Okay I like really loved this? I think it has everything I truly love about a fantasy within it and I guess unlike a lot of people I really enjoyed the amount of detail and exposition into a new world that John Gwynne set up for the three characters we follow. Steak too juicy lobster too buttery book filled with too much story... I absolutely enjoyed reading every single one of them, I thought they were all very strong and interesting characters with their own agency and story that I couldn’t wait to read more of. I was in a bit of a slump but reading this book makes me want to read the entire series, I am always so happy and grateful to find books that excite me like this <3

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️4/5 Stars!

One of the most unique and surprisingly beautiful science fiction stories I’ve ever read that that has heavy themes of grief and identity and truly explores themes of parenthood.

I think the story is at it’s strongest when it focuses on its relationships and these themes in particular- the exploration of time is hard to write and sometimes difficult to understand as a reader if not done properly, and I think it was done well here, if not for a few plot holes that exist in the universe traveling backwards and how that would world logically. Some suspension of disbelief is always healthy in my opinion!

I think if you go into the story expecting a perfect romance or a really scientifically accurate sort of story, you’ll be disappointed - The story is more suited to a realistic sort of love story that follows grief, an exploration of time and age, and a fantastical view of the universe. I enjoyed reading the time at McMurdo station the most, the characters and relationships lively and engaging. All to say I really did enjoy reading it, it was an incredibly unique plot that I found super interesting to think about the implications of!

Thanks to NetGalley, Chloe Benjamin, and G.P. Putnam & Sons Publishing for the ARC