Aithene > Recent Status Updates

Kicking my feet giddy, somehow, through the violence.

My heart feels heavy.
This is so sweet. And so sad.
Just sitting in that quiet melancholy.

This is actually quietly devastating.

Oh no. Send help.

Screaming.

Loving how fast-paced this is without ever losing clarity. The lore is sharp and succinct, and the world feels alive through all those tiny, intentional glimpses of other lives. The memory moments are beautifully woven in without slowing the story. Velle still isn’t fully clicking for me, but not in a way that detracts from the story. Guessed the Primus. And Rorrik? Absolute cruel asshole, naturally I’m obsessed.

There’s something about her writing that gets under your skin, you don’t just see the world, you feel it. It’s eerie, immersive, and a little bit unsettling in the best way.

Why didn’t I read this sooner though.

Only five pages in, and the wit has already coaxed more than one laugh from me. There’s a spark in these lines that feels dangerous and delicious; I can already tell I’m in for a ride.

10% in and noticing some unique prose choices—shifting between first and third person, sometimes mid-chapter. It creates a hazy, memory-like tone that’s atmospheric but occasionally jarring. The world-building is strong though, and while the characters start at age 12 and feel young, it’s a purposeful setup I don’t mind.

I’m about a quarter of the way through, and it’s definitely reading as YA. There’s nothing technically wrong with the writing—it’s just structured in a way that clearly caters to a younger audience. At this point, Blaze is frustrating me a bit; she comes across as overly simpering, but I’m holding out hope that her trials will lead to some meaningful character growth.

Just over halfway through Arcana Academy and the enemies-to-lovers tension is still simmering. I’m all in for the trope, but the pacing is definitely on the slower side. That said, the buildup has been quietly satisfying. Progress has been slow too—mum life doesn’t pause for holidays, apparently!

Just over halfway through Arcana Academy and the enemies-to-lovers tension is still simmering. I’m all in for the trope, but the pacing is definitely on the slower side. That said, the buildup has been quietly satisfying. Progress has been slow too—mum life doesn’t pause for holidays, apparently!

Only two chapters in and I already want to go buy a set of tarot cards. The vibes are immaculate—mysterious, witchy, and full of promise. Strong start! 🌙

Thank you to the author, Tracy Leonard Nakatani, the publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC of A Bird Among Wolves.

Only two chapters in and it starts fast—high tension, immediate stakes, and the intriguing introduction of the Forest Walkers. The writing feels a bit clunky so far, but maybe that’s a deliberate, factual style to build the world. I’m curious to see where it goes.