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Trick
Cassandra Clare's The Mortal Instruments series meets V.E. Schwab's The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue with a dash of Disney+'s Loki in this new adult urban fantasy.
WELCOME TO NEW ATLAS: A CITY WITHIN A REALITY JUST BEYOND OUR OWN.
Evie is a nobody. Spending her days in college classes and her nights studying, having a social life has never really been a priority. With her sights firmly set on the future to keep away her thoughts of the past, she loses her grip on the present when her world is ripped out from under her. And it’s all thanks to two mysterious strangers showing up on her doorstep, claiming that she can turn back time.
Cade is a notorious troublemaker. He’s never been afraid to throw around his name to get what he wants as someone who’s clawed his way to the top. But power is quick to change hands in this city, and when he chooses to blatantly disregard an order from his leader, his older brother, he’s tossed back down to the bottom again. He’ll be more than lucky to regain any sort of trust when everyone knows he’s one of the best spies there is, sliding in and out of shadows in the blink of an eye.
Ren is a bored teenager. Always labeled as the “golden child” or “gifted student,” he finds himself writing down cryptic messages and following strange leads, rather than putting on the same old song and dance for his family. Especially once he discovers his little stolen fragments of the future are starting to take a darker turn. Perhaps chasing the life everyone wants him to have isn’t necessarily in the cards for him, but there’s only one way to find out.
So when someone within the secret society known as the Custodians targets Evie for her power, the clock starts in the final sprint to hunt down the culprit. In order to uncover whatever hidden clues are lurking in the past, the three of them have no choice but to peel back the layers of obscurity built up between their factions to figure out why she’s being hunted and how they might be able to fix their bleak futures before it’s too late.
Just remember: time is nothing but a trick.
WELCOME TO NEW ATLAS: A CITY WITHIN A REALITY JUST BEYOND OUR OWN.
Evie is a nobody. Spending her days in college classes and her nights studying, having a social life has never really been a priority. With her sights firmly set on the future to keep away her thoughts of the past, she loses her grip on the present when her world is ripped out from under her. And it’s all thanks to two mysterious strangers showing up on her doorstep, claiming that she can turn back time.
Cade is a notorious troublemaker. He’s never been afraid to throw around his name to get what he wants as someone who’s clawed his way to the top. But power is quick to change hands in this city, and when he chooses to blatantly disregard an order from his leader, his older brother, he’s tossed back down to the bottom again. He’ll be more than lucky to regain any sort of trust when everyone knows he’s one of the best spies there is, sliding in and out of shadows in the blink of an eye.
Ren is a bored teenager. Always labeled as the “golden child” or “gifted student,” he finds himself writing down cryptic messages and following strange leads, rather than putting on the same old song and dance for his family. Especially once he discovers his little stolen fragments of the future are starting to take a darker turn. Perhaps chasing the life everyone wants him to have isn’t necessarily in the cards for him, but there’s only one way to find out.
So when someone within the secret society known as the Custodians targets Evie for her power, the clock starts in the final sprint to hunt down the culprit. In order to uncover whatever hidden clues are lurking in the past, the three of them have no choice but to peel back the layers of obscurity built up between their factions to figure out why she’s being hunted and how they might be able to fix their bleak futures before it’s too late.
Just remember: time is nothing but a trick.
340 pages, Paperback
First published June 13, 2023
63 people want to read
About the author
Cara Nox
9 books26 followersCara Nox is an urban and science fantasy writer, combining their love of magically-inclined chaotic idiots and modern/futuristic tech. They also love mysteries, thrillers, and anything that draws inspiration from stars. Cara works as a web developer by day, holds BA in Japanese Language and Literature they occasionally use to read video game announcements, and resides in Ohio with their younger sister and two black cats.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 16, 2023
Thank you to the author for providing me an arc in exchange for a review!
Evie is just another exhausted, determined college student, dealing with the death of her clock-tinkering grandfather and looming deadlines. Then she accidentally manages to rewind a small moment of time, and discovers a family secret that reveals her to a secret society operating behind the curtains of her world. And someone powerful within seemingly wants her dead.
”Seriously?" Laughter bubbled up from his throat. “You just discovered you have superpowers, and you want to go to school. What the hell is wrong with you?"
The secret society, known as the custodians, are made up of nine factions each with different gifts, from Spirits to Shades to Tricks - those who can control time, all making power-grabs to have sway in the council. This creates a need for strong friendships, political upheavals, and backstabbing alliances.
Playing with the concept of time is always an ambitious feat in literature with all the nuances and paradoxical details that could go amiss. Nox handles this fairly well for a YA novel so readers aren’t bogged down by mind-boggling explanations. Whilst I do feel feel the latter part of the novel suffered a bit for this lack of understanding, I didn’t feel Nox ever used it to cop out of difficult situations or plot complications.
Finally, Nox writes meaningful, heartening characters who are growing as they learn more about their worlds, others, and themselves.
Maybe that was where he'd failed her. By not giving her a good enough reason to love who she was.
I liked the idea of a secret society at work in the world around us, working behind the curtain to uphold peace, obscurity, and safety. Finally, Evie’s obsession with her schoolwork despite the literal hit on her felt extremely relatable and home-hitting - especially when I am currently about to start exam season!
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Evie is just another exhausted, determined college student, dealing with the death of her clock-tinkering grandfather and looming deadlines. Then she accidentally manages to rewind a small moment of time, and discovers a family secret that reveals her to a secret society operating behind the curtains of her world. And someone powerful within seemingly wants her dead.
”Seriously?" Laughter bubbled up from his throat. “You just discovered you have superpowers, and you want to go to school. What the hell is wrong with you?"
The secret society, known as the custodians, are made up of nine factions each with different gifts, from Spirits to Shades to Tricks - those who can control time, all making power-grabs to have sway in the council. This creates a need for strong friendships, political upheavals, and backstabbing alliances.
Playing with the concept of time is always an ambitious feat in literature with all the nuances and paradoxical details that could go amiss. Nox handles this fairly well for a YA novel so readers aren’t bogged down by mind-boggling explanations. Whilst I do feel feel the latter part of the novel suffered a bit for this lack of understanding, I didn’t feel Nox ever used it to cop out of difficult situations or plot complications.
Finally, Nox writes meaningful, heartening characters who are growing as they learn more about their worlds, others, and themselves.
Maybe that was where he'd failed her. By not giving her a good enough reason to love who she was.
I liked the idea of a secret society at work in the world around us, working behind the curtain to uphold peace, obscurity, and safety. Finally, Evie’s obsession with her schoolwork despite the literal hit on her felt extremely relatable and home-hitting - especially when I am currently about to start exam season!
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May 1, 2023
This book had me on the edge of my seat from chapter one. The pacing driving us through the gritty, wonderfully crafted world is *muah*. Chef’s kiss.
The beating heart of this story is a suspenseful mystery that reveals itself through heart wrenching character interactions, brilliant character agency, and sweet moments of finding a new normal amongst the chaos.
A must read if you enjoy a world with rich, unique settings, multiple povs, soft slow-burn romantic subplot, unique magic system/powers, or secret society/hierarchy with good and bad players!
The beating heart of this story is a suspenseful mystery that reveals itself through heart wrenching character interactions, brilliant character agency, and sweet moments of finding a new normal amongst the chaos.
A must read if you enjoy a world with rich, unique settings, multiple povs, soft slow-burn romantic subplot, unique magic system/powers, or secret society/hierarchy with good and bad players!
June 14, 2023
Happy publication day 🌟
FAN-FUCKING-TASTIC READ.
Thank you so much for the arc 🫠😭
I’ll write a proper review later !!!
Edit later :
So Trick was super entertaining, intriguing, and good.
We follow 3 povs, Evie, Cade, and Ren. Evie stumble upon a world where magic is real and her life is endangered. Cade has one job, kill a target. And Ren is doing his best to help around.
Obviously, everything going downhill, and their lives are entangled in many ways.
I think you should go into this blindly because it's taking turns that I didn't see coming at all.
All of the characters are interesting and I immediately adopted Cade. He's my son now. Evie is a burned out student and she's so tired of everyone bullshit 💛. I love her.
Ren is a sweet baby angel and I love him.
All of the secondary characters are well written interesting and I desperately want more of Leigh and Haven 🫠🫠🫠
Anyway I loved this book, I'm super grateful I could read an arc, and I can't wait to read more by the author ♡
FAN-FUCKING-TASTIC READ.
Thank you so much for the arc 🫠😭
I’ll write a proper review later !!!
Edit later :
So Trick was super entertaining, intriguing, and good.
We follow 3 povs, Evie, Cade, and Ren. Evie stumble upon a world where magic is real and her life is endangered. Cade has one job, kill a target. And Ren is doing his best to help around.
Obviously, everything going downhill, and their lives are entangled in many ways.
I think you should go into this blindly because it's taking turns that I didn't see coming at all.
All of the characters are interesting and I immediately adopted Cade. He's my son now. Evie is a burned out student and she's so tired of everyone bullshit 💛. I love her.
Ren is a sweet baby angel and I love him.
All of the secondary characters are well written interesting and I desperately want more of Leigh and Haven 🫠🫠🫠
Anyway I loved this book, I'm super grateful I could read an arc, and I can't wait to read more by the author ♡
May 8, 2023
Rating my book because I'm a firm believer in giving myself a pat on the back after writing and rewriting this brainchild. This was *the* story that started my need to write. My 2009 concept before any other novel idea pushed into my mind. There are so many familiar faces from outlandish childhood anime-esque creations and scrapped, half-baked pieces I kept trying to make work and failed. Some of these characters have new names and faces, but their core is the same. I hope you enjoy this tale and the world I plan to explore further alongside my other pieces!
CONTENT WARNINGS
This story contains: alcohol, anxiety, blood, childhood trauma, death, depression, discrimination, mention of drug use, emotional abuse, gore, grief, loss, manipulation, murder, parental neglect, physical abuse, suicidal thoughts, violence, and mention of vomiting.
CONTENT WARNINGS
This story contains: alcohol, anxiety, blood, childhood trauma, death, depression, discrimination, mention of drug use, emotional abuse, gore, grief, loss, manipulation, murder, parental neglect, physical abuse, suicidal thoughts, violence, and mention of vomiting.
June 6, 2023
I'm gonna sit in a corner with my feelings for a while until I can come up with a coherent review.
10/10
10/10
June 13, 2023
Loved this book!
The whole world building and different factions facing each other, political power plays mixed with organized crime and heists is such an amazing mixture.
Characters are incredible loveable (and need lots of hugs please, especially Cade).
Having 3 different POVs worked well here too, especially because Ren's POV illuminated a whole different side of the whole big picture and it came together nicely in the end.
I can't wait to read more about this world, characters and what'll be going on in the Custodian's world now. Especially Leigh and Haven!
The whole world building and different factions facing each other, political power plays mixed with organized crime and heists is such an amazing mixture.
Characters are incredible loveable (and need lots of hugs please, especially Cade).
Having 3 different POVs worked well here too, especially because Ren's POV illuminated a whole different side of the whole big picture and it came together nicely in the end.
I can't wait to read more about this world, characters and what'll be going on in the Custodian's world now. Especially Leigh and Haven!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews