Fallen City is an easy 4.5⭐️ from me. I will read anything Adrienne Young writes because she never disappoints. I was attached to Maris and Luca and couldn’t stop reading because I had to find out what happened next. This book has angst, love, war, betrayal and more. Highly recommend preordering!

I have tried multiple times to read this one, but it’s just not catching my attention enough yet — I will say it’s a soft dnf for now, I feel it might be easier to digest the world building with a paired audiobook. Hoping to be able to finish it later this year with the audiobook.

I am such a huge fan of Adrienne Young’s novels so I knew that I had to request this one! It did not disappoint! The world building as always is so immersive. I lost myself in this story. The last 20% gripped me and would not let me go and that ending! I highly recommend this one, especially if you’re a fantasy romance lover!

I want to start by saying thank you for the opportunity to read an early copy of this book! Adrienne Young has been a long time favorite and I was so excited to read this book. I’ll start with the positive things. The setting of the book was a lot of fun, the vibes Adrienne pulled together to craft this city were really spectacular and I think she has a definite talent for historical inspired worlds. I also enjoyed that the romance wasn’t what you typically get, it felt like it stood out amongst the crowd of so many romantasy relationships. All that being said, a lot of things weren’t working for me. I felt dumped into the story in chapter 1 and it was rushed and confusing. I almost felt like there should have been an entire book before chapter 1, and while we get flash backs through a now/then timeline, it still had me going into the book feeling like I was missing way too much to be invested. The back and forth character povs didn’t really work for me in first person, it felt far too jarring at times to truly escape into the story, and the switching timeline left me feeling like I wasn’t getting quite enough of either past or present to connect. I constantly felt confused and underwhelmed by so many of the things I think this book could have done really well. I wish I would have loved this book, but I finished it without a lot of feelings one way or another.

True to form, Adrienne Young’s writing in Fallen City is atmospheric, lyrical, and captivating. I probably say this every time I talk about her books, but I just love the way she writes. I get lost and immersed every time.

Unlike her recent adult releases, this story isn’t borderline magical realism set in the present day; instead, it’s steeped in intricate world building, complex political intrigue and turmoil, and a vivid Greco-Roman inspired society full of rich history.

It’s no surprise at this point that Young knows how to craft a compelling romance full of desire and yearning.

Luca and Maris’s story is told in dual timelines and dual POVs, which really worked for me. I found that it perfectly exhibited their forbidden romance and the political turmoil that’s keeping them apart. The alternating perspectives were necessary in understanding the political tension, while the flashbacks were vital in allowing us to feel their longing, understand their history, and witness their bond developing.

My only issue was that the novel felt a bit front heavy, with a lot of information provided to readers in quick succession. There were new rules to learn, political issues to settle into and, as I was reading, I found myself wishing this had been handled with a little more finesse.

You get thrown right into the story and it’s a bit disorienting and overwhelming at first. But once you get situated in the world, the plot and stakes become really intriguing. I became hooked, and I’m so eager to see how this story ends in the next one.

While this novel is markedly different from her most recent releases, it’s no less impactful. Young just knows how to write a story. And while it might take some readers time to get into, the pay off is worth it.

At this point, she’s an autobuy author for me, and this release just further cemented that.

Fallen City by Adrienne Young
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Release Date: November 4, 2025

"For the first time in my life, I had a reason to die. But if I was going to finish what I started, I had to untie myself from my only reason to live."

Thank you St. Martin's Press|Saturday Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an eARC of Fallen City. Fallen City follows the the story of Maris and Luca as they navigate poltics, rebellion, and a love that threatens to ruin everything.

Fallen City is the perfect combination of a more realistic storyline with a dash of fantasy that I have come to expect and love in Adrienne Young's novels. The dual POVs and dual timelines created an engaging story that kept me guessing and invested in where the story was at and how it got there until everything came together at the end. The world building is intricate and it took me a minute to catch on to but overall is really interesting.

The relationship between the main characters,Luca and Maris, is unique and heart wrenching as they try to change things and be there for each other despite their circumstances. I love that the story started in the middle of their love story unlike most that start at the beginning. I really appreciated the character development of both Luca and Maris as their world turns upside down and they try to accomplish their goals. Theo is a very interesting side character and I have so many questions about him and his motivations that I can't to get answers to.

Fallen City covers many heavy and emotional themes. Many of which are very applicable to today's world. If you enjoy beautifully written books like Divine Rivals and Wild Reverence, then I highly recommed giving Fallen City a try. Overall, I really enjoyed Fallen City and I cannot wait for book two!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an arc of this book.
I really wanted to like this. But the beginning was so hard to get into. I’m not sure I like the dual POV and the before and after. The romance between Maris and Luca came from nowhere. Their relationship evolved super quick, and with the before and after chapter, it’s hard to keep track of the timeline. I would’ve liked this aspect to be more developed as it is a Romantasy. I did enjoy the Greco-Roman inspired setting.
My biggest problem is with the pacing of this book. It doesn’t have a lot of action, it’s mostly politics intrigues. I did think of DNFing this book but I pushed through and around the 70% mark, the pace really picked up. I will probably pick up the sequel as I am interested to see where the story will go, especially after this ending.

