What do you think?
Rate this book
Of Us and Them
* An Independent Press Award Distinguished Favorite for YA Fiction (2022) *
A fated future burning with danger leads a young girl to uncover a sinister plot.
HAVE YOUR LAST BREATH
Seventeen-year-old Evren was born for one purpose: to serve as a vessel for the Leviathans, an alien species hidden in global dragon lore. She longs to join the secret society who concealed them in history—and as last of the twelve prophesied Paladins, she needs to. With the world in ruin, their unification will signal the Leviathans’ return to Earth to protect humans from their worst enemy: themselves.
But Evren’s ambitions are dashed when a Paladin is found dead. The murder sets her world ablaze and now she must stop the saboteur, or risk destroying a celestial plan millennia in the making. However, finding the truth—and the killer—in a society built on deceit won’t be easy, especially with Evren’s fierce and guarded mother as its leader.
Can Evren salvage what’s left of her fate? Or will dark discoveries make her the next victim?
A fated future burning with danger leads a young girl to uncover a sinister plot.
HAVE YOUR LAST BREATH
Seventeen-year-old Evren was born for one purpose: to serve as a vessel for the Leviathans, an alien species hidden in global dragon lore. She longs to join the secret society who concealed them in history—and as last of the twelve prophesied Paladins, she needs to. With the world in ruin, their unification will signal the Leviathans’ return to Earth to protect humans from their worst enemy: themselves.
But Evren’s ambitions are dashed when a Paladin is found dead. The murder sets her world ablaze and now she must stop the saboteur, or risk destroying a celestial plan millennia in the making. However, finding the truth—and the killer—in a society built on deceit won’t be easy, especially with Evren’s fierce and guarded mother as its leader.
Can Evren salvage what’s left of her fate? Or will dark discoveries make her the next victim?
251 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 6, 2021
8 people are currently reading
3461 people want to read
About the author
T.L. Coughlin
1 book68 followersT. L. Coughlin is a dreamer. One who loves to imagine and explore new worlds. As a child, she would often get in trouble for staying up until the bright hours of the morning to read books. She would consume novels upon novels, jumping from one land to the next.
Her hope is to deliver that same magnificent and immersive experience given to her by other authors. To create a journey that is relatable but can excite and give rise to new thoughts. She writes to serve her passion, but more importantly, she writes to pay it forward.
T. L. Coughlin lives in Ottawa, Canada with her fiancé Cody and her two doodle mixes: Orion and Kilo.
Her hope is to deliver that same magnificent and immersive experience given to her by other authors. To create a journey that is relatable but can excite and give rise to new thoughts. She writes to serve her passion, but more importantly, she writes to pay it forward.
T. L. Coughlin lives in Ottawa, Canada with her fiancé Cody and her two doodle mixes: Orion and Kilo.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
September 23, 2021
I received a free review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
4.5 Stars! A wonderful first installment in what is sure to be an epic YA Fantasy series. Evren is a hero you can root for—strong but flawed, likable but realistic—and her journey of self-realization is one we can all relate to.
The interpretation of dragons in this book is unique, and draws from every culture's ancient depictions of dragons. As a great dragonfan, it was fascinating to see global lore interwoven with this fresh fantasy tale. There were even some nods to certain dragon lore and names that I was not aware of, and I loved the fact that I got to learn more about dragons alongside Evren!
Recommended for lovers of fantasy and mystery alike, as the plot revolves around a “Whodunit” series of tragic murders that leave you guessing until the very last pages. Beware, for there's also a cliffhanger ending! We'll have to wait for the next installment to see what comes next in Evren's journey, and I can't wait!
4.5 Stars! A wonderful first installment in what is sure to be an epic YA Fantasy series. Evren is a hero you can root for—strong but flawed, likable but realistic—and her journey of self-realization is one we can all relate to.
The interpretation of dragons in this book is unique, and draws from every culture's ancient depictions of dragons. As a great dragonfan, it was fascinating to see global lore interwoven with this fresh fantasy tale. There were even some nods to certain dragon lore and names that I was not aware of, and I loved the fact that I got to learn more about dragons alongside Evren!
Recommended for lovers of fantasy and mystery alike, as the plot revolves around a “Whodunit” series of tragic murders that leave you guessing until the very last pages. Beware, for there's also a cliffhanger ending! We'll have to wait for the next installment to see what comes next in Evren's journey, and I can't wait!
September 21, 2021
I received a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review, which in no way influenced my opinion of the book.
“Of Us and Them” is a spectacular YA sci-fi debut by T.L. Coughlin.
I love first-person writing in general, but I find it lends itself particularly well to YA books because of the sense of immediacy and clarity. This particular first-person story focuses on Evren, a teenager who lives an almost ascetic life, alone, with the exception of her stern, dominant, and unwavering mother, Ignis.
Evren and Ignis reside in a reclusive, high-tech hideout, in still-picturesque 22nd century British Colombia. Ignis is also her daughter’s combat trainer. Evren has a thirst for knowledge, a sense of curiosity and wonder, a warrior’s spirit, and typical adolescent insecurities, exacerbated by her unique situation, and the restrictions imposed on her by a silently disapproving parent.
Evren must prepare to be a superior fighter, as she is destined to become a Paladin for the elite and clandestine organization, Nexum (which Ignis leads). According to legend, Paladins are knights of King Charlemagne’s court, a parallel to the Knights of the Round Table in the court of King Arthur. Similarly, in the context of “Of Us and Them”, the Paladins are the protectors and vessels of the Leviathans, an alien species, reminiscent of dragons.
Leviathans are supposed to be the saviours of humankind. The Leviathans are prophesied to prevent humans from further destroying the natural environment, which by the 22nd century, has become severely compromised.
Unfortunately, the arrival of the Leviathans is delayed, and the cause of the delay is apparently Evren herself. Evren is frustrated and guilty that she is the last of the Paladins to have her ouroboros mature. Once this maturity reaches fruition, it will signify Evren is ready to become a full-fledged Paladin, worthy of hosting and guarding the Leviathans.
Yet, until Evren’s ouroboros matures, as the final remaining among a group of male and female Paladins, the ceremony to summon Leviathans to earth cannot take place. This fact weighs heavily on Evren, as she is anxious to fulfill her destiny, and find meaning to her young life.
Coughlin has composed a wonderfully detailed futuristic earth, replete with the cool gadgetry one expects to see in a sci-fi entry. With savoury descriptions and backstory that are never overdone, but tantalizing enough to give you the feeling of being with Evren, the action in the novel is poignant and the stakes are high.
