I know I'd rather call out the danger than wait for it to appear. If Damson showed me anything, it's that the worst hurt doesn't always come with open violence. Instead, there is tenderness before you're devoured. And I'd rather summon Therion, and face him once and for all, than be haunted in this way

It is no surprise to those who know me that I am a Lyndall Clipstone fan. Lakesedge utterly enchanted me, and ever since then I have loved her works.
Tenderly I Am Devoured is a story about a girl with big dreams in academia (particularly the arts) who after being dismissed from university goes home and finds that her family is almost destitute. To save her brothers she makes a betrothal pack with the god that oversees her family's salt mines. Yet even that goes wrong and Lark (and her friends Camille and Alastair) finds their world turned upside down as they try to repair the wrongs, and keep Lark within their world.
Tenderly, I Am Devoured has been pitched as Saltburn meets The Secret History and For the Wolf, but I would say that it also fits for fans of A Study in Drowning. There are clear elements from the movie Saltburn, such as an academic student being shunned from higher society, finding attraction with multiple people from the same family (aka Venetia and Felix).
Tenderly, I Am Devoured deviates a little from Clipstone's usual work - with it being a world which fantasy is a major part of it - yet in its fantastical elements we still have gods. While this is labelled as a fantasy book, I do have to say it is quite light fantasy, and in fact I would even say it is more magical realism. The world of Verse is similar to our own and the magic of the gods is known about in lore and paintings, and the gods are worshiped, but their magic is limited for a few people to see.
As always, Lyndall's writing is descriptive whether it's scenery or how a character is feeling. It is purple prose, but I have always liked her flavour of purple prose. So be warned going in!
Within in the book, there are two kind of chapters; THEN and NOW. As you can imagine THEN chapters show us the past, while NOW well, shows us the now. They are interspersed, and I couldn't help but want to get to the next THEN chapter to learn more about Lark and what could have possibly happened for her to be expelled.
My review will continue below, but now with spoilers, so please read ahead with care!
---

And now, with this elegant, alluring girl beside her, Lark was afraid that Damson would think her foolish, so obviously out of her depth in this sophisticated place

The THEN chapters focus more heavily on the academic aspect of Lark's character. Her university life and her love for the particular painter Ottavio Caedmon. We also do get to see her relationship with Damson, how it evolves - and devolves. It is a toxic relationship, one of control over Lark. One thing to note, is that Lark's character isn't snarky or overly brave, or just a bold character. She is a quiet storm, one that will fight for her close friends and family, but otherwise will not look out for herself. Lark sacrifices herself again and again, which makes sense, as she is a being that was literally created to be sacrificed as Theiron's bride later one. Some readers may find her character annoying or just challenging to read because of this, but it is so refreshing for me. I love the way Lyndall writes her characters, they are anxious girls who try to take on the world and it is just so relatable.

he has pierced me like a needle, and I can only stand here as my knees turn weak and my pulse softens in the hollow of my throat

Therion, the god of the untamed sea and the salt mines, really ties this piece of work to Clipstone's other pieces. They all feature something dark and magical about them, usually to do with a beautiful god. His characterisation is interesting, it is what you expect from a god, yet, he knows that he needs mortals as much as they need him. In this world, it seems the aspect of worship is dwindling. The world is evolving, using electricity and other means to really run how an ordinary life goes, there isn't much need for a god. Even reading through it, you have a feeling that perhaps the God is simply a figment of Lark's imagination for a little bit. He is immortalised in paintings and poems, yet there isn't much about how Therion has interacted with mortals. Even when her brothers' contact him it's really only Lark who effected by this. The ending may also seem strange to some people, yet if we take into the account that gods are weakening because of a lack of worship, it makes sense for him to becomes one with Alastair to save his strength.

He looks so darkly aristocratic, like a fallen prince, too golden and beautiful to be real. Like he should be wearing a laurel-leaf crown and stamped in profile on an ancient coin

Alastair is our classic Clipstone love interest, he is moody and a bit distant but of course head over heels for Lark (or the FMC). His own history is tortured and impacts his relationship with Lark in the beginning. His father is abusive to him, doing unspeakable "punishments" and berating him for befriending someone below his station. He is also to take over the family's business, and his father's abuse he is coerced into thinking that is the way of life. Through this his actions hurt Lark, which he know it does. One thing about Alastair is he does apologise later for what he has done to her and her family, and the sacrifice Lark makes in order to keep her family afloat, but there is no real change in Alastair in the real world. He doesn't really stand up to his father - his sister does but only after loosing almost everything - but he repents in the way of offering himself as a vessel for Therion. Again, some readers may find this annoying, yet it is realistic. It is hard to stand up to your abuser, let alone your own parent. But it easier to sacrifice yourself as an apology, that as someone who is and has been abused, it is easy to see yourself as an object to trade away rather than your own person.

A dark strand crosses her cheek, striping her smile. Framed by ocean and sky and darkness, she's lucent as the moon

Camille is the third to our triangle in this book. Her relationship and character feels a little less developed than the others, but she is the mysterious older sister who has been sent away for school. Out of the cast she does feel the most realistic, her wants simple, and her actions are like that of anyone who is faced with the supernatural and is trying to keep things calm and help. I do wish we got more on Camille as she was my favorite love interest.

Brave and enduring, a girl who will go fearlessly into the world, who is strong enough to bear all the hurts that come through living

Lark, our main character, is an academic at heart, who loves the legends she grows up with and wants loving relationships with all. She has a soft heart, which leads her to betrayal between many characters. Yet, that heart is one that powers her, that shows her strengths. I've mentioned this before, but I do love how Clipstone writes her FMCs, that they aren't strong in a conventional way, but strong of heart. They are compassionate and will always look to find a way to save everyone. And as we further learn that Lark is born of the sea and a bargain between her brother's and Therion it makes sense as to why she is so sheltered. That she navigates the world a little differently from everyone else - especially when she goes to college.

The sea is an earnest threat, and that made me feel safe, even amid the violence of a riptide

Tenderly, I Am Devoured is a fantastic book, focused on more characterization than overall plot. Clipstone's writing shines through the book, and even though it is different from her other more fantasy based books, it shines just as bright. I cannot wait for everyone to read this book