Name: Abigail Chapman's review of The Never Tilting World by Rin Chupeco
Item: The Never Tilting World
Rating: 4
Author: Abigail Chapman

Rin Chupeco

Series statement and numbering from publisher's website.

The Never Tilting World

Sunny

Kayla Smith

Great story but still lots of unanswered questions at the end. The “twist” was a little predictable.. POC, disabled, and queer rep in the four main characters. Mental health is also central to the narrative. Excited to read the sequel. CW for violence, abuse, and murder though it doesn’t go into explicit detail. If you liked this definitely check out The Bone Witch by the same author. 

Abigail Chapman

Chloe Verhoeve

jess

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I knew I had to read The Never Tilting World when I read the synopsis. I'd read The Bone Witch and loved it, and the premise to this book just sounded on point. I was not disappointed. The Never Tilting World is definitely one of the most creative fantasies I've read in a long time, full of action and adventure.

We have four main characters: Lan, Arjun, Odessa, and Haidee, two goddesses and two companions. The book opens with Lan punching someone in the face, which I have to say instantly drew me in. I thought for sure Lan was going to be my favourite character, but I came to like all four of our heroes. The narrative didn't put any above the other: I felt like all four were fairly equally developed, and I really got to know them while I was reading. I actually really liked both the romance subplots in The Never Tilting World. One of the couples (Lan/Odessa) is F/F and had me on my toes the whole book with their will-they-won't-they, and they had so much chemistry, but Arjun/Haidee was enemies-to-lovers and also soft, two of my guiltiest pleasure romance tropes, I found myself liking it anyways.

Lan is a definite tough girl, keeping her head up and trekking onwards no matter what, but she also struggles with post-traumatic stress throughout the book. Seeing her face up to her past and realize what she needs to do to heal was honestly so powerful, and it was written in a way you don't really see in genre fiction? I feel like a lot of the time there's no help for characters dealing with mental health issues in fantasy, so seeing Lan have a good support system--including what basically amounts to a therapist--was so refreshing to me. Can we have more of this in fantasy? Lan's love interest, Odessa, is the goddess within the eternal night of Aeon, and I loved her character arc. Odessa goes from a sheltered girl to a leader, and it was so empowering to watch, but also terrifying. It's through Odessa you see why the goddesses are called goddesses. Arjun starts out as grumpy, but he learns a lot from Haidee, who is just so soft and adorable. I found Arjun and Haidee complemented each other so well.

All four perspectives are in first person, which initially worried me--I am normally not great at dealing with multiple first-person perspectives, much less four in one book--but each character's voice was distinct, and I had no problem figuring out who was narrating. I did find that the pacing stuttered in the middle--there was a very strong opening, and a very strong latter third, but I found my attention waning in the middle, where some of the weaker subplots took precedence over the journey of both characters.

The worldbuilding in The Never Tilting World was just so immensely cool, and though it's definitely fantasy through and through, there's a sci-fi vibe throughout, especially during Arjun and Haidee's scenes. Because The Never Tilting World uses a lot of different terminology than your typical fantasy, it does take a little bit to get used to, and there's a lot of lore surrounding the goddesses that had me flipping back and forth to get the story straight in my head.

The creatures that roam the world of Aeon, too, were unlike anything I've seen before. There's horrifying monsters--some which I recognized were based off mythology and some which I'd never heard of. There's also friendly creatures (that Haidee names and gets attached to, which in turn made me attached to them). The environment--one side of eternal night, and one of eternal day--was also interesting. I love it when genre fiction messes with climate, and The Never Tilting World provides a picture of how people adapt to the most extreme conditions. In a way, it points to a testament of survival and the need to do good, two groups of people fighting to live and heal the world.

The Never Tilting World has four memorable characters, a world that's full of life despite all odds, and a rich lore behind it. I very much enjoyed The Never Tilting World and would definitely recommend it to fantasy fans.

content warnings | death

representation | characters of color, ptsd, amputee, f/f

Thanks to the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy!

Eloise

THE NEVER TILTING WORLD IS AMAZING!! Rin Chupeco weaves an incredible story full of adventure, magic, and romance. I did not want to put this book down, but when I did I would constantly be thinking about the characters and wondering what happens next. The Never Tilting World is now one of my favourite books I've ever read and I will definitely be reading more of Rin Chupeco's books in the future.

