A review by karly_rose_reads
Bright Ones by J.B. Tucker

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious medium-paced

3.75

Bright Ones by J.B. Tucker is the first book in the incomplete War Scroll seriesโ€”a YA urban fantasy. It is also J.B. Tucker's debut novel! 

What is it about?
Kirie is an academically gifted, 17-year old high school student with a secret: she has the ability to manipulate & control light. Her whole life changes in a single night when dark-wielding assassins destroy all that she's known and attempt to k!ll her. Hunted and on the run, Kirie discovers there is a larger war between light- and dark-wielders and must make a choiceโ€”does she continue to hide from the world or join the hidden Society of Light.

This is a medium pace, first installment to the series that is packed with heartache, self discovery, and mystery. 

Quick Details:
๐Ÿ–ค YA Urban Fantasy 
๐Ÿ–ค 1st and 3rd person, dual POV
๐Ÿ–ค Secret society 
๐Ÿ–ค Reluctant hero / chosen one
๐Ÿ–ค Magic & mystery 
๐Ÿ–ค Insta love
๐Ÿ–ค Found family 

What I enjoyed:
๐Ÿ‘‰ Kirie isn't your typical "hero" โ€” she's a nerdy, 17 year old girl who has lived a sheltered life
๐Ÿ‘‰ War between light and dark & the hidden societies 
๐Ÿ‘‰ Mystery elements that kept me engaged and reading more

Things that could have been better / areas for opportunity:
๐Ÿ‘‰ I don't have a complete grasp on the magic system, yet; it's a bit confusing
๐Ÿ‘‰ I don't love J.B. Tucker's choice of analogies, pulling me out of the story
๐Ÿ‘‰ I'm not a huge fan of insta love, especially the way it's been depicted (not convincing)
๐Ÿ‘‰ Some of the events that happen in the forefront of the book didn't feel necessary (e.g., ๐Ÿ ๐Ÿ”ฅ)
๐Ÿ‘‰ Assassin POV chapters don't feel necessary & are distractingโ€”I would've introduced them in the 2nd book

A sincere thank you to J.B. Tucker for providing me with a copy of her debut novel! I can't wait to see where she takes the rest of the series in Shadowmen (coming summer of 2024) and Darkest Dawn (coming 2025). All opinions are my own.