She was raised to enforce the law that will kill her.
A signed paperback of The Guidal: Discovering Puracordis by Roxy Eloise
BLURB:
Magic is forbidden.
In a country ruled by fear, children are taken from their families and raised in the Institute to become loyal enforcers of the system. Aurora Aviary has spent thirteen years learning obedience, discipline… and how not to stand out.
But Aurora has never been very good at following the rules.
As the Institute’s annual Unity Ceremony approaches, she faces a future she cannot escape: a forced union with a stranger, a lifetime of service, and a role in protecting the very man who controls everything.
Then Aurora discovers something impossible.
Something dangerous.
Something that should not exist in a world where magic supposedly never existed.
If the Institute discovers what she is, she won’t just be punished.
She’ll be executed.
But someone in the shadows seems determined to help her uncover the truth.
And if Aurora is brave enough to follow the clues, she may learn that the system she was raised to defend is built on a lie.
Reviews
As I picked up this book, I was immediately reminiscent of the feeling when I read The Hunger Games and Fourth Wing. Every detail within the story was exciting and new to me. I could not wait to dive deeper into the story and learn more about the characters and magic system.
I enjoyed learning about the different quarters in the institute. Readers learn about 4 different sectors (Mustard Quartz, Khaki Quartz; Navy Quartz, and the Claret Quartz). I wish that we learned more about each quarter and how each are integrated within the institute. I LOVED learning about Soami and the picoplant implementation which was very intriguing
Disappointment was an understatement as we never truly learned why magic is bad. What about it threatens humanity? I wish there were exact descriptions to being Puracordis. Obviously, the society is affected as there is no magic allowed. However, I wish we saw a specific moment which caused the ban.
Pax shows up to “save” Aurora. It was pretty obvious that he would be her match in the Unity—a scientific matchmaking system required for all. Due to both individuals not wanting a match, Pax and Aurora had good chemistry (the Unity did something right there). Despite the chemistry, the relationship did feel rushed. I enjoyed seeing them interact within the games at the school.
Of course, there cannot be a happily ever after so easily. Tayo—a boy of Aurora’s dreams (literally)—also found a connection with Aurora. To me, it was obvious that the dream was not simply a dream but a memory. I knew that this connection would bring Tayo and Aurora together. As I read about Pax and Aurora, I kept thinking about Tayo and how he would become entangled within the story.
That said, I did enjoy the surprise where Tayo was Aurora’s prisoner. I was interested in seeing how both of them reacted (It was pretty underwhelming). Later in the story, Tayo mentioned that as she grew on him, he began to care about her more. However, he planned his life and aligned it to her own without her knowing. He would have falsely paired her with a stranger if she did not match with Pax. This made me dislike Tayo, as he was taking away her freedom.
I did not like the "love triangle". It felt reminiscent of The Hunger Games. However, in "The Guidal: Discovering Puracordis", neither of the love interests were particularly compelling. Both relationships felt rushed. It was difficult to determine Aurora’s feelings about each.
At the end of the story, we discover that Aurora has magic—aka is Puracordis. I was interested in learning why she still has the abilities despite this chemical in the water. I hope to learn more about that in book 2. Additionally, I wish we learned more about her parents and their magic.
Overall, I truly enjoyed the story. Aurora was entertaining to read and learn about. Many characters felt like they were written for the plot. However, they were entwined with the story well. I do hope we learn more about the school, magic, and relation
The Guidal: Discovering Puracordis surprised me in the best way possible. The story blends dystopian elements with forbidden magic, secrets, arranged futures, and a slow-burning tension that kept me curious the entire time.
Aurora has spent her life inside the Institute, raised to obey, protect, and serve in a world where magic is feared and forbidden. As the Promise Ceremony approaches and her future seems already decided for her, the cracks within the system slowly begin to show and so do the secrets surrounding Aurora herself.
One of my favorite things about this book was the atmosphere. The Institute, the ceremonies, the games and strict hierarchy created such a vivid aesthetic. It felt both elegant and unsettling at the same time. I also loved how the story balanced fantasy with dystopian elements.
The character dynamics definitely kept me invested. Pax and Aurora had an interesting tension, especially with the expectations placed upon them, while Tayo immediately added a different energy to the story. The contrast between loyalty to the system and acceptance of who Aurora truly is made the relationships much more compelling.
The pacing was a little slower at times but overall I really enjoyed the mystery, the hidden magic, and the way the tension slowly built throughout the story.
If you like:
✨ forbidden magic
✨ arranged futures
✨ dystopian fantasy
✨ slow burn tension
then this is definitely worth picking
Thank you Roxi Eloise for this Arc for a honest review
Where do I start?! I very nearly didn’t pick this book up this week… and I’m so glad I did!
5 ⭐️ absolutely fantastic!
I went in completely blind with zero expectations and was genuinely surprised. I can’t believe I haven’t seen more people talking about this series because it deserves the hype.
We follow Aurora, a 16 year old living under a corrupt regime, raised in an academy where children are trained under strict rules for their assigned futures. But Aurora has never been great at following rules…
And that’s when things get really interesting.
There are Romance, games, friendships, bullying, secrets! As Aurora begins uncovering the truth about herself, the story becomes increasingly gripping.
This is a fast, easy read, but the plot is far from simple. The pacing is excellent, always giving just enough to keep you turning pages. I genuinely couldn’t put it down.
I was initially hesitant about the FMC being 16 (as a 44 year old, I wasn’t keen on a romance focused storyline at that age), but the romance is very much secondary. It’s closed door, subtle, and never overshadows the main plot.
What I loved most was watching Aurora discover herself and grow as a teenager. Deal with her emotions and handle how to navigate ‘ the new her ‘
I really enjoyed this book and I’m so glad I picked it up. Thankfully, Book 2 is already out, because I need to know what happens next immediately.
If you love dystopian fantasy, academy settings, trials, secrets, and a strong FMC uncovering her identity, you need to read this.
Now I’m diving straight into Book 2… 🖤📚
This book is absolutely amazing and a definite 5-star read for me! ✨ It perfectly blends mystery, fantasy, and romance, plus lots of kissing scenes 😉. The characters are so interesting and well-developed; I truly felt like I was right there in the story with them.
I loved that I could never predict what would happen next—it kept me hooked from beginning to end. It was genuinely hard to put down, and every time I did, all I wanted was to pick it back up again. (But, you know how life is, can't be reading 24/7!)
I will definitely be reading the other 2 books in the series and would recommend this book to any of my friends.
Okay… I genuinely did NOT expect to love this book as much as I did.
I went into The Guidal thinking I’d probably enjoy it, but somehow I ended up completely invested. The combination of dystopian society, mystery, action and romance worked SO well for me.
I especially loved discovering this world alongside Aurora. There are so many little things that make you question what is really going on, and just when you think you've figured something out… nope. There are some really nice twists throughout the book that kept me guessing and made me want to keep reading “just one more chapter.”
And the romance… MY HEART.
Pax and Aurora genuinely had my heart aching. There was something about their relationship that really got to me emotionally. I was so invested in them and constantly had ALL the feelings.
At the same time, I really loved watching Aurora and Tayo's relationship develop throughout the book. Their dynamic is so different, and I loved seeing how their relationship slowly evolved.
And the love of nanny Kimly for Aurora! Beautiful.
Aurora is also such an easy character to root for. She's not perfect, and I actually liked that about her. Watching her start to question the world she's grown up in and discover more about herself was one of my favorite parts of the story.
The book has that perfect feeling of “wait… something is definitely not right here” that makes you want to keep digging for answers. And the further I got, the more invested I became. I finished this book in 2 days but I'm left with so many questions.
And now I have discovered that THERE ARE MORE BOOKS ALREADY OUT?!?!
Excuse me while I immediately go get book 2 because I clearly need to know what happens next.
Definitely a 5-star surprise for me, and I'm SO happy I found this series!
For lovers of dystopian romance with forced proximity, forbidden abilities and magic. —it’s one of those books that refuses to let you put it down. I’m completely invested now and already impatient for the next installment.
What really stood out to me was the world-building. The setting feels vivid and layered, and I loved gradually discovering more about the magic system and the different abilities. Just when it seems like you’re getting answers, the story opens up even more questions, which only pulled me in further.
The characters are another highlight. They’re messy, complicated, and at times incredibly frustrating—but in a way that keeps you hooked. The love triangle between Pax, Aurora, and Tayo had me constantly second-guessing myself. I kept switching sides, rooting for someone new every few chapters, and honestly, that kind of emotional whiplash made it even more fun. There were definitely moments where I wanted to yell at all of them.
The action sequences—especially the games—bring a strong competitive, high-stakes energy that really drives the story forward. If you enjoy that tense, survival-style atmosphere, there’s plenty here to love.
I also appreciated the friendship between Silliah and Aurora. It feels genuine and deeply rooted, the kind of bond that doesn’t come along often. Their dynamic added an emotional layer to the story, especially toward the end, where things felt a bit bittersweet. I’m hoping the next book gives them space to work through everything.
And that ending… it’s brutal in the best way. It leaves you hanging just enough to make you desperate to know what happens next.
When this book was sent to me yesterday I was in the middle of another book, and while I rarely read multiple books at the same time, I felt a bit of a slump coming on so I thought it was the perfect time to dive into this.
I read a lot of dystopian novels in my teen years but for some reason I haven't picked any up since.
This book felt nostalgic in that sense and had essences of other familiar dystopian novels throughout, whilst remaining unique in its plot.
The way the characters are locked away from the other parts of society, felt like the different factions of the divergent series. The games that the characters partake in reminded me of the hunger games. Finally, there was a similar feeling of family and closeness within the characters due to their circumstances like you had stepped into hogwarts.
I really enjoyed seeing how the characters developed throughout as the book unfolded, and how my dislike for certain characters could grow on one page, followed on the next by empathy and understanding.
This book is the first in its series, and I think it was concluded perfectly for the following book to pick the storyline back up. I certainly will be reading the rest of the series in due time and I am really looking forward to figuring out if my gut feelings about this institute, the outside world, and Aurora are correct!
Song of the book-
Control by Halsey (the book didn't feel as heavy as this song, but it had a looming feeling of the lyrics between the lines)
Discovering Puracordis is a YA Distopian Romantasy that had me hooked from the start. I was so immersed in this book that I devoured it in no time and didn't even realise I'd finished it until I turned to the acknowledgements page. The end of this book was so good and I immediately wanted more.
The protagonist Aurora is a strong, compassionate, rulebreaker and I found myself being drawn into her emotions and finding her extremely relatable. We learn alongside Aurora, seeing from her point of view and experiencing everything along with her; this makes the character introduction and development really enjoyable and adds a lovely charm to the book. The relationship between the characters is breath of fresh air. I thoroughly enjoyed this book with themes of friendship, bullying, romance and beautifully written banter that had me giggling.
Being set in a near-future UK allowed the author subtle nods to real world terms, with some of my favorites being "Hog-what?" and "(special roly-poly)". When you read it, which of course you should, I hope you smile when you get to these parts.
This book has forced proximity, intrigue, forbidden magic and so much more; if you love these themes as much as I do then I highly recommend this book. It's fast paced, fun and has set the groundwork for what I can tell is going to be a thrilling series.
If you enjoy The Hunger Games or Divergent, you are going to love The Guidal: Discovering Puracordis by Roxie Eloise. Set in a futuristic society governed by strict rules and regulations, this story explores a world where curfews, color-coded uniforms, and rigid expectations shape every aspect of daily life for 16-year-old Aurora.
The novel follows a young protagonist who begins uncovering long-buried secrets that may hold the key to understanding her recurring dreams. As she investigates memories from her childhood, she discovers connections to her family's past and her own mysterious origins. These revelations may also explain the unusual physical experiences she has recently noticed.
One of the book's greatest strengths is its exploration of complex relationships. Aurora must navigate an arranged marriage that gradually evolves into a meaningful connection while also forming an unlikely friendship with someone she is expected to communicate with only in a leader-subordinate capacity. These relationships add emotional depth and tension to an already intriguing plot.
Toward the end of the book, I began to panic that I was running out of pages while there was still so much story left to be told. To say I am excited to jump into the next book of the series, would be an understatement.
Firstly, thank you to Roxy for providing me with this ARC copy🫶🏻 (im definitely eyeing up buying a copy👀)
Secondly, what the hell!😭 what a cliffhanger!
I didn’t realise the book was 277 pages long and it went by so quick, I couldn’t put the book down.
The pacing is a little fast, which makes sense with the book being the length it is, so there were a few things that felt a little underdeveloped, such as Aurora’s relationship with Pax, or around his reaction to the magic. But that definitely makes sense with the size of the book.
I have to remind myself that the FMC is like 16, and that’s why she’s a bit bratty and childish, which is ultimately fine, but takes some getting used to after reading adult FMCs for a while.
This book has intrigue, a messed up dystopian setting with creepy and evil characters in charge, broken traditions and politics controlling everyone.
Think, Hunger Games meets Divergent meets 1984. I really enjoyed this and I genuinely cannot wait to read more of this series… I *have* to know what the deal with the nanny is, and Tayo…. And id hate to see Pax not stick through the betrothal 👀
Discovering Puracordis is an enthralling blend of dystopian tension and magical intrigue that immediately pulled me into its world. As a fan of both genres, I really appreciated how seamlessly it weaves together the structured, high-stakes atmosphere of a dystopian society with the sense of wonder and discovery that comes with magic. It gave me subtle hints of Divergent in its underlying tension and worldbuilding, while also carrying a spark of curiosity and enchantment reminiscent of Harry Potter.
What stood out most to me was how immersive the story felt — the setting is vivid, and there’s a strong sense that there’s much more beneath the surface waiting to be uncovered. The pacing kept me engaged, gradually revealing details in a way that made me want to keep reading and piece everything together. I found myself genuinely invested in the journey and eager to see how both the world and its characters will continue to develop.
Overall, Discovering Puracordis is engaging, intriguing, and full of potential. It’s a compelling start that will especially appeal to readers who enjoy stories where dystopian stakes meet magical mystery.
If you like YA Dystopian books with forced priced proximity, overbearing government and political intrigue, friendships and found family then this is the book for you.
I flew through this book like it was nobody’s business. The plot was fascinating and intriguing and the characters made you feel connected to the story.
We follow Aurora through her journey from the Mustard Quarter to the Navy as she turns 16 and becomes an adult. We see her struggle with the differences of being treated like an adult but still being a teenagers and dealing with subjects like bullying, intense emotions, not feeling like you quite fit in. All the while being forced into close proximity with her match Pax.
The dystopian vibes are immaculate and I love the images this world pictures. It forces you to think about many relevant political issues while putting a spin on it.
Eloise was able to take my back to what it felt like to be a teenager and because of this the story really resonated with me. Let’s not forget that plot twist at the end!! I cannot wait to start the next one!
Wow! It took me a day to really process the book because I ended up reading it in 5 hours. I couldn’t put it down! Roxy did an amazing job catching my attention from the very first chapter. I have recently found that I enjoy a good dystopian romantasy and this did not disappoint!
As we follow Aurora in her new chapter of life, I felt that Roxy truly captured how a 16 year old would react to most of the situations she’s been in throughout the book. I can’t imagine being in her shoes and being okay with the process they’re forced to follow.
I also loved the characters and world building. I could clearly picture everything as it was described! Now, I’m not usually a fan of love triangles, however, Roxy did a fantastic job at writing one in this book. I still don’t know how I feel about any of them but I do know that I can’t wait to find out how it all progresses! Oh, one more thing…there’s also magic and a cliffhanger at the end and it really makes the reader need book 2 immediately!
Thank you so much for allowing me to be an arc reader for this book
I quite enjoyed this book, I did find the beginning a little fast paced so it took me a while to work out what to imagine whilst reading, I think it could of done with a little more world building. I loved the story and I am excited to see where it goes from here, I loved the friendships and the different elements of the story!
I did find Pax a bit hot and cold after he found out she had magic and that trying to become a fell agent in order to leave but still having that close relationship with her which was odd and then Tayo organising everything to get her in that room and kind of taking away her freedom a bit
Overall I loved the story and that it ends on a cliffhanger, I am excited to read the next books and find out where there story leads too and how everything works out for all the characters in the story, I have a feeling there’s a lot of history we don’t quite know yet
This was the first book I’ve read from The Guidal series by Roxy Eloise, and surely won’t be the last one!
