‘Explosive finale’? ‘Explosive finale’?! I made it to 43%, and I was bored out of my MIND.

WHAT EXPLOSIVENESS???

The whole first 40% is a gods-damn side-quest, wherein Hellevir gets involved in the lives of a couple of people in the little village she’s visiting. It has nothing to do with anything. Also: it’s been three years since the previous book, and she hasn’t a) found the next treasure for Death and b) resurrected anyone. I’m sorry??? This is the woman who literally resurrected a bird and a cat because she could…and you’re telling me in THREE YEARS she hasn’t brought anyone, or anything, else back to life?

Frankly, I don’t believe you. Hellevir is addicted, or something like addicted – maybe compelled is a kinder word – to reversing death. Are you seriously saying that in three years she didn’t come across a single dead bunny?

Also – and this really pissed me off – very quickly, we learn that the Onaistism church has now banned abortion. And, look. You never actually established that this church is bad. You know why? Because you never told us what they fucking believe! You didn’t tell us their moral code, you didn’t tell us their beliefs; all we know is that they encourage self-control and compassion (neither of which are bad things, even if you had Hellevir be all ‘why does anyone need to be told to be good?’ which seems very sneering) and once upon a time, members of this church burned people who could talk to spirits and things. We know that a couple of the modern priests don’t like Hellevir and tried to have her whipped in the previous book, but that does not actually mean the religion is fundamentally harmful, just that these few priests are terrible.

So suddenly announcing that the church has banned abortion feels like a quick, lazy way to make us hate them. And that’s why it annoyed me. Especially since the whole side-quest just establishes that Hellevir is prejudiced against the church unreasonably; she assumes the worst of a priest, but turns out to be wrong about that. So I wish Gordon could decide what she wants us to feel towards this church – are you saying they’re terrible, or not? And if you’re saying ‘it’s complicated’, then I would appreciate it if you would TELL ME WHAT THEY ACTUALLY BELIEVE. Jerking my emotions around about it – wasting 40% of a book on ‘surprise, the priest isn’t evil actually!’ – just makes me want to throw the book away. Quit telling me what to feel: show me what they believe and I’ll make up my own mind!

GAH.

And of course Hellevir is then called back to the capital because the princess needs her and I just didn’t care. Gordon wasted so much of my time with almost the full first half of the book, that it had used up all the goodwill Gilded Crown earned. I wasn’t willing to extend any more credit.

Bonus: Gordon continues to not let other animals be characters. Hellevir’s raven companion? He gets to be a character in his own right. All the other animals she can talk to – even the horse who has been with her for years at this point – don’t even get dialogue; we’re just told what they said. To the point that in Gilded Crown I genuinely thought Hellevir could only talk to birds at first, but no, she can talk to anything. It just seems so lazy – if Hellevir had a human companion for three years we’d all think it was deeply weird if they never got to talk, and functionally the horse is the same thing, for her.

Sigh. I really loved Gilded Crown, but I’m sorry, this just didn’t work for me at all.

This captivating epic fantasy will enthrall readers who revel in intricate world-building, morally gray characters, and the complexities of love and power. The richly developed world, filled with diverse cultures and magical elements, serves as a backdrop for a story that explores the human cost of war, the sacrifices made for love, and the blurred lines between good and evil.

Fans of romance will be drawn to the passionate relationships and forbidden love that intertwine with the epic narrative, while those who appreciate thought-provoking themes will find themselves pondering the nature of power, the consequences of ambition, and the enduring power of hope in a world consumed by darkness. With its complex characters, intricate plot, and exploration of profound themes, this book is a must-read for fans of epic fantasy and romance alike.

The Antlered King picks up right after a four year timeskip after The Gilded Crown, after Hellevir's self-inflicted exile. But aside from simply giving logistical time for all of her travels, the gap doesn't actually feel like that much time Hellevir and Sullivain feel in very similar places as they did at the end of the first book, with maybe a year's worth of events that have affected them. I would have loved to get a little more into what that separation and time apart really did for each of them in the path they both ultimately choose, particularly Sullivain. We get the sense that Hellevir falls into a more rosy nostalgic view of Sullivain's personality and wants, but it still doesn't feel like four year's worth, especially since Hellevir does seem to have an idea of who Sullivain will be, with little thought for four year's worth of other influences and pressures on her.

The book as a whole really gets further into the co-dependency of their relationship, of Sullivain feeling invincible and terrified of Death at the same time, and Hellevir falling further into self-sacrifice as both a sunk-cost fallacy and a need to have saved /someone/ in all of this. It pulls at your heart to watch Hellevir make the choices she does over and over again, feeling her desperation and hope all at the same time. Gordon pulls off a dark fantasy tale that still has love at its core and manages to show all sides of it, even how the darker sides are just as impactful and shaping as the softer ones.

The Antlered King subplot also finally gets to get resolved in this (one would hope, given the title), and thankfully it's satisfying how it all wraps up and gets integrated into Sullivain's plans as well as Hellevir's future.

I still would have hoped to have seen more of just why Hellevir is so dedicated to Sullivain (other than an "I must save her, otherwise what was all this for" mindset) and continues to be and continues to love her; I'm all for toxic "she's terrible but I can't forget about her/I can fix her" relationships, but I want a little more basis on which to build that devotion. All in all, though, it's a book that will stick with me for a while.

Marianne Gordon has wrecked me in the most exquisite way—just as I knew she would!

The Antlered King picks up four years after The Gilded Crown, and Hellevir has managed—against all odds—to carve out a fragile semblance of peace. But, as we all know, peace is never meant to last for our resilient and empathetic heroine. This book is an emotional maelstrom, brimming with gut-wrenching decisions, thought-provoking discussions of life and death, and riddles so intricate they would challenge even the keenest minds. Marianne Gordon delivers a conclusion that is both cozy and devastating, a fitting farewell to a world that has utterly captivated me.

From the very last pages of The Gilded Crown, I had my suspicions about where this journey would take us. I was partially right—but there were still so many breathtaking surprises along the way. The looming war on the horizon drives the plot at a breakneck pace, pulling readers into a relentless storm of action, intrigue, and emotional stakes that feel so personal. The cast—more like family at this point—rallies together for a final confrontation, as Hellevir and Sullivain wrestle with their destinies and the choices that will define them forever.

This book is a masterpiece of storytelling, a stunning conclusion to the Raven’s Trade duology that will leave you breathless, heartbroken, and utterly fulfilled. Run, don’t walk, to get your hands on The Antlered King—you need this book in your life.

This book was slow to begin, but once it did, it moved forward like a freight train.

I was absolutely blown away by this book. I loved the first one, and was so excited for this one as soon as it was announced. I had no idea how this would end, and Marianne kept me on my toes the whole time, wondering how this relationship with Death would turn out. Loved it. No notes, phenomenal storytelling.

This was a breathtaking conclusion to a dark, folky, political fantasy that I was so absorbed in. Seriously, I cried for the entire last hour of my reading experience, finally turned the last page, let out a long breath, and went, “Oh, WOW!”

The way Gordon writes these complex characters had me so emotional; I really felt everything with Helliver, and that’s because I really BELIEVED her. I believed her as a real character and I believed her as a narrator. I too was enamored by Sullivain, and getting to know the full depth of her character was an experience that broke my heart and put me back together again.

I am very much looking forward to whatever Marianne Gordon comes up with next.

Thank you to HarperCollins and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC of this novel. The Antlered King is a satisfying follow up and conclusion to The Gilded Crown. It picks up 4 years after the events of the first novel and follows Hellevir as she continues to solve the riddles that lead her to Death’s treasures while navigating new areas, and returning to old haunts, of the lush world Gordon has created in Chron. There are many enjoyable new characters and Gordon is an expert in exploring the complex relationships Hellevir develops within the context of her unique ability to bring those who have suffered unnatural deaths back to life with the loss of part of herself each time she does it. I found the middle third of the book to be a bit slow and directionless at times, but the ending pulls it all together really nicely. I felt they same while reading The Gilded Crown and can’t help but wonder if these two novels would have been better if they had been edited down a bit and combined into one long novel (honestly wouldn’t be surprised if this was initially how Gordon wrote it, but apparently duologies are what we do now). I can’t praise the writing of this book enough, the prose is very intentional and obviously well-edited and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

