What do you think?
Rate this book
A Conspiracy of Witches #1
Feathers and Flame
Thora Lumin was a nobody. After losing her parents and baby brother in a house fire, she spent her childhood bouncing between foster families and group homes, never once feeling like she belonged. Words like ‘home,’ ‘love,’ and ‘family’ lost their meaning and were soon replaced with ‘orphan,’ ‘damaged,’ and ‘freak.’ It isn’t until she’s offered a scholarship to a local university and finds herself a the heart of a centuries old conspiracy that a new word lays claim to her.
‘Witch.’
After being attacked by someone she thought she could trust and rescued by a mysterious stranger with a dark connection to her past, she’s launched into a magical world parallel to her own. A world of powerful energy beings called Conduits. Since the day she was born she’s had a price on her head, set by a ruling tyrant named Egon. His men are everywhere. Trained killers adorned in black feathers hunt her, all the while preparing for a war against humanity itself. A war that only Thora—the prophesied Phoenix and the face of a waiting rebellion—can prevent.
Feathers & Flame is the first book in the Urban Fantasy series A Conspiracy of Witches.
‘Witch.’
After being attacked by someone she thought she could trust and rescued by a mysterious stranger with a dark connection to her past, she’s launched into a magical world parallel to her own. A world of powerful energy beings called Conduits. Since the day she was born she’s had a price on her head, set by a ruling tyrant named Egon. His men are everywhere. Trained killers adorned in black feathers hunt her, all the while preparing for a war against humanity itself. A war that only Thora—the prophesied Phoenix and the face of a waiting rebellion—can prevent.
Feathers & Flame is the first book in the Urban Fantasy series A Conspiracy of Witches.
274 pages, Hardcover
First published April 22, 2022
325 people are currently reading
1927 people want to read
About the author
N.B. Snook
9 books82 followersN.B. Snook is a Canadian author who prefers to spend her days sipping mocha lattes by the lakeshore and working on her latest novel. She’s a lover of cats, dinosaurs, and massive portions of spaghetti. Thunderstorms excite her, true crime fascinates her, and oranges are her enemy.
N.B. Snook also writes under Noel B. Snook
N.B. Snook also writes under Noel B. Snook
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
April 6, 2022
Today is the day I die.
Hard to not like a book that starts with that.
I really enjoyed Feathers and Flame! It has good world building and great characters.
I do wish we learned a little more about some of the other characters like we did with Thora, our MFC. The plot moved along well and didn't drag on really. There is definitely a slow burn romance starting and I love that. The book does end on somewhat of a cliffhanger.
I can't wait to read the next book and learn more about the world of the Conduits!
I received an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest and voluntary review
Hard to not like a book that starts with that.
I really enjoyed Feathers and Flame! It has good world building and great characters.
I do wish we learned a little more about some of the other characters like we did with Thora, our MFC. The plot moved along well and didn't drag on really. There is definitely a slow burn romance starting and I love that. The book does end on somewhat of a cliffhanger.
I can't wait to read the next book and learn more about the world of the Conduits!
I received an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest and voluntary review
April 7, 2022
For lovers of fantasy, witches, magic, and action.
I was hooked from the beginning, and picked up this book every chance I got. I couldn’t get enough of the story!
Following Thora through her journey of living in a world where she feels like a nobody to discovering an entire new world she never knew existed was such a fun ride. I enjoyed the detail that went into describing everything Thora was going through, and it made everything so much easier to visualize and truly lose yourself in the story. I can’t wait until the next book comes out so I can continue the journey!
I received an ARC of this book, and am leaving an honest review!
I was hooked from the beginning, and picked up this book every chance I got. I couldn’t get enough of the story!
Following Thora through her journey of living in a world where she feels like a nobody to discovering an entire new world she never knew existed was such a fun ride. I enjoyed the detail that went into describing everything Thora was going through, and it made everything so much easier to visualize and truly lose yourself in the story. I can’t wait until the next book comes out so I can continue the journey!
I received an ARC of this book, and am leaving an honest review!
May 23, 2024
Great story, very little chemistry between the two main characters however, I like both individually and this being the first book, I see where it’ll build.
October 24, 2022
Actual Rating: 3.5 Stars
"Witch. Throughout history, this word has had several meanings and has represented several different faces. At one point, that face was a simple healer. Later, it morphed into a hag."
