Reviews with content warning for Religious bigotry - La memoria di Babel

The tension electrifying his body immediately intensified, tightening his jaw and hardening his eyes. It was then that Ophelia realized that what she had always taken for determination was, in reality, true rage.

The Memory of Babel continues Ophelia's story 2 years after Thorn escapes his prison with her mirror visitor power. Ophelia travels to Babel in hopes of finding him, and some answers that can help them in their fight against God.

Wow, as I write these small blurbs, I'm realizing how difficult it is to explain these books. All you need to know is: it's fantasy, it's magical, it's incredibly original, and it's a slow burn romance (and I mean it... the burn is driving me absolutely NUTS and I love to hate it and hate to love it).

I regret to say that I feel... there were a few places where the english translation suffered a bit. I'm sure that in french, a language that has different connotations and historical context, the r-slur isn't something people bat an eye at, but it felt like an unnecessary addition. I would have liked to see a synonym in it's place to describe

Victoria, Berenilde's now 2-year old daughter who doesn't walk or talk

.

Likewise, while the pose was still enjoyable and the world-building exquisite, The Memory of Babel didn't read quite as melodious to me. I'm not sure if this was a translation issue or not.

Ophelia just keeps getting better with every novel. Chapter after chapter, I am awed by her strength, her cunning, her loyalty. Even at times when I grew frustrated, she always stayed sure of herself. Book after book we've watched her grow from a timid, non-confrontational girl to a woman who will cross the world (or what is now considered the world after the Rupture) to find the man she loves. Even when

he's cold, unreadable, stern, seemingly indifferent, her devotion is astounding.

. Also, lets put our freaking hands together for Dabos who managed to write an exceptional heroine who's incredible powerful, at the centre of all that needs to be done in the universe, and she ISN'T A MARY SUE. THANK THE LORD.

Let's talk about Thorne for a sec, because being the sap I am, I am fu*king INVESTED in Ophelia and Thorne. I had little doubt

they would reunite, though I'm glad it happened in this book because I wouldn't have put it past Dabos to wait until the fourth and final instalment. I don't know that I've anticipated a reunion so much since Peeta and Katniss in Mockingjay, and like that reunion, I must admit, I was disappointed. Was it totally in keeping with the story? Yes. Was Thorne pretty much exactly as he's always been? Still, yes. Does that mean I can't wish for SOMETHING to light my fire?

Thorne remained as cold and impassive as ever. Honestly, in any other character like this, I would probably HATE it. I'd shake my head at our beloved Ophelia and say <i>how can you stand it!!</i> But somehow, someway, Thorne just... *chef's kiss*. I would pay GOOD MONEY to get a few of their interactions from his POV cause I am DYING TO SEE HIM PINE. I LOVE IT. I LIVE FOR IT.

I would NEVER let a guy talk to me that way, but him and Ophelia just balance each other out so well, I can't help but root for them.

I'm on the edge of my seat for The Storm of Echoes. Seriously. I NEED IT.

I have such a book hangover after this, my god. I need some YA, brb.

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