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Vesuvius
The end is coming. The gods are watching. This thrilling historical fantasy set in the days before Mount Vesuvius destroys Pompeii is a meet cute with an explosive fallout.
Clever thief Felix slips from city to city to survive the present and escape a past he can’t remember. When Felix steals a divine artifact—Mercury's helmet—from a temple in Pompeii, pieces of his forgotten past begin to surface.
Loren, an ambitious temple attendant, has seen Felix in his apocalyptic nightmares for years. The last thing Loren expects is for his dream to stumble headfirst through his temple doors, moments after an earthquake rocks the city.
When Felix shows Loren the helmet, Loren sees the world coming to an end. He knows they have mere days to uncover Felix’s ties to the relic and to Loren’s visions if they have any hope of saving the city. But Ancient Rome is ruled by bloody politics and unstoppable destinies, and now that Loren and Felix are intertwined, their lives aren’t all they risk losing. When all has turned to ash and rubble, the boys will have to piece together their fates to make it out of a burning city alive.
An exploration of ambition and class, autonomy and religion, survival and love, Vesuvius combines the romantic angst of They Both Die at the End and the blended magic and history of The Song of Achilles to show readers that it is never too late to change your fate—or change the world.
Clever thief Felix slips from city to city to survive the present and escape a past he can’t remember. When Felix steals a divine artifact—Mercury's helmet—from a temple in Pompeii, pieces of his forgotten past begin to surface.
Loren, an ambitious temple attendant, has seen Felix in his apocalyptic nightmares for years. The last thing Loren expects is for his dream to stumble headfirst through his temple doors, moments after an earthquake rocks the city.
When Felix shows Loren the helmet, Loren sees the world coming to an end. He knows they have mere days to uncover Felix’s ties to the relic and to Loren’s visions if they have any hope of saving the city. But Ancient Rome is ruled by bloody politics and unstoppable destinies, and now that Loren and Felix are intertwined, their lives aren’t all they risk losing. When all has turned to ash and rubble, the boys will have to piece together their fates to make it out of a burning city alive.
An exploration of ambition and class, autonomy and religion, survival and love, Vesuvius combines the romantic angst of They Both Die at the End and the blended magic and history of The Song of Achilles to show readers that it is never too late to change your fate—or change the world.
381 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 10, 2025
106 people are currently reading
9497 people want to read
About the author
Cass Biehn
3 books180 followersCass Biehn (they/them) writes messy queer characters in messier situations—and always with angsty kissing. They hold a Master of Library Science degree from Aberystwyth University in rainy Wales and currently live in the Utah desert, where they split their time between cosplaying and wrangling their dogs.
Cass' debut novel, VESUVIUS, will release Summer 2025 from Peachtree Teen.
Learn more about them at cassbiehn.com or @cassbeewrites on Twitter and Instagram.
Cass' debut novel, VESUVIUS, will release Summer 2025 from Peachtree Teen.
Learn more about them at cassbiehn.com or @cassbeewrites on Twitter and Instagram.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 389 reviews
February 8, 2025
A YA novel about two queer boys navigating the streets of ancient Pompeii shortly before its collapse? You certainly don't see that premise every day, and it of course caught my attention. (The pretty cover helped too.) And it was indeed a unique and well written story, with two distinct main characters. 17-year-old Felix is a thief and despite his name not very lucky, for he steals himself from place to place and has no attachments to anyone and anything. 16-year-old Loren is a temple worker and a virgin living in a brothel, and he also might be an oracle but hopefully not, because he only ever dreams of death and destruction. The two meet in the first chapter and are somehow stuck together from that point onwards, dealing with a divine object that Felix should rather not have stolen, with Loren's political ambitions, with their growing feelings for each other, and with the more than usual shaking earth beneath Pompeii. What may sound like a lot actually unfolds pretty slowly, and it wasn't clear to me what the main story line was supposed to be. I still don't know, because many plot points wrapped up in an unsatisfying way or didn't play a bigger role in the end. Like, for a book that's literally titled Vesuvius there is very little actual volcano-ing here. I never really knew what the story wanted from me, but I did like to follow these characters around. They were explored thoroughly and although they met in the very first chapter, I got a good impression of what their lives were like until then. The Pompeiian setting was nice as well, on the one hand because it was unclear if this story would end in the known tragedy or would rewrite history, on the other because the underlying Roman mythology could never disappoint me. (I am a child of Rick Riordan, after all.) It wasn't too heavy on the fantasy elements and leaned more into the historical fiction genre, though. The ending definitely made room for a sequel, so maybe the Gods could play a bigger part there. I would be interested in returning to these characters, for I don't think that their story is over yet. My actual rating is 3.5 stars, but I'm rounding up on Goodreads.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Peachtree Teen for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Peachtree Teen for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
December 22, 2024
Vesuvius was one of my most anticipated 2025 releases, and I couldn’t wait to start reading. So, as soon as I got the ARC, I dove into the story and immediately fell for thief Felix. I smiled so hard reading that first chapter!
Cass Biehn's writing is incredible. I’m a sucker for blunt writing, and Cass managed to get under my skin with her cut-off sentences.
So, did this book live up to my expectations? Yes and no.
Yes, because I loved those boys, with their demons, so different but still so lovable. I swooned over their budding romance and rooted for them to finally admit their feelings for each other. Aurelia lighted up my days, and the story continually caught my attention.
But …
Even though I loved Felix, I connected less to Loren. His character arc fell a little flat for me.
The build-up to that deadly day in 79 AD took a long time in the story (even though it was just four days for the boys), and I felt that the last part was rushed.
I also felt that the language was pretty modern. I saw other reviewers talking about this, too, and wonder if the language, especially the cursing, could’ve been handled differently.
Overall, though, this is a great debut.
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Cass Biehn's writing is incredible. I’m a sucker for blunt writing, and Cass managed to get under my skin with her cut-off sentences.
So, did this book live up to my expectations? Yes and no.
Yes, because I loved those boys, with their demons, so different but still so lovable. I swooned over their budding romance and rooted for them to finally admit their feelings for each other. Aurelia lighted up my days, and the story continually caught my attention.
But …
Even though I loved Felix, I connected less to Loren. His character arc fell a little flat for me.
The build-up to that deadly day in 79 AD took a long time in the story (even though it was just four days for the boys), and I felt that the last part was rushed.
I also felt that the language was pretty modern. I saw other reviewers talking about this, too, and wonder if the language, especially the cursing, could’ve been handled differently.
Overall, though, this is a great debut.
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December 13, 2024
✰ 4 stars ✰
“The clearer his dreams became, the closer the danger loomed.
When the final details distilled, would the end begin?”
— Cass Biehn, you have my attention.
You have my attention, because I was impressed by this engrossing YA historical debut that evoked such a richness of setting & character depth that had it come alive with its words. With meticulous deliberation, the author weaves a tapestry of political intrigue and fated destiny to intertwine as the looming fate of an inevitable volcanic eruption approaches, one which will irrevocably change the lives of all those caught in its destructive path. 😥
“If someone set a fire, I would run away. But you live by your heart. You would run toward it.”
“Yet you followed me here.”
“Someone has to make sure you don’t get burned.”
From their first meeting, I was captivated, if not intrigued, at how the author would build Felix and Loren's relationship; with only four days as their limited time frame - constraints from beyond and within - each searching for something to complete the part of themselves that was missing. With distinct personalities, they were matched in determination and loyalties to their convictions. And their dynamic was portrayed in a solid, yet swift pacing that pulsed with depth and feeling - 'a flighty thief, had become the true constant in his life.' 🥺 Complete opposites in every way, there are hidden secrets to them both, pasts and histories that delve deeper than just who they are and what ultimately brings them closer to each other. I loved that they actually did not get along first. The rift of their chemistry, to their tense dynamic exchange that seamlessly then flowed into one of necessity and then intimacy was done so well. 👍🏻
Their romantic journey was so heart wrenching, but also so comforting to witness. Loren had his own demons, but Felix was struggling, too. Broken and lonely boys, who ultimately were bound by fate, a chance to heal the wounds of the heart, supportive and unyielding through those dangerous foreboding times was something I enjoyed - their tentative attraction that eventually became their means of survival. ❤️🩹🫂❤️🩹 'There are few things worth running to... Love is one.' Time is of the essence, but their relationship feels so real. It was fluid and vivid, and the hurt they hurled at each other as well as the comfort they sought from each other was heartbreaking, but so rewarding to see. 🥹🥹
“There are always consequences when mortals cross paths with gods.”
And there is a lot at stake, more than either of them could admit or care to realize. That foreboding tension is palpable throughout, while the plot moves forward. The author painted a vivid image of Pompeii, 'a city on tethertooks.' The Pompeii Loren loves, the city Felix stumbled into. And yet, they were destined to meet - preordained, no matter how hard they fought or denied it. 😢 It is that turning point, along with the current challenges that torment their path that lays siege to their chance for survival that is more than just a rumble of the earth.
