Okay. This book. Wow.

While I'm not usually a fan of romance without spice, something about this book gripped its hooks in me. It is compelling and it felt so real. Real struggles and real characters.

Yes there were otherworldly elements, and while this made up the crux of the plot, the story didn't feel like it was fantasy. Isaias' internal battle is one that rings true for me: understanding faith and belief, as well as understanding his sexuality. His journey felt real, and I felt his terror as I was reading.

The disability and queer rep in this book also felt realistic, which is to be expected from a queer, disabled author. It's refreshing to see these elements, again, not being the whole purpose of the character existing.

I hope there is some follow up down the line to know how Isaias and Hector are doing. I want to see them, 5 years in the future, embracing their found family. I want to know how Isaias ended up. We were left with some unanswered questions as to his well being, but not in a way that felt unsatisfying. I'm just a greedy reader who loves to know the characters have made it through the initial stages of the relationship.

This was a fantastic read, and has been living rent free in my mind as I have moved onto other books. My mind keeps trailing back to these two characters. And for me, that's a sign of a fantastic story. The characters stay with me for a long time after I have finished.