Looking for a totally unique read? Sondi Warner’s Lead Me Astray pleasantly surprised me. Is it well written? No. Is the plot all over the place, as most Wattpad stories are? Yes. Does the world-building make sense? Barely. But Lead Me Astray is unlike anything I’ve ever read before in the best way.
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Find out more about how I review books here.
The summary, from Amazon:
Welcome to Overlay City in New Orleans—a shadowy in-between where the paranormal and the real world meet. Its newest resident: Aurie Edison.
A victim of a hit-and-run, Aurie now exists as a ghost in this mysterious realm. Convinced there is more to her death than what she remembers, Aurie sets out to uncover the truth. She soon finds herself in the company of Mys, a psychic empath, whose need to help others trumps all else, and Zyr, a werewolf detective able to work both the human and occult worlds.
As they begin to piece together the events leading up to her death, Aurie can’t deny the deeper connection developing between them. Yet, with each new secret suggesting a more sinister danger at play, they realize they may not make it out (dead or) alive.
Undeniably queer and devilishly sexy, Lead Me Astray will take you to the shadowy depths of New Orleans and never let you go.
Buy Lead Me Astray here.
Aurie becomes a ghost after a hit-and-run. She meets Mys, a nonbinary, intersex empath and Zyr, a werewolf detective. Each of these three characters is instantly attracted to the other two and the group decides to work together to help Aurie move on and to solve her murder. Warner throws in tons of memorable side characters, among them devious vampire suspect Darcy Cyprian, Aurie’s spunky sister Haley, Zyr’s lust-filled partner Teagan, and Mys’s best friend Kittie Cad.
This is without a doubt a former Wattpad story, and even without identifying the publisher, the reader can tell right away that this book was originally published episodically. Plot points pop in at random, with characters planning things we didn’t know about that don’t really make too much sense. Back in 2004, I used to read (and write) a lot of PG reverse harem (before I knew that was a thing) on Quizilla, and Lead Me Astray has those vibes. And I loved it for that.
I can’t rate this as more than 3 stars because it truly is all over the place, but nonetheless I enjoyed this read. The representation of BIPOC and LGBTQ+ characters is done so effortlessly, with such a diverse cast that doesn’t feel like the author was trying to check boxes. Everyone has distinct personalities and motives (even if the motives don’t always make sense or are revealed at random). And it’s just so freaking fun! If you’re looking for something as zany as it is sexy, featuring a throuple where it all works out, I highly recommend this title.
Find out more about how I rate books here.
Lead Me Astray by Sondi Warner
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Is it well written? No. Is the plot all over the place, as most Wattpad stories are? Yes. Does the world building make sense? Barely. But this is just so fun and unique. Aurie is a ghost after a hit-and-run. She encounters Mys, a nonbinary, intersex empath and Zyr, a werewolf detective. The three work together to help Aurie move on and solve her murder. It’s lust at first sight for all three of them, and it quickly turns to something more. This book is convoluted and crazy and FUN. I appreciated that there was such a diverse cast without it feeling like the author was trying to check boxes. Everyone has a distinct identity and personality. cw: t slur, alcoholism
Book Club Questions
- Explain the relationship dynamics between Zyr, Aurie, and Mys.
- Which was your favorite supernatural type in this book and why?
- If there is a sequel, what do you predict for it?
@daily.manifestationx This one is, to quote a friend, BANANA CRACKERS. But it’s so fun and so queer!! 🏳️🌈 #booktok #romancebook #pride #paranormalromance ♬ original sound – Marissa
