Review: The Never-Tilting World by Rin Chupeco

Hey all, Dani here.

Yesterday was a difficult day, mostly because of news revolving around job assignment lengths and other position movements. It was the type of work day that made me retreat back into books for comfort, so I read 3.35 books while working my 8 hour shift–and before you get too excited by how much reading that is, the three completed books were all manga. Still, I read 624 pages yesterday, which is nice.

The work changes are making Damian and I step back and re-evaluate the plans we already had in place for weekend plans and mini-vacations and that sort of thing. It’s a bit frustrating for me because I’ve come to rely on making plans and having a schedule. Thankfully Damian is much better at spontaneity, and he has been telling me that it will be okay and we’ll figure everything out.

Anyway, today’s review is one of my more recent reads, a book I have been looking forward to since its announcement, mostly because the author has become an auto-buy favorite of mine. Okay, let’s jump into the review.

Book Details

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 496

Publisher: Harper Teen

Publication Date: October 15, 2019

ISBN: 0062821792 (ISBN13: 9780062821799)

Summary

Frozen meets Mad Max in this epic teen fantasy duology bursting with star-crossed romance, immortal heroines, and elemental magic, perfect for fans of Furyborn.

Generations of twin goddesses have long ruled Aeon. But seventeen years ago, one sister’s betrayal defied an ancient prophecy and split their world in two. The planet ceased to spin, and a Great Abyss now divides two realms: one cloaked in perpetual night, the other scorched by an unrelenting sun.

While one sister rules Aranth—a frozen city surrounded by a storm-wracked sea —her twin inhabits the sand-locked Golden City. Each goddess has raised a daughter, and each keeps her own secrets about her sister’s betrayal.

But when shadowy forces begin to call their daughters, Odessa and Haidee, back to the site of the Breaking, the two young goddesses —along with a powerful healer from Aranth, and a mouthy desert scavenger —set out on separate journeys across treacherous wastelands, desperate to heal their broken world. No matter the sacrifice it demands.

My Thoughts

Rating: 5 stars

Wow…I devoured this in basically two sittings. Such a great read. I mean, I should have known I would read it quickly based on how much I devoured the Bone Witch trilogy, but I did not want to put this book down.

Rin Chupeco has a great mind for writing interesting characters who have intriguing interactions with monstrous creatures. Also her world-building is great. Again, this should not have surprised me, but I still found myself excited and impressed by it all. This world has its own religious mythology, climate, history, magic, politics, and creatures. Yes, it took a little bit to settle in to the world, but I find that to be true with most fantasy I read.

The characters were diverse as well, not just with race or sexuality, but one of the main characters is differently abled, as in he is missing a hand due to a childhood incident.

I especially liked the development of all of the characters, which was especially apparent with Odessa as she encountered each respective galla.

Seriously, I loved reading this book, and I’m excited to read the sequel/conclusion next year.

Where to Get a Copy

You can grab your own copy of this book from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-a-million, Book Depository, or your local independent bookstore through IndieBound.

You can also check with your local library.