Adrienne Young has done it again.

Fallen City by Adrienne Young is the first book in The Fallen City Duology and it did not disappoint.

This is how you write a rebellion that seeps into your soul and you find yourself thinking about it.
A story in which politics were at the top of the story with philosophy woven into it.

The world building was truly mesmerizing. I could vividly imagine everything.

The story does jump between timelines. It may be a bit confusing if that's not your thing but it starts right in the middle of the action and starts to tie events together. The political and intrigue and conflict are the main focus with a romance subplot. There is yearning and desire but it takes a backseat to the story and is more told as in a story rather than experienced as each character. It was enjoyable as a whole.

I couldn’t stop reading it, Adrienne Young’s writing is addictive and thought provoking.

It ends on a cliffhanger, and I’m really excited to see where the sequel takes us!

This is intended to be a duology.


Thank you so much to NetGalley & St. Martin’s Press for the gifted eARC in exchange for an honest review.

⭐⭐⭐⭐.25 | 4.25 stars rounded down

In Fallen City, we follow Maris and Luca, who are trapped on opposite sides of a brutal power struggle over the walled city of Isara. The story is set in a Greco-Roman emplire and is told over dual timelines with dual POVs. While I don't usually love a dual timeline, I really enjoyed the way Young approached it and used it to move the story forward.

Like all Young's books, this story is full of immersive, atmospheric writing and beautiful prose. The pacing is fantastic and the plot is gripping and utterly gutwrenching. The way that Young manages to create the sense that the meddling gods are hovering throughout the story, just as they do over the people of Isara and the rebellion, is masterful.

While it took me a moment to get into this book, I was entirely consumed from about 20% until the very end. The ending felt like a punch to the stomach in the best possible way. I can't wait to see how this duology will come to a close.

I adore everything Young has written, especially her YA fantasy, so my hopes were high for this duology. I'm thrilled that Fallen City lived up to my expectations. This proved, once again, why she is forever one of my favorite authors.

THANK YOU SO MUCH to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Saturday Books for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!!

Oh boy, I am not looking forward to writing this review. Adrienne Young is an author who has been recommended to me by many folks, and I was excited for my first of her novels. I was honestly pretty let down. I perused other reviews, and I seem to be alone in my low opinion of this one. Isara is a city that resembles Rome, but there are also strong Grecian elements and names. There is even a goddess named Kali, so it appeared to be a haphazard mishmash of cultural references. The plot follows two youths who are set to inherit their families' positions in the "forum" (basically the senate). Luca's uncle and Maris' mother are rivals and equally horrible people. These love-struck heirs are trying to set their own path towards a more just society, but circumstances interfere with their plans.

The story is both a dual timeline and dual narrator, but Young does a good job of making it clear when and who we are following. At times, I wasn't clear if repetitive phrasing and events were intentional mirroring or sloppy writing-- either way, it wasn't particularly effective. Between the insta-love, the deeply unreliable characters, whiplash decisions, and changes, I found it lacking depth and clarity. Without spoilers, I can say that at no point did I understand Luca's decisions or Maris as a character. They both failed to actively move the plot forward towards their goals, instead making impulsive decisions and allowing things to just happen to them. I found neither the romance nor the political intrigue compelling or logical. It is unlikely that I will read the follow-up to this duology because I can't bring myself to root for them as a couple.

Thank you St. Martins Press for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

To put it simply, I am in utter awe of this book. This is my second Adrienne Young book and the second time she blew all of my expectations out of the water. I was immediately transported to the world she created by the end of the first page. With such vivid detail and descriptions, this novel painted lifelike scene-scapes in my mind throughout my entire journey page by page. From completing this book, you can really tell the time and heart that went into formulating such a moving story that had me grasping at anything that was laid down. Adrienne Young is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors.

Fallen City is a dual timeline following Maris (FMC) and Luca (MMC) through the past and present. From the very start of the book you are transported to Isara which is a crumbling empire heavily divided. Maris and Luca meet at a young age before the roles of their respective duties are forced upon them. Maris comes from a wealthy lineage of the tribunal, while Luca was born and raised in the Lower City and later forced into the world of Magistrates. As the story unfolds, secrets unfold, corruption ensues, promises get broken, and the lines blur between following your heart or your duties.

I was fully enraptured by everything Fallen City brought, the writing was ethereal, the characters so beautifully crafted and human, and the story so vividly fresh and moving. The dual timeline added a layer of intrigue that kept you pressing for more and more. I was devouring this book at all hours of the day. And it’s not forget to highlight the absolutely soul crushingly beautiful relationship between Luca and Maris that had me beyond emotional. A deep affection and devotion between star-crossed lovers that will have your heart searing and stand the test of times.

The ending had me in😭! I not only need a physical copy of Fallen City in my hands to reread and love, but I need book two so I can get closure😭

In other words, BOOK OF THE YEAR!!!

This book was not kind about world or character building. Each chapter goes back and forth between past, present, MMC, and FMC and that didn't help with the flow of the story. Right when I felt like I was understanding something, the story changed and I was lost again. I loved the vibe though so I finished it, but overall I'm still confused about what made the gods abandon Isara and why Luca started a revolution. There were some big reveal, information drop moments that went by with a shrug because I didn't get why that was vital or a turning point. I think this would have worked better in a linear, chronological format.

It's hard to grasp what the MMC and FMC stand for and believe in. They want change, but their motivation lacks and they don't even have something close to a plan. I kept reading thinking it would be explained but it's not especially for a book that starts with a list of gods which emphasizes their importance. The gods factor definitely need to be fleshed out. Their names are barely even mentioned. I almost feel like it was a gimmick with the prophecy too but never explained. This is definitely more of a political story. Also what was the whole thing with the philosopher? It really needs to clarify the religious, political, economical landscape of this world.

In the end, I regret finishing it because nothing was explained enough. Nothing much happens plot wise, and with the lack of world/character building, it could have been shorter. It had potential. If you like Arcane, this definitely has that vibe so you might enjoy it.

I wanted to really like this one but it just didn't flow well enough for me, the romance was supposed to be majestic and filled with yearning but a love story between two really flat characters just fell flat.

Adrienne Young has done it again! Her writing is so lush and evocative that it’s impossible not to get swept away. The world of Fallen City is intricate, political, and layered in a way that makes you want to linger in every scene, even as the tension keeps pushing you forward.

Luca and Maris absolutely stole my heart. Both are born into power, but with completely different visions for the future, and watching them navigate loyalty, love, and the crushing weight of legacy was mesmerizing. The dual timeline is one of my favorite parts: we get the slow burn of their forbidden love in the past, contrasted with the devastating reality of the present. That soft, aching beginning makes their eventual divide feel all the more gut-wrenching.

The dual POV in first person really pulls you in, even if there were moments I had to double-check whose voice I was reading. But the way the past and present are woven together, flashbacks rich with longing and present-day chapters brimming with tension, kept me hooked from start to finish.

This is a story of love and rebellion, betrayal and impossible choices. The stakes feel razor-sharp, the twists hit hard, and by the end I was both heartbroken and in awe. Fallen City proves once again that Adrienne Young knows how to write a love story that feels epic without losing its intimacy.

My copy of this book was provided by NetGalley and Saturday Books for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

An epic, richly imagined world brimming with danger, betrayal, and resilience. Young’s lyrical prose makes this a captivating fantasy adventure.

I didn't know much about this book or author, but it was featured in the "Read Now" section so I gave it a shot. I'm really glad I did because once I finished it the first time I immediately started reading it again for double the impact.

Great worldbuilding, great storytelling, that ending!!! It will be a long wait for the second book but I am ready.

Adrienne Young's Fallen City is very much like her other books with the world building. For this one, I could not get invested in the characters. I just didn't feel it

4.25 Stars rounded down!

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC- This book will be out November 4, 2025!


Overall I really enjoyed this book. There were some-most- aspects that I loved and some I didn't. First thing, I really enjoyed the plot of this book. It was interesting and exciting, had me wanting to read forever. That however brings me to my first thing I didn't love. It was dual timeline, which I do not like. I am someone who just likes to read a story in order. Now it wasn't terrible this book. I think while it did take me out of it a little, it wasn't as bad as I normally find it. It did do a good job of showing the angst and history between the two MCs, which is another thing I love about this book. I think the romance was so well done. I really liked the two characters together and showing their past together and how they got to their current time was nice. The dynamic between the two MCs and their position in this world was probably one of my favorite aspects. I think it added such a nice element of angst and heartbreak that wouldn't have been there other wise.

There are even more things I loved about this story but spoilers. Overall, while there were a few snags for me, I did really enjoy this book and am extremely excited to see where the story goes!

What a wonderful and great read. I was not expecting that ending! Definitely highly recommend you pick it up and reads it yourself. I'd definitely read others from this author!

This pains me to write... I DNF'd this at 58% 😭😭😭 I was stoked to get approved for this read, but I don't feel a single ounce of myself compelled to continue and see where this story leads..

I don't have an attachment to either protagonist in this.. the story line is, half political and half magical? At 58% in, the magical part isn't explained much and it seems important, but lacks information / background on on it..

Ugh.. not for me BUT, yall know what opinions are like, so.. give it a shot if it seems up your alley 🙂

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Expected pub date is November 4th, 2025.

4.25 - Corrupt leaders, forbidden love, gift from gods, loyalty, war. The story is a slow progression of what is happening and the past of how they got to where they are.

Thanks to Netgalley for the chance to read this.

3.5 ⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martins Press for this ARC!

I have ADORED every one of Young's other books and typically love her writing. The setting and the concept of this book is FIRE! 🔥 I love Greco- Roman inspired settings and the idea of a star crossed love had me frothing. If you love this and enjoy dual timelines with heavy political themes, this may be for you!

However, I struggled to engage with the characters and the world. Scenes were overly descriptive of rooms and clothing and I had difficulty following the dual time lines. It read differently than anything I have read from her, so I can't decide if I was expecting something else or if it's the novel that just was a miss.

I will still always pick up anything Young writes and will absolutely be reading the sequel after that ending!

Fallen City is a sweeping Greco-Roman–inspired romantasy where political intrigue, stolen magic, and forbidden love ignite against the backdrop of a city on the brink. Adrienne Young weaves a lush, high-stakes tale of a magistrate’s daughter and a legionnaire whose fates are bound by the gods, and torn apart by rebellion. Epic, romantic, and devastating, it’s perfect for fans of divine meddling, slow-burn alliances, and battles where the heart is as much at risk as the city walls.

I love Adrienne Young. The Unmaking of June Farrow wrecked me, but I didn't feel very connected to this story. The romance didn't feel earned, and I think it was because we went back and forth in time and voice for too long. I am interested in reading the next book in this series because the ending was great, but the journey was underwhelming.

Very solid 4 ⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley, St Martin’s Press/Saturday Books, and Adrienne Young for the eARC (all opinions are my own).

This was really interesting read pretty much from the jump. A lot of that comes from the nature of 1/2 of the story being told in flashbacks and therefore knowledge that you’re missing lot of info at beginning. I definitely excited for the future of duology and will absolutely be reading the second book.

If you want idea of the story the blurb for this actually does excellent job of giving the gist but staying spoiler free.

Things I liked:
-the world is super interesting and getting a sense of the politics, religion, class divides etc was interesting and unique in its own way. The main story is fairly standard fair but unique twists on magic, gods, and religion add good life to basics.
-Luca but much more so Maris are fantastic characters. I really loved following their story and understanding their history.
-On character note interested to see Theo’s story develop in second book and understand more of him. There’s clearly (very directly hinted) much more than meets the eye and ending especially shows he’s gonna be important in future story.

Things that I didn’t like:
-I’ll preface this by saying I think these things are relatively minor and may not bother everyone similarly. So don’t read into length of these statements as being overly negative.
-I think that the role of religion, myths, and gods (which plays fairly critical role) could have (and in my opinion should have) been explained in more detail. Part of the mystery is inherent to story (gods and legends forgotten by time etc) but still I think there needed to be a bit more.
-I also struggle with Luca’s decision making at couple major points in the book. They don’t necessarily strike me as in what I saw as his character but I also get that his indecision is part of his character.
-finally, one thing for me personally is I don’t love stories that are told predominantly via flashback. For me it makes a lot of front end of story feel underdeveloped and like it’s meant to be re-read once you know everything. Again this is just personal opinion and I understand it’s a stylistic choice and that others may not feel the same.

Plot
In the walled city of Isara, a century-old rebellion brews. Luca Matius, a legionnaire bound by family duty, and Maris Casoeria, the daughter of a Magistrate with dreams of reform, are drawn together by fate. But as political unrest erupts and divine forces meddle, their alliance becomes a spark for revolution, forcing them onto opposing sides of a holy war that could destroy both their love and their city.

Thoughts
Adrienne Young has become an autoread for me and Fallen City only cements why. From its gorgeous cover reveal to its political machinations, this book grabbed me from the start and didn’t let go. The story unfolds in dual timelines and POVs, giving rich insight into Luca and Maris’s worlds as they’re pulled into opposing sides of a rebellion fueled by corrupt authority and meddling gods.
The slow-burn romance and immersive worldbuilding are real standouts. Her writing walks that beautiful line between atmospheric and emotionally raw. If anything, I’d have loved more time with the relationship to fully invest but the dramatic payoff made up for it.

A twisty, tender, and tension-filled read with strong foundations for book two. I’ll gladly read it again.

Fallen City by Adrienne Young is an epic fantasy novel set in the walled city of Isara, where a deep-seated political conflict is poised to erupt into a full-blown rebellion. The story follows two main protagonists, Maris Casperia and Luca Matius, whose fated love story is entangled with the destiny of their city and the whims of the gods. As the city teeters on the brink of holy war, Maris, the daughter of a powerful Magistrate, and Luca, a legionnaire, find themselves on opposite sides of the brewing conflict. Young weaves a tale of political intrigue, ancient magic, and forbidden romance, leaving readers to wonder if their love can survive the chaos, or if they are simply pawns in a story the gods are writing.
Young's writing style is a significant strength of the novel, as she crafts a lush, atmospheric world with a captivating Greco-Roman inspired setting. The prose is both immersive and descriptive, drawing the reader into the city of Isara and its political turmoil. The slow-burn, second-chance romance between Maris and Luca is a central part of the narrative, and fans of the genre will likely be invested in their complex relationship. However, some readers may find the pacing of the book to be slow, with much of the focus on world-building and character development in the early chapters.
The plot is driven by the political unrest and a secret that threatens to destabilize the city. As Luca becomes a symbol of the rebellion and Maris finds herself tied to the existing power structure, their divergent fates create a compelling and tense dynamic. The book is the first in a duology, and the ending leaves readers with a satisfying twist that sets the stage for the next installment.
Overall, Fallen City is a strong start to a new fantasy series. Adrienne Young excels at creating a rich and intricate world with a gripping political plot and a romance that is sure to enthrall readers. While the pacing may be a bit slow for some, the detailed world-building, well-developed characters, and a compelling storyline make it a promising entry in the fantasy genre. Fans of romantic fantasy and epic tales will find themselves captivated by this story.