Library Journal
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Maris and Luca are trapped on opposing sides of an unexpected, bloody war. Maris is reluctantly on the side of the rich and corrupt city leaders who thrive on manipulation and politicking, while Luca is the unwilling gods-blessed symbol of the rebellion, made up of impoverished citizens. As the war gets increasingly violent, both sides are driven to desperation to win. Maris and Luca, however, are consumed by their desire to save one another, even if it means the ultimate betrayal. Fans will be pleased with Young's (A Sea of Unspoken Things) move into New Adult fantasy with this duology inspired by ancient Rome. Young starts in medias res, utilizing alternating POVs and timelines that effectively keep tension heightened and pacing tight. Readers are led with foreboding to witness Maris and Luca's love story unfolding into inevitable tragedy as the narrative builds to where the timelines meet. Expect plenty of political intrigue, impassioned pining, and for Young to follow up with something epic in book two. VERDICT A lyrical and heart-wrenching addition to Young's impressive portfolio; fans will flock to it.—Gina Collet

Publishers Weekly
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Bestseller Young (Sky in the Deep) delivers a sweeping Greco-Roman–inspired romantasy that pairs divine machinations with the ruin of empire. Rebellion is brewing in the walled city of Isara. Novice philosopher Luca Matius, heir to a notorious political dynasty, and Maris Casperia, daughter of a magistrate and apprentice to the city’s last priestess, are drawn together in a fragile romance that soon plunges them into the political upheaval. Their alliance begins as an attempt to reclaim stolen magic and imagine a different future for Isara, but an execution forces Luca into the role of rebel figurehead, while Maris remains trapped inside the city’s Citadel and loyal to the ruling class, setting them on opposing sides of a holy war. In alternating perspectives, Young traces both the tender beginnings of their forbidden love and its brutal unraveling, layering intimacy against the backdrop of bloody revolution. The prose is lush and cinematic, with the city rendered as almost a living character haunted by gods and secrets. While the nonlinear structure occasionally dulls the impact of the romance, the emotional stakes and mythic atmosphere keep the pages turning. This haunting series starter showcases Young’s talent for blending intimacy and grandeur. Agent: Barbara Poelle, Irene Goodman Literary. (Nov.)

Book list
From Booklist, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission.

Luca is the nephew of a magistrate who is dying without an heir. He is bright and ambitious, and an apprenticeship with Vitrasian, a notable philosopher, has prepared him to take the Matius family’s place in the Forum. But nothing has prepared him for Maris, the daughter of a magistrate from an opposing faction. Immediately captivated by each another, Luca and Maris realize that the Forum’s corruption has no bounds and that there’s nobody to trust but themselves—a trust that seems tenuous in this time of upheaval. When war breaks out, Luca and Maris are separated, and their relationship becomes an act of defiance. Young (A Sea of Unspoken Things, 2025) pivots from magical realism to ancient-Rome-inspired romantasy in her first fantasy novel for adults. The story is told by both Luca and Maris and alternates between the present and the events leading up to the war. The fantasy elements are vague, and the plot takes time to build, but readers looking for a slow-burn love story with dark political elements will be satisfied with this first entry in the Fallen City duology.