Resonant is a debut novel that will scratch your itch for epic fantasy and stunning world building. Three main characters are called from their lives by a mysterious and divine summons leading them in an epic journey across vas landscapes and peoples. Jacobson creates an extensive and fascinating world of divided realms, arcane magic, gods, mythical weapons, and a mysterious summons to adventure. It reminded me of picking up The Wheel of Time for the first time.

The characters are unique with arcs that tackle themes of moral injury, faith, and values. There is action and movement with visceral fight scenes and character struggles.

There were points in the story where the pacing fell. Some chapters were explication and served world building and not necessarily pushing the plot or characters forward. This sometimes muddied the developing relationship among the characters as well as their overall individual development. I also sometimes found myself skimming paragraphs to move forward.

Overall, this epic fantasy will touch your longing for classic fantasy themes and ask you to reflect on difficult topics and themes.

I found The Resonant by Jeremy Jacobson to be an outstanding epic fantasy and my first time reading this author, and it completely exceeded my expectations. The premise felt fresh and ambitious, with a fascinating magic system and a world rich in history, prophecy, and conflict. The idea of a Firesong linking strangers across the realms created a strong sense of mystery from the very start.
I especially enjoyed the character driven storytelling, as Ranian, Elva, and Imebron were all forced to question destiny, power, and free will as the threat to the Five Realms slowly emerged. The themes of chosen ones struggling against fate, ancient warnings, and the cost of duty gave the story real depth alongside the epic scale.
With chosen one prophecy, ancient magic, multiple POVs, destiny vs free will, and epic worldbuilding, this will appeal to readers who enjoy The Way of Kings, The Name of the Wind, and The Priory of the Orange Tree.
A rich, thoughtful, and immersive fantasy that delivered both scale and emotion. I will definitely be reading more from this author as I could not put this book down once I started the journey!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. 📚✨

This was a really interesting story with a premise that you don't see to often. The setting was well done and the character work was top-notch. The magic system was very interesting and I really enjoyed this!

An epic fantasy where people resonate with a tune to know they’re special.

The magic has a great deal of depth and feels real and references to faith and belief systems or specific lifestyles (such as the Bell Maidens) felt realistic.

The pacing was a little off during the beginning of the book and between 60-80% of the way through.

I loved each of the main characters, each was distinct and had different motivations and character traits and I could tell the author had taken time to flesh out each of them.

I truly believe this could be a series to rival other great modern epic fantasy titles. I also loved the design on the cover art - a beautiful high contrast between the snakes and the background that immediately caught my eye.

*Review of an Arc Copy, thank you Netgalley and Bindery!*

A richly imagined debut for fans of classic epic fantasy.

Jacobson arrives with serious ambition — a vast, meticulously built world of divided realms, arcane magic, gods, and mythical weapons, anchored by three compelling protagonists drawn together by a mysterious divine summons. The themes are weighty and worthwhile: moral injury, faith, and the values we cling to when everything is at stake. Fans of Robert Jordan will find something familiar to love here.

The pacing occasionally stalls in service of world-building, and some chapters favor exposition over character momentum — a common debut pitfall in epic fantasy. But the foundations are strong, the imagination is evident, and the payoff is real.

A promising first entry for readers happy to invest in a richly layered world from the ground up.

'Resonant' is a high fantasy/ adventure that takes place in a shattered world divided into realms. There is magic, monsters and biblical influences throughout the book. Our main characters are called upon the gods for vague and mysterious purposes that typically involve saving the world in some way. We follow a lightborn scholar, an assassin and a hunter on there journey to essentially save/change the world in some way.

The plot this book is very interesting but I will say that it can be confusing sometimes but you get enough information to piece the world together.

The pacing is rather slow for the first half of the book but it was in no means boring. The second half was more fast paced, but i feel the book itself should've just been longer to help with building the character of Elva and others introduced in the portion in the book. Easily could've been another 100-200 pages to help explain or more naturally deliever the exposition in the second half.

I loved the characters, Ranian and Imebron being my favourites. There was a lot of character development for Ranian which was very enjoyable for me as he was my favourite. Sadly, Imebron didnt seem to be used as much, although he was super interesting I would have liked to see more from him. But assuming there will be a second book I look forward to more Imebron.

I see there is a lot of potential with this series, if there is a second book I would definitely be interested in reading it. I can the story developing in a very grand way and I look forward to more world building and what happens to our characters!.


For me it is 3.5 stars but rounded up to 4 because I can tell it will be a good series as it goes on.

From a Dune lover, this book hit the mark and completely exceeded my expectations! The world building was detailed and interesting, characters well thought out and dynamic. It usually takes me 50-100 pages to get into a high fantasy book due to all the background needed to understand the story, but I was drawn into this pretty quick! Satisfying, yet open-ended conclusion, there is so much more to unfold in this story and I will be following along, patiently waiting for the next book in the series.

Thank you NetGally for sending me this fantastic ARC!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Bindery Books for the advance copy.

This is an action-packed epic fantasy with multiple POVs. The story follows an assassin/spy, a hunter, and a powerful erudite bound together on a quest set by the gods to save their world.

The narrative starts a bit confusing, since it’s a complex and unique world, but the world-building is descriptive and gradually unfolds as the story progresses.

The gods choose those destined to save the world from an imminent danger through a song projected to everyone—yet only a few can actually hear and understand it. The chosen ones must begin a journey to fulfill this quest, with the details revealed little by little, leaving them to figure out what exactly they need to do.

The story really highlights the struggles they face, the weight of their actions on the future of an entire world, and the pressure of living up to the role they were chosen for.

I gave it 4.5⭐️ because it’s such a complex world, and sometimes very important information is delivered in a more random or subtle way, while less essential details are given similar focus. At times, this made me wonder whether what was being discussed was important or not.

However, it’s still an amazing, original, fast-paced story with complex characters that grow and evolve throughout. It also includes an incredible and unique magic system, rich in diversity and creativity. Definitely one that keeps you intrigued and makes you want to see how everything comes together in the end.

Thanx to Jeremy Jacobson and Bindery Books for trusting me with this ARC read .

Resonant is an epic fantasy that follows several characters whose lives begin to shift when they are drawn into something far larger than themselves. As an ancient threat grows and the wider shape of the world starts to reveal itself, the story explores fate, power, belief, and the choices people make when they are forced to confront a destiny they never asked for.

This book has so much of what I want from fantasy. It has a dark and steadily growing sense of danger, characters who must grow into their roles, and a story that balances personal struggle with a wider conflict. I also felt that the book was very well written. It does not take long to get a fairly solid understanding of the world, and both the magic and the religious elements are presented in a way that feels intriguing rather than overwhelming. At this stage, it feels like only part of that larger framework has been revealed, which makes me think there is still a lot more depth to come in future books.

One of the things I appreciated most was how readable the worldbuilding felt. The setting is clearly expansive, but it is introduced with enough clarity that I never felt lost. The same goes for the spiritual and symbolic aspects of the story, which add weight and atmosphere to the book.

My only real criticism is that some of the worldbuilding and religious symbolism felt a little too close to real-world associations at times. The contrast between the seemingly more righteous western kingdoms and the more rebellious or warlike eastern realm occasionally felt familiar in a way that pulled me slightly out of the story. Likewise, some of the religious imagery came very close to ideas and symbols that readers may strongly connect to our own world.

That said, this was still a very strong fantasy read for me. It is engaging, well constructed, and full of promise, and I would absolutely recommend it to fantasy readers who enjoy stories about fate, belief, and characters growing into difficult roles. I really hope we get a sequel soon

Resonant by Jeremy Jacobson

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for providing me with an eARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own, this is my honest review!

Resonant by Jeremy Jacobson was an absolute delight to read. Jacobson crafted a cast of incredibly interesting and importantly divergent characters all working towards a common goal). The world building was incredibly well done and honestly at this point I just want to read all about the lore of the Luminire.

Resonant is the term given to those called by the Firesong – a calling from the gods to embark on a divine mission to alter the fate of the world. In the first book of what plans to be a series, we meet three resonants. Ranian, a talented hunter who is paying for the sins of his father and tasked to hunt the “scaled” beasts; Elva, a silver bell warrior who is part of an elite order of fighters, spies, and assassins; and Imebron, a lightborn or luminire scholar who is part of a group of the most powerful people within their realm but who does not consider himself a fighter but rather is only interested in learning and studying. They are also accompanied by a handful of others as they embark upon their gods-given mission which really rounds out the story.

Each character is so different but also struggles with similar issues in different ways. All of them seem to just truly want to find themselves and establish their place in the world which feels true to them. This is compounded by the fact that their fate has now been chosen for them by being chosen by the gods as resonant.

The world-building is also incredibly interesting and I’m excited to read more about the realms beyond the main characters’ in subsequent books! I would like a deep lore dive please and thank you!

I would strongly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fantasy – especially those who enjoy the “chosen one” trope but are looking for a more unique take on it. I looked forward to reading this book every time I wasn’t reading it and didn’t want to put it down when I was reading it.

A huge thank you to the author, publisher and net galley for giving me the opportunity to read Resonant, it was truly a gem!

The prologue and first two chapters were so confusing that I almost set the book aside, and probably would have shelved it as “do not read” if it hadn’t started to become interesting by chapter three.

I actually read this right after finishing Baldur’s Gate 3, so in a way it felt like jumping straight into another adventure. Three characters are suddenly thrown together and sent off to face something they don’t fully understand, which reminded me of that same chaotic, “figure it out as you go” party dynamic. It was a bit disorienting at first, but also strangely familiar.

I gave this book 4 stars because it has a lot of potential. The world-building is quite fascinating, and 400+ pages didn’t feel like enough to fully explore it. If there is a book 2 (or a book 3, since this was two books in one), I would definitely consider reading it. The different POVs were also well executed.

One thing that really bothered me is that it’s advertised as a single book, but it's actually two books in one. I also felt that instead of repeating certain descriptions a bit too often, more focus could have been placed on developing the characters and showing their growth.

That said, the pacing wasn’t quite strong enough for me. I struggled at times to keep reading, and if I hadn’t been curious about how the story would end, I probably would have put it down more than once.

3.5/4 rounded up ✨

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy.

Resonant follows the merging of three characters stories as they are called by the gods to fulfill an unknown mission to save their realm from the evil bidding of the Adversary.

It took until 30 percent of the way through for the story to really get interesting as there was a lot of background information and the initial switch between POVs felt confusing and slow. However, the plot did eventually pick up and I felt myself become immersed in a powerful story about trust—both in others and oneself. The author also did an incredible job building out the world and character dynamics.

I will definitely keep my eye out for book 2, as I’m curious as to what really motivates the Adversary and where the Song will lead the resonant and their merry band next.

Rating 3.75 Rounded up

A world shattered into five realms by an ancient catastrophe known as the Sundering awakens to a long-dormant power known as the Firesong. Resonant is a story about fate versus free will, where being chosen can demand the ultimate cost of the loss of who you are.

One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its worldbuilding. Jacobson crafts a deep, layered, almost mythological fantasy setting that feels ancient, fractured, and alive. Each of the five realms has its own culture, power structures, and relationship with magic. The Firesong itself is a rare, almost mystical force. It’s mysterious, symbolic, and tied to emotion, destiny, and inner transformation. The world’s vast, ancient, and slightly enigmatic qualities make it profoundly immersive.

The story is character-driven, following three protagonists bound by the same central dilemma. Though chosen by the Firesong, none of them are willing participants, and each must grapple with whether to resist or embrace their fate. This moral tension adds a depth that elevates the narrative above typical epic fantasy: the internal conflicts feel as urgent as the external ones.

Resonant is not a fast-paced read. The novel dedicates significant time to setup, lore, and introspection, which can slow the momentum, especially early on. There are stretches where plot takes a backseat to atmosphere and internal reflection, but this deliberate pacing is rewarding. The novel excels in creating atmosphere, exploring character psychology, and presenting a unique, emotionally resonant magic system.

Overall, Resonant is a promising and emotionally resonant debut that prioritizes meaning over momentum. It lingers, not for what happens, but for what it makes you think and feel.

In this first foray into published books, Jeremy Jacobson presents a rich and intertwined story that explores destiny, free-will, fantasy and adventure that relies on sumptuous world building and arcane mysteries. The author builds incredible tension as a vaster plot of ambition, tough morale quandries and both a creeping sense of dread and expertly written action sequences. Interactions between characters from vastly different backgrounds, with their own heavy baggage lends this book a human depth that allows the reader to begin to understand their characterizations.

This book uses intense setting exposition, brilliant characterization and woven cultural histories in a way to that personally felt very well balanced with the fast moving and fairly action packed plot. It doesn't shy away from the hard questions of morality, what it means to take a life, those of animals or other humanoids and well as the pull and danger of mysterious and forbidden magics. Rife with secrecy and delicious backstories, the characters themselves provide distinct insights into important lines of thought.

Overall this is a book that encourages you to think on your own moral standpoints as well as throwing you headfirst into a whirlwind of magic and action that sticks with you even after reading. If you're interested in epic fantasy, the big questions and interesting character interactions, give this a go! I'm already hanging out for the next one!

A huge thanks to Jeremy Jacobson and Bindery Books for access to this ARC through NetGalley in return for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Thank you so much to NetGalley for letting me read this ARC and to the Publisher for giving me the chance to read this ARC! I really love when nature really is a character of its own and this book is exactly that! For fans of "Don't Let the Forest In" by CG Drews, this book is for you!

I can't get my head around the fact that this is a debut novel. Resonant is an immersive epic fantasy novel full of intricate, thoughtful world building and a unique premise. It was a very ambitious plot for a debut but Jacobson executed it flawlessly. This book had me hooked from the start. I found myself fully immersed in this vast world of realms, arcane magic, and gods. The three main characters are called by a mysterious and divine source that leads them into an epic journey. It felt so much like classic epic fantasy novels, with its rich prose and extensive worldbuilding. Big The Wheel of Time vibes! It tackled complex themes of moral injury, faith, and the core values we cling to when everything else in our lives is at stake that deepened the respective, unique character arcs. The fight scenes , and action aspects in general, were amazing too. There were some times where the pacing stalled a bit due to favouring world building over plot and character development but the foundations were extremely strong, especially for a debut. Overall, this promising debut epic fantasy is perfect for those who long for classic fantasy novels!

Reading Resonant felt like tuning into something just beneath the surface, something you cannot quite see but can definitely feel. There is this quiet intensity running through the story that slowly pulls you in and keeps you there.

What stood out to me most was the emotional depth. It is not just about what is happening, but about how it affects the characters internally. Their thoughts, their struggles, and the way they process everything around them make the story feel very personal and immersive.

There is also a thoughtful rhythm to the writing. It gives space for reflection, allowing certain moments to linger instead of rushing past them. That made the experience feel more meaningful, like you are meant to sit with the story rather than just move through it.

By the end, I felt reflective and a little moved. It is the kind of book that quietly stays with you.

Resonant is one of those novels that immediately feels like the opening movement of something much larger. Jacobson crafts a story with the scope and structure of classic epic fantasy—more in line with Sanderson style plotting and worldbuilding than romance driven narratives—focusing on characters pulled into action and bound together by circumstance rather than by romantic entanglements.

One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its diverse cast of characters, each with distinct skills, magical abilities, and personal motivations. This creates a dynamic cast that feels ripe for deeper exploration in future instalments. Jacobson also threads moral dilemmas through the narrative, adding nuance to the characters’ decisions and giving the story a thoughtful edge beyond the action.

The pacing begins on the slower side, but once the plot gains momentum, it moves with purpose. This is very much a plot driven fantasy, and while the worldbuilding has clear potential for expansion, Jacobson wisely avoids over describing. Instead, the book leaves enough space for readers to imagine and shape the world themselves.

Some characters shine with the promise of rich backstories, while others feel slightly overshadowed by the pace of the plot. Even so, the groundwork laid here is strong, and it’s easy to see how future books could deepen these arcs.

Overall, it’s an impressive debut—one that will appeal to readers who love ensemble casts, magic infused quests, and expansive fantasy worlds. It’s absolutely one to watch for fans of epic fantasy looking for a new series to follow.

Jacobson has created a really rich world in Resonant. The lore and inciting incident are strong, meaning I was engaged early on, and there are moments where the story really shines, especially when it leans into how the characters’ strengths complement each other. Jacobson clearly has a vivid imagination and a knack for creating atmosphere.

That said, the pacing can feel uneven at times, and some sections feel rushed. A few characters also could have benefited from deeper development, as their motivations occasionally felt underexplored, but I’m hoping this could be built on in the next book, and that Jacobson will fully deliver on all the potential set up early on.

Still, Resonant is an engaging read with enough originality and intrigue to make it worthwhile, particularly for readers who enjoy dramatic fiction with in-depth backstory.

Resonant is the kind of fantasy that feels ancient, mythic, and deeply introspective. Set in a world fractured into five realms after the Sundering, the story follows three strangers who are unwittingly drawn together after hearing the mysterious Firesong. A force tied to destiny, power, and something far greater than themselves. At its core, this is a story about free will, faith, sacrifice, and whether being “chosen” is truly a gift.

The lore feels immersive, with each realm carrying its own identity, history, and relationship to power. There’s a very atmospheric quality to the writing that makes the world feel old and lived in. The magic system surrounding the Firesong was especially interesting because it feels emotional and symbolic rather than purely mechanical.

The story spends a lot of time building its world, themes, and characters before the larger plot fully unfolds. While I did find myself confused at certain points, I was still intrigued enough to keep going because the ideas behind the story were compelling. I would’ve loved a little more development across the board to deepen the emotional connections between the characters and their journeys but the second half picks up significantly and left me much more invested in where the series could go next.

Resonant feels like the beginning of something much bigger. It’s a thoughtful, atmospheric fantasy that prioritizes themes and character introspection. I am curious to see where the next book goes.

Thank you so much Bindery Books, Jeremy Jacobson, and NetGalley for the #gifted earc.
All opinions are my own 🖤

Jacobson delivers a classic, plot‑driven fantasy that has beautifully rich world-building and a cast pulled together by circumstance.

Each character brings distinct abilities, motivations, and internal conflicts, giving the group real depth. A few get slightly overshadowed by the plot’s momentum, but the groundwork for future development is strong.

The emotional undercurrent of faith, purpose, and moral tension woven quietly through the narrative added weight to the journey and lingers after you finish.

For a debut, this is ambitious, immersive, and full of promise. If you love ensemble casts, magic‑infused quests, and classic epic fantasy, Resonant is absolutely one to watch.

This book is the epitome of “trust the process” - while the beginning may seem a little confusing, it’s just a smart execution of laying out world building. From the start, the characters are well-developed and their compelling motivations carry them through the story. I always love multi-POV, so that worked well for me. This book definitely doesn’t pull its punches, right from the beginning - it has teeth! Thank you to Bindery and NetGalley for this ARC.

This novel was delightful. Character driven, with moral tension and a shared dilemma that unites the protagonists.
Time is well spent on world building, and this is a real strength of the novel. The time taken to set up the lore is this novel initially seems to slow down the pace of the story, but this instead creates a memorable atmosphere and rich backstories that create a truly dynamic story.

I can't wait to read more from this world.

Resonant feels like the opening movement of something much bigger. There is a quiet intensity running through it from the start, like you are tuning into something just beneath the surface, and it slowly pulls you in without you even realising.

This is very much a classic, plot driven epic fantasy. Think Sanderson style structure with strong worldbuilding and characters brought together by circumstance rather than romance. It gave me real Wheel of Time vibes, but still felt like it was doing its own thing.

The cast is a real highlight. Each character has their own abilities, motivations, and internal struggles, which adds depth to the group dynamic. Some do get a bit lost in the pace at times, but the foundation for future development is very strong.

What stood out most for me was the emotional depth. It is not just about the journey, but how it affects them. Themes around faith, purpose, and moral conflict give the story a thoughtful edge that lingers.

The pacing starts a little slow and occasionally leans too much into worldbuilding, but once it finds its rhythm, it really works. I liked that it gives moments space to breathe rather than rushing through them.

I honestly cannot believe this is a debut. It is ambitious, immersive, and sets up what could be a really strong series.

If you love classic feeling epic fantasy with ensemble casts and magic infused quests, this is definitely one to watch.

I firstly want to thank NetGalley and Bindery Books for granting me access to this amazing ARC.
I went in not really knowing what to expect and was absolutely blown away! I thoroughly enjoyed this read and will definitely be adding it to my re-reads when I grab the physical copy.
The story follows three individuals: Ranian the hunter, Elva the bell maiden, and Imebron the light borne scholar. Whose lives change when the Firesong passes through them. A Firesong that has not been heard in millennia. What does it mean? It means that immense danger is approaching and a resonant has been sounded, and three strangers need to abandon everything they know and do to fulfill their calling to protect the realm?
As I started reading, I honestly had no idea what this book was about and soon found myself engrossed with the pages. I haven’t read much with this style of fantasy, so this was a little introduction to it, and I loved it. This is the start of what I am assuming is a series and is only the beginning; however, it was full of action and character development, and the world-building was so vivid and in-depth that I felt like I was there through the terrain and scenery. As the story begins with Ranian as he ventures through the swamp to slay a scaled beast, I was already sucked into the world. The fact that these monsters are reptilian creatures made for an interesting and intriguing concept that really sold me on this book. While the villain is represented as a ruthless and controlling godlike regime that holds authority and dictates everything, serving as an oppressive systemic antagonist, I really like the idea of this being represented by scaled beasts. These beasts really gave me the creeps and added to the overall experience of the book. As you follow the heroes through the pages, you get to know just how diverse and unique each character is. Starting with Imebron, who is a lightborne scholar and one of the most powerful characters in the book, as his people hold immense power and influence. He starts off as a prickly character and somewhat above his peers, but as you get to know him, he is a vital part of the team and a great character within the book. Elva is a bell maiden along with her sister, who is trained in the art of being a skillful assassin, fighter, and spy, and is part of a secret elite team. She is a friendly soul and highly intelligent. She comes off as openly friendly and shows an interest in the different people she speaks with. However, she is trained to do so as she is always gaining information to use and to gain a better understanding of the person she is speaking with. She is deadly in her skills, even if she doesn’t look like it. Lastly, Ranian, a hunter paying for his father's sins, works off the debt by hunting scaled beasts. He is quiet and keeps to himself, not wanting to burden the others as he is much younger than they are, with less experience. He feels like he has to prove himself, and that gets in the way when danger arises.
Together with their helpers, they trek to where danger is imminent. As they go deeper into their journey, they must choose between saving the world or choosing freedom.
I cannot wait to dive deeper into the lore and world-building further when more books come out, as I truly enjoyed all aspects of this story.
I highly recommend this to anyone who loves fantasy and enriched world-building with unique characters and plotlines. Thank you to the author for such a fantastic journey in Resonant.

The Resonant was unlike anything I have read before, Jeremy Jacobson threw me into with new cultures, customs and characters that immediately drew me in.

It follows 3 characters Imebron, Elva and Ranian as they are called to an Unknown quest by the Legendary Song of the Phoenix, They must each decide if the Quest is worth the price of destroying who they thought they were at their core and forcing them to do things they never imagined they would have to.

The POV changes every chapter and I found this really kept me intrigued and I was always excited to read the next character position. With lots of interesting and funny side characters that had me laughing out loud this was a brilliant debut novel and I can’t wait to see what he publishes in the future.

Resonant was an amazing entry point to a world of magic, gods, and mystery. We begin with characters who have (fortunately or unfortunately) been called via Phoenix song to an eventual destiny- these characters come from all over the map (literally and figuratively) and really have to figure out a good way to work together in the face of death/sabotage/general difficulties of co-existing. All of the characters were very different in terms of skills and personalities, which made for refreshing point of view changes from chapter to chapter. My personal favorite character was Ranian- I liked his observant style, and felt a bit bad for him since he is the youngest character out of our traveling group. He really seems like he's simply trying to figure himself out in terms of who he is as a person and as a Resonant, and the other characters do get after him a bit for being young! The plot of this book was also well mapped- it was definitely a journey story, but there was enough interesting (and genuinely frightening) parts that it kept me reading until the end- I wanted to know what happened next and how they would deal with it. The questions of destiny and what is the "right" thing to do were so compelling in this book, and I can't wait for the next installment to see what happens next! Many thanks to Bindery Books and NetGalley for this ARC!

The writing feels immersive without being overly complicated, and the characters come across as believable and layered.

What stood out most to me was the atmosphere, there’s a quiet intensity throughout the book that keeps you engaged even during the slower moments.

If you enjoy character-driven stories with emotional weight and a subtle but compelling sense of tension, Resonant is definitely worth checking out.

Resonant was a solid 3.75-4 star read for me. The strongest part of the book was definitely the characters. They felt well developed, and by the end I genuinely cared about them and their journey as if I were part of the adventure alongside them. One thing I especially appreciated was seeing how much growth many of the characters experienced throughout the story.

Elva grows into her role as a leader through the challenges and battles the group faces, gradually learning to trust her fellow Resonants instead of relying entirely on her older sister, Bail. Bail also experiences meaningful growth as she learns to trust Ranian, the young hunter, and begins opening herself up to outsiders and accepting them as part of the team. Ranian himself felt believable as a younger character trying to figure out who he is and what kind of person he wants to become, learning when he needs to adapt and change.

Even the supporting characters felt thoughtfully developed, which made it easier to care about the larger group as a whole. Characters like Abithar added meaningful representation, while Areth and Ylkonis stood out because of how strongly they believed in the cause they were fighting for and the loyalty they showed toward their new companions.

The scenes were vividly written and easy to picture, which made the world feel immersive without becoming overwhelming. I also think this would be a great introduction to epic fantasy for readers who are newer to the genre. The scope and world-building are approachable compared to a lot of larger fantasy series, which made it easier to settle into the story and connect with the characters.

What held the book back for me was the way some of the world-building information was delivered. At times, characters — especially the scholar-type characters or newly introduced ones — would suddenly explain large amounts of lore all at once. Some of these sections felt more like information dumps than natural conversation, and because so much information came so quickly, it was difficult to retain all of it or understand why it was important in the moment. I found myself rereading certain paragraphs to keep track of the details.

That said, there were also moments where the world-building was woven naturally into the story, and those sections worked much better for me because they felt connected to the characters and plot rather than explained separately.

One thing that changed my perspective while reading was realizing that this book is part of a series. I actually didn’t know that until I was about halfway through. Once I understood that this was only one part of a larger story, it became easier to accept that both the readers and the characters were not meant to fully understand everything yet. By the end, it’s clear this book is setting up a much larger tale.

Even with some frustrations, I’m still interested enough to continue the series. I want to see where the characters go next and how the author develops the larger storylines moving forward.

Resonant by Jeremy Jacobson is the classic, mythic epic fantasy that will make you feel like a scholar studying ancient ruins. It follows three complete strangers—a hunter, a bell maiden, and a student. Suddenly, an ancient telepathic melody called the "Firesong" shudders through their minds and links them together. The world-building is giving massive, lush, and deeply lived-in vibes. Instead of immediate action, it takes its time weaving a super immersive, slow-burn plot about whether the "chosen ones" actually want to be chosen. It's deep, it's introspective, and the magical lore goes incredibly hard.