To be fully transparent and honest, I was hesitant to start this because I am not religious myself. Actually, it would be more honest to say I am anti-(organized) religion. I feel it's important to explain my starting place and views because they obviously color my experience with this story. The dedication made me pause.

And yet...

This is one of the most beautifully written, achingly evocative books I have ever read. Akwaeke Emezi has been on my to-read list for a while now, and I will absolutely be prioritizing more of their work.

If you're tired of fantasy or paranormal stories where the non-humans feel and act like glorified Humans Plus™️ (humans plus wings, humans plus magic, etc.), this is the story for you. If you want to explore the emotions surrounding betrayal, the ache of belonging, self discovery, and building your own path, this is the story for you. (And if you also have patience and want some of the hottest, intimate scenes I have ever read...)

I am genuinely devastated there is no sequel planned for this book. The ending was excellent, and it's not that it needs one. I just want one so badly, I can feel it deep in marrow. I need more of these characters.

Edited to add: if you have the chance to listen to the audiobook, please do yourself the favor. It was genuinely one of the best I have ever heard. The accents, intonation, and pacing were incredible.

I really wanted to love this, but the writing and world felt underdeveloped and more modern/contemporary with some light fantasy sprinkled on top. I have no idea how magic works, how the gods work, or literally anything other than what comes up as plot necessary. Case in point: [spoiler] the magical/necromancy golem heads? There's little to no other magic though? Does anyone else have magic? If they do, why isn't it used more often to aid in daily tasks? [spoiler]

I do love the concept of a big tall knight man in armor who loves to knit. Cute. I'm not personally a fan of "he's big and tall and she's so smol," but I get a lot of people enjoy that and it's what the FMC craved—to feel safe and protected. Sure.

However, I'm not on board with an unexplained berserk/fugue state that can take over random people at any time, turning them into crazed killing machines, and now they basically have to serve a god to keep this state at bay. And then without this god, what's holding them back? Exactly. I understand that's Stephen's whole arc, but everyone felt waaaay too comfortable with the threat. Like, unconvincingly so. Personally, I don't feel like the threat was ever truly resolved or mitigated enough that I believe he's trustworthy/reliable, which is his whole concern. His characteristics are all protective and chivalry before all else, but if this "black tide" is just inescapable and unforgiving violence, then everything else is nullified. I'm confused how that's not...a problem to anyone?? I also don't care for that being a defining part of his character—something out of his control. It felt like the author was clearly trying to make a connection between this condition and Grace's PTSD/panic attacks... I dunno. No other group of people or similar condition exists in the worldbuilding (thusfar), so it feels very grave and intense but also out of place in the world.

The writing was excellent at sharing the world from the perspective of a perfumer—always thinking in smells as well as a knight—always thinking in catastrophes and how to respond should xyz happen. However... my god was it repetitive. If I had to read about the smell of gingerbread one more time...and it's not even—why did that do something for her? It's literally just a cookie!! Anyway.

As much as I enjoyed many of the social commentary points, they felt heaaaaavy handed. Nothing felt delicate or woven into a fantasy world. It really felt like a philosophy discussion on a Tumblr feed but vaguely fantasy themed. There were multiple instances of modern slang, which was jarring, and even a verbatim "[checks notes]" meme. It just kept taking me out of the story.

I'm not sure if I'll continue the series. If it were about the main couple in this book, I certainly wouldn't. It was... frustrating and difficult to be in Grace's mind. Not that she needs to be different or is unworthy, unlovable, etc., but it does make for a less enjoyable romance read when everything is so negative all. the. time.

The overall plot was also really predictable, although I'm slightly curious [spoiler]what happened to Marguerite and who is responsible for the clay heads. Not sure if that's enough for me to want to continue, though.

Note: This is a back-imported review originally posted on 2/12/25

Heartwarming, funny, and serious when it needs to be. Lovely explorations of emotional growth, how we deal with past trauma, and how to balance ourselves in a world of responsibility, expectations, and abuse. All this layered under a delicious, yearning, and tender romance coupled with healthy depictions of platonic and familial relationships. Oh, and we explore the harms of capitalism/materialism in a rapidly growing world. Seriously, there's so much depth here set in a wintery, festive backdrop, but it never feels too grim.

Oh, and there's men in corsets and eyeliner. I really don't know what else you need.