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The Magnificence of Death
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue meets A Dowry of Blood in this lyrical, genre-bending gothic fantasy about a girl cursed with immortality—and the deal she strikes with Death himself.
Astoria Tempest has lived countless lives, but none that truly belonged to her. Cursed with immortality and the ability to return the dead, she’s spent over a century fleeing grief, guilt, and the trail of second chances she never had the right to give. But when she bargains her husband’s soul to save their daughter, the scales tip too far and Death comes to collect all she's stolen.
Except Death isn’t a shadow or a scythe. He’s a man with cold eyes, a sharper tongue, and a ledger of names with hers at the top.
With Death on her heels, Astoria drifts through the years like a ghost, hiding in the cracks of time and nursing the compulsion to save the dying, no matter the cost. But when she intervenes one too many times, her quiet eternity begins to crumble.
Out of options, Astoria strikes a deal: one broken curse in exchange for one soul. Hers.
As they travel the perilous road toward undoing the curse, what began as a reluctant truce warps into something dangerous. Tenderness, understanding, and even love. Caught between a power she never wanted and a reckoning she can’t avoid, Astoria must decide what she’s truly willing to lose... and whether Death might be something more than just the end.
Astoria Tempest has lived countless lives, but none that truly belonged to her. Cursed with immortality and the ability to return the dead, she’s spent over a century fleeing grief, guilt, and the trail of second chances she never had the right to give. But when she bargains her husband’s soul to save their daughter, the scales tip too far and Death comes to collect all she's stolen.
Except Death isn’t a shadow or a scythe. He’s a man with cold eyes, a sharper tongue, and a ledger of names with hers at the top.
With Death on her heels, Astoria drifts through the years like a ghost, hiding in the cracks of time and nursing the compulsion to save the dying, no matter the cost. But when she intervenes one too many times, her quiet eternity begins to crumble.
Out of options, Astoria strikes a deal: one broken curse in exchange for one soul. Hers.
As they travel the perilous road toward undoing the curse, what began as a reluctant truce warps into something dangerous. Tenderness, understanding, and even love. Caught between a power she never wanted and a reckoning she can’t avoid, Astoria must decide what she’s truly willing to lose... and whether Death might be something more than just the end.
474 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 1, 2025
449 people are currently reading
8385 people want to read
About the author
Rhea Rainwater
1 book75 followersRhea Rainwater was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest. When she's not in a fantastical writing trance, she's finding treasure on the gray beaches with her husband, children, and their German Shorthaired Pointer, Willa.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 273 reviews
September 24, 2025
You’re telling me this is a debut novel???
I’m obsessed. Ruined. This was painful, beautiful and everything in between. A story about grief, unconditional love, growth and forgiveness that swept me up and spit me out. I love this so so much.
If you liked Addie LaRue, but you wanted a different ending (if you know what I mean, you’ll know) I think you will adore this.
No notes.
I’m obsessed. Ruined. This was painful, beautiful and everything in between. A story about grief, unconditional love, growth and forgiveness that swept me up and spit me out. I love this so so much.
If you liked Addie LaRue, but you wanted a different ending (if you know what I mean, you’ll know) I think you will adore this.
No notes.
August 25, 2025
literally couldn’t tell you anything that happened in this book
July 1, 2025
A powerful, character-driven story exploring grief and love and loss and life and death and all the in-betweens.
This was incredibly thought-provoking. Haunting. Raw. Unexpected. I found myself taking my time and really savoring this story and all it had to offer. Achingly tender and romantic but in such a profound way. Beautiful, poetic prose that wasn’t just surface level- it carried weight with heavier themes and emotional complexity woven beneath that just makes you feel so deeply and lingers long after you close the book.
And while the pain was felt and tears were cried, the resounding feeling I was left with was…hope. I will carry this story with me for a long time 🖤
Thank you so much to the author for providing an E-ARC!
