My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Dark, moody, and magical – FIRSTBORN is a take-no-prisoners sort of book. I thought I was ready for the Long Night, where duty-bound Firstborn soldier Bryn Ruelle must kill or be killed, but this was only the beginning of an epic adventure that defied my expectations and urged me to climb on for an unforgettable ride.

While I appreciated the complex worldbuilding and enjoyed Hastings’ gorgeous prose (including a fight scene that took my breath away!), my favorite aspect of the book was the magical system. I loved the employment of runes for both magic and craft. How they were utilized in quieter moments and during the action. And how they were manipulated and corrupted.

Bryn and her journey to rescue her sister was the main focus of this first book. Her motivation helped ground the character, her transformation, and the revelations she faces. There were also more POVs which gave us insights into the experiences and choices of other characters — including Bryn’s Midborn and Lastborn siblings. At one point in the book, the switching of POVs felt like a dance and led to one of the story’s many plot twists.

The romance was electric and tied in well with Bryn’s journey of connection and her awakening. Several steamy scenes make this book a strong YA Crossover as well as a solid read in the NA space.

Overall, Firstborn was a riveting romantasy that already has me impatient for book two. I can’t wait to see what happens next!


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