HEARTS THAT CUT
Kika Hatzopoulou
Summary
In this heart-pounding, much-anticipated sequel to Threads That Bind, Io will face threats even more dangerous and players even more powerful as she discovers what it will mean to follow—or defy—her fate.
It’s been five weeks since Io left Alante to follow the golden thread, and she’s no closer to finding the god on the other end. She spends her days in constant, grueling travel and her nights worrying over the fate-thread she shares with Edei—which seems to be fraying. Making matters worse, she and Bianca soon realize that their only lead has shaken them off, snapped the golden thread, and disappeared.
But not before Io gathers some crucial clues. Her investigation leads her to a new mystery, a rash of sibling disappearances across the Wastelands that seems to be connected to the murders in Alante. And all signs point to Nanzy, the golden city, as the center of the whole conspiracy.
As Io and Bianca make their way to Nanzy, they face powerful enemies, find allies new and old, and uncover a horrifying plot that traces back centuries. The more Io learns, the more she begins to suspect that the future of the world may truly rest on her shoulders. But she will have to determine how much of the future is her choice—and how much is simply her fate.
Review
My thanks for the ARC goes to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group, Razorbill. I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
Genre: YA Fantasy, Romantasy, Greek Mythology, Mythology, Fantasy, Mystery
Spice Level: Nothing above kisses is on the page
Gore Level: Medium
Representation: Secondary characters are gay, and it seems like others might be non-binary
Readability: Read them in order for the best experience
HEARTS THAT CUT went on my list to read because I loved THREADS THAT BIND. I was worried this book wouldn’t resolve, but thankfully, it did!
This book jumps in right where the first book left off, but the author expertly gives enough clues from the previous book so you won’t be confused if it’s been a while since reading it.
I loved seeing how the characters changed and grew.
Other things to watch for:
- Hybrid monsters
- Changing eyes
- Mob bosses in new cities
- Interesting transportation
- Alliances
- New secrets
- Revelations
- Continuing love story
I ended up enjoying this book too (even though there was about 30 pages that made me worried that it was going to sag)! It feels complete with the two volumes, and I’m so glad not to have a cliffhanger.
This is the perfect YA fantasy book with dashes of romance and burgeoning love along with danger and a quest to save the world. It’s very visceral.
Io was actually prophesied that she would destroy the world. So she is trying to go against her fate. And it is rough! Everything seems like it’s stacked against her. In her character arc, I especially loved that she set boundaries. She is a strong female protagonist and will resonate with readers.
As the reader, we can tell how much the main couple love each other. They have to navigate that, and if they’d talked more, they could have solved it. BUT because this is YA, I feel like that age of people are less likely to have an open discussion, so the misunderstanding worked for me. The ending is well set-up, and I thought it was great. You’ll have to tell me what you think.
I highly recommend this duology!
Happy reading!
- Michelle
Tales Untangled 