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Foreign to You #1
Foreign to You
The harmony between humans and fianna, a species of shape-shifting deer, begins to wither as racial tensions and deeply rooted resentment turns violent.
Ruthless hunter Finn Hail and prophesied liberator Adelaide may be heroes to their own species, but they are enemies to each other. With war on the horizon, the reluctant pair must team up to find the most elusive of prey: the god of the Forest.
As enemies press in from all sides, true intentions begin to show. For Finn to save the boy he cares for most, he might need to aim his gun at the very god he seeks. And Adelaide, with her festering hatred for mankind, will have to determine if peace holds true salvation for her people.
Ruthless hunter Finn Hail and prophesied liberator Adelaide may be heroes to their own species, but they are enemies to each other. With war on the horizon, the reluctant pair must team up to find the most elusive of prey: the god of the Forest.
As enemies press in from all sides, true intentions begin to show. For Finn to save the boy he cares for most, he might need to aim his gun at the very god he seeks. And Adelaide, with her festering hatred for mankind, will have to determine if peace holds true salvation for her people.
329 pages, Paperback
First published February 11, 2019
About the author
Jeremy Martin
3 books53 followersJeremy Martin, born and raised in Lancaster County Pennsylvania, considers himself to be a part-time writer and a full-time mess. If he isn’t nose-deep in a book, he’s obsessively playing video games, re-watching The Office for the umpteenth time, or lost in nature
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
October 26, 2021
*BOOK TWO IS ALMOST HERE*
Well, duh. Writing this book nearly killed me. While I recognize my writing isn't perfect, my story has blemishes, I'm choosing to be proud of everything that went into crafting this novel. This is not my final novel, I will continue to grow and hone my craft, but right now I'm proud of my little bebe (read that last word like Moira Rose from Schitt's Creek)
Well, duh. Writing this book nearly killed me. While I recognize my writing isn't perfect, my story has blemishes, I'm choosing to be proud of everything that went into crafting this novel. This is not my final novel, I will continue to grow and hone my craft, but right now I'm proud of my little bebe (read that last word like Moira Rose from Schitt's Creek)
February 12, 2019
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
They tell you not to judge a book by its cover and they’re right. It’s just that they probably don’t mean “don’t assume a book with a pretty cover is good”... Which is exactly what I did and exactly why I’m disappointed right now. Honestly, this one’s on me.
So we got that out the way, now we all know Foreign to You isn’t a good book and we can focus on details. Why isn’t it a good book? Well, let’s start with the most obvious contributor:
THE WRITING STYLE OR JUST PURPLE PROSE
Frankly, I find it hard to call the purple prose a writing style since “style” has positive connotations for me. I know that’s not technically true but here we are anyway. I just kind of feel like people who write badly don’t have a style. And (almost!) anyone who uses purple prose, writes badly. Hence my conclusion.
The purple prose in this particular book is overwhelming, even more so than this thing is by definition. It’s not just sprinkled here and there, no. It’s in literally every sentence. I got tired after one chapter. And it’s not even enjoyable, either. I didn’t find any inspiring metaphors that shifted the way I see the world; any pretty quotes I might want to put on a wall of my new flat. Nothing. Nothing apart from overly long paragraphs that should have been trimmed in the editing process.
THE LABYRINTH OF THE PLOT
This has a lot to do with my previous point, unfortunately. Because it’s kind of hard to take control over your plot, when instead you put all your attention into producing the most convoluted descriptions of everything known to men. It’s hard for the author, but it’s also hard for the reader, when they have to look for the plot under all those useless words. So in the end, what is Foreign to You about? I have no idea.
I can list some events, very bloody ones since this book seems to thrive on that. But can I connect the dots? Do I have enough information to do that? Sorry, no. It’s just one big mess of forest descriptions and too long sentences about mundane stuff, disrupted here and there by murder.
THE TREES AND THE TREES AND THE SPACE BETWEEN THE TREES
(Quoting Siken in a vain hope of putting myself in the mood to talk about this book more? Why not.)
It would help if the characters were interesting. It always does. You can usually overlook most shortcomings of a book, if the characters are amazing and you love them, right? It’s not the case here… The characters kind of feel like all the parts of this novel: pretty & shiny on the outside, with absolutely nothing to offer on the inside. They are being described as great, interesting figures, but it all falls flat in the course of the actual story. The reader feels no connection to any of them, can’t understand (or even name) the things that are supposed to drive them, can’t root for any of them.
And I quoted Siken also because he’s a gay poet and I was promised gay rep in this book. But? I would need a microscope to find it. There are hints of a developing Feeling between the main character and his best friend, and because I’m a gay reader myself, I got excited. Only those hints don’t amount to anything. We not only never get an actual confirmation that either of the guys has a romantic inclination towards men, we also never get to see a relationship or even a start of one.
I’m hesitant to say that this book has the Bury Your Gays trope, not because a gay (I assume) character doesn’t die, but because there’s so little representation, it doesn’t even register. And okay, to be perfectly candid, a lot of characters die. I told you, it’s a bloody book. It’s just that, you’re not affected by any of those deaths.
THE DISAPPOINTMENT
All in all, Foreign to You is just that: a disappointment. It’s a highly forgettable book that doesn’t grab your attention even in the middle of what’s supposed to be a thrilling event. There’s some worldbuilding that looks cool as bullet points but can’t hold its own once the actual story is wrapped around it. There’s the purple prose that makes you wish you could be finished with the book the moment you start it. There’s just so much to complain about… The best part of this book truly is its cover.
They tell you not to judge a book by its cover and they’re right. It’s just that they probably don’t mean “don’t assume a book with a pretty cover is good”... Which is exactly what I did and exactly why I’m disappointed right now. Honestly, this one’s on me.
So we got that out the way, now we all know Foreign to You isn’t a good book and we can focus on details. Why isn’t it a good book? Well, let’s start with the most obvious contributor:
THE WRITING STYLE OR JUST PURPLE PROSE
Frankly, I find it hard to call the purple prose a writing style since “style” has positive connotations for me. I know that’s not technically true but here we are anyway. I just kind of feel like people who write badly don’t have a style. And (almost!) anyone who uses purple prose, writes badly. Hence my conclusion.
The purple prose in this particular book is overwhelming, even more so than this thing is by definition. It’s not just sprinkled here and there, no. It’s in literally every sentence. I got tired after one chapter. And it’s not even enjoyable, either. I didn’t find any inspiring metaphors that shifted the way I see the world; any pretty quotes I might want to put on a wall of my new flat. Nothing. Nothing apart from overly long paragraphs that should have been trimmed in the editing process.
THE LABYRINTH OF THE PLOT
This has a lot to do with my previous point, unfortunately. Because it’s kind of hard to take control over your plot, when instead you put all your attention into producing the most convoluted descriptions of everything known to men. It’s hard for the author, but it’s also hard for the reader, when they have to look for the plot under all those useless words. So in the end, what is Foreign to You about? I have no idea.
I can list some events, very bloody ones since this book seems to thrive on that. But can I connect the dots? Do I have enough information to do that? Sorry, no. It’s just one big mess of forest descriptions and too long sentences about mundane stuff, disrupted here and there by murder.
THE TREES AND THE TREES AND THE SPACE BETWEEN THE TREES
(Quoting Siken in a vain hope of putting myself in the mood to talk about this book more? Why not.)
It would help if the characters were interesting. It always does. You can usually overlook most shortcomings of a book, if the characters are amazing and you love them, right? It’s not the case here… The characters kind of feel like all the parts of this novel: pretty & shiny on the outside, with absolutely nothing to offer on the inside. They are being described as great, interesting figures, but it all falls flat in the course of the actual story. The reader feels no connection to any of them, can’t understand (or even name) the things that are supposed to drive them, can’t root for any of them.
And I quoted Siken also because he’s a gay poet and I was promised gay rep in this book. But? I would need a microscope to find it. There are hints of a developing Feeling between the main character and his best friend, and because I’m a gay reader myself, I got excited. Only those hints don’t amount to anything. We not only never get an actual confirmation that either of the guys has a romantic inclination towards men, we also never get to see a relationship or even a start of one.
I’m hesitant to say that this book has the Bury Your Gays trope, not because a gay (I assume) character doesn’t die, but because there’s so little representation, it doesn’t even register. And okay, to be perfectly candid, a lot of characters die. I told you, it’s a bloody book. It’s just that, you’re not affected by any of those deaths.
THE DISAPPOINTMENT
All in all, Foreign to You is just that: a disappointment. It’s a highly forgettable book that doesn’t grab your attention even in the middle of what’s supposed to be a thrilling event. There’s some worldbuilding that looks cool as bullet points but can’t hold its own once the actual story is wrapped around it. There’s the purple prose that makes you wish you could be finished with the book the moment you start it. There’s just so much to complain about… The best part of this book truly is its cover.
February 12, 2019
I received an advanced reading copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
UPDATE: I just saw that there will be a sequel? Which honestly means my rating might even be higher? The book totally stands on its own but there are still so many unanswered questions that left me feeling a tad unsatisfied - but now I am just excited. And just imagine the cover! *heart eyes*
This story wrecked me in the best way.
Martin created a rich and magical world where the humans of Norsewood and fianna, deer shapeshifters, are on the verges of war. Where a prophecy is all that is holding them together.
His writing style is right up my alley - whimsy, beautiful and full of emotions.
I loved the mythology and legends on which the entire story is built. It added this mystical air whether everything that happened is true or not or is just another legend on its own.
The main two characters, Adelaide and Finn, are in juxtaposition to one another. You have Adelaide, who is trusting and naive, frightening of this new world of humans and unsure of her place. And Finn who is bitter and pessimistic, a non-believer and already weary of this world. Their actions lead the story and give insights to both Norsewood and the fianna.
The side characters were just as memorable. Caleb and Anna, who are probably the kindest of them all; Jay who deserved a better life; Hazel and Noah who show us a different type of hunter. Niall and his obsession in finding the Stag.
Despite the absolutely gorgeous cover, this story is overall quite dark. Set at the precipice of a war, a time where fianna turn into delirious ferals and shapeshifting is a gruesome and bloody affair, not the mention the hunters bent on killing ferals and fianna alike, this story does not shy away from the ugly side of nature.
Overall, I truly enjoyed being transported into this fantastic world. I was felt for Finn and Adelaide and for the decisions they had to make. It was captivating to watch them create and navigate their own story.
UPDATE: I just saw that there will be a sequel? Which honestly means my rating might even be higher? The book totally stands on its own but there are still so many unanswered questions that left me feeling a tad unsatisfied - but now I am just excited. And just imagine the cover! *heart eyes*
This story wrecked me in the best way.
Martin created a rich and magical world where the humans of Norsewood and fianna, deer shapeshifters, are on the verges of war. Where a prophecy is all that is holding them together.
His writing style is right up my alley - whimsy, beautiful and full of emotions.
I loved the mythology and legends on which the entire story is built. It added this mystical air whether everything that happened is true or not or is just another legend on its own.
The main two characters, Adelaide and Finn, are in juxtaposition to one another. You have Adelaide, who is trusting and naive, frightening of this new world of humans and unsure of her place. And Finn who is bitter and pessimistic, a non-believer and already weary of this world. Their actions lead the story and give insights to both Norsewood and the fianna.
