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A Love So Brutal
Nora's plans for revenge on Solstice have failed, and while her capture by the Seelie is short lived, she's found herself in a new, self-imposed cage. The Unseelie Court knows her secret, and she must face the consequences: House Pride stands divided, and Nora's place as Pride is challenged.
But the events of Casimir changed more than just the status quo. Imogen is traumatized, struggling to watch the ones she loves fall into perpetual cycles of violence, and questioning what she wants her future to look like. Josie is thrust into leadership roles she never asked for, and is doing her best to keep herself—and her best friends—afloat. And Silas poses a terrifying question: what happens if the shadow veil he erected fifty years ago falls, and Patience makes good on his promise of war?
Nora once thought she could have it all: the title, the girl, and the glory. But as she spirals down a path of fiery destruction in the name of vengeance, will there be anything left of her previous life to salvage from the ashes?
Love and violence clash in the heart-wrenching finale to the Sins & Virtues duet; friendships are tested, new romances are forged, and Anwynn’s favorite found family learns the hard way that healing isn't always linear.
But the events of Casimir changed more than just the status quo. Imogen is traumatized, struggling to watch the ones she loves fall into perpetual cycles of violence, and questioning what she wants her future to look like. Josie is thrust into leadership roles she never asked for, and is doing her best to keep herself—and her best friends—afloat. And Silas poses a terrifying question: what happens if the shadow veil he erected fifty years ago falls, and Patience makes good on his promise of war?
Nora once thought she could have it all: the title, the girl, and the glory. But as she spirals down a path of fiery destruction in the name of vengeance, will there be anything left of her previous life to salvage from the ashes?
Love and violence clash in the heart-wrenching finale to the Sins & Virtues duet; friendships are tested, new romances are forged, and Anwynn’s favorite found family learns the hard way that healing isn't always linear.
441 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 25, 2025
2 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
About the author
G.B. Bancroft
3 books20 followersG.B. Bancroft is an events producer by day and indie author by night. She loves all things magical, gritty, and romantic, and is a voracious mood reader. Originally from New York, she’s currently enjoying a few-year stint in sunny California with her husband and her grumpy orange tabby, Miso.
You can find her @authorgbbancroft on Instagram, Threads, and TikTok.
You can find her @authorgbbancroft on Instagram, Threads, and TikTok.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
September 22, 2025
EXCUSE ME WHAT THE HECKING HECK?!!
I don’t know if I should be mad or happy right now?! Because what do you meannnnnnnnn…..
I absolutely adore these characters and this world so much. Nora and her trauma and growth had me in my feelings the entire book. It’s so well represented watching her pull away from people because she can’t compartmentalise her own pain.
Silas is like an annoying cousin that you just can’t get rid of but it’s ok because he’s always there to break the tension when everything gets overwhelming. His wise cracks in this book were actually hilarious. And his late term realisation of attraction had me cry laughing. Could there be a worse time?!
The found family dynamic was still as good, even if it was completely rearranged in a way I was not expecting at all.
I’m just happy everyone is happy so I don’t have to stress about them anymore 🥹
Thank you GB Bancroft for letting me read an arc of this book. This is my honest opinion.
I don’t know if I should be mad or happy right now?! Because what do you meannnnnnnnn…..
I absolutely adore these characters and this world so much. Nora and her trauma and growth had me in my feelings the entire book. It’s so well represented watching her pull away from people because she can’t compartmentalise her own pain.
Silas is like an annoying cousin that you just can’t get rid of but it’s ok because he’s always there to break the tension when everything gets overwhelming. His wise cracks in this book were actually hilarious. And his late term realisation of attraction had me cry laughing. Could there be a worse time?!
The found family dynamic was still as good, even if it was completely rearranged in a way I was not expecting at all.
I’m just happy everyone is happy so I don’t have to stress about them anymore 🥹
Thank you GB Bancroft for letting me read an arc of this book. This is my honest opinion.
September 18, 2025
Book 2 in the Sins and Virtues Duet was a MUCH awaited book for me and it did NOT disappoint! The story picks up where book 1 leaves off and, boy, was there alot of trauma all the way around. This story was so unique and so well written! The character and world building was magnificent and left me so invested. Such a powerful and impactful story.
September 6, 2025
full arc review to come but loved this so much. bittersweet though !♡
This was a bittersweet book to read. On one hand I was SO excited to be back in this world with these characters but on the other hand I knew it was the conclusion of their stories. I already miss them so much and I’ll definitely be doing a reread soon!
