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Izzy + Tristan
Izzy, a practical-minded teen who intends to become a doctor, isn't happy about her recent move from the Lower East Side across the river to Brooklyn. She feels distanced from her family, especially her increasingly incomprehensible twin brother, as well as her new neighborhood.
And then she meets Tristan.
Tristan is a chess prodigy who lives with his aunt and looks up to his cousin, Marcus. He and Izzy meet one moonlit night, and together they tumble into a story as old and unstoppable as love itself.
In debut author Shannon Dunlap's capable hands, the romance that has enthralled for 800 years is spun new. Told from several points of view, this is a love story for the ages and a love story for this very moment. This fast-paced novel is at once a gripping tale of first love and a sprawling epic about the bonds that tie us together and pull us apart and the different cultures and tensions that fill the contemporary American landscape.
And then she meets Tristan.
Tristan is a chess prodigy who lives with his aunt and looks up to his cousin, Marcus. He and Izzy meet one moonlit night, and together they tumble into a story as old and unstoppable as love itself.
In debut author Shannon Dunlap's capable hands, the romance that has enthralled for 800 years is spun new. Told from several points of view, this is a love story for the ages and a love story for this very moment. This fast-paced novel is at once a gripping tale of first love and a sprawling epic about the bonds that tie us together and pull us apart and the different cultures and tensions that fill the contemporary American landscape.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published March 12, 2019
73 people are currently reading
3329 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 237 reviews
August 8, 2018
Finished in one sitting. I want to go cry in a corner now.
June 11, 2020
2.5 stars
This novel is a little difficult for me to review. After finishing reading, I can't help but be left confused. There was too much going on within the story and I feel like the ending came out of nowhere which left too many things unanswered.
From the beginning of the novel, there was foreshadowing and language that was used which allowed the reader to know that something was eventually going to happen. Something big and something crucial to the story. But even with those hints, the resulting events felt unexpected.
As well, there was a lot of loose ends after that event with most of the characters especially Marcus, Hull, and Izzy (somewhat).
I think the ending would have been more effective if the rest of the story was told in a different way. With the way this novel was written, there was too much occurring without explanation which resulted in very little closure for the reader.
***Thank you to Hachette Book Group Canada for sending me an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review***
This novel is a little difficult for me to review. After finishing reading, I can't help but be left confused. There was too much going on within the story and I feel like the ending came out of nowhere which left too many things unanswered.
From the beginning of the novel, there was foreshadowing and language that was used which allowed the reader to know that something was eventually going to happen. Something big and something crucial to the story. But even with those hints, the resulting events felt unexpected.
As well, there was a lot of loose ends after that event with most of the characters especially Marcus, Hull, and Izzy (somewhat).
I think the ending would have been more effective if the rest of the story was told in a different way. With the way this novel was written, there was too much occurring without explanation which resulted in very little closure for the reader.
***Thank you to Hachette Book Group Canada for sending me an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review***
November 11, 2018
This had potential but it fell short for me. The love story did not pull me in, which is surprising since the very first line in the prologue did and set high expectations. The language used felt over the top and yet not enough to deliver a believable insta-love romance.
There's a plotline that involved consent- lack thereof, actually- that was not sufficiently addressed or resolved. The way race was handled- avoided for majority of the book and tacked on quickly at the end- left much to be desired and the mention of Black Lives Matter and the events surrounding the movement felt like it was thrown in to tick a box. I thought the main storyline would end differently and it felt like half-stepping to have things wrap up in the way they did.
There's a plotline that involved consent- lack thereof, actually- that was not sufficiently addressed or resolved. The way race was handled- avoided for majority of the book and tacked on quickly at the end- left much to be desired and the mention of Black Lives Matter and the events surrounding the movement felt like it was thrown in to tick a box. I thought the main storyline would end differently and it felt like half-stepping to have things wrap up in the way they did.
June 12, 2019
5 Words: Family, friendship, rivalry, tragedy, fitting-in.
Hi, my feels are hurting. Make it stop.
I have to admit that it took a while for me to get in to this story. I was almost half way through and contemplating a DNF when BAM suddenly I couldn't put it down. I was invested.
This is a retelling of Tristan and Iseult, so I pretty much knew the basics already going in, and if you know the traditional tale then you'll know how it ends. That said, it is a pretty unique take on the story, and I loved the additional breadth added by the multiple narrators.
I think my favourite character was Brianna, even though she was a side character. I loved her chapter, her perspectives.
Hi, my feels are hurting. Make it stop.
