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Dauntless
A teen girl must bring together two broken worlds in order to save her nation in this lush, Filipino-inspired young adult fantasy novel from debut author Elisa A. Bonnin.
“Be dauntless, for the hopes of the People rest in you.�
Seri's world is defined by very clear rules: The beasts prowl the forest paths and hunt the People. The valiant explore the unknown world, kill the beasts, and gain strength from the armor they make from them. As an assistant to Eshai Unbroken, a young valor commander with a near-mythical reputation, Seri has seen first-hand the struggle to keep the beasts at bay and ensure the safety of the spreading trees where the People make their homes. That was how it always had been, and how it always would be. Until the day Seri encounters Tsana.
Tsana is, impossibly, a stranger from the unknown world who can communicate with the beasts - a fact that makes Seri begin to doubt everything she's ever been taught. As Seri and Tsana grow closer, their worlds begin to collide, with deadly consequences. Somehow, with the world on the brink of war, Seri will have to find a way to make peace.
“Be dauntless, for the hopes of the People rest in you.�
Seri's world is defined by very clear rules: The beasts prowl the forest paths and hunt the People. The valiant explore the unknown world, kill the beasts, and gain strength from the armor they make from them. As an assistant to Eshai Unbroken, a young valor commander with a near-mythical reputation, Seri has seen first-hand the struggle to keep the beasts at bay and ensure the safety of the spreading trees where the People make their homes. That was how it always had been, and how it always would be. Until the day Seri encounters Tsana.
Tsana is, impossibly, a stranger from the unknown world who can communicate with the beasts - a fact that makes Seri begin to doubt everything she's ever been taught. As Seri and Tsana grow closer, their worlds begin to collide, with deadly consequences. Somehow, with the world on the brink of war, Seri will have to find a way to make peace.
384 pages, Hardcover
First published July 19, 2022
56 people are currently reading
11k people want to read
About the author
Elisa A. Bonnin
8books142followersElisa A. Bonnin was born and raised in the Philippines, after which she moved to the United States to study chemistry and later oceanography. After completing her doctorate, she moved to Germany to work as a postdoctoral scientist. A lifelong learner, Elisa is always convinced that she should “maybe take a class in something� and as a result, has amassed an eclectic collection of hobbies. But writing will always be her true love. Publishing a book has been her dream since she was eight years old, and she is thrilled to finally be able to share her stories. She is the author of Dauntless and Stolen City.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 231 reviews
August 7, 2022
4.50 Stars. This was my kind of read and one of the more enjoyable stories I’ve read in a while. And while this might not end up being the best fantasy book I’ll read this year, it sure is in the running for one of the most fun YA fantasy books I’ll read. While I love fantasy anything, something about women finding their own agency, bravery, etc., and becoming a knight, archer, warrior, whatever the unexpected is, is always a storyline I want to read and a character I can get behind and root for. In this book Seri is that character and I’m so happy I got to be along for her journey.
As a few reviews have mentioned the book does start a little slow, but this is a fantasy book so it would actually be news if the book started out fast. While it did start a little slow, it didn’t stay slow. My interest was piqued after only a few pages and it did not take long until the action started. Once the action starts, there is no stopping it and all you can really do is buckle-up and remain seated for the rest of the ride.
Bonnin did a nice job with the world building. Yes, there were still questions that I had as a reader, but most of my questions were made into a part of the story and we end up learning certain things as the characters also do. It worked well this way so that there weren’t any big info dumps that were boring or just slowed the pace way down. And during the times when info was just given, I was thirsty for it so it didn’t seem boring and instead it felt like I’m learning cool new info. I was a fan of the magic system which I thought parts were pretty unique. I won’t give it away but my favorite part had to do with the armor. Overall, the system was enough to be interesting but not too big to be confusing or dry. This is a book that people who aren’t giant fantasy fans could read and absolutely enjoy as much as a hardcore fantasy fan could.
When it came to the character building it was not quite as good as the world building. First, I want to make it clear that I really liked all the characters especially the main character Seri. She is a character that will stay with me a long time to come. The problem is that the three main female characters are all hiding pasts or have secrets so they don’t want to talk about themselves much. They all are mysterious and on the quieter side, so it’s really hard to have much character building if you don’t know much about them, in the beginning of the book. In fact, it almost felt like I didn’t really know them all that well until almost a third of the book went by. And the reason Bonnin did this was to have these big reveals, these big surprise moments about the characters happen. The problem was when most of them happened I said out loud “okay, but I would have rather had the character building instead�. This seems to be Bonnin’s first published book so I can’t really blame her for at least a couple newbie bumps, which this was to me. On the good side, while the character building in the beginning wasn’t great, the character development and growth after the first third of the book until the end, was excellent. I read a lot of books where sometimes it is hard to notice any character growth of any kind, and this was some pretty major growth for multiple characters. It was really nice to see that while the characters started a little weak, they sure didn’t end that way.
For the romance fans out there I will mention that there are two romances. There was one YA sapphic romance and one HET adult romance. The HET adult romance is more of a side romance although it is between one main character and one secondary main character. Even though it is not the main romance I found myself caring enough to root for the two of them anyway. The sapphic romance is the main romance and while it is what I would call a sweeter YA romance, it is pretty emotional and their feelings end up being pretty important in the book. I guess the best way to say it is that the romance is not just thrown into the book and instead it had real purpose in the story which was also nice to see.
TLDR: I’m so happy to say that this was even better than I hoped, and I had high expectations. This is the kind of fantasy I really enjoy and I had such fun reading this. It had a great theme, an interesting magic system, action around every corner, and even a sweet sapphic romance sprinkled in. While there were a few newbie author bumps, there was nothing that ever ruined my reading enjoyment. In fact, my biggest sadness is that my book journey is now over and I have nothing of this story left to read. While everything is complete, Bonnin did leave the book open enough that she could write a book two if she wanted. I’m hope this book catches some of that YA hype so that Bonnin will have to write a book 2. Not only that but this book deserves to find a larger audience, it is just too fun and exciting not to be read. I just don’t want readers missing out on this fantasy YA debut gem.
A copy was given to me for an honest review.
As a few reviews have mentioned the book does start a little slow, but this is a fantasy book so it would actually be news if the book started out fast. While it did start a little slow, it didn’t stay slow. My interest was piqued after only a few pages and it did not take long until the action started. Once the action starts, there is no stopping it and all you can really do is buckle-up and remain seated for the rest of the ride.
Bonnin did a nice job with the world building. Yes, there were still questions that I had as a reader, but most of my questions were made into a part of the story and we end up learning certain things as the characters also do. It worked well this way so that there weren’t any big info dumps that were boring or just slowed the pace way down. And during the times when info was just given, I was thirsty for it so it didn’t seem boring and instead it felt like I’m learning cool new info. I was a fan of the magic system which I thought parts were pretty unique. I won’t give it away but my favorite part had to do with the armor. Overall, the system was enough to be interesting but not too big to be confusing or dry. This is a book that people who aren’t giant fantasy fans could read and absolutely enjoy as much as a hardcore fantasy fan could.
When it came to the character building it was not quite as good as the world building. First, I want to make it clear that I really liked all the characters especially the main character Seri. She is a character that will stay with me a long time to come. The problem is that the three main female characters are all hiding pasts or have secrets so they don’t want to talk about themselves much. They all are mysterious and on the quieter side, so it’s really hard to have much character building if you don’t know much about them, in the beginning of the book. In fact, it almost felt like I didn’t really know them all that well until almost a third of the book went by. And the reason Bonnin did this was to have these big reveals, these big surprise moments about the characters happen. The problem was when most of them happened I said out loud “okay, but I would have rather had the character building instead�. This seems to be Bonnin’s first published book so I can’t really blame her for at least a couple newbie bumps, which this was to me. On the good side, while the character building in the beginning wasn’t great, the character development and growth after the first third of the book until the end, was excellent. I read a lot of books where sometimes it is hard to notice any character growth of any kind, and this was some pretty major growth for multiple characters. It was really nice to see that while the characters started a little weak, they sure didn’t end that way.
For the romance fans out there I will mention that there are two romances. There was one YA sapphic romance and one HET adult romance. The HET adult romance is more of a side romance although it is between one main character and one secondary main character. Even though it is not the main romance I found myself caring enough to root for the two of them anyway. The sapphic romance is the main romance and while it is what I would call a sweeter YA romance, it is pretty emotional and their feelings end up being pretty important in the book. I guess the best way to say it is that the romance is not just thrown into the book and instead it had real purpose in the story which was also nice to see.
TLDR: I’m so happy to say that this was even better than I hoped, and I had high expectations. This is the kind of fantasy I really enjoy and I had such fun reading this. It had a great theme, an interesting magic system, action around every corner, and even a sweet sapphic romance sprinkled in. While there were a few newbie author bumps, there was nothing that ever ruined my reading enjoyment. In fact, my biggest sadness is that my book journey is now over and I have nothing of this story left to read. While everything is complete, Bonnin did leave the book open enough that she could write a book two if she wanted. I’m hope this book catches some of that YA hype so that Bonnin will have to write a book 2. Not only that but this book deserves to find a larger audience, it is just too fun and exciting not to be read. I just don’t want readers missing out on this fantasy YA debut gem.
A copy was given to me for an honest review.
January 4, 2022
An epic fantasymixed with heart-pounding action and a touch ofromance, DAUNTLESS will ensnare readers until the very last page. Elisa A. Bonnin’s rich world building and gorgeous prose will leave you tearing through chapters. The rich magic, thrilling action and jolting twists will leave you craving more!
Want to read
October 10, 2020did someone say Southeast Asian sapphics!!!
August 12, 2022
As you can probably guess by its title, the main theme of Dauntless is that of bravery. But rather than portraying the standard displays of bravery which are really more for machismo’s sake, Bonnin focuses on showing the strength and conviction to do what is necessary. Bravery as a virtue doesn’t just mean the absence of fear. Rather, we are shown the importance of having the will to do what must be done. Even when it seems the odds are against you.
The best thing about the message of bravery that Dauntless shows us is that it emphasizes the fact that there are so many different kinds of courage. There’s the courage to stand up to our enemies. And there is also the courage to stand up to our friends. There’s the bravery needed to face the past. The bravery needed to confront your abusers and tell them, enough. And of course, the courage to admit your feelings.
Dauntless tells us that there is no one way to be brave. All that matters is having conviction and strength of will to do what is right. Especially in the defense of others. What a beautiful message, don’t you think? We all owe it to the people around us, those who we share a sense of community with, to try our best to be strong and brave for one another. And every character in Dauntless displays this to the fullest extent.
Read my full review on my blog, .
The best thing about the message of bravery that Dauntless shows us is that it emphasizes the fact that there are so many different kinds of courage. There’s the courage to stand up to our enemies. And there is also the courage to stand up to our friends. There’s the bravery needed to face the past. The bravery needed to confront your abusers and tell them, enough. And of course, the courage to admit your feelings.
Dauntless tells us that there is no one way to be brave. All that matters is having conviction and strength of will to do what is right. Especially in the defense of others. What a beautiful message, don’t you think? We all owe it to the people around us, those who we share a sense of community with, to try our best to be strong and brave for one another. And every character in Dauntless displays this to the fullest extent.
Read my full review on my blog, .
July 19, 2022
You can read my full review and others, here:
I have had Dauntless at the top of my TBR since October 2020, so to say that I am buzzing with excitement over the release date being just around the corner and receiving an ARC is an absolute understatement. As a kid, I don’t remember ever reading a book that had a Filipino protagonist, so any book that not only is written by a Filipino author but also features Filipino characters is an automatic read for me. Additionally, Elisa A. Bonnin is one of the kindest authors I’ve had the fortune of interacting with, and I just am so excited for her debut novel to be out into the world.
And what a debut novel it is! Elisa is a born storyteller. Once I started reading I could not put this book down because I was simply captivated by it! The beginning of Dauntless is a little slow, but once you’ve learned about this world you see why. Bonnin takes time to explain how the world she’s created works, the dynamics and social standings, as well the challenges that the valiants/valor � a group of warriors from the known world � face. I am a firm believer that in order to have a good fantasy novel, you need to have detailed and specific world building. I don’t want to spend the entire story confused about what is going on because there are holes in the world building � Dauntless delivered on my fantasy story world building expectations and then some. It’s so clear that Bonnin spent a lot of time fully fleshing out this world, and I really appreciate her specificity!
Truthfully, I could talk for hours about the intricacies of this world because I’m so fascinated by it. I’m already dying to do a reread so that I can immerse myself in it again � and I’ll for sure be annotating once I receive my physical copy! My favorite part of the world building was the valor itself; there’s just so much there. I love the small details, like how in order to get their armor, a valiant must kill 5 beasts, and then 5 kills become part of their armor. I also thought it was so cool that the armor grows and changes with the valiant and appears as a representation of what is truly in their heart. I was so drawn to that while reading and am still completely fascinated!
I thought that the ending did a great job of wrapping up the story, but it also left things a bit open ended, so Elisa, if you’re thinking about possibly writing a sequel…I would not be opposed to that!
If you want a fantasy book filled with strong female characters, please look no further, Dauntless is the novel for you!
---
i'm so !!!!! real review to come
I have had Dauntless at the top of my TBR since October 2020, so to say that I am buzzing with excitement over the release date being just around the corner and receiving an ARC is an absolute understatement. As a kid, I don’t remember ever reading a book that had a Filipino protagonist, so any book that not only is written by a Filipino author but also features Filipino characters is an automatic read for me. Additionally, Elisa A. Bonnin is one of the kindest authors I’ve had the fortune of interacting with, and I just am so excited for her debut novel to be out into the world.
And what a debut novel it is! Elisa is a born storyteller. Once I started reading I could not put this book down because I was simply captivated by it! The beginning of Dauntless is a little slow, but once you’ve learned about this world you see why. Bonnin takes time to explain how the world she’s created works, the dynamics and social standings, as well the challenges that the valiants/valor � a group of warriors from the known world � face. I am a firm believer that in order to have a good fantasy novel, you need to have detailed and specific world building. I don’t want to spend the entire story confused about what is going on because there are holes in the world building � Dauntless delivered on my fantasy story world building expectations and then some. It’s so clear that Bonnin spent a lot of time fully fleshing out this world, and I really appreciate her specificity!
Truthfully, I could talk for hours about the intricacies of this world because I’m so fascinated by it. I’m already dying to do a reread so that I can immerse myself in it again � and I’ll for sure be annotating once I receive my physical copy! My favorite part of the world building was the valor itself; there’s just so much there. I love the small details, like how in order to get their armor, a valiant must kill 5 beasts, and then 5 kills become part of their armor. I also thought it was so cool that the armor grows and changes with the valiant and appears as a representation of what is truly in their heart. I was so drawn to that while reading and am still completely fascinated!
I thought that the ending did a great job of wrapping up the story, but it also left things a bit open ended, so Elisa, if you’re thinking about possibly writing a sequel…I would not be opposed to that!
If you want a fantasy book filled with strong female characters, please look no further, Dauntless is the novel for you!
---
i'm so !!!!! real review to come
June 7, 2022
I received a digital ARC of this book from the author via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Actual rating: 4.5
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! While it took me a while to get used to the writing style and be truly invested in the characters, I ended up reading the last three quarters really quickly.
I would say the story has somewhat of a slow start, but that isn't without reason. Bonnin really takes her time to introduce her world without having to hold the reader's hand through it. It's up to the readers to put the pieces together themselves. I think part of the reason it took me a minute to grasp the details of the world was because unlike most epic fantasy stories, words that mean something specific beyond the traditional definition are not capitalized (ie beasts, valiants, valor). But once you get past that, the rest is pretty easy to take in.
But where Dauntless truly shines is in its worldbuilding! Though smaller in scale compared a lot of high fantasy I've read before, I was thoroughly impressed with how much detail and nuance Bonnin was able to include in her story in terms of the magic system as well as the politics of the different groups represented, all within a span of relatively fewer pages than most epic fantasies! And it was executed so expertly that it never felt info-dumpy or confusing. The way both plot and worldbuilding unraveled themselves was so masterfully paced that every single chapter felt intentional and meaningful.
While this has been pitched as being Filipino-inspired, I would temper high expectations with regards to Filipino influence since beyond the characters' physical appearance, food references, and the tropical setting, not much about the world's mythology feels particularly Filipino, at least according to my limited knowledge. In terms of the sapphic romance, I really loved that element of the story despite it not being the focus of the plot. Still, it was beautifully written and depicted.
Dauntless was truly something unlike anything I've ever read before. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a quick fast-paced adventure with awesome action scenes, intriguing political dynamics, and animal companion stories. This is accessible and can be enjoyed by anyone from young teens to adult fantasy readers.
You don't want to miss this book when it comes out July 19th!
You may pre-order the book here:
Actual rating: 4.5
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! While it took me a while to get used to the writing style and be truly invested in the characters, I ended up reading the last three quarters really quickly.
I would say the story has somewhat of a slow start, but that isn't without reason. Bonnin really takes her time to introduce her world without having to hold the reader's hand through it. It's up to the readers to put the pieces together themselves. I think part of the reason it took me a minute to grasp the details of the world was because unlike most epic fantasy stories, words that mean something specific beyond the traditional definition are not capitalized (ie beasts, valiants, valor). But once you get past that, the rest is pretty easy to take in.
But where Dauntless truly shines is in its worldbuilding! Though smaller in scale compared a lot of high fantasy I've read before, I was thoroughly impressed with how much detail and nuance Bonnin was able to include in her story in terms of the magic system as well as the politics of the different groups represented, all within a span of relatively fewer pages than most epic fantasies! And it was executed so expertly that it never felt info-dumpy or confusing. The way both plot and worldbuilding unraveled themselves was so masterfully paced that every single chapter felt intentional and meaningful.
While this has been pitched as being Filipino-inspired, I would temper high expectations with regards to Filipino influence since beyond the characters' physical appearance, food references, and the tropical setting, not much about the world's mythology feels particularly Filipino, at least according to my limited knowledge. In terms of the sapphic romance, I really loved that element of the story despite it not being the focus of the plot. Still, it was beautifully written and depicted.
Dauntless was truly something unlike anything I've ever read before. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a quick fast-paced adventure with awesome action scenes, intriguing political dynamics, and animal companion stories. This is accessible and can be enjoyed by anyone from young teens to adult fantasy readers.
You don't want to miss this book when it comes out July 19th!
You may pre-order the book here:
January 3, 2025
~ 2.5 stars ~
The word-building and action scenes are definitely the highlights of this novel. Each time I opened this book it felt like I was stepping into a real world, with a completely unique ‘magic� system that I really enjoyed. The concept of valiants was really interesting too.
I also loved the characters, but I wish I could have gotten to know them more. Some of them, like a side character named Raya, were brushed aside completely after the first quarter of the book when their story definitely wasn’t over.
The main characters (Seri, Eshai, Lavit, and Tsana) of course got more on-page time, and I did like their dynamics with each other. However, I felt like there was more to them that could have been explored. Especially Tsana, whose character development and relationship with Seri felt rushed. The villain was interesting but also could have been looked at with more depth. Basically, I just wanted more from the characters, because I did like them.
(Slight spoilers in the last paragraph)
I really loved the duality the main character was able to find for herself at the end of the novel - I can’t say more without spoiling anything major, but Seri finding balance in her existence was beautifully written.
The word-building and action scenes are definitely the highlights of this novel. Each time I opened this book it felt like I was stepping into a real world, with a completely unique ‘magic� system that I really enjoyed. The concept of valiants was really interesting too.
I also loved the characters, but I wish I could have gotten to know them more. Some of them, like a side character named Raya, were brushed aside completely after the first quarter of the book when their story definitely wasn’t over.
The main characters (Seri, Eshai, Lavit, and Tsana) of course got more on-page time, and I did like their dynamics with each other. However, I felt like there was more to them that could have been explored. Especially Tsana, whose character development and relationship with Seri felt rushed. The villain was interesting but also could have been looked at with more depth. Basically, I just wanted more from the characters, because I did like them.
(Slight spoilers in the last paragraph)
I really loved the duality the main character was able to find for herself at the end of the novel - I can’t say more without spoiling anything major, but Seri finding balance in her existence was beautifully written.
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October 28, 2022
I really enjoyed this one! Super queer, so fantasy, and all action (but well-built world and action that made sense...even the teenaged military commanders).
January 27, 2023
2023 reads: 37/350
seri is a valiant, someone who kills the beasts that hunt the people. she’s never questioned what she does, but then she meets tsana, someone who can communicate with the beasts, and seri begins to question everything she’s been taught.
somehow i didn’t realize this was sapphic when i started it so i was very pleasantly surprised as seri and tsana’s relationship grew. i loved seri and tsana and thought this was a really interesting story. additionally, this is inspired by filipino mythology/culture, and i thought this aspect was interesting.
seri is a valiant, someone who kills the beasts that hunt the people. she’s never questioned what she does, but then she meets tsana, someone who can communicate with the beasts, and seri begins to question everything she’s been taught.
somehow i didn’t realize this was sapphic when i started it so i was very pleasantly surprised as seri and tsana’s relationship grew. i loved seri and tsana and thought this was a really interesting story. additionally, this is inspired by filipino mythology/culture, and i thought this aspect was interesting.
November 10, 2021
"En and enshkai. Power and exploration. Knowledge and discovery. Stillness and motion. Serenity and dauntlessness."
Where do I even begin with this review? This book absolutely amazed me. So beautiful, atmospheric, surprisingly emotional, and so gripping from the first page to the very last. I am so happy I was able to read an early version of this book and I can't wait for it to be out in the world, I will be begging any and all readers I know to pick this up. And I will inevitably reread once I snag a hard copy.
First, let's start with the world that Elisa Bonnin has crafted. I was a bit hesitant after the first few chapters, I wondered if I was going to enjoy the setting and if I was going to be able to see it clearly. I felt like the beginning was out of nowhere and just kind of threw us into Seri's story with no direction. But when Eshai came into the picture and Seri's training really began, I quickly became enamored with Bonnin's lush and atmospheric writing. I really felt like I was with Seri, Tsana, and Eshai in the depths of the unknown and known worlds. Bonnin is great at creating atmosphere for readers and I was so sad to leave at the end of the book.
I really found the concept of the beasts, their ability to either be bonded or feral, and the abilities valiants acquired from their killed beasts to be super fascinating. Bonnin is really creative and I really feel like she brought something fresh and new to the table. The fantastical elements weren't super in your face, so I think that this book can appeal to fans of YA fiction and YA fantasy both. The fantasy was practical and well thought out.
These characters... wow. All three leading ladies, Seri, Tsana, and Eshai, are all such powerhouses. I adored them all. They were so different from one another and had their own vices and virtues, which I really appreciated. I think that a lot of authors attempt to portray female strength with hyper-masculine characters that reject the idea of femininity and womanhood as a way to say, "hey, women can be just as strong and brave as all of the leading men that society cherishes so dearly." And while I understand this, I feel like it sometimes defeats the purpose of showcasing strong women. Bonnin's characters maintain their femininity, they don't reject "girlish" behaviors, they do brave and strong things, and are also unafraid to show their weaknesses. I can't tell you how many times I've read the classic "heroine starts crying and then immediately stops herself because she thinks it's a weakness" scene. Tsana cried A LOT. And I loved it. Seri never tried to stop her, she held her and let her get it out. Seri grieved, PAINFULLY. She shouldered blame, she felt guilt, and she didn't attempt to ease her sufferings. She welcomed it and handled it gracefully. Eshai let herself fall in love and didn't view romance as something that hinders her ability to lead (another classic heroine move). These women are so brave, intelligent, fierce, and REAL. I couldn't love them more, and I have a little preference for Tsana. I loved all the mistakes she made and all her attempts to redeem them.
Now, let's talk about that beautiful sapphic romance. I fell HARD for Tsana and Seri's story. They had so much chemistry and I was rooting for them so hard. I was a bit disappointed about how much of a subplot it was. I was really hoping their relationship would have been the focus. But I loved the content that we did get. Their hesitant kisses, the shy hand holding, the long glances. I was squealing reading their scenes. They are so so good together. They are now one of my new favorite book couples!
And that ending... SO good. What a beautiful epilogue. I was so happy for Eshai and Lavit and Eshai and Seri had such a tender reunion. What a beautiful friendship they have, I really loved how they were still so supportive and happy for each other despite the time away. And they grew into their new lives so well. I was so happy for Seri and Karai specifically, they are great together and I was so thankful Karai made it out alright in the end. I love their bond! And, I am hoping and wishing and praying and manifesting that we will get a sequel. That ending set one up SO PERFECTLY. Shall I beg? Please, please, please, continue this story. I need more Seri and Tsana! I did not get enough of the sapphic cuteness and I need them to live happily ever after and marry and have the cutest little life ever with Karai and Asai. This is me begging!!!!! There is so much more than can be explored within this world and with these characters. I would devour anything else Bonnin writes about these girls and this world.
Overall, Dauntless was a phenomenal book. I am going to recommend this to... pretty much everyone I know. I won't stop thinking about this book and Seri and Tsana for a good long while.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the free e-copy in exchange for an honest review!
Dauntless - 4.5/5 Stars
Where do I even begin with this review? This book absolutely amazed me. So beautiful, atmospheric, surprisingly emotional, and so gripping from the first page to the very last. I am so happy I was able to read an early version of this book and I can't wait for it to be out in the world, I will be begging any and all readers I know to pick this up. And I will inevitably reread once I snag a hard copy.
First, let's start with the world that Elisa Bonnin has crafted. I was a bit hesitant after the first few chapters, I wondered if I was going to enjoy the setting and if I was going to be able to see it clearly. I felt like the beginning was out of nowhere and just kind of threw us into Seri's story with no direction. But when Eshai came into the picture and Seri's training really began, I quickly became enamored with Bonnin's lush and atmospheric writing. I really felt like I was with Seri, Tsana, and Eshai in the depths of the unknown and known worlds. Bonnin is great at creating atmosphere for readers and I was so sad to leave at the end of the book.
I really found the concept of the beasts, their ability to either be bonded or feral, and the abilities valiants acquired from their killed beasts to be super fascinating. Bonnin is really creative and I really feel like she brought something fresh and new to the table. The fantastical elements weren't super in your face, so I think that this book can appeal to fans of YA fiction and YA fantasy both. The fantasy was practical and well thought out.
These characters... wow. All three leading ladies, Seri, Tsana, and Eshai, are all such powerhouses. I adored them all. They were so different from one another and had their own vices and virtues, which I really appreciated. I think that a lot of authors attempt to portray female strength with hyper-masculine characters that reject the idea of femininity and womanhood as a way to say, "hey, women can be just as strong and brave as all of the leading men that society cherishes so dearly." And while I understand this, I feel like it sometimes defeats the purpose of showcasing strong women. Bonnin's characters maintain their femininity, they don't reject "girlish" behaviors, they do brave and strong things, and are also unafraid to show their weaknesses. I can't tell you how many times I've read the classic "heroine starts crying and then immediately stops herself because she thinks it's a weakness" scene. Tsana cried A LOT. And I loved it. Seri never tried to stop her, she held her and let her get it out. Seri grieved, PAINFULLY. She shouldered blame, she felt guilt, and she didn't attempt to ease her sufferings. She welcomed it and handled it gracefully. Eshai let herself fall in love and didn't view romance as something that hinders her ability to lead (another classic heroine move). These women are so brave, intelligent, fierce, and REAL. I couldn't love them more, and I have a little preference for Tsana. I loved all the mistakes she made and all her attempts to redeem them.
Now, let's talk about that beautiful sapphic romance. I fell HARD for Tsana and Seri's story. They had so much chemistry and I was rooting for them so hard. I was a bit disappointed about how much of a subplot it was. I was really hoping their relationship would have been the focus. But I loved the content that we did get. Their hesitant kisses, the shy hand holding, the long glances. I was squealing reading their scenes. They are so so good together. They are now one of my new favorite book couples!
And that ending... SO good. What a beautiful epilogue. I was so happy for Eshai and Lavit and Eshai and Seri had such a tender reunion. What a beautiful friendship they have, I really loved how they were still so supportive and happy for each other despite the time away. And they grew into their new lives so well. I was so happy for Seri and Karai specifically, they are great together and I was so thankful Karai made it out alright in the end. I love their bond! And, I am hoping and wishing and praying and manifesting that we will get a sequel. That ending set one up SO PERFECTLY. Shall I beg? Please, please, please, continue this story. I need more Seri and Tsana! I did not get enough of the sapphic cuteness and I need them to live happily ever after and marry and have the cutest little life ever with Karai and Asai. This is me begging!!!!! There is so much more than can be explored within this world and with these characters. I would devour anything else Bonnin writes about these girls and this world.
Overall, Dauntless was a phenomenal book. I am going to recommend this to... pretty much everyone I know. I won't stop thinking about this book and Seri and Tsana for a good long while.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the free e-copy in exchange for an honest review!
Dauntless - 4.5/5 Stars
July 30, 2022
3.75 Stars
Dauntless was a fantastic time! It truly deserves credit for being the only thing I could read during the school year reading slump. With that, I’ll start with the positives. This book was a WIN for the girls out there. It featured strong, growing, but also struggling women. I rooted for all of them and found myself genuinely excited about how their missions were doing and the developments that came with it.
The other nice thing about Dauntless was how friendly of a fantasy book it is to those new to the genre. The matter is like two sides of a coin. Power systems here aren’t very elaborate, though enough for me to personally enjoy the story while keeping track of everything. Overall, it depends on your level of wants when it comes to fantastical elements.
Like any other book, there were aspects of Dauntless that I struggled with while reading. The pacing was frustrating with the way it kept turning in circles. Progress came, but I constantly felt like old repetitive events turned back when they could’ve left more room for world development.
The romance here was slightly disappointing. I can count on my fingers the amount of Southeast Asian sapphic books I’ve read, so I was ready for more. The excitement was definitely there for the relationship, but it took a hard hit with how tight the dedicated time was. There was constantly show rather than tell and I was left without feeling their supposed deep attachment or feelings. I wouldn’t say it’s bad, just a very minor light background element.
To wrap it up, this was a lovely book! A fun, enjoyable time that marks ground as a solid debut. I recommend you check it out for a quick Asian inspired fantasy read!
Thank you to Macmillan and Netgalley for a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Macmillan and Netgalley for a review copy in exchange for a honest review.
~~~~~~~
excited for arc but name is giving very much divergent flashbacks !
Dauntless was a fantastic time! It truly deserves credit for being the only thing I could read during the school year reading slump. With that, I’ll start with the positives. This book was a WIN for the girls out there. It featured strong, growing, but also struggling women. I rooted for all of them and found myself genuinely excited about how their missions were doing and the developments that came with it.
The other nice thing about Dauntless was how friendly of a fantasy book it is to those new to the genre. The matter is like two sides of a coin. Power systems here aren’t very elaborate, though enough for me to personally enjoy the story while keeping track of everything. Overall, it depends on your level of wants when it comes to fantastical elements.
Like any other book, there were aspects of Dauntless that I struggled with while reading. The pacing was frustrating with the way it kept turning in circles. Progress came, but I constantly felt like old repetitive events turned back when they could’ve left more room for world development.
The romance here was slightly disappointing. I can count on my fingers the amount of Southeast Asian sapphic books I’ve read, so I was ready for more. The excitement was definitely there for the relationship, but it took a hard hit with how tight the dedicated time was. There was constantly show rather than tell and I was left without feeling their supposed deep attachment or feelings. I wouldn’t say it’s bad, just a very minor light background element.
To wrap it up, this was a lovely book! A fun, enjoyable time that marks ground as a solid debut. I recommend you check it out for a quick Asian inspired fantasy read!
Thank you to Macmillan and Netgalley for a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Macmillan and Netgalley for a review copy in exchange for a honest review.
~~~~~~~
excited for arc but name is giving very much divergent flashbacks !
February 25, 2023
El mundo en el que vive Seri está definido por unas normas elementales: las bestias andan por el bosque y cazan a la gente; son los valientes quienes exploran el mundo desconocido, las matan y se protegen con armaduras que fabrican a partir de ellas. Seri se convierte en la ayudante de Eshai la Inquebrantable, quien tiene una mítica reputación, y ve de primera mano la lucha por mantener a raya a la bestias y mantener con vida al Pueblo. Sin embargo, un día, Seri conoce a Tsana, capaz de comunicarse con las bestias, lo que hace que Seri dude de todo en lo que creía, y los mundos de ambas choquen.
Pues lo dicho: como pensaba, me ha recordado mucho a esas novelas que solía leer hace ya... ostras, más de diez años, llenas de acción, giros argumentales, aunque también relativamente ligeras, de esas que pueden leerse prácticamente del tirón si tienes el tiempo suficiente.
Contamos con varias voces protagonistas, aunque sin duda destacan Seri y Eshai, pero no puedo olvidarme de Tsana, clave para la historia; y no solo ellas, sino que también contamos con un buen puñado de personajes secundarios. Ahora bien, es verdad que tengo que decir que me habría encantado que los personajes estuvieran más desarrollados y que tuvieran más profundidad. Aun así, contamos con representación lgbt, y las relaciones que se establecen entre ellas son estupendas.
Reseña completa:
Pues lo dicho: como pensaba, me ha recordado mucho a esas novelas que solía leer hace ya... ostras, más de diez años, llenas de acción, giros argumentales, aunque también relativamente ligeras, de esas que pueden leerse prácticamente del tirón si tienes el tiempo suficiente.
Contamos con varias voces protagonistas, aunque sin duda destacan Seri y Eshai, pero no puedo olvidarme de Tsana, clave para la historia; y no solo ellas, sino que también contamos con un buen puñado de personajes secundarios. Ahora bien, es verdad que tengo que decir que me habría encantado que los personajes estuvieran más desarrollados y que tuvieran más profundidad. Aun así, contamos con representación lgbt, y las relaciones que se establecen entre ellas son estupendas.
