February 1, 2025
Bestselling Curtis (Floating Hotel) writes a science-fantasy road-trip novel with a sapphic romance. Aleya has plans to steal an ancient artifact, while Kirby intends to fix a curse that destroyed her life. As their paths converge at the gated city of Nivela, where something is desperately wrong, they find themselves trying to save the world. Prepub Alert.
Copyright 2024 Library Journal
Copyright 2024 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
February 1, 2025
In the latest from Curtis (Floating Hotel), two quests merge as Kirby of Wall's End and Aleya of Ash escape death together after separate betrayals. From the opposite ends of a dead, formerly world-spanning empire, they have taken oaths to invade the old empire's capital to take back what was stolen from their respective people. This is a story about the journey, not the destination. Kirby and Aleya, reluctant allies at best who are disrespectful of each other's origins, motives, and opinions, forge a bond of friendship that slowly but inexorably turns into a love that they know will end in tears because they've pledged to return to their own corners of the world. VERDICT The slow burn of the sapphic romance and the inch-by-inch growth of a relationship from contempt to reliance to love make this a story to savor, while the epic walking tour of the dead empire blends ancient history with fantasy in ways that will remind readers of Guy Gavriel Kay's epic historical fantasy. Highly recommended for epic romantasy and historical fantasy fans who love a slow burn and the bitterest of bittersweet endings.--Marlene Harris
Copyright 2025 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.