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4.68 AVERAGE
4.68 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
I genuinely do not know what to write about the plot that wouldn't be a spoiler, in my opinion you should go into this book blind and let it transport you where it will. Highly recommend if you enjoy time travel, knights, romance and political intrigue.
I've yet to read anything by Harrow that I did not love, but this was a particular brand of painful.
This is the sort of book that reminds me why I fell in love with reading.
Absolute poetry, written with no regard for your mental well being. ðŸ˜ðŸ˜
I love that I frequently couldn't tell where we were headed, because I often see twists coming a mile away.
If you need a good cry, highly recommend ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ðŸ˜
I've yet to read anything by Harrow that I did not love, but this was a particular brand of painful.
This is the sort of book that reminds me why I fell in love with reading.
Absolute poetry, written with no regard for your mental well being. ðŸ˜ðŸ˜
I love that I frequently couldn't tell where we were headed, because I often see twists coming a mile away.
If you need a good cry, highly recommend ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ðŸ˜
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Violence, Blood
Moderate: Physical abuse, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, War, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal death, Child death, Genocide, Gun violence, Miscarriage, Racism, Terminal illness, Abortion, Fire/Fire injury
I could’ve highlighted the whole dang book. Every piece of prose was there to make me laugh, make me think or emotionally wound me.
This book is a love story that is mired in blood, war and country. The timeline wiggles and redoubles but it is always going forward. The MCs are in a time loop that they can’t seem to get out of. They take turns telling the story. Owen tells the story to us and Una tells it to Owen. So when we are in Una’s perspective it’s second person and it is done so incredibly well. The effect is like a couple who has been together for many years telling us the story of how they met.
I will add that I love when the MCs are described as markedly not beautiful. So much of fantasy has all the MCs being just the most perfect, most beautiful. Or they’ll be like, they have one unfortunate scar but otherwise they’re a smoking hottie. Alix characters sound like real people. Owen is wears thick glasses and is scrawny, with a hellish scar across his throat which makes his voice peculiar. Una is muscular, broad, tall and absolutely riddled with scars. She can’t see out of one eye! But each of them can see the loveliness in the other. In their being. I could wax poetic about this but the TLDR is, I love seeing fellow uggos find love.
The story also touches on who gets to record history and what that means. To me, the first part of the book was fully about that. So much so that when I got to the second section, I was startled. That’s when I fully understood what I was actually reading.
Overall, 10/10, all the stars, extra flowers, would recommend.
This book is a love story that is mired in blood, war and country. The timeline wiggles and redoubles but it is always going forward. The MCs are in a time loop that they can’t seem to get out of. They take turns telling the story. Owen tells the story to us and Una tells it to Owen. So when we are in Una’s perspective it’s second person and it is done so incredibly well. The effect is like a couple who has been together for many years telling us the story of how they met.
I will add that I love when the MCs are described as markedly not beautiful. So much of fantasy has all the MCs being just the most perfect, most beautiful. Or they’ll be like, they have one unfortunate scar but otherwise they’re a smoking hottie. Alix characters sound like real people. Owen is wears thick glasses and is scrawny, with a hellish scar across his throat which makes his voice peculiar. Una is muscular, broad, tall and absolutely riddled with scars. She can’t see out of one eye! But each of them can see the loveliness in the other. In their being. I could wax poetic about this but the TLDR is, I love seeing fellow uggos find love.
The story also touches on who gets to record history and what that means. To me, the first part of the book was fully about that. So much so that when I got to the second section, I was startled. That’s when I fully understood what I was actually reading.
Overall, 10/10, all the stars, extra flowers, would recommend.
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-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
thank you alix e harrow
Alix. We are fighting. It’s on sight if I see you. ABSOLUTELY DEVASTATING. This is the closest thing that has reminded me of my favorite series of all time. The prose, the storytelling, the characters, the mommy issues, it’s all SO GOOD. I don’t even like time traveling, but this got me HOOKED. I was sucked in immediately and inhaled it in a day. WOW. Can’t wait to have the physical copy on my shelf in October!
An absolutely riveting tale of love, loyalty, and sacrifice across time. I was completely immersed in the poetic, meandering writing style and the plot twists. I couldn’t help but follow these characters entirely as each obstacle was placed in front of them.
I imagine this would bring up a lot of conversation if it were read as part of a group, as many themes running through it are poignant and timeless.
I imagine this would bring up a lot of conversation if it were read as part of a group, as many themes running through it are poignant and timeless.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-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:
No
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Violence
This is quite possibly Alix E. Harrow's best work, and also my favorite, and coming from me, that is saying something because the first time I read <i>The Ten Thousand Doors of January</i>, I reread it again within a week.
I have loved literally everything I have read from her, and this one feels like everything I loved about her previous books. Her writing style, her romance, her interrogation of history and empire--this book has everything. I'm a big fan of second person in general (if I see a book uses it, I'm almost guaranteed to pick it up because when it's done well, it's fucking breathtaking, so naturally I've been losing my mind since I saw my absolute favorite author was going to be using it), but the way this book uses it is my favorite way I've seen it done. I could write essays about it.
Like, this book could probably not be more tailored to me specifically if it tried, but it's also just brilliant in general. The only reason I haven't already read this again is because I want to save my next read for when I have a physical version to hold in my hands and notate to my heart's delight. I have a lot of books I'm excited to read this year, but I would be very surprised if anything can top this.
Thank you to Tor for the arc and Alix E. Harrow for destroying me with it.
I have loved literally everything I have read from her, and this one feels like everything I loved about her previous books. Her writing style, her romance, her interrogation of history and empire--this book has everything. I'm a big fan of second person in general (if I see a book uses it, I'm almost guaranteed to pick it up because when it's done well, it's fucking breathtaking, so naturally I've been losing my mind since I saw my absolute favorite author was going to be using it), but the way this book uses it is my favorite way I've seen it done. I could write essays about it.
Like, this book could probably not be more tailored to me specifically if it tried, but it's also just brilliant in general. The only reason I haven't already read this again is because I want to save my next read for when I have a physical version to hold in my hands and notate to my heart's delight. I have a lot of books I'm excited to read this year, but I would be very surprised if anything can top this.
Thank you to Tor for the arc and Alix E. Harrow for destroying me with it.
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
Alix Harrow is an auto-read author for me. Her books range from quick and fun to certified bangers — and y’all, The Everlasting (out in October) is a CERTIFIED BANGER. A wholly original and unputdownable sweeping, epic, magical story for the ages, this is my favorite book I’ve read so far this year and could easily maintain that #1 spot all the way through.
The Everlasting is about a historian named Owen living in a republic called Dominion, which justifies its present-day colonialism with its origin story of Una Everlasting, a brave and valiant knight who fought to unify the lands for her queen. One day, Owen finds the long-lost original manuscript of Una’s story delivered to his office without a return address. Little does he know that he’s about to find himself back in time, by her side, convincing her to play her part in the greatest legend ever told. Or is it?
I don’t even know where to start with this, friends. The first section (of five) destroyed me, and when I hit 40% I silently screamed and cursed my decision to read this so early (it’s out in October — thanks Tor and Netgalley!) that I had no one to live-text my reactions to. This was the first time in a long, long time that I found myself legitimately angry that I had to stop reading to go to sleep; I wanted to inhale it but also savor every word. THE WAY THIS WOMAN USES WORDS, WHEW!!!
An epic love story, a delicious villain, time travel executed perfectly, I could go on and on. Plus, she has so much to say about what it means to be free, what it means to love someone, what it means to make choices, and the never-ending cycle of colonial propaganda and radicalization. Who writes the legendarium and why? How do stories become myths? It’s timeless and so incredibly timely.
If you don’t all preorder this book and read it immediately upon publication, I will riot. You’ve been warned.
The Everlasting is about a historian named Owen living in a republic called Dominion, which justifies its present-day colonialism with its origin story of Una Everlasting, a brave and valiant knight who fought to unify the lands for her queen. One day, Owen finds the long-lost original manuscript of Una’s story delivered to his office without a return address. Little does he know that he’s about to find himself back in time, by her side, convincing her to play her part in the greatest legend ever told. Or is it?
I don’t even know where to start with this, friends. The first section (of five) destroyed me, and when I hit 40% I silently screamed and cursed my decision to read this so early (it’s out in October — thanks Tor and Netgalley!) that I had no one to live-text my reactions to. This was the first time in a long, long time that I found myself legitimately angry that I had to stop reading to go to sleep; I wanted to inhale it but also savor every word. THE WAY THIS WOMAN USES WORDS, WHEW!!!
An epic love story, a delicious villain, time travel executed perfectly, I could go on and on. Plus, she has so much to say about what it means to be free, what it means to love someone, what it means to make choices, and the never-ending cycle of colonial propaganda and radicalization. Who writes the legendarium and why? How do stories become myths? It’s timeless and so incredibly timely.
If you don’t all preorder this book and read it immediately upon publication, I will riot. You’ve been warned.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Murder
Moderate: Animal death, Child death, Suicide
Minor: Sexual assault