I fell completely in love with all four of the main characters that narrate the story. They were all on their own personal journey's and it was interesting to see each character develop as the story progressed. Lan is a healer and bodyguard who is in love with her charge and has PTSD. Odessa is a powerful lesbian chronically ill goddess who loves reading. The relationship between Odessa and Lan was so cute and I loved their banter. Haidee is a powerful goddess and loves mechanical engineering. Arjun is a rogue rebel amputee, with a kind heart. I loved seeing the relationship between Haidee and Arjun grow throughout the story. The world of The Never Tilting World is so interesting, both cities are struggling. Aranth is the city of night and The Golden City is where it is always daytime. I cannot wait to read the next book in the series and find out more about this world and these characters.

Overall, if you are looking for an amazing fantasy story, with complex and great characters and an intriguing plot, I highly recommend reading The Never Tilting World.

Sahi K

I have waited obscenely long to read this book. Multiple requests for the ARC got rejected and while sometimes I lose interest in a book when that happens, it wasn’t the case here. Rin Chupeco has become a favorite author of mine this year and there was no way I wasn’t gonna read this book immediately after its release. And I can’t tell you how happy I am that I wasn’t let down. 

This world is brilliantly conceived. As a land that has stopped turning and has literally been cleaved into two, the effect this has on the world itself as well as the people is described with stark detail. The half with perpetual sun is basically a desert with even the strong rays of the sun too dangerous for people to be exposed to, the waters drying up in a way that leads to unprecedented droughts and deaths of creatures leaving very few sources of food remaining. The other half is endless night, with unbearable cold and oceans and ice encroaching on the remaining land that is left. There are also acid rains, sand seas, rivers and seas changing course and various other disasters, which make survival the only thing important in this world. 

The origin and basis of the magic system is pretty unique, even though the powers that each person possesses are pretty standard for a fantasy novel. I can’t go much into detail because I don’t think I can really explain it properly and maybe you should find it out yourself. However, the myriad of creatures, some sweet, some motivated and some hostile are all wonderfully described and I really dreaded every time a new one showed up. There really were some very monstrous creatures and I think the author captured the horror of them very well. 

The writing style of the author is definitely something that you need to get a bit used to. Just like The Bone Witch trilogy, you are either going to completely fall in love or not like it much at all - and you can obviously guess which side I fall on. The author definitely doesn’t believe in info dumps at all, so while we get to know the issues faced by the people in the world right from the beginning, the reason for the breaking of world and the mythology behind the story of the goddesses is revealed very slowly. The only thing that slightly miffed me was that we really didn’t get answers even by the end of the book, and while I’ll surely read the sequel, I just wish we had gotten some more revelations. 

The pacing of the story is steady but mostly on the slower side, with some interesting action sequences in between which thrilled me a lot. This book has one of my favorite tropes - a quest - and I really enjoyed the journeys the characters took across the two vastly different but consistently dangerous landscapes. We get 4 different POVs and the author does a wonderful job giving each of them very distinct voices and making me fall in love with all of them. The audiobook also has a full cast production, which made for a great listening experience. I actually read and listened to this book alternately and I loved both ways of enjoying it. 

The characters are another strong point of the story and it always gives me immense pleasure when I end up liking all of them. Odessa is the young goddess of the darker side of the world, while Haidee is from the desert side. They both have been brought up very differently but by very similar strict mothers, with Odessa isolated most of her life due to her chronic illness and Haidee a very talented mechanika (despite her mother’s distaste for it). But they both are inherently compassionate human beings who decide to do something to save their world and set out on very similar and perilous journeys. Odessa is also a romance novel lover and it was adorable to see her try to understand the mechanics of seduction by applying whatever she read in her books. Haidee on the other hand is very competent and practical, but jumps into things headlong without worrying too much about what might happen next. 

Lan is a former ranger who suffers from ptsd and is tasked with being Odessa’s bodyguard. They have a kind of established relationship from before the book starts, so it was nice to see it grow and change based on circumstances and also the push and pull due to the power imbalance. Lan is very honorable and her struggle to accept the trauma of her past and realize that it’s okay to sometimes ask for help is very painfully but realistically depicted, and I thought it was amazing to see some kind of therapy sessions happening in a fantasy world. 

