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The Discerners Trilogy #1
Nothing Special
Paisley Adams is a Discerner. All she wants is to be normal, but she’s full of magic. Her ability to see and manipulate auras and emotions makes her powerful, but it also sets her apart. Bouncing between her two worlds, Paisley struggles to navigate high school while keeping her magic a secret. That is, until she has a strange encounter with the school outcast, James Bennett, and quickly discovers that she is not as alone as she thought. Together, the pair forge a bond unlike anything they have ever experienced, and soon Paisley finds her friendly feelings for James developing into something more.
But will she be able to reveal her love without destroying their friendship?
But will she be able to reveal her love without destroying their friendship?
248 pages, Paperback
Published April 24, 2023
49 people are currently reading
402 people want to read
About the author
Dina S.
3 books31 followersPlease note: There is more than one Goodreads author with this name. Dina S., author, is not to be confused with Dina S., editor at Pitchstone Publishing. This author has no affiliation with Pitchstone or any of their titles.
Award-winning author, Dina S. brings worlds to life through her writing as seen in Author Shout winning novel Nothing Special, anthology Heroes, and several volumes of eZine Straight on till Morning. Dina’s life is spent enduring the hot, humid sunsets of Florida, known to the natives as the Armpit Climate, but to the lovely tourists as The Eternal Vacation Climate. You can watch her on the Don’t Make It Weird Podcast, where her life adventures, and stories continue. Find her on X @DinasaurusD or Threads @Dinasaurusdmiw.
Award-winning author, Dina S. brings worlds to life through her writing as seen in Author Shout winning novel Nothing Special, anthology Heroes, and several volumes of eZine Straight on till Morning. Dina’s life is spent enduring the hot, humid sunsets of Florida, known to the natives as the Armpit Climate, but to the lovely tourists as The Eternal Vacation Climate. You can watch her on the Don’t Make It Weird Podcast, where her life adventures, and stories continue. Find her on X @DinasaurusD or Threads @Dinasaurusdmiw.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
March 25, 2023
↠ 3.5 stars (rounded down)
initially, i had little to no expectations for this book as i did not pay much attention to its summary before reading it. however, i am grateful for my decision to enter into the story without prior knowledge. the first premise immediately drew me in, and i was pleasantly surprised to dive headfirst into the story and gain insight into the main character's power.
the protagonist, Paisley, initially came across as a young girl with an attitude, but as the story progressed, her immaturity overshadowed any strength she possessed. although she constantly laments her loneliness, she does little to change her circumstances and keeps her power a secret from her best friend, Mikayla, which was disappointing since i was hoping for a more profound and heartwarming friendship between the two. Paisley's childishness made her seem weak and turned her into anything but an enjoyable character. this negatively impacted my reading experience and led me down an annoyed path at times.
however, the writing had a handful of thought-provoking quotes that struck a chord with me, and i found myself entertained and fairly amused flipping through the pages. nevertheless, i did not connect with the characters, except for Paisley's dad, whom i felt empathy towards. James, in particular, was a character that i remained indifferent about throughout the book, a terrible thing given he's our love interest. but that's, in all honesty, how their relationship felt: uninteresting and dull.
overall, this book served its purpose of entertainment. while i do not feel compelled to read the next book in the series and despite my reservations about the character development, the author's writing style has sparked my interest in her other works, and so i'll most definitely be checking them out in the future.
i would recommend this book to anyone looking for a light and fun read with a bit of magic and colorful auras, but i would caution that it may not leave a lasting impression.
thank you to netgalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
initially, i had little to no expectations for this book as i did not pay much attention to its summary before reading it. however, i am grateful for my decision to enter into the story without prior knowledge. the first premise immediately drew me in, and i was pleasantly surprised to dive headfirst into the story and gain insight into the main character's power.
the protagonist, Paisley, initially came across as a young girl with an attitude, but as the story progressed, her immaturity overshadowed any strength she possessed. although she constantly laments her loneliness, she does little to change her circumstances and keeps her power a secret from her best friend, Mikayla, which was disappointing since i was hoping for a more profound and heartwarming friendship between the two. Paisley's childishness made her seem weak and turned her into anything but an enjoyable character. this negatively impacted my reading experience and led me down an annoyed path at times.
however, the writing had a handful of thought-provoking quotes that struck a chord with me, and i found myself entertained and fairly amused flipping through the pages. nevertheless, i did not connect with the characters, except for Paisley's dad, whom i felt empathy towards. James, in particular, was a character that i remained indifferent about throughout the book, a terrible thing given he's our love interest. but that's, in all honesty, how their relationship felt: uninteresting and dull.
overall, this book served its purpose of entertainment. while i do not feel compelled to read the next book in the series and despite my reservations about the character development, the author's writing style has sparked my interest in her other works, and so i'll most definitely be checking them out in the future.
i would recommend this book to anyone looking for a light and fun read with a bit of magic and colorful auras, but i would caution that it may not leave a lasting impression.
thank you to netgalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
August 7, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an eARC to review!
Unfortunately, this book was nothing special. It was all over the place and I'm really upset because the description sounded really good, but it was poorly executed.
First of all, where are the TWs? There are some difficult topics in there that are really deep and they're treated like they're no big deal. I hate when YA books randomly drop a difficult topic without actually giving some useful advice like seeking professional help, speaking up and reaching out to adults who can help and offer support.
Also, drinking and driving should be banned from YA books (from any books really, unless it's essential for the story). In this particular case, it adds nothing to the story and is probably supposed to seem like a cool thing to do, but really it's not. Please stop with this nonsense.
The bullying. Oh my god. When I started reading the book, I felt transported back to the 2000s YA literature, and not in a good way. The bullies are cool, defending the victim would make the FMC unpopular and a freak and a weirdo. Since we're talking about the 2000s, I should also mention slut shaming (Paisley's fight with the other girl at work), about 6 guys are interested in the FMC (and she's not even as hot as her best friend), the constant lack of communication between characters and their constant fear of becoming less popular.
Paisley is giving pick-me energy and she is so obsessed with boys that it's annoying and exhausting. She doesn't have hobbies because her hobby is flirting with boys, and she has magic but she wishes she didn't; I think she changes her mind along the way but the whole magic system and her abilities are incredibly confusing.
The magic system is probably the best thing about this book, but it's not clear how it works. I'm still not sure what extra abilities Paisley has compared to her dad and James; can she see souls? Does she control when to do this? Does she see auras all the time or can she turn it off? Because she's constantly mentioning how overwhelming it is for her to feel what others feel, but most of the time she needs to "tune in" to understand others' feelings. She can put up walls but she's still complaining about having this exhausting magic that she doesn't want.
Paisley is completely insufferable but for most of the story, the other characters made up for that (minus the bully -- who the hell forgives him after everything he did to his brother?). About halfway through the book, James convinces the FMC that she should use her magic to help others and she agrees, then does nothing to help her best friend out of a horrible situation. Then James almost becomes insufferable too, because he keeps her in the dark about feelings (although I'm 100% sure there was someone in this book who could feel other people's feelings) and then proceeds to flirt with other girls while constantly holding and kissing her. Him testing her at prom was once again completely out of the blue and unnecessary, and I was seriously debating DNF-ing at this point in the story.
The best part about this book is that it's a quick read. The thing that I hated the most was the exaggerated and pointless amount of love interests and drama; I was hoping for a light and cute read and this was not it.
I might give a shot to the sequel only to find out what her father knew about their world. Hopefully there'll be more magic and less 2000s style drama.
Unfortunately, this book was nothing special. It was all over the place and I'm really upset because the description sounded really good, but it was poorly executed.
First of all, where are the TWs? There are some difficult topics in there that are really deep and they're treated like they're no big deal. I hate when YA books randomly drop a difficult topic without actually giving some useful advice like seeking professional help, speaking up and reaching out to adults who can help and offer support.
Also, drinking and driving should be banned from YA books (from any books really, unless it's essential for the story). In this particular case, it adds nothing to the story and is probably supposed to seem like a cool thing to do, but really it's not. Please stop with this nonsense.
The bullying. Oh my god. When I started reading the book, I felt transported back to the 2000s YA literature, and not in a good way. The bullies are cool, defending the victim would make the FMC unpopular and a freak and a weirdo. Since we're talking about the 2000s, I should also mention slut shaming (Paisley's fight with the other girl at work), about 6 guys are interested in the FMC (and she's not even as hot as her best friend), the constant lack of communication between characters and their constant fear of becoming less popular.
Paisley is giving pick-me energy and she is so obsessed with boys that it's annoying and exhausting. She doesn't have hobbies because her hobby is flirting with boys, and she has magic but she wishes she didn't; I think she changes her mind along the way but the whole magic system and her abilities are incredibly confusing.
The magic system is probably the best thing about this book, but it's not clear how it works. I'm still not sure what extra abilities Paisley has compared to her dad and James; can she see souls? Does she control when to do this? Does she see auras all the time or can she turn it off? Because she's constantly mentioning how overwhelming it is for her to feel what others feel, but most of the time she needs to "tune in" to understand others' feelings. She can put up walls but she's still complaining about having this exhausting magic that she doesn't want.
Paisley is completely insufferable but for most of the story, the other characters made up for that (minus the bully -- who the hell forgives him after everything he did to his brother?). About halfway through the book, James convinces the FMC that she should use her magic to help others and she agrees, then does nothing to help her best friend out of a horrible situation. Then James almost becomes insufferable too, because he keeps her in the dark about feelings (although I'm 100% sure there was someone in this book who could feel other people's feelings) and then proceeds to flirt with other girls while constantly holding and kissing her. Him testing her at prom was once again completely out of the blue and unnecessary, and I was seriously debating DNF-ing at this point in the story.
The best part about this book is that it's a quick read. The thing that I hated the most was the exaggerated and pointless amount of love interests and drama; I was hoping for a light and cute read and this was not it.
I might give a shot to the sequel only to find out what her father knew about their world. Hopefully there'll be more magic and less 2000s style drama.
February 18, 2023
Nothing Special was such a fun ya fantasy read! The flow was great and honestly I felt transported back to high school with the ON POINT teenage tension and dramatics, and let me tell you that Paisley and James are seriously trying to work through some magical problems. I love how Dina S. was able to bring this tale to life and make me, the reader, feel as though I was also a character within it. Can’t wait for the next one!
April 28, 2023
Nothing Special is a stunning debut that explores the pains of growing up, first love, and whose job it is to be the hero. This book will transport you back to high school in the best way. As you ride along with Paisley on her journey, you'll feel like you're experiencing everything along with her--from first-kiss butterflies, to the pain of love lost, to the joys and sorrows of finding yourself. The world-building is seamless, the emotions gripping, and the bonus storytelling found within the diary entries is profound with a touch of delightful teenaged angst.
Paisley Adams is just a regular high school kid -- except for the fact that she has magic. She thinks only she and her father have these powers, but when she discovers the school outcast, James, shares her abilities, her whole world changes. Not only does she have to come to terms with that, she also has college advisors breathing down her neck, her best friend is going through a heartbreaking crisis, and her dad's illness is making her come to grips with the fact that she might find herself alone in the world a lot sooner than she once thought.
This is a beautiful slice-of-life coming-of-age book with a touch of magic that will make you feel all the things.--joy, butterflies, grief, heartbreak. If strong female friendships, first love, and beautiful prose are your thing, you won't want to miss out on this book!
Paisley Adams is just a regular high school kid -- except for the fact that she has magic. She thinks only she and her father have these powers, but when she discovers the school outcast, James, shares her abilities, her whole world changes. Not only does she have to come to terms with that, she also has college advisors breathing down her neck, her best friend is going through a heartbreaking crisis, and her dad's illness is making her come to grips with the fact that she might find herself alone in the world a lot sooner than she once thought.
This is a beautiful slice-of-life coming-of-age book with a touch of magic that will make you feel all the things.--joy, butterflies, grief, heartbreak. If strong female friendships, first love, and beautiful prose are your thing, you won't want to miss out on this book!
March 19, 2023
I was provided an ARC in exchange for an open and honest review.
YA isn't my typcical preferred genre, I'll admit that up front. And yet, that said, I found myself fully drawn into and enveloped by the world and characters presented here. I love the idea of the Discerners and their magic, and the challenges and pitfalls that come with it.
Be prepared for a journey full of ups and downs with emotions, feelings, and a story that will keep you going pager after page after page, needing to read just one more. One more page.
Highly recommend!
YA isn't my typcical preferred genre, I'll admit that up front. And yet, that said, I found myself fully drawn into and enveloped by the world and characters presented here. I love the idea of the Discerners and their magic, and the challenges and pitfalls that come with it.
Be prepared for a journey full of ups and downs with emotions, feelings, and a story that will keep you going pager after page after page, needing to read just one more. One more page.
Highly recommend!
February 9, 2023
I was provided an Arc copy of this book for an honest review. If you enjoy paranormal romance, ya fantasy urban fantasy and magic this book is for you I truly enjoyed this story and the magic system in play. A fantastic coming of age journey about love, loss, self discovery and well MAGIC! Being a person who reads a lot of fantasy and a lot of YA fantasy the world building or magic system can often feel cumbersome, this was not the case. The author did a seamless job of introducing the characters and the magic system from the start and as the book progressed we learned with the POV character as she learned more about her magic and it’s abilities and grew as a person. I can’t wait for the next book, there will be one right??? There are some sad parts and some coming of age lessons as well.
October 6, 2024
3.5 ⭐️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 27, 2023
I really enjoyed Nothing Special, with several aspects making it stand apart from other YA offerings I’ve read.
Firstly, the magic system is genuinely intriguing and opens up a lot of possibilities. I’d like to see more of it in terms of its history and lore.
The characters and their conflicts felt authentic and the decision-making natural for teenagers. I often find, especially in tv series of a similar mould, that situations can seem forced and choices almost random. While Nothing Special avoids that almost entirely, I did find the ending a little rushed.
However, the main character, Paisley, is a compelling voice, engaging and, occasionally, infuriating, but a character you come to care for and find yourself invested in.
I would add there’s a real emotional depth to the novel, as well as a sympathy for the trials and tribulations of youth. There are big problems and small problems and they’re given the care and attention a teenager would lend them: everything.
Overall, Nothing Special is a great read. I’ll definitely be looking forward to the next in the series, especially to see how the magic and its usage develops.
Firstly, the magic system is genuinely intriguing and opens up a lot of possibilities. I’d like to see more of it in terms of its history and lore.
The characters and their conflicts felt authentic and the decision-making natural for teenagers. I often find, especially in tv series of a similar mould, that situations can seem forced and choices almost random. While Nothing Special avoids that almost entirely, I did find the ending a little rushed.
However, the main character, Paisley, is a compelling voice, engaging and, occasionally, infuriating, but a character you come to care for and find yourself invested in.
I would add there’s a real emotional depth to the novel, as well as a sympathy for the trials and tribulations of youth. There are big problems and small problems and they’re given the care and attention a teenager would lend them: everything.
Overall, Nothing Special is a great read. I’ll definitely be looking forward to the next in the series, especially to see how the magic and its usage develops.
July 24, 2023
I didn't expect to feel this much going into this book. Whether it was the writing, the MC or the story resonating with my own experiences I felt so much. Humour, loss, love and a spectrum of other emotions were all present in this book.
Paisley is just fantastic. A brilliant, beautiful, appealing character. Not all her decisions are the right ones but they're all understandable and I'd probably argue with anyone who said they're bad decisions because I have Paisley's back!
Boys are stupid.
During the more emotional scenes I never felt forced to feel anything. Nothing had a sign saying 'this bit is sad'. A build up of characters and story tied my emotions up into a twisted mesh of feelings. It all felt organic.
Paisley is worth it.
Paisley is just fantastic. A brilliant, beautiful, appealing character. Not all her decisions are the right ones but they're all understandable and I'd probably argue with anyone who said they're bad decisions because I have Paisley's back!
Boys are stupid.
During the more emotional scenes I never felt forced to feel anything. Nothing had a sign saying 'this bit is sad'. A build up of characters and story tied my emotions up into a twisted mesh of feelings. It all felt organic.
Paisley is worth it.
March 11, 2023
Superb fantasy for both younger and very much older YA. If you like a ‘falling in and out of love coming of age’ story then you will find it here. If enjoy stories of emotional turmoil and the (probable) sunshine on the other side then it’s here too. If you enjoy fantasy that makes you reminisce for the days of your youth and the friendships and relationships so strong and now long left behind, that’s here too. Dina S, as a reader, I’m glad you picked up your pen, and I’m sure your Dad would be proud of the story you have shaped for us all to enjoy. Thank you to Lost Boys Press and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.
March 12, 2023
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for granting me a copy of this book in return for my honest opinions.
The book is a young adult paranormal romance fantasy. It had everything I love. Magic, fantasy, a mythical world and of course heart break.
The author did a super fantastic job in creating the magical paranormal world. I loved Paisley and James and hope there a many future books to come.
This author may become one of my favorites. Not just for YA, I am 61!
Recommend
The book is a young adult paranormal romance fantasy. It had everything I love. Magic, fantasy, a mythical world and of course heart break.
The author did a super fantastic job in creating the magical paranormal world. I loved Paisley and James and hope there a many future books to come.
This author may become one of my favorites. Not just for YA, I am 61!
Recommend
January 14, 2025
Heartbreakingly beautiful
If you love stories like The Fault in Our Stars and The Map of Tiny, Perfect Things, you'll love this urban fantasy young adult novel by Dina S. 10/10 for whimsical wizards and daring-do witches.
If you love stories like The Fault in Our Stars and The Map of Tiny, Perfect Things, you'll love this urban fantasy young adult novel by Dina S. 10/10 for whimsical wizards and daring-do witches.
May 4, 2023
A cute romance story between a pair of magical teenagers. Even though I found the writing style over-explanatory I did enjoy the meat of the story and liked the way the romance arc concludes.
I received a free copy of this book for review and my opinions are my own.
I received a free copy of this book for review and my opinions are my own.
April 28, 2023
Nothing Special is the exact opposite of its name. It is the most special, beautifully told story I’ve read in a long time. This might just be my new favorite book. From the start this book will suck you in like quicksand you’ll slowly disappear into its pages. The world of Decerment is interesting, intriguing and unexpected. This is not your typical YA and I love that it breaks the molds. Romance and fantasy mix beautifully to become tragedy and heart break.
September 20, 2024
There couldn't be a more misleading title for this book. In the best way possible.
I'm not one for brevity as I much prefer levity so I'll stick the TL;DR at the top: This book is so full of emotion that you'll be seeing every color on the spectrum as you make your way through it. You will feel like a 17 year old girl lost in the throes of telekinetic passion, high school barn bonfires, aging parents and the swirling hellfire that is hormonally fueled naivete. It will pick you up and take you for a ride from the minute you gaze into the first sentence of its mirrored passages. I've never been happier to have my whole world rocked and ripped apart. Dina S. creates a world that thrums with a vibrancy so strong your mind's eye will have no problem seeing every step in these character's lives. Do yourself a favor and get this book now. Whether you read it or listen to the audiobook, you won't regret a second.
Now that the extended too long and didn't read is out of the way, let me say SHIMMERING CHIMERAS this story is a treat.
I've been following/binging Dina and her podcast at Don't Make It Weird for the better part of a year now. In that time, I've come to learn that despite her age, she has a wealth of pain and knowledge and horror hidden inside her curly locks. Over the course of 113 episodes, I have sat and wondered and learned about what the hell this person could possibly create in the pages of a book. Knowing the story of WHY she chose to write this particular novel is simultaneously heart-wrenching and heart warming. Her father would certainly be proud of such work.
Here's the problem, and why I hope whoever reads this finds a solution in these ramblings: I don't read books. I mean, I LOVE them! I used to read all the time as a kid. Fell asleep with my thumbs in many a page as a kid. As I've grown and life has gotten harder and weirder, it has become more difficult to truly sit down for the required stretches to read anything longform. Conceptually though, I love the thought of supporting independent authors even if I can't force my way through their efforts. It's freeing to admit that I'm a failure on this front because Dina's co-host, Daniel Quigley, has proved a most excellent point over the years. Listening to an audiobook counts as reading! So I resolved myself to take a stab at my first audiobook reading and I knew what better way to start than with the people who reignited my passion for the literary arts.
And let me tell you, this book slayed. Chloe Bright did such a fabulous job bringing Dina's story to life that I actually listened to 2 more books immediately after finishing this one because it was such an easily digestible read. And while I must give kudos of credit to Chloe for her work, I know that the shoulders of that pride should be held by Dina. It is in her weaving that a spider like myself could dance along the web of this telling.
I cringed at Mikayla's family, yelled at James' arrogance, waited in fearful anticipation for Paisley's father, wondered if Dina could see empathic colors herself, wandered farther into my mind's eye of how dangerous seeing these colors are without guidance, hated living the horror of high school, navigating the nuance of being special with almost nothing, on and on and on through this absolutely prismatic nightmare maze of pain and peer pressure. I've never been so happy being lost. Not knowing where I ended and Paisley began. Her every emotion felt in my beating heart as closely to mine as own as uncomfortably possible. It was hard. And I loved it.
I don't really know how helpful any of this is a review yet I imagine that someone might see the 5 stars I'll give this and think "Hold on, that Certified Weirdo managed to write a whole book about this book. Maybe I should check it out!". And you should. I beg you. Get broken and battered on my account. If I'm wrong, my name is Levi Dylan Burzlaff-Luett and you can find where I live easily enough with that moniker. Come knock on my life and ask for your money back. I'll hand it to you with a smile. Because I know it'll never happen. There won't be a single person who experiences this book and isn't satisfied by it.
Dina hacked into the source code of the world with this world and by and large the magic that Paisley experiences. You can call it auras or essence or vibes but it's all the same thing. The subtle shifting in the strings that connect each and every one of us. Each wave resonating between you and me and everyone else. Not a music of the spheres but painting with the colors of the wind. It's simply magical. In short....
It's NOT Nothing Special.
I'm not one for brevity as I much prefer levity so I'll stick the TL;DR at the top: This book is so full of emotion that you'll be seeing every color on the spectrum as you make your way through it. You will feel like a 17 year old girl lost in the throes of telekinetic passion, high school barn bonfires, aging parents and the swirling hellfire that is hormonally fueled naivete. It will pick you up and take you for a ride from the minute you gaze into the first sentence of its mirrored passages. I've never been happier to have my whole world rocked and ripped apart. Dina S. creates a world that thrums with a vibrancy so strong your mind's eye will have no problem seeing every step in these character's lives. Do yourself a favor and get this book now. Whether you read it or listen to the audiobook, you won't regret a second.
Now that the extended too long and didn't read is out of the way, let me say SHIMMERING CHIMERAS this story is a treat.
I've been following/binging Dina and her podcast at Don't Make It Weird for the better part of a year now. In that time, I've come to learn that despite her age, she has a wealth of pain and knowledge and horror hidden inside her curly locks. Over the course of 113 episodes, I have sat and wondered and learned about what the hell this person could possibly create in the pages of a book. Knowing the story of WHY she chose to write this particular novel is simultaneously heart-wrenching and heart warming. Her father would certainly be proud of such work.
Here's the problem, and why I hope whoever reads this finds a solution in these ramblings: I don't read books. I mean, I LOVE them! I used to read all the time as a kid. Fell asleep with my thumbs in many a page as a kid. As I've grown and life has gotten harder and weirder, it has become more difficult to truly sit down for the required stretches to read anything longform. Conceptually though, I love the thought of supporting independent authors even if I can't force my way through their efforts. It's freeing to admit that I'm a failure on this front because Dina's co-host, Daniel Quigley, has proved a most excellent point over the years. Listening to an audiobook counts as reading! So I resolved myself to take a stab at my first audiobook reading and I knew what better way to start than with the people who reignited my passion for the literary arts.
And let me tell you, this book slayed. Chloe Bright did such a fabulous job bringing Dina's story to life that I actually listened to 2 more books immediately after finishing this one because it was such an easily digestible read. And while I must give kudos of credit to Chloe for her work, I know that the shoulders of that pride should be held by Dina. It is in her weaving that a spider like myself could dance along the web of this telling.
I cringed at Mikayla's family, yelled at James' arrogance, waited in fearful anticipation for Paisley's father, wondered if Dina could see empathic colors herself, wandered farther into my mind's eye of how dangerous seeing these colors are without guidance, hated living the horror of high school, navigating the nuance of being special with almost nothing, on and on and on through this absolutely prismatic nightmare maze of pain and peer pressure. I've never been so happy being lost. Not knowing where I ended and Paisley began. Her every emotion felt in my beating heart as closely to mine as own as uncomfortably possible. It was hard. And I loved it.
I don't really know how helpful any of this is a review yet I imagine that someone might see the 5 stars I'll give this and think "Hold on, that Certified Weirdo managed to write a whole book about this book. Maybe I should check it out!". And you should. I beg you. Get broken and battered on my account. If I'm wrong, my name is Levi Dylan Burzlaff-Luett and you can find where I live easily enough with that moniker. Come knock on my life and ask for your money back. I'll hand it to you with a smile. Because I know it'll never happen. There won't be a single person who experiences this book and isn't satisfied by it.
Dina hacked into the source code of the world with this world and by and large the magic that Paisley experiences. You can call it auras or essence or vibes but it's all the same thing. The subtle shifting in the strings that connect each and every one of us. Each wave resonating between you and me and everyone else. Not a music of the spheres but painting with the colors of the wind. It's simply magical. In short....
It's NOT Nothing Special.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 30, 2023
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read the ebook ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Unfortunately, I DNF this book at 70%.
I don’t like to unfinished a book when it’s close to the end, but sadly, I haven’t connected with the protagonist and the story hasn’t interested me anymore. The plot is simple: the protagonist, Paisley, is a young girl who is a Discerner, someone who can see and manipulate the auras and emotions of people, that keep her power a secret. She tries to live a normal life until something happens, the discovery of another Discerner: James an outcast student. He should be the cause to talk about the powers they got when in reality the story focuses more on the romantic side. I have nothing against this choice, thanks to this expedient there is a way to see the bond between them and their life as Discerner.
In short, it looks fine, only that the protagonist has no kind of development except to be self-center. She says she wants one thing but then she ends up doing another. She wants friends but when there is a male friend she acts like a pick-me girl. She is the representation of a teenager who is too lost in her needs. This makes sense since at that age we were (at least I) selfish but Paisley lives in her bubble and ignored everything else. The worst thing is that throughout the story she comes up with thoughts that have no consistency with the situation or even she insists that no one can understand her problems when all the other characters are facing their difficulties. A striking example that I didn’t appreciate is her friendship with Mikayla. Paisley sees that her friend has problems at home and instead of helping her, for what a teenager can do, she does nothing. She isn't using her power even when they evolve to consolating her. Instead, their friendship gets worse and Mikayla’s exit leaves me puzzled. There was no other way to help her?
As for the magic system, apart from two pieces of information that the father of Paisley tells, as far as I have read, there is not much to know about Discerner. This led me to develop several doubts:
-why do they want to keep this secret if Discerner is so few that even if they used their powers no one would find out?
-how is it that the father knows so many things? did someone tell him? how is it that they haven’t met others like them when the protagonist finds one next to her locker at school?
As a fantasy reader, the lack of this aspect was disappointing. I saw that this book will be part of a trilogy and the fact that there is little substance of fantasy in the first book doesn’t encourage me to continue reading the series. I hope that in the next books, there is more development on this point. I’m sorry to leave a negative review because the plot of the story intrigued me, sad to say, I didn’t find what I was looking for while reading this story.
Unfortunately, I DNF this book at 70%.
I don’t like to unfinished a book when it’s close to the end, but sadly, I haven’t connected with the protagonist and the story hasn’t interested me anymore. The plot is simple: the protagonist, Paisley, is a young girl who is a Discerner, someone who can see and manipulate the auras and emotions of people, that keep her power a secret. She tries to live a normal life until something happens, the discovery of another Discerner: James an outcast student. He should be the cause to talk about the powers they got when in reality the story focuses more on the romantic side. I have nothing against this choice, thanks to this expedient there is a way to see the bond between them and their life as Discerner.
In short, it looks fine, only that the protagonist has no kind of development except to be self-center. She says she wants one thing but then she ends up doing another. She wants friends but when there is a male friend she acts like a pick-me girl. She is the representation of a teenager who is too lost in her needs. This makes sense since at that age we were (at least I) selfish but Paisley lives in her bubble and ignored everything else. The worst thing is that throughout the story she comes up with thoughts that have no consistency with the situation or even she insists that no one can understand her problems when all the other characters are facing their difficulties. A striking example that I didn’t appreciate is her friendship with Mikayla. Paisley sees that her friend has problems at home and instead of helping her, for what a teenager can do, she does nothing. She isn't using her power even when they evolve to consolating her. Instead, their friendship gets worse and Mikayla’s exit leaves me puzzled. There was no other way to help her?
As for the magic system, apart from two pieces of information that the father of Paisley tells, as far as I have read, there is not much to know about Discerner. This led me to develop several doubts:
-why do they want to keep this secret if Discerner is so few that even if they used their powers no one would find out?
-how is it that the father knows so many things? did someone tell him? how is it that they haven’t met others like them when the protagonist finds one next to her locker at school?
As a fantasy reader, the lack of this aspect was disappointing. I saw that this book will be part of a trilogy and the fact that there is little substance of fantasy in the first book doesn’t encourage me to continue reading the series. I hope that in the next books, there is more development on this point. I’m sorry to leave a negative review because the plot of the story intrigued me, sad to say, I didn’t find what I was looking for while reading this story.
July 1, 2024
(Copied from my Review Blog, contains mild spoilers)
I had the honor of reading Nothing Special by Dina S this past weekend while making a 12-hour trek to and from a friend’s house. While I do not often indulge in romantasy set in a real-world setting, I was drawn to Nothing Special by the narrator’s strong on-page voice and its unique twist on real-world magic. Of course, Dina is pretty cool too.
Nothing Special is a romantic fantasy book, often known as romantasy, and the story revolves around Paisley Adams, a small-town high school student in search of someone who sees her for more than just another face in a crowd. Paisley also possesses a unique power, she is a Discerner. As you may guess, much of the story is about Paisley struggling with friendship and love throughout high school. However, Dina adds a layer to the average struggles of a small-town girl by giving Paisley the ability to look beyond what lies on the surface, and deep into people’s emotions.
Paisley’s ability is clear from the start of the book but woven into the daily life she experiences in a seamless manner that despite Paisley’s own insistence as the narrator that her life is “nothing special”, it’s clear to the reader she’s far more unique than she realizes. This opening that Dina gives her main character, however, created an instant connection for me. Dina made it so that I felt Paisley’s pain, her frustration, and I could remember a time I myself was Paisley Adams (yes, even the fawning over dark handsome boys bit).
The book progresses naturally through the narrative of Paisley’s ups and downs in life. It drip-feeds you information about her abilities as a Discerner, and that there may be far more lore behind Discernment than even Paisley knows. And the world around Paisley becomes more vibrant as the book goes on. I struggle with slice-of-life, romance, and real-world settings often because they are too dull to keep me interested in the very world I live in, but Dina writes a world that is colorful, exciting, and bursting at the seams with emotion. Nothing Special keeps you hooked from the first page to the last one.
I wish I could provide adequate comparisons for this story, but this is one of the rare and few real-world romantasy books that I can say I’ve thoroughly enjoyed. I could not put it down. Dina’s voice and style are easy to get into, but prepare to have your heart in pieces by the end of it. Nothing Special is truly far more special than its title implies, and with its sequel Something Special coming out later this year, I would encourage any reader of slice-of-life, small-town, romance, and magical realism to seek out this story and give it a read.
I had the honor of reading Nothing Special by Dina S this past weekend while making a 12-hour trek to and from a friend’s house. While I do not often indulge in romantasy set in a real-world setting, I was drawn to Nothing Special by the narrator’s strong on-page voice and its unique twist on real-world magic. Of course, Dina is pretty cool too.
Nothing Special is a romantic fantasy book, often known as romantasy, and the story revolves around Paisley Adams, a small-town high school student in search of someone who sees her for more than just another face in a crowd. Paisley also possesses a unique power, she is a Discerner. As you may guess, much of the story is about Paisley struggling with friendship and love throughout high school. However, Dina adds a layer to the average struggles of a small-town girl by giving Paisley the ability to look beyond what lies on the surface, and deep into people’s emotions.
Paisley’s ability is clear from the start of the book but woven into the daily life she experiences in a seamless manner that despite Paisley’s own insistence as the narrator that her life is “nothing special”, it’s clear to the reader she’s far more unique than she realizes. This opening that Dina gives her main character, however, created an instant connection for me. Dina made it so that I felt Paisley’s pain, her frustration, and I could remember a time I myself was Paisley Adams (yes, even the fawning over dark handsome boys bit).
The book progresses naturally through the narrative of Paisley’s ups and downs in life. It drip-feeds you information about her abilities as a Discerner, and that there may be far more lore behind Discernment than even Paisley knows. And the world around Paisley becomes more vibrant as the book goes on. I struggle with slice-of-life, romance, and real-world settings often because they are too dull to keep me interested in the very world I live in, but Dina writes a world that is colorful, exciting, and bursting at the seams with emotion. Nothing Special keeps you hooked from the first page to the last one.
I wish I could provide adequate comparisons for this story, but this is one of the rare and few real-world romantasy books that I can say I’ve thoroughly enjoyed. I could not put it down. Dina’s voice and style are easy to get into, but prepare to have your heart in pieces by the end of it. Nothing Special is truly far more special than its title implies, and with its sequel Something Special coming out later this year, I would encourage any reader of slice-of-life, small-town, romance, and magical realism to seek out this story and give it a read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 29, 2023
Nothing Special is a coming of age, young adult novel dipped into the paranormal. Paisley Adams is your seemingly run of the mill teenager, but she has a secret. She can see, feel, and manipulate other people's emotions and auras. It's a gift she shares with her Dad, that she has to hide from the rest of the world. That is until one day a moment with the school outsider, James Bennett, reveals she isn't alone. As their magical bond grows, their relationship does as well.
Rate rounded down. My rate is 3.5/5.
As an overall feeling of the book, I liked it.
I loved the premise of it, and I especially love that it starts with Paisley in high school. The parallels between being that age, struggling with your emotions, trying to understand your peers, and social expectations is really fitting for the stage Paisely is at as far as struggling with her magic.
I thought it was well written. I especially love that before each chapter there is a journal or diary entry. As you continue reading you get to experience Paisely's initial apprehension of keeping a diary to her eventual concession and ease of using it. It's a great measurement of her understanding and growth.
I really didn't connect with any character in the book, unfortunately. The closest one I had feelings for was Mikayla and that was due to her home situation. I found Paisely annoyingly self-aware, but always made the poor decision in spite of it. She just seems like the kind of person who even though has realized the mistakes she has made, will use her gift for selfish purposes forever. Maybe I'll be proven wrong as the series progresses, but right now it's a hinderance.
There were parts of this I did tear up on. I won't say exactly what it is, but I will applaud Dina S. for the ability to translate those emotions into words that affect the reader.
The only other comment I have is about the reveal of the death of Paisley's brother. It's hinted early on that he has passed and the means of what happened are kept close until later on. I found the reveal a bit anti-climactic for something that is supposed to be deeply traumatizing for the entire family, but Paisley in particular, especially when it comes to her abilities as a Discerner.
I will be checking out the rest of the series, because I am highly interested to see where it goes from here and too see new and hopefully returning characters as well.
Would recommend if you are looking for a short YA read with a sprinkle of magic.
Rate rounded down. My rate is 3.5/5.
As an overall feeling of the book, I liked it.
I loved the premise of it, and I especially love that it starts with Paisley in high school. The parallels between being that age, struggling with your emotions, trying to understand your peers, and social expectations is really fitting for the stage Paisely is at as far as struggling with her magic.
I thought it was well written. I especially love that before each chapter there is a journal or diary entry. As you continue reading you get to experience Paisely's initial apprehension of keeping a diary to her eventual concession and ease of using it. It's a great measurement of her understanding and growth.
I really didn't connect with any character in the book, unfortunately. The closest one I had feelings for was Mikayla and that was due to her home situation. I found Paisely annoyingly self-aware, but always made the poor decision in spite of it. She just seems like the kind of person who even though has realized the mistakes she has made, will use her gift for selfish purposes forever. Maybe I'll be proven wrong as the series progresses, but right now it's a hinderance.
There were parts of this I did tear up on. I won't say exactly what it is, but I will applaud Dina S. for the ability to translate those emotions into words that affect the reader.
The only other comment I have is about the reveal of the death of Paisley's brother. It's hinted early on that he has passed and the means of what happened are kept close until later on. I found the reveal a bit anti-climactic for something that is supposed to be deeply traumatizing for the entire family, but Paisley in particular, especially when it comes to her abilities as a Discerner.
I will be checking out the rest of the series, because I am highly interested to see where it goes from here and too see new and hopefully returning characters as well.
Would recommend if you are looking for a short YA read with a sprinkle of magic.
May 4, 2023
Nothing Special gives a fresh new twist to the urban fantasy genre. High school senior Paisley Adams seems like your typical teenage girl. She has her share of insecurities, secret crushes and sometimes little bouts of jealousy. What sets her apart from other girls is a secret ability that only her parents know about. Like her dad, Paisley is a Discerner, kind of like an empath on steroids. Instead of just feeling others emotions she can see them too. In fact her powers are so strong she can see their true spirits right down to their souls.
Being a Discerner has it's pros and cons. She lives in fear that if her secret gets out she'll face judgement, be labeled insane or worse, be taken by the government. So Paisley keeps this part of herself hidden, not even her best friend Mikayla knows about it. Having to hold back her truth makes her feel lonely and isolated, like no one will ever know the true her. Then one day while she's standing by her locker, she feels a sort of tug. Someone nearby is trying to read her in the way that she thought only she knows how to do. Suddenly the possibility of not being alone becomes real, this leaves Paisley feeling both excited and nervous. When she discovers the identity of her fellow discerner is the school's biggest outcast will she let him in? What is she willing to sacrifice to not be all alone and what could she possibly gain?
This book is fantastic, full of drama and boy can Dina S. write a teenage girl! I really enjoyed diving back into the roller coaster ride of late adolescence. Admittedly, it took me a minute to adjust to the sometimes shallow thoughts of Paisley. Who was hot, who was worth her time, who was an outcast and who she wanted to avoid being seen with. With all that though, Paisley also takes time to self reflect, she knows when her thinking is flawed. She strives to be better, good, kind. There is a strength in character that builds throughout the story that truly reflects what it is to be a young adult.
I especially loved the unpredictable ending. You won't get an obvious HEA here nor does it end in a cliffhanger. What you get is a great story that leaves plenty of room to wonder what will happen next in this trilogy. I can not wait to see what's in store for Paisley out in the real world.
I received an advanced reader's copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Being a Discerner has it's pros and cons. She lives in fear that if her secret gets out she'll face judgement, be labeled insane or worse, be taken by the government. So Paisley keeps this part of herself hidden, not even her best friend Mikayla knows about it. Having to hold back her truth makes her feel lonely and isolated, like no one will ever know the true her. Then one day while she's standing by her locker, she feels a sort of tug. Someone nearby is trying to read her in the way that she thought only she knows how to do. Suddenly the possibility of not being alone becomes real, this leaves Paisley feeling both excited and nervous. When she discovers the identity of her fellow discerner is the school's biggest outcast will she let him in? What is she willing to sacrifice to not be all alone and what could she possibly gain?
This book is fantastic, full of drama and boy can Dina S. write a teenage girl! I really enjoyed diving back into the roller coaster ride of late adolescence. Admittedly, it took me a minute to adjust to the sometimes shallow thoughts of Paisley. Who was hot, who was worth her time, who was an outcast and who she wanted to avoid being seen with. With all that though, Paisley also takes time to self reflect, she knows when her thinking is flawed. She strives to be better, good, kind. There is a strength in character that builds throughout the story that truly reflects what it is to be a young adult.
I especially loved the unpredictable ending. You won't get an obvious HEA here nor does it end in a cliffhanger. What you get is a great story that leaves plenty of room to wonder what will happen next in this trilogy. I can not wait to see what's in store for Paisley out in the real world.
I received an advanced reader's copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
May 20, 2023
"Nothing Special" by Dina S. is a YA fantasy romance novel that pleasantly surprised me, despite not typically being a fan of the genre. The book offers a refreshing take on magic, deviating from the common trope of an everyday person with supernatural abilities saving the world or fighting the "big bad" of the story. Instead, it focuses on personal growth, self-discovery, and the complexities of teenage life. The author's skillful portrayal of Paisley F. Adams, a protagonist torn between her desire for normalcy and her magical powers, who initially believes she is alone in the world until she discovers that the school outcast James shares the same abilities as her, drew me into her world and kept me engaged throughout.
One of the book's strengths is its exploration of deep themes, such as grief and friendship. Paisley's experience of a family tragedy and her struggle to support her best friend, who hides her own pain, added emotional depth to the story. These aspects resonated with me on a personal level, and I admired the author's sensitivity in handling these topics. The inclusion of diary entries and text message conversations between Paisley and the other characters added a unique and entertaining element to the narrative, providing insights into their thoughts, feelings, and relationships.
Dina's storytelling is captivating, her voice is undeniably good, and the pacing of the book is well-balanced. The characters, with their relatable strengths and vulnerabilities, felt authentic and three-dimensional. "Nothing Special" is a delightful departure from the typical YA fantasy formula, offering a nuanced exploration of magic intertwined with the challenges of adolescence, first love, and great loss. You will laugh, you will cry, and you will want more. If you're looking for a book that combines magic, personal growth, and heartfelt relationships, I highly recommend giving "Nothing Special" a read.
One of the book's strengths is its exploration of deep themes, such as grief and friendship. Paisley's experience of a family tragedy and her struggle to support her best friend, who hides her own pain, added emotional depth to the story. These aspects resonated with me on a personal level, and I admired the author's sensitivity in handling these topics. The inclusion of diary entries and text message conversations between Paisley and the other characters added a unique and entertaining element to the narrative, providing insights into their thoughts, feelings, and relationships.
Dina's storytelling is captivating, her voice is undeniably good, and the pacing of the book is well-balanced. The characters, with their relatable strengths and vulnerabilities, felt authentic and three-dimensional. "Nothing Special" is a delightful departure from the typical YA fantasy formula, offering a nuanced exploration of magic intertwined with the challenges of adolescence, first love, and great loss. You will laugh, you will cry, and you will want more. If you're looking for a book that combines magic, personal growth, and heartfelt relationships, I highly recommend giving "Nothing Special" a read.
September 13, 2023
"Nothing Special" by Dina S. is a young adult novel that has a blend of the supernatural and the everyday struggles of growing up. The story revolves around Paisley Adams, who possesses the unique ability to see and manipulate auras and emotions called a Discerner, a talent she's kept hidden with the support of her ailing father, who shares the same gift. Paisley’s life is a challenge of fitting in, managing family dynamics, and navigating friendships. Her loneliness and anxiety about her gifts cause her to keep everyone, even her best friend, at arm’s length. Will James Bennett, the outcast, make her feel not as alone? Will her growing feelings and mixed signals ruin their friendship or become something more?
"Nothing Special" by Dina S. is a good read for young teens seeking an absorbing blend of the supernatural and the ordinary. It was a standard young adult high school drama book about trying to fit in and struggling with home life but with a supernatural twist. Trigger warnings are cancer, abuse, teen pregnancy, etc. but also the turmoil of morality with using her supernatural gifts for good, or personal gain, or not at all. It was short and sweet and really enjoyed it. 5 out of 5 stars.
"Nothing Special" by Dina S. is a good read for young teens seeking an absorbing blend of the supernatural and the ordinary. It was a standard young adult high school drama book about trying to fit in and struggling with home life but with a supernatural twist. Trigger warnings are cancer, abuse, teen pregnancy, etc. but also the turmoil of morality with using her supernatural gifts for good, or personal gain, or not at all. It was short and sweet and really enjoyed it. 5 out of 5 stars.
March 2, 2023
Through the perils of high school comes the secret of magic, an unlikely bond, and the butterflies of first love gently glancing the danger of powers unknown.
Paisley’s snark protects her hopelessly romantic heart as she navigates both the halls of high school and the secret colorful world she taps into. When the outcast, James, turns out to have the same power as her, all her fears of loneliness wash away only to be met by a new terror: someone truly seeing all of her. Exposure and vulnerability are things she’s tried to avoid but Paisley can’t resist the urge to give in to her newfound exhilarating feelings and the pull of James’ strings.
Through love and loss, she learns to rely on him but he was the danger she was trying to evade all along.
A gut-wrenching tapestry of vulnerability and the delicate sparkles of first love, Nothing Special is a very special tale. Heart-breaking, haunting, and mystifying in a way that leaves you longing for more. This story will remain with you long after its last beautifully scribed words.
Paisley’s snark protects her hopelessly romantic heart as she navigates both the halls of high school and the secret colorful world she taps into. When the outcast, James, turns out to have the same power as her, all her fears of loneliness wash away only to be met by a new terror: someone truly seeing all of her. Exposure and vulnerability are things she’s tried to avoid but Paisley can’t resist the urge to give in to her newfound exhilarating feelings and the pull of James’ strings.
Through love and loss, she learns to rely on him but he was the danger she was trying to evade all along.
A gut-wrenching tapestry of vulnerability and the delicate sparkles of first love, Nothing Special is a very special tale. Heart-breaking, haunting, and mystifying in a way that leaves you longing for more. This story will remain with you long after its last beautifully scribed words.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 23, 2023
I got this book through NetGalley and decided to give it a go
It was a very very interesting premise and the magic system seemed to be very well thought out, however I feel like there were a lot of those points that were glossed over and they didn’t really use the magic system to further the plot.
I felt like the main character was giving major pick me vibes but the rest of the characters were loads of fun and added a lot of importance to the MC.
I read this pretty quickly and the actual writing itself was really really good! I could see where the author was going with this but I feel like, personally, some points weren’t hit when they were fully open to be expanded on. It was a very good YA urban fantasy and gave a fun take on hiding your magic/powers from the real world and how people tend to be able to see more than we think
It was good, but it definitely wasn’t for me
I would be excited to see what else Dina can do! Because this had so much potential and I would love to see more!
It was a very very interesting premise and the magic system seemed to be very well thought out, however I feel like there were a lot of those points that were glossed over and they didn’t really use the magic system to further the plot.
I felt like the main character was giving major pick me vibes but the rest of the characters were loads of fun and added a lot of importance to the MC.
I read this pretty quickly and the actual writing itself was really really good! I could see where the author was going with this but I feel like, personally, some points weren’t hit when they were fully open to be expanded on. It was a very good YA urban fantasy and gave a fun take on hiding your magic/powers from the real world and how people tend to be able to see more than we think
It was good, but it definitely wasn’t for me
I would be excited to see what else Dina can do! Because this had so much potential and I would love to see more!
March 29, 2023
Nothing Special is a Ya paranormal fantasy romance book. Whilst following the main character Paisley who has the ability to sense and see emotions, we follow the story of her struggles to form relationships because of her ability. I felt the best friends story at times overshadowed Paisley story before it completely dropped off and she was gone. I did enjoy learning the side characters backstory which gave the side characters depth which I do enjoy. When Paisley meets James who has a similar ability at first she’s shocked before eventually they develop their own relationship. This book does seem to focus mainly on the romance more than the magical abilities.
In this book we see Paisley go through such a range of emotions from loneliness , grief to happiness.
I don’t know what it is but I did feel like this story was missing something. I enjoyed it but I wanted more from the book’s description.
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
In this book we see Paisley go through such a range of emotions from loneliness , grief to happiness.
I don’t know what it is but I did feel like this story was missing something. I enjoyed it but I wanted more from the book’s description.
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
June 28, 2023
I’ve never been a teenage girl, but I knew plenty of them while I myself was an angsty, hopelessly romantic teenage boy with crush after crush that made navigating adolescence all the more confusing. In Nothing Special, Dina has captured the essence of what I imagine that period of life may have felt like for so many of my peers as we all worked through both the trivialities and the hard realities of our youth, all amplified by an intriguing magic system which, given its colorful nature, made a beautiful addition to the imagery in my mind as I read.
The light, fun feelings of fleeting romance and new love contrasted well with the darker moments in Paisley’s and her friends’ lives that tug at your stomach and your heart, reminding us that life will never be 360 degrees golden, and of the importance in how we manage ourselves in the best and the worst times.
Great work on this, Dina! I can’t wait to see Paisley’s gift evolve as she does in the next books, and I’m excited to read in any other worlds your mind creates.
The light, fun feelings of fleeting romance and new love contrasted well with the darker moments in Paisley’s and her friends’ lives that tug at your stomach and your heart, reminding us that life will never be 360 degrees golden, and of the importance in how we manage ourselves in the best and the worst times.
Great work on this, Dina! I can’t wait to see Paisley’s gift evolve as she does in the next books, and I’m excited to read in any other worlds your mind creates.
April 25, 2023
Nothing Special by Dina S, is the first book I’ve ever read by this author, which is because this is her debut novel. I’m a fan of books that have magic and liked the take on it. It was a fun enjoyable read, that had so much heart.
The main character’s name is Paisley (such a pretty name. 🌺) is a magic holder called a Discerner. A discerner in this book is someone with the ability to change emotions which makes her undeniably powerful. But all she wants is to be a normal girl with a newfound crush on her friend James. I loved reading the interactions between the new friends and the struggles that Paisley has to overcome. I also enjoyed the glimpse into the struggle of how you’re meant to be verses who YOU want to be. This a great coming of age type story that is full of self discovery. I look forward to reading more books from this world.
Final review
4.5 out of 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
For the type of magic described:
5 out of 5 wands 🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄
September 20, 2023
The magic system in NOTHING SPECIAL is interesting, and at times purposely mysterious and vague. But sometimes magic isn't concrete. Sometimes, like high school and being a teenager, it's messy and weird.
And this sums up the life of Paisley Adams as she attempts to navigate high school while having been born with mysterious powers that she learns more about with each passing day.
I felt the full spectrum of emotions in NOTHING SPECIAL. From happy laughs, to "aww how cutes" and annoyance and anger (not at the book itself, but by high school kids being high school kids).
I certainly felt the tug on my heartstrings by the end, and for books like these, sometimes I want my heart to be ripped out, thrown onto the freeway and run over by an 18-wheeler. And at times in NOTHING SPECIAL, I got just that.
Dina S pulls you into this very everyday world with a hint of magic and doesn't let you go, even after the book ends.
And this sums up the life of Paisley Adams as she attempts to navigate high school while having been born with mysterious powers that she learns more about with each passing day.
I felt the full spectrum of emotions in NOTHING SPECIAL. From happy laughs, to "aww how cutes" and annoyance and anger (not at the book itself, but by high school kids being high school kids).
I certainly felt the tug on my heartstrings by the end, and for books like these, sometimes I want my heart to be ripped out, thrown onto the freeway and run over by an 18-wheeler. And at times in NOTHING SPECIAL, I got just that.
Dina S pulls you into this very everyday world with a hint of magic and doesn't let you go, even after the book ends.
October 20, 2023
My first encounter with Dina S. writing style and a surprising read.
Nothing Special is such a wonderful twist on a Fantasy Romance novel. The magic and fantasy is really just a backdrop to the misadventures of love MC Paisley finds herself navigating, which can be jarring at first if you’re expecting an epic fantasy adventure. It’s not that. What it is, is an emotional, gut-wrenching, painful, yet beautiful tale exploring love, friendship, independence, loss, and self-worth.
The number of times the author found a way to interweave the title and the story added so much depth and so many layers to to the title.
The ending was so completely unexpected and it had me feeling so many emotions. I was really surprised by the end and that was the end to the story, but I am excited to read the next books in the series.
Such a tale of love, pain, and loss. Totally recommend it.
Thanks to Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
Nothing Special is such a wonderful twist on a Fantasy Romance novel. The magic and fantasy is really just a backdrop to the misadventures of love MC Paisley finds herself navigating, which can be jarring at first if you’re expecting an epic fantasy adventure. It’s not that. What it is, is an emotional, gut-wrenching, painful, yet beautiful tale exploring love, friendship, independence, loss, and self-worth.
The number of times the author found a way to interweave the title and the story added so much depth and so many layers to to the title.
The ending was so completely unexpected and it had me feeling so many emotions. I was really surprised by the end and that was the end to the story, but I am excited to read the next books in the series.
Such a tale of love, pain, and loss. Totally recommend it.
Thanks to Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
September 22, 2025
What I Did Like:
+The powers here are well presented. I liked the strategy of learning the depth and rules of the abilities through the eyes of someone new learning about our MC. That made it easy for the reader to learn without feeling stupid.
+The section here on grief was brilliantly done. The character struggles with who they are without this person in a way that really spoke to me.
+I loved the ending! I mean, I want the sequel and more of the character, but I LOVED the way this one wrapped up the story. I also liked that it didn’t necessarily choose the obvious ending for the story and went in a direction that felt more authentic.
Who Should Read This One:
-Fans of YA contemporary stories about first love will probably get the most enjoyment out of this despite it being fantasy with a gifted MC.
My Rating: 3 Stars
For Full Review: https://alltherightreads.com/2025/09/...
+The powers here are well presented. I liked the strategy of learning the depth and rules of the abilities through the eyes of someone new learning about our MC. That made it easy for the reader to learn without feeling stupid.
+The section here on grief was brilliantly done. The character struggles with who they are without this person in a way that really spoke to me.
+I loved the ending! I mean, I want the sequel and more of the character, but I LOVED the way this one wrapped up the story. I also liked that it didn’t necessarily choose the obvious ending for the story and went in a direction that felt more authentic.
Who Should Read This One:
-Fans of YA contemporary stories about first love will probably get the most enjoyment out of this despite it being fantasy with a gifted MC.
My Rating: 3 Stars
For Full Review: https://alltherightreads.com/2025/09/...
December 13, 2023
I teach high school, and holy crap, are these high schoolers.
Paisley, as a Discerner, has a lot more going on in her life than meets the eye, and she's got to deal with all the complexities and confusions of being a teenager, too. A pinch of romance, a lot of modern fantasy, and a lot of high school drama, NOTHING SPECIAL can slide right in that hard-to-define place between romance and fantasy, and does a great job at bridging the YA / Adult gap, too. I enjoyed the narration immensely; the narrator's voice is crisp, clear, and she makes the differences in the characters sound effortless!
A little lighter fare than SCHOOL SPIRITS but suited for just the same audience, this first book in a series is a great entry point: it never overwhelms the reader with Too Much Worldbuilding and trusts us to take the ride of the joys and downfalls of being Paisley Adams right along with her.
Paisley, as a Discerner, has a lot more going on in her life than meets the eye, and she's got to deal with all the complexities and confusions of being a teenager, too. A pinch of romance, a lot of modern fantasy, and a lot of high school drama, NOTHING SPECIAL can slide right in that hard-to-define place between romance and fantasy, and does a great job at bridging the YA / Adult gap, too. I enjoyed the narration immensely; the narrator's voice is crisp, clear, and she makes the differences in the characters sound effortless!
A little lighter fare than SCHOOL SPIRITS but suited for just the same audience, this first book in a series is a great entry point: it never overwhelms the reader with Too Much Worldbuilding and trusts us to take the ride of the joys and downfalls of being Paisley Adams right along with her.
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