L
lee
May 13, 2026
Good start to this Fantasy
Thank you to NetGalley, BoldStrokeBooks, and T.E. Lane for this ARC.
Blighted kept me engaged with enough mystery and intrigue to keep me invested, particularly through its fae realm elements and unfolding questions. There were definitely characters I found myself drawn to and others I struggled with — but in a way that felt intentional rather than accidental.
The story did a good job of maintaining curiosity, and I found myself continuing because I wanted answers and wanted to better understand the world and characters. While there is romance present, it never felt like the primary driver of the story. It sits more in the background of the larger plot and leans toward tension and possibility rather than high spice.
That said, my feelings on the ending depend heavily on whether this becomes a series. If this is the start of something larger, I’m invested enough to continue reading. If it turns out to be a standalone, the ending may feel a bit too open-ended to be fully satisfying.
Depth:
An intriguing fae-centered story with mystery, shifting loyalties, and characters you won’t all equally root for — which felt purposeful.
Connection:
I connected with some characters much more than others, but that seemed intentional and added to the overall dynamic of the story.
Momentum:
The mystery and unfolding questions kept me engaged and turning pages, especially wanting to understand where events were heading.
Who it’s for: Readers who enjoy fae realms, mystery-driven…