The Soul's Aspect

This is book 1 of The Aspect series and book 2 is just about to release in May! I grabbed this digitally while it was on sale to buddy read it, and weirdly we did not discuss the book a single time (I'm really bad at buddy reads). I wish we had, because I really enjoyed this! 

This novel is like a more-adult version of a coming of age story, with all the typical nostalgia you'd want to feel from one. It still gives you new romance, and the prospect of love and growing up, but to me the heartbreak and death just rang as more real than some others. 

This is not your typical magic or wizards in a giant castle story. And although there is also three best friends, it's nothing like the one that you might think I'm describing. This novel's best feature is the characters. The author pens some of the most realistic, and heartwarming (and heart-wrenching), friendships I think I've ever read. I'm particularly impressed with the fact that the author didn't shy away from tender male friendships. The kind where your friends care if you succeed, care if you're sick, care if you're hurt. The kind where they show love and affection because you're their friend. I feel like this is often something authors shy away from. 

This first book kind of reads like it could be its own prequel to a revenge series, and one of the things I like the most about it is that the villains are not clear practically the entire time. There are outside factors that hinder the reader from making the call on who is and isn't bad. There's your standard school bullying as well, but that doesn't always make someone the villain. Then, the author even makes the main character multilayered, no one is innocent. This novel is first person, so of course you root for Kehlem, but that doesn't mean that he doesn't have some bad in him too. 

This book is a crazy, gut-punching ride. With the sequel around the corner, everyone should do themselves a favor and pick this book up. Like now. Right now. Order the sequel too, you'll want it anyway. Absolutely worth your time, effort, or money to read.