Havenfall

I usually like to listen to my YA Fantasy books, but this one wasn't so bad to read. Once I started reading, I quickly got into the story and the world Sara Holland created.

It's contemporary times, with the added Adjacent Realms, worlds connected to Earth through doorways in tunnels deep in the Rocky Mountains. Every year, delegates from these worlds meet at Havenfall, in peace, to make trade and political deals. One of these worlds was cut off years ago and have been feared ever since.

The world building and magic systems are well explained. I found myself immersed in them! A YA book wouldn't be complete without a love triangle. I think Maddie is leaning one way, but I will see if I'm right with the second book.

The climatic scene did not disappoint. Well, I guess scenes. There is the quiet reveal before the big showdown. It was a slow build. I found myself skimming ahead of the characters because I got there before they did. But the fight scene was good, a couple of cliffhangers and I'm wanting to know their fates.

Yes, it is a duology. I've already started the second book.