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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
3 people are currently reading
254 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 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.
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.
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!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews