Opened


Young Adult - Fantasy - Urban
251 Pages
Reviewed on 06/20/2023
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Stephanie Chapman for Readers' Favorite

Opened by S.T. Sanchez is an enchanting fantasy story about Emma’s discovery of an alternate world. At school, Emma experienced unexpected blindness. Francesca helped her to the nurse’s office. When her mother took her to the doctor, he confirmed that her condition was permanent. However, the next day, Emma woke up and could see without the aid of her glasses. Francesca and Dante approached her, and she saw that they both had pointed ears, and Dante had wings. Francesca invited Emma and her brother JJ to come to her house to watch movies. Dante revealed they were Fey. He warned her never to say her name or where she was from. Emma had a nightmare in which a Fey burned her. She woke up to discover that her arm was burned. Why was a Fey attempting to hurt her?

S.T. Sanchez’s ability to create a plot with equal parts light and dark is exceptional. Dante initially came across as a jerk. He threatened Emma when she tried to ask him about his appearance. Francesca’s indifference toward the danger JJ faced was horrible. I have to side with Emma’s distaste when JJ became infatuated with Francesca. I think Dante had a hand in Emma recovering her sight since Francesca was the one who found her when she was unable to see. This isn’t a typical YA romance novel involving Fey, though. The sudden change in the plot’s direction was mind-boggling. I was engaged in the story as the Fey involvement became more intense. The vivid descriptions of the scenes made everything easy to envision. I recommend Opened to readers who enjoy fantasy stories with a hint of romance and mystery.

Essien Asian

Emma Harper mysteriously goes blind in the middle of a school day. Despite the best efforts of the school staff and doctors, it seems nothing can be done for her as her mother and brother prepare for the worst. When she wakes the next morning with her eyesight fully restored, it is nothing short of a miracle. However, Emma soon discovers that with her new sight comes a strange ability, a gift that is about to throw her into the middle of a centuries-old battle of succession between ancient forces she didn't know existed. Only time will tell if she becomes the key to a lasting peace once prophesied in Sarah T. Sanchez's Opened.

Romance and adventure feature prominently in Sarah T. Sanchez's novel. Opened combines witty dialogue with ancient folklore to create a story that appeals to die-hard fantasy fans and readers who prefer entertainment more rooted in the present. Her principal characters are simple but well thought out as their origin stories are practical enough for the reader to identify with. Sanchez does a marvelous job regarding the fantasy characters in her story; the Fae's governance structure and history are so well explained that I had little difficulty figuring out the motives behind Francesca and Dante's actions in the novel's latter stages. What I love the most about this book is how Sanchez uses her unique storytelling style in a fast-paced story to turn a regular adventure into a riveting reading experience.

Miche Arendse

Ignorance is bliss, and that statement couldn’t be truer for Emma in Opened by S.T. Sanchez. Emma thought that her allergies were acting up but when her vision faded to blackness she panicked. Her vision returned the very next day and then she could see better than ever, which included the ability to see beyond the glamour of mystical creatures. Having gained the gift of second sight, Emma became the target for Fey folk who wished to use her abilities for their own ends, but a handsome and brooding Fey may just be her dark knight.

Opened by S.T. Sanchez was a really good read although it didn’t capture my attention immediately. It is one of those books where the more you read the more you get drawn in and by the end, I was definitely hooked. The Fey in Sanchez’s world appeared to be pretty standard, although I loved the powers conferred on them, especially the ability to enter into the dreams of others. This element added depth and a more serious tone to the lurking threat against Emma, which amped up the suspense in serious scenes. I also enjoyed how Dante, although not a fan of humans, ended up protecting a human from his own kind. The relationship between Emma and Dante can be described as a slow burn which I liked since the two were forced to spend time together and get to know one another. This is a great book and I will be keeping my eye out for more of Sanchez’s work.