The Terrible Gift by Colette Rhodes – A Book Review

Posted May 8, 2020 by Booksandblurbs in Fantasy, Reverse Harem, Reviews / 2 Comments

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The Terrible Gift

(Empath Found – Book 1)

by Colette Rhodes
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Fantasy, Medium Burn RH, Academy
Available on Kindle and Kindle Unlimited

Down & Dirty

A woman with a mysterious past and power, a hidden world and the politics that go with both. This book is free on Kindle Unlimited.

What is it about?

(Blurb from GoodReads)

Fi has always known there’s something not quite right about herself.

Not quite human.

For as long as she can remember, Fi has been sensitive to other people’s emotions. So sensitive, she works a night job as a cleaner to avoid being
overwhelmed by all of their feelings.

After a night on the town goes wrong, Fi comes to the attention of the Academy of Avalon. The obscenely beautiful jerk of a man who comes to collect her confirms her suspicions — Fi isn’t human at all.

But all is not as it seems in Avalon. Magic is dying, those who have it are hunted, and at least one person really doesn’t want Fi there.

Fi also has to figure out how to deal with the insane magnetic pull she feels to some of the most gorgeous and magically powerful males at the Academy. What’s a little boy drama on top of an identity crisis?

Note:

The Terrible Gift is book one of the Empath Found trilogy. It’s a fated-mates-with-a-twist, medium burn reverse harem. Suitable for readers 18+

Thoughts on The Terrible Gift

I struggled with this book for the first 50% or so. After that it picked up and I was able to get into it, so I am glad I stuck with it – but I almost didn’t. The beginning pages and chapters felt very flat and the world building was force fed. Once that was established though, and Fi starts finding friends around her at the academy – and potential mates, the writing picks up a bit and things start smoothing out.

In the end, I did end up enjoying this novel, though I am unsure if I will continue the series at this point in time. There is just enough unique facets to gain my attention, but the tale itself is familiar… we’ve read this before. Hidden girl child rediscovered, unusual powers, fates mates (that is part that is unique, they are not quite fated, just highly compatible) save the world, yada yada. Been there, done that, read it too many times. All that said? After the 50% mark, the narrative does start holding its own, offering up enough snark and wit to cause some smiles and a new direction to the usual fare. I liked that.

Pros:

Really picked up after 50%.
I like the idea that she struggles with ‘mates’ – and they might too.
Friendships.

Cons:

Flat writing.
Info dumps.
Narrative is rushed and forced for quite a while.
The cover does NOT match the content.

Perspective

First Person, Multiple POV

Ending Type

Cliffhanger

Rating

R to Mature

Romantic Dynamic

MMMF (For now?)

My Final Verdict on The Terrible Gift

The Terrible Gift is…. not terrible, though it’s not great either. There is potential here and a foundation that can be built upon. Perhaps the next book in the series will smooth these rough edges and help galvanize this story into something truly unique! I hope so. Free on Kindle Unlimited.

Published January 31st, 2020
292 Pages