At the End There Was You

Blue Fairytales #1

by Wendy Heiss

The world will end in seven days.
Winter is a Priestess, her life is simple and uncomplicated, but shortly takes a turn when she is appointed as an aide for a Mage who intends to stop the God of Death from spreading a plague that would end their world. Both of them begin searching the Urvalis library for answers and find more than they had bargained for.
And as the end approaches, the questions begin vaguing.

(At The End There Was You is a short standalone novella, part of the Blue Fairytale series which will contain several other short standalone novellas.)

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Romantasy, Novella, Fantasy Romance, Gothic, Magic

106 pages, Hardcover

First published June 5, 2023

About the author

Wendy Heiss is a indie author debuting with a new adult fantasy trilogy, Winter Gods & Serpents, the first book in The Auran Chronicles. She has graduated with a Forensics Science degree in the United Kingdom, but literature has been one of her passions since she could manage to read and write. Despite being severely tempted to ride the Agatha Christie route to crime novels, she chose to follow the Tolkien path to fantasy. She forwent fingerprint powder for ball pen ink inevitably forgoing her parents hope for a good life and becoming what they always feared...a figuratively starving artist, which is why she won't quit her day time job any time soon.

Reviews

[SK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Am in love. This novella wasn't perfect but I fell in love with it, especially the love Az and Winter had for each other. It grew on me so beautifully.

✔️ Grumpy x sunshine
✔️ Forced proximity
✔️ Dark academia and gothic vibes

Ngl the writing takes getting used to at first, especially the conversations. They are quite deep and can go on for long without pauses or descriptions in between. But during those conversations, I fell so hard for Azriel specifically 😩😩 I liked Winter but I LOVED Az 😭😭

The ending had me crying, even though it was predictable. And y'all, it's so damn quote worthy!! Sad it ended... I want more 😭

~•~•~
Reading this cause I fell in love with the cover🥹 Is it weird I want that man already and I haven't even read a single word? 🫣

[♥︎ Heather ⚔ (New House-Hiatus) · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a generous rating all things considered. 😮‍💨 I take that back. 2 stars it is.

Alright, good morning my lovely besties! Time for a little tea.


I have heard nothing but good things about this book and have seen nothing but glowing reviews. If I go down my friends' ratings it's nothing but 5 and 4 stars more or less. So of course I went into this book with some pretty high expectations.

I thought, alright, alright, alright. A quick little novella to plug in over the weekend that I can finish in a few hours and have a good time with.

╰┈➤ That is not what happened though.

╰┈➤ I struggled a lot with this book - and it's like 160 pages. It took me days to finish it.

The first 70% was such a slog. I had to force myself through the chapters and it was really like my own personal little hell... just trying to push though.

I know, I sound so dramatic but literally-


╰┈➤ Let me explain:

╰⪼ No world building - Are we in the present? The past? Why are we? Where are we? What is a mage in this world? Because, you know - it's not the same in every fantasy novel.

╰⪼ Long drawn out chapters- When dealing with a slow moving story already and then the chapters are decades long? I kept drifting away from reading and getting on my phone or watching TV.

╰⪼ The writing - Omg. Maybe this is just me but it felt like it was trying to be so eloquent and it didn't work for me

╰⪼ The repetitiveness - One more time about Death being angry, turning into a cockroach or freaking daisies and I was going to scream.

Now that I've gotten all of my frustration out, after that initial 70% things started to take a turn for the better. It didn't come across so long winded and drab and I started to actually care what happened.

I really did end up loving both Azrael and Winter but it took a while to get there. Some of this may just be a me thing so I would still recommend it - but with caution?

The ending did a good bit of making up for the majority of the book. Enough that I'm planning to read the next one but hot damn it's never taken me so long to read such a short book.

₊˚ ‿︵‿︵‿︵୨୧ 𝓠𝓾𝓸𝓽𝓮𝓼 ୨୧‿︵‿︵‿︵ ˚₊

"He didn't know if he wanted to dissect her mind, or soak in every little explanation she had. The realization took him unexpectedly. He did not have time for anything unexpected."

· · ♡ · ·

"I make you happy?"
"I do not wish to say it."
"Why not?"
"The world might hear, they might want you for themselves if they know I am capable of being happy and that there is something out there that has made me capable."
"So, I'll just whisper it then. You said happiness come in many forms. Mine is shaped like you. Has a mind shaped like yours, and a voice I never want out of my head,"

· · ♡ · ·

"Maybe I should just turn you into a rooted plant," he muttered, following after her. "Then I'll turn myself into a vine to wrap around you."

· · ♡ · ·

"All of the sudden, she'd found her happy death. She'd want to die slowly, wrapped in poison. Held."





💘💘

[Clace · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.50!

"I'll see you from afar, but you're so stunning this close. This must be why they always warn you never fly close to the sun."

This was such a heartbreaking story like Wendy did i deserve this? No. Then why did you torture me like this.

