I adored this book soo so much. It was such a strong and powerful start to a new series.

It has been incredible to witness the shift and growth in Scarlett’s work, and this books is proof of that. I was hooked from the start.

The world building was stunning and the tension between Lilith and Zahariev had me kicking my feet. I adore how Scarlett tackles hard subjects and this is evident with how Lilith is clearly (and rightly so) battling religious trauma yet she doesn’t just write off faith because of it.

I thought my heart would always belong to Hades and Persephone but I think there is now a strong contender for top spot.

I will be rattling the bars of my cage awaiting the next book.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and publishers for the eARC.

4 stars ೃ⁀➷ absolutely DEVOURED this feminist retelling of Lilith's story with fantasy mafia, female rage and the repercussions of religion.

What to expect:
🩸 Fantasy Mafia
🖤 Feminist themes & simmering female rage (yet to peak)
🩸 Romantic + Sexual tension 🌶🌶
🖤 Plenty of mystery
🩸 Religious trauma
🖤 Friends to lovers (...?)

My Thoughts

I ate this up in two days no less. This was an excellent slow paced introduction to Scarlett's new series with good and steady world building and I've been left brewing with so many questions. The dark fantasy vibes were immaculate and the religious lore in this book is greatly detailed and had me hooked. There was so much MYSTERY and it hurts that book 2 is undoubtedly so far away but ya girl needs it now. It was the sort of ending where you turn the page with FULL confidence that there will be more but NOPE then you're left gagged and mouth unhinged.

One of the critiques I might make about the feminist theme in the book is that... the type of work our FMC Lilith engages in and actively wants to engage in isn't really quite feminist. Argue with the wall, it's still catering to the desires of men even if we are manipulating it into something we supposedly control.

My favourite thing about this book was the unknown and the amount of mystery that had been built around certain items etc. I was gripping the book so ferociously with a need for information and it felt like I was just being teased. While not alot actually happened in this book plot-wise (twas quite character driven at the same time), I believe it was a great set up because that ending 🤯🤯🤯

Lilith was an insanely reckless FMC which, at times was actually unlikeable because she made questionable choices, but at other times I loved her. The moments she had with her mother and that one moment with her dad at the gala, I was in fucking AWE of her. My heart also literally pains for her because she has been through so much both in the past AND in this book and it's only book 1 Scarlett LEAVE HER ALONEEEE.

Zahariev (that name is way too long) was a cool MMC. While I got to understand him more as the book went on I don't actually think he had enough personality aside from being the love interest. He was described as the most feared leader yet we didn't really get much of that so I'm hoping we do in the future books. I also feel like how he spoke didn't align with who he was and that his presence didn't feel as big as it should have as a love interest. He has good potential from the moments that have made me swoon and laugh but I need MORE of a presence and just character in general from him.

Lilith and Zahariev's chemistry... I feel like it was totally there but it also feel like we had been dumped into the middle of their story so I didn't really understand why they liked eachother. The word 'hot' was used so much but I need MORE.

Also at the start- are they friends or not? IDK. Also side note- the blurb is kinda wrong about this book? Well not exactly, but what's mentioned in the blurb doesn't happen until WAY on.

The side characters were so good y'all but IDK how a married man was calling Lilith 'baby girl' like DUDE!!!! I loved Coco, Ethser, Gabriel (the bbg guy) and Cassius, they ate. OH!! And Cherub the black kitty (I really hope she isn't just a black kitty).

There was alot of commentary on religion and the toxic culture it can curate, which, as a religious person myself I won't deny because everyone's experiences are unique in their own ways but I believe this book was great representation for people who have unfortunately been victimised by their/a religion. Honestly Lilith's trauma makes me so sad 😭

At times though I wasn't sure if it was Lilith talking or the author so I feel like the both of their voices were blurring together so it did take me out of the book. However this was mainly at the start, and after that I feel like Lilith's beliefs around religion felt alot more better integrated and written.

I can just FEEL Lilith's rage simmering. We got crumbs of it in this book and I am SO ready for more. I feel like that ending just raised all the stakes and introduced a whole new wave of stuff that I'm in awe of. I really, really, am enjoying the fantasy aspect of this book and all the mini elements that are yet to be explained and EEEEKK I just want book 2 like RN.

Now I must wait for book 2. Great! (Have y'all seen the hardcover though, it's stunning)

Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

4 stars

SPRINTED when i saw this was read now!! i’ve loved her previous series and can’t wait to dive in- i’ll be sure to post my review to all retailer sites as well!!