Overall: 🐢🐢🐢🐢
Storyline: ★★★★
Writing: ★★★★★
Characters: ★★★.5
Enjoyment: ★★★★
“My Rowan, how can you not see how deliriously in love with you I am?”
The Minor Fall by Kayla Martell
The Story:
On the west coast of Ireland, two strangers united by their shared memories of a forgotten realm struggle to reconcile the lives they’ve known here with who they once were. But for those who can witness their memories, their past identities may be a secret worth dying for.
After the sudden death of her twin, Roe is desperate for a fresh start in Ireland. But when she begins work at a hotel in the foothills of County Kerry, a centuries-old ledger reveals she’s one of the few who can relive the memories of Ruhaven—a forgotten world with a deadly history. As the first twin ever born in the Ledger, what killed Roe’s sister is now hunting her too—and her only hope is the one man who’s survived Ruhaven’s curse.
Exiled from Ruhaven and determined to conceal his past, Bryn Stornoway’s redemption depends on ensuring Roe’s survival—even if the brewing attraction between them violates Ruhaven’s laws.
As danger closes in, Roe and Bryn must confront the secrets of their intertwined pasts to uncover the truth behind her sister’s death. Before it finds them.
Key Elements:
Fantasy, Romance, Ireland, Slow-Burn, 1990s, Fated Mates, Reincarnation, Family, Historical Ireland, Science Fiction
Why This Rating?
I received an ARC in exchange for a voluntary honest review
What a story! I was caught by the end of chapter one and I stayed hooked every chapter afterwards. The writing was absolutely stunning all the way from Ireland’s wet, mossy countryside to Ruhaven’s indigo sky full of gears. The pacing was perfectly done despite the little action moments keeping us on the edge of seats. There was more than enough happening to keep us moving and not getting bored. A slow burn to last us ages! I have never wanted two people to even hold hands, let alone kiss, so freaking bad – HA! . And a story concept that I am still thinking about days after finishing it because of how unique it all is. If you are as curious about all of these as I was when starting, then you are going to be in good hands with Martell’s book. Don’t worry, I’ll explain everything.
Martell’s writing is simply captivating and probably was one of the things I fell in love with. Yes the story was great, but the descriptions, conversations, the world that we get to glimpse while visiting Ruhaven, all of it pulls you into the story almost like we are at the Gate ourselves! Starting with Ruhaven, the world is something out of dreams and Martell makes it feel like something that should be a reality instead of lost in memories. It is a world of musical sounds everywhere and voices the chiming like bells. The air is thick like water, trees are fuzzy, the ground is gooey, creatures never seen before and in any and all varieties thrive, and the colors that is Ruhaven’s world is a kaleidoscope. I can’t stop loving on the creation of this Ruhaven and the fact we only get to spend some of the time in it, makes me crave those moments more! I get it Bryn… The character interactions are great! Each one stands on their own very well and I get quite attached to the residents of Naruka (the inn everyone lives at). I found James to be an absolute sweetheart, Tye was a tad annoying, and Kazie reminded my of Luna Lovegood! Then there’s Bryn, the selfless to a fault and protective man of mysteries.
I could go on and on about Bryn, but in short, I adored this man! I think he played a perfect match to Rowan’s personality. Their pull to each other throughout the story was so obvious! This romance grew and we progressed through the story which I really appreciated. Despite the fact we can pretty much see there is something pulling them together, it is a true falling for him process for Rowan. There is a lot of personal growth Rowan has to work through in order for her to see what is right in front of her, but Bryn also holds his cards close to his chest. When the teasing finally started, I was stoked! The romance doesn’t happen till MUCH later in the story, so buckle up for a long ride of flirting and feelings. She a thicc book and it is a slow burn. When stuff does start to progress farther I kept chanting “don’t fuck it up y’all. We almost kissed!”
With all of these great elements keeping the story going, I think I struggled the most with the importance of visiting the Gate and Ruhaven over and over again. Other than looking for clues about the inquitates (which seemed a secondary objective every time we visited). As we kept going into the memories, I grew to really love Ruhaven, but I don’t think I grasped the need to relive a past life like that. I loved the concept of dreaming and remembering. However, couldn’t they could easily have just found those from the Ledger and brought them to Naruka to live together. Maybe a trip or 2 to remember relations and such, but the need to keep going back I don’t think I could connect with. Which I feel is kind of the point? If you had a love like James did or an upbringing like Kazie, Ruhaven is everything. But you could just live with everyone else right there as you already are and you’re happy, why keep going? This has been living rent free in the back of my head. The “What if this was real?”, “Would I be like Kazie or more like Tye when it comes to remembering?”, and “Why live in memories when I could live life now?” When you read it, welcome to my world of questions!
I really liked this one! Martell’s world stands on it’s own with creativity and the combination of fantasy and sci-fi, magic and reality was done very well. This is probably a story that would benefit from a second reading now that I know a lot more and will reveal a lot more clues we were actually given. It does end in a way that leads me to think there will be a book 2, which I’m excited about! I think any fantasy reader would find this one a good read for sure and if you are also a fan of some sci-fi elements, double bonus for you! A shout out to any who are big fans of fated mates! We have a serious case of “One knows and the other doesn’t” happening. A little side quest for you while you read, each of the chapters are individually titled, can you figure out why they have the titles they do? I personally kept up with my guesses as I was reading and I had fun guessing the whys for each one! I’d love to know what you think some of the more obscure ones mean! Maybe I’ll post something with all of my guesses next to the chapter titles – maybe
Time to get lost in the next story!
