I had a hard time reading the ebook as the formatting had a black/grey background behind the text.

I am thankful for the e-arc as the synopsis sounded amazing to me. While reading, however, I wasn’t connecting to the story or the characters. I felt that the transitions and flow of the story were choppy at best and often had to re-read to make sure I wasn’t missing anything.

I hope to try the book again at a later point

Thank you, NetGalley and publishers, for my copy.

I really did enjoy this book, but I do wish there was more action and danger. Yes, the book did provide suspense and was trying to set up for the next book in the series. I wish there had been more. I understand she needed time to heal and start trusting the group, and she has her secrets that she can't share with anyone. We mostly see them traveling and her experiencing the outside world for the first time, trying to find her place in the world. She bonds with the group a lot.

I still cannot wait for the next book, though, and would love to read it when it comes out.

I've read The Dark Band by Rachel Oslin Bradford.

An adventurous fantasy, careful written, easy to understand and for everyone available.

The story is about a girl Liviana, who lives in a little town called Heimoor, where women are nothing, men are everything. She is turning 23 and is soon to be wed to a guy with high standing. But it's not to his standards so he and his friends will try to assault her. She fights back, and that's the reason she will be called for treason with death as her punishment... but...

Mayes, a merchant, will buy her off and Liviana will be accepted with him and his friends. They are called The Black Band. Together they will go on an adventure.

I think it's a nice story, a perfect relaxing storyline.

I definitely will read the sequel! For me it's a 3,5-4 star read.

Also a special thank you to Netgalley znd the author for giving me this arc for an honest review.

Fantastic start to the series!

This book had me hooked from the very beginning, I loved how it kept me intrigued the whole way through. The FMC grew up in a male-dominated society where she had no voice, and watching her journey as she begins to reclaim her power was incredibly satisfying. Her growth throughout the book is one of my favorite aspects, and I can’t wait to see how she continues to find her voice and purpose in the larger story.

I haven’t fully connected with her companions yet, but I have a feeling that will change in the next books.

It’s hard to talk about the plot without spoiling anything, but just know: this is a rich magical world, filled with legends, secrets, and dark forces lurking in the shadows. Definitely worth the read!


Tropes:

❤️Found family
❤️Dark past/secret identity
❤️Training montage
❤️Magic is feared, illegal