Winter had such a beautiful heart, she literally made me love her in just 160 pages and Azriel omg i loved him sm as well the way he giggled when winter told him she poisoned his tea jokingly.
.
i loved them so much i know i can keep saying i love them because i can literally say nothing else because i love them so much. You would definitely love them because they are very loveable.

This book literally said The world is gonna end in seven days but my delusional ass thought it wouldn't but it literally did and i was sobbing by the end. like?? was there any need? but yes it was such a satisfying end. The big plot twist was i think was very predictable and not that wowing but it is a novella after all.

The romance in 160 pages still managed to make blush and I ate it up, left no crumbs. It was so delicious like why was this so delicious. They made me blush and giggle (no i don't giggle) but it was so good and surprisingly hot at times.

Would definitely recommend!
___
SHADOW MAN AND LYLA WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE? bahaha.

Jokes aside, the blurb sounds amazing and I have a feeling this will break my streak of horrendous novels!!

[buket · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝚂𝚑𝚎’𝚍 𝚕𝚒𝚟𝚎𝚍. 𝙱𝚞𝚝 𝚜𝚑𝚎’𝚍 𝚕𝚒𝚟𝚎𝚍 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚏𝚊𝚛 𝚝𝚘𝚘 𝚕𝚘𝚗𝚐 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚜𝚑𝚎 𝚖𝚒𝚜𝚜𝚎𝚍 𝚑𝚒𝚖, 𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎 𝚜𝚑𝚎’𝚍 𝚕𝚒𝚟𝚎𝚍 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚊 𝚙𝚒𝚎𝚌𝚎 𝚘𝚏 𝚑𝚎𝚛.

note to my future self: when the book says they only have 7 days to live, believe it 😔

Death decides people only have 7 more days to live. Winter accepts her fate and waits for it. Azriel asks her help to stop the Death. Falling in love at the end of the world isn’t a good idea right?

“We all surrender to death the day we are born. We just hope he is kind and forgetful.” 🥺

“One thousand times over, I’ll do it again, only so I could be with you even if it is only for seven days.” 💔

“Nothing would be holier than to be ruined by you.” 🧎🏼‍♀️

“Live, Winter. Live wanting. Live deciding. Live for you. And live…for me, too. Make it good, my little sun. Make it really good, I want to hear all about it. I will wait this time. I will wait for you. Do not come to me. Do not seek me. Not unless you wish to break my heart.” 😭

me last night at 4am reading this book;;



~~-~
i can’t decide if i want to give this book 1 star for breaking me or 5 stars

rtc when i stop crying

[Isadora (tbr is too big) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel a little silly rating a novella 5 stars but hey this is me practicing free will ✌️

I will admit the world building is quite under explained so it can lead to some confusion if you stop and think about it too much. Some of the conventions also lean towards philosophy and topics on death which could be a little heavy for some people. BUT I’m here to influence you into picking this up because it was genuinely one of the best romances I’ve ever read 👌🤍 While the writing can be a little hefty at times I personally found it to be very poetic and fascinating. I loved being in the minds of both our MCs and would listen to their thoughts any day!

Winter is a kind and curious young woman (think Starfire x Anne Shirley I dare say) who loves the world and its beauty despite the pain it’s also inflicted upon her. Azriel on the other hand is definitely a harder book to crack open but once you do you see him for the soft hearted and funny guy he is. He’s damn hot too 😩🤚

Since this is a novella the romance could seem a little rushed to some but I personally love insta love if it’s done right and man is this done right! The grumpy x sunshine, forced proximity and dare I say touch her and die (during the ending) all had me giggling and swooning big time.

“You said happiness comes in many forms, mine is shaped like you”

“Your mistress said you’d be a shadow, not that whole damn sun”

Anyways didn’t expect to fangirl so hard over a book less than 200 pages but here we are 🤷‍♀️
READ THIS‼️

[daniella · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⚝

“You said happiness comes in many forms. Mine is shaped like you. Has a mind shaped like yours, and a voice I never want out of my head.”

Winter, a priestess devoted to the god of life, and Azriel a mage seeking to save the world from it's impending doom in just seven days, are forced to work together. From the moment they meet, I couldn't help but ship them! Their dynamic is simply beautiful, with their conversations always intriguing and compelling. Despite the story being short, the way their friendship and eventual romance are portrayed is just perfect. Every moment they share is a delight, would love to read more about them.

Fav quotes🥹🤧

“Your mistress said you’d be a shadow, not the whole damn sun.”

“If this were a dream, I’d not be in it, and if it was a nightmare, I’d be hunting you.”

“We all surrender to death the day we are born. We just hope he is kind and forgetful.”

“One way or another, at some point, you will either condemn the villain, become one, follow one, or live long enough to see them corrupt everyone else.”

“If Death saw the world with that amber colour lens of your eyes, little sun, he’d be doomed. He’d start sending people back to the land of the living before they stepped on the gates of his land.”

