Book: Because the Beasts Came by Madeline James
Reviewed by A.Hampton Reads
Rating: 5/5
Some characters stay with you because you recognize pieces of yourself in them. Iryana was one of those characters for me.
At nineteen, Iryana has spent years believing she's a disappointment to her family, despite being fiercely loyal to them. She's intelligent, capable, and extraordinarily brave, but anxiety and deeply rooted feelings of inadequacy make it difficult for her to recognize those qualities in herself. I connected with her struggles with self-worth, fear, and belonging in a way that made her journey especially meaningful.
What I appreciated most was that her growth never felt simple. Iryana makes difficult choices, sometimes with painful consequences, and she doesn't suddenly become confident just because she proves herself capable. Her relationships are equally complicated, particularly as she navigates the difference between being genuinely valued and having her vulnerabilities exploited. I loved watching her slowly discover friendship, connection, and the possibility of a life beyond the expectations she's always carried.
The world of Istri was just as compelling. The tension between the military and the guardian settlements added depth to the conflict, and the magic system was one of my favorite elements. I especially loved that becoming forged requires a person to confront their deepest vulnerabilities, which are then represented through intricate tattoos. It was a beautiful way to connect the magic to the characters' emotional journeys.
For a 628-page novel, the pacing was excellent. The quieter moments gave the relationships room to develop, while the action was so well written that I felt every bit of the tension. I repeatedly had to remind myself that there was a second book because I was genuinely worried about how Iryana would survive!
Madeline James writes with the confidence of a seasoned fantasy author. The worldbuilding is intricate without being confusing, the dialogue feels natural, and the emotional struggles are grounded in recognizable human experiences.
What made this a five-star read wasn't simply how much happened, but how deeply I felt it. I was completely immersed in Istri, invested in its characters, and moved by a heroine learning that her worth isn't determined by her fears or the expectations of others.
An exceptional fantasy debut, and one I won't soon forget. 💜