3.5 starts
A very interesting urban YA sci-fi/fantasy read with sometimes a little too much going on. I enjoyed the stort and getting to know the characters but the world building was quite detailed at times, which made me having to focus extra to understand exactly what has happened in this world to be the way it is.
I liked having POV of both main characters and found them both qually intriguing but it did take me awhile to get into the story and there were parts that I still find confusing. I don't say this often but less information would've been better for this story.

This fantasy/science fiction mix of a story was one that I am kind of torn about liking and not liking. I think this is just one of those titles that you either love it or you don't. I liked the story but a lot of it ended up being very confusing and others blew me away. The dual POV worked well and I loved having the well rounded story. I think overall that this one just needed a little more work. At least for this reader.


Go Into This One Knowing: Dual POV

This novel is splendidly written in the badass heroine category, a more introverted heroine than I typically find in fantasy books. The way the main character had to reinvent herself to survive and feel safe going through life alone, where she's unable to trust anyone but herself.

This book deals with the story of Leena Niran, a heroine with an attitude as well as a sword, who has spent her youth at risk that can cost her life.

She has been hurt and abandoned. She is passionate and willing to do whatever it takes to fight her way out of this life she was forced to endure.

One of the things I loved about this heroine is her fierce habits. She also still wonderfully vulnerable in the ways she responded to her world.

Also, this book is written in the parallel narratives within a single storyline. Prince Mordecai is the second character this story followed, who took pride in providing for his people.

While there is romance in this book, it is most definitely on our heroine's terms, which complemented the story that allowed Leena to form a new family and new friendships despite undertaking her most difficult tasks.

If you enjoy magic, realistic combats, and harrowing adventures, you probably will love The Chameleon with a Sword by B.L. Logan.

I loved this book. I loved everything. Cover art, storyline, characters. I was hooked from the start. It was fast paced and wonderfully written. Another thing that i loved about this book was narratives. We read both povs so that was amazing.

This was my first book by this author, It was pretty enjoyable. I would give this book a 3.5 star rating! It was a pretty Quick and easy read!

This book grabbed me from the first page - the pace starts fast and keeps on going! The author has a knack for writing a page turning book.

I enjoyed Leena's adventures, she certainly goes through a lot during the book and I found many of the other characters interesting as well. Even the villain wasn't simply evil.

My one complaint about this book was that it was so fast paced the world building didn't quite keep up, and sometimes I wasn't quite sure the significance of what was happening.

An exciting YA read with a heroine, Leena, I liked.

God, I loved this book sooooo much!
I didn't know what to expect at first, BUT WOW, this was more than I could ever ask for in a book!

I LOVED getting to know Leena and Prince Mordecai as individuals in their separate narratives.
Main character, Leena, who has been hurt and abandoned, must decide who she can trust, and whether she can harness her strength and her mysterious abilities to help the people that she suspects have betrayed her.
Prince Mordecai bears the responsibility of his peoples’ exile. Separation from their land is slowly killing them off and he must take drastic actions to fight his family and regain his throne.
When Leena and Mordecai’s stories intersect, it is so satisfying and the story really takes off.

The writing is as gorgeous as the cover, the characters played off well on each other, and I liked the duo POVs.

Looking forward to reading more from this author!

Leena was a great protagonist in this sweeping fantasy involving an exiled heir and the illusive magical properties of the realms magic. While the characters were a finely written piece that brought them to life and embedded themselves into the emotions of the reader, I felt a lot was lost in the massive length of this novel. The storyline was good, the villain superb, side characters spot on. That being said, multiple questions remain to the story that should have been wrapped up in so big a book. The most glaring omission was where the heck was Leenas father at? Open ended for more books, but I'll have to take a pass at reading another multiple page War and Peace epic. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book from Netgalley.

I enjoyed this book. It is a two-hander where the story is told through the eyes of the heroine Leena and her nemesis Mordecai. It is quite an elaborately imagined and constructed world (or set of intertwined multiple worlds...) and we discover much about how the various different groups of inhabitants interact as Leena does, as she has been hitherto kept in the dark about them and how she fits in it. I liked much of the book, apart from the ending, which seemed to come to its crescendo very quickly, although it mat just be being left more open ended to allow for further books..

Three and a half
This YA fantasy has a lot to recommend it and it was an enthralling idea that sometimes had a little too much going on. I really liked that we got not just the protagonist Leenas point of view but also that of the villain Mordecai as it allowed the reader to understand their motives.
Leena has had an awful life and has been lied to, betrayed and used as a host for a power that's celestial in origin. She's used to protecting herself but when someone tries to run her off the road Leena discovers that her family are definitely not what she thought ! With help from new allies Leena undertakes a journey that sees her truly embracing everything that she's capable of.
Mordecai is a conundrum. He's the Prince that led an attempted revolution only to fail and find himself and his allies banished . Now their powers are diminished and he's desperate to save his people. Oddly he isn't really written as vile or odious . Yes there's a brief mention of him murdering people but essentially Mordecai felt heroic ! Perhaps the author realised she had made him likeable because then very strangely he has the ability to leave his body and destroy souls ! This came out of nowhere and didn't fit in with the plot and honestly he was the oddest type of Grim Reaper that I've ever read .
The world building here is immense and yet at times difficult to grasp. There's technology and a police state that appears barbaric. We also get a fantasy element with magic that's almost scientific. Then I have to mention supporting characters such as Aiden the token love interest and it's an enemies to almost lovers that was obvious a mile off but still felt rushed to this reader. Zacharias is a warm loveable character who I wanted more of and Suki is bright and breezy but has a secret . Which brings me to that family because Leena truly has the family from hell ! Violent mother, absent father, a grandfather who just didn't make sense and an uncle who wants to kill her ! Yes for me just too much here felt like it needed a beta reader to advise revisions. I really want to rate this higher because I did enjoy parts of this but sadly because it couldn't decide if it was fantasy, sci fi , paranormal or maybe even dystopian I feel three and a half is appropriate.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair

God, I loved this book. I can't remember the last time I read anything that actually resembled a true and honest novel. I love reading the fast-paced books that have good beginning, middle and ends, but this one gave me a mini series and a dozen other reasons to come back.

The writing is as gorgeous as the cover, the characters played off well on each other, and I liked the duo POVs. Like the two opposing forces, they gave you a better idea of the world building up with every step these two characters took, and it was magical. Information was slowly fed to you, giving it to you when you needed it, and I was pleasantly shocked at a lot of things that were revealed. I liked how dark Leena's opposition was, but mostly because a lot of his 'darkness' took pride in providing for his people. There's nothing better than complex characters who've made up their mind.

It's a definite recommend. It's heady, fantastical, and you'll like watching these characters slowly turn into family.

Wonderfully written, fast paced and entertaining read. Great world building, really nice mix of fantasy and sci-fi. Well paced throughout and relatable, interesting characters, fantastic read.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

Received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I am torn how I feel about this book. I really enjoyed the writing but I did not like the magic abilities and I thought there was a lot going on, to the point it was slightly confusing. I am not as much of a fan of the sci-fi/urban fantasy mix. I am sure some people will love that mixture but it just wasn't for me.

3.5 Stars