A Fortnight to Forever has a really interesting premise, but ultimately just wasn't the book for me. I DNF'd at 47%. I can tell that this book will definitely have an audience that is drawn to it, but I'm not one of them.

Ultimately, I found myself a bit bored - the dialogue and internal thoughts of both characters felt very predictable to me, as if I'd read them before. I'm sure for some readers, this aspect will really land - the story feels familiar and fairy tale-like. Personally, the characters didn't feel very deep to me and I struggled to connect with them. I think my biggest frustration was the constant waffling over the other's emotions. It just felt very juvenile, especially since the pair has a tether that should allow for feelings to pass back and forth. Also, insta-love/insta-attraction is just not something I really enjoy in a story.

Some of the language and descriptions were very repetitive - the prose had some moments where it really shined and I think some stronger editing could have helped to cut back on the repetition of things like Quinn's face heating or the constant "Princess"/"Not a princess" exchange. I also felt like the exposition was a bit clumsily handled. While there are some interesting aspects of the world, it never feels naturally woven into the story, but is typically told to us. Similarly, the magic felt very secondary. It felt almost like a video game, where the magic is only used for a specific task or puzzle, rather than being an every-day part of life.

The audiobook narrators were fine! Not a standout performance, but both did a great job at differentiating character voices during their sections and did well enough at embodying the protagonists.

For readers who enjoy classic fairy tale vibes and a lot of teasing banter, I think this is a book that could work for them. However, I was just never able to really make myself care.

Thanks to Brilliance Audio and NetGalley for the ALC

A nice primer on the trends in anti-vaccination rhetoric over time. It's short and to the point, which I'm sure many readers will appreciate; it makes the text feel very accessible. Levenson's writing style doesn't get bogged down in the granular details and remains engaging and well-paced throughout. I do think it leaves some notable parts of anti-vax history out which can make the book feel a little shallow, but it's a great introduction to the topic. It's also well-sourced, with thorough notes and a detailed bibliography, which is always appreciated!

Something I felt was overlooked is how forced vaccination policies have been used in ways that reinforce existing power structures. There's a section of the book that discusses a fictional work from Rudyard Kipling, where colonized people in India are told they must receive a vaccine and they oppose it. The story eventually ends with the colonizers tricking them into receiving the vaccine and it's all very racist.

While this work was fictional, it is based on very real compulsory vaccines mandates established by the British Empire and I don't think the book does anything to reckon with that history. It would have been a great place to spend more time discussing campaigns in this vein as a way to pivot into a discussion on medical ethics. Like other arguments addressed in the text, it was also a very real concern that existed, and one that people have worked to address through increased research, communication, and oversight.

Overall, I don't think this is a book that's going to change anyone's stance on vaccines, but I don't believe it's trying to do that. It's giving a well-reasoned and approachable voice to those who are frustrated with the anti-vax movement and the string of grifters that capitalize on fear. It's for those who feel the urgency of the moment and want to know how we got to where we are today. In that, the book succeeds.

Thanks to Random House and NetGalley for the ARC.