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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
This combined two of my favorite YA draws of 'chaotic meet cute of opposites that are forced to team up and catch feelings' and characters thrown into the middle of a historical disaster that they have no idea is coming while we the reader scream at every hint of the inevitable. I live for both those tropes and that's why I was excited to pick this one up.
I will say this delivered on all of that. I loved the back and forth of Felix and Loren when they got along as they grew to reluctantly like each other very cute, but I also got to watch it cause character growth as their different lived experiences helped teach the other to see outside their box. I do wish there was more moments of sweetness between the two to make their attachment feel more solid at the end, but I think that's just me always craving more romance.
I saw some reviews saying they wished for more magic since there is a hint of Roman mythology throughout, but I admit I kind of liked how vague it was, it made the intensity of the gods feel more real and I was afraid it was going to take away from the terrifying presence that Mount Vesuvius has all on it's own. Which that was done amazingly! It delivered on the volcano having it's own presence from beginning to it's bitter end! I loved that there were so many hints scattered throughout that the characters treated as inconsequential or couldn't make sense of, but we the readers with modern day knowledge could pin point to one of the most historical natural disasters! I live for that narrative!
I think the only negative I had was the workings of the human villains of the story, sometimes they felt a little Macguffiny to just create an obstacle for the main characters to be at odds with each other, when the volcano and visions held enough antagonist power all on their own.
I will say this delivered on all of that. I loved the back and forth of Felix and Loren when they got along as they grew to reluctantly like each other very cute, but I also got to watch it cause character growth as their different lived experiences helped teach the other to see outside their box. I do wish there was more moments of sweetness between the two to make their attachment feel more solid at the end, but I think that's just me always craving more romance.
I saw some reviews saying they wished for more magic since there is a hint of Roman mythology throughout, but I admit I kind of liked how vague it was, it made the intensity of the gods feel more real and I was afraid it was going to take away from the terrifying presence that Mount Vesuvius has all on it's own. Which that was done amazingly! It delivered on the volcano having it's own presence from beginning to it's bitter end! I loved that there were so many hints scattered throughout that the characters treated as inconsequential or couldn't make sense of, but we the readers with modern day knowledge could pin point to one of the most historical natural disasters! I live for that narrative!
I think the only negative I had was the workings of the human villains of the story, sometimes they felt a little Macguffiny to just create an obstacle for the main characters to be at odds with each other, when the volcano and visions held enough antagonist power all on their own.
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
What a stellar debut! Felix and Loren are such little babies (and sometimes I wanted to shake them for being too naive) and their distrust/annoyance with each other built really nicely to slowly opening up and fighting for one another. The atmosphere and vibes were incredible, and the side characters (especially Aurelia) were wonderfully written. I do wish that there had been a bit more clarity in some of the visions, but I get why there wasn’t (this may also just be an issue for me because I listened to the audio). Speaking of the audio—INCREDIBLE narration I would listen to these two read the telephone book (do those even exist any more?)
I also really loved that the ending was more than just a few pages; it really gave you time to appreciate the growth of the characters in the wake of tragedy and see how they could move forward after the trauma they lived through.
TLDR: I love queer historical fiction with a touch of romance and mythology!
I also really loved that the ending was more than just a few pages; it really gave you time to appreciate the growth of the characters in the wake of tragedy and see how they could move forward after the trauma they lived through.
TLDR: I love queer historical fiction with a touch of romance and mythology!
Reconnecting with my Italian heritage by reading a mythological rendition of Mount Vesuvius’s eruption…..
Seriously though, visiting the ruins of Pompeii last year breathed an extra layer of believability into this book for me that made the atmosphere so immersive (though Cass Biehn certainly did a great job painting a picture of the city before its destruction on their own)! I was immediately sucked into the described setting, and loved the way we got thrown into the story by following Felix as he steals what he would soon find out is much more than just a shiny temple relic he can sell, instead being the supposed magical helmet of the god Mercury.
The dynamic between our two protagonists Felix and Loren was peculiar—completely unlike what I expected it to be, but at the same time strangely engrossing. Rather than becoming fast friends or star crossed lovers upon their initial meeting leading up to the inevitable eruption, their relationship proves itself much more layered and complicated than that. Loren’s confusing prophetic visions make it difficult for him to trust the real Felix once he turns up at the Temple of Isis (which Loren attends to), and Felix himself is every bit the flighty thief unwilling to let anyone into his heart because of the consequences attachment can pose for his life on the run. Their distrust towards each other wasn’t fleeting, but that made things all the more sweet once they began to see each other’s true selves.
The only thing preventing me from a 5 star is a mix between the structuring and writing. The writing on its own was very beautiful through most of the book, with just a little bit of modern slang that could be strange to see in a historical setting. This is YA, though, so I was willing to forgive that kind of thing. My main issue was the few moments where things were written so hazily that I was left partially unsure of what just took place; this was probably the intention at least some of the time with Loren’s visions or Felix’s memories, but it ended up resulting in a story that didn’t have a ton of distinct plot beats, feeling instead like the very lived-in journey of two boys through every unusual or mundane moment. The majority of this book (before the climax) takes place over the span of 4-5 days though, so it’s hard for me to complain about being so close to the protagonists. It makes sense for the author to stretch our time with them thin in comparison to the real time passing, squeezing in as much characterization as possible.
