Before picking this one up, readers are strongly encouraged to read the previous installment Fate Worse than Death as this story begins where that one left off. The snarky necromancer Octavia once again finds herself having to make difficult choices for those closest to her. This time around, a voodoo wrench gets thrown into the mix and Octavia navigates the world of werewolf politics. Octavia is tested throughout this story when it comes to protecting her family and Reid. Never one to give up, and with her porky sidekick, she faces these challenges head-on, but at what cost?
After finishing this book, I can confidently say that Ms. Rourke is one of the riskiest authors I have ever read. She knows what her readers love and while she will do everything she can to nourish that and keep her readers wanting more, she also isn't afraid to stretch those boundaries to create situations where her readers are just completely gob-smacked and need some therapy. Sure, there are cliffhangers, complete 180s, points where characters have to make unimaginable choices, etc. in other books, but Ms. Rourke takes this to a whole new level. I absolutely respect her for it because she always has a method to her madness. Of course, this one ends on a cliffhanger, but it's very much worth it.