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The Guidal #1
Discovering Puracordis
In a future where the mention of magic is banned, one paranoid man holds all the power. Adopting children to become his private bodyguards, they are raised together in a strict institute where sixteen-year-old Aurora struggles to follow the rules. Finding herself disciplined often, she doesn't particularly like her endless life of servitude.
Soon, she will have to take part in the institute's annual Unity ceremony where she could end up engaged to a complete stranger!
Aurora's fears of being different are realised when she discovers something about herself, something which will make most fear her, and her adoptive father will want her killed for.
Friends, bullies, and a touch of something magical, Aurora's first year in the grown-ups' quarter is far from ordinary.
****************************************
Pitch Wars Winner
Incipere Award Finalist
****************************************
"I really enjoyed it and would've read for another 100 pages." (Desiree B.)
"There were times I almost teared up right along with Aurora. The emotions were very believable." (Julie T.)
Soon, she will have to take part in the institute's annual Unity ceremony where she could end up engaged to a complete stranger!
Aurora's fears of being different are realised when she discovers something about herself, something which will make most fear her, and her adoptive father will want her killed for.
Friends, bullies, and a touch of something magical, Aurora's first year in the grown-ups' quarter is far from ordinary.
****************************************
Pitch Wars Winner
Incipere Award Finalist
****************************************
"I really enjoyed it and would've read for another 100 pages." (Desiree B.)
"There were times I almost teared up right along with Aurora. The emotions were very believable." (Julie T.)
286 pages, Paperback
Published April 2, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
April 14, 2023
What a five star read! Super easy read but keeps the reader engaged the whole story! The characters are well thought out, the plot is delicious and thickens as the book continues (and into the second book coming soon!). I absolutely loved how the story developed and can’t wait to recommend it to everyone!
August 11, 2024
4.5⭐️ I loved this so much, I can't wait to read book 2🫶🏻
March 1, 2022
***SPOILER FREE Review of
The Guidal: Discovering Puracordis***
This was a delicious binge I devoured in around fourteen hours, staying up until 4:00 am to do so.
Our heroine, Aurora, is smart-mouthed, determined, compassionate-to-a-fault, straight-up-stubborn, and a bad*ss. Roxy did a stellar job of putting me in Aurora's shoes. I felt everything Aurora did and fought tears more than once. I was completely invested in Aurora’s story. I remember one scene where my heart dropped straight into my stomach. I mean, I had such a physical reaction to the situation! Hahaha, I was terrified over what would happen next.
I really felt like it was happening to me instead!
Warning: There is a love triangle! I know some people despise them, personally, I love them. Before you let that effect your desire to give it a go, it’s done so well! I’m so sick of reading love triangles where you know exactly who the heroine will choose from the very beginning. Like, why even have one? It’s a big pet peeve of mine, but with the way Roxy did hers, I honestly have no idea who will end up by Aurora’s side in the end.
This is FANTASTIC, and the way ALL love triangles should be; they should keep us guessing. I honestly don’t even know who I’m shipping for, which is even better! (I’m so torn!!)
Besides the first couple of chapters, this book was a rollercoaster of unpredictability. I would clutch my phone to my chest and try to figure out where the heck Roxy was going with some of this stuff!
I couldn’t even form a guess most of the time, and the stuff I thought would happen, didn’t.
There are some steamy scenes that I thoroughly enjoyed, but I don’t think it would put more conservative people off since they weren’t explicit, and the novel doesn’t go past some light making out.
There was light language, but I don’t think it was anything, again, that would turn off more conservative readers. (I think the “B” word is said twice, and there might have been one “S” word, but the rest was cut down, so we knew what they meant without them actually saying it. Like saying “Shi—” instead of the word.) I know language is a pet peeve for a lot of readers, so rest assured, it’s very light and nothing I think would upset, annoy, or bother anyone.
Maybe a scene or two could be perceived as toxic for our heroine for some readers, nothing that bothered me at all, but some people are very sensitive about certain things. I thought it was well done/completely mild, and I have no problem personally with even heavily toxic situations in writing, but this is just for those who need a heads up.
Although it was clear from the beginning, and even in the blurb, that there was going to be something special about Aurora, the ending threw me for a total loop! So, don’t go into this thinking you know what’s going to happen; enjoy the ride!
I was very surprised at how well Roxy did a large amount of characters very early on, but I always knew who she was talking about. (Seriously, this was mind-blowing for me. At most, I’d have to think for one second, where normally I’d have to give up and keep reading because I had no clue.) I don’t know how she did this; it was very impressive to me. I wondered if it had to do with how unique everyone’s names were and how she gave very little, but just enough, info with the introduction that they stuck with me the entire read. I loved the unique names!
Oh! The ABSOLUTE best part and what impressed me the most was how she built her world by Aurora’s experiences! Not once did I feel an info dump or have to go back and read a page again and again to try and absorb the information! This is a MAJOR issue for me when reading even my most beloved books; I have the attention span of a bubble-eyed goldfish.
The technology is something else! I love fantasy and sci-fi, but dang! It was so cool, unique, imaginative, and fun! And there wasn't a single over-the-top- explanation, but it was just normal through Aurora's eyes while still providing the reader with every needed detail! AMAZING!
You learn as you go, and there is so much dialogue that I NEVER felt bored! I was engaged enough to devour this in one go. At about 1:00 am, I was going to put it down because my kids wake up early… but as soon as I brushed my teeth and lay back down my naughty hands seized it back up.
I really couldn’t stop; it’s been a long time since a book did that to me! Which is what I love most!! I want a book I can’t put down, and this was it!
Another beautiful ability of Roxy’s is for the readers to experience things and perceive them how we do without any kind of spoon feeding. Her writing is like watching a movie: you know what’s happening, but you don’t know what’s not being said. By that I mean, we feel what Aurora feels and we know some of her thoughts, but it wasn’t to the point where we were separated from having our own unique experiences while reading. PERECT! It was a totally captivating experience and I loved every second of it!
Why can’t more writers do this!!??
I mentioned the unpredictability, and without a spoiler, there was one situation where I thought Roxy was preparing us for a major switch, and I was disappointed, but I was so wrong! It didn’t go how I thought it would at all, and I’m so happy it didn’t!
A writer that can keep me guessing?? More please!!!
There were a few milder times like this where I thought I knew where it was going, but no, Roxy is a magician with a slight of hand. It was kind of incredible, like she knew how to make me think one thing only to throw me for a loop. It made the book so fun and engaging and also heart wrenching in the best way.
Rollercoaster about sums it up.
I swooned, laughed, cried, gasped, shivered ect. What more could you want!!??
The Guidal: Discovering Puracordis is a MUST READ! If I could muster a complaint it would be how abruptly it ended and how I don’t know if I can stand wondering what’s going to happen next.
Roxy has set quite the stage, and I need the curtain to rise NOW so I can see the next act!
The Guidal: Discovering Puracordis***
This was a delicious binge I devoured in around fourteen hours, staying up until 4:00 am to do so.
Our heroine, Aurora, is smart-mouthed, determined, compassionate-to-a-fault, straight-up-stubborn, and a bad*ss. Roxy did a stellar job of putting me in Aurora's shoes. I felt everything Aurora did and fought tears more than once. I was completely invested in Aurora’s story. I remember one scene where my heart dropped straight into my stomach. I mean, I had such a physical reaction to the situation! Hahaha, I was terrified over what would happen next.
