"A word of advice…The real deathdealers have morgues in the back. Death's scales are easy to tip."

4.5 stars

I think I’d classify this as a dark fantasy. If that’s not a thing, it should be and I have a bunch of books I want to change the genre of (in my mind).

A deep breath, an attempt to quell the fear. She wondered how her captors might react if she asked for chloroform again. A drugged sleep was preferable to this churn of anxiety, especially when her fate was all but sealed.

This was a really intriguing story. I was constantly trying to predict what would happen so that was fun, kept me on my toes. Lore was a solid FMC, I enjoyed her POV, minus her ability to forgive, I still don’t understand why FMCs are ALWAYS SO FORGIVING!?!?

Next to her, Gabe's shoulders loosened, tension sieving out of him like rain down a gutter. Maybe she looked relieved, too. Maybe both of them were always walking around like there were weights tied to their feet, and they'd never even noticed until someone cut the strings.

Anyway, I thought she had good depth and a good relationship with the other two main characters, Gabe, the tortured monk, and Bastian, the Sun Prince.

"Gabe isn't trying to use me," she said softly. "Gabe is trying to keep me safe."
The prince turned around with a rueful noise, shaking his head.
"Are you so accustomed to being used that you don't realize when it's happening, as long as it's done kindly?"
She had no answer for that.

^^^ This quote hit hard.

Gabe’s righteousness and unfounded, manipulated loyalty to Anton was a huge annoyance throughout the book, I like my MMC 100% for the FMCs, and Gabe just had to many conflicting loyalties for that, so I’m eager to see how this plays out.

"See, had you not just gone through something rather traumatic, I'd be making an off-color joke about that. As it is, I will let it lie. Please admire my restraint."

Bastian was great, the stereotypical playboy Prince until he wasn’t. He showed how much he cared for Lore more than Gabe did, and after the ending, well, I need to see how this ends up! Pleasedon’tletitbealovetrianglewithabadending

The magic system/world-building was interesting and quite unique, so that was refreshing.

A creaking sound cut him off as every corpse in the cavern sat up. As every corpse in the cavern twisted to look at them with dead, blank eyes.

And if it wasn’t obvious from a FMC who can control the essence of death…fucking zombie things.

Then the words cut off, and the dead began to scream.

THERE'S ALWAYS ZOMBIES

At least, until the bodies started moving. Jerky at first, dead limbs waking, and all of it synchronized as if it'd been rehearsed. The right arm rising, fingers flexing. Then the left leg, swinging over the side of the plinths. All the while still screaming, mouths still hanging open.
…
“Rude of them not to answer your questions before they started screaming,” Bastian said.

NOPE

Gabe didn't kiss like seduction. He kissed like he was starving, a hunger born from ill-fitting vows and anger and want.

Anyway, I recommend this book if you like adult fantasy that dark and moody.

Gabriel paled, as if the guard had just given him a live rat “You mean... you mean both of us are staying here?"
A nod from the bloodcoat. "On orders of the King, you and your cousin are both to stay in these apartments for the duration of the season.
Malcolm's dark brow rose.
Gabriel swallowed.
Lore rolled her eyes. “I promise not to impugn your virtue."