“You’d make any man, God or not, fall on his knees and pray for damnation.” He kissed down her neck, marking her pale skin with his mouth. “Nothing would be holier than to be ruined by you.”

“To speak your mind is foolish.” “To not speak it is a shame. With how little we live and how little we have to live, it would be the utmost pity.”

“But I pity the world that holds you and doesn’t see you.”

“Then I’d only ever look at you. Would you only ever look at me if I asked?” “You don’t have to. I don’t think I’ve ever looked at anyone before.”

“I don’t think what makes me happy is small by any means. Short, yes. Not small.” “Short?”“You.”

“I’ll see you from afar, but you’re so stunning this close. This must be why they always warn to never fly so close to the sun.”

[Hoda · Rating 4 out of 5]

” everyday, i see the world differently. Sometimes I hate it, resent it, love it, adore it. If I decide the fate of the world on the basis of what day it is, the world would have ended long ago”

This should have been a whole ass book because this can’t be it, i need more 😭 it was so good i’d have finished it in a day if I wasn’t sick. Very entertaining and beautiful I didn’t except it to make me cry but damn i cried like a baby at the end 😭💔 I need another novella about azriel and winter because i just can’t get enough of them 🫶🏻🫶🏻

Quotes

”nothing would be holier than to be ruined by you”

“I want the shadow and the light both to know of the crime i’ve committed by making you mine. That i’ve ruined the one thing left in the world. That only i can do it. That they are forbidden to ever want to ruin you”

“What if i ask you to look at me forever? Only me. No one else.”
“We don’t have forever. We only have two days”she whispered.
“ I will give you forever, I will make sure you get forever” SCREAMINGGGG

“So, I’ll just whisper it then. You said happiness comes in many forms. Mine is shaped like you. Has mind shaped like yours, and a voice I never want out of my head”

“But i pity the world that holds you and doesn’t see you”

“Does it matter?”
“ I told you time and time again, that everything matters when it comes to you”

“ live winter. Live wanting. Live deciding. Live for you. And live.. fir me,too. Make it good, my little sun”🥲💔

“ your mistress said you’d be a shadow, not the whole damn sun”

“ we all surrender to death the day we are born. We just hope he is kind and forgetful”

[Krysta ꕤ · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 ★

“You said happiness comes in all forms. Mine is shaped like you. Has a mind shaped like yours, and a voice I never want out of my head.”

wow. im sorry but the writing in this was atrocious😭. the story itself was trying too hard to be deep but i thought it was bland. the characters lacked chemistry and things felt rushed and under developed between them (a romance novella should still be convincing, even with the short length). it actually felt like a full book with how long the chapters were✋🏽. the half point is for Azriel cause he did manage to grow on me and the end section was better than the boring first half.. this just wasn’t for me lol.

➛ thanks to my girl Bree for buddy reading this with me.. it was an experience😂💜

[Keya · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dnf @70%
At the end I couldn't even finish the book because of how bland the writing felt. Even though I read only 100 pages, I skimmed through half of them and the smut oh god 😭 I got second hand embarrassment ngl it was bad.

Thank you Diksha for the br, atleast we were in this together 😔🫂

***
Can we take a minute to appreciate how gorgeous the cover is?

[Saskia [University era] · Rating 5 out of 5]

✧˖*°࿐
4,5 stars
look at the cover? it's so gorgeous.
I don't regret reading this at all tbh
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───
✧. ┊ I'm blown away by this novel. Every page was filled with emotion and it was so beautifully written.
✧. ┊ I have followed Wendy Heiss on TikTok for months now and her books always sparked some interest.
✧. ┊ This book is pure magic, angsty love, and filled to the brim with emotion. (and a little bit of spice)
✧. ┊ It's a really easy read.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───
I think that I fell in love with Azriel

➶''Night. He reminded her of the night.''
➶ ''Your mistress said you'd be a shadow, not the whole damn sun.''
➶''But you say such questionable things, little martyr.''
➶''Nothing would be holier than to be ruined by you.''
➶''I missed one thing, And that is holding you.''
➶ '' Why have you seeked me, my sun?''
➶ ''He marked you. A god marked you. How important you must be to him, sweet Winter.''
➶ ''Hello, Winter. I've waited for you.''

[⁠*⁠♡Lilac⁠*⁠♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Songs that remind me of this book:
•Chemtrail over the county club
•Radio
•Its time

This book is etched into my mind. Its a comfort read for me. I know I will come back again and again just to experience it one more. I wish I had Alzheimer' just so I could read it once more.

[carolina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everyday, I see the world differently. Sometimes I hate it, resent it, love it, adore it. If I decided the fate of the world on the basis of what day it is, the world would have ended long ago.

