A new mother and Hound agent, Kembral Thorne, navigates a time-loop mystery in a reality-bending world with layers of echoes, teaming up with her rival, Rika, to solve a sinister game and save their city. The story blends elements of fantasy, mystery, and sapphic romance, offering a unique and thrilling adventure with complex characters and intricate world-building.

Reader Review Summary

Here is my extensive review of "The Last Hour Between Worlds" by Melissa Caruso:

This mind-bending fantasy novel takes readers on a thrilling adventure through multiple layers of reality. The world-building is absolutely captivating, anchored by the fascinating concept of "Echoes" - alternate realities that mirror the prime world with increasingly bizarre and dangerous deviations the deeper you descend. Caruso deftly immerses you in this imaginative multiverse without excessive exposition, allowing the mysterious magic system and intricate guilds and politics to organically unfurl.

At the heart of the novel is protagonist Kembral Thorne, a wonderfully relatable and refreshing heroine. As a skilled agent known as a "Hound" and a new mother attending her first event away from her infant daughter, Kembral provides a compelling viewpoint character. Her constant musings on the exhaustion and struggles of new parenthood add an authentic layer of humanity amidst the escalating fantastical chaos. Kembral's prickly relationship with her professional rival Rika is also a delightfully tangled web - their frenemy rapport crackles with tension and unresolved romantic angst. Their forced cooperation drives much of the narrative's momentum and chemistry.

The plot itself is an ingenious riff on time loop stories like Groundhog Day. When a new year's party is thrust into progressively warped Echoes, Kembral and the other attendees find themselves reliving the night repeatedly with new deadly twists each cycle. This mind-bending setup allows for exhilarating pacing and ever-ratcheting stakes. The nature of the looping realities enables thrilling cliffhangers and constant forward propulsion as the mysteries compound. Caruso keeps readers deliciously off-balance as the threats intensify and the characters navigate devilishly complex layers of intrigue.

While the terminology and sheer amount of new concepts can be initially disorienting, the book finds its rhythm as it hurtles ahead. The dense lore and abundant new vocabulary enrich the fantastical atmosphere rather than detracting. Settling into Caruso's immersive voice allows you to revel in the vibrant, surreal visuals she conjures of these bizarre realms and their eldritch inhabitants.

The ensemble cast of eclectic characters is also a joy to spend time with. From alluring assassins to unassuming bakers thrust into mortal peril, each partygoer provides a distinct personality while avoiding one-note stereotypes. Their disparate perspectives and banter keep the interpersonal dynamics engrossing as the survival stakes escalate. You can't help but get invested in this hodgepodge group's desperate fight.

Ultimately, The Last Hour Between Worlds is a masterwork of imagination and speculative storytelling. It deftly blends mystery, lgbtq representation, action, and thought-provoking sci-fi concepts into an immensely entertaining adventure. While some of the world's finer details remain tantalizingly nebulous by the end, the inherent premise is so ingeniously executed that you're left eagerly craving to explore these marvelous Echoes further. Caruso's vivid fantasy showcases the transformative potential of an audaciously creative sci-fi/fantasy fusion. Brimming with originality and heart, it's a delightfully mind-twisting escape.