Review
Thank you to Del Rey/PRH for an arc of this book!
Things this book has that I absolutely adored:
-sapphic
-gothic vibes
-dark academia
-horror vibes
I love Saft as a writer, and honestly, I know her other books are YA, but they always read mature to me. In writing style and plot — and this new adult debut is just as stunning as her YA books. This one is definitely darker than the previous books she’s written, but the gothic and horror vibes are immaculate.
The pacing of the entire book was amazing, I was sucked in and at no point did I know where the book was going.
I know it’s fantasy and touted as such, but really, this book was a fantasy murder mystery on a quest. I loved it. It was such a unique take on concepts that I love in different forms.
So sort of The Secret History but fantasy? I don’t know how else to explain it other than: amazing.
Stunning writing, beautiful atmosphere, prose, everything culminates in an amazing book. People always complain that there aren’t enough sapphic books — DO NOT SLEEP ON THIS.
I will mention it does touch on some potentially triggering subjects, especially if you know the history of anti-Semitic rhetoric. I would say it is similar to how Ava Reid did it in The Wolf and the Woodsman. It isn’t overt, but you DEFINITELY know what it is supposed to represent.
Anyways, highest of recommendations for this book, please go read it when it comes out!