A review by bookishvicky
Vesuvius by Cass Biehn

3.0

Huge thank you to NetGaley and Peachtree Teen for an advanced digital copy of Vesuvias for a fair and honest review. 

Pub Date: Jun 03 2025

Rating: 3 stars

I reall wanted to love this one, but unfortunately Vesuvias fell a little flat for me. I had a hard time connecting to Felix and Loren, and maybe it was because of the dual POVs or maybe because we weren’t given enough about them. I liked the twists in their identities and pasts, but they both came so late it was like I barely knew the protagonists for the whole story. I liked them, sure, but not as much as I should have for the main characters. 

Also, I don’t think the romance was the best. They seemed to be at odds until the very end of the book, which wouldn’t be horrible if this wasn’t set up like part-fantasy part-romance. Additionally, none of the conflicts were gripping to me. I didn’t understand their motivations, most antagonists had a very haughty air and not much else, and the biggest conflict of all– the audience knowing Pompeii’s fate– felt SO overlooked. 

Like, yes, Loren did see ruin in his visions, but when the eruption happened it didn’t seem to be a big deal since conflict resolution was actively happening as the volcano was spewing magma and ash. 

I did enjoy this book a bit, the banter was fun and the action scenes were written well, but I almost DNFed halfway through. If you really like mythology retellings, atmospheric writing, and high action, this would be perfect for you!