Feathers & Flame follows Thora, a newly awakened conduit on her self journey of discovery. Being an Urban Romance, I did have expectations of a touch more relationship building. Not just of the main characters, but also a lot of the other characters. The few extra people we met felt passable, not sure who we should form threads with as a reader. Hopefully, in future books we can learn more about Kieran, just as in depth as we did with Thora. Thora herself is well built, we learn quite a lot of her during school and her early life. She does have her own personal growth as the story unfolds.
The progression is slow to moderate, a lot happens in a small space towards the end of the book. I can't wait to see more about the Conduit world and how the prophecy fits in and could shape further story. Positively, I did enjoy the novel. It's unique to books I have read on witches and I am looking forward to where this journey can be taken.
This book would be perfect for anyone who needs a new take on the word witch, or a nice quick read in a new world. Feathers & Flame would be suited to a 15 or above audience (though, I do believe it might be looped in with the YA crowd on shelves) and does end on a small cliffhanger.
I received an advance reader copy in exchange for my voluntary and honest review.
A Conspiracy of Witches:
#1 - Feathers and Flame.
#2 - Masks and Majesty.
#3 - TBC.
"Witch. Throughout history, this word has had several meanings and has represented several different faces. At one point, that face was a simple healer. Later, it morphed into a hag."
Feathers & Flame follows Thora, a newly awakened conduit on her self journey of discovery. Being an Urban Romance, I did have expectations of a touch more relationship building. Not just of the main characters, but also a lot of the other characters. The few extra people we met felt passable, not sure who we should form threads with as a reader. Hopefully, in future books we can learn more about Kieran, just as in depth as we did with Thora. Thora herself is well built, we learn quite a lot of her during school and her early life. She does have her own personal growth as the story unfolds.
The progression is slow to moderate, a lot happens in a small space towards the end of the book. I can't wait to see more about the Conduit world and how the prophecy fits in and could shape further story. Positively, I did enjoy the novel. It's unique to books I have read on witches and I am looking forward to where this journey can be taken.
This book would be perfect for anyone who needs a new take on the word witch, or a nice quick read in a new world. Feathers & Flame would be suited to a 15 or above audience (though, I do believe it might be looped in with the YA crowd on shelves) and does end on a small cliffhanger.
I received an advance reader copy in exchange for my voluntary and honest review.
A Conspiracy of Witches:
#1 - Feathers and Flame.
#2 - Masks and Majesty.
#3 - TBC.
April 9, 2022
“Today is the day I die.”
From the first line I was hooked. It’s what every good book should have, that killer first line that makes you bring that book closer to your face and go “Okay, I’m intrigued.” This intrigue and absolute rapture continued throughout the entire book which honestly I was not ready for ahaha.
The book has a unique magic system, original storytelling and characters I fell in love with almost immediately. The book was also pretty fast paced which I hugely appreciated because it got into the nitty gritty without all the slow parts a lot of novels have.
This book lightly touches on the harmful effects the real-life witch trials had on practicers back in the day and presently. These real life actualities spur the fear these new occult murders are having on their town and they aided the storyline into an interesting direction. The fun twist on how witches come to be was also so original and I enjoyed it immensely.
My one request for the future novel is to see more interaction between Thora, the main character, and Kieran the love interest cause there’s just not enough dialogue between the two of them, I need more banter, more flirting, just more!!
I did receive this book as an ARC from the author in exchange for a voluntary and honest review but by gosh, that does not change a single thing about how I felt about this book. It was refreshing and different and after reading so many books that have felt similar to each other, reading this was like a breath of fresh air. I will be patiently* waiting for the sequel and telling everyone who will listen to look out for this book when it comes out! This is definitely an author to keep an eye on!
*who am I kidding, I’m already needing the sequel like yesterday ahahah
From the first line I was hooked. It’s what every good book should have, that killer first line that makes you bring that book closer to your face and go “Okay, I’m intrigued.” This intrigue and absolute rapture continued throughout the entire book which honestly I was not ready for ahaha.
The book has a unique magic system, original storytelling and characters I fell in love with almost immediately. The book was also pretty fast paced which I hugely appreciated because it got into the nitty gritty without all the slow parts a lot of novels have.
This book lightly touches on the harmful effects the real-life witch trials had on practicers back in the day and presently. These real life actualities spur the fear these new occult murders are having on their town and they aided the storyline into an interesting direction. The fun twist on how witches come to be was also so original and I enjoyed it immensely.
My one request for the future novel is to see more interaction between Thora, the main character, and Kieran the love interest cause there’s just not enough dialogue between the two of them, I need more banter, more flirting, just more!!
I did receive this book as an ARC from the author in exchange for a voluntary and honest review but by gosh, that does not change a single thing about how I felt about this book. It was refreshing and different and after reading so many books that have felt similar to each other, reading this was like a breath of fresh air. I will be patiently* waiting for the sequel and telling everyone who will listen to look out for this book when it comes out! This is definitely an author to keep an eye on!
*who am I kidding, I’m already needing the sequel like yesterday ahahah
April 7, 2022
“Witch”
Chelmsford , Essex. July 29th 1645.
Today is the day I die.”
“I’m not what the say I am.”
This story follows Thora. A 23yr old college student who has had a rough life to start. Between losing her family to a fire when she was younger and bouncing around to different homes, to just trying to find where to fit. To meeting Kieran, him saving her, and having her world turned upside down. Things she’s always thought were unreal are now apart of herself. Learning about a whole new world and what she means to it’s people.
Witches aren’t real…or are they?
This story is a moderately paced book that picks up quickly at the end. I thought the world building was Great! There were a lot of different aspects, I had personally not come across before, which intrigued me even further.
The character building we get on Thora is excellent. We really get a strong grasp on her life so far and what she’s gone through. I’m hoping in the next book we will get to dig deeper into Kieran and who he is and what makes him tick along with some of the other characters. There is a slow burn relationship between Thora and Kieran that I can’t wait to read more about!
Witches
Conduits
Fantasy
Action
All of my favorite things!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book from page one to the last!! I will be impatiently wait for the next book!
*I received an advanced reader copy in advance for my voluntary and honest review.
Chelmsford , Essex. July 29th 1645.
Today is the day I die.”
“I’m not what the say I am.”
This story follows Thora. A 23yr old college student who has had a rough life to start. Between losing her family to a fire when she was younger and bouncing around to different homes, to just trying to find where to fit. To meeting Kieran, him saving her, and having her world turned upside down. Things she’s always thought were unreal are now apart of herself. Learning about a whole new world and what she means to it’s people.
Witches aren’t real…or are they?
This story is a moderately paced book that picks up quickly at the end. I thought the world building was Great! There were a lot of different aspects, I had personally not come across before, which intrigued me even further.
The character building we get on Thora is excellent. We really get a strong grasp on her life so far and what she’s gone through. I’m hoping in the next book we will get to dig deeper into Kieran and who he is and what makes him tick along with some of the other characters. There is a slow burn relationship between Thora and Kieran that I can’t wait to read more about!
Witches
Conduits
Fantasy
Action
All of my favorite things!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book from page one to the last!! I will be impatiently wait for the next book!
*I received an advanced reader copy in advance for my voluntary and honest review.
April 25, 2022
In Feathers & Flame, A Conspiracy of Witches: Book One by N.B Snook the main character, Thora, is a shy young woman who escaped death as a child and grew up feeling different than everyone else. In college, she is drawn into the world of witches where she finally feels like she belongs, and where she learns she is destined to “chase away the night.”
Snook hooked me with her first line “Today is the day I die” and reeled me in with “The world has gone dark and there is nothing. Until…There is something…Again.” I devoured this book, I basically only put it down to sleep.
The way the Snook explains how witches come to be and how their ‘powers’ work was unexpected, but I loved it. I’ve read many paranormal/witch books and they are mainly the same, so it was nice to see one that explores a whole new way of thinking about witches' powers.
The characters were well written and felt purposeful in the story. The story has a good pace and Snook gives a great foundation of the world and the characters and leaves you wanting more. I look forward to getting to know more of their backstories in the next books of the series.
Actual star rating 4.5…
I would definitely recommend this book, to anyone, but also those that enjoy reading books with paranormal, witches, fantasy and historical themes. I’ll definitely be reading the next books in this series.
Note: I received an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Snook hooked me with her first line “Today is the day I die” and reeled me in with “The world has gone dark and there is nothing. Until…There is something…Again.” I devoured this book, I basically only put it down to sleep.
The way the Snook explains how witches come to be and how their ‘powers’ work was unexpected, but I loved it. I’ve read many paranormal/witch books and they are mainly the same, so it was nice to see one that explores a whole new way of thinking about witches' powers.
The characters were well written and felt purposeful in the story. The story has a good pace and Snook gives a great foundation of the world and the characters and leaves you wanting more. I look forward to getting to know more of their backstories in the next books of the series.
Actual star rating 4.5…
I would definitely recommend this book, to anyone, but also those that enjoy reading books with paranormal, witches, fantasy and historical themes. I’ll definitely be reading the next books in this series.
Note: I received an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 1, 2023
All the reviews I read were from people who were asked to read it. Since I found this book on my own, I thought I’d leave a review.
Feathers and Flame does hook you right off the bat. As with most first books in a series, this book was more about character and world building. However, don’t mistake that sentence for boring, you want to know where the story is taking you. There are several seemingly dead-end plots that may or may not be revisited further in the series. I finished the book today and immediately bought the second book.
Thoroughly enjoyed, have already recommended it to my friends, and can’t wait to continue the series. Thank you N.B. Snook for the entertainment.
Side note: for any Ted Lasso fans, the entire time I read this, I felt like Wolf had a Coach Beard essence.
Feathers and Flame does hook you right off the bat. As with most first books in a series, this book was more about character and world building. However, don’t mistake that sentence for boring, you want to know where the story is taking you. There are several seemingly dead-end plots that may or may not be revisited further in the series. I finished the book today and immediately bought the second book.
Thoroughly enjoyed, have already recommended it to my friends, and can’t wait to continue the series. Thank you N.B. Snook for the entertainment.
Side note: for any Ted Lasso fans, the entire time I read this, I felt like Wolf had a Coach Beard essence.
November 13, 2023
N. B. Snook does it again! This beautifully written
fantasy romance is everything you've been
waiting for! To one another, they are strangers. To
Thora, there is something about Kieran that is
intriguing. An epic page turner that embodies
love, trust, and complications that come with
unexpected emotions.
fantasy romance is everything you've been
waiting for! To one another, they are strangers. To
Thora, there is something about Kieran that is
intriguing. An epic page turner that embodies
love, trust, and complications that come with
unexpected emotions.
April 9, 2022
This book was amazing! I was hesitant at first but it gets good I didn't want to put it down!!! There is a cliff hanger so now I can't wait for book 2!!! GO read this book 📖 😀
July 6, 2025
It was a nice read but I struggled to get through it on several parts.
The worldbuilding is very interesting though. Unfortunaley I also know a bit historically about the witchhunts and in this book the historical facts of how this was able to take off back then (such as plague and a general feeling of having no spiritual safety to just name two) is missing for me personally. I do love though how Egon is kept as a looming shadow and we practically know nothing of him even now. Only what his idealistic fascist thinking is doing. I do think though that Thora is not thinking fully through of "We could just life openly with humans as conduits" forgetting how quickly people tend to fear people who are differently (looking at anyone who hates trans people) and how fast enslaving of the conduits would be an option. After all, even Thora thought about how useful they could be for society....
There are some moments as well where Thora is not reacting to being touched as she should with her aversion, which confuses me then. The biggest moment where that bugs me is after she bathed and gets dragged into the bar. She should be reacting with the pure panic and instinct to get the hand off of her.
I also am not very sure about Luella and how everyone takes Thora in. For a group and society used to taking in people that know nothing about them, they are surprisingly bad at explaining stuff and doing so with compassion. Maybe there is a job for that? So they normally don't do this and that is why they are so bad at it but it bugs me. It also bugs me that there is no connection at all with Luella that feels genuine. Even with the cease-fire agreement they get to around the middle of the book. Maybe in book 2 there will be insight to Luella. Because I do like her character even if she is very mean girl coded.
There seems to be a strong tendency to "Tell" instead of Show and let the reader figure it out. How often at the start there is the sentence "And I know what a single flame can do" is just ... a lot. It might also just be that I struggle with the Choice of Narrator. First Person Narrator is always a bit strange to me.
I will put the second book on my list to go and check it out. The last 30% were a lot smoother to read and I am a bit interested in the worldbuilding. I feel we barely scratched the surface with this book in that aspect.
The worldbuilding is very interesting though. Unfortunaley I also know a bit historically about the witchhunts and in this book the historical facts of how this was able to take off back then (such as plague and a general feeling of having no spiritual safety to just name two) is missing for me personally. I do love though how Egon is kept as a looming shadow and we practically know nothing of him even now. Only what his idealistic fascist thinking is doing. I do think though that Thora is not thinking fully through of "We could just life openly with humans as conduits" forgetting how quickly people tend to fear people who are differently (looking at anyone who hates trans people) and how fast enslaving of the conduits would be an option. After all, even Thora thought about how useful they could be for society....
There are some moments as well where Thora is not reacting to being touched as she should with her aversion, which confuses me then. The biggest moment where that bugs me is after she bathed and gets dragged into the bar. She should be reacting with the pure panic and instinct to get the hand off of her.
I also am not very sure about Luella and how everyone takes Thora in. For a group and society used to taking in people that know nothing about them, they are surprisingly bad at explaining stuff and doing so with compassion. Maybe there is a job for that? So they normally don't do this and that is why they are so bad at it but it bugs me. It also bugs me that there is no connection at all with Luella that feels genuine. Even with the cease-fire agreement they get to around the middle of the book. Maybe in book 2 there will be insight to Luella. Because I do like her character even if she is very mean girl coded.
There seems to be a strong tendency to "Tell" instead of Show and let the reader figure it out. How often at the start there is the sentence "And I know what a single flame can do" is just ... a lot. It might also just be that I struggle with the Choice of Narrator. First Person Narrator is always a bit strange to me.
I will put the second book on my list to go and check it out. The last 30% were a lot smoother to read and I am a bit interested in the worldbuilding. I feel we barely scratched the surface with this book in that aspect.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 16, 2023
“𝙏’𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙖 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙨𝙚 𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙣𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩. 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙙𝙖𝙧𝙠 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙛𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙜𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙬𝙤 𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙨 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙧𝙚𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙚. 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙙 𝙢𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙗𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙠 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙨 𝙢𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙖𝙘𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙥𝙮𝙧𝙚.”
HOLY. SMOKES. This book was an absolute rollercoaster. I felt like there were so many twists and turns, and I felt like I was consistently staying on my toes. Each chapter ending had something exciting or nerve wracking (in the best way possible) to look forward to. I truly felt so many emotions during this read — anger, sadness, surprise, glee, etc. The world building and character development was remarkable, the setting was written with such detail that it was easy to picture Thora in her surroundings.
Thora was such an amazing character. Of course she has a sad upbringing, 𝙗𝙚𝙘𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙠𝙞𝙘𝙠𝙖𝙨𝙨, 𝙗𝙖𝙙𝙖𝙨𝙨 𝙁𝙈𝘾 𝙙𝙤𝙚𝙨𝙣’𝙩, and it does haunt her and shapes her into who she is. However, she doesn’t let the trauma take over her future — with time, she grows into a FMC that is determined and confident, which I always love to see in a book.
While there’s not a lot of romance, I found this book to be such a refreshing read. Normally I read adult books, but this book was so well written with dashes of romance to the point where I enjoyed it, and didn’t care that there wasn’t any smut. There were moments where I caught myself thinking “aw shit that’s cute”. This book is definitely a YA read, and I can’t wait to recommend this to those that are obsessed with witches, world building, and “this is your destiny” trope. I’m looking forward to reading the next installment.
HOLY. SMOKES. This book was an absolute rollercoaster. I felt like there were so many twists and turns, and I felt like I was consistently staying on my toes. Each chapter ending had something exciting or nerve wracking (in the best way possible) to look forward to. I truly felt so many emotions during this read — anger, sadness, surprise, glee, etc. The world building and character development was remarkable, the setting was written with such detail that it was easy to picture Thora in her surroundings.
Thora was such an amazing character. Of course she has a sad upbringing, 𝙗𝙚𝙘𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙠𝙞𝙘𝙠𝙖𝙨𝙨, 𝙗𝙖𝙙𝙖𝙨𝙨 𝙁𝙈𝘾 𝙙𝙤𝙚𝙨𝙣’𝙩, and it does haunt her and shapes her into who she is. However, she doesn’t let the trauma take over her future — with time, she grows into a FMC that is determined and confident, which I always love to see in a book.