Coughlin keeps the reader highly engaged, as Evren ramps up her combat training, fights off assassins, and shows courage and fortitude in confronting danger at every turn. The story adds a bit of a murder-mystery to the compelling plot, where Evren, the likeable protagonist, must also use her wits.
"Right now, I liked what I saw in the mirror, for she was formidable. Born in strife, molded through friction and the fires of purpose, and then cooled in the sweet notion of saving our world we wrought with fear and neglect. The drakonum sung to the playing of my heartstrings and I was a work of art. If this was to be my last memory, so be it. But I hoped it wouldn't. That I would be there, to deliver a world anew. I was to be a new empress, a leader, a prophet, a deliverer, a queen of the new era. But for now, I was Evren, a daughter, a fighter, and now a friend."
Well fleshed out characters, salient reflections on broader themes, a dash of humour, burgeoning young romances, great diversity and LGBTQ + representation, make for an awesome YA novel. “Of Us and Them” has all these components, and much more.
Yet, like the best of the genre, “Of Us and Them” is not a great novel merely because it is awash with teenagers as characters. The skill of Coughlin is that she is able to write, as an adult, so seamlessly from the perspective of a teenager. Coughlin is appropriately vigilant in not sounding too “adult”, writing from the first-person perspective.
This author knows how to capture the emotional truth of teenagers with conciseness, but still heart and realism, including all the sometimes immature and inexperienced thought-processes, frustrating choices and inexplicable decisions, and requisite pop-culture references.
Of course, none of this implies Coughlin’s writing is anything other than sophisticated. Her prose is engaging, her overall writing superb. Be warned: the novel ends on a cliff-hanger, and the reader will be left salivating for the next installment.
This is a highly impressive first book by an up-and-coming author, who is bound to make a huge splash on the sci-fi YA scene with the release of “Of Us and Them”. Coughlin is a writer to watch, and I am fascinated to see where Evren’s story goes next.
“Of Us and Them” is a spectacular YA sci-fi debut by T.L. Coughlin.
I love first-person writing in general, but I find it lends itself particularly well to YA books because of the sense of immediacy and clarity. This particular first-person story focuses on Evren, a teenager who lives an almost ascetic life, alone, with the exception of her stern, dominant, and unwavering mother, Ignis.
Evren and Ignis reside in a reclusive, high-tech hideout, in still-picturesque 22nd century British Colombia. Ignis is also her daughter’s combat trainer. Evren has a thirst for knowledge, a sense of curiosity and wonder, a warrior’s spirit, and typical adolescent insecurities, exacerbated by her unique situation, and the restrictions imposed on her by a silently disapproving parent.
Evren must prepare to be a superior fighter, as she is destined to become a Paladin for the elite and clandestine organization, Nexum (which Ignis leads). According to legend, Paladins are knights of King Charlemagne’s court, a parallel to the Knights of the Round Table in the court of King Arthur. Similarly, in the context of “Of Us and Them”, the Paladins are the protectors and vessels of the Leviathans, an alien species, reminiscent of dragons.
Leviathans are supposed to be the saviours of humankind. The Leviathans are prophesied to prevent humans from further destroying the natural environment, which by the 22nd century, has become severely compromised.
Unfortunately, the arrival of the Leviathans is delayed, and the cause of the delay is apparently Evren herself. Evren is frustrated and guilty that she is the last of the Paladins to have her ouroboros mature. Once this maturity reaches fruition, it will signify Evren is ready to become a full-fledged Paladin, worthy of hosting and guarding the Leviathans.
Yet, until Evren’s ouroboros matures, as the final remaining among a group of male and female Paladins, the ceremony to summon Leviathans to earth cannot take place. This fact weighs heavily on Evren, as she is anxious to fulfill her destiny, and find meaning to her young life.
Coughlin has composed a wonderfully detailed futuristic earth, replete with the cool gadgetry one expects to see in a sci-fi entry. With savoury descriptions and backstory that are never overdone, but tantalizing enough to give you the feeling of being with Evren, the action in the novel is poignant and the stakes are high.
Coughlin keeps the reader highly engaged, as Evren ramps up her combat training, fights off assassins, and shows courage and fortitude in confronting danger at every turn. The story adds a bit of a murder-mystery to the compelling plot, where Evren, the likeable protagonist, must also use her wits.
"Right now, I liked what I saw in the mirror, for she was formidable. Born in strife, molded through friction and the fires of purpose, and then cooled in the sweet notion of saving our world we wrought with fear and neglect. The drakonum sung to the playing of my heartstrings and I was a work of art. If this was to be my last memory, so be it. But I hoped it wouldn't. That I would be there, to deliver a world anew. I was to be a new empress, a leader, a prophet, a deliverer, a queen of the new era. But for now, I was Evren, a daughter, a fighter, and now a friend."
Well fleshed out characters, salient reflections on broader themes, a dash of humour, burgeoning young romances, great diversity and LGBTQ + representation, make for an awesome YA novel. “Of Us and Them” has all these components, and much more.
Yet, like the best of the genre, “Of Us and Them” is not a great novel merely because it is awash with teenagers as characters. The skill of Coughlin is that she is able to write, as an adult, so seamlessly from the perspective of a teenager. Coughlin is appropriately vigilant in not sounding too “adult”, writing from the first-person perspective.
This author knows how to capture the emotional truth of teenagers with conciseness, but still heart and realism, including all the sometimes immature and inexperienced thought-processes, frustrating choices and inexplicable decisions, and requisite pop-culture references.
Of course, none of this implies Coughlin’s writing is anything other than sophisticated. Her prose is engaging, her overall writing superb. Be warned: the novel ends on a cliff-hanger, and the reader will be left salivating for the next installment.
This is a highly impressive first book by an up-and-coming author, who is bound to make a huge splash on the sci-fi YA scene with the release of “Of Us and Them”. Coughlin is a writer to watch, and I am fascinated to see where Evren’s story goes next.
October 22, 2021
3.5/5
Many thanks to the author for providing me a free review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Of Us and Them is a dystopian/futuristic novel that explores dragon mythology as part of its universe. In the future, when the fate of humanity hangs in the balance, these creatures (termed Leviathans in this world) will return to rescue the Earth and its people. Their history and lore have been preserved and passed down through generations until the present day, when a society called the Nexum work to gather the Paladins, a group of warriors who will aid the Leviathans in their great mission.
This story has such an interesting premise that is supported by some great world-building. Dragon mythology from all around the globe is an important part of the history in this world, and it was super interesting the way that the descriptions varied depending on the settings and cultures. The author did a wonderful job creating a diverse set of cast in this book and giving the reader relatable characters for whom to root.
