Never occurred to me that I would bawl my eyes out for an octopus

So, @Fantasy suggested this book to me, and I was drawn in the second I saw that cover (and because she nails every rec, and I'd trust her with my reading picks forever 🫶). It just sets such an atmosphere of mystery, like you're walking into a dirty corner of history where secrets are just hanging around. After the first few pages, I was caught up in this ancient kingdom just struggling to survive hard days, with an atmosphere that is just full of stories untold and the smell of wet earth after rain.

The supernatural elements crept in quietly, sweetly, surprising me at how subtle they were. No big flashes or overdone tricks, just a subtle presence that adds depth without taking over. It fits so well with the world, and makes everything feel more real and layered.

I loved the way the characters speak to each other. Their banter is full of acid wit and sarcasm, the kind that made me even laugh out loud over some dry one-liners. They come across as genuine friends you would wish to be around, enjoying cosy moments or braving storms side by side. 😊

It gets more and more suspenseful with loads of twists, every one piling on top of the previous one like bricks in a wall. It had me reading in fits, curious as to how it all fit, and when the pieces finally started falling into place, I had a huge sense of satisfaction, as if the writer had earned every twist. 🤯

What was most striking were the motifs of bereavement and how individuals move forward after tragedy, which demonstrated the silent resilience necessary to recover from lives broken through adversity. There's also a powerful undercurrent about devotion and the things that keep us connected, even when the past attempts to tear them asunder, alongside concepts around justice and how it is perceived in a world fallen apart. These scenes added some actual heart to the book. Amaaaazing read overall, easy five stars from me! 📖✨