3.75 ⭐️

Poetically written, the love story of Iris & Roman unfolded like the warmth of a flickering candle, burning throughout the night. Their connection through the magical typewriters was a fresh and captivating element, that made me long for one of my own.

Rebecca Ross, you beautifully explored intimate themes, portraying vulnerability, grief, growth, and strength with rawness and reverence that deeply impacted me.

“Perhaps it begins with one person. Someone you trust. You remove a piece of armor for them; you let the light stream in, even if it makes you wince. Perhaps that is how you learn to be soft yet strong, even in fear and uncertainty. One person, one piece of steel.”

“Your grief will never fully fade; it will always be with you a shadow you carry in your soul- but it will become fainter as your life becomes brighter.”

However, despite the romance and the impact of Ross’s words, the secondary characters, such as Iris's brother and mother, were not given the attention they deserved as I struggled to fully connect with them.
Attie and Marisol also felt like mere decorations, with only surface-level information provided about them. How is it that they seemed so close to Iris, and yet, at the same time, distant within the story ?

Another thing that bothered me throughout the book was how the world-building fell flat the longer I read. The existence of once-reigning gods and their defeat was hinted at, but little was revealed about their origins or how mortals were able to achieve such a feat. Even Dacre and Enva lacked the depth necessary to make them truly compelling.

I’m keeping my fingers crossed the second book fulfills these expectations.

Forrest, you have your days counted. You know what you did.