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Holy Wrath
In a city clinging to light during an age of darkness, all healer Ophelia wants is for a Saint to finally claim her. Since being brought to Lumendei as an orphan nearly thirty years ago, she’s worked tirelessly to prove herself worthy of the Mysteries—the sacred, magical power that only the Saints can bestow upon mortals of their choosing.
When she’s tasked with caring for an injured prisoner, Ophelia sees the perfect way to prove she’s ready for her Sainting. The prisoner is none other than the Umbra Knight—the most dangerous warrior of Lumendei’s sworn enemy, the Sepulchyre. If she can save the Umbra Knight’s soul by converting her to the Church of the Host, the Saints will surely fight amongst themselves to claim Ophelia.
But the disarmingly beautiful and undeniably deadly knight’s soul is in even worse shape than Ophelia feared. In fact, she insists Ophelia’s beloved God is a murderous liar and her adopted city is built on blackened bones. It’s easy to dismiss as blasphemy, at least at first. Until Lumendei’s gilded secrets begin to tumble from their hiding places and Ophelia herself uncovers a conspiracy ... then she’s forced to consider the idea that Nyatrix—otherwise known as the Umbra Knight—might be telling the truth, and that saving the alluring knight’s soul is the least of her concerns.
A sapphic high fantasy for fans of The Fall That Saved Us and The Foxglove King, Holy Wrath is a standalone novel about the fierceness of queer love and two women who no longer want equality once they’ve tasted revenge.
When she’s tasked with caring for an injured prisoner, Ophelia sees the perfect way to prove she’s ready for her Sainting. The prisoner is none other than the Umbra Knight—the most dangerous warrior of Lumendei’s sworn enemy, the Sepulchyre. If she can save the Umbra Knight’s soul by converting her to the Church of the Host, the Saints will surely fight amongst themselves to claim Ophelia.
But the disarmingly beautiful and undeniably deadly knight’s soul is in even worse shape than Ophelia feared. In fact, she insists Ophelia’s beloved God is a murderous liar and her adopted city is built on blackened bones. It’s easy to dismiss as blasphemy, at least at first. Until Lumendei’s gilded secrets begin to tumble from their hiding places and Ophelia herself uncovers a conspiracy ... then she’s forced to consider the idea that Nyatrix—otherwise known as the Umbra Knight—might be telling the truth, and that saving the alluring knight’s soul is the least of her concerns.
A sapphic high fantasy for fans of The Fall That Saved Us and The Foxglove King, Holy Wrath is a standalone novel about the fierceness of queer love and two women who no longer want equality once they’ve tasted revenge.
456 pages, Hardcover
First published April 8, 2025
335 people are currently reading
4709 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 284 reviews
May 20, 2025
this book is a gift to all the religiously traumatised sapphics out there
April 11, 2025
"Freedom is a knife sinking deeper and deeper into my flesh with every step I take."
"No more of your pain for the sake of a man's pleasure, his dominance, his ambition. No."
Wow, okay.
I don't know what's been happening lately that I just keep reading books with religious trauma, but it doesn't bother me at all, lol.
What a wonderful and original book.
Starting with the complex way in which this fictional world was created, definitely inspired by the catholic church. And at no point could I completely predict what would happen next or how it would end, and I loved that.
This book puts us inside the mind of the MC Ophelia, a girl that all of her life was used, rejected and manipulated, having a devout faith in a not so sincere religion.
What I liked the most was that Ophelia had to understand by herself what she was worth and take courage; leaving behind those who lied and made decisions for her.
And to see her heal; to feel her transformation, questioning and searching for independence, and realizing that she was destined for something much bigger than she thought; was so deep and wonderful.
The romance I wouldn't say was an "enemies to lovers" because I didn't feel it at any point as such; I would rather say that the main characters were two well-meaning women who unfortunately had to be born in different borders with their own traumas; that learn to trust each other.
And I definitely have a crush on Nyatrix. What a beautiful and interesting woman.
I won't deny it, there were scenes that took a little more effort for me to imagine, but I think it was more of a personal problem because this book uses a lot more complex english vocabulary words that I wasn't familiar with the translation yet. So I will definitely have to read it again later in case there were details I missed.
For those of you who like books with lots of angst and yearning, this one is for you, ahaha. It's definitely worth giving it a try.
"How, I wonder, could I ever say no the woman who made me want to forsake God?"
"Without the reassurance of an afterlife, wouldn't I fight until I am battered and bruised to make this world better?"
"No more of your pain for the sake of a man's pleasure, his dominance, his ambition. No."
Wow, okay.
I don't know what's been happening lately that I just keep reading books with religious trauma, but it doesn't bother me at all, lol.
What a wonderful and original book.
Starting with the complex way in which this fictional world was created, definitely inspired by the catholic church. And at no point could I completely predict what would happen next or how it would end, and I loved that.
This book puts us inside the mind of the MC Ophelia, a girl that all of her life was used, rejected and manipulated, having a devout faith in a not so sincere religion.
What I liked the most was that Ophelia had to understand by herself what she was worth and take courage; leaving behind those who lied and made decisions for her.
And to see her heal; to feel her transformation, questioning and searching for independence, and realizing that she was destined for something much bigger than she thought; was so deep and wonderful.
The romance I wouldn't say was an "enemies to lovers" because I didn't feel it at any point as such; I would rather say that the main characters were two well-meaning women who unfortunately had to be born in different borders with their own traumas; that learn to trust each other.
And I definitely have a crush on Nyatrix. What a beautiful and interesting woman.
I won't deny it, there were scenes that took a little more effort for me to imagine, but I think it was more of a personal problem because this book uses a lot more complex english vocabulary words that I wasn't familiar with the translation yet. So I will definitely have to read it again later in case there were details I missed.
For those of you who like books with lots of angst and yearning, this one is for you, ahaha. It's definitely worth giving it a try.
"How, I wonder, could I ever say no the woman who made me want to forsake God?"
"Without the reassurance of an afterlife, wouldn't I fight until I am battered and bruised to make this world better?"
January 25, 2026
Okay, so Holy Wrath had all the ingredients I usually eat up with a spoon—sapphic high fantasy, religious unraveling, mysterious enemies-turned-something-more, and a whole lot of yearning in a morally fraught setting. I wanted to love this. I was ready to be obsessed. But... this one just didn’t hit the way I hoped it would.
On paper, the story is super compelling: Ophelia is a devout healer, desperate to finally be chosen by a Saint in a city literally built on faith and holy order. Enter Nyatrix—the infamous Umbra Knight and sworn enemy of everything Ophelia believes in. She's gorgeous, dangerous, and very much not here for the pious vibe. Ophelia is tasked with converting her, but of course, what unfolds is less "missionary" and more accidental sapphic crisis. The setup? Delicious.
But here’s where it lost me a little: the slow burn was really slow. Like… 280 pages and not even a kiss slow. So much so that it was almost a DNF - which is RARE for me. That can absolutely work in some stories when the tension is tight and the emotional development is earned—but here, the pacing just felt off. There was lust, sure, but it didn’t always feel grounded or earned. The emotional arc kind of jumped from zero to “we're soulmates and saving the world together” without the subtlety or nuance that could’ve made it really sing.
And the worldbuilding? Messy at best. There's a ton of intriguing stuff hinted at—divine power, holy conspiracies, secret histories—but it often felt underdeveloped or oddly paced. Major plot points seemed to hinge on sudden reveals or convenient twists (hello, Deus Ex Machina), and so many threads were left dangling. Like… what happened to the gods/goddesses who vanished overseas?? How do we just handwave the dismantling of an entire theocracy and centuries of indoctrination?? I needed more from that resolution, especially given how much of the book leans on the impact of religious power.
Also, while the book tries to tackle themes of trauma, faith, and bodily autonomy—which I so appreciate—it stumbles in some spots. Ophelia's trauma, especially her sexual trauma, felt weirdly resolved by one intimate encounter that felt more like wish fulfillment than earned healing. It’s a very tricky topic, and I respect what the book was trying to do, but the execution lacked the sensitivity and depth it really needed.
That said, I do want to give credit where it’s due: this book could resonate with readers who’ve navigated religious trauma. It’s messy and angry and filled with moments of doubt, which can feel cathartic in the right headspace. And I do think there’s something refreshing about a sapphic fantasy that lets women be holy, furious, powerful, and in love.
So yeah. Holy Wrath had flashes of brilliance and a killer premise, but it needed more polish, more patience, and a stronger emotional build-up to really shine. It wasn’t a bad book—not at all—but I just wish it had let itself be great.
On paper, the story is super compelling: Ophelia is a devout healer, desperate to finally be chosen by a Saint in a city literally built on faith and holy order. Enter Nyatrix—the infamous Umbra Knight and sworn enemy of everything Ophelia believes in. She's gorgeous, dangerous, and very much not here for the pious vibe. Ophelia is tasked with converting her, but of course, what unfolds is less "missionary" and more accidental sapphic crisis. The setup? Delicious.
But here’s where it lost me a little: the slow burn was really slow. Like… 280 pages and not even a kiss slow. So much so that it was almost a DNF - which is RARE for me. That can absolutely work in some stories when the tension is tight and the emotional development is earned—but here, the pacing just felt off. There was lust, sure, but it didn’t always feel grounded or earned. The emotional arc kind of jumped from zero to “we're soulmates and saving the world together” without the subtlety or nuance that could’ve made it really sing.
And the worldbuilding? Messy at best. There's a ton of intriguing stuff hinted at—divine power, holy conspiracies, secret histories—but it often felt underdeveloped or oddly paced. Major plot points seemed to hinge on sudden reveals or convenient twists (hello, Deus Ex Machina), and so many threads were left dangling. Like… what happened to the gods/goddesses who vanished overseas?? How do we just handwave the dismantling of an entire theocracy and centuries of indoctrination?? I needed more from that resolution, especially given how much of the book leans on the impact of religious power.
