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maheandco's review against another edition
5.0
📣 : mc gays, sc lesbians
"Are you ready to make History ?"
[fr below]
TW : war, blood
Settings in an antic Rome inspiration, Domitris, new and first elected emperor by the people, struggle to bring peace. By the same time, he is seduced by Sinnan, a mysterious courtesan who is definitely hiding something.
I don't know how to say this except it was SO DAMN GOOD. All political intrigue, the world building, the love story that we want to see, but we know who lead to more problems...
First of all, i may say : I actually love the main character. I was able to see myself through him. How is that so rare and i often hate main characters ? Not in this. I actually even like antagonists, but well... Not a surprise.
Two more things i love : beautiful descriptions and angst. I Can even now imagine myself in the beautiful library or even the garden. I can sense the anger, doubt, freeness, love of some of them.
Actually, I didn't want to leave them and i'm so, so glad that to know it will be three books in this series.
Please, please for all history lover, read this book and let me know what you think of it. I'm sure you will love it 🤌
@anya.wildt
------------------------
Domitris, empereur nouvellement élu, a du mal à maintenir la paix. Tout juste revenu de la guerre, il se retrouve au milieu de nouvelles intrigues de cour, mais aussi séduit par Sinnan, un mystérieux courtisan...
Est-ce que je vous ai déjà dit que je ne savais pas résumer un livre ? Parce que clairement, CLAIREMENT, ça ne lui rend pas justice. Le livre soulève plusieurs points, la confiance, la politique, la guerre, le pouvoir lorsqu'on n'y est pas forcément prêt...
Vous savez quoi ? J'ai adoré le personnage principal et c'est suffisamment rare pour que je le souligne. J'ai réussi à m'identifier à Domitris parce qu'il est humain, il est parfois colérique, il fait trop facilement confiance, il doute... Gros coeur sur lui 🤎
Et pour ceux qui adorent les belles descriptions, les lieux magnifiques, mais aussi ressentir des émotions lors de la lecture... Vous attendez quoi ?
Vraiment, lisez ce livre. J'ai plus de place pour lui dire mon love 🤌🤎✨
"Are you ready to make History ?"
[fr below]
TW : war, blood
Settings in an antic Rome inspiration, Domitris, new and first elected emperor by the people, struggle to bring peace. By the same time, he is seduced by Sinnan, a mysterious courtesan who is definitely hiding something.
I don't know how to say this except it was SO DAMN GOOD. All political intrigue, the world building, the love story that we want to see, but we know who lead to more problems...
First of all, i may say : I actually love the main character. I was able to see myself through him. How is that so rare and i often hate main characters ? Not in this. I actually even like antagonists, but well... Not a surprise.
Two more things i love : beautiful descriptions and angst. I Can even now imagine myself in the beautiful library or even the garden. I can sense the anger, doubt, freeness, love of some of them.
Actually, I didn't want to leave them and i'm so, so glad that to know it will be three books in this series.
Please, please for all history lover, read this book and let me know what you think of it. I'm sure you will love it 🤌
@anya.wildt
------------------------
Domitris, empereur nouvellement élu, a du mal à maintenir la paix. Tout juste revenu de la guerre, il se retrouve au milieu de nouvelles intrigues de cour, mais aussi séduit par Sinnan, un mystérieux courtisan...
Est-ce que je vous ai déjà dit que je ne savais pas résumer un livre ? Parce que clairement, CLAIREMENT, ça ne lui rend pas justice. Le livre soulève plusieurs points, la confiance, la politique, la guerre, le pouvoir lorsqu'on n'y est pas forcément prêt...
Vous savez quoi ? J'ai adoré le personnage principal et c'est suffisamment rare pour que je le souligne. J'ai réussi à m'identifier à Domitris parce qu'il est humain, il est parfois colérique, il fait trop facilement confiance, il doute... Gros coeur sur lui 🤎
Et pour ceux qui adorent les belles descriptions, les lieux magnifiques, mais aussi ressentir des émotions lors de la lecture... Vous attendez quoi ?
Vraiment, lisez ce livre. J'ai plus de place pour lui dire mon love 🤌🤎✨
sistercupcake's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
alreadspurpleprose's review against another edition
5.0
As We Fall was a pleasure to read. I was gifted a copy prior to release in exchange for an honest review, and I can honestly say that this is a very beautifully crafted book. I have huge respect for Wildt for the time, effort, and attention to detail that not only went into writing this novel but formatting and arranging for it to be published all off her own back. It is, first and foremost, a physically beautiful novel. I have to shout out the artist who created the beautiful cover and world map, both of which just immerse you into this rich story further.
Now, onto the story itself. Peace is a dangerous business. Life as the newly elected Emperor of Marmaris is not an easy one for Domitris, especially when the peace he fought so long for is threatened by the reaction to a very fragile peace treaty with the enemy nation Dassdora. Along the way, Domitris meets Sinnan, a mysterious traveller who quickly steals his focus with the allure of an easy, fun-loving life Domititis can never have.
Political intrigue, romance, and betrayal paint a captivating canvas for an engaging, beautiful story and series opener that I highly recommend. Everything from the characters and their interpersonal relationships to the impeccable world-building inspired by Ancient Rome is on point. The concept of hisorical fantasy is a new one to me, but I totally understand why Wildt chooses to categorise this as such. There is no magic, gods or monsters here, but there is complex and fantastical world-building, which in my mind firmly places it in the fantasy category.
Wildt is a talented writer who I cannot wait to read more from and I truly believe she has set up the most breath-taking and fresh series I will have ever had the pleasure to read.
Pre-orders are still live ahead of the release date on June 10th so please do yourself a favour and pick up a copy of this marvelous book
Now, onto the story itself. Peace is a dangerous business. Life as the newly elected Emperor of Marmaris is not an easy one for Domitris, especially when the peace he fought so long for is threatened by the reaction to a very fragile peace treaty with the enemy nation Dassdora. Along the way, Domitris meets Sinnan, a mysterious traveller who quickly steals his focus with the allure of an easy, fun-loving life Domititis can never have.
Political intrigue, romance, and betrayal paint a captivating canvas for an engaging, beautiful story and series opener that I highly recommend. Everything from the characters and their interpersonal relationships to the impeccable world-building inspired by Ancient Rome is on point. The concept of hisorical fantasy is a new one to me, but I totally understand why Wildt chooses to categorise this as such. There is no magic, gods or monsters here, but there is complex and fantastical world-building, which in my mind firmly places it in the fantasy category.
Wildt is a talented writer who I cannot wait to read more from and I truly believe she has set up the most breath-taking and fresh series I will have ever had the pleasure to read.
Pre-orders are still live ahead of the release date on June 10th so please do yourself a favour and pick up a copy of this marvelous book
merry_star's review against another edition
5.0
I'm gonna be honest, I wasn't entirely sure if this book was up my alley before I first started reading it, because I usually prefer the more "classic" fantasy setting with magic / fairies etc.
But from the first page on I was absolutely hooked and could barely set the book aside.
The writing is absolutely beautiful, you can see, feel, hear and smell every tiny detail that is described. It's so lively that it feels as if you've actually been there. The setting is incredibly detailed but it doesn't distract from, it adds *to* the story.
The story itself unfolds with great pacing. In the beginning, you have enough time to get to know the main character and the world around him - there's this joke in (fantasy) reading circles that when you start a new book set in a new world, you need a few hundred pages to get what's where and how the politics are. This is not at all the case here, you get the main picture pretty fast and it just adds to the joy because you actually understand what's going on all the time.
There are scenes and moments that are so full of action that it had me on the edge of my seat and also slow and soft and romantic moments and a lot in between. Again, the pacing is very good, it never gets boring but at the same time there’s enough time to let the story unfold fully.
I never thought I could get that invested in the politics and future of a made-up country I never heard of before that fast, but here we are. And of course I got invested just as much in the love story that unfolds parallel to the main arc and is beautifully told as well.
It definitely adds to this that all of the characters feel so multidimensional and real. It is as if they’re actual people, with good and bad sides and everything in between.
A really nice and refreshing aspect is that being queer is just normal. To be honest, as a queer person myself I’m usually not too fond of stories centering around drama with coming out or just existing as a queer person, the hate we face etc., because we have enough of this in real life. Therefore I enjoyed it so much that it’s just normal for everyone. Be gay, do crime. Or well, try to rebuild and save your country at the same time as falling in love.
Overall, it was a really delightful read that transported me right into the world of Marmaras and I thoroughly enjoyed every second of it. If you’re looking for a well-written, queer book that pulls you right into its world, look no further, just go read it already.
I know the first part just got released, but I can't wait for the next one!
But from the first page on I was absolutely hooked and could barely set the book aside.
The writing is absolutely beautiful, you can see, feel, hear and smell every tiny detail that is described. It's so lively that it feels as if you've actually been there. The setting is incredibly detailed but it doesn't distract from, it adds *to* the story.
The story itself unfolds with great pacing. In the beginning, you have enough time to get to know the main character and the world around him - there's this joke in (fantasy) reading circles that when you start a new book set in a new world, you need a few hundred pages to get what's where and how the politics are. This is not at all the case here, you get the main picture pretty fast and it just adds to the joy because you actually understand what's going on all the time.
There are scenes and moments that are so full of action that it had me on the edge of my seat and also slow and soft and romantic moments and a lot in between. Again, the pacing is very good, it never gets boring but at the same time there’s enough time to let the story unfold fully.
I never thought I could get that invested in the politics and future of a made-up country I never heard of before that fast, but here we are. And of course I got invested just as much in the love story that unfolds parallel to the main arc and is beautifully told as well.
It definitely adds to this that all of the characters feel so multidimensional and real. It is as if they’re actual people, with good and bad sides and everything in between.
A really nice and refreshing aspect is that being queer is just normal. To be honest, as a queer person myself I’m usually not too fond of stories centering around drama with coming out or just existing as a queer person, the hate we face etc., because we have enough of this in real life. Therefore I enjoyed it so much that it’s just normal for everyone. Be gay, do crime. Or well, try to rebuild and save your country at the same time as falling in love.
Overall, it was a really delightful read that transported me right into the world of Marmaras and I thoroughly enjoyed every second of it. If you’re looking for a well-written, queer book that pulls you right into its world, look no further, just go read it already.
I know the first part just got released, but I can't wait for the next one!
andro_meda's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.75
nonsensicaljourney's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Thank you to the author, Anya Wildt, for giving me an advanced readers' copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I am not a fast reader by any means, but I finished this novel in less than a week. Not only was its pacing very very good, the writing style was clear and polished. On top of that, it had the kind of compelling characters and plotline that kept me coming back to the book eagerly at every opportunity. I'm sure that if I'd had a full weekend alone with this book, it would have been done in a day or two. Particularly in the second half of the book, everything was established and the plot just kept intensifying. Each chapter was an excellent length, and it helped keep me hooked.
The two main characters were very interesting from the start, even before we found out the majority of their backstory. It's not common, in my experience, to see rules of fantasy worlds who are actually striving for a treaty to secure peace between countries. Generally, it's war - or political shenanigans. I found it very refreshing that the Emperor, Domitris, was elected - but he nonetheless has to deal with the complexities of continuing to rule a society with broader class distinctions, and reconcile his ongoing leadership of Marmaras with the demands of the significantly more modern and democratic Dassosda (with whom he is trying to navigate a treaty).
Sinnan is an interesting character on his own, and only adds to the complexities of Domitris's story - what starts as a simple encounter between noble and courtesan becomes a lot more, through a combination of Sinnan's charm and mystery. I loved that the romance wasn't just a side plot - it was intricately woven into Domitris's other plans, and had an ongoing impact on how the main plotline developed. This added an ongoing tension about Sinnan's identity and his motives that played very well with the light-hearted way these characters generally interacted.
Wildt does very well to maximise the simple joys of living alongside Domitris and Sinnan, while also keeping one eye on the plot at all times. It meant that this book didn't have the grittiness of a lot of fantasy books, but it also didn't linger on too much fluffy content - it knew when to move on, and when to escalate things. I found myself astonished at its pace, but didn't have any issue keeping up with the turns of events.
I also loved the way the romance developed - firstly, that it normalised queer relationships, and the other characters' issue seemed to be more about the fact that the Emperor had a courtesan than about the fact that he was male; and secondly, that sex was never the goal of the relationship, as it so often is in fantasy romance books. The characters learn to love each other through what is effectively ongoing friendship alongside their attraction, but in Domitris's point of view, the reader is torn between loving this character completely and wondering whether to trust him in the first place.
