What a book!

In this thrilling sequel, Kika Hatzopoulou shows us what it means to truly elevate a story.

Picking up right where the first book left off, we follow Bianca and Io as they battle with the revelations made as Threads That Bind was ending.

The Plot
What follows is a heist-like plot line that takes up about 50% of the book as a whole. Was I disappointed? Of course not, I love heists! With Bianca and Io’s journey miss Kika grows her universe, going through many different locations. I admit it was a bit confusing at first, but I got it down eventually. The action scenes were spaced out nicely too so readers wouldn’t get bored.

In the second half of the book our characters have arrived to their destination, and oh my are things about to go down! This was by absolute favourite part of the book, with the action,plotting and scheming crescendoing at 75-80%. The last quarter of this was absolutely breathtaking. I couldn’t put my Kindle down! Fast paced, full of action, moments of revelation and everything-coming-together, and of course the big battle! Electric.

The Characters
The character development was great here. We meet a more mature, sadder Io, as she’s still reeling from her sisters betrayal, and is even missing the security her fate thread, the compass of her life, was giving her.
Bianca was the more entertaining part of the duo. With her constant complaining she offered comic relief many times, and I was really rooting for her and Io’s friendship thread to take place. Maybe it will, who knows!
Edei. My sweet boy! I love men that are absolutely gone for their girl, and that was our man Edei. I mean cmon, setting aside their fate thread because he was so sure about his feeling for her!! “Let me choose you, Io“. Oh my god. Their romance is everything to me. And that final scene almost made me cry!

🦇 Hearts That Cut Book Review 🦇

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

❓ #QOTD What's your favorite mythology retelling? ❓

🦇 With a god's golden thread in her hand, Io leaves Alante alongside a revenge-thirsty Bianca to find the entity responsible for so much death and destruction. With each turn, they uncover new threads in a conspiracy that traces back centuries. The more they learn, the more tangled the mystery becomes. Meanwhile, a prophecy looms over Io's head: that she'll destroy the world by cutting a single thread. Can Io follow—or defy—the threads leading to her fate?

💜 Kika Hatzopoulou's world-building is exquisite. Many mythology retellings run the risk of either sounding dry or repetitive, either plopping us in the time of the Trojan War or infusing Greek mythology into modern reality. Instead, Hatzopoulou created a world entirely of her own; a refreshing hierarchy of overlapping mythologies, of those with god-derived powers and those relying only on the mortal powers within themselves. If the beauty of this world doesn't grasp you, allow Io to; the cutter, the unseen blade, the reaper of fates. Io carries the weight of a prophecy that claims she'll end the world. Worse yet, her sisters seem to have a hand in it, her fate-thread seems to be fraying, and THE gods are seemingly pulling everyone's strings. When you strip away the mythology of it all, Io is a layered, stunning, emotionally-powered character. Her relationship with her sisters--watching her eldest sister shoulder the burdens of responsibility and parenthood at a young age, their other sister stuck in the middle as the peacemaker--is realistically messy and flawed. That sisterhood plays a huge part in Io's present, in her decision-making, and in her development. Each sister has distinct motivations--none the villain, each doing the best she can.

💙 By now, you know one of my biggest pet peeves is telling, not showing. While this story is action-packed, the mythology begins to put too much weight on the exposition. We're given explanations we don't necessarily need when the story could have focused more on emotion. Io's powers allow her to see the threads that connect people to those they love. She has to sacrifice her own threads to destroy another's. There's so much potential for metaphor and artistry there, but Io cuts nearly without remorse, even though she's upset that her sisters manipulate threads with a similar mindset.

💙 Normally, when I'm disappointed with a book, I can set it aside and move on. Threads That Bind was one of my top five picks of last year, though, and Hearts That Cut was one of my most anticipated reads for 2024. Reading the first page should have felt like greeting an old friend. Instead, the first 30% of the book felt detached from the original story, providing us with seemingly unnecessary puzzle pieces that could have been placed elsewhere as Io unravels this mystery. It's not until she's reunited with her friends that the story finally returns to the dizzying, delightful, action-packed pacing from the first book. Just as we grow accustomed to that pacing, the story reaches a sudden, almost rushed ending. Usually, I never complain about the lack of an epilogue (most stories don't need one), but given Io's brash actions and the consequences it may trigger, Hearts That Cut sorely does. We're left with no hint as to the new world order, or Io and Edei's future (yes, I'm sure they're thriving in love, but STILL), or if the sisters can rebuild what they lost. While these details aren't necessary, readers have been on a wild ride with these characters. A real resolution would have been nice, but instead we're left without closure.