The protagonist, Evren, is well fleshed out and read realistically as the teenager her character is meant to be. She is impatient, confused, and curious to learn about the world outside of the lifestyle in which she has been confined. I liked that she was portrayed as temperamental and naive, and as the reader we got to learn about the realities of this world through her perspective. The settings were rich and detailed, and the central plot was clear cut and easy to follow.
Personally, I found the pacing of this novel to be an issue. While I appreciated the solid world building and foundations laid out to introduce its universe, the first 40 percent of the book moved at a less than stellar pace. At times, I started to lose interest in the story from the amount of exposition and internalizations that were happening. The plot really only gained momentum after the halfway point in which some mystery and suspense were finally thrown in. There were several twists and red herrings that drew my attention, though if one pays heed I don’t believe it should be too difficult to piece together the true villains (as well as their motivations) of the story.
That’s not to say that the plot is uninteresting; the prose is well written and I liked the writing style of the author. There are many intriguing themes covered, including betrayals, political conspiracies, and murder mysteries left unsolved. In my opinion, a little less exposition and a little more action thrown in during the first half would have elevated the pacing of the story as well as the stakes of the central conflict.
Overall I thought this was a fairly solid debut work. This is only the beginning in a series from this up-and-coming author, so I’m optimistic about the direction that this story may take. I do have to note that the final chapter has a very abrupt cliffhanger ending to this first book, so here’s hoping the author will be able to give us the continuation to the story soon enough.
November 6, 2021
Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC of this book via BookOfMatchesMedia. It was my choice to read and I'm leaving this review voluntarily.
I had a splendid reading experience and I love ambitious sci-fi fantasy. I’ve also shared in my past reading and reviewing that I think the strained mother-daughter relationship especially relating to a -she expects too much of me- type vibe is super interesting to read and makes a unique dynamic in dialogue and plot.
I loved how the dragon element is inspired by ancient legends from around the world. It reminded me of the Alien franchise, most specifically Prometheus when they are talking about a similar thing, except not with dragons.
The only reason I’m giving it 4 stars instead of 5 is because I would have loved more plot progression or more intense, wow moments in the plot. I’m also kind of tired of the mc is training for something story element. I get it is necessary for some stories, including this one, but I’m tired of reading this trope in general. I did not think this would be a part of the book based on the synopsis.
Readers who like sci-fi, dragons, lore, myths & legends, fantasy, mc training for an important job/destiny, mystery, and cliffhanger endings will enjoy Of Us and Them.
On the Book of Matches Media email that ARC readers receive, the comparable authors/books are: Amy Rose Capetta & Cori McCarthy's - Once & Future, Tracy Deonn's - Legendborn, Alechia Dow's - The Sound of Stars. Out of those I've only read Legendborn. I’d say the MCs have similarities in their personalities and the way they are feeling about their destiny and the aspect of a mystery are the similarities between Legendborn and Of Us and Them. But, the setting, family structure, plot, and the fact that it’s more sci fi and has dragons makes it very different.
I had a splendid reading experience and I love ambitious sci-fi fantasy. I’ve also shared in my past reading and reviewing that I think the strained mother-daughter relationship especially relating to a -she expects too much of me- type vibe is super interesting to read and makes a unique dynamic in dialogue and plot.
I loved how the dragon element is inspired by ancient legends from around the world. It reminded me of the Alien franchise, most specifically Prometheus when they are talking about a similar thing, except not with dragons.
The only reason I’m giving it 4 stars instead of 5 is because I would have loved more plot progression or more intense, wow moments in the plot. I’m also kind of tired of the mc is training for something story element. I get it is necessary for some stories, including this one, but I’m tired of reading this trope in general. I did not think this would be a part of the book based on the synopsis.
Readers who like sci-fi, dragons, lore, myths & legends, fantasy, mc training for an important job/destiny, mystery, and cliffhanger endings will enjoy Of Us and Them.
On the Book of Matches Media email that ARC readers receive, the comparable authors/books are: Amy Rose Capetta & Cori McCarthy's - Once & Future, Tracy Deonn's - Legendborn, Alechia Dow's - The Sound of Stars. Out of those I've only read Legendborn. I’d say the MCs have similarities in their personalities and the way they are feeling about their destiny and the aspect of a mystery are the similarities between Legendborn and Of Us and Them. But, the setting, family structure, plot, and the fact that it’s more sci fi and has dragons makes it very different.
October 30, 2021
I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed this book. If you could..wait you can. I felt I was Evren throughout the entire read. The world building is AMAZING. Honestly, I’m not a fantasy book lover, but I can say without a doubt, I am now.
Dragons. Enough said. I loved everything about them. Seriously if you love dragons; then you might want to, no you should put this on you reading, must buy, why wait, get it now list.
I love mystery and I was drawn into ‘who was it’ big time. Oh and the ending….no spoilers from me, but count me in “if” there is another…
Page turner for me.
Rate of course, 5 stars.
Dragons. Enough said. I loved everything about them. Seriously if you love dragons; then you might want to, no you should put this on you reading, must buy, why wait, get it now list.
I love mystery and I was drawn into ‘who was it’ big time. Oh and the ending….no spoilers from me, but count me in “if” there is another…
Page turner for me.
Rate of course, 5 stars.
October 24, 2021
A wonderful, diverse story that mixes sci-fi with fantasy and intricate lore
Of Us and Them is a very ambitious debut by T.L. Coughlin.
The author has created a word with many layers, and juggles a diverse cast that feels well thought through with fascinating descriptions of architecture and mythology, a gripping murder mystery (I swear I didn't see it coming until the very end!) and a lot of heart.
I particularly enjoyed Evren's development and her relationship with her mother and truly enjoyed seeing her finding her tribe and growing into her power throughout the book.
As for the ending... let me just say book #2 can't arrive fast enough!!
P.S. I received a free review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Of Us and Them is a very ambitious debut by T.L. Coughlin.
The author has created a word with many layers, and juggles a diverse cast that feels well thought through with fascinating descriptions of architecture and mythology, a gripping murder mystery (I swear I didn't see it coming until the very end!) and a lot of heart.
I particularly enjoyed Evren's development and her relationship with her mother and truly enjoyed seeing her finding her tribe and growing into her power throughout the book.
As for the ending... let me just say book #2 can't arrive fast enough!!
P.S. I received a free review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 15, 2021
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to the author for writing this book.
The book was interesting, but oh so slow and it took about half of the book before it got to the Palladian death. I knew who the killer was because it was so predictable the moment they started talking about the killer’s past (and literally every reason and explanation fit perfectly with the person. I kept waiting for the person to die just to be proven wrong).
Don’t get me wrong I’m happy that it was in BC but I kind of wished it was also in made up town because when it’s a place you’ve visited so often (or live near it) it kind of makes it hard to take it seriously.
I did not like Evren (apologies if I spelled it wrong. Names are not my forte) in the beginning because she was so annoying and woe is me. Near the end she got better and started to care about other people besides herself.
Ryu is such a sweetheart and did not deserve the crap that he got. I feel bad for the ones who died because it is twisted as hell the reasoning behind it.
I loved the dragon lore and how it was incorporated throughout. Honestly, the dragon lore was the best part of the book.
If you love books with dragons and a whodunnit then this is the book for you.
3.75 out of 5 stars.
Thank you to the author for writing this book.
The book was interesting, but oh so slow and it took about half of the book before it got to the Palladian death. I knew who the killer was because it was so predictable the moment they started talking about the killer’s past (and literally every reason and explanation fit perfectly with the person. I kept waiting for the person to die just to be proven wrong).
Don’t get me wrong I’m happy that it was in BC but I kind of wished it was also in made up town because when it’s a place you’ve visited so often (or live near it) it kind of makes it hard to take it seriously.
I did not like Evren (apologies if I spelled it wrong. Names are not my forte) in the beginning because she was so annoying and woe is me. Near the end she got better and started to care about other people besides herself.
Ryu is such a sweetheart and did not deserve the crap that he got. I feel bad for the ones who died because it is twisted as hell the reasoning behind it.
I loved the dragon lore and how it was incorporated throughout. Honestly, the dragon lore was the best part of the book.
If you love books with dragons and a whodunnit then this is the book for you.
3.75 out of 5 stars.
December 6, 2021
I loved every minute of reading this book. It was brilliant first installment to a really unique series. I loved the pot twists, story-line, world-building and of course the interpretation of dragons using different cultures' stories of them.
The plot development was really good. I loved the flow of the book and that while reading about important things, it didn't seem like an information overload. The world-building and story-line were also done really well.
The characters were just amazing. I loved how Evren wasn't perfect. She was continuously struggling with her flaws and slowly growing though the book. It made her character really realistic and relatable.
Overall, I loved the book. The only issue was the it was a cliffhanger at the end. (So do beware, because the book is good and it will be hard.)
*Thank you to the author for sending me a copy in exchange for my honest review.*
The plot development was really good. I loved the flow of the book and that while reading about important things, it didn't seem like an information overload. The world-building and story-line were also done really well.
The characters were just amazing. I loved how Evren wasn't perfect. She was continuously struggling with her flaws and slowly growing though the book. It made her character really realistic and relatable.
Overall, I loved the book. The only issue was the it was a cliffhanger at the end. (So do beware, because the book is good and it will be hard.)
*Thank you to the author for sending me a copy in exchange for my honest review.*
October 9, 2021
When I read the premise of this book I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I was delightfully surprised with such an interesting plot line. The writing is this book is wonderfully done. I love the anticipation that is built throughout the book. I must say initially, the ending of the book truly shocked me by how much was left unanswered. But upon further reflection, I realize it was a good way to end and make the reader still thinking about for a long time after. I do wish that some more things were answered, but I guess I will just have to wait for the next book! Overall, this was a wonderful, wonderful read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 29, 2021
Thank you to the author for providing me an ARC in exchange for a review!
Of Us and Them is a stellar sci-fi debut by a hugely talented writer. The world building is engaging and the characters are dynamic. It’s a concept unlike anything I’ve really seen before, and the execution is excellent. Looking forward to reading more from this wonderful debut author!
Of Us and Them is a stellar sci-fi debut by a hugely talented writer. The world building is engaging and the characters are dynamic. It’s a concept unlike anything I’ve really seen before, and the execution is excellent. Looking forward to reading more from this wonderful debut author!
October 31, 2021
I was given the opportunity to read this book as an arc reader and I'm so glad I was! I received a free copy of this book I'm exchange for an honest review and my review is, you need to read this book! This is one of my favourite reads this year and I think before the year is out I'll be reading it again! It is such a please to read her work and I know you will feel the same way 😀
November 10, 2021
Excellent read!
It drew me in right from the start and I couldn't stop reading! I can't wait to find out what happens next!
It drew me in right from the start and I couldn't stop reading! I can't wait to find out what happens next!
December 2, 2021
I absolutely loved this story! I found Evren to be so relatable and real, and her thoughts and actions around Ryu were comical! It gave me huge Divergent/Maze Runner feels, especially with the dynamics of a group of teens interacting whilst living in a secret base built into a mountain. The writing flowed, and it’s been a long time since I could say I could not put a book down, but this is one of those times! I can’t wait to learn more about Nexum, the Leviathans and the other characters. That ending, whaaaaat, give me more! Easy 5 stars.
December 21, 2021
Wow - what an absolutely incredible novel. I often get bored with books easily, but this caught my attention and kept it from start to finish. The main character, Evren, is one of the most relatable, dynamic characters I’ve come across. She is someone who you both connect with but also aspire to become. You truly feel as if you are experiencing every event right along with her, and her feelings become your own. You are so quickly thrown into a beautiful, tumultuous world that you can visualize and experience. I could see this as a successful movie (and believe me, I’d be the first in line to see it).
With such fantastic multi-faceted characters and every single twist and turn in the plot, it is extremely hard to put this book down.
The author, T.L. Coughlin, did an exceptional job at world-building and ensuring that the reader has all the knowledge they need to fully immerse themselves in the story.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book and am eagerly awaiting the next instalment!
With such fantastic multi-faceted characters and every single twist and turn in the plot, it is extremely hard to put this book down.
The author, T.L. Coughlin, did an exceptional job at world-building and ensuring that the reader has all the knowledge they need to fully immerse themselves in the story.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book and am eagerly awaiting the next instalment!
December 26, 2021
I judged a book by its cover and was absolutely rewarded!
**Spoiler-Free review**
OU&T was one of those books I got on a whim to get a change of pace from what I had been reading-
It's refreshing twist on destiny and subtle moments of finding joy in unlikely places aside- the book really shines with it's fresh world-building.
I can't say I've really ever read a story with a "universe" like this- and I'm richer now for having experienced it.
**Spoiler-Free review**
OU&T was one of those books I got on a whim to get a change of pace from what I had been reading-
It's refreshing twist on destiny and subtle moments of finding joy in unlikely places aside- the book really shines with it's fresh world-building.
I can't say I've really ever read a story with a "universe" like this- and I'm richer now for having experienced it.
November 2, 2025
I was hooked from the beginning - it’s not even funny how much I need the sequel to be written. The world the author built is so intriguing and rich and I want to keep living in that world. PLEASE WRITE A SEQUEL!
November 17, 2021
This book is truly in the list of my top YA science fiction books! Evren has waited her whole life for the symbol on her neck to change. She needs to show that she has “matured” so that she can join the rest of the Paladins who are going to be vessels for the Leviathans. Her mother has trained her since birth for this moment, never giving her a moment’s rest. She’s embarrassed to have her child be the one holding the entire group up from fulfilling their duties. When Evren’s sign finally changes, she is thrown into the world of the Nexum, a world her mother was very secretive about. She knows nothing about the truth of her world compared to the other Paladins who have been living in the Nexum since elementary school and has a lot to catch up on. Nevertheless, the ceremony must go on. The Leviathans must come back to Earth into the vessels of the Paladins and help the humans to find peace. When things start to go wrong, the truth about the world of the Nexum and Paladins slowly reveals its ugly head.
I wasn’t sure quite what to expect when I first picked up this book. I’ve slowly been leaning away from YA fiction and trying to read more adult fiction as I felt drained by YA recently. I’m so happy that I gave in to read this book, it truly threw me out of my slight reading slump. Instead of feeling like this was a dumbed-down version of an adult science fiction book, I fellt like I was thrown into a fully gritty dystopian world. Definitely a note, this isn’t a book for the faint-hearted. Things get a bit gory at times!
Evren was such a compelling character. Kept in the dark by her overprotective mother, she struggles with being one of the oldest Paladins who doesn’t even really understand what being a Paladin is. She fights hard to catch up with the others, and when the others are in danger, she fights hard to save them. I loved how this book’s world was set up, even though much was clearly being kept from public view. You see everything from Evren’s eyes, so if she doesn’t know something, you don’t know the answer either. I can’t wait to see how the world expands in future installments of the series now that some of the secrets of the Paladins and Leviathans have been revealed.
The one thing that took this book down a little bit for me was the ending. I feel like it was a little bit rushed, but it didn’t ruin my whole experience. Now I just can’t wait until the next book releases!
The pacing of this book was excellent and I flew through the whole thing over the course of less than 12 hours between reading at night and reading on my morning commute. I just couldn’t put it down. I was enjoying the idea of Evren going to a magic/Paladin training school, and then the suspense/drama just kicked my excitement up a notch.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a new YA science fiction series to enjoy.
Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5 books.
I wasn’t sure quite what to expect when I first picked up this book. I’ve slowly been leaning away from YA fiction and trying to read more adult fiction as I felt drained by YA recently. I’m so happy that I gave in to read this book, it truly threw me out of my slight reading slump. Instead of feeling like this was a dumbed-down version of an adult science fiction book, I fellt like I was thrown into a fully gritty dystopian world. Definitely a note, this isn’t a book for the faint-hearted. Things get a bit gory at times!
Evren was such a compelling character. Kept in the dark by her overprotective mother, she struggles with being one of the oldest Paladins who doesn’t even really understand what being a Paladin is. She fights hard to catch up with the others, and when the others are in danger, she fights hard to save them. I loved how this book’s world was set up, even though much was clearly being kept from public view. You see everything from Evren’s eyes, so if she doesn’t know something, you don’t know the answer either. I can’t wait to see how the world expands in future installments of the series now that some of the secrets of the Paladins and Leviathans have been revealed.
The one thing that took this book down a little bit for me was the ending. I feel like it was a little bit rushed, but it didn’t ruin my whole experience. Now I just can’t wait until the next book releases!
The pacing of this book was excellent and I flew through the whole thing over the course of less than 12 hours between reading at night and reading on my morning commute. I just couldn’t put it down. I was enjoying the idea of Evren going to a magic/Paladin training school, and then the suspense/drama just kicked my excitement up a notch.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a new YA science fiction series to enjoy.
Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5 books.
October 26, 2021
I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
YA is not my go to genre when reading, but Of Us and Them had me hooked. Evren's character development was my favorite part and this amazing new author had me hooked. If you love dragons and mystery this is the book for you. I can't wait to read the next book in this series!
YA is not my go to genre when reading, but Of Us and Them had me hooked. Evren's character development was my favorite part and this amazing new author had me hooked. If you love dragons and mystery this is the book for you. I can't wait to read the next book in this series!
October 12, 2021
I received a free review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Dragons? Dragons!
And so much more, though I think we could all use some more dragon stories in our lives. T.L. Coughlin uses dragon lore from all around the world to create this fantasy novel turned murder mystery which takes place in a secret organization's mountain lodgings. The different mythologies are reflected in the diversity of the characters, which was a pleasure to see.
The murder mystery aspect of the novel was the part I enjoyed the most besides the dragon inspiration. It went places I wasn't expecting it to go, but delighted me all the more for it. The last 70 pages in particular, I sped through in one sitting.
While I did like Evren and the characters, the beginning and Evren's emotional journey during it confused me a bit. Her mood, and feelings toward other characters, seemed to change rather quickly at times. There were a few classic YA tropes at the start.
Overall, there was plenty to enjoy and plenty of questions left unanswered, leaving a solid foundation for book 2!
Dragons? Dragons!
And so much more, though I think we could all use some more dragon stories in our lives. T.L. Coughlin uses dragon lore from all around the world to create this fantasy novel turned murder mystery which takes place in a secret organization's mountain lodgings. The different mythologies are reflected in the diversity of the characters, which was a pleasure to see.
The murder mystery aspect of the novel was the part I enjoyed the most besides the dragon inspiration. It went places I wasn't expecting it to go, but delighted me all the more for it. The last 70 pages in particular, I sped through in one sitting.
While I did like Evren and the characters, the beginning and Evren's emotional journey during it confused me a bit. Her mood, and feelings toward other characters, seemed to change rather quickly at times. There were a few classic YA tropes at the start.
Overall, there was plenty to enjoy and plenty of questions left unanswered, leaving a solid foundation for book 2!
October 13, 2021
**I received a free review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.**
YA fantasy is not my go-to genre, but I'll read anything that keeps me hooked. That's exactly what Of Us and Them does from the beginning. Evren's journey from confused teenage warrior-in-training to somewhat-more-confused badass warrior-in-training is a fun ride.
The writing is plucky and aimed directly at its intended audience. At times saccharine and at others brooding, the story captures the essence of teenage life and transports it to a future steeped in dragon lore. The mythology, relationships, mystery, and cliffhanger ending all come together in an engaging debut from the author.
This book is an easy read that will likely have you researching worldwide dragon lore for hours after putting it down.
YA fantasy is not my go-to genre, but I'll read anything that keeps me hooked. That's exactly what Of Us and Them does from the beginning. Evren's journey from confused teenage warrior-in-training to somewhat-more-confused badass warrior-in-training is a fun ride.
The writing is plucky and aimed directly at its intended audience. At times saccharine and at others brooding, the story captures the essence of teenage life and transports it to a future steeped in dragon lore. The mythology, relationships, mystery, and cliffhanger ending all come together in an engaging debut from the author.
This book is an easy read that will likely have you researching worldwide dragon lore for hours after putting it down.
October 4, 2021
This book is a solid 4 stars for me.
If you love murder mysteries and dragons, this is the story for you! It's very much Knives Out meets sci-fi dark academia (if the school setting was actually a secret high-tech base under a mountain and everyone is a highly trained warrior 👀).
This story's cast of characters is diverse and well written! Every interaction Evren, the main character, has with her peers feels very natural and realistic (although being introduced to everyone all at once is a little overwhelming). Plus learning about the secret society this story centers around is really intriguing!
The only thing that prevented me from giving this book 5 stars was the pacing. It starts out on the slower side and things really pick up about halfway through and then the rest of the story moves at lightning speed toward the end. (Whoo boy that ending!! So awesome.)
Overall, I'd say this book is definitely worth the read if you're into murder mysteries, dragon lore, and slow burn intrigue.
*I received a free review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
If you love murder mysteries and dragons, this is the story for you! It's very much Knives Out meets sci-fi dark academia (if the school setting was actually a secret high-tech base under a mountain and everyone is a highly trained warrior 👀).
This story's cast of characters is diverse and well written! Every interaction Evren, the main character, has with her peers feels very natural and realistic (although being introduced to everyone all at once is a little overwhelming). Plus learning about the secret society this story centers around is really intriguing!
The only thing that prevented me from giving this book 5 stars was the pacing. It starts out on the slower side and things really pick up about halfway through and then the rest of the story moves at lightning speed toward the end. (Whoo boy that ending!! So awesome.)
Overall, I'd say this book is definitely worth the read if you're into murder mysteries, dragon lore, and slow burn intrigue.
*I received a free review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
October 11, 2021
I received a free review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book had me on tenterhooks for the whole second half. The pacing and tension are excellent with some great twists. All the characters have distinct voice and personality. The setting is unique and captivating with enough information to bring it to life and also to give some background commentary on our own world.
Highly recommend this book. I can't wait for a sequel!
This book had me on tenterhooks for the whole second half. The pacing and tension are excellent with some great twists. All the characters have distinct voice and personality. The setting is unique and captivating with enough information to bring it to life and also to give some background commentary on our own world.
Highly recommend this book. I can't wait for a sequel!
November 6, 2021
Fantastic debut!
I really enjoyed this story that is filled with wonderful characters. Intriguing and fascinating, I loved the dragon lore and how the author connected it to humankind. Can't wait for the sequel!
I really enjoyed this story that is filled with wonderful characters. Intriguing and fascinating, I loved the dragon lore and how the author connected it to humankind. Can't wait for the sequel!
January 17, 2022
☆☆☆☆,25 /5
(ENGLISH REVIEW BELOW)
L’autrice m’a emportée dans son récit, qui mêle enquêtes, complots et dragons.
¤
Un avenir fatal brûlant de danger conduit une jeune fille à découvrir un sinistre complot.
PRENEZ VOTRE DERNIER SOUFFLE.
Evren, 17 ans, est née dans un seul but : servir de vaisseau aux Léviathans, une espèce extraterrestre cachée dans la tradition mondiale des dragons. Elle aspire à rejoindre la société secrète qui les a cachés dans l'histoire -et en tant que dernier des douze paladins prophétisés, elle en a besoin. Le monde étant en ruine, leur unification marquera le retour des Léviathans sur Terre pour protéger les humains de leur pire ennemi : eux-mêmes.
Mais les ambitions d'Evren sont anéanties lorsqu'un Paladin est retrouvé mort. Le meurtre enflamme son monde et elle doit maintenant arrêter le saboteur, ou risquer de détruire un plan céleste en cours d'élaboration. Cependant, trouver la vérité -et le tueur- dans une société fondée sur la tromperie ne sera pas facile, surtout avec la mère féroce et surveillée d'Evren comme chef.
Evren peut-elle sauver ce qui reste de son destin ? Ou est-ce que de sombres découvertes feront d'elle la prochaine victime ?
¤
Ce que j’ai le plus aimé dans ce roman, c’est le mythe des dragons qui a été exploré. J’ai beaucoup apprécié la manière dont ont été décrit les dragons/les Léviathans ainsi que la vision et l’importance que l’autrice leur a donné dans la construction de son histoire. Moi, qui adore les dragons, les voir sous forme d’extraterrestres, sauveurs des êtres humains… J’ai tout simplement adoré cette idée originale.
Également, j’ai beaucoup apprécié le fait que le pire ennemi des êtres humains soit eux-mêmes. Ce roman pose des questions d’actualité sur l’être humain, son rôle dans la société et les conséquences de ses actions.
À travers les différents personnages, les messages transmis par le texte, l’autrice amène le lecteur à réfléchir et à prendre du recul sur notre société actuel pendant qu’Evren se pose elle-même des questions sur la société dans laquelle elle vit.
Cette lecture fut entraînante. J’étais vraiment curieuse de connaître la fin de ce premier tome, tant les mystères s’accumulaient et le suspens était bien maintenu. Le style d’écriture de l’autrice m’a beaucoup aidé à visualiser l’enchaînement des événements, le balancement du rythme du récit qui s’accélérait ou ralentissait selon ce qui se passait dans l’histoire.
Alors que j’étais curieuse de lire ce roman, maintenant que j’ai lu la dernière page, je suis encore curieuse de connaître la suite.
--------
ENGLISH REVIEW:
☆☆☆☆,25 /5
The author carried me away in her story, which mixes investigations, conspiracies and dragons.
¤
What I liked the most about this book is the myth of the dragons which was explored. I really appreciated the way in which the dragons/Leviathans were described as well as the vision and the importance that the author gave to them in the construction of her story. I adore dragons so, seeing them in the form of extraterrestrials, saviors of human beings… I simply loved this original idea.
Also, I really appreciated the fact that the worst enemy of human beings is themselves. This novel asks topical questions about human beings, their role in society and the consequences of their actions.
Through the different characters, the messages transmitted by the text, the author leads the reader to reflect and take a step back from our current society while Evren asks herself questions about the society in which she lives.
This reading was captivating. I was really curious to know the end of this first book, as the mysteries accumulated and the suspense was well maintained. The author's writing style helped me a lot to visualize the sequence of events, the swinging rhythm of the story which accelerated or slowed down depending on what was happening in the story.
While I was curious to read this book and now that I've read the last page, I'm still curious to know what's next.
(ENGLISH REVIEW BELOW)
L’autrice m’a emportée dans son récit, qui mêle enquêtes, complots et dragons.
¤
Un avenir fatal brûlant de danger conduit une jeune fille à découvrir un sinistre complot.
PRENEZ VOTRE DERNIER SOUFFLE.
Evren, 17 ans, est née dans un seul but : servir de vaisseau aux Léviathans, une espèce extraterrestre cachée dans la tradition mondiale des dragons. Elle aspire à rejoindre la société secrète qui les a cachés dans l'histoire -et en tant que dernier des douze paladins prophétisés, elle en a besoin. Le monde étant en ruine, leur unification marquera le retour des Léviathans sur Terre pour protéger les humains de leur pire ennemi : eux-mêmes.
Mais les ambitions d'Evren sont anéanties lorsqu'un Paladin est retrouvé mort. Le meurtre enflamme son monde et elle doit maintenant arrêter le saboteur, ou risquer de détruire un plan céleste en cours d'élaboration. Cependant, trouver la vérité -et le tueur- dans une société fondée sur la tromperie ne sera pas facile, surtout avec la mère féroce et surveillée d'Evren comme chef.
Evren peut-elle sauver ce qui reste de son destin ? Ou est-ce que de sombres découvertes feront d'elle la prochaine victime ?
¤
Ce que j’ai le plus aimé dans ce roman, c’est le mythe des dragons qui a été exploré. J’ai beaucoup apprécié la manière dont ont été décrit les dragons/les Léviathans ainsi que la vision et l’importance que l’autrice leur a donné dans la construction de son histoire. Moi, qui adore les dragons, les voir sous forme d’extraterrestres, sauveurs des êtres humains… J’ai tout simplement adoré cette idée originale.
Également, j’ai beaucoup apprécié le fait que le pire ennemi des êtres humains soit eux-mêmes. Ce roman pose des questions d’actualité sur l’être humain, son rôle dans la société et les conséquences de ses actions.
À travers les différents personnages, les messages transmis par le texte, l’autrice amène le lecteur à réfléchir et à prendre du recul sur notre société actuel pendant qu’Evren se pose elle-même des questions sur la société dans laquelle elle vit.
Cette lecture fut entraînante. J’étais vraiment curieuse de connaître la fin de ce premier tome, tant les mystères s’accumulaient et le suspens était bien maintenu. Le style d’écriture de l’autrice m’a beaucoup aidé à visualiser l’enchaînement des événements, le balancement du rythme du récit qui s’accélérait ou ralentissait selon ce qui se passait dans l’histoire.
Alors que j’étais curieuse de lire ce roman, maintenant que j’ai lu la dernière page, je suis encore curieuse de connaître la suite.
--------
ENGLISH REVIEW:
☆☆☆☆,25 /5
The author carried me away in her story, which mixes investigations, conspiracies and dragons.
¤
What I liked the most about this book is the myth of the dragons which was explored. I really appreciated the way in which the dragons/Leviathans were described as well as the vision and the importance that the author gave to them in the construction of her story. I adore dragons so, seeing them in the form of extraterrestrials, saviors of human beings… I simply loved this original idea.
Also, I really appreciated the fact that the worst enemy of human beings is themselves. This novel asks topical questions about human beings, their role in society and the consequences of their actions.
Through the different characters, the messages transmitted by the text, the author leads the reader to reflect and take a step back from our current society while Evren asks herself questions about the society in which she lives.
This reading was captivating. I was really curious to know the end of this first book, as the mysteries accumulated and the suspense was well maintained. The author's writing style helped me a lot to visualize the sequence of events, the swinging rhythm of the story which accelerated or slowed down depending on what was happening in the story.
While I was curious to read this book and now that I've read the last page, I'm still curious to know what's next.
October 25, 2021
Of Us and Them is about a group of teenaged paladins who have been trained to act as vessels for an alien race that inspired dragon mythologies around the world. It had definite vibes of Legendborn and other YA contemporary fantasies with institutional settings. I loved the premise and the intricate world-building that went into this, along with the murder mystery that kept me guessing until the end.
The pacing starts off a little slow, with a fair amount of exposition. Once the action picks up, though, the pacing is excellent. The ending is a cliffhanger that sets up the next book. I would have liked a bit more of a denouement, but I definitely want to see where this series goes next!
My favourite elements of the book are the relationships. First, I enjoyed Evren's complicated relationship with her ambitious mother, and how Evren's feelings towards her mother evolved throughout the story. Second, I loved the cast of characters in Nexum (the aforementioned secret society). They were authentically diverse and felt "real". Even without the mystery, I would have wanted to keep reading about these characters to see their growth.
Overall, if you are a YA fan and you enjoy dragons, secret societies, and murder mysteries, this is the book for you!
NB: I received a free review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The pacing starts off a little slow, with a fair amount of exposition. Once the action picks up, though, the pacing is excellent. The ending is a cliffhanger that sets up the next book. I would have liked a bit more of a denouement, but I definitely want to see where this series goes next!
My favourite elements of the book are the relationships. First, I enjoyed Evren's complicated relationship with her ambitious mother, and how Evren's feelings towards her mother evolved throughout the story. Second, I loved the cast of characters in Nexum (the aforementioned secret society). They were authentically diverse and felt "real". Even without the mystery, I would have wanted to keep reading about these characters to see their growth.
Overall, if you are a YA fan and you enjoy dragons, secret societies, and murder mysteries, this is the book for you!
NB: I received a free review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 8, 2021
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This is my personal impression of the book, and I received no compensation.
I loved being immersed in this world. The protagonist has a strong and genuine voice, there was plenty of representation and diversity, and the concept is incredible. The book begins with Evren’s internal struggle and builds on the idea that there’s a reason dragons appear in mythologies across the world: because they are real, but they’re not what you think. The story kept me engaged, particularly as the book progressed, and by the last third it was difficult to put the book down. I turned page after page, reading through the middle of the night to finish it.
The characters are fun with unique voices, and though at one point you meet quite a few of them at once, you can connect to them all because of their distinct personalities. There was a balanced amount of world-building in the book and the drakonum was such a neat feature.
The ending was not what I expected at all, and it was great to be surprised after guessing the entire time on the outcome.
Overall, I enjoyed the story and would recommend this book to those who love a fresh take on dragons blended with some sci-fi and mystery.
I loved being immersed in this world. The protagonist has a strong and genuine voice, there was plenty of representation and diversity, and the concept is incredible. The book begins with Evren’s internal struggle and builds on the idea that there’s a reason dragons appear in mythologies across the world: because they are real, but they’re not what you think. The story kept me engaged, particularly as the book progressed, and by the last third it was difficult to put the book down. I turned page after page, reading through the middle of the night to finish it.
The characters are fun with unique voices, and though at one point you meet quite a few of them at once, you can connect to them all because of their distinct personalities. There was a balanced amount of world-building in the book and the drakonum was such a neat feature.
The ending was not what I expected at all, and it was great to be surprised after guessing the entire time on the outcome.
Overall, I enjoyed the story and would recommend this book to those who love a fresh take on dragons blended with some sci-fi and mystery.
October 25, 2021
This was such an enjoyable and exciting read! Just a perfect mix of mystery, SciFi and fantasy, with some elements of romance. I could not put this book down! In Of Us and Them, Evren was born for one purpose: to serve as a vessel for the Leviathans, an alien species hidden in global dragon lore. She is the last one of twelve prophecised Paladins who unify to signal the Leviathans’ return to Earth. When a Paladin found dead, Evren and her friends set off on a mission to find the killer. But it proves to be a dangerous quest.
There are so many things I loved about this book! First of, fantasy and SciFi reads often intimidate me because I get confused by the lingo. With this book it was easy and therefore more enjoyable for me, the fantasy/SciFi newbie. Second, it was fast-paced, there is a mystery and adventure - all the fun stuff. Also, I loved the diverse set of characters, the Paladins with rich cultural backgrounds. Each character is beautifully developed by the author and it makes them so much more real and likable (even the not very nice ones!) And to add, the author is a wonderful story teller and I really enjoyed her writing style.
⚖️ This was a page-turner and I absolutely can not wait for the Book 2. Yes, this is to be continued!
There are so many things I loved about this book! First of, fantasy and SciFi reads often intimidate me because I get confused by the lingo. With this book it was easy and therefore more enjoyable for me, the fantasy/SciFi newbie. Second, it was fast-paced, there is a mystery and adventure - all the fun stuff. Also, I loved the diverse set of characters, the Paladins with rich cultural backgrounds. Each character is beautifully developed by the author and it makes them so much more real and likable (even the not very nice ones!) And to add, the author is a wonderful story teller and I really enjoyed her writing style.
⚖️ This was a page-turner and I absolutely can not wait for the Book 2. Yes, this is to be continued!
October 13, 2021
I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The characters in Of Us and Them were the first thing that drew me in - they're relatable, realistic, and lovable in ways that made my heart ache for them. Evren is a true warrior, a strong female character I think any reader will fall in love with. The cast is wonderfully diverse, and I firmly believe anyone will identify with their journeys throughout the book.
The plot is fast-moving, with many twists and turns I could never see coming! I found myself reading faster and faster, quite literally unable to put it down, and finished it in record timing. I don't often describe books as 'unputdownable' (if that's even a word), but Of Us and Them certainly is!
The overarching theme of the novel is so unique, I can't liken it to much else - it stands on its own, and that's so refreshing in the YA market.
I loved each and every page - truly impressive from the opening chapter to the end. An absolute five star read.
The characters in Of Us and Them were the first thing that drew me in - they're relatable, realistic, and lovable in ways that made my heart ache for them. Evren is a true warrior, a strong female character I think any reader will fall in love with. The cast is wonderfully diverse, and I firmly believe anyone will identify with their journeys throughout the book.
The plot is fast-moving, with many twists and turns I could never see coming! I found myself reading faster and faster, quite literally unable to put it down, and finished it in record timing. I don't often describe books as 'unputdownable' (if that's even a word), but Of Us and Them certainly is!
The overarching theme of the novel is so unique, I can't liken it to much else - it stands on its own, and that's so refreshing in the YA market.
I loved each and every page - truly impressive from the opening chapter to the end. An absolute five star read.
September 22, 2021
The premise of this book is so intriguing! What if the dragons that breathe fire into our oral and written traditions are celestial beings and not figments of the human imagination? Is it more than a coincidence that folktales in every corner of the world feature dragons?
What’s more, at the heart of the story is a murder mystery, and one that kept me at the edge of my seat till the end.
I enjoyed immersing myself in T.L. Coughlin’s world and getting to know her characters. I felt an instant connection with Evren, who has lived a sheltered life, but is no shrinking daisy. I love how she comes into her own and doesn’t shy away from adversity.
If you are looking for a book with a strong female protagonist and amazing diversity and LGBTQ+ representation, this one is for you.
An impressive debut and solid 5 stars.
I received a free review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
What’s more, at the heart of the story is a murder mystery, and one that kept me at the edge of my seat till the end.
I enjoyed immersing myself in T.L. Coughlin’s world and getting to know her characters. I felt an instant connection with Evren, who has lived a sheltered life, but is no shrinking daisy. I love how she comes into her own and doesn’t shy away from adversity.
If you are looking for a book with a strong female protagonist and amazing diversity and LGBTQ+ representation, this one is for you.
An impressive debut and solid 5 stars.
I received a free review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 6, 2021
Of Us and Them is a YA Science Fiction and Murder Mystery that revolves around Seventeen-year-old Evren and her one purpose: to serve as a vessel for the Leviathans, an alien species set to save the world from destruction.
She has been training her whole life for this purpose. She is one of the Paladins chosen to be a vessel. When it looks like everything is working out, one of the Paladins is found dead. The murder risks destroying a celestial plan millennia in the making and Evren plans to stop the killer. But it is not an easy task since they are in a society built on deceit.
I loved the plot from the beginning. Evren was a strong and fierce character I wanted to support from the start. And the story has dragons in it. It was exciting to watch Evren uncover the truth and protect her friends!
She has been training her whole life for this purpose. She is one of the Paladins chosen to be a vessel. When it looks like everything is working out, one of the Paladins is found dead. The murder risks destroying a celestial plan millennia in the making and Evren plans to stop the killer. But it is not an easy task since they are in a society built on deceit.
I loved the plot from the beginning. Evren was a strong and fierce character I wanted to support from the start. And the story has dragons in it. It was exciting to watch Evren uncover the truth and protect her friends!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews