Having been a longtime supporter of C.J. Merwild’s art, THE NICHAN SMILE was one of my most anticipated reads of 2021 and one that I’ve been wanting to read for years. Now that I’ve read an ARC of this debut, I can say the wait was worth it. Before getting into this review, I want to remind readers that this is an adult fantasy which faces some difficult topics. Please check the book’s synopsis for the trigger warnings before reading.

The Nichan Smile follows Domino and Gus, respectively a Nichan (a sort of shapeshifter species original to this world) and a Vestige (a human with magic and peculiar physical traits). Domino and his brothers have been separated from their mother and seek sanctuary in their uncle’s Nichan clan. During their journey, they meet Gus and save him from abusive men who have taken him in their custody. From that moment on, the story follows Gus and Domino’s journey from childhood to adolescence through the development of their friendship and…more. Maybe. Who knows *insert cheeky face*.

The story in this first book was very character driven and its strength resides in its protagonists. Gus and Domino couldn’t be more different. Domino is the kind of character that I immediately warm up to and adore: he’s sassy, caring, protective, curious and—especially as he grows into a young man—reckless. Gus, on the other hand, is more reserved and distrusting, a consequence of the abuse he’s endured since childhood and the scorn he’s repeatedly subjected to with the Nichans because of his human nature. Despite their differences, however, Domino and Gus’s personalities were perfectly complimentary and their chemistry was off the charts. I know fantasy readers are all for the enemies to lovers dynamic, but I think there’s something fascinating and real about showing the development of a friendship and the way that bond can deepen over time. Gus and Domino are proof of that. Their banter was filled with moments of hilarity, sass and heartbreaking intensity, made all the more impactful by the years of friendship, devotion and absolute trust.

The Nichan Smile also counted on the support of an incredible cast of secondary characters. Every character introduced was complex, fascinating and morally grey (though there are a few who were absolutely dreadful and have no redeeming qualities whatsoever). It’s because of this complexity that these characters felt real, and those emotions shone through the page and tugged at my heartstrings on multiple occasions. As far as world-building goes, it was very original and though this first book only scratches the surface, you can perceive the vastness of the world and lore, and I’m sure we’ll see far more of both in the future installments.

Overall I really enjoyed the pacing of the story, although I felt it was a bit slower in the second half and I wasn’t as engaged as I was at the start. However, that’s also the part where we start getting deeper into the plot and putting the roots for the future installments, so it was still interesting to read. However, I adored the ending of the book, which felt like coming full circle in Gus and Domino’s journeys while, at the same time, leaving me desperate for the sequel. I can’t wait for everyone to be able to enjoy this read on June 1st!

Thank you to the author for sending me an ARC to review.