I want more 😭😭 this was so beautiful and deep, I wasn’t expecting that. The conversations held in this book, the emotional depth, it was stunning. A story about life and death and what they both mean. And with a beautiful love story in between. I want more of Azriel and Winter, this was not enough 🥺

˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆ quotes

- “But if it was happiness we dreamed of, we recall it, share it with others, laugh at it or daydream it over and over until that dream remains like a sock with a hole that we often see at the bottom of our drawer but are reluctant to throw even though socks with holes can't be used much."

- “One way or another, at some point, you will either condemn the villain, become one, follow one, or live long enough to see them corrupt everyone else. It's the way of life. Unless you pick a weed out, whatever has sprouted around it will eventually die off."

- How do you remain so spirited in a world who has wanted to rob you out of it? How do you fight for others when no one has ever fought for you? How are you so understanding of others when no one has been understanding of you? "
"I have, I think. I've laughed for me, fought for me, thought of me. I think," she added, giving him a quivering smile. "You said that it is enough."
"It is. But I pity the world that holds you and doesn't see you."

- “You'd make any man, God or not, fall on his knees and pray for damnation." He kissed down her neck, marking her pale skin with his mouth. "Nothing would be holier than to be ruined by you."

- “I want the shadows and the light both to know of the crime I've committed by making you mine. That I've ruined the one thing pure left in this world. That only I can do it. That they are forbidden to ever want to ruin you.”

- “You said happiness comes in many forms. Mine is shaped like you. Has a mind shaped like yours, and a voice I never want out of my head."

[♡✿Mania⁠✿♡ ꒰inactive꒱ · Rating 4 out of 5]

✯✯✯✯      ~•*⁀➷4.00  ⋆.ೃ࿔✰ ˎˊ˗

Quite litteraly binged it in an hour! This was beautiful don't get me wrong it's far from perfect but I adored it anyways, littrely sm better than expected RTC
      ────୨ৎ────

⊹❀･ ⟢🌀 ⋮ 𝑷𝒓𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅 ࿐🌷❀⊹
                         ⤷life has been chaotic as hell and I've been in one of the worst reading slump ever cuz wdym I've barely read anything in the past 6 days! So I need something short and gripping hopefully these novellas will do.

[｡.•*¨*•♬✧maeve ✧♬•*¨*•.｡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️6/5 THE MOST BEAUTIFUL, LIFE CHANGING, MAGNIFICENT LOVE STORY. i am bawling. i had no idea that such a short book would have this effect on me and i loved every second of it. i genuinely don’t think i will ever stop thinking abt this.

୭˚⋆✴︎˚｡⋆

🌶️2/5 it’s there, but only in very few scenes. as an avid dark romance reader who loves smut and literally can’t read without it, THIS WAS STILL AMAZING!! the shortness of the book itself makes up for it and it all makes sense + its so good when you’ve been waiting;)

୭˚⋆✴︎˚｡⋆

azriel and winter are just so so so perfect and their story is beautifully scripted. i cannot put into words how this made me feel. wow.

୭˚⋆✴︎˚｡⋆

the plot twist??? omg. literally changed my whole perspective of the book but in the best way!!!!!! ughhhh i dont want this to be a review with spoilers so i will refrain from giving more info + i will leave details out of the trope list, but just wow. wow. wow.

୭˚⋆✴︎˚｡⋆

paranormal/fantasy elements
grumpy x sunshine
slow burn vibes
enemies to lovers vibes
forced proximity
yearning
plot twist
HEA (trust….just wait)

୭˚⋆✴︎˚｡⋆

+100 points for the absolutely stunning cover!!!!!! obsessed.

୭˚⋆✴︎˚｡⋆

i DEFINITELY recommend this!!!! cant wait to read the other 2 stories published in the series:) again, i will never forget this book.
*standalones*

[✩ Yaz ✩ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“You’d make any man, God or not, fall on his knees and pray for damnation.” He kissed down her neck, marking her pale skin with his mouth. “Nothing would be holier than to be ruined by you.”

At the End There Was You is a novella spanning seven days before the end of the world.

Within those seven days, love blossoms and passion ignites between a gentle Priestess and a reclusive Mage.

Since it's such a short story I'll spare you any potential spoilers so you can enjoy the experience.

This novella is perfect for readers in the mood for a light fantasy romance with a dash of spice and angst!

[earth to vivie' · Rating 4 out of 5]

“𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙩𝙡𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙙𝙞𝙙 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙙𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙝, 𝙬𝙖𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙝𝙞𝙢 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢.”

: ̗̀➛ how is this not a full ass book??, no i need moreeee, this was so good, actually it might be my favourite novella so far forget about any other novellas, this one is your go to if you're searching for a quick yet so beautiful story to read and love🌷
the story of a girl who fell in love with death, him who was sent to her realm for only seven days to search for a reason why he shouldn't end them all, and he found her.

“𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙨 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙙 𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙝𝙖𝙙 𝙬𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙣 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙤 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙.”
: ̗̀➛ same my girl, same.

“𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙢𝙚, 𝙩𝙤𝙤.”
: ̗̀➛ if you listened closely, I'm sure you'd be able to hear my heart shattering.

“𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙛 𝙞 𝙖𝙨𝙠 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙤 𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙖𝙩 𝙢𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧? 𝙤𝙣𝙡𝙮 𝙖𝙩 𝙢𝙚, 𝙣𝙤 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙚𝙡𝙨𝙚.”
“𝙬𝙚 𝙙𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧, 𝙬𝙚 𝙤𝙣𝙡𝙮 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙬𝙤 𝙙𝙖𝙮𝙨,” 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙞𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙙, 𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙣 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙩 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙙𝙨.
“𝙞 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙜𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧, 𝙞 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙜𝙚𝙩 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧.”
: ̗̀➛ the way this scene made my heart hiccup, we need another az and winter novella this is not fairrr🥹.

“𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧 𝙢𝙚 𝙨𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙢 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙛𝙚𝙖𝙧, 𝙞𝙨𝙣’𝙩 𝙞𝙩?”
“𝙞 𝙙𝙤,” 𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙖𝙞𝙙, 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙪𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙧. “𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙛𝙚𝙖𝙧.”
: ̗̀➛ he said whattt🤭

𝗺𝘆 𝗳𝗮𝘃𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗾𝘂𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀:📖🌷
(i have so many actually)

“𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙨𝙖𝙞𝙙 𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙮 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙨, 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙚𝙙 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪.”

“𝙗𝙚𝙘𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙚𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙝𝙞𝙢, 𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙚𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙗𝙚 𝙝𝙞𝙢.”

“𝙞 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙙𝙤𝙬𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙗𝙤𝙩𝙝 𝙩𝙤 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙧𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙄’𝙫𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙞𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙗𝙮 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙚”

“𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙗𝙚 𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙧𝙪𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝙗𝙮 𝙮𝙤𝙪.”

“𝙞 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙡𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝙗𝙚𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙢𝙚, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙞’𝙙 𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙙𝙞𝙥 𝙢𝙮 𝙗𝙧𝙪𝙨𝙝 𝙞𝙣 𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙮.”

“𝙞 𝙥𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙧���𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙙𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙙𝙤𝙚𝙨𝙣’𝙩 𝙨𝙚𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪.”

“𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙨𝙖𝙮 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙨 𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙨𝙪𝙣𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙚.”

“𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙘𝙖𝙣𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙡𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙙𝙞𝙙 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚.”

“𝙛𝙖𝙧 𝙞𝙨 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙝𝙤𝙢𝙚.”
“𝙙𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙝 𝙙𝙤𝙚𝙨𝙣’𝙩 𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙡, 𝙤𝙣𝙡𝙮 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙬.”

“𝙞’𝙡𝙡 𝙨𝙚𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙖𝙛𝙖𝙧, 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪’𝙧𝙚 𝙨𝙤 𝙨𝙩𝙪𝙣𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙘𝙡𝙤𝙨𝙚, 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙢𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙗𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙣 𝙩𝙤 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙡𝙮 𝙨𝙤 𝙘𝙡𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙪𝙣.”

𝗽𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: i mean hoda said so and I'm a sucker for books with pretty pink cover 📖🌷

[Youssra (semi ia) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
omg this was so beautiful😭😭😭 How did the author manage to make me fall in love with these two in such a short time???

This kinda gave me Belladona/Wisteria vibes and I loved it! Their banter and bickering was SO GOOD! Don't let that fool you though, their conversations were actually deep and heavy and I had to reread some parts several times just to grasp the meaning🤣

Azriel was so grumpy but so soft only for her 🥺 Winter was so funny and just blurted the first thing on her mind. They were SO CUTE! But also kinda freaky😅

Definitely continuing the series!

[•°Dahlia ( hiatus ) · Rating 4 out of 5]

๋ ࣭ ⭑๋ ࣭ ⭑  ๋"I don't want to look out of the window, Winter, I have something better to look at." ࣭ ⭑๋ ࣭ ⭑

𓏲 ๋࣭  ࣪ ˖4🌟
I really liked this , and the cover made it even better , let's agree the start is lowkey boring with long ass conversations that seem to never end but when you get used to it you learn to love them because what both the characters say is chef's kiss and so relatable 🙏

Azriel and winter started as boring with zero chemistry to hot swoon worthy characters with a so much tension that I just wanted him to kiss her mage or not 🤭
Winter annoyed me at the start but I grew to like her ,and Azriel ? no comment that man is THE man , THE green flag 😩

⌗ bunch of swoony quotes 👁👄👁

๋ ࣭ ⭑๋ ࣭ ⭑"I'll see you from afar, but you're so stunning this close. This must be why they always warn you never fly close to the sun."  ๋ ࣭ ⭑๋ ࣭ ⭑


๋ ࣭ ⭑๋ ࣭ ⭑  ๋“She narrowed her eyes on him. “You want to hear me scream and shiver from fear, don’t you?” “I do,” he said, standing and heading towards the upper floor. “Just not from fear.” ࣭ ⭑๋ ࣭ ⭑


