I really enjoyed my time reading this! It is dystopian and whimsical at the same time with just a touch of darkness. One of my favorite things were the inventions and the way the us readers discovered the two worlds. If you like magical worlds that are a bit more open ended and whimsical then this is a great book to pick up. I do think this could have been a bit more descriptive, especially with the characters but overall, I think this was a fun little read!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy of this book to review.

The City of All Seasons is a novel that splits us in two. Taking place in the island town of Fairharbour, we follow two cousins who live in separate versions of this city. While Jamie is trapped within perpetual winter, Esther is struggling through an ongoing summer. Believing the other to be dead, the other city unknown to them, they soon find a way to send messages to each other through the barrier of these alternate universes. And with it, they begin to unravel the mystery of what happened to their hometown that split it in two in the first place.

This novel has a wonderful premise that I was intrigued by going in. We switch point of view every chapter, following one of the cousins every time. It feels like a real back and forth between them as we send a message, receive it, and then send another one back in a sort of pattern. The book continues with this rhythm all the way through, though towards the end it becomes a little more mixed up. The book was clearly built around this structure which I find particularly fun. Especially as the messages aren’t just usual letters. The two cousins, both tinkerers, build contraptions that they send to each other — recognising the work of each other because they know each other so well.

While this main premise was fun while reading, I was always wanting a little bit more from the relationships in the book. We get a lot of flashbacks, which give us something to understand why these two cousins care about each other so much, but I wish we had a little more of building relationships in the present day. Who are all the other people in these two cities? Do we feel any connection to them at all? There are a handful of characters that make an appearance throughout the book that play a part in the plot, but these relationships didn’t feel very developed to me. I would have liked to meet more characters who also had family members in the other city that we meet, maybe even kept a secret from the audience and we learn of their connection later. I feel like it would have felt more fun, and like the split of the cities hurt more than just our two main protagonists. I was really hoping that a revelation would come for the character I liked the most, but she just haunts the narrative all the way through.

I was also a little unsatisfied with the resolution to the novel. While the mystery holds through the entire way of the book, we eventually find out why the city was split in two… But still not really HOW, in a practical sense. It’s something you just have to suspend your disbelief for, which I just couldn’t wrap my head around in this case. I was looking for a more concrete answer. Still, the setting of the book was fun to explore, and the final ending surprised me in a pleasant way. It was going to be a hard one to wrap up, but I think the authors did a wonderful job in leaving the characters and the cities in a place that makes sense.

Thanks again for the advanced copy to review.

So good. An interesting take on the multiverse/alternate universe trope that seems to be prevalent in contemporary media. Beautifully written, relatable characters while still staying in a fantastical world. Will definitely be rereading in April.

I loved everything about this book. It's beautiful, melodic, poetic and intricate. It's a space odyssey of the highest calibre. I really think this is going to become a new classic of its genre! The authors write so confidently and assuredly that I understood everything they were trying to do and why.

"City of All Seasons' tells a story of a city torn by unknown circumstances into two entities – one covered in never melting snow, one drowned in summer sun. One sister lives in endless winter, one in constant summer. But under such simple division lies an actual story, about a legendary Pike family, about corruption, love and... cinema.

I must admit, I was pleasantly surprised with this title! At first glance it seems like a simple idea for world-building, one that doesn't reach deeper than surface level, yet Langmead and Whiteley created a complex world, simultaneously intertwining it with a family saga. The prose is beautiful, I enjoyed the atmosphere and descriptions of two cities. Although Jamie and Esther are the narrators, each character is a layered human being that shares a significant role to the whole image. I will admit, the intrigue and bitter-sweet ending are the elements that truly put the whole story together. It was a welcomed surprise.

This book was very YA but the dual POV was nice I just didn’t feel much connection to the characters unfortunately

I thought the plot and the world building were really interesting in this story. The characters were really well-rounded and I enjoyed both Esther and Jamie's stories equally.
This reminded me a lot of the classic fantasy stories that everyone knows and loves, perhaps because of the attention to detail and full-bodied story.
I would love to read more from this author some day, they're definitely a staple on my shelf.

City of All Seasons by Oliver K. Langmead; Aliya Whiteley

Fairharbour has been fractured—the binding thread has unwound. In Jamie Pike’s Fairharbour, a cold and unforgiving climate awaits the residents, while Esther Pike's version of their hometown is filled with blistering sun and heat. What caused this seismic shift?

The curious explanation given for such drastic changes is a weatherbomb. However, as we follow the journeys of Jamie and Esther, the reader begins to understand that there is likely more to the story. Carmen Pike, the matriarch, is an artistic figure adored by the local townsfolk and the public at large, much like an icon. Her story unfolds as if captured on an 8mm camera. To grasp the complexities of each person's living situation, Jamie and Esther must rewind the tape of their memories. Pawel, the family crafter, has passed down his passion for tinkering, which proves vital in providing the answers they seek.

Splintered ice halts the flow of water running through our narrative. We see our breath in the frigid air. Jamie’s world is one of arctic bitterness, while Esther inhabits a realm where people languish in the oppressive heat of a merciless sun, foreheads sweating as they search for respite. It is one world with two planes of existence, marked by cracks that offer glimpses into the other. They embark on a quest to uncover any remaining family members who may still exist. Could it be true? Family members thought long dead in the depths of climate chaos emerge, bringing with them secrets.

A window appears, allowing us to traverse through the mist. Carefully constructed snapshots of a family's darkest ambitions rise through the hollow portal. Teasing us like a mime. The answers are murky. Creativity offers memories of years gone by, littering the ground with unusual pieces to unlock a covert puzzle. Follow the trail.

Smoothly written with a special tang I enjoy. The tale was chock-full of intrigue. I had opened Pandora’s box and was left bombarded by question after question. Who and Why? How did they do that? There was open confusion flooding my senses and a sense of overwhelming vertigo. Is it one city split in half or one city in two planes of existence? Luckily this sense of chaos tempered, and answers became clearer, providing several “a-ha” moments.

Overall I had a solid and unique reading experience. There was an innovative approach that tapped into my need for writing that was fresh and new. Once I had gathered my senses about the nuances of the world, I felt at home rooting for the protagonists. There was also sufficient depth in the character’s backstories to provide solid footing in the story’s believability. I am giving this 3.75 stars, rounding up to 4 out of 5 stars.

Many thanks to Titan Books for the ARC through Netgalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion.

All in all, I liked the book. The setting and prose were lovely. I agree with a lot of other reviewers. It was a bit rushed at the end but that isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Unfortunately I did not connect with this and once I reached 70% I just scanned the rest of it.

The concept is absolutely intriguing and the descriptions of both cities were vivid and exciting. The fact that it was written by two authors didn't show at all (in a good way) - it flowed as one cohesive piece which is an impressive technical achievement.

However, a lot of the world building was nonsensical to me, particularly the authoritarian regimes of Fenestration and Doormen which were based on concepts too silly to be threatening or even serious. The cousins also work out what's happening in the other city apparently spontaneously, apparently just 'knowing' their other cousin is behind the mysterious gifts and puzzles before they get hard evidence. I also didn't buy the concept of exchanging messages via several puzzles where one letter would do, even if Esther struggled with reading and writing.

The prose read a little YA to me as well - stilted and with excessive explanations.

Oliver K. Langmead has a new fan. I enjoyed Calypso so much I bought it physically, and I'm pretty sure I'll be doing the same to City of All Seasons. They have a knack for beautiful writing.

The filmography aspect is cool, and I like how the characters use it and other creative outlets to solve their problems. The plot surrounding the Pikes and all their complex familial history--and drama, ahem--I actually thought to be super entertaining.

Esther and Jamie both had great, distinctive voices. I could really relate to Esther, her initial cynicism for everything, including the future of her home. The supporting cast are also fascinating in their own ways. Even the Mayor, who essentially doesn't have any lines or dialogue, held so much interest.