I have to admit that it took a while for me to get in to this story. I was almost half way through and contemplating a DNF when BAM suddenly I couldn't put it down. I was invested.
This is a retelling of Tristan and Iseult, so I pretty much knew the basics already going in, and if you know the traditional tale then you'll know how it ends. That said, it is a pretty unique take on the story, and I loved the additional breadth added by the multiple narrators.
I think my favourite character was Brianna, even though she was a side character. I loved her chapter, her perspectives.
March 19, 2019
I have always adored the story of Tristan and Isolde and jumped for joy at the idea of a retelling.. but this, my loves, was not the retelling I was talking about. I had so, so, so many issues with this. I did not care for the story or the characters. I never connected to any part of it. It was nothing more than MEH.
November 2, 2018
Thank you @littlebrownyoungreaders for this free review copy! Izzy and Tristan is the most sought after ARC of our book club.
•
Izzy’s family moves into a neighborhood nothing like their old one. Tristan is trying to keep his head above water while playing chess for bets for his cousin. Tempers flare and clash, leading to the meeting of these two fated lovers. Are there cliché scenes? Yes. Do they work for the story? Yes.
•
Two teens who fight to stay together despite it all and then... ugh! Such a great book! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
•
Izzy’s family moves into a neighborhood nothing like their old one. Tristan is trying to keep his head above water while playing chess for bets for his cousin. Tempers flare and clash, leading to the meeting of these two fated lovers. Are there cliché scenes? Yes. Do they work for the story? Yes.
•
Two teens who fight to stay together despite it all and then... ugh! Such a great book! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
May 28, 2019
Una novela literaria y ambiciosa inspirada en la leyenda de Tristán e Isolda pero ambientada en el Brooklyn actual. Tristán es un genio del ajedrez que se muda a vivir con su tía a Brooklyn porque desde que murió su madre, su padre no sabe cómo llevar su crianza. El chico es tímido y solitario, y se refugia en la compañía y protección de su primo Marcus. Un chico muy popular pero que es también un pandillero y vendedor de drogas que utiliza el talento en el ajedrez de Tristán para hacer apuestas en los parques y ganar dinero fácil.
Este frágil equilibrio funciona entre ambos hasta que una (la única) familia blanca se muda al barrio. Los hijos de este matrimonio son dos gemelos: Hull (chico) e Izzy (chica). Marcus desafía a Hull a que juegue contra Tristán, y cuando Tristán le gana, Hull saca un cuchillo y él y Marcus son detenidos por la policía. Desde entonces, Marcus decide vengarse de Hull, y cuando descubre que tiene una hermana, piensa que la mejor forma será seducirla y hacerle daño, y así hacerle también daño indirectamente a Hull. Pero antes de eso, Tristán conoce a Izzy y el flechazo es inmediato. Son dos almas gemelas. Muy inteligentes, sensibles, y ambos fuera de sitio. Pero la cosa se complica aún más cuando Marcus se enamora realmente de Izzy. Ni Tristán ni ella son capaces de enfrentarse a él e inician un idilio secreto, escapándose todas las noches de casa y recorriendo los lugares más recónditos de Nueva York. Así se van conociendo y enamorando cada vez más.
En la historia hay otra pieza clave, Brianna, amiga de Izzy y enamorada desde niña de Marcus. La historia se cuenta alternadamente en capítulos narrados por el caballero o caballo (Tristan), la reina (Izzy), y la torre (Brianna). De esta forma se utiliza la metáfora del ajedrez, las estrategias entre las piezas y el final, bastante enrocado, por cierto.
También es interesante que la autora deja claro que no se trata de una novela, sino de un libro de caballerías. De ahí que aunque se lee como una historia muy moderna, tiene un trasfondo literario muy interesante.
¿Por qué me ha gustado? Principalmente porque es una novela fantástica, pero sobre todo porque es muy diferente a todo lo que se está haciendo ahora. Trata de pasada el tema de la diversidad racial, y otros conflictos sociales, pero lo principal es la historia de amor, que es totalmente pura y atemporal, y está narrada magistralmente.
Este frágil equilibrio funciona entre ambos hasta que una (la única) familia blanca se muda al barrio. Los hijos de este matrimonio son dos gemelos: Hull (chico) e Izzy (chica). Marcus desafía a Hull a que juegue contra Tristán, y cuando Tristán le gana, Hull saca un cuchillo y él y Marcus son detenidos por la policía. Desde entonces, Marcus decide vengarse de Hull, y cuando descubre que tiene una hermana, piensa que la mejor forma será seducirla y hacerle daño, y así hacerle también daño indirectamente a Hull. Pero antes de eso, Tristán conoce a Izzy y el flechazo es inmediato. Son dos almas gemelas. Muy inteligentes, sensibles, y ambos fuera de sitio. Pero la cosa se complica aún más cuando Marcus se enamora realmente de Izzy. Ni Tristán ni ella son capaces de enfrentarse a él e inician un idilio secreto, escapándose todas las noches de casa y recorriendo los lugares más recónditos de Nueva York. Así se van conociendo y enamorando cada vez más.
