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.
The Guidal: Discovering Puracordis Signed Paperback
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Reviews
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
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.
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.
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!
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💜
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.
I wish there was a way to do 0.5 stars. I read this entire book in one sitting. Aurora's story completely sucked me in! I don't usually read a lot of dystopian fiction, nor novels geared more toward YA audiences, and I was looking for something a little outside my norm when I found Roxy on Instagram. I am so glad I gave this a try! For a debut, this was solid. The only thing I would have liked to see more of was some deeper world building and character development, but I am also well aware this is a multi-book series, so I look forward to more of that in the next books. I think Pax's angst about Aurora's situation really shines through, and I love roguish Tayo. I think Aurora started strong, but the author definitely gave her room to develop as a character. A fun read!
I loved meeting Aurora and seeing her storyline begin! The intricate world building was something you cannot help but get sucked into as a reader.
I fell in love with the characters from the beginning and the pacing was absolutely what i love in a book. I was gripped and genuinely struggled to put this down!
If youre like me and love a fantasy/dystopian book you will LOVE this! We follow Aurora who lives in a world where magic is banned and she has been adopted in an institution that raises children to be personal bodyguards, where the only other path is to complete the Unity test which could lead her to being engaged to a stranger.
I am so excited to see what happens next in the second book and the rest of the series!! Roxy has made such an immersive world that I have seriously fallen in love with and these characters will stick with me forever 🩷
This was such a fun read! We follow Aurora’s POV in the Institute and this place is wild. Every moment is controlled and I’m immediately left to question “Why?” and “what’s outside?”
Roxy has blessed us with a love triangle and I’m honestly not sure how it’s going to turn out. There isn’t an obvious answer, which is refreshing. In fact, I really love the gray area in this book. Aurora lives in it - between her heart and her mind, between what she was programmed to believe and what she sees with her own eyes.
I’m really excited to read the next book as Aurora’s journey continues.
Thank you to Roxy Eloise for providing this book in return for my true and honest review.
This is my first ARC and I am soooo happy I got to read such an amazing book.
The Guidal - Discovering Puracordis is such a fun and refreshing read. This is the perfect first book because ,you are introduced to a dystopian world and characters that you will easily fall in love with, along with a fast-paced story that keeps you hooked throughout.
You are not given all the information about Puracordis in book 1, so by the time you finish it, you feel like the story is only just beginning.
The plot kept me intrigued the entire time, and that cliffhanger ending will have you reaching for book 2 immediately.
This book was, without a doubt, a 5-star read! From beginning to end, the story kept me guessing, and there were several plot twists I never saw coming. The pacing was engaging, the storyline was captivating, and every chapter left me wanting more.
I’ve completely fallen in love with some of the characters and absolutely despise others—which is a testament to how well they were written. I became so invested in their journeys and cannot wait to see what happens next.
This book is incredibly well done, and I’m already counting down the days until I can dive into book two!
Absolutely loved this book! I found it so easy to read, especially for a fantasy/dystopian book!
The plot had me hooked straight away, Aurora is a badass lovable FMC and I adored her relationship with both Pax and Tayo who are both also incredible characters in completely different ways!
I raced to Amazon to buy the second book in this series and can’t wait to read it! (I’m waiting until having discussed this one in the book club with Roxy first!)
I loved this book!!
I got this book as an arc and was so excited to get back into dystopian and this book did not miss!
The author did an amazing job of making me feel connected to the main character Aurora and creating an immersive world!
Even though the book is shorter than what I’d usually read, I still felt really connected to all the characters and was able to feel the emotions strongly!
I’m so excited to start the next book and see where Aurora’s story goes!