While I have typically steered away from dark fantasy as of late this is a welcome addition to my 2020 reading. There’s something wonderful about how a dark fantasy set in a wholly different world that’s cruel and unfair can be cathartic. I found The Unwilling to do exactly that for me. Readers should note that as dark fantasy implies, there are content warnings of all sorts but if you’re used to dark fantasy you should know what you’re getting into. If you’re new to it steel yourself or perhaps pass on it depending at where you are with your reading life.

I thought Braffet did a fantastic job at a world building and creating political machinations filled with complex characters. This is a story with an emotional plot that pushes the characters and we see how they survive under enormously difficult situations, despite the darkness and cruelty, there is also a determination, which I truly appreciate.

I would recommend this to fans of epic dark fantasy but would be hesitant to give this to new fantasy readers as it can be an intense reader and is quite a hefty tome. However, if a big fantasy book with lots of world building and chess-like maneuvering as well as complex characters sounds up your alley I would say give it a try!

Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing, Netgalley, and Mira Books for this free copy. All quotes in this review are taken from the Advanced Reader Copy and may change in final publication.

So with that content warning, and thank you to everyone that helped create this pretty extensive list, I would say that if any of these topics are triggering to you in any way, please take great care in reading this novel. I have to warn you because I would want to be warned myself with certain content warnings, and while not everything in life comes with a “warning” as some people say, I still feel like I should spread the word on those novels that do have some sort of trigger warnings or content warnings and help my fellow readers make an informed decision before reading something that could negatively affect them.

Now, if you’re able to get through these topics and compartmentalize what’s going on here from what you’re probably experiencing in real life, then I think that some people may be able to enjoy this novel. It’s definitely not for everyone, and I would say that this book is pretty dense on the fantasy side. I would say that this is more on the Name of the Wind side, which for one I didn’t end up finishing but a lot of my friends have so, maybe that will tell you something about this novel.

I would also say that this book definitely has a long story line, and there may be times where you’ll want the action to happen, or the story to move on already, and trust me I felt that way with Strange the Dreamer as well as some others, but holding out until the end may or may not make you feel rewarded for completing such a daunting task. Yes, sometimes finishing a book can be considered daunting for us book bloggers that have so many books to read and so little time left, so if you finish this one, seriously give yourself some celebration time. You’ll need it and you totally deserve it.

I was hooked on this book in the prologue, but then the first chapter started and I was following different characters in a different location and things were a bit confusing for a little while. Okay, fine, that does sometimes happen with fantasy. Thankfully because I was so completely intrigued by the prologue, I was willing to push on.

It didn’t take long for me to really start connecting with the characters and becoming truly immersed in the story elements. And as more of the story lines started intertwining, I just found myself even more intrigued and involved in the story.

Judah and Gavin were both interesting characters, especially as we all started learning more about Judah and her story. But I can say that I also love stories with a whole lot of planning and plotting and political maneuvering.

I think I’m definitely going to re-read this book after I’ve bought a finished copy. I definitely enjoy reading lengthy fantastical epic adventure and discovery reads, and this one will probably be one that I talk about for a long time to come.

When I first read the blurb for this book I was all over it. A foundling with a special gift? And unnatural bond?? A cruel mighty lord??? Heck yes. This had dark political intrigue all over it and I wanted in. Unfortunately I wasn’t quite prepared for exactly how dark this story was, but I still found the twists and turns of the story super intriguing.

From the very beginning in the prologue, the universe and magic system of this world captured my attention. The people being paired up with their blood compatibility and testing children for magic—I wanted to know more and that feeling carried me through the book. I wanted to unlock all the secrets and find out what Judah’s power was. The way this universe is constructed is great and I liked all the political intrigue.

Plus, the characters are fun too. Judah is such a strong female protagonist and watching her strange bond with Gavin was so cool! I admit that Gavin wasn’t exactly my favorite, but he pales in comparison to his evil creeptastic father King Elban who gave me an extreme case of the heebie jeebies. And because I have a weakness for puffy cinnamon roll characters, Theron and his nerdiness was my favorite of the bunch.

