Winterborne - Augusta Blythe

Winterborne (Universe Unbound: Book One) – Augusta Blythe

Winterborne is an urban fantasy novel by Augusta Blythe, following the story of Loie Bryce and her best friend Mia Winterborne.

‘Mia Winterborne knows she is destined to be special. Her upcoming seventeenth birthday promises more than just a driver’s license. Details are sketchy, though, as her dad disappeared with all the answers when she was five. By Mia’s side is Loie Bryce, her best friend and eternal sidekick extraordinaire. The girls’ intense friendship has never wavered until now, when Andreas arrives in Salcey Ridge. They both fall hard for the hot Brit, who quickly becomes a fixture in their lives. When they discover that Andreas is not who he appears to be, the frightening reality of Mia’s abilities finally hits home. The nearer Mia’s birthday draws, the more the danger escalates and long-buried lies are exposed, putting the girls on a path that they never expected.’

I really enjoyed this novel, it was action packed, filled with humour and the friendship between Mia and Loie was truly heart-warming at times. Granted there were moments where I felt for Loie having to deal with Mia and her confidence and complete domineering attitude in their relationship. But as time went on you really saw the beauty between what they had and how they really would do anything for each other.

The story follows the build up to their joint seventeenth birthday, as not only are they best friends but they share the same day of birth. This birthday however is going to be a big one; this is the one where Mia is due to inherit her powers. Powers that she has limited knowledge of due to her father’s mysterious disappearance, suspiciously around the same time Loie’s parents tragically died. The journey to their birthday is a bumpy one, predominantly due to a shared interest in the new boy Andreas. Both Mia and Loie like him, and both want to be with him. But he can only be with one. I felt the dealing of this topic was brilliantly done. I think it is safe to say every teen has gone through a phase of falling out or being upset as their friend likes the same guy or gets the guy they want. It is all a part of growing up and undoubtedly everyone at some point has experienced something of the sort, and Augusta’s writing of this was amazing. Seeing the hurt and upset and the fall out of it all, felt so real and you truly felt each moment as if it were you it was happening too.

More to this, many strange occurrences arise, leaving many questions being asked, and people’s lives being put on the line.

Throughout this book I really rooted for Loie, forever overshadowed by Mia, and completely downtrodden. An angry and resentful grandmother, upset at being burdened with her dead daughters child. Both parents passing away at such a young age, and then having a best friend, who is completely beautiful and soon to be incredibly powerful. I really felt for Loie. How could someone have so much pain in their life and yet still remain as supportive as ever to her best friend. It was upsetting to see how little she viewed herself as. Which seemed to greatly increase as the book went on. Safe to say Loie really is the underdog throughout this story, but I find it is her I most root for, and at times I even dislike Mia for how she acts and what she says to Loie i.e. the test they both take and both receiving the same answers.

I have to say I wasn’t sure what to expect from this novel, I thought it would be a typical YA love triangle and that would be it, however the magical world, creatures and all other manner of topics covered in this book really proved me wrong and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I did see the twist coming, but I feel that is because of where my alliances where. But I feel as if the author possibly did this to keep us one step ahead of the game and so we can enjoy that kick ass moment even more. 

This book is brilliant, full of action, heartbreaks and fantasy and safe to say I am going to be reading the second book in the Universe Unbound series, and if it is anything like the first, I am certainly expecting great things from it.

I would give this book 4 out of 5 stars.