The plot was also unique in an interesting way; a mesh of legend and ambition colliding in this magical and gripping way, a tale of memories and myth tying Felix and Loren together.. The momentum steadily culminated in a taut anticipation of uncertainty that I liked. That climax, though - how the plot lines converged, the supporting cast that each played a crucial part - history forever being rewritten. 🤌🏻🤌🏻 The air was charged with action, the writing poetic, almost haunting in its portrayal. I got chills... literal chills at how in sparse words, the author described it. Vesuvius bared its fangs, a quiet build-up, but with such an destructive roar.... 🌋
— There are a few quibbles that I faced, and well, I would not be the finicky reader that I was if there weren't. 😅
While the usage of foul language was a source of humor, if not a scorned amusement between the two,
Case in point... 🙂↔️🙂↔️
“Fuck,” Felix panted, breaking free...
Loren’s breath hitched. “Sewage pit.”
“You like it.”
“Your—depravity?”
But, the modernity of it, somehow, threw me off. 😕 I actually had to look up the first time a curse word like Fuck was even used, and the fact that its first appearance was around the 1500s, makes me highly doubtful that in Pompeii days, 'worked my ass off' would have been said, but it is fiction, so.... Again, I could be wrong and certainly this is a moot point, and present-YA readers would actually appeal to it, but the way it was employed continuously throughout did hinder my full enjoyment. I'm not a saint or anything, but it just felt out of place in the setting for me. 🤷🏻♀️
The one pivotal if not crucial scene between Loren and an important character was a bit confusing; not confusing per se, but since the apparition had to be misleading and unclear, I was left feeling a bit unclear! 😣 I get the reasoning between mysterious and vague, but its depiction could have been improved slightly, so that I could have really felt it. 😔
And lastly, this may be a personal request, but Elias... Please tell me that you will reconsider his fate. I beg of thee. He was an intriguing character, one that I really warmed up to; his characterization and personality was so alluring, I could not bear the thought of the fate that was intended for him. Please say sike... 👉🏻👈🏻
It has been a hot while since I've really immersed myself into reading... let alone reading a physical copy. Reading this felt like I was actually reading again. Which is odd, considering I've not been short of reads this year, but even its length felt like it was meaningful... and impactful. The format of the text even enriched my experience, allowing me to just fall into it entirely. 😌 It is a strong and breathtaking read, one that shows the road to self-discovery may be perilous, but it is how we rise to the occasion to create our own destiny - one that doesn't rely on myth or legend to shape our fate - that truly matters. 🙏🏻
Some might complain that the political points veered off the actual Vesuvius' eruption, but just to imagine that as readers we know that it is inevitable. It is going to erupt... What we don't know is those final days as the sky darkens into black - the toils, the troubles, the feelings, and emotions of those unsuspecting citizens - what lives were interrupted or saved or plunged into a new premise none of them could have ever anticipated or imagined... 😟
*Thank you to Edelweiss for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
“The clearer his dreams became, the closer the danger loomed.
When the final details distilled, would the end begin?”
— Cass Biehn, you have my attention.
You have my attention, because I was impressed by this engrossing YA historical debut that evoked such a richness of setting & character depth that had it come alive with its words. With meticulous deliberation, the author weaves a tapestry of political intrigue and fated destiny to intertwine as the looming fate of an inevitable volcanic eruption approaches, one which will irrevocably change the lives of all those caught in its destructive path. 😥
“If someone set a fire, I would run away. But you live by your heart. You would run toward it.”
“Yet you followed me here.”
“Someone has to make sure you don’t get burned.”
From their first meeting, I was captivated, if not intrigued, at how the author would build Felix and Loren's relationship; with only four days as their limited time frame - constraints from beyond and within - each searching for something to complete the part of themselves that was missing. With distinct personalities, they were matched in determination and loyalties to their convictions. And their dynamic was portrayed in a solid, yet swift pacing that pulsed with depth and feeling - 'a flighty thief, had become the true constant in his life.' 🥺 Complete opposites in every way, there are hidden secrets to them both, pasts and histories that delve deeper than just who they are and what ultimately brings them closer to each other. I loved that they actually did not get along first. The rift of their chemistry, to their tense dynamic exchange that seamlessly then flowed into one of necessity and then intimacy was done so well. 👍🏻
Their romantic journey was so heart wrenching, but also so comforting to witness. Loren had his own demons, but Felix was struggling, too. Broken and lonely boys, who ultimately were bound by fate, a chance to heal the wounds of the heart, supportive and unyielding through those dangerous foreboding times was something I enjoyed - their tentative attraction that eventually became their means of survival. ❤️🩹🫂❤️🩹 'There are few things worth running to... Love is one.' Time is of the essence, but their relationship feels so real. It was fluid and vivid, and the hurt they hurled at each other as well as the comfort they sought from each other was heartbreaking, but so rewarding to see. 🥹🥹
“There are always consequences when mortals cross paths with gods.”
And there is a lot at stake, more than either of them could admit or care to realize. That foreboding tension is palpable throughout, while the plot moves forward. The author painted a vivid image of Pompeii, 'a city on tethertooks.' The Pompeii Loren loves, the city Felix stumbled into. And yet, they were destined to meet - preordained, no matter how hard they fought or denied it. 😢 It is that turning point, along with the current challenges that torment their path that lays siege to their chance for survival that is more than just a rumble of the earth.
The plot was also unique in an interesting way; a mesh of legend and ambition colliding in this magical and gripping way, a tale of memories and myth tying Felix and Loren together.. The momentum steadily culminated in a taut anticipation of uncertainty that I liked. That climax, though - how the plot lines converged, the supporting cast that each played a crucial part - history forever being rewritten. 🤌🏻🤌🏻 The air was charged with action, the writing poetic, almost haunting in its portrayal. I got chills... literal chills at how in sparse words, the author described it. Vesuvius bared its fangs, a quiet build-up, but with such an destructive roar.... 🌋
— There are a few quibbles that I faced, and well, I would not be the finicky reader that I was if there weren't. 😅
While the usage of foul language was a source of humor, if not a scorned amusement between the two,
Case in point... 🙂↔️🙂↔️
“Fuck,” Felix panted, breaking free...
Loren’s breath hitched. “Sewage pit.”
“You like it.”
“Your—depravity?”
But, the modernity of it, somehow, threw me off. 😕 I actually had to look up the first time a curse word like Fuck was even used, and the fact that its first appearance was around the 1500s, makes me highly doubtful that in Pompeii days, 'worked my ass off' would have been said, but it is fiction, so.... Again, I could be wrong and certainly this is a moot point, and present-YA readers would actually appeal to it, but the way it was employed continuously throughout did hinder my full enjoyment. I'm not a saint or anything, but it just felt out of place in the setting for me. 🤷🏻♀️
The one pivotal if not crucial scene between Loren and an important character was a bit confusing; not confusing per se, but since the apparition had to be misleading and unclear, I was left feeling a bit unclear! 😣 I get the reasoning between mysterious and vague, but its depiction could have been improved slightly, so that I could have really felt it. 😔
And lastly, this may be a personal request, but Elias... Please tell me that you will reconsider his fate. I beg of thee. He was an intriguing character, one that I really warmed up to; his characterization and personality was so alluring, I could not bear the thought of the fate that was intended for him. Please say sike... 👉🏻👈🏻
It has been a hot while since I've really immersed myself into reading... let alone reading a physical copy. Reading this felt like I was actually reading again. Which is odd, considering I've not been short of reads this year, but even its length felt like it was meaningful... and impactful. The format of the text even enriched my experience, allowing me to just fall into it entirely. 😌 It is a strong and breathtaking read, one that shows the road to self-discovery may be perilous, but it is how we rise to the occasion to create our own destiny - one that doesn't rely on myth or legend to shape our fate - that truly matters. 🙏🏻
Some might complain that the political points veered off the actual Vesuvius' eruption, but just to imagine that as readers we know that it is inevitable. It is going to erupt... What we don't know is those final days as the sky darkens into black - the toils, the troubles, the feelings, and emotions of those unsuspecting citizens - what lives were interrupted or saved or plunged into a new premise none of them could have ever anticipated or imagined... 😟
*Thank you to Edelweiss for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
June 22, 2025
4 Stars
A debut LGBT-themed YA romance, with one of my most-intense personal fixations in natural history at its centre?! Yeah, there was no world in which I wasn't desperate to read this story of star-crossed teen-lovers who fatefully met in late August, 79AD... in POMPEII.
When the story opens, we meet Felix, an orphaned thief with a nomad’s mentality, constantly moving from place to place, taking what he needs and stealing what he wants, mostly passing through unobserved, purposefully unattached to anything or anyone. But, barely arrived in the growing city of Pompeii, Felix gets himself into big trouble when he steals the wrong item—a highly coveted and presumably cursed helmet, once belonging to the god Mercury.
With a bullseye on his back and no means to escape the city, Felix finds himself in the company of a fellow teenager named Loren, who is an attendant in a temple, with aspirations in politics and an otherworldly gift no one believes in, which comes in the form of nightmarish premonitions of a disastrous and fatal future for the people of Pompeii, with Felix at the centre of the potential mayhem.
Both boys are hiding vital things, for their own survival and mental well-being, but fate keeps their paths entwined, as Loren scrambles to find a way to prevent the potential devastation to the city he calls home, trying to learn more about Felix’s mysterious past and searching for possible ways to stop his mere presence (and helmet thieving) from ending in a major catastrophe.
The world-building was pretty solid and the reimagining of the fall of Pompeii was clever and engrossing. I very much liked Loren and Felix as our male-teen MCs, both having to grow up well before their time, facing huge moral dilemmas and situations that put a good weighty bit of emotional angst on an already high stakes story.
