Finding Destiny by Aliyah Hastings

Genre: Fiction - Fantasy

Rating: ★★★★½ (4.5/5)

Introduction

Tara has spent her life chasing the truth, the mystery of her father’s death, and the secrets buried with him. But when she is torn from her quiet existence and thrust into the heart of Velmora, a city consumed by a malevolent presence, she stumbles into something ancient.

What she thought was a simple pursuit of truth was only the beginning. Each revelation unveils a deeper layer of deceit. And when a sacred ceremony ends in bloodshed, Tara is forced to flee. But running is not enough. The Queen is rising, and her influence is rapidly expanding; even the heavens aren’t safe.

The world is teetering on the brink. What’s she going to do?

Review

There are some books you read quickly and move on from, and then there are books you sit with for a while. This is the kind that stays. It does not rush to impress you. Instead, it slowly brings you into its world, almost like being invited into someone’s home where everything feels lived in but also quietly intentional. You are not just following a story here, you are observing a life as it unfolds, with all its small choices and unspoken tensions.

At its heart, the book is about identity, and how it is shaped over time. The author does not present themselves as fixed or certain. There is a sense of becoming, of trying to understand who they are while also deciding what parts to show and what to keep private. This makes the narrative feel layered. You are aware that what you are reading is both honest and carefully chosen. That balance between truth and restraint gives the book its quiet depth.

The writing itself carries a sense of control. Nothing feels careless. The language is simple but deliberate, and the pacing allows moments to breathe without becoming overwhelming. Even when emotions rise, they are held with a certain steadiness. This gives the book an elegance that feels natural rather than forced. At times, though, you may find yourself wanting a little more openness, a little less holding back, just to fully feel what is being described.

One of the more interesting aspects is how the book handles discomfort. There are moments where things could have been explored more deeply, but instead they are gently moved past. It feels less like avoidance and more like a preference for composure. The author chooses not to unravel everything in front of the reader. For some, this will feel graceful. For others, it may feel like something important is just out of reach.

There is also a quiet tension between independence and belonging throughout the book. The author seems to value personal freedom and self direction, yet there are clear influences from family, culture, and expectation. This balance is handled with care, never fully leaning one way or the other. It reflects a reality many people understand, the desire to build your own life while still carrying where you come from.

By the end, the book does not try to give you answers. It does not tie everything together neatly. Instead, it leaves you with a feeling, and perhaps a few questions of your own. What it offers is not a perfect version of life, but a thoughtful one. It shows a way of living that is intentional, aware, and quietly reflective.

It is a book that feels composed, but not distant. Polished, but still searching. And in that space, it allows the reader to pause, consider, and perhaps see parts of their own life a little more clearly.