The side characters were just as memorable. Caleb and Anna, who are probably the kindest of them all; Jay who deserved a better life; Hazel and Noah who show us a different type of hunter. Niall and his obsession in finding the Stag.
Despite the absolutely gorgeous cover, this story is overall quite dark. Set at the precipice of a war, a time where fianna turn into delirious ferals and shapeshifting is a gruesome and bloody affair, not the mention the hunters bent on killing ferals and fianna alike, this story does not shy away from the ugly side of nature.
Overall, I truly enjoyed being transported into this fantastic world. I was felt for Finn and Adelaide and for the decisions they had to make. It was captivating to watch them create and navigate their own story.
February 5, 2019
** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK FOR MY READING PLEASURE **
Reviewed for Divine Magazine
~
Foreign to You, by Jeremy Martin
★★★★★
342 Pages
POV: 1st person, present tense; dual POV
Content Warning: contains scenes of bloody violence and character death
Foreign to You is an incredible debut novel. Impressive, engaging, and full of creative talents that seep through characterisation, world building, and clever plotting, this is one book that I'll happily re-read in the future. A story of friendship, faith, and self-discovery, it's a story fit for any age group, and that will be taking up precious space on my paperback shelf just as soon as I can get my hands on it. I haven't been this impressed by a debut novel in quite some time.
Let me start with the basics. The POV, the tense, the characterisation, and the writing style were everything I could have wanted in this book. The writing style was right up my alley, and beautiful enough to be evocative while giving us all the detail, attention, and information we could want. The world building was solid and smart, giving background information not in info dumps but only as and when they were relevant or necessary.
I'm not normally a fan of 1st person, present tense POV's, but I was able to realise, pretty quickly, just why it was written this way and can honestly say that it wouldn't have worked in any other way. Everything we saw had to be shown in present time, due to the situations the characters experienced. In particular, due to Adelaide beginning her existence without any knowledge of the world. Trying to show this in a past or 3rd POV would have been impossible. I also really loved and appreciated the equal-share between Adelaide and Finn, when it came to the dual POV. Neither was cast aside for huge chunks of the story, nor ignored in a way that meant we were kept out of the loop. Each character got the alternative chapter to explore their actions, even when they were both in the same scenes, which meant that we were always aware of their experiences and their personal challenges.
When it comes to the story, I was instantly intrigued. I've been on a huge YA kick for the last few months and this story perfectly fitted everything I want and need in a YA novel. It had a hint of romance, a sprinkle of intrigue, a pinch of action and a whole lot of adventure. All wrapped up in characters who were clever, original, and well fleshed out. Even minor and secondary characters were unique and intriguing. (And, I won't lie – I'm still hoping for a miracle that will make the twins die a very slow, very painful death in book 2) I found the atmosphere created in the first few chapters engaging and captivating, while the characters really drove the story, for me. I was immediately sucked into their trials and experiences, always wondering what would happen next.
I also have to give a shout out to the 'bad guy' of the story – Garth. For a villain, he was a great force of motion for the story. Sometimes bad guys fail to be truly evil or corrupt, but Garth had that unassuming quality of appearing stupid and 'all brawn, no brain', yet he was constantly clever enough to be a few steps ahead of Finn, and to stop and appreciate an opportunity when it came to him. I really liked that. The added dynamic of having Garth control – for want of a better word – the twins, who were also pretty evil, was genius. There was a constant wonder of which – between Garth and Hazel – was the true power and who would emerge victorious over the other.
I don't want to say too much about the plot itself, because I truly think this is one book you need to read, to experience and understand it for yourself. However, I can admit that by 60% I was already looking forward to re-reading it when book two releases, and wondering over how the plot would continue into a second novel. Then that ending hit me – so clever and so unexpected – and I knew that this would be an entire series worth re-reading, time and again.
I fell in love with Finn. Then I lost my heart to Jay. And, in the end, there was nothing to save me from being wholly and completely destroyed by this beautiful story.
~
Let me also just add my appreciation for the underlying issues that mirror life in today's world. They weren't in my face, like they can be when trying to make a point. Instead, the story managed to convey themes of gender, race, religion, faith, trust, loyalty, sexuality and stereotypes, all challenged and explored unobtrusively throughout the novel's underlying themes. I never felt bogged down by the implications of those things, because they were so cleverly woven into the world building and characterisation. The fact that I noticed them but didn't feel oppressed by them is just another sign of the author's craft. They managed to accomplish all of this, while delivering a truly original story, creating an entire world, and weaving a tale that is both complex yet easily understood and engaging.
I found the world to be wholly unique, yet sprinkled with little details that reminded me of some brilliant books I've read before. There was a hint of the pagan-religious aspects of The Wode trilogy, by J. Tullos Henning; and there were signs of an apocalyptic, simplified world similar to that of the wilds in T.J Klune's amazing Immemorial Year duology.
~
Favourite Quotes
“If I was brave, or had a fraction of courage, I would stop him. Tell him to come back. Tell him everything I keep bottled up.
But I don't. And this is how I know I am a coward.”
“When they take me in, gun on my back, boots still crusted in blood, it's easy for them to ignore me. I'm simply a demon they are accustomed to.”
Reviewed for Divine Magazine
~
Foreign to You, by Jeremy Martin
★★★★★
342 Pages
POV: 1st person, present tense; dual POV
Content Warning: contains scenes of bloody violence and character death
Foreign to You is an incredible debut novel. Impressive, engaging, and full of creative talents that seep through characterisation, world building, and clever plotting, this is one book that I'll happily re-read in the future. A story of friendship, faith, and self-discovery, it's a story fit for any age group, and that will be taking up precious space on my paperback shelf just as soon as I can get my hands on it. I haven't been this impressed by a debut novel in quite some time.
Let me start with the basics. The POV, the tense, the characterisation, and the writing style were everything I could have wanted in this book. The writing style was right up my alley, and beautiful enough to be evocative while giving us all the detail, attention, and information we could want. The world building was solid and smart, giving background information not in info dumps but only as and when they were relevant or necessary.
I'm not normally a fan of 1st person, present tense POV's, but I was able to realise, pretty quickly, just why it was written this way and can honestly say that it wouldn't have worked in any other way. Everything we saw had to be shown in present time, due to the situations the characters experienced. In particular, due to Adelaide beginning her existence without any knowledge of the world. Trying to show this in a past or 3rd POV would have been impossible. I also really loved and appreciated the equal-share between Adelaide and Finn, when it came to the dual POV. Neither was cast aside for huge chunks of the story, nor ignored in a way that meant we were kept out of the loop. Each character got the alternative chapter to explore their actions, even when they were both in the same scenes, which meant that we were always aware of their experiences and their personal challenges.
When it comes to the story, I was instantly intrigued. I've been on a huge YA kick for the last few months and this story perfectly fitted everything I want and need in a YA novel. It had a hint of romance, a sprinkle of intrigue, a pinch of action and a whole lot of adventure. All wrapped up in characters who were clever, original, and well fleshed out. Even minor and secondary characters were unique and intriguing. (And, I won't lie – I'm still hoping for a miracle that will make the twins die a very slow, very painful death in book 2) I found the atmosphere created in the first few chapters engaging and captivating, while the characters really drove the story, for me. I was immediately sucked into their trials and experiences, always wondering what would happen next.
I also have to give a shout out to the 'bad guy' of the story – Garth. For a villain, he was a great force of motion for the story. Sometimes bad guys fail to be truly evil or corrupt, but Garth had that unassuming quality of appearing stupid and 'all brawn, no brain', yet he was constantly clever enough to be a few steps ahead of Finn, and to stop and appreciate an opportunity when it came to him. I really liked that. The added dynamic of having Garth control – for want of a better word – the twins, who were also pretty evil, was genius. There was a constant wonder of which – between Garth and Hazel – was the true power and who would emerge victorious over the other.
I don't want to say too much about the plot itself, because I truly think this is one book you need to read, to experience and understand it for yourself. However, I can admit that by 60% I was already looking forward to re-reading it when book two releases, and wondering over how the plot would continue into a second novel. Then that ending hit me – so clever and so unexpected – and I knew that this would be an entire series worth re-reading, time and again.
I fell in love with Finn. Then I lost my heart to Jay. And, in the end, there was nothing to save me from being wholly and completely destroyed by this beautiful story.
~
Let me also just add my appreciation for the underlying issues that mirror life in today's world. They weren't in my face, like they can be when trying to make a point. Instead, the story managed to convey themes of gender, race, religion, faith, trust, loyalty, sexuality and stereotypes, all challenged and explored unobtrusively throughout the novel's underlying themes. I never felt bogged down by the implications of those things, because they were so cleverly woven into the world building and characterisation. The fact that I noticed them but didn't feel oppressed by them is just another sign of the author's craft. They managed to accomplish all of this, while delivering a truly original story, creating an entire world, and weaving a tale that is both complex yet easily understood and engaging.
I found the world to be wholly unique, yet sprinkled with little details that reminded me of some brilliant books I've read before. There was a hint of the pagan-religious aspects of The Wode trilogy, by J. Tullos Henning; and there were signs of an apocalyptic, simplified world similar to that of the wilds in T.J Klune's amazing Immemorial Year duology.
~
Favourite Quotes
“If I was brave, or had a fraction of courage, I would stop him. Tell him to come back. Tell him everything I keep bottled up.
But I don't. And this is how I know I am a coward.”
“When they take me in, gun on my back, boots still crusted in blood, it's easy for them to ignore me. I'm simply a demon they are accustomed to.”
January 27, 2019
TRIGGER WARNINGS: The death of a secondary character, blood, war, grief.
***MILD SPOILERS AHEAD***
I liked this book enough to give it three stars, but it didn't necessarily surpass my expectations.
Foreign to You is set in a world divided by two species: humans and Fianna, shape-shifting deer. Finn, a merciless hunter, and Adelaide, a saviour to her kind, couldn't be more unlike. But with a war dangerously close to breaking out, Finn and Adelaide find themselves joining forces in order to find the one being that might provide them with peace: the God of the Forest. To do this, however, Adelaide and Finn's trust, desires, and relationships will be tested... Together, they will determine where their real loyalties lie and what they truly want to represent.
(Yeah... sorry for that horribly written synopsis. You can find a far better one here)
There were quite a few things that I enjoyed about this book.
For starters, I loved the way it was told. The narration was so beautiful, and I loved how effortless and flowy the writing was. In fact, Jeremy Martin's writing style almost reminds me of that of Anna-Marie McLemore, author of Blanca and Roja (one of my favourite novels of all time! Find it here)! The story contains so much beautiful imagery and breathtaking description that it is difficult not to be captivated by Martin's enchanting writing.
In addition to that, the originality of the premise was something that I had much appreciation for. These days, all YA fantasy novels have the same basic ideas/plots, and readers often end up feeling like they've read multiple versions of the exact same story. Thankfully, though, this was not a problem I experienced with Foreign to You. The premise was not something that I'd seen before, and when I was able to make connections between it and real-world issues, I became even more fond of it!
But amongst all these pros, there were, unfortunately, a few cons.