En la historia hay otra pieza clave, Brianna, amiga de Izzy y enamorada desde niña de Marcus. La historia se cuenta alternadamente en capítulos narrados por el caballero o caballo (Tristan), la reina (Izzy), y la torre (Brianna). De esta forma se utiliza la metáfora del ajedrez, las estrategias entre las piezas y el final, bastante enrocado, por cierto.
También es interesante que la autora deja claro que no se trata de una novela, sino de un libro de caballerías. De ahí que aunque se lee como una historia muy moderna, tiene un trasfondo literario muy interesante.
¿Por qué me ha gustado? Principalmente porque es una novela fantástica, pero sobre todo porque es muy diferente a todo lo que se está haciendo ahora. Trata de pasada el tema de la diversidad racial, y otros conflictos sociales, pero lo principal es la historia de amor, que es totalmente pura y atemporal, y está narrada magistralmente.
September 1, 2019
Izzy + Tristán ha sido una historia que me ha dejado un poquito decepcionada, esperaba amor y drama a raudales y sí, he encontrado de este último, pero sin fundamento ni coherencia.
Reseña completa: https://fiebrelectora.blogspot.com/20...
Reseña completa: https://fiebrelectora.blogspot.com/20...
November 14, 2019
Een hartverscheurend verhaal, maar de schrijfstijl en opmaak van het verhaal waren niks voor mij. Ik zat er niet echt lekker in en dat zorgde ervoor dat ik dit boek niet echt snel uit las. Ik kon het makkelijk aan de kant leggen en een ander boek oppakken. Izzy en Tristan zijn 2 bijzondere personages.
August 23, 2019
I don't know how to feel about this book...
I did think the characters and setting were created well and I did empathise with them but I just felt like the story was a bit all-over-the-place. I feel like the author should have just stuck with one problem instead of introducing a bunch of different important topics. The author writes about depression; problems black people face; drugs; etc. but nothing is really fixed: The issues aren't dealt with and it just ruins the book as problems go unresolved.
There is a really shocking ending but I felt that it didn't really link with the book as it wasn't really spoken about much. This ruined the book for me. It just seems like the author had loads of ideas and just wanted to use them all so tried to find a way to link them all.
Despite this I think it was a nice summer romance to read and I did really enjoy most of it!
(This is just my opinion, and it is fine for you to disagree with me (nicely), so feel free to message me with your opinion. I would love to see how our ideas differ.)
I did think the characters and setting were created well and I did empathise with them but I just felt like the story was a bit all-over-the-place. I feel like the author should have just stuck with one problem instead of introducing a bunch of different important topics. The author writes about depression; problems black people face; drugs; etc. but nothing is really fixed: The issues aren't dealt with and it just ruins the book as problems go unresolved.
There is a really shocking ending but I felt that it didn't really link with the book as it wasn't really spoken about much. This ruined the book for me. It just seems like the author had loads of ideas and just wanted to use them all so tried to find a way to link them all.
Despite this I think it was a nice summer romance to read and I did really enjoy most of it!
(This is just my opinion, and it is fine for you to disagree with me (nicely), so feel free to message me with your opinion. I would love to see how our ideas differ.)
January 20, 2020
Tenía muchas ganas de leer este libro al tratarse de un retelling de Tristán e Isolda, y aunque lo empecé con mucho entusiasmo... este fue desapareciendo conforme avanzaba en la historia.
Me ha costado engancharme a la misma y empatizar con los personajes.
El amor y el drama aparecen a lo largo de la historia, aunque el drama sobre todo surge de cara al final de la historia. Y el romance, aunque ha estado bien, no ha sido el tipo de historia de amor que recordaré durante mucho tiempo, siendo sincera.
Me gusta cómo está escrito el libro y que la narración de los capítulos vaya alternándose entre algunos personajes de la historia, pero siento que la trama se ha quedado “sosa”.
Me ha costado engancharme a la misma y empatizar con los personajes.
El amor y el drama aparecen a lo largo de la historia, aunque el drama sobre todo surge de cara al final de la historia. Y el romance, aunque ha estado bien, no ha sido el tipo de historia de amor que recordaré durante mucho tiempo, siendo sincera.
