Creatures of Chaos By Julie Hall

Title: Creatures of Chaos

Author: Julie Hall

Genre: UF Fantasy

Series: Creatures of Chaos # 1

Paperback, 445 Pages 

Publication: October 29, 2024

Source: Personal Library
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Chaos, the vicious supernatural competition where heroes are born and riches are won.

To most, it's just an urban legend whispered in the darkest shadows, but that all changes when my best friend drags me into a savage world where vampires, shifters, and fae compete for glory and fame.

As a creature without magic, I’d be a fool to enter Chaos, but the prize—a dagger of untold power—could change my powerless existence. With that dagger, I could wield magic, earn respect, and maybe, just maybe, win the heart of the dragon heir… it’s a risk I have to take.

Now, I'm pitted against beasts in a ruthless battle with no powers, no plan, and an infuriatingly attractive ally who’s just as likely to slit my neck as save it. Every round of Chaos leads me closer to seizing my deepest desires or losing everything.

In Chaos, survival is the only rule. And winning is all that matters.

MY THOUGHTS

Creatures of Chaos is my first Julie Hall novel. I serendipitously came across Hall's book a couple weeks before its release date and I am so glad I did. I didn't know much about the story except there was a supernatural competition and a magicless girl was one of the contestants.

I kid you not, I was hooked from the first page. The author throws readers right into the suspense as she introduces us to our protagonist, Locklyn as she takes the dark tunnel shortcut to her class only to be ambushed by the school's mean girls. I immediately took to Locklyn. Despite being magic less in a school full of shifters, faes and vampires she doesn't let that fact stop her from standing up for herself or backing down from confrontation. I absolutely love the entire cast of characters and seeing Locklyn's relationship with her parents, best friends, the entire school and the mysterious Talon. 

Creatures of Chaos had everything I enjoy reading about; deadly competition trial, a magical academy setting, and a tension filled love triangle that's part best friends to lover and frenemies to lover. To be fair, love triangles are usually a hit or miss, but at the beginning this triangle; it had me giggling and let me say, I was without a doubt Team Talon from the start and am still rooting for that outcome. While I adore Locklyn, I felt she was really oblivious when it came to her best friend, Becks. He was kind of a controlling douche. But I had to remind myself that this was a young adult series and Locklyn is seventeen. 

I don't read as much Young Adult as I did in the past and have found many Young Adult books this past year and prior years to be lacking, mediocre and cookie-cutter but I am happy to say Creatures of Chaos has rekindled my faith back in the genre. I loved Creature of Chaos. Despite all the similar tropes I mentioned earlier, Hall created an engaging and exciting novel, and I can't wait to read more about Locklyn and her friends. Because what makes this book standout from others like it, are the characters. And anyone who has read it or plan to read it will know exactly what I mean. If you haven't read Creatures of Chaos yet, this is a book you don't want to miss. Add it to the top of your TBR A.S.A.P.