While there’s not a lot of romance, I found this book to be such a refreshing read. Normally I read adult books, but this book was so well written with dashes of romance to the point where I enjoyed it, and didn’t care that there wasn’t any smut. There were moments where I caught myself thinking “aw shit that’s cute”. This book is definitely a YA read, and I can’t wait to recommend this to those that are obsessed with witches, world building, and “this is your destiny” trope. I’m looking forward to reading the next installment.
January 14, 2025
Okay read
This wasn’t as good as I was hoping for, but the fact that I read it to completion speaks for itself. Normally I will DNF something if it’s truly awful.
This book is definitely meant for a younger audience with the exception of one vulgar and derogatory phrase in the last quarter of the book that has no place being there (rhymes with rock). Because of it, I wouldn’t recommend it to the young audience I think would like it most.
There were also quite a few spelling and grammar issues that had nothing to do with UK/US differences. Quite a few were compound words that should have been separated, for instance: sometime. ‘She did something for some time before…’ is what it should have been. Using the work all together is a different meaning. Another word I recall was insured when it should have been ensured. But altogether those are small potatoes and if we’d get rid of the word that she had no reason to include, I’d recommend this.
As it is, it is too juvenile and simplistic for me to continue on with the series.
This wasn’t as good as I was hoping for, but the fact that I read it to completion speaks for itself. Normally I will DNF something if it’s truly awful.
This book is definitely meant for a younger audience with the exception of one vulgar and derogatory phrase in the last quarter of the book that has no place being there (rhymes with rock). Because of it, I wouldn’t recommend it to the young audience I think would like it most.
There were also quite a few spelling and grammar issues that had nothing to do with UK/US differences. Quite a few were compound words that should have been separated, for instance: sometime. ‘She did something for some time before…’ is what it should have been. Using the work all together is a different meaning. Another word I recall was insured when it should have been ensured. But altogether those are small potatoes and if we’d get rid of the word that she had no reason to include, I’d recommend this.
As it is, it is too juvenile and simplistic for me to continue on with the series.
July 23, 2024
The idea of the world and story are what caught my interest. However, the pace and writing of the story are too rushed, making it more fantastical than a fantasy book should be.
The reason for her getting fired from the coffee shop? Trash. Especially if it’s that early morning rush with a line. Manager would’ve made her finish her shift and then she would be let go.
She also wouldn’t lose her scholarship. It’s work study, which is a federal program. All it means is she’s first in line for campus jobs.
Also, only needing a C- average to maintain her academic scholarship? No.
The very swift intro into her “fighting” training also does not track. She has zero idea what is going on. No explanations for anything. Just agrees to…. Start weapons training? Too fantastical.
I wanted to look past the plot holes in the book as the overall story is interesting, but I couldn’t.
The reason for her getting fired from the coffee shop? Trash. Especially if it’s that early morning rush with a line. Manager would’ve made her finish her shift and then she would be let go.
She also wouldn’t lose her scholarship. It’s work study, which is a federal program. All it means is she’s first in line for campus jobs.
Also, only needing a C- average to maintain her academic scholarship? No.
The very swift intro into her “fighting” training also does not track. She has zero idea what is going on. No explanations for anything. Just agrees to…. Start weapons training? Too fantastical.
I wanted to look past the plot holes in the book as the overall story is interesting, but I couldn’t.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 11, 2025
Thora lost her parents and brother in a fire when she was a child. Now she's in college - seemingly knowing so much while also being naive. She's attacked by one of her professors but saved by a mysterious new guy, which then introduces her to a whole new world she never knew about - with Conduits who can control some form of elemental power and live separate but parallel lives below ground.
I tried to like this, but it was a contradicting mishmash of a story. Definitely one of the ones that I wish I hadn't finished, but sunk cost fallacy made me complete it. Maybe I got parts of it mixed up with another book I tried to read, but the constant two sides to everyone that was supposed to provide depth to the characters just made everything contradictory and superficial.
I tried to like this, but it was a contradicting mishmash of a story. Definitely one of the ones that I wish I hadn't finished, but sunk cost fallacy made me complete it. Maybe I got parts of it mixed up with another book I tried to read, but the constant two sides to everyone that was supposed to provide depth to the characters just made everything contradictory and superficial.
November 8, 2023
For my first fantasy book I’m so pleased and secretly kind of really enjoyed to the point I want thrift shopping and got myself more fantasy books I absolutely love bones and wolf just something about them that I adore the “to be continued…” had me plowing into the second book of the series so well played N.B snook I love the whole story behind the withes the above world and underground world I look forward to reading the remanding two books but I hope to see the love blossom between Thora and Kieran maybe a little fantasy spice but all over a great slow burn fantasy for my first time reading fantasy …
November 27, 2024
Good, cozy read. The world building wasn't overly complicated but still interesting. It was my first time reading a fantasy book that had "witches" in it, and it wasn't bad. I don't understand what was the point of the "no touching" thing with the FMC, but okay. What I didn't like tho was the romance. The two main characters don't interact with each other at all, just so that at the end they can suddenly like each other, like what? I understand that he saves her at the beginning, but my guy, that's not enough. Like freaking talk with each other, is that too much to ask??? Besides that, it was fast-paced, so 3⭐️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 28, 2023
could be better written, but I like the world building
One thing I’ve noticed as I’ve read through this book is that Thora is a little annoying. There’s many moments where she has a “not like the other girls” mentality. There is also a habit of unnecessary, long-winded explanations. On top of that, there’s a handful of editing mistakes.
On a positive note, I truly enjoyed the story and the world building. The way magic works and comes to people in this world is very unique. I’m intrigued to see where this goes and if the writing quality is improved in the next books.
One thing I’ve noticed as I’ve read through this book is that Thora is a little annoying. There’s many moments where she has a “not like the other girls” mentality. There is also a habit of unnecessary, long-winded explanations. On top of that, there’s a handful of editing mistakes.
On a positive note, I truly enjoyed the story and the world building. The way magic works and comes to people in this world is very unique. I’m intrigued to see where this goes and if the writing quality is improved in the next books.
Read
January 7, 2024DNF at 55 percent, so I will not give a rating. I may try to pick this up again at a later date, but I could not get into the story no matter how hard I tried. The storyline felt extremely slow. At the halfway mark, I felt as if I still had minimal knowledge about the world and little interest in the characters.
December 22, 2023
Started off ok and really liked Bones. But lost me with the badly written Scottish and English accents.Its my pet peeve and instantly turns me off a book. If you can get past that, you'll probably like the book but for me it's a DNF
May 28, 2024
People lower your expectations - our main female have panics attacks if someone touches her 😅 So romance is at ZERO level😄
Compared to others gems in fantasy world this is bleak stone, mediocre at best. Fast good read.
Compared to others gems in fantasy world this is bleak stone, mediocre at best. Fast good read.
October 17, 2023
DNF at 30% after discovering that it ends with a cliffhanger.
May 15, 2024
Must read
A very good story. The storyline is intriguing and the characters are vivid. Not your usual paranormal story. Very surprised.
A very good story. The storyline is intriguing and the characters are vivid. Not your usual paranormal story. Very surprised.
October 25, 2024
Sadly a dnf
October 31, 2024
~ 2.5 stars
Hmmm idk this book didn’t really connect with me and I skipped the ending to just be done with this😬 I was mostly just confused…
Hmmm idk this book didn’t really connect with me and I skipped the ending to just be done with this😬 I was mostly just confused…
November 6, 2024
Awesome
Loved the story the plot twist the trauma and the healing from said trauma the way it connects to the witch trials history it was an awesome read
Loved the story the plot twist the trauma and the healing from said trauma the way it connects to the witch trials history it was an awesome read
January 2, 2025
This book offers a unique take on magic and does a decent job of world building. The downfall for me was in character development. The characters felt very single-faceted.
January 6, 2025
It's an okay book. It's certainly interesting to "learn" about Conduits and Awakenings. I'm glad I read it.
January 31, 2025
This just wasn't my cup of tea. I didn't really have any emotions abt it. It was just...meh.
August 29, 2025
It’s okay, but how does someone develop feelings when not around someone. It makes sense to happen later, but not when she notices them starting.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews