Between Life and Death

Between Life and Death Series, Book 1

De: Jaclyn Kot

Narrado por: Nikki Grey, Connor Brannigan

"His eyes returned to mine, that invisible tether between us strung too tight. That magnetic pull, it was unbreakable, unyielding. Eternal. And it demanded that we collide."

On the secluded continent of Edenvale, possessing magic is a death sentence. Those who have it are labeled Cursed, and by order of the king, they are Cleansed—a horrific event utilizing a hot, hungry pyre and an iron collar. Enemy to the king, a group known as the Cursed rebels defend their lands from his reach, creating an ongoing bloodthirsty war.

When Sage's brother is conscripted for the war, she is forced to trade in her cozy, peaceful cottage life and join the Cursed rebels to get him back. Her mission seems straightforward, but Von, the leader of the Cursed rebels, comes riddled with dark secrets. With his otherworldly eyes, black as a starless night, and a taste for juicy thigh—ahem—red apples, Sage knows better than to get involved with a guy like him. But knowing and doing are two very different things.

Together with the Cursed rebels and Von, the king of inky deals and sexy, stolen moments, Sage embarks on the quest of a lifetime. Little does she know that fate is at work and the gods are watching her every move.

Between Life and Death is for ACOTAR fans looking to scratch that insatiable itch.

©2023 Jaclyn Kot (P)2023 Podium Audio

Loved this story! I even cried.

Such a good read, worth using my last two credits on. Love the story of the gods.

Good, but

I enjoyed this book, however without giving anything away, there are so many moments when the FL gets told or witnesses something and instead of questioning it, she kinda just excepts it. Which leaves the readers with so many unanswered questions and confusion.

darker undertone but heavy on the characters

Between Life and Death by Jaclyn Kot is the first book in the Between Life and Death series. This is a dark romantic fantasy about a Cursed woman, Sage, in a world where the Cursed must be Cleansed if they are discovered. Her brother is taken and she embarks on a quest to save him with Cursed rebels and the mysterious Von. Tropes include touch her and die vibes, found family, shadow daddy, angst, fated mates, gods & goddesses, and who did this to you. Please check the content warnings before reading as there are some dark topics/themes in this book.

The Lovely: By far, these characters, main and otherwise, were my favorite part of this book. Sage is wonderfully complex (and funny) while Von is morally dark dark gray. Their relationship is full of questions and trying to resist temptation, and morphs over the course of the book. Ezra cracks me up - how has she not managed to poison anyone yet? Even the villain is ambiguous and it’s tough to decide if he really is that bad, or not. Just be careful who you get attached to because the last 100 or so pages will rip your heart out - more than once.

Also Lovely: I also loved the plot and the tension. You never really know what is coming next or how the characters are going to reach their goals (or what their goals really even are). To be fair, the reader spends a lot of the book trying to piece together what is going on and how the things learned fit together. It’s surprisingly complex and I already want ot go back and re-read the book to understand more of what happened.

The Mundane: I would have liked to have seen a bit more world building in terms of the magic system. While we kind of understand the “Cursed”, the lore, the Gods, etc. isn’t really fully explained (to maintain the mystery). But, we don’t really understand the rules around the magic (system), which be confusing.

Rating: 5/5 Stars 2/5 Flames

Recommendation: I entirely selected this book because it was dark and promised a shadow daddy. Then I was gifted a copy of the book (thanks Melissa) so it jumped up my TBR. And I am in LOVE with this book. I’m normally more into fae fantasies than Gods and curses, but this book was so beautifully written it hit all the right spots. And it made me FEEL - I cried, I laughed, I wanted to strangle a few people and I was worried. I’m glad it’s “only” a three month wait until book 2 releases in late February 2024, but even that might be too long If you like romantasy books with a darker undertone but heavy on the characters and their relationships, you would like this.

Loooove

Finally!!! A hades and Persephone inspired love story where you can FEEEEEL the depth of his love! In a dark and fabulous way- without being corny or some lackluster character development!!! Absolutely loved Von. His character is one of my fave MMCs recently… and the things he says 🔥🔥🔥 YES PLEASE lol
And both narrators killed it.

Making myself wait to read book 2 (waiting for the audiobook to come out Instead of just going in KU to read it lol)
Great job!!!

Very good

Honestly, I see a lot of comments about how it’s not “ elaborate, or detailed “ honestly I loved this book, I think it had just enough of everything. It’s her and his story, so when there wasn’t a lot of world building I wasn’t upset. I have a feeling we we get soooo much more in book two. I loved this read, perfect if you’re looking for something easy and fun.

Wonderful Listen

✔️duet narration - wonderfully done btw!
✔️ excellent storyline
✔️ cursed elements?? Count me in!

I absolutely loved everything about this listen! The narrators did a spectacular job throwing their voices to help differentiate the characters that were talking! Please note: this is not a massive SMUT book. The hints that were added, added dimensions to the characters!

Cannot wait to listen to book 2!

Fun listen!

This was a fun, unique read. Starting out with the cursed being burned on a pyre was definitely a great way to pull you right into the story!

Read this if you like...
Shadow magic
Crow shifters
A unique magic system (that you learn along the way)
And a batty mother figure

Just a good time all around

A fun balance of action and romance with a good amount of build up. Zero surprises here.

Main reason I liked this book OK, was because of the Amazing Narrators performance!

💫💥💯The Narrations is duet style. the performance from both voice actors was Chef's kiss. Also each character had distinct voices which was done well by both actors. They only reason I was able to stay engaged and finish the book was because of the aduio book. Podium these 2 actors make a wonderful duo. Keep them we need more from these 2.

As for the story it is good for a vibe read but it also can be very frustrating as well.

For a vibe read it is not too bad. It definitely has some similarities to ACOTR and other Romantacys. It is very predictable actually painfully so because you know what is going on but the poor FMC is so clueless. The plot holes are huge and was the most annoying thing for me. The MMC is always conveniently absent for no apparent reason when something bad happens painfully so that it is predictable and just annoying because he is sapposingly supposed to be all powerful but is never around and never apparently knows what is going on when things start happening to the FMC who he is sapposingly supposed to have this strong body with and can find her anywhere, come to her in a blinknof an eye, read herthoughtsand emotion, etc and yet he never knows when she is in dangerand only showsup when she is at death door. I know the author needs to have drama to write the book but if feel if she was alittle more original she could have come up with better conflicts then just the FMC not knowing what is going on and the MMC convenient absent most of the time for absolute no exsplained reason. So again plot holes huge. I don't want to spoil the ending but the MMC could have easily exsplained something at then end quickly and gotten out of the bad situation.


Also I feel the love between the FMC and MMC is more lustful than any really deep connection and since this book is sapposingly more characters development heavy and plot heavy than world building you would think with how long the book is we would be more invested in the characters relationships. So book is frustrating to me it had all the feels and vibes but just not quite enough substance. It is not a terrible read and I can see why people like this book so much but if you are like me and plot and characters development is important this book and alittle bit more world building where the story makes more sense. This read can be a bit frustrating. I am not sure I will finish the series.

💥👏 Amazing audio book however!! I will say again.
So if you do plan on reading the book I would for sure get the audio book it is in my opinion the only way to read this book and enjoy it for its good points.

Well hello Von

Well hello Von.

Once I started this book, I was pulled into it and couldn't put it down. I love the take on how their unique gifts were considered curses- something to be feared.

Sage has such a big heart. She has so much determination. The chemistry between her and Von. *chef's kiss*. Their banter.

Von- yes! everything that Von is. His descriptions and the words that he said. yes. Do yourself a favor a meet him. Because his words, his shoulders and his arms... iykyk.

I listened to the audiobook. I love when book are recorded with duet narrations! Nikki and Connor both did an amazing job. And man, Connor voicing Von. I'm melting.