Apparition

First-Born Descendants #1

by Zahlia Amin

Destiny is only the beginning…

There might be a devastating power awakening inside Aleena, but that won’t stop her from protecting the hot couple living in the woods. She might also be a ghost sporting a massive crush on them, but that won’t stop her either. Frankly, with a mouthwateringly gorgeous werewolf and stunning smart-mouth healer going at it like rabbits, who can really blame her?

Figures they’d end up being prophesied to save the world. Phantoms just can’t have nice things. When a sinfully flirty mage joins them as their fellow saviour, the puzzle pieces finally start to fall in place as they embark on their quest.

There’s just one problem. Aleena doesn’t know where she fits.

Only one thing is for certain. The magic exploding inside her? It’s out for blood.

Aleena is all too willing to oblige.

Anything for them.



Note: This is a “why choose” story, meaning the main character will not choose between their love interests. This is also slowburn queer fantasy romance. All content warnings can be found in the foreword of the book or on the author’s website.

Genres: Fantasy, Fantasy Romance, M M Romance, Witches, Paranormal, Spicy

342 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 11, 2022

About the author

Zahlia Amin is an avid reader and sometimes writer who resides in Canada. Free time is usually spent curled up with a blanket reading or snacking monstrously. When Zahlia does pick up the pen, it's usually to write the stories she's craving to read. The ones that are unapologetic, messy, diverse, queer, and packing some heat.

Reviews

[Lizz (Beer, Books and Boos) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to start off by saying a big thank you to Zahlia Amin and Storygram over on Instagram for gifting this book.

I really enjoyed this book but when I first started reading I was wishing for more character development. Boy, I am so glad I kept reading, the development of the characters was perfect. I felt like I was growing with them and how Zahlia Amin wrote the chosen trope was spot on. They acted as if someone would really act if they were thrown into that role. Then that ending, I really need the next book ASAP. I can't get enough of the world and characters.

[Betty · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so interesting and I don't think I would've picked it up if I hadn't stumbled upon it through TikTok??

An urban fantasy series featuring a polycule is just immaculate and for it to be a debut novel??

I thought the storyline with Max struggling with his feeling for multiple ppl aligning with his desire for a pack is genius, it feels like such an unexploited aspect of wolf dynamics that other stories are too much of pussies to include ( they live in PACKS, they love doing stuff as a group but then they suddenly become possessive when it comes to mates, like come onnn it doesn't fit. This is the hill I chose to die on).

I loved this book naur cause it was just too good. And it just left me wanting more from the story like we're just getting started.

I just hope they don't make us wait for too long.

[Vicky · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book I really like Aleena and her trying to discover who she is and how she fits in. I also like how it shows Max struggling between his love for Persy and attraction to Varian. The story was also really good and I liked how to fill us in on the lore and the world they had the characters do a quiz whilst on there Journey as a way to fill Aleena in on everything as, as far as she knows she has only existed for a year! There was tiny bit of spice but it was so well done! I'll definitely keep my eye out for the rest of the series as I'm interested in what they discover about Aleena's past, if they beat the bad guys and finally what will happen between Max and Varian and also Varian and his little sprite Aleena

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

(I received an ARC copy of Apparition by Zahlia Amin)

If you enjoy books with prophecies, clever and adorable nicknames, road trip games, and complex characters, I would recommend this book to you! The main characters all have their own distinct voice and sense of humour, which kept the book light-hearted even during the more tense and intimate moments. In particular, I loved Varian and Persy's wisecracks. The way that they played off of each other was VERY entertaining as they navigated their (mostly negative) feelings for each other while also navigating their love for Max. It was really interesting to see how the chemistry unfolded between all the characters, especially between Varian and Max, Aleena and Varian, and Aleena and Persy.

I also enjoyed how the plot moved fast at some points and slow at others. The action-packed scenes, particularly near the end of the book, are just as powerful as the slower emotional scenes, and you really get a better sense of the characters and what is at stake for each of them. I am definitely looking forward to the next book to find out more about Aleena's past and what it could mean for the rest of the characters!

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having received the ARC version of this I was excited to see what was in store for the book. Having heard it was a queer, fantasy, ‘why choose’ romance, I couldn’t say no, and it lived up to all expectations.
This is definitely the book for you if you love some sexual tension and don’t mind quite the slow burn. The fantasy and magic elements of the storyline bring everything together in a really exciting way and the world building is truly amazing!!
I cannot wait to see what comes next in this series!!

[Kat Ditto · Rating 4 out of 5]

(I received and ARC copy from Zahlia Amin)

This book was soo good, the magic system was interesting, the characters were interesting and compelling. Their was a good balance of inter personal issues of a group of 4 being shoved together to save the world, and the outside threat. The little bit of spice was well written and exciting. I'm so ready to see were things go from here. I want more Varian and Aleena.

[DarkS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast read ,with a unique story and characters.

Good writng and development.
Grabs you from the start!

Can't wait to read more from this author!

[Booksandufos · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most interesting book I've read so far this year. A pleasure the whole time. Slow at times, which gives me more time with the darling cast. That I'm dying to see grow closer.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aleena doesn’t know who she ie. is she a ghost or real? Aleena has developed an attachment to Max, a werewolf and Persy, a healer (using magic to heal). They are a couple who live in the woods. Aleena has a power inside her that she doesn’t understand or even know how she got it. She doesn’t remember anything except that knowing she cares and will protect the couple in woods. She can’t touch them, yet let them know her as she fears how they will react negatively. One day, they are attacked but Aleena stops the attackers along with Max. She had tried to let them know that danger was coming. Persy meets and sees Aleena first. Max will see her later. When Varian arrives due to the council concerns about death happening more than usual until a special sapling tree is stolen from the council. Then the three of then are assign to get the sapling back. Aleena is going along even though the council are not aware of her. Will they find the sapling? Will Aleena find out who she is?

The story is a fantasy, magic, LGBTQIA, and some mystery. I liked all of the main characters. They are loyal and truthful to each other. There are exceptions though which causes problems turning into adventures that are twisty and quick. I especially liked Aleena. This is an amazing novel as there are unexpected turns of conversation. It made me feel as if I was with them in the story. I enjoyed this novel more than I can say. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!

Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I wasn’t obligated to write a favorable review or any review at all. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.

[Nicole Graythorne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Misfits on a quest to save humanity

This is not a typical romance reverse harem. This really reminded me of a supernatural based tv show. It's fast paced and action oriented. Four people who don't seem to fit into their places in society come together unexpectedly as a past evil starts to reassert itself. There are multiple love interests but only 2 of the party are in an actual relationship. There is flirting and angst as the group chases after the villains and try to stay alive after betrayals from allies.

Overall this is a fun and exciting read. It is very action packed with a very fast timeline. There are multiple points of view shared. For romance it is definitely a slow slow burn. I don't know if I'd qualify this as a reverse harem book but it's definitely one for potential polyamory and LGBTQIA+ relationships.

The ending wraps up this section of the adventure but leaves the relationships and overall story of good vs evil on a cliffhanger. I could definitely see this turning into a 5 or 10 book series.

[We Are What We Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arc Review:


I think that this is a very strong start to this series. The plot is intriguing and I'm really interested in the whole mystery surrounding Aleena. I also enjoyed that this wasn't an insta-love kind of story, because, for me, it made the characters feel more realistic. The fact that 2 of the 4 main characters are already in a relationship also allowed Zahlia Amin to create some interesting conflict between the characters. I'm excited to see what happens next in this series both plot and character-wise.

[Curiosity · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was first attracted by this paranormal fantasy because of the why choose aspects. After reading it, I want to continue following these characters for the genuine connection they have and the interesting world around them.

Following Aleena’s quest to find out who she is and why she is attached to Persy and Max was a true pleasure. I loved the mystery of her identity and the way her powers evolve as she learns more about herself. Her bond with Varian is absolutely adorable. I liked watching them explore her abilities and becoming more vulnerable with one another.
At first, I thought that Varian and Max’s history would turn Persy into the annoying jealous girlfriend. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the direction the story took. It really helped create tension and grow the relationship between the two. While Persy learns to appreciate and even like Varian, Max has to learn to trust Aleena. Once again the growth of their relationship is very organic. We, as the reader, come to understand why he is afraid of trusting her and empathise with him. It then feels deeply rewarding when Aleena proves herself to be dependable and proves she can keep the people he loves safe.

This story kept me on my toes and most importantly, kept me turning the pages. I stayed up ways past my bedtime to finish and had to take multiple months to really digest the story and just think about how much I love the characters. Although some of the writing could have used a bit more editing in some places, this was a very strong debut. It’s an incredibly entertaining story from Zahlia Amin. I’m looking forward to reading the next instalment in this series.

[Mx_Virg · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's a lot to like here, and I can't wait to read the rest of the series.

The book really shines when it focuses on its characters and their relationships. All four of them are outcasts of some sort, have their share of dark secrets and fucked up past. At the end of the book you have a good grasp on each of them, what makes them tick, what motivates and scare them, what they value. I really enjoyed the dialogues and banter between each of them.

Varian looked haunted. So deeply haunted that Aleena wanted nothing more than to wrap up the oversized mage in bubble wrap, then go and murder whoever put that look in his eyes.

Personally I have a soft spot for Aleena and Varian. The way they see and treat each other, the kind of trust and respect they have, their playfulness... I just love them. They made me swoon multiple times. Aleena's amnesia and demeanour make her appear a bit child-like at times, so I was starting to worry that her getting romantically entangled with the others would be a bit creepy. But this is a bit of a slow-medium burn, Varian is the only one showing any real interest, and even then he's focused on getting to know her and helping her. It's the kind of sweet adoration that makes my heart melt. (Also, for those who are interested in more representation in their books, Aleena and Varian are both people of color.)

But while the phantom was running around trying to keep everyone safe, someone had to look after the phantom. Varian was looking forward to it.

The others might be distracted by him, but Persy would go to war for Max.

That's not to say I disliked Max and Persy, to the contrary. They're both interesting and well-developed characters, especially Persy and how she relates to being a healer. The book also does a great job establishing their relationship and the strong foundation they have. It was fun to read about their struggles with Varian and being at the center of a world-ending prophecy.

I haven't read a book yet where an established monogamous couple, who have never thought about being poly, start to consider it. I'm not poly myself, so my knowledge is limited. Again, this is more of medium burn romance wise, so there's no poly action here. But we get to witness how a couple like Max and Persy manage when someone starts to have more than a crush. I didn't like one particular point near the end (setting boundaries in your relationship is great, but vetting your partner's romantic interests gives me the ick, I hope Persy is just playing a bit and not serious about it), but I'm still very interested how all three of them will handle changing the parameters of their relationship.

Plot and pacing wise, I enjoyed that we get thrown into the thick of it immediately, it's a fast-paced and action-filled story. I always wanted to know what's up next, not just character-wise but where the plot was headed too. It's a fun and eventful ride.

The world building is its weakest point. I wasn't able to really grasp how the magic works, how the world is structured, etc... I understood enough to get what our heroes were trying to accomplish and understand why they did what they did. But the magic system seems to be quite complex, with different types of magics, magic-wielders, spells,... there's a lot of info-dumping and I got lost in all of it. And when magic stuff happened, I was mostly along for the ride, not knowing how hard/rare/powerful some of it was. It's not a big problem now, but I'm worried that in later books we'll see magical stuff happen without real knowledge or understanding, making it seem like an ex-machina type of thing.

I still enjoyed this book a lot, it does overall a great job as a first book in the series, and will read the sequel when it comes out.

[Sofia]

Dnf at 53%
Chapters on chapters where nothing was happening but a car ride. Major lazy info dump happening in the form of question/answer Trivia about the world they live in.
Dialogue lacked luster
No tension, no chemistry. Established couple never disclosed or discussed for 1/2 of the book if they want to have an open relationship which means I didn’t want to root in favor of neither the ghost nor the mage to get involved with established couple.
That’s too long. The flirting of the mage with the wolf gave me ick vibes since the wolf and healer never discussed being open. No thanks.
The span of the entire first half of the book is only a few hours of time. Felt like I was dragging through the pages. Had to dnf. I wasn’t enjoying it. I’m still curious how everything turns out but I was skipping entire pages at one point to see if anything was going to happen yet and I felt like I needed to just drop it and move to another story. This one wasn’t for me but I do hope it’s for you.

[Kyara Gevers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay first up let me just say, i had this book for a while, laying of my tbr pile and i'm so sorry i didn't read it any sooner. It was so beautiful. The thing is, with fantasy books you have a lot of world building and it's sometimes really difficult to follow, well not with this one. We have so much all wrapped in one book already. Werewolves, mages, magic healers, phantoms, magic, complicated relationships and friendships on top of the action and fighting to save the world. It is a slow burn, but we do already get some tension, some banter and some frustration in this book. and it was palpable!

What i also liked it, the internal struggle the characters already had with thelselves and their relationships to eachother. I am so very excited to start the next one Venom, to see where their story takes them. Can they save the world? How will they deal with their trauma's and heal their relationships to themselves and eachother?

[Nichole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun and interesting read.
I saw the cover for book two and knew immediately that I needed to see what this series was about.
At first the reader is left in the dark about the back story of the characters and their world, but the further you read, the clearer the image becomes. I thought that way the author provided the back story and details was rather unique and made it easy to digest and understand.
I found the pace to be moderate at some points and faster in others, but it didn't alter the story. It flowed rather nicely. It is a slow burn, but the banter and sexual tension throughout adds a nice touch to the characters dynamics and their overall development.
Overall I really enjoyed the story and can't wait to read more.

[DarknessLighttt · Rating 3 out of 5]

🐚 𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐄𝐖 🐚
3.5 ⭐

𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀: chosen one, prophecy

I really enjoyed this book at first, but I was expecting more information about Aleena during it.

The action seemed to pass very quickly, like, in a few days, but at least the characters had chemistry between them and so my attention was fixed on them.

The only thing why I want to read the next book is that I want to know more about Aleena and the possible relationship between Max and Varian that is not very developed in the book, because of the confused feelings Max has.

Thank you NetGalley and Zahlia Amin for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Spicy BookNook Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶

This was a fun ride through fantasy with different types of characters that I haven't read about before.

Aleena is a phantom who has been watching over Max and Persy for a while now. They've never been able to see her until one day she alerted them to someone approaching the house and was able to break a lamp.

Varian, the mage who was approaching the house; let's the three of them in on some pretty big news about who they are.

They'll have to work together to conquer this quest. But after spending so much time together, they each realize their feelings for one another have grown.

This story was sweet and detailed. I can't wait to see how the rest unfolds in Venom!

[Lisanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so much fun! I'm looking forward to whenever the author writes book 2 :)

[HonestlySmutty · Rating 1 out of 5]

I feel like this could be really great. It’s not not my style of romance.

[Kelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 1 of an unfinished series. The books do end on cliffhangers, but they have an interesting storyline. I'm enjoying them.

[Vic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun story

Good magic stuff and an interesting story. Characters well thought out and written. Easy read and enjoyable. Will buy next in series.