I’d say this story would fall into the magic realism - romance and fantasy category. Weaving a narrative rich with cultural depth and emotional complexity. However, it isn’t without its challenges, particularly in pacing and world-building.

The magic realism shines in its portrayal of a world grounded in our reality but interwoven with the fantastical elements of those with lion souls. The themes of love, identity, and destiny resonate, particularly through the dynamic between Eshe and Adeben as they navigate their shared dreamscapes and conflicting roles. It’s dual POV structure adds depth letting us see both sides of the central conflict, from Eshe’s confusion and vulnerability to Adeben’s duty and desire.

However, the execution of the world-building is a mixed bag. I found myself disoriented by unclear or insufficient descriptions at the beginning half of the book. This lack of clarity made it difficult to immerse fully in the story. That said, this might be more of a personal hurdle for rather than a shortcoming on the author’s part. Especially since I’m aware of my lack of familiarity with some of the geographical or cultural references presented.
The pacing is another area where the story falters slightly, particularly at the start. The slow buildup might challenge to immediately immerse in the story

Ultimately, this book is an enjoyable read, especially for fans of magic realism and romance. Its strong female protagonist, diverse cast, and unique premise make it stand out. While it may not fully satisfy readers looking for fast-paced storytelling or richly detailed world-building from the outset, those who persevere will find a story that’s both thought-provoking and emotionally rewarding.

*4.5 stars rounded up

This first book in The Lion Souls Trilogy blends the vibes of the Nena Knight series with the magic of Raybearer & infuses its own unique elements, namely: lions!

The cover of this book is gorgeous, & I loved the lion/lioness artwork at the beginning of each chapter denoting the back & forth POVs of Eshe & Adeben. The emphasis on mental health & the role that emotions (chief of these being anger) play in the bonds with the souls of lions was thoughtfully written, & I really liked the importance that was placed on the relationships that Eshe has with her aunt & mother.

I hope that the second & third books in this trilogy are released soon, because I am very ready to see where Eshe & Adeben go from here, & understand more about their gifts.

Thank you to NetGalley & BooksGoSocial for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I had the honor to read this as an arc and I need to say that I am absolutely amazed. I really liked the storytelling and the world of the lions. Eshe is an amazing and strong women and I really liked her story. You can feel what she feels and watch her grow, while also falling a step back from time to time. The same with Adeben. It felt very realistic to have both of them struggle often with their feelings, emotions and their communication and provided a deeper connection to both of the characters. The idea and description of the lion soul is just amazing, I've never read something like this before. I don't want to spoil any of the story, so I can just say that I really enjoyed reading this book. Only at the ending I realized, that this book does not have spice, not even very romantic scenes. Normally, I need those in a book, but let me tell you, this book doesn't need it. In fact, it's better without. It would have crashed the story at some point, so I am thankful that it was not included.

I really hope, there will be another book soon, so I can continue this series. I just now there will be much happening and some mysteries from this book that were not answered will be revealed.