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cozreads's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
b_davis93's review against another edition
4.0
I am a sucker for books that personify death and this one had me from the first page. I tore into this book.
It follows a girl, Hellevir, who has the ability to walk in death and bring souls back, for a cost. When put into a position she cant refuse she must choose how much of herself she is willing or able to sacrifice and must face the consequences of those choices. From family issues, political threats, love and heartache this book has it all. It was a rollercoaster of emotions and my heart still hurts but in the best way.
I cant wait to see this series continued.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper for my advanced copy.
It follows a girl, Hellevir, who has the ability to walk in death and bring souls back, for a cost. When put into a position she cant refuse she must choose how much of herself she is willing or able to sacrifice and must face the consequences of those choices. From family issues, political threats, love and heartache this book has it all. It was a rollercoaster of emotions and my heart still hurts but in the best way.
I cant wait to see this series continued.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper for my advanced copy.
b_davis93's review against another edition
4.0
I am a sucker for books that personify death and this one had me from the first page. I tore into this book.
It follows a girl, Hellevir, who has the ability to walk in death and bring souls back, for a cost. When put into a position she cant refuse she must choose how much of herself she is willing or able to sacrifice and must face the consequences of those choices. From family issues, political threats, love and heartache this book has it all. It was a rollercoaster of emotions and my heart still hurts but in the best way.
I cant wait to see this series continued.
It follows a girl, Hellevir, who has the ability to walk in death and bring souls back, for a cost. When put into a position she cant refuse she must choose how much of herself she is willing or able to sacrifice and must face the consequences of those choices. From family issues, political threats, love and heartache this book has it all. It was a rollercoaster of emotions and my heart still hurts but in the best way.
I cant wait to see this series continued.
basementofbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Hate crime, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Torture, and Abandonment
annsofie's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
nwong12's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
blakeandbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this book. It was such a cool concept that I wanted to continue to read. A sapphic, dark fantasy? Sign me up. Hellevir is the name of the FMC, she talks to Death, raises the dead, and has a raven? I loved it.
Every relationship Hellevir has is complicated and wrapped so thoroughly around her gift—the ability to travel beyond and claim back the dead. Her working relationship with Death was such a great point of view, and I was looking forward to her visiting him again to find out information bit by bit. I really liked the progression of the story, and how we get a good bit of backstory as she grows in age and the consequences and acceptance of her choices.
There is a lot of heartache, sadness, betrayal, and death. I’m definitely looking forward to book 2!
CW: death, death of parent, child death, murder, animal death, emotional abuse
I really enjoyed this book. It was such a cool concept that I wanted to continue to read. A sapphic, dark fantasy? Sign me up. Hellevir is the name of the FMC, she talks to Death, raises the dead, and has a raven? I loved it.
Every relationship Hellevir has is complicated and wrapped so thoroughly around her gift—the ability to travel beyond and claim back the dead. Her working relationship with Death was such a great point of view, and I was looking forward to her visiting him again to find out information bit by bit. I really liked the progression of the story, and how we get a good bit of backstory as she grows in age and the consequences and acceptance of her choices.
There is a lot of heartache, sadness, betrayal, and death. I’m definitely looking forward to book 2!
CW: death, death of parent, child death, murder, animal death, emotional abuse
jrice17's review against another edition
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for the electronic advanced reader's copy of this book.
I expected to enjoy this book more than I actually did. The story progressed a little too slowly for my liking. I thought the world was interesting and Hellevir's (FMC) ability to bring people back from the dead is super interesting. I could not get past how rude and ungrateful the princess is. I also struggled to envision a map of the world as well as the city. A map would have helped. I also couldn't quite understand nor care to understand the Onaistus religion.
The one aspect of the book I loved and continued to wait until I got more of, was Death. Every time Hellevir went to Death's limbo world and spoke with him to negotiate with him for souls I was enraptured. I wanted more, but understand that the plot in the normal world had to carry on.
This book was not meant for me, but if you like political intrigue, dark fantasy, queer romance, and necromancy, then this book is for you!
I expected to enjoy this book more than I actually did. The story progressed a little too slowly for my liking. I thought the world was interesting and Hellevir's (FMC) ability to bring people back from the dead is super interesting. I could not get past how rude and ungrateful the princess is. I also struggled to envision a map of the world as well as the city. A map would have helped. I also couldn't quite understand nor care to understand the Onaistus religion.
The one aspect of the book I loved and continued to wait until I got more of, was Death. Every time Hellevir went to Death's limbo world and spoke with him to negotiate with him for souls I was enraptured. I wanted more, but understand that the plot in the normal world had to carry on.
This book was not meant for me, but if you like political intrigue, dark fantasy, queer romance, and necromancy, then this book is for you!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death