The Demon And The Savior Duology
You may think you're simply walking into any old dystopian romantasy book when starting the series. Babe, let me hold your hand when I tell you this.... this duology is about to change your life, your outlook on everything around you, and who you are as a human.
Avidian - Book One
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 〰️
☄️ Dystopian World ☠️ Paranormal Powers ✨ Fantasy Elements
🛏️ Forced Proximity 🔪 “Touch her and die” 💪 Strong FMC
🔥 Slow Burn 💀 Murder Mystery 🦴 Ghost Dog Best Friend
Synopsis
Kat communicates with dead people and has belonged to Marco of the Volkov family for years, using her ability to uncover long buried secrets. Right off the bat, she knows something about this murder is different - something is wrong. As she is strung along by the angry spirit of Marco’s nephew, Kat discovers there could be a glimpse of something she had lost long ago - hope. Hope for those like her: the avids, all with unique abilities who are being sold to wealthy families in power. And the charming man she met in the garden? He’s made an offer that sounds too good to be true. Can she play along and make it out of this murder investigation alive?
“His jaw tightens, and he hisses through clenched teeth. ‘Who did this to you?’”
Favorites
This story is so unique compared to anything I have read within the last few years! It really can’t be pinned down to just one genre and I think each one was fit together so well. Romance, fantasy, dystopian, sci-fi - it’s so rare to find a treasure that fits each of these categories! Kat and Malachi’s banter was my absolute favorite. It felt like I was falling in love right alongside them. The supernatural abilities paired with the world takeover felt so ironic. Like, of course wealthy and violent families are taking advantage of young and poor individuals with capabilities beyond their own. It seems so fitting for the world we are currently living in. 🙃 I did also really enjoy the sci-fi elements of Avidian. I find myself veering away from this genre due to having a tendency of getting really lost when it comes to anything scientific LOL! Not this time; Ashley O’Donovan poured the PERFECT amount of science and magic into this book. It was so easy to understand what was happening and what their goals were. I’m eager to watch this develop further among the series, too!
Kat is the true definition of power. I am so sick of the “damsel in distress” trope and thankfully, did not even get a glimpse of that here! Malachi had a way of watching out for her that never crossed the line of swooping in to save her. He gave us the perfect median with phrases like, “ I never said I wouldn’t let you fall… I said I wouldn’t let you get hurt.” Come on, why does he have to be fictional? Kat was intelligent in knowing her limits and when to push boundaries while Malachi was always there as her support system. I am simply obsessed with these two!
And last but not least, our baby Misch. I will not lie, I was skeptical about the idea of a “ghost dog” fitting into the plot but I was more than pleasantly surprised! From her introduction, to her heroic moments, Misch absolutely stole my heart. It really was endearing to think about the comfort seeing one of my past pets would bring and I was so envious of Kat for this. Ashley O’Donovan is so clever for this piece of her novel and I’m so hopeful for more Misch moments in the next books!
“Your eyes - f*cking hell, Katja. You could start wars with them.”
Final Thoughts
I knew halfway through this book that it was going to be one of my new favorite romantasy reads! It has so many elements that I love within this genre: supernatural beings, slow burn, enemies to lovers, powerful beings, strong main characters, and so much more. I also forgot how much I enjoyed reading dystopian books - this aspect was so well-done and I can’t wait to see this grow as the series continues. I need everyone to read this immediately and DM me your thoughts! I’m thinking of offering it as one of my picks for book club, too. So make sure to add Avidian by Ashley O’Donovan to your tbr and start it right now. Go, go, go!
“Touch her, and I promise your death won’t be a slow one,” Malachi growls...”
Viridian - Book Two
Dream it
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Dream it 〰️
☄️ Dystopian World ☠️ Paranormal Powers ✨ Fantasy Elements
🛏️ Forced Proximity 🔪 “Touch her and die” 💪 Strong FMC
🔥 Plot Twists 💀 Secret Society 🦴 Ghost Dog Hero
Synopsis
Now that Kat is free of the Volkov’s, she is determined to take them down and save the Avids who have been trapped as she was. With Malachi at her side and Cade back in the picture, Kat has to dig deeper and use her powers in ways she never has before. As more information unravels, trust becomes more and more difficult to hand out. Is it possible to take down the Volkov family? How much deeper do their family secrets and torturous experiments go? Can Kat, Malachi, and their trusted allies stop the torment while keeping themselves alive?
“Oh, my little demon, the books haven’t been written yet for what I want to do to you.”
Favorites
I've never felt so attached to characters within a novel before reading Avidian. Their development in book two is absolutely phenomenal and it was so liberating to see their growth. Malachi and Kat have built such a beautiful relationship amongst a world full of chaos, invoking hope to those of us who may be struggling or lost in the real world. Even the platonic friendships convey such deep affection and loyalty that truly touched my heart.
The pacing matches that of the first book- quick and well-done. The plot progresses at such a digestible rate despite the heavy fantastical and scientific elements. I found that as I got into the second half of the book, time seemed to slow, building the tension and gravity of the conflict at hand. This added so much power and weight to the, already, impossibly high stakes.
As the book came to a close, I felt myself holding my breath, unwilling to turn the page and yet not being able to turn it quick enough. My heart and my brain battled to grasp what I was reading, to comprehend the ending of this phenomenal story. I'm uncertain how to feel - lost, fulfilled, disappointed, proud? Certainly shock at the twist I could never have prepared for and admiration for the brilliant mind that put it in writing. One thing I do know: I'm already grieving the loss of this world and it's characters.
“Some futures are worth becoming the villain for...”
Final Thoughts
It's now been 24 hours since I've finished Viridian and I still feel utterly speechless. Nothing could have prepared me for the end of this duology . To me, it is the equivalent of a van Goh painting or Mozart's symphony, and I only wish everyone could experience the masterpiece that I've found in these two books. An enormous thank you to Ashley O'Donovan for the ARC - I cannot say enough about this duology and will absolutely be rereading it again. Viridian is 100% a top contender for book of the year, in my opinion. I highly recommend this book and am so looking forward to release day!
“We are the storm...”
