A Talent Within by Suzanne Lenoir is a young adult fantasy set in a medieval world filled with danger, violence, and magic. It’s a world controlled by men and religious extremism in a feudal system.

In this setting we meet two women; a young noblewoman named Evelyne, and a peasant girl called Annika. Evelyne is not happy with her lot in life. She wants to be a fighter like her brothers. Instead she is expected to marry the son of another nobleman and settle down as a wife and mother. Annika has secret, hidden talents that could get her killed if her secret is discovered. The two meet and become friends despite their class differences, but this friendship could end up costing them both.

I’m impressed with this story. The world building is superb, and the descriptions make the scenes even more real to the reader. The secondary characters add interesting layers to this medieval world. Evelyne and Annika are both captivating people who will worm their way into your heart.

As I said above, I’m truly impressed by this book. I’m even more awed by the fact this is the author’s debut novel. I can’t wait to read more from Ms. Lenoir. A Talent Within is just book one in a series with these characters and this world. I can’t wait to read more of this tale in future books. I’m not ready to leave this story yet.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.

I don’t typically read YA but I have to say I enjoyed this book quite a bit! It has sort of a rich girl/poor girl vibe with magic and religion thrown in as well and (no spoilers) the ending was really satisfying.

The book starts out somewhat slow but does a great job of building and before I knew it I was completely enthralled. The characters had good backstory and the environments were detailed and lush. Overall a very solid book and I could definitely see this becoming a sequel! FYI no spice.

Thank you NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

A story of the noble and commoner. A young adult book which is not my usual read, but I enjoyed it very much. The characters were strong and well developed. I recommend.


Thank you, Bold Strokes Books, and NetGalley.

Really good book.. The relationship between the main characters was more YA than mature. Each character had her struggles throughout this book. Evelyn who comes from nobility wants to be a soldier like her brothers, so she can earn the respect of her father, but he only sees her as a possession to marry off to the highest bidder. Annika has a more harder life ,because she is a Talent that has some serious magical powers, but is in hiding ,because if she's found out there will be trouble for her and her family. This book was really entertaining and I loved the fantasy and magic that was peppered throughout this tale. This was my first book by this author, but it won't be my last. I would definitely recommend this book to my friends and family and I look forward to what's next from this author.

This is a YA book which I don’t usually read however I did like the sound of this one.

Ok so the story is about noble woman and a woman who is commoner, who happens to have magical talents, which is not allowed except under the laws of priests. Those not order of the priests are known as rogues such as are commoner, if caught she will be punished and I'm not saying how. Anyway they fall in love and this just adds to their troubles, it's worth a read and the ending to me implies there could be sequel at some point in the future.

This was a really interesting fantasy style book, set in a world that is essentially "medieval" in nature, and has your classic kingdoms and religious temples who rule over all, and plenty of peasants who serve as serfs. But also some magical elements.

We meet Princess Evelyne, who wants far more freedom than her gender and status gives her. She wants to fight and ride horses like her older brothers, to be a knight, and be in charge of her own destiny, and not married off to some obscure prince in another Kingdom to be pregnant many times over like her own Mother.

We also meet, Annika, her and her father work as the kingdoms bird keepers, tending to flocks of geese, and other such fowl meant for the kings table. Annika has a secret gift, which her father had hidden from the Temple authorities, who deem it important for any 'Talent' to be handed over to them, and if not, execution is a likely end.

Both women are around 18, and have family backstories and connections that were explored in some detail throughout this story... It was a little slow moving at first, not much really happened in the first 50% especially not in regards to the relationship. However it seems this will be a series of stories, so we are setting up to be invested in each character, their origins and meetings.

I ultimately enjoyed the story and more action toward the end, and would look forward to further installments. There are magical elements and corrupt temples and patriarchy to fight against. I think lovers of fantasy lesfic will enjoy this, and if you're into the whole princess falls for a peasant girl angle!

This book has several aspects that are not my favorites, when choosing a story. First of all, it is a fantasy story set in a time that could be our Middle Ages, but with aspects of supernatural powers of some of the protagonists it is clearly not from our real past. And secondly, it's a young adult story, which isn't usually my first choice either, or my choice at all.

But as often happens, once inside the story and intrigued by its plot, I have been hooked by the protagonists, the naive and scared Annika and the brave and daring Evelyne. And I do not give any qualification from the negative point of view. Annika is not naive due to a lack of intelligence, it is because she belongs to a low social class, without possibilities, and having to live hiding her abilities due to a fear instilled by her parents and that she has assumed without understanding it.

And Evelyne, despite belonging to the dominant social class, cannot act as she wants either, she is also at the mercy of her family's dictates. And those orders are right now having to marry a man she neither knows nor wants to know. Although in secret, she disobeys her obligations and pursues her dreams of being like any of her brothers.

The story has rhythm, tenderness intrigue and keeps you on edge at times. It has been really entertaining.

And it must have continuity, which I look forward to, because Annika and Evelyne's journey has only begun here.

I wasn't sure what to expect from this book, so I was pleasantly surprised to find a mix of strong characters, as well as those who conform because it's all they know. The setting was as vividly written as any of the characters, and it was easy to feel the mud, the reeds, and hear the geese.
But while the first half of the book is charming and engaging, the second half of the story is where this story finds its feet. Speaking of feet, I had no idea they could be used to extract information! But I digress...

The second half of A Talent Within is so gripping that I literally couldn't sleep until I'd finished the book. There was no way I was going to roll over and wait to see if Lady Evelyne was going to stand up for what she wanted, or wait to find out how a daring and insane rescue played out. I happily read until past 1 AM, and I wasn't disappointed!

There is a depth of certain characters that I was not expecting, a surprising backstory that suddenly cast light on the Paladin, and throughout it all an emotional undercurrent that alternately had me both mourning and silently cheering. (It was 1 in the morning, after all)

The ending is both satisfying and hopeful. And I certainly hope there is more to come for Annika and Evelyne, and well...I can't say more without ruining the story.

This is one I'll be reading over and over again. And if you enjoy tales of relationships that should never have been, tales of sacrifice and strength and fighting against the odds for what one's heart wants...you'll love it as much as I did.

Evelyn the daughter of royalty has been always wanted to be a fighter but her father has just promised her for marriage to a man she hasn’t even met.
Annika a foul herder has a secret she’s been keeping to protect herself and her father. She has special powers or “talents” as others call them. People with talents must be stopped . And now someone is after her to either kill her or force her to rain down terror on others.
Evelyn and Annika have accidentally met and the attraction is instant but Annika fears for Evelyn’s life while Evelyn just wants to spend time with her and avoid her family.
But someone is always watching.
Evelyn will have to use her fighting skills to save Annika, it will not be easy “this is no mythical quest”.
This is a quick moving story that I can enjoyed.

Thank you #NetGalley, #BoldStrokesBooks, #ATalentWithin for this ARC

This is a YA book which I don’t often read (no longer being a YA myself!) but I did enjoy it. A story of noble and commoner, magical gifts, which of course are not allowed except under the auspices of priests. Rogue talents (i.e. those not under the control of the priests) are summarily dealt with. Kept my attention and, not to give away any spoilers, the ending definitely implies at least one sequel. I hope it is not too long in being published as I’m not getting any younger!