December 05, 2025
„The Aspect of Essence” by Samantha Amstutz
BLURB
For over a millennium, the elves have concealed their powers.
Until now.
Since arriving on the mortals’ shores, the elves have systematically colonized the primitive human race. As subjugated peasants, the mortals toil to supply the elven realm with riches.
The elves’ magic has degraded their race to a point where they have been rendered infertile. A hundred years ago, they resorted to interbreeding with humans in an effort to preserve their species.
In the elven realm, Jassyn has spent his life both researching the fertility crisis and being forced to produce offspring. His existence balances on a narrow precipice between solving mysteries of the elves’ infertility or succumbing to his handlers’ maltreatment. A new assignment, tutoring a half-breed princess in a human realm, promises a temporary relief. But he soon discovers the real reason for his presence.
Serenna, Jassyn’s new pupil, has earned the right to leave the mortal realm to join the elven courts. Or so she thought. Her anticipated life as a noble takes an unexpected turn when a monstrous race emerges, threatening the existence of all. Instead of joining the elven noble houses, Serenna is conscripted to a military academy for half-breeds.
She learns that not only do half-breeds like her and Jassyn have magic, but that the elves have suppressed all knowledge of their powers. In a race for survival, she must learn how to wield Essence to fight for her life.
With the imminent threat of war, Serenna struggles to master her magic before being thrown on the front lines. Meanwhile, Jassyn strives to protect her, but his forced servitude takes a darker turn, leading him down a destructive path.
MY OPINION
I took „The Aspect of Essence” because this book is compared to ACOTAR and Fourth Wing series. And some things are similar to both of theses series, but „The Aspect of Essence” is a totally diffrent book than these two series. Which isn't made this book bad. The first installment of „The Aelfyn Archives” is a fresh air in fantasy with elves.
Meet Jassyn, who is a new tutor to princess Serenna. Officially. Non officially her dad wants a heir from Jassyn and his daughter. Why? Because the elves magic made them infertile. Jassyn is spending his life to search the cure for elves and he is also „boy to rent on one night” - if you know what I mean. He has enough of being a sex doll for elves. That's why the proposition from Serenna's father to come to her like a tutor is a tempting offer to him. He doesn't want to go to bed with her and he doesn't have a contract to do this, so being a teacher is a nice rest from his old life.
Serenna is a girl who is living in lies. She is starting to uncover all secrets about her family and origin. The information that she needs to go to the military school is a shock for her. Because how princess can be a soldier? In the end school isn't that bad. Maybe because of handsome prince Vesryn?
The chemistry between our heroes is written very nice. We can feel the tension between them from the book pages. But the sad thing of this book is no spicy scenes. I was thinking that we will get AT LEAST one. But nope. Nothing. I am not counting kisses. I have hope that in the second book we will get some of THESE scenes. Tension is too big to not release it.
„The Aspect of Essence” was a nice reading and I am encouraged to take the second part of this story. I really like heroes in that book and I am really curious how this plot will be expanded. If you want to read something about military academy, magic, but in the world of humans and elves this title is for you.