There were a few side characters I really liked as well. Aurelia was such a sweet little girl with an earnest heart. I loved her and her mom Livia’s dedication to caring for Loren even when he felt like more of a burden than anything else. Elias was an interesting addition as well. I kind of wish we got more on his history with Loren, and how their friendship fractured slightly over time. Even some of the guard’s piqued my interest with how unfalteringly loyal they were to either Servius or Julia. I wouldn’t have minded learning a little more about them as well!
This was a very beautifully written, strong debut novel! Things were wrapped up very carefully, with ample time to accept the ending. I’m so used to things being rushed that it was pleasantly surprising to get a decent chunk of page time with the aftermath of the main event. This is a story whose feel I think will stick with me for a long time. Certain scenes felt reminiscent of Greek and Roman myths and retelling with such potent atmosphere, I couldn’t help living this one too! This is definitely worth a read.
Thank you to Netgalley and Peachtree Teen for sending me an arc!
Seriously though, visiting the ruins of Pompeii last year breathed an extra layer of believability into this book for me that made the atmosphere so immersive (though Cass Biehn certainly did a great job painting a picture of the city before its destruction on their own)! I was immediately sucked into the described setting, and loved the way we got thrown into the story by following Felix as he steals what he would soon find out is much more than just a shiny temple relic he can sell, instead being the supposed magical helmet of the god Mercury.
The dynamic between our two protagonists Felix and Loren was peculiar—completely unlike what I expected it to be, but at the same time strangely engrossing. Rather than becoming fast friends or star crossed lovers upon their initial meeting leading up to the inevitable eruption, their relationship proves itself much more layered and complicated than that. Loren’s confusing prophetic visions make it difficult for him to trust the real Felix once he turns up at the Temple of Isis (which Loren attends to), and Felix himself is every bit the flighty thief unwilling to let anyone into his heart because of the consequences attachment can pose for his life on the run. Their distrust towards each other wasn’t fleeting, but that made things all the more sweet once they began to see each other’s true selves.
The only thing preventing me from a 5 star is a mix between the structuring and writing. The writing on its own was very beautiful through most of the book, with just a little bit of modern slang that could be strange to see in a historical setting. This is YA, though, so I was willing to forgive that kind of thing. My main issue was the few moments where things were written so hazily that I was left partially unsure of what just took place; this was probably the intention at least some of the time with Loren’s visions or Felix’s memories, but it ended up resulting in a story that didn’t have a ton of distinct plot beats, feeling instead like the very lived-in journey of two boys through every unusual or mundane moment. The majority of this book (before the climax) takes place over the span of 4-5 days though, so it’s hard for me to complain about being so close to the protagonists. It makes sense for the author to stretch our time with them thin in comparison to the real time passing, squeezing in as much characterization as possible.
There were a few side characters I really liked as well. Aurelia was such a sweet little girl with an earnest heart. I loved her and her mom Livia’s dedication to caring for Loren even when he felt like more of a burden than anything else. Elias was an interesting addition as well. I kind of wish we got more on his history with Loren, and how their friendship fractured slightly over time. Even some of the guard’s piqued my interest with how unfalteringly loyal they were to either Servius or Julia. I wouldn’t have minded learning a little more about them as well!
This was a very beautifully written, strong debut novel! Things were wrapped up very carefully, with ample time to accept the ending. I’m so used to things being rushed that it was pleasantly surprising to get a decent chunk of page time with the aftermath of the main event. This is a story whose feel I think will stick with me for a long time. Certain scenes felt reminiscent of Greek and Roman myths and retelling with such potent atmosphere, I couldn’t help living this one too! This is definitely worth a read.
Thank you to Netgalley and Peachtree Teen for sending me an arc!
I picked this up because it was described as ‘queer YA fantasy debut set in ancient Pompeii’.
I was intrigued by the fantasy element. I don't read pure historical fiction set in Ancient Rome because I studied it and I get caught up on the details.
Unfortunately for me, the magical element isn't really that present. There's several different plots going on and the political and social plot was given more time than the magic and I wasn't that interested.
I struggled with the ancient setting and modern language and dialogue. Aside from that, it was a well written and engaging book.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC
I was intrigued by the fantasy element. I don't read pure historical fiction set in Ancient Rome because I studied it and I get caught up on the details.
Unfortunately for me, the magical element isn't really that present. There's several different plots going on and the political and social plot was given more time than the magic and I wasn't that interested.
I struggled with the ancient setting and modern language and dialogue. Aside from that, it was a well written and engaging book.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I’m emotionally ruined this was so beautiful, Felix and Loren took a piece of my heart with them
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes