Thank you Bloomsbury Publishing for sending me a copy of this book. 

This was one of my most anticipated reads of 2022, and it did not disappoint. Even with this book taking place a few years after the events of the Cursebreakers series, it’s like we picked up right where we left off. Seeing the characters grow, and their current journey made me extremely happy. 

Small disclaimer, you did need to have read the Cursebreakers series before reading this novel. They are heavily connected, talking about events and people from the main trilogy. You will spoil yourself for that book, and the events aren’t in the trilogy aren’t fully recapped. 

Our main group here is Tycho, Callyn and Jax. But we do get to see many familiar faces from the original trilogy almost immediately. The tension in this book was amazing. Kemmerer writes “political”fantasy very well, giving the perspective of both sides from each party. This book excelled in showing us what it was like for all the civilians during the events of the main trilogy, and how they feel after the fact. It wasn’t a secret, but the main focus, since one our main perspectives come from someone who was living through it. 

The romance was unexpected at first, but once I clued in, I was hooked. Once again, the romance isn’t the main focus of the novel, but it’s not hidden away in the background either. Both the main fantasy plot and the romance plot work well together and made me extremely invested. 

If you loved the Cursebreakers series, you will love this book. I know many were disappointed with A Vow So Bold and Deadly, but to me, this really made up for that. 

Read This If You Like: 

-“Political” Fantasy 

-LGBTQ+ Relationships 

-Found Family Trope

-Friends to Enemies Trope

-Enemies to Friends Trope