As a YA romance, this was pretty light on the relationship development, but in a good way, hitting all the right emotional notes that didn’t overshadow the larger plot, which I was ultimately very happy with.
The dialogue was probably the only real complaint I could even attempt to muster up here, with the boys (particularly Felix) using language I just felt was all-too-modern, which led to a few jarring moments that took me out of the historical setting a bit too forcibly.
Besides that, the whole thing played out well. I liked the characters, the conflict, the tension, the deliciously subtle love story, and especially the added element of destiny that shrouded every move these boys made in their mad dash to unveil hidden truths and save an entire city from ruin.
I believe this is a debut work from young adult author Cass Biehn, and if so, big praise for coming out the gate strong and leaving a memorable mark, with a story that will undoubtedly be on my end-of-year best-of reading lists.
Side note: I am OBSESSED with that cover art. It so perfectly captures Felix and Loren the way I envisaged them while reading.
***A special thanks to the publishers (via Netgalley) for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
A debut LGBT-themed YA romance, with one of my most-intense personal fixations in natural history at its centre?! Yeah, there was no world in which I wasn't desperate to read this story of star-crossed teen-lovers who fatefully met in late August, 79AD... in POMPEII.
When the story opens, we meet Felix, an orphaned thief with a nomad’s mentality, constantly moving from place to place, taking what he needs and stealing what he wants, mostly passing through unobserved, purposefully unattached to anything or anyone. But, barely arrived in the growing city of Pompeii, Felix gets himself into big trouble when he steals the wrong item—a highly coveted and presumably cursed helmet, once belonging to the god Mercury.
With a bullseye on his back and no means to escape the city, Felix finds himself in the company of a fellow teenager named Loren, who is an attendant in a temple, with aspirations in politics and an otherworldly gift no one believes in, which comes in the form of nightmarish premonitions of a disastrous and fatal future for the people of Pompeii, with Felix at the centre of the potential mayhem.
Both boys are hiding vital things, for their own survival and mental well-being, but fate keeps their paths entwined, as Loren scrambles to find a way to prevent the potential devastation to the city he calls home, trying to learn more about Felix’s mysterious past and searching for possible ways to stop his mere presence (and helmet thieving) from ending in a major catastrophe.
The world-building was pretty solid and the reimagining of the fall of Pompeii was clever and engrossing. I very much liked Loren and Felix as our male-teen MCs, both having to grow up well before their time, facing huge moral dilemmas and situations that put a good weighty bit of emotional angst on an already high stakes story.
As a YA romance, this was pretty light on the relationship development, but in a good way, hitting all the right emotional notes that didn’t overshadow the larger plot, which I was ultimately very happy with.
The dialogue was probably the only real complaint I could even attempt to muster up here, with the boys (particularly Felix) using language I just felt was all-too-modern, which led to a few jarring moments that took me out of the historical setting a bit too forcibly.
Besides that, the whole thing played out well. I liked the characters, the conflict, the tension, the deliciously subtle love story, and especially the added element of destiny that shrouded every move these boys made in their mad dash to unveil hidden truths and save an entire city from ruin.
I believe this is a debut work from young adult author Cass Biehn, and if so, big praise for coming out the gate strong and leaving a memorable mark, with a story that will undoubtedly be on my end-of-year best-of reading lists.
Side note: I am OBSESSED with that cover art. It so perfectly captures Felix and Loren the way I envisaged them while reading.
***A special thanks to the publishers (via Netgalley) for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 16, 2025
this book:
This book was so engaging! From the very first chapter I was invested in Loren and Felix’s story, and I was excited to find out more about each of their respective pasts + how they were connected in the present.
I reeeeally liked both MCs! Loren’s prophetic nightmares making him feel like he could (and needed to) save Pompeii, even though nobody believed in his visions, made for a really interesting character arc. And Felix, with his constant need to run away, suddenly being anchored to someone else and basically becoming part of a prophecy was really fascinating to see. I liked how their paths connected, and I enjoyed their bond! The way their personalities clashed was also very amusing and made for great banter!
The story itself was different from what I was expecting. I thought there’d be more focus on the volcano eruption itself, but the story ended up being more about Loren’s prophetic nightmares + political machinations. Looking back, it actually makes a lot of sense – the reader already knows the volcano is about to erupt, so focusing the story on something else made it much more intriguing. And I thoroughly enjoyed all of it!
The pacing was great, in my opinion. Even in instants when the plot slowed down, we had bonding moments between Loren and Felix that furthered their connection and eventually led to their romance, which was sooooo nice!! 🥰🥰🥰 I loved seeing them break each other’s walls down and genuinely learning to appreciate being loved by someone else. 🥹
Near the end, the plot slowed down a bit, but I honestly really enjoyed it! The fallout after the climax felt necessary, and seeing these characters confront their issues and deal with the aftermath of the eruption was genuinely great. The pacing was languid in the last 2 or 3 chapters, but it felt earned, and the ending was both raw and hopeful, in a way I truly appreciated.
I just really enjoyed this book, and I wasn’t disappointed, after having it in my TBR for over 2 years. I’m really excited to read Cass Biehn’s next story! ☺️
(review written on 06/07/2025)
----------
according to the author this is a "queer Pompeii book" for people who like:
-Mythology/Percy Jackson/HADES
-The dancing scene in Tangled
-Thief x Lost Princess dynamic
-The Titanic hyperfixation we all had as kids
i am looking 👀👀👀
(14/06/2023)
This book was so engaging! From the very first chapter I was invested in Loren and Felix’s story, and I was excited to find out more about each of their respective pasts + how they were connected in the present.
I reeeeally liked both MCs! Loren’s prophetic nightmares making him feel like he could (and needed to) save Pompeii, even though nobody believed in his visions, made for a really interesting character arc. And Felix, with his constant need to run away, suddenly being anchored to someone else and basically becoming part of a prophecy was really fascinating to see. I liked how their paths connected, and I enjoyed their bond! The way their personalities clashed was also very amusing and made for great banter!
The story itself was different from what I was expecting. I thought there’d be more focus on the volcano eruption itself, but the story ended up being more about Loren’s prophetic nightmares + political machinations. Looking back, it actually makes a lot of sense – the reader already knows the volcano is about to erupt, so focusing the story on something else made it much more intriguing. And I thoroughly enjoyed all of it!
The pacing was great, in my opinion. Even in instants when the plot slowed down, we had bonding moments between Loren and Felix that furthered their connection and eventually led to their romance, which was sooooo nice!! 🥰🥰🥰 I loved seeing them break each other’s walls down and genuinely learning to appreciate being loved by someone else. 🥹
Near the end, the plot slowed down a bit, but I honestly really enjoyed it! The fallout after the climax felt necessary, and seeing these characters confront their issues and deal with the aftermath of the eruption was genuinely great. The pacing was languid in the last 2 or 3 chapters, but it felt earned, and the ending was both raw and hopeful, in a way I truly appreciated.
I just really enjoyed this book, and I wasn’t disappointed, after having it in my TBR for over 2 years. I’m really excited to read Cass Biehn’s next story! ☺️
(review written on 06/07/2025)
----------
according to the author this is a "queer Pompeii book" for people who like:
-Mythology/Percy Jackson/HADES
-The dancing scene in Tangled
-Thief x Lost Princess dynamic
-The Titanic hyperfixation we all had as kids
i am looking 👀👀👀
(14/06/2023)
December 22, 2024
Reconnecting with my Italian heritage by reading a mythological rendition of Mount Vesuvius’s eruption…..
Seriously though, visiting the ruins of Pompeii last year breathed an extra layer of believability into this book for me that made the atmosphere so immersive (though Cass Biehn certainly did a great job painting a picture of the city before its destruction on their own)! I was immediately sucked into the described setting, and loved the way we got thrown into the story by following Felix as he steals what he would soon find out is much more than just a shiny temple relic he can sell, instead being the supposed magical helmet of the god Mercury.
The dynamic between our two protagonists Felix and Loren was peculiar—completely unlike what I expected it to be, but at the same time strangely engrossing. Rather than becoming fast friends or star crossed lovers upon their initial meeting leading up to the inevitable eruption, their relationship proves itself much more layered and complicated than that. Loren’s confusing prophetic visions make it difficult for him to trust the real Felix once he turns up at the Temple of Isis (which Loren attends to), and Felix himself is every bit the flighty thief unwilling to let anyone into his heart because of the consequences attachment can pose for his life on the run. Their distrust towards each other wasn’t fleeting, but that made things all the more sweet once they began to see each other’s true selves.
The only thing preventing me from a 5 star is a mix between the structuring and writing. The writing on its own was very beautiful through most of the book, with just a little bit of modern slang that could be strange to see in a historical setting. This is YA, though, so I was willing to forgive that kind of thing. My main issue was the few moments where things were written so hazily that I was left partially unsure of what just took place; this was probably the intention at least some of the time with Loren’s visions or Felix’s memories, but it ended up resulting in a story that didn’t have a ton of distinct plot beats, feeling instead like the very lived-in journey of two boys through every unusual or mundane moment. The majority of this book (before the climax) takes place over the span of 4-5 days though, so it’s hard for me to complain about being so close to the protagonists. It makes sense for the author to stretch our time with them thin in comparison to the real time passing, squeezing in as much characterization as possible.