The ending was also very well pulled off - and even though I've read many books like this and written some of my own, my heart still skipped a beat at the major plot twists. Although the book was very subtle about its worldbuilding, it's clear the universe is quite expansive, and there's a lot more to discover (not to mention a lot more to learn about these characters!).
As We Fall was a very compelling, well-written debut novel with a great cast of characters, who I can't wait to read more about. This gem of a book comes out on June 10, - I can't wait for more people to read it, and for you all to love these characters as much as I do.
I am not a fast reader by any means, but I finished this novel in less than a week. Not only was its pacing very very good, the writing style was clear and polished. On top of that, it had the kind of compelling characters and plotline that kept me coming back to the book eagerly at every opportunity. I'm sure that if I'd had a full weekend alone with this book, it would have been done in a day or two. Particularly in the second half of the book, everything was established and the plot just kept intensifying. Each chapter was an excellent length, and it helped keep me hooked.
The two main characters were very interesting from the start, even before we found out the majority of their backstory. It's not common, in my experience, to see rules of fantasy worlds who are actually striving for a treaty to secure peace between countries. Generally, it's war - or political shenanigans. I found it very refreshing that the Emperor, Domitris, was elected - but he nonetheless has to deal with the complexities of continuing to rule a society with broader class distinctions, and reconcile his ongoing leadership of Marmaras with the demands of the significantly more modern and democratic Dassosda (with whom he is trying to navigate a treaty).
Sinnan is an interesting character on his own, and only adds to the complexities of Domitris's story - what starts as a simple encounter between noble and courtesan becomes a lot more, through a combination of Sinnan's charm and mystery. I loved that the romance wasn't just a side plot - it was intricately woven into Domitris's other plans, and had an ongoing impact on how the main plotline developed. This added an ongoing tension about Sinnan's identity and his motives that played very well with the light-hearted way these characters generally interacted.
Wildt does very well to maximise the simple joys of living alongside Domitris and Sinnan, while also keeping one eye on the plot at all times. It meant that this book didn't have the grittiness of a lot of fantasy books, but it also didn't linger on too much fluffy content - it knew when to move on, and when to escalate things. I found myself astonished at its pace, but didn't have any issue keeping up with the turns of events.
I also loved the way the romance developed - firstly, that it normalised queer relationships, and the other characters' issue seemed to be more about the fact that the Emperor had a courtesan than about the fact that he was male; and secondly, that sex was never the goal of the relationship, as it so often is in fantasy romance books. The characters learn to love each other through what is effectively ongoing friendship alongside their attraction, but in Domitris's point of view, the reader is torn between loving this character completely and wondering whether to trust him in the first place.
The ending was also very well pulled off - and even though I've read many books like this and written some of my own, my heart still skipped a beat at the major plot twists. Although the book was very subtle about its worldbuilding, it's clear the universe is quite expansive, and there's a lot more to discover (not to mention a lot more to learn about these characters!).
As We Fall was a very compelling, well-written debut novel with a great cast of characters, who I can't wait to read more about. This gem of a book comes out on June 10, - I can't wait for more people to read it, and for you all to love these characters as much as I do.
lone62's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I was completely blown away by this book! The story captivated me from the very beginning and kept me on the edge of my seat until the end with the gorgeous setting, intense romance, and intricate politics.
The story features the young emperor Domitris who has struggled for years to bring peace to his country and now the time has come to sign the peace treaty with Dia - the intelligent and beautiful delegate from the enemy nation Dassosda. But nothing goes as planned and soon, Domitris is on the brink of losing everything he has fought so hard to achieve. While scrambling to save the treaty, and his country from war, he finds it hard to concentrate when the beautiful stranger, Sinnan, tempts his body and soul.
I loved the imperfect main character who didn’t always make the right choices but whose heart was in the right place. He was very likable despite his flaws and I rooted for him all the way through the story. All of the characters in the story are charming and engaging and none of them are flawless, which makes them feel like multidimensional, real people.
Wildt’s writing is incredibly visceral and beautiful, and transports you right into the world of Marmaras - a setting so beautiful you can’t help but fall in love with it. The book is so enthralling I couldn’t put it down and when it ended, I wanted to read the next book in the series immediately!
If you love nuanced characters, subtle and elegant humor, political intrigue, and intense love stories with lots of spice, this is a must read! I can’t recommend it highly enough!
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