๋ ࣭ ⭑๋ ࣭ ⭑" I can have all the colors lined before me, and I'd still dip my brush in gray. If you ask me why, I wouldn't be able to answer you. If you ask me if I hated color, I would say not always. If you asked me to try and dip my brush in them, I'd tell you that I hate it and then I'd resent you for forcing me to do so.
Everyday, I see the world differently. Sometimes I hate it, resent it, love it, adore it. If I decided the fate of the world on the basis of what day it is, the world would have ended long ago. I'm sure Death is susceptible to gray days, too. He's existed a long time while not having lived at least one gray day." ๋ ࣭ ⭑๋ ࣭ ⭑

I just had to add this one because it felt so true 🥺


๋ ࣭ ⭑๋ ࣭ ⭑  ๋"How do you do that, Winter?" he asked, pushing her red hair out of her face. "How do you remain so spirited in a world that has wanted to rob you of it? How do you fight for others when no one has ever fought for you? How are you so understanding of others when no one has been understanding of you?"

"I have, I think. I've laughed for me, fought for me, thought of me. I think," she added, giving him a quivering smile. "You said that it is enough."

"It is. But I pity the world that holds you and doesn't see you." ࣭ ⭑๋ ࣭ ⭑


๋ ࣭ ⭑๋ ࣭ ⭑ "I want to bring you chamomile and biscuits and chocolates, but I don't know if they can fix this, whatever that is hurting you."

"It's alright, you brought me something else."
His voice was dark and hoarse when he asked, "And what is that?"

"You." Her ears rang after she said those words, so she filled the space with more of her truths, "I want you to kiss me, but we only have two more days to live." ๋ ࣭ ⭑๋ ࣭ ⭑


๋ ࣭ ⭑๋ ࣭ ⭑  ๋"What if I ask you to look at me forever? Only at me. No one else."
"We don't have forever. We only have two days," she whispered, choking on her last words.
"I will give you forever, I will make sure you get forever. Tell me." ࣭ ⭑๋ ࣭ ⭑


๋ ࣭ ⭑๋ ࣭ ⭑ "So, I'll just whisper it then. You said happiness comes in many forms. Mine is shaped like you. Has a mind shaped like yours, and a voice I never want out of my head."
He pressed a few kisses on her neck, his hand sliding from her waist and lower to her hip. "Among many other things." ๋ ࣭ ⭑๋ ࣭ ⭑ 😩🥺



--
saw this on ig and the cover lowkey attracted me more 🙈

[jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Then I’d only ever look at you. Would you only ever look at me if I asked?” “You don’t have to. I don’t think I’ve ever looked at anyone before.”

winter and az. az and winter.

he called her his sun.

“I’ll see you from afar, but you’re so stunning this close. This must be why they always warn to never fly so close to the sun.”

quotes:

“Are you at my mercy?”
“Or am I at yours?”

“So, I’ll just whisper it then. You said happiness comes in many forms. Mine is shaped like you. Has a mind shaped like yours, and a voice I never want out of my head.”

“You said that it is enough.” “It is. But I pity the world that holds you and doesn’t see you.”

[Noi (in & out) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here because of @buket
This was perfect.

It was what I hoped 'Pestilence' would be.
I want to reread this, and highlight everything.
Words are not enough, it was heart-wrenching, tear-jerking, beautiful, funny, lyrical...

[๑ seungchaccomin ๑ · Rating 3 out of 5]

‘you said happiness comes in many forms. mine is shaped like you. as a mind shaped like yours, and a voice i never want out of my head.’

well yes, i admit, azriel's actions got me giddy (aND THE WAY HE CALLS WINTER ‘little sun’? yep, that's my weakness 😩🧎🏻‍♀️)

but the problem is that both mcs has done seggsual explicit scenes; despite the fact that winter is a priestess and azriel is a mage (and a god of death), these explicit scenes made me uncomfy.

still, it's a sweet and intense story 💕

────────────────────────

in my mood reader era again cuz of that 500k+ word fanfic (and of course, i will read the rest of this series while the fanfic is still on-going on read) 💜

at the end there was you - ✮✮✮
the last war we ever fought - ✮✮✮✮
where the light no longer follows - ✮✮✮✮.25

[saffiyah✧ఌ · Rating 4 out of 5]

“i pity the world that holds you and doesn’t see you.”

4.5★

a beautiful, moving story about winter, a priestess serving the God of life, who falls in love with azriel, a mage who serves the God of death who intends for all life to cease in seven days.

all of the characters are built up in such a stunning way for such a short novel. there is a certain side character who you can't help but hate with every fibre of your being, and another who you can't help but love in the few short moments we meet her. the main characters are so perfect for each other in every way, and despite this book only taking place over seven days, it never feels like an insta-love, but a bewitching tale that covers so much in so few pages. and some of the things that azriel says 🤭 the writing is so ornate and is more of a romance with fantasy elements, but it reads as though the romance is a subplot which just makes it all the more beautiful.

definitely read the epilogue, i didn't realise that there was one until after i sobbed for a full hour, then decided to reread the ending which is when i noticed that there was more of the book left.

such a gorgeous cover too

· · ────── ·𖥸· ────── · ·

• “I occasionally enjoy what you have to say though it deeply distresses me and sometimes heavily makes me question your state of mind.”

