Okay, two things right off the bat: first, this is book two in the Deal with the Devil duology, and it cannot be read as a standalone; and second there are a lot of triggers here, which Masters lists at the beginning of the book. Please make sure to check them before diving in. 

 

If you haven’t read When Flowers Wilt stop reading now, because while I’m not planning to spoil this book, I am going to spoil that one. Okay? Okay. So. We start off right where the first book left off. Vivian is held captive by Phanes as he breaks her physically and mentally, and she has given up hope. Venus is gravely injured, unable to think of anything but rescuing Vivian. This part is hard to read, particularly Vivian’s experience, but what follows is a master class on trauma, its aftereffects, and loving someone through it. 

 

One of the benefits of a series is that characters are generally established in the first installment, so the next can take those characters and run with them. We get deeper into their thoughts and feelings, build on relationships, and, when done well, fall even more in love with them. This is done well. When Death Blooms is an incredible story, and I can’t wait to read more from G.E. Masters. 

 

I received a free ARC from the author, but my review is unbiased and left voluntarily.