Phoenix by Autumn Reed and Julia Clarke
Series: The Stardust #1
Genre: Reverse Harem, Romance, YA, New Adult
Format: Audiobook
The Stardust Series follows the story of Haley Jones and six dangerously appealing guys—Liam, Knox, Ethan, Chase, Theo, and Jackson.
All Haley Jones wants for her eighteenth birthday is answers. Thanks to an overprotective dad and a secluded existence in the Sierra Nevada wilderness, Haley has never experienced a typical life. Her dad claims there’s a good reason for their isolation, but he refuses to tell her why, delaying her questions with the promise of answers when she turns eighteen. That day has finally arrived, but the explanation raises more questions than answers. And when Haley wishes for the chance to explore the world, she finds that the old adage rings true—be careful what you wish for.
my review
I received a free copy for an honest review.
If you do not like slow paced books, especially books with slow development and beginnings, be wary of this book.
Although this book got into the story fairly quickly, it definitely took its time to slowly develop the relationship and chemistry between the guys and our protagonist, Harley. Even though I usually love slow developments like this, the reason I don’t like this in this book specifically is I usually like the slow pace and development for hate-love relationships, not friendship to romance relationship. I love when book series takes the time to develop a dislike of friendship than to romance, but I personally am not a big fan of friendship to romance directly because I find that boring. However, if you like that kind of trope, you will probably enjoy this book.
This book taking its time in its storytelling also gave extra depths to the development of the mysteries behind the events that occur in the story.
Because of the slow-paced style, I believe this is a book – and series in general that you either love it or hate it. If you didn’t like it that much half-way toward the book (like me), chances are you’re just wasting your time and it’s not for you. However, if this type of slow-paced friendship-to-romance paranormal storyline is a trope type that you like, then continue the series. You’ll definitely love how much the author took her time to flush out the story-line and character interactions.
To sum it up, I really appreciate how flushed out the story and character interactions were in the book, and how much the authors took their type to develop the story and not try to rush out or overly condense the story. But because of (for me specifically) tropes that I do not like, I can’t give this book a very high review. But again, you if you like flush-about series with tropes such as friendship-to-romance or slower-paced paranormal YA books in general, I would recommend this book to you.
Rating: 3/5
about the author
Julia Clarke is An adventurer at heart, Julia dabbles in everything from tap dance to calligraphy. When she’s not traveling with her husband or playing with her daughter, Julia is learning new recipes, hiking, sailing, or inhaling copious amounts of fine chocolate.
To read more about Julia Clarke visit www.authorjuliaclarke.com
Autumn is a lifelong bookworm with a penchant for sarcasm. She loves cloudy days, fluffy dogs, and murdering succulents. When she isn’t bringing daydreams to life on the page, she can be found behind the lens of a digital camera or binge-watching Veronica Mars.
To learn more about Autumn Reed, visit www.autumnreed.com.