Also, while the book tries to tackle themes of trauma, faith, and bodily autonomy—which I so appreciate—it stumbles in some spots. Ophelia's trauma, especially her sexual trauma, felt weirdly resolved by one intimate encounter that felt more like wish fulfillment than earned healing. It’s a very tricky topic, and I respect what the book was trying to do, but the execution lacked the sensitivity and depth it really needed.
That said, I do want to give credit where it’s due: this book could resonate with readers who’ve navigated religious trauma. It’s messy and angry and filled with moments of doubt, which can feel cathartic in the right headspace. And I do think there’s something refreshing about a sapphic fantasy that lets women be holy, furious, powerful, and in love.
So yeah. Holy Wrath had flashes of brilliance and a killer premise, but it needed more polish, more patience, and a stronger emotional build-up to really shine. It wasn’t a bad book—not at all—but I just wish it had let itself be great.
April 22, 2025
I took longer than expected to finish this book
There were quite a few things I really liked about Holy Wrath, and others that didn’t quite work for me. The character dynamic is interesting. I’m usually drawn to sharp, punchy characters with a lot of bite — I love quick banter and wit — and here, the vibe was… very different.
That’s not inherently a flaw. Every book carries its own intention — and either it reaches you, or it doesn’t. In this case, even though I appreciated some parts of the relationship, I also felt distant. And the reason is Ophelia. She’s endearing in many ways, but she’s also profoundly damaged — consumed by trauma, self-rejection, doubts, and hunger for Nyatrix — and still so deeply stuck in all that pain. It made the reading experience emotionally heavy, sometimes even uncomfortable.
And this is where the book’s structure plays a huge role: the entire story is told from Ophelia’s point of view, and the pacing follows her inner world. So if, like me, you struggle to connect with the way she sees and feels things… you may feel held at a distance.
The religious themes didn’t speak to me personally either, which probably added to that sense of disconnection.
But that’s also what makes the book unique, and intentional. This is clearly an experience. If it resonates with you, then lucky you. But if, like me, you have trouble connecting with Ophelia, the whole experience becomes less fluid.
Still, it’s a story that lingers. And I do think it’s an experience worth trying.
There were also parts I really enjoyed. The scenes with Nyatrix were often compelling, and the world-building felt coherent and thoughtfully constructed. This was clearly a book that pushed me out of my comfort zone — and that, in itself, made it a valuable experience. There were several moments I genuinely loved, and even the discomfort I felt at times became part of that experience. It made me reflect on why I couldn’t quite click with Ophelia — I think I’m especially drawn to characters who are active, even in their submission, and Ophelia had something childlike in her passivity that made me uncomfortable.
PS: I read another review that mentioned the repetition of certain phrases — and I noticed that too. Some lines were beautifully written the first time, but seeing them reused later, unchanged, pulled me out a bit. It happened maybe twice — so really, nothing major. And if it had been more ordinary sentences, I probably wouldn’t have noticed. But because they stood out stylistically, they stayed with me.
There were quite a few things I really liked about Holy Wrath, and others that didn’t quite work for me. The character dynamic is interesting. I’m usually drawn to sharp, punchy characters with a lot of bite — I love quick banter and wit — and here, the vibe was… very different.
That’s not inherently a flaw. Every book carries its own intention — and either it reaches you, or it doesn’t. In this case, even though I appreciated some parts of the relationship, I also felt distant. And the reason is Ophelia. She’s endearing in many ways, but she’s also profoundly damaged — consumed by trauma, self-rejection, doubts, and hunger for Nyatrix — and still so deeply stuck in all that pain. It made the reading experience emotionally heavy, sometimes even uncomfortable.
And this is where the book’s structure plays a huge role: the entire story is told from Ophelia’s point of view, and the pacing follows her inner world. So if, like me, you struggle to connect with the way she sees and feels things… you may feel held at a distance.
The religious themes didn’t speak to me personally either, which probably added to that sense of disconnection.
But that’s also what makes the book unique, and intentional. This is clearly an experience. If it resonates with you, then lucky you. But if, like me, you have trouble connecting with Ophelia, the whole experience becomes less fluid.
Still, it’s a story that lingers. And I do think it’s an experience worth trying.
There were also parts I really enjoyed. The scenes with Nyatrix were often compelling, and the world-building felt coherent and thoughtfully constructed. This was clearly a book that pushed me out of my comfort zone — and that, in itself, made it a valuable experience. There were several moments I genuinely loved, and even the discomfort I felt at times became part of that experience. It made me reflect on why I couldn’t quite click with Ophelia — I think I’m especially drawn to characters who are active, even in their submission, and Ophelia had something childlike in her passivity that made me uncomfortable.
PS: I read another review that mentioned the repetition of certain phrases — and I noticed that too. Some lines were beautifully written the first time, but seeing them reused later, unchanged, pulled me out a bit. It happened maybe twice — so really, nothing major. And if it had been more ordinary sentences, I probably wouldn’t have noticed. But because they stood out stylistically, they stayed with me.
January 7, 2026
This surpassed all my expectations. I'm almost sad to have finished it, wish I could start over and discover this world again. The perfect mix of religious trauma, feminine rage and sapphic goth ambiance. The writing is delicious; both poetic, soft and immersive. It had been a long time since I had a crush on a fictional character, but here I am crushing hard on Nyatrix. I listened to the audiobook, at first I was very unsure about the narrator, but then realised she was playing Ophelia perfectly.
Thank you, Netgalley and tantor Media for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review
Thank you, Netgalley and tantor Media for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review
April 3, 2025
Thank you to the author, Victoria Mier, for providing me with an ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily with my only honest opinions.
✨ Sapphic Gothic Fantasy
✨ Enemies to Lovers
✨ Forced Proximity
✨ Touch her and die
✨ Disabled, Autistic-coded FMC
✨ Religious Trauma
✨ Feminine Rage
>Micro-Tropes and Content Warnings at bottom
I could not stop reading Holy Wrath. I would say I devoured it, but I think it may have consumed me instead. I stayed up way too late reading. I went to work sleep deprived. Any time I went to the bathroom, I was reading. I got to work at 6am with 50 pages left and told my coworkers I wasn’t going to do any work until I finished the book because otherwise I wouldn’t be able to think clearly. So, I guess the point is, I loved Holy Wrath.
The story itself is told in first person, single POV (Ophelia), and I think it works really well. This perspective lends itself well to the main character’s internal struggle between her religion, what is right, and truth. The reader is able to understand her on an in-depth level and empathize with her. There are times when I really just wanted to give her a hug and a pep talk. Her growth throughout the book is really great to see. I thought the representation of her physical disability/chronic pain was done really well. Even with the magic system her disability [Potential minor spoiler in the next sentence, skip to the next set of brackets if you want to avoid……….] isn’t just magic’d away. [………. You’re safe now.] Ophelia being autistic-coded makes a lot of sense with seeing things in black and white terms surrounding her religion.
As for Nyatrix? Um… yeah, obsessed. I’m not sure what else to say. I found her mysterious and compelling at first and then very real. She starts off larger than life and then we see the depth of her character as time goes on. The pair of them together balances out beautifully. I really loved their relationship. I made 143 highlights while reading, and the vast majority are directly related to their relationship. (And things Nyatrix says… heh.)
The world building itself was interesting and clearly heavily based in Catholicism. Seeing as a major theme in this book is religious trauma, that makes a lot of sense. There are also a lot of absolutely awful men in this book who end up getting what they deserve. I found it to be cathartic and empowering by the end (though some parts were a little hard to swallow due to their basis in reality). While religious trauma is a main theme, the end result is women taking back their power and what is owed to them.
For such heavy themes, the writing is beautiful and tells a clear, powerful message. Just a fantastic read that I highly recommend and will be thinking about for a long time.
(beware potential spoilers below)
Micro-tropes:
✨ Only soft for her
✨ The men will repent
✨ “I can’t fix her but she can make me worse”
✨ The Dove x The Wolf
✨ Incessant flirting
✨ “I am Death”
✨ Susceptible to beautiful women
✨ “Who did this to you?”
✨ “As you wish”
Content Warnings:
(this list may not be complete)
ableism, Catholicism/Christianity, religious trauma, cult brainwashing, homophobia, descriptions of wounds and injuries (mild to moderate), non-consensual s*xual touch, coercion to self-h*rm, self-flagellation (implied and depicted), sexism and gendered violence (discussed), depression, su*cidal ideation, victim blaming/shaming, comphet/religion-based guilt surrounding s*xual orientation, de*th, depictions of violence, attempted conversion
✨ Sapphic Gothic Fantasy
✨ Enemies to Lovers
✨ Forced Proximity
✨ Touch her and die
✨ Disabled, Autistic-coded FMC
✨ Religious Trauma
✨ Feminine Rage
>Micro-Tropes and Content Warnings at bottom
I could not stop reading Holy Wrath. I would say I devoured it, but I think it may have consumed me instead. I stayed up way too late reading. I went to work sleep deprived. Any time I went to the bathroom, I was reading. I got to work at 6am with 50 pages left and told my coworkers I wasn’t going to do any work until I finished the book because otherwise I wouldn’t be able to think clearly. So, I guess the point is, I loved Holy Wrath.