Arjun on the other hand is a desert nomad who is very skilled at doing whatever it takes to survive and wants to kill Haidee because he assumes she is responsible for the breaking of the world and all his people’s troubles. But it’s obvious from the start that they are destined to be together and it was especially their banter that made for some lighthearted moments in an otherwise intense book. They also make for great partners when fighting off creatures hell bent on murdering them and I lived for those scenes. Arjun seems like a grumpy dude in the beginning but he really is a softie and there are some adorable heartwarming moments in the story between him, Haidee and a group of golugongs and I just wanted to give them all a hug. 

Right from the cover to the premise, it’s obvious that this book’s main theme is a direct parallel to the climate change emergency of our world. It really showcases how an entire world can be devastated just because a few in power get greedy for more of it. And how in such catastrophic conditions, those with more resources will essentially shut off relief for anyone they deem unworthy. The author’s note about her own experiences with climate disasters in Philippines really makes for a chilling read and gives the book a whole different perspective. It’s mostly a call to action to everyone to do their part in preventing this devastation from proceeding any further. 

There is also a whole subplot about verbal/physical abuse by superiors over their subordinates and I think the author gives us a lot to think about with the way she handled this part of the story - if we get to punish our abusers in the same way they abused us, is it really justice and are we really any different from them? Where is the line really between justice and retribution and what is it that prevents us from becoming abusers too? 

If you love books with excellent ensemble of diverse characters, a very complex world and some adorable romances, then you should pick this up. If you have previously enjoyed the Bone Witch trilogy, you’ll probably like this a lot too. If like me, you are fan of characters going on physical as well as metaphorical quests, then this book is a perfect choice for you. The audiobook is also excellently narrated, and I loved listening to a full cast. The book however can be a bit slow, so maybe keep that in mind before you dive into it. I may not be entirely satisfied with the ending, but I really loved the journey this book took me on and I’m already upset that I’ve got to wait a very long while to see how it all ends.

Kath Lau

I haven’t read any books from Rin Chupeco so I decided that it’s time to changed that. I immediately signed up when I saw the blog tour announcement on Shealea's blog. Honestly, I wasn’t expecting a lot from this book eventhough the premise sounds really compelling. But I thought this was impressive and now I can’t wait for the sequel.

This book is written in multiple first person POVs which I thought was the perfect way of telling this story. I know that this style is not for everyone but the author did a great job on giving each characters their distinct voices. The alternating POVs are from Odessa, a bookish goddess who is suffering from an unknown illness; Lan, Odessa’s protector and healer who is suffering from PTSD caused by her previous journey; Haidee, also a goddess, is a very talented mechanic and has a good heart; and Arjun, a snarky desert rogue and a fire-wielding amputee. It was hard for me to choose a favorite because I liked all of them. They’re all brilliant and unique in their own ways.

One of the things I loved in this book was the worldbuilding. Aeon is split into two after the “Breaking” that happened seventeen years ago. It stops spinning and a Great Abyss divides the two realms, Aranth and Golden City. There were mysteries surrounding this event and the characters have their own different sides of the story. We as readers have to experience what the characters are going through in terms of discovering the truth. It’s complex and can be confusing at times but nonetheless captivating. There will be a map in the final copy and this will definitely help a lot. We’re still getting a sequel so I’m really excited to know more about this world. I loved the addition of elemental magic system and horrifying but still adorable creatures.

The climate change theme in this book is pretty unique and fascinating in my opinion. It’s giving us important message that is really accurate to what’s happening right now in the world. Now let’s talk about the representation in this book because it’s worth mentioning. We have people of color (Asian and Middle Eastern), queer (bisexual and f/f romance), mental health (PTSD) which was handled very good this book, and persons with disability (amputee). Kudos to the author for having this diverse cast of great characters!

I had very minimal issues in this book. I thought the middle part was quite slow and there were terms (the mechanical ones especially) that I wasn’t familiar of. But overall, The Never Tilting World is a creative and truly engrossing young adult fantasy novel that I can’t wait for you to read.

Disclaimer: Thanks to the blog tour host, author, and Edelweiss for providing me an early digital copy of this book. This did not affect my overall opinion of the book.

Alice

And with a harsh, grating sound, for the first time in seventeen years, the world began to turn.

Not sure how to rate this. Somewhere between 3 and 4 stars. I loved one half of the povs, the other was just meh. Right at the beginning I preferred the pov in Aranth however I quickly became in love with Haidee and Arjun. Odessa's corruption arc was dissatisfying and she was redeemed way too easily. The concept was very unique. I don't think I've ever read anything quite like it. The pace was a bit too fast for me to properly grasp the worldbuilding. I would've loved if things were explained a bit more. In the beginning I was totally lost. There are a lot of things that are still unclear to me.

The execution could have been better but overall I think I liked it. Though I probably wouldn't have continued with the next book if it weren't for Arjun and Haidee. I love their dynamic so much. It's just amazing.

Narah Quinn

I have been waiting on this book since it was announced, and it caused no small amount of frustration that the UK had 2 different release dates depending on where you ordered from and neither of them was the one that kept popping up all over the internet! But, it finally arrived and I was hooked from the first line "It was clearly his fault I'd punched him in the face."
I didn't intentionally take my time with this book, but life around it forced me to and I am actually really glad that I didn't just plough through it. I was able to fully absorb the world in all its broken glory, to marvel at the magic in it, and to really get to know our main characters, twins Odessa and Haidee, Lan and Arjun.
Every chapter is from one of their 4 pov's and each one of them gives us something that the others do not, but that is important to the tale.
Odessa gave us the dutiful daughter, tired of being dutiful and trusting her instincts. We have Lan, torn between desire and duty and broken by her past.
Haidee, who does as she must, but also as she pleases and heads out on a quest for the truth and Arjun, who can't explain how he is so tied up in everything, and who knows he should hate Haidee but he just doesn't.
There is a great cast of supporting characters too, all with vital roles and back stories that make The Never Tilting World one that you are happy to traverse. From cold nights to bone melting days you journey towards the abyss, not knowing what you may find, hoping for the best, and finding your past, and your future is perhaps not what you thought it would be.
I also need to show you one of the most beautifully executed acknowledgements of mental health I have read without it being named. I read it and immediately had to send it to a friend because I had to share it with someone, take a look :)

I can't wait for the next instalment and if you have been on the fence about this, jump in, it was 100% worth 27 days of reading!

Leelynn Brady

I have two separate reviews for this book that deal with two aspects of the novel. To review both of these reviews, please go to my blog

CHARACTER REVIEW

PLOT/WORLD BUILDING REVIEW

Since both are super long, it may make more sense to just link them here.

Kaeli Wolf 

Jessica Nottingham

Sadly, I had to DNF this after the first two chapters. I really loved the premise, and all of the strong females that populated the pages, but I was so lost that I couldn't really enjoy myself. It felt like I was dropped into the middle of a story, and I was scrambling to catch up. I'll be honest, I'm really picky about my Fantasy books. I need background. I need a place to live in before I can really invest myself in the characters. This book wasn't giving that to me, so I decided to set it aside.

After an ancient prophecy is betrayed, a world ruled by a long line of goddesses is split in two--one half in perpetual day, and the other in an endless night--and two young twin goddesses set out on separate and equally dangerous journeys to the Breach that divides them, hoping to save their broken world. Generations of twin goddesses have long ruled Aeon - until one sister's betrayal split their world in two. A Great Abyss now divides two realms: one cloaked in eternal night, the other scorched beneath an ever-burning sun. While one sister rules the frozen fortress of Aranth, her twin rules the sand-locked Golden City - each with a daughter by their side. Now those young goddesses must set out on separate, equally dangerous journeys in hopes of healing their broken world. No matter the sacrifice it demands.

Lauren Robinson

A world split between day and night. Two sisters who must unite it. The author of The Bone Witch kicks off an epic YA fantasy duology perfect for fans of Furyborn. Generations of twin goddesses have long ruled Aeon—until one sister’s betrayal split their world in two. A Great Abyss now divides two realms: one cloaked in eternal night, the other scorched beneath an ever-burning sun. While one sister rules the frozen fortress of Aranth, her twin rules the sand-locked Golden City—each with a daughter by their side. Now those young goddesses must set out on separate, equally dangerous journeys in hopes of healing their broken world. No matter the sacrifice it demands. Told from four interweaving perspectives, this sweeping duology packs elemental magic, star-crossed romance, and incredible landscapes into a spectacular fantasy adventure that’s equal parts Frozen and Mad Max: Fury Road.

Kayla Smith &
The Never Tilting World by Rin Chupeco

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