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astralfeline's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
4.5
I was hesitant to read this because I usually don't care about stories involving military/army, and I still don't which is why I gave it a 4.5. I'm not sure how accurate any of the events / real world settings were described or set up because I don't generally keep up with things like that. But taking the story at face value focusing more on the romance and the relationships in the story, I really enjoyed listening to this. I like the connection between the characters and their whole back story, and I think I just generally like Rebecca Yarros' writing style because this is now the third book I've read by her and I really enjoyed it. I also think Teddy Hamilton's voice fit really well for Nate, the MMC. Overall I enjoyed this story. I was desperate in between my holds on libby so I picked this one up because of the author but I'm really glad I did and I'll probably be checking out the rest of her books at some point.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
Minor: Medical trauma and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
siriuslyjenn_'s review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Islamophobia, Gun violence, War, Xenophobia, and Violence
Moderate: Car accident, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, and Infidelity
zanazy's review
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This book does not deliver on the romance plot which was a surprise having read two other books by this author. Again, there is a military setting and the mic being in the military causes the bulk of the relationship issues between the leads. Izzy, the fmc was not likable and came off as dumb about everything except books and studies. Nathaniel was a bit more better but too centered on Izzy to be believable as a Special Ops guy. Of the two, Nathaniel’s POV and background make for the better parts of this book.
Izzy and Nathan meet on a plane ride, his first, and its major insta love. Then minutes after takeoff, their plane crashes, forcing them to get real close and for Nathan to rescue Izzy and save her life. The two are separated as Nathaniel is on his way to the military, and so they lose touch despite the fact Izzy says over and over that fate draws her to him. Years pass and their paths cross again, and they have a few day fling but again, it’s not right for them to try for more. This time though, they share addresses and stay connected for years with Nathaniel popping in and out on his leaves. Eventually, Nathan proposes a bit awkwardly and Izzy says she can’t marry him so he leaves and drops all contact.
Fast forward years later and they meet in the middle of a war in Afghanistan, during the time the country is falling apart. Izzy has joined politics to help find a way to end the war with the secret hope Nathaniel will find her again and he is of course the unit assigned to protect her. Unfortunately it is the fact the setting is Afghanistan and in the war that kills the romance. I had a difficult time reading about Izzy and Nathaniel doing it while people were afraid for their lives and bring shot at. Total turnoff. The story ends in a very predictable way and nothing about it seems right.
Unfortunately the setting of this being war torn and about to fall into Taliban hands Afghanistan makes this a very difficult, un compassionate read. People are dying, scared for their lives, but the leads are happily enjoying their reconciliation and themselves. No amount of Izzy is trying to do interviews for people or Nathaniel leaving food rations males up for the lack of thought to what is happening to the background setting. The worst part is that this story could have been set anywhere else just fine. Hard no and I hope the author learns from this.
Izzy and Nathan meet on a plane ride, his first, and its major insta love. Then minutes after takeoff, their plane crashes, forcing them to get real close and for Nathan to rescue Izzy and save her life. The two are separated as Nathaniel is on his way to the military, and so they lose touch despite the fact Izzy says over and over that fate draws her to him. Years pass and their paths cross again, and they have a few day fling but again, it’s not right for them to try for more. This time though, they share addresses and stay connected for years with Nathaniel popping in and out on his leaves. Eventually, Nathan proposes a bit awkwardly and Izzy says she can’t marry him so he leaves and drops all contact.
Fast forward years later and they meet in the middle of a war in Afghanistan, during the time the country is falling apart. Izzy has joined politics to help find a way to end the war with the secret hope Nathaniel will find her again and he is of course the unit assigned to protect her. Unfortunately it is the fact the setting is Afghanistan and in the war that kills the romance. I had a difficult time reading about Izzy and Nathaniel doing it while people were afraid for their lives and bring shot at. Total turnoff. The story ends in a very predictable way and nothing about it seems right.
Unfortunately the setting of this being war torn and about to fall into Taliban hands Afghanistan makes this a very difficult, un compassionate read. People are dying, scared for their lives, but the leads are happily enjoying their reconciliation and themselves. No amount of Izzy is trying to do interviews for people or Nathaniel leaving food rations males up for the lack of thought to what is happening to the background setting. The worst part is that this story could have been set anywhere else just fine. Hard no and I hope the author learns from this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Child abuse, Medical trauma, War, Cursing, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Domestic abuse, and Gun violence
Moderate: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Violence, and Car accident
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