The clock is ticking. The gods are watching. This thrilling historical fantasy set in the days before Mount Vesuvius destroys Pompeii is a meet cute with an explosive fallout. Clever thief Felix slips from city to city to survive the present and escape a past he can’t remember. When Felix steals a mythical artifact—Mercury's helmet—from a temple in Pompeii, pieces of his forgotten past begin to surface. Loren, an ambitious temple attendant, has seen Felix in his apocalyptic nightmares for years. The last thing Loren expects is for his dream to stumble headfirst through his temple doors, moments after an earthquake rocks the city. When Felix shows Loren the helmet, Loren sees the world coming to an end. He knows they have mere days to uncover Felix’s ties to the relic and to Loren’s visions if they have any hope of saving the city. But Ancient Rome is ruled by bloody politics and unstoppable destinies, and now that Loren and Felix are intertwined, their lives aren’t all they risk losing. When all has turned to ash and rubble, the boys will have to piece together their fates to make it out of a burning city alive. An exploration of ambition and class, autonomy and religion, survival and love.
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I had the chance to read an ARC of Vesuvius by Cass Biehn, and I was completely captivated. This breathtaking queer YA fantasy is set against the backdrop of ancient Pompeii. Felix, a clever thief, and Loren, a temple attendant, find themselves bound by fate as the city teeters on the edge of disaster. A stolen relic, haunting dreams, and an impending eruption force them to navigate deadly politics and their own growing feelings, all while trying to survive.
I love a queer romance, and this one tugged at my heartstrings. Vesuvius was full of passion, and yet it felt deeply familiar, like coming home. Biehn’s characters are beautifully written, and her unique spin on Pompeii’s story adds layers of intrigue and emotion.
The politics in this book were infuriating in the best way. They felt all too real, mirroring the corruption and power struggles we see in the world today.
Also, there is a cabbage merchant, and I can only hope it’s a reference to Avatar: The Last Airbender.
My favorite quote? “I would rather listen to you talk poetry than be awake with my thoughts.” That line alone captures the tender intimacy woven throughout the novel.
If you’re looking for a book that’s rich in history, myth, and romance, Vesuvius is an absolute must-read.
0just one book and i'm already so attached to the characters...
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