I cannot be 100% coherent when talking about this book. It's always random brain keysmash first, actual thoughts second. What I can say, though, is that this book made me incredibly happy and comfortable in my own skin. I picked it up because I decided that it was definitely the moment to start diversifying my very white, very straight bookshelf. I am so glad I started with this one. It gives you sweetness, a little bit of pain too, and an overall amazing experience.
The book follows a society ruled by the Automae; made beings shaped to look like humans, having found and alchemized a source to emulate what could be considered a "heart"—or a soul. They subjugated the humans that created them, the land split between Hesod's rule; a man that believes in following human customs, but heavily mistreats humanity, and Mad Queen Junn's kingdom, with its own secrets and rumors surrounding it. The story focuses con Crier, Hesod's duty-bound daughter, and Ayla, a human rebel seeking revenge. As their paths intersect, the line between want and desire blurs, threatening everything they've ever believed in.
Book: Crier's War by Nina Varela
Release Date: October 1st, 2019
Representation: wlw main characters and romantic relationship, nonbinary rep
Impossible love between two girls —one human, one Made. A love that could birth a revolution. After the War of Kinds ravaged the kingdom of Rabu, the Automae, Designed to be the playthings of royals, took over the estates of their owners and bent the human race to their will. Now, Ayla, a human servant rising the ranks at the House of the Sovereign, dreams of avenging the death of her family… by killing the Sovereign’s daughter, Lady Crier. Crier, who was Made to be beautiful, to be flawless. And to take over the work of her father. Crier had been preparing to do just that—to inherit her father’s rule over the land. But that was before she was betrothed to Scyre Kinok, who seems to have a thousand secrets. That was before she discovered her father isn’t as benevolent as she thought. That was before she met Ayla. Set in a richly-imagined fantasy world, Nina Varela’s debut novel is a sweepingly romantic tale of love, loss and revenge, that challenges what it really means to be human.
4.5/5 stars
I'd been looking for a book like this one for a while; a sapphic romance set in a unique universe. For someone who's part of the LGBT community it took me an awful long time to start reading queer books, and boy I'm so happy my journey began with Crier's War. It was the step I needed to realize that diversifying my bookshelf starts with me. The cover alone was enough to make me gasp, and from its first chapter I knew this book would be a ride I'd never want to miss. So I kept reading, allowing myself to feel amazed, to feel seen.
I will admit, though, that it took me a while to grasp some semblance of a reading rhythm. The beginning felt a tad slow when it came to introducing us to this universe and how this world of humans and Automae came to be, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Once the pace picked up, I remember devouring the book in like two days. I absolutely adored those bits in between chapters—excerpts from books, letters, and diaries that spoke about the past and revealed key information without it being an act of merely telling. I would find myself looking forward to the end of every chapter to learn a little bit more about the universe. I think every single series out there should do this as an addition to the things what the book might not have the time to fully explore.
I'd say it is more character than plot driven—even if the romance isn't exactly at the centre of the book—and getting to be part of the journey of self-discovery of both Crier and Ayla is something I truly loved. I saw myself in respectful, obedient, duty-bound Crier. A girl that only ever wanted her father's approval, and yearned to be perfect and found that no matter what she did, somehow she never met the expectations. Her thoughts tackled my heart to the ground and held it there, beating as hers did, and never had I felt so connected to a character that I almost burst into tears. And Ayla? Tough, brave, stubborn Ayla? Being in her head was refreshing; a rebel growing fond of the enemy, trying to sort her way inside the place she'd rather stay away from.
Questioning your identity, your moral standing, your loyalties. Questioning your upbringing and everything you were taught to hate. It is a journey that both Crier and Ayla have to through, alone. They are each other's starting point; the necessary burst of energy that propels them forward, into the unknown. It is a perilous journey; the one that potentially sets you up against the people you love, and neither Crier nor Ayla are prepared at first. It doesn't take long before everything starts to crumble for our protagonists, forcing them together and apart at the same time. It is a book that demands growth and tough decisions. It forces them to reevaluate their principles and priorities, and act accordingly. There's always the spark of hope woven in between.
The plot moving the story was really good, and in terms of twists and surprises it was quite intriguing, but something about it was perhaps sometimes a little bit predictable. As I said many times before, I don't particularly consider this to be a flaw
I wouldn't go as far as to call this romance an enemies to lovers one, because despite the status difference, Crier is never really antagonistic towards Ayla, and she, too, soon discovers certain things bubbling in her stomach for the Lady of family Hesod. It's a kind of blind resentment fueled by a personal vendetta of Ayla's, but as I said, everything is quick to crumble apart as the two girls begin to spend more time together. And hate... well, did Ayla ever truly hate Crier? I'd say read the book to find out, because their dynamic is amazing and filled my little gay heart with joy. As I said, romance isn't quite the highlight of the book—but it does have some squeal-worthy moments—because there are things going on that demand a lot of the girls. Watching them grow as separate people first was something I adored very, very much. It made the yearning even more heartwrenching.
One issue I have, however, is that a lot seems to happen between them that we don't actually see. We find this out through Ayla telling us of time spent with Crier, but because of the timeskips a lot of it is lost to the reader. I know the actual plot needed so keep going, so maybe it was just my gay ass yearning for cute sapphic interactions, because the way their relationship progresses in this book has more to do with realizing that it is indeed possible. In simpler words: I wanted more, and yet, I understood why everything couldn't have happened right away. Plus, aren't we all suckers for the angst and the slow burn?
The other character dynamics are outstanding, too. Ayla and Benjy's friendship was something I didn't expect to end up liking; whatever your initial thoughts may be, I promise Benjy's character beautifully evolves in Iron Heart. The same applies to some of the characters that make quick appearances in this book. There's nothing much I have to say about Kinok; he didn't really leave a huge impression on me as an antagonist. It was Hesod who actually made my blood boil.
Nina Varela's writing is simply outstanding, absolutely exquisite. The words flow and craft a story that I could practically feel with the rest of my senses. There's something poetic about the way she writes, and immerses us into this world, without it becoming a hindrance to the actual story.
This is a book I'd recommend if you like the angsty dynamic of "I'm supposed to hate you and everything you stand for yet somehow I can't" and "I want to be seen but nobody believes in my true potential until you came around". The universe is cleverly crafted—the made and the human and the world that pits them against one another, and the hopeful love that blossoms in between the darkness. As much as sometimes certain parts of the plot didn't capture me as much, I stayed for the characters and everything that they made me feel. Because is a fantasy universe, there is no homophobia or anything of the sort. The main couple is sapphic, but there's casual LGBT representation as well.
Do not miss the chance to read this masterpiece. It is an easy enough read; alluring, well written, and an overall amazing story, with compelling characters and a romance that's simply chef's kiss. It will make you extra happy, I promise.
Discussions of war; discussions of the suffering & exploitation of humans by the Automa ruling class. Past, offscreen death of family (Ayla’s; violent, but no graphic detail). Offscreen death of minor characters (no graphic detail). Self-harm:In Chapter 7, two characters draw blood for a ritual. It is not cutting in the context of self-harm, but the descriptions could be triggering.
Nina Varela was born in New Orleans and raised on a hippie commune in Durham, North Carolina, where she spent most of her childhood running barefoot through the woods. These days, Nina lives in Los Angeles with her tiny, ill-behaved dog. She tends to write stories about weird magick, girls in love, and young people toppling monarchies. You can find Nina at any given coffee shop in the greater Los Angeles area, or at www.ninavarela.com.
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