4.5 stars

Oh. My. God. I loved this book.

I've been on a Poe kick since we read two of his stories in my English class back in April. He's never been my favorite, as he scared me when I was kid, but I've always liked Annabel Lee. Dissever, I'd say, is inspired by the poem, rather than based on it. Sometimes, you have to look for the connections, though they're clearly there.

It was very well-done, in my opinion.

The world-building was amazing; I could practically see the island, and the thought put into it was astounding. I loved the Elemental storyline, and thought it different from anything I'd seen before. It was awesome.

The characters were diverse, well-written, and not one felt one-sided or reduced to a single trait. Each was given their own personality, even those we didn't see much of and the villains. Annabel Lee was relatable, funny, and spirited, and Roarke was just perfect.

AND THE ENDING. Oh my god. So so satisfying.

This is a fresh take on a familiar poem, very well-done with an original world, interesting characters, and a plot that easily captured me. It's a stand-alone, but I'm planning on reading more of Ward's work.