Desulti by Ross Hightower and Deb Heim follows the story of Tove, an Alle'oss (the lowest caste) woman. The Desulti is an organisation of women who fled sexism, misogyny, and domestic abuse in their homes and villages to find safety and opportunity among other women. While the differences in gender disappear with the Desulti, the differences in class remain, placing women in a hierarchy that allows them to mistreat others, particularly the Alle'oss.

When Tove joins the Desulti, she is disappointed that class differences continue to inform Desulti hierarchies despite their promises for equality. Throughout this book, more people join Tove's cause and challenge the classist ordering of the Desulti. We follow the perspectives of different characters as they come to terms with their own classist beliefs, which shows the complexities of people and the possibilities for systemic change.

I really enjoyed seeing these different perspectives and how they intertwined to lead to the conclusion. I also loved the queer representation. Many of the women who fled to the Desulti found solace, support, and love with other women, which gave more nuance to the characters themselves.

Despite this, I found that many of the characters were underdeveloped and lacking personalities. Lyssa had the strongest, clearest personality, of course, but the other characters kind of blended together. I'm still confused by Gwynna's treatment of Tove after the initiation ceremony. Perhaps their unique personalities emerge more in the series.

This book has many typos and grammatical errors that would have really been fixed with good proofreading. It also has awkward chapter titles that spoiled the story. It would have been better without any titles, just "Chapter 7."

Nonetheless, I found myself captivated by the story and wanting to read the rest of the series to see where it goes. Such an interesting plot.

Thank you to Black Rose Writing for this ARC!

3.25 stars

Desulti picks up where Argren Blue leaves off but focuses on Tove's story. Leaving with Brie to join the Desulti. Though Brie warns her they will be unaccepting, and finds they really aren't. Though with her presence, it seems a few people have some plans for her.

I loved the continued world and lore building, Tove and her character development, the story as a whole is inspiring, and very compelling. I enjoy this series very much and can't wait to see what's going to happen as it continues.

(I received this as a arc)

3.5 ✰

It was a pretty enjoyable and smooth read, one that goes by quickly while offering an accessible and well-explained universe.

What I particularly liked was the concept of the Desulti: an organization made up entirely of women. The fact that it's corrupt, with plots and power struggles raging within it, added even more energy to the story and completely drew me in!

I also really liked the character of Tove. Her development is very well done. At the beginning, she's full of fear and constant doubt, but gradually gains confidence as her journey unfolds.

All in all, a good read that really surprised me in a nice way.


──── ୨♡୧ ────
•secret order
•empowerment
•rebellion
•political intrigue


જ⁀➴ Thank you to the author, NetGalley for this eARC <33

Review of “Desulti” by Ross Hightower and Deb Heim (ebook)

This is a fantastic book and, for anyone who loves fantasy or any excellent storytelling, not to be missed!

This is an amazing book, replete with everything I look for in a fantasy story! I give it my highest possible recommendation!

The focal character is Tove, a Alle’oss (from a very low caste people) woman. Having experienced a very traumatic background and then having been “adopted” and cared for by the Oss’stera, a small rebel group against the Empire (a highly abusive and misogynistic empire), she is given the possibility of applying for sanctuary to the Desulti (also called The Order,) a remote female-led community. There she hopes to find permanent acceptance and a new home with the longer term aspiration of becoming Murtair. The Murtair are the elite “fixers” of the Desulti. While the Desulti usually only accept women from the Volloch (highest rank) caste, Tove is supported in her application for sanctuary by Brie, a Desulti who is also Murtair. What Tove doesn’t know is that Brie and Nessa, a member of the Desulti’s Inner Council, have ulterior motives for recommending Tove for acceptance by the Desulti.

This engaging story evolves from this point forward and I will not divulge any further details because I want readers (or listeners for those who prefer audio to text) to have the extreme pleasure of experiencing this tale for themselves. I do want to emphasize that the world building in this book is complex and immersive and checks every box for what I look for in a fantasy world! The characters are engaging, sympathetic, and interesting and each is a distinctive personality.

I wish to point out that I read this book during Pride Month, which I found to be very appropriate because this title represents loving, mutually respectful and supportive same-sex relationships throughout and I greatly appreciated this aspect of the title (in addition to the many other wonderful features that I have mentioned). However, this is a book that will have wide appeal and accessibility as most of the topics that arise in the book are universal.

Overall, this is an amazing book which should appeal not only to fans of fantasy, but also to anyone who enjoys a really well written story! This was my first experience with a book by the authors and now I look forward to reading many more works by them.

Review by Sue Ratner

4.5 stars

I was super excited to visit Vollen to meet Tove, an Alle'oss who bears her people's cruel oppression engraved into her own skin. This incredible journey was made possible thanks to Ross Hightower and Deb Heim's Desulti. Rescued by Brie, a fierce Desulti Murtair, Tove is confronted with an extraordinary chance: the possibility to enter the mysterious Desulti order, a refuge considered a sanctuary for women seeking protection. Under the safety of these walls, she has to navigate a treacherous labyrinth of lies in order to protect not only the Alle'oss rebellion but her own life.

This epic fantasy is filled with complex world-building and strong heroines, and the authors have crafted a society so vivid that one can practically taste the dust of its dark alleys and feel the luxury of each room. The pacing is absolutely thrilling, with tension balanced against intermittent reflection. The multiple viewpoints, from Brie to Lyssa or Nessa, enrich the narrative, painting a world of stark class divides and political machinations. Each character feels distinct, their relationships vivid and emotionally charged.

Tove is a very strong protagonist with a great arc. She is by far the standout feature of this book. Her incredible resilience, forged through the toughest of challenges, yet tempered by the brightest of hopes, infuses the story with heart and spirit. Her sharp instincts remind me of Brandon Sanderson's Vin in Mistborn: The Final Empire, even though Tove's path feels more personal.

I was captivated by the scenes at the tavern, where Tove's interactions with other Desulti women ignite moments of pure joy and liberation. These scenes are so vividly described, they carried me into a world beyond typical fantasy. The tale of female resilience is a powerful one, and one that will resonate deeply with anyone who reads it. It's a breath of fresh air compared to something like The Name of the Wind, where character growth is either forced or non-existent.

If I were to offer the novel any slight criticism, I might say that occasionally the intricate game within a game gets a little confusing, and I sometimes longed for a touch more clarity. Yet this did not impact on my reading experience at all. The vibrant and compelling prose carried the story along effortlessly.

I wholeheartedly suggest that any fantasy reader who love sprawling, immersive worlds and strong, flawed heroines get a copy of Desulti. If you liked the well-thought-out background to The Poppy War or the vivid characters of Mistborn: The Final Empire, I am sure this book will be to your taste. It has such warmth, and after you read it, it will leave you wondering when you can return to Tove's world next.