⭐⭐⭐.75

This book is a decent start to a series I'm definitely intrigued to continue! I loved the cover and the premise of the book and was not disappointed. I am an absolute sucker for books that include characters with extraordinary abilities and secret societies and The Nine: Origins combines both.

The magic system of The Nine is very well thought out and features a variety of abilities. The characters however felt a little flat at times and made it hard for me to bond with them. I really hope this will change with the second installment of the series and we will see some better character development.

This was a really fast read, everything is happening quite quickly and made the pacing seem odd at times. What I also did not enjoy as much was the kind of insta-love that happened between our protagonist Blake and Nicholas, and the later forming love triangle.

All in all, I really enjoyed this book though and cannot wait to read the next one especially after this twist and the promising ending!

*I got a free ARC through Netgalley, this did not influence my review*

I don’t really know how to rate this, because there was stuff that was really good and stuff that was.. not so good.

My biggest issue with this book was that there didn’t really seem to be a big plot? The characters just did some stuff and there was a small mystery that needed solving, but other than that, I don’t exactly see the point of this book.

There were also too many characters and they all felt flat.

I think this book would be better read if the entire series is out, so you can binge all of them, but it didn’t hold up as a separate book.

I thought that this was one of the most interesting books I have read in some time. I absolutely loved the magic system and the characters.

But the ending! I am so excited to see how the series continues and to see what the author has in store for all these characters,

Eighteen-year-old Blake Wilder has had the ability to see into the future since she was a child. She has usually hidden this ability, apart from her parents only her close friend, Scarlett, knows, but then a stranger called Nicholas Thorne appears & tells her that her ability makes her eligible to become a member of a centuries-old paranormal society, albeit one on the brink of civil war. Nicholas explains that there are many different types of abilities out in the world, he is has the ability of telekinesis, & that Blake's means that she can use her gift to help others, even saving their lives.

Things are complicated by her growing attraction to Nicholas, which seems to be reciprocated, & also to Jessie, an older guy who has the ability to speak to the dead & part-owns a club where those with abilities hang out. Blake is unsure who to trust & who she feels the most for, but when she receives a vision concerning a string of bizarre murders yet to occur, she learns that the killer is aware of her ability & wants to silence her for good.

I really enjoyed reading this. It's a great concept with the different abilities which range from telekinesis & necromancy, to empaths, those who can shape the material world around them & more. I thought the worldbuilding was rather good & the storyline flowed nicely. On the whole, I liked the main character, although her flip-flopping between her feelings for Nicholas & her attraction to Jessie was a bit tiresome. (I like Nicholas but I found Jessie a bit sleazy & off-putting). It looks like this might a long-running series but I am undecided on whether or not to read any more. Not because I didn't enjoy it & the ending to this one indicates that the ability storyline is about to take an intriguing turn, but I'm not sure I could take several books on the love triangle between Blake/Nicholas/Jessie. If you like that kind of thing & enjoy paranormal fantasy books, then give this one a go. I was pleasantly surprised.

My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Owl Hollow Press, for the opportunity to read an ARC.

Interesting premise, based upon a small group of people in society having paranormal gifts. The main character's story starts with an approach from a representative of 'The Nine' appealing to her better nature to support the ruling elite, against an apparent and dangerous challenge from others wielding the same range of gifts.

It progresses into a supernatural murder mystery where the protagonist is placed in a position of peril. I won't add any further spoilers!

As its a YA storyline, it's not particularly complex and rounds off in a bit of a rushed and shallow manner but it leaves space and scope for the story to develop in future installments. Hopefully the author will flesh out the holes, as its definitely a page turner that kept my attention.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for free access to the ARC.

4/5
I liked the story and the way the author introduced the reader to the world of the nine, and I thought the writing style made it easy to read.
Although I thought there were too many characters and name-droppings for one book, a lot of the problems were based on miscommunication which is a trope I don't super like, and I thought that Blake's reactions and emotional journey felt a bit too one-dimensional sometimes, I still think that this was a solid book and a great start for the series.
Also, I'm team Jessie, for some reason :'D

I really enjoyed this book. The writing style and genre were a perfect match for me and I couldn't put it down. The plot was interesting, pacing was perfect with no slow spots or unnecessary plot lines. It kept my attention throughout compelling me to keep reading more. Can't wait for the next one !

this book reminded me of the all six in that there were elements of magic, academia, and political struggles within that magical world. However, this book is not just a retelling of that same story it is significantly different.

Our main character, Blake, is trying to exist in her real life. She’s known that she has powers, but didn’t know anyone else, and didn’t know what to do about them; so, she’s just trying to act normal. Now, she’s at her first semester of school, and she starts to meet other people with powers as well, but no one seems to have the same experience as her. Her best friend, of course is somebody who doesn’t have powers, so they’re about relationship strains and dynamics of that time of the situation. Blake also seems to be incredibly powerful and he’s there for a very important, bargaining chip in a political struggle that she knows nothing about. Of course, there have to be to love interest sewer on either side of the power struggle which creates a love triangle as well.

I loved the characters that we were introduced to- every single one was so compelling and I couldn’t learn enough. I wish that the book was longer because I cannot wait for the second story. This is a world that I want to dive into and just learn everything about. This is a book for people who enjoy dark academia, magic, love triangles, complicated, friendship, and family dynamics.

For a book that is under 300 pages it really hits so many important topics, and I think it’s going to continue diving into those in future books- or at least I hope so. I can really see this being a book that booktok runs with because it has all of the ingredients for a fan, favorite franchise.

*Thank you NetGalley and Owl Hollow Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.*

Unfortunately, this book did not meet my expectations. The premise and cover were full of promise and immediately caught my eye. I was excited to learn about The Nine and the way the author would reveal this compelling story.

The story follows Blake Wilder who can see people's pasts or future. This gift usually makes a great narrator, since they can see more than the outside perspective. However, Blake was not consistent throughout the book. At first she seemed quiet, shy and self conscious, but her dialogue would then be more blunt and ferocious. Some could say that was character development, except there were no events to propel the contrasting behaviors.

The inconsistent dialogue and description of each character were so distracting. Warren, for example, is literally described as a "Skater Boy" with stereotypical physical traits. He forgets school supplies, semi-flirts with Blake in the first chapter, but a few chapters later, he politely asks, "May I sit here?" His dialogue continued to go back and forth between polite and stereotypical "skater boy." I saw this with every character, none of which had true depth. The only character that was intriguing and kept my attention because they had more dimension was Nicholas- and even his behaviors were so out of the blue by the end of the book.

Other readers mentioned that the transitions were strange and I have to agree. The chapters did not flow, the pacing was strange, and the author did not give me enough world building for me to genuinely feel attached. The story was very one-dimensional and I was hoping for a more complex storyline or at least characters with depth.

Blake Wilder is your average college student––hardworking and independent. But, she’s hiding a powerful secret: Blake can see the pivotal moments in people’s pasts and futures. After a premonition helps save a classmate’s life, she’s thrust into a paranormal society of people with similar powers.
But, the paranormal society is on the brink of civil war. Blake is forced to navigate the politics and alliances of the world with the help of Nicholas, the chancellor’s son, and Jessie, a club owner with his own self-interests.
After witnessing future murders, Blake must figure out who to put her trust in and solve the mystery before she’s next.
With an exciting concept in the paranormal YA realm, “The Nine: Origins” started off strong but floundered in the end. I had high hopes for this novel; nevertheless, the execution and minimal world/lore building were lackluster. The foundation was there for Trester to capitalize on and create something worthwhile. Still, alas, she focused more on the murder mystery.
Although the characters were likable, they lacked depth and growth. Nearly every character introduced fell into the stereotypical tropes that YA fiction is unfortunately known for. Blake’s chemistry with Nicholas felt forced, but on the other hand, her chemistry with Jessie was off the charts, in my opinion.
I had high hopes for “The Nine: Origins,” which could turn around for the remainder of the series, but this first installment was lackluster. There are growth opportunities for the characters and worldbuilding. Still, I can only hope Krester moves away from the worn-out tropes and adds some flavor to the world of “The Nine.”

It was so much easier not to feel anything after Mum died, but you're so bloody alive it almost hurts, and it doesn't scare me anymore.
"The Nine: Origins" has a good premise and a beautiful cover, both of which sparked my interest. I liked the concept of the nine gifts and wanted to learn more about what they looked like in practice and who would be able to use them.
Many chapters featured odd pacing, transitions and needed to be fleshed out more. Some descriptive terminology ranged from off-putting to awkward. The passages talking about a friend starving herself to get great curves and it being worth it or a friend being super jealous of the main character's fast metabolism - why? Was this really necessary? It only perpetuates toxic obsession with dieting and being thin. The description of Cindy and her boyfriend in Chapter 7 was judgemental at best.
Many of the characters lacked depth and reflected stereotypes. Because this book is a YA novel, I would expect it to be able to contend with other books within that category. Unfortunately, it isn't up to par with what we can find on the market.

I loved this book, and it was a solid start to the series! It is about Blake who is a voyant and has kept this fact hidden from almost everyone until one day someone appears in her life and introduces her to many others like her. This book is fast paced and gripping, and I could not put it down. There are loads of characters and dynamics at play which can be a bit confusing at first, but you honestly get used to it. I think this is the perfect autumn read to cosy up and read this October. This is a great book for those who are a fan of the atlas six! Thank you NetGalley and Kes Trester for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

The concept is very appealing indeed however I do believe that it can be developed in a more useful way. There are some elements that feel disconnected from each other, but despise of it the story on it's on is still great and has a lot of entertainment potential.

I really enjoyed this one. I’ve not read anything of this genre before but will definitely delve into the next book because there’s obviously going to be a series about all the different wonders of the Nine.

The main character was likeable, it was an interesting premise, there was an unexpected twist and I was left wanting more. What more could you want from a book?

Thank you net galley for providing me with a free copy of the nine: origims in exchange for a honest review.


As exciting as the beautiful cover and premise were the execution felt flat. My first complain is the writing, as the author often uses odd words to describe things. My second complain is the characters themselves feeling bland and more like ya stereotypes than actual human beings.

For as long as Blake Wilder can remember, she has had visions. Just one touch and she will be able to see your past as well as round the corner for you too. It’s something she has always tried to hide but when she gets a vision of her classmate dying in a car crash, she knows she has to intervene. This sets off a chain of events which lets her know she isn’t alone with her special gift. In fact, there is a group of nine different magical gifts. When Blake starts seeing visions of murders she feels she has to help prevent them…only the killer has seen her visions too .

Nine is short and snappy addition to the genre of YA fantasy murder mystery. I enjoyed learning about each of the nine gifts, particularly the real world examples of people who had specific gifts. That was a nice touch. I feel like this series would make a great film.

However, I struggled to engage with the book like I expected to. I think it’s because the novel lacked the world building I have seen in other books in this genre.. I wanted to know more about the school and less on the love triangle which felt a little cliched and also needed more of a slow burn to it. At points it felt hard to keep all tab of all the background characters too.

I won’t carry on with the series but I would probably recommend it to other fans of this genre, because normally the second book in a series like this is much better.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to review an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

This was an interesting read despite some clichés, there were, however, some things I simply can't get behind. The passages talking about a friend starving herself to get great curves and it being worth it or a friend being super jealous of the main character's fast metabolism - why? Was this really necessary? This literally brings nothing to the conversation. It only perpetuates toxic obsession with dieting and being thin. If the characters are supposed to be beautiful, thin, curvy - fine by me, but why word it in such a bad way? You could just say - she was thin. Still not an important detail for me, but far better than what we can find in the book. I highly suggest editing it in newer editions. The same goes for one really unfortunate comment about an attacker with a specific mention of him having dark skin. Again - why? I didn't really notice any attention being drawn to other characters' skin colour, so why must an attacker be dark skinned? This is not a good look. I would be interested in reading the next instalments, but I would really appreciate if such comments were removed.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing early access.

There’s nothing like murder to keep you up all night.

Thanks to Netgalley and Kes Trester for providing me with this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Ok people, this is Blake’s story, a girl with a special talent. She can see people’s future and past. One day like any other, she is attending her classes when had a vision of someone dying in a car accident. That day, she also met Nicholas, a random dude who suggested her to save this person. After that, a lot of things happened, like Nicholas telling her that there’s a mysterious super secret society of people with different abilities called “The nine”, and that him want her to join it. I won’t say a lot of more, just that this book is like an action movie.

And like action movies, in this book everything happened superfast, and I think it was my biggest problem with it. I didn’t have a lot of time to process what was happening and as Blake I was lost sometimes. But that doesn’t prevent the story from being so catchy since the beginning. All this kinda underworld with people with powers and fighting for power was really cool.

Another really cool thing was the characters, I really enjoyed reading from Blake’s perspective and how we’re learning about this world with her because she ended up involved in something that she didn’t imagine. Also, Jesse and Scarlett were my favorite side characters, they were amazing, and I'm hoping that in next books they appear a lot of more.

I gave this book 3.5/5 because I am not a fan of instalove and like I said, everything happened really fast. But the last chapter was amazing and I want to know what will happen next.

I have very mixed feelings about this book and thus, I've given it 3 stars.

initially, each chapter's ending felt very abrupt and there was no continuity. It definitely doesn't feel like a smooth ride and I struggled to keep up with it. On the other hand, It does get interesting after a while and I did like the ending. I am very curious about the sequels.

The world building was familiar and yet different. It takes some time to understand the different terms. One major negative note about the book was that I didn't feel connected to any character. Not the protagonists, not the side characters and not the villains. This could be because of the writing or it could be because they weren't interesting enough and I was very irritated with Blake in the beginning. Hopefully this gets better.

Thank you NetGalley and publishers for the e-Arc and this review is completely my own.
I really loved the premise of this book. I was instantly intrigued when I read the synopsis. The writing is simple and easy to follow but not in a way that takes away from the book; you can tell the author will grow stronger and more confident in her stories the more she writes. I read the book in one sitting and was really enjoying myself. The world-building was so descriptive and vivd that I could really picture the world that Trester has built. It was a bit melodramatic at times, but the majority of the book was pretty awesome. The plot is super good and really keeps you invested. I was sucked into this book and very intrigued by Blake’s journey with understanding her powers and the other members of The Nine. The cliffhanger was kind of predictable, but enough for me to know I’m going to read the second book when it comes out. It’s a fantastic beginning to a new series and I’m really looking forward to the rest of this world that Trester has brought to life.