There were a few side characters I really liked as well. Aurelia was such a sweet little girl with an earnest heart. I loved her and her mom Livia’s dedication to caring for Loren even when he felt like more of a burden than anything else. Elias was an interesting addition as well. I kind of wish we got more on his history with Loren, and how their friendship fractured slightly over time. Even some of the guard’s piqued my interest with how unfalteringly loyal they were to either Servius or Julia. I wouldn’t have minded learning a little more about them as well!
This was a very beautifully written, strong debut novel! Things were wrapped up very carefully, with ample time to accept the ending. I’m so used to things being rushed that it was pleasantly surprising to get a decent chunk of page time with the aftermath of the main event. This is a story whose feel I think will stick with me for a long time. Certain scenes felt reminiscent of Greek and Roman myths and retelling with such potent atmosphere, I couldn’t help living this one too! This is definitely worth a read.
Thank you to Netgalley and Peachtree Teen for sending me an arc!
Seriously though, visiting the ruins of Pompeii last year breathed an extra layer of believability into this book for me that made the atmosphere so immersive (though Cass Biehn certainly did a great job painting a picture of the city before its destruction on their own)! I was immediately sucked into the described setting, and loved the way we got thrown into the story by following Felix as he steals what he would soon find out is much more than just a shiny temple relic he can sell, instead being the supposed magical helmet of the god Mercury.
The dynamic between our two protagonists Felix and Loren was peculiar—completely unlike what I expected it to be, but at the same time strangely engrossing. Rather than becoming fast friends or star crossed lovers upon their initial meeting leading up to the inevitable eruption, their relationship proves itself much more layered and complicated than that. Loren’s confusing prophetic visions make it difficult for him to trust the real Felix once he turns up at the Temple of Isis (which Loren attends to), and Felix himself is every bit the flighty thief unwilling to let anyone into his heart because of the consequences attachment can pose for his life on the run. Their distrust towards each other wasn’t fleeting, but that made things all the more sweet once they began to see each other’s true selves.
The only thing preventing me from a 5 star is a mix between the structuring and writing. The writing on its own was very beautiful through most of the book, with just a little bit of modern slang that could be strange to see in a historical setting. This is YA, though, so I was willing to forgive that kind of thing. My main issue was the few moments where things were written so hazily that I was left partially unsure of what just took place; this was probably the intention at least some of the time with Loren’s visions or Felix’s memories, but it ended up resulting in a story that didn’t have a ton of distinct plot beats, feeling instead like the very lived-in journey of two boys through every unusual or mundane moment. The majority of this book (before the climax) takes place over the span of 4-5 days though, so it’s hard for me to complain about being so close to the protagonists. It makes sense for the author to stretch our time with them thin in comparison to the real time passing, squeezing in as much characterization as possible.
There were a few side characters I really liked as well. Aurelia was such a sweet little girl with an earnest heart. I loved her and her mom Livia’s dedication to caring for Loren even when he felt like more of a burden than anything else. Elias was an interesting addition as well. I kind of wish we got more on his history with Loren, and how their friendship fractured slightly over time. Even some of the guard’s piqued my interest with how unfalteringly loyal they were to either Servius or Julia. I wouldn’t have minded learning a little more about them as well!
This was a very beautifully written, strong debut novel! Things were wrapped up very carefully, with ample time to accept the ending. I’m so used to things being rushed that it was pleasantly surprising to get a decent chunk of page time with the aftermath of the main event. This is a story whose feel I think will stick with me for a long time. Certain scenes felt reminiscent of Greek and Roman myths and retelling with such potent atmosphere, I couldn’t help living this one too! This is definitely worth a read.
Thank you to Netgalley and Peachtree Teen for sending me an arc!
September 5, 2025
Pompeii tragedy strikes again
June 11, 2023
I got the honor of reading an early draft of this book, and I can’t wait to sing its praises everyday until it hits the shelves, then I can personally start shoving the book into people’s hands. VESUVIUS is a beautiful book of two passionate boys trying to find their own way in the city of Pompeii, unaware of the looming calamity. The care that’s sewn into their stories and experiences breaks your heart while mending it up at the same time, and has you reaching for tissues while biting your nails in anticipation.
I will cherish this story dearly for many years to come, and I know it will change reader’s lives, as it already has mine.
I will cherish this story dearly for many years to come, and I know it will change reader’s lives, as it already has mine.
November 30, 2025
I liked it, but I didn't love it. Felix was a great character, but Loren was a bit annoying.
The setup of the story, developing against the backdrop of Vesuvius' eruption, gave the book a sense of urgency. The whole mystery of the helmet and its use was really cool, as well as Felix's origin. I didn't know this book had fantasy elements, so that was a nice surprise. I thought it was just a YA historical fiction. I also liked that Mercury was the main God mentioned in this book; he has so many cool aspects and is often overlooked.
The setup of the story, developing against the backdrop of Vesuvius' eruption, gave the book a sense of urgency. The whole mystery of the helmet and its use was really cool, as well as Felix's origin. I didn't know this book had fantasy elements, so that was a nice surprise. I thought it was just a YA historical fiction. I also liked that Mercury was the main God mentioned in this book; he has so many cool aspects and is often overlooked.
June 13, 2025
From the way the beta readers have been raving about it for years, you’d think it would be a masterpiece. Vesuvius was… okay. I did have to force myself to finish it, but there were a lot of good ideas and character work.
I got distracted by the writing. It just felt so off, it took me out of the story the whole time. It is a mix between very modern teenager speak and a trying too hard attempt at sounding lyrical (that doesn’t work). I know already that people will be very impressed by this attempt but it’s neither good nor meshes well with the tone of the story. (I know it’s an ARC and I shouldn’t complain, but the typos and formatting errors felt like a big disrespect to early readers)
I was very interested when this book was announced because it’s not like we have too many Roman queer stories. Pompeii is an interesting setup which the author manages to fumble in the climax. I was slightly disappointed when I later learn it was sold as fantasy over historical fiction because I understand that one sells better than the other. This is She Who Became the Sun level of fantasy: historical fiction with some ghosts and local religious/spiritual beliefs thrown in.
The overall plot just missed the mark for me, and I think it’s due to the too many competing storylines that turn the volcano into an afterthought or set dressing. There’s the helmet, Felix’ backstory, Loren’s backstory, politics, a side cast too big and undeveloped that I kept mixing up characters. I just got bored? It’s not the first time that I have read YA and the author cares deeply about their characters and their romance (especially online) but then you read the book, and it has a half-baked political plot that was added to pad out the romance.
See that’s the thing, the character work is good I like the ideas that went into creating Loren and Felix. I didn’t care for Felix that much even though he’s clearly designed as the true main character and I’m pretty sure similar to the few things I’ve seen of the author online. He is however a fun and entertaining character with some depth. Loren’s whole Cassandra inspiration is really good. His whole conflict with masculinity and gayness is good. Hell, his whole backstory had me interested. Yet I didn’t care much for their romance. Why? I don’t know maybe because too much time is spent on other bullshit instead of the author’s true interest?
Overall, I am disappointed by a book that has been hyped up for years before its official announcement. I was expecting more tragedy, more engaging writing rather than this.
I got distracted by the writing. It just felt so off, it took me out of the story the whole time. It is a mix between very modern teenager speak and a trying too hard attempt at sounding lyrical (that doesn’t work). I know already that people will be very impressed by this attempt but it’s neither good nor meshes well with the tone of the story. (I know it’s an ARC and I shouldn’t complain, but the typos and formatting errors felt like a big disrespect to early readers)
I was very interested when this book was announced because it’s not like we have too many Roman queer stories. Pompeii is an interesting setup which the author manages to fumble in the climax. I was slightly disappointed when I later learn it was sold as fantasy over historical fiction because I understand that one sells better than the other. This is She Who Became the Sun level of fantasy: historical fiction with some ghosts and local religious/spiritual beliefs thrown in.
The overall plot just missed the mark for me, and I think it’s due to the too many competing storylines that turn the volcano into an afterthought or set dressing. There’s the helmet, Felix’ backstory, Loren’s backstory, politics, a side cast too big and undeveloped that I kept mixing up characters. I just got bored? It’s not the first time that I have read YA and the author cares deeply about their characters and their romance (especially online) but then you read the book, and it has a half-baked political plot that was added to pad out the romance.
See that’s the thing, the character work is good I like the ideas that went into creating Loren and Felix. I didn’t care for Felix that much even though he’s clearly designed as the true main character and I’m pretty sure similar to the few things I’ve seen of the author online. He is however a fun and entertaining character with some depth. Loren’s whole Cassandra inspiration is really good. His whole conflict with masculinity and gayness is good. Hell, his whole backstory had me interested. Yet I didn’t care much for their romance. Why? I don’t know maybe because too much time is spent on other bullshit instead of the author’s true interest?
Overall, I am disappointed by a book that has been hyped up for years before its official announcement. I was expecting more tragedy, more engaging writing rather than this.
October 23, 2025
cass I LOVE YOU this was fantastic and i can't believe it took me so long to pick it up 😭
Read
August 18, 2025Never before seen: being ready for book club
May 12, 2025
If you've been near me for the past months you saw me spiral when it took ages for Netgalley to accept my request for this book, but in the end I finally got it.
Vesuvius was one of my most anticipated reads, since I found it on social media, and after seeing what the author enjoys reading, I was immediately sold.
This is a historical ya novel about two boys, a thief and a runaway/temple attendant, and the journey they go through. I saw many people comment about how modern this felt, especially the language used, but since I don't really enjoy historical fiction I was more than fine with it, in fact I actually prefer it. Yes, the language is a little modern, the swear words and the lgbtqia+ rep are very present, but I just went with it because that's what I signed up for.
I could see glimpses of my favourite couples in Felix and Loren, and I would highly recommend if you were rooting for Mikail and Euyn and, like me, was pissed about what happened to them in Four Ruined Realms READ THIS.
This was sweet and wholesome, the cute moments gave me butterflies and left me giggling, the tense and sad moments gutted me because I liked the characters so much and the action was there. I really loved this book, very interested to see what Cass Biehn writes next.
Thank you Netgalley and Holiday House for the ARC!
Vesuvius was one of my most anticipated reads, since I found it on social media, and after seeing what the author enjoys reading, I was immediately sold.
This is a historical ya novel about two boys, a thief and a runaway/temple attendant, and the journey they go through. I saw many people comment about how modern this felt, especially the language used, but since I don't really enjoy historical fiction I was more than fine with it, in fact I actually prefer it. Yes, the language is a little modern, the swear words and the lgbtqia+ rep are very present, but I just went with it because that's what I signed up for.
I could see glimpses of my favourite couples in Felix and Loren, and I would highly recommend if you were rooting for Mikail and Euyn and, like me, was pissed about what happened to them in Four Ruined Realms READ THIS.
This was sweet and wholesome, the cute moments gave me butterflies and left me giggling, the tense and sad moments gutted me because I liked the characters so much and the action was there. I really loved this book, very interested to see what Cass Biehn writes next.
Thank you Netgalley and Holiday House for the ARC!
June 11, 2023
THE VOLCANO BOYS ARE COMING YOUR WAY IN SUMMER 2025!🌋
August 11, 2025
3 stars
A bit of a shorter review than usual, sorry!
So this one’s about Felix, a wandering thief who’s basically made a life out of never settling down and running away whenever he gets the chance. He shows up in Pompeii, steals this fancy old helmet that’s supposedly cursed, and suddenly he’s stuck there with everyone after him. That’s when he meets Loren, who works at a temple, has big political dreams, and also gets creepy visions about Pompeii’s future, with Felix somehow part of it, which makes him want to stick by his side and find a way to prevent his visions from becoming true.
I liked the characters. Felix and Loren are very different but both easy enough to care about, and I liked watching them slowly figure out their feelings for each other. The relationship was what kept me turning pages. (Aurelia was a bright spot whenever she was on the page. )
But I did have some things I didn't like/took me out of the story. The dialogue felt a bit too modern for ancient Pompeii, and the pacing was off. Most of the book is relationship stuff, and then the big event at the end felt kind of squished in. There were also a few mysteries that dragged on longer than I wanted and I ended up feeling bored, disinterested in the plot even.
Overall, it was a mix for me with some great characters and an idea I loved, but I wish the pacing and historical feel had been stronger or at least better implemented.
A bit of a shorter review than usual, sorry!
So this one’s about Felix, a wandering thief who’s basically made a life out of never settling down and running away whenever he gets the chance. He shows up in Pompeii, steals this fancy old helmet that’s supposedly cursed, and suddenly he’s stuck there with everyone after him. That’s when he meets Loren, who works at a temple, has big political dreams, and also gets creepy visions about Pompeii’s future, with Felix somehow part of it, which makes him want to stick by his side and find a way to prevent his visions from becoming true.
I liked the characters. Felix and Loren are very different but both easy enough to care about, and I liked watching them slowly figure out their feelings for each other. The relationship was what kept me turning pages. (Aurelia was a bright spot whenever she was on the page. )
But I did have some things I didn't like/took me out of the story. The dialogue felt a bit too modern for ancient Pompeii, and the pacing was off. Most of the book is relationship stuff, and then the big event at the end felt kind of squished in. There were also a few mysteries that dragged on longer than I wanted and I ended up feeling bored, disinterested in the plot even.
Overall, it was a mix for me with some great characters and an idea I loved, but I wish the pacing and historical feel had been stronger or at least better implemented.
September 3, 2025
I admittedly don’t really know anything about Pompeii and the eruption of Vesuvius, except that it’s a thing that happened, but it still seemed like an interesting setting for a book. And it was! I liked this.
The plot was not really what I expected, I thought it would be about them trying to escape, but it was more politics and solving mysteries and making plans within the city. There was mythology and magic, romance with a touch of angst, and a bit of action here and there. (Not magic as in spells, but visions and godly powers.) I did get a little confused sometimes about the visions and related stuff, but honestly that’s probably on me, I lose focus sometimes.
It had nice writing, and I noticed sentences or moments here and there that were especially pretty or funny or well-written.
The characters were interesting. One was a thief with muddled memories, trying to get by, who maybe wasn’t as selfish as he thought. The other was a seer and aspiring politician full of lies and secrets and hope who wanted to help people and do good. Their backstories and arcs touched on things like trauma and choosing your own path. Felix and Loren were sort of surprising, not fitting the molds I expected, in a way that I enjoyed.
I listened to the audiobook. I really liked the narrator for Felix’s chapters (Max Meyers). He sounded natural and emotional and brought the characters to life well. Unfortunately, I didn’t like the narrator for Loren’s chapters (Amin El Gamal). He sounded somewhat stiff, not quite natural, not enough emotion. Amin’s reading was also too slow for me (I rarely say that, I listen to most books at 1x speed), but if I sped it up much, Max’s parts would end up too fast. I got more used to it, I would still recommend the audio if you like audiobooks, but I preferred Felix’s chapters.
Overall, nice writing, good story, and interesting characters!
*Rating: 4 Stars // Read Date: 2025 // Format: Audiobook*
Recommended For:
Anyone who likes historical fantasy, queer YA romance, a bit of mythology and magic, and characters who might surprise you.
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
The plot was not really what I expected, I thought it would be about them trying to escape, but it was more politics and solving mysteries and making plans within the city. There was mythology and magic, romance with a touch of angst, and a bit of action here and there. (Not magic as in spells, but visions and godly powers.) I did get a little confused sometimes about the visions and related stuff, but honestly that’s probably on me, I lose focus sometimes.
It had nice writing, and I noticed sentences or moments here and there that were especially pretty or funny or well-written.
The characters were interesting. One was a thief with muddled memories, trying to get by, who maybe wasn’t as selfish as he thought. The other was a seer and aspiring politician full of lies and secrets and hope who wanted to help people and do good. Their backstories and arcs touched on things like trauma and choosing your own path. Felix and Loren were sort of surprising, not fitting the molds I expected, in a way that I enjoyed.
I listened to the audiobook. I really liked the narrator for Felix’s chapters (Max Meyers). He sounded natural and emotional and brought the characters to life well. Unfortunately, I didn’t like the narrator for Loren’s chapters (Amin El Gamal). He sounded somewhat stiff, not quite natural, not enough emotion. Amin’s reading was also too slow for me (I rarely say that, I listen to most books at 1x speed), but if I sped it up much, Max’s parts would end up too fast. I got more used to it, I would still recommend the audio if you like audiobooks, but I preferred Felix’s chapters.
Overall, nice writing, good story, and interesting characters!
*Rating: 4 Stars // Read Date: 2025 // Format: Audiobook*
Recommended For:
Anyone who likes historical fantasy, queer YA romance, a bit of mythology and magic, and characters who might surprise you.
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
June 11, 2025
thank you netgalley for the earc
english review under
Sento il bisogno di scrivere una recensione in italiano perchè penso che come me probabilmente altr* lettor* saranno attirati da questo libro.
Questo libro ha attirato da subito la mia attenzione e avevo così tanta voglia di leggerlo che nel frattempo stavo già organizzando la mia prossima visita a Pompei. Purtroppo devo dire che mi ha annoiato da morire e ci ho messo un sacco a finirlo. Mancava l’urgenza e l’ansia che un libro che ha come punto fondamentale l’eruzione del 79 d.c. dovrebbe avere. E per quanto sia storicamente accurato che i pompeiani non sapessero dell’imminente eruzione, Loren lo sa grazie alle sue visioni e nonostante ciò sembra dare più importanza ad altro.
Inoltre dal titolo mi aspettavo più centralità e importanza per il Vesuvio.
Non è totalmente brutto, la scrittura è ricca e interessante e i due protagonisti hanno una bella chimica e delle personalità abbastanza definite ma tutto ciò è accompagnato da una trama troppo piena di elementi che non si sono amalgamati bene.
Forse questo libro è stato scritto con un pubblico americano in mente perché la sottotrama politica/ sociale ha più spazio di quello che mi aspettavo e se magari questa cosa può risultare estremamente interessante per persone che non sanno nulla, se sei italiano e hai studiato abbastanza a scuola e hai visto la tua buona dose di documentari di Alberto Angela, è tutto molto ovvio e risaputo.
La sottotrama romantica, che pensavo portasse avanti l’intero libro, era relegata a poche scene un po’ slegate tra loro ed è un vero peccato perchè la chimica tra Felix e Loren c’era ma non sono riuscita a sentire i loro sentimenti, era tutto poco emozionante.
