Catseye Sikras is a reluctant hero. A necromancer of unimaginable power who's lost so much that he spends his days holed up in his mansion with only his brother-in-law's resurrected skeleton for company, he grudgingly answers the queen's call to finally put an end to the undead army he's failed to stop twice before. Joining him in this sure-to-fail adventure is Helspira, a demoness trying to find her way in the human world, who makes Sikras start to believe that a brighter future might be possible. Can this unlikely trio save the kingdom, or will the darkness of their pasts lead to doom?

It's one of those books that you slow down your reading because you want more time to enjoy the characters and their world. Sikras is a fantastic character, with more depth than most characters these days. Ben is perfect and the most human character in the whole story, despite being just a skeleton. And Helspira is the hopeful, fight-to-the-bitter-end character that all great fantasy needs. Together, they make even the saddest moments shine. I loved following their story. I laughed. I cried. I raged at how unfair life is right along with them. I can't find a single thing to criticize except that I don't know how long I'll have to wait to read more of Sikras' adventures.

Delighted thanks to NetGalley and Orbit Books for the wonderful read!