The Hollow Gods

I wanted to like this book, I really did, but for some reason I was not invested in it. I don't know what it was. I think I was not in the right reading space at the right time.

There are some good ideas in this book and on the whole it is well written. However, one small criticism (and please do not judge, but this is just my opinion and certainly does not match others who have read this book) but at times I did find the language impeded my enjoyment. Whenever I have to find a dictionary to find out the meaning of words it stops my reading flow. Maybe I will give it a go again in the future. It has happened before where things haven't clicked and I try again later with different results.

I realise that writing a book is such a tremendous achievement - and getting the bugger published is something else and I am a reader.

Good luck with the book

This book was like nothing that I thought it was going to be and it was the best surprise ever.
Told from the point of view of three people..Miya, Kai and Mason. Each one was like a lost soul searching for home. Miya and Kai were drawn to each other in a way they don't understand or can remember. Mason was struggling with guilt and ran away to a place the opposite of where he came from to get away only to find that the truth follows you wherever you go.
The beauty of this book is the slow burn atmosphere through out the whole book. This is not a guns blazing book. It's more of a slow simmer, seep into your brain situation. It deals with generational trauma/curse, mental health, the very thin line between fact, fiction and the truth. This book went deep. Mentally and emotionally. But there was also a hint of humor here and there that gave it all a beautiful balance. I know it's fantasy but A. J. gave it all such a real feel.
By the end of it I felt very connected to the characters...even to Mason and he wasn't even my favorite. Kai was my favorite. He was very raw and animalistic. I found myself relating to Miya a lot with her thought processes. Even if I didn't already know it was a duology I would have taken the ending as is. It was a very inception like ending that left my mind open to so many possibilities...but with that being said I'm definitely ready for more.