A review by bringmybooks
Crossings by Alex Landragin

challenging dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

 I read the preface in one sitting and then the other 359 pages in another sitting so I was obviously very into it but also … wtf did I just read

B̷R̷I̷N̷G̷ ✨ 𝗕𝗢𝗥𝗥𝗢𝗪 ✨ B̷Y̷P̷A̷S̷S̷

the pros:
  • I love the idea of the Crossings, and every time I could sense one was coming I didn’t want to put the book down - there’s almost this plausibility to all of this; when was the last time you looked into someone’s eyes, and they back into yours, for 4-5 minutes straight?
  • Even as I don’t know what I just read, and I’m not even 100% sure how much I genuinely enjoyed it (??), I know it’s a book that will stay with me for some time.


the cons (read at your discretion):
  • I think the entire novel could have been strengthened with more of the backstory of Alula & Koahu’s love story - flashbacks interspersed throughout, maybe? As it stands you’re kind of led to believe that this entire thing is driven by their love and connection for one another but also have nothing to give this credence.
  •  
    ^ That being said, I think the strongest part of the book is dealing with the moral and ethical implications of the blind crossings, and in the initial crossing that Alula did to follow Koahu - I think (I got a little confused) that the reason she was so worried about him is that she knew he would not remember and be lost to her, but after a certain amount of time why are they still being drawn to one another (that goes back up to the point above).
  •  
    There’s a looootttttttt of moral ambiguity here - I don’t know that I particularly liked the characters, but I did think they were drawn well.
  •  
    I’m not really sure why the author chose to use Coco Chanel in the way he did; maybe because she would have had the clout to try and draw Madeline out? (also, Coco Chanel = not the best, and not because her soul was stolen by a time crossing madman - more so seems she was opportunistic no matter the harm it caused others, which was a lot)
  •  
    Unless I totally missed it, the book is left open ended in a way that is not enjoyable - what happened after he became the doctor and she was hiding out from Coco? Did they find one another again? Did the evil madman cross out of Coco right after the war, or stay with her until she died in 1971?

Ultimately, I feel like I would recommend this book with the following caveats:
1. Try it in the baroness sequence, where you’re jumping around like a “choose your own adventure” novel - I feel like that helps keep you invested and draws you through any slower parts of the story.
2. If you’re not into it within the first 3-4 page jumps, I think you’re safe to DNF. *shrug*

Note: I read it in the baroness sequence as my first read of 2024, and plan to read it in the traditional front-to-back order for my last read of 2024!

Further note: IYL The Seven 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, I think you would like this one!
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