Me gusta cómo está escrito el libro y que la narración de los capítulos vaya alternándose entre algunos personajes de la historia, pero siento que la trama se ha quedado “sosa”.
July 6, 2019
No está mal pero no me ha llenado. Si os gusta la historia de Tristán e Isolda y los libros más tradicionales, posiblemente lo disfrutéis pero yo no soy mucho de ese tipo de libros y aunque ha habido cosillas que me han enganchado, hay otras muchas con las que no he conectado.
Reseña: https://librosdelcielo.blogspot.com/2...
Reseña: https://librosdelcielo.blogspot.com/2...
July 22, 2019
2.5?
Tenía las expectativas muy altas, como me pasa siempre con los retellings, además Tristán e Isolda es un dramón de la leche, así que estaba yo emocionadísima con todo el salseo con el que me iba a encontrar aquí. Pero... no, ha sido más drama de instituto sin sentido que otra cosa, con secretos y "traciones" que podrían tener sentido hace siglos pero no ahora...
Lo que sí me ha gustado más ha sido todo el tema social, con problemas como el racismo, y otros temas de actualidad.
Tenía las expectativas muy altas, como me pasa siempre con los retellings, además Tristán e Isolda es un dramón de la leche, así que estaba yo emocionadísima con todo el salseo con el que me iba a encontrar aquí. Pero... no, ha sido más drama de instituto sin sentido que otra cosa, con secretos y "traciones" que podrían tener sentido hace siglos pero no ahora...
Lo que sí me ha gustado más ha sido todo el tema social, con problemas como el racismo, y otros temas de actualidad.
July 16, 2020
this book is between a 2 and a 3 for me, but i couldn’t decide which one would suit it better. i guess i gave it the 2 stars rating after all because there so many things that could’ve been done better. it was an easy read and at first i was really enjoying it and much more than that, it made me feel something that i can’t put my finger on to name. the “insta love” didn’t bother me in the beginning, but then it began a little unbearable and exaggerated.. the characters felt really one-dimensional and kinda’ undeveloped, even if the author gave them “unusual” traits (which weren’t that unusual but.. whatever). i could see the ending starting to form early on in the book, when picked up on way Izzy was narrating (don’t want to give any spoilers so that’s why is a little cryptic, but the people who read it will understand). there was also the problem with the anti-racism movement in the last part of the book, which really annoyed me because i don’t think it was well done AT ALL and it should have been a matter discussed since the beginning if it was going to be THAT important.. not thrown into the book like a random fact. i don’t want to hate on this book because there were still some pieces i really enjoyed and related to, but yeah.. wish i could’ve enjoyed it more :(
July 18, 2024
Izzy + Tristian is a romance following the lives of two kids living in Brooklyn that magically fall in love the first time they see each other. I loved this book because I could tell how genuine the characters were and was able to imagine how difficult their lives were becoming. With a heartbreaking ending, I wish it had been different, but I recognize that in any romance there has to be tragedy. I would highly recommend this book to my friends.
January 30, 2021
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher. This in no way impacted on my view.
In a modern day retelling of the classic Tristan & Iseult, our heroes find themselves in a tale as old as time - a love story. When Izzy and family move to Brooklyn, she doesn't know what to expect. But within days, her brother Hull has gotten into a fight at the park, been arrested, and sent to a therapy programme in the city. She is left alone at the new school, and meets Tristan - who was instrumental in the fight - but falls for him immediately. Unfortunately, his cousin, Marcus, who most of the school are afraid of, wants to mess with Hull, and thinks that Izzy would be perfect for that. Keeping their relationship a secret, will Izzy & Tristan be able to be together, or will their love story become a tragedy?
I quite like the tale of Tristan & Iseult, and have read another YA retelling of it recently. When I heard about a modern retelling, I wasn't sure how it would work, and unfortunately, I was right. This book just felt strange, and there's no other way to describe it. I mean, set in 2018 (I think?) the whole idea that because a guy called dibs on a girl - who never gave any inclination that she liked him - had the right to be angry when his cousin fell in love with her, was a bit much. I never really warmed to any of the characters either. It's told in three points of view: the knight (Tristan), the queen (Izzy), and the rook (Brianna), and of the three, Tristan's was probably the best. Brianna's had no really need to be there - and her character was too wishy-washy for me. Izzy was okay, but bland, and for someone who was so clever, and wanted to be a doctor, she was naive. I liked the inclusion of the chess playing, and seeing Tristan flourish that way. I've seen some reviews going on about how shocking the ending was, or how moving, but, honestly, it was obvious. If you know the original material, it wasn't a surprise, at all, and I think it was played up a little for theatrical benefit. Honestly, if I hadn't wanted to finish this book to help clear my NG ratio, I would've DNFed it.
