embodyingmysticalmac's reviews
44 reviews

The characters were very flimsy as was the world building. I fully threw the book across the room when it was mentioned that her traumatic nightmares just “suddenly” disappeared because the future love interest happened to make out with her the night before. That is the most ludicrous and irresponsible portrayal of PTSD I’ve ever read. If I could rate it negative 10 stars I would but then I’d have to finish it and I’m just not gonna abuse myself like that 🤷🏻‍♀️

This book came highly anticipated and I was disappointed in how it felt like YA regarding the writing and characters. The author didn’t manage to ground me in the characters or the story. The world was interesting but the building of it felt like it was lacking for me (part of why it felt like YA as well). I also sensed that the romance was gonna involve toxicity in ways that I just don’t care to read anymore and wasn’t down to find out if I was right. It was okay but everything I just mentioned put together made for a reading experience I just didn’t care to continue. 

I tried to read this many times and every time I could not get past the 5th page because I just didn’t care about anything I read. It read like very bad fanfic to me (telling, never showing) and I am already not a fan of SJM due to her immature craft and horrific glorification of abusive relationship dynamics. The names were also a NIGHTMARE and WoT (The Wheel of Time) is one of my favs so it’s not because I can’t deal with fantasy names (if you were gonna make them this hard to look at and read then at least give us a pronunciation guide). I was also told that the series doesn’t get better till books later and I don’t care because from my experience with SJM even if it gets a little better it will not be worth it for me. Additionally, imo, if your series fails to be good from the first book you’ve already lost me. I’m not suffering for the potentiality of a better story from a writer I already wholeheartedly distrust. All in all, no thank you. 

I believe going into this book blind is the best way to enjoy it. With that said DO NOT pick this up unless you like to think and piece things together while you read. It is a magnificent work of art but it will go over non-critical readers’ heads. Wait till you are ready to read something like this and enjoy everything it has to offer. You may not understand much at first but it will be a hell of a ride. The writing is masterful and unique. Susanna is a master of breadcrumbing info just enough that you feel trusted as a reader but never too much that things are given away too early. Finished this in a few days. Suffice to say, the book hangover is real. Lastly, Piranesi is one of the most lovable characters I’ve ever encountered. We must protect him at all costs 🥺