This was such a phenomenal dark romantasy, it has quickly sky-rocketed to one of my favorite romantasy reads of 2025.

The chemistry between our FMC & MMC was genuine & poetic - slowly growing as we watch both of these polar opposite people have their eyes, minds and hearts opened to one another's fears, strengths, secrets and love. This dynamic and relationship is on my mind 24/7 365!

My personal favorite quote: "[...] I found our walks the most devastating to my resolve against him, because they showed me the breadth of his soul, a wide net tethered by our similarities, strong enough to catch of all our differences."

Holmberg knocked it out of the park (unsurprisingly AND once again) with the easy-to-grasp and yet equally immersive world-building, politics and magic system(s). I love the way she takes the reader on a journey through the lives of the characters while simultaneously teaching us how everything works.

Natalie Naudus (who you may have heard read Inferno's Heir, Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng, Immortal, Starling House and so many other popular titles!) did a wonderful job with narration and added a new layer of immersive world-building with her vocal talents.

Overall, I am devastated (that cliffhanger!?), I am over-the-moon (this is to-date my favorite novel from her) and EAGERLY awaiting 2026 when we get the duology conclusion!

Thank you NetGalley and Charlie N Holmberg for giving me the opportunity to read this book early and share my honest review. All reviews will be posted to my socials (Netgalley, Goodreads, Fable, IG).