I liked a lot of the world-building elements in this book, but some felt odd or not as fleshed out as they could've been. For example, the explanation on how other-born individuals come to be, and everything to do with the Fortuna Gang. Also, something that didn't work for me is the made up cultures in this world. It was a weak aspect, and I didn't like the way details and beliefs from real cultures were applied to them.
My favorite parts of the book were Io and Edei investigating together and getting to know each other. The tension of Io knowing that they're connected by a fate-thread but Edei not was also good. I liked how their relationship developed and especially the exciting end to Part 1. There are some details near the end I didn't really like, though, mostly having to do with a fixation on whether or not 'love' can be real between fated soulmates. The little reveal was pretty predictable too. And honestly I found the cliffhanger ending kind of annoying.
Also: "...they whispered in her ear--she couldn't tell if it was a man or a woman or a shadow-shrouded monster..." Ah yes, the three genders. The author probably didn't mean to snub nonbinary folks here, but it wasn't a necessary or even good sentence.
Quote from ARC.
My favorite parts of the book were Io and Edei investigating together and getting to know each other. The tension of Io knowing that they're connected by a fate-thread but Edei not was also good. I liked how their relationship developed and especially the exciting end to Part 1. There are some details near the end I didn't really like, though, mostly having to do with a fixation on whether or not 'love' can be real between fated soulmates. The little reveal was pretty predictable too. And honestly I found the cliffhanger ending kind of annoying.
Also: "...they whispered in her ear--she couldn't tell if it was a man or a woman or a shadow-shrouded monster..." Ah yes, the three genders. The author probably didn't mean to snub nonbinary folks here, but it wasn't a necessary or even good sentence.
Quote from ARC.