This was my second time reading The Faithful Dark, and somehow I loved it even more than the first. I originally picked it up during its indie release, and now, with the upcoming traditional publication, I was thrilled to revisit the story. I can happily say it more than holds up. I devoured it in a single day and had an absolutely fantastic time. Again.

First of all, let me say that the premise of this story is compelling all on its own. Csilla is a healer born without a soul – someone the Church she serves considers worthless. But when a series of murders shakes her city, the very institution that deems her unworthy sends her on a mission: to kill the suspected heretic, since a soulless girl like her can’t risk sin. I believe the blurb alone is enough to spark the interest of many readers.

What stood out to me was how the book weaves together institutional religion – portrayed as a cold, violent, and unyielding machine – with the flawed individuals simply trying to survive within it. Csilla, though cast aside for lacking a soul, remains gentle, kind, and quietly brave. I adored her. I wish we saw more fantasy heroines like her – soft doesn’t mean weak, and this book understands that perfectly.

The other two leads are just as well-drawn. Mihály, the heretic, is a divine-touched man fighting to clear his name. Then there’s Ilan – a disgraced former inquisitor who once upheld the very Church that’s now turned its back on him. All three characters are shaped by their relationship to faith, and that tension drives the book in compelling ways. That said, as much as I loved all the characters, I have to admit – my heart 100% belongs to Ilan. I’m a sucker for grumpy men with religious trauma, and he absolutely delivers (!!!).

As the protagonists’ paths intertwine, what begins as a shared mission evolves into a slow, aching emotional triangle. The romance is extremely slow burn – but it’s so full of yearning and unresolved tension! Cate Baumer writes touch, silence, and eye contact with the intensity of a romantic epic. A simple brush of skin feels like the height of intimacy.

On top of all that, the murder mystery plot is solid and keeps the story moving, while the worldbuilding truly shines. It's simple yet incredibly effective: imagine the Vatican crossed with Victorian London. The result is a gothic atmosphere that’s immersive, haunting, and wholly original.

The Faithful Dark is what I’d call "quiet fantasy": rich in feeling, full of slow-burning tension, layered with religious trauma, and set in a beautifully normalized LGBTQ+ world. The characters are complex, the stakes are both internal and external, and the emotional depth is stunning. If you love yearning, grief, faith, and softness wrapped in gothic shadows, this book is for you.
I’m so happy it’s getting a traditional release. Cate Baumer deserves all the readers.