Eryca Liskovec

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 liked the concept enough to finish it, which is something, but I felt like the execution was lacking. It was a lot of telling instead of showing, the viewpoint jumped around a lot and without warning. I'm not sure if formatting didn't come through properly since it is a Kindle version, but scenes would change without breaks. It also felt like the author enjoyed using long words just because they could. I'm also not sure why the MMC was described as the pinnacle of an attractive gentleman while also being described as constantly looking asleep on his feet. Like...his eyelids were constantly described as half closed, his gaze was sleepy, and he was described as at least three times as somnambulant, which means it looks like he was sleepwalking/sluggish. I'm all for a character hiding their wit under a calm exterior, but please stop telling me that this guy basically walks around with his eyes closed. That's just not it.