Ch 16:
After that, entirely by accident, they ended up in a library.
The Citadel was a study in opulence, dripping excess in every corner, but this was the room that really made Lore‘s jaw drop. The library had three levels, all of them visible from the bottom floor—balconies ringed the walls, accessible by small, polished-wood staircases set into the shelves. All three levels were filled to bursting with books, ⬇️
Ch 5:
Gabriel snorted. “The peerage likes to do just enough to think they‘re helping without inconveniencing themselves. What‘s in fashion moves fast, and it‘s easier to donate clothes you wouldn‘t be caught dead in after a season than it is to keep them in storage.”
Her brow arched. There was a low poison in Gabriel‘s voice, made more potent by the way he tried to hide it. “You seem to know the court well.”
⬇️
ISBN: 9780316435192
The first couple of (establishing) chapters are slow to take off but then (I'm up to chapter 9) it gets addictive.
Lore can feel death but can also use its power but, as a necromancer, could be put to death if she's discovered. She acts as a spy for poison-runners; people in the Auverraini capital of Dellaire use poison to get to just the edge of death for the power of extending their lives - but it comes at a price.
pickI really enjoyed the world of this book, the dead and missing gods and the way the magic worked—primarily, controlling (or at least trying to control) the essence of death. I felt at a remove from the POV character much of the time, since it was clear she was hiding information about her own past, even from the reader, but that didn‘t annoy me too much since she was also trying to keep it from herself. I loved the twisty plot.
so-soI liked this book. The magic system and necromancy were something I've never read about before!
There is a minor love triangle, I don't love those, but it was not a huge part of the story. I really liked Lore and Bastien, Gabe was a bit annoying.
There were so many twists that I wasn't sure who was going to end up being the villain. It did end up being a couple of my guesses.
I am very intrigued by this story, and I can't wait to start book two.
pickThis was fantastic! The world building, magic system, atmosphere, and characters were all spot on for me. Hannah Whitten has certainly become a favourite, and I can't wait to pick up the next one.
pickMy initial reaction was "wait, is this a fantasy novel about drug dealers," but by 80% I was actually really enjoying myself. This is a fun world to spend 500 or so pages in and I will def return for the sequel.
so-soUgh! Here‘s the deal… did I kind of hate the ending? Yes. But did I preorder book 2? Also a resounding yes.
I am obsessed with the world building and it definitely had twists I didn‘t see coming. If you love political world building then this is absolutely a book for you. If there was one more element to it, it would be a massive pick. Hopefully I get it in the next book.
I don‘t think I‘ve seen a more beautiful map in a book. 💜
pick4 ⭐Lore grew up on the catacombs under the city. A catacomb inhabited by a cult. Now she runs poisons to keep a roof over her head and food in her belly. But Lore has a special ability. She can channel Mortem…Death Magic. But after an accident brings her powers to light of others she is taken by the Presque Mort to help figure out what is killing the villagers of outlying cities.
so-soUnsure if this is an unpopular opinion, but loved parts of this and others left me wanting https://youtu.be/GdWMoTXiFOw
A rainy reading weekend will appear when you most need it.
pickI read this in one sitting because I was intrigued by the magic system and it didn't require much heavy lifting in the focus department. I found the main characters likeable despite their faults and the love triangle didn't really annoy me as much as it could have.
bailedDNF‘d at 50%
This had a strong start and some interesting world building, but then it became a very predictable love triangle situation and got very boring. Another book that could use some editing down. Though an adult release, this feels very YA/New Adult.
I set this down a couple of weeks ago when I got caught up reading a bunch of new releases - so I am very eager to start it back up again! 📚
pick4/5
The gods of Dellaire are dead and their bodies leak magic into the world. Lore can manipulate Mortem the death magic left by Nyxara, but eventually her gifts take her from the streets of Dellaire into the court itself.
I always enjoy fantasy that has an interesting religious system, especially one that involves magic, and I loved the mysteries presented by this book.
pickI have a new favorite author to add to my fantasy author must-read list! This book is (first in a series...so YAY) and the world-building and characters sucked me in! I couldn't sleep last night so I decided to start a new book. Yeah, had to force myself to put it down and I was up early to dig right back in. Lore is an amazing character! #bookspin @TheAromaofBooks
I absolutely did NOT mean to start another book when I'm already reading quite a few...but I read the first couple of chapters of this and now I'm hooked! Chaplin approves! 😹💕📚 #catsoflitsy #chaplin
I couldn't resist getting Hannah Whitten's new book! 🥰📚💕 I really love her pre ious books, so I have high hopes for this one! Jazz is pretty excited too! 😻 #catsoflitsy #littenkitten #jupiterjazz
pickI‘ve seen mixed reviews of this one but honestly, once it really got going I found it hard to put down. A little angsty, but not TOO angsty, an interesting world with an intriguing magic system, recognizable but nonetheless entertaining characters & the promise of more. Marketed as adult, it often read as YA which I didn‘t really have a problem with. I do hope the narrow focus of this book expands in the second giving us a wider view of the world.
Overcast, grey, windy day with the promise/threat/tease of precipitation of one sort or another (I vote for snow, not rain) once again has put me in the mood for a fantasy…with a cup of hot tea. So I‘m going to start one of this week‘s new releases. It‘s off to a promising start.
THE FOXGLOVE KING | 
“There‘s got to be buckets of gold in here,” Lore breathed. “Do you know how expensive books are?”
“I do.” A scowl darkened Gabe‘s face. “All that money, and hardly anyone here reads.”
“No one, really? What a waste.” 5h
Anton‘s bright eyes tracked to Lore and the Night Priestess. “I‘m still owed a village,” he said, almost irritated, as if he didn‘t have a knife to his throat. 5h