Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher but then bought my own copy. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Author: Garth Nix
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3/5
Publication Date: October 1, 2019
Recommended Age: 17+ (death, mutations, plague, violence, gore)
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Synopsis: More than a century has passed since Liliath crept into the empty sarcophagus of Saint Marguerite, fleeing the Fall of Ystara. But she emerges from her magical sleep still beautiful, looking no more than nineteen, and once again renews her single-minded quest to be united with her lover, Palleniel, the archangel of Ystara.
A seemingly impossible quest, but Liliath is one of the greatest practitioners of angelic magic to have ever lived, summoning angels and forcing them to do her bidding.
Liliath knew that most of the inhabitants of Ystara died from the Ash Blood plague or were transformed into beastlings, and she herself led the survivors who fled into neighboring Sarance. Now she learns that angels shun the Ystaran’s descendants. If they are touched by angelic magic, their blood will turn to ash. They are known as Refusers, and can only live the most lowly lives.
But Liliath cares nothing for the descendants of her people, save how they can serve her. It is four young Sarancians who hold her interest: Simeon, a studious doctor-in-training; Henri, a dedicated fortune hunter; Agnez, an adventurous musketeer cadet; and Dorotea, an icon-maker and scholar of angelic magic. They are the key to her quest.
The four feel a strange kinship from the moment they meet, but do not know why, or suspect their importance. All become pawns in Liliath’s grand scheme to fulfill her destiny and be united with the love of her life. No matter the cost to everyone else. . .
Review: For the most part I think this book is really interesting. It’s definitely a different narrative than what you might read or expect from Garth Nix and it’s highly imaginative. I think a lot of high fantasy lovers will like this book.
However, I felt like the book was really weirdly wrote. The book just jumps out of the hate without explanation and it’s really hard for the reader to connect with the book and characters if you don’t know what’s going on. I also felt Lilith was an unlikable character and it made me not connect with her.
Verdict: It wasn’t the book for me but it might be for you!
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