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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
challenging
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is a retelling of the legend of Tristan and Isolde, I don’t know much about the legend, so I’m sure there are details that I haven’t spotted, but to me, this didn’t feel like a legend. Also, really minor point, but why is Tristan still Tristan, but Isolde because Isadora? If you are only changing one name, just don’t, and at least change more than the second half of the other name.
The world building in this is interesting, because we as the reader really don’t know anything. Isadora has been sheltered in a really patriarchal society, and because she knows nothing, we know nothing. We learned a lot about the world really really late into the book, with most of the exposition happening at the 75% mark. It was interesting to revisit the dystopian genre in a new way too.
So character dynamics in this were really hit or miss for me. I quite liked the relationship that developed between Tristan and Isadora though it did definitely take a moment before it stopped feeling forced. However, a lot of the other characters felt so flat. There were really just the archetypal characters, the mean jealous ex, the toxic man in power, and the kind older mother like figure. It just didn’t feel as though it was fully fleshed out for me.
The pacing in this was also not quite to my taste, the ‘disagreement’ aspect of this lasted for way too long for me to find it enjoyable and then we only got a few chapters of them actually communicating before the main action. This meant that the slow build up felt even slower because of the lack of development. The ending was also wrapped up so quickly and then just concluded in the epilogue where there is a literal walk through of all the changes and how different the world was, instead of seeing them make these changes we just saw them changed.
The world building in this is interesting, because we as the reader really don’t know anything. Isadora has been sheltered in a really patriarchal society, and because she knows nothing, we know nothing. We learned a lot about the world really really late into the book, with most of the exposition happening at the 75% mark. It was interesting to revisit the dystopian genre in a new way too.
So character dynamics in this were really hit or miss for me. I quite liked the relationship that developed between Tristan and Isadora though it did definitely take a moment before it stopped feeling forced. However, a lot of the other characters felt so flat. There were really just the archetypal characters, the mean jealous ex, the toxic man in power, and the kind older mother like figure. It just didn’t feel as though it was fully fleshed out for me.
The pacing in this was also not quite to my taste, the ‘disagreement’ aspect of this lasted for way too long for me to find it enjoyable and then we only got a few chapters of them actually communicating before the main action. This meant that the slow build up felt even slower because of the lack of development. The ending was also wrapped up so quickly and then just concluded in the epilogue where there is a literal walk through of all the changes and how different the world was, instead of seeing them make these changes we just saw them changed.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
When I saw this cover, combined with the title, I knew I had to have this book. I pre-ordered a copy and then discovered that I could request a digital copy through Netgalley. I was really happy when HarperFire granted me one.
Let me state the obvious at the beginning: This book does have its flaws. The love is insanely instant. There are moments developments seem to happen overnight and sometimes situations escalate really quickly. But let me state the most important thing: Eventually that didn't bother me one bit. I was sucked into this story, I was invested, I cared about these characters, I yearned for a happy ending and those flaws were instantly forgiven.
In this world of fae-romances it was kinda refreshing to stumble upon a romantic dystopia again. And this is a true dystopia. Loads of knowledge have been lost, equipment has been destroyed and basically the people who've survived have been thrown back in time. The author did an amazing job creating two micro-societies, each with their own rules, habit, faith and customs. And considering our world, I can easily see both of them happening if the world would be destroyed now.
The true star of the book is the romance, of course. Yes, this is very much insta-love. However, the author created the perfect catalyst to develop this relationship, to deepen it and to make it more meaningful in record time. The book is filled with emotional moments, romantic moments and epic fights. Sometimes my heart was destroyed and into a million different pieces. Quite often it was also healed afterwards.
It works perfectly as a stand-alone, but the world would be a great background for other stories! I hope the author will write some!
Let me state the obvious at the beginning: This book does have its flaws. The love is insanely instant. There are moments developments seem to happen overnight and sometimes situations escalate really quickly. But let me state the most important thing: Eventually that didn't bother me one bit. I was sucked into this story, I was invested, I cared about these characters, I yearned for a happy ending and those flaws were instantly forgiven.
In this world of fae-romances it was kinda refreshing to stumble upon a romantic dystopia again. And this is a true dystopia. Loads of knowledge have been lost, equipment has been destroyed and basically the people who've survived have been thrown back in time. The author did an amazing job creating two micro-societies, each with their own rules, habit, faith and customs. And considering our world, I can easily see both of them happening if the world would be destroyed now.
The true star of the book is the romance, of course. Yes, this is very much insta-love. However, the author created the perfect catalyst to develop this relationship, to deepen it and to make it more meaningful in record time. The book is filled with emotional moments, romantic moments and epic fights. Sometimes my heart was destroyed and into a million different pieces. Quite often it was also healed afterwards.
It works perfectly as a stand-alone, but the world would be a great background for other stories! I hope the author will write some!
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This story had a lot of promise with its Tristan and Isolde inspired roots, a magical bond, and a post apocalyptic setting where two people from opposing sides are forced together.
Isadora is a clan healer who takes part in an assassination attempt and ends up magically bound to Tristan, the son of the man she helped kill. As she spends time in Kingsland, she begins to question everything she has been told about her people and the world beyond.