I didn't love the characters. This story is told in the alternating perspectives of protagonists Finn and Adelaide, neither of which I felt a real connection with. I hate using this word when describing fictional characters, but I just found them both so... bland. Especially Adelaide. Despite the fact that she narrates in the first person POV, I was never really interested in her thoughts because they just read off as very dull (another word I hate to use!). I was never all that devoted to her character simply because she lacked much-needed unique qualities that would allow her to stand out more amongst other characters in YA fiction.
I also thought that the characters' relationships needed more development. Early in the book, Finn's close friend, Jay, meets a devastating end when he is brutally killed before Finn's very eyes. Of course, having been close with him and all, Finn is very saddened by the death of his friend and is drowned by feelings of grief and sorrow.
When a fictional character goes through such difficult hardships, you often find that you come into contact with their deeper emotions and feelings, which is a great way to get to know them better. But unfortunately, since Finn and Jay's friendship was so brief and undeveloped in the story, it was difficult for me to sympathize or feel any emotion towards Finn's dealing with Jay's death. This is a problem that I've had the misfortune of experiencing before in YA literature, in novels like Reign of the Fallen (see my review for it here), where relationships are so one-dimensional that we can't connect with the characters at all. I guess you could just say that I wish the author of this novel had given us a little more time to get to know Jay as a character so we could relate to Finn as he struggled with the pain of Jay's being killed.
But overall, I'm glad I read this book. Jeremy Martin's commendable ability to weave words into enchanting and lyrical sentences give Foreign to You an addictive/can't-put-this-down quality. I'd recommend this novel if you enjoy beautifully written books that will captivate you till the very last page!
Thank you to NetGalley, NineStar Press, and Jeremy Martin for providing me with a review copy of this book!
***MILD SPOILERS AHEAD***
I liked this book enough to give it three stars, but it didn't necessarily surpass my expectations.
Foreign to You is set in a world divided by two species: humans and Fianna, shape-shifting deer. Finn, a merciless hunter, and Adelaide, a saviour to her kind, couldn't be more unlike. But with a war dangerously close to breaking out, Finn and Adelaide find themselves joining forces in order to find the one being that might provide them with peace: the God of the Forest. To do this, however, Adelaide and Finn's trust, desires, and relationships will be tested... Together, they will determine where their real loyalties lie and what they truly want to represent.
(Yeah... sorry for that horribly written synopsis. You can find a far better one here)
There were quite a few things that I enjoyed about this book.
For starters, I loved the way it was told. The narration was so beautiful, and I loved how effortless and flowy the writing was. In fact, Jeremy Martin's writing style almost reminds me of that of Anna-Marie McLemore, author of Blanca and Roja (one of my favourite novels of all time! Find it here)! The story contains so much beautiful imagery and breathtaking description that it is difficult not to be captivated by Martin's enchanting writing.
In addition to that, the originality of the premise was something that I had much appreciation for. These days, all YA fantasy novels have the same basic ideas/plots, and readers often end up feeling like they've read multiple versions of the exact same story. Thankfully, though, this was not a problem I experienced with Foreign to You. The premise was not something that I'd seen before, and when I was able to make connections between it and real-world issues, I became even more fond of it!
But amongst all these pros, there were, unfortunately, a few cons.
I didn't love the characters. This story is told in the alternating perspectives of protagonists Finn and Adelaide, neither of which I felt a real connection with. I hate using this word when describing fictional characters, but I just found them both so... bland. Especially Adelaide. Despite the fact that she narrates in the first person POV, I was never really interested in her thoughts because they just read off as very dull (another word I hate to use!). I was never all that devoted to her character simply because she lacked much-needed unique qualities that would allow her to stand out more amongst other characters in YA fiction.
I also thought that the characters' relationships needed more development. Early in the book, Finn's close friend, Jay, meets a devastating end when he is brutally killed before Finn's very eyes. Of course, having been close with him and all, Finn is very saddened by the death of his friend and is drowned by feelings of grief and sorrow.
When a fictional character goes through such difficult hardships, you often find that you come into contact with their deeper emotions and feelings, which is a great way to get to know them better. But unfortunately, since Finn and Jay's friendship was so brief and undeveloped in the story, it was difficult for me to sympathize or feel any emotion towards Finn's dealing with Jay's death. This is a problem that I've had the misfortune of experiencing before in YA literature, in novels like Reign of the Fallen (see my review for it here), where relationships are so one-dimensional that we can't connect with the characters at all. I guess you could just say that I wish the author of this novel had given us a little more time to get to know Jay as a character so we could relate to Finn as he struggled with the pain of Jay's being killed.
But overall, I'm glad I read this book. Jeremy Martin's commendable ability to weave words into enchanting and lyrical sentences give Foreign to You an addictive/can't-put-this-down quality. I'd recommend this novel if you enjoy beautifully written books that will captivate you till the very last page!
Thank you to NetGalley, NineStar Press, and Jeremy Martin for providing me with a review copy of this book!
January 25, 2019
This book was most certainly not perfect but I felt drawn to the plot line and was quite fascinated by the overall uniqueness of the story, never reading anything even remotely like it before. The use of language features were beautiful and left me turning page after page. I was quite content that this book lacked many of the common Young adult tropes you read time after time in fantasy books. I found the book to be rather slow paced and the concept quite difficult to get a grasp on until the end, where you are given a better understanding. I also felt like I was unable to connect to the two main characters as to me they both seemed quite dull despite it being in first person perspective. I did, however, find a liking to the side character, Jay. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this read.
February 3, 2019
~3.5*~
If you've read and loved Greenwode by J. Tullis Henning, then I think you will like this story. They're not the same, but have the same folklore feel.
A unique take on the old tale of The Stag, The Maiden and The Hunter. I believe this one being the old Irish folklore.
The Stag is a God of the forest and The Maiden his Daughter. I LOVED the descriptions of The Stag, absolutely beautiful. Though, this is not a romance and it is not very happy. If you're going into this thinking you're going to get some YA/NA boy/boy coming out, again, not really happening, it is mainly about Finn and Adelaide. Don't worry, it's not a MF romance either, so don't let that "scare" you if you're a strict MM reader. It's about two boys trying to find their place in a Guild that one technically should not belong too, while one is battling the demons of and for his father. Finn has no idea why Jay won't find something else, but for some uncanny reason, Jay will not leave Finn's side.
While reading, I kept wondering what the point of it all was. Why was The Maiden sent if she could not help her people, why does she seem so confused and helpless? Everything just kept getting worse and worse for these two. Don't get me started on Hazel. She's a right c u next Tuesday and I really don't understand what the Hunter Guild's leader, Garth, plans were all along. I kept on reading though because I figured something had to come of it all.
Sure enough, the forest God had his own selfish plans. I marked the review to have spoilers, because in essence it might, but I won't give them all away. It's these plans of The Stag that bring this entire story together, so I won't tell you what they are. Just know that Jay was significant even though he wasn't in much of the story and The Maiden's pain is for the God's reasons alone.
Finn has other ideas though. The Stag has played with their lives for too long, he's protected people he shouldn't have for too long and he's angry and has just had enough. Our story ends here, with a lot of anger and confusion and on the cusp of war. I'm really excited to see where this all goes. What will become of The Hunter and The Maiden and all the humans and Fianna....
If you've read and loved Greenwode by J. Tullis Henning, then I think you will like this story. They're not the same, but have the same folklore feel.
A unique take on the old tale of The Stag, The Maiden and The Hunter. I believe this one being the old Irish folklore.
The Stag is a God of the forest and The Maiden his Daughter. I LOVED the descriptions of The Stag, absolutely beautiful. Though, this is not a romance and it is not very happy. If you're going into this thinking you're going to get some YA/NA boy/boy coming out, again, not really happening, it is mainly about Finn and Adelaide. Don't worry, it's not a MF romance either, so don't let that "scare" you if you're a strict MM reader. It's about two boys trying to find their place in a Guild that one technically should not belong too, while one is battling the demons of and for his father. Finn has no idea why Jay won't find something else, but for some uncanny reason, Jay will not leave Finn's side.
While reading, I kept wondering what the point of it all was. Why was The Maiden sent if she could not help her people, why does she seem so confused and helpless? Everything just kept getting worse and worse for these two. Don't get me started on Hazel. She's a right c u next Tuesday and I really don't understand what the Hunter Guild's leader, Garth, plans were all along. I kept on reading though because I figured something had to come of it all.
Sure enough, the forest God had his own selfish plans. I marked the review to have spoilers, because in essence it might, but I won't give them all away. It's these plans of The Stag that bring this entire story together, so I won't tell you what they are. Just know that Jay was significant even though he wasn't in much of the story and The Maiden's pain is for the God's reasons alone.
Finn has other ideas though. The Stag has played with their lives for too long, he's protected people he shouldn't have for too long and he's angry and has just had enough. Our story ends here, with a lot of anger and confusion and on the cusp of war. I'm really excited to see where this all goes. What will become of The Hunter and The Maiden and all the humans and Fianna....
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 8, 2019
This story is dripping with excellent description and beatiful imagery. With twists and turns I could never guess, and characters full of wonderful realism. Can't wait to read the next book and see what happens next!
January 10, 2019
This book wrecked me several times, just to put me back together and wreck me again. Packed with both action and beautiful, poetic prose, FOREIGN TO YOU was nothing I expected yet everything I wanted. I love love love the unique concept of shapeshifting, feral deer that bloom lilies from their wounds. Jeremy Martin delivers this story in a way that will leave you hanging on every word, breathlessly wondering what happens next.
December 28, 2018
First of all—Fantasy/Adventure isn't my favorite genre. So it takes a lot for me to pick up a book out of my "reading comfort zone," much less actually finish it. But Foreign to You isn't just a fantasy novel. It's a story of heartbreaking forbidden love, totally strange friendship, and a plot that's bigger than you'll ever imagine. On top of that it's rooted in deep real-world problems, stemming from a place of hope, but not always a place where happy endings exist. Foreign to You made me cry, internally scream, and also think a lot about what the world would look like if things were a little different—or if they never change. Jeremy Martin makes you feel a connection to characters you've just met and a longing to know everything about the lives they lead. You want to read this book, believe me.
December 29, 2018
Thoroughly original and trope-defying. Every twist went in a different direction than I anticipated. Love it!
July 17, 2022
First I have to say that I received a copy of ‘Foreign to You’ from the very kind author the moment he knew I was interested on reading his book. And poor thing, he’s been dealing with all my comments, questions and even some insults… Stuff happens in this book, people! I was upset!
Second, and more interesting, DEER PEOPLE! Boy oh boy I love shape shifters!
We follow Finn and Adelaide, a hunter and a member of the fianna (the deer people), every chapter from their POV. Both races live in “peace”, but some of the shifters turn into feral when something in their transformation goes wrong and they attack human and fianna indistinctly.
There are some heavy scenes in this book and the imagery is kind of gore but amazing. I was really in there from the beginning, the first chapter of Adelaide is mind-blowing good.
And third, the not so good parts. (I was asked for an honest opinion, and maybe I went overboard) Sadly I couldn’t connect with either of the main characters. I was so much more invested on the Finn’s side, but mostly because all of the secondary characters are so good (I usually got obsessed with secondary characters nobody else gives a damn). The descriptions in the book are top notch, as I said earlier, but they can be also a bit overwhelming at times and I confess I’m guilty of zone out and miss some of the action that was happening later… Oops, my bad.
In conclusion, is a good read, is a different take on some the fantasy topics we’ve already seen and you won’t be disappointed if you’re a fan of blood. But I couldn’t really connect with the narrators of the story. Either way I’m gonna pick up the second book because there are too many questions I need answers for!
Second, and more interesting, DEER PEOPLE! Boy oh boy I love shape shifters!
We follow Finn and Adelaide, a hunter and a member of the fianna (the deer people), every chapter from their POV. Both races live in “peace”, but some of the shifters turn into feral when something in their transformation goes wrong and they attack human and fianna indistinctly.
There are some heavy scenes in this book and the imagery is kind of gore but amazing. I was really in there from the beginning, the first chapter of Adelaide is mind-blowing good.
And third, the not so good parts. (I was asked for an honest opinion, and maybe I went overboard) Sadly I couldn’t connect with either of the main characters. I was so much more invested on the Finn’s side, but mostly because all of the secondary characters are so good (I usually got obsessed with secondary characters nobody else gives a damn). The descriptions in the book are top notch, as I said earlier, but they can be also a bit overwhelming at times and I confess I’m guilty of zone out and miss some of the action that was happening later… Oops, my bad.
In conclusion, is a good read, is a different take on some the fantasy topics we’ve already seen and you won’t be disappointed if you’re a fan of blood. But I couldn’t really connect with the narrators of the story. Either way I’m gonna pick up the second book because there are too many questions I need answers for!
November 5, 2023
The author of this one very graciously sent me a copy in OCTOBER (I just checked) so sorry for the delay here. I loved this book. I loved it. An absolutely wonderful idea and it read as not only fresh and revitalizing, but enjoyable on every page. I picked it up right from the beginning and was immediately absorbed. Honestly, I was sold on this novel in like the first five pages. Actually, the author and I had previously talked about how much I loved the watercolor-style cover art, so I was kind of sold on it before even starting it.
The story may follow fairytales or mythology, but if it does, I was not familiar with it, so this was wholly original and new for me to read. It doesn’t follow a typical fantasy format, nor does it just hand you the “chosen one” and not reward you for buying in. Twists, turns, betrayals, yearning. You name it. This story has it. And I want more. It made me laugh, it made me tear up, it made me think twice about what I was reading because of the body-horror level description, and the action was well placed and well described as well.
The fianna (shapeshifting deer) and the humans and hunters are at an uneasy peace. Will it last? Will there be a giant stag god? I don’t know, read for yourself…
Absolutely worth your time, money, or energy to read.
The story may follow fairytales or mythology, but if it does, I was not familiar with it, so this was wholly original and new for me to read. It doesn’t follow a typical fantasy format, nor does it just hand you the “chosen one” and not reward you for buying in. Twists, turns, betrayals, yearning. You name it. This story has it. And I want more. It made me laugh, it made me tear up, it made me think twice about what I was reading because of the body-horror level description, and the action was well placed and well described as well.
The fianna (shapeshifting deer) and the humans and hunters are at an uneasy peace. Will it last? Will there be a giant stag god? I don’t know, read for yourself…
Absolutely worth your time, money, or energy to read.
January 22, 2019
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
https://lovethevillain.wordpress.com/...
A maiden of the white lily will awaken to harvest the lost. The doe with fur as white as snow who would save us all. The maiden.
I wanted to like this book so much, but I just didn't.
I honestly think that might be more my fault than the fault of the book, though. The entire thing reads like poetry. It's purple prose from start to finish, and I have a love/hate relationship with this kind of thing.
The central story is actually pretty good. There are a town of humans, and a tribe of fianna, or deer people. These fianna are basically were-deers, and turn back and forth regularly. Unfortunately, sometimes while a deer is turning into a human, or vice versa, they can get stuck sort of halfway and the pain drives them mad. They call these ferals.
The ferals will kill human and deer alike, so they have to be hunted. There's a legend that says when the Maiden appears, she'll be able to cure the ferals and restore peace to the world.
It sounds pretty good, doesn't it?
I thought so, too.
The story was fine, it was the way it was written I couldn't come to grips with.
There's so much vivid imagery that the story gets lost in it.
Some fianna will become human, others will not. It is all… random. Wild and without order. Similar in ways to nature itself.
The prose is so abstract and detailed that I kept getting bored and forgetting what was supposed to be happening. It's a very slow book, and the characters are hard to build a rapport with. I just didn't really like anyone.
The Maiden was exactly what you'd expect of a fabled heroine of legend. She was fragile, confused most of the time, and completely reliant on the people around her. She was, in a word, useless.
The Hunter, Finn, was only slightly more developed. His story revolves around love. He was in love with another hunter called Jay. Everything that follows is what he's willing to do in the name of love. It's pretty basic characterization.
I hear love makes humans do miraculous things.
What I really didn't like it the way the Maiden and Finn's story ended up. I don't want to be too spoiler-y here, but it turns out that these two have been in love many times before. Forgive me for pointing this out, but that just overshadows the love that was built up around Finn and Jay.
It's almost like the author wrote this beautiful, bitter-sweet gay love interest, killed him off and then reiterated that love's always meant to be between this man and woman instead.
Probably I'm reading into that entirely wrong, but that's how it came across to me.
A mighty stag marches through the Forest, each step he takes causing life to blossom at his hooves.
What I did like was the descriptions of the deer turning into people. It was gruesome and very visual, but I honestly thought it was done very well. We've all seen Hollywood werewolves elegantly transition from man to beast, but it's nice to read something with a more realistic vision of how painful it would be to change shape so completely. I really liked these bits.
For a painstakingly long time, the beast rolls and screams while white lilies repeatedly burst from his skin. Eventually, he stills, resting on his knees, looking like a bush of wildflowers. While there is beauty to it, unease overpowers me.
All in all, if you're in to poetry and don't mind a bit of gore, this book might be right up your alley. I just don't think it quite did it for me.
https://lovethevillain.wordpress.com/...
A maiden of the white lily will awaken to harvest the lost. The doe with fur as white as snow who would save us all. The maiden.
I wanted to like this book so much, but I just didn't.
I honestly think that might be more my fault than the fault of the book, though. The entire thing reads like poetry. It's purple prose from start to finish, and I have a love/hate relationship with this kind of thing.
The central story is actually pretty good. There are a town of humans, and a tribe of fianna, or deer people. These fianna are basically were-deers, and turn back and forth regularly. Unfortunately, sometimes while a deer is turning into a human, or vice versa, they can get stuck sort of halfway and the pain drives them mad. They call these ferals.
The ferals will kill human and deer alike, so they have to be hunted. There's a legend that says when the Maiden appears, she'll be able to cure the ferals and restore peace to the world.
It sounds pretty good, doesn't it?
I thought so, too.
The story was fine, it was the way it was written I couldn't come to grips with.
There's so much vivid imagery that the story gets lost in it.
Some fianna will become human, others will not. It is all… random. Wild and without order. Similar in ways to nature itself.
The prose is so abstract and detailed that I kept getting bored and forgetting what was supposed to be happening. It's a very slow book, and the characters are hard to build a rapport with. I just didn't really like anyone.
The Maiden was exactly what you'd expect of a fabled heroine of legend. She was fragile, confused most of the time, and completely reliant on the people around her. She was, in a word, useless.
The Hunter, Finn, was only slightly more developed. His story revolves around love. He was in love with another hunter called Jay. Everything that follows is what he's willing to do in the name of love. It's pretty basic characterization.
I hear love makes humans do miraculous things.
What I really didn't like it the way the Maiden and Finn's story ended up. I don't want to be too spoiler-y here, but it turns out that these two have been in love many times before. Forgive me for pointing this out, but that just overshadows the love that was built up around Finn and Jay.
It's almost like the author wrote this beautiful, bitter-sweet gay love interest, killed him off and then reiterated that love's always meant to be between this man and woman instead.
Probably I'm reading into that entirely wrong, but that's how it came across to me.
A mighty stag marches through the Forest, each step he takes causing life to blossom at his hooves.
What I did like was the descriptions of the deer turning into people. It was gruesome and very visual, but I honestly thought it was done very well. We've all seen Hollywood werewolves elegantly transition from man to beast, but it's nice to read something with a more realistic vision of how painful it would be to change shape so completely. I really liked these bits.
For a painstakingly long time, the beast rolls and screams while white lilies repeatedly burst from his skin. Eventually, he stills, resting on his knees, looking like a bush of wildflowers. While there is beauty to it, unease overpowers me.
All in all, if you're in to poetry and don't mind a bit of gore, this book might be right up your alley. I just don't think it quite did it for me.
March 16, 2019
I have so many conflicting emotions swirling around inside me after finishing this story. Okay, so here we go:
While I was reading this story I found myself constantly thinking: when are they going to start this journey? I was tiring of reading about Finn cleaning his house and chopping veggies. The start of this adventure is very slow, with a few key build up moments sprinkled in that are completely essential for when this book REALLY takes off, in my opinion. Page 207. Up until that point what had really kept me interested was this lore that Martin so delicately crafted. I was completely fascinated by the Fianna race, I wanted to know more about their changes, about their god, about the prophesized Maiden. I found myself villainizing the human race and sypathizing with the Fianna. Martin does such a good job at really keeping you guessing. Sure, Finn and Adelaide were to find the Stag, but what happens when they find it? I had absolutely no clue where he was going to go with the story and boy did he deliver the shock value when you finally do figure out what's going on, the real antagonist hidden in the shadows the entire time.
As far as the supporting characters: Anna, Caleb, and Jay to be specific, I felt that they could have used a little more love. When Jay is killed I found that I was unable to empathize with Finn because of how little time we actually get to see Finn and Jay together. Finn reminisces several times on how enjoyable their childhood was together and how much Jay means to him but I feel as if it wasn't enough to envoke a powerful emotional reaction from the reader when he died. We needed more growth from the pair in present time. Anna and Caleb were better portrayed but there is a scene after Adelaide is separated from the two of them for an ample amount of time. As a reader I wanted to know what was happening, the last time we saw Caleb he was Feral, why was he now human again? What was going on with them? The scene that instead unfolded left me wanting more. I was however, just as emotionally effected as Adelaide when their moment finally came in the story. I just wanted to know the characters a bit better. I felt the other characters were all nicely developed. I kept wishing for Noah, Hazel, and Garths deaths. Niall's performance was shocking and riveting.
I did have to stop and take a moment to digest Finns motives as Martin doesn't come out and plainly speak them. I didn't dislike this as a thought invoking story is always welcome, but it is something to consider while reading. This is a story you should take your time with and think about as you read.
Although it was hard for me to connect with the two main characters in the beginning, I did find myself connecting with Adelaide about halfway through the book. I felt her pain as if it were my own.
Alright, now back to the fun stuff: page 207. Once I reached this point in the book I literally couldn't put it down. This spark lit inside me again just like it use to when I use to read all of the time. That fire that authors light inside you that makes you just zoom through the chapters because you can't stand not knowing what happens next. Jeremy did such an amazing job at painting such a beautiful picture of the Stag, it's literally something I hope to see in my dreams one day. The shocking decisions of Finn left me wanting to scream. I cannot stress how enjoyable this portion of the book was to read. The ending was a lot to take in, I had to talk about it out loud and ultimately reread the last chapter with the Stag in it to fully paint the entire picture in my head.
This book did leave on a rather frustrating cliffhanger leaving me angry, excited, upset. It is not a happy ending and I thoroughly look forward to the next book to answer some of the questions I'm left with.
Overall I think this is a book that is definitely worth the read, and while slow at the beginning, it gained momentum and definitely went out with a bang!
While I was reading this story I found myself constantly thinking: when are they going to start this journey? I was tiring of reading about Finn cleaning his house and chopping veggies. The start of this adventure is very slow, with a few key build up moments sprinkled in that are completely essential for when this book REALLY takes off, in my opinion. Page 207. Up until that point what had really kept me interested was this lore that Martin so delicately crafted. I was completely fascinated by the Fianna race, I wanted to know more about their changes, about their god, about the prophesized Maiden. I found myself villainizing the human race and sypathizing with the Fianna. Martin does such a good job at really keeping you guessing. Sure, Finn and Adelaide were to find the Stag, but what happens when they find it? I had absolutely no clue where he was going to go with the story and boy did he deliver the shock value when you finally do figure out what's going on, the real antagonist hidden in the shadows the entire time.
As far as the supporting characters: Anna, Caleb, and Jay to be specific, I felt that they could have used a little more love. When Jay is killed I found that I was unable to empathize with Finn because of how little time we actually get to see Finn and Jay together. Finn reminisces several times on how enjoyable their childhood was together and how much Jay means to him but I feel as if it wasn't enough to envoke a powerful emotional reaction from the reader when he died. We needed more growth from the pair in present time. Anna and Caleb were better portrayed but there is a scene after Adelaide is separated from the two of them for an ample amount of time. As a reader I wanted to know what was happening, the last time we saw Caleb he was Feral, why was he now human again? What was going on with them? The scene that instead unfolded left me wanting more. I was however, just as emotionally effected as Adelaide when their moment finally came in the story. I just wanted to know the characters a bit better. I felt the other characters were all nicely developed. I kept wishing for Noah, Hazel, and Garths deaths. Niall's performance was shocking and riveting.
I did have to stop and take a moment to digest Finns motives as Martin doesn't come out and plainly speak them. I didn't dislike this as a thought invoking story is always welcome, but it is something to consider while reading. This is a story you should take your time with and think about as you read.
Although it was hard for me to connect with the two main characters in the beginning, I did find myself connecting with Adelaide about halfway through the book. I felt her pain as if it were my own.
Alright, now back to the fun stuff: page 207. Once I reached this point in the book I literally couldn't put it down. This spark lit inside me again just like it use to when I use to read all of the time. That fire that authors light inside you that makes you just zoom through the chapters because you can't stand not knowing what happens next. Jeremy did such an amazing job at painting such a beautiful picture of the Stag, it's literally something I hope to see in my dreams one day. The shocking decisions of Finn left me wanting to scream. I cannot stress how enjoyable this portion of the book was to read. The ending was a lot to take in, I had to talk about it out loud and ultimately reread the last chapter with the Stag in it to fully paint the entire picture in my head.
This book did leave on a rather frustrating cliffhanger leaving me angry, excited, upset. It is not a happy ending and I thoroughly look forward to the next book to answer some of the questions I'm left with.
Overall I think this is a book that is definitely worth the read, and while slow at the beginning, it gained momentum and definitely went out with a bang!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 10, 2019
I received a copy of Foreign to You from NineStar Press in exchange for an honest review.
I was really excited to read Foreign to You when I read the description and immediately downloaded it when I saw that I had been approved for it. It had all the makings of my personal literary heaven - high fantasy, lgbtq themes and enemies being forced to work together. Unfortunately I think I set my expectations a bit too high as ultimately I was left disappointed.
Whilst the premise is fairly juicy, it fell a bit flat in its implementation. Although the world-building is ambitious with the fianna and the religious aspects, I feel like it's impact was limited by the small scope of the physical world we are presented with, i.e. Norsewood, the Fianna village and the Forest. As such, I found it difficult to invest myself in understanding the impact and connotations of the Stag, the Fianna and the Maiden.
In terms of the characters, the major players on the board read as being fairly two dimensional and borderline cliche. Adelaide was wispy and pretty aaaand that's probably about it. Between her chapters and Finn's, I definitely struggled more with her's. Between, all the human antagonists; Garth, Niall and Hazel, I was probably the most disappointed in Hazel - there are so many allusions to her being in on some other scheme and knowing something that Finn doesn't, but it ends up as nothing and she turns out to be a bit psychotic.
Probably my favourite aspect of this book was Finn's relationship with Jay. Although this ultimately ends in tragedy, I really enjoyed the contrast of their personalities and how Jay was atypical of the hunters. In a story where there is so much focus on masculinity vs nature, it was interesting to have a character that stuck out a bit. For me, another major point of Foreign to You is the way Finn copes with Jay's death compared to the way his father drives himself mad trying to bring his wife back from the dead and how that influences Finn's decisions towards the latter end of the book.
In my ecopy, I have numerous sentences and passages highlighted. Some of these are because the writing and imagery is pretty damn good, sometimes it's because it is overwhelming in the amount that the author is trying to convey, and sometimes it's because something just doesn't work or fit in, becoming almost comical in places. That said, I really have to commend the author, because where it works, it works. In particular the shifting scenes and those with the ferals were rather memorable.
In the end, this is a solid 3 stars from me. I didn't actively dislike Foreign to You and I did enjoy some memorable scenes and pieces of writing. However, I couldn't fully immerse myself in the world or become invested enough in characters. Whilst I did read this in a decent amount of time, I also put it down often enough to read other novels....
I was really excited to read Foreign to You when I read the description and immediately downloaded it when I saw that I had been approved for it. It had all the makings of my personal literary heaven - high fantasy, lgbtq themes and enemies being forced to work together. Unfortunately I think I set my expectations a bit too high as ultimately I was left disappointed.
Whilst the premise is fairly juicy, it fell a bit flat in its implementation. Although the world-building is ambitious with the fianna and the religious aspects, I feel like it's impact was limited by the small scope of the physical world we are presented with, i.e. Norsewood, the Fianna village and the Forest. As such, I found it difficult to invest myself in understanding the impact and connotations of the Stag, the Fianna and the Maiden.
In terms of the characters, the major players on the board read as being fairly two dimensional and borderline cliche. Adelaide was wispy and pretty aaaand that's probably about it. Between her chapters and Finn's, I definitely struggled more with her's. Between, all the human antagonists; Garth, Niall and Hazel, I was probably the most disappointed in Hazel - there are so many allusions to her being in on some other scheme and knowing something that Finn doesn't, but it ends up as nothing and she turns out to be a bit psychotic.
Probably my favourite aspect of this book was Finn's relationship with Jay. Although this ultimately ends in tragedy, I really enjoyed the contrast of their personalities and how Jay was atypical of the hunters. In a story where there is so much focus on masculinity vs nature, it was interesting to have a character that stuck out a bit. For me, another major point of Foreign to You is the way Finn copes with Jay's death compared to the way his father drives himself mad trying to bring his wife back from the dead and how that influences Finn's decisions towards the latter end of the book.
In my ecopy, I have numerous sentences and passages highlighted. Some of these are because the writing and imagery is pretty damn good, sometimes it's because it is overwhelming in the amount that the author is trying to convey, and sometimes it's because something just doesn't work or fit in, becoming almost comical in places. That said, I really have to commend the author, because where it works, it works. In particular the shifting scenes and those with the ferals were rather memorable.
In the end, this is a solid 3 stars from me. I didn't actively dislike Foreign to You and I did enjoy some memorable scenes and pieces of writing. However, I couldn't fully immerse myself in the world or become invested enough in characters. Whilst I did read this in a decent amount of time, I also put it down often enough to read other novels....
February 11, 2019
I've always liked the Chosen One trope, there is something cathartic in screaming at some Superior Power directly responsible for someone's suffering. That's not something I can do in real life, and those poor Chosen Ones? They don't really have a choice, do they? Mx. Superior Power puts the literal weight of the world on their shoulders, gently taps their cheeks and says “Well, go on then!”. So I will be angry at every prophecies, ancient divinities and gosh-darned crystals in their stead, that's my way to show love.
But why am I talking about this?
Because Foreign to You got angry with me.
… right?
All Adelaide wants is to save her friends and her people, all Finn wants is to bring back the boy he cares most for. Each sees the other as the enemy, but as the prophesied Maiden and Hunter they will have to put their differences aside in their quest for the God of the Forest. As they uncover the truth behind the cycle, they come to the realization that this world is much bigger than them, even though they are at the center of it. And maybe it's time to do something about it and tell some Superior Power to, politely put, get stuffed.
Maybe I expected a bit more of adventuring, Adelaide and Finn stay mostly in the town of Norsewood and venture in the forest, but it always seemed like they never get very far? Maybe the motives of some villains were also not completely clear to me, and there is one hell of a Deus Ex Machina character in this novel that I still wonder about.
Despite that, this book was constantly making me feel on the edge, Jeremy Martin is absolutely not scared to use his prose to write beautiful, awful things happening to his characters; and the Big Villain of this book? Well, let's say that the Fiannas were not the only ones turning Ferals when he was around.
There are so many things going on, so many underlying messages important to me in Foreign to You, this whole novel is important to me, period, in ways I can't really describe. Jeremy Martin broke me a little, gently put me back together and then threw me in the forest to fend for myself.
It was nice (I cried).
Now I am eagerly waiting for the sequel (no pressure or anything), because after this ending? I have a lot of questions.
Thank you so much Jeremy Martin, Nine Star Press and NetGalley for providing this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
But why am I talking about this?
Because Foreign to You got angry with me.
“I wonder what it would be like to look in a mirror and find someone foreign to you.”The fragile harmony between Humans and Fiannas (shape-shifting deers) is broken with the beginning of a new cycle of violence brought by the resurgence of Ferals, incomplete shifters turned blood-thirsty. According to the prophecy, only the Maiden of the lily and the Hunter can bring back peace by seeking the God of the Forest... until the next cycle. But the price is worth a generation or two of peace, right?
… right?
All Adelaide wants is to save her friends and her people, all Finn wants is to bring back the boy he cares most for. Each sees the other as the enemy, but as the prophesied Maiden and Hunter they will have to put their differences aside in their quest for the God of the Forest. As they uncover the truth behind the cycle, they come to the realization that this world is much bigger than them, even though they are at the center of it. And maybe it's time to do something about it and tell some Superior Power to, politely put, get stuffed.
“Why does it have to be you who suffers? Simply because your god deems it fit? You suffer so that others can smile and dance and laugh?”Foreign to You is a story of unlikely friendship, love and heartbreak, toeing the line between classic folktale and post-apocalyptic novel. It gets its inspiration from European tales, but Jeremy Martin makes them his own with his beautiful prose and trope-defying themes.
Maybe I expected a bit more of adventuring, Adelaide and Finn stay mostly in the town of Norsewood and venture in the forest, but it always seemed like they never get very far? Maybe the motives of some villains were also not completely clear to me, and there is one hell of a Deus Ex Machina character in this novel that I still wonder about.
Despite that, this book was constantly making me feel on the edge, Jeremy Martin is absolutely not scared to use his prose to write beautiful, awful things happening to his characters; and the Big Villain of this book? Well, let's say that the Fiannas were not the only ones turning Ferals when he was around.
There are so many things going on, so many underlying messages important to me in Foreign to You, this whole novel is important to me, period, in ways I can't really describe. Jeremy Martin broke me a little, gently put me back together and then threw me in the forest to fend for myself.
It was nice (I cried).
Now I am eagerly waiting for the sequel (no pressure or anything), because after this ending? I have a lot of questions.
Thank you so much Jeremy Martin, Nine Star Press and NetGalley for providing this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 3, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. I loved the deer shifters in this story. They're not as common when it comes to shifters. It was nice to see something a little different. Finn was an interesting character. His relationship with Jay was pleasant. It was obvious that they truly cared for each other. It may be because Jay is the only person who really cares for Finn in a meaningful way.
Finn's relationship with Adelaide, the Maiden, was far more complicated. She's the leader of her people, the Fianna and the weight of the responsibility constantly wares on her. Finn is just surviving and the only one he truly feels any responsibility for is his friend Jay. There's the feeling that he really doesn't care for most of the people who live in the village. It may be because he feels like he's being forced into responsibilities that he doesn't want and he's trying to protect people, most of whom wouldn't show him the same kindness. His father is definitely one of those people.
The societies in which both the MCs live seem to be hard places. Adelaide often talks about how she doesn't like being human. It's far easier to live as a deer. Finn always seems to be dealing with some kind of crisis. And the Ferals he and his people are dealing with are certainly worthy of crisis status. All of this helped create and interesting and complicated world and a good deal of angsty conflict.
Some of the antagonists in the story kind of caught me by surprise. They were such terrible people. I found myself wondering, why would anyone listen to or trust these people. Other than that, it was a great story. It reminded me of Princess Mononoke and some of the old fantasy shows I used to watch from New Zealand. That made it really comfortable for me. Loved this unique story.
Finn's relationship with Adelaide, the Maiden, was far more complicated. She's the leader of her people, the Fianna and the weight of the responsibility constantly wares on her. Finn is just surviving and the only one he truly feels any responsibility for is his friend Jay. There's the feeling that he really doesn't care for most of the people who live in the village. It may be because he feels like he's being forced into responsibilities that he doesn't want and he's trying to protect people, most of whom wouldn't show him the same kindness. His father is definitely one of those people.
The societies in which both the MCs live seem to be hard places. Adelaide often talks about how she doesn't like being human. It's far easier to live as a deer. Finn always seems to be dealing with some kind of crisis. And the Ferals he and his people are dealing with are certainly worthy of crisis status. All of this helped create and interesting and complicated world and a good deal of angsty conflict.
Some of the antagonists in the story kind of caught me by surprise. They were such terrible people. I found myself wondering, why would anyone listen to or trust these people. Other than that, it was a great story. It reminded me of Princess Mononoke and some of the old fantasy shows I used to watch from New Zealand. That made it really comfortable for me. Loved this unique story.
January 20, 2019
I'm having a hard time giving this anything higher than a 3 out of 5 stars. It was a great read and I read the bulk of it in one day despite being in a bit of a reading slump, but the flowery descriptions weren't quite to my taste (that's just my personal preference) and something about it reminded me of the Raven Cycle, which I didn't love either (I'm not saying this story is similar to the Raven Cycle, but it just gave me a similar vibe).
However, I think the story was captivating, it had many twists and turns to keep the story fresh and exciting and it took you on many emotional rollercoasters. It also had a beautifully gruesome take on shapeshifters which made this story unique and read a little like a fairytale.
Thanks to NetGalley and Nine Star Press for sending me an early copy
However, I think the story was captivating, it had many twists and turns to keep the story fresh and exciting and it took you on many emotional rollercoasters. It also had a beautifully gruesome take on shapeshifters which made this story unique and read a little like a fairytale.
Thanks to NetGalley and Nine Star Press for sending me an early copy
September 5, 2022
Deer👏 shape👏shifters👏! Need I say more? No, but I will anyways 😜 The premise is inventive and it's the main reason I reached for this book.
I love the scenes where Adelaide is learning to be human, as it shows, through different eyes, how weird it is to be human! This connects to my favorite theme this book touched on: is Humanity a blessing or a curse?
Now for some less positive elements:
I struggled following the plot at times and I also didn't understand the motivations of various characters. Additionally, I was disappointed that the relationship between Finn and his fellow hunter/would-be lover never got off the ground for tragic reasons.
There was a lot of gore and violence, which, depending on your tolerance, can be a pro or a con. The writing is a tad clunky at parts but also very atmospheric. There were a lot of haunting and visceral mental images!
CW: Death, violence, grief
All this being said, I'm interested in reading the sequel to find out what happens in the end of this duology.Thank you to Jeremy Martin for very kindly sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
I love the scenes where Adelaide is learning to be human, as it shows, through different eyes, how weird it is to be human! This connects to my favorite theme this book touched on: is Humanity a blessing or a curse?
Now for some less positive elements:
I struggled following the plot at times and I also didn't understand the motivations of various characters. Additionally, I was disappointed that the relationship between Finn and his fellow hunter/would-be lover never got off the ground for tragic reasons.
There was a lot of gore and violence, which, depending on your tolerance, can be a pro or a con. The writing is a tad clunky at parts but also very atmospheric. There were a lot of haunting and visceral mental images!
CW: Death, violence, grief
All this being said, I'm interested in reading the sequel to find out what happens in the end of this duology.Thank you to Jeremy Martin for very kindly sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 21, 2022
While "Foreign to You" may appear to be a mysterious, dark, semi-contemporary fantasy novel from first glance, that's only scratching the surface. Its allegorical, symbolic, and humanistic themes will leave you lost in thought once finishing author Jeremy Martin's incredibly exciting, suspenseful debut novel.
Spanning topics of prejudice, tradition, faith, abandonment, identity, loss, love, betrayal and so much more, Martin truly plumbs the depths of just how far the human (or not so human) spirit will go for the thing they want most. While the world of Norsewood is often subject to imagery of the visceral or tremulant, it is also equally as filled with the endearing, innocuous, and picturesque stemming from both the natural and anthropic worlds Martin has carefully crafted.
Being told in alternating first person points of view. it does justice to the plot by allowing what is often a "call and response" interplay of prose between main characters Adelaide and Finn as they discover the secrets of their world and of themselves. This approach is invaluable in helping mount the offensive of suspense that continuously amps throughout the two's turbulent and revelatory journey .
Martin's ability to interweave so much ardency and humanity with candor must be commended. It not only comments on the experiences and questions we all face but frames it in the most timeless of settings; nature. His pitted heavy dramatism will have you questioning even your own wherewithal as well as your own inner connection toward mother nature and its boundless influence.
I would highly recommend this book. Norsewood's complicated and compelling narrative will keep you turning its pages until the very end.
Spanning topics of prejudice, tradition, faith, abandonment, identity, loss, love, betrayal and so much more, Martin truly plumbs the depths of just how far the human (or not so human) spirit will go for the thing they want most. While the world of Norsewood is often subject to imagery of the visceral or tremulant, it is also equally as filled with the endearing, innocuous, and picturesque stemming from both the natural and anthropic worlds Martin has carefully crafted.
Being told in alternating first person points of view. it does justice to the plot by allowing what is often a "call and response" interplay of prose between main characters Adelaide and Finn as they discover the secrets of their world and of themselves. This approach is invaluable in helping mount the offensive of suspense that continuously amps throughout the two's turbulent and revelatory journey .
Martin's ability to interweave so much ardency and humanity with candor must be commended. It not only comments on the experiences and questions we all face but frames it in the most timeless of settings; nature. His pitted heavy dramatism will have you questioning even your own wherewithal as well as your own inner connection toward mother nature and its boundless influence.
I would highly recommend this book. Norsewood's complicated and compelling narrative will keep you turning its pages until the very end.
February 4, 2019
This wasn't quite what I was expecting. I struggled to connect to the story, it was missing something for me. Also, I was promised Lgbt rep, it was barely there. I didn't hate it, I just didn't love it.
Incredibly cruel ending by the way. Hopefully, book 2 won't take too long ;)
Incredibly cruel ending by the way. Hopefully, book 2 won't take too long ;)
March 5, 2019
With 10% left to read I could not put this book down!! Usually I love beginnings of books, because there are so many possibilities, but I loved the END of this book! Perfection 🙌
March 13, 2019
A Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Review
First of all, I have no idea why “Foreign to You” is classified as Young Adult. The protagonists are the right age, I guess, but the story itself really has none of the typical young adult themes. It’s a brilliant Fantasy novel for adults, but I wouldn’t sell this as Young Adult.
Also, this is a “Literary/Genre Fiction” title by Nine Star Press, which, in this case, means there’s next to no romance here. And there’s a warning for “scenes of bloody violence and the death of a secondary character”, which should be taken seriously as well. This is not a criticism at all, just letting people know what to expect.
I absolutely loved this book. It reminded me a little bit of “Greenwode” by J. Tullos Henning, mostly because of the Stag God and the important role of the forest in the story. But “Foreign to You” is High Fantasy and has a very different story line.
The writing style was truly poetic. I’m really impressed Jeremy Martin managed to keep it beautiful and natural. A lot of authors have tried and failed spectacularly. But this was simply wonderful and it fit the story perfectly. It did a great job of transporting me to a world that’s completely different to our own.
Shapeshifters aren’t exactly a new thing in fiction, but the author took a very unique approach to it. The world-building was excellent and really conveyed the horror of the shift from deer to human and back. It made me wince and cringe in sympathy. I really don’t think I want to be a Fianna.
The story itself was a very sad one. Finn has a crazy father, a dead mother and was forced to join up with the hunters. My heart really ached for him and his struggles. His grief was utterly heartbreaking to witness.
Of course Adelaide’s life isn’t exactly easy either, she faces a whole different set of problems. She’s the prophesied Maiden, come to save her kind. Too bad she has no idea how she’s supposed to do that. And having a human form isn’t all that great either. I loved how she discovered her human body and had to find new words and meanings for all sorts of things. I could actually relate to the newness of a body that’s so very different from what she’s used to, even though a human body is obviously the only thing I’ve ever had.
I usually don’t like completely evil villains, that have absolutely no redeeming qualities whatsoever and just exist to make life hell for everybody else. But yet again, the author excelled. Garth doesn’t have a single good cell in his body, but he was still a realistic, believable character with actual depth. The creepy twins he controls are yet another example of the type of villain I usually don’t like, but again, they worked perfectly for the story.
Honestly, “Foreign to You” was such an amazing book, I can’t possibly do it justice here. I can’t believe this is the author’s debut work, it’s incredibly polished and professional. If you like Fantasy and don’t mind your heart being broken, read this book. You won’t regret it. It was one of the first real highlights of my reading year so far.
I love the cover by Natasha Snow. At first glance, it looks beautiful and innocent. But the longer you look at it, the creepier it gets. A true work of art.
First of all, I have no idea why “Foreign to You” is classified as Young Adult. The protagonists are the right age, I guess, but the story itself really has none of the typical young adult themes. It’s a brilliant Fantasy novel for adults, but I wouldn’t sell this as Young Adult.
Also, this is a “Literary/Genre Fiction” title by Nine Star Press, which, in this case, means there’s next to no romance here. And there’s a warning for “scenes of bloody violence and the death of a secondary character”, which should be taken seriously as well. This is not a criticism at all, just letting people know what to expect.
I absolutely loved this book. It reminded me a little bit of “Greenwode” by J. Tullos Henning, mostly because of the Stag God and the important role of the forest in the story. But “Foreign to You” is High Fantasy and has a very different story line.
The writing style was truly poetic. I’m really impressed Jeremy Martin managed to keep it beautiful and natural. A lot of authors have tried and failed spectacularly. But this was simply wonderful and it fit the story perfectly. It did a great job of transporting me to a world that’s completely different to our own.
Shapeshifters aren’t exactly a new thing in fiction, but the author took a very unique approach to it. The world-building was excellent and really conveyed the horror of the shift from deer to human and back. It made me wince and cringe in sympathy. I really don’t think I want to be a Fianna.
The story itself was a very sad one. Finn has a crazy father, a dead mother and was forced to join up with the hunters. My heart really ached for him and his struggles. His grief was utterly heartbreaking to witness.
Of course Adelaide’s life isn’t exactly easy either, she faces a whole different set of problems. She’s the prophesied Maiden, come to save her kind. Too bad she has no idea how she’s supposed to do that. And having a human form isn’t all that great either. I loved how she discovered her human body and had to find new words and meanings for all sorts of things. I could actually relate to the newness of a body that’s so very different from what she’s used to, even though a human body is obviously the only thing I’ve ever had.
I usually don’t like completely evil villains, that have absolutely no redeeming qualities whatsoever and just exist to make life hell for everybody else. But yet again, the author excelled. Garth doesn’t have a single good cell in his body, but he was still a realistic, believable character with actual depth. The creepy twins he controls are yet another example of the type of villain I usually don’t like, but again, they worked perfectly for the story.
Honestly, “Foreign to You” was such an amazing book, I can’t possibly do it justice here. I can’t believe this is the author’s debut work, it’s incredibly polished and professional. If you like Fantasy and don’t mind your heart being broken, read this book. You won’t regret it. It was one of the first real highlights of my reading year so far.
I love the cover by Natasha Snow. At first glance, it looks beautiful and innocent. But the longer you look at it, the creepier it gets. A true work of art.
February 18, 2019
“For the first time in my life, I’m looking at something new.”
I was quickly sucked into the world and the disparate lives of Finn and Adelaide. The perspectives were distinct and equally enthralling, and I found them to be fascinatingly different angles of the story as it developed and as Finn and Adelaide’s paths intertwined.
This is such a beautiful, layered story, with so much romanticism and fairytale darkness buried amid heartfelt prose. I found myself firmly wrapped up in the magical world Jeremy Martin built and having a hard time pulling myself free of it. Not that I wanted to. I had to know how it ended, and it was as satisfying as I hoped it would be.
I was quickly sucked into the world and the disparate lives of Finn and Adelaide. The perspectives were distinct and equally enthralling, and I found them to be fascinatingly different angles of the story as it developed and as Finn and Adelaide’s paths intertwined.
This is such a beautiful, layered story, with so much romanticism and fairytale darkness buried amid heartfelt prose. I found myself firmly wrapped up in the magical world Jeremy Martin built and having a hard time pulling myself free of it. Not that I wanted to. I had to know how it ended, and it was as satisfying as I hoped it would be.
February 7, 2019
The digital arc of this book was kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley website in exchange for an honest review.
This book had the kind of plot I'd always want to read, and that cover is gorgeous, let's be honest.
Humans live not-so-in-peace with creatures of the Forest, Fianna, does who can take a times human form. Despite their differences, Finn the boy hunter and Adelaide the Fianna savior, will have to work together and confront the prejudices from both races to avoid open war. Even when there is so much going against them.
First of all, the book is told alternatively from Adelaide and Finn point of view, using the first person. It gives us insight on their thoughts and emotions, and a better understanding at their own purpose and evolution.
After the first chapters, presenting the characters, the start was a bit slow. Like, really slow. For about 40 pages I was not really involved in what would happened to the characters.
But once the "quest" and thus the relationship between Adelaide and Finn starts to build, I really enjoyed the book. Even though it might be for younger people than I am, the topics of love, family and differences that makes the characters evolve do not depend on how old the reader is. The bonds that ties Adelaide and Finn to others make sense, the notion of Nature as an entity speaks volume, especially nowadays with most people disconnected of wildlife and nature. Warning : there is a lot of mentions of deaths, violence and blood, so this is not a story for children. Yet they are not gratuitous : pain is part of the process of life, and characters are not above regrets and remorse.
The idea of a Nature God made me think to many stories from my youth, but none with such an end, which was truly a great surprise. I didn't know the tale of the Stag, the Hunter and the Maiden, which might have play in my vision of Foreign to You.
A few details were bothering me though : a bit too much dialogues for my taste, but that one is just personal. No, my main problem with this book is that most of the secondary characters are not fully pinned down : they exist to create obstacles or motivation to the heroes, but in themselves, do not really have their own existence.
But those little faults are easily forgiven and did not tarnish how enjoyable the read was.
This book had the kind of plot I'd always want to read, and that cover is gorgeous, let's be honest.
Humans live not-so-in-peace with creatures of the Forest, Fianna, does who can take a times human form. Despite their differences, Finn the boy hunter and Adelaide the Fianna savior, will have to work together and confront the prejudices from both races to avoid open war. Even when there is so much going against them.
First of all, the book is told alternatively from Adelaide and Finn point of view, using the first person. It gives us insight on their thoughts and emotions, and a better understanding at their own purpose and evolution.
After the first chapters, presenting the characters, the start was a bit slow. Like, really slow. For about 40 pages I was not really involved in what would happened to the characters.
But once the "quest" and thus the relationship between Adelaide and Finn starts to build, I really enjoyed the book. Even though it might be for younger people than I am, the topics of love, family and differences that makes the characters evolve do not depend on how old the reader is. The bonds that ties Adelaide and Finn to others make sense, the notion of Nature as an entity speaks volume, especially nowadays with most people disconnected of wildlife and nature. Warning : there is a lot of mentions of deaths, violence and blood, so this is not a story for children. Yet they are not gratuitous : pain is part of the process of life, and characters are not above regrets and remorse.
The idea of a Nature God made me think to many stories from my youth, but none with such an end, which was truly a great surprise. I didn't know the tale of the Stag, the Hunter and the Maiden, which might have play in my vision of Foreign to You.
A few details were bothering me though : a bit too much dialogues for my taste, but that one is just personal. No, my main problem with this book is that most of the secondary characters are not fully pinned down : they exist to create obstacles or motivation to the heroes, but in themselves, do not really have their own existence.
But those little faults are easily forgiven and did not tarnish how enjoyable the read was.
February 6, 2019
Review Star System
1🌟 - DNF in the first half
2🌟 - Boring, predictable, probably DNF
3🌟 - Middle of the road, an average read
4🌟 - I loved it! Interesting plot and characters, however some clichés here and there
5🌟 - Utter literary perfection
-
FOREIGN TO YOU - JEREMY MARTIN
RATING: 4🌟
-
”Centuries ago, the fianna were believed to be figments of the Stag's very soul. Creatures that became human to teach us, govern us, guide us. Yet, it has been a long time since this building has spoken such sermons.”
OH HELL NO JEREMY MARTIN YOU DID NOT!? Not only did you create a wonderfully unique plot and an ultra awesome MC, but you leave the ending LIKE THAT!? DUDE WHERE IS THE SECOND BOOK!?!? I NEEEEEEEEED.
Ahem, in short Foreign To You was blimmin’ sensational. The way Martin writes is unforgettable and that dang blurb grasps you right away. I feel so blessed to have read an ARC of this fine specimen of a book, and absolutely adore the plot so so much.
The story is told from two perspectives, Finn and Adelaide. Finn is a hunter who hunts these human/deer shapeshifters called Fianna, which Adelaide is. It is revealed that after a hundred years a Maiden of the Fianna is to appear and heal the Ferals (Fianna that kill humans because they are bad Fianna's, naughtyfiannanaughty). Adelaide is said Maiden however, she is shunned by the humans and hunters and has a tumultuous trial ahead in solving how to heal and purge the Ferals.
”With so much darkness, shouldn't just a sliver of light be prominent? Yet here we are. Ripping flowers from the throats of beasts and being hunted by man.”
Foreign To You is a joyous surprise and a refreshing read. It delves into the dark and grisly while still prompting all the relevant questions. It has twists and turns you don't expect and delves in detail into the minds of our two MC's.
Adelaide was truly my fav. She is an absolute goddess. With everything that is set before her she pushes through and comes out the other end fighting even more than before. She doesn't falter and really intrigues you into liking her. You feel this sense of relatability to her which in turn causes a sense of familiarity. Fantastic character.
Finn. So what I liked was his trials. He, of all the characters has suffered the most (no spoilers here as to what in particular) which causes you to sympathise and just want to give him a long (possibly awkward) cuddle. However, he is far too hung up on certain circumstances and is a tad too emotional, I'm sorry *stillloveshimtho*
Special shout out to Marshall though, ABSOLUTE LAD!
”You’ve never needed anyone to save you, Adelaide. You are a courageous soul, a fire that is uncontainable.”
FTY is slow to start with, holds a bunch of questions and ends on one hell of a cliffhanger. However it breathes new ideas and excellent plot-forming, likeable characters and stunning descriptives. All in all FTY is a book I would gladly pick up and read again.
ARC kindly provided via NetGalley
1🌟 - DNF in the first half
2🌟 - Boring, predictable, probably DNF
3🌟 - Middle of the road, an average read
4🌟 - I loved it! Interesting plot and characters, however some clichés here and there
5🌟 - Utter literary perfection
-
FOREIGN TO YOU - JEREMY MARTIN
RATING: 4🌟
-
”Centuries ago, the fianna were believed to be figments of the Stag's very soul. Creatures that became human to teach us, govern us, guide us. Yet, it has been a long time since this building has spoken such sermons.”
OH HELL NO JEREMY MARTIN YOU DID NOT!? Not only did you create a wonderfully unique plot and an ultra awesome MC, but you leave the ending LIKE THAT!? DUDE WHERE IS THE SECOND BOOK!?!? I NEEEEEEEEED.
Ahem, in short Foreign To You was blimmin’ sensational. The way Martin writes is unforgettable and that dang blurb grasps you right away. I feel so blessed to have read an ARC of this fine specimen of a book, and absolutely adore the plot so so much.
The story is told from two perspectives, Finn and Adelaide. Finn is a hunter who hunts these human/deer shapeshifters called Fianna, which Adelaide is. It is revealed that after a hundred years a Maiden of the Fianna is to appear and heal the Ferals (Fianna that kill humans because they are bad Fianna's, naughtyfiannanaughty). Adelaide is said Maiden however, she is shunned by the humans and hunters and has a tumultuous trial ahead in solving how to heal and purge the Ferals.
”With so much darkness, shouldn't just a sliver of light be prominent? Yet here we are. Ripping flowers from the throats of beasts and being hunted by man.”
Foreign To You is a joyous surprise and a refreshing read. It delves into the dark and grisly while still prompting all the relevant questions. It has twists and turns you don't expect and delves in detail into the minds of our two MC's.
Adelaide was truly my fav. She is an absolute goddess. With everything that is set before her she pushes through and comes out the other end fighting even more than before. She doesn't falter and really intrigues you into liking her. You feel this sense of relatability to her which in turn causes a sense of familiarity. Fantastic character.
Finn. So what I liked was his trials. He, of all the characters has suffered the most (no spoilers here as to what in particular) which causes you to sympathise and just want to give him a long (possibly awkward) cuddle. However, he is far too hung up on certain circumstances and is a tad too emotional, I'm sorry *stillloveshimtho*
Special shout out to Marshall though, ABSOLUTE LAD!
”You’ve never needed anyone to save you, Adelaide. You are a courageous soul, a fire that is uncontainable.”
FTY is slow to start with, holds a bunch of questions and ends on one hell of a cliffhanger. However it breathes new ideas and excellent plot-forming, likeable characters and stunning descriptives. All in all FTY is a book I would gladly pick up and read again.
ARC kindly provided via NetGalley
December 16, 2019
I really enjoyed the world Jeremy Martin presented to me here. Luscious greenery surrounds a small town, masking its inhabitants from the creatures in the forest. These creatures, in the form of deer, annually transform into humans and come to join the town’s residents for a festival-type celebration. Seems wholesome, yeah? No.
There are severe racial tensions between the humans and the deer-human hybrids - who are named fianna - within Martin’s world. He articulates this racism well, showing us the discrimination, the hate, the utter injustice and lack of reason found in mob mentality. It maddened me, as commentary on racism always maddens me, and Martin had me from the beginning.
The saltiness towards the fianna is not helped along by the fact that some of them experience problems when transforming, often finding themselves in a form halfway between deer and human. A terrifying sight, only made more frightening by them losing all rational thought whilst in this form, rampaging through the forest and town to terrorise and slash up anything they can find, human or otherwise. The town hunters work upon their strict shoot to kill orders when they come across a feral.
What I loved most here was a shift from the standard fantasy trope of boy meets girl. Boy certainly does meet girl, and although they maintain a complex relationship, there is never any notion of love, because boy loves another boy. Although this was written in very slight queer subtext, I welcomed it all the same, despite not particularly welcoming Martin’s desire to break my heart shortly after said queer subtext was established!
The plot is super fast-paced and there’s a load of action scenes, which I found confusing in places. Although written in multiple voice narrative, there wasn’t a great deal of differentiation between the voices, and often it became unclear who was narrating. Having said that, the prose itself was as flowery as the forest, and Martin truly wrote in a style which really reinforced his setting; descriptions of landscape, characters, and homes all prescribed to an other-worldly feel which felt gorgeous.
Finally, I was really pleased with the finale. I don’t tend to enjoy novels which tie things up into a little bow; it’s unrealistic. Martin delivers his final punch in an odd, ethereal way, leaving us guessing at a multitude of questions unanswered. In some ways I can see a sequel happening; in other ways I can’t see where we’d go from here. He’s left so many questions in my mind.
Tell us more about the fianna, please, Jeremy. I’ll bring snacks.
There are severe racial tensions between the humans and the deer-human hybrids - who are named fianna - within Martin’s world. He articulates this racism well, showing us the discrimination, the hate, the utter injustice and lack of reason found in mob mentality. It maddened me, as commentary on racism always maddens me, and Martin had me from the beginning.
The saltiness towards the fianna is not helped along by the fact that some of them experience problems when transforming, often finding themselves in a form halfway between deer and human. A terrifying sight, only made more frightening by them losing all rational thought whilst in this form, rampaging through the forest and town to terrorise and slash up anything they can find, human or otherwise. The town hunters work upon their strict shoot to kill orders when they come across a feral.
What I loved most here was a shift from the standard fantasy trope of boy meets girl. Boy certainly does meet girl, and although they maintain a complex relationship, there is never any notion of love, because boy loves another boy. Although this was written in very slight queer subtext, I welcomed it all the same, despite not particularly welcoming Martin’s desire to break my heart shortly after said queer subtext was established!
The plot is super fast-paced and there’s a load of action scenes, which I found confusing in places. Although written in multiple voice narrative, there wasn’t a great deal of differentiation between the voices, and often it became unclear who was narrating. Having said that, the prose itself was as flowery as the forest, and Martin truly wrote in a style which really reinforced his setting; descriptions of landscape, characters, and homes all prescribed to an other-worldly feel which felt gorgeous.
Finally, I was really pleased with the finale. I don’t tend to enjoy novels which tie things up into a little bow; it’s unrealistic. Martin delivers his final punch in an odd, ethereal way, leaving us guessing at a multitude of questions unanswered. In some ways I can see a sequel happening; in other ways I can’t see where we’d go from here. He’s left so many questions in my mind.
Tell us more about the fianna, please, Jeremy. I’ll bring snacks.
January 24, 2019
“I wonder what it would be like to look in a mirror and find someone foreign to you.”
Now, that was a wild ride from start to finish. The book didn’t have any parts that dragged - from the first page onward, you’re fully immersed in the story and don’t want to stop reading. Even if it’s the middle of the night and you have get up early tomorrow, even if this story has gripped you so tightly that you can practically feel it taking hold of your heart and give it a really hard squeeze. I may have cried.
“I wish I could tell him that we should head back to town, that he deserved much more than loud rifles and dirt. But I don’t say those things.”
I loved how the book battled all these different issues so well. What it means to be human, how to deal with loss, how to face your own destiny, the tension between the races, morality even. I especially loved how Adelaide first reacted to being the Maiden because of the color of her fur: “Do such minor details in our design cast us into completely separate roles?” It’s such a short sentence, but that one really resonated with me a lot.
“What if, when we are trying to do the right thing for us, we do the wrong thing for someone else?”
The writing was beautiful, I almost felt like I was reading a fairytale. The plot was engaging throughout the entirety of the novel. Especially towards the end I was barely able to bear the tension. The twists, the reveals and oh god, the characters. None of them are truly good (well, maybe Jay) or evil, all of them are so beautifully flawed. I grew attached to them so quickly and so naturally. For me, that’s the most important aspect of a story. Feeling for the characters, being invested in their story, their struggles, their goals. And “Foreign to You” most certainly accomplished that. I believe my thoughts will keep wandering back to this novel for a good long while.
Also, I cannot wait for the next book. That ending!
Thanks to the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
(Honestly, I think the last book relationship that had me this shook was from “The Song of Achilles”. Maybe “I’d follow you anywhere” will be our “What has Hector ever done to me?”)
Now, that was a wild ride from start to finish. The book didn’t have any parts that dragged - from the first page onward, you’re fully immersed in the story and don’t want to stop reading. Even if it’s the middle of the night and you have get up early tomorrow, even if this story has gripped you so tightly that you can practically feel it taking hold of your heart and give it a really hard squeeze. I may have cried.
“I wish I could tell him that we should head back to town, that he deserved much more than loud rifles and dirt. But I don’t say those things.”
I loved how the book battled all these different issues so well. What it means to be human, how to deal with loss, how to face your own destiny, the tension between the races, morality even. I especially loved how Adelaide first reacted to being the Maiden because of the color of her fur: “Do such minor details in our design cast us into completely separate roles?” It’s such a short sentence, but that one really resonated with me a lot.
“What if, when we are trying to do the right thing for us, we do the wrong thing for someone else?”
The writing was beautiful, I almost felt like I was reading a fairytale. The plot was engaging throughout the entirety of the novel. Especially towards the end I was barely able to bear the tension. The twists, the reveals and oh god, the characters. None of them are truly good (well, maybe Jay) or evil, all of them are so beautifully flawed. I grew attached to them so quickly and so naturally. For me, that’s the most important aspect of a story. Feeling for the characters, being invested in their story, their struggles, their goals. And “Foreign to You” most certainly accomplished that. I believe my thoughts will keep wandering back to this novel for a good long while.
Also, I cannot wait for the next book. That ending!
Thanks to the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
(Honestly, I think the last book relationship that had me this shook was from “The Song of Achilles”. Maybe “I’d follow you anywhere” will be our “What has Hector ever done to me?”)
January 29, 2019
A magical story with beautiful world building Foreign to You follows our two protagonists Finn and Adelaide on opposing sides of rising racial tension.
Finn is a hunter. Human. Ruthless.
Finn's life is a tangled mess with his insane father, a dead mother, the death of the man he loves right before his eyes, ongoing attacks from feral Fianna and whispers of legends that may be able to change his life around.
Adelaide is a Fianna. A shapeshifting deer. A prophesized leader of her kind.
Adelaide can't recall her life before waking up human one cycle. She's prophezised to lead her corrupted people from darkness back home to peace with their god. But the darkness is rampant and stronger than she knew.
There are a couple of twists and turns that are well thought out and overall this is an enjoyable read. It's well structured, has a beautiful world and the author builds and sustains emotion brilliantly.
It's not exactly a book I'd read and fall in love with myself purely because I have these ingrained ideals of deer (Bambi) and I just couldn't wrap my head around the concept of "were-deer" I guess you could call them if we're being blunt. BUT... OH BOY BUT - This is still a great book. I read it within 48 hours because I was constantly intrigued and all the characters are believable and beautiful.
I have to give it 4 stars. Anything less feels like a rip off.
REVIEW WILL BE LIVE ON MY INSTAGRAM @BOOKSANDYASS 31st JAN
Finn is a hunter. Human. Ruthless.
Finn's life is a tangled mess with his insane father, a dead mother, the death of the man he loves right before his eyes, ongoing attacks from feral Fianna and whispers of legends that may be able to change his life around.
Adelaide is a Fianna. A shapeshifting deer. A prophesized leader of her kind.
Adelaide can't recall her life before waking up human one cycle. She's prophezised to lead her corrupted people from darkness back home to peace with their god. But the darkness is rampant and stronger than she knew.
There are a couple of twists and turns that are well thought out and overall this is an enjoyable read. It's well structured, has a beautiful world and the author builds and sustains emotion brilliantly.
It's not exactly a book I'd read and fall in love with myself purely because I have these ingrained ideals of deer (Bambi) and I just couldn't wrap my head around the concept of "were-deer" I guess you could call them if we're being blunt. BUT... OH BOY BUT - This is still a great book. I read it within 48 hours because I was constantly intrigued and all the characters are believable and beautiful.
I have to give it 4 stars. Anything less feels like a rip off.
REVIEW WILL BE LIVE ON MY INSTAGRAM @BOOKSANDYASS 31st JAN
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