Lore of the Wilds was, sadly, a wildly disappointing read. The beautiful cover obviously immediately captured my attention and the plot sounded intriguing, but the execution was simply so lacklustre to me.

I personally feel like no aspect of this landed - be it place, time, motivation or characters, nothing seemed defined and coherent enough to make for a compelling story and compensate for the lack of quality in any of the other categories. The romance didn't connect with me, the setting and timeline was all over the place, the characters didn't really display any sense of coherency when it came to their personalities and motivations... ultimately, this was just a painful read that I should have put down when I first considered DNFing it, but alas.

That being said, I do think that there might be a target audience that would enjoy this. In light of the SJM craze, this might land with some fans of her work, especially considering the parallels that could be drawn. (Which is, honestly, another aspect that greatly disappointed me, but oh well, let's not get into that)

DNF's at about 30% of the way through. It just wasn't grabbing my attention but I know that there are plenty of other people out there that would absolutely love this book.

Thank you Netgalley and Harper fiction for my ebook in exchange for my honest review.
Enchanted library and Fae this book had me at the gorgeous cover then hooked me with the beautiful storytelling. Lore was an interesting character and I got caught up in the love triangle, it had me screaming the chemistry was high.
I love that this book had Fae the looked like me it made it even more of a special read I enjoy fantasy books but seeing representation in a fantasy world adds a unique experience for me a POC.
Amazing debut that ends on a to be continued, beautiful world building with intriguing characters I love that this is a book about books, magical libraries and enchanted books are one of my favourite tropes and of course enemies to lovers.
The level of spice is just right and I have purchased for my library and it will be on my recommendation list for the Fantasy reading group at Brompton library.

One of my most anticipated reads of the year, the premise sounded fantastic-the idea of stolen knowledge, finding the truthg about where you come from wrapped up in a POC romantasy story, but unfortunately this book was a mess.

For a book whose main genre was romance, there was absolutely no chemistry between the characters. The pacing of the novel was so fast that character development suffered. There was so much foreshadowing it became a chore to read this story when we were being told everything that was about to happen then when it happened we would have pages anf pages of Lore reviewing what just happened.

This book had so much potential but it needed a serious reworking and a lot more editing,

Lore of the wild
Fantasy
Analeigh Sbrana
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

• ᴇɴᴇᴍɪᴇꜱ ᴛᴏ ʟᴏᴠᴇʀꜱ • ᴍᴀɢɪᴄ • ʀᴇꜱᴄᴜᴇꜱ •

I have mixed feelings about this book.

I loved the world building and the magic system itself.

The pacing was mediocre and the last 10% or so really dragged for me. I struggled to keep reading, to be honest.

The characters themselves felt a bit underdeveloped. Other than Lore's passion for creating scents, I didn't really get to know much about her or her motivations, which was a shame. The side characters were ok, but again, there wasn't much information given about their pasts, their abilities etc.

Isla and Finn were actually my favourite characters but I think the best thing about this book was the magical library.

There was a love triangle but I didn't find it very compelling. Sometimes the chemistry wasn't quite there and the "brooding male fae" trope started to frustrate me. To be honest, I didn't really care who Lore chose.

The plot was ok but I never really got a clear idea of what direction it was going in. Lore was quick to make rash decisions without considering the consequences.

There was a surprising plot twist but it felt odd. There had never been hints to it or any other information that linked to it. It was very sudden.

I wasn't too keen on the ending. I didn't find it satisfying at all.

*Thank you to @Netgalley, the author, and the publishers for providing this ARC. This is my own opinion and an honest review, which I am leaving voluntarily*

This book was wonderful! Great world building, good magic system and a loveable main character. What more could you want?!

Recently, I had the pleasure of immersing myself in a captivating debut fantasy novel packed with adventure! The tale revolves around Lore, thrust into a world brimming with magic, Fae, and tomes, suddenly torn from her familiar life.

Witnessing her evolution and adaptability in confronting various, often daunting, circumstances was truly captivating. Lore's resilience and steadfast resolve to prevail, and ultimately assist her fellow humans in this unfamiliar domain, were genuinely inspiring.

While romance takes a backseat in this narrative, it doesn't diminish the robust fantasy elements that stand on their own merits. Nevertheless, I relished getting to know characters like Asher and Finn, as well as the diverse array of personalities Lore encounters on her journey.

The introduced magic system was particularly engaging. Discovering its intricacies alongside Lore was a riveting experience, avoiding any abrupt, overwhelming information dumps.

One aspect deserving critique is the pacing, which felt somewhat erratic. While certain sequences raced by with thrilling speed, others lingered in a slower tempo for extended durations, disrupting the narrative's flow.

Overall, this debut promises a compelling start to what I anticipate will be an enchanting series. I must also mention, the cover is simply stunning and profoundly impressive!

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for providing me the review copy!