The plot explores interesting themes like truth versus propaganda, freedom versus duty, and progress versus tradition. I liked the way the magical bond symbolised intimacy and vulnerability and the romance itself had sweet moments. However, it never truly felt like enemies to lovers. Their animosity seemed to be more about their people rather than each other; and their relationship developed so fast which made the romance feel closer to insta love. The pacing was quick and at times a little rushed, leaving some of the worldbuilding and emotional development underexplored.
Despite these points, it was still an enjoyable read. For me, it was a solid three stars.
Isadora is a clan healer who takes part in an assassination attempt and ends up magically bound to Tristan, the son of the man she helped kill. As she spends time in Kingsland, she begins to question everything she has been told about her people and the world beyond.
The plot explores interesting themes like truth versus propaganda, freedom versus duty, and progress versus tradition. I liked the way the magical bond symbolised intimacy and vulnerability and the romance itself had sweet moments. However, it never truly felt like enemies to lovers. Their animosity seemed to be more about their people rather than each other; and their relationship developed so fast which made the romance feel closer to insta love. The pacing was quick and at times a little rushed, leaving some of the worldbuilding and emotional development underexplored.
Despite these points, it was still an enjoyable read. For me, it was a solid three stars.
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I am not super familiar with Tristan and Isolde, so while I flagged the names as similar, I didn't recognize the Romeo & Juliet theme until the end of the book with the fake poison. Knowing that the Tristan and Isolde tale often involves a love potion resulting in "obsessive love" tracks with this story. This was not bad, readable, fast-paced. Tristan has no real personality and Isadora doesn't have much of one either. This reminds me of the infamous popularity of Twilight. I loved it as a teen who was swept up in romance with vampires, but in retrospect, neither of the main characters has much of a personality. I think books like this appeal to readers whose imaginations fill in the blanks and make the characters likable or imagine themselves in those scenarios, and are swept up in the idea of being so in love, more than the actual characters lovability. Isadora seems to be beautiful and good at everything, and also doing everything (she's going to be a doctor and a teacher! ) which is always a pet peeve for me. "The connection" felt like a bit of a cheat or a deus ex machina throughout...a way to get out of tricky situations easily.
Her dad being revealed as an incel was interesting and I wish this had been a more developed part of the story, because I feel like it was the most unique part and could have been used to comment on our current society more. The fact that the society was celebrating going back to coal mining and fossil fuel burning at the end felt a bit weird as a happy ending. The combination of fantasy and sci-fi/dystopia in this was something a bit unique. I'm not sure if I liked it or not, it was a bit distracting sometimes because I'd slip into feeling like this was straight-forward romantasy, only to be reminded of the dystopian/sci-fi aspects and be a little thrown off. It's not a bad thing though.
Overall...I don't love this, but I understand the appeal of it. I just think the overall message is tired and pretty toxic.
Overall...I don't love this, but I understand the appeal of it. I just think the overall message is tired and pretty toxic.
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Overall, an enjoyable YA novel that probably could have benefited from being a bit longer to allow more space for world-building and development of various relationships. It reminded me a bit of The Walking Dead series, only without the zombie aspect, and more of how various societies approach a world-ending fallout scenario. A little heavy-handed on some of the societal themes, but given the genre, I could excuse that a bit.
Probably the biggest saving grace for me personally in this was Tristan's character. I think we got a very good idea of who he was, despite the story being told through Isadora's perspective. She, on the other hand, took a little bit of time to grow on me, but eventually she did, and I found myself rooting for them both. The way in which the author uses the original story of Tristan and Isolde in this was interesting and helped link it back to that inspiration source, and I honestly appreciate the ending we got with them in this story rather than following things completely true to the original texts. I also found myself fond of many of the side characters despite their relatively few appearances in the novel overall, which went a long way in making this a fun read.
The world-building was perhaps the weakest element of this.. There's just enough there for you to get an idea, but not enough to really immerse yourself in anything in the greater sense of things. A lot of what carries this novel is the relationships of those within it, which I felt we got a good idea of in relatively little space. There were pockets of warmth and cold in both communities, and a quiet sense of tragedy within it all. But the hope sustained by Tristan and Isadora definitely pervaded the novel, and in that kept it from sinking into darker territory than it could have gone given some of the topics broached. In that, it was a bit superficial in its dealings with such topics, but perhaps with everything going on lately in the world, having that sense of better prevailing is what I needed right now.
Probably the biggest saving grace for me personally in this was Tristan's character. I think we got a very good idea of who he was, despite the story being told through Isadora's perspective. She, on the other hand, took a little bit of time to grow on me, but eventually she did, and I found myself rooting for them both. The way in which the author uses the original story of Tristan and Isolde in this was interesting and helped link it back to that inspiration source, and I honestly appreciate the ending we got with them in this story rather than following things completely true to the original texts. I also found myself fond of many of the side characters despite their relatively few appearances in the novel overall, which went a long way in making this a fun read.
The world-building was perhaps the weakest element of this.. There's just enough there for you to get an idea, but not enough to really immerse yourself in anything in the greater sense of things. A lot of what carries this novel is the relationships of those within it, which I felt we got a good idea of in relatively little space. There were pockets of warmth and cold in both communities, and a quiet sense of tragedy within it all. But the hope sustained by Tristan and Isadora definitely pervaded the novel, and in that kept it from sinking into darker territory than it could have gone given some of the topics broached. In that, it was a bit superficial in its dealings with such topics, but perhaps with everything going on lately in the world, having that sense of better prevailing is what I needed right now.
adventurous
dark
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