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⭐️ 3/5 stars
📖 Length: 326 pages
📱 Format: ePUB
⏳ Read Time: 4 days

Synopsis

The Five-fold Chronicles: Book I
Ever since finding the book in the attic, strange things have been happening to seventeen-year-old Ariana. She dare not tell her beloved grandfather, ‘Granpey’, for fear of making him worry. After all, he is more like a father to her, having raised her single handedly after her parents died in a car crash when she was just a few years old.
The only person Ariana can tell is her best friend and confidant, Jack. Though surprisingly, romantic sparks are beginning to emerge in their friendship, but Ariana can’t be sure, as Jack has always had a schoolboy crush on the stunningly beautiful Jessica.
As Ariana grapples with strange visions and appearances, one thing becomes apparent, she isn’t the only one who sees them. Finding the book has triggered events which lead Jack, Ariana, and her unlikely new-found friend, Jessica, through a portal into a new and magnificent world, where her arch enemy, the all-powerful Destroyer thwarts her every move. Ariana’s little rescue dog, Leo, is a Godsend and she can’t help but believe that his arrival is no coincidence. But what is in store for Ariana, Jack and Jessica as they launch into an adventure with a seemingly impossible goal? Will Ariana discover her true identity and prevent the forces of evil from changing the world forever or will the powerful Destroyer triumph over this brave but vulnerable young woman and her friends?

What I thought

Okay, so I don’t usually read a lot of YA and mostly find myself dipping in when something really catches my eye. And The Cocoon Within? That cover had me at “hello.” Seriously, it’s gorgeous and gives off all the mysterious-adventure vibes that made me immediately want to dive in.

We’ll set the scene, Seventeen-year-old Ariana finds a mysterious book in her attic (cue instant Neverending Story vibes) and — wait for it — a talking lion shows up. Yep, I thought of Narnia immediately. Throw in her adorable rescue dog Leo, her bond with her ‘Granpey’ (honestly, made me think of my own childhood with mine), and her complicated friendships with Jack and Jessica, and you’ve got a recipe for adventure, tension, and even a little romance.

Now, full disclosure: I felt like I’d been catapulted straight into the deep end. So many characters, so many events, so much happening all at once… it was a LOT.
And the e-ARC I had? A few layout hiccups here and there made it trickier to stay in the groove.

That said, if you like fast-paced stories that throw you in and don’t let go, this could be your jam. There’s a lot to love here; imagination, quirky companions, high stakes, and even a dash of humour tucked in. I just wish there’d been a smidge more breathing room to let me fully settle into Ariana’s world before she’s off facing the big bad Destroyer.

All in all? Definitely worth a peek if you like layered YA adventures with a mix of mystery, romance, and action. And I’m already curious to see where Sabah takes us in the next book.

You can grab your copy on Amazon UK, Amazon US, or add it to your Goodreads shelf.

Thank you to Love Books Tours, the publisher and the author for having me on this tour and providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Until next time… ✨