First of all, I would like to thank the author for my very first ARC opportunity!
Though this is not a religious story, it is inspired and loosely based off the fall of Lucifer and the creation of Earth. There have been many different retellings of these subjects, but everything about this one is absolutely alluring and... just so beautiful. Even if you already know the basis of how this happened, Meyer offers a brand-new twist on this myth.
As if reading a history book, we are taken through the timeline that lead to the Great War of Heaven. Embedded in this, we also get to read about two star crossed lovers, fated to not have an easy road, and how they contributed to this dilemma in Heaven.
The book isn't necessarily centered around the romance of Luc and Lila, but the war definitely seems to be- we are given enough to feel the same longing that they feel for each other no matter what separates them. You can feel the angst, the desperation, and the desire for something they can't have. It left me begging for more of them, rooting for their love despite their situations, kicking my feet and giggling at their shared scenes- and sometimes whining and growing frustrated with their stubbornness.
The characters are easy to relate to, painted in such a light that they feel so human despite the thought that angels are supposed to be superior beings. If you've ever longed for freedom, for love, and/or for success, you already have something in common with our main characters!
Meyer's writing is very descriptive, easy to form the world you are reading about within your own imagination. However, with how lavish Meyer described Heaven, I think a map would have been a beautiful addition to this already amazing story- I've often seen many fantasy books provide a visual of its world and I think seeing a blueprint of Heaven and Earth would have enhanced the reading experience.
The pace of this book is pretty quick, but it definitely does not feel rushed. It progresses well enough to keep you hooked the whole time. At first, I was a little worried because of the non-linear timeline (for the most part, each chapter alternates between the present timeline and the past) but it is not as confusing as I expected. Meyer made sure the reader could follow, and she connected the chapters in a way that any questions you might have, could get answered within the next one.
Overall, I fell in love with this book. I fell in love with Luc and Lila, their relationship, their friends, the plot. Everything about this book had me in a chokehold, making me want to savor this book. I can't wait to get a physical copy for myself and annotate it and I DEFINITELY cannot wait to read parts two and three of this trilogy- The Chasm Trilogy.