I don't think many knows this but the Benedict-Savant series by Joss Stirling has always been my most favourite book series of all. The Benedict brothers are my favourite fictional siblings, and I finally read these side stories that comes from the point of views of Zed, Yves and Xavier Benedict when they first met their soulfinders. They are only short stories, but I was delighted enough to finally know the perspective of these brothers, and how they actually felt when they first met Sky, Phoenix and Crystal.
Since they are only short stories, my reviews are short too so I'll just combine them into this single post.
★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★
Title: Challenging Zed
Series: Benedict-Savant #1.5
Series: Benedict-Savant #1.5
Author: Joss Stirling
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance
Format: Kindle Edition
Publication Date: February 14th 2013
Pages: 32
Synopsis (Goodreads): The Benedict brothers all have different abilities and powers. One can move things with his mind, another can heal. Zed Benedict is the youngest and the most powerful of the seven brothers and he is on the road to destruction until he meets his soulmate, Sky Bright. She is his balance, the light to his dark. Together they are even more powerful. Zed knows that they are meant to be together and that there is a connection that cannot be denied. But how can he convince Sky that their destinies are entwined when she doesn’t even realize the true nature of her potential? A brilliant addition to the Finding Sky series for both new and old fans alike.
My rating: 5 / 5 ★
Review: I've forgotten just how much I love the chemistry between Sky and Zed; their interactions before Sky learned about her true self were adorable and it's great to finally read it from Zed's perspective 💗 He fancied her ever since he first saw her and it was funny to see him trying to deny it. Planning to reread Finding Sky again soon because I can never have enough of these two!
★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★
Title: Burning Yves
Series: Benedict-Savant #2.5
Series: Benedict-Savant #2.5
Author: Joss Stirling
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance
Format: Kindle Edition
Publication Date: December 1st 2015
Pages: 41
Synopsis (Goodreads): The Benedict brothers all have different abilities and powers. One can move things with his thoughts alone, another can heal. Yves Benedict is the second youngest of the seven brothers and he has the ability to set things on fire with his mind. This means he must keep a tight rein on his emotions which isn’t easy when he meets his soulmate . . . Phoenix is nothing like Yves imagined. She’s secretive, elusive and a thief. Yves lives by a strict code of honour and Phoenix is tangled up in a web of crime. But their fiery attraction cannot be denied. Sparks will fly as their destinies and hearts collide. A brilliant addition to the Finding Sky series for both new and old fans alike.
My rating: 5 / 5 ★
Review: Yves is one of the gentlest and kindest of the Benedicts, except when he lost his control over his powers. This book didn't have much scene of him with Phoenix, save for their first and second encounter, but it's more to how Yves views himself and how he wished to find his soulfinder.
I could relate to him when it comes to not having much belief in himself, but it's heartwarming to see how fierce he was when he told Phoenix that he'd do everything he can just to let her stay with him. In a normal world, calling someone you met only twice as "mine" might sound a bit predatory, but in this series where soulfinders exist, I feel it rather cute that Yves didn't hesitate to call her as "his" Phoenix.
I also love how this story shows more of how close the relationship between the Benedict brothers, and how Sky fits so well with them. My heart is just so full of love for them ❤
★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★
Title: Teasing Xav
Series: Benedict-Savant #3.5
Series: Benedict-Savant #3.5
Author: Joss Stirling
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance
Format: Kindle Edition
Publication Date: October 6th 2016
Pages: 39
Synopsis (Goodreads): The Benedict brothers all have different abilities and powers. One can see the future, another can manipulate fire. Xav Benedict is the third youngest of the seven brothers and he has the power to heal. Crystal however is one patient who isn’t interested in being made better by Xav. It’s hate at first sight as his playful ways fail to charm her, but Xav just can’t stay away. He knows that she’s hiding something, even if Crystal doesn’t know it herself yet. Will he be able to tease the truth from her? A brilliant addition to the Savants series by Joss Stirling for both new and old fans alike.
My rating: 5 / 5 ★
Review: Reading Teasing Xav made me miss Xav so much more; he's my absolute favourite out of all the Benedict brothers 💗 I love that this story focuses on Xav familiarising himself with his power. The innocent friendship he had when he was young, how he almost sacrificed himself to help heal the friend and using his power to make a lot of people feel better just showed how compassionate Xav is, despite his carefree and mischievous attitude.
Unlike in Challenging Zed and Burning Yves, Xav was the only one who didn't connect with his soulfinder in his short story, but that was because his situation with Crystal was much more complicated compared to his brothers. But it's the way that he didn't hesitate to go out of his way to help Crystal that made him a wonderful person.
All in all, I love these three short stories that provided more insight to the life of the Benedict brothers. They're forever my favourite siblings 💖
★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★
“That little blonde, the thorn in his side for the last few weeks, was the one. His soulfinder. Inside him, light burst into all the dark corners like curtains being thrown open, fresh breeze driving out the heavy atmosphere. His howl of protest transformed into a whoop of delight.”
Till next time ♡ Love, Aishah Humaira'
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