The story itself is told in first person, single POV (Ophelia), and I think it works really well. This perspective lends itself well to the main character’s internal struggle between her religion, what is right, and truth. The reader is able to understand her on an in-depth level and empathize with her. There are times when I really just wanted to give her a hug and a pep talk. Her growth throughout the book is really great to see. I thought the representation of her physical disability/chronic pain was done really well. Even with the magic system her disability [Potential minor spoiler in the next sentence, skip to the next set of brackets if you want to avoid……….] isn’t just magic’d away. [………. You’re safe now.] Ophelia being autistic-coded makes a lot of sense with seeing things in black and white terms surrounding her religion.
As for Nyatrix? Um… yeah, obsessed. I’m not sure what else to say. I found her mysterious and compelling at first and then very real. She starts off larger than life and then we see the depth of her character as time goes on. The pair of them together balances out beautifully. I really loved their relationship. I made 143 highlights while reading, and the vast majority are directly related to their relationship. (And things Nyatrix says… heh.)
The world building itself was interesting and clearly heavily based in Catholicism. Seeing as a major theme in this book is religious trauma, that makes a lot of sense. There are also a lot of absolutely awful men in this book who end up getting what they deserve. I found it to be cathartic and empowering by the end (though some parts were a little hard to swallow due to their basis in reality). While religious trauma is a main theme, the end result is women taking back their power and what is owed to them.
For such heavy themes, the writing is beautiful and tells a clear, powerful message. Just a fantastic read that I highly recommend and will be thinking about for a long time.
(beware potential spoilers below)
Micro-tropes:
✨ Only soft for her
✨ The men will repent
✨ “I can’t fix her but she can make me worse”
✨ The Dove x The Wolf
✨ Incessant flirting
✨ “I am Death”
✨ Susceptible to beautiful women
✨ “Who did this to you?”
✨ “As you wish”
Content Warnings:
(this list may not be complete)
ableism, Catholicism/Christianity, religious trauma, cult brainwashing, homophobia, descriptions of wounds and injuries (mild to moderate), non-consensual s*xual touch, coercion to self-h*rm, self-flagellation (implied and depicted), sexism and gendered violence (discussed), depression, su*cidal ideation, victim blaming/shaming, comphet/religion-based guilt surrounding s*xual orientation, de*th, depictions of violence, attempted conversion
May 3, 2025
4.50🕊️
A map and a pronunciation guide?? Oh yeah, that on its own is a reason to continue through!
Though I do wish there was definitions for certain terms as I don’t know much about Christianity so I was a bit lost with certain things to which I don’t have the knowledge or understanding in. Yet that didn’t take from my enjoyment and full understanding.
This book was beautiful! The chemistry, religion and the guilt it can cause, the world building, the characters wants, intentions, and struggles was all so well done!
I teared up, I laughed, I smiled, I joyed, I even angered. Victoria Meir was excellent in invoking emotions. The epilogue was such a nice and validating conclusion, and acknowledgments really was proof of the life this story has and the meaning Victoria laced all throughout it.
I think the final fight was underwhelming to me. It started off very good and strong but the defeat felt too simple and I think that could’ve been done in the same way essentially but with more. It felt like it was missing some bolts.
Besides that and some repetition, the writing was beautiful! It’s so many things I can quote but here’s some of my favorites.
“I do not know what to say. My veins pound, and every instinct in my body tells me to run-and to keep running, perhaps until I hit the cliffs or the ramparts. When I do, perhaps I'll spread my arms, and perhaps I'll fly or I'll fall, but either way, I'd be free.”
😣
"Pleasure, Ophelia," she says, her teeth bared like a shadowed monster rendered in the margins of a manuscript. "Because he delights in your pain, your misery. Because to the men of the Host, there is nothing more satisfying than a woman's suffering."
A sick truth that brought me tears
“The men of the Host love nothing more than a woman's suffer-ing.
Is the suffering sweeter, I wonder, if the woman is considered beautiful? If they can take a thing they see as near-perfect and mar it with the teeth of a flail, the bite of endless rebukes? Is the reward a woman's beauty, or is it the ability to do with that beauty what they see fit?”
My GOSH Victoria!
The Lupa Nox. Death-Bringer. World-Eater. The last of the Fallen. So many dark and terrible things, I think, my entire body thrumming.
And yet I would worship her instead of Him.
😩
“Her beautiful mouth curves into a smile and I am lost. I would dedicate my bones in her honor, leave my body to strengthen her walls, fall upon her sword to keep her safe.”
🤧
‘And, most of all, I want to know that I can tell the most powerful warrior in these abandoned lands what I desire, and she'll give it to me. A feverish thrill spears me, damp heat pooling between my legs.’
"Your wish, my lady," the Lupa Nox whispers, "is my command."
I NEEDDDD HER
”How, I wonder, could I ever say no to the woman who made me want to forsake God?”
Aint that a fucking bar
Your honor, I love them
A map and a pronunciation guide?? Oh yeah, that on its own is a reason to continue through!
Though I do wish there was definitions for certain terms as I don’t know much about Christianity so I was a bit lost with certain things to which I don’t have the knowledge or understanding in. Yet that didn’t take from my enjoyment and full understanding.
This book was beautiful! The chemistry, religion and the guilt it can cause, the world building, the characters wants, intentions, and struggles was all so well done!
I teared up, I laughed, I smiled, I joyed, I even angered. Victoria Meir was excellent in invoking emotions. The epilogue was such a nice and validating conclusion, and acknowledgments really was proof of the life this story has and the meaning Victoria laced all throughout it.
I think the final fight was underwhelming to me. It started off very good and strong but the defeat felt too simple and I think that could’ve been done in the same way essentially but with more. It felt like it was missing some bolts.
Besides that and some repetition, the writing was beautiful! It’s so many things I can quote but here’s some of my favorites.
“I do not know what to say. My veins pound, and every instinct in my body tells me to run-and to keep running, perhaps until I hit the cliffs or the ramparts. When I do, perhaps I'll spread my arms, and perhaps I'll fly or I'll fall, but either way, I'd be free.”
😣
"Pleasure, Ophelia," she says, her teeth bared like a shadowed monster rendered in the margins of a manuscript. "Because he delights in your pain, your misery. Because to the men of the Host, there is nothing more satisfying than a woman's suffering."
A sick truth that brought me tears
“The men of the Host love nothing more than a woman's suffer-ing.
Is the suffering sweeter, I wonder, if the woman is considered beautiful? If they can take a thing they see as near-perfect and mar it with the teeth of a flail, the bite of endless rebukes? Is the reward a woman's beauty, or is it the ability to do with that beauty what they see fit?”
My GOSH Victoria!
The Lupa Nox. Death-Bringer. World-Eater. The last of the Fallen. So many dark and terrible things, I think, my entire body thrumming.
And yet I would worship her instead of Him.
😩
“Her beautiful mouth curves into a smile and I am lost. I would dedicate my bones in her honor, leave my body to strengthen her walls, fall upon her sword to keep her safe.”
🤧
‘And, most of all, I want to know that I can tell the most powerful warrior in these abandoned lands what I desire, and she'll give it to me. A feverish thrill spears me, damp heat pooling between my legs.’
"Your wish, my lady," the Lupa Nox whispers, "is my command."
I NEEDDDD HER
”How, I wonder, could I ever say no to the woman who made me want to forsake God?”
Aint that a fucking bar
Your honor, I love them
April 9, 2025
Welcome to my feral ARC review of Holy Wrath. Please don't ask me to see my notes, because they are *unhinged*.)
If you've never read a sapphic, gothic fantasy ... read this one.
If you ADORE sapphic, gothic fantasy -- and I'm not telling you what to do with your life except I AM telling you to read this book -- well, you'd be missing out to skip reading this one.
Holy Wrath just burrowed under my skin as soon as I started reading it. The healer and the (hot, hot) lady knight, against a backdrop of religious trauma? Love and revenge, with Victoria Mier's gorgeous prose? Say less.
I don't know if there's a Nobel Prize for yearning, but if there is, that committee should be studying Victoria's books and the way they make me feel. You've got hurt/comfort (an all-time favorite of mine), disability rep, femme rage ... all packaged up in the perfect poetry that I would recognize on a grocery list because I'd have a sudden longing for something I didn't even know I needed.
The dove and the wolf. The healer and the Lupa Nox. Oh, and a redemption arc for an instrument of torture (and I'm not talking about a character here).
Ophelia and Nyatrix will captivate you as thoroughly as they captivated each other.
If you've never read a sapphic, gothic fantasy ... read this one.
If you ADORE sapphic, gothic fantasy -- and I'm not telling you what to do with your life except I AM telling you to read this book -- well, you'd be missing out to skip reading this one.
Holy Wrath just burrowed under my skin as soon as I started reading it. The healer and the (hot, hot) lady knight, against a backdrop of religious trauma? Love and revenge, with Victoria Mier's gorgeous prose? Say less.
I don't know if there's a Nobel Prize for yearning, but if there is, that committee should be studying Victoria's books and the way they make me feel. You've got hurt/comfort (an all-time favorite of mine), disability rep, femme rage ... all packaged up in the perfect poetry that I would recognize on a grocery list because I'd have a sudden longing for something I didn't even know I needed.
The dove and the wolf. The healer and the Lupa Nox. Oh, and a redemption arc for an instrument of torture (and I'm not talking about a character here).
Ophelia and Nyatrix will captivate you as thoroughly as they captivated each other.
January 4, 2026
Wow. This is what I call epic fantasy.
I really loved the story but I also hated it. It was a joy to read but also a pain to endure. I felt sorry for all of Ophelia's sufferings like her disability and chronic pain but also annoyance at her inflexibility and closed mindedness in her beliefs. But it's understandable, many people find change hard to accept especially with regards to their core beliefs. And that doesn't include factors like that of men controlling the lives of women in all aspects. For women would be lost and corrupted without the righteous guidance of men, not - how droll.
The story had a lot of world building and character development, interspersed with some nail biting action and suspense. Though the overall pace felt a slow in the beginning.
The ending felt a little anti-climactic. A little more elaboration on what was happening during the confrontation would have been nice.
This was a very good story and I would totally recommend it to connoisseurs of high fantasies.
I really loved the story but I also hated it. It was a joy to read but also a pain to endure. I felt sorry for all of Ophelia's sufferings like her disability and chronic pain but also annoyance at her inflexibility and closed mindedness in her beliefs. But it's understandable, many people find change hard to accept especially with regards to their core beliefs. And that doesn't include factors like that of men controlling the lives of women in all aspects. For women would be lost and corrupted without the righteous guidance of men, not - how droll.
The story had a lot of world building and character development, interspersed with some nail biting action and suspense. Though the overall pace felt a slow in the beginning.
The ending felt a little anti-climactic. A little more elaboration on what was happening during the confrontation would have been nice.
This was a very good story and I would totally recommend it to connoisseurs of high fantasies.
April 8, 2025
Thanks to the publisher and Victoria Mier for the ARC! Happy release day to this wonderful standalone sapphic high fantasy for my lapsed/ex-Catholics out there. I fear the closet has always been glass for me because the author actually made me question my sexuality after years (I’M NOT JOKING).
4.75 ⭐️
Holy Wrath is an adult, lesbian fantasy story that is engaging and filled with LOTS of romantic angst. The aesthetically-pleasing elements of the Catholic church were delicately, but beautifully woven into the crafting of the world and its magic system. I don’t practice my faith anymore due to personal reasons but as someone who was born and raised into the values and belief of the biggest Abrahamic Christian denomination, the author did a wonderful job at writing a harsh and sad story where the FMC is ridden with internal homophobia and constant guilt, driving her to “pray it all away”. Speaking from experience, no you fucking CAN’T. The character lives through these emotions everyday and even punishes herself for it in the name of a merciful god who blessed saints, and favors men to justify misogyny, objectification of women, their abusive mentality, and the disgusting purity and rape culture. What I liked about this book is how much it validated my feelings and talks mainly about religious trauma. Not only that, but it greatly justified my lack of faith. Moreover, I also want to highlight the disability rep because it was used by the church as a weapon against the FMC and ultimately dehumanized her, quite a common manipulation tactic to keep people in the faith. Lastly, the chemistry between the two women were AMAZING. The contrast in their personalities really drove the story forward and really focuses on how the queer community is still constantly degraded by followers of the Christian faith (I will not be elaborating). Overall, Holy Wrath is a fantastic and worthwhile read.
4.75 ⭐️
Holy Wrath is an adult, lesbian fantasy story that is engaging and filled with LOTS of romantic angst. The aesthetically-pleasing elements of the Catholic church were delicately, but beautifully woven into the crafting of the world and its magic system. I don’t practice my faith anymore due to personal reasons but as someone who was born and raised into the values and belief of the biggest Abrahamic Christian denomination, the author did a wonderful job at writing a harsh and sad story where the FMC is ridden with internal homophobia and constant guilt, driving her to “pray it all away”. Speaking from experience, no you fucking CAN’T. The character lives through these emotions everyday and even punishes herself for it in the name of a merciful god who blessed saints, and favors men to justify misogyny, objectification of women, their abusive mentality, and the disgusting purity and rape culture. What I liked about this book is how much it validated my feelings and talks mainly about religious trauma. Not only that, but it greatly justified my lack of faith. Moreover, I also want to highlight the disability rep because it was used by the church as a weapon against the FMC and ultimately dehumanized her, quite a common manipulation tactic to keep people in the faith. Lastly, the chemistry between the two women were AMAZING. The contrast in their personalities really drove the story forward and really focuses on how the queer community is still constantly degraded by followers of the Christian faith (I will not be elaborating). Overall, Holy Wrath is a fantastic and worthwhile read.
March 18, 2025
I am still not sure I have the words to describe how much this book affected me. As a lapsed/ex-Catholic, there was so much here that I recognized, so much that mirrored some of my own questions growing up. Holy Wrath is a story of anger and rage, yes, but it is also so much a story about grief and discovery and that unending ache for wanting to find your place in the world. To find where you belong, and who will be there to support you and tell you that you are more than enough. That you are worthy of love and patience and compassion, and that you can be free to question and search and learn.
Ophelia has lived her life as a foundling, with an injured leg from childhood that gives her constant pain - a reminder of how different she is from everyone else in Lumendei - living under the grace of the Church. All she wants is to be able to take part, be able to use her gifts to save souls and bring them to the Church that saved her. She is engaged to Renault, an Apostle from a higher family. And yet, she yearns for more. When a warrior from the Sepulchyre is captured, it is Opehlia that has been tasked with her healing, and converting her to the Church.
Instead, Ophelia finds in the Lupa Nox, Nyatrix, a woman who only serves to make her question everything she has known. And to realize that the parts of herself she has long kept hidden and covered in guilt and shame may be what she truly needs to live. These two women lead us on a journey of secrets and lies, leading to the realization that what Opehlia (and Nyatrix) have been led to believe may just be illusions written by men and gods to maintain control and power.
The evolution of Ophelia’s understanding of her world, and herself, was achingly beautiful. Her exploration of herself with Nyatrix was intimate and gentle and yet full of a deep well of passion.
All of the religious fervor and world-building brought me back to many of the rituals and words still in my memories from a childhood brought up going to church. Reciting prayers, asking for forgiveness for things that I did that I truly did not understand why they needed to be repented for. Learning that men held all the power in a culture that was ultimately built upon the words of men, and not a god. A culture that looked very pretty on the outside, but held centuries of darkness if you dug even a little beneath the surface.
I absolutely loved this book. Really, I have loved all of Victoria’s books so much. She writes stories that dig deep into your soul and sit themselves within, finding a home and reflecting so much of the human experience. And I thank the author very much for the chance to read this book as an ARC.
Ophelia has lived her life as a foundling, with an injured leg from childhood that gives her constant pain - a reminder of how different she is from everyone else in Lumendei - living under the grace of the Church. All she wants is to be able to take part, be able to use her gifts to save souls and bring them to the Church that saved her. She is engaged to Renault, an Apostle from a higher family. And yet, she yearns for more. When a warrior from the Sepulchyre is captured, it is Opehlia that has been tasked with her healing, and converting her to the Church.
Instead, Ophelia finds in the Lupa Nox, Nyatrix, a woman who only serves to make her question everything she has known. And to realize that the parts of herself she has long kept hidden and covered in guilt and shame may be what she truly needs to live. These two women lead us on a journey of secrets and lies, leading to the realization that what Opehlia (and Nyatrix) have been led to believe may just be illusions written by men and gods to maintain control and power.
The evolution of Ophelia’s understanding of her world, and herself, was achingly beautiful. Her exploration of herself with Nyatrix was intimate and gentle and yet full of a deep well of passion.
All of the religious fervor and world-building brought me back to many of the rituals and words still in my memories from a childhood brought up going to church. Reciting prayers, asking for forgiveness for things that I did that I truly did not understand why they needed to be repented for. Learning that men held all the power in a culture that was ultimately built upon the words of men, and not a god. A culture that looked very pretty on the outside, but held centuries of darkness if you dug even a little beneath the surface.
I absolutely loved this book. Really, I have loved all of Victoria’s books so much. She writes stories that dig deep into your soul and sit themselves within, finding a home and reflecting so much of the human experience. And I thank the author very much for the chance to read this book as an ARC.
September 8, 2025
3.75/5 stars
i'm ngl this was a weeeeee bit boring in the middle, but the religious trauma sapphics and horniness made up for it 😝
i'm ngl this was a weeeeee bit boring in the middle, but the religious trauma sapphics and horniness made up for it 😝
May 7, 2025
“So easy, isn’t it, to swallow a lie—particularly if it’s coated in honey and you’re very, very hungry? The lie was simple, ingested in a single swallow, left to sow further falsehoods in my body. But the truth is larger, more complex. The truth does not fit neatly between my teeth, and it does not taste of wildflower honey on my tongue. It tastes of blood and soot and horror.”
-Touch her and you die (LOVED)
-Enemies to lovers
-Disabled MC
-Religious Trauma
Wow. I really didn’t want this book to end. It kept me on my toes the WHOLE time. There are not enough words to describe how fantastic this book is, and I would easily recommend it to anyone I know.
I haven’t read many religious trauma novels, but this one is by far the greatest one I’ve read. The author did an amazing job at taking the reality of many religions and what’s expected of women: Do as you’re told, wear what you’re told, speak when spoken to, follow your husband and don’t dare fall out of line.
Ophelia is seen as “weak”, “crippled”, saved even though she was born different. Everyone around her made her seem and feel as though she is a burden, almost perfect but not quite. All her life she’s been told how to be, who to love, and what to follow. Anytime she attempted to be herself, she was forced to hurt herself, even hate herself.
Nyatrix (also known as the Lupa Nox) is feared by all, the last of her kind. Known only to bring death, she’s captured by Ophelia’s people. These same people put Ophelia to the test, if she can turn Nyatrix into a follower, maybe she’ll be forgiven for her “sins” as they put.
Both characters have a tremendous amount of growth, and you cannot help but love both of them to death. Both wanting to protect those they love and write the wrongs that has been written into history. Throughout the book it made me ACHE because of the pain these two endured their whole lives at the hands of men and the God they serve.
A few things that I didn’t love:
Ophelia is made to be very oblivious and almost childlike at times, so it did feel weird during certain chapters to read how she acts. This brings me to the next thing I didn’t love (minor spoiler). Nyatrix is over 80 years old, although she doesn’t age as fast as everyone else, I had a hard time with their age difference but in the end moved past it because it is a fantasy novel and there are many things playing into it.
Overall, this is one of those books you could read for the first time again just to feel everything once more. As of 2025, this is my favorite book of the year.
-Touch her and you die (LOVED)
-Enemies to lovers
-Disabled MC
-Religious Trauma
Wow. I really didn’t want this book to end. It kept me on my toes the WHOLE time. There are not enough words to describe how fantastic this book is, and I would easily recommend it to anyone I know.
I haven’t read many religious trauma novels, but this one is by far the greatest one I’ve read. The author did an amazing job at taking the reality of many religions and what’s expected of women: Do as you’re told, wear what you’re told, speak when spoken to, follow your husband and don’t dare fall out of line.
Ophelia is seen as “weak”, “crippled”, saved even though she was born different. Everyone around her made her seem and feel as though she is a burden, almost perfect but not quite. All her life she’s been told how to be, who to love, and what to follow. Anytime she attempted to be herself, she was forced to hurt herself, even hate herself.
Nyatrix (also known as the Lupa Nox) is feared by all, the last of her kind. Known only to bring death, she’s captured by Ophelia’s people. These same people put Ophelia to the test, if she can turn Nyatrix into a follower, maybe she’ll be forgiven for her “sins” as they put.
Both characters have a tremendous amount of growth, and you cannot help but love both of them to death. Both wanting to protect those they love and write the wrongs that has been written into history. Throughout the book it made me ACHE because of the pain these two endured their whole lives at the hands of men and the God they serve.
A few things that I didn’t love:
Ophelia is made to be very oblivious and almost childlike at times, so it did feel weird during certain chapters to read how she acts. This brings me to the next thing I didn’t love (minor spoiler). Nyatrix is over 80 years old, although she doesn’t age as fast as everyone else, I had a hard time with their age difference but in the end moved past it because it is a fantasy novel and there are many things playing into it.
Overall, this is one of those books you could read for the first time again just to feel everything once more. As of 2025, this is my favorite book of the year.
May 15, 2025
Catholic guilt and woman rage ? Sign me up !
Holy Wrath is an interesting book, but could have used more refinement and editing. Despite its subject, it lacks nuance and the world building is a bit all over the place.
What works well is the familiarity of the Catholics elements : we (readers familiar with the Roman Catholic Church and its theology) just know what the author is talking about, because the world building that takes place in the first half of the book is basically two catholic priests dressed in a gilded cape of misogyny.
But past that, we don’t have a clear view of where we are : names like Nyatrix and Sergio (Sergio I just couldn’t take you seriously as a villain sorry it’s too much) cohexist, we have a magic system that makes no sense if you look closely at it and frankly doesn’t add much to the story…
The plot advance through weird jumps (the main plot I point is a deus ex machina) and Ophelia’s main motivations appears to be lust, despite the very valid reasons she might have to put the other stuff first. The romance lacks subtlety : they fall in lust and BAM everything changes and now they are in love and save the world ?
There is also many lose ends. What about the OG guys who fucked off overseas ? Don’t anyone wants to know what became of them ? Is the church entirely dismantled ? How did they de programed hundreds of people ?
I just wish Holy Wrath could have been what it is, but also more. It’s still a good book, and a refreshing read for someone who had dealings with religious trauma (although Ophelia being « magically cured » of her sexual trauma by a sexcapade with her main torture tool is… a choice). It could have been great.
I’ll definitely keep an eye out for the author’s next book though !
Holy Wrath is an interesting book, but could have used more refinement and editing. Despite its subject, it lacks nuance and the world building is a bit all over the place.
What works well is the familiarity of the Catholics elements : we (readers familiar with the Roman Catholic Church and its theology) just know what the author is talking about, because the world building that takes place in the first half of the book is basically two catholic priests dressed in a gilded cape of misogyny.
But past that, we don’t have a clear view of where we are : names like Nyatrix and Sergio (Sergio I just couldn’t take you seriously as a villain sorry it’s too much) cohexist, we have a magic system that makes no sense if you look closely at it and frankly doesn’t add much to the story…
The plot advance through weird jumps (the main plot I point is a deus ex machina) and Ophelia’s main motivations appears to be lust, despite the very valid reasons she might have to put the other stuff first. The romance lacks subtlety : they fall in lust and BAM everything changes and now they are in love and save the world ?
There is also many lose ends. What about the OG guys who fucked off overseas ? Don’t anyone wants to know what became of them ? Is the church entirely dismantled ? How did they de programed hundreds of people ?
I just wish Holy Wrath could have been what it is, but also more. It’s still a good book, and a refreshing read for someone who had dealings with religious trauma (although Ophelia being « magically cured » of her sexual trauma by a sexcapade with her main torture tool is… a choice). It could have been great.
I’ll definitely keep an eye out for the author’s next book though !
May 3, 2025
2.5 stars… i think this is a wonderful concept for a book and a great second or third draft of a book. the romance is cute, love the “who did this to you” trope and im a big fan of big scary goth girlfriend and sunshine girlfriend. HOWEVER the author needs religious therapy (i do too) and the interspersed latin words as normal words in their “language” at seemingly random are so annoying. i think this book as a whole would fix SO many of its problems if it was set in a medieval AU (on this earth) where Catholicism was in full control of the political sphere and where there’s some magic. the world is too underdeveloped and confused for me, and the plot is messy and the villains, while they have incredible potential, are buried in complicated and under explained plot points. words and descriptions are repeated way too often (if i have to read “she’s blackberries and asphodel” one more time i’ll scream) and the author tends to brush over juicy action sequences in favor of the main character’s thought reactions to the action which unfortunately is just a series of “i’m so scared” “she could die” “these scary people are attacking” instead of the author actually SHOWING us these fighting sequences. I will say, there’s so many good ideas in this, and i truly do love the disabled representation and the description of religious trauma related to sexuality, but this needed about 2-3 more rounds of story editing before it was published! i hope the author continues writing, i can see so much potential in their creativity.
March 21, 2025
This book was heart wrenching and beautiful at the same time, I loved it.
Mier's writing is so immersive - every moment Ophelia suffered, I felt it right along with her. Watching her slowly recognize her trauma and begin to heal - with Nyatrix by her side - was absolutely beautiful. I also loved the romance; Ophelia and Nyatrix balance each other perfectly. 🥹
As someone who has always been frustrated by the gap between personal religious faith and the way the Catholic Church, as an institution, has used that faith to manipulate people and amass power and wealth, I found this story very satisfying to read. I loved Mier's reimagining of a similar twisted system in a fantasy setting.
Overall, I’d highly recommend this book to any fan of the gothic romantic-fantasy genre. It includes some classic tropes we all know and love ("Who hurt you?" 💘) while still being refreshingly unique 👌🏻
This is one of those stories that stay with you long after you've read the final page. I’m so grateful to have received this ARC! 💫
Mier's writing is so immersive - every moment Ophelia suffered, I felt it right along with her. Watching her slowly recognize her trauma and begin to heal - with Nyatrix by her side - was absolutely beautiful. I also loved the romance; Ophelia and Nyatrix balance each other perfectly. 🥹
As someone who has always been frustrated by the gap between personal religious faith and the way the Catholic Church, as an institution, has used that faith to manipulate people and amass power and wealth, I found this story very satisfying to read. I loved Mier's reimagining of a similar twisted system in a fantasy setting.
Overall, I’d highly recommend this book to any fan of the gothic romantic-fantasy genre. It includes some classic tropes we all know and love ("Who hurt you?" 💘) while still being refreshingly unique 👌🏻
This is one of those stories that stay with you long after you've read the final page. I’m so grateful to have received this ARC! 💫
January 27, 2026
It's always really sad when a book as compelling ideas but absolutely fumbles the bag on every single one of them. This book does that to an incredible degree.
It wants you to think it's about a naive woman indoctrinated into a religion/culture and finding her way out. Or overcoming religious trauma. If you've read something like Going Clear or The Wings Upon Her Back, you'll know what it's like if this is done right in both fiction and non-fiction.
Holy Wrath is the most shallow version of that possible. we come into the story with the protagonist in her 30s and the issues start right away. We see her fully delusional, and not questioning anything about her life, and entirely without people that could be said to have convinced her of every lie that she wholeheartedly believes. Everyone around her is an asshole, and she she comes across more like a complete moron than a naive victim.
But don't worry because all of the other characters suck, so she seems well-developed in comparison. Her love interest is one of the most vacant characters I've ever read. A completely flawless character that says and does all the right things for the protagonist and is immediately entirely devoted to her. It felt like a painfully obvious wish-fulfillment insert from the author. This flawless angel also is disgustingly flirtatious at the most awful times, but of course the protagonist is too horny for her to care.
It also gets worse. The protagonist flagellates using what is likely a rod or a whip, but is consistently called a "flail." Her one-dimensionally even husband gets his rocks off by seeing her do it, so when he comes to hunt her down after she abandons him... he brings it... And he conveniently dies, she finds it and is understandably traumatized to see it again. Described as "terrified." Flawless Love Interest says "no, you don't deserve pain. Never again." And her brilliant plan is to use the thing as a sex toy. The FIRST time they're together.
Can you imagine how dumb you have to be to see someone visibly traumatized by an object and think it's a good idea to fuck them with it? It's okay though, because the protagonist loved it. Of course she did. It's one of the dumbest, most contrived things I've ever read.
The rest of the book is barely better.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The audiobook is one of the absolute worst I've ever listened too. like bottom 3. The narrator makes wet throat noises constantly. She narrates with this unfathomably annoying , slow, "emotional" voice. it. was. torture.
It wants you to think it's about a naive woman indoctrinated into a religion/culture and finding her way out. Or overcoming religious trauma. If you've read something like Going Clear or The Wings Upon Her Back, you'll know what it's like if this is done right in both fiction and non-fiction.
Holy Wrath is the most shallow version of that possible. we come into the story with the protagonist in her 30s and the issues start right away. We see her fully delusional, and not questioning anything about her life, and entirely without people that could be said to have convinced her of every lie that she wholeheartedly believes. Everyone around her is an asshole, and she she comes across more like a complete moron than a naive victim.
But don't worry because all of the other characters suck, so she seems well-developed in comparison. Her love interest is one of the most vacant characters I've ever read. A completely flawless character that says and does all the right things for the protagonist and is immediately entirely devoted to her. It felt like a painfully obvious wish-fulfillment insert from the author. This flawless angel also is disgustingly flirtatious at the most awful times, but of course the protagonist is too horny for her to care.
It also gets worse. The protagonist flagellates using what is likely a rod or a whip, but is consistently called a "flail." Her one-dimensionally even husband gets his rocks off by seeing her do it, so when he comes to hunt her down after she abandons him... he brings it... And he conveniently dies, she finds it and is understandably traumatized to see it again. Described as "terrified." Flawless Love Interest says "no, you don't deserve pain. Never again." And her brilliant plan is to use the thing as a sex toy. The FIRST time they're together.
Can you imagine how dumb you have to be to see someone visibly traumatized by an object and think it's a good idea to fuck them with it? It's okay though, because the protagonist loved it. Of course she did. It's one of the dumbest, most contrived things I've ever read.
The rest of the book is barely better.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The audiobook is one of the absolute worst I've ever listened too. like bottom 3. The narrator makes wet throat noises constantly. She narrates with this unfathomably annoying , slow, "emotional" voice. it. was. torture.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 7, 2025
oh i devoured this.. knew this was gonna be a five star read from the first page
January 10, 2026
suddenly all my issues with religion are healed because of this book! also nyatrix....... i'm free this thursday if you're free on thursday..
July 26, 2025
3.5 rounded up ~ RTC 🗡️🕊️
April 18, 2025
Romantasy absolutely isn’t for me (even with lesbians)
Read
August 6, 2025Empezó increíblemente bien, descendió a los infiernos, a partir de la mitad resucitó y culminó decentemente bien.
El estilo ha sido un Vía Crucis, y mira que a mí me gusta un buen barroco, pero lo rococó que era no ha terminado de conectar conmigo.
El lore del mundo me ha gustado y sus reminiscencias del catolicismo me han ENCANTADO, especialmente el giro más dantesco, PERO, ha sido increíblemente difícil de seguir, especialmente al principio. En mi opinión, en algunos puntos faltaban explicaciones, especialmente de los palabros en latín (y eso que en mi caso particular, sabiendo la traducción, podía atisbar por dónde iban los tiros), ¿cómo se supone que voy a saber cómo encajan en este mundo sin una explicación, por obra y gracia del Espíritu Santo?
Los personajes a los que hay que detestar están tan bien hechos que más de una vez me han dado ganas de tirar el libro contra la pared. Y la protagonista, absorbida por el fanatismo sectario, también está genial descrita, aunque alguna que otra vez me haya puesto de los nervios. En algunos momentos las acciones de los personajes me han parecido que no tenían sentido, total, que ha sido un milagro que por una cosa o por otra no haya estampado el libro.
La relación ha sido un poco meh (encima instalove...) y me ha dejado super fría, pero, bueno, vale, me la he querido creer. Como el libro, también ha mejorado a partir de la mitad.
A pesar de todo lo negativo, la historia ha estado bien y me ha terminado gustando, tristemente, menos de lo que me hubiera gustado, porque, a priori, tenía todos los ingredientes para que fuera de diez.
P. D.: Un mayal no es lo mismo que un flagelo (flagrum), por el amor de Dios... Eso sí, la pobre autora habrá ido a dar con una de las pocas frikis que iba a reparar en un detalle tan nimio, pero es que esas cosas me tiltean que flipas... #traductora
El estilo ha sido un Vía Crucis, y mira que a mí me gusta un buen barroco, pero lo rococó que era no ha terminado de conectar conmigo.
El lore del mundo me ha gustado y sus reminiscencias del catolicismo me han ENCANTADO, especialmente el giro más dantesco, PERO, ha sido increíblemente difícil de seguir, especialmente al principio. En mi opinión, en algunos puntos faltaban explicaciones, especialmente de los palabros en latín (y eso que en mi caso particular, sabiendo la traducción, podía atisbar por dónde iban los tiros), ¿cómo se supone que voy a saber cómo encajan en este mundo sin una explicación, por obra y gracia del Espíritu Santo?
Los personajes a los que hay que detestar están tan bien hechos que más de una vez me han dado ganas de tirar el libro contra la pared. Y la protagonista, absorbida por el fanatismo sectario, también está genial descrita, aunque alguna que otra vez me haya puesto de los nervios. En algunos momentos las acciones de los personajes me han parecido que no tenían sentido, total, que ha sido un milagro que por una cosa o por otra no haya estampado el libro.
La relación ha sido un poco meh (encima instalove...) y me ha dejado super fría, pero, bueno, vale, me la he querido creer. Como el libro, también ha mejorado a partir de la mitad.
A pesar de todo lo negativo, la historia ha estado bien y me ha terminado gustando, tristemente, menos de lo que me hubiera gustado, porque, a priori, tenía todos los ingredientes para que fuera de diez.
P. D.: Un mayal no es lo mismo que un flagelo (flagrum), por el amor de Dios... Eso sí, la pobre autora habrá ido a dar con una de las pocas frikis que iba a reparar en un detalle tan nimio, pero es que esas cosas me tiltean que flipas... #traductora
January 27, 2026
DNF @ 65%
I am a very disappointed fantasy loving lesbian today.
I really wanted to love this and my expectations were high with so many people claiming this is /THE Sapphic knight book/ but honestly, this needed SOOOO much more editing work. I cannot express that enough. With so much peace and love, this reads like a self edited fanfic. Sometimes there was a line of absolutely incredible writing only to be diminished by bookending it with perpetual horniness and repetitive adjectives.
The disability rep was very well done so I will commend that aspect and overall it truly had the backbone to be an excellent story, but the writing/pacing was so severely flawed that it just didn't hit.
AND BECAUSE I'M STILL FLABBERGASTED: I READ THROUGH NEARLY 300 PAGES OF SEMI-CHASTE NON-STOP YEARNING JUST TO WATCH THEM FUCK IN SAND INFESTED RUINS, USING THE VERY OBJECT A MAN FLOGGED HER WITH AND TO TOP IT ALL OFF THEY DIDNT. EVEN. KISS. ONCE???
Like you're telling me this FMC who is so chaste she can't even handle the idea of touching the other FMC without going into a trauma spiral went straight into to sex, no kiss? Even though we had to repeatedly hear about how badly she wanted to kiss her for 280 pages???
That was my last straw. Genuinely broke this camels back.
And lastly before I go, I just have to say that there are more adjectives out there. I promise. We get it, shes a lithe wolf predator with thunderstorm eyes slinking towards you. Her dark gaze causing a (seemingly unending) ache at the apex of your thighs.
I could go on but I wont!
Tbh the author could pull this, edit it and republish it because it feels like it had the potential to even be a series if they focused more on the plot instead of recycling adjectives.
Also, maybe the characters should kiss at least once before mild kink sex with an object of the FMCs own oppression?
But I digress.
I am a very disappointed fantasy loving lesbian today.
I really wanted to love this and my expectations were high with so many people claiming this is /THE Sapphic knight book/ but honestly, this needed SOOOO much more editing work. I cannot express that enough. With so much peace and love, this reads like a self edited fanfic. Sometimes there was a line of absolutely incredible writing only to be diminished by bookending it with perpetual horniness and repetitive adjectives.
The disability rep was very well done so I will commend that aspect and overall it truly had the backbone to be an excellent story, but the writing/pacing was so severely flawed that it just didn't hit.
AND BECAUSE I'M STILL FLABBERGASTED: I READ THROUGH NEARLY 300 PAGES OF SEMI-CHASTE NON-STOP YEARNING JUST TO WATCH THEM FUCK IN SAND INFESTED RUINS, USING THE VERY OBJECT A MAN FLOGGED HER WITH AND TO TOP IT ALL OFF THEY DIDNT. EVEN. KISS. ONCE???
Like you're telling me this FMC who is so chaste she can't even handle the idea of touching the other FMC without going into a trauma spiral went straight into to sex, no kiss? Even though we had to repeatedly hear about how badly she wanted to kiss her for 280 pages???
That was my last straw. Genuinely broke this camels back.
And lastly before I go, I just have to say that there are more adjectives out there. I promise. We get it, shes a lithe wolf predator with thunderstorm eyes slinking towards you. Her dark gaze causing a (seemingly unending) ache at the apex of your thighs.
I could go on but I wont!
Tbh the author could pull this, edit it and republish it because it feels like it had the potential to even be a series if they focused more on the plot instead of recycling adjectives.
Also, maybe the characters should kiss at least once before mild kink sex with an object of the FMCs own oppression?
But I digress.
August 20, 2025
4⭐
What a complex book with beautiful written characters that have amazing character development and a really good view about religion and getting away from what people want from you, and finding your own wants and needs.
The strongest part of this book, to me, was definitely the characters. I didn’t think much of Ophelia at the beginning, she’s very insecure and devoutes herself completely to her religion, not questioning anything that she’s asked and just following people around her, (she pissed me off a little in the first few chapters, not gonna lie) until she meets Nyatrix, the complete opposite of her and someone that shows her that she has a choice, that she can be free and follow her own path. I absolutely loved Nyatrix and how strong and kind she was, but loved even more how much she cared about Ophelia and gave her everything she didn’t know she could have. She always had a choice, always had a saying in what happened between and around them, and I adored how much they relied on each other.
The plot revolving around the religion and gods, while interesting and with a few plot twists that elevated the story, was at times confusing. It just felt like it was a lot of information thrown at the same time and there wasn’t really time to process it before more plot was introduced. I definitely got lost at times, but still could follow the story nonetheless.
What a complex book with beautiful written characters that have amazing character development and a really good view about religion and getting away from what people want from you, and finding your own wants and needs.
The strongest part of this book, to me, was definitely the characters. I didn’t think much of Ophelia at the beginning, she’s very insecure and devoutes herself completely to her religion, not questioning anything that she’s asked and just following people around her, (she pissed me off a little in the first few chapters, not gonna lie) until she meets Nyatrix, the complete opposite of her and someone that shows her that she has a choice, that she can be free and follow her own path. I absolutely loved Nyatrix and how strong and kind she was, but loved even more how much she cared about Ophelia and gave her everything she didn’t know she could have. She always had a choice, always had a saying in what happened between and around them, and I adored how much they relied on each other.
The plot revolving around the religion and gods, while interesting and with a few plot twists that elevated the story, was at times confusing. It just felt like it was a lot of information thrown at the same time and there wasn’t really time to process it before more plot was introduced. I definitely got lost at times, but still could follow the story nonetheless.
April 7, 2025
HOLY WRATH by Victoria Mier
Healer Ophelia hopes to be claimed by a Saint and gain the power to perform the Mysteries. Tasked with caring for the Lupa Nox, a dangerous enemy warrior, she seeks to convert her to prove herself. But the Lupa Nox reveals dark truths about Ophelia’s god and city, forcing her to question everything she believes.
Holy Wrath left a profound impact on me, especially as a former Catholic. The novel delves deeply into themes of abuse, self-discovery, and healing, offering a raw and honest portrayal of the journey to break free from a controlling, patriarchal religious system. Ophelia’s personal evolution is a central thread—starting as a woman who believes herself broken and unworthy, and gradually transforming into someone who begins to embrace her own power, desires, and agency. Her relationship with Nyatrix, the fierce and powerful warrior, is equally transformative. What starts as a mission to convert Nyatrix becomes a beautiful, slow-burning romance, tender and filled with moments of passion that are as emotionally charged as they are physically.
The book’s exploration of faith and trauma resonated deeply, reminding me of the dissonance I felt growing up in a religious environment. The rituals, prayers, and unquestioning faith Ophelia clings to at first are sharply contrasted with the harsh truths revealed throughout the story, making the world of Holy Wrath feel hauntingly familiar. As Ophelia grapples with the secrets of her society and begins to question everything she’s been taught, the novel moves from an emotional exploration of grief and anger to a powerful tale of personal liberation.
I also loved how Ophelia’s disability is portrayed. Unlike so many stories where a character is magically “cured” by their powers, Ophelia’s journey is one of learning to live with and respect her own limitations, a refreshing and respectful approach. The dynamic between her and Nyatrix, where Nyatrix honours Ophelia’s needs and desires, was beautifully done.
Mier’s writing style is immersive and evocative, bringing the world and its characters to life in a way that is both poetic and gripping. Each scene is meticulously crafted, and the imagery is often so powerful that it lingers long after you’ve turned the page. There are moments where the prose feels almost lyrical, capturing the raw emotion of the characters in ways that left me re-reading certain passages to absorb them fully.
While I did find the first portion of the book a little slow due to Ophelia’s internal struggles, this is necessary to set up her eventual transformation. Her naivety and self-doubt are crucial to understanding her character arc, though it can be hard to stay immersed in her headspace during those early chapters. Once the story picks up and the tension builds, however, it becomes impossible to put down, especially as Ophelia begins to reclaim her autonomy and challenge everything she thought she knew about herself and her world.
Holy Wrath is a gripping and heart-wrenching read that offers an emotional journey of faith, personal growth, and the power of questioning the world around us. The delicate balance of romance, self-empowerment, and social critique makes it a memorable and strikingly beautiful novel.
MEMORABLE QUOTES:
“ ‘You have suffered, Ophelia,’ she murmurs. ‘How you wish to come to terms with that is your prerogative. But I need you to understand that you have suffered in a way many cannot imagine.’ ”
“ ‘If you only do the right thing to avoid punishment,’ she asks, ‘is that truly goodness? And can a god so eager to punish you truly love you?’ ”
“The truth does not fit neatly between my teeth, and it does not taste of wildflower honey on my tongue. I tastes of blood and soot and horror.”
“I wish I could still believe in Caelus, in that promise of eternal life, of a softer place after my body’s death where my soul may flourish forevermore.”
“Without the reassurance of an afterlife, wouldn’t I fight until I am battered and bruised to make this world better? Wouldn’t anyone?”
**Thank you to the author for the ARC. All opinions are my own.**
@librisinetenebris
Healer Ophelia hopes to be claimed by a Saint and gain the power to perform the Mysteries. Tasked with caring for the Lupa Nox, a dangerous enemy warrior, she seeks to convert her to prove herself. But the Lupa Nox reveals dark truths about Ophelia’s god and city, forcing her to question everything she believes.
Holy Wrath left a profound impact on me, especially as a former Catholic. The novel delves deeply into themes of abuse, self-discovery, and healing, offering a raw and honest portrayal of the journey to break free from a controlling, patriarchal religious system. Ophelia’s personal evolution is a central thread—starting as a woman who believes herself broken and unworthy, and gradually transforming into someone who begins to embrace her own power, desires, and agency. Her relationship with Nyatrix, the fierce and powerful warrior, is equally transformative. What starts as a mission to convert Nyatrix becomes a beautiful, slow-burning romance, tender and filled with moments of passion that are as emotionally charged as they are physically.
The book’s exploration of faith and trauma resonated deeply, reminding me of the dissonance I felt growing up in a religious environment. The rituals, prayers, and unquestioning faith Ophelia clings to at first are sharply contrasted with the harsh truths revealed throughout the story, making the world of Holy Wrath feel hauntingly familiar. As Ophelia grapples with the secrets of her society and begins to question everything she’s been taught, the novel moves from an emotional exploration of grief and anger to a powerful tale of personal liberation.
I also loved how Ophelia’s disability is portrayed. Unlike so many stories where a character is magically “cured” by their powers, Ophelia’s journey is one of learning to live with and respect her own limitations, a refreshing and respectful approach. The dynamic between her and Nyatrix, where Nyatrix honours Ophelia’s needs and desires, was beautifully done.
Mier’s writing style is immersive and evocative, bringing the world and its characters to life in a way that is both poetic and gripping. Each scene is meticulously crafted, and the imagery is often so powerful that it lingers long after you’ve turned the page. There are moments where the prose feels almost lyrical, capturing the raw emotion of the characters in ways that left me re-reading certain passages to absorb them fully.
While I did find the first portion of the book a little slow due to Ophelia’s internal struggles, this is necessary to set up her eventual transformation. Her naivety and self-doubt are crucial to understanding her character arc, though it can be hard to stay immersed in her headspace during those early chapters. Once the story picks up and the tension builds, however, it becomes impossible to put down, especially as Ophelia begins to reclaim her autonomy and challenge everything she thought she knew about herself and her world.
Holy Wrath is a gripping and heart-wrenching read that offers an emotional journey of faith, personal growth, and the power of questioning the world around us. The delicate balance of romance, self-empowerment, and social critique makes it a memorable and strikingly beautiful novel.
MEMORABLE QUOTES:
“ ‘You have suffered, Ophelia,’ she murmurs. ‘How you wish to come to terms with that is your prerogative. But I need you to understand that you have suffered in a way many cannot imagine.’ ”
“ ‘If you only do the right thing to avoid punishment,’ she asks, ‘is that truly goodness? And can a god so eager to punish you truly love you?’ ”
“The truth does not fit neatly between my teeth, and it does not taste of wildflower honey on my tongue. I tastes of blood and soot and horror.”
“I wish I could still believe in Caelus, in that promise of eternal life, of a softer place after my body’s death where my soul may flourish forevermore.”
“Without the reassurance of an afterlife, wouldn’t I fight until I am battered and bruised to make this world better? Wouldn’t anyone?”
**Thank you to the author for the ARC. All opinions are my own.**
@librisinetenebris
April 7, 2025
For everyone who has lived under the thumb of men who thought they were God.
🌸Victoria Mier🌸
🐺Holy Wrath 🕊️
What to expect:
🕊️Sapphic
🐺Fantasy
🕊️Standalone
🐺Gothic vibes
🕊️Who did this to you?
🐺Feminine rage
🕊️Religous trauma
🐺Lady KNIGHT?! 😮💨
🕊️Did I mention lesbians?
This was my first book from this author and I stumbled across one of the authors posts and just had to check this out! I am in love with the cover, but then I found myself really enamored with the story as well! Highly recommend checking this out when you get the chance.
🌸Victoria Mier🌸
🐺Holy Wrath 🕊️
What to expect:
🕊️Sapphic
🐺Fantasy
🕊️Standalone
🐺Gothic vibes
🕊️Who did this to you?
🐺Feminine rage
🕊️Religous trauma
🐺Lady KNIGHT?! 😮💨
🕊️Did I mention lesbians?
This was my first book from this author and I stumbled across one of the authors posts and just had to check this out! I am in love with the cover, but then I found myself really enamored with the story as well! Highly recommend checking this out when you get the chance.
