Reads like “Supernatural” and “Grimm” had a bookish baby.
Morgansen has somehow managed to build a richly detailed world without drowning me in paragraphs of description (an achievement that has felt rare this year). The opening chapter brilliantly sets the tone, balancing action, character insight, and just enough mystery to make me suspicious of everything and everyone. The following chapters establish the sibling dynamic so well that I briefly considered whether my own family would survive in a mythological crisis (my brother would probably be fine, but I’m 100% getting eaten by a ghoul during the prologue).
One of the best things about this book is getting to see the story unfold through both Evie and Finn’s perspectives. Not only does it give us double the insight (and double the stress), but the way their chapters parallel each other is just chef’s kiss. You get these clever little echoes—shared themes, mirrored struggles, moments where they’re unknowingly dealing with the same thing in totally different ways—and it makes the whole story feel even more layered and feels almost cinematic.
The tension throughout the book was palpable. I caught myself holding my breath on multiple occasions. And Evie’s relationship with her father was devastating. I was fully invested in her well-being, to the point where I was practically shaking the book and yelling, EVIE, NO! whenever she made a questionable life choice (come on, girl! you’re too smart to be wondering off alone with no back up!).
This book has the perfect Supernatural/Grimm energy—dark academia meets mythological mystery, with just the right mix of intrigue, danger, and dry humor. Speaking of humor, the Grady comedic timing is excellent without overwhelming the scenes.
And then there’s the ending. No spoilers, but let’s just say it left me with too many questions and no immediate answers. The next book isn’t out yet, so now I have to sit here and aggressively refresh Shayla’s Instagram for updates. If you enjoy well-crafted worlds, witty banter, and mild emotional torment, give this book a go.