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alex_rosewood's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This was a lovely debut. Dark and cold, oozing with tragedy that is only thrown into darker shadow still by the flashes of warmth and light scattered sparingly throughout. It's a deeply personal story set against a somewhat typical fantasy plotline that threatens to take the reins, but never manages to.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Violence, and Grief
Minor: Body horror
alisaur's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
I was surprised by how quickly I was absorbed into this story. The book is a low simmer that serves up a rich batch of intriguing lore and complex relationships with a deft, almost subtle, hand. The mysterious unraveling of plot points bring our main character through much conflict and pain, pushing her to grow into the inner strength needed to handle her gift.
I rooted for H., but was also frustrated at times with her feelings of helplessness.
I’m looking forward to seeing the plot seeds planted here grow and hopefully bring resolution in the next book.
Ps. I know this is a sapphic tale,but the confusing tension between H. and Mostly-Unnamed Death Gatekeeper has me shipping them a bit. Just a little.
I rooted for H., but was also frustrated at times with her feelings of helplessness.
I’m looking forward to seeing the plot seeds planted here grow and hopefully bring resolution in the next book.
Ps. I know this is a sapphic tale,
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Animal death
Minor: Murder
lover97's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
If you like intense books, I think this is a good one for you.
Hellevir has the ability to step into death and bring people back. But there is always a price, and she soon learns how steep the cost can be. I really liked the magic(?) System here. Every exchange with the being in death is intense and unsettling. It's also very clear that hellevir does not truly understand how it works even at the end of this first book.
Characterwise, I liked her brother and his Knight along with her father. Her relationship with her mother is complicated, but I grew to like her also. I also enjoyed the nightingales. I'll give it to the author she also knows how to write extremely unlikeable people. From the queen to the peer and to sullivan. Sully is complex, and while that is very much the point, it does make the subplot between her and our main girl a tad unconvincing. Clearly, they're connected, but its not a connection I'm dying to read more of.
As this book went on, it started to feel like a massive prologue setting up what is to come. I spent a long time trying to decipher what the overarcing plot of the series was actually going to be. Sadly, I'm still not sure. It looks like it's now a treasurehunt with a background of an upcoming war for both the throne and which religion will take hold.
Unfortunately, the book just didn't grip me. The first chapters that detail the MCs original exchanges with death were brilliantly written, but as it went on, I found myself struggling to care about what was happening. Even writing this review is difficult because my brain feels battered by everything that was going on. There's a lot that happens, and very few pieces felt explained or completed. I am unsure if I'll continue the series, but I don't think it was badly written, just maybe not the right series for me.
I received an advance review copy of this book, and this review represents my honest opinion. Thank you to netgalley, marianne gordon, and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.
Hellevir has the ability to step into death and bring people back. But there is always a price, and she soon learns how steep the cost can be. I really liked the magic(?) System here. Every exchange with the being in death is intense and unsettling. It's also very clear that hellevir does not truly understand how it works even at the end of this first book.
Characterwise, I liked her brother and his Knight along with her father. Her relationship with her mother is complicated, but I grew to like her also. I also enjoyed the nightingales. I'll give it to the author she also knows how to write extremely unlikeable people. From the queen to the peer and to sullivan. Sully is complex, and while that is very much the point, it does make the subplot between her and our main girl a tad unconvincing. Clearly, they're connected, but its not a connection I'm dying to read more of.
As this book went on, it started to feel like a massive prologue setting up what is to come. I spent a long time trying to decipher what the overarcing plot of the series was actually going to be. Sadly, I'm still not sure. It looks like it's now a treasurehunt with a background of an upcoming war for both the throne and which religion will take hold.
Unfortunately, the book just didn't grip me. The first chapters that detail the MCs original exchanges with death were brilliantly written, but as it went on, I found myself struggling to care about what was happening. Even writing this review is difficult because my brain feels battered by everything that was going on. There's a lot that happens, and very few pieces felt explained or completed. I am unsure if I'll continue the series, but I don't think it was badly written, just maybe not the right series for me.
I received an advance review copy of this book, and this review represents my honest opinion. Thank you to netgalley, marianne gordon, and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Death, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
egkaetzel's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I read this book as an ARC - thank you to Harper Voyager.
Review summary: Overall, there are many things to enjoy about this book, but I do think it sometimes struggles with adjusting character motivations for the sake of the plot which can be frustrating. The book follows a girl who can raise the dead when she is thrust into court politics and a growing tension between a new monotheistic religion and the old pagan tradition. Ultimately I think lovers of YA and new adult dark fantasy will really enjoy this, but for me I would have ditched one of the subplots to dive deeper into her magic and her relationships.
Review summary: Overall, there are many things to enjoy about this book, but I do think it sometimes struggles with adjusting character motivations for the sake of the plot which can be frustrating. The book follows a girl who can raise the dead when she is thrust into court politics and a growing tension between a new monotheistic religion and the old pagan tradition. Ultimately I think lovers of YA and new adult dark fantasy will really enjoy this, but for me I would have ditched one of the subplots to dive deeper into her magic and her relationships.
More details: The writing style is very good, the author I very capable and handles well the tricky balance in fantasy between world building, characters, and plot. However it feels that in trying to navigate threads of the characters relationship with death, her relationship with Sullivan, the conflict with the church, and a plot to overthrow the crown, I felt like there were some crucial underdeveloped pieces. I would agree with other reviewers that is does feel more YA or “new adult” as those books, like this one, tend to gloss over very troubling relationships such as those between Hellevir and Sullivan. It was just very very hard to believe in Hellevir’s love to someone who felt truly so evil.
I also wish that there had been more time spent developing Hellevir relationship with her magical and healing abilities outside of raising the dead. Ultimately I think lovers of YA and new adult dark fantasy will really enjoy this, but for me I would have ditched one of the subplots to dive deeper into her magic and her relationships. Also she should have talked to more animals because that is a COOL power she really never used.
I also wish that there had been more time spent developing Hellevir relationship with her magical and healing abilities outside of raising the dead. Ultimately I think lovers of YA and new adult dark fantasy will really enjoy this, but for me I would have ditched one of the subplots to dive deeper into her magic and her relationships. Also she should have talked to more animals because that is a COOL power she really never used.
Content Warnings
Minor: Violence
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