Final Rating:
Date of Completion: 07/01/2026
Published by: Bolinda Audio
ISBN: 9781038039453
Despite its captivating prose and political dynamics, ‘Fallen City’ fell short in certain areas and failed to meet my high expectations.
Cover:
Writing:
Storyline:
Main character(s):
Secondary characters:
Romance:
Narration & Audio:
I was quickly drawn in by the vivid writing and the fractured political landscape, which nicely explores themes of corruption, oppression, and rebellion. The Greco-Roman–inspired setting that emerged felt rich and impressive, even though the magic system could have used a bit more depth. That said, initial information dumps, combined with the split timelines and dual perspectives, made the opening chapters feel quite dense.
As the story progressed, the nonlinear structure and repeated reveals only slowed its momentum. My interest also dipped as the development of the main characters felt shallow, relying more on telling than showing. This left me feeling disconnected from their journeys and romance angst. The secondary character didn’t stand out much either, as their motivations and personalities were underdeveloped.
The story does manage a few strong twists that, paired with all the political intrigue, kept me reading. I also really enjoyed the audiobook as narrators Leela Bassuk and Dylan Reilly Fitzpatrick gave immersive performances that made the listening experience engaging.
Discussion Questions (Contains spoilers!):
Q: Do you have any similar book recommendations?
I recommend Wild Reverence by Rebecca Ross. It’s an elaborate romantasy with lush prose, political manoeuvring, and action. Blood Over Bright Haven by M. L. Wang is another similar read that explores themes of power and corruption within a hierarchical society.
Q: What did you think about Maris’ actions in the epilogue?
I was shocked that she would go to the length of being on the opposite side to Luca once again, just for a chance to return to the city. Surely, there could have been a better way! Still, it was good to see her take some control of her situation, and I’m curious to see how this choice will shape the next book.
Q: Have you or would you consider eloping?
Not really. I love that a wedding offers the chance to celebrate the commitment of marriage with friends and family, and I wouldn’t want to miss that experience. However, I can understand why others choose to elope. The complexities and hassles of wedding planning can make the simplicity of eloping very appealing.
Q: What did you think of the romance and the choices that put Maris and Luca on opposite sides?
Q: Did you have a theory about the letters the rebellion intercepted from the Citadel District?
Q: Were there any secondary characters who stood out to you?
Q: Have you ever been in a relationship your parents didn’t approve of?
Q: Did the exploration of corruption and rebellion feel original or did it rely too heavily on familiar tropes?
Q: Which moment in the story surprised you the most?
Q: What did you think of the fantasy setting and politics?
Q: Have you ever tried to challenge a corrupt system? How did you feel about Maris and Luca’s efforts to do the same?
Q: Do you think Maris and Luca made the best choices they could, or could they have done things differently?
Q: Any theories about where the story goes from here?
Do you agree or disagree with anything mentioned above? Let us know in the comments below.
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