In a modern day retelling of the classic Tristan & Iseult, our heroes find themselves in a tale as old as time - a love story. When Izzy and family move to Brooklyn, she doesn't know what to expect. But within days, her brother Hull has gotten into a fight at the park, been arrested, and sent to a therapy programme in the city. She is left alone at the new school, and meets Tristan - who was instrumental in the fight - but falls for him immediately. Unfortunately, his cousin, Marcus, who most of the school are afraid of, wants to mess with Hull, and thinks that Izzy would be perfect for that. Keeping their relationship a secret, will Izzy & Tristan be able to be together, or will their love story become a tragedy?
I quite like the tale of Tristan & Iseult, and have read another YA retelling of it recently. When I heard about a modern retelling, I wasn't sure how it would work, and unfortunately, I was right. This book just felt strange, and there's no other way to describe it. I mean, set in 2018 (I think?) the whole idea that because a guy called dibs on a girl - who never gave any inclination that she liked him - had the right to be angry when his cousin fell in love with her, was a bit much. I never really warmed to any of the characters either. It's told in three points of view: the knight (Tristan), the queen (Izzy), and the rook (Brianna), and of the three, Tristan's was probably the best. Brianna's had no really need to be there - and her character was too wishy-washy for me. Izzy was okay, but bland, and for someone who was so clever, and wanted to be a doctor, she was naive. I liked the inclusion of the chess playing, and seeing Tristan flourish that way. I've seen some reviews going on about how shocking the ending was, or how moving, but, honestly, it was obvious. If you know the original material, it wasn't a surprise, at all, and I think it was played up a little for theatrical benefit. Honestly, if I hadn't wanted to finish this book to help clear my NG ratio, I would've DNFed it.
February 29, 2024
This is probably one of the worst endings to a book I've ever read. The last 20 pages were actually so pointless, like there's no way that Shannon Dunlap couldn't have come up with a better ending then this one.
Definitely not something I would have picked up for myself, I read this for my bookclub. The only redeeming quality about this book is the fact it brought me out of my reading slump.
I understand this book was supposed to be based off some old Shakespeare story type but like, she really had to keep the original ending?
Also the different perspectives, did not enjoy. However, I did like that she assigned everyone a different chess piece in the story, that was cute.
All in all, this book literally makes me rage just thinking about it. Do I regret reading it? No. Just wish the ending didn't undo literally everything she set up in the book.
This book just left me so confused due to its numerous loose ends. We were just left with absolutely no closure. The ending almost feels random.
Definitely not something I would have picked up for myself, I read this for my bookclub. The only redeeming quality about this book is the fact it brought me out of my reading slump.
I understand this book was supposed to be based off some old Shakespeare story type but like, she really had to keep the original ending?
Also the different perspectives, did not enjoy. However, I did like that she assigned everyone a different chess piece in the story, that was cute.
All in all, this book literally makes me rage just thinking about it. Do I regret reading it? No. Just wish the ending didn't undo literally everything she set up in the book.
This book just left me so confused due to its numerous loose ends. We were just left with absolutely no closure. The ending almost feels random.
January 9, 2020
Por fin después de casi un mes lo he terminado, no se entre que me puse mala y todo nunca me ponía con el.
Este libro por una parte ha estado bien porque su final duele y porque el tema que trata el final es algo que se sigue viviendo a día de hoy y que me sigue pareciendo brutal que en el siglo en el que estamos siga ocurriendo.
Los personajes han estado bien construidos y me ha gustado mucho.
Pero creo que la trama y la historia en sí para mi carecen de coherencia, no ocurre nada así interesante durante toda la trama, solo durante el final.
Así que a mi parecer es un libro muy plano, porque quitando algunas pequeñas cosas, creo que es más un libro ambientado a gente más joven, de entre los 14 y los 18 años, para mi es demasiado juvenil.
Pero esto no quiere decir que el libro sea malo, sino que no es para mi.
Este libro por una parte ha estado bien porque su final duele y porque el tema que trata el final es algo que se sigue viviendo a día de hoy y que me sigue pareciendo brutal que en el siglo en el que estamos siga ocurriendo.
Los personajes han estado bien construidos y me ha gustado mucho.
Pero creo que la trama y la historia en sí para mi carecen de coherencia, no ocurre nada así interesante durante toda la trama, solo durante el final.
Así que a mi parecer es un libro muy plano, porque quitando algunas pequeñas cosas, creo que es más un libro ambientado a gente más joven, de entre los 14 y los 18 años, para mi es demasiado juvenil.
Pero esto no quiere decir que el libro sea malo, sino que no es para mi.
April 16, 2019
1,5/5
Une romance qui débarque comme un cheveux sur la soupe et tente vainement de réécrire le mythe de Tristan et Iseult dans une romance ennuyante et sans grande interêt. Impossible de me connecter avec les personnages, je suis restée spectatrice passive de leur histoire.
L’autrice a tenté d’amener la carte du racisme et de dénoncer les double-standard dans cette relation mixte, mais c’est soit mal amené, soit totalement anecdotique. Tout reste en surface, on ne va jamais en profondeur, et la fin du livre ne m’a procuré aucune émotion. Une déception.
Une romance qui débarque comme un cheveux sur la soupe et tente vainement de réécrire le mythe de Tristan et Iseult dans une romance ennuyante et sans grande interêt. Impossible de me connecter avec les personnages, je suis restée spectatrice passive de leur histoire.
L’autrice a tenté d’amener la carte du racisme et de dénoncer les double-standard dans cette relation mixte, mais c’est soit mal amené, soit totalement anecdotique. Tout reste en surface, on ne va jamais en profondeur, et la fin du livre ne m’a procuré aucune émotion. Une déception.
March 14, 2019
Proof copy received from Hachette Australia for an honest review, all thoughts are my own.
Well, this was such an interesting and heart breaking read, truly! I was absolutely immersed in the story of Izzy and Tristan, I found them both to be such refreshing narrators; and Breanna as well! I daresay Tristan and Izzy won’t be leaving my mind any time soon!
This was definitely a unique take on the story of Tristan and Isolde, with Tristan being a Creole chess whizzkid, one who often finds himself at the wrath of his cousin, Marcus, who claims he loves him and has his best interests at heart! Throughout this novel, Marcus was utterly awful to his cousin and honestly I still don’t know why? I mean, he seemed to constantly have a chip on his shoulder, but I feel like if he just sort of tried to see things as they were, as other people felt and perceived him, then things could’ve turned out better for everyone?!
Izzy, I adored throughout. Such a brainac, with goals to be a doctor on her mind, her bond with her twin brother fracturing after the family moves away from everytging they’ve known, and Hull (said twin brother), unravelling from who he was, and just everything that she knew crumbling around her. Until Tristan.
Okay, I admit, their romance was totally insta-lovey and for me that can really be hit or miss, but given the foreshadowing that the book started with, my heart knew it was going to be upset by the end of this story and following along with the theme of love, Romance, and I might even say Star Crossed Lovers, I was wholly addicted and could hardly put the book down!
Well, this was such an interesting and heart breaking read, truly! I was absolutely immersed in the story of Izzy and Tristan, I found them both to be such refreshing narrators; and Breanna as well! I daresay Tristan and Izzy won’t be leaving my mind any time soon!
This was definitely a unique take on the story of Tristan and Isolde, with Tristan being a Creole chess whizzkid, one who often finds himself at the wrath of his cousin, Marcus, who claims he loves him and has his best interests at heart! Throughout this novel, Marcus was utterly awful to his cousin and honestly I still don’t know why? I mean, he seemed to constantly have a chip on his shoulder, but I feel like if he just sort of tried to see things as they were, as other people felt and perceived him, then things could’ve turned out better for everyone?!
Izzy, I adored throughout. Such a brainac, with goals to be a doctor on her mind, her bond with her twin brother fracturing after the family moves away from everytging they’ve known, and Hull (said twin brother), unravelling from who he was, and just everything that she knew crumbling around her. Until Tristan.
Okay, I admit, their romance was totally insta-lovey and for me that can really be hit or miss, but given the foreshadowing that the book started with, my heart knew it was going to be upset by the end of this story and following along with the theme of love, Romance, and I might even say Star Crossed Lovers, I was wholly addicted and could hardly put the book down!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
postponed-reading
March 26, 2024I haven't opened this in months, so I'm putting it aside. But only postponed, not DNF
April 2, 2019
C'est mignon, c'est touchant et ça nous apprend que l'effet boule de neige peut être fatal... Mais on nous prépare tellement à une fin spéciale que je n'ai pas été tellement surprise...
May 25, 2019
One of my best friends, Isabella, was reading this book, which interested me reading Izzy + Tristan. Unfortunately, I wish I hadn't read the novel.