First of all, I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Lore of the Wilds is a romantasy debut by Analeigh Sbrana in which we follow Lore Aleyemu as she has to work in an enchanted library for a Fae lord.
When you sum up the book this way, it sounds really nice and you might think that Lore has the dream life (because who doesn’t want to work in an enchanted library, am I right?), but in reality, it is not really the case. In reality, Lore is a human imprisoned in Duskmere, and after a natural disaster, she is summoned by a high fae to work in said enchanted library in exchange for the rebuilding of Duskmere.
I loved the plot and the whole cottagecore vibe of the book which almost makes it a cosy fantasy. The worldbuilding and magic system are really interesting to read about, although they can seem complicated at first. I struggled a bit with the FMC at the beginning because of some of her character traits, and I was confused by the love triangle because the two men feel like they are really similar. One downside about this book, and I agree with most of the reviews that I read, is that this book definitely feels more YA than adult and should have been categorised as young adult.

I highly recommend this book if you are looking for a diverse fantasy with a unique worldbuilding!

A charming, fast paced debut romantasy.

Lore of the Wilds follows our main character Lore, as she makes a desperate deal to save her family. When Lore’s human village is under attack by the fae, she agrees to leave the village in order to appease the fae. What the fae don’t know is that Lore is on the hunt for magic for her own.

This book had many positive attributes, including an exciting plot and a great cast of characters.

However, there were multiple things that let this book down.

First, the writing style is quite jarring for a fantasy book. It is pretty informal, juvenile and often phrases used feel far too modern for the setting of the book.

Secondly, this book has a real pacing problem. From the first chapter we are placed right in the middle of the action. Due to this, we have no background of Lore’s character. We don’t know why she cares about her village or why she cares about the relationships she has left behind. This makes it hard to root for the characters and their motivations.

Overall, I had an enjoyable time with this book and will definitely be picking up the second book in the series.

Thank you HarperCollins UK and Analeigh Sbrana for the opportunity to arc review Lore of the Wilds from Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Lore of the Wilds is a blend of romantasy, suspense, and an imaginative retelling of a diverse range of cultures' folklore that creates an action-packed adventure fantasy with a journey of self-discovery and identity at the heart of the narrative. This book can boast a very action-packed, twisty plot – it’s remarkable how much is layered into the plot of Lore of the Wilds. I did have to skip back a few times to remind myself of events and what was said.

Conflict resolution in Lore of the Wilds is simple with soft consequences, which I feel suits the build of all the wide elements features in the plot (it’s very jam-packed). There are a couple of plot events and twists that feature but seem to be left unresolved by the cliffhanger of book one, but I have theories that are foreshadowing clues of what is to come for book two.

The pacing is a little chaotic; the story trajectory of the plot and Character Arcs don’t beat in harmony in Lore of the Wilds. I found it a bit edgy and vibed with the context of the story – beating slowly in times of discovery and learning, before accelerating quickly to ramp up into action-packed danger mode as the plot shifts into more deadly territory. This might throw off readers who like the steady beat of cause-and-effect rhythm that is the basis of traditional storytelling.

The world-building is impressive – weaving a complex world of deadly secrets, hidden histories, and mystery against a rich, magical world created from various cultural folklore and mythology. The magic system is based on nature and drawing power from our connection to the natural world. I think Analeigh Sbrana brought to life a passion and deep respect for nature and the feminine elements of nature in the world. I ate this up as elemental/moon magic is one of my musts for a great fantasy.

I loved reading about the diversity of gender, race, and neurodiversity featured in the Lore of the Wilds. The inclusivity and acknowledgment of little difference added charm and depth to the story – from the haircare for Lore’s different hair types/curls and struggles of another character with the chaos and bustle of the world allowed the characters to leap off the page. Attention to these little specific details brought an extra layer of realism to my reading experience.

Lore is a tenacious, warm-hearted, and confident character who knows her boundaries and isn’t afraid to speak her mind for what she wants. Her character energy was delightful, and engaging and when the plot wobbled I kept reading to see her character growth, even if she could be a little naïve to matters of the heart.

I think the book blurb has an error when it states Lore is a ‘human woman willing to risk it all for a taste of power’. Her motivations have nothing to do with being hungry for power. Yes, she gains access to magical powers through the story, but at heart, she does everything to protect her people and her loved ones. Knowledge and curiosity might drive Lore, but I would not go so far as to say she is power-hungry, as the back of the book claims. I think this description does a disservice to Lore as a character.

The only criticism I have is that the romance was a little off-balanced. I think we might be better off calling it lust… the book reminded me of fresher’s week at university. Finally free of parents and home, meeting lots of new people, and a big bunch of wild hormones got everyone bouncing around like ping pong balls with lust, dilemmas of love triangles, and lots of drama. For me, this is exactly how Lore behaves with her attraction to her two male love interests, and reading it felt like listening to so many of those drunk confessions of my peers in halls of residence about love dramas.

An adventurous, fantastical read with a strong, BIPOC female protagonist and diverse character representation. I’ll be looking out for book two, with fingers crossed hoping for Lore to face a steep growing up curve and mature with more agency in her relationships in the next book.

This book showed a lot of premise and started out well. It was cosy and had really cottagecore vibes. I liked the idea and the scene it set, and felt there was a lot of potential.
Sadly it just didn't flow for me. The pacing was very up and down, and not for any apparent reason. It just felt a little clunky. Not bad, but definitely read like a debut novel. This combined with a slightly meandering plot made what should have been a quick read feel very long.
A personal note but the excessive use of "the male" and "the female" really took me out the story too. I don't mind occasionally but it felt constant throughout, as if there was no better word for the situation.
I didn't feel any connection to the characters, there was no oomph, and I found myself not invested in the love triangle as I just didn't care who ended up with who. Just needed a tad more depth.
Overall, not bad by any means, but really needed a little more polishing.

This book was wonderful! Great world building, good magic system and a loveable main character. What more could you want?!

Thank you for letting me read this book NetGalley and Analeigh Sbrana.

The basics of the plot are- Lore, a human woman (love her name), is thrust into a dangerous quest in a cursed library. Joined by Asher, a fae, they flee with a magical book tied to Lore. Alongside Isla and Finndryl, allies in bringing magic to humans, they navigate peril and romance, entangled in a captivating love triangle.

I really enjoyed this one. So much so, that I purchased a physical copy upon its release.

Lore of the wilds is the first installment in a new romantasy series. It's filled to the brim with all the best ingredients from the genre. Lore lives in a human village where no one can ever escape and where everyone fears the dark fae. Lore finds herself suddenly working for the fae where she starts to fall for Asher, despite all the repercussions she'd face.
This novel is a fun read. It was reminiscent of the whimsical narrative that Garber and Nisha J Tuli have. It takes the fae genre and sets it in a rather diverse world. I liked the characters, especially Finn. There were parts in the muddle where the pacing felt a bit slow but I'm still keen to see how this series continues. This is a good debut that kept me interested. I liked the new take on the fae genre.
Thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for providing an arc in return for an honest review.

I was so excited to read this one, the cover is gorgeous and the synopsis sounded right up my alley. Unfortunately I was left a bit disappointed.

From the start of the book I was pretty invested but my interest quickly waned and I found myself not really wanting to pick it back up.

I would’ve like more world building. I loved the cottagecore setting and the descriptions of the different Fae, but the story really only takes place in like two different buildings for the most part.

I didn’t find myself particularly attached to any of the characters. Lore was okay but I was more interested in a few of the side characters like Isla and Finn. I wasn’t a fan of Asher from the start.

Something I did really like was the magical library and the Grimoire, this was definitely one of the strongest parts of the book for me and I’ll be interested to learn more about them if I decide to carry on with the series.

The writing did feel very YA, which would be fine if this was supposed to be a YA book, but it’s not. There’s like one ‘spicy’ scene towards the end which really felt unnecessary tbh.

As for the romance, there does seem to be potentially two love interests, but based on the end of the book there’s an obvious choice going forward. The romance did feel a little under developed and I wasn’t really feeling it. I feel like they could’ve taken out the spicy scene and just marketed this as a YA book.

I did enjoy the end, although I have to say I did predict the plot twist quite early on so that wasn’t much of a shock. It does end on a cliffhanger that has me a little intrigued to read book two, but we shall see.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I can be very hit and miss with romance and that extends to romantasy. I am not a romance first readers o I need a romantasy to have a substantial plot aside from the romance/ smut. That said, Lore of the Wilds does do that. However this one was more miss for me than hit. I just could not get on board with the writing style. It's very much come out of the ACOTAR generation which is fine but for all that SJM is not an especially competent writer, she does have a knack for creating engaging characters and situations. Whereas this was a little thin on those aspects. Overall, this just didn't land for me.

Sorana’s debut novel, Lore of the Wilds is set in a world where the Fae rule and humans are subjugated to their rule and segregated from the rest of society. The cast of characters are primarily people of colour, which is a nice change of pace from much of the fantasy novels out there right now. At times the prose reads a bit YA which is why some of the more mature adult content was a bit jarring. I think the romance subplot could have been fleshed out more. This would have resulted in a longer book, but I think it’s necessary in this case!

Overall it was an enjoyable read! It is the first book in a duology and I will likely pick up the second book to see how Sbrana wraps up the storyline.

Let me just tell you, I am here for the vibes of this book - they were a big win for me. I also love the cover! It's giving cottagecore, fantasy romance and I am loving it!
Although parts of this did read as more of a Young Adult novel, I did still really enjoy the story. I feel like it was written with the ACOTAR girlies in mind and honestly, I'm not mad about that.
It was very enjoyable for a debut novel and after that cliff-hanger (!!) I am definitely picking up the sequel!

I always pick up a romantasy thinking this one will be different, but sadly this one wasn't. It definitely has an audience - if you're into SJM I think you'll like this. Unfortunately I just found it poorly paced, overwritten and zero chemistry between any of the characters.

3.75 stars. I did enjoy this book, the character relationships were interesting and emotive and the whole premise and overall plot I enjoyed. I did find the pacing a bit all over the place, sometimes it took ages for something to happen and other times it read a bit like an outline. I also think that some of the dialogue and the inner monologue felt a bit young for an adult book. Overall I enjoyed it and I would read the next one.