3,5⭐️ thank you to netgalley and the author for the ARC! I had a hard time at the beginning but halfway it started to flow and the twists at the end left me floored. it is rather rare nowadays that I don't see the twists coming so that was fresh! there was a little bit of Handmaid's Tale vibe at the beginning and Hunger Games in the Rite itself! I enjoyed it and would like to read the other to finish this duology🙂‍↕️ the names and world building were sometimes confusing but it just took some getting used to. Some of the characters and relationships also felt a bit distant (they've known each other for like a day so it can't be that deep) but I enjoyed the characters and the nature almost folklore vibes! overall very solid and fast paced story!

I was skeptical going into this book. The first few chapters just weren't doing it for me. But things slowly started picking up, and by the middle I didn't want to put it down anymore. The world was unique. The monsters were unique (some of them I'll never forgive). The plot was fantasy with a dash of dystopia. And I'm a sucker for a good trial/competition situation. This met all of that and then some. I can't wait for the second one!

Short Summary:

🩶 Braya escapes her role as a sacrifice to the gods only to be thrown into a deadly game of survival with a select group of competitors. Alliances are forged and broken, trust is earned and lost, and Braya must decide what outcome she truly wants for herself and the future.

Best Parts:

⛰️ Braya's resilience
⛰️ Plot layout
⛰️ World-building

Worst Parts:

⛰️ Sayleth (little bitch)
⛰️ Nuinn and her cronies
⛰️ Mandalins

The Rite of Radnick had a lot going for it—gods, betrayal, found family, and one of the most brutal punishments I’ve come across in a while. The concept was solid, especially the contest Braya is forced into under an alias. The worldbuilding, politics, and magical beasts all hit the mark, and once the plot kicked in, I was hooked. It gave me echoes of some of my favorite fantasy reads, which is always a win.

That said, it took a bit to settle into the writing, and I never fully connected with Braya. She felt a little distant, which made it hard to get emotionally invested.

I did enjoy the action and pacing during the Rite, but things moved so fast, I barely had time to process when characters were injured or killed. Overall, it was entertaining!

The Rite of Radnick has a lot going for it—Tara O’Toole’s writing is atmospheric and often beautiful, and the world the author has created is rich with eerie, folklore-inspired detail. It’s the kind of setting that sticks with you.

That said, the story’s pacing is uneven. The buildup was slow, and when the big moments finally arrived, they didn’t always feel as impactful. The plot sometimes felt a bit scattered, and the character development—especially for the supporting cast—didn’t quite land for me. It was hard to stay fully connected when motivations and relationships weren’t fully fleshed out.

Still, there’s real potential here. Readers who enjoy slower, mood-driven fantasy might find plenty to appreciate, and there’s a lot of room to grow in the next book.

In "The Rite of Radnick", Braya finds herself the unlikely contestant in the eponymous competition to identify the next generation of divine leaders. But as one of Gaia's chosen, girls who have the ability to harvest the power of their world's magic source, Braya's destiny was always to sacrifice herself for the good of her country. In her search for the freedom to choose her own path, she falls into the upper echelon of society, navigating complex political relationships and learning more about what the Elders have kept from her and all the other women who have given their lives so freely to Gaia.

This book has good bones--the lore and the magic system seem unique and interesting, clearly with many secrets yet to be unraveled later in the series. The political machinations of not just the society she finds herself in during the Rite, but also lower in the Dregs and in the sect, made me want to keep reading as well. The realizations near the end complicate these even more, so I'd be interested to see where the second book takes this. And you know I can't resist a ragtag group of friends or companions, and I definitely got that vibe with Daemon, Heyden, and Marissa. While I'm not sure we'll get the same grouping in book two, I'm hoping this won't completely disappear in book two.

Unfortunately, this book needs a bit more editing for me to really like it. The first half dragged on for me, and I wasn't invested until about halfway when conflict began branching out beyond the sect. Much of the world building relies on fantasy tropes that aren't developed enough in places, so seem like attempts to lure an a certain type of audience into reading it (and it certainly worked on me). The competition, the love triangle (maybe?) with the blond-haired love interest and the dark-haired love interest, the omnipresent war, the secretly badass heroine who despite living a cloistered life had time to carry out combat and weapons training with her sister who was similarly busy working in the factories. I liked the flirtation she had with the man she eventually finds a connection with in this book, which made for some fun banter. However, I didn't feel like where their relationship ended up before the final twist of the book made much sense for the trajectory established for the reader. It all seemed too quick and too unrealistic, not only to her character, but just how first relationship for young people usually go. Beyond the plot, there were some distracting sentence fragment patterns, some issues with parallel structure, and some undeveloped dialogue that made the reading experience a bit confusing and frustrating at times for this reader.

I really like the concept of this book and wonder if this will be a stronger series in book 2 whereupon in rereads I can just skip to the halfway point of book 1 to recap. I'll likely read the second as I'm intrigued with how this book ended, but this book on its own just wasn't for me.

The Rite of Radnick seems to have all the ingredients I usually look for in a great fantasy read - action, adventure, betrayal, romance, and a strong female lead. While I enjoyed it and those elements were definitely present, the book didn’t fully come together for me as something I’d call a standout in the genre.

I enjoyed following Braya’s story overall, though I had a hard time connecting with her - and, honestly, with any of the characters. Braya didn’t always feel consistent or particularly likeable, and some of her decisions were frustrating. The writing at the start felt patchy and a little hard to settle into, but things started to click more around the 25% mark once the world and story were more grounded, we moved away from the sect, and the pace picked up.

One slightly amusing (and frustrating) element was how almost every new male character was young, hot, and a potential love interest. Because of that, when the actual love interest appeared, I didn’t realise he was 'the' one until well into their arc. The concept of the Rite - a deadly, magical contest Braya enters under duress, and under an alias - is intriguing, and I liked the worldbuilding, deadly creatures and politics. But events moved so fast that I never had time to really care when characters were injured or killed. I would've preferred less time in the earlier stages of the book in order to spend more time during the Rite.

The Rite of Radnick is an entertaining read. There’s definitely something missing for me here, but I’m still definitely curious to see how the story wraps up in the second book.

This is a 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 stars for me.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Tara O’Toole for the ARC. This is my honest opinion.

The Rite of Radnick delivers a sharp, immersive fantasy with stakes that never stop climbing. From the very first chapter, Braya’s voice pulled me in—fierce, flawed, and desperately craving freedom in a world built to crush it. O’Toole crafts a theocracy brimming with tension and control, and it makes every act of rebellion feel electric. Braya’s journey is layered with danger, grief, and moments of raw humanity that kept me turning the pages late into the night.

The competition at the heart of the novel is brutal, filled with characters who are just as dangerous as they are compelling. No one is quite what they seem, and the betrayals? Sharp enough to draw blood. I loved that even the side characters carried weight—each one with personal stakes and secrets that added depth to the world. It’s a story about resistance, sacrifice, and forging your own destiny even when the odds are designed to break you. If you enjoy dystopian fantasy with high-stakes quests, layered world-building, and heroines who won’t go quietly, this book absolutely belongs on your shelf. I’m already counting down the days for the sequel.

This book manages to put a new spin on fantasy, while maintaining the magic and adventure the genre is known for. I also found the world-building in this book to be extremely believable and well done. Ultimately, I did enjoy The Rite of Radnick, and will be seeking out the second book in the series. That being said, it took me a while to get into the story, and I didn't love the author's writing. 3.5/5 stars, Would recommend to others.

Thank you to netgalley, the author, and publisher for this ARC, looking forward to reading O'Toole's next book!

From page 1, The Rite of Radnick enthralls and immerses, creating a poignant, powerful story and an emotional, righteous ride within the corrupt, patriarchal world that seeks to cage our heroine, Braya, magically adept and thus chosen to be sacrificed for the good of her people.

With inspiration drawing from Greek mythology, heavily featuring a religious ideology in the name of Gaia, goddess of the Earth and mother of life, Tara O’Toole beautifully crafts a wholly unique, layered, and connective world, one full of rot and hope in equal measure.

The writing is beautiful, captivating, and alive. It is full of powerful thematic exploration, and an imaginative, yet grounded narrative full of monsters, unrealized magic, and biting social commentary. Like the best dystopian fiction, despite the nearly suffocating bleakness and entrapment, there is an underlying poeticism, emotional resonance, and unwavering spirited daring to challenge those who seek to keep us silent and small.

The romance is well-crafted and just present enough, offering a sense of connection, desire, and vulnerability, without taking focus away from bigger things happening such as the main character’s personal journey, the bonds of sisterhood, and revelations of an unbalanced, corrupt world.

Despite every attempt to break her into submission, our resilient heroine, Braya, is an admirable survivor, an uncompromising dreamer, and one who loves and fights fiercely for those who matter most to her. As things escalate and more is revealed, particularly revealing the treachery, manipulation, and lies around everything she has ever known, she goes on a journey of re-wiring her identity and connection with the world around her. Yet, she isn’t immune to the need to wear a mask, maneuver, and put everything on the line to to find her way back to her family and begin to chip away at the erosion that has long since poisoned so many.

The Rite of Radnick is a beautifully composed, exhilarating, high-paced adventure with incredible worldbuilding, exposing the danger of blindly accepting ones’ fate and the toxicity of religious extremism among highlighting the strengths that found family and personal autonomy can bring. I very much look for to reading the continuation of Braya’s story and what will come of her world in part II of the duology: Act of Ascension.

Contains:
Greek Mythology Roots
Allies or Adversaries?
The Bonds of Family- Both by Blood and Found Family
Forbidden Romance
Unique World Building and Magical Systems
Fight to the Death Survival Tests
Challenging a Corrupt World

Perfect for fans of:
The Grishaverse/ The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

Thank you to the author for reaching out with a review request and for NetGalley for the reader access.

The story definitely gives off Handmaid's Tale & Hunger Games vibes, but is still different enough to keep it interesting.

The book is well written and hooked me from the start. While there are many characters, none of them fell flat, and all seemed to have their own motives and secrets.

And, oh, the secrets and betrayals! While I saw some coming, there were a few that kept me on my toes.

All in all, this book is a great story of a broken society, of resistance and of found friends and family. I look forward to reading the next one!

Honestly I liked this book, the idea itself is quite interesting. For me the only problem was that I found the story a little confusing at first and it cost me to get into the rhythm. After getting into the rhythm, it turns out to be an interesting reading even in a somewhat captivating way!
I like the way this story is full of secrets, betrayals and sacrifice.

Readers who enjoy fantasy stories with a strong heroine will find a lot to like in this book. The world-building is decent and offers an engaging backdrop for the story.

But, it wasn’t quite the right fit for me personally. It feels like an amalgam of many popular YA elements (especially dystopian) and I found myself wishing for something a little more distinctive to help it stand out. I also had a bit of difficulty fully connecting with the characters, who felt somewhat underdeveloped to me at times.

Thank you NetGalley for the free copy of this book

This book surprised me! I did not know what to expect when I started reading, but I was immediately swept away on the journey with Braya as she fights her way to a better future for herself. This was such a unique story with complex, developed characters, and an interesting world/magic system. The story moved at a great pace, and kept me guessing and wondering what would happen next until the very last sentence. There was so much packed into this story without dragging or filler. I love even more that this book is part of a duology, and will be wrapped up when the next book releases! I can’t wait!

The Rite of Radnick” is a short, eerie, and atmospheric horror story that leans heavily into folk horror themes. It follows a mysterious ritual in a secluded village, filled with tension, dread, and cryptic traditions. The pacing is slow but deliberate, building a creeping sense of unease. The ending leaves room for interpretation, which adds to the unsettling tone.

Overall, it’s a haunting, ambiguous tale for fans of slow-burn, ritual-based horror.

3.75 ⭐️ / 5

The Rite of Radnick is a dark romantic fantasy that explores sacrifice, defiance, and class struggle through the story of Braya — a “chosen” vessel for the Goddess Gaia who rejects the fate forced upon her. Her rebellion leads to a brutal competition among the ruling elite, where survival means more than just staying alive.

The beginning is slow and somewhat unfocused, with world elements that feel slightly out of place and character choices that are hard to follow. But once the competition begins, the story takes off. The second half is fast-paced, full of twists, and nearly impossible to put down.

The world building is strong, the magic intriguing, and the themes powerful. Braya is a flawed but relatable lead, and standout characters like Heyden and Seyleth add real depth. Tara O’Toole’s writing is lush and immersive, pulling you in before you even realize it.

While not perfect, this is a gripping and emotional read with serious Hunger Games and Fourth Wing vibes. A strong start to a duology — and the next book can’t come soon enough.

The Rite of Radnick by Tara O’Toole

I was pleasantly surprised by this book! Once I picked it up, I couldn’t out it down. At one point I had my husband scolding me to go to bed because we both knew I needed the sleep. The magic and world system was so unique and the concept as a whole was so intriguing, and the plot twists? Judas. The ending? ARE YOU JOKING!? I stared at a wall for a sold ten minutes after trying to manifest book two to pop up because I wanted answers. So glad that Tara reached out and asked me if I would be interested in reading her book off NetGalley and man, it was worth it.

Feral Rating 4/5:
Spice Rating 2.75:

What you can find:
- Secrets & Prophesies
- Dystopian Vibes
- One Bird, Yes Bird
- Deadly Trials
- Strong Willed FMC
- Enemies to Lovers
- Unique Magic System
- TENSION
- Banter Galore
- Hidden Identities
- Touch Her and Die


My Muddled Summary:

She’s been here for as long as she can remember, ever since they tattooed the mark on her forehead displaying she was one of chosen. As a Chosen your life is not your own, you live and train to serve one purpose to enter a deep sleep at 21 and give your power to be used as Gaia sees fit. Catch is you don’t wake up, and Braya has never wanted this life, and as the eve approaches for the sacrifices to begin she makes a plan to escape or die trying. Little does she know this one decision will lead to more than she bargained for and very soon Braya is going to have confront the destiny that she knew was her’s to begin with. The question is what will she choose, and will she survive it?

This book was such an interesting experience. The first half felt like an extended prologue — slow and a little unfocused — and I wasn’t entirely sure where the story was going. But once the competition began, I was hooked. I flew through the second half in a single sitting and couldn’t put it down.

The worldbuilding was strong, and the intrigue kept me curious, though the references to Gaia and Nyx felt oddly out of place in an otherwise original world. The magic system had potential, but what really carried the story for me were the characters.

The FMC was flawed and resilient, and while her choices didn’t always make perfect sense, it made her feel human. Seyleth’s arc was more layered than I expected, and Heyden easily became a favorite — his loyalty and quiet strength really stood out.

Some moments, like the way character deaths were brushed over too quickly, felt a bit rushed, but the overall experience reminded me of the same addictive pull I felt with The Hunger Games and Divergent.

The last stretch of the book was packed with twists, and by the end, I was desperate for answers. I cannot wait to see how it all unravels in the next one!

3.5 🌟

Thankyou to the author for asking if I could read and review this book.

It was hard to get into the first part of the book and I wasn’t sure where it was going and to be honest struggled to follow along! But once I did get going I really got into it.

I was a little confused trying to understand some of the main character’s decisions and similar to other people who have reviewed this book, the characters are STRESSED but I just didn’t feel it as I was reading so didn’t feel as connected to the story as I would have hoped. Also, significant events were seemingly forgotten almost instantly.

Dance of Thieves meets Fourth Wing meets Hunger Games meets From Blood and Ash, all of this but still very much its own story!

Tara O'Toole has incredible style of writing. Each line felt like a smooth wave of the ocean lapping against the shore. You're to busy admiring the waves to realize you're being pulled deeper into the tide until you are completely drowning in her all consuming words.

The Rite of Radnick is a dark romantic fantasy tale of class antagonism, social justice, religious manipulation, courage against all odds, and the concept of choice.

Braya was born as a "chosen" vessel for the Goddess Gaia's power. Her twenty one years of life has been nothing but preparation for the day she is presented the ultimate choice of Gaia's chosen: Sacrifice herself for the greater good of her people or banishment. For others like Braya, there is no choice to make. Their lives were never really theirs to begin with. Therefore, there is no hesitation when it comes to their sacrifice. However, Braya doesn't share the same sentiments. She has people she cares deeply for in her life which is a detrimental weakness in the eyes of the Sect. leaders overseeing all of Gaia's chosen. We see this heavily exploited throughout the book.

When it comes to Braya's choice, plans for everyone go awry. Her defiance lands her caged and desperate. Braya's desperation flails and her hope diminishes until an unsuspecting individual facilitates her escape. She is presented a bargain that requires her participation in the ritualistic game with the future ruling class of her country. As a "dreg" (low class) Braya holds no sympathy for the crowd of Apexes (ruling class) she finds herself mixed in with as she battles her way through a deadly competition. Justice is to be had, loved ones are to be saved and truths are to be kept hidden. That is, until everything changes and plots twist.

This was an unexpected, phenomenal, unputdownable read. The Rite of Radnick is part one of a duology set to be released in 2025. I, for one, am highly anticipating the conclusion of this high stakes fantasy!

Very good book. It's fast paced with decent characters. although i think too many smaller characters. I would have liked more word building and less exposition writing. I would love to see what comes of the remaining characters in the second of the duology.