🦇 Recommended for fans of Percy Jackson, The Lunar Chronicles, and other retellings.

✨ The Vibes ✨
🧵 Second in a Duology
🧵 Fated Lovers
🧵 Mythology Retelling
🧵 Young Adult Fantasy
🧵 Sisterhood
🧵 Magic

🦇 Major thanks to the author and publisher for providing an ARC of this book via Netgalley. 🥰 This does not affect my opinion regarding the book. #HeartsThatCut

💬 Quotes
❝ Cunning was her weapon now, and she would wield it with precision. ❞
❝ “Just because it works doesn’t mean it’s right.” ❞
❝ “Io, let me choose you.” ❞
❝ Change was uncomfortable, sometimes filled with growing pains, but without it, there was no way forward. No way to keep going, to shed the scabs of your past and heal yourself in the present. Without change, there was no future. ❞
❝ Fate was powerful. Fate was deadly. Fate could topple gods. ❞

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Teen for the Arc of this book. I wanted to enjoy this book so much, as I enjoyed the first one, but there was so much happening it felt hard to center myself in the story. While I wasn’t sure what the resolution to the question was going to be, the stakes didnt feel high, mostly because I was confused by the overall conflict.

This books is good, but maybe just not for me! I found myself confused throughout most of it because I was having such a hard time focusing and learning the different powers and order of this new world. I will say this story was fresh and something I haven’t read anything similar to! If you like a dystopian feel, with heavy city politics and a murder mystery then this is a great pick! Have you read it?!

Hearts That Cut by Kika Hatzopoulou is the sequel to Threads That Bind. It jumps right into the quest for Io to find Edei and the search is exciting and full of intrigue. Unfortunately I felt a bit lost with some of the twists and I wasn't as enthralled with this book as the first.

Loved it. I felt like the tension and the pace was perfect. I was torn between to worried to keep reading and needing to know what happened next. This duology definitely has found its way into my top reads of this year. So happy to be on the street team.

As stated an epilogue is much desired and I do hope one comes in the future.

This was an intriguing book. I loved the concept of fate threads and how Kika Hatzopoulou incorporated mythology into the thread of the book. Well done!

Picking up exactly where book one left off, you're immediately thrown into an action-packed adventure. And I loved every second of it! The mystery in this book is absolutely amazing and it will keep you on the edge of your seat.

There were several points where I felt like I knew where this was going, but then you get thrown a curveball that changes everything you thought you knew. And I loved that about this book.

The world building in this duology is nothing short of amazing. If you are looking for a fabulous new fantasy duology I highly recommend checking this one out.

for fans of:
✨ mythology-inspired fantasy
✨ fate vs. free will
✨ complex sibling relationships

the sequel to threads that bind picks up a few weeks later, with io and bianca following the golden thread across the wastelands in search of answers. their investigation yields new clues, including a series of sibling disappearances, all leading to the golden city of nanzy. meanwhile, io’s fate thread with edei is fraying, and she is forced to reckon with her shifting relationships with her sisters as she and bianca discover a centuries-old plot that will decide the future of their world.

hearts that cut missed the mark for me personally. it suffers from second book syndrome and i was disappointed by the chosen one trope after the first book’s focus on found family. the pacing is off throughout—it drags until io and bianca reunited with the others, then speeds to the conclusion. while i was still intrigued by the mystery and the clever, unique world-building, the relationships really suffer in this book (particularly io’s relationships with her sisters). i think many YA trilogies could be condensed into duologies, but this is one case where the opposite might be true—hearts that cut’s biggest flaw is that it tries to accomplish too much.

I had a hard time getting into Hearts that Cut. I suspect it might have helped to have read the first of the duology (Threads that Bind) before digging into this one. I simply never felt settled or oriented until about one-third of the way through.

Hatzopoulou tries to blend magic with Greek mythology but is far less successful in creating such than Rick Riordan in his multiple Greek/Roman gods series.

That said, there were a few things I liked: the idea that descendants of the original Greek Fates Clotho (the Spinner), Lachesis (the Measurer/Apportioner), and Atropos (who cuts the threads and ends peoples’ lives perform similar tasks, but their names have been replaced by their jobs: weaver, drawer, cutter. I particularly liked that they could see these threads and that there was a cost to their performance of the duties; for example, when a cutter cuts someone’s thread, she also loses one of her own.

This is one of those rare reads that sneaks up on you and then refuses to let go. This book is an absolute gem and easily one of the best reads of the year for me. From start to finish, it had me hooked, and I can't shake off the spell it cast on me.

First off, can we talk about that ending? My mind was blown, shattered into a million pieces, then meticulously reassembled by the sheer brilliance of the plot twist. Unpredictable doesn't even begin to describe it. It was a masterstroke that left me reeling, yet strangely satisfied as all the pieces fell into place, weaving a quilt of sheer genius (see what I did there?).

Let's talk worldbuilding, because oh boy, did Hatzopoulou knock it out of the park. The world she crafted is so vivid, so alive, that it felt like I was watching a blockbuster movie unfold before my eyes. The magic system, the mythology—everything was seamlessly integrated, adding layers of depth and intrigue that kept me utterly enthralled. And Nanzy? I could practically smell the city's streets, so vivid were the descriptions.

Character development? Check. Each character leapt off the page with their own quirks, personalities, and moments to shine. And the romance? Oh, it was there, simmering in the background, adding just the right amount of sweetness without overshadowing the main plot. Io and Edei's love story was a delight to behold, filled with yearning and tenderness that felt achingly real.

And that ending, again. Seriously, the tension, the stakes, the relentless reveals—it was a rollercoaster of emotions that left me breathless. I was genuinely scared for the characters. It was the perfect conclusion to this duology, even if I’m secretly hoping for an epilogue. I’m just not ready to say goodbye yet.

Kika Hatzopoulou has crafted a world and a story that will stay with me for a long time to come. Do yourself a favor and dive into this enchanting duology—you won't regret it. And personally, I can't wait to get my hands on a hardcopy to treasure forever.

When i got the ARC for this i was so thrilled to know what happens sooner. Be aware small spoilers and hints.

I couldn't decide if this was 2 or 3 stars for me. Book 1 captivated me. Sucked me in and I was so so excited to read more. Considering I had no expectations since I grabbed the first book because I liked the cover, I only wanted to know where Io would end up. Would she find Thais and make up? Would they band together with Ava and fight to save the world? Would she actually be the end of it all? Are wraith really what bring back the fury born?

I got answers to these questions in a very long long drawn out story. It was sort of boring. ok Io had to do the whole hide stay undercover the entire universe is out looking for you. Oh and be careful because you're with Bianca a fury born wraith now who also wanted to kill you. I have little more to say than what a disappointment. I thought halfway through something would change. Something would loop me in and hold me there.

The gods. That was the only good part and what a let down they were. This ending? Did the author feel pressure to release this on time because it sure felt like it. The ending was so rushed and all the build up for nothing. Lets not firget this love affair of fate threads between Edie and Io. Ummmm no. How pointless and uninteresting they became. I have no clue if this was supposed to be a duology but I'd rather not have read book 1 to begin with saved myself from reading this.

Another book where I had expectations for analyzing Book 2 only to get a mediocre at best "ending".

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC!

I’ll admit, I was nervous to read this sequel after loving the first so much! I do think it lives up to its predecessor, but I had to sit with it for a little to fully parse through my thoughts on it.

I am very grateful that I went back and reread the first book, as the world building and magic system is so interesting but can be easy to get lost in. This sequel puts us right back in the action without much recap, which I actually really liked! It was slower going at first, and I did worry at 50% through about this pacing. The ending felt abrupt but not rushed, which I think had less to do with pacing and more to do with where we left all of our characters. I felt like there were threads not yet tied up and more I wanted from those plot lines!

That being said, I think this was a very strong follow up to an incredible book one! The conflict between characters never felt stale, despite some grievances being rehashed, and the new setting outside of the established city of book one allowed for some great exploration of characters who relied heavily on their place within that setting!

Thank you to Penguin, Kika Hatzopoulou, and NetGalley for Giving me an eARC of Hearts That Cut in exchange for my honest review.

The Hearts That Cut picks up five weeks after Threads that Bind. Io has left Alante to follow the golden thread that will lead her to the gods, On top of her difficult journey, her fate-thread with Edei, begins to fray, leaving her mind elsewhere. To make matters worse, when she reaches the other end of the golden thread, it is not a god she finds. This thrusts Io in to the heard of a new mystery, starting off with, just where is the god she is looking for?

The Hearts That Cut is a masterpiece and a wonderful example of storytelling. Io undergoes a journey of self-discovery throughout the book, while trying to determine just where her loyalties lie and whom she truly cares for. Io is independent and headstrong, and throughout the book, you can see how she is learning to trust others, even those who she considers to have betrayed her. This book did not disappoint and I would recommend it for all of those readers who loved Threads that Bind. While I do wish the action had come a bit sooner, I am not sure I would have loved the story as much (especially the character development), if it did. Either way, this book was truly enjoyable and it is something that should be given a chance.

This was such a perfect ending and I’m so sad that it’s over! There was just the right amount of twists and turns, adventure, romance, I loved everything about it!

Thank you forever to NetGalley, the publisher and author for this brilliant book!

I am still shaking and overjoyed to have been given the opportunity to read this incredible book.

The characters evolved so much and the story line was incredible.

I can not say enough good or praise this book enough. It is just a must, must read!

Highly, highly recommend!

I loved this. Wonderful sequel. Kept me reading it til the end. There were lots of twists and unexpected turns but it all made sense at the end.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group/ Razorbill for this earc

Sadly, I didn’t enjoy this one as much as the first one. First part had a lot of “moving” but wasn’t really interesting.

The story was mostly moved by plot which usually I don’t mind but because of that we didn’t get as such interaction between the characters as we needed to feel connected to them.
Even in part two, when all the players were on the board again, we didn’t get the conversations we needed. Not between the sisters barely any between Edei and Io.
We kept being told about correction between Nico and Urania but they maybe have a half a page given to their story.

It felt like the whole book something was missing.

Part three was simply too short so the story felt were rushed. All of a sudden we had the reason, the lie and the solution.

Overall, this book needed more writing time and more character development. The ending needed more time too.

I would give Hearts That Cut 3.5 stars out of 5.

Hearts That Cut picks up where we left off in the first book, Threads That Bind, with Io and Bianca traveling together through the Wastelands and while following the golden God thread. There’s no synopsis at the beginning of the book to remind you of what happened in book one, but there are plenty of recaps along the way.

I will say, Threads That Bind kept my attention better than Hearts That Cut. The first couple of chapters that follow Io and Bianca’s adventure almost feel drawn out and forced. The slow burn romance that was built up between Io and Edei in the first book is sadly not a main focus of this book and almost takes a step backwards. I wanted more from them! I want to feel that their relationship is growing and that they’re not just buddies hanging out. I would have also enjoyed more development in Io’s relationships with her sisters.

The ending was pretty good. I was not expecting it to end that way. It leaves room for another book down the line or a spin off story, but gives the feeling that this story is concluded.

One suggestion I have that would make this book better: a map. The characters travel through several areas and cities in the book, but I couldn’t envision how it would be laid out.

Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group for a copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely love this duology and I feel so honored to have the opportunity to review the second book.
My favorite part is the visual of seeing the strings. I’ve loved the fates in greek mythology forever, and getting to read a book (two books!) that use that imagery is amazing.
I don’t want to give anything away, but if you’re looking for a beautifully written series to read, go for this one. You’ll love it.
(I received an ARC from NetGalley for an honest review)