The Reading Bud

Book Blog by Heena Rathore-Pardeshi

Book Review: Strands of Existence 1: Island Girl by Aino Lahteva

Author: Aino Lahteva
Release Date: 26th August 2020
Genre: Epic Fantasy
Series: Strands Of Existence (Book #1)
Format: E-book 
Pages: 272 pages
Publisher: 
Blurb:

*New linguistically revised version*

As an opportunist, Istrae yearns to get off her home island and visit Kerth, the City of Light and Abundance. Her preferred method of travel, however, didn’t include drowning. And she didn’t expect the city to be so dirty. Her memories are as broken as her body. She begins to piece them together with the help of a spirit bound to a statue and an ambitious army captain called Rime she enjoys teasing.

As Rime guides Istrae in her new life, it becomes evident the rigid rules of society and the city’s Temple do not welcome those who seek to shake the established rules, which is something Istrae is incapable of resisting.

Book Review

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Island Girl by Aino Lahteva is the first book in the new epic fantasy series Strands Of Existence. It is a very fresh take on fantasy grounded in religious beliefs and I was really surprised by the realistic feel of this amazing fantasy world.

I enjoyed this book a lot. I loved the characterisation, the world-building was superb and the concept and plot were great too. The only problem that I can point out, and that too if I am being extremely picky, is that the dialogues felt a little different at some places. But that wasn’t a big issue because I am aware that this is a book by an author whose first language is not English, so for that alone, I’d like to compliment the author. Other than that the writing was pretty impressive and I was really enthralled by this amazing book.

I would definitely recommend this book to all fantasy lovers and to those who are looking to explore a fantasy series by a promising new author.

You can also read this review on Amazon and Goodreads.

I love reading your comments, so please go ahead…

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

I’m Heena

Welcome to The Reading Bud, my cosy corner of the internet dedicated to all things books and authors. Here, I invite you to join me on a journey of discovering under-represented books, independent and small press authors, and all things book with a touch of love and loud purrs. Let’s get Reading!

Book of the Month

Read this captivating story on the adventures and hardships of Frank Knightlite, a man who strives to illuminate darkness with his lantern in search of answers to life’s questions.
You can get it here.
December 2020
M T W T F S S
 123456
78910111213
14151617181920
21222324252627
28293031  

Reading is like breathing to me.

Recent Posts

  • Book Review: Harvey’s Hutch by Phillip Dodd

    Book Details: Author: Philip DoddRelease Date: 11th August 2022Series: Genre: MemoirFormat: E-book Pages: 228 pagesPublisher: –Blurb:‘Many children have terrible childhoods. But in mine there is a hole…”The gaping rent that four-year-old Philip Dodd found one morning in the wire…

  • Book Spotlight: A Reservoir Man by L.J. Ambrosio 

    Welcome to TRB Lounge. Today, we are featuring author L.J. Ambrosio for his latest release A Reservoir Man. A Reservoir Man Book: A Reservoir ManAuthor: L.J. AmbrosioPublication Date: Page Count: 340Genre: Fictional MemoirPublisher: Film Valor About A Reservoir Man A…

  • Author Interview: Reed Logan Westgate

    Welcome to TRB Lounge. Today, I’d like to welcome the author of The Infernal Games (Book One of the Baku Trilogy), Reed Logan Westgate, from Atmosphere Press, for an author interview with The Reading Bud. About The Author Reed Logan Westgate…

  • Book Review: Tricky by Ron Dakron

    Book Details: Author: Ron DakronRelease Date: 12nd March 2022Series: Genre: HumourFormat: E-book Pages: 152 pagesPublisher: –Blurb:A certain, um, body part runs away from his owner. Wearing a hot-dog toy disguise, he clashes with warrior pigeons, suicidal hummingbirds, and griping…

  • ARC Review: Kai’s Healing Smiles by Vivi Anne Hunt

    Book Details: Author: Vivi Anne HuntRelease Date: 13th September 2022Series:Genre: Contemporary Romance, LGBTQ+Format: E-book Pages: 201 pagesPublisher: –Blurb:Silas is mourning the loss of his wife. Every day, he is going through the motions and barely managing to keep the…