La sottotrama mitologica invece è forse la più debole tra tutte e anche qui penso sia stato un peccato perchè poteva essere sicuramente interessante.
La storia è piena di elementi interessanti che sono andati sprecati, come i personaggi secondari che spesso venivano introdotti solo per poi sparire. Avrei voluto sapere di più di Camilia e Elias.
Sono state fatte sicuramente ricerche per questo libro ma un paio di cose mi hanno lasciata un attimo interdetta (la descrizione del cratere del Vesuvio?? le ville ad Amalfi??) In particolare alcune scelte sui nomi di persona erano strane ma soprattutto il “pappa”. Non capisco perché scrivere correttamente mamma e nonna ma non papà.
Speravo davvero tanto di amare questo libro da queer fujoshi amante della storia e nata e cresciuta guardando il Vesuvio dalla propria finestra ma forse sono stata proprio fregata da questo :(
This is a biased review from someone who was born and raised watching the Vesuvius from her window, who studied things about the Vesuvius and Pompeii in school.
If you’re not from Italy maybe you’ll enjoy the story more and you’ll learn more.
I’ve wanted to read this book since I first saw it so I was really happy to get an earc. But I found it really really boring. It took me so long to read it. The urgency and anxiety that a book about 79 ad is supposed to have was missing. And I know it is historically accurate that people from Pompeii weren't aware of what was about to happen but Loren knew and it seems like he doesn’t care much and other things matter more.
Also I expected the Vesuvius to be more present and central given the title but it felt like it was more marginal.
The book is not totally bad, the writing is really good and rich and I enjoyed the chemistry between characters and how they had a well defined personality but there are so many elements that I felt didn’t merge well together.
The book has like three plots. The political/social plot was, personally, the most boring and the one that got more space in the book. In Italy you get to study these things in school so I didn’t find it interesting. They were just elements to characterize some characters.
The romantic plot , that I thought was the most important one, was developed in some scattered scenes and honestly I wanted more because Loren and Felix had such good chemistry but they made me feel nothing :(
The mythological plot was sadly the weakest one and that’s a shame because it would have been interesting if explored more.
The book was full of interesting elements that got a bit wasted like the secondary characters that were introduced and then forgotten. I would have loved to know more about Camilia and Elias.
While I can see that research was made, some things left me confused (like the villa in Amalfi??) and i didn’t really get some name choices. But the thing that I really didn’t understand was the use of “pappa”. It’s papà in italian. Nonna and mamma were correct.
I’m really sad I didn’t enjoy this book as I wanted
english review under
Sento il bisogno di scrivere una recensione in italiano perchè penso che come me probabilmente altr* lettor* saranno attirati da questo libro.
Questo libro ha attirato da subito la mia attenzione e avevo così tanta voglia di leggerlo che nel frattempo stavo già organizzando la mia prossima visita a Pompei. Purtroppo devo dire che mi ha annoiato da morire e ci ho messo un sacco a finirlo. Mancava l’urgenza e l’ansia che un libro che ha come punto fondamentale l’eruzione del 79 d.c. dovrebbe avere. E per quanto sia storicamente accurato che i pompeiani non sapessero dell’imminente eruzione, Loren lo sa grazie alle sue visioni e nonostante ciò sembra dare più importanza ad altro.
Inoltre dal titolo mi aspettavo più centralità e importanza per il Vesuvio.
Non è totalmente brutto, la scrittura è ricca e interessante e i due protagonisti hanno una bella chimica e delle personalità abbastanza definite ma tutto ciò è accompagnato da una trama troppo piena di elementi che non si sono amalgamati bene.
Forse questo libro è stato scritto con un pubblico americano in mente perché la sottotrama politica/ sociale ha più spazio di quello che mi aspettavo e se magari questa cosa può risultare estremamente interessante per persone che non sanno nulla, se sei italiano e hai studiato abbastanza a scuola e hai visto la tua buona dose di documentari di Alberto Angela, è tutto molto ovvio e risaputo.
La sottotrama romantica, che pensavo portasse avanti l’intero libro, era relegata a poche scene un po’ slegate tra loro ed è un vero peccato perchè la chimica tra Felix e Loren c’era ma non sono riuscita a sentire i loro sentimenti, era tutto poco emozionante.
La sottotrama mitologica invece è forse la più debole tra tutte e anche qui penso sia stato un peccato perchè poteva essere sicuramente interessante.
La storia è piena di elementi interessanti che sono andati sprecati, come i personaggi secondari che spesso venivano introdotti solo per poi sparire. Avrei voluto sapere di più di Camilia e Elias.
Sono state fatte sicuramente ricerche per questo libro ma un paio di cose mi hanno lasciata un attimo interdetta (la descrizione del cratere del Vesuvio?? le ville ad Amalfi??) In particolare alcune scelte sui nomi di persona erano strane ma soprattutto il “pappa”. Non capisco perché scrivere correttamente mamma e nonna ma non papà.
Speravo davvero tanto di amare questo libro da queer fujoshi amante della storia e nata e cresciuta guardando il Vesuvio dalla propria finestra ma forse sono stata proprio fregata da questo :(
This is a biased review from someone who was born and raised watching the Vesuvius from her window, who studied things about the Vesuvius and Pompeii in school.
If you’re not from Italy maybe you’ll enjoy the story more and you’ll learn more.
I’ve wanted to read this book since I first saw it so I was really happy to get an earc. But I found it really really boring. It took me so long to read it. The urgency and anxiety that a book about 79 ad is supposed to have was missing. And I know it is historically accurate that people from Pompeii weren't aware of what was about to happen but Loren knew and it seems like he doesn’t care much and other things matter more.
Also I expected the Vesuvius to be more present and central given the title but it felt like it was more marginal.
The book is not totally bad, the writing is really good and rich and I enjoyed the chemistry between characters and how they had a well defined personality but there are so many elements that I felt didn’t merge well together.
The book has like three plots. The political/social plot was, personally, the most boring and the one that got more space in the book. In Italy you get to study these things in school so I didn’t find it interesting. They were just elements to characterize some characters.
The romantic plot , that I thought was the most important one, was developed in some scattered scenes and honestly I wanted more because Loren and Felix had such good chemistry but they made me feel nothing :(
The mythological plot was sadly the weakest one and that’s a shame because it would have been interesting if explored more.
The book was full of interesting elements that got a bit wasted like the secondary characters that were introduced and then forgotten. I would have loved to know more about Camilia and Elias.
While I can see that research was made, some things left me confused (like the villa in Amalfi??) and i didn’t really get some name choices. But the thing that I really didn’t understand was the use of “pappa”. It’s papà in italian. Nonna and mamma were correct.
I’m really sad I didn’t enjoy this book as I wanted
June 5, 2025
2025 reads: 138/300
2025 tbr: 41/111
i received a digital review copy from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review. this did not affect my rating.
content warnings: death, violence, childhood sexual assault, death of parent
as a thief, felix is used to going from city to city, trying to survive the present while running from a past he can’t remember. he realizes he may have taken things a bit too far, though, when he steals mercury’s helmet. he goes on the run yet again and meets loren, a temple attendant who has been seeing felix in his nightmares for years. when felix shows him the helmet, loren sees the world coming to an end. as they try to escape the future, they have to figure out their entwined pasts.
i LOVE tragic stories, so this book appealed to me from the moment its title was revealed. this story was told through both of our main characters’ viewpoints, and i loved how different they were, while still finding common ground. i found myself quickly engrossed in both characters’ stories, especially felix’s; since he didn’t know his own past, readers discover it with him. while felix is haunted by the past he can’t remember, loren is haunted by the future he can’t change. he’s been seeing a different version of felix in his visions, and when he finally meets him in real life, loren knows the end is near. i loved them both dearly and truly did not want to say goodbye and stop reading. i highly recommend this to readers who enjoy historical YA books and are okay with the content. i’m looking forward to more from cass biehn!
2025 tbr: 41/111
i received a digital review copy from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review. this did not affect my rating.
content warnings: death, violence, childhood sexual assault, death of parent
as a thief, felix is used to going from city to city, trying to survive the present while running from a past he can’t remember. he realizes he may have taken things a bit too far, though, when he steals mercury’s helmet. he goes on the run yet again and meets loren, a temple attendant who has been seeing felix in his nightmares for years. when felix shows him the helmet, loren sees the world coming to an end. as they try to escape the future, they have to figure out their entwined pasts.
i LOVE tragic stories, so this book appealed to me from the moment its title was revealed. this story was told through both of our main characters’ viewpoints, and i loved how different they were, while still finding common ground. i found myself quickly engrossed in both characters’ stories, especially felix’s; since he didn’t know his own past, readers discover it with him. while felix is haunted by the past he can’t remember, loren is haunted by the future he can’t change. he’s been seeing a different version of felix in his visions, and when he finally meets him in real life, loren knows the end is near. i loved them both dearly and truly did not want to say goodbye and stop reading. i highly recommend this to readers who enjoy historical YA books and are okay with the content. i’m looking forward to more from cass biehn!
June 14, 2023
I had the honor of reading this book earlier this year and I say this with complete honesty and sincerity: this book is gonna change lives. It has already changed mine. Cass Biehn I'm inside your walls.
