Remnants of Atonement is an impressive outing. I wouldn't say its a cohesive narrative, but a journey into the weird. Its Twin Peaks, but if written by a more modern, younger writer.

There is a story tying everything together, but the main attraction is the day to day happenings at the Armoury, and how Kilco manages them. The character of Kilco is actually very well written, relatable and is surprisingly well fleshed out.

The overriding plot is a bit weak however. Its a collection of interesting parts, the journey is great, the ending, not so much so. Even with that in mind, I would still give this a go. Its impressed me enough, to move on to the sequel when I am able to.

The book started off with a lot of promise. The world building was quite good. A high fantasy book following Kilko, the rebellious daughter of a brilliant doctor Kira.
I read about 60% and then the end.
The book was so unfocused at times and so so many annoying repetitions. I think the book even now would do well with some rewriting and a new editor.
It just felt like a chore to read. Pity as this is the first in a series.

Remnants of Atonement By G. P. McKenna.

Thank you Netgalley and Andraharts Publications for a free e-book for an unbiased review.

This is a YA but don't be fooled, it has some of the best elements (for me) of fantasy books everywhere.
Our main protagonist is Kilco. We learn quickly that Kilco's mother is a doctor where they live, and is renowned for her expertise. However, her bedside manner, (or manners at all,) are the complete opposite and has many trembling in their boots.

This story had me pulled in from the first page. Kilco made the book for me. Her observations were quirky, funny, sometimes dark, not always it seems with direction and yet always somehow made me enjoy what I was reading.

The thing I realised as I read was it wasn't really Kilco's journey we were following, but it expanded beyond that. We meet the shield and Ilya, and we get friendship developing. This brings with it its own set of complications.

This book was surprisingly fast paced. At times just a smidgen too much, and while it is still fantastic writing, it did just lose impact for me a couple of times because of it. Don't get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Would happily recommend it.

My biggest complaint was the ending as it felt a bit more abrupt than I was expecting. Now, I have subsequently discovered there is to be a 2nd book. I've also found via the authors Twitter that there is a significant rewrite of Remnants of Redemption going on, which is the 2nd book in the series. They also alluded to why this is occurring. So on that basis, it does make more sense.

I'm happy to give this book 4/5 stars 🌟 one I recommend and I will definitely be looking out for part 2!

This review is only going to be a stream of me gushing about how much I loved this book for a couple of paragraphs.
McKenna brought together some of my favorite world building elements, fantasy themes treated as par for the course and no big deal (think a WTNV kind of approach), a how are you still alive main character who isn't even all that sure she wants to be there (something that will speak to any millennial's soul) and a grimy setting. There's a great sense of humor that ties it all together in an amazing and non-stop moving package.
Kilco is amazing and she's probably my second favorite character of all times at this point (having lodged herself between Tommy Wildclown from The Apocalypse Series by G. Wells Taylor and John Taylor from The Nightside Series by Simon R. Green, I have a type and, apparently, they don't always have to be private investigators they can also be apprentice physicans).
Now I'm going to try to pace myself and wait for volume 2, wish me luck!

Very funny and unqiue characters that actually feel like teenagers. GP McKenna has created a detailed and interesting world, as well as having a lack of love interest which makes the story unqiue.

If you put YA fantasy, a Game of Thrones backdrop, and with a Nickelodeon sense of sarcasm into a magic bullet, you have Remnants of Atonement.

McKenna certainly wins on writing the unreliable narrator front. A lot of twist and turns to keep up with. I think some of this could be reduced but McKenna's novel is a fun ride. If you are a thick book lover, definitely dive into this over a weekend.