So again, I started on book two in this series. Although this is a duology, and I truly just started in the middle of this story.
From the outside looking in I should have read book 1.
I believe this book has the potential to be great for the right crowd. I do not believe I was the right demographic. The story was frustrating for me because why would you continuously go back to get hurt? Maybe it's the strong, independent woman in me, but I would never allow my emotions to control me the way Hellevir allowed. The book was slow, and I was hesitant to finish it because it seemed to drag on forever. I did not fully hate the ending.
Thank you to NetGalley, Avon Harper Voyager and Marianne Gordon for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a great conclusion to the Gilded Crown duology. This world has such a unique magic system. as well as completely original religions. I loved learning more about this world's cultures through the expansion of the settings. Hellevir is traveling for a good portion of the book, and I really enjoyed the different towns she visits. I hadn't been expecting so much time to pass between the end of book 1 and the beginning of book 2, but I think it worked really well. The ending, while maybe not what I wanted for the main characters, was the right ending to them and did justice to the series.

I let the first book in this duology sit in my TBR for a long time because of the cover. It looked like a boilerplate romantasy. I couldn’t have been more wrong. This is a brutal story about mortality, grief, and cyclical abuse. It’s not afraid to let its characters be deeply flawed, make mistakes over and over again, and still have hope for a better future. I don’t know what Marianne Gordon is writing next, but I know I’ll be reading it.

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

The Antlered King by Marianne Gordon is the third person-POV fantasy sequel to The Gilded Crown. Picking up six years after the first book, Hellevir has remained separated from Sullivain and from Death, trying to live her life as an herbalist as far away from the brewing unrest she left behind. But Sullivain pulls her back in and the allure of helping others is far too great for Hellevir to ignore.

This review does contain spoilers

Like last time, I personally wouldn’t call this a fantasy romance or a romantic fantasy as the romance tones aren’t as prominent as I would expect out of either subgenre. The romance subplot between Sullivain and Hellevir is, however, ramped up a bit and we get more moments of the two of them trying to find a way to actually have a relationship when they are, for all intents and purposes, on opposite sides of a conflict that Sullivain herself has caused. It’s Sullivain’s character traits that truly keep them apart and there’s nothing Hellevir can do to change her. It’s a tragic romantic arc with a beautiful bittersweet ending.

The relationship between Hellevir and Death is made more complex by Hellevir, at times, wondering if Death will kiss her though their relationship never truly veers into romance. It’s far more of a mentor-mentee relationship that perhaps, in another world, could have been something else or maybe not. There is an intimacy there that comes from their shared relationship with Death’s realm and Death’s admiration from Hellevir, but not all intimate relationships have to become romantic in nature. Between Death and Sullivain, it’s hard to pinpoint which is the most defining for Hellevir, but I would argue death just nudges ahead because so much of the overarching story is Hellevir learning who Death used to be.

Overall, this is definitely a duology for the tragedy enjoyers. Hellevir is full of love and sacrifices more and more of her physical body for the sake of others, to bring them back from death and to their loved ones. But she cannot save everyone, with Sullivain being her biggest struggle. Combine this with Hellevir’s complex relationship with her mother and her mother’s faith, the easily avoidable civil war started by Sullivain, and the choices Hellevir has to continue to make, the story always was one of love and devotion and how we can’t save people who refuse to accept our help, but maybe, eventually, they will listen.

I would recommend this to fans of tragic fantasies, readers who enjoyed the first book, and those looking for more fantasies with a personified death

This is a duology following up on The Gilded Crown. This book takes place a little over three years after the first one and follows Hellevir who can raise the dead and she must deal with her relationship with Princess Sullivan while also figuring out what's going on with Death. Gordon does an excellent job at concluding this duology!

The Raven's Trade is such a perfect duology. I was a big fan of The Gilded Crown, and The Antlered King is even better! It’s a beautifully written dark fantasy about Hellevir, a girl with a connection to Death who can bring people back to life, but at a high cost to herself, and how far she'll go to help prevent a civil war. I do wish they had chosen different covers because I almost passed up the first book, thinking it was Romantasy.

The story picks up three and a half years after the events of The Gilded Crown. Without giving away any spoilers for book one, Gordon does not pull punches with what she puts Hellevir and the rest of the characters through in this sequel. I did a reread of the first book before diving in, and I loved it just as much the second time around. Had it not been fresh in my mind, there were just the right amount of recaps of important plot points scattered throughout that would have been very much appreciated. I wish more authors did this!

Hellevir and Sullivain have such a toxic yet enthralling relationship, and it’s refreshing to read a series where Death is a central character but not the love interest.

I will definitely be keeping an eye out for whatever Gordon writes next.

Thank you, NetGalley and Harper Voyager, for the early copy in exchange for this honest review.

I honestly don't know what to say other than HOLY SH*T! I enjoyed the first book, but I LOVED this one. It's such an emotional rollercoaster in the best possible way! Hellevir remains one of the best characters I've ever read, I would die for her (and she wouldn't let me!). Pre-ordering a physical copy the minute I finish this review. A thousand stars!

Maybe I shouldn’t be writing this review as I’m still wiping tears away from my leaking eyes, but here we are.

This duology was sold to me as a sapphic story about a girl who loves a Princess and bargains with Death to keep her alive. I caution you dear reader, this series is so much more than that.

BEWARE: POTENTIAL SPOILERS BELOW!

How can I begin to talk about The Antlered King? This book, and this series, is now engraved into my very soul. Hellevir does love Sullivan, yes. But is it a toxic sort of love, or a love story that showcases the most pure, unconditional love a person can have for another? And while there is a love between them, please do not go into this book for a love story or a romantasy. This book is so very much more than that.

I was not expecting to read a story that so perfectly summarizes the complexities of our current religious landscape in America (and potentially around the world). And maybe that wasn’t the message I was supposed to take from this series, but it is the message that imprinted on my heart nonetheless.

In The Antlered King, we find The Chron is in a tumultuous season with a vicious Queen who does not care about her people, but simply about maintaining power at any cost necessary. And then there is the religious group that is there to help her maintain that power. The Antlered King is a story of how this kind of fanatical rule can influence even the most pure of souls and corrupt the best of people. But it’s also a story about how that corruption can be fought and you can find your way out of these dangerous beliefs and do good in the world despite your past.

The Antlered King is a book about the dangers of being someone, anyone, that is “different” from what the religious zealots have deemed acceptable. It’s a book about how, despite the world working a certain way for eons, danger can come from those who wish to steal power by deeming those who follow the “old ways” or “different paths” as heathens.

I read this book at the most poignant of times. I cried at so many points that I had to keep tissues close at hand. Please read this book. It’s a beautiful story with an important message weaved throughout. I cannot scream enough about how amazing this book is.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon & Harper Voyager for a free eARC in exchanged for an honest review!

“As long as I have an eye to see, an ear to listen, a tongue to talk, I may as well be infinite. Take your price.”

Marianne Gordon, you have ruined me.
Thank you.

PLOT SUMMARY:

After the events of four years ago, Hellevir has moved on from death and the love of her life, Princess Sullivain. Now free of political intrigue and the overwhelming hold of Death and her work as a resurrectionist, Hellevir is content to work as a traveling herbalist.
But when Princess Sullivain calls her back, Helliver realizes she has no will to resist. Thrust back into the same life she once fled, Helliver must decide what is more important to her: The Princess and her work as a resurrectionist, or her life and the life of countless others.

PLOT REVIEW:

This plot devastated me.
Gordon took the pain she wreaked on me as a reader in the first book and then just multiplied it.
No, quadrupled it.
My chest LITERALLY aches right now.
And it’s not because of the war and death depicted within the pages of The Antlered King, but the overwhelming pain that Hellevir experiences.
She’s pushed into battles, resurrecting the dead, and, even worse, constantly pulled back by the manipulative Princess Sullivain. Hellevir literally can’t catch a single break in this book.
But, I digress, let’s just talk about the plot.
I loved the pacing of it. It starts off slow, with Hellevir traveling on the road as a herbalist. I particularly liked this section of the book because it shows us a new part of the world to explore and new characters to meet. Even better, we get to see another side of Hellevir that is not burdened by Sullivain’s demands.
Everything was so calm in the first half.
And then it all exploded.
It was a whirlwind of emotions and sudden calls to war. We see even more facets of Death’s story and also the lengths to which Sullivain is willing to go to escape death.
However, perhaps my favorite storyline within this book were the creatures Helliver meets when finding the precious things. The story and mystery behind each of them was fascinating, and I wish we had explored how they existed a bit more fully.
All in all, a really solid plot.

CHARACTERS:

This book is so character-driven.
We don’t just get an amazing plotline with magic, war, and pain, we get real characters. Characters who hate, who love, who obsess, and who hunger.
And Helliver is the best of them.
She isn’t simply a hero, she’s a woman trapped within her skills and constantly struggling to do the right thing. She makes mistakes and gets people hurt, but all she ever wants is the best for those around her.
God, I just love her so much. She’s one of the biggest reasons I loved this book as much as I did. And her quotes! Gordon truly knew what she was doing when she wrote out this line:

“I cannot grant life, I’ve never been able to. All I can do is grant second chances.”

It’s just… I swear, I feel like I’m going to start sobbing writing this out. Helliver deserved so much better than what she got in this book, but that’s the beauty of it. This book isn’t just a sapphic fantasy novel. It’s so much more than that.
It’s gorgeous, beautiful, and heart-breakingly REAL.
Each character was hard to hate, even Sullivain, who I constantly wanted to… Well, let’s not get too into that.
Did I despise her? Yes, I very much did. But the beauty of this story is that it’s all about chances. Hellevir never gave up on Sullivan, even when she betrayed her over, and over, and over again.
And that, in the end, is why I loved this book so much.

OVERALL THOUGHTS:

Marianne Gordon, may your life be blessed, because you have certainly blessed me with this book.

Here’s one last quote, because I literally can’t get over this book:

“It was the first time she had ever felt that it might be true and she wished–suddenly, achingly, with a power that rushed through her in a wave and left her breathless–that she could stay in this little cottage with this raven-haired girl, and never think about courts and intrigue and blood again.”

Wavering between 3.5 and 4 stars.

The writing remains lush and descriptive without being overly flowery, which I appreciate. The story is dark (and darker than the first book), with deep themes of what it means to be good, selfishness,, forgiveness, religious persection and identity, and what happens when we die. The characters are complicated and often morally grey, and the character actions don't shy away from these dynamics. This book, even more than the first, is almost entirely centered on Hellevir and Sullivain's relationship, with very little interaction from Hellevir's family or loved ones (at least until the last third of the book). I think this slowed the plot down somewhat, as much of Hellevir's internal dialogue is very repetitive and cyclical (does she hate or love Sullivain?). There is a relatively large time jump between the ending of the first book and the start of this book (3 years) and I'm not sure it really served the story. Much of the first third of the book is very slow, and ultimately didn't feel like it served any real purpose necessary for the plot (particuarly the interaction between Hellevir and the Peer in the small town). The pace of the story was very uneven, and even dragged at times, which reduced the emotional impact for me.

People may have mixed emotions on the ending, but for me I think it is a satisfying while also thought provoking conclusion that I may continue to think about for a long time.

I'm gutted but I'm also healed.

I adored The Gilded Crown and it remains one of my top reads last year. It was a dark fairytale with a lush world, complex characters, and tense political intrigue, and I couldn't wait to see where the sequel led.

The Antlered King didn't go in the direction I expected at first, but then I did see the ending coming. I don't mean that in any sort of negative way; it means the foreshadowing and bread crumbs were there, and I was filled with a growing sense of dread that made me devour page after page. When I finally reached the ending, there was catharsis as I blew my nose and wiped away my tears. I wouldn't say it's a classically happy ending, but it's a fulfilling one and I can't see this tale ending in any other way.

Hellevir remained a wonderful character with seemingly steadfast morals, but they twisted her up inside with her love for Sullivain. To know someone so intimately, their history, their struggle, their abuse, to drink their SOUL! Are we what others have made us? Or can we remake ourselves?

Sullivain embodies the line "as long as you're still alive, you always have the chance to start again." And again. And again. Did she get too many chances? Yes. Did that make me cry any less? No.

This duology is about grief and death but ultimately about foregiveness. I feel scraped up and raw inside but also comforted. This is a beautifully crafted tale in a beautifully crafted world.

The Antlered King by Marianne Gordon is a sweeping, tragic, and fiercely beautiful conclusion to the Raven’s Trade duology. It’s the kind of dark fantasy that doesn’t flinch from the brutality of war or the devastation of love, but it also finds moments of quiet tenderness amid the chaos. Gordon’s lush prose and meticulous world-building create an immersive reading experience that will stay with you long after the final page.

At the center of the story is Hellevir—a necromancer whose gift to raise the dead is both a blessing and a curse. Hellevir’s journey in this book is nothing short of harrowing. Cast out from the very court she fought to protect, she’s haunted not just by the souls she has raised but by the betrayal and heartbreak that comes from loving someone as ambitious—and dangerous—as Princess Sullivain. Their relationship is the beating, broken heart of the narrative. It’s a love story steeped in obsession, power, and sacrifice, with moments so raw they leave you breathless.

Sullivain, once a vulnerable heir clinging to survival, has grown into something darker—a ruler consumed by the need to consolidate power at any cost. Gordon doesn’t shy away from showing how love can become twisted by ambition and fear, and it makes Sullivain an incredibly complex character. She’s magnetic and terrifying in equal measure, and watching Hellevir wrestle with her devotion to a woman who may no longer be the person she fell in love with is both devastating and mesmerizing.

The stakes in The Antlered King couldn’t be higher—civil war looms, and Hellevir is caught between the living and the dead, forced to navigate Death’s cryptic riddles one last time. The afterlife itself is rendered with eerie beauty, a place both haunting and strangely sacred. The Antlered King, the mysterious ruler of the dead, is an unforgettable presence—a figure who feels ancient and otherworldly but somehow deeply connected to Hellevir’s fate. The mythology surrounding Death is one of the strongest parts of the series, and in this final installment, it reaches its crescendo in a way that is both surprising and inevitable.

Gordon’s writing is rich without being overwrought, her descriptions dripping with sensory detail. The battle scenes are brutal, the emotional confrontations even more so. Yet for all its darkness, the story never feels hollow. There’s a beating heart beneath the blood and ash, a yearning for justice, connection, and something that feels like peace.

If there’s a critique, it’s that the pacing can feel uneven at times. The middle section, while full of character introspection, slows down as Hellevir pieces together Death’s final puzzle. However, the explosive final act more than makes up for it, delivering a climax that is as heartbreaking as it is cathartic.

At 4.5 stars, The Antlered King is a masterful conclusion that balances dark fantasy with profound emotional depth. It’s a story about power, loss, and the price of holding on to love when the world demands sacrifice. Fans of queer romance and morally complex heroines will be captivated by Hellevir’s final reckoning. This is a tale that doesn’t offer easy answers—but it offers something far more precious: a reminder of the beauty found in resilience, even when all seems lost.

WOW did I love this duology. This book was DARK and I loved every second of it.

Hellevir made her decision to leave Sullivan, and now she must pay the price. She chooses to retain the parts of her that are left and move on, convinced Sullivan isn't the girl she thought, despite their time together in dreams. But after running into a Peer, Hellevir learns the situation is more dire than she anticipated, and she finds herself searching for precious things again.

While she uncovers the truth about The Antlered King, Sullivan, and her own family, Hellevir has to make a choice--does she choose peace or war? Sullivan or her brother? Which one is right? And what will her decision cost her?

This book feels SO raw. Hellevir really goes through it (not that she wasn't already), both emotionally, physically, and mentally. Every step forward is two steps back, and even my heartless soul feels for her and her lose-lose situations. The character development for Hellevir and Sullivan is incredible, both as individual characters and their relationship. Are they friends? Lovers? Enemies? All three? None of the above? It's such a complicated story without feeling that way--it's just emotional. And dark. This is VERY dark.

If you're looking for rainbows and butterflies, or a light sapphic romance--this is not for you. If you want a happily ever after--this is also not for you. But if you want a raw fantasy rooted in politics, relationships, and what it means to hunger, this is for you.

This is definitely going to stick with me for awhile--I wish this had been a four or 5 book series somehow, because I would read a million more books about Hellevir and The Antlered King.