June 18, 2025
soooo silly in a good way
August 8, 2025
4.5!! I LOVED this story! I loved seeing the ups and downs of their relationship and how they worked through it. I, unfortunately, relate to Loren with his weak ankles🙃. ALSO THE COVER!!! The plot could be a little slow at some parts, but that is the only critique I have of this story!
April 30, 2025
This book had so much promise and started so well. The waste of that potential is deeply frustrating.
I immediately attached to Felix, finding him lovable, three-dimensional, and active. At the start, I also quite liked Loren, especially his affection for the secondary characters and determination to protect everyone. Unfortunately, both character arcs had major cracks in them.
In Felix’s case, the issues were more contained. There was some repetitiveness. “Time to cut and run… Nope, Loren’s in trouble, gotta stay.” Again and again. This is believable in real life, but tedious in a book. And then, there was the amnesia plot and revelations of Felix’s past. The thing is, Felix’s past is exactly what you think it is. But that’s precisely the thing: the amnesia adds nothing. In fact, dragging it out and making it a Big Revelation adds an element of melodrama and even exploitation to the mix.
This is not helped by how poorly defined and described the magic in this book is.
Loren’s problems, unfortunately, proved to run even deeper. To wit, he is that character archetype, where the narrative wants you to think of him as super altruistic, while what is shown is him being self-centered through and through. Everything is about his feelings. He angsts about the fates of Pompeii’s people, but he never once throws himself full-body into convincing any of his friends to leave. And I’d almost give Biehn the credit of being more aware of their character’s dissonance than the average author. But then they have Felix say something to the tune of “you’re the kind of selfish that comes around the other end and is actually selfless.” Which, no. Nope. Just selfish. Shilling doesn’t help this situation.
This particular self-absorbedness most fully manifests in Loren making a major decision which deeply affects Felix unilaterally and right over Felix’s head. In the moment, it does not even occur to him that the only correct course of action would have been to let Felix make his own choices. He realizes it later, and the narrative does treat his action as rotten and punish him for it. But not enough. For my mileage, I was cheering for Felix to leave him at the end. But this is a romance, so we couldn’t have that.
My other big issue with this book was the sheer amount of anachronism and ahistoricity. There were a couple of nice details describing life in Pompeii which felt authentic, but everyone talked like they were from the twenty-first century, and even some details felt off. Historians estimate that Pompeii’s population was about 10 to 20 thousand. About a thousand bodies were discovered, preserved by the eruption. This is still a huge tragedy, don’t get me wrong, but far from the implication that everyone not accounted for is now dead. 90-95% of Pompeii’s residents managed to escape, taking the rumblings as warning and getting the hades out of dodge.
Adding to the ahistoricity, we have Felix’s relationship with religion. It makes psychological sense, at first glance, for Felix to lose faith in a god who But here’s the thing. The Greek gods, whom the Romans ‘borrowed’ and renamed for their own use, were never portrayed as benevolent. They were amoral, capricious, and worshipped for being powerful and in charge of their domains, not for any idea of their kindness and justice toward mortals. Felix’s reaction feels much more like a modern person’s reaction to, say, than an ancient Roman’s relationship with his own gods.
Like I said, I was really excited when I started reading. By the end, I was skimming, just to finish already and move on. And I am so, so sad about it. Ugh. This could—and should—have been so much better.
Thank you to NetGalley and Peachtree Teen for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions within are my own.
I immediately attached to Felix, finding him lovable, three-dimensional, and active. At the start, I also quite liked Loren, especially his affection for the secondary characters and determination to protect everyone. Unfortunately, both character arcs had major cracks in them.
In Felix’s case, the issues were more contained. There was some repetitiveness. “Time to cut and run… Nope, Loren’s in trouble, gotta stay.” Again and again. This is believable in real life, but tedious in a book. And then, there was the amnesia plot and revelations of Felix’s past. The thing is, Felix’s past is exactly what you think it is. But that’s precisely the thing: the amnesia adds nothing. In fact, dragging it out and making it a Big Revelation adds an element of melodrama and even exploitation to the mix.
This is not helped by how poorly defined and described the magic in this book is.
Loren’s problems, unfortunately, proved to run even deeper. To wit, he is that character archetype, where the narrative wants you to think of him as super altruistic, while what is shown is him being self-centered through and through. Everything is about his feelings. He angsts about the fates of Pompeii’s people, but he never once throws himself full-body into convincing any of his friends to leave. And I’d almost give Biehn the credit of being more aware of their character’s dissonance than the average author. But then they have Felix say something to the tune of “you’re the kind of selfish that comes around the other end and is actually selfless.” Which, no. Nope. Just selfish. Shilling doesn’t help this situation.
This particular self-absorbedness most fully manifests in Loren making a major decision which deeply affects Felix unilaterally and right over Felix’s head. In the moment, it does not even occur to him that the only correct course of action would have been to let Felix make his own choices. He realizes it later, and the narrative does treat his action as rotten and punish him for it. But not enough. For my mileage, I was cheering for Felix to leave him at the end. But this is a romance, so we couldn’t have that.
My other big issue with this book was the sheer amount of anachronism and ahistoricity. There were a couple of nice details describing life in Pompeii which felt authentic, but everyone talked like they were from the twenty-first century, and even some details felt off. Historians estimate that Pompeii’s population was about 10 to 20 thousand. About a thousand bodies were discovered, preserved by the eruption. This is still a huge tragedy, don’t get me wrong, but far from the implication that everyone not accounted for is now dead. 90-95% of Pompeii’s residents managed to escape, taking the rumblings as warning and getting the hades out of dodge.
Adding to the ahistoricity, we have Felix’s relationship with religion. It makes psychological sense, at first glance, for Felix to lose faith in a god who But here’s the thing. The Greek gods, whom the Romans ‘borrowed’ and renamed for their own use, were never portrayed as benevolent. They were amoral, capricious, and worshipped for being powerful and in charge of their domains, not for any idea of their kindness and justice toward mortals. Felix’s reaction feels much more like a modern person’s reaction to, say, than an ancient Roman’s relationship with his own gods.
Like I said, I was really excited when I started reading. By the end, I was skimming, just to finish already and move on. And I am so, so sad about it. Ugh. This could—and should—have been so much better.
Thank you to NetGalley and Peachtree Teen for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions within are my own.
June 12, 2023
I had the absolute joy of reading VESUVIUS right before it went on sub, and I am so so glad that everyone else is going to get to meet the volcano boys. This book is a triumph and a joy, and I'm so grateful that I've already gotten to read this. I'm endlessly proud of the author, and I will not apologize for the person I will become closer to release.
Best read with "Vesuvius" by Sufjan Stevens playing in the background.
Best read with "Vesuvius" by Sufjan Stevens playing in the background.
February 1, 2025
Thanks to Netgalley and Peachtree Teen for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
I liked this book!
The secondary characters were very fun to read. Elias, Aurelia, Livia...lots of variety and I think it made for a compelling cast. As for the main characters, I was endeared to Felix pretty much upon the first chapter. Rogue types with quick tongues are often enjoyable for me, and the added element of a past he can't remember made me want to know more. Loren was harder to like at first, and initially I had a difficult time adjusting to his narration since the elements of his prophetic power I think are wielded a tad heavy-handed.
Honestly, the political subplot was boring for me. On top of two backstories to parse out between Loren and Felix (although arguably what intrigued me most), the helmet, and the eruption itself I think there were a couple too many threads and an uneven distribution of screen time for them all.
The prose was okay. I don't feel very passionate about it but it's serviceable. It started off very nice, in fact, but the deeper you got into the first act I thought the dialogue, and even bits of character introspection felt very anachronistic against the backdrop of ancient Pompeii.
I was looking forward to seeing how the romance would pan out through this book! I will say that I find it harder to fully connect with a relationship arc when the book's timeline is only a few days. This was the case with Sydney and Victor in Vicious and remains the case with Loren and Felix in Vesuvius. Here, there was a decent amount of hot-then-cold but I can sort of attribute it to teenage angst and both of them dealing with a lot of shit. However, I did ultimately enjoy their dynamic and their ending was bittersweet. Overall, there were great moments that shone through for me and although the product isn't fully cohesive, I still enjoyed it enough to make it through. 3.5 rounded up.
I liked this book!
The secondary characters were very fun to read. Elias, Aurelia, Livia...lots of variety and I think it made for a compelling cast. As for the main characters, I was endeared to Felix pretty much upon the first chapter. Rogue types with quick tongues are often enjoyable for me, and the added element of a past he can't remember made me want to know more. Loren was harder to like at first, and initially I had a difficult time adjusting to his narration since the elements of his prophetic power I think are wielded a tad heavy-handed.
Honestly, the political subplot was boring for me. On top of two backstories to parse out between Loren and Felix (although arguably what intrigued me most), the helmet, and the eruption itself I think there were a couple too many threads and an uneven distribution of screen time for them all.
The prose was okay. I don't feel very passionate about it but it's serviceable. It started off very nice, in fact, but the deeper you got into the first act I thought the dialogue, and even bits of character introspection felt very anachronistic against the backdrop of ancient Pompeii.
I was looking forward to seeing how the romance would pan out through this book! I will say that I find it harder to fully connect with a relationship arc when the book's timeline is only a few days. This was the case with Sydney and Victor in Vicious and remains the case with Loren and Felix in Vesuvius. Here, there was a decent amount of hot-then-cold but I can sort of attribute it to teenage angst and both of them dealing with a lot of shit. However, I did ultimately enjoy their dynamic and their ending was bittersweet. Overall, there were great moments that shone through for me and although the product isn't fully cohesive, I still enjoyed it enough to make it through. 3.5 rounded up.
