This is one of those books I would happily write an essay style review on… but I shall spare you (only because I’m behind on reviews).
A searing and romantic fantasy adventure about an oligarchic state on the verge of a magical industrial revolution—perfect for fans of Arcane, Wicked, and Iron Widow!
Josephine Haven is about to find out exactly where she fits into the march of Progress. Her outbursts are infamous at the House of Industry, the school for children who can wield radiance, an electricity-like magic. She’s tried to follow the rules, but her fiery nature is at odds with the core tenet of the House: Never form attachments. If she is meant to feel nothing, why are her emotions so volatile?
No one is surprised when, upon graduation, Josephine is banished from the city to a remote Mission. In Frostbrook, she must work under standoffish Julian, the former golden boy of the House of Industry who seems determined to watch her fail. And then there’s Ezra, the flirtatious stranger who’s a little too curious about how the Mission operates.
But there are bigger problems than Julian and Ezra’s secrets. A deadly disease is spreading across the countryside, and in Frostbrook, not everyone is eager to embrace Progress. As Josephine questions the system that raised her—and gives in to desire she’s been taught to suppress—she must decide what she’s willing to sacrifice to expose not just corruption within the House, but the devastating truth about the radiance in her core.
An epic and romantic fantasy that reimagines the War of the Currents, A Wild Radiance explodes with the same queer chaotic tension, magical industrialization, and class revolution themes that made Arcane a #1 Netflix sensation.
Perfect for readers who love Queerplatonic and Poly Relationships, Anti-Capitalism, Hurt/Comfort, Sunshine/Grump/Gremlin Dynamics, Messy Exes, and Fantasy Road Trips!
I have a severe love/hate relationship with romantasy at the moment, and this book gave me whiplash. The writing was lovely and by far the best thing about this book. Usually I can forgive a lot if the writing is good, but unfortunately it wasn’t enough to carry the rest of the story.
The Good
Obviously, the writing… and the worldbuilding. I do think some elements were overemphasized while others felt underdeveloped. However, the way certain bits of worldbuilding were woven into the story was well done.
“I felt like a second year caught chasing mice out of the panty with darts of radiance.”
The Bad
The romance is just a mess—and not even a hot one. The relationship between Josephine and Ezra felt very insta-lovey, and for someone raised as a ‘child of industry’ that supposedly bans carnal desires, that restriction goes out the window remarkably fast.
I admittedly haven’t read a lot of poly (though I have read some), but the romance here felt all over the place. I just didn’t like the dynamic.
Josephine shares a moment with Ezra and then immediately starts longing for Gertrude. Then Julian gets added to the mix, and instead of a loving queer platonic/poly dynamic, what we get is something messy, uncomfortable, and at times downright rude. Rather than any genuine emotional connection between the characters, the relationships mostly feel trauma-bonded. And everyone seems allergic to communication.
The Ugly
The Pacing. This was ultimately the biggest problem for me. The book starts very slow and doesn’t really pick up until around the 30% mark (if I remember correctly).
“Only a week ago, I’d believed in Progress. I’d believed in my calling. Now I felt scrubbed raw and new, a tender leaf unfurling in the spring.”
Love the writing…but I’m supposed to believe it only took a week to undo years of indoctrination?
Josephine is insufferable and it’s only her POV
I don’t necessarily mind unlikable main characters, but Josephine comes across as both dumb and wildly inconsistent. At times it felt like the narrative was trying to gaslight me into believing she brought anything to the trio besides being a hazard.
It’s established early on that Josephine isn’t like the other Children of Industry—that she struggles to control both her radiance and her emotions. Unfortunately, this point gets repeated again and again and again. By the end, it felt less and less like meaningful characterization and more just frustrating.
I really think additional POVs would’ve helped establish her as a stronger, more believable character.
⬇️minor spoilers be here⬇️
“I wasn’t ashamed of kissing Ezra, of our helpless expression of anger and grief and want. I was ashamed of the way we’d added to the pain lining Julian’s face and the way I wasn’t sure exactly what we’d done wrong.”
not sure what you did wrong??? Julian basically just went through an extremely traumatic event and they sneak off to make out… like yall couldn’t wait a few days… ????
⬆️minor spoilers over⬆️
The Whatever
This book tries to do a lot and tackle a lot of meaningful topics, but it’s all surface level. The lack of depth and any meaningful communication/connection between the trio? quad (if you wanna include Gertrude… I think Josephine would want to include her, lol) left a lot to be desired. Not to mention this is all happening in weeks?
The writing is beautiful and I was quite mad I didn’t like this. 2.5 stars.
Ok this ended up being longer than I wanted…
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