Many thanks to my friends at @macmillan.audio for the #gifted audiobook.  

 

Rival journalists, a war between the gods, and an enchanted typewriter.  

 

The makings of a perfectly ethereal read.

 

This book fully charmed me.  I found myself lost in the nostalgia of bygone days.  (Can it be historical if set in a fantasy world?  I’m not sure, and yet the wistfulness I felt as I read indicated so.)  

 

The usage of typewriters.  Getting to know another person in an intimate manner through the exchange of written correspondence. And then, of course, I’m forever enchanted by wardrobes thanks to Mr. Lewis.  This read was wholly sentimental and redolent of the past.  

 

But the true magic is found in Ross’ subtle writing.  It’s a quiet prose which permitted a coziness and drew me in. Lyrical and yet not over so.  She pens the tale with an ease that made me feel lost within its margins.

 

Astonishingly, this book evoked such tender feelings, even set amongst the horrors of wartime battle.  The atmosphere was meticulously depicted, and there were intense scenes showcasing the atrocities of conflict. 

 

But in those darkest moments, light shone through maintaining the overarching themes of hope and love which endeared me to the plot time and again. 

 

I confess to closing the book with a fierce hatred for the ending.  Ross, HOW COULD YOU?!!!  The next installment cannot come quickly enough.      

 

It’s worth noting that I went into this book completely blind and was highly rewarded for doing so.  The official synopsis provides many spoilers for things I enjoyed experiencing through the storyline’s unfolding.  

 

This made for a great discussion with some of my favorite buddies:  @bookmarked.by.becky and @thats.one.for.the.books.  Between favorite scenes and predictions for of the future, our chat was 👌🏻.

 

🎧 I will be adding a physical copy of this book to my shelves, but I thoroughly enjoyed this one in audiobook format.  The dual narration by Alex Wingfield and Rebecca Norfolk excellently portrayed the two main characters and added something special to the letter exchanges.