What do you think?
Rate this book
Across Time and Starlight
“I’ll find you, in this world or any other.”
Enter a world where time travelers are destined to love faeries—a tale of forbidden magic, prophecy, and empire.
A dream-eating World Tree feeds upon the people of the Floating City, slowly devouring their souls. As a religious resistance builds against the Tree and its tyrannical inquisitors, the city is filled with prophecies of a time traveler who will return their stolen dreams.
The Tree dispatches the slave Saya, a shape-shifting faerie whose wings were stolen from her, to locate the time walker. When she confronts him, Saya can’t shake the feeling that this untamed traveler named Andreas is the same boy who once gifted her wings in a dream. The two forge an unlikely alliance to save the city, each suspicious of the other’s motives even while they hide their growing feelings for each other.
As a civil war ignites, they must use cursed magic to journey through the uprising, across time and parallel worlds to bring down the malignant Tree. Can they rescue the souls of their people and their lost dreams of each other?
This is a story about hope and healing for everyone who believes the wounds in your heart are how the light gets in.
Enter a world where time travelers are destined to love faeries—a tale of forbidden magic, prophecy, and empire.
A dream-eating World Tree feeds upon the people of the Floating City, slowly devouring their souls. As a religious resistance builds against the Tree and its tyrannical inquisitors, the city is filled with prophecies of a time traveler who will return their stolen dreams.
The Tree dispatches the slave Saya, a shape-shifting faerie whose wings were stolen from her, to locate the time walker. When she confronts him, Saya can’t shake the feeling that this untamed traveler named Andreas is the same boy who once gifted her wings in a dream. The two forge an unlikely alliance to save the city, each suspicious of the other’s motives even while they hide their growing feelings for each other.
As a civil war ignites, they must use cursed magic to journey through the uprising, across time and parallel worlds to bring down the malignant Tree. Can they rescue the souls of their people and their lost dreams of each other?
This is a story about hope and healing for everyone who believes the wounds in your heart are how the light gets in.
388 pages, Paperback
Published February 4, 2025
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 1, 2025
So happy to finally see this book listed on Goodreads! I read this back in February and have been thinking about it ever since.
Once upon a time a section of land separated and lifted into the sky. The Floating City as it’s called requires all its citizens to sacrifice their dreams to fuel this land from falling back down to the flat lands below.
This book offers a lot of unique depth and complexity. The intricate world building and poetic writing really bring the story to life. There is a heavy use of timelines and time loops which made it slightly hard to follow at times in the beginning. I swear just hang in there. The effort to understand the story pays off in the end. It’s worth the slight confusion. I loved the character development especially Saya’s backstory. The book's ambition and creativity are worth the effort if you're into more complex, high fantasy stories. I loved the theme of finding your true self and the in depth dreams and their meanings. I even found myself crying at a few different moments toward the end.
I will say I think a map of the world would be helpful to have. Navigationally I was lost at times in relation to other places in the story.
I listened to an album on Amazon music called ‘study music: studying music for studying’ while reading this and I feel like that really heightened my overall experience.
Once upon a time a section of land separated and lifted into the sky. The Floating City as it’s called requires all its citizens to sacrifice their dreams to fuel this land from falling back down to the flat lands below.
This book offers a lot of unique depth and complexity. The intricate world building and poetic writing really bring the story to life. There is a heavy use of timelines and time loops which made it slightly hard to follow at times in the beginning. I swear just hang in there. The effort to understand the story pays off in the end. It’s worth the slight confusion. I loved the character development especially Saya’s backstory. The book's ambition and creativity are worth the effort if you're into more complex, high fantasy stories. I loved the theme of finding your true self and the in depth dreams and their meanings. I even found myself crying at a few different moments toward the end.
I will say I think a map of the world would be helpful to have. Navigationally I was lost at times in relation to other places in the story.
I listened to an album on Amazon music called ‘study music: studying music for studying’ while reading this and I feel like that really heightened my overall experience.
April 26, 2026
⭐️⭐️💫 2.5 stars maybe?
Y'all I wanted to like this soooo much more. I wanted to love it. I tried so hard. 😭
Premise? Super interesting. Love me a good time loop. Throw in some fantasy-romance elements and an interesting/unique magic system? Sold.
BUT THE WRITING. The first 20% was such a choppy slog of stream-of-consciousness that I considered DNFing several times. Half the time I seriously had no idea what they were talking about and I had to reread way too many pages. It took me until about the 30% mark to actually understand who tf everyone was and what the different factions were.
Candotti also studded the whole book with like a million "knowledge gaps" that were clearly supposed to make everything dreamy and sleepy and intangible, but it just felt like there were giant ass plot holes everywhere. We'd be in the middle of a thought and the very next sentence would jump to something entirely different. The shame is I think I see what he was going for, but he seriously needed his editor to sit him down for some tough love because it just did not work.
I did enjoy the story - if not the storytelling. I thought it was unique and pretty and I really liked that the romance was there but not the main plot driver. The search for each other (and Saya's search for self) had just the right amount of heartbreak and longing without being suffocating.
But oh boy. This was my first time reading a fantasy-romance written by a man and, well. The male gaze is real y'all. These quotes pretty much sum up my thoughts on that little nugget:
He chewed loudly, making small moans of pleasure that excited me.
Her waist was tiny, but other things were not.
We came to an opening shaped like a vulva where the liquid cascaded into an unearthly aquamarine basin.
It made me proud to walk alongside him as his woman.
Referring to FMC's virginity as "a gift" and romanticizing her sweet vulnerability when she was a teenager 🙃
There were some very pretty quotes though, so at least there's that:
“What if I told you you’re not real? That I just made you up so I don’t feel so lonely all the time?” he asked, and I replied, “I would like that. It would mean something inside you poured itself into making me. Just so I could love you. So, in a way, I’m a love letter to you. From your deepest self. Wouldn’t you want to be something so beautiful?” And for a long time, I believed in that. 1
My name was Saya, and I was the girl whose dreams came true. But since that night I found myself spread-eagled on a table, all I ever dreamed of was becoming someone else. 10
But as you had tiptoed down from the full moon and into my heart, so it had hunted me since I first found myself awake without you, my dreams manifesting around me like phantoms. 26
Invaders from beyond the ocean, always needing a mythology to justify their endless expansion. 32
I remembered something about you then, my lost boy from the dream: how your arms felt around me as the stars of the universe danced across the surface of the ocean. I’m sorry I stopped dreaming about you. I just can’t bear to dream about anything ever again. You have probably forgotten me, as I have forgotten myself. 48
In the strands of myself that were still there, I understood this place. This was the Dreaming. 66
It was as if she were the universe itself, dancing through possibilities, in all the pain and beauty of becoming. 83
There is truth and power in a performance if it comes from real pain. 112
“The loneliest sky is the sky above slaves,” Ciana said, as if quoting, “for they do not look up.” 124
If I was to die, at least let it be as myself. 157
Some women cry easily, their tears like the fragrant rain of a sun shower. Others cry hard, all the loveliness of themselves collapsing. I was the latter sort, and the valleys of my tears had already been written across my heart. 165
She knew that without anything to hope for, there was nothing worth keeping myself together for. 187
“You’ve been pretending to be someone else for so long…” she said, “you’ve forgotten who you are.” 191
“Take my soul, that we may follow each other in every world, in this present or the next.” 240
"This is how time is broken, at the touch of two who should be one.” 291
“Please, Andreas, do not try to find love. It is in seeking that you are lost. To save her and yourself… let her go.” 294
“What if I told you you’re not real?” I wondered out loud, my thumb running over her lips. “That I just made you up so I don’t feel so lonely all the time?”
Saya smiled. “I would like that,” she said, nipping at my thumb. “It would mean something inside you poured itself into making me. Just so I could love you.” Her fingers played with my long mane, possessive and exciting. “So, in a way, I am a love letter to you. From your deepest self.” She propped herself up above me, her body pressing against mine. “Wouldn’t you want to be something so beautiful?” she asked, holding my face up to hers. 295
“I love you,” he said simply.
“I love you too,” I said instantly. “Honestly, completely, with everything that I am.” He closed his eyes, grinding his jaw with all of the guilt and recrimination he had buried for so long. “I hope you always know that,” I said, “and that somewhere inside you, you always knew it.” 353
Y'all I wanted to like this soooo much more. I wanted to love it. I tried so hard. 😭
Premise? Super interesting. Love me a good time loop. Throw in some fantasy-romance elements and an interesting/unique magic system? Sold.
BUT THE WRITING. The first 20% was such a choppy slog of stream-of-consciousness that I considered DNFing several times. Half the time I seriously had no idea what they were talking about and I had to reread way too many pages. It took me until about the 30% mark to actually understand who tf everyone was and what the different factions were.
Candotti also studded the whole book with like a million "knowledge gaps" that were clearly supposed to make everything dreamy and sleepy and intangible, but it just felt like there were giant ass plot holes everywhere. We'd be in the middle of a thought and the very next sentence would jump to something entirely different. The shame is I think I see what he was going for, but he seriously needed his editor to sit him down for some tough love because it just did not work.
I did enjoy the story - if not the storytelling. I thought it was unique and pretty and I really liked that the romance was there but not the main plot driver. The search for each other (and Saya's search for self) had just the right amount of heartbreak and longing without being suffocating.
But oh boy. This was my first time reading a fantasy-romance written by a man and, well. The male gaze is real y'all. These quotes pretty much sum up my thoughts on that little nugget:
He chewed loudly, making small moans of pleasure that excited me.
Her waist was tiny, but other things were not.
We came to an opening shaped like a vulva where the liquid cascaded into an unearthly aquamarine basin.
It made me proud to walk alongside him as his woman.
Referring to FMC's virginity as "a gift" and romanticizing her sweet vulnerability when she was a teenager 🙃
There were some very pretty quotes though, so at least there's that:
“What if I told you you’re not real? That I just made you up so I don’t feel so lonely all the time?” he asked, and I replied, “I would like that. It would mean something inside you poured itself into making me. Just so I could love you. So, in a way, I’m a love letter to you. From your deepest self. Wouldn’t you want to be something so beautiful?” And for a long time, I believed in that. 1
My name was Saya, and I was the girl whose dreams came true. But since that night I found myself spread-eagled on a table, all I ever dreamed of was becoming someone else. 10
But as you had tiptoed down from the full moon and into my heart, so it had hunted me since I first found myself awake without you, my dreams manifesting around me like phantoms. 26
Invaders from beyond the ocean, always needing a mythology to justify their endless expansion. 32
I remembered something about you then, my lost boy from the dream: how your arms felt around me as the stars of the universe danced across the surface of the ocean. I’m sorry I stopped dreaming about you. I just can’t bear to dream about anything ever again. You have probably forgotten me, as I have forgotten myself. 48
In the strands of myself that were still there, I understood this place. This was the Dreaming. 66
It was as if she were the universe itself, dancing through possibilities, in all the pain and beauty of becoming. 83
There is truth and power in a performance if it comes from real pain. 112
“The loneliest sky is the sky above slaves,” Ciana said, as if quoting, “for they do not look up.” 124
If I was to die, at least let it be as myself. 157
Some women cry easily, their tears like the fragrant rain of a sun shower. Others cry hard, all the loveliness of themselves collapsing. I was the latter sort, and the valleys of my tears had already been written across my heart. 165
She knew that without anything to hope for, there was nothing worth keeping myself together for. 187
“You’ve been pretending to be someone else for so long…” she said, “you’ve forgotten who you are.” 191
“Take my soul, that we may follow each other in every world, in this present or the next.” 240
"This is how time is broken, at the touch of two who should be one.” 291
“Please, Andreas, do not try to find love. It is in seeking that you are lost. To save her and yourself… let her go.” 294
“What if I told you you’re not real?” I wondered out loud, my thumb running over her lips. “That I just made you up so I don’t feel so lonely all the time?”
Saya smiled. “I would like that,” she said, nipping at my thumb. “It would mean something inside you poured itself into making me. Just so I could love you.” Her fingers played with my long mane, possessive and exciting. “So, in a way, I am a love letter to you. From your deepest self.” She propped herself up above me, her body pressing against mine. “Wouldn’t you want to be something so beautiful?” she asked, holding my face up to hers. 295
“I love you,” he said simply.
“I love you too,” I said instantly. “Honestly, completely, with everything that I am.” He closed his eyes, grinding his jaw with all of the guilt and recrimination he had buried for so long. “I hope you always know that,” I said, “and that somewhere inside you, you always knew it.” 353
October 1, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of the ARC in exchange for an honest review
2.5 Stars
Lovers travel through time, dreams, and stories to save a broken world. In “Old Time,” Andreas is a hunter who met Saya in his dreams but has been unable to find her in the waking world. In “New Time”, Saya is an unwilling tool for an oppressive regime built around stealing the dreams of the people to feed a corrupted World Tree -- mystical trees that make up the unconscious consciousness of the world. Seeking Saya, Andreas travels through time and finds the world corrupted almost beyond recognition. Together, he and Saya -- who do not recognize each other, as detailed memories from their time together are too fuzzy -- journey together to destroy the corrupted Black World Tree and restore dreams to the people.
The first 20% of this book is jumbled together in a contrived attempt at seeming dreamlike and strange, but instead it just reads like the author did not have any editorial feedback on that content. There is a way the author’s (seeming) goal could have been reached but text that leaves confusing gaps rather than eliciting curiosity just isn't it. I’m glad I slogged through that 20% because the story and setting are genuinely interesting.
Having Andreas’ initial chapters be in second person was a really cool narrative choice and one of the only reasons I kept pushing through. The final 40% of the book was stellar and the dreamlike, uncertain quality that he seemed to have been going for in the first 20% actually landed. This book could have been so much better than it was, and that’s deeply disappointing. The back half I would have rated at least a 3, which bumps the 2 star rating up to a 2.5.
2.5 Stars
Lovers travel through time, dreams, and stories to save a broken world. In “Old Time,” Andreas is a hunter who met Saya in his dreams but has been unable to find her in the waking world. In “New Time”, Saya is an unwilling tool for an oppressive regime built around stealing the dreams of the people to feed a corrupted World Tree -- mystical trees that make up the unconscious consciousness of the world. Seeking Saya, Andreas travels through time and finds the world corrupted almost beyond recognition. Together, he and Saya -- who do not recognize each other, as detailed memories from their time together are too fuzzy -- journey together to destroy the corrupted Black World Tree and restore dreams to the people.
The first 20% of this book is jumbled together in a contrived attempt at seeming dreamlike and strange, but instead it just reads like the author did not have any editorial feedback on that content. There is a way the author’s (seeming) goal could have been reached but text that leaves confusing gaps rather than eliciting curiosity just isn't it. I’m glad I slogged through that 20% because the story and setting are genuinely interesting.
Having Andreas’ initial chapters be in second person was a really cool narrative choice and one of the only reasons I kept pushing through. The final 40% of the book was stellar and the dreamlike, uncertain quality that he seemed to have been going for in the first 20% actually landed. This book could have been so much better than it was, and that’s deeply disappointing. The back half I would have rated at least a 3, which bumps the 2 star rating up to a 2.5.
November 9, 2025
"What if I told you you're not real? That I just made you up so I don't feel so lonely all the time?"
Well, this one really surprised me. From the very first page, I was enthralled. There are few authors I’d call true wordsmiths, but Alessandro Candotti is certainly one. His artful descriptions helped me see and feel the story in ways I never expected. I was drawn in — body and soul. Reading this felt like falling into a fever dream — but I think that was the point, wasn’t it? I spent the entire book chasing meaning and understanding but, even to the very end, it continued to flutter just beyond my reach.
My only concern was that the character development seemed a little uneven: at times stagnant, then suddenly moving all at once. And while I didn’t feel there were any major character shifts by the end, maybe that was part of the story’s circular nature. I think, perhaps, that's why it felt like a 4-star read instead of 5.
Despite my lingering confusion — or maybe because of it — I really enjoyed this book. It’s like waking from a strange, beautiful dream you don’t fully understand, yet somehow find comfort in.
I'm very grateful for the opportunity to have read and reviewed this book, for which I received an ARC.
Well, this one really surprised me. From the very first page, I was enthralled. There are few authors I’d call true wordsmiths, but Alessandro Candotti is certainly one. His artful descriptions helped me see and feel the story in ways I never expected. I was drawn in — body and soul. Reading this felt like falling into a fever dream — but I think that was the point, wasn’t it? I spent the entire book chasing meaning and understanding but, even to the very end, it continued to flutter just beyond my reach.
My only concern was that the character development seemed a little uneven: at times stagnant, then suddenly moving all at once. And while I didn’t feel there were any major character shifts by the end, maybe that was part of the story’s circular nature. I think, perhaps, that's why it felt like a 4-star read instead of 5.
Despite my lingering confusion — or maybe because of it — I really enjoyed this book. It’s like waking from a strange, beautiful dream you don’t fully understand, yet somehow find comfort in.
I'm very grateful for the opportunity to have read and reviewed this book, for which I received an ARC.
January 29, 2026
When I read the synopsis, it was an instant buy. I was genuinely excited to read this one and even bumped it up my TBR because I kept coming back to it every time I was choosing my next read.
I really wanted to love this book, but unfortunately it didn’t fully hit the mark for me. It’s a bit of a complicated relationship. While I found the core concept and plot absolutely fascinating, the execution fell a little short. The pacing, plot flow, character interactions, and even the word choices didn’t quite land the way I’d hoped. They weren’t bad by any means, but I couldn’t help feeling that they could’ve been stronger.
That said, for a debut novel, I don’t think this was bad overall. I can clearly see the author’s vision, and even though I struggled at times to fully grasp the story (someone please talk to me about this book!!), I still found myself having fun while reading it. I’m definitely curious to see how the author grows in future works.
Side note because I have to say it: this is my first fantasy romance by a male author, and… yeah. I get the male author vs. female author romance discourse now 😅
Full review on my IG - @itsreader.k
I really wanted to love this book, but unfortunately it didn’t fully hit the mark for me. It’s a bit of a complicated relationship. While I found the core concept and plot absolutely fascinating, the execution fell a little short. The pacing, plot flow, character interactions, and even the word choices didn’t quite land the way I’d hoped. They weren’t bad by any means, but I couldn’t help feeling that they could’ve been stronger.
