I'm truly honored to take part in the blog tour for The Never Tilting World, which is being hosted by Shealea at Caffeine Book Tours! I had the pleasure of buddy reading this book with my friend Melanie, and I enjoyed it a whole lot. I've included my review in today's post, but before that, I'm really excited to resurrect a feature that I haven't done in a while- {Bookish} Style Files!
Honestly, the fact that this story is set in a world divided by night and day immediately made me consider doing a {Bookish} Style Files feature for it even before I read it. And so, all my clothing choices below are for either night or day - and I hope you enjoy my picks! I may also be on a Modcloth kick at the moment, and since I can't actually shop, getting to share some of the things I love with all of you is the next best thing...
Be Right There Cotton Jumpsuit by Louche | Sunshine Association Cotton Sundress | Illumination Elegance Chiffon Maxi Dress | Arrive and Thrive Wideleg Jumpsuit | Day After Day A Line Dress by Emily and Fin | Resounding Wow Maxi Dress
I was hesitant when I first cracked open The Never Tilting World, mostly because I had only one previous experience with Rin Chupeco's work and solely based on that, I wasn't entirely sure how I would get on with this novel. But my worries turned out to be unfounded because The Never Tilting World was so much fun! This YA fantasy is set in a world that has been permanently broken so that half of the world is experiencing eternal night and the other half eternal day. It follows two twin goddesses (who are unaware of each other's existence) and their companions as they set out to understand their history and find a way to fix the mistakes made in the past in order to secure a better future. Chupeco has crafted a really good story, and I'm going to tell you three reasons why I personally feel that way.
- Reason #1: A+ story
I love being entertained when I read, and this book ticked that particular box completely. I'm partial to stories that include journeys/quests, as many of my readers might know. And to discover that this story primarily features that type of plot and with two variants? I was totally sold. There are certainly recognizable YA fantasy tropes that make an appearance. But I do think that Chupeco's take on them is fun and specific to this story (and the characters and the world).
- Reason #2: A+ character crafting
Juggling multiple points of view in a story can be a daunting task, but Chupeco did a great job ensuring that her four narrators had distinctive personalities. There's Odessa, the bookish, sheltered goddess who wants to be powerful enough to protect what she loves. There's Haidee, fearless goddess mechanic who wants to do right by her country. There's Lan, a healer and bodyguard who happens to be in love with her charge. And there's Arjun, sarcastic fire wielder who has learned how to survive the harsh climate he lives in and the loss of a limb. While I did find myself drawn particularly to certain individuals (*coughs* Haidee *coughs*), all four perspectives held my attention as a reader. They're a diverse bunch in terms of gender, sexual orientation and status, and I loved that a lot too.
- Reason #3: A+ worldbuilding
This is not the type of story where every detail about this world, its history and its magic are explained to you. It's the kind where you actively have to work to understand things, and honestly, being thrown into it right from the start is incredibly jarring. Gradually, as the characters talk about and make more sense of their own world, readers will find that they too are developing a better grasp of the details. It was an inventive world that felt straight out of an anime (like, seriously, I could totally see this being developed into one), with elements that felt right out of science fiction and fantasy alike.
I really enjoyed The Never Tilting World! It drew me in right from the start, and I could barely set it down while I was reading, which I personally consider a testament to how likable and consumable this story it. This YA fantasy felt very original in its take on tropes and character archetypes that I've encountered in other stories too. I would certainly recommend checking out this book, and I'll definitely be eagerly anticipating the sequel too!
The Never Tilting World by Rin Chupeco
Publisher: Harper Collins
Publication Date: October 15, 2019
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy
Buy the Book: Amazon | Book Depository |
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.
Rin Chupeco has written obscure manuals for complicated computer programs, talked people out of their money at event shows, and done many other terrible things. She now writes about ghosts and fantastic worlds but is still sometimes mistaken for a revenant. She is the author of The Girl from the Well, its sequel, The Suffering, and the Bone Witch trilogy.
Despite an unsettling resemblance to Japanese revenants, Rin always maintains her sense of hummus. Born and raised in Manila, Philippines, she keeps four pets: a dog, two birds, and a husband. Dances like the neighbors are watching.
Don't forget to check out the rest of the tour stops!
And do join in on the #CBTTC Twitter chat on October 19 (9AM EST / 9PM PHT) if you can!
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