Sidetracked by SK Kelley

YA Fantasy, 2021 by Bleeding Heart Books, 455 Pages 

What I Didn’t Like:

• Shades of stories you’ve heard before are definitely there. 
• I wanted Jayde to have a bit more backbone. While it’s relatable (I’ll come back to that in a second) it’s definitely frustrating when she seems to shrink back from any kind of confrontation. I’m hoping she grows to stand up for herself a bit in later books in the series. 
• Unanswered questions. Actually, considering this is the first in a series it’s not really a bad thing. But you have a LOT of questions left unanswered at the end of this one. 

What I Did Like:

• Intense. This one grabbed my attention really quickly and didn’t let up. It’s intense and fast-paced which works for the story we’re hearing. 
• All of the redflags in the “relationship” combined with all the things mentioned in the content warning were important to the story being told. Nothing reads like a gimmick or a way to drag in readers. It’s authentic and relatable even when it’s being fantastical.
• Great wind up for the first book. I’m intrigued, I want to know more, and I have SO MANY QUESTIONS. This one will definitely get you into the series and then keep you reading. 

Who Should Read This One:

• Fantasy fans, specifically those who like paranormal leanings, will love this one. 
• If you were/are a fan of the Warrior series, liked the general idea of Twilight, and want more paranormal stories like those … get this one. 

My Rating: 4 Stars. 

This is a great first book in this new fantasy trilogy and I can’t wait to get my hands on book 2.