ARC Review: Storybound by Emily McKay

My Review:

Edie is a reader. She loves books and often finds herself lost in the fictional world. She prefers books to almost everything. (I can relate, Edie!) One series, in particular, is her favorite – The Traveler series. However, when she goes to a local store to see a book from the series on display, she never expects to learn that the fictional world of The Traveler is real.

Edie enters a parallel universe, and it’s the Kingdom of Mithres, the world of her favorite book series. In this world, all of the fictional characters that she loves and loathes are real. The stories in the books are not imagined, and Edie is thrust abruptly into an epic journey.

“Stories are magic. Every time one person shares a story with another, that energy grows…the magic of stories is real…This is why those books spoke to me, why I felt them in my soul. Why reading them was like coming home. Because they were mine in a way no other books were.”

So, basically, the stories become real because the readers (or viewers) believe. Edie learns that there are many different parallel worlds. Harry Potter, The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, they are all magically real.

Can you imagine?

This concept intrigued me so much, and I began to wonder which world I would be a part of. The Hunger Games? Harry Potter? A Court of Thorns and Roses? Stranger Things? There are so many that I love!!!

Edie meets her book boyfriend, and she quickly realizes that she must do all that she can to prevent Kane’s death, which occurs in the final book in the series. With an unusual cast of characters including a siren, a princess, a large talking cat, and an invisible girl, Edie sets off on an adventure to save the Kingdom of Mithres and Kane.

The intricate detail of the parallel universe is amazingly depicted. From the landscape to the hell-hounds to the vast and unique powers, the world-building is skillfully woven throughout the book. The imagery is vivid and strong, and I easily imagined the fascinating parallel universe that Edie finds herself in.

Another aspect of the book that I found fascinating was the integration of a book within a book. Thought the main story is told from Edie’s point of view, throughout the story, there are excerpts from A Traveler Undone, the final book in The Traveler Chronicles. Told from Kane’s point-of-view, these excerpts give you a more well-rounded perspective of Kane’s thoughts and actions. You also see how Kane slowly develops feelings for Edie.

Even though Edie knows this world better than she knows herself, there are always unexpected twists and turns and complexities. Edie has to rely not just on her knowledge but on her intuition (and her new friends) in order to survive. She also has to fight her ever-growing feelings for Kane, as she believes that she is not his destiny.

Will Kane admit how he feels for Edie? Will they succeed in their journey to find the kidnapped princess? Will Edie return to her world? All this and more is answered in Storybound. Thanks so much to Booksirens and the publisher for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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Rating:

Favorite Parts:

• I absolutely love the idea that the fictional worlds of book series’ are all real worlds in parallel universes. I’ve wished for this many times in my life!
• Edie (aka Cupcake). She is a complex and likable protagonist. Smart, strong, a little sarcastic, and obsessed with books, Edie is everything I want in a friend.
• The fantastical world is amazing!
• The book-within-a-book concept is a unique addition to the story.

Recommendations:

Lovers of young adult fantasy with intricate world-building will love this story. Readers who enjoy fast-paced and action-packed novels filled with suspense, betrayal, and enigmatic characters will enjoy this read.

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Super Important Question!!

In Storybound, the fictional worlds of book series’ are all real worlds in parallel universes.

If this concept was real, which fictional parallel world would you find yourself “bound” to?

That is, which series do you feel most connected to or affected by? Comment below!! 🙂