I really felt like it was happening to me instead!
Warning: There is a love triangle! I know some people despise them, personally, I love them. Before you let that effect your desire to give it a go, it’s done so well! I’m so sick of reading love triangles where you know exactly who the heroine will choose from the very beginning. Like, why even have one? It’s a big pet peeve of mine, but with the way Roxy did hers, I honestly have no idea who will end up by Aurora’s side in the end.
This is FANTASTIC, and the way ALL love triangles should be; they should keep us guessing. I honestly don’t even know who I’m shipping for, which is even better! (I’m so torn!!)
Besides the first couple of chapters, this book was a rollercoaster of unpredictability. I would clutch my phone to my chest and try to figure out where the heck Roxy was going with some of this stuff!
I couldn’t even form a guess most of the time, and the stuff I thought would happen, didn’t.
There are some steamy scenes that I thoroughly enjoyed, but I don’t think it would put more conservative people off since they weren’t explicit, and the novel doesn’t go past some light making out.
There was light language, but I don’t think it was anything, again, that would turn off more conservative readers. (I think the “B” word is said twice, and there might have been one “S” word, but the rest was cut down, so we knew what they meant without them actually saying it. Like saying “Shi—” instead of the word.) I know language is a pet peeve for a lot of readers, so rest assured, it’s very light and nothing I think would upset, annoy, or bother anyone.
Maybe a scene or two could be perceived as toxic for our heroine for some readers, nothing that bothered me at all, but some people are very sensitive about certain things. I thought it was well done/completely mild, and I have no problem personally with even heavily toxic situations in writing, but this is just for those who need a heads up.
Although it was clear from the beginning, and even in the blurb, that there was going to be something special about Aurora, the ending threw me for a total loop! So, don’t go into this thinking you know what’s going to happen; enjoy the ride!
I was very surprised at how well Roxy did a large amount of characters very early on, but I always knew who she was talking about. (Seriously, this was mind-blowing for me. At most, I’d have to think for one second, where normally I’d have to give up and keep reading because I had no clue.) I don’t know how she did this; it was very impressive to me. I wondered if it had to do with how unique everyone’s names were and how she gave very little, but just enough, info with the introduction that they stuck with me the entire read. I loved the unique names!
Oh! The ABSOLUTE best part and what impressed me the most was how she built her world by Aurora’s experiences! Not once did I feel an info dump or have to go back and read a page again and again to try and absorb the information! This is a MAJOR issue for me when reading even my most beloved books; I have the attention span of a bubble-eyed goldfish.
The technology is something else! I love fantasy and sci-fi, but dang! It was so cool, unique, imaginative, and fun! And there wasn't a single over-the-top- explanation, but it was just normal through Aurora's eyes while still providing the reader with every needed detail! AMAZING!
You learn as you go, and there is so much dialogue that I NEVER felt bored! I was engaged enough to devour this in one go. At about 1:00 am, I was going to put it down because my kids wake up early… but as soon as I brushed my teeth and lay back down my naughty hands seized it back up.
I really couldn’t stop; it’s been a long time since a book did that to me! Which is what I love most!! I want a book I can’t put down, and this was it!
Another beautiful ability of Roxy’s is for the readers to experience things and perceive them how we do without any kind of spoon feeding. Her writing is like watching a movie: you know what’s happening, but you don’t know what’s not being said. By that I mean, we feel what Aurora feels and we know some of her thoughts, but it wasn’t to the point where we were separated from having our own unique experiences while reading. PERECT! It was a totally captivating experience and I loved every second of it!
Why can’t more writers do this!!??
I mentioned the unpredictability, and without a spoiler, there was one situation where I thought Roxy was preparing us for a major switch, and I was disappointed, but I was so wrong! It didn’t go how I thought it would at all, and I’m so happy it didn’t!
A writer that can keep me guessing?? More please!!!
There were a few milder times like this where I thought I knew where it was going, but no, Roxy is a magician with a slight of hand. It was kind of incredible, like she knew how to make me think one thing only to throw me for a loop. It made the book so fun and engaging and also heart wrenching in the best way.
Rollercoaster about sums it up.
I swooned, laughed, cried, gasped, shivered ect. What more could you want!!??
The Guidal: Discovering Puracordis is a MUST READ! If I could muster a complaint it would be how abruptly it ended and how I don’t know if I can stand wondering what’s going to happen next.
Roxy has set quite the stage, and I need the curtain to rise NOW so I can see the next act!
April 22, 2023
Thank you, Roxy Eloise, for gifting me a copy of Discovering Puracordis in exchange for an honest review.
This YA dystopian fantasy is truly such an amazing concept! The story has so much potential, and Roxy has created a wonderfully elaborate world for her debut novel. I found that I was often left wanting to discover more in between reading sessions, and this curiosity certainly spurred me on.
One thing of particular note was that for YA characters, our FMC Aurora actually feels 16 when reading as opposed to some other stories where their emotions and actions feel much more mature than their age. Which was lovely and refreshing.
The relationships between the characters and the sheer emotion that is expressed show how well developed these characters are, and Roxy has excelled in bringing them to life for me.
The world itself remains very much a mystery, and I'm currently unsure whether this is a deliberate move with more explanation coming in future instalments or whether it was somewhat overlooked. At times, descriptions were allocated to areas that didn't necessarily require it rather than some topics that could certainly have been elaborated on for the ease of the reader. This issue, however, does not take away from the enjoyment of the read, but some refining would certainly make the story flow a lot smoother.
Similarly, I did find some minor pacing issues. However, this personally wasn't a problem enough for me to be put off. Overall, I think for Roxy's debut novel, it's a fantastic introductory dystopian novel that I look forward to seeing the progression of.
P.s - I never anticipated being as sold on a love triangle as I am with this book. Well done, Roxy!!
This YA dystopian fantasy is truly such an amazing concept! The story has so much potential, and Roxy has created a wonderfully elaborate world for her debut novel. I found that I was often left wanting to discover more in between reading sessions, and this curiosity certainly spurred me on.
One thing of particular note was that for YA characters, our FMC Aurora actually feels 16 when reading as opposed to some other stories where their emotions and actions feel much more mature than their age. Which was lovely and refreshing.
The relationships between the characters and the sheer emotion that is expressed show how well developed these characters are, and Roxy has excelled in bringing them to life for me.
The world itself remains very much a mystery, and I'm currently unsure whether this is a deliberate move with more explanation coming in future instalments or whether it was somewhat overlooked. At times, descriptions were allocated to areas that didn't necessarily require it rather than some topics that could certainly have been elaborated on for the ease of the reader. This issue, however, does not take away from the enjoyment of the read, but some refining would certainly make the story flow a lot smoother.
Similarly, I did find some minor pacing issues. However, this personally wasn't a problem enough for me to be put off. Overall, I think for Roxy's debut novel, it's a fantastic introductory dystopian novel that I look forward to seeing the progression of.
P.s - I never anticipated being as sold on a love triangle as I am with this book. Well done, Roxy!!
March 8, 2022
Een mooi boek. In het begin had ik er eventjes wat moeite mee, maar gaandeweg kwam ik steeds meer in het verhaal te zitten.
In de verre toekomst is het verboden om zelfs maar het woord magie te gebruiken. Een paranoïde man leidt het land. Hij adopteert kinderen om ze tot zijn privé bodyguards op te leiden. Zij leven in een strikt geleidde instituut. Aurora, de 16 jarige hoofdpersoon probeert zich aan de regels te houden. Helaas lukt haar dat niet altijd en wordt ze vaak gestraft.
Buiten de eerste paar hoofdstukken was dit boek een ware achtbaan van onvoorspelbaarheid, hoewel het voor mij al heel snel duidelijk was dat de 'Juvie' die Aurora moest begeleiden dezelfde persoon was die haar 10 jaar eerder had gered, en het verbaasde mij dat zij dat zelf al niet veel eerder had gezien.
De personages en de wereld waren voldoende opgebouwd, en het taalgebruik was zeer netjes. Ik hoop dan ook zeker uitgekozen te worden voor het eventuele volgende deel. Ook hoop ik dan wat meer scenes in het 'parkour' mee te mogen maken.
Aanrader
(Ik heb een ARC/Early Review versie van dit boek gekregen in ruil voor een review. De woorden hierboven zijn van mij).
In de verre toekomst is het verboden om zelfs maar het woord magie te gebruiken. Een paranoïde man leidt het land. Hij adopteert kinderen om ze tot zijn privé bodyguards op te leiden. Zij leven in een strikt geleidde instituut. Aurora, de 16 jarige hoofdpersoon probeert zich aan de regels te houden. Helaas lukt haar dat niet altijd en wordt ze vaak gestraft.
Buiten de eerste paar hoofdstukken was dit boek een ware achtbaan van onvoorspelbaarheid, hoewel het voor mij al heel snel duidelijk was dat de 'Juvie' die Aurora moest begeleiden dezelfde persoon was die haar 10 jaar eerder had gered, en het verbaasde mij dat zij dat zelf al niet veel eerder had gezien.
De personages en de wereld waren voldoende opgebouwd, en het taalgebruik was zeer netjes. Ik hoop dan ook zeker uitgekozen te worden voor het eventuele volgende deel. Ook hoop ik dan wat meer scenes in het 'parkour' mee te mogen maken.
Aanrader
(Ik heb een ARC/Early Review versie van dit boek gekregen in ruil voor een review. De woorden hierboven zijn van mij).
April 24, 2024
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“𝒮𝑒𝓇𝓋𝑒, 𝐻𝑜𝓃𝑜𝓊𝓇, 𝒫𝓇𝑜𝓉𝑒𝒸𝓉 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒟𝑒𝒻𝑒𝓃𝒹”
My thoughts:
- I devoured this book. The pace was perfect, the core characters were easy to connect with, the story started straight away, there was no chapters and chapters of world building - that came naturally
- I absolutely loved Aurora and Pax - dream characters and they dealt with the complexities and challenges well.
- I at times found some of the side characters to jumble up in my head but I suspect we will delve more into them in book 2
- I’m sure I’m suppose to like Tayo but I don’t, he’s creepy and weird and gives off stalker vibes (team pax forever and always)
- I would have loved shorter chapters as a short chapter girly.
- Did I try to buy book 2 at 01:30am? Yes 😆
- have I immediately started book 2? Yes
- I was LOVING the divergent/maze runner type vibes
- Roxy sent me the e-file last year and im kicking myself that I put it off for so long!
April read as part of @readwithjodes book club 🖤
“𝒮𝑒𝓇𝓋𝑒, 𝐻𝑜𝓃𝑜𝓊𝓇, 𝒫𝓇𝑜𝓉𝑒𝒸𝓉 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒟𝑒𝒻𝑒𝓃𝒹”
My thoughts:
- I devoured this book. The pace was perfect, the core characters were easy to connect with, the story started straight away, there was no chapters and chapters of world building - that came naturally
- I absolutely loved Aurora and Pax - dream characters and they dealt with the complexities and challenges well.
- I at times found some of the side characters to jumble up in my head but I suspect we will delve more into them in book 2
- I’m sure I’m suppose to like Tayo but I don’t, he’s creepy and weird and gives off stalker vibes (team pax forever and always)
- I would have loved shorter chapters as a short chapter girly.
- Did I try to buy book 2 at 01:30am? Yes 😆
- have I immediately started book 2? Yes
- I was LOVING the divergent/maze runner type vibes
- Roxy sent me the e-file last year and im kicking myself that I put it off for so long!
April read as part of @readwithjodes book club 🖤
May 26, 2026
3,5 stars
In this book, we follow Aurora. It begins with a flashback, but not of hers, but of someone else who saved her. I found this beginning very strong and wanted to read on immediately. I didn't immediately realize that Aurora was 16 years old; I noticed that I was able to empathize with her a little less at the beginning of the book because of this. However, I did like that it made for a somewhat younger readership. I found the second half of the book easier to read than the first half. The character Tayo has my heart! I am very curious to see how the story continues after the cliffhanger at the end.
In this book, we follow Aurora. It begins with a flashback, but not of hers, but of someone else who saved her. I found this beginning very strong and wanted to read on immediately. I didn't immediately realize that Aurora was 16 years old; I noticed that I was able to empathize with her a little less at the beginning of the book because of this. However, I did like that it made for a somewhat younger readership. I found the second half of the book easier to read than the first half. The character Tayo has my heart! I am very curious to see how the story continues after the cliffhanger at the end.
April 21, 2023
I really enjoyed this book, I just wanted to keep reading and I couldn't put it down! I was intrigued the only time I was reading! I loved the fact that Aurora acts 16, it was so refreshing to have the main character who is a teenager actually act like a teenager!
I think the pacing was a little fast in parts but I can't wait to start the second one
I think the pacing was a little fast in parts but I can't wait to start the second one
April 14, 2022
Sixteen year old Aurora has reached the age of change and her unity test to see if she will be paired for betrothal which will ultimately result in marriage but having always been known as a trouble maker and so moving to her new life, with her increased duties and responsibilities, is going to be a real challenge for her and as she begins to discover more about herself she has to question everything whilst also ensuring she doesn't get continual punishments that will make her life unbearable but can you really do that when you are discovering so much?
Living in an institute which sets you a schedule, has living quarters based around colours and uniforms that are linked to your living quarters is something that those living there have been raised on and so accept. They are taught everything they know, they are provided their meals and their life path is set out by reaching certain stages of life and being assigned your new duties and responsibilities but can a teenager being someone in charge of enforcing a curfew on the city outwith their institute really make for a reasonable set of people as they mature or will it form backstabbers who are power hungry?
Having gone into this book with no real idea on what to expect I found myself pleasantly surprised by what I found. The book felt perfectly paced as the story moved along and whilst for some of the book it felt much like the characters experiencing their "normal" life, that simply added to the charm of this book and made it have a very unique feel.
This is the kind of book that you would expect to have the high pace of others out there in the sci-fi world but having read it and found it to have a very slow and steady pace throughout I found myself loving how it read and genuinely not knowing what was to come next but being fully absorbed into the story itself. It is a book I found to be truly brilliant and this is an author with a real talent who I am excited to read much more from.
Living in an institute which sets you a schedule, has living quarters based around colours and uniforms that are linked to your living quarters is something that those living there have been raised on and so accept. They are taught everything they know, they are provided their meals and their life path is set out by reaching certain stages of life and being assigned your new duties and responsibilities but can a teenager being someone in charge of enforcing a curfew on the city outwith their institute really make for a reasonable set of people as they mature or will it form backstabbers who are power hungry?
Having gone into this book with no real idea on what to expect I found myself pleasantly surprised by what I found. The book felt perfectly paced as the story moved along and whilst for some of the book it felt much like the characters experiencing their "normal" life, that simply added to the charm of this book and made it have a very unique feel.
This is the kind of book that you would expect to have the high pace of others out there in the sci-fi world but having read it and found it to have a very slow and steady pace throughout I found myself loving how it read and genuinely not knowing what was to come next but being fully absorbed into the story itself. It is a book I found to be truly brilliant and this is an author with a real talent who I am excited to read much more from.
March 20, 2022
In this YA fantasy book, 16-year-old Aurora lives in the Boulderfell Institute where she and the other adoptees must adhere to a strict set of rules. The story starts with Aurora moving up from the mustards, the children’s section, to the adult quarters (Navies). Her move makes her eligible for the Unity ceremony, an annual ceremony where disciples are matched to each other.
Eloise creates an intriguing character in Aurora, the strong-willed, white haired leading lady. Aurora grows more relatable throughout the story as we learn more about her past and she navigates her way through change, love and loss. At one point, Eloise accurately describes the disembodied experience of grief, when Aurora realizes “I didn’t remember much of the past seven days because I wasn’t there to live it.”
With each chapter of Eloise’s debut work, I became more invested in Aurora’s journey and wanted to understand the unique world she was immersed in. Supporting characters, including Tayo, the juvie assigned to her care, and the beloved Nanny Kimly add heart to the story
The Guidal, which releases on April 2, 2022, ends with several unanswered questions, which has me excited for the sequel. The book is available through Eloise’s author website, www.roxyeloise.com. For an extra treat, you can listen to Eloise read Chapter One on her YouTube channel.
Thank you to the author for providing me with a free e-ARC of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are my own and were not influenced by receiving a free copy.
To read more of my reviews, visit my book review blog, www.bookpicksandpics.com.
Eloise creates an intriguing character in Aurora, the strong-willed, white haired leading lady. Aurora grows more relatable throughout the story as we learn more about her past and she navigates her way through change, love and loss. At one point, Eloise accurately describes the disembodied experience of grief, when Aurora realizes “I didn’t remember much of the past seven days because I wasn’t there to live it.”
With each chapter of Eloise’s debut work, I became more invested in Aurora’s journey and wanted to understand the unique world she was immersed in. Supporting characters, including Tayo, the juvie assigned to her care, and the beloved Nanny Kimly add heart to the story
The Guidal, which releases on April 2, 2022, ends with several unanswered questions, which has me excited for the sequel. The book is available through Eloise’s author website, www.roxyeloise.com. For an extra treat, you can listen to Eloise read Chapter One on her YouTube channel.
Thank you to the author for providing me with a free e-ARC of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are my own and were not influenced by receiving a free copy.
To read more of my reviews, visit my book review blog, www.bookpicksandpics.com.
April 1, 2023
First off I want to thank @roxyeloise for my gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
I am so happy I gave this book a try ! Eloise created a magnificent dystopian universe, with great characters. I was immersed in the story through it all. It did take me a bit more time to get fully into it, as it is different from my usual genre, but it was totally worth it.
Aurora is a badass 16 year old. She is so intriguing, and the more you read the more you relate to her and her struggles. She is such a strong young lady that you easily get attached to. There is a love triangle in this book, but it just added to the story in my opinion and I didn't mind it. It is well done, and honestly I have no idea who she will end up choosing in the end. I am also very excited to see where her magic will take her.
The authors writing was really good and engaging, it kept me interested. The more I read the more I enjoyed. There was a lot of characters in the beginning, but it never got confusing, it was easy to follow all along. The world building is so well done, it doesn't ever feel overwhelming or incomprehensible. The majority of it is done through Aurora's experiences and I loved that.
With dystopian sometimes it's hard to understand the technologies, how their world works but it was so easy to understand and imagine in your mind. Eloise truly has a talent for this genre, for immersing the reader entirely and for allowing them to have their own experience. Plus, I haven't been familiar with dystopian universes that also have magic, which is sooooo cool.
If you're looking for a YA dystopian book with a touch of magic definitely give this series a try. Book 2 is coming soon !
I am so happy I gave this book a try ! Eloise created a magnificent dystopian universe, with great characters. I was immersed in the story through it all. It did take me a bit more time to get fully into it, as it is different from my usual genre, but it was totally worth it.
Aurora is a badass 16 year old. She is so intriguing, and the more you read the more you relate to her and her struggles. She is such a strong young lady that you easily get attached to. There is a love triangle in this book, but it just added to the story in my opinion and I didn't mind it. It is well done, and honestly I have no idea who she will end up choosing in the end. I am also very excited to see where her magic will take her.
The authors writing was really good and engaging, it kept me interested. The more I read the more I enjoyed. There was a lot of characters in the beginning, but it never got confusing, it was easy to follow all along. The world building is so well done, it doesn't ever feel overwhelming or incomprehensible. The majority of it is done through Aurora's experiences and I loved that.
With dystopian sometimes it's hard to understand the technologies, how their world works but it was so easy to understand and imagine in your mind. Eloise truly has a talent for this genre, for immersing the reader entirely and for allowing them to have their own experience. Plus, I haven't been familiar with dystopian universes that also have magic, which is sooooo cool.
If you're looking for a YA dystopian book with a touch of magic definitely give this series a try. Book 2 is coming soon !
April 5, 2022
In a dystopian future, Aurora was adopted into and is being raised in a military institute, knowing nothing of her past except that her parents are dead. She becomes betrothed to an older student (who she has just recently met) during the school's unity ceremony. Shortly after her matching, she discovers she has the magic rumored to not exist, but the idea of this magic is feared by all. Aurora now struggles to learn about her past, while keeping her secret to keep herself and those close to her safe. Along the way she meets someone important from her past who knows her secret and is there to help her through this journey.
I read the summary of this book and knew I would love it. I had been in a reading rut, and this pulled me right out of it! Aurora's character is how I feel I would be in this setting: defiant, and ready to question everything. She understands her place, but also pushes boundaries. I did find the beginning to be slightly predictable, but honestly I think it just helped move the story along to get you to the good parts. So to me, this was not a bad thing! After a couple chapters it just got better and better. I cannot wait for the next book in the series. The way this first one ended, it gave you just enough closure to feel satisfied with the ending, and then just a taste of more info that makes you dying to read more.
I read the summary of this book and knew I would love it. I had been in a reading rut, and this pulled me right out of it! Aurora's character is how I feel I would be in this setting: defiant, and ready to question everything. She understands her place, but also pushes boundaries. I did find the beginning to be slightly predictable, but honestly I think it just helped move the story along to get you to the good parts. So to me, this was not a bad thing! After a couple chapters it just got better and better. I cannot wait for the next book in the series. The way this first one ended, it gave you just enough closure to feel satisfied with the ending, and then just a taste of more info that makes you dying to read more.
April 21, 2023
I’m seriously obsessed!! I started and finished this book in one day. I couldn’t put it down. I had to stay up late to finish it! I love dystopian books! This truly gave me Hunger Game vibes and I’m here for it! Tropes were forced proximity and arrangement engagement. Love sort of a love triangle.
I love all the characters and the world that was created here. Aurora is bada$$. She learns quickly, stronger than she truly realizes. I feel for her with everything she has went through and what she continues to go through.
