This  is honestly a high-rating, surprise review that I didn’t see coming.. I had set very low expectations going in but quickly realized (after reading it only a day) that those expectations were wrong. 

The book is set in 1940-50ish Chicago - very noire type setting. We have a magical detective - Elena/Helen - that sold her soul to save her brother from death, gets thrown out of a magical society, and is now working as a freelancer. Though her time on Earth is coming to end due, she’s given one last task before her time evaporates and a chance to maybe change her life’s outcome. But certainly not without a fight. 

Oh, did I mention? It’s also sapphic. *chef’s kiss* Elena is in love with Edith that she met at a secret queer nightclub and Edith has just been offered the couples dream job of moving to San Fran to start a life…but she doesn’t know Elena’s time on Earth is drawing close to an end. And Edith..well, she has a little secret she’s keeping from Elena, too. 

Honestly, I love the relationship between these two women and I see a lot of my own life in their feelings and thoughts for one another. Two quotes in particular resonate with how I feel about my own wife! 

“Edith, oh. Edith. She believed in me, and I could never let her know how badly I needed that.”

“I never told her how she saved me. I told her how she became the dearest friend I’d ever had. I told her I loved her, but never enough. My Edith of the sparrows. My heart. My world.”

While there is a lot of magical stuff happening in this short novel - angels, demons, vampires, etc - there is just enough to explain what’s happening and keep you intrigued without being confused. The pace is pretty good that you move along quickly enough and nothing seems to drag on for too long. The “Acts” also help split up what’s happening as well. 

Overall, I think this was a great time. I definitely can understand where it might not be for everyone, but it was enough for me.