This story was so good! I saw that this story was going to have easter eggs included from some of the author's other stories. However, seeing as this was the first book I've read of his, I did not feel lost while reading, and whatever the easer eggs were blended seamlessly into this story. It was fast paced, descriptive, and the main character was great. I really enjoyed her perspective of the world as she navigated through the story.

My Rating: 4.5*

I’m rounding up to 5* because this is exactly what I needed at the moment. Upon learning this was mythology reimagining, I eagerly opted to request this book to uncover its lore. When earning my Master’s, I studied copious amounts of lore, legends, and myths, and even though this is not a “classic retelling” or reimagining, I feel it was very clever. Though I have not yet read the others in this series, I will certainly be looking for them now that I've finished this one.

Zoe has escaped her tortuous life in Texas with her ex-partner, and is doing her best to slip under the radar and start a completely new life. Upon entering Seattle, she goes to a job interview for a job she really wants. Gemma Weeks, head of Valhalla, offers Zoe the job of a lifetime - to study a previously unknown element called Chaos.

Things seem to start out well until Zoe is accidentally exposed to the Chaos element and now she’s running and hiding all the while trying to figure out what powers Chaos has given her.

I truly enjoyed this book and it is certainly action packed and perhaps a bit too fast if all of these events happen in about 2 or 3 days. I will say the characters are a bit hard to like but I think towards the end I was finally on Zoe’s side and was really glad she found her backbone. I would love to see more world building which is one of the reasons I am going to seek out the other books.

Wraith by Matt King was a great novel. I didn’t know this was book was part of an existing universe in his previous works. With that being said, I found the novel very easy to follow and the time travel/universe exploration interesting. The FMC Zoe went through tremendous growth in such a short time. I would definitely be interested in a sequel post Zoe figuring out her new gifts now that she is comfortable in her own skin.. the novels quick pace kept me engaged and it had enough of a creepy/horror aspect to make it interesting. I really enjoyed it!

I received an ARC from Netgalley and Matt King in exchange for an honest review- thank you!

Woohoo!!!! Read this. Get lost in it. Let this book take you away on an adventure. You will not be dissatisfied or disappointed. Let the wraith win

I was optimistic for this one, and thought I'd enjoy it (obviously, since I requested the ARC!) but I didn't think I'd like it nearly as much as I did. I'm mad it's over! Give me more!!

I loved the non-stop action, the science, the mystery behind the new element Chaos, the limits of what FMC Zoe could do with Chaos, the tension and fear from the various threats to Zoe... And I really love when a magic system- even a science-based magic system- has rules. It's no fun if you can wave a magic wand and fix all your problems!

I thought this decision to have the main character experience misophonia was an interesting one. What was even more interesting was this wasn't a plot device, it wasn't a weakness to overcome or that landed her in trouble due to being debilitated by it, and it wasn't something to cure with the help of Chaos; it was just a part of Zoe and who she is, same as her hair color or anything else. I don't think I've ever read a book that featured a character with misophonia before, so it was nice to see how it impacted Zoe's daily life pre- and post-Chaos exposure, and to see the tools she used to help her cope with it, like her earbuds.

I loved the plot twists, the bait and switches, and all the layers that kept peeling back on this rich world. The book was described on NetGalley as being able to be read as a standalone, and this is completely true. Everything the reader needs to know about any mysterious government agencies or scientific and/or cultural differences between our earth and the earth in the book is all explained on-page enough for the reader to follow along unhindered.

This was a super fast read, at about 250 action-packed pages. Once the story starts, it does not stop. There are no "Let's pause and make a plan" moments, there is just raw and unfiltered "Gotta run gotta stay alive gotta improvise gotta go go go". There's no romance (but there is a toxic, narcissistic, abusive ex who may or may not try to murder the FMC.) There are few allies for Zoe, truthfully, and she has to rely on her own wits more often than anything else.

Wraith delivered lots of X-Men feels. There's all the familiar feelings of being alone and isolated and fundamentally different, and being judged for it. Even pre-Chaos exposure, Zoe's family had turned their back on her for her romantic choices, and she was looked down on. And it wasn't even for being in a queer relationship, it was because she "chose" to stay in an abusive relationship, so she "deserved" whatever happened to her, because she could "choose" to leave but didn't. But sometimes it's just not that simple.

I think the author handled all these really heave topics exceptionally well. I'm even more surprised it was a male author writing a female character in a queer relationship so well! Seriously, Matt King nailed it, in my opinion.

So why only four stars?

What was missing, for me, was a little more explanation and a little more climax. There were some things that happened off-page and I wish the reader had gotten to be witness to those events. I feel like there weren't enough consequences for some character's actions, and the consequences that were significant were, again, mostly off-page. Maybe it'll be revisited in a future book, but since each book in this world can be a stand-alone, I just don't know. The climax felt a bit rushed and the resolution felt a little convenient. Remember, we have multiple Big Bads against our FMC, and one was tidied up in about 5%, and the other neutralized in about 10%. I wish the threat had been ongoing for a little longer, and then would have made it felt a little more weighty, which would help it be truly satisfying when Zoe wins the day. I also tend to like when wins come with a bit of a hit. I find it more satisfying when the heroine saves the day but its a tad bittersweet. There should be some loss, some kind of stakes, to help the reader feel invested.

Despite this, it's an amazing book, and one I won't hesitate to recommend. If you enjoy action, mystery, sci-fi, superheroes/superpowers, quantum physics (don't worry, it's not technical, we just stop time sometimes), and relatable FMCs who are far from perfect but have a strong moral compass to try to do what's right, even if it's hard, even if they're alone, even if it's scary, ya gotta read this one.

This was a quick and easy read! It moved fast and kept me engaged. While this said it was a stand-alone I probably would have benefitted from reading the others first just to have a better ground of the world building, but over all, I liked it! Very curious to see what Matt King gives us in the future.

You really don't need to read the other serie to read this books and im really happy about it because this was so good, like I went in it with no expectation and came out with a good book that 230 pages. Hell yes.

This is technically a part of a series, but can be read as a standalone. I definitely didn't have my reading experience hampered too much by not having read the other books, but I suppose I had to think about the world building and what was going on a little more than if I had read them. There is a little disclaimer at the beginning that tells you a few key points which was very helpful to just get that bit of context.
The worldbuilding as a whole I could've done with way more of! It was what kept me interested in reading this, as I didn't care for the characters (except that one side character who is in like three scenes, loved him), I loved the whole mysterious magical force of it all but a lot of the first parts of the book just didn't have much of this.
The pacing was a little strange, the beginning starts off slow-ish and then moves at a medium pace, and then things start happening left and right and characters start behaving wildly and it all got a little convoluted by the end. Some scenes or chapters felt a bit random, there's one where our FMC gets confronted by her past again but then its over immediately and not really spoken of again, little strange.

Matt King didn‘t create something the world has never seen, I‘ll be honest, but still I enjoyed Wraith very much! It was a lot more fast-paced than I anticipated and in my opinion there was room for more in-depth information the world and a few od the side characters. However, I simple had fun on this wild roller coaster and I guess there is a reason I read it in a single day! I especially liked how King portrayed the relationship between Zoe and her ex and Zoes mental issues. Kinds wanna read about her next adventure!

Wraith is a science-fantasy adventure, with a tinge of horror. It is a decently fast-paced story that neither overstays its welcome, nor ends too abruptly. Overall, I quite liked this book, but mainly for the science-fantasy and horror elements. It did a fine job of establishing the world in which the story takes place early on, and firmly situating our protagonist within it. While it starts inconspicuous, the somewhat uncanny ambiance is established from the beginning, as things seem to be going too well for Zoe. The uncanniness only increases as Zoe's bond with Gemma deepens.
This relationship between Zoe and Gemma (her boss) is very well executed in my opinion, although it does feel like Zoe trusting Gemma happens way too quickly, especially considering Zoe's history of domestic violence.
The portrayal of Britt, Zoe's abusive ex, on the other hand, felt far less refined. Her behaviour, especially towards the end, felt almost comically overblown. I'm sure there are abusers out there who act like this, but that didn't stop the character from feeling out-of-place. Britt's past behaviours, as described by Zoe, are far more realistic and did contribute a lot to the eerie feeling of the story, but by the time Britt actually appears, she's already moved beyond that into unbelievability.
I've read far too many books recently that had lackluster or straight up infuriating endings, but this one was thankfully not one of them. It was a bit on the shorter side, but overall made for a nice conclusion that was actually kind of heart-warming. I do wish it had been explained why Cedric called her Wraith, and what happened to the adult Amaryn after Zoe unfroze her, but those are pretty minor gripes, all considered.

Unfortunately I didn’t love this book, don’t get me wrong the writing was fabulous and I liked the characters however I found it difficult to follow and found the storyline forgettable, i pushed through hoping to enjoy the book as I loved the writing style and the concept was really interesting to me, the storyline however just fell flat for me.

Not like anything I’ve read before! Moves super quickly. Struggled a little with the writing style but I enjoyed it once I adapted to it!

I haven’t read any of the authors previous works but this was for the most part easy to follow despite this!

I found this one was a little too weird for my liking. I don't know if its the writing style, the form of the novel or just then vibes were off but unfortunately, I didnt enjoy it as much as I thought I would. Might try it again later but for now its not for me

I received this book as an ARC through NetGallery and the published book may have been altered to what I received.

I enjoyed this book! It’s action packed with so much going on and strong FMC with a tortured past. Saying it’s fast paced is an understatement and I felt I was going too fast but it was still overall a good read.

- SciFi meets Mythology
- Standalone x Part of a trilogy

Well first off, wow… just absolutely amazing. From someone who has not read the entire series, I love that I was able to read this book as a stand alone and still completely understand what was happening and know each character. Second, Zoe is a badass and I love the representation of growing from previously abusive relationships.
This book was not what I expected it to be and gave me everything and more when combining sci-fi & mythology. Wraith was the perfect blend of the two genres while also delivering a truly strong fmc!

Thank you so much to BDA Publishing and NetGalley for the early release of this book! I am very grateful,

This book follows Zoe Daniel as she tries to move on from her abusive ex. She has clearly gone through a lot in her previous relationship and so moves to a new city and takes a new job to get away from her past.

At this new company, Valhalla, she works on uncovering the secrets of the mysterious “chaos.” From here, the plot picks up at a breakneck speed with lots going on. I enjoyed that the book was full of action and once it gets going it never stops, with something new happening every page. Sometimes however, it felt like some bits came out of nowhere although with the shorter page count a lot is packed in. Definitely a fast paced read and easy to binge.

Overall, knowing that this is book three of a standalone series (I had not read the others in the series before this) I would now like to check out the others after this one.

**Book Review: *Wraith* by Matt King**

Matt King's *Wraith* delivers a thrilling and high-octane ride, combining science fiction, action, and dark mythology into a gripping standalone novel that is sure to captivate fans of intense, character-driven stories with a supernatural twist.

At the heart of the story is Zoe Daniel, a woman seeking to escape her past and reclaim her life after leaving an abusive relationship. A fresh start brings her to Valhalla, a cutting-edge scientific institute that promises to unlock the secrets of human potential. While the promise of free coffee and a new beginning might seem like the perfect way to rebuild, Zoe quickly learns that Valhalla's experiments with a mysterious and volatile element called Chaos will change everything.

Chaos, a substance capable of granting dangerous, unpredictable powers to those who survive contact with it, is the center of Valhalla’s secretive research. Zoe, after an accidental exposure, becomes embroiled in a world she never asked for, gaining powers that defy logic and threaten to unravel her life even further. Her newfound abilities bring her not only into the crosshairs of those seeking to exploit her powers but also thrust her into a battle for survival against forces within Valhalla and the return of her abusive ex.

King masterfully blends elements of science fiction with deep emotional stakes and dark mythology. As Zoe struggles to control the chaotic powers within her, she also grapples with the need for answers—both about her own abilities and the truth behind Valhalla’s experiments. The personal conflict between reclaiming her autonomy and the external chaos that threatens to consume her is what propels the narrative forward, creating an emotionally charged experience for readers.

The novel’s pace is relentless, as Zoe is thrust into one high-stakes situation after another. The action sequences are thrilling, with King masterfully portraying Zoe's growing powers and the challenges she faces in harnessing them. At the same time, *Wraith* doesn’t shy away from the darker, more emotional aspects of Zoe’s journey. Her complicated past with her ex, combined with the pressure to uncover the truth behind Valhalla’s experiments, keeps her in constant turmoil, making her a relatable and deeply human character despite the larger-than-life circumstances she’s thrown into.

The mythological aspects of the story add an intriguing layer, with Zoe and the other characters uncovering the ancient, almost otherworldly origins of the Chaos element. As the narrative weaves through betrayals, mysteries, and shifting alliances, it becomes clear that the battle isn’t just for Zoe’s survival—it’s for the future of humanity itself.

Gemma Weeks, the enigmatic head of Valhalla, serves as an intriguing foil to Zoe’s character. Driven by the desperate need to save her daughter’s life, Gemma’s willingness to push the boundaries of ethics and science in pursuit of the miraculous highlights the high stakes of the story. As both a source of potential aid and a possible antagonist, Gemma's actions challenge Zoe’s moral compass and add an additional layer of tension to the plot.

One of the book's strengths is how King seamlessly blends the world of science and myth. Valhalla may be rooted in scientific ambition, but the deeper they delve into Chaos, the more they uncover about the ancient, supernatural forces at play. It’s a world where science and the supernatural coexist, and the monsters that threaten to destroy everything may not always be what they seem. The psychological tension between the scientific and mythical aspects of the narrative gives *Wraith* its unique flavor and keeps the reader engaged.

While *Wraith* can be enjoyed as a standalone novel, its connections to a broader world of complex characters and a shifting reality make it feel part of something much larger. King does an excellent job of creating a world where nothing is as it seems, and where every character has hidden motives that blur the line between right and wrong.

Overall, *Wraith* is a dynamic and fast-paced novel that expertly blends genres and themes. Zoe’s journey of survival, self-discovery, and control over her powers is compelling, emotional, and filled with twists that keep the reader hooked until the very last page. If you’re looking for a thrilling tale that combines the best of science fiction, dark mythology, and emotional stakes, then *Wraith* is a must-read.

Thank you NetGalley & publisher for this eARC.

First off, WOAH?? No way I gobbled this up in just one day??

I think I haven't read a sci-fi fantasy + mythology in awhile and the idea of this book was interesting. The pace was great, it manage to gripped you chapters by chapters as there is no rest for Zoe Daniel. The villain was no shocked tbh but nevertheless, I love how it turns out in the end.

Also, if there is a sequel to this, I will read it.

Fast paced and very fun read! I love the blend of mythology with Sci-fi. This is the first book that I've read in the series and will definitely pick up more now!

This book was so good! The writing was amazing: somehow serious and funny at the same time. The represenation with Zoe was so refreshing, and she was just so strong. The storyline was fast paced, but in overwhelming! I really enjoyed Wraith and can't wait to read more from Matt King, especially since I've read that all how the stories are in the same verse!