SYNOPSIS

Oleander aka Oli has been found after five years of her bonds searching for her. She lives in a world of Gifted, who have powers, and un-Gifted, who don’t have powers and are low in societal standing.

Oli is the central bond to five others, and has been fighting her instincts, choosing instead to keep her powers under wraps and to keep her distance from her bonds. The problem is they chipped her, so they always have a location, and control where she can go and when while she’s attending college.

What could happen?

RECAP AND REVIEW

This is the first book in a six book paranormal, fantasy, romance series. It’s a reverse harem story with Oli as the central with five other love interests.

Oli has been through it, but what exactly, we don’t know. Being the first book, we barely find out anything, although a few inferences can be made. As a character, she seems rough on the outside, a little snarky and cold, but warm on the inside, craving the affection from her bonds she pretends not to want because she has to.

North is a city councilman who reprimands and controls Oli. There is at least one deeper reason as to why he acts as a prison guard that’s explained, which is her safety. He seems to be the one running the show.

Nox is North’s brother with a mean streak and also one of Oli’s professors. So far, he’s my least favorite and the one most obviously and aggressively holding a grudge that Oli ran away and won’t bond, seeing as bonding will make the participants powers grow.

Gryphon is distant in the beginning and somewhat mysterious, but he has a cute moment or two with Oli.

Gabe is physically around Oli the most, having multiple classes with her. He also holds an obvious grudge, less aggressively than Nox’s, that she left and tries to make her jealous at times. It’s clear that he wants to connect with her but she makes it hard for him.

Atlas left town to attend college elsewhere, and reached out once he learns Oli is back. He communicates with her via text message for most of it and giving her a safe space to confide in.

This book is slow paced. I’ve heard in retrospect, it is appreciated as part of the series, but as the only book I’ve read so far, this book mostly spells out dynamics between the bonds and Oli and between Oli and her only friend, Sage. We also get some world building and a few history lessons.

Their powers as gifted are revealed, but we don’t know the full extent of them in this book. We learn some of what Oli can do, but we still don’t know what she’s afraid of and why she won’t Bond, though we can inference (not a spoiler) it has something to do with the Resistance.

The action occurs in the last chapter or two of the book, leaving off on a cliffhanger and the reveal of Oli’s powers.

OVERALL

Overall, I give this book a 3 out of 5 stars. I like the world itself and I’m interested to see why she’s afraid and how her relationships with her bonds develop over time. The cliffhanger has kept me hooked so I’ll be continuing on, but just note that this book is mainly laying background information, I assume for what’s to come.