I fear that I did not finish this book, as this book finished me.
An absolutely harrowing, tragic story of war, love, and trauma unlike anything else I've read. It hardly felt like it was as long as it was because I literally could not put it down, the prose was so beautiful. I haven't binged a book like this (1031 pages in 4 days) in a minute. The world building and the magic system had me completely hooked with its intricacies and how much research had clearly been put into it. The way the emotions were written was so vivid and unflinching I viscerally felt every single one along with Helena and Kaine. This is how you write an absolutely heart wrenching romance, the slow burn was phenomenal. Helena and Kaine's story was filled was so much tragedy and trauma, but the way they came together despite it all was beautiful. I was surprisingly satisfied by the ending. This world was dark, demanding, and unforgiving but somehow they found their way and chose themselves. This will live rent free in my head for eternity.

Tropes + Themes:
⚔️ Enemies to Lovers
❤️‍🔥 Slow Burn
🪢 Forced Proximity
🩶 Morally Grey
💀 Touch Her and Die
🫂 Found Family
🩹 Hurt/Care
🖤 Dark Romance
🤰 Forced Pregnancy
💭 Memory Loss
🧪 Scientist/Healer MC
✨️ Magical Powers
🗡 War/Battle
🌶 Mild Spice
💡 Trauma, Classism, Power, Control, Ethics, Love, Identity