LISTEN TO ME AND ADD THIS TO UR TBRS UR NOT GNA WANT TO MISS THIS ONEEEEE

This book was so unique and refreshing. I’ve not been this sucked in by a book in a MINUTE.

It was the only book I read consecutively for days without reading any other book in between (this might be a given for most ppl but trust me it’s a miracle for someone like me who usually rotates like three books at once). Keeping my attention like this isn’t easy but man am I in love with everything about this book??? Like what do u mean it’s over 😭😭 

The characters: 

Lilith — how I love her. She’s this mix of strong willed and bratty but is truly a big softy inside. Her character genuinely was inspiring, seeing her not back down from getting what she was owed. It was refreshing having an fmc not being this miraculously all knowing warrior but was just like ur average sad rich girl lmao 😭 she was so relatable. Her struggles made me so sad tho ugh so glad for what happened towards the end tho 😝😝😝 eat shit motherf* 

Zahariev — THIS MAN HOT DAMN! If you search my type you’d find this man’s name front and centre 🫦🫦🫦 when he’s patient, caring, has the RIGHT amount of sarcasm and knows when to shut the fuck up?? 🤚 just know he’s made it into my top book bf’s list like that’s how serious I’m talkinggggg

ALSO THE HOTNESS LEVEL IS SCORCHING LIKE IM TALKING TATS ALL OVER HIS BODY AND THICK THIGHS AND WHEN THE SPARKS EVENTUALLY LIGHT UP??? *rolls eyes to the back of my head and bites knuckles* 

Miss Scarlett really knows how to write tension 😮‍💨🪭🪭 the way i could feel it vibrating off the pages with their first few interactions and each one after that was so charged that when they finally gave in it made alllllll the impact. 

This is not to say it’s all built on lust because these two have genuine feelings towards each other that spans years. Their care for each other made my heart hurt 😭 like ugh the soft moments had me crashing out more than them eventually getting together did. I love their relationship so much I wanna inject it into my veinssssss

No bc I could write essays upon essays of the ways in which this man has usurped my brain space but I’ll leave you guys with a couple quotes to give u an idea what drug I’m on 😋😋

╰┈➤ ❝ “You want me to do something about it?” he asked. 

“You can’t,” I said. “Not without starting a war.” 

“I would go to war for you,” he said.  ❞

HELLO?? 

╰┈➤ ❝ “Would you ever consider teaching me to drive?” I asked. Zahariev glanced at me. “I’d teach you,” he said. “But let me buy a helmet first.” 

“Fuck off,” I said, pushing him. 

He chuckled, laughing at his own joke ❞

LMAO THEIR BANTER IS SO PERFECT

╰┈➤ ❝ “You are a coward, Zahariev.” His jaw ticked and his eyes darkened. 

“If I were a coward, I would have walked away from you a long time ago.” 

“You think you’re brave for handling me?” 

“No one handles you, Lilith,” he said. “Good fucking luck to the man who tries.” ❞

STOP MY HEARTTTT 😭😭

╰┈➤ ❝ “I’m sorry I’m only now seeing you,” I said. 

His gaze was steady as he stretched over me. “Don’t apologize, little love,” he said. “I could have remained invisible to you, and my devotion to you would be unchanging.” ❞

*falls dramatically to knees and clutches chest*

╰┈➤ ❝ “What does it mean? To be yours?” I asked. He smiled softly. “Whatever you want,” he said. “I’ll always be here, following in your shadow. I am not afraid of your freedom.” ❞

*cue the cries of injustice over him not being real*

The plot/writing: 

This is technically dual pov but 80% of the book is fmc’s pov and 20% the mmc’s. And Ykw the author was fucking clever for doing it in this way. Soooo fucking clever. Kept me hooked with snippets of his pov and I litch would devour every chapter just to get to his at the end like a reward. 

The pacing was slow but somehow I stayed interested and hooked. 

The themes addressed in this book mainly religion and its impact on politics and women was done with a care I truly appreciated. Seeing religious trauma depicted in many ways through this story broke my heart. 

After reading the acknowledgements I grew a newfound appreciation for St. Claire. I could see the detail and history that went into the writing of this book. The lore and fleshed out world that was built, it was genuinely fascinating especially towards the end where my questions were answered and then she left me reeling with more questions bc damn wdym it’s over! I need that next book and this one’s not even out yet 🙏🤧 

ೃ⁀➷ Thank you NetGalley and sourcebooksUK for the ARC! ♥︎

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

I GOT THE ARCCCC I AM SO HYPED FOR THIS BOOK OMFDS ONE OF MY MOST ANTICIPATED THIS YEAR