I’m Reading: Vesuvius by Cass Biehn

Felix, a thief on the run from a past he can’t remember, steals a relic of the gods, landing himself in the sights of a dangerous, powerful man who would use the power for himself. Loren, a temple attendant with visions no one believes, has seen the flame-haired boy in his dreams, and knows his appearance marks the destruction of everything he loves. But when Felix arrives at Loren’s temple for sanctuary, the two must race against time to solve the relic’s mystery and save Pompeii.

From the first page, this YA romance plunges you into the ancient streets of Pompeii as a living, breathing city. Every immersive detail sings, from the fabric to the temple smoke. The author weaves political intrigue and complex social hierarchies through in a way that feels natural instead of exposition, and keeps us invested in the story.

The prose is quick and tight, with moments of evocative imagery that fit perfectly into this piece of history from poetry and art. But it’s also a story about the streets of Pompeii, the thieves, cutthroats and brothels. We’re seeing them in translation across time and language, but real people didn’t speak in poetry. They swore and used slang. And one of the challenges of making translation immersive is to convey the tone and meaning instead of the exact words. That’s why I’m not bothered by modern idioms in historical fiction, or a few F-bombs. I see it as an immersive depiction that lets us into these character’s heads.

Because, at its heart, Vesuvius is about people. That’s where Cass Biehn shines brightest.

Felix is immediately lovable as the wounded rogue running from a past he can’t remember, determined to avoid roots that slow him down. Loren is more complex and subtle, a boy with a heart so big he would give it to his city, but no one ever taught him how to survive that. Together they have a love that inspires hope, even in a story we think we know the end of.

I say think because Cass Biehn writes with a keen understanding of our modern context: we know how the story of Pompeii ends.

But do we?

The fantasy elements add a clever overarching tension as we wonder, this time, this Pompeii, these magical boys with no political or social power, might give us a different ending. Even though every interesting, lovable character we meet in the city evokes dread for their future and ups the stakes.

So we root for the unlikely duo of Felix the thief who pretends to not care and Loren the temple assistant who cares too much. Every warning, every earthquake, every sign of the inevitable end, we root for them to save the city, and each other.

Thanks to Netgalley and Peachtree Teen for giving me a chance to read a review copy in exchange for an honest review. Remember to request Vesuvius at your local library!

I’m Reading: The Revolution of Birdie Randolph, by Brandy Colbert

I don’t usually read YA, but when I was browsing through the library’s new acquisitions in romance, this caught my eye. I might technically call The Revolution of Birdie Randolph romance, but its breadth and depth defy genre. It reminds me of the tarot card The Lovers. While the story is about relationships both physical and romantic, it’s ultimately about choices. It’s especially about whether you will stay true to yourself in making those choices.

Birdie (Dove) Randolph is a high-achieving teen in Chicago, with ambitious parents who dream big for her. But those dreams come with expectations, and those expectations don’t include a boy who’s spent time in juvie, no matter how happy he makes her. When her aunt Carlene moves in after another stretch in rehab, family secrets begin to float to the surface that threaten everything Birdie thought she knew. She must navigate the thin line between who she’s told she should be, and who she wants to be.

I love the queer rep in this book, which includes bisexual, gay, lesbian, and ace characters. It’s sex-positive and fiercely feminist. I also love how none of the characters are all-or-nothing. Each one has nuance and shades of gray. Each one has problems, goals, and growth that doesn’t center around the MC. They’re extremely well-crafted. The MC is richly nuanced as well–she doesn’t fully embrace or fully reject her path in life. She thinks critically, makes both missteps and smart decisions, and carves out her own way that is entirely her own, neither rebel nor saint.

I usually have big issues reading books in present tense, either first or third person. It’s a difficult tense to pull off, and many authors simply don’t. I’ve put down books in the middle because the present-tense execution was too jarring and awkward to carry the rest of the writing. This one jarred occasionally as well, but is overall well done, and it was easy to immerse myself in the story.

Visit Brandy Colbert online for more of her books and where to purchase. Ask your local library to stock it as well!

(Content warning: Book contains discussion of drug/alcohol addiction and recovery)