5⭐️/ 2-3🌶️

Like most of Mia Sheridan’s books, I’m always amazed at the level of how she creates different worlds, and as per usual I’m always surprised how story unfolds. In, “Becoming Calder” I went in blind not really knowing what it was about not what to expect. As I started reading the beginning I was slowly coming to the realization who Calder was, and the world he was surrounded in. This story also centered on Eden and how she met Calder as well as her role within the community known as Acadia , where both she and Calder lived. This story tackled some heavy topics so please make sure to check trigger warnings before reading. 

In a community that seemed peaceful, quiet, full of simplicity, most would think it was a wonderful place to be, it was known as, Acadia. Living in Acadia, Calder and Eden were raised to believe certain ideals, beliefs, and practice a way of life that was seen befitting and approved by the gods. In addition to working specific jobs within Acadia, everyone listened to the words of Hector, the head of Acadia. Before going into this book, I had expected to read about a perfect utopia society, but not everything was as it seemed especially as I continued reading about about Calder and Eden’s life as they grew older and even questioned the way of life they had known all their lives. I feel like once you get into the story, you’ll also have your own questions as well as come to the realization of what Acadia actually was. 

Calder and Eden were two individuals who grew up in Acadia, but as they got older they became friends and potential feelings grew stronger. From the moment Calder first laid eyes on Eden when they were kids, he was mesmerized by her beauty, but also her courage and strength she had in her. Eden was the prophesied “chosen one” shall we say to help guide everyone in Acadia to Elysium once the fated day of the world flooded (basically when the world ended). As a child, Eden was often left alone since everyone else deemed her different and on a higher pedestal of worship. I could tell that Eden didn’t have any friends at all, and she just wished she had friends to play with and talk to. Calder was the one who made the effort to get to know Eden and over the years the two developed a sweet friendship. 

Once, Eden and Calder got older to being teenagers, that was when things turned interesting on both their parts. I loved watching Eden and Calder spend time together whether it was in their special spring or just talking about things ranging from the stars to their own beliefs. The connection that Eden and Calder formed was beautiful and heartwarming to watch unfold over the years. The chemistry between Eden and Calder was heartfelt, deep, passionate, and loving. I absolutely adored seeing Eden and Calder even write letters to each other back and forth, them having their own ways of communicating and expressing their feelings to one another was romantic. In addition, once the romance between Eden and Calder was shown, there were a couple of swoon worthy quotes from them like, I’m talking Calder telling Eden he wants her so badly he feel like he can’t breathe. (Sigh) I was living for the romance and everything Calder and Eden! 

OMG! WHAT THE?! I knew pain was in store for me while reading this book, but like… WHY DID I FIND MYSELF SOBBING MY EYES OUT?! I truly did not anticipate the story going the way that it did especially towards the end! Eden and Calder just wanted to live their own lives away from Acadia, and away from the clutches of Hector. Just like Eden and Calder I had high hopes for them, and their happiness, but just as they thought they had finally reached their freedom, it all changed drastically. I truly cannot get over the way the events unfolded, but specifically towards the end was where my heart just felt gutted and broken for both Eden and Calder. With that cliffhanger ending, I’m just left feeling shocked and sad. Aside from my emotional distress, Mia Sheridan wrote a captivating, emotional, loving story where Eden and Calder found love in the most unexpected place, but from that love grew a magnificent connection. I genuinely loved Eden and Calder, I wasn’t surprised by that as I had a feeling (like basically every book written by Mia Sheridan) I would love them, and cheer alongside them hoping they would find their happiness. This was a bit of an emotional rollercoaster, but I can only hope that with the next book, things are resolved, and my precious Eden and Calder find their happily ever after, BECAUSE THEY FREAKING DESERVE ALL THE HAPPINESS AND MORE IN THE WORLD AFTER WHAT THEY WENT THROUGH!