I have truly never read a book quite like this one. It’s meta, irreverent, and at times completely mad. And that’s just the protagonist. 

Davi is sick of dying. She’s been alive in this strange fantasy world for about a thousand years, and then resetting back to zero each and every excruciating death later. But this time it’s going to be different. She’s not going to be the human savior anymore. Nope, this time, she becomes the Dark Lord. Or is going to try really f

uc

king hard. 

As no doubt all the other reviews will tell you, Davi is a very Deadpool-esque MC. Much of her humor is observational—and she’s seen a lot. Unfortunately, because of her self-aware, meta nature, she doesn’t feel particularly relatable. I’m still very invested in seeing where the journey takes her, don’t get me wrong. But I feel divorced from the narrative in a way I don’t usually experience in a first-person story. 

It’s clear Davi is highly intelligent, with pockets of almost encyclopedic knowledge and high-falutin word choices. But these don’t quite mix with the rest of the writing. Davi narrates like she’s orating, sometimes leaving thoughts half-completed. She’s very aware of her audience, but as she’s been constantly killed and reset, it’s easy to take her own word that she’s gone mad. And who could blame anyone for that when they’ve gone through such a hellish existence for so long? Sadly, this still doesn’t give her the depth I want out of my characters. 

What jars me the most about Davi, however, is how hypersexual she is. This isn’t exactly voyeuristic or as overtly male-gaze-y as it could be, but it does seem like there is enough justification for her omnisexual endeavors as there should be. I can easily see it being a way she manages to find time to just exist mindlessly in between deaths, but at times it still feels a tad extreme. Or, rather, it’s just mentioned more frequently than it would be if it was just a part of who she was. 

One of the biggest things you’ll notice with the book is that there are footnotes galore. My ADD brain loved this, with her little monologue asides. It was easy to read them as an e-book, but if they’re not actually at the bottom of each page in the physical copy, they may get annoying quickly. 

All of my issues with Dani’s somewhat inconsistent characterization aside, I am THRILLED to read the next book. Especially after that sudden revelation and abrupt ending. I need answers!!

First of all, I want to say a huge thanks to Pamela Dorman Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review! 

 

The Name by Florence Knapp starts with a choice: what will Cora name her son? Gordon, after her violent, traditional husband? Julian, a name she chose herself but could potentially sway her husband to accept? Or perhaps Bear, the whimsical suggestion of her nine-year-old daughter? The narrative then dives into three different timelines, all trying to answer the question: does your name really dictate who you are? 

 

I was immediately enthralled by this book. Right from the start, the writing was thoughtful, lyrical, almost poetic. This is especially welcome as we quickly learn the reality of Cora’s life: that she has to register her new son’s name, and that single choice could have catastrophic consequences for her or her children. In naming her son Bear, it is an act of defiance. Naming him Julian is an act of surrender, an attempt to placate a man who despises the very possibility of his wife’s independence. But naming the new baby Gordon, after his father, is in itself an act of violence: towards the child, towards her husband, towards Cora herself. She seems to condemn her relationship with her newborn to one of resentment, to stay safe in an unsafe marriage. But it is also an act of survival—a theme that remains prevalent throughout the rest of the book. How do you survive in the wake of learned, and potentially inherited, trauma? 

 

The concept that naming someone essentially solidifies their personhood, and possibly their personality, rings so true, even if it’s not something we think about regularly. I love the exploration of how patronymic tradition, for example, can lay burdens on a child that they shouldn’t have to experience before they have a semblance of true cognition. Cora’s awareness of the nuance in her surroundings is so perfectly articulated. It’s heart-wrenching, knowing that her attention to detail stems from living on the edge with her violent husband. But it feels like an accurate portrayal of what it must be like to live in such a tenuous, volatile space. Seeing how Maia copes, even at a young age, to avoid her father’s anger is terrifying. Even though I haven’t experienced such a situation myself, it was difficult at times to read through Cora, Maia and the son’s experiences because it felt so visceral. 

 

Despite the difficult subject matter, I truly loved reading this book. It’s a departure from my usual fantasy repertoire, and I’m so glad that I took it. Overall, it is a beautiful yet disquieting character study, with flowing prose that deftly navigates the reality of those living in a violent domestic environment, and how our choices can prove to define not just ourselves, but those around us.