The ending is fairly satisfying in its own way, bittersweet; though, I do wish certain characters deserved a bit more of a "comeuppance" than what they received. And also: Pawel?? More answers on that, please! But the story was still enjoyable overall. City of All Seasons is a beautiful blend of magic and science, a story that revolves around themes of hope and creativity in a place born on survival.

Thank you to Titan Books, NetGalley, and the authors fir thus ARC in exchange for honest review

City of All Seasons is a thoughtful and contemplative book following two siblings trying to reunite after getting caught on either side of a divided city. This is a novel with an incredibly strong concept, with a city split into two co-existing versions of itself, one stuck in eternal winter and the other sweltering in an endless summer. I personally felt the story didn’t live up to its promise, though this is due to it taking a different approach that I can admire, despite not being to my taste.

The book has a critical focus on family relationships, between the two siblings Jamie and Esther, and their wider family. Without spoiling any plot points of the story, understanding the family dynamic and exploring their past is fundamental to the book’s plot. Put another way, this is a book that would benefit from a city map far less than it would a family tree! Whilst I admire the story for its unwavering focus on unpicking family divides, it left the worldbuilding feeling secondary and a little lacklustre to me. As such I wouldn’t recommend City Of All Seasons if you’re reading purely to find out about how the city was split and how the situation is resolved, as the story picks different themes to explore.

The worldbuilding felt a little off in City of All Seasons for reasons already described, though there are certainly moments of excellence to highlight. The Winter City was excellently described and brought to life, though it had the unfortunate side effect of making the Summer City feeling quite weak in comparison, as if it existed purely as an opposite without its own characterization. The Mayor of Fairharbor was a truly fascinating character, with an elusive and integral connection to the plot that reminded me of Jeff Vandermeer’s Southern Reach Trilogy - I hope there’s an alternate version of this book out there where he gets more screen time!

Plot-wise, there were just a few too many coincidences at play that allowed Jamie and Esther to find clues as to the other city’s existence. Some may argue that these coincidences were orchestrated by the book’s loosely defined magical elements, or that it was simply fate that governed their actions, but I personally struggled to suspend belief. I also found the final reveal and resolution to be a little simplistic given all the groundwork laid earlier on, though I will admit to really enjoying the final chapter as an excellent rounding off of the story.

I think there was a lot of interesting ideas here, but the further into the book the less developed it felt. I liked the difference between the two main characters and the contrast between the two cities a lot.

2.5 stars

This was really a miss for me. I really liked the opening but the longer the story went on the less complete it felt.

One island, but really two. On one, Jamie lives in an unending winter, living in fear of the Authority bricking up the doorways. On the other, Esther lives in an unending summer under threat of the Fenestration creating holes in every building. Weird premise but nothing crazy, and its a solid setup. But there's also a family feud, and magical tarot cards, and a grandmother who made films, and a man who made slightly magical objects, and a war outside, and weather bombs, and none of this feels integrated. This book feels like a whole bunch of ideas cobbled together with no sense of a complete world or a complete story. Very few of my questions were answered by the end of the book and those that were felt like non-answers. It's a shame because I like the setup and I like Jamie and Esther well enough but it just got lost somewhere along the way.

I'm sure there are people for whom this book will work but I really just came away from it with very little.

Thank you to Oliver K. Langmead, Aliya Whiteley, and Titan Book for this ARC in exchange for my full, honest review!

Happy reading!

City of All Seasons was such a unique and entertaining story! I felt like we got to know the characters on such an intimate level and I was truly sad when the book was over.
This was a 4 star read for me simply because I felt like the ending was somewhat rushed and we didn’t get answers to somethings that I felt were needed to help explain the actions of the characters. The biggest question for me was what exactly was on the movie based on the family that led the uncles to split the city in two. Clearly it was a massive determinant in everyone’s lives and at the end of the book I felt myself dying to know what it was. Which maybe that was the authors desire, to keep you thinking long after the book has ended.

