A unique atmospheric read, taut with suspense and high-energy.

I really enjoyed the unique world-building and atmosphere within Symbiotes. Each member of society must choose a symbiote to bond with from a pre-approved selection provided by the committee that rules the town. Each symbiote provides a benefit to the community, such as providing the substance for their lights (glow lamps) or growing vines of various thicknesses to stabilize buildings as they're built.

The characters were full of life and feelings, reacting to the various events in believable ways. No character felt flat or two-dimensional.

The pacing was steady and continuous - the main protagonist Sora encounters problem after problem, resolving one just to find herself in the midst of another one. I thought at first it meant the story was going to move too fast but winded up being just right for the plot to develop.

A delightful and intriguing read based on the unique story-building.


Thank you for the e-ARC from Netgalley and Ringtale Publishing.