Thank you BooksGoSocial for allowing me to read this novel in exchange for a review of my honest opinions and thoughts.

The cover of this debut novel by Yana Metro took me by surprise at first. Second, came the illusive storytelling narrative that the author uses throughout the novel. The writing style was so clean-cut but also so dramatic and pretty. The quotes you could find in this book are unlike other books I've read.

The pacing of the story was the third thing I noticed and it definitely watered down the novel for me. It was very fast in the beginning for me, but soon when the climax of the novel was delving, it slowed down to a complete stop. Unfortunately, I feel this way about a lot of YA books and I don't know why I keep going back to the genre, I say this in nearly every review I write about YA.

The writing style alone makes me want to rethink my star rating, but this was a pretty solid three-star. It was good enough, but not the best it could have been without the third-act drama and one-dimensional world. It didn't have a solid magic system and it felt like everyone had different abilities that spawned out of nowhere and with no background information.

3-3.5*

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

Despite what they say, it was the stunning cover that drew me to this book. I should have been wary, however, as I didn't find the interior quite matched up. Despite an initial good start, I found the pacing to be off and the romance to be pushed through too swiftly.

What I loved was the vivid world that Metro created, alongside the magical system. I found these to be really interesting without being overcomplicated.

Overall, this was an enjoyable enough debut, it just needs a few tweaks before it cracks into the 4/5* ratings.

DNF at 35%

First of all, what an absolutely STUNNING cover - I can only imagine what this book looks like in person. The premise of a portal fantasy mixed with philosophy and psychological themes had me intrigued.

However, the writing fell very flat and overall read quite convoluted to me. The book seemingly tried very hard to put on an air of mystery, as if we jumped right into the middle of a fairy tale but by 35% I came to the conclusion that so much was happening while nothing was going on. Every scene felt like an underdeveloped exposition of fact and the pacing was overall very stilted.

Unfortunately the phrase "don't judge a book by its cover" applied too well in this case.

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for providing me an eARC in exchange for an hones review.

This book unfortunately didn't work for me, but I can see how others would absolutely love this. The writing felt weird to me, and I guess it's because when I'm reading a fantasy, I don't expect it to open in the modern day just outside of Paris. This isn't to say that I didn't see the appeal, but the weird wording of some of the book, as well as some weird word choice left me questioning what I was reading and if I was understanding what the author was trying to say.

Pros:
-premise
-cover
-cool title
-gargoyle

Cons:
-the writing style
-the plot, or lack thereof
-flat characters
-lack of development
-boring dialogue

Overall, this reads like a first draft of a book that never saw an editor. The writing reminds me of lightlark.

Me choosing this book purely based on it's cover and it definitely did not disappoint!! Whilst, I do admit initially I did find it slightly difficult to adjust to the writing, I found as the book progressed I simply could not put it down. I really enjoyed the introduction of this universe and its magical rules. The description of the lands were so unique, giving us a proper image of this beautiful enchanted forest. In addition to the unique world, I was obsessed with the characters (especially Hairito!). I feel like the characters were quite realistic and given true emotions that allowed us to relate to the characters, especially the way in which Lily battles her anxiety and with how she grows in herself, finding herself as a person. Counting down the days to the next installment in this series - releasing December 2023.
Thank you Netgalley for providing me with this arc in exchange for an honest review.

This was an interesting book for me to not fall in love with. I really thought this would be exactly my kind of book, but it felt much more childish than I expected which put me off of it. I liked the storyline, I just felt like the characters weren't developed enough on their own to help create a complete image. They were just pieces to make the story move but with so little description or individuality they could all be pawns on a chess board.

The settings are really what I enjoyed in this. There was a vivid description of each place that helped me visualize the locations, and I enjoyed that. If the characters could have gotten a little bit more attention like that I think it would have helped me.

In this story we follow Lily White, who has always felt like she didn't belong in the world, she dreamed of another place, where she would feel safe, loved and would figure out her true self, but will she actually get there?

wow, what can I say? I loved this story! I absolutely loved the character of Vesta and Will! there were so many twists and turns in this story! the character development for Lily was truly amazing! and reading what she goes through makes you sit and wonder how you would have reacted to being in the same position! Because I genuinely do not know if I would have had the strength to go on the journey that she does!

The plot was fantastic! the world building was so good! I enjoyed every single page of this story and I hope there are more!

I devoured this fun dark fantasy novel. The cover caught my eye but the story really pulled me in.

I think my favorite part was the in depth world building. For me, it really makes or breaks a novel

I could not stand the writing style of the first few pages and decided this book is absolutely not for me.

I was intrigued by this book but I did find it very slow paced to the point I almost stopped reading, the writing style was not for me at all but Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me an arc in exchange for my honest review.

I have to admit, this wasn't really my cup of tea. I had really high hopes, partly because the plot sounded interesting and I really love the cover, it's beautiful, but sadly I just couldn't get into the story.
It lacks a sense of direction and a deeper narrative to get behind. Lily, our protagonist, seems to simply stumble into each new scene, which in itself are written superficially at best. Some people might enjoy the very matter-of-fact writing style, but personally I prefer very subtle and nuanced story telling, which makes this one a two star for me. Still, I really appreciate having gotten the chance to review this title! Thank you.

Thank you NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Whilst this book was easy to read, I would say that there is nothing special or unique about it. It is your classic Fantasy Romance with the same plot and the same type of characters. The characters were likeable and there was good character development. I just found that this book didn’t cause any emotional connection between the reader and the book. I also felt that the romance was quite dry and boring. It’s not that it was bad writing, it just wasn’t something I’d necessarily drop anything to read.

What a wonderful past faced read! There were just things happening all the time! Ofc, I almost fell like there was info missing, but here we actually had plenty of explanations of how their world works from the get go, which was a huge plus for me and my ADHD. I cannot wait to read the next book!

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced reading copy of luminiferos by Yama metro. This was in interesting read. A girl with her mind stuck between worlds. Lots of theology. Interesting but didn’t love and not a hit. I hate to say it but readers want something to drag them in and this just wasn’t not it. Not a bad read for someone who needs to think about life

this was kind of sweet but also kind of questionable? idk. it's a pretty trope-filled fantasy novel and it's like a mishmash of the premise of avatar the last airbender, the other avatar with the magical trees, harry potter, and twilight?? very much a hero's journey archetype with pretty worldbuilding and a "tall dark & handsome" love interest…who just so happens to be like 80 years old…

i'm a little tired of the "oh he's like kind of immortal so he's old-ish but looks really young!!" love interest trope like that's just weird to me why can't you just make him 19 it's not that hard. like him being 80 or 19 doesn't substantially change the plot and honestly would make me think the romance subplot was cuter and less quesh. also, the writing describing the worldbuilding was very very pretty, but it wasn't the most creative, i guess? if you're really into percy-jackson style "there are mystical creatures in our midst!" kind of storytelling, you'll probably love this, and tbh i really liked this part of the story even though it was rehashing a lot of old tropes and myths, but i felt like it was advertised as "wow CRAZY worldbuilding!" and the wow factor wasn't completely there for me. i did really like hairito though. best gargoyle ever <3

overall, if you're into the regular ya fantasy scene, you'll probably like this book; if you're looking for something with a bit more depth, maybe this one ain't for you.

I received an advance readers copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you NetGalley for this free copy.

I really wanted to like this book but I just could not get into it and had to DNF. The main reason being too many tropes combined and really odd pacing. It was uninspiring and just not for me.

The cover is what originally drew me in, but the story was what held my attention the whole way thru. The world building was in-depth and extensive. The background buildup set the stage for current times and made it so any questions that may come up, were answered already. The characters were intriguing, the storyline was unique and addictive. I love magic and adventure and with a little romance mixed in, this story hit all the marks. I could’ve easily finished in a couple days but I tried to draw it out as long as possible. I loved the dynamic between the characters. They flowed beautifully together and it was totally believable. I don’t usually read books more than once, but this book seems like a second read through would be just as enjoyable as the first.

Lilly White is an orphan who has always felt like she's missing a piece of herself, and as she grows older, her visions of a lush and mystical world become more vivid. When a mysterious man offers her a portal to a lost world, she jumps at the chance to find her true family and meaning in her life.

But as she explores this new world, she finds that it's not all rainbows and unicorns. A toxic darkness is consuming everything in its path, threatening the existence of everyone she meets. Lilly must dig deep within herself to find the gifts she never knew she had and fight against the evil that threatens to destroy everything.

The story is a unique blend of fantasy, romance, and philosophy that takes the reader on a journey of self-discovery, transcendence, and love. The world-building is intricate and beautiful, and the author's writing style is descriptive and engaging, pulling the reader into the story.

Lilly is a relatable and likable character, and the reader can't help but root for her as she navigates her way through this new world and discovers her true purpose. The themes of family, love, and the power of self-discovery are woven throughout the story, making it a heartwarming and inspiring read.

Overall, "The Lost World of Lilly White" is a captivating and enchanting story that will appeal to fans of fantasy and romance. It's a tale of hope, courage, and the importance of never giving up on your dreams.

eBook Version of Luminiferos by Yana Metro
Provided by NetGalley and Yana Metro

I devoured this book and stayed up too late reading it. It felt so fresh and new and just enchanting. Enchanting, adventurous, and so fun to read! Every description Yana provides made this world unfold before my eyes. I coudn't not picture it. The magic was so unique and fun. My favorite part is the found family, and the mythical creatures. I'm obsessed with Hairito and she is know my new favorite mythical side kick creature! The plot is really fun and gave me hunting for horcrux vibes, the romance is sweet and sacrificial it's just so so good!

I will be making it my mission to ensure everyone reads this book! I am shocked by some of the reviews. My only guess is when people see the word fantasy and romance they expect a certain type of story line. If you are wanting a spicy fantasy romance, this aint it. It's a beautiful, well developed romance that is woven through out the book. Philosophical undertones and so many amazing themes are seamlessly woven into this story.

Yana's writing style is so fluid and effortless to read. I didn't find myself hoping it would move faster, it seemed to move at just the right pace. Thins were revealed at just the right time and it was absolutely mesmerizing. This might just turn out to be one of my favorite reads of the year.

Only downfall? It's book one in an unfinished series, so we wait... with baited breath!