Unapologetic Reviews

To Touch a Silent Fury is the first book in R.A. Sandpiper’s brand-new duology, The Bride of Eavenfold. I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this one, so thank you to the author for the chance to dive in early. This is probably her longest book yet, and it’s set in a fresh new universe, separate from her previous series. The world is built around the number five—five seasons, lives measured in five cycles, five kingdoms tied to the five senses. It’s an imaginative, intricate system that feels coherent and alive. The main character, Tani, is born Moontouched. She looks a bit like an albino; her skin is pale, hair white, but her eyes are completely white. Children like her are sent away around the age of ten to an isolated island, but she is special: she’s the only girl on an island full of men. When we meet her she awaits her Fate, they key to unlocking the full potential of her powers. Lang’s chapters balance out Tani’s isolation perfectly. Where she is cut off and vulnerable, he i...

I finally finished my ARC copy of A Claiming of Souls by R. A. Sandpiper. This is the final part of her Amefyre trilogy, and it was a satisfying conclusion to a great series. (Also, just FYI—there’s a companion novella!) The ending was genuinely unpredictable. I usually have a good sense of where stories are going, but this one kept me guessing—so kudos to the author. I really enjoyed the story in this final book. A lot was happening, and there was even a little callback to the novella, which I appreciated. There were some surprising moments throughout. Suri’s new powers were used really well—I liked that they didn’t make her feel overpowered or invincible. She still had real moral dilemmas to face and discovered a lot about herself. Her arc was deeply satisfying; she truly developed as a character while still staying true to who she was at her core. Kol, the other main character, wasn’t as prominent in this instalment. He was present, but he didn’t stand out as much this time. Anothe...