Ok, Gibson has absolutely become an auto-read author for me. After loving both A Dowry of Blood and An Education in Malice, I am down for whatever she publishes. So, I honestly didn’t even know what this was about when I first picked it up. Though let me just say, first impressions – tarot cards as chapter art and a sewn in ribbon bookmark – were *deeply* promising. 

 

David Aristarkhov is heir to a powerful (financially, influentially, magically) family legacy. He’s been a psychic prodigy since his youth, which has helped him make his own reputation, but also caused his cold father to use his skills from an early age, with no care for David’s own wellness. Rhys is finally feeling on solid footing in his life, working on improving his relationship with his wife, Moira, focusing on his own magic-based career goals, and leaving his personal history with David in the past, where it belongs. But when an ancient devil comes to collect on an old family debt, David has no one to turn to for help, except Rhys and Moira. Despite their better judgement, the two are convinced to get involved. And over time, the three start to develop relationships separately and together that grow into something deeper and more meaningful than they’d ever expected. 

 

Oh. My. Goodness. This book has everything I love: the mystical accoutrements of the occult (spirits, astrology, tarot, seances), a supernatural mystery related to possession by a devil/demon, simmering three-way tension (that knowing the author will turn into a full-blown poly situation), a complex history of connection/relationships, low key secret societies, great dialogue. I mean, a book could not be more tailored to me as a reader. And I loved every single moment of it.   

 

The writing was easy, smooth and compelling. As I said, the dialogue was fast and smart, which is a huge winning aspect for me. The plot was interesting and well-paced. I am always a fan of deals-with-the-devil. The creativity in said deals the ways that both sides can always find a loophole, I just find it so fascinating and fun (that’s why I ended up so invested in Addie LaRue too). And, I thought the drama and excitement of mystery-solving and magical world-building was balanced so well with character development and relationship-building. 

 

Speaking of the relationships…the evolution of this poly relationship is everything. Gibson is the queen of communicating the complex and layered emotions from all three parties with nuance and gorgeous genuineness. Each possible iteration of the three gets equal care and page time and depth. I loved the way they played off and with each other, helping each other grow and evolve and be more, together and individually. It’s everything I love about the potential of expansive poly love and Gibson does it better than any other I’ve read yet. 

 

Look, I just loved these characters and this story and just, this whole book. It was everything I wanted out of a paranormal magic, poly romance, curse-breaking story. And on top of it all, the book smelled so good. I am freaking hype that this will be a series and so ready for more, as soon as possible, OMG please! 

 

“Lots of people are afraid of being alone with themselves [...] They're afraid of what they might find out about themselves, or they're terrified that the world will stop turning if they step away from the day's to-do list.” 

 

“When you love somebody, you only want what's real. Even if it's less pretty than that first date sparkle.” 

 

“A life lived in close proximity to death was a complicated one, but that didn't mean it was wicked or wrong.” 

 

“Rhys had felt a strange mix of anguish and longing, watching them wing their way around the ballroom like celestial bodies. Not jealousy, exactly. Something softer and more treacherous.” (this, this feeling - Gibson nails it) 

 

“So, this was what real friendship was: an immovable object staring you down saying they weren't going anywhere, thank you very much.” 

 

“I’d say that’s where magic comes from, our ability to taste extremes and choose for ourselves what serves us best. Most people, when left to make their own choices without being shamed for it, choose a sustainable middle ground between ecstasy and asceticism.”