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A review by winecellarlibrary
You From My World by Nicole C. W.
adventurous
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
This review is also available on my blog: Wine Cellar Library
First, I would like to thank the author and Hidden Gems for providing me with a free advanced review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
“Electricity sparked between them, the invisible current strong as a raging river. And their bodies hummed in harmony like a symphony of pure bliss.” (p.193)
Tropes:
portal fantasy, magical realism, isekai, sibling rivalry, impossible love, sweet romance (kisses only), tragic romance
Taking “book boyfriend” to the next level
Ha Neul abandoned the marketing industry to pursue her passion: being a writer. But when the boundaries between reality and fiction collide, she is violently attacked by a character she created. Shin is furious. He has realized that he is at the mercy of Ha Neul’s imagination, and he is determined to reclaim his autonomy. Ha Neul, feeling guilty, wants to help Shin, but when the portal pulls her into Shin’s world, she begins to realize that even if she wants to change Shin’s fate, it might be out of her hands.
You From My World is a tragic, sweet love story. Two people who never should have met–one who didn’t even exist before he was created for Ha Neul’s book–become entwined in an impossible relationship. The story is captivating and well-paced. However, I would have liked to see Shin deal with the realization that he isn’t a real person. His frustration is almost entirely over his lack of control over his destiny, but he doesn’t really face any kind of existential crisis. It would have added depth to his character. I enjoyed how the roles of the antagonist and the protagonist are not clear-cut, but is this due to the characters having their own free will or an outside force controlling the narrative? With more character development and a deeper dive into how Shin became sentient among a crowd of faceless NPCs, this would be a great read.
First, I would like to thank the author and Hidden Gems for providing me with a free advanced review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
“Electricity sparked between them, the invisible current strong as a raging river. And their bodies hummed in harmony like a symphony of pure bliss.” (p.193)
Tropes:
portal fantasy, magical realism, isekai, sibling rivalry, impossible love, sweet romance (kisses only), tragic romance
Taking “book boyfriend” to the next level
Ha Neul abandoned the marketing industry to pursue her passion: being a writer. But when the boundaries between reality and fiction collide, she is violently attacked by a character she created. Shin is furious. He has realized that he is at the mercy of Ha Neul’s imagination, and he is determined to reclaim his autonomy. Ha Neul, feeling guilty, wants to help Shin, but when the portal pulls her into Shin’s world, she begins to realize that even if she wants to change Shin’s fate, it might be out of her hands.
You From My World is a tragic, sweet love story. Two people who never should have met–one who didn’t even exist before he was created for Ha Neul’s book–become entwined in an impossible relationship. The story is captivating and well-paced. However, I would have liked to see Shin deal with the realization that he isn’t a real person. His frustration is almost entirely over his lack of control over his destiny, but he doesn’t really face any kind of existential crisis. It would have added depth to his character. I enjoyed how the roles of the antagonist and the protagonist are not clear-cut, but is this due to the characters having their own free will or an outside force controlling the narrative? With more character development and a deeper dive into how Shin became sentient among a crowd of faceless NPCs, this would be a great read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
Minor: Violence, Grief, and Fire/Fire injury