Psync: Enchanted University, Book 1

While the author clearly cares about their characters, I found Psync way too long. It took nearly a week to read it because it didn’t keep my interest; my attention wandered to work, chores and checking my phone despite the fact that the writing is generally well done and the dialogue at times funny and engaging. Even worse, the big muscle hunk falling for a twink is one of my favorite tropes, so one would think it’d be an easy read.Haruka, said muscle hunk, is inexplicably drawn to the younger Eli, said bratty twink who is starting his freshman year at college. Then Haruka realizes he can hear Eli’s thoughts in his head. Eli, suffering from PTSD-related issues, thinks the intrusive thoughts he hears in his head are another manifestation of his trauma-response. Luckily, he finds a mostly caring and supportive group of friends on campus who end up determined to protect him from the cold Haruka. It turns out, though, that Haruka is the last person Eli needs to be protected from.Besides the book needing to be cut down by a third, it also suffers from some poor - or, rather, unintegrated - world building. Deeper reasons for Haruka and Eli’s psychic connection are eventually revealed, but when this happens it feels almost like grafting an alien limb onto the reality established for most of the book.That said, I did enjoy the story and the characters. The author needed a caring and supportive editor to shape the narrative arc a bit more. I’m not sure if I will continue this series, but I need to read something else next. I definitely need a break from this writing style.

I really enjoyed Psync. Zile Elliven is a new author for me and I am happy to say I will buy future books if written. I loved the bond between Haruka and Eli. Haruka’s overprotective nature combined with Eli’s sweetness and subtle strength was a powerful combination. Their friends and everyday lives on campus helped things develop in a sweet, adorable way that reminded me of Yaoi.A few things bothered me, the biggest being that Haruka never completely opened himself to Eli. He kept his part of the bond shut away. Even at the end when he relaxed a little it was still unbalanced and so they didn’t seem equal. If Haruka is going to love Eli and recognize his strength he has to open to him.I also didn’t like the way it just ended. So much of the book was spent with Eli finding his place and making friends on campus that it seems a shame he will be forced to move once the year is up. I’d like another book showing him finding his place in Japan.Another thing that bothered me is we never really learned much about Haruka’s family or their company. Maybe they are yakuza maybe they are legit business, but not know left it feeling unfinished. I also felt it once again unbalanced the relationship between Haruka and Eli since Eli doesn’t fully know Haruka and his life.The last thing was minor but naming the book Enchanted University when the only thing enchanted about it was the ability to speak mind to mind was a little misleading. It does give me high hopes for possible future books though.I really hope there will be a sequel.

I’ve been meaning to review this book for months. I just finished rereading it for the 3rd time, and I just listened to the audiobook.Psync is wonderful. Eli is a college student with a touch aversion and a traumatic past who is also battling an unknown “Thing” that constantly throws him into difficult (and sometimes dangerous) situations. Haruka feels empty in a gray world where nothing brings him joy. He is also fighting a darkness within himself that he fears would scare away the one person that brings color to his world. Not that he lets that stop him from fiercely protecting Eli from handsy college boys, Eli’s lack of appetite, or the source of Eli’s nightmares.Some might think the relationship between the two is unhealthy (in particular, Haruka could be considered too overprotective). While I can understand what they’re saying, the co-dependency between these two just work and make their relationship all the more endearing. Once you understand the depth of their link, everything just falls into place. Everyone is entitled to their own definition of happiness, and Eli and Haruka are able to find that with each other.The author did a splendid job in using humor and warm fuzzy feelings to describe Eli and Haruka. In addition, the author created side characters that are just amazing, and I look forward to many more books from the Enchanted University world.For those who haven’t read Psync or its sequel Quiet yet (a different couple at the same college), I highly recommend it.Trigger warning: attempted assault

Spoiler warning.Overall I loved this book, it was a very enjoyable read. It's very seldom I find a an MM romance that treats mental health issues well, or has an Asian main character that isn't depicted with some negative stereotypes, and this book has both which made me very happy.The paranormal aspects serve to complicate and strengthen the relationship between Haruka and Eli, rather than being the driving force of the book, which I definitely loved. Eli is a cute, quippy cinnamon roll, and as his trauma is gradually revealed you can't help falling in love with him. His issues are treated seriously, and not as trauma porn.The first half is a bit of a slow burn and there were a couple chapters where I was screaming at one of them to just make a move already. Once I got past that part the cuteness turned up to 11, so it was well worth the wait. I'd call this medium heat as there's only a handful of explicit scenes, but all of them are capital H Hot.Only negatives I really have is that Haruka is sometimes overprotective to the point it's off putting, and the last 2% or so of the book comes out of nowhere, progresses extremely fast, and is a literal deus ex machina.Other than that, this was a super enjoyable read with a great HFN ending, and I'm definitely looking forward to seeing more from this author.

To be honest it was clear early on this book wasn’t for me. I was really interested in the whole “can hear a voice in my head thing” and was intrigued to see where the author took it but it was a bit odd. I’m not sure I liked Haruka at all, he was very controlling, everything about his personality was over the top. Eli was more likeable but he still acted childish throughout and that was definitely annoying. The way the main characters relationship progressed just didn’t feel right, it sort just hopped skipped and jumped ahead in places and the random Dom/Sub vibes in the bedroom didn’t make sense and didn’t seem completely consensual or very well written. Overall all of that along with the random magical/god aspect and Haruka’s mysterious family background (which never actually got explained) made me grateful this book is over. I won’t be reading anymore in the series.

Loved this book could not put down, was not expecting to love as much as I did and when it finished I really wanted more. Love each of the characters Eli was so strong and did not really know it, love how is strength shone throw as the book went on. Haruka he is so protective almost obsessed with protecting Eli it is fantastic they are so good together but got to say Eli does not have good luck when left alone he is a magnet for trouble poor thing. Really hope there will be more .

This is a new to me author and I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The relationship between the MCs was lovely. I loved Eli and how strong he was despite everything he’d been through. Amazing. Can’t wait for more.

Loved Eli from the start. Enjoyed how the romance blossomed over time. Wish the ending had been longer, as it all seemed to wrap up too quickly... but maybe I'm just greedy and wanting more of the characters.

A seriously excellent MM story and I couldn’t put it down . The characters are great and I really hope there’s more from these two in a future book. An absolutely must read