Reseña completa:
Read
January 9, 2023The People live in the trees, fearful of the beast prowling the rainforest floor. The valiant, warriors clad in beast armor, are charged with protecting the People, hunting the beasts, and exploring the unknown world. This is the world as Seri knows it, but something is changing. The beasts begin to act strangely, and after meeting a mysterious girl, Tsana, Seri begins to wonder if the People are really the only people and how unexplored the Unknown World actually is.
Dauntless is an enjoyable YA fantasy with adventure, high stakes, companionship (both human and animal). Each of the three POV characters have specific and separate goals and none of the chapters are a skip. However, the star of the book is Bonin’s lush and vivid world building, Inspired by Filipino mythology, the setting will feel fresh and unique to fantasy readers who would like a change of pace from swords and castles.
This book feels like a Shonen anime staring three strong female characters. It would appeal to fans of The Beast Player.
--Dominique A.
Dauntless is an enjoyable YA fantasy with adventure, high stakes, companionship (both human and animal). Each of the three POV characters have specific and separate goals and none of the chapters are a skip. However, the star of the book is Bonin’s lush and vivid world building, Inspired by Filipino mythology, the setting will feel fresh and unique to fantasy readers who would like a change of pace from swords and castles.
This book feels like a Shonen anime staring three strong female characters. It would appeal to fans of The Beast Player.
--Dominique A.
February 11, 2023
2.75, I think?
I'm so sad I didn't end up liking this one as much as I expected. It has such a unique and cool magic system, but unfortunately I couldn't connect with the characters at all.
In my opinion, it would've benefited from being a longer book cause even though the action and fighting scenes were well-written and made it fast-paced, both the characters and their relationships needed more development, especially the romance � which, to be honest, made me struggle to finish the second half of the novel because I wasn't interested enough in it.
I did enjoy the ending, though. It was realistic, things weren't magically fixed and it touched on some other topics I wish the author had decided to explore a bit more throughout the story. Still, it wasn't a very memorable story for me and the fact that it took me so long to finish a 300 page book speaks a lot about my general enjoyment of it.
I'm so sad I didn't end up liking this one as much as I expected. It has such a unique and cool magic system, but unfortunately I couldn't connect with the characters at all.
In my opinion, it would've benefited from being a longer book cause even though the action and fighting scenes were well-written and made it fast-paced, both the characters and their relationships needed more development, especially the romance � which, to be honest, made me struggle to finish the second half of the novel because I wasn't interested enough in it.
I did enjoy the ending, though. It was realistic, things weren't magically fixed and it touched on some other topics I wish the author had decided to explore a bit more throughout the story. Still, it wasn't a very memorable story for me and the fact that it took me so long to finish a 300 page book speaks a lot about my general enjoyment of it.
Shelved as 'on-hiatus'
June 8, 2022I NEED MY PAWS ON THIS WHY IS JULY SO FAR AWAY T-T
February 11, 2023
Interesante y original, muy al estilo de los libros que me metieron de lleno en mi pasión por las distopías. Ahora, también he de decir que no he terminado de conectar del todo con la forma de narrar de la autora, sentía que no llegaba a transmitir del todo los sentimientos de los personajes.
June 10, 2022
I received an E-ARC of DAUNTLESS and I'm so thankful to be one of the first people to read this incredible story. Growing up, there were no books with Filipino characters that I could enjoy and this is EXACTLY the kind of book I wish I had as a teenager. Seri's struggle with her identity, her first love, and what she believes as right and wrong was incredible to witness. Her hopes and fears were very personable and gave her character so much depth. I loved Seri from the moment I met her and love her even more at the end of her story.
It was more than just Seri that drew me into the story. It was all the other strong female characters surrounding her, Tsana, Eshai, and Raya. Without spoiling too much I want to say that I've never related to so many characters in a single novel before. Usually I find myself liking only one or two but I fell in love with every character I met (except maybe our main villain, though I could understand his actions to a point). I could see pieces of myself in each of the women mentioned above. Their immense love and loyalty for those around them and their courage in the face of incredible hardship made me want to embody them and their values.
The romance arcs (and even the friendship arcs), though not the main plot of story, were fully fleshed out and beautiful to witness. I'm a sucker for romance and the ones inside this story were gut punches in a VERY good way and I'm going to leave it at that.
This is truly a wonderful book and I cant' wait to re-read it when my pre-order comes in.
It was more than just Seri that drew me into the story. It was all the other strong female characters surrounding her, Tsana, Eshai, and Raya. Without spoiling too much I want to say that I've never related to so many characters in a single novel before. Usually I find myself liking only one or two but I fell in love with every character I met (except maybe our main villain, though I could understand his actions to a point). I could see pieces of myself in each of the women mentioned above. Their immense love and loyalty for those around them and their courage in the face of incredible hardship made me want to embody them and their values.
The romance arcs (and even the friendship arcs), though not the main plot of story, were fully fleshed out and beautiful to witness. I'm a sucker for romance and the ones inside this story were gut punches in a VERY good way and I'm going to leave it at that.
This is truly a wonderful book and I cant' wait to re-read it when my pre-order comes in.
October 22, 2022
i felt like this one started out really strong for me concept-wise, but kind of lost me halfway through. the romance between ceri and tsana felt a bit rushed and almost forced (same for eshai too, to be honest). i really did love the idea of the world and the treetop societies, but i don’t know, i think i’m just left confused a bit on the whole.
Want to read
August 29, 2021i'm not even reading the synopsis look at this cover plus it's sapphic i don't need anything else thank you (also Filipino-inspired fantasy sounds pretty good ngl but i was already sold
June 17, 2022
mixed feelings but excellent action! rtc
February 29, 2024
I don’t know what to say about this book. 🫤 The story is really good, *on paper*. We’re following Eshai (a legendary beast killer) and Seri (a girl who killed her best friend after he got possessed by a beast � something that no one would believe happened). These 2 end up meeting and teaming up to kill beasts who recently started behaving and strategizing like humans. They go to the capital city to let people know what’s been happening with the beasts. There, Seri meets (and falls for) Tsana, who is revealed to be part of an outsider group that can control the beasts that are attacking the People. Seri is then torn between saving her people, or joining Tsana and her group (who, turns out, knows things about Seri’s family).
It sounds SO interesting!!!! Genuinely! But, for some reason, it just didn’t work for me. 😭💔 This book never managed to grab my attention or keep me invested, unfortunately. It took me daaaays to even reach the 25% mark � the first time the book managed to catch my attention; and, even then, I lost interest really quickly.
This is the type of book that, even though I didn’t care about, I could still actually recommend. Like, YES, I was bored reading this, but I can’t actually pinpoint exactly anything BAD about this book. Even the things that I didn’t like weren’t *enough* for me to be THIS bored while reading this book. I genuinely DO NOT KNOW what happened for me to not like this book more. 😅
Things I liked:
� The setting!!!!! A high fantasy story that takes place on a tropical rainforest, with tree-top societies, is SO UNIQUE! The setting was definitely my favourite part of this book! I also enjoyed the magic system (where valiants kill beasts and use their remains to forge armor and weapons specifically tailored to them). Very interesting.
� As I mentioned, the story is really interesting, on paper. I genuinely found the plot interesting, I just didn’t get invested, for some reason.
Things I didn’t care about:
� The romance. Eshai and her childhood friend Lavit’s relationship was kind of interesting, but I never really cared about it. The main romance was just boring to me. Seri and Tsana start liking each other really fast. They knew each other for just a couple of days and Seri was already really intent on finding and protecting Tsana (who, as far as Seri knew, was part of a group that commands beasts and murders Seri’s People). Their bond didn’t make any sense to me; they barely knew each other! 🫥
� The characters were fine, but I think I’ll forget about them quickly. Perhaps if I had cared more about the other aspects of the story I would’ve cared more about the characters, too.
� As I already said, while the story was overall interesting, I never managed to get invested in it. So I didn’t care that much about the characters, or the romance, or the plot. To me, this was just a book I read. 😐
It sounds SO interesting!!!! Genuinely! But, for some reason, it just didn’t work for me. 😭💔 This book never managed to grab my attention or keep me invested, unfortunately. It took me daaaays to even reach the 25% mark � the first time the book managed to catch my attention; and, even then, I lost interest really quickly.
This is the type of book that, even though I didn’t care about, I could still actually recommend. Like, YES, I was bored reading this, but I can’t actually pinpoint exactly anything BAD about this book. Even the things that I didn’t like weren’t *enough* for me to be THIS bored while reading this book. I genuinely DO NOT KNOW what happened for me to not like this book more. 😅
Things I liked:
� The setting!!!!! A high fantasy story that takes place on a tropical rainforest, with tree-top societies, is SO UNIQUE! The setting was definitely my favourite part of this book! I also enjoyed the magic system (where valiants kill beasts and use their remains to forge armor and weapons specifically tailored to them). Very interesting.
� As I mentioned, the story is really interesting, on paper. I genuinely found the plot interesting, I just didn’t get invested, for some reason.
Things I didn’t care about:
� The romance. Eshai and her childhood friend Lavit’s relationship was kind of interesting, but I never really cared about it. The main romance was just boring to me. Seri and Tsana start liking each other really fast. They knew each other for just a couple of days and Seri was already really intent on finding and protecting Tsana (who, as far as Seri knew, was part of a group that commands beasts and murders Seri’s People). Their bond didn’t make any sense to me; they barely knew each other! 🫥
� The characters were fine, but I think I’ll forget about them quickly. Perhaps if I had cared more about the other aspects of the story I would’ve cared more about the characters, too.
� As I already said, while the story was overall interesting, I never managed to get invested in it. So I didn’t care that much about the characters, or the romance, or the plot. To me, this was just a book I read. 😐
September 26, 2022
Rounding up for this non-eurocentric sapphic fantasy!
Set in a world based on Filipino culture and customs, I loved the world-building and felt it holds up against many other fantasies I have read. I can't begin to say how important it was for me to read something Filipino-inspired and sapphic. A story like this would have been critical in my youth.
Besides the personal importance, the story was also very well paced. Lots of action mixed in with learning about the world as well as a variety of complex perspectives. There were lots of questions about what was right and who was being affected by doing the "right" thing.
The other thing I really liked was the willingness to move on from certain plot points, using them as a way to fuel future plot points instead of teasing the reader for a big reveal at around the 70% mark. Some stuff stays until the end and some stuff is dealt with right away and actually creates more problems. It kept my attention and is my preference compared to the classic big reveal 80% into the book that you know is coming.
The romance is certainly a slow burn, with a bunch of angsty bits in the middle. I enjoyed how it was portrayed, but it was secondary to the other main plot points. I did wish there was more time for the love interest to grow as much as other characters. I felt like that story was a little more rushed and is why I hesitate to give an easy 5 stars.
If you're a fan of YA fantasy and would like to read something a little different I can't recommend this enough.
Set in a world based on Filipino culture and customs, I loved the world-building and felt it holds up against many other fantasies I have read. I can't begin to say how important it was for me to read something Filipino-inspired and sapphic. A story like this would have been critical in my youth.
Besides the personal importance, the story was also very well paced. Lots of action mixed in with learning about the world as well as a variety of complex perspectives. There were lots of questions about what was right and who was being affected by doing the "right" thing.
The other thing I really liked was the willingness to move on from certain plot points, using them as a way to fuel future plot points instead of teasing the reader for a big reveal at around the 70% mark. Some stuff stays until the end and some stuff is dealt with right away and actually creates more problems. It kept my attention and is my preference compared to the classic big reveal 80% into the book that you know is coming.
The romance is certainly a slow burn, with a bunch of angsty bits in the middle. I enjoyed how it was portrayed, but it was secondary to the other main plot points. I did wish there was more time for the love interest to grow as much as other characters. I felt like that story was a little more rushed and is why I hesitate to give an easy 5 stars.
If you're a fan of YA fantasy and would like to read something a little different I can't recommend this enough.
June 23, 2022
A delightful Filipino-inspired YA fantasy! Where this book really shines is the worldbuilding, which, imho, hits the YA sweet spot: The main ideas are relatively straightforward and easy to grasp, but there's still enough nuance that I felt like I was reading about real people in a real society.
Other things I liked:
+ The premise of this book is so ridiculously cool. A society must fight against monstrous beasts to colonize a jungle and expand the Known World—but the further they expand, the weirder the Unknown World that they encounter becomes.
+ The pacing is generally solid. Reveals and twists are evenly spaced. The third quarter dragged a little, but one particular moment during the climax made everything worth it.
+ Seri is a likable and real main character. She's strong-willed but still vulnerable.
Things that didn't work as well:
- The love interest, Tsana, felt like the book's least well-developed character to me, which meant that I didn't quite buy into the romance. I'm very, very picky, though, and I do appreciate the sapphic representation.
- Because the dichotomy between the Known World and Unknown World is so cool and interesting, I wish the book focused on it a little more. At times, we know more than Seri does about the Unknown World because we see it from Tsana's POV and Tsana knows many of the Unknown World's secrets. I kind of wish we discovered the truth of the Unknown World along with Seri so that we got to experience all of her wonder and fear and surprise along with her.
Other things I liked:
+ The premise of this book is so ridiculously cool. A society must fight against monstrous beasts to colonize a jungle and expand the Known World—but the further they expand, the weirder the Unknown World that they encounter becomes.
+ The pacing is generally solid. Reveals and twists are evenly spaced. The third quarter dragged a little, but one particular moment during the climax made everything worth it.
+ Seri is a likable and real main character. She's strong-willed but still vulnerable.
Things that didn't work as well:
- The love interest, Tsana, felt like the book's least well-developed character to me, which meant that I didn't quite buy into the romance. I'm very, very picky, though, and I do appreciate the sapphic representation.
- Because the dichotomy between the Known World and Unknown World is so cool and interesting, I wish the book focused on it a little more. At times, we know more than Seri does about the Unknown World because we see it from Tsana's POV and Tsana knows many of the Unknown World's secrets. I kind of wish we discovered the truth of the Unknown World along with Seri so that we got to experience all of her wonder and fear and surprise along with her.
July 5, 2022
4.75 Stars
Thank you to Swoon Reads and Netgalley for an arc of this book.
Seri decides to leave behind her home and join a new settlement further from the known world. Seri is tasked to be assistant to the head of the Valiant stationed there, the hero Eshai the Unbroken. But the Beasts the valiant are supposed to fend off are becoming more tactical and fighting in ways that seem off, and Seri helps Eshai journey to find out the cause, discovering secrets about herself and her world she never knew existed.
This was so good! I was hooked on the lush world-building and intriguing mystery's of Seri's past right from the beginning. Seri is such a compelling character and the entire time I was trying to figure out what happened to her and where she would go! Eshai and Tsana are also really great characters. Tsana's arc was super interesting to me and I loved seeing how she developed throughout the story.
There is a sapphic relationship at the heart of this one, but I'll be honest and say the romantic relationships in this story were not as compelling as the mentor relationship between Seri and Eshai or the world building. I definitely think the world-building and plot is the highlight of this one! I loved it and can't wait to hold a finished copy!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Death, and Animal death
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Toxic relationship, and Blood
Minor: Mental illness, Physical abuse, and Suicidal thoughts
Thank you to Swoon Reads and Netgalley for an arc of this book.
Seri decides to leave behind her home and join a new settlement further from the known world. Seri is tasked to be assistant to the head of the Valiant stationed there, the hero Eshai the Unbroken. But the Beasts the valiant are supposed to fend off are becoming more tactical and fighting in ways that seem off, and Seri helps Eshai journey to find out the cause, discovering secrets about herself and her world she never knew existed.
This was so good! I was hooked on the lush world-building and intriguing mystery's of Seri's past right from the beginning. Seri is such a compelling character and the entire time I was trying to figure out what happened to her and where she would go! Eshai and Tsana are also really great characters. Tsana's arc was super interesting to me and I loved seeing how she developed throughout the story.
There is a sapphic relationship at the heart of this one, but I'll be honest and say the romantic relationships in this story were not as compelling as the mentor relationship between Seri and Eshai or the world building. I definitely think the world-building and plot is the highlight of this one! I loved it and can't wait to hold a finished copy!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Death, and Animal death
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Toxic relationship, and Blood
Minor: Mental illness, Physical abuse, and Suicidal thoughts
May 21, 2022
Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
I LOVED this book so much! The worldbuilding was so full and lush, I loved how the reader was immediately dropped into Seri's world and learned along with her as she traveled. I felt like I was in a tropical rainforest while reading. There were so many interesting details, like how the valiants' armor changed color and shapes depending on their "hearts" and personalities, the different languages and stories, the meanings of their names, etc. It really felt like a fully fleshed out world!
I loved Seri's character too, she was a joy to read about and follow, and the side characters were all well developed and enjoyable to read about too. I loved Seri and Tsana's relationship, of course, and the mysteries about Seri's past and heritage kept me guessing and wanting to read more throughout the whole story.
Loved this! Five stars all around.
I LOVED this book so much! The worldbuilding was so full and lush, I loved how the reader was immediately dropped into Seri's world and learned along with her as she traveled. I felt like I was in a tropical rainforest while reading. There were so many interesting details, like how the valiants' armor changed color and shapes depending on their "hearts" and personalities, the different languages and stories, the meanings of their names, etc. It really felt like a fully fleshed out world!
I loved Seri's character too, she was a joy to read about and follow, and the side characters were all well developed and enjoyable to read about too. I loved Seri and Tsana's relationship, of course, and the mysteries about Seri's past and heritage kept me guessing and wanting to read more throughout the whole story.
Loved this! Five stars all around.
October 7, 2021
What a thrilling adventure! I'm one of the lucky early readers and can confidently say that DAUNTLESS was a blast from start to finish, so much so that I read it straight through during a six-hour plane ride (even skipped a meal to finish it).
Elisa Bonnin’s epic story revolves around the mysterious Seri, a member of a small settlement at the edge of the known world. While we’re given clues about the threats to her settlement, I truly couldn’t predict what might happen next. All I knew was that I couldn’t help but root for her, Tsana, Eshai, and the other powerful female characters who take center stage. The beasts are terrifying, but the lore around them and Seri’s ancestors is so fascinating.
As I type this, I can’t help but anticipate what the future might bring for these characters. I’m already eager for more!
Elisa Bonnin’s epic story revolves around the mysterious Seri, a member of a small settlement at the edge of the known world. While we’re given clues about the threats to her settlement, I truly couldn’t predict what might happen next. All I knew was that I couldn’t help but root for her, Tsana, Eshai, and the other powerful female characters who take center stage. The beasts are terrifying, but the lore around them and Seri’s ancestors is so fascinating.
As I type this, I can’t help but anticipate what the future might bring for these characters. I’m already eager for more!
November 18, 2024
3 stars 🌟
First book of 2024! Not bad but had higher expectations. I personally found it a bit boring and wasn't that invested though sone parts of it were very interesting. Overall a decent read.
Review written on 18th November, 2024.
DISCLAIMER-All opinions on books I’ve read and reviewed are my own, and are with no intention to offend anyone. If you feel offended by my reviews, let me know how I can fix it.
How I Rate-
1 star- Hardly liked anything/was disappointed
2 star- Had potential but did not deliver/was disappointed
3 stars- Was ok but could have been better/was average/Enjoyed a lot but something was missing
4 stars- Loved a lot but something was missing
5 stars- Loved it/new favourite
April 5, 2022
It's been a long time since I've sunk so easily into a world and story and not wanted to leave. DAUNTLESS is the kind of book where you savor every word, every chapter. I loved Seri's fierceness and bravery, Eshai's complex relationship with leadership, and Tsana's search for her place in the world.
Shocking no one, I was obsessed with the magical system and animal companion aspect of the story. The beast storyline was fascinating and fraught with tension, and the worldbuilding was so immersive. I love how this world feels like there's always more to learn and discover.
Highly, highly recommend this!
Shocking no one, I was obsessed with the magical system and animal companion aspect of the story. The beast storyline was fascinating and fraught with tension, and the worldbuilding was so immersive. I love how this world feels like there's always more to learn and discover.
Highly, highly recommend this!
Want to read
March 1, 2021Heeeeey! The author is from my mom's province!
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