The Sins & Virtues Duet is a 1920’s era mafia story with morally grey characters, court politics, the Seelie and Unseelie Courts, fae & magic and my personal fav…queer reps! The second book picks up where the first left off (maybe a few months later). Everything has gone to shit and our main characters are scrambling to fix it all. There’s chaos in the houses, tension between the courts and their inner circle is dealing with fall outs left and right.
✨Nora is badass, but she is also the kind of person who needs to fix everything her own way and she’s terrible at asking for help. She definitely thinks her friends are better off without her and she goes to great lengths to ensure they are safe.
✨Silas, our chaotic king, will do just about anything to make sure his court comes out on top. He also likes to flirt with just about everyone, especially a certain dark haired beauty.
✨Imogen just wants everything to slow down and for her friends to be safe. After she was hurt, she really curls in herself but with the help of someone special, she is able to be brave and remember who tf she is.
✨Josie was pulled in so many directions in this book and i felt so bad for her. Torn between her friendships, her House and a certain blonde, she’s spread thin. It doesn’t help that people keep throwing things into her lap for her to deal with.
I loved the expansion on the found family trope. We really dove deep into friendships, love, loyalty, and healing. G.B. Bancroft really shows you how non linear healing can be and that there’s no right or wrong way to do it. Sometimes you take 3 steps forward and 7 steps back. 💕 OH there’s also a LOVELY “FUCK IT” moment that you don’t want to miss….it was DELICIOUS. 🥵
A Sin So Pure is out now and A Love So Brutal comes out 9.25! <3
This was a bittersweet book to read. On one hand I was SO excited to be back in this world with these characters but on the other hand I knew it was the conclusion of their stories. I already miss them so much and I’ll definitely be doing a reread soon!
The Sins & Virtues Duet is a 1920’s era mafia story with morally grey characters, court politics, the Seelie and Unseelie Courts, fae & magic and my personal fav…queer reps! The second book picks up where the first left off (maybe a few months later). Everything has gone to shit and our main characters are scrambling to fix it all. There’s chaos in the houses, tension between the courts and their inner circle is dealing with fall outs left and right.
✨Nora is badass, but she is also the kind of person who needs to fix everything her own way and she’s terrible at asking for help. She definitely thinks her friends are better off without her and she goes to great lengths to ensure they are safe.
✨Silas, our chaotic king, will do just about anything to make sure his court comes out on top. He also likes to flirt with just about everyone, especially a certain dark haired beauty.
✨Imogen just wants everything to slow down and for her friends to be safe. After she was hurt, she really curls in herself but with the help of someone special, she is able to be brave and remember who tf she is.
✨Josie was pulled in so many directions in this book and i felt so bad for her. Torn between her friendships, her House and a certain blonde, she’s spread thin. It doesn’t help that people keep throwing things into her lap for her to deal with.
I loved the expansion on the found family trope. We really dove deep into friendships, love, loyalty, and healing. G.B. Bancroft really shows you how non linear healing can be and that there’s no right or wrong way to do it. Sometimes you take 3 steps forward and 7 steps back. 💕 OH there’s also a LOVELY “FUCK IT” moment that you don’t want to miss….it was DELICIOUS. 🥵
A Sin So Pure is out now and A Love So Brutal comes out 9.25! <3
December 20, 2025
“I may have just come to the controversial conclusion that I am a teeny, tiny bit, soul-crushingly obsessed with you.”
Me, too, Silas. Me too.
A Love So Brutal is the perfect conclusion to the Sins & Virtues duet, delivering a devastatingly beautiful story about healing, self-discovery, and love in all its imperfect forms. What I appreciate most about this book is that it prioritizes growth over convention, allowing each character to follow a distinct arc that honors who they are and where they’re headed. By the end, it truly felt like everyone found where they were meant to be, or at least on the right path to get them there. Not to mention, the final scene had me giggling and kicking my feet—I simply cannot get enough of Silas!
Like A Sin So Pure, this installment doesn’t shy away from darkness: revenge, violence, trauma, and the harrowing choices Nora makes to cope with it all. I particularly loved her dealings in human realm because, although dangerous and entirely reckless, it perfectly depicted her as a broken—yet fierce—force to be reckoned with. Even at her lowest, she had an agenda to take back what was rightfully hers, and that’s just bad-freakin-ass. Imogen is badass in her own way, too, and I’m so happy with how her story unfolded, despite what people may have wanted or expected. In my opinion, it was the perfect end that allowed for even better beginnings.
The story is incredibly raw in a lot of ways, but it’s balanced by the steady presence of found family, friendships and connections that provide warmth, humor, and relief amid the turmoil. G.B. Bancroft’s writing truly shines in its ability to capture brutality and tenderness all at once, and I hope she knows just how appreciative us readers are for gifting this duet to the world!!!
ANYWAY, I loved ALSB and hope you do, too. There’s some spice (thank god), and qualities to every character that will make you fall in love. Yes, Silas is my favorite, and no, I won’t shut up about it. Worth mentioning: the author is my best friend, but I’d be shouting about these books regardless—she’s just THAT talented and deserving of praise. I can’t wait for what she puts out next!!!
Me, too, Silas. Me too.
A Love So Brutal is the perfect conclusion to the Sins & Virtues duet, delivering a devastatingly beautiful story about healing, self-discovery, and love in all its imperfect forms. What I appreciate most about this book is that it prioritizes growth over convention, allowing each character to follow a distinct arc that honors who they are and where they’re headed. By the end, it truly felt like everyone found where they were meant to be, or at least on the right path to get them there. Not to mention, the final scene had me giggling and kicking my feet—I simply cannot get enough of Silas!
Like A Sin So Pure, this installment doesn’t shy away from darkness: revenge, violence, trauma, and the harrowing choices Nora makes to cope with it all. I particularly loved her dealings in human realm because, although dangerous and entirely reckless, it perfectly depicted her as a broken—yet fierce—force to be reckoned with. Even at her lowest, she had an agenda to take back what was rightfully hers, and that’s just bad-freakin-ass. Imogen is badass in her own way, too, and I’m so happy with how her story unfolded, despite what people may have wanted or expected. In my opinion, it was the perfect end that allowed for even better beginnings.
The story is incredibly raw in a lot of ways, but it’s balanced by the steady presence of found family, friendships and connections that provide warmth, humor, and relief amid the turmoil. G.B. Bancroft’s writing truly shines in its ability to capture brutality and tenderness all at once, and I hope she knows just how appreciative us readers are for gifting this duet to the world!!!
ANYWAY, I loved ALSB and hope you do, too. There’s some spice (thank god), and qualities to every character that will make you fall in love. Yes, Silas is my favorite, and no, I won’t shut up about it. Worth mentioning: the author is my best friend, but I’d be shouting about these books regardless—she’s just THAT talented and deserving of praise. I can’t wait for what she puts out next!!!
September 17, 2025
A Love so Brutal - G. B Bancroft
I’m so glad I got to more Nora and Imogen. As well as point of views from Silas and Josie. I love the growth and the pairings in this book. It’s so bittersweet to see this series end. I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of this found family. I love the focus on healing and growing and of course, I loved the details on the court politics and see how that changed through not just the book, but the series as a whole. I loved this series and I can’t wait to see what else the author writes.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Out of 5 Stars ⭐️
🌶️ / Spice Rating ☀️
# of Pages 🌙 441 Pages
Release Date 🌟 09/25/2025
Format 💫 Gifted Digital Copy
Series 🌙 Sins & Virtues, #2
Genre/Tropes ✨ sapphic, FF, LGBTQ+ representation, historical romance, historical setting, 1920s setting, fae, paranormal, found family, urban fantasy, romantasy, mafia, revenge, morally grey characters, Bi4Bi, FM
Favorite Character ☀️ Imogen
Favorite Line 🌟 “You can’t fix a heart that’s broken. It’s the one thing in life that can’t be thrown out or mended to be as it was before.”
“I might not have loved before, but I’m confident I’ve had my heart broken in other ways, you have to care enough about yourself to find a way to move on. I can’t tell you how to do that though. I don’t think my method would work for you.”
“There are times when running is best, and there are times when facing what troubles you head-on is better. Both instincts are in our nature. But you have to follow your gut to know which is right for you. Is your gut telling you to fight?”
“Everyone needs to stop deciding what’s good for me. I decide what’s good for me. And if I choose to flirt with you, or acknowledge that there’s something here, or, gods above, kiss you. Then I’m going to do that.”
“If you don’t kill my father tonight, I will haunt you from the early grave he will surely kick me into.”
“You’ll always be mine to protect, Imogen, even if you’re not mine.”
I’m so glad I got to more Nora and Imogen. As well as point of views from Silas and Josie. I love the growth and the pairings in this book. It’s so bittersweet to see this series end. I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of this found family. I love the focus on healing and growing and of course, I loved the details on the court politics and see how that changed through not just the book, but the series as a whole. I loved this series and I can’t wait to see what else the author writes.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Out of 5 Stars ⭐️
🌶️ / Spice Rating ☀️
# of Pages 🌙 441 Pages
Release Date 🌟 09/25/2025
Format 💫 Gifted Digital Copy
Series 🌙 Sins & Virtues, #2
Genre/Tropes ✨ sapphic, FF, LGBTQ+ representation, historical romance, historical setting, 1920s setting, fae, paranormal, found family, urban fantasy, romantasy, mafia, revenge, morally grey characters, Bi4Bi, FM
Favorite Character ☀️ Imogen
Favorite Line 🌟 “You can’t fix a heart that’s broken. It’s the one thing in life that can’t be thrown out or mended to be as it was before.”
“I might not have loved before, but I’m confident I’ve had my heart broken in other ways, you have to care enough about yourself to find a way to move on. I can’t tell you how to do that though. I don’t think my method would work for you.”
“There are times when running is best, and there are times when facing what troubles you head-on is better. Both instincts are in our nature. But you have to follow your gut to know which is right for you. Is your gut telling you to fight?”
“Everyone needs to stop deciding what’s good for me. I decide what’s good for me. And if I choose to flirt with you, or acknowledge that there’s something here, or, gods above, kiss you. Then I’m going to do that.”
“If you don’t kill my father tonight, I will haunt you from the early grave he will surely kick me into.”
“You’ll always be mine to protect, Imogen, even if you’re not mine.”
October 3, 2025
Thank you to the author for allowing me to beta read and for providing me an early review copy.
This book will rip your heart open and then put it back together again (in the best possible way). Come prepared for emotional damage before you get to the ultimate happily ever afters.
I adored the character growth from our main duo, Nora and Imogen. Their journeys felt raw and realistic, and I found myself rooting for their healing arcs every step of the way.
And I also loved getting to explore Silas and Josie’s POVs. Silas, especially, won me over with his banter and humor.
The romantic arcs felt cute and swoonworthy. And the found family continues to be a delight.
This conclusion cemented this duology as one of my all time favorites.
This book will rip your heart open and then put it back together again (in the best possible way). Come prepared for emotional damage before you get to the ultimate happily ever afters.
I adored the character growth from our main duo, Nora and Imogen. Their journeys felt raw and realistic, and I found myself rooting for their healing arcs every step of the way.
And I also loved getting to explore Silas and Josie’s POVs. Silas, especially, won me over with his banter and humor.
The romantic arcs felt cute and swoonworthy. And the found family continues to be a delight.
This conclusion cemented this duology as one of my all time favorites.
November 3, 2025
I wish before the story started, there was a small segment that briefly described interpersonal relationships, important plot points, and other things of note that happened in the first book. I read the first book months ago, and coming back to this one not remembering too much made me feel incredibly lost. A small segment like I described would have made my reading experience much better.
While I do enjoy that this book has a bigger focus on the characters rather than the plot, like in the first book, I didn’t find that there were many major plot points, and some of the story dragged out to the point where I lost interest at times. I think if this book were shortened and edited down a bit more, the pacing would suit the story more.
I did really love the writing style. The verbal conversations and communication between characters is very realistic, and the tone of writing changes with circumstance and character pov switching. At times it felt reflective and melancholic when the story suited that, and other times it felt hopeful and almost relieved, like the characters relief from stress was palpable in the writing.
Overall, I would recommend this book to fantasy lovers who enjoy reading slow paced books, with lots of fantasy world politics, and a focus on character relationships. A huge thank you to the author G.B. Bancroft for this ARC!
While I do enjoy that this book has a bigger focus on the characters rather than the plot, like in the first book, I didn’t find that there were many major plot points, and some of the story dragged out to the point where I lost interest at times. I think if this book were shortened and edited down a bit more, the pacing would suit the story more.
I did really love the writing style. The verbal conversations and communication between characters is very realistic, and the tone of writing changes with circumstance and character pov switching. At times it felt reflective and melancholic when the story suited that, and other times it felt hopeful and almost relieved, like the characters relief from stress was palpable in the writing.
Overall, I would recommend this book to fantasy lovers who enjoy reading slow paced books, with lots of fantasy world politics, and a focus on character relationships. A huge thank you to the author G.B. Bancroft for this ARC!
September 26, 2025
G.B. Bancroft’s five star conclusion to the Sins & Virtues Duet
Five Stars
A Love So Brutal is…Exactly that, brutal.
This is what I thought…
Character growth and healing are the backbone of A Love So Brutal.
When I finished A Love So Brutal, I remembered that Love in relationships and friendships take twists and turns and sometimes you come back to those relationships and sometimes you just don’t. And that is OK. It is life.
G.B. Bancroft writes this beautifully with understanding, love and consideration.
The character development with the introduction of Silas’s and Josie’s POV add to the growth of Imogen and Nora’s characters. And because we get to see their actions and read their thoughts, we can better understand the relationship shifts.
You will get found family, strong bonds, fun banter, utter sadness, violence, vengeance, deep love and friendship.
Imogen is still my favorite and stole my heart in A Sin So Pure. Her empathy, softness, loyalty, awareness of her self and what she wants, ARE PERFECTION! Her decisions for herself will resonate with many. LOVED IT!
Five Stars
A Love So Brutal is…Exactly that, brutal.
This is what I thought…
Character growth and healing are the backbone of A Love So Brutal.
When I finished A Love So Brutal, I remembered that Love in relationships and friendships take twists and turns and sometimes you come back to those relationships and sometimes you just don’t. And that is OK. It is life.
G.B. Bancroft writes this beautifully with understanding, love and consideration.
The character development with the introduction of Silas’s and Josie’s POV add to the growth of Imogen and Nora’s characters. And because we get to see their actions and read their thoughts, we can better understand the relationship shifts.
You will get found family, strong bonds, fun banter, utter sadness, violence, vengeance, deep love and friendship.
Imogen is still my favorite and stole my heart in A Sin So Pure. Her empathy, softness, loyalty, awareness of her self and what she wants, ARE PERFECTION! Her decisions for herself will resonate with many. LOVED IT!
September 21, 2025
EEK!!! I just love this story and the characters in it. G built such an immersive world with an interesting and complex magic system. This is different than any other fae story I’ve read. I love that it’s set in the 1920’s and the worlds are separated.
The representation too?? Ughhhh perfect. While the romantic relationships didn’t go the way I expected, I still love where everyone ended up. This book demonstrated the complexity of queer relationships beautifully. The bisexual representation is chefs kiss.
I’d love to have more from this world, even a prequel with Silas and Robbie. The end left off with almost everything tied up with a bow but just enough open to continue. I wasn’t left with questions but the opportunity to imagine where things could go.
I want to avoid spoilers but the scene when Nora is at her most brutal and a certain character realizes their attraction to her was my fave. Because that is exactly how I felt about Nora the whole time, I get it. Strong women are HOT.
Anyways, I love this duology so much and I think everyone should read it. Bancroft writes so beautifully without being too complex or abstract. I’d read her ADHD notes app and praise her brain.
Thanks for having me as an ARC reader. Now I need a shelf trophy.
The representation too?? Ughhhh perfect. While the romantic relationships didn’t go the way I expected, I still love where everyone ended up. This book demonstrated the complexity of queer relationships beautifully. The bisexual representation is chefs kiss.
I’d love to have more from this world, even a prequel with Silas and Robbie. The end left off with almost everything tied up with a bow but just enough open to continue. I wasn’t left with questions but the opportunity to imagine where things could go.
I want to avoid spoilers but the scene when Nora is at her most brutal and a certain character realizes their attraction to her was my fave. Because that is exactly how I felt about Nora the whole time, I get it. Strong women are HOT.
Anyways, I love this duology so much and I think everyone should read it. Bancroft writes so beautifully without being too complex or abstract. I’d read her ADHD notes app and praise her brain.
Thanks for having me as an ARC reader. Now I need a shelf trophy.
September 25, 2025
A Love So Brutal was the perfect sequel to A Sin So Pure. I loved it so much.
It picks up where ASSP left off.
Nora is still our baddie, and she's still a bit reserved. Possibly more after the events of the end of ASSP.
I didn't expect it to go where it did with the relationships, but I'm not mad about it. I found myself cheering on each character.
Everyone from ASSP came back, and they were all just as important as before. I loved the chapters being told from 4 different POVs, especially when they weren't all together in the same area, so we got a lot more story and details about the characters. I love our main group with this book, but I absolutely adored Hattie more this time around. And Silas is still swoonworthy.
I was fully satisfied with everything leading up to the ending. I was a bit surprised at times, but that makes it all the more fun. I really hope we'll get to see the whole gang again in the future.
*I received an early copy of this book, and these are my actual thoughts that I am leaving voluntarily*
It picks up where ASSP left off.
Nora is still our baddie, and she's still a bit reserved. Possibly more after the events of the end of ASSP.
I didn't expect it to go where it did with the relationships, but I'm not mad about it. I found myself cheering on each character.
Everyone from ASSP came back, and they were all just as important as before. I loved the chapters being told from 4 different POVs, especially when they weren't all together in the same area, so we got a lot more story and details about the characters. I love our main group with this book, but I absolutely adored Hattie more this time around. And Silas is still swoonworthy.
I was fully satisfied with everything leading up to the ending. I was a bit surprised at times, but that makes it all the more fun. I really hope we'll get to see the whole gang again in the future.
*I received an early copy of this book, and these are my actual thoughts that I am leaving voluntarily*
August 7, 2025
While this book is overall smooth and interesting as we learn more about the overall world and really amp up the tension, I was definitely looking for more romance. The addition of some new POVs only made me hang onto Imogen and Nora that much more.
September 24, 2025
So well written, I love seeing more of all of these characters! I really enjoy this authors writing
September 25, 2025
i loveeed the first book but i did not enjoy the relationship shifts at all. i’m actually appalled. terrible idea
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 26, 2025
didn’t like the first one and this one took everything good about the first one and set it on fire
December 2, 2025
✨️ ARC Review ✨️
Excellent conclusion to this duet! 🙌
I can't overstate how much I appreciate the polish and precision of G.B. Bancroft's prose. It's smooth, crisp, and you'll only ever want to stop reading to ✨️reread✨️ passages and drink them in a second time.
This book picks up after the events at Casimir, with both Nora (our female rage icon) and Imogen (our anxious queen) dealing with a new, shattered reality. While it is a story about their healing, it doesn't wallow in the depths of the misery for the sake of doing it. Instead, it paints a vibrant, nuanced picture of the struggle each of them faces as they heal from their wounds.
We get additional POV characters, to help allow us to see both Imogen and Nora from the outside as they cope with their new circumstances. Josie is a delightfully sweet, optimistic and steadfast friend to them both. Silas is more calculating, and a bit of a thorn in Nora's side as he tries to guide her to face her demons.
We have three romantic pairings by the end of this story, and they're all unique in their dynamic and development together. There's less explicit spice here and more genuine intimacy--healing wounds, physical and psychological, shared experience, and even quiet comfort. It's a beautiful portrait of romance in real life--the simplest moments really do take center stage.
While there is room for all of these stories to go on, the ending is really satisfying. We get resolution, and healing, without everything feeling too convenient or trite.
Would I read another dozen books in this 1920s style fae mafia universe? Absolutely!
Excellent conclusion to this duet! 🙌
I can't overstate how much I appreciate the polish and precision of G.B. Bancroft's prose. It's smooth, crisp, and you'll only ever want to stop reading to ✨️reread✨️ passages and drink them in a second time.
This book picks up after the events at Casimir, with both Nora (our female rage icon) and Imogen (our anxious queen) dealing with a new, shattered reality. While it is a story about their healing, it doesn't wallow in the depths of the misery for the sake of doing it. Instead, it paints a vibrant, nuanced picture of the struggle each of them faces as they heal from their wounds.
We get additional POV characters, to help allow us to see both Imogen and Nora from the outside as they cope with their new circumstances. Josie is a delightfully sweet, optimistic and steadfast friend to them both. Silas is more calculating, and a bit of a thorn in Nora's side as he tries to guide her to face her demons.
We have three romantic pairings by the end of this story, and they're all unique in their dynamic and development together. There's less explicit spice here and more genuine intimacy--healing wounds, physical and psychological, shared experience, and even quiet comfort. It's a beautiful portrait of romance in real life--the simplest moments really do take center stage.
While there is room for all of these stories to go on, the ending is really satisfying. We get resolution, and healing, without everything feeling too convenient or trite.
Would I read another dozen books in this 1920s style fae mafia universe? Absolutely!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews