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Prax
Found unconscious in the wake of a devastating storm, Prax Sadeh struggles to regain her footing - and her independence - as she recovers from her coma under the protective eye of her lovingly overbearing mother. She’s not surprised by the strict rules in place meant to help her; after all, her younger sister is practically a shut-in.
What does surprise her is the apparent side-effect from her head injury: the sudden and horrible ability to foresee a person’s imminent death.
The only one who seems to fully understand her struggle to maintain sanity is the local cemetery’s groundskeeper, who is none too pleased by Prax’s frequent visits to the one place her visions don’t plague her. Despite his irritable nature, Aidon Elrik knows a thing or two about seeking solitude and begrudgingly helps her gain some semblance of control over this newfound gift/curse.
When two little girls vanish from a very public place, authorities are stumped for leads and the community descends into panic as rumors fly and interpersonal tensions rise. It’s every mother’s waking nightmare, and Dr. Sadeh is determined to keep her daughters safe, even at the risk of straining her already tumultuous relationship with Prax.
But not even the sanctuary of the cemetery can prevent new visions from shoving Prax into the investigation and deep into the tangled web of the region’s darkest industry.
What does surprise her is the apparent side-effect from her head injury: the sudden and horrible ability to foresee a person’s imminent death.
The only one who seems to fully understand her struggle to maintain sanity is the local cemetery’s groundskeeper, who is none too pleased by Prax’s frequent visits to the one place her visions don’t plague her. Despite his irritable nature, Aidon Elrik knows a thing or two about seeking solitude and begrudgingly helps her gain some semblance of control over this newfound gift/curse.
When two little girls vanish from a very public place, authorities are stumped for leads and the community descends into panic as rumors fly and interpersonal tensions rise. It’s every mother’s waking nightmare, and Dr. Sadeh is determined to keep her daughters safe, even at the risk of straining her already tumultuous relationship with Prax.
But not even the sanctuary of the cemetery can prevent new visions from shoving Prax into the investigation and deep into the tangled web of the region’s darkest industry.
373 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 22, 2022
4 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
About the author
Nikki Auberkett
5 books37 followersNikki Auberkett is a cultural anthropologist, developmental editor, award-nominated author, and lifelong lover of the fae folk. With nearly 15 years of research and exploration into global folklore and mythology, biblical archaeology, and all things weird and unusual, she weaves her research and social science expertise into her personal love for fantasy fiction.
Her most recent debut, Ithandryll, is the culmination of over 23 years of writing and revisions—don’t do the math, but she started writing it when she was only eleven years old! Originally intended to be one stand-alone book, it is now the first of a planned 6-8 book series, Song of the Sidhe. The estimated discrepancy is based on her main characters’ terrible habit of never following the map.
When she’s not finding ways to vent about human rights via mythological retellings or triple-checking her notes on ancient seafaring voyagers, Nikki can be spotted periodically throughout the city of Chicago testing her limits of coffee intake (she has yet to find one).
Her most recent debut, Ithandryll, is the culmination of over 23 years of writing and revisions—don’t do the math, but she started writing it when she was only eleven years old! Originally intended to be one stand-alone book, it is now the first of a planned 6-8 book series, Song of the Sidhe. The estimated discrepancy is based on her main characters’ terrible habit of never following the map.
When she’s not finding ways to vent about human rights via mythological retellings or triple-checking her notes on ancient seafaring voyagers, Nikki can be spotted periodically throughout the city of Chicago testing her limits of coffee intake (she has yet to find one).
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 15, 2022
Prax pulls back the veil on the supernatural in a modern small city setting, which includes real world issues like sex trafficking (but it's not so graphic as to warrant a trigger warning - I'm a pretty sensitive person so I was concerned at first but it truly was fine)).
It has a fresh take on mythological characters that I really enjoyed.
This was a good read. I'm ready for the next book in the series!
It has a fresh take on mythological characters that I really enjoyed.
This was a good read. I'm ready for the next book in the series!
August 5, 2022
I received a copy of this book from voracious readers only for an honest review.
I found this book a real page turner. I constantly wanted to know what was going to happen next, who the characters were, what they were, etc.
There were several stories intertwined but none of them really felt complete. You had the stories of the tornadoes, the story of the child abduction ring and the story of the main characters (are they supernatural, what's their story?) All these I felt could have been fleshed out a little more and the 'gifts' of Prax, Aidon and Donn explained a little more.
I definitely enjoyed the writing style and would definitely read something by this author again
I found this book a real page turner. I constantly wanted to know what was going to happen next, who the characters were, what they were, etc.
There were several stories intertwined but none of them really felt complete. You had the stories of the tornadoes, the story of the child abduction ring and the story of the main characters (are they supernatural, what's their story?) All these I felt could have been fleshed out a little more and the 'gifts' of Prax, Aidon and Donn explained a little more.
I definitely enjoyed the writing style and would definitely read something by this author again
April 19, 2022
Thanks @nikkiauberkett for the opportunity to be on your launch/eARC team.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (0-5 scale) rounding up to 5 because there’s so much more that I adore than the small aspects I don’t prefer.
Steam: 🔥 (0-5 scale)
What I’m Starry-Eyed Over:
🤩 Fantasy twisted with mystery plus a sprinkle of romance.
🤩 Based on real, important, and intense Iowa history (natural disaster/tornado, abduction/murder).
🤩 Iowa setting! My favorite part is knowing Prax’s favorite place—Jefferson Java—is inspired by a real café just an hour north of me. I can’t wait to go visit when school is out!
🤩 Within the first three chapters, I laughed, cried, & Oh my goshed! You will feel lots of big feels.
🤩 Coffee, plants, and flower arrangements—oh my! Such fun components that make the dark topics more tolerable.
🤩 Spot is another happy aspect, providing such comfort and support to Prax during hard moments.
🤩 Prax—I adore her! She is so brave and funny. She’s the one who let me handle the intense nature of the book and even laugh along the way. Totally the same feels I get when I watch Nikki Auberkett on Instagram and TikTok.
🤩 Lovely side characters (in a world where there’s a lot that’s not lovely).
🤩 Vivid description contrasting light and dark/life and death/good and evil.
🤩 The playing cards are “hella bougie.” I enjoyed how they play out in the book. I love the gorgeous book cover even more.
🤩 The back and forth between Prax’s reality and visions is so clever.
What I’m Wishing/Dizzy About:
💫 I prefer HEAs as compared to uncertainty and cliffhangers. I also know it’s a series, so I’m really crossing my fingers for some HEA.
💫 It’s twisty. I reread a couple parts to make sure I didn’t miss something in my eagerness. Do you ever skim parts when you get that “I just have to know” feeling? I think it’s supposed to be twisty and a bit unknown. Otherwise, I just didn’t figure a couple things out.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (0-5 scale) rounding up to 5 because there’s so much more that I adore than the small aspects I don’t prefer.
Steam: 🔥 (0-5 scale)
What I’m Starry-Eyed Over:
🤩 Fantasy twisted with mystery plus a sprinkle of romance.
🤩 Based on real, important, and intense Iowa history (natural disaster/tornado, abduction/murder).
🤩 Iowa setting! My favorite part is knowing Prax’s favorite place—Jefferson Java—is inspired by a real café just an hour north of me. I can’t wait to go visit when school is out!
🤩 Within the first three chapters, I laughed, cried, & Oh my goshed! You will feel lots of big feels.
🤩 Coffee, plants, and flower arrangements—oh my! Such fun components that make the dark topics more tolerable.
🤩 Spot is another happy aspect, providing such comfort and support to Prax during hard moments.
🤩 Prax—I adore her! She is so brave and funny. She’s the one who let me handle the intense nature of the book and even laugh along the way. Totally the same feels I get when I watch Nikki Auberkett on Instagram and TikTok.
🤩 Lovely side characters (in a world where there’s a lot that’s not lovely).
🤩 Vivid description contrasting light and dark/life and death/good and evil.
🤩 The playing cards are “hella bougie.” I enjoyed how they play out in the book. I love the gorgeous book cover even more.
🤩 The back and forth between Prax’s reality and visions is so clever.
What I’m Wishing/Dizzy About:
💫 I prefer HEAs as compared to uncertainty and cliffhangers. I also know it’s a series, so I’m really crossing my fingers for some HEA.
💫 It’s twisty. I reread a couple parts to make sure I didn’t miss something in my eagerness. Do you ever skim parts when you get that “I just have to know” feeling? I think it’s supposed to be twisty and a bit unknown. Otherwise, I just didn’t figure a couple things out.
June 7, 2022
This isn’t my normal type of read but I was impressed with the story! I really like Prax’s character, she is funny and strong, and she really made the story. There are twist and turns in the story that really kept me intrigued and the details in the book were really great!I can’t wait to read more
May 20, 2022
Prax is a fascinating read that you will not be able to put down. If you have never read a book written by a cultural anthropologist, you are in for a crazy fun ride. Not only is her prose a work of art but in the midst of natural disasters, threads of major societal issues, adventure, and romance there are deeply authentic characters in the context of a detailed portrait of small town life. As any good writer, Nikki is keenly observant of details many would miss and that, coupled with her cultural expertise, makes the book a thoroughly satisfying read that rings true. As an added bonus, there are Easter eggs hidden throughout for anyone into mythology. It is the perfect blend of entertaining and thought-provoking and is one of those books that you read over and over, each time noticing a new facet. This book begins with a tornado and the twists and turns never stop.
September 27, 2022
I personally have never felt more giddy and excited to finish a book, it was almost impossible to put down! I was sucked into the town of Bogarten and its many interesting people and sceneries. I fell into the deep story of Prax and almost what I'd say to be the beginning of remembering herself as who she is! There were many beautiful plot twists and some honestly scary moments. Nikki definitely made it to where you were sucked into the emotion of the story, and all of its characters.
The only thing is at the start the different points of view before getting to the MC were confusing, but I have a feeling that may be hashed out in the later books for the series.
I can't wait to see what's to come of the visions gang in the garden of the gods series!
The only thing is at the start the different points of view before getting to the MC were confusing, but I have a feeling that may be hashed out in the later books for the series.
I can't wait to see what's to come of the visions gang in the garden of the gods series!
March 27, 2022
This book sounded intriguing and wonderful, with a book blurb that really drew me in. However, reading the book felt more like a chore than anything else. It was necessary to reread things over and over again to try and make sense of what was happening, and I am still non the wiser. I would love to see the author spend a bit more time developing the plot and clearing up what actually happens so that this book can shine the way she wants it too.
For a full review of this book, please visit my website at aliciajeanne.com - the full review for this book will be released on 4/22/2022
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
For a full review of this book, please visit my website at aliciajeanne.com - the full review for this book will be released on 4/22/2022
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 12, 2022
Why do you make me feel things!
One i picked up because of tiktok and working with the author on things. I couldnt put it down and the speed of the read led to getting drawn in trying to solve the mystery and falling for the character- it wasnt until after i finished the references and back stories of the characters clicked making it just a better experience over all. I highly recommend and it falls in the 5 star rating as if now but ill take a point off for every moment i dont get to pet spot^^ the bestest bois ever! Lol
One i picked up because of tiktok and working with the author on things. I couldnt put it down and the speed of the read led to getting drawn in trying to solve the mystery and falling for the character- it wasnt until after i finished the references and back stories of the characters clicked making it just a better experience over all. I highly recommend and it falls in the 5 star rating as if now but ill take a point off for every moment i dont get to pet spot^^ the bestest bois ever! Lol
October 1, 2022
Loved this book, a nice gentle pace. But good some very good twists/suprises.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews