I attempted to start reading this and found that the writing style was a lot more “telling” rather than showing and so I found myself losing interest and not feeling hooked in this story.

The Hour Between Worlds had such a cool premise—parallel worlds, timey-wimey twists, secret powers—but the execution didn’t totally live up to the hype. The vibes were immaculate at first: moody, mysterious, and just enough magic. But somewhere around the halfway mark, the plot started slipping through its own cracks like it couldn’t decide what kind of book it wanted to be.

The main character was giving “chosen one with commitment issues,” and while I was rooting for her… I also kind of wanted to shake her. Repeatedly. And don’t even get me started on the romance subplot that felt like it wandered in from a different book entirely.

That said, the concept still sparkled in places, and there were scenes that had me hooked. If it gets a sequel, I’d consider returning—but I’m not crossing realms to get there.

This book was cool and original, I have not read anything quite like it; I I could not put it down as I eagerly tried to solve the brewing mystery.
The characters are locked in a time loop of sorts and falling through different versions of reality. Not everyone remembers what is happening as they are pulled from one to another. At the centre of the story is a clockmaker and her clock. It felt like a Knives Out meets Inception or Dr. Strange; it’s actually hard to describe. At the beginning I had a bit of a hard time following as the plot and world building got started, but I was quickly drawn in by the uniqueness of the story and the connections between the characters. I really like both Kembral and Rika. I am eager to continue the series.
I would recommend this to anyone that enjoys fantasy, a closed door mystery, with a touch of sapphic romance.
Many thanks to Orbit Books and Netgalley for a digital advanced copy of the book. This review is given freely and the opinions expressed are honest and my own.
I debated whether to rate this as a 4 or 5, but I settled on 5 due to the sheer originality of the story.

I REALLY wish there was more attention paid to worldbuilding, because I got lost at times, and there was SO much that you just had to take at face value because there was no explanation or detail. Aside from that and some pretty melodramatic dialogue, this was such a fun read! A little different than what I'd come to expect from Caruso, but exciting and suspenseful and magical, just like her best work.

Can't wait for the next one in the series!



***Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for providing me with a digital copy of this book to review.***

I loved this book. The magic, world building, and characters were all so fresh and unique! Kembral is a refreshing character to follow and the story never felt boring even though the plot was a time loop. Even though I wanted Kembral to stop the loop before it was too late, I looked forward to seeing how each layer warped their reality. The ending wrapped up so well it could be read as a stand alone, but I was happy to hear it's the first in a series! I can't wait to explore more of this world!

In The Last Hour Between Worlds, Melissa Caruso crafts a captivating fantasy filled with intrigue and rich world-building. The story follows a determined heroine navigating a treacherous landscape of political machinations and magical threats. Caruso’s prose is both lyrical and accessible, effortlessly transporting readers to a realm where the stakes are as high as the tension.

The characters are well-developed, particularly the protagonist, whose resolve and growth are compelling. Supporting characters add depth, bringing their own complexities to the narrative. The plot unfolds at a satisfying pace, filled with unexpected twists that keep you guessing without overwhelming.

While the world-building is immersive, it occasionally feels overwhelming with intricate lore that may leave some readers needing a moment to catch up. However, the captivating story and emotional depth more than compensate for any minor pacing issues.

Overall, it is a thrilling read that balances action, emotion, and a touch of philosophy about destiny and choice.

Not great, not bad, just.....well, mid for me. The FMC could've used better development. I became exhausted continually reading about her exhaustion being a mother. I did enjoy the bits of humor and banter thrown in with all the chaos. It was a fun read but not something that will stick with me.

This book had me hooked for the first half. However, after 50%, I lost interest in this book and I did not feel the urge to pick it back up. I would recommend this book to others though because the plot and tropes might interest them even if I dnf-ed it.

2/5 stars! This story was hard to engage with. The writing style was lengthy and it dragged on at times but sped at others. It was exhausting trying to follow the plot.

⭐️: 4.25
I loved this world. Hella creative, hella ambitious, and helluva good time. Well, except for all the characters in the book as they fight celestial beings on different planes of reality.

Also, not that all books need to be adapted into movies, but I think this story would be visually stunning and the plot is tight enough for a movie format.

Also also, as a mom just out of the newborn stage, I found Kem’s side commentary on the plight of juggling motherhood with societal and work expectations humorous and relatable.

3,5 stars rounded up. This book really pulled me in for the first part and the premise was super promising. I found myself skimming a bit as the story went on though and felt like it could've been shorter. I liked the characters though and the main relationship was fun. The world-building and plot twists were also strong. I see this is the first in a series. I wouldn't say the sequel will be an absolute must read for me, but I am curious to see where the story goes next.

I read an ARC of this book from NetGalley. All comments are my own.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of The Last Hour Between Worlds! I absolutely loved the concept of this book: a new mom must work with her rival when a clock at a party sends them into time loops.

This goes beyond a basic Groundhog Day regurgitation; we deal with complex themes like the responsibility of parenthood and self-perception vs reality. I thought there was room for the characters to explore these themes a little bit more, but still enjoyed where it did dig in.

Overall, this was enjoyable and the resolution was satisfying if not a little too easy. I’m not sure I’d pick up the next one in the series, but I wouldn’t outright avoid it.

3.5/5 stars!

I was unfortunately disappointed by The Last Hour Between Worlds. The disconnected world-building in conjunction with characters that fell flat made for a read that I struggled to get through.

Magical and theatrical and definatly a fun time that is comparable to the night circus or starless sea in vibes

This book is a wild ride and I had a great time!! We love an MC that isn't 16 years old. I know it's not specified but Kembral is def an adult which is a refreshing change after reading a wreck of YA (which to be clear, I love!). The world is super cool and I loved how Caruso played with time and reality (seriously I'm such a sucker for a time loop). The plot moves at a break neck pace and the murder mystery of it all kept me hooked from beginning to end!

Engaging, hilarious and had me flipping through the pages at a maddening pace.
Getting to know Kem on her journey to solve this a case that has world changing consequences if she doesn’t solve it was an absolute trip. Throw in her will they won’t they romance with Rika was a treat especially when they banter back and forth working through their difficult past. This book was a pleasant surprise.
Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this book, forever grateful.

The Last Hour Between Worlds by Melissa Caruso is an enchanting and thought-provoking fantasy novel that blends intricate world-building, compelling characters, and an exciting plot. The book is set in a beautifully crafted universe where two distinct worlds collide, each with its own politics, cultures, and magic. At the heart of the story is a gripping narrative about love, loyalty, sacrifice, and the price of power.

The novel follows a strong and complex protagonist, who must navigate the challenges of two worlds that are on the brink of destruction. Caruso's writing is atmospheric, and she builds a vivid world that feels rich with history, magic, and lore. The stakes are high, and as the protagonist faces internal and external conflicts, readers are taken on an emotional rollercoaster.

One of the standout features of The Last Hour Between Worlds is the deep exploration of its characters. The protagonist is well-developed, with a mix of strength and vulnerability that makes them relatable and interesting. The secondary characters also bring depth to the story, and their relationships with the protagonist are layered and nuanced, offering plenty of emotional moments.

Caruso’s magic system is another highlight, intricately tied to the world-building and the story’s core conflicts. It’s clear that she has put a lot of thought into the mechanics of the magic and how it affects both the characters and the broader world. This added layer of complexity makes the plot even more engaging.

The pacing of the story is well-handled, keeping the reader hooked while allowing for moments of reflection and world-building. There are plenty of twists and turns, and the narrative never feels predictable. Themes of duty versus personal desire, the cost of power, and the importance of choice are explored in ways that make the reader think long after finishing the book.

Overall, The Last Hour Between Worlds is a fantastic addition to the fantasy genre. Caruso’s ability to create a compelling world, intricate magic, and multifaceted characters ensures this book will resonate with fans of epic fantasy and character-driven stories. Whether you're a fan of high-stakes adventure, romance, or deep world-building, this book has something for everyone.

Thank you, NetGalley, Orbit Books | Orbit

Kembral Thorne has just had a baby and it's the first she's letting herself being away from her newborn for a few hours. She only wants to enjoy this year-turning party. But when people start die and mysterious forces are dropping the whole party through layers of reality and nightmares, she has to do something. Even allying herself with the beautiful and compelling cat bulgar Nina Nonesuch, for a chance to save her city from the deep Echoes.

The last hour between world is definitely one of my favourite books. An intriguing fantasy set in a complex and very inventive world, that reminds me a lot of Made in Abyss by Akihito Tsukushi (don't ask me why). A world where different layers of reality exist, one of top one other, and deeper you go, deeper the reality is distorced and nightmares start to become real. Kem is used to the Echoes, more than the other guests at the party and with Nina she's ready to discover who is doing this, why and how and to save everyone.
Reality-bending magic is definitely one of my favourite and I loved how the mystery was intertwined with magic, memories, nightmares and sapphic romance, to make everything more and more high staking the deeper they go.
I loved reading this book! It was so filled with twists and so atmospheric and I really enjoyed everything in it!
Totally recommended it!

I am a HUGE fan of time travel and multiverse books, so this was one of my most anticipated reads of the year. However, after a strong start, this book started going downhill and never recovered. My biggest issue is that I couldn't find a "so what" that made me care to keep reading. I was initially intrigued by the descriptions of the echo worlds and the dangers that lie in each of them as you go lower down. Beyond this, the plot was convoluted to a point that it made me disinterested because rather than peeling back layers or adding intrigue, it felt like it was dragging on. There are many time travel/multiverse books that I would recommend over this one. Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy!

I loved how the different groups of government agents were broken into animal factions (dogs, cats, ravens). I’m a mom and it was very relatable how things were described, especially the exhaustion, bodily changes, and anxiety about the baby. It took a minute to understand the overall plot but once I got the “big picture” I felt like this became a world I could keep coming back to!