• “I told you that what you want should always matter, Winter.”

• Azriel was so confused. “Even food does not keep her quiet,” he murmured to himself.

• “I should have just kept you in that dark and dingy library and had my fun with you on every single surface of it.”

• She’d never been a massive indulger of sweets, but she adored their colours and she adored how happy it made others. Besides the dentist. Winter had always thought they never deserved happiness anyway.

• “I missed one thing. And that is holding you.”

• “You want to hear me scream and shiver from fear, isn’t it?”
“I do. Just not from fear.”

• “Will I be able to sleep tonight?”
“You can always join me, if you can’t.”

TW: death, depression, religion, child neglect, scars, mention of self-harm, mention of child death, mention of rape, ableism.

[Payal · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5☆
Did I just find a new favourite book?😭 also, I am so happy that I finished a book in 2 days after so long idc if it was only 150 pages long😌

My stomach was doing somersault the whole book. Like Azriel got some rizz going on. Every word from his mouth made butterflies erupt in my stomach and I was going- oh my god, this is so cute🤭🤭🤭

For some unfathomable reason I never saw that twist coming which was so predictable from the first page🤣😭 the ending was brutal. I was like- no, no, no this can't be happening but I knew there was a epilogue coming🤭👀 the quotes are swoon-worthy as well plus deep too🥺💗

This was insta love but not at the same time. Like you know, they had 7 days to fall in love only but I loved every second of it😭💟 i loved the characters so much that my heart aches and clara, you're the sweetest girl ever💙 protect her at all cost.

Okay bye. I am coming for you Wendy Heiss for creating such beautiful characters🗡

[yuvi • ia · Rating 2 out of 5]

"I make you happy?"
"I do not wish to say it."
"Why not?"
"The world might hear, they might want you for themselves if they know I am capable of being happy and that there is something out there that has made me capable."
"So, I'll just whisper it then. You said happiness come in many forms. Mine is shaped like you. Has a mind shaped like yours, and a voice I never want out of my head,"

ok. hear me out. i tried to like this book. really did, stg.

but damn! this was underwhelming 😭😭
i struggled to connect with the characters (ngl, azriel lwk grew on me by the end.lol)
plus, what was that writing style!?
and that plot twist was soooo predictable. i'm sorry but this was not for me.😭😭😭

[Ash ꣑ৎ (quit) · Rating 5 out of 5]

.ೃ࿐⁀➷ Infinite stars ✨✨

I don't care what anyone else says, this was perfect 💞💞


.ೃ࿐⁀➷ Read if you like:

🪄 Grumpy x Sunshine
🪄 Forced proximity
🪄 I hate everyone but you
🪄 Dark academia vibes
🪄 Dual POV
🪄 Novella


.ೃ࿐⁀➷ Characters:

❥ Winter: Ahhhhh I LOVE 😍😍 Winter sm 🥰🥰 She is such a ray of sunshine and 💯 percent needs to change her name to Summer. I loved how bubbly and happy she was, and I swear everyone needs someone like her in their lives 💞💞

❥ Az: I swear I say this in like every review I have ever written but THIS MAN is the new STANDARD 😩😩 He was giving off such I hate everyone but you vibe and I was EATING IT UP. He was so gentle and sweet to Winter and as we got to know him more all I wanted to do was give him a huge hug 🫂🫂 Ahhh I'm in LOVE 🧎🏻‍♀️🧎🏻‍♀️


.ೃ࿐⁀➷ Romance

❥ Winter + Az: I'm deceased. I love these to so so so much 🤩🤩 it isn't even funny. At the start I was worried that Az wouldn't be the mmc, but there are no words I can use to express how happy I am that he was. Their banter was so cute and it had me laughing out loud and blushing so so hard 🫠🫠 I think grumpy x sunshine is definitely becoming one of my new favourite tropes 🥹🥹 I will be thinking about these two for the foreseeable future ❤️❤️


.ೃ࿐⁀➷ Quotes

“We all surrender to death the day we are born. We just hope he is kind and forgetful.”

“Wanting to find purpose is not ridiculous, Winter. What’s ridiculous is the fact that you were ripped of the choice.”

"Your mistress said you’d be a shadow, not the whole damn sun"
“What can you tell me first?”
“How about a tale told by a man who’d escaped him?”
“Will I be able to sleep tonight?”
“You can always join me, if you can’t.”

[Victoria Werngreen · Rating 4 out of 5]

a very sweet (and sad) story about live and death. winter has such a pretty and pure heart. the story has many beautiful qoutes and emotional depth despite only being 130 pages💕

the ‘plot twist’ was predictable, but i like how i knew about it without her knowing. it made it fun to look for clues and confirmation of my theory 🤗

i didn’t cry at the end (i see many reviews where people write they did), but it did make me feel🥲

[vxmpslibrary [comments restriction] · Rating 3 out of 5]

.3 stars.

“I’ll finish early, too. If I am lucky, I might get to see you sulk or smile at the rain.”

.my thoughts.
At The End There Was You is a blue fairytale where there is seven days to live before God Of Death's plague will take over the entire world. Winter a priestess has been assigned to aide a Mage who intends to stop this plague and find a reason.

This book is not perfect, yes it has flaws but one would say that it is completely normal to have as we have thought of perfection too much.

Winter is a literal sunshine, like knowing for her quietness, she's actually really talkative and sweet, she cares for everyone profoundly and gives them love she never recieved.

“I have, I think. I’ve laughed for me, fought for me, thought of me. I think,” she added, giving him a quivering smile. “You said that it is enough.”
“It is. But I pity the world that holds you and doesn’t see you."

Azriel, the mage was drawn to winter like a moth to a flame. Honestly I loved the way he tried everything to make her happy and he put quite the efforts for it. His kindness was unmatched even if he didn't knew it.

“Take care of me when you turn me into a cockroach, will you?” He finally lowered himself down to her, crouching just above her, their faces closer. She thought him handsome even upside down like that.
“Presuming I’d keep you.”
“You’d keep me.”

They are so cute stop 🫶

Honestly the ending I kind of expected something else but at the same time it's bittersweet, one would say my heart aches so bad that I just don't know what to do anymore.

One says when you are with your favorite person, time passes by so fast, but here the seven days were so drawn out long and I'm so used to days passing by fast in fantasies that it kind of itched my brain bahah

The reason I rated it 3 was because I kind of expected more, and my enjoyment was quite lacking. I love how this book has a lot of depth and it makes you understand and question things. I love Az and Winter together but they broke something inside of me.

Also the review is short because this is a novella, and the whole series is a novella. And I was craving for one because my exam ate half my brain and it did not went like I expected. I would recommend you actually if you love fairytales, Death, Life and Death's reason to stop the plague😌🫶

[charisse ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

EMoTiONaL DAmAgE in 150 pages

[adriana .☘︎ ݁˖ · Rating 4 out of 5]

⋆౨ৎ˚ ꒰ 4.5 stars ꒱
spoilers ahead

・❥・when the world is going to end in 7 days due to the word of the god of death, winter, a priestess, is ordered to assist a mage in helping find a way to stop the end from happening.

⋆˚✿˖° i'm genuinely shocked. since this is a novella i wasn't really expecting too much, simply because it isn't as long as the usual fantasy book and i doubted whether the plot could be executed without being rushed. but my expectations were exceeded by a LOT.
the writing in this book is actually so beautiful and the conversations left me gaping because of how well-spoken and thought out they are. i'm definitely reading more of this author's books, and i really recommend this book ! i can't put it into words how much i loved the writing style and the way the characters are written.

⭑.ᐟ winter :
i loved her so so much !! even through all pain and hardship in the world, she still remained so positive to the ones around her and had such a positive outlook on some things. her thoughts and dialogues completely entranced me. my heart broke when i found out about her upbringing and why she always seeked death. i loved the ending so much and she's such a strong character !!

⭑.ᐟ azriel :
i kinda guessed that he was death when they debated about death and whether he's angry, but i still enjoyed reading this book !! it was so sweet to see how he warmed up to winter and how she was the only one who he saw something good in, unlike the rest of humanity. their ending was so sweet and i'm so happy they got their happy end <3

⋘══════ ∘◦❁◦∘ ══════⋙

"far is every place that is not home"

"to speak your mind is foolish." "to not speak it is a shame. with how little we live and how little we have to live, it would be the utmost pity."

"just because things can be worse than they are, does not mean they are not already bad enough."

"in the end, it doesn't matter if we love them or not if they do not love you back."

"but i pity the world that holds you and doesn't see you."

"if death saw the world with that amber color lens of your eyes, little sun, he'd be doomed. he'd start sending people back to the land of the living before they stepped on the gates of his land."

"you said happiness comes in many forms. mine is shaped like you. has a mind shaped like yours, and a voice i never want out of my head."

all of a sudden, she'd found her happy death. she'd want to die slowly, wrapped in poison. held.

because at the end there was him. at the end there would always be him.

he kissed her eyes, her cheek, her nose, her lips. "why have you seeked me, my sun?"

"i'll see you from afar, but you're so stunning this close. this must be why they always warn to never fly so close to the sun."

he'd been nothing but gentle with her soul. no one had ever been. no one had regarded it before.

[Yasmine Van Den Meersch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t tell you HOW MUCH I enjoyed this!!!!! It was such a short book, but filled with so much depth, feelings,… I couldn’t stop reading. This is truly one of a kind and I LOVE IT! One of my new favorite OMG 🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥰😭