Fallen City
A spoiler-filled review of Adrienne Young’s Fallen City, a gripping story of forbidden love, rebellion, and divine power. Luca and Maris are torn between duty and desire as their city faces war. Find out why I rated it 4.25 stars and what I hope to see in the sequel.
Author: Adrienne Young
Series: Fallen City Duology #1
Release Date: November 4, 2025
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Mythology
Publication Type: ARC from NetGalley
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ (4.25/5)
Adrienne Young
Disclaimer: This review contains mild spoilers.
Book Review: A Gripping Tale of Love, War, and the Gods in Isara
The story is told through the dual points of view of our star-crossed lovers, Luca Matius and Maris Casperia. Set across two timelines, Before and Now, Adrienne Young masterfully weaves the past and present to show how the protagonists first met and fell in love, while also revealing the chain of events that led to the ongoing war.
I found Young’s writing style compelling. It evokes a deep sense of yearning and emotional tension between Luca and Maris, pulling the reader into their connection and the heartbreak that comes with it.
The novel explores powerful themes: war, politics, religion, and the dangers of humans playing god. Our main characters find themselves on opposite sides of an internal rebellion within the city of Isara. Various layers of conflict unfold – highborns vs. lowborns, science vs. religion, humans vs. gods. These themes feel especially timely, given today’s global climate where tensions between nations are escalating. It raises thought-provoking questions: What is the true cost of war? Is it ever truly justified? If rebellion is the only path forward, what happens next? What do we replace the broken system with?
Beyond the politics and divine interference, the book also dives into the personal struggles of Luca and Maris. Luca wants no part in politics or leadership, yet finds himself unwillingly thrust into the center of the rebellion – chosen by the gods as a symbolic figure. Maris, a young idealist determined to reform the system, quickly realizes that change comes at a high price. To survive, she must do things she never imagined she would do.
The plot is incredibly compelling. I couldn’t put the book down until I reached the final page. I felt a twinge of sadness when it ended, knowing I’ll have to wait for the next (and last) installment.
The romance is undeniably tragic. Before the war, Luca and Maris’s relationship had to remain a secret. During the rebellion, their love becomes even more forbidden. I’m not quite sure how I feel about Luca. I think he needs to man up. I’d like to see him grow stronger in the next book. Maris, on the other hand, seems a bit naive, but there’s hope that she’ll become bolder and more decisive in leading the change she envisions for Isara.
Overall, I’m deeply curious about where the story will go next. Now that the gods have intervened and chosen their players, the stakes are higher than ever. What role will each of them play? And what fate awaits the city of Isara?
I give this book 4.25 out of 5 stars. The plot is gripping, the world-building rich, and the themes are both relevant and unsettling. That said, the heavy subject matter left me emotionally drained. War often feels senseless, and this book reminds us of that in painful detail. It’s hard not to feel disheartened when you reflect on how similar these fictional conflicts are to real-world struggles over land, power, and belief.
Another reason for my rating is the romance. I struggled to understand some of the decisions made by one character in particular, especially given how deeply he supposedly loves the other. Whether or not we’ll get a happy ending remains to be seen, but I’m hopeful for more character growth in the sequel.
Favorite Quote:
“Every part of me that matters, every part that’s real, you’re taking with you.”
This quote perfectly captures the bittersweet essence of Luca and Maris’s tragic love story.