I received an ARC of this book with thanks to HarperCollins Publishers Australia via NetGalley.

I have so many thoughts swimming around my head after reading this one. As most, I was drawn to this because The Bronze Horseman is a longstanding favourite and I was excited to read what Simons had created for us next. Love story I was expecting, yet all other expectations flew out the window once I began reading. I immediately understood the Time Traveler's Wife comparisons and was surprised with the mystical fantasy route Simons decided to explore. I was concerned that I would come to the ending disappointed, as it isn't a genre/subject I'm highly interested in or drawn to read. However, as Simons reminds me time and time again, her writing carries me with her and I cannot help but get sucked into her vortex. The eloquence she applies with her use of language and the structure of her writing style leaves me heavily invested in her characters and always wanting to know more.

I was concerned after the first half what the story had left to explore, but of course I needn't have worried as the story of Julian and Mary in the second half of the book captured me even more than their beginnings as Julian and Josephine. I cannot wait for A Beggar's Kingdom to discover what's in store for Julian and Mia... or whichever name she possesses next.