Azygos (Tiber Series Book 1) by J.H. White

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Synopsis: With two distinct paths, Azygos follows Marlowe's and Sloan's interweaving stories. Sloan and his family have been tracking his mother's killer for as long as he can remember. As time passes with no answers or closure, the resentment and hatred in his family grow to a breaking point. Marlowe and her family must return home to Portland after she recklessly commits a grave mistake while hunting. Her guilt and their judgment only intensify, but upon a chance meeting between the two, things begin to change. Finding comfort and warmth within each other, they forge a connection. But as people are murdered and secrets are told, their bond agonizingly twists towards its final challenge. With their lives colliding, the solace they find within each other may only be a disguise for their darkest nightmares.

If that synopsis doesn't throw you for a ride my review will! As the synopsis states, we follow two distinct paths in Marlowe and Sloan. Now, this will be a spoiler-free review but I think a fair warning should be given. So tighten those seatbelts, ladies, and gentlemen. The first person we are introduced to is Marlowe, and just by a few descriptions I already know she's a tough character with an exterior that may be hard to breakthrough. A contrast to her friend Lydia, who is bubbly and a bright light in Marlowe's life. I already love this friendship. They run into two gentlemen and shit gets real, real fucking fast. I might have to charge J.H. for a chiropractic appointment because the whiplash was real. The action just pulls you in and you have to just keep clicking through to find out what's next.

While Marlowe is cool, calm, and collected we meet Sloan later on. Dude is totally not any of those things. He is the epitome of tension, rigid and fear. His brothers are on the other hand are a bit more put together. He probably in my opinion connect with his sister the best. (AKA Jess deserves better) On top of it, his father tasks him with something that is life-altering. It's too big of a spoiler to reveal but ... all I have to say is shit, and Sloan deserved better. I have to say I wouldn't have been able to do it.

By the way, these are just the first two chapters of the book! I told you to buckle in. Overall White does a great job at giving each character their time to shine, and their personalities complement one another. Additionally, I am a sucker for a good description, and White paints a beautiful picture. You instantly pulled into this novel and join these two adventures without putting it down. My fave thing about the novel is when Marlowe and Sloan meet. Their conversations about movies and a topic that spoils the book is funny to me. They both have opinions not knowing the real truth behind their words.

So what stopped this from being a 5 in my book? We spend more than half the book in two separate worlds. I loved it but I wanted to connect more to the relationship with Marlowe and Sloan. I think I would have enjoyed the meeting happening earlier. The plot twist was something I figured would happen and it definitely set things in motion. Finally, the ending felt a bit rushed, but I personally believe it's because we didn't get enough time with Marlowe/Sloan's relationship. It just would have hit different if the relationship was fleshed out more.

Overall it was an amazing book and it is part of a series. So more to come and I cannot wait! Grab this book if you want something short, dark, and full of the supernatural.

I recommend this for 14+ for some mentions of sexual relationships. You can purchase the book on Amazon or Barnes & Noble in October 2021!

I received this ARC in exchange for a review.