Want to read
May 11, 2025i'm always there where religious trauma is driving a story
Want to read
August 16, 2024words cannot describe how excited i am to read this book. queer pompeii? count me in!
March 23, 2025
I was in a bit of a reading slump when I picked up Vesuvius but I am so glad that I started reading this. I picked this up, was completely hooked, and finished it in a single sitting. If I had to pick a book to erase reading slumps, then I'd definitely pick this one over and over again.
I'm a huge fan of character-driven stories, and Vesuvius delivers when it comes to that. The story takes place roughly over 4-5 days and follows the thief Felix and temple attendant Loren, who are bound together on a journey that involves divine artefacts, deadly visions, and dangerous people, in the city of Pompeii; a city edging towards its slow destruction (and we all know what happens to it). For taking place in such a short time, we spend a lot of time with both Felix and Loren, getting to know them and understanding their motivations.
The book does an incredible job at making us understand and connect with them. Even as they do, we also experience the city of Pompeii through their eyes. The writing makes it very easy to immerse yourself in the city and the descriptions make it feel so real, like you're actually in Pompeii, walking along the streets, while also staring at the looming figure of Vesuvius. While I would've liked more mentions of the volcano, at the same time, I'm so glad we focused on Felix and Loren. This way, we get to feel what it might have been like to be the resident of a city on the verge of complete destruction.
Cass Biehn's writing is absolutely incredible and their way with words makes you feel and makes you live the same experiences alongside all of these characters. I also love the way the side characters were written about in this book, and how much they tie into the overarching story with Felix and Loren. If I had to chose a fav or two, I'd definitely go with Aurelia, the cutest little girl, who shares something in common with Loren (no spoilers from me!)
All in all, Vesuvius was an absolutely incredible debut and I can't wait to read more of what Cass Biehn writes (seriously I would so read their grocery list!)
Thank you Atom Books for sending me an e-ARC!
I'm a huge fan of character-driven stories, and Vesuvius delivers when it comes to that. The story takes place roughly over 4-5 days and follows the thief Felix and temple attendant Loren, who are bound together on a journey that involves divine artefacts, deadly visions, and dangerous people, in the city of Pompeii; a city edging towards its slow destruction (and we all know what happens to it). For taking place in such a short time, we spend a lot of time with both Felix and Loren, getting to know them and understanding their motivations.
The book does an incredible job at making us understand and connect with them. Even as they do, we also experience the city of Pompeii through their eyes. The writing makes it very easy to immerse yourself in the city and the descriptions make it feel so real, like you're actually in Pompeii, walking along the streets, while also staring at the looming figure of Vesuvius. While I would've liked more mentions of the volcano, at the same time, I'm so glad we focused on Felix and Loren. This way, we get to feel what it might have been like to be the resident of a city on the verge of complete destruction.
Cass Biehn's writing is absolutely incredible and their way with words makes you feel and makes you live the same experiences alongside all of these characters. I also love the way the side characters were written about in this book, and how much they tie into the overarching story with Felix and Loren. If I had to chose a fav or two, I'd definitely go with Aurelia, the cutest little girl, who shares something in common with Loren (no spoilers from me!)
All in all, Vesuvius was an absolutely incredible debut and I can't wait to read more of what Cass Biehn writes (seriously I would so read their grocery list!)
Thank you Atom Books for sending me an e-ARC!
June 11, 2025
From the first few pages, I was in. Cass Biehn throws you straight into Pompeii, where fate feels less like a path and more like a trap, and the setting speaks just as much as the characters. This is a queer YA historical fantasy that blends political intrigue, mystery, and a complicated romance into something truly special.
Felix is boyishly charming, layered, mischievous, and reckless, but undeniably sincere. His amnesia adds an extra layer of mystery, and he steals every scene he's in. Must be because he is a thief? Loren, his quieter counterpart, brings a different kind of tension. He's devout, introspective, and burdened by prophetic nightmares. Their meet-cute is amazing. Their relationship is a messy and emotional one, especially with the secrets they keep. The arc they go through together is my favorite part of the book.
What really impressed me is how Biehn plays with historical inevitability. We know where this is headed—this is Pompeii, after all—and that ticking clock adds a heavy, almost suffocating tension to even the quietest scenes. Every moment feels borrowed, every joy tinged with dread. And while the prose itself is accessible, the emotional and thematic layers go deep.
That said, this is a slower, more contemplative story than I expected. A lot of the tension comes from the reader’s knowledge of what's coming, not from explosive action or plot twists. The pacing meanders a bit, leaning into the rhythm of daily life and politics more than disaster. Personally, I found that fascinating; it gave weight to the characters’ choices, but I can see it feeling too slow or too low-stakes for some readers who expect more external conflict from a Pompeii setting.
Thank you to Colored Pages Book Tours, Peach Tree Teen, and the author for the complimentary beautiful copy! There’s a hidden naked hardcover underneath and it is gorgeous. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
Felix is boyishly charming, layered, mischievous, and reckless, but undeniably sincere. His amnesia adds an extra layer of mystery, and he steals every scene he's in. Must be because he is a thief? Loren, his quieter counterpart, brings a different kind of tension. He's devout, introspective, and burdened by prophetic nightmares. Their meet-cute is amazing. Their relationship is a messy and emotional one, especially with the secrets they keep. The arc they go through together is my favorite part of the book.
What really impressed me is how Biehn plays with historical inevitability. We know where this is headed—this is Pompeii, after all—and that ticking clock adds a heavy, almost suffocating tension to even the quietest scenes. Every moment feels borrowed, every joy tinged with dread. And while the prose itself is accessible, the emotional and thematic layers go deep.
That said, this is a slower, more contemplative story than I expected. A lot of the tension comes from the reader’s knowledge of what's coming, not from explosive action or plot twists. The pacing meanders a bit, leaning into the rhythm of daily life and politics more than disaster. Personally, I found that fascinating; it gave weight to the characters’ choices, but I can see it feeling too slow or too low-stakes for some readers who expect more external conflict from a Pompeii setting.
Thank you to Colored Pages Book Tours, Peach Tree Teen, and the author for the complimentary beautiful copy! There’s a hidden naked hardcover underneath and it is gorgeous. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
September 13, 2025
>3.5 rounded to 4< This book is like if Rapunzel/Tangled took place in Pompeii with two little queer boys. Except the Rapunzel here ran away from his family and lives in a brothel. And instead of stealing a crown, Flynn Rider stole a helm that was maaaaaybe dooming them to having Mount Vesuvius erupt? And then Rapunzel also is an oracle? Okay, so maybe it isn’t like Rapunzel. But like!!! Kind of!!!
Spoiler: I mean, c’mon, Loren even has to cut off his long hair at one point. You have to give me credit for the analogy, despite knowing they’re going for an Achilles/Patroclus moment.
Non-spoiler: this book took me forever to get through
:( I wanted to like it much more than I did, but I think there was just too much going on for me to properly absorb everything.
Not spoiler, and only semi-relevant to the book: I’ve read too many books about boys in a row now that the deep-seated desperation to be a boy just keeps growing deeper. I would trade my gender so fast if I could— on god.
Spoiler: I mean, c’mon, Loren even has to cut off his long hair at one point. You have to give me credit for the analogy, despite knowing they’re going for an Achilles/Patroclus moment.
Non-spoiler: this book took me forever to get through
:( I wanted to like it much more than I did, but I think there was just too much going on for me to properly absorb everything.
Not spoiler, and only semi-relevant to the book: I’ve read too many books about boys in a row now that the deep-seated desperation to be a boy just keeps growing deeper. I would trade my gender so fast if I could— on god.
June 6, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!!
3.5 stars rounded up!
This cover is beautiful and I had such high hopes for this one. I noticed a lot of people were thrown off but the language and how modern it was but I’ll be honest that I’m not one to care. Especially in YA novels. You really think teens are going to be paying attention to that? Probably not. This is definitely an upper YA novel and even though the characters are 16, they seemed to be written as way older than they seemed.
I really liked Loren and Felix. The only thing that bugged me was the back and forth. Like saying you are gonna leave a million times and just hanging around still. Also this one felt really long? Maybe it was me. There was so much plot that I kept trying to keep up with everything. I also wasn’t 100% satisfied with the ending cause who died?? Like I kept wanting to see someone pop up. But I didn’t enjoy this book and as a debut it was super interesting!
3.5 stars rounded up!
This cover is beautiful and I had such high hopes for this one. I noticed a lot of people were thrown off but the language and how modern it was but I’ll be honest that I’m not one to care. Especially in YA novels. You really think teens are going to be paying attention to that? Probably not. This is definitely an upper YA novel and even though the characters are 16, they seemed to be written as way older than they seemed.
I really liked Loren and Felix. The only thing that bugged me was the back and forth. Like saying you are gonna leave a million times and just hanging around still. Also this one felt really long? Maybe it was me. There was so much plot that I kept trying to keep up with everything. I also wasn’t 100% satisfied with the ending cause who died?? Like I kept wanting to see someone pop up. But I didn’t enjoy this book and as a debut it was super interesting!
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