How dark this book turned out to be is what shocked me the most, so don’t go in expecting your normal young adult fantasy. My emo soul isn’t one to be squeamish, so it wasn’t hard for me to get past, but I know others might have trouble with it. I was also very confused through the first several chapters. There are a lot of players in this story from the very beginning and my brain kept confusing everyone and tried to make connections that weren’t there. Once I let myself relax into it, I was fine, but it took me a hot minute to acclimate myself.

~FINAL WORD~
This book definitely isn’t for the faint of heart. By the end, I was able to get lost in the story and the characters, but it definitely took me a little while to enjoy it.

I've been a Kelly Braffett fan since her first novel, Josie and Jack, so I was super excited about this...and it did not disappoint! The Unwilling is amazing--it's complex and compelling, with characters who aren't afraid of darkness. If you like books that are thought-provoking and beautifully written, then The Unwilling will rock. your. world. Very highly recommended.

I took a deep breath when I first sat down with this book. 576 pages is a commitment, right? Within my first couple hours of reading, I was delightedly surprised. I really enjoyed this book from start to finish.

It was definitely an intriguing fantasy plot intertwined with a medieval world. The Slonimi people - a traveling, gypsy-style clan - had worked for generations to breed their strongest Workers (Work being a sort of cross between magic and creation), to create an individual strong enough to work against some dudes who tried to eliminate the Work (I think? The original crime was a little murky for me). Much of this isn't explained til near the end.

Much of the book follows the kingdom of Highfall, including its evil Lord Elban, his assistant, the Seschenal, and the four children. The children are all in their late teens and slightly beyond by the time we meet them. Gavin is Elban's firstborn son, and the next Lord. Theron is Gavin's younger brother, who is supposed to lead the army, but would rather be solving mental puzzles. Eleanor is Gavin's betrothed, bought from another village before she was even ten years old and groomed within Highfall ever since. Judah is the foundling, brought to the Lady of Highfall (Gavin's mother) on the same day Gavin was born. Judah and Gavin have been raised together and somehow feel what happens to each other physically. Especially because of this, Lord Elban hates her, but can't get rid of her as he wants her safe only so Gavin isn't hurt. Following so far?

That is seriously just the basics, folks. I found the characters to be engaging, and had a degree of sympathy for almost all of them (okay, Lord Elban really was just a sadistic asshole). One of the most important things for me with any fantasy book is the ability to actually imagine the world the author has set up. While I'm not entirely confident in saying I sort of get what the Work was, I think that was also part of the point. The Work was a mystery, and could never be fully explained even if it was real, if that makes any sense.

As I said initially, this is a big book. I would recommend it to a big fantasy fan. If fantasy isn't one of your favorite genres, this may be too much of a mental stretch and commitment for you. I'd give it 4 out of 5 stars and may check out some of the author's other books.

Judah could never be mistaken for ordinary. The courtiers of Highfall are either fascinated by her dark beauty or gossip quietly about how she came to be the precious foster sister to Lord Elban’s sons.

They all knew that she was the witchbred foundling adopted by the grieving Lady Clorin on the same night that she gave birth to Gavin. But only a chosen few knew of the strange bond that existed between them.

If Judah felt something, so did Gavin. If Gavin was injured, Judah experienced the pain right along with him. They communicated wordlessly through scratches on their arms and to them, it was as normal as breathing. And Lord Elban would do anything in his power to destroy it.
As Judah navigates a complicated world full of deception, she must discover who she really is and how to wield the tremendous power that she carries within.

“You need a friend,” he said. “I’d like to submit myself for the position.”
That surprised her so much that she stopped and stared at him. “You want to be my friend?”
“I do.” The violent colors of his clothes were muted in the dappled shadows under the arbor.
“Why?”
“In my language, I would say that I treasure your unique perspective, that I am entranced by your rapier wit.” His eyes flickered upward. “The stormy scarlet radiance of your hair, perhaps.”
“Storms aren’t radiant.” She felt her cheeks burn nonetheless.
His kohled eyes crinkled. “Yes, well. I’ve realized recently that most of the compliments in my arsenal are sun-based. Comes from living in a country where everyone has golden hair, I suppose. You pose some interesting poetic challenges.” Whatever those challenges were, he brushed them away with one well-manicured hand. “Anyway, mere convention. The words wouldn’t matter. If you’d been raised in the court you’d already know the meaning behind them.”
“Which would be?”
“You have power.”
She laughed. “You’ve taken too many drops from your vial. Your brain is addled.”
“This is why you need a friend,” he said. “You’re one of the most powerful people in the House, and you don’t even realize it.”

The Unwilling is epic fantasy in its purest form. Kelly Braffet’s worldbuilding is striking - switching from the vivid to the austere effortlessly. But it’s her characters, particularly the female ones, that shine the brightest.

Judah is mysterious, compassionate, and wickedly intelligent. Elly is practical, real, and determined. Both are placed in situations beyond their control, but they never cower and never surrender. They are the reason that the story resonated so much with me.

Yes, the book is lengthy but Kelly’s prose is lush and not a word is wasted. And I hope that there will be so much more from this mystical universe in the very near future…

“Wake up every day and figure out how to survive it.”

A Fantasy World Filled with Violence and Abuse

In this fantasy world, the royals are the focus of the story. They live in a castle in the city of Highfall surrounded by the starving townspeople. There is also a roving band, the Slonim. This group is somehow connected with Highfall and have a mission to break the magic bonds. They have been working at it, breeding children to get the savior, for five generations.

Nate is a member of the Slonim. He is recruited as a child to become a magician and a healer to enter Highfall and help to bring about the unbinding. The rest of the story centers around the four children brought up in the castle. Judah is a orphan brought up in the castle because she has a bond with Gavin, the heir to the throne. They share each other’s feeling which is where some of the abuse comes in. Theron is Gavin’s younger brother. He’s very bright, but overlooked. The fourth child is Eleanor, she is supposed to marry Gavin and is in many ways the most likable character in the story.

I did not care for this book. The premise is interesting, but the telling is filled with violence, and the plot is so obscure you only get relevant information at the end of the book. The characters are not likable. It’s hard to care about their fate, particularly when the events are loosely held together and you’re not sure where the plot is going.

I can’t recommend this book unless you like very long fantasy novels.

I received this book from Harlequin for this review.

THE UNWILLING by Kelly Braffet is a dark and twisted tale of abuse, power, and treachery set in a magical world.

Judah and Gavin were born on the same night and have a connection that cannot be explained but they live very different lives. Lord Elban, Gavin's father, is a deeply cruel and vicious man who will stop at nothing to get what he wants, and Judah is the perfect pawn. Outside the castle walls, there is someone searching for Judah and the power that she does not know she has, as she is the centre of everything and could bring about change like no other.

THE UNWILLING by Kelly Braffet was a lot darker and emotionally disturbing then I expected it to be and for that reason may not suit all readers as there are a lot of graphic moments throughout. It is a long book but that didn't bother me at all as I enjoyed getting to know most of the characters and getting a feel for the setting. There is a wonderful bond between some of the characters that felt real and pure and I enjoyed those moments that shone a light over the hardships that Judah and others endured regularly, and the ending was definitely unexpected. Overall, not what I expected but gripping in it's own way.

Judah's sole job in life is to not die. To die would mean certain death for the Lord of the City's heir. Born on the same night, Judah and Gavin share an incredible bond: they experience each other's emotions and physical ails as though they were their own. If one is injured, the other displays the same injury. Judah is a young woman with no family, a foundling taken in at birth, a young woman Lord Elban, Gavin's father, detests but cannot rid himself of. Instead, he seeks to use her and confine her to the House. Defiant, but knowing the consequences, Judah only seeks to make her life more bearable. Outside the House, the city is destitute, laborers forced to work shifts that stretch for days, families scraping by day to day, food scarce and medical care nearly impossible to obtain. Nathaniel Clare seems like an answer of sorts, but his main goal is to get into the House, get close to Judah, and use her to save his own people. At the same time, he seeks to punish Lord Elban and the last of his line.

I was drawn to this book because of the bond between Judah and Gavin. I found myself to be incredibly curious about it and their roles as Gavin is meant to be the next Lord of the City and Judah is essentially a nobody, but who plays an important role. I thought this would be an interesting book; I was unprepared for how swept away I was and for how dark it quickly became.

Trigger Warnings

The Unwilling is, more or less, simply listed as being fantasy, but I tend to think it leans more heavily towards dark fantasy. Yes, it touches on difficult topics. No, it is not easy to read. Instances of abuse, child abuse, torture, violent death, and more abound in these pages. It is not an easy read, and I think readers need to be fully warned that some of the content is not easy and may indeed be stomach churning. Some of the reviews I've read have mentioned them and those reviewers were not inclined to enjoy the book, for good reason. However, from what I read in those reviews, I didn't think it could be better or worse than what I read in The Dark Jewels Trilogy by Anne Bishop when I was a teen.

Yes, there are triggering scenes and topics. No, it is not easy to read. Yes, go into this book with caution. Yes, look beyond these scenes for an intriguing dark fantasy.

The Characters: An Incredible, Unlikely Quartet

I adore books that involve a group of characters. I particularly enjoy trios and quartets, so was quite pleased to be introduced to the quartet early on. Not only are there Judah and Gavin, but also Gavin's younger brother Theron and Gavin's intended Elly. They were essentially raised together, in the same small apartment in the House. Though Judah and Gavin are the ones with the unnatural bond, all four of them share a close bond and their loyalty to each other throughout the book is heartwarming.

Each character was given their own unique personality. They were each different, but blended together incredibly well. I loved how consistent they were and that they still managed to grow and evolve while retaining what made them them. They felt like real people. I couldn't help but be swept away by their stories, wanting to know more about them and how they managed to navigate the politics of the House.

A fifth major character is introduced later on: Nathaniel Clare. Groomed for a certain role, he knew nothing else, but a part of him still longed to do more and to find safety. When he was first introduced, he seemed reserved and dutiful. But he quickly grew into a more complicated character, one wanting to help others while also trying to fulfill the role he was raised for. Through him, the reader gets to know the city and the extreme poverty it lies in. We also get a culture outside of the city, one that is inexplicably tied to the city, but is, at the same time, far removed from it. I didn't find him to be quite as interesting. He came off as more dutiful, so was less colorful than the quartet in the House, but his perspective opened up the world.

The Setting: The City and the House

I usually enjoy stories with movement in it, but this one doesn't really go beyond the city and the House. I didn't mind, though, as the politics inside the House added a great deal of court intrigue, and the structure itself sounded like a madhouse, what with additions haphazardly built upon it and each other. The city just made me sad. It was depressing and, clearly, everyone lived in extreme poverty. Workers had days long shifts, children couldn't afford to go to school, food was scarce, and, overall, all of the people suffered but tried to make the most of it and hold onto their pride.

Overall, the city and the House felt cold and forbidding. They certainly aren't the kinds of places I would want to visit, but I couldn't stop reading. They were the perfect backdrops for the story and really helped showcase the desperation, the lack of choice, and the sheer flamboyance of the court. It clearly showed the division between the classes, which was incredibly stark and unforgiving.

The Plot: Focus on the Characters

This isn't a quick 300-something page novel that jumps right in and gets to the meat of the story. No, this is slow and long. It takes its time and, while some might say it's too slow, I think it really showed the development of each of the main characters. The pages, especially in the first half, are littered with bits and pieces and threads that play a role later on.

This is the story of four people who were either born into or sold into specific roles: the foundling, the heir, the second son, and the future wife of the heir. Life happens around them and they must adapt, pushed to grow, mature, and learn how to adjust. While it was slow going, it really highlighted their growth. I don't feel the focus was so much on the story as it was on the characters, so I liked that it was slow, I liked that I really got to know the characters, and I loved that I could see them change in response to events in the story so they could get to the points they were at at the end of the book.

The first half of the book felt more centered around court intrigue, which was complex and intriguing. There wasn't a ton of movement in the story, but, honestly, I didn't really care about where the story was going. I was swept up in the intrigue, in the machinations of the courtiers and how it impacted Judah, Gavin, Theron, and Elly. There was so much going on, so many bits and pieces dropped all over the place. It felt like layer after layer building up to something. And then the second half started and what I expected didn't happen at all. The focus turned more to how the four main characters adjusted and responded, and to the reason why Nathaniel was in the city in the first place. I must admit it was a little jarring, but I found it easy to be swept up again in their struggles against an even starker background.

Overall, I found the story to be intriguing. I liked that it was more focused on the characters. What I wasn't so fond of was the unanswered questions and unfinished threads left at the end. There were things I wanted to know that were never really answered. There were also new questions that were brought up during the last pages. As far as I know, this is a standalone. If that's true, I feel the ending was a little disappointing. I felt too much was left up to the reader to decide, but there wasn't quite enough information to figure it out.

Overall: Sometimes Uncomfortable, Often Entertaining

I enjoyed this novel. I wanted to keep reading it. I found myself to be swept up in the lives of the characters and wanted to know more about the world. There's a greater world beyond the city that was touched on, but the city and the House were just so fascinating that I didn't really care. The characters were interesting and well-crafted. The story they told was complex and not quite what I expected. It took a turn I didn't see coming and, somehow, it felt more sinister than what I had thought would happen. There were a few things about the ending that left me dissatisfied, but, overall, I enjoyed this book. As I mentioned earlier, there are some uncomfortable topics like torture and abuse, but, if you can look past it, it's possible to see how integral they were to the story and the characters' development to create an incredible fantasy that's far from pretty ballgowns and fairies.

Thank you to Justine Sha and MIRA for a free e-copy for review as well as the opportunity to participate in this book blog tour. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Unwilling is the latest novel from the mind of Kelly Braffet, and this is a novel forcing opinions. It seems like people either love or hate it. So there’s no doubt that this is going to be a book that’ll get your emotions going.

This is a fantasy tale of magic, prophecies forced to fruition, and pride. This is the story of one prophecy – and all of the work and effort put into forcing its appearance and accuracy. It’s a unique look on that concept, as countless people work together to make it happen.

It all focuses on several young children. But are they key figures in this plot, or are they merely pawns? Only time will tell.

I’m not going to lie to you; this is a graphic telling. There were times where it was honestly too much for me, and I found myself skipping several pages ahead just to get away from what was happening. If that is not something you’re looking for, then you might want to move on. If you’re not certain, take a peek at my warning below, it might help you decide.

“He closed his eyes and saw, on the inside of his eyelids, the woman’s hard, angular sigil, burning like a horse brand.”

Warnings: The Unwilling is perhaps the most graphic and harrowing novel I’ve read in recent times, which is saying something. This novel depicts a lot of uncomfortable subjects and scenes. So many that I’m not entirely confident that I got them all. Inside this book, you’ll find scenes portraying: child abuse, psychological abuse, animal death (a graphic hunting scene involving dogs and deer), consent concerns (an abortion carried out on an unconscious woman), graphic death scenes (hunting dogs again, and a pregnant woman), and probably a lot more that I’m forgetting.


I’m honestly not even sure where to begin with my review for The Unwilling. I suppose I could start off with the writing, which was actually quite beautifully done. You can see that Braffet has a strong grasp of storytelling methods, showcasing her ability to plan ahead.

The Unwilling featured several storytelling techniques that I like. Mainly, the use of multiple points of view. I love it when an epic fantasy does this, for a variety of reasons. One of which being that it allows for a larger cast of characters.

I honestly do mean it when I say that I don’t think this novel is for anyone. I myself struggled with it, but mostly because of the graphic and detailed nature of certain scenes and elements. Had those been removed, I think I would have had an easier time enjoying this novel.

I did take a look at other reviews, before diving into mine. It was a case of needing to know how others felt, in order to help me process my own emotions. It looks like people either loved or hated this book. Those that loved it were able to dive into the core of the story Braffet was telling. Others, like myself, were constantly put off by the very elements I’ve already mentioned.

I don’t think it’s a bad thing that people are forming strong opinions about this book. Though I think that means that my review can only say so much on that matter. I can only tell you how I felt, and hope that it helps you made an informed decision when diving into this book.

Some books are lyrical, their stories twisting and weaving an intricate tale that you don’t realize you’re in until it’s too late. The Unwilling wasn’t that sort of book, though at times I think it tried to be (and tried too hard at that). Despite being one of my more anticipated releases for 2020, this book left me sorely disappointed. And before I continue, I do want to mention that there are a number of triggering topics in this book, some of which will be touched on in this review.

The Unwilling takes rambling to a whole new level, featuring nearly 600 pages of a story with little to no direction and several attempts at shocking the reader with harsh scenes. In just the prologue alone we’re introduced to child abuse. I should have listened to the warnings signals going off in my head at this point because it would have saved me from the continuation of graphic abuse depictions, of horrific torture/murder, and more generally a cast of characters that were neither relatable nor redeemable. I’m not someone to shy away from graphic violence or “darker” content in general but this book pushed it too far and for no apparent reason than an attempt to stand out.

Well it succeeded there but not in the good way.

I mean, frankly, The Unwilling put me in such a foul mood after that I didn’t want to pick up another book or do anything but throw it across the room (which I couldn’t because I’d rather not break my Kindle).

And all the nastiness aside, the story just didn’t even make sense? It felt so disjointed and drawn out. Then comes the ending and nothing is resolved and I wasted several hours trudging through the muck to get nowhere. Not even a semblance of satisfaction for the story’s end.

What really sucks is the bad outweighed the good so much that I barely retained anything about the fantasy elements. It’s been a long time since I’ve disliked a book so much (even including books I have DNFed in the last couple years).

I don’t have much more to say about The Unwilling. It was just that bad, and if I could rate this “should have DNFed” I would. I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone.

My Thoughts
I was invited to participate in the blog tour for this book and based on the synopsis I couldn't say yes fast enough! That synopsis sounds great doesn't it? Well, I am sad to say that I did not like the book and I will explain why below. Here are my pros and cons for The Unwilling:

Pros

1. The cover art is great!
2. I liked Judah, Gavin, Elly (Gavin's betrothed), and Theron (Gavin's younger brother) as characters. Their relationships with each other were at least interesting, albeit undeveloped. I thought the story about them had some potential early on, but I was ultimately disappointed. (I know this isn’t necessarily a pro, but I’m honestly struggling to come up with good things to say.)

Cons

1. This book was way too long and that is mainly because it was unbelievably repetitive. Plot points were repeated over and over, scenes were discussed multiple times, and just general every day activities were described ad nauseam. I seriously considered DNFing the book multiple times, but since this was a blog tour I felt obligated to continue. I am not kidding when I say that at least 40% of this book could be edited out and you wouldn’t miss a thing.
2. Along with the repetitiveness, I felt like the story meandered way too much. I didn’t feel like I got enough backstory on anything or anyone. The story would start to delve into something that felt interesting and focused, only to go off on a tangent to something else entirely. Considering the book was almost 600 pages long, I really should have known a lot more about the characters, a lot more about their motivations, and a lot more about the world they lived in. As written, I felt like the story barely scratched the surface of any of these things and the lack of depth and focus was very noticeable to me.
3. The story is quite violent and there were two particular scenes that I thought were excessively violent... just full of explicit, graphic, and gratuitous viciousness. It wasn’t necessary and the story could have told with less violence very easily. I’m not typically bothered by the concept of violence (in general) when it is integral to the story, but these scenes were way, way, WAY over-the-top and not necessary as presented.
4. In addition to the violence, this book was full of abuse of every kind imaginable. No one is happy, everyone is abused in some way, and the story just isn’t pleasant.
5. Even the world-building was weak in my opinion. Usually, when I read fantasy novels I can create elaborate images in my head about where the story takes place, what places look like, what rooms look like, etc. As I think back now, the most vivid visual I can remember is Judah’s hair color since it was unusual in the world they lived in… everything else I remember from the novel is just generic and uninspiring.
6. I had to go through about 500 pages of the story before I found out what Judah’s special gift was… and when I did find out I honestly wondered why it even mattered.
7. The ending was ridiculous. Full stop.

Summary
There is a good book in here somewhere. I mean that honestly. Judah, Gavin, Elly, and Theron’s stories have potential to be a fantastic novel and one I’d be interested in. Perhaps if we’d known earlier what Judah’s special gift was, or if the backstory about why Judah’s gift was important had been explained more thoroughly, or if the whole Magus storyline made more sense, or if the story had been less violent, or… I could go on and on. The bottom line is this book just wasn't my cup of tea.

Thank you to NetGalley and HARLEQUIN-MIRA for a free eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

On the night the heir to Highfall, Gavin, was born, a newborn foundling, Judah, was brought into the walls of the city, specifically into the castle and is raised alongside the heir. As Judah and Gavin grow, a mysterious bond is discovered between the pair. A bond that connects them physically—they feel and experience what the other does—and somewhat mentally—they can garner some emotion from each other.

While Gavin is groomed by his ruthless father into what it means to be Lord of the City the bond is the only thing that keeps Judah alive. For Gavin will suffer whatever Judah does and vice versa. But Judah comes to question her place. She has no true role within the castle, she’s looked down upon by the courtiers who believe she’s a witch. And Gavin’s thoughts are becoming ever more despairing.

Meanwhile, outside the castle walls, the city is in unrest. Healer Nathaniel Clare comes to Highfall with plans of his own. Plans that ultimately revolve around Judah.

The Unwilling is a sprawling, winding story. Kelly Braffet’s writing is engrossing. The careful planning of each little detail can be deftly felt. The magic, what is known in this fictitious world as the Work, is intriguing in the way it connects those with the talent. I wish we had gotten a better understanding of the Work. As with much in the story, the intricacies are kept close to the chest until near the end.

While I repeatedly found myself getting caught up in the story every time I would pick up the book, it progresses at an, at times, agonizingly slow pace. I felt very restless while reading because there were very few moments of quickness and those that we get are all too brief and far between.

For that The Unwilling was a difficult read for me. The explanations or motivations of the characters remain murky throughout. Some do become clear by the end but others not so much—I’m guessing to lead easier into a sequel if one is intended. Make no mistake there are genuine villains in this book, but without knowing what fuels them or where their machinations are supposed to be leading they kind of become caricatures. And leaving the “good guys” in the shades of gray category doesn’t lend itself well to likable characters.

The four “children” as they’re referred (Gavin, Judah, Theron, and Elly) are purposely pitted against one another and while they don’t necessarily take the bait they still don’t turn to each other for support. The few genuine moments of connection were the best parts of the book. As it stands, it’s difficult to witness people in a position of helplessness, and despite their seeming privilege, that’s exactly what they are: helpless. While I was reading, putting myself in the character’s points of view, I could see how they were stuck, or fearful of breaking out on their own after being so sheltered. When I would step away from the book, I would repeatedly ask myself “why don’t they just leave and take their chances?”

The Unwilling is not an easy read, but somehow I kept finding my way back to it again and again. For that, it wove some kind of spell over me. We get glimpses of the strength of these characters by the end, but it’s only on a surface level so far. It certainly leaves me craving a lighter read.

[BLOG TOUR] Thank you to Mira Books and NetGalley for the e-ARC to read and review.

[DNF @ 30%] This book was just too sad and underwhelming for me to continue. It started off great - Gavin and Judah's strange connection was an interesting part of the story. But after maybe the first chapter or so my enjoyment plummeted into boredom.

Nothing was happening. Huge info dumps. Little to no action. All of this for long stretches of pages. I kept hoping the story would change and pick up but it never did. Because there was nothing to hold me to the story I grew more and more detached from the characters and plot. There was nothing to care about with exception to the awful life Judah, Gavin, Elly, and Thorn have lived.

This story just wasn't for me. And I think I've finally come to the conclusion that I should never read books with such political and familial sadism. Especially, when it seems like there is no hope or positivist involved. I unfortunately could not finish the story. Too dark for me.

Four children two born to rule, one sold off to the highest bidder, and one bound forever to feel and endure what the other does and vice versa. Judah is bound to Gavin by an unquestionable bound that allows them to feel each other's emotions and pain. If Gavin goes on a drunken bender then Judah will also suffer the hangover. In the first part of the book we learn all about how the might Lord Elban had tested to see just how far this curious bond went. I almost stopped reading why would i want to read a story about someone who has to suffer so much abuse by those who have taken her in.
I continued on all the way to end cause eventually i had to know how things were not only going to play out for Judah and Gavin but for the others as well. Gavin is the eldest and at several moments in the first part of the book he is meant to kill his brother. Seconds sons command the armies. Though Theron is in now way suited to this task. He has a brilliant mind and i loved how even as things grew worse for him he still tried to communicate some of that brilliance. Gavin is bound to Judah and eventually they become so entangled that his farther constantly makes threats to end on or both there lives. Then we come to poor Eleanor who has been sold to marry Gavin and at one time Lord Elban.
This story weaves the tale of these four as they strive to survive and understand what the bond means. Their two story lines inter woven you have the political one of Lord Elban and him maintains a hold on his city and what transpires once he looses it. You also have the story of Judah and the magus Nate and what his mission is in regards to undoing the bond between Gavin and Judah.
This is a very long tale and i not sure i totally happy with the ending nor am sure I understand what exactly happened. It a different tale and i think it worth a read but maybe a second read or a third to really get all the details that are interwoven.

My (long) journey through The Unwilling was pretty uneven. The fantasy world setting was interesting, the characters and their relationships were complex and relatable and the story was initially engaging. Violent but engaging. Then about two thirds of the way through, when it was time to pull it all together into a conclusion, it felt like the author just couldn’t quite do it. It was not always easy to understand the magical powers and the section that dwelled on that at the end was too long and, frankly, boring. It was a let down after becoming invested in the characters and wanting to know what happens to them. My guess is that there is another book coming to answer those questions. Sadly, I probably won’t read it.

I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I wanted to enjoy this book more than I did, I felt like I was missing something in the writing. Almost like it was unfinished. The story line felt super repetitive.

The thought of the story is very strong, but it just wasn't for me.

It takes a special gift, I think, to bring a genre alive to someone who usually doesn't find it exciting. Author Kelly Braffet accomplishes exactly that, in her fascinating debut fantasy THE UNWILLING. Sn adorable, richly imagined, lyrically imaged story, THE UNWILLING riveted me from the very beginning and maintained my attention throughout an admittedly long novel. I especially admired her use of multiple strong female characters.

Book: The Unwilling
Author: Kelly Braffet
Rating: 2 Out of 5 Stars

I would like to thank the publisher, Mira, for providing me with an ARC.

I really wanted to like this one and, in fact, I was actually enjoying it for a while. However, both the plot and the characters just didn’t progress in a way that I found enjoyable after a while. It felt like the author was just trying to make the book longer than what it should have been. I know she was trying to make a character focused story, but it just felt so long and so drawn out. I guess that what I’m getting at is the book just uneven.

The writing was missing something. It felt like our hand was being held the entire story and it was so repetitive. Now, keep in mind that I’m reading Wheel of Time at the same time, so I’m used to having repetitive authors. This one, though, just felt like there was too much. She would tell us something on one page, then on the next page tell us the same thing. It’s completely unnecessary. I can see new authors making this mistake, but Kelly is not a new author. I really don’t understand why this is all there. I know she trying to use details to led up to the big reveal, but, still, the details she focused on really were ones that we didn’t need to know about. I don’t know, but it just felt like we really didn’t need everything that we got and things that we didn’t get a lot of, we actually needed more.

The characters were actually well developed and complex. I liked getting to know them, but, again, a lot of the details that we got kind of took away from them. We could have had a really great cast, but they were just lost in the details.

The magic system was good and all, but, again, because of everything else that was going on, it kind of got lost in the mix of things.

I think that with a little bit of cleanup, this could be a very good book. However, the way it is now, it’s just missing that touch to make it great.

Anyway, this book comes out on February 12, 2020.