadow and Bone, Stardust and just fairytales as a whole. I can’t even begin to explain how much i loved this book; it’s world building, magic system, and characters. The writing was elegant, and the use of multiple perspectives was ingenious.
I found myself on the edge of my seat constantly, and that cliffhanger made me so anxious for the next instalment.
I cant recommend this more and i cannot wait for book two!
4.5/5 :)
November 8, 2021
I enjoyed this book so much. It’s an exciting fantasy adventure that centres around Ivy Andersen and a band of new friends as they try to defeat a very powerful enemy.
It’s a fast-paced book, with a lot happening in short succession, which I found a bit hard to keep up with a times. However, for the most part I was completely immersed in the plot and swept up in the action. This is definitely a book I’ll be re-reading, and I’m looking forward to the next installment!
It’s a fast-paced book, with a lot happening in short succession, which I found a bit hard to keep up with a times. However, for the most part I was completely immersed in the plot and swept up in the action. This is definitely a book I’ll be re-reading, and I’m looking forward to the next installment!
September 14, 2021
I loved the world of this book and the concept of The Above, the In Between and The Below. The story had a unique feel to it that reminded me of a fairytale but not how you'd normally expect. There were some great characters as well, notably Torn was one of my favourites. Also I've got to mention the book cover because it's so beautiful! From the ending, I am very intrigued to read more.
February 22, 2022
An interesting take on fractured fairy tales. Some characters I could guess who they were mirroring others you had to think a little more. Certainly had some twists I did not foresee. Interesting worldbuilding.
March 15, 2023
I gave a star because someone wrote it, which is an achievement, and it seems a lot of people like but seriously the level of writing is so poor it became a did not finish after 30 pages. I hate to be that person, I want to know the story, but it’s frustrating me too much to continue!
June 18, 2022
loved this
February 15, 2025
3.5 stars
November 18, 2021
Torn: Verse of Grimm Book One:
** Spoilers Ahead*
This book was a fantastic debut from Jasmine. I first found out about it through booktok and it is clear why she is quickly growing a cult following.
The Good:
The character Grimm was incredibly interesting and well done. It was fantastic to read a book and constantly question whether the primary love interest is good vs bad and whether he has the best intentions at heart. I found his character the most in depth of the whole group and really enjoyed watching their interactions.
The writing style was just *chefs kiss*.
The supporting characters were all very strong and has a good amount of 'screen time', which really helped develop a world and story with fantastic depth.
It left us on a fun little cliff hanger but the story still felt rounded out enough to not leave you feeling disappointed to have to wait for book 2. A really good technique in ensuring you maintain your following and guarantee readers for the sequel.
The fairytale/ elemental vibe of this book was really well done and you truly felt as though you were a part of this world.
The villain was well-rounded and interesting enough to keep you guessing and get your heart racing when the time came for it.
The could be improved:
Overall, I think the main thing that would make this book stronger is the pacing. I think it could easily have been an extra 150 pages where the training for the main character was shown in more detail and occurred over a longer period. That would make the reader's connection to the characters and the relationships significantly stronger and make the fight scene at the end more realistic.
I also think some more monologue by the main character could help us understand her choices a bit better. Throughout the book she is quite difficult, and while we know this is a defence mechanism from her trauma, it is more shown instead of felt by the reader, and made her come across as a tad rude to the nice people helping her. I am sure this is part of her character development and we will see significant change in following books, so the inner monologue would just make it that much more obvious that the character will grow into the person we would want to see (that she has the potential).
To conclude, I am very excited for the next book and truly think this was a fantastic debut novel for a lovely author. 4 stars are well deserved Jasmine.
** Spoilers Ahead*
This book was a fantastic debut from Jasmine. I first found out about it through booktok and it is clear why she is quickly growing a cult following.
The Good:
The character Grimm was incredibly interesting and well done. It was fantastic to read a book and constantly question whether the primary love interest is good vs bad and whether he has the best intentions at heart. I found his character the most in depth of the whole group and really enjoyed watching their interactions.
The writing style was just *chefs kiss*.
The supporting characters were all very strong and has a good amount of 'screen time', which really helped develop a world and story with fantastic depth.
It left us on a fun little cliff hanger but the story still felt rounded out enough to not leave you feeling disappointed to have to wait for book 2. A really good technique in ensuring you maintain your following and guarantee readers for the sequel.
The fairytale/ elemental vibe of this book was really well done and you truly felt as though you were a part of this world.
The villain was well-rounded and interesting enough to keep you guessing and get your heart racing when the time came for it.
The could be improved:
Overall, I think the main thing that would make this book stronger is the pacing. I think it could easily have been an extra 150 pages where the training for the main character was shown in more detail and occurred over a longer period. That would make the reader's connection to the characters and the relationships significantly stronger and make the fight scene at the end more realistic.
I also think some more monologue by the main character could help us understand her choices a bit better. Throughout the book she is quite difficult, and while we know this is a defence mechanism from her trauma, it is more shown instead of felt by the reader, and made her come across as a tad rude to the nice people helping her. I am sure this is part of her character development and we will see significant change in following books, so the inner monologue would just make it that much more obvious that the character will grow into the person we would want to see (that she has the potential).
To conclude, I am very excited for the next book and truly think this was a fantastic debut novel for a lovely author. 4 stars are well deserved Jasmine.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 21, 2022
A cracking debut! I've always been fascinated by the Grimm stories. How dark they truly are. The author's take on how Jacob Grimm came to be in a fantasy setting is truly original and will appeal to fans of YA and new adult fantasy. I loved each and every character - and all I can say is don't get too attached to any one person! (sob!) - can't wait for book 2 to see the conclusion of this epic story!
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