Elayna R. Gallea’s The Choosing Chronicles series, the Ryker and Brynleigh duet presents a premise ripe with dark fantasy and enemies-to-lovers potential; a vampire protagonist, Brynleigh, enters a deadly “choosing” competition with the sole aim of assassinating the fae she blames for tearing her world apart, Ryker. It’s a setup that immediately promises high stakes, simmering tensin, and a morally complex journey.

One of the standout strengths of this series, and indeed its most compelling draw, is the female main character, Brynleigh. She is, without a doubt, a badass who doesn’t need saving. In a genre where female leads can sometimes fall into damsel-in-distress tropes, Brynleigh consistently bucks that rend, taking charge of her destiny and driving the narrative with her fierce determination. Her agency is refreshing and deeply satisfying element that I truly appreciated.

However, despite these initial strong points, my reading experience was marked by a peculiar duality. On one hand, I found myself utterly unable to put the book down. It possessed that addictive, “reality show” quality of a phenomenon where, much like a guilty pleasure on TV, you know it might not be the pinnacle of storytelling, but you can’t pull yourself away. This captivating pull is a testament to Gallea’s ability to craft a narrative hook that keeps readers turning the pages, almost against their own critical judgement.

On the other hand, several aspects contributed to a pervasive sense of unfulfillment. The writing could, at times, feel repetitive, leading to moments where the narrative felt stretched thin. Character development, beyond Brynleigh’s initial strong footing,  left much to be desired. Jelisette, in particular, felt like a classic “bitch” archetype–a flat villain with no real distinguishing characteristics or depth to make her truly menacing or memorable. Her presence felt more like a plot device than a fully realized antagonist.

Furthermore, the plot itself occasionally felt dull or overly simplistic.For a world boasting vampires and fae, I found myself craving more of the intricate fantasy elements and creature lore that such a setting promises. The “game show” aspect, akin to a supernatural “Love is Blind,” ultimately lacked the “oomph” necessary to make it truly compelling. There was a missed opportunity for more humor, deeper emotional ressonance, or even more high-stakes romantic tension within  the confinse  of the competition itself.

Perhaps the most significant areas of dissatisfaction for me lay in the romantic development between Brynleigh and Ryker. Despite the enemies-to-lovers setup, Brynleigh’s emotional pivot felt too swift and unearned. The narrative didn’t provide enough substantial moments or deep insights into Ryker’s haracter to truly help the reader understand why Brynleigh fell for him so quickly, or more importantly, to encourage us as readers to fall for him alongside her. The romance seemed to progress on an internal logic not fully conveyed to the audience, leaving a gap in emotional connection.

Despite these critical points, the book’s sheer readability meant that I devoured it, swept along by its inherent magnetism. The central theme that resonated most strongly with me was that love conquers, but only as long as you put the work in. This underlying message of commitment and effort in relationships  provided a solid thematic anchor amidst the narrative’s more frustrating elements.

In conclusion, The Choosing Chronicles is a complex read. It excels at delivering a compelling, self-sufficient female protagonist and possesses an undeniable, addictive quality that makes it hard to put down. However, it strugles with repetitive prose, a flat antagonist, a simple plot, and a rushed romatic progression. While not without its flaws, its unique premise and engaging FMC may still appeal to readers seeking an addictive fantasy romance where the heroine truly shines, even if other elements don’t quite hit the mark. I give it a solild 3.5 out of 5 stars.