Problems with this book:
1. There was no chemistry between Izzy and Tristan. Tristan fell in love within 4 pages without exchanging a word with Izzy. I don't care what they say about true love; Tristan fell in lust not love with Izzy, and their relationship was trying to be a deep, life-changing relationship.
2. The plot started drifting off then completely drove off the track. The book became dull and random without gaining anything, ESPECIALLY THE ENDING. What was the point of killing off Tristan if there was no lesson behind it?
3. There was no lesson at any time in the book. What was I supposed to learn from Izzy and Tristan? Don't mess with your cousin's fake girlfriend?
4. It tried to offer political commentary on inter-racial relationships, but the lack of emotion or end result AND Izzy had no story.
5. The chess metaphor lasted for half the book, but then the metaphor vanished conveniently after a certain point.
This book was a waste of time, and I wish I hadn't read it and wasted my time.
Happy Saturday! Hope your day is going well. And if it isn't, I hope that tomorrow or sometime in the near future, it gets better. Because I promise that it will. Maybe not today or tomorrow, but soon.
Do things that make you happy, and above else, amor omnia vincent.
with love forever,
Reenie
💋
Problems with this book:
1. There was no chemistry between Izzy and Tristan. Tristan fell in love within 4 pages without exchanging a word with Izzy. I don't care what they say about true love; Tristan fell in lust not love with Izzy, and their relationship was trying to be a deep, life-changing relationship.
2. The plot started drifting off then completely drove off the track. The book became dull and random without gaining anything, ESPECIALLY THE ENDING. What was the point of killing off Tristan if there was no lesson behind it?
3. There was no lesson at any time in the book. What was I supposed to learn from Izzy and Tristan? Don't mess with your cousin's fake girlfriend?
4. It tried to offer political commentary on inter-racial relationships, but the lack of emotion or end result AND Izzy had no story.
5. The chess metaphor lasted for half the book, but then the metaphor vanished conveniently after a certain point.
This book was a waste of time, and I wish I hadn't read it and wasted my time.
Happy Saturday! Hope your day is going well. And if it isn't, I hope that tomorrow or sometime in the near future, it gets better. Because I promise that it will. Maybe not today or tomorrow, but soon.
Do things that make you happy, and above else, amor omnia vincent.
with love forever,
Reenie
💋
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 16, 2020
Det her var en meget middel bog.
Skrivestilen var meget middel. Historien... meget middel. jeg begyndte at læse den fordi der stod at det var en moderne Romeo og Julie. Jeg havde lige set filmen "Romeo and Juliet" med Leonardo. Plus Carlsn puls' bøger plejer altid at ramme.
Den føltes bare lidt tom. Nogle gange magtede jeg bare ikke læse mere, men andre gange fløj jeg bare igennem den.
Skrivestilen var meget middel. Historien... meget middel. jeg begyndte at læse den fordi der stod at det var en moderne Romeo og Julie. Jeg havde lige set filmen "Romeo and Juliet" med Leonardo. Plus Carlsn puls' bøger plejer altid at ramme.
Den føltes bare lidt tom. Nogle gange magtede jeg bare ikke læse mere, men andre gange fløj jeg bare igennem den.
March 21, 2019
Way too over the top for me, regarding the emotions/romance. At least in the original story of Tristan and Isolde, they ingest a love potion that explains the sappiness. That doesn't happen in this retelling.
The author did a good job building the characters; I just didn't care for the execution.
The author did a good job building the characters; I just didn't care for the execution.
April 8, 2019
Very cute and fluffy overall. I loved the chess talk but the rating fell to 3/5 stars because I felt that ending was very much detached from the rest of the book - honestly that whole last quarter was a bit clunky and didn’t really sit well with how the book had been running.
June 14, 2019
No. Just no. This story didn’t speak to me at all. Both Izzy and Tristan felt like rather bland characters without much personality, and I felt as though all the sneaking around and hiding from “cousin Marcus” was overdone.
March 25, 2019
Well that broke my heart into teeny tiny pieces.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 25, 2019
Honestly just didn’t like it and it’s was super predictable. The writing was also not my favorite.🤷🏼♀️🤷🏼♀️🤷🏼♀️🤷🏼♀️🤷🏼♀️🤷🏼♀️🤷🏼♀️🤷🏼♀️🤷🏼♀️🤷🏼♀️🤷🏼♀️🤷🏼♀️🤷🏼♀️🤷🏼♀️🤷🏼♀️🤷🏼♀️
November 4, 2019
Also erstmal: Es handelt sich bei diesem Buch um eine Neuerzählung von "Tristan und Isolde". Wer eine moderne Version davon erwartet, wird wohl zufrieden sein. Ich kannte die Geschichte vorher nicht, habe aber hinterher eine Zusammenfassung gelesen und es ist klar erkennbar, dass es im Grunde die gleiche Geschichte ist.
Mir hat es nicht so gut gefallen, auch wenn ich schon einsehe, dass das Originalmaterial gut verarbeitet wurde. Wir haben hier Tristan und Izzy, die sich eigentlich sofort verlieben, aber Cousin Marcus scheint ein unüberwindbares Hindernis für die junge Liebe zu sein. Es gibt etwas rebellische, komplexe Charaktere wie Alphamännchen Marcus und etwas wahnsinniger, zukünftiger Politiker Hull, der Izzys Bruder ist. Izzy ist deutlich simpler gestrickt, eigentlich die typische Jugendbuch-Heldin, und Tristan zeichnet sich dadurch aus, dass er Angst vor seinem Cousin hat und daher immer sehr zurückhaltend ist. Ich fand einfach die beiden Protagonisten ziemlich fade, ihre Liebesgeschichte wenig überzeugend und dann trafen sie immer wieder so blöde Entscheidungen.
Mein Problem mit dem Buch war, dass es doch zu sehr an der Vorlage war. Obwohl mich das Buch nie wirklich packen konnte, fand ich das Ende enttäuschend. Es war in gewisser Hinsicht wohl realistisch, aber für einen Roman war mir das Ende zu schwach, da hat vieles gefehlt. Alles, was auf über 300 Seiten aufgebaut wurde, löste sich in Luft auf, sodass ich mich gefragt habe, wieso ich den Rest des Buches überhaupt gelesen habe.
Ohne zu wissen, dass es sich an eine Vorlage hält, war zum Schluss vieles unlogisch und übereilt, aber das Buch selbst sollte in sich stimmig sein und nicht auf die Vorlage angewiesen, die erklärt, wo diese unzusammenhängenden Handlungen plötzlich herkommen.
Fazit
"We Will Fall" mag ein gutes, modernes "Tristan und Isolde" sein, aber ein gutes Buch war es dadurch nicht. Die Hauptcharaktere konnten mich nicht überzeugen, die Handlung war wenig spannend und auch mal unlogisch und das Ende war vielleicht realistisch, aber enttäuschend war es trotzdem.
Mir hat es nicht so gut gefallen, auch wenn ich schon einsehe, dass das Originalmaterial gut verarbeitet wurde. Wir haben hier Tristan und Izzy, die sich eigentlich sofort verlieben, aber Cousin Marcus scheint ein unüberwindbares Hindernis für die junge Liebe zu sein. Es gibt etwas rebellische, komplexe Charaktere wie Alphamännchen Marcus und etwas wahnsinniger, zukünftiger Politiker Hull, der Izzys Bruder ist. Izzy ist deutlich simpler gestrickt, eigentlich die typische Jugendbuch-Heldin, und Tristan zeichnet sich dadurch aus, dass er Angst vor seinem Cousin hat und daher immer sehr zurückhaltend ist. Ich fand einfach die beiden Protagonisten ziemlich fade, ihre Liebesgeschichte wenig überzeugend und dann trafen sie immer wieder so blöde Entscheidungen.
Mein Problem mit dem Buch war, dass es doch zu sehr an der Vorlage war. Obwohl mich das Buch nie wirklich packen konnte, fand ich das Ende enttäuschend. Es war in gewisser Hinsicht wohl realistisch, aber für einen Roman war mir das Ende zu schwach, da hat vieles gefehlt. Alles, was auf über 300 Seiten aufgebaut wurde, löste sich in Luft auf, sodass ich mich gefragt habe, wieso ich den Rest des Buches überhaupt gelesen habe.
Ohne zu wissen, dass es sich an eine Vorlage hält, war zum Schluss vieles unlogisch und übereilt, aber das Buch selbst sollte in sich stimmig sein und nicht auf die Vorlage angewiesen, die erklärt, wo diese unzusammenhängenden Handlungen plötzlich herkommen.
Fazit
"We Will Fall" mag ein gutes, modernes "Tristan und Isolde" sein, aber ein gutes Buch war es dadurch nicht. Die Hauptcharaktere konnten mich nicht überzeugen, die Handlung war wenig spannend und auch mal unlogisch und das Ende war vielleicht realistisch, aber enttäuschend war es trotzdem.
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