I can’t stand Seioh Jennson. Such a cruel and horrible man. I hope he gets what’s coming to him in the future!
I love both Tayo and Pax but I’m more team Tayo! You can truly see how he feels about her. Pax seems more worried about what another’s think instead of how he truly feels.
I can’t wait to start the next book!! I need more!
I love all the characters and the world that was created here. Aurora is bada$$. She learns quickly, stronger than she truly realizes. I feel for her with everything she has went through and what she continues to go through.
I can’t stand Seioh Jennson. Such a cruel and horrible man. I hope he gets what’s coming to him in the future!
I love both Tayo and Pax but I’m more team Tayo! You can truly see how he feels about her. Pax seems more worried about what another’s think instead of how he truly feels.
I can’t wait to start the next book!! I need more!
March 10, 2022
I expected a bit more, honestly. The summary hooked me and I really wanted to read this. But the start of the book - at least a few chapters - was really hard to get into. It felt a little rushed and a little less descriptive and more 'telling'. I almost wanted to stop reading because of that but I kept on.
And I'm glad I did. It definitely gets better and more exciting after the first several chapters. I didn't want to put it down and then next thing I knew, it was ending. I personally love one of the love interests and couldn't stand the other. I really hope that gets figured out in the next book. And the ending was a nice, surprising cliffhanger. I'm ready to read more.
And I'm glad I did. It definitely gets better and more exciting after the first several chapters. I didn't want to put it down and then next thing I knew, it was ending. I personally love one of the love interests and couldn't stand the other. I really hope that gets figured out in the next book. And the ending was a nice, surprising cliffhanger. I'm ready to read more.
May 2, 2024
Well I’ll start by saying I loved this so much I’ve ordered the 2nd book off Amazon immediately as I finished and I am praying it comes tomorrow because this is the most binge worthy book I’ve read…I NEED ANSWERS🤣 if you loved the divergent films you will love this. The escapism is what I needed and The Guidal fully provided and I barely looked up I was so immersed. Could so see this on the big screen it was totally griping start to finish and the cliffhanger was insane !! A short book but it’s fast paced and has you locked in from the first page. Loved it so much I’ve joined a book club who are Roxy’s fan club 🤣🙊🫶 Pax and Tayo 🥵
May 15, 2024
“Serve, Honour, Protect and Defend”
If you’re a fan of the Hunger games/divergent series then you’ll love this, it has a similar vibe. It was so easy to follow, we drive straight into the story with Aurora moving out of the children’s wing (Mustard) and into the adult (Navy) one. Aurora is a sassy queen MFC, who loves to get herself into trouble 🤭
I loved the chemistry between Pax and Aurora, but Pax what are you doing?! (Someone shake the man please!) At this moment am leaning towards team Tayo slightly! (I mean by 0.0001 of a centimetre)
My book club girlies have typed this series up so much! I was a little late to the party. I loved it so much Roxy has kindly sent me book 2 🫶🏻
I must find out what that cliffhanger was about!
5 ⭐️
If you’re a fan of the Hunger games/divergent series then you’ll love this, it has a similar vibe. It was so easy to follow, we drive straight into the story with Aurora moving out of the children’s wing (Mustard) and into the adult (Navy) one. Aurora is a sassy queen MFC, who loves to get herself into trouble 🤭
I loved the chemistry between Pax and Aurora, but Pax what are you doing?! (Someone shake the man please!) At this moment am leaning towards team Tayo slightly! (I mean by 0.0001 of a centimetre)
My book club girlies have typed this series up so much! I was a little late to the party. I loved it so much Roxy has kindly sent me book 2 🫶🏻
I must find out what that cliffhanger was about!
5 ⭐️
April 18, 2022
This is the story of Aurora who is at a school for Young Enforcers, being trained to enforce the rules of society. She moves from Mustard (for kids) to Navy (for teenagers) and has to cope with an increase in responsibilities, including caring for a prisoner (a Juvie). The story explains how Aurora's relationships change as she develops into a young adult. I loved learning about the outside world and the rules which Aurora needs to enforce (even when she isn't sure she agrees with them).
I was really gripped by this story, and I can't wait to read the next book in this series.
Please note: I received a free copy of this book as I agreed to write an impartial review.
I was really gripped by this story, and I can't wait to read the next book in this series.
Please note: I received a free copy of this book as I agreed to write an impartial review.
March 10, 2022
I received this book in exchange for an honest review. The summary of this book hooked me and I really wanted to read it. Although the start of the book I thought was a bit slow, after the first few chapters i really started to enjoy it. I loved all of the characters, but I did prefer one of the main characters love choices more than the other. The story is well written and if there is a second book i cant wait to read it!
July 22, 2022
A wonderful story with really cool technology, and a unique world that feels slightly futuristic. I read this one pretty quickly and I'm not the fastest of readers, it had me hooked! Loved the mix of the magical elements with the dystopian, and the way the MC grow through the story. I also found myself kind of irritated by Tayo's insistent behaviour at the beginning and I loved Pax, but Tayo really grew on me towards the end. Overall, a great read and I can't wait for the rest of the series.
March 22, 2023
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Now it’s rare I give a 6th star out but my god does this book deserve it! Roxy you have written an absolute masterpiece 🥰
Let me tell you, if you haven’t seen this book, go find it. If you’ve seen it and thought “eh maybe” change your mind and go read it! I read this in 5 hours. I have not moved from my position since starting it.
Damnnn.
Right, our main girl Aurora, I actually love her so much! She is exactly the kind of person that I would aspire to have been at her age, she’s sassy with an uncontrollable temper (mouth to go with it) and there is absolutely nothing about her that screams “I need saving!” No this girl saves herself! And I’m 100% there for it!
Sad backstory ✅ check
Bit of romance ✅ check
I hate you, I love you, I hate you etc ✅ check
I honestly don’t know what more you could want. Oh throw in two gorgeous men, who are complete polar opposite’s! Ones a retired bad boy too scared to be naughty and the other well prison sweats seriously would suit him … but yeah, take your pic on who you’re going to love more but it’s a hard decision.
I could sit here all day and say everything I loved about this but honestly it would just be way too many spoilers.
Trust me READ IT NOW! You won’t regret it. Only thing I regret is not finding it sooner.
This book made me laugh, actually have a little bit of a cry at one point and could feel my heart breaking, repairing & breaking… The list goes on. you will go on a rollercoaster with this book but honestly it was so worth it.
I’ve been after something very specific to read recently and haven’t known what exactly that specific need was… well thank you, it was this book!
I don’t think I can wait for the second book to release now!! 😭
June 25, 2022
YA isn't usually my genre, but I love fantasy and thought I'd give this book a go. I read it on holiday whilst sunning myself by the pool. I was soon hooked and found I couldn't put it down. Overall, I enjoyed the story, characters and the rich futuristic world Roxy creates. The characters are believable, and I enjoyed their sparring (both physical and mental).
Roxy skillfully kept me (the reader) guessing as to what was going to happen next - she didn't disappoint with unexpected twists and turns.
A great book. Thank you.
p.s. I can't wait for book 2, as I'm itching to know what happens next!
Roxy skillfully kept me (the reader) guessing as to what was going to happen next - she didn't disappoint with unexpected twists and turns.
A great book. Thank you.
p.s. I can't wait for book 2, as I'm itching to know what happens next!
November 24, 2023
Discovering Puracordis by Roxy Eloise
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spoiler free
First off I want to start off by thanking @ so much for gift me the e-copy of her book and audio as well! Which I felt really enhanced my enjoyment!
When first asked if I would read this and read the description it gave me Hunger Games and Divergent vibes so I was automatically drawn to it! Sometimes in these types of genres I feel like I can get lost but this was so wonderfully well described that I found it an easy and enjoyable read!
I loved the characters and their personalities it felt very balanced like the characters went well together in the story and world Roxy builds.
The only tiny thing as what it didn’t get a 5 is even though I did find it an enjoyable read at times the pacing of the novel didn’t quiet mesh and felt like something would happen but then take quiet a bit to get to the next series of events.
Overall I really enjoyed the writing and I love that I’m diving more into dystopian and finding more out there to enjoy! I feel like this story is going places and I can’t wait to find out where so thankful she also gifted me book two so I’m hoping I can dive in while this one is still fresh!
I would recommend this to anyone that likes YA Dystopian !
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spoiler free
First off I want to start off by thanking @ so much for gift me the e-copy of her book and audio as well! Which I felt really enhanced my enjoyment!
When first asked if I would read this and read the description it gave me Hunger Games and Divergent vibes so I was automatically drawn to it! Sometimes in these types of genres I feel like I can get lost but this was so wonderfully well described that I found it an easy and enjoyable read!
I loved the characters and their personalities it felt very balanced like the characters went well together in the story and world Roxy builds.
The only tiny thing as what it didn’t get a 5 is even though I did find it an enjoyable read at times the pacing of the novel didn’t quiet mesh and felt like something would happen but then take quiet a bit to get to the next series of events.
Overall I really enjoyed the writing and I love that I’m diving more into dystopian and finding more out there to enjoy! I feel like this story is going places and I can’t wait to find out where so thankful she also gifted me book two so I’m hoping I can dive in while this one is still fresh!
I would recommend this to anyone that likes YA Dystopian !
June 15, 2022
There are stories that you start to read and you get distracted from, and there’s nothing there to pull you back. This one pulled me back because of its magic, characters and sci-fi/fantasy feel. That’s the highest praise I can give, that there was something magical there to pull me back.
April 7, 2024
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
In this dystopian fantasy where magic is forbidden, sixteen-year-old Aurora has been raised in the Boulderfell institute, where orphans are trained to become enforcers. I instantly liked Aurora and her fiery attitude, although, Aurora is frequently treated unfairly and punished, so I did find myself feeling sorry for her quite often.
Much to her dismay, Aurora is matched during the Unity ceremony to Pax, meaning they are betrothed, and eventually finds herself falling for Pax. To complicate matters, Aurora is assigned a mysterious juvie prisoner, Tayo. For me, love triangles can be hit and miss, but I can happily say I am Team Tayo all the way.
This really reminded me of The Hunger Games & Divergent. It was an entertaining read and I look forward to reading the next book!
Thank you, Roxy, for sending me a copy of your book!
In this dystopian fantasy where magic is forbidden, sixteen-year-old Aurora has been raised in the Boulderfell institute, where orphans are trained to become enforcers. I instantly liked Aurora and her fiery attitude, although, Aurora is frequently treated unfairly and punished, so I did find myself feeling sorry for her quite often.
Much to her dismay, Aurora is matched during the Unity ceremony to Pax, meaning they are betrothed, and eventually finds herself falling for Pax. To complicate matters, Aurora is assigned a mysterious juvie prisoner, Tayo. For me, love triangles can be hit and miss, but I can happily say I am Team Tayo all the way.
This really reminded me of The Hunger Games & Divergent. It was an entertaining read and I look forward to reading the next book!
Thank you, Roxy, for sending me a copy of your book!
January 24, 2022
Aurora has spent almost her entire life, so far, training to be a young enforcer in the Boulderfell Institute for orphans and the children whose parents are unable to care for them.
Our story starts on the day Aurora is transitioning from the children’s section to the Adult phase of her training and follows her first year in her new surroundings.
Desperate to avoid Unity whereby students are matched with their perfect partner in a betrothal, Aurora completes the assessment to make her as unmatchable as she possibly can.
What follows is a well written, nicely flowing narrative that takes Aurora, her friends and her enemies through the ups and downs of Enforcer training as her past and possible future is unravelled.
The characters are well defined, memorable and distinct which makes the story flow. The plot points and reveals are well placed to avoid the story stagnating and it keeps you guessing right to the end.
Once I picked this up I cleared my schedule so I could continue reading as I couldn’t wait to discover the fate of the heroine and those close to her.
A mixture of near-future sci-fi, teen angst and a rollercoaster journey through Aurora’s first 12 months as an adult
I, for one, can’t wait for book two
Our story starts on the day Aurora is transitioning from the children’s section to the Adult phase of her training and follows her first year in her new surroundings.
Desperate to avoid Unity whereby students are matched with their perfect partner in a betrothal, Aurora completes the assessment to make her as unmatchable as she possibly can.
What follows is a well written, nicely flowing narrative that takes Aurora, her friends and her enemies through the ups and downs of Enforcer training as her past and possible future is unravelled.
The characters are well defined, memorable and distinct which makes the story flow. The plot points and reveals are well placed to avoid the story stagnating and it keeps you guessing right to the end.
Once I picked this up I cleared my schedule so I could continue reading as I couldn’t wait to discover the fate of the heroine and those close to her.
A mixture of near-future sci-fi, teen angst and a rollercoaster journey through Aurora’s first 12 months as an adult
I, for one, can’t wait for book two
September 15, 2023
This book is set in a futuristic boarding school where the students train to become enforcers. Aurora was taken there at a young age, told she was an orphan. She has questions about that night but not allowed to ask.
She gets coupled with Pax, giving them certain privileges like going out on patrol and competing in the tournament. Things get heated until they discover something that drives Pax to attempt getting uncoupled. Meanwhile, the cocky juvie Aurora has been allocated seems to know her better than herself.
As Aurora uncovers secrets about herself, she will discover there’s more to her than just being an enforcer.
Great world building, and characters. This book left me wanting more. Bring on book two.
She gets coupled with Pax, giving them certain privileges like going out on patrol and competing in the tournament. Things get heated until they discover something that drives Pax to attempt getting uncoupled. Meanwhile, the cocky juvie Aurora has been allocated seems to know her better than herself.
As Aurora uncovers secrets about herself, she will discover there’s more to her than just being an enforcer.
Great world building, and characters. This book left me wanting more. Bring on book two.
November 26, 2023
To find yourself in a world that doesn’t fit you
Aurora has never felt at ease in the place that has been her home since adopted by the Institute. Following the rules isn’t really her thing, and she isn’t for sure waiting being matched with a complete stranger, as that means getting engaged during the annual Unity ceremony. Not only is Aurora struggling with a life that doesn’t fit her, she also discovers something about herself that jeopardizes jut everything she has been building, like her friendships, her strengths and even the tendre bond with her match. All of that is as risk, just is her own life, and that just in her first year in the grown – ups’ quarter…
I have to be honest, I didn’t truly know what to expect from this book after it was offered to me by the lovely Roxy Eloise. Yes, I was aware it was a dystopian sci – fi book, but that also means that there is a wide range of possibilities of where this book would take me.
It’s clear from the start that there is something special about Aurora. We don’t know what, and Aurora herself doesn’t know it either. We get to know Aurora as a perhaps stubborn young woman, with a mind of her own, even if those thoughts are in contradiction with the rules from her home. And just like any teenager, she speaks before she thinks, bringing her more than often in troubles.
But we also see an Aurora who doesn’t know who she is. We only get a glimpse of her past, and just like us, Aurora wants to know who she is and where she came from, even if that once again is in contradiction with the rules.
Obviously, it’s difficult to imagine the kind of world Aurora is living in. It’s so different from our own, yet in a way also comforting reading that some things never change. Aurora can always rely on her real friends, but we also see the same kind of doubts, same kind of bullying even, but most important, the same kind of love, whether it’s from a friend, or from a Nanny or from a love interest. In the end, feelings always stay the same, no matter what kind of world we are living in.
There happens rather a lot in this first book, and at moments I had ‘Hunger Games’ – vibes, but also vibes of totally different kind of books and movies. I didn’t know what to expect, yet I found myself very invested in Aurora’s journey. At moments perhaps I got a little confused about the side characters, as their unusual names didn’t truly help. And also the specific terms used in the institute aren’t always that easy to pronounce (in my head 😊).
There is even a bit of magic involved in Aurora’s story. And where normally I am rather against any kind of magical bits, in this book it didn’t disturb me at all, even if we only got a glimpse of it. In this kind of book, it made perfectly sense even if once again that discovery may be a risk for our main character.
No matter what happens to Aurora in the book, it was lovely in a way to see how loyal her friends are to her. And I found it sweet to see how her match turned out to be an amazing guy, until a certain point at least. Because after a shocking revelation, I cannot deny in being totally disappointed in his behaviour, as I truly believed that Aurora could have found truly her perfect match…
Roxy Eloise did an amazing job writing about a world so different from ours, with their own rules, a world that would frighten me if I were to live there. It’s a world with its own laws and even words, but a world that never once bored me while reading. A world filled with several twists and turns, shocking revelations but also heart – warming moments. A world that ends with a cliffhanger, an open end that makes you go searching for the second book, as you aren’t ready to say ‘goodbye’ to Aurora yet. And in my case, a world that even kept me awake at night, as that kind of future is a bit terrifying one, but never loses that one thing that makes us truly human, feelings. Feelings that everyone has, how human or magical we may be.
Aurora has never felt at ease in the place that has been her home since adopted by the Institute. Following the rules isn’t really her thing, and she isn’t for sure waiting being matched with a complete stranger, as that means getting engaged during the annual Unity ceremony. Not only is Aurora struggling with a life that doesn’t fit her, she also discovers something about herself that jeopardizes jut everything she has been building, like her friendships, her strengths and even the tendre bond with her match. All of that is as risk, just is her own life, and that just in her first year in the grown – ups’ quarter…
I have to be honest, I didn’t truly know what to expect from this book after it was offered to me by the lovely Roxy Eloise. Yes, I was aware it was a dystopian sci – fi book, but that also means that there is a wide range of possibilities of where this book would take me.
It’s clear from the start that there is something special about Aurora. We don’t know what, and Aurora herself doesn’t know it either. We get to know Aurora as a perhaps stubborn young woman, with a mind of her own, even if those thoughts are in contradiction with the rules from her home. And just like any teenager, she speaks before she thinks, bringing her more than often in troubles.
But we also see an Aurora who doesn’t know who she is. We only get a glimpse of her past, and just like us, Aurora wants to know who she is and where she came from, even if that once again is in contradiction with the rules.
Obviously, it’s difficult to imagine the kind of world Aurora is living in. It’s so different from our own, yet in a way also comforting reading that some things never change. Aurora can always rely on her real friends, but we also see the same kind of doubts, same kind of bullying even, but most important, the same kind of love, whether it’s from a friend, or from a Nanny or from a love interest. In the end, feelings always stay the same, no matter what kind of world we are living in.
There happens rather a lot in this first book, and at moments I had ‘Hunger Games’ – vibes, but also vibes of totally different kind of books and movies. I didn’t know what to expect, yet I found myself very invested in Aurora’s journey. At moments perhaps I got a little confused about the side characters, as their unusual names didn’t truly help. And also the specific terms used in the institute aren’t always that easy to pronounce (in my head 😊).
There is even a bit of magic involved in Aurora’s story. And where normally I am rather against any kind of magical bits, in this book it didn’t disturb me at all, even if we only got a glimpse of it. In this kind of book, it made perfectly sense even if once again that discovery may be a risk for our main character.
No matter what happens to Aurora in the book, it was lovely in a way to see how loyal her friends are to her. And I found it sweet to see how her match turned out to be an amazing guy, until a certain point at least. Because after a shocking revelation, I cannot deny in being totally disappointed in his behaviour, as I truly believed that Aurora could have found truly her perfect match…
Roxy Eloise did an amazing job writing about a world so different from ours, with their own rules, a world that would frighten me if I were to live there. It’s a world with its own laws and even words, but a world that never once bored me while reading. A world filled with several twists and turns, shocking revelations but also heart – warming moments. A world that ends with a cliffhanger, an open end that makes you go searching for the second book, as you aren’t ready to say ‘goodbye’ to Aurora yet. And in my case, a world that even kept me awake at night, as that kind of future is a bit terrifying one, but never loses that one thing that makes us truly human, feelings. Feelings that everyone has, how human or magical we may be.
May 22, 2024
Discovering Puracordis is a YA dystopian romantasy book which totally gives Hunger Games and Divergent vibes. I think it easily can be categorized as sci-fi too, with their modern technology and how they insert chips into people to be able to identify them and gain information about them.
I’m a fan of these types of stories, and let me tell you that this one does not disappoint.
It reads easily despite the fact that this is a fast pace book and has to build this dystopian world for us.
But Roxy created it so perfectly that you never feel overwhelmed with information, because you learning it throughout the book and through our FMC, Aurora’s experiences. It’s easy to imagine the world and the characters around you.
The story keeps you invested by the plot twists and the tension it creates, you always want to know more. I felt so immersed in this book that I actually got frustrated and angry when unfair things happened and when I learnt about the oppression going on in this world. (Tayo’s words on this one really resonated with me, that you can find among the slides.)
But this place, this Institute is also just like a fucked up high school, with all the bullies, cool guys and their outcasts. So they are just teenagers acting as teenagers do, but also constantly learning and developing as we go further in the book.
And of course the book won’t leave us without romance. It’s actually a love triangle, but it works well. Our two MMCs have very different backgrounds and obviously very different reasons for drawing you in and I cannot wait to see where the story will take us.
I’m a little unsure whether I’m team Pax or team Tayo. They both have chemistry with Aurora which I love, that’s why I’m uncertain. But Pax is acting really selfish lately, hurting Aurora; I understand his reasons, but still, Tayo never would do that, so I’m leaning towards team Tayo.
In conclusion I think it’s a really exciting and interesting book, and if you like dystopian sci-fi romantasies with a pinch of magic, filled with forced proximities, then you should really give this series a chance.
I’m a fan of these types of stories, and let me tell you that this one does not disappoint.
It reads easily despite the fact that this is a fast pace book and has to build this dystopian world for us.
But Roxy created it so perfectly that you never feel overwhelmed with information, because you learning it throughout the book and through our FMC, Aurora’s experiences. It’s easy to imagine the world and the characters around you.
The story keeps you invested by the plot twists and the tension it creates, you always want to know more. I felt so immersed in this book that I actually got frustrated and angry when unfair things happened and when I learnt about the oppression going on in this world. (Tayo’s words on this one really resonated with me, that you can find among the slides.)
But this place, this Institute is also just like a fucked up high school, with all the bullies, cool guys and their outcasts. So they are just teenagers acting as teenagers do, but also constantly learning and developing as we go further in the book.
And of course the book won’t leave us without romance. It’s actually a love triangle, but it works well. Our two MMCs have very different backgrounds and obviously very different reasons for drawing you in and I cannot wait to see where the story will take us.
I’m a little unsure whether I’m team Pax or team Tayo. They both have chemistry with Aurora which I love, that’s why I’m uncertain. But Pax is acting really selfish lately, hurting Aurora; I understand his reasons, but still, Tayo never would do that, so I’m leaning towards team Tayo.
In conclusion I think it’s a really exciting and interesting book, and if you like dystopian sci-fi romantasies with a pinch of magic, filled with forced proximities, then you should really give this series a chance.
November 23, 2023
As an orphan, Aurora has been raised by an institution preparing her for the life of a soldier to protect and honor. As a member, she’ll be expected to remain a virgin until she turns 30 at which time she can be honorably discharged to marry and procreate with the person she’s been matched with, assuming she ever is matched.
When Aurora has her birthday, she tests to see if she’ll be matched (although she doesn’t want to be) and begins working by watching juveniles and going on curfew watches. Her life is changing rapidly, and Aurora isn’t ready for all of the changes.
I did not like this book. I couldn’t quite put my finger on why. At first I thought it was the illogical things. Like how Aurora didn’t know the name of a boy she had been at the institute with forever even though she had a conversation previously with her bestie about him having a crush on her. Or when she asks about the boy Tayo she remembers in a dream but then when she meets a real life one boy with the EXACT SAME NAME, takes forever to put it together. Or how the institute requires them to be virgins but pairs them up at a young age, gives them double beds, and requires them to sleep in adjoining rooms…what?! Or how they have daily nap times required, but apparently only when the author remembers.
But I think I settled on the fact that the interactions are just awkward and unrealistic. Aurora ping pongs between boys with no real relationship development with either. She is embarrassed about physical interactions and then mounts a guy while mostly naked. She swears frequently at the start and then can’t stand it at the end. When she has a break down, she goes to the awful headmaster who humiliated her with a physically painful punishment. Why?!
Overall, it was an interesting story line, but it needs a lot of character development. Pull back the trying to include every single perfect world thing. Sharpen up what’s necessary and really dig into character relationships and it could have a lot of potential. It just missed the mark for me.
When Aurora has her birthday, she tests to see if she’ll be matched (although she doesn’t want to be) and begins working by watching juveniles and going on curfew watches. Her life is changing rapidly, and Aurora isn’t ready for all of the changes.
I did not like this book. I couldn’t quite put my finger on why. At first I thought it was the illogical things. Like how Aurora didn’t know the name of a boy she had been at the institute with forever even though she had a conversation previously with her bestie about him having a crush on her. Or when she asks about the boy Tayo she remembers in a dream but then when she meets a real life one boy with the EXACT SAME NAME, takes forever to put it together. Or how the institute requires them to be virgins but pairs them up at a young age, gives them double beds, and requires them to sleep in adjoining rooms…what?! Or how they have daily nap times required, but apparently only when the author remembers.
But I think I settled on the fact that the interactions are just awkward and unrealistic. Aurora ping pongs between boys with no real relationship development with either. She is embarrassed about physical interactions and then mounts a guy while mostly naked. She swears frequently at the start and then can’t stand it at the end. When she has a break down, she goes to the awful headmaster who humiliated her with a physically painful punishment. Why?!
Overall, it was an interesting story line, but it needs a lot of character development. Pull back the trying to include every single perfect world thing. Sharpen up what’s necessary and really dig into character relationships and it could have a lot of potential. It just missed the mark for me.
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April 2, 2022BOOK:THE GUIDAL-DISCOVERING PURACORDIS BY ROXY ELOISE
BOOK REVIEWER:-OKOKO AYEZU TAMARAPREYE
SYNOPSIS:-
This book discusses radiation poisoning used to describe evolution caused death.The story has as its central characters ,Aurora, Tayo and Pax.The Guidal is the story of Aurora and symbolises the expression number 9,Heart desire number 4 and Personality number 5 while Puracordis signifies the pure heart.This story is a story on the male and female reproductive health;puberty and the age of maturity depicted using the facility discovered by Seioh Borgon Boulderfell , himself which is a training facility for kids, teenagers, and young adult. It's a story on sexual purity in a camp with many rules and sanctions for disobedience. The story also discusses the subject of female genital mutilation, anal sex in Tayo's attempt with Aurora. I love the story build up and the use of symbolism and allegory in conveying the various delicate issues such as sex put forward .It is a highly advanced text for advanced readers with indept understanding of literature.
LESSONS LEARNT FROM THE BOOK READ
💪🏿Discipline,self control and sexual purity is taught from the rule placed by the institute for disobedience and engaging in maleficium.
💪🏿Love and Sacrifice in Pax covering up for Aurora when she broke curfew with Tayo and not him.
💪🏿That cheating is watching the person you love and really care about sneak around right under your nose.
💪🏿Hunting puracordis to find the guidal reveals the innate ability of every child: male and female to have an orgasm, sexual feelings and responses as seen in Aurora, Tayo and Pax described as conjuring.
APPLICATION OF LESSONS LEARNT
The book is one that encourages the teaching of sexual education as seen in Nanny Kimly's words.It also teaches children of puberty age that self control is a possibility despite the urge and that they can practice abstinence.
BOOK REVIEWER:-OKOKO AYEZU TAMARAPREYE
SYNOPSIS:-
This book discusses radiation poisoning used to describe evolution caused death.The story has as its central characters ,Aurora, Tayo and Pax.The Guidal is the story of Aurora and symbolises the expression number 9,Heart desire number 4 and Personality number 5 while Puracordis signifies the pure heart.This story is a story on the male and female reproductive health;puberty and the age of maturity depicted using the facility discovered by Seioh Borgon Boulderfell , himself which is a training facility for kids, teenagers, and young adult. It's a story on sexual purity in a camp with many rules and sanctions for disobedience. The story also discusses the subject of female genital mutilation, anal sex in Tayo's attempt with Aurora. I love the story build up and the use of symbolism and allegory in conveying the various delicate issues such as sex put forward .It is a highly advanced text for advanced readers with indept understanding of literature.
LESSONS LEARNT FROM THE BOOK READ
💪🏿Discipline,self control and sexual purity is taught from the rule placed by the institute for disobedience and engaging in maleficium.
💪🏿Love and Sacrifice in Pax covering up for Aurora when she broke curfew with Tayo and not him.
💪🏿That cheating is watching the person you love and really care about sneak around right under your nose.
💪🏿Hunting puracordis to find the guidal reveals the innate ability of every child: male and female to have an orgasm, sexual feelings and responses as seen in Aurora, Tayo and Pax described as conjuring.
APPLICATION OF LESSONS LEARNT
The book is one that encourages the teaching of sexual education as seen in Nanny Kimly's words.It also teaches children of puberty age that self control is a possibility despite the urge and that they can practice abstinence.
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