*Disclaimer*
Everyone is different and likes and dislikes different things. Reading is no exception. One person’s all-time favorite might seem too bland or too high stakes for another. That being said, the opinions of our judges in this contest are just that, opinions. Just because we let a book go, doesn’t mean it isn’t good. It could be your next favorite, who knows?
If you have no idea what I’m talking about, you can learn more about the contest here.
Today we are reviewing Tethered Spirits, which was Becky M’s pick for this year’s Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off. You can watch their review here. And you can see the finalist spreadsheet here.
A man with an unknown past.
For years, Amar has traveled the Kavoran empire, seeking a way to recover his lost memories and end the curse that plagues him. With support from loyal friends, Amar may finally be on the verge of finding answers, but to do so, he’ll need to enlist the help of an unexpected guide.
A girl afraid of her own powers.
Kesari is a Tarja, granted magical abilities through her Bond with a spirit named Lucian. Haunted by past mistakes that have left her desperate to sever her Bond, Kesari has her own reasons for agreeing to help Amar. But in doing so, she may finally have to face the fears she’s carried ever since leaving home.
A woman on a vital mission.
Meanwhile, a young refugee named Aleida is in hot pursuit, hoping the secret behind Amar’s curse can save her brother from a fatal illness. With so much at stake and little left to lose, Aleida will stop at nothing to get what she wants.
And when their paths collide, all three are set on a journey to unravel a mystery far deeper than they ever suspected.
Our Thoughts
Tethered Spirits had some mixed reviews from our judges. On the good side, the characters grow throughout the story and their friendships feel realistic. The author also handled the traumatic events and their repercussions well, as opposed to just glossing over them like in some stories. The plot was intriguing especially near the end, which is always a good thing!
However, with an upside there always comes a downside, and with this book it was the beginning rather than the ending. Our judges felt the story lacked a good hook and didn’t pick up till later in the story. Some thought the prose could have been tightened up a bit, which would have helped the pacing. Some of the judges also felt the characters were a bit too dislikable, even though some were designed to be. Though again, by the end, the story was enough to keep us reading.
So while some of us will be picking up the rest of the series, Tethered Spirits didn’t grip us as much as we would have liked. But we highly suggest you check this author out and maybe you’ll find your next favorite read!
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And again, you can see the list of all the finalists and their scores here. Our judges are Julia Kitvaria Sarene, Kerry Smith, Max Freeman, and Jennie Ivins (me). If you’d like to learn more about us, including our likes and dislikes, you can read about them here.
Any queries should be directed at me, Jennie Ivins, via DM on Facebook and Twitter.
Julia Kitvaria Sarene