A city of all seasons explores an island split into 2 with a deep running family feud standing at the centre of it all. Esther and Jamie are cousins separated in two different forms of the same city, one stuck in perpetual winter and one in summer. When they find a way to communicate years after the split, they take charge of their own futures in an attempt to reunite.

As a bit fan of this is how you lose the time war, I really enjoyed this book. The POV of both winter and summer cities had me interested from the get go. I enjoyed exploring each world through the eyes of Esther or Jamie, and was constantly intrigued by the cause of the split. The two cities might have the same layout but couldn’t be more different. Two brothers leading each one and wreaking havoc in different ways on the innocent people. This book explored creation in the face of destruction, defiance of political powers, and the strength of familial love breaking boundaries even in the most trying situations.

The ending of this book was also great. Not everything working out perfectly or resetting entirely. I like the realistic happy ending with some reuniting but other things remaining a mystery. It has you wondering what happened to some people - allowing you to make your own judgement about their endings.

Overall, I was a fan of this book. It has a similar concept to this is how you lose the time war, but with a completely different style of writing and characters.

Thank you to Titan Books and Netgalley for sending me the eARC of City of All Seasons for review!

City of All Seasons is a story about two mirrored cities, one stuck in a frozen winter and the other stuck in intense heat. In these two cities we follow cousins, Jamie and Esther Pike, grandchildren of a celebrated film director. Jamie and Esther navigate their lives through their respective cities, trying to work out why the weather changed so suddenly and how they can change it back to how it used to be before.

The premise of this story was right up my street, however the execution just didn’t connect with me. I’m usually not a speculative fiction enjoyer, and I like the reasoning for things happening in a story to have a clear explanation, so having the reasoning be less explained in this, and to still have questions at the end, wasn’t great for me personally. The pacing also didn’t help; the beginning/middle was quite slow and then suddenly at the end everything was happening so fast, so I would have liked more consistency I think.

The family dynamics are the best part of this story. The Pike family’s history and connections with each other are very well explored in flashbacks and in the main story, and I enjoyed seeing how the history shaped the present story in such an interesting and compelling way. The prose from both authors was also beautiful, you could really feel the essence of both cities through the vivid writing.

If you love speculative fiction and books like This is How You Lose the Time War then definitely pick this up!

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of City of All Seasons.

This was such an interesting and unique book. I love that the plot and world building are developed through two contrasting POVs and that each one is so distinct and characters easily identifiable. There’s so much beautiful and vivid imagery throughout that really utilises the senses of the reader in such an effective and immersive way.

I also loved how fun this book was to read and because it’s so unique I was constantly wanting to go back and pick it up again. I loved that the emphasis was on family rather than romance which is becoming less common in fantasy and that this powerful family has so much history that shapes the world(s) they live in and the people around them in ways that wouldn’t be expected.

4.5 stars rounded up

This was a fabulous little book. The prose was LOVELY while being kind of understated — description is handled with a light touch but I still got a good sense of how things looked and felt to the characters. The characters themselves were interesting, as was the worldbuilding; a lot of the draw to keep picking up the book was that I wanted to be be with those people and in that world(s). I would especially recommend this to people who want fantasy without any romance! There was still lots of juicy interpersonal stuff because the cousins’ family has some HISTORY. I didn’t give it a full five stars because the pacing kind of ran away at the end, and we’re told about some parts of the resolution more than we see it on page, which I would have liked to.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc copy in exchange for a review.

In this story we follow two POVs Jamie and Esther, two cousins who live in the same city, but in different dimensions. Jamie lives in the winter city and Esther in the summer one. Through a string of chances they find each other out and start making plans to reunite the city as a whole with all four seasons.

I really enjoyed both POVs, but I felt more connected to Jamie for some reason. I thought the world building was super interesting and smart, so I enjoyed the plot as well. I think that the ending was a bit confusing since a lot was happening all at once, but I still enjoyed the book nonetheless.