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Merissa (13555 KP) rated Awakening of the Starborne (The Game of Endings and Beginnings #1) in Books

Nov 5, 2025  
Awakening of the Starborne (The Game of Endings and Beginnings #1)
Awakening of the Starborne (The Game of Endings and Beginnings #1)
Louve -ch | 2025 | LGBTQ+, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
AWAKENING OF THE STARBORNE is the first book in The Game of Endings and Beginnings. It is an epic fantasy, so expect a large page count, but trust me when I say it is worth it! There are trigger warnings for this book, so take note!

We begin with Savaé as a child, and what a childhood she had. However, Sully, a quiet blacksmith, takes her in and becomes her adoptive father. Sully is a great character for the time he is in the book, and I would love to know more of his past, but that's another story. Back to Savaé. She wants to become an Ellian Knight, one of the protectors of the realm. To do so, she needs to pass three trials, so Sully trains her. She has a lot to overcome and has her own coping mechanisms. Are they healthy? Well, I'll let you decide that! At her first trial, she meets Sølas, not knowing that things are about to change her life.

Sølas is such an outstanding character. There is so much I could say about him, but I don't want to give anything away. He is gorgeous, protective (think Touch-Her-And-D!e), and will not do anything to hurt Savaé. In fact, I don't think he physically can! He is her support system when she doesn't even think she needs one.

I was completely hooked on this book! The story is dark and full of action, with a fascinating group of characters that both help and hinder. Told mostly from Savaé's perspective, you get an inside seat on what she is thinking and feeling. As I said, this is epic, so it includes lots of descriptions (that are fantastic) plus betrayals, action, and more plot twists than you can shake a stick at. The ending just about killed me, but it has left me with a longing for the next book. I can already see this is a series I will buy as a hardcopy and re-read many times.

As a debut book, this was outstanding in pretty much every way. However, some of the segues and transitions from one scene to the next were either jarring or not entirely clear. And that is me being exceedingly picky! I loved this book and HIGHLY RECOMMEND it to any fantasy lovers out there.

** Same worded review will appear elsewhere. **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Nov 5, 2025
  
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Ivana A. | Diary of Difference (1171 KP) rated Delusions in Books

Sep 14, 2018  
Delusions
Delusions
Amy Crandall | 2018 | Crime, Horror, Mystery
9
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
A must-have for all the lovers of psychological thrillers and mysteries – this is a book that will show you a twisted side of a human being so well, that you will not know what happened once you reach the end! A masterpiece of a thriller – a delight for all the murder solvers out there!

''She remembered now. The deaths. They weren't just delusions planted in her mind by others. They were real.''

This book starts in an interrogation room, where two detectives are questioning Abigale about the murders that happened - and she is the main suspect. As the interrogation happens in the present, we follow the story in the past from Abigale's point of view, from the moment she moves into the new town.

The story and plot are so well set, and the past and present are so well connected that give you clues step by step, until you reach the grand ending, and nothing is as you expected. Even though I realised what is happening around the middle of the book, I still had to keep reading to find out whether it was true in the end.

This is, for certain, the best ending of a mystery book I have read so far!
The characters - some of them - are so twisted, and so psychologically unstable and scary, that it makes you wonder. Such possessiveness and anger, and twisted mind - Amy managed to perfectly such a rare condition. ( I am trying so hard here to stay away from all the spoilers.)

''Abigale wasn't the outgoing type. She'd rather sit in her room with her nose buried in a book than socialise with anyone outside her inner circle of friends, which was small to begin with.''

I wish I could connect with Abigale's character - but I just couldn't. That was the only flaw I had with this book. I didn't care enough for her, and for what was happening to her. The side characters were amazingly portrayed though - I enjoyed reading about Julia and Mike, and Damien - what an interesting character!

''There was something about him that made her feel alive and ready for anything, but there was another part that screamed danger. She wasn't sure she liked either half.''

The ending, as I already mentioned, was the best one I have read - it was so unexpected and so amazing - I can't explain that feeling of satisfaction when all the little pieces from the puzzle throughout the book finally come together - spectacular!

If you love mystery, psychological thrillers and good book that keeps you on your toes all the time - this is the book for you. I highly recommend it!

Thank you to the author, Amy Crandall, for sending me an e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.