Oh my goodness—what a journey!
Earlier this year, I mentioned I’d read anything Adrienne Young writes, so when Fallen City popped up on my NetGalley shelf, I devoured it. Stayed up past my bedtime, no regrets.

My gateway was falling hard for June Farrow and the mystery threaded through her world. Then came Spells for Forgetting and A Sea of Unspoken Things, and suddenly I couldn’t pick a favorite—until Fable came along. 😍 The story matched the beauty of those stunning covers (yes, I unapologetically judge books by them).

And now, this brand-new duology? Off to another favorite start.

I was shocked by how much I loved this one—not because it’s not worthy, but because it caught me completely off guard months before release and catapulted itself straight to the top of my 2025 favorites list.

Maris and Luca are the FMC/MMC dream team. Grounded, not whiny. Steady, not flippant. Maris is good and trusting, but tougher and more brilliant than anyone expected. Luca is strong, principled, maybe a bit of a romantic—but a soldier first, with more resting on his shoulders than should ever be allowed. I loved their beginning, and I love the cliffhanger we’re now all dangling from while waiting for book two.

The dual timelines and POV shifts breathe life into the story—it pulls you in and settles you exactly where you’re meant to be. This one is gold. A rebellion. A reckoning. A love story and a tragedy. If you loved Divine Rivals or the Once Upon a Broken Heart series, you’ll devour this and beg for more.

Adrienne Young’s signature magical realism-meets-fantasy is as rich as ever. The world-building is immersive, the plot feels both timeless and urgent, and the magic is… necessary. Somehow, she’s done it again.

✨ Releasing November 4—run, don’t walk. ✨

Biggest thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC ❤️

Isara is falling.

Luca and Maris are stuck on the opposing sides of a losing war. Luca has been blessed by the gods and thrust into being a symbol of hope for the Lower City. Maris has accepted her fated seat as a Magister after the unexpected death of her mother. Even before this war, they shouldn't have been together but they still fell for one another. Now they have to survive and end this war to be reunited once again...

This story is a split POV between Luca and Maris, and hops in between the past and the present. This story is so uniquely told and it pays off so well. Normally when there's time jumps in a story, it can be hard for me to keep track of everything. I had no issues with that with Fallen City. As for the story itself, this is truly one of the best fantasy novels I've read to date. The world building, characters, and politics are next level. I've never been so deeply invested in the political machinations of a world, not even including all the insane twists that occur because of it. This is the first novels of Adrienne Young's that I've read and I truly understand now why she receives so much praise. She truly shows her prowess as a writer here.

Fallen City is a masterclass in storytelling and is set to be one of the best new releases of 2025. I feel incredibly lucky to have been able to have read this early but now I'll be anxiously awaiting for the conclusion!

This novel took me on a dark, emotional journey I wasn’t at all prepared for—and I mean that in the best way. It’s incredibly powerful, and truly feels like a masterpiece. Blending romance, fantasy, rebellion, forbidden love, war, and political intrigue, this book has everything I love in a story.

It quickly became one of my top favorites of the year. With dual points of view and a dual timeline, the narrative is both immersive and layered. I was fully engaged from start to finish and never wanted it to end. The world-building is rich and detailed, and the writing is both thoughtful and compelling.

This story explores powerful themes—legacy, hope, fate, and the cost of political unrest—all while delivering an emotional, unforgettable reading experience. I can’t recommend it enough. A solid 5 out of 5 stars!

I wasn't into it in the beginning. Things were happening and I didn't understand and I didn't care. But somewhere around 30% in it got really interesting. The pacing felt like a spiral-- in that it was going slow but it was getting more chaotic and it felt like you were heading towards everyone's doom.

I liked that both protagonists felt that they made the wrong decision in hindsight. Only Maris actually learned from her mistakes. Luca repeated his mistake.

There is a side character named Theo, whom I adore. I need to know his reasons for being so devoted.

I look forward to book 2.

Luca. Maris. The gods. This book ruined me.

There’s something so quiet about this story. It never screams, but somehow it still tears your chest open. It’s layered with fantasy, war, forbidden love, and political unrest. And still, at the heart of it, it’s just about two people whose love couldn’t survive their world.

The way Adrienne Young writes is so cinematic and emotional. She says so much with so little. I felt like I could see the city, hear the gods, and feel the weight of every single choice these characters had to make.

My only wish is that I had more of Luca and Maris in the past. I wanted more of them, not just the memory of what they were. And I still have questions about the gods, but I trust book two will ruin me all over again.

This was emotional, devastating, rich, and full of tension. Highly recommend. 4.5 stars, easily rounded up.

Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Adrienne Young for the eARC.

Fallen City completely pulled me into Isara’s crumbling walls with its mix of political rebellion, mythic stakes, and a scorching romance. Luca and Maris’s story felt epic—he as the driven legionnaire, she the priestess’s daughter caught between duty and love. The shifts between “Now” and “Before” kept me hooked, and Adrienne Young’s world-building—the gods, the power plays—was insanely immersive. Some plot threads take a minute to build, but when everything clicks, it’s absolutely satisfying. Fans of rich fantasy, slow-burn romance, and high-stakes intrigue will want to dive in.

For a book that's 400 pages, the romance didn't really capture my attention much. I was more intrigued by the politics/looming increasing restlessness happening around them. It feels like it's building up to something and I did like the ending twist!

No sé qué calificación ponerle. Si bien fue entretenido, no logró gustarme del todo. Por el momento lo dejaré en 3.5⭐️

Entiendo que muchas cosas queden inconclusas porque falta otro libro, pero todo se siente incompleto. A pesar de que hay capítulos ambientados en el pasado y en el presente (que deberían ayudar a comprender mejor la historia) no aportan demasiado. Es como si la autora ocultara deliberadamente información y esperara que el lector adivinara lo que está pensando. Da la impresión de estar leyendo el segundo o tercer libro de una serie.

Ambos protagonistas me decepcionaron. A Maris la encontré muy tonta; esperaba que en algún momento dejara ir a Luca y pensara en sí misma. Pero parece claro que eso no ocurrirá, ni siquiera en el siguiente libro, porque ya se ve que hará lo imposible por él.

Y luego está Luca, que dice amar a Maris, pero nunca la pone como prioridad. No la elige, y no le importa ponerla en peligro con tal de proteger a otros. Se la pasa diciendo que siempre la salvará y haciendo promesas vacías... para al final volver a abandonarla. Esto se refleja claramente cuando matan a su mentora: se derrumba y actúa impulsivamente, incluso de forma peligrosa. Pero cuando se trata de Maris, siempre se detiene a pensar en las consecuencias. Esa diferencia en cómo reacciona deja mucho que desear.

“I could still feel the pounding of my heart. See the blur of the light. Hear Maris screaming my name in the Forum. But it was all nothing to the memory of Rhea Vitrasian dying in my arms.”



Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest

I enjoyed the characters in Fallen City, they felt distinct and added depth to the story. I also appreciated the plot and the use of multiple viewpoints, which helped bring different perspectives to the world and events unfolding.

That said, the pacing felt off to me at times. It took me longer than expected to get through the book, and I found myself wishing it moved a bit more quickly. There were also moments where it felt like certain details were missing, or like I was supposed to know more than what was actually shared. This left me occasionally confused or disconnected from what was happening.

Overall, though, I liked the premise and the layered structure.

This book was so good. I had a hard time putting it down. We are in the middle of a big move and this book made all the stress of that fall away. Into the world of Isara I sank until I felt like I was walking the halls with Maris and Luca.
I loved learning about this world and all the side characters. The story was wrought with tension but was also tender at moments. Knowing that there is a second book did not prepare me for the ending. I will be anxiously awaiting book 2.

Another knockout story by Adrienne Young! Gripping and beautifully written, with alternating POVs, FALLEN CITY is nothing short of a must-read.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher!

3 Stars!

Fallen City takes place in the city of Isara, where Magistrates rule and legionnaires rome the streets. But, the Lower City full of the poorer faction of the city, has rebelled against the Magistrates and essentially held them under siege within their own city walls. Maris, the daughter of a powerful Magistrate is a mere chess piece in the games of the Tribunal vying to survive. Luca, the unknown nephew of a dying magistrate slated to take over his seat in the Tribunal, has become the symbol of the Lower region rebellion. Finding themselves on opposite sides of the war for Isara, as their fates diverge, they learn they are at the center of a story the gods are writing.

This Book is told in two different timelines, one Before and the other Now. I think this really works in this novel's favor as it keeps the pace interesting. However, my biggest disappointment in this book was only that there isn't any real action until well past to 70% mark. Because of the dual timeline, we are told a lot of things have happened in the past (Now), and then we seem them take place in the present (Before). It made some of the plot points not as exciting because we already know what happens? This is mostly a political novel with a lot of tense conversations, until suddenly the bigger threat looms large and the battles truly begins.

However, I think these characters are perfect for a YA-leaning fantasy novel! They aren't too complicated but the events happening around them really make things complicated for them. The supporting characters while not completely fleshed out, serve their purpose well. The romance in this book was a bit fast-paced, they go from meeting to forbidden lovers very quickly, BUT it's not to the point where it took me out of the story. The characters are actually in their mid-twenties or older, which is refreshing.

All in all, a really good fantasy story inspired buy ancient Rome and it's mythology. The world-building seemed very accurate as well as some of the politicking. The ideas of the godsblood and the gifts from the gods were really unique and served the story really well!


Other:
- There were quite a few open-door spice scenes that were not explicit, but not fade-to-black at all.

2.5 Stars

Thank you to Net Galley for providing me the ARC.

I loved the premise of the book and the characters. The hard part, and the reasoning for the lower rating is because of the two POV's AND timelines. It became too much for me, every chapter it would change. When it did that I would just lose my focus, it caused me to come out of "the zone". I would've just loved to have stayed in the present time with the two POV's with maybe an occasional look into past.

If that doesn't bother you than please give this book a read! You will love it!