Some books stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page. Above by Brea Lamb is one of those rare reads that doesn’t just tell a story—it claws its way into your heart, rattles your emotions, and leaves you begging for more.

I had the chance to read this book as an ARC, and let me just say it: this isn’t a five-star read. It’s an infinity-star read.

What Is Above About?

At its core, Above follows Nova, a girl determined to survive in a world that wants her dead simply because she was born eadi. Her journey to become an elite and win the Stars’ favor is filled with danger, betrayal, and heartbreak.

But Nova isn’t alone in this struggle. Enter Azazele, the infuriatingly arrogant son of Colonel Altair, heir to one of the Core families. He’s strong, power-hungry, and desperate to reclaim the Stars’ essence his family once held. Beneath all the arrogance lies a sliver of compassion—though you’ll miss it if you blink.

Our cosmic rulers care not for our desires. Limited lives like ours mean nothing o them, though they mean everything to us.

There’s also another male character devoted to Nova yet cunning in ways that add layers of intrigue and tension to the story. Around them swirl families with immense power but no love, contrasted against a poor family rich in affection and loyalty, even when disagreements arise.

This book is about family, survival, grief, manipulation, and betrayal. It’s about the lengths people will go to for love—or for hate. It’s about how history shapes behavior and how intolerance poisons societies.

Themes That Hit Too Close to Home

What makes Above so powerful is how its fantasy setting reflects our world today. Brea Lamb doesn’t shy away from weaving in difficult topics such as:

• Racism and classism
• Abuse of power
• Cult-like behavior
• Greed and intolerance

These themes are chillingly real, making the story feel both timeless and urgently relevant.

Why I Loved This Book (Infinity Stars Worth!)

• A magic system that is intriguing, complex, and unlike anything I’ve read recently.
• A fierce FMC (Nova) who is smart, loyal, and refuses to break despite the odds stacked against her.
• A MMC (Azazele) who is arrogant, infuriating, and yet layered with surprising depth.
• Complex relationships—from toxic Core families to a poor but love-filled family that outshines them all.
• Writing that is sharp, emotional, and utterly consuming.

And can we talk about chapter 42? Absolutely brutal. Absolutely unforgettable.

Final Thoughts

I picked up Above expecting dark academia and a true enemies-to-lovers story. What I got was so much more.

Brea Lamb’s writing, worldbuilding, and storytelling blew me away. The book dives deep into family, grief, intolerance, and survival while never losing sight of its emotional core. It’s easily one of my top 3 reads of the year.

This is the kind of book you’ll want to own in physical copy, because once you finish, you’ll know it deserves a permanent place on your shelf. And with everything that’s still to come in this series, I’m counting down the days until the next installment.

If you love dark, emotional fantasy with enemies-to-lovers tension, intricate magic, and gut-punching themes, Above by Brea Lamb is a must-read.

📚 Read This If You Love

• Dark Academia vibes
• Fierce heroines & arrogant MMCs
• Enemies-to-lovers tension
• Intricate worldbuilding & unique magic systems
• Themes of survival, betrayal, and power

Above is available now!