Heavens

The first words I heard describing this book belonged to Resh Susan (@thebooksatchel) calling it a ‘literary fairy-tale.’ Combine that with an ABSOLUTELY STUNNING cover and a very interesting synopsis filled with love and time travel, I dove into this book almost as soon as I ripped open the package that contained it. Looking back on this book I finished over a week ago, I only have one word that also doubles as a feeling to describe it - STRANGE. There were a lot of things I liked and a lot I didn’t like and I’ll go more into it below: THINGS I LIKED: 1. THE WRITING: Reading Sandra Newman’s writing in The Heavens was a different experience. She had this unique ability to put words to emotions and experiences that, when you think about it, seem so natural. She also brought out relationships, the experience of new love and the struggle to stay in love and it was a really interesting read. 2. THE COVER: I know I’ve started saying this a lot, but The Heavens has a truly STUNNING cover. It’s the kind of book you’ll lovingly display on your shelf. 3. I quite how this contemporary book handled the consequences of time travel, even if the constant changes and Kate’s whining/ guilt got tedious and repetitive at times. THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE: 1. I’m a practical person by nature, and I simply couldn’t wrap my head around Kate’s… whimsical nature. I can’t quite describe what she was like without spoiling things in the book but suffice it to say that I did not enjoy her. 2. Kate was still a minor blip, but the story unfolding in the past with ‘Sad Will’ and the lord Kate/ Amelia had to service so that he could keep his pride was just too much for me. I honestly sped read through the pages that didn’t involve Kate and Ben in present times because it was all too strange. JUST. TOO. STRANGE. Would I recommend this book? The Heavens could have been better in my mind. However, the writing was just wonderful and if you’re looking for something unique, The Heavens should be your next read.