‘4.5 stars rounded up

I ran to request this title very quickly as I read Idolfire last spring and thoroughly enjoyed it, having so much fun following Aleya and Kirby’s journey. As this title is essentially an independent sequel to Idolfire, my experience reading it quite shaped my expectations for this one. While Heaven’s Graveyard delivered adventures, sapphics, political tension, mythology and even fun, it was even more than I knew to expect. Where I simply enjoyed Idolfire, I felt deeply touched by Heaven’s Graveyard. Maybe I accidentally read it more closely, but in any case, I feel as though Curtis really went above and beyond this time.

Heaven’s Graveyard takes the reader back into the world of Idolfire, except centuries have passed and Aleya has ceased to be simply a myth, Kirby merely a footnote in her story. However, to Cod, Ashan myths and Aleya’s story are close to a lifeline, having guided her to work at a museum while searching for proof of Aleya’s life. When she gets summoned home, suddenly an adventure dealing with her obsession kickstarts…

The way Curtis writes her characters is so immersive, they all felt real to me throughout the story. Cod’s a lovely narrator, yet real and flawed. She doesn’t always make the right judgement about people and can be caught up in her own world, yet she always, always means well. Sparrow, Thal, Marr, Hani and every other side character also get their voice heard, coming onto their own vividly, even if mostly monitored through Cod’s eyes. Additionally, the narrative is so interestingly written with chapters varying in length and style, all while centering Cod and her story. The world is as richly built as in Idolfire, in its similarities and differences, and I could clearly see the streets of Palgaro in my mind.

Overall, this is a great novel—and so unapologetically sapphic, might I add. I cannot wait for it to be officially out and have a copy of it grace my bookshelves.

Thank you, Hodder & Stoughton | Hodderscape and NetGalley, for providing me with this eARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are mine.