I’m not quite sure what to say, other than I absolutely loved this book and cannot wait for the second to come out.
Though I had a few false starts with this book (largely because I kept starting other ones), once I got going, I kept going. I’m pretty good at speeding through a book, but the two nights I spent reading this felt like a curtain was drawn back and I was witnessing a fully fleshed out other world. Though Kenna did disregard what I have learned is the primary rule in romantasy (

if the MMC doesn’t have dark hair, keep going, because he’s not it

)—though that’s not exactly her fault—her journey to survive felt visceral. 
The characters were vivid and interesting, but there was enough mystery that I still want more after finishing it. The world building was subtle and not overly explained, but the descriptions were such that I could still feel myself in the spaces, especially throughout scenes in Earth House. 
The court intrigue (and tyrannical horrors) were excellently done, showing how different people can react to abuse of power, whether that be to confront, conform, or remain insular to protect themselves. The exploration of classicism may not be overt, but it still wends its way throughout and sort of nudges the reader to recognize that there's a lot more work to be done. 
I love the magic system here. The lore, I’m sure, is only going to expand to new territories in the new book (I can hope!), and though the power twist at the end was a bit predictable, the payoff was deliciously worth it. 
Also, the cover is completely stunning. I can’t get over it, as it's what initially made me notice the book, and I'm so incredibly glad it did.
So excited for what’s to come next! Now excuse me as I dip out to buy myself a physical copy...
🌶️🌶️🌶️

Now that I'm finally at the end of the series, I can say that it's one of the most nuanced tales of self-acceptance and unlearning past traumas that I've ever read. Yes, it's in a romantic fantasy setting, and the darkness of the experiences touched upon are dark (and difficult to get through at times), but it all still rings true, and the characters really seem to find their respective peace by acknowledging the raw pain they've been dealt and accepting that they never deserved it, allowing them to move forward. 
This book by far has the bulk of the action in the entire series, which feels like one grand epic (or two trilogies). So there's a lot to take in, and a lot to contemplate. I love how Raven Kennedy has laid the foundation of Auren's transformation to ripple out and effectively allow others to confront and overcome/accept their own trauma. Seeing the character arcs, even of those we meet in the first book and thoroughly loathe (

Malina, I'm looking at you (and crying because you finally were the queen your people needed, that your parents raised you to be

) conclude is bittersweet. But it's a testament to Kennedy's writing that we as an audience can make that journey with those characters. I know there's still so much in the worlds we never get to (especially Lu. I so desperately wish we knew more about her story), and I'd love to hear more about what happens to Orea and Annwyn in the future, but I'm still content with the story we were gifted. 

P.S.

Os and Rissa forever

. Also

Malina and Dimmik

. They're both the best couples and I can't differentiate between which of them I love more. Though the latter definitely has the best love story. I will die on this hill.
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Will get back to. Book six now. 
Cliffhanger illegal. 

I’ll post a better review later, but right now all I can say is THAT CLIFFHANGER IS ILLEGAL

Ohmygod I can’t get enough of this series. Twists I did NOT see coming. Backstory and history for characters I hate that explain so much, but still don’t justify their cruelty. Raven Kennedy just peels back layer after layer of this world and I am ALL. IN. 
Getting the POV of Slade is incredible. Seeing Auren face even more of her past trauma—and experience horrific revelations about how her life has come to its current state—is excruciating. I know there’s so much more coming in the next few books. 
I’d honestly say THIS feels like the place to end the first part of the story. Like, the first three books feel like a good first part of the (epic) whole, either each book being a section. I can understand it would feel like an investment and an inconvenience to commit yourself to two books to really get into the story, but Gleam is definitely where things truly get going. 
So excited for the ride. 

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

It almost feels unfair to review this series book by book. It’s far more like each book is a chapter in a greater epic, and in Glint, we’re still  just getting started. 
We get a lot of lore, slowly. More questions than answers. The book is primarily about Auren’s mental journey to unravel the trauma she’s experienced and why her “safety” is anything but. Despite finding her extremely naive at the beginning of Gild, it’s clear she isn’t—and watching her slowly realise just how manipulated she’s been feels extremely cathartic. 
Now I need to start Gleam, because it really just feels like I need to get to part three. I can’t imagine the cliffhangers for the next few books. I bet they’re going to wreck me. I predicted (though with doubts) the twist to this one at the end, but I have so many questions that need answering!! 

As much as I want to take away a quarter star for this typo alone (

”the dye is cast”

😭), I won’t. 
Because the story is enthralling. The characters’ trauma feels real, their  interactions natural, and I cannot wait to learn more about them and this world. 
Also, Kingfisher is #1 book boyfriend now. Anyone who calls me

most sacred

would certainly have me turning into a puddle IRL, so…
🌶️🌶️🌶️

Pros:
Short, and incredibly sweet. Wonderful little story, with a determined and sassy protagonist. Beautiful, evocative illustrations. Plus tips on how to make delicious biryani at the end.

Cons: 
I am now desperate for Indian food.