That said, for a debut novel, I don’t think this was bad overall. I can clearly see the author’s vision, and even though I struggled at times to fully grasp the story (someone please talk to me about this book!!), I still found myself having fun while reading it. I’m definitely curious to see how the author grows in future works.
Side note because I have to say it: this is my first fantasy romance by a male author, and… yeah. I get the male author vs. female author romance discourse now 😅
Full review on my IG - @itsreader.k
September 15, 2025
I’m a little torn on how I feel about this one. On the one hand, I really appreciated that romance wasn’t the main focus—it gave the story room to explore its bigger themes. But at the same time, I felt it lacked the depth and substance to truly keep me invested.
We follow Saya and Andres as they travel through time, burdened with a prophecy to save the world. It’s a classic fantasy setup, but here it felt underdeveloped and could have been executed more strongly. The ending, in particular, left me confused about the author’s intentions, and I was left wishing for more clarity.
The concept itself is intriguing and even gave me Strange the Dreamer vibes at times, but overall it didn’t live up to its potential. While others might enjoy the ideas and atmosphere, it ultimately left me disappointed, and I don’t think it’s one I’ll be recommending to friends.
Thanks to NetGalley and Publishers for the opportunity to read and review.
We follow Saya and Andres as they travel through time, burdened with a prophecy to save the world. It’s a classic fantasy setup, but here it felt underdeveloped and could have been executed more strongly. The ending, in particular, left me confused about the author’s intentions, and I was left wishing for more clarity.
The concept itself is intriguing and even gave me Strange the Dreamer vibes at times, but overall it didn’t live up to its potential. While others might enjoy the ideas and atmosphere, it ultimately left me disappointed, and I don’t think it’s one I’ll be recommending to friends.
Thanks to NetGalley and Publishers for the opportunity to read and review.
May 19, 2025
This is a beautiful but heart wrenching story of fated love. We have great world building and deep, complex characters.
I loved the chemistry between Saya and Andreas, noticeable from the very first moment the crossed paths in the book.
I have to admit that the first 42 pages were a bit heavy, but necessary to understand how things worked and not get lost deeper in the story.
I don't have more to say than: It is so well written it was a pleasure to read it, to learn about and with the characters how the story evolved.
I loved the chemistry between Saya and Andreas, noticeable from the very first moment the crossed paths in the book.
I have to admit that the first 42 pages were a bit heavy, but necessary to understand how things worked and not get lost deeper in the story.
I don't have more to say than: It is so well written it was a pleasure to read it, to learn about and with the characters how the story evolved.
October 2, 2025
I read this one really quickly and thank God I was on leave from work 😅 without giving away any spoilers by the time I got to the end of the book, I was quite upset with the author (in the best way possible!). Saya, the female protagonist, represents so much of what I've felt while trying to find my 'true self' but the writing is not preachy and instead lyrical and poetic. The language is a new style and might take some getting used to but if you give it time, you will get drawn in and it's wonderfully refreshing
October 4, 2025
A refreshing change from what's 'popular' these days
I really enjoyed exploring this new world and characters. The language the author uses is rich and lyrical, which is a refreshing change from the very simple prose used in what passes as 'popular' fantasy novels these days. The time travel can get a bit confusing, but it doesn't take away from a captivating story filled with love, intrigue, and a world that one can truly escape into.
I really enjoyed exploring this new world and characters. The language the author uses is rich and lyrical, which is a refreshing change from the very simple prose used in what passes as 'popular' fantasy novels these days. The time travel can get a bit confusing, but it doesn't take away from a captivating story filled with love, intrigue, and a world that one can truly escape into.
September 30, 2025
I have followed the writings of this man for years through his website and there is a delicate nuance to his words I have rarely encountered. I would recommend this book to anyone who is romantic at heart or has a poetic soul.
October 4, 2025
Alessandro Candotti’s writing is both powerful and elegant, drawing you in with intensity. His talent for language and imagination shines on every page, and this book is a true testament to his skill as a storyteller. A remarkable debut from a gifted writer!
September 30, 2025
Great read! Beautifully written — a story that genuinely gave me goosebumps.
October 1, 2025
This story completely drew me in, beautiful world building and addictive dream-like story. Saya and Andreas are my favourite couple!
March 30, 2026
Perhaps due to being very tired at the time I found the first few Saya chapters confusing not knowing if she was remembering something or if it was happening then. Not my favourite kind of ending.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews