Fantasy enthusiasts, prepare to be swept off your feet by Ashley R. O’Donovan’s debut novel, What Lies Beyond the Realms. That’s how I expected to start this review after seeing all of the BookToks about this ‘must read’. Its a little tired and hard work instead of captivating in my opinion. the headline should read: don’t bother you’ve read it before with a better story.
The author tries to weave together elements of magic, romance, and adventure, but rather than turning pages I found myself bored and back on kindle unlimited looking for my next book. I tried. I really did but the story just wasnt for me, even in fantasy world Lyra was just an idiot I didnt have time for. I lacked sympathy for the situations she found her self in and her attitude to doing things.
There’s warnings at the start of the book due to some of the plot but it feels like these actions are there for shock value, to make the book more adult than they needed to be.
If you look at other reviews it seems most people disagree with me – And maybe some authors like Sarah J Mass, Rebecca Yarros, Sarah Parker, Charlaine Harris and similar have raised the bar or just completed the fantasy genre level so others struggle to match or breakthrough these days.
Give it a read if you don’t believe me but don’t say I didn’t warn you!
One More Chapter 