I had to sit with this one for a bit before reviewing it. Ultimately, this was a viscerally beautiful albeit challenging read. I loved the exploration of sense of self and how we are shaped by those around us and those long gone. Along with the existential desire to create rather than devour, Das delivers a punishing tale of how we can overcome the evils that have been done to us and transform into something more than our past selves. I've seen some worrying critiques of this book that I'm going to rant about next, so feel free to 'i ain't reading all that. happy for you though. or sorry that happened.'

In reading other reviews on this book, I was shocked and saddened to see some people claiming this was somehow a proponent of certain, unforgivable acts

Cyrah's rape or the kidnapping of the baul girl

. I worry sometimes that we've come to a place of media literacy where writing about certain, horrific things without a character explicitly stating in bold face, THIS IS WRONG, is then somehow assumed to be supported or forgiven by the author. The survivor of this story is not only able to give their abuser the reckoning they deserve, overcomes their trauma and becomes more than just a victim. They quite literally have the true metamorphosis, and are ultimately THE protagonist of this story. The HERO of this story.

The same goes for

Izrail's kidnapping and ultimate killing of the baul girl

. In an exploration of the moral ambiguity inside all of us, this plotline AGAIN is in no way forgiving this character. They themselves talk about how they fell into the same patterns as their father and how ashamed they were. In the cycle of intergenerational trauma, sometimes people become the very thing that hurt them in the first place. The character's acknowledgment of it and eventual change (over several centuries lol) is meant to provide a little hope that perhaps somehow, even after doing horrible things, we can break that cycle.

Overall, I worry about this black and white way of thinking of all characters must be Good or Bad and anyone who isn't the pinnacle of humanity must be properly punished by the narrative to prove that it's not an endorsement. I hate when authors slam me over the head with what they want to say, and you should too. I also think people should be open to reading uncomfortable things, and not immediately writing something off without fully digesting it in its entirety.

TLDR: the puriteens are at it again

Beautiful, beautiful art. The watercolors often feel like a hug but evoke a certain sense of dread in the darker scenes.

I know the story is a bit confusing if you aren't familiar with Finnish folklore, but I didn't really mind that. I like myths that are subtler in their themes but really grab hold of you the more you sit with them.

The story is wonderfully eerie and made me crave winter. It perfectly suits my taste for something bordering on cosmic horror at times. Can't wait to reread.

hell hath no fury like Vern's unbridled rage.

Rivers Solomon you are in my walls (affectionately). the prose in this book is visceral and borderline fervent, which perfectly fits the content (being vague on purpose because you should go into this knowing very little). every sentence grabs you by the throat. in a nation built on rot and death, these characters breathe a life into what is often thought to be lost. this story beautifully illustrates how insidious oppression is and how grueling the fight is against it. I adore Vern and Gogo together and watching Vern begin the process of healing from seemingly unending trauma. not to mention I love lesbians being pushed to their FUCKING LIMIT!!! alright I'm done screaming. read this book, though make sure you're in the right headspace. heavy content abounds.

Fun read as always! I read these out of order starting with the third on accident so it was nice to see how Perveen's relationship with Colin first developed. It was also nice to have a different setting this time around

hell of a ride all the way through. her descriptions and imagery are absolutely insane. I can feel the grit and grime and gore like I'm immersed in it. and despite how dark the setting is, her characters still manage to make me laugh. I love this book

SECOND READ: the cult like fervor I have for this series is second to none. Tamsyn Muir I am endlessly devoted to your mind.

As always, I love Perveen!

this book got me back into writing, thank you ve schwab 

she's done it again, love her!! (me at lilah bard and ve schwab)

I cannot stress enough how much I love this duology UGH it's so good