The book had a wonderful plot, on point setting, the characters were perfect! Everything blended into the book so seamlessly. I’m usually a slow reader but this was a fast paced fun read for me and I crushed it in a few days! I’m so excited to read more into this series it looks to be a thrilling ride!
If you love any of the following: fantasy worlds, hidden powers and forbidden magic, authority enforced arranged marriage, secrets, a slow burning tension building up… you should definitely check out Roxy’s books!
The story felt like a similar vibe to The Hunger Games series and a bit of Divergent! Sacrifices and things simply aligning where they were meant to be.
A special thank you to Roxy for allowing me the opportunity to not only be an ARC for her but allowing me to be apart of her ARC Team💜
5/5 — 10/5 if I could! 😂**
*The Guidals* by Roxy Eloise completely surprised me in the best way! I was hooked from the very beginning and found it so easy to read. I genuinely found myself picking it up at every opportunity because I just *needed* to know what was going to happen next.
The tension between the FMC and MMC was EVERYTHING. 👀 Usually I’m someone who prefers a book with a bit more spice, but somehow this book didn’t even need it. The tension and chemistry between them had me completely invested without it.
And that ending… OH. MY. WORD. 😭 I am STILL in a chokehold. The way it ended has me absolutely buzzing to read book 2 because I NEED to know what happens next!
Roxy Eloise has seriously impressed me with this one, and I’m so excited to see where the story goes next. I absolutely loved this book and will 100% be picking up book 2 because there is no way I’m leaving it there! ❤️📖
4.5⭐
Discovering puracordis is set in a fast paced dystopian world where we follow 16 year old Aurora who lives in an institution after she became an orphan at 3 years old. As she moves up from mustard (under 16's) to navy she awaits to see if she will be matched with another navy to be betrothed after she is allowed to leave and start a family at 30. The institution is meant to be something she should feel grateful to be a part of and a high honour but she struggles with a lot of the world she's been placed in and for good reason. The institution is very controlled with a lot of rules and expectations. The twists and turns in the plot kept me on the edge of my seat. I felt strong connections to the characters and the emotional rollercoaster was chaotic but extremely rewarding. I couldn't put this book down and I'm excited to see where aurora's story takes me next.
This book was giving everything I needed.
Dystopian? Check
Military academy? Check
Slow burn? Check
Magical discovery? Check
We have Aurora (FMC) who was taken from her parents and was sent to a mulitary institute for orphaned kids. You start off in the Mustard quarters but when you become an adult at 16, you get moved to the Navy quarters.
Once in Navy you can become united. Which is an arranged marriage. But you don't actually get married until you turn 30 and graduate from the institute.
When Aurora joins the Navies she meet Pax and Tayo who turn her world upside down.
Along with learning something dangerous about herself and finding out what really happened to her parents.
The books ends on the perfect kind of cliff hanger and I cannot wait to read book 2!
Thank you so much Roxy Eloise for gifting me this ebook 🩷
A YA distopic romantasy that I literally devoured. It took me back to the days of Divergent and The Hunger Games, making me a little nostalgic.
It's a book that flows beautifully, you don't even notice it, intriguing, full of twists, adventure, mystery, it keeps you hooked because you want to know more, until the last twist that really makes you want to continue the story. A perfect ending for a first book in a trilogy.
I also found a perfect balance between romance, fantasy, and mystery, which doesn't always happen.
The characters are well-structured, sometimes you love them but orhers you hate them and are frustrating, other times you can only empathize with them.
So, without giving too many spoilers, it's a really intriguing story, full of mystery with a nice dystopian setting. I can't wait to hear more!
Oh my gosh, I am in LOVE with this book. I could not get enough. I loved all the characters and I felt like I was Aurora, I mean I can’t count the amount of times I cried reading this! The characters are so lovable! I seriously could not put this masterpiece down. There is so much tension! And the romance isn’t just straightforward, it is so complex and heartbreaking but so beautiful. I did not expect the ending at all. This book was seriously amazing, it had everything I adore in books. It has romance, fantasy, a dystopian setting, complex feelings, plot twists, and so much more. A girl who learns more about herself as the book goes on with magic? Yes!! I adore how she wrote the characters reacting to her revealing her magic, it made me cry in sadness and happiness. It was so beautiful.