Eryca Liskovec
This was super cute, had some twists, political commentary, and was all around a fun adventure. I think it could probably have been a little shorter, but I very much enjoyed it!
This was super cute, had some twists, political commentary, and was all around a fun adventure. I think it could probably have been a little shorter, but I very much enjoyed it!
Added to listOwnedwith 2 books.
I feel like this book caught a lot of strays with because it followed two timelines, but honestly, I thought it was well done. I think the writing was strong, the themes well explored, the pacing was slow but deliberate, and it had the grittiness of reality. If anything, I think what was missing for me was heart. Adrienne Young is one of my favorite authors, and Fable is one of my favorite all-time characters. But Luca and Maris never reached off the page and gripped my heart the way Fable, or even Eelyn (Sky in the Deep), did. I could put them down, and come back to them without feeling a tug to continue.
While I find myself rooting for them to end up together, I also find Luca infuriating because looking back on the book, I feel like 90% of his current timeline is filled with his regrets without him doing anything to change his circumstances. He is in a constant state of stress for Maris' well-being, to the point where he and those closest to him admit that he can't be completely loyal to the rebellion because he will always choose her. And yet, whenever he is given the opportunity to actually choose her, he refuses to AND makes his refusal in such a way that it removes her choice in the matter as well. And then he has the gall to say that he's sending her away with the only parts of his soul that are worthwhile. Honestly, typing that out made me even a little more mad about it. I get that this may read as self-sacrificial and angsty, but really, it's just a dude who refuses to make a stand for what he actually wants, and in the process is actively hurting both parties involved because he refuses to fully commit to either side.
I'm not sure I'll read the second book, but I'll certainly stalk reviews and spoilers when it comes out and make my final decision then.
I feel like this book caught a lot of strays with because it followed two timelines, but honestly, I thought it was well done. I think the writing was strong, the themes well explored, the pacing was slow but deliberate, and it had the grittiness of reality. If anything, I think what was missing for me was heart. Adrienne Young is one of my favorite authors, and Fable is one of my favorite all-time characters. But Luca and Maris never reached off the page and gripped my heart the way Fable, or even Eelyn (Sky in the Deep), did. I could put them down, and come back to them without feeling a tug to continue.
While I find myself rooting for them to end up together, I also find Luca infuriating because looking back on the book, I feel like 90% of his current timeline is filled with his regrets without him doing anything to change his circumstances. He is in a constant state of stress for Maris' well-being, to the point where he and those closest to him admit that he can't be completely loyal to the rebellion because he will always choose her. And yet, whenever he is given the opportunity to actually choose her, he refuses to AND makes his refusal in such a way that it removes her choice in the matter as well. And then he has the gall to say that he's sending her away with the only parts of his soul that are worthwhile. Honestly, typing that out made me even a little more mad about it. I get that this may read as self-sacrificial and angsty, but really, it's just a dude who refuses to make a stand for what he actually wants, and in the process is actively hurting both parties involved because he refuses to fully commit to either side.
I'm not sure I'll read the second book, but I'll certainly stalk reviews and spoilers when it comes out and make my final decision then.