January 15, 2026
Freedom is a knife. All I get to decide is where to plunge it into my flesh. But there’s one blade I’ll accept over the other, my soul be damned.
3.5 stars. Maybe 3.25? I really liked this sapphic high fantasy romance, though I did have a few issues with it here and there. Thematically, it was all the way up my alley. We've got Ophelia, living under a strict, sexist, conservative regime, battling her internalised homophobia. And then she starts falling for a prisoner of war; the alluring, brash warrior-knight, Nyatrix. I really liked the first half; the second half left something to be desired, especially with the pacing. The writing was pretty okay, but there were some word choice decisions I didn't love. Fuller review to come.
I had an ALC via NetGalley (thank you!) buuuut I actually ended up DNFing the audiobook and just reading most of the book myself. It wasn't terrible, but I just really didn't gel with the voices that the narrator did for Ophelia or Nyatrix. She gave Ophelia this kind of breathy, tremulous voice that... I guess you could say it fits her character? She has been trained to be docile and somewhat submissive and that is something that she's fighting against. But I just didn't like the way it sounded. The narrator herself has a very pleasant voice, medium pitch. But when she's speaking for Ophelia, it sounds like she's trying to wrangle her voice into a higher pitch, and it sounds unnatural and uncomfortable. Especially in high-tension or emotional scenes. I didn't really like her Nyatrix voice either, unfortunately. I did, like, listen to some samples of the narrator's other work on other audiobooks, and I thought the voice was fine. So, I really do think it's just this book, and the voices that she chose to do for it. Mileage might vary. Other people might like it! But yeah, I couldn't finish it.
April 8, 2025
4.25 ⭐️
Do you have religious trauma and/or Catholic guilt? Boy, do I have the book for you!
Holy Wrath really explores the ideas surrounding religion in a way that I personally loved to see. At its core, this is a story about questioning everything you’ve been told and knowing in your gut that something wasn’t right. Our main character, Ophelia, has lived nearly her whole life under the thumb of the Host. She has tried and tried to be what the church expected of her but always felt she was falling short. I loved getting to see her progression from the beginning of the book to the end. She makes huge strides toward ridding herself of that feeling telling her she wasn’t good enough. Nyatrix was a breath of fresh air for Ophelia, treating her not as a pious woman of the Host, but as an individual deserving of respect. For that, I’ll always love her.
A little hint of what you’ll find in Holy Wrath:
💜 Sapphic Fantasy
💜 Religious Trauma
💜 So, So Much Feminine Rage
💜 Disability Rep
💜 Who Did This To You?
I really enjoyed Holy Wrath, though it took me a little longer to read because it can be heavy at times. I found the world building interesting, and honestly I wouldn’t be mad at the idea of some sort of prequel because the history is RICH. However, Holy Wrath is a standalone, and I had no trouble following despite the heavy world building. Victoria takes a lot of inspiration from Catholicism while managing to make it feel unique at the same time. Overall, I’d definitely recommend Holy Wrath to anyone looking for a sapphic fantasy, especially one that deals with religious trauma and dismantling the system that caused it.
Thank you Victoria Mier for the early review copy of Holy Wrath! All opinions are my own!
Do you have religious trauma and/or Catholic guilt? Boy, do I have the book for you!
Holy Wrath really explores the ideas surrounding religion in a way that I personally loved to see. At its core, this is a story about questioning everything you’ve been told and knowing in your gut that something wasn’t right. Our main character, Ophelia, has lived nearly her whole life under the thumb of the Host. She has tried and tried to be what the church expected of her but always felt she was falling short. I loved getting to see her progression from the beginning of the book to the end. She makes huge strides toward ridding herself of that feeling telling her she wasn’t good enough. Nyatrix was a breath of fresh air for Ophelia, treating her not as a pious woman of the Host, but as an individual deserving of respect. For that, I’ll always love her.
A little hint of what you’ll find in Holy Wrath:
💜 Sapphic Fantasy
💜 Religious Trauma
💜 So, So Much Feminine Rage
💜 Disability Rep
💜 Who Did This To You?
I really enjoyed Holy Wrath, though it took me a little longer to read because it can be heavy at times. I found the world building interesting, and honestly I wouldn’t be mad at the idea of some sort of prequel because the history is RICH. However, Holy Wrath is a standalone, and I had no trouble following despite the heavy world building. Victoria takes a lot of inspiration from Catholicism while managing to make it feel unique at the same time. Overall, I’d definitely recommend Holy Wrath to anyone looking for a sapphic fantasy, especially one that deals with religious trauma and dismantling the system that caused it.
Thank you Victoria Mier for the early review copy of Holy Wrath! All opinions are my own!
January 2, 2026
My first read of 2026 and what a treat it was! The characters of Ophelia and Nyatrix were both interwoven beautifully together from an unsuspecting start to a powerhouse finish. The religious trauma that Ophelia endures is absolutely heart wrenching and the narrator, Sara Brodt, did an incredible performance portraying this character’s complex journey of mental, physical, and chronic pain. Her narration also stood out with moments of confidence and pleasure, making the story on Ophelia’s behalf much more powerful to listen to. I also appreciated that Ophelia’s disability is not ‘fixed’ and she is shown understanding and offered accommodations by Nyatrix only when Ophelia wants it. This book is reassurance that for those who feel unworthy (especially for the disabled and/or queer communities) that love is the thing that fuels us and we should never be ashamed of who we are! We are much more powerful than you think!
Also if you are an Avatar: The Last Airbender/The Legend of Korra fan, this book may interest you! There are similar elements! Also Ophelia and Nyatrix kinda give off Korra and Asami vibes.
Thank you to NetGalley, Tantor Media Publishing and Tantor Audio for the early access!
Also if you are an Avatar: The Last Airbender/The Legend of Korra fan, this book may interest you! There are similar elements! Also Ophelia and Nyatrix kinda give off Korra and Asami vibes.
Thank you to NetGalley, Tantor Media Publishing and Tantor Audio for the early access!
May 10, 2025
I should have looked into trigger warnings before reading this book, but I have never had to before, and to be fair they weren’t made as clear as I think they should have been.
After finishing, I’ve found a list on the authors website so I would like to talk about that first:
This book features HEAVY amounts of Catholicism and religious references and beliefs and all that stuff, which might usually not be that bad if it didn’t include the character (who I think is supposed to symbolize Jesus) having to eat (??) his disciples, who in this book are his siblings, as well as around 300 children (??) to power himself, and then there’s the issue of him creating false saints for people to believe in to deal with ‘lesser issues’ (??) and then those who aren’t blessed by these false saints are deemed less worthy of almost everything (??)
And then there is the whole belief system that women are lesser than, only good for bearing children, making the husband happy, cooking, preparing food, being beautiful, healing and not much more. This also leads me to mention the rape attempt in this book, which was stopped, but the blame was put on the woman, even though there were two witnesses,
There is also heavy homophobia in this book, a woman thinking about another woman romantically is wrong and sinful, this also ties to another warning, when the first female main character admits to this, her future husband forces her to hit herself in the back over and over with a leather ‘flag’ (?) until she has wounds that need to be tended to regularly for the rest of the book, and then her ‘betrothed’ tells her how good she is and how well she did (????) Later in the book after she escapes and they meet again he verbally abuses her, and then gifts her the flag as a ‘reminder’
So fair to say there is quite triggering content in this book, which in my opinion should be made clearer than a section at the bottom of a ‘q&a’ section on a website.
I do know I should have done research first, but seeing as how much everyone seems to be enjoying this book I didn’t think I would have anything to worry about.
Changes I would recommend include a very clear trigger warning at the very beginning of the book instead of a link to the website, where even then you have to scroll to the bottom to find the trigger warning question. I would also change the wording from ‘non consensual sexual touch’ to rape or attempted rape, let’s call it what it is.
I did enjoy the love story between death and life though, that was cute.
After finishing, I’ve found a list on the authors website so I would like to talk about that first:
This book features HEAVY amounts of Catholicism and religious references and beliefs and all that stuff, which might usually not be that bad if it didn’t include the character (who I think is supposed to symbolize Jesus) having to eat (??) his disciples, who in this book are his siblings, as well as around 300 children (??) to power himself, and then there’s the issue of him creating false saints for people to believe in to deal with ‘lesser issues’ (??) and then those who aren’t blessed by these false saints are deemed less worthy of almost everything (??)
And then there is the whole belief system that women are lesser than, only good for bearing children, making the husband happy, cooking, preparing food, being beautiful, healing and not much more. This also leads me to mention the rape attempt in this book, which was stopped, but the blame was put on the woman, even though there were two witnesses,
There is also heavy homophobia in this book, a woman thinking about another woman romantically is wrong and sinful, this also ties to another warning, when the first female main character admits to this, her future husband forces her to hit herself in the back over and over with a leather ‘flag’ (?) until she has wounds that need to be tended to regularly for the rest of the book, and then her ‘betrothed’ tells her how good she is and how well she did (????) Later in the book after she escapes and they meet again he verbally abuses her, and then gifts her the flag as a ‘reminder’
So fair to say there is quite triggering content in this book, which in my opinion should be made clearer than a section at the bottom of a ‘q&a’ section on a website.
I do know I should have done research first, but seeing as how much everyone seems to be enjoying this book I didn’t think I would have anything to worry about.
Changes I would recommend include a very clear trigger warning at the very beginning of the book instead of a link to the website, where even then you have to scroll to the bottom to find the trigger warning question. I would also change the wording from ‘non consensual sexual touch’ to rape or attempted rape, let’s call it what it is.
I did enjoy the love story between death and life though, that was cute.
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