RATING BREAKDOWN
Overall: 4.5⭐️
———————
Characters: 4⭐️
Setting: 4⭐️
Themes: 5⭐️
Emotional impact: 5⭐️
Personal enjoyment: 4⭐️
Writing/prose: 5⭐️
This was incredibly thought-provoking. Haunting. Raw. Unexpected. I found myself taking my time and really savoring this story and all it had to offer. Achingly tender and romantic but in such a profound way. Beautiful, poetic prose that wasn’t just surface level- it carried weight with heavier themes and emotional complexity woven beneath that just makes you feel so deeply and lingers long after you close the book.
And while the pain was felt and tears were cried, the resounding feeling I was left with was…hope. I will carry this story with me for a long time 🖤
Thank you so much to the author for providing an E-ARC!
RATING BREAKDOWN
Overall: 4.5⭐️
———————
Characters: 4⭐️
Setting: 4⭐️
Themes: 5⭐️
Emotional impact: 5⭐️
Personal enjoyment: 4⭐️
Writing/prose: 5⭐️
October 2, 2025
There isn't a star system high enough for how much I loved this book! I closed my Kindle and just stared at the ceiling with tears running down my face. I can't believe this is the author's debut novel. Beautifully written and thought-provoking. This is about grief, loss, death, and fear. It's a heavy read, but it's an absolutely stunning read. I lost my husband a little over a year ago, and my oldest daughter passed away when she was only 6 years old. Grief/death has been a constant companion. I have never read something that represents my heart the way this book did. I don't think anything I read going forward will compare to what reading this book has done for me. I know it seems dramatic, but I am not the same person I was before I read this. This book was life changing for me. If you are in the right head space please, please read this book.
December 1, 2025
This is hard to rate. I really liked some things while really disliking many others, so I think I’m going to settle on a light 3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️. Admittedly I also maybe went into this with too high of expectations given I love love stories across timelines & stories centering around grief, so I thought it would be a homerun. But for me it just wasn’t. Here’s why 👇🏼
PLOT
All the women in Astoria’s families are cursed & hers is immortality. But she can also bring back a life, however another will be taken in its stead by Death himself. After nearly 150 years, she finds herself on the run with Death to figure out how to break the curse. This book has:
- overarching theme of grief
- “gods”, curses, & immortality
- morally gray MMC death god & immortal FMC
- romantic fantasy NOT fantasy romance
- v v v low spice
PROS
- I did quite like the epilogue, it was very sweet.
- I enjoyed the central theme of how to deal with & live with grief.
- I like when the antagonist in a book isn’t a person it’s a concept. So time was the enemy for most of this book & I find that interesting.
- The writing was really lovely. Thoroughly enjoyed the author’s writing style.
- Bringing in the Absolutes was interesting & I liked their dynamic.
- I liked Death’s chapters quite a bit. They were an interesting contrast to Astoria’s. I think his evolution & his story shined brightest in this book for me.
MIDS
- I feel both satisfied & deeply unsatisfied by the ending.
CONS
- Astoria never grew on me like I wanted her to. She had her moments — mostly in the middle of the book for me personally — but overall I found her to be a bit of a hypocrite & inconsistent. I had never thought she was dumb but then she apparently hadn’t understood crucial things after 100+ years?? Idk how to describe it other than she felt girlboss words without girlboss brain sometimes.
- Speaking of, there was a major “betrayal” that IMO wasn’t a betrayal at all because it was literally what the character had said was happening. Not in a fae trickster way, like… verbatim. So I spent the whole book knowing this truth — which was repeated between the characters — just for it to be a new major conflict?
- I do not think Astoria & Death’s dynamic was established well to start. I wasn’t rooting for them for awhile because I didn’t get it. I LOVE a multiple timeline story & I just don’t think this was used to the best of its capabilities. I kept comparing this to a book I recently read with a similar timeline thing & being like “the other one did this better because they gave me a clear ‘WHY’ for this dynamic even if I don’t know the ‘what’ yet”
- I found the resolution of the curse deeply anticlimactic. I get what it means philosophically, but story-wise it didn’t hit for me at all. I think it was a little messy & fell flat.
I hope id you give it a try you enjoy it!
PLOT
All the women in Astoria’s families are cursed & hers is immortality. But she can also bring back a life, however another will be taken in its stead by Death himself. After nearly 150 years, she finds herself on the run with Death to figure out how to break the curse. This book has:
- overarching theme of grief
- “gods”, curses, & immortality
- morally gray MMC death god & immortal FMC
- romantic fantasy NOT fantasy romance
- v v v low spice
PROS
- I did quite like the epilogue, it was very sweet.
- I enjoyed the central theme of how to deal with & live with grief.
- I like when the antagonist in a book isn’t a person it’s a concept. So time was the enemy for most of this book & I find that interesting.
- The writing was really lovely. Thoroughly enjoyed the author’s writing style.
- Bringing in the Absolutes was interesting & I liked their dynamic.
- I liked Death’s chapters quite a bit. They were an interesting contrast to Astoria’s. I think his evolution & his story shined brightest in this book for me.
MIDS
- I feel both satisfied & deeply unsatisfied by the ending.
CONS
- Astoria never grew on me like I wanted her to. She had her moments — mostly in the middle of the book for me personally — but overall I found her to be a bit of a hypocrite & inconsistent. I had never thought she was dumb but then she apparently hadn’t understood crucial things after 100+ years?? Idk how to describe it other than she felt girlboss words without girlboss brain sometimes.
- Speaking of, there was a major “betrayal” that IMO wasn’t a betrayal at all because it was literally what the character had said was happening. Not in a fae trickster way, like… verbatim. So I spent the whole book knowing this truth — which was repeated between the characters — just for it to be a new major conflict?
- I do not think Astoria & Death’s dynamic was established well to start. I wasn’t rooting for them for awhile because I didn’t get it. I LOVE a multiple timeline story & I just don’t think this was used to the best of its capabilities. I kept comparing this to a book I recently read with a similar timeline thing & being like “the other one did this better because they gave me a clear ‘WHY’ for this dynamic even if I don’t know the ‘what’ yet”
- I found the resolution of the curse deeply anticlimactic. I get what it means philosophically, but story-wise it didn’t hit for me at all. I think it was a little messy & fell flat.
I hope id you give it a try you enjoy it!
July 17, 2025
This book was a 5-star read for the first 60%, 70%. The prose is beautiful, the characters compelling, and the storytelling gripping. Until it wasn’t.
We’re introduced to Astoria Tempest, a woman frozen in time on her twenty-second birthday. Like her mother and grandmother before her, she’s the victim of a curse—one whose nature remains shrouded in mystery until the book’s end. The curse is so casually accepted by the characters that I sometimes wondered if it had already been explained and I’d missed it.
Astoria believes she has the power to trade one life for another and is haunted by guilt over the deaths she thinks she’s caused—people who lost their lives "before their time" because of her actions. Death, whom Astoria names Grim, lingers near her constantly, their relationship a volatile mix of flirtation, taunting, and occasional hatred (though the hatred sometimes felt forced, it wasn’t enough to ruin the dynamic). Eventually, they admit they’ve fallen in love.
The book delivers gorgeous gothic romantasy vibes, with a haunting setting and lyrical prose. That said, I struggled with how humanized the cosmic entities felt—Death, Time, and Fate were portrayed so mundanely that it occasionally pulled me out of the story. Still, I could overlook it.
Then, around the 60-70% mark, everything fell apart for me, and my rating dropped to two stars. After settling into domestic bliss (“Honey, I’m going reaping, be home by dinner,”, “Okay, hon, I’ll stay here and weave a basket”), they get into a massive fight because Astoria discovers that Grim was the one taking the lives—not her. And… well, yeah. He’s Death. That’s his job. I didn’t see the betrayal or maybe there was something I missed along the way. Either way, the conflict felt melodramatic and unnecessary, and from that point on, the book lost its charm for me.
Other elements started to feel contrived:
• “Time/Day is my best friend”—forced.
• Astoria’s perfection—she’s endlessly beautiful, lovable, and flawless, as is pointed out by the other characters.
• Gentry—a researcher who conveniently specializes in Astoria’s family, instantly falls in love with her, and immediately accepts the existence of anthropomorphized cosmic entities. It all felt too deus ex machina.
Thanks to Gentry (and what seemed like a rushed ending), we learn the curse stems from intergenerational pain and betrayal among the women in Astoria’s family. I’m a therapist, I deeply understand the power of naming hidden monsters and pain—but as a narrative resolution, it fell flat. The reveal was crammed into a few hurried lines, leaving me unsatisfied.
I’m bitterly disappointed because I loved this book at first—it was well on track to be one of my best reads of the year. But the last third, especially the weak ending and the unnecessary conflict between Grim and Astoria, undermined everything I’d enjoyed.
That said, I’m still glad I read it. I’m always happy to support fellow indie authors, and I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for Rainwater’s future works.
We’re introduced to Astoria Tempest, a woman frozen in time on her twenty-second birthday. Like her mother and grandmother before her, she’s the victim of a curse—one whose nature remains shrouded in mystery until the book’s end. The curse is so casually accepted by the characters that I sometimes wondered if it had already been explained and I’d missed it.
Astoria believes she has the power to trade one life for another and is haunted by guilt over the deaths she thinks she’s caused—people who lost their lives "before their time" because of her actions. Death, whom Astoria names Grim, lingers near her constantly, their relationship a volatile mix of flirtation, taunting, and occasional hatred (though the hatred sometimes felt forced, it wasn’t enough to ruin the dynamic). Eventually, they admit they’ve fallen in love.
The book delivers gorgeous gothic romantasy vibes, with a haunting setting and lyrical prose. That said, I struggled with how humanized the cosmic entities felt—Death, Time, and Fate were portrayed so mundanely that it occasionally pulled me out of the story. Still, I could overlook it.
Then, around the 60-70% mark, everything fell apart for me, and my rating dropped to two stars. After settling into domestic bliss (“Honey, I’m going reaping, be home by dinner,”, “Okay, hon, I’ll stay here and weave a basket”), they get into a massive fight because Astoria discovers that Grim was the one taking the lives—not her. And… well, yeah. He’s Death. That’s his job. I didn’t see the betrayal or maybe there was something I missed along the way. Either way, the conflict felt melodramatic and unnecessary, and from that point on, the book lost its charm for me.
Other elements started to feel contrived:
• “Time/Day is my best friend”—forced.
• Astoria’s perfection—she’s endlessly beautiful, lovable, and flawless, as is pointed out by the other characters.
• Gentry—a researcher who conveniently specializes in Astoria’s family, instantly falls in love with her, and immediately accepts the existence of anthropomorphized cosmic entities. It all felt too deus ex machina.
Thanks to Gentry (and what seemed like a rushed ending), we learn the curse stems from intergenerational pain and betrayal among the women in Astoria’s family. I’m a therapist, I deeply understand the power of naming hidden monsters and pain—but as a narrative resolution, it fell flat. The reveal was crammed into a few hurried lines, leaving me unsatisfied.
I’m bitterly disappointed because I loved this book at first—it was well on track to be one of my best reads of the year. But the last third, especially the weak ending and the unnecessary conflict between Grim and Astoria, undermined everything I’d enjoyed.
That said, I’m still glad I read it. I’m always happy to support fellow indie authors, and I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for Rainwater’s future works.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 12, 2025
I really wanted to love this book. The idea of Death as a character and a romance with him sounded amazing. But in the end, it didn’t work for me.
The beginning was okay, but around the middle it just went a little too slow. Not much was happening, and I kept waiting for the story or the romance to really pick up.
By the end, Astoria did stay with Death (Grim), but it felt a bit anti-climactic. I had been waiting for them to finally be together, but when it happened, the book basically just ended. There was no look into what their life would be like after that or even at that very moment.
Also, the way the curse was broken didn’t feel satisfying. It was just “acknowledge it and don’t keep it hidden.” From a psychological view I understand that message, that when you face your pain, it loses its power. But in the story, it felt too simple. Like: that’s it? I was hoping for something deeper or more emotional.
The book had some nice ideas and moments, but overall it, at times, felt too vague, a bit slow, and the ending left me wanting more.
The beginning was okay, but around the middle it just went a little too slow. Not much was happening, and I kept waiting for the story or the romance to really pick up.
By the end, Astoria did stay with Death (Grim), but it felt a bit anti-climactic. I had been waiting for them to finally be together, but when it happened, the book basically just ended. There was no look into what their life would be like after that or even at that very moment.
Also, the way the curse was broken didn’t feel satisfying. It was just “acknowledge it and don’t keep it hidden.” From a psychological view I understand that message, that when you face your pain, it loses its power. But in the story, it felt too simple. Like: that’s it? I was hoping for something deeper or more emotional.
The book had some nice ideas and moments, but overall it, at times, felt too vague, a bit slow, and the ending left me wanting more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 22, 2025
But sometimes even kindness, when you were already bleeding, could cut you the deepest
The Magnificence of Death is a truly poetic piece. The author skillfully evokes a range of emotions, from heartache and sorrow to hope and the beauty of life even after devastation. Rainwater’s storytelling weaves a tapestry of love, loss, grief, acceptance, and the burdens we carry. While the story brought tears to my eyes, it also sparked profound thought. In the face of immortality, our choices can transform our understanding of life’s vicious yet finite natural progression.
“If I must walk the earth for an eternity, I think loneliness and I will become good friends.”
😭😭😭
Astoria Tempest, a character that will linger in my memory for a long time, has left an indelible mark on me. I can’t help but feel a deep sense of empathy for her, as I don’t believe I possess half the resilience she does. The mental fortitude she displayed and the profound ache of survival, especially after outliving those you hold dear, are incredibly taxing on the soul. I could almost feel her heartache, the love she had for others, and the loneliness that has become her defining journey. Her character development is truly inspiring, as she finally takes control of her own destiny.
“Not just a star. The Star. The one thing bright enough to even make Death look up.”
Death was personified in this captivating story, and the author masterfully portrays the profound heartache of grief in a relatable manner. While death often carries a negative connotation, this story delves into its dual nature, exploring both its ugly and beautiful aspects. Grim’s letter to Astoria was particularly devastating, leaving me sobbing and rereading it multiple times. It truly exemplifies the concept of sacrifice.
I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of this book, from the plot to the romance and the supporting characters. The ending left me utterly devastated in the most beautiful way possible.
10/10 recommend just have tissues nearby 🤧
Grief was my constant companion, its echoing halls my home. The place where love once dwelled, before Death was cruel enough to steal it from me.
Death might be unjust but he never lied.
The Magnificence of Death is a truly poetic piece. The author skillfully evokes a range of emotions, from heartache and sorrow to hope and the beauty of life even after devastation. Rainwater’s storytelling weaves a tapestry of love, loss, grief, acceptance, and the burdens we carry. While the story brought tears to my eyes, it also sparked profound thought. In the face of immortality, our choices can transform our understanding of life’s vicious yet finite natural progression.
“If I must walk the earth for an eternity, I think loneliness and I will become good friends.”
😭😭😭
Astoria Tempest, a character that will linger in my memory for a long time, has left an indelible mark on me. I can’t help but feel a deep sense of empathy for her, as I don’t believe I possess half the resilience she does. The mental fortitude she displayed and the profound ache of survival, especially after outliving those you hold dear, are incredibly taxing on the soul. I could almost feel her heartache, the love she had for others, and the loneliness that has become her defining journey. Her character development is truly inspiring, as she finally takes control of her own destiny.
“Not just a star. The Star. The one thing bright enough to even make Death look up.”
Death was personified in this captivating story, and the author masterfully portrays the profound heartache of grief in a relatable manner. While death often carries a negative connotation, this story delves into its dual nature, exploring both its ugly and beautiful aspects. Grim’s letter to Astoria was particularly devastating, leaving me sobbing and rereading it multiple times. It truly exemplifies the concept of sacrifice.
I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of this book, from the plot to the romance and the supporting characters. The ending left me utterly devastated in the most beautiful way possible.
10/10 recommend just have tissues nearby 🤧
Grief was my constant companion, its echoing halls my home. The place where love once dwelled, before Death was cruel enough to steal it from me.
Death might be unjust but he never lied.
December 18, 2025
For a debut novel, this was intricately written. While it’s very closely mirrored to The Invisible Life Of Addie Larue, it has a lot of points to grief, love, loss, and the weight we carry.
The story of Astoria and her curse I didn’t expect for it to be connected to a family line of witches and witchcraft and I really enjoyed the relationship she had with Grim. The polarity of life and death. Darkness and light. The fates given to Death and his connection to Astoria. It was absolutely beautiful. His character in the beginning and how it was a huge contrast to who he became in the end. All for her. It was devastatingly heartbreaking but heartwarming as well.
The story of Astoria and her curse I didn’t expect for it to be connected to a family line of witches and witchcraft and I really enjoyed the relationship she had with Grim. The polarity of life and death. Darkness and light. The fates given to Death and his connection to Astoria. It was absolutely beautiful. His character in the beginning and how it was a huge contrast to who he became in the end. All for her. It was devastatingly heartbreaking but heartwarming as well.
July 12, 2025
The concept of this book was ambitious, greatly so. From the characterization of the main characters in itself to their backstories to the wordlbuilding... Everything in the book and regretfully it falls short.
The main characters were compelling individuals and their dynamic while complex was well done and it felt earned until THE FINAL CHAPTERS. All that happened and it ended in that way? I somehow felt like I wasted my time.
The backstory on her family was cool but I would have liked more focus on that.
The secondary characters were well done although regretfully they didn't have time to shine.
The main characters were compelling individuals and their dynamic while complex was well done and it felt earned until THE FINAL CHAPTERS. All that happened and it ended in that way? I somehow felt like I wasted my time.
The backstory on her family was cool but I would have liked more focus on that.
The secondary characters were well done although regretfully they didn't have time to shine.
July 24, 2025
#destroyed
October 16, 2025
Mhm 2.5 stars not my favorite I was bored and just did not feel connected to the Fmc ,she was strangely adolescent for a 200 year old human also a bit painfully ignorant imo. With that being said I did like some of the writing style I just felt like the story didn’t quite live up to the hype I had in my own head I guess.
October 22, 2025
5 💫😭
This is such an amazing debut!!!
I adore books like The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by @veschwab and Peaches and Honey by @r.raeta with this book added to the list.
Each of these books has a common theme of a girl cursed to be immortal and followed through time by Death (or a god).
Each has its own story, completely unique to one another otherwise. They are some of my favorites of all time!!
Astoria, or FMC, comes from a long line of women who each have a unique curse that comes to life at the age of 22. Hers happens to be immortality, but with a twist. She is able to save those on the cusp of death, but to do so, she forfeits another life in exchange, and she doesn't get to choose who. Cue our broody MMC, Death himself. The Reaper.
"He was disorienting and every angle I tried to study revealed another, each one sharper than the last."
"He looked like a dark prince out of a cursed fairytale."
"Vulnerability, that was the true affliction of being known."
"She didn't belong in my carefully mapped out universe, but here she was, defying logic with each breath she took."
Keep a tissue box on hand for this one! This is poetically written, beautiful, and heartbreaking. A great debut! I have so many annotations and tabs. A perfect read for the fall/ winter!!
And she's on KU so you have no excuse :)
This is such an amazing debut!!!
I adore books like The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by @veschwab and Peaches and Honey by @r.raeta with this book added to the list.
Each of these books has a common theme of a girl cursed to be immortal and followed through time by Death (or a god).
Each has its own story, completely unique to one another otherwise. They are some of my favorites of all time!!
Astoria, or FMC, comes from a long line of women who each have a unique curse that comes to life at the age of 22. Hers happens to be immortality, but with a twist. She is able to save those on the cusp of death, but to do so, she forfeits another life in exchange, and she doesn't get to choose who. Cue our broody MMC, Death himself. The Reaper.
"He was disorienting and every angle I tried to study revealed another, each one sharper than the last."
"He looked like a dark prince out of a cursed fairytale."
"Vulnerability, that was the true affliction of being known."
"She didn't belong in my carefully mapped out universe, but here she was, defying logic with each breath she took."
Keep a tissue box on hand for this one! This is poetically written, beautiful, and heartbreaking. A great debut! I have so many annotations and tabs. A perfect read for the fall/ winter!!
And she's on KU so you have no excuse :)
October 9, 2025
“Mortality. Love. Finality.”
I am still collecting my thoughts of The Magnificence Of Death because this dark gothic fantasy read was maddening beautiful in ways that was raw and lyrical. A melody that’s hauntingly beautiful but will ache your heart. But also bittersweet experiencing the memories that either bled, loved or sorrow.
A love story where even death himself, the villain, remembers he’s still the villain. And Tempests, curse of immortality that exchanges her soul to death to help break her curse.
This story will put you through a rollercoaster and feel every emotion between timelines. Lost souls facing darkness and yearning you will be screaming for! I can still feel the knots in my stomach reading what happened to Astoria and her family - the way the story comes together and understanding what Astoria and Death aka Grim faced with was tragic, filled with pain, loss, and love.
I was holding my very breath ready to scream into the void but then I felt the weight in my chest loosen, everything shifting as the story progressed because you can feel your heart ache, I was sobbing, and memories that stirred that I or you could relate to. It was utterly beautiful and I can’t express the feelings Rhea poured her soul into this book.
And Death.. oh Death. She is his undoing. Grim was her greatest tragedy. A love he was never meant to have. But Death chose his heart and gave it away for a chance to give Astoria life. To live as she deserved. And as Rhea explained; Grim and Astoria were fire and tide. Two souls molding together - One darkness. One light. One heart. You can feel the humming and shadows swimming between these two that had you longing for more!
This book makes you feel not alone. You face loss, grief and love in this story with deepest shadows swirling around you. It was warm, dark, blossoming in your skin that you clung to on each page. I can’t get over how fantastic this book is and I would highly recommend adding this to your TBR this fall 🖤
I am still collecting my thoughts of The Magnificence Of Death because this dark gothic fantasy read was maddening beautiful in ways that was raw and lyrical. A melody that’s hauntingly beautiful but will ache your heart. But also bittersweet experiencing the memories that either bled, loved or sorrow.
A love story where even death himself, the villain, remembers he’s still the villain. And Tempests, curse of immortality that exchanges her soul to death to help break her curse.
This story will put you through a rollercoaster and feel every emotion between timelines. Lost souls facing darkness and yearning you will be screaming for! I can still feel the knots in my stomach reading what happened to Astoria and her family - the way the story comes together and understanding what Astoria and Death aka Grim faced with was tragic, filled with pain, loss, and love.
I was holding my very breath ready to scream into the void but then I felt the weight in my chest loosen, everything shifting as the story progressed because you can feel your heart ache, I was sobbing, and memories that stirred that I or you could relate to. It was utterly beautiful and I can’t express the feelings Rhea poured her soul into this book.
And Death.. oh Death. She is his undoing. Grim was her greatest tragedy. A love he was never meant to have. But Death chose his heart and gave it away for a chance to give Astoria life. To live as she deserved. And as Rhea explained; Grim and Astoria were fire and tide. Two souls molding together - One darkness. One light. One heart. You can feel the humming and shadows swimming between these two that had you longing for more!
This book makes you feel not alone. You face loss, grief and love in this story with deepest shadows swirling around you. It was warm, dark, blossoming in your skin that you clung to on each page. I can’t get over how fantastic this book is and I would highly recommend adding this to your TBR this fall 🖤
October 16, 2025
I was so bored for most of it. Skimmed after 50%
October 17, 2025
“But know this: whichever thread you choose, it will change everything.”
A mix of Belladonna and the invisible life of Addie!! My favs. This is about a woman who is cursed w immortality but also has the ability to return the dead. Alongside her the whole way is Death, reminding her every life she brings back has a cost. I also LOVE it when death is personified in books I think it is so interesting.
Not only was the story extremely interesting and kept me invested the whole time, it also was just a beautiful story. Very well written, very lyrical and poetic. It has themes of grief, loss, unconditional love, burdens that follow us, and just a really well written theme about life in general. I also love any book that has The Fates in it - Death, Fate, Clotho, anything like that. I think it’s so interesting and fun to read.
The yearning in this?? The love that travels across time?? I’m sat
“Wild, unruly girl, with emeralds for eyes… I fear you may be my undoing. As you linger between life and death, uncertain which way to be led… Choose life. For your sake, and mine. I have not known peace since you. So if this is love, let that be enough. Or I fear I must let it die.” He’s down BAD
“Death was the omen that plagued all of humanity at birth. It was the ticking embedded in our ribs, the expiration sealed in the soft spot of our skulls. It was an inheritance, silent and absolute. Not a man with a blade, but a law. A rule that never changed. He doesn’t come for you. He’s always been with you.”
A mix of Belladonna and the invisible life of Addie!! My favs. This is about a woman who is cursed w immortality but also has the ability to return the dead. Alongside her the whole way is Death, reminding her every life she brings back has a cost. I also LOVE it when death is personified in books I think it is so interesting.
Not only was the story extremely interesting and kept me invested the whole time, it also was just a beautiful story. Very well written, very lyrical and poetic. It has themes of grief, loss, unconditional love, burdens that follow us, and just a really well written theme about life in general. I also love any book that has The Fates in it - Death, Fate, Clotho, anything like that. I think it’s so interesting and fun to read.
The yearning in this?? The love that travels across time?? I’m sat
“Wild, unruly girl, with emeralds for eyes… I fear you may be my undoing. As you linger between life and death, uncertain which way to be led… Choose life. For your sake, and mine. I have not known peace since you. So if this is love, let that be enough. Or I fear I must let it die.” He’s down BAD
“Death was the omen that plagued all of humanity at birth. It was the ticking embedded in our ribs, the expiration sealed in the soft spot of our skulls. It was an inheritance, silent and absolute. Not a man with a blade, but a law. A rule that never changed. He doesn’t come for you. He’s always been with you.”
July 5, 2025
⭐ Infinite Stars ⭐
The Magnificence of Death by Rhea Rainwater
This book wrecked me in the best possible way.
Astoria Tempest is cursed with immortality and the power to bring back the dead—but with every gift comes a cost, and hers is steep. When Death himself comes to collect, she makes one final bargain: her soul for the chance to undo the curse that’s haunted her across centuries.
Their dynamic? Deliciously sharp. Enemies-to-something-so-much-deeper. Death isn’t some cloaked figure—he’s all edges and cold stares, but watching him soften, watching Astoria fight not just for her daughter but for peace, for meaning… it was exquisite.
This book is about love—eternal, messy, devastating love. It’s about grief, and how it echoes through lifetimes. It’s about identity, choices, and whether you can ever truly escape the past.
✨ Gothic. Romantic. Hauntingly beautiful.
✨ The prose is pure magic.
✨ I cried at the end. Ugly, soul-hurting, needed tears.
If you’re craving a story that wraps you in a velvet cloak of pain and wonder, The Magnificence of Death will leave its mark on your heart.
I’ll be thinking about this one forever.
The Magnificence of Death by Rhea Rainwater
This book wrecked me in the best possible way.
Astoria Tempest is cursed with immortality and the power to bring back the dead—but with every gift comes a cost, and hers is steep. When Death himself comes to collect, she makes one final bargain: her soul for the chance to undo the curse that’s haunted her across centuries.
Their dynamic? Deliciously sharp. Enemies-to-something-so-much-deeper. Death isn’t some cloaked figure—he’s all edges and cold stares, but watching him soften, watching Astoria fight not just for her daughter but for peace, for meaning… it was exquisite.
This book is about love—eternal, messy, devastating love. It’s about grief, and how it echoes through lifetimes. It’s about identity, choices, and whether you can ever truly escape the past.
✨ Gothic. Romantic. Hauntingly beautiful.
✨ The prose is pure magic.
✨ I cried at the end. Ugly, soul-hurting, needed tears.
If you’re craving a story that wraps you in a velvet cloak of pain and wonder, The Magnificence of Death will leave its mark on your heart.
I’ll be thinking about this one forever.
August 12, 2025
Beautiful & bittersweet, I wasn’t prepared 🥺❤️🩹
October 14, 2025
6 star read. This one will sit with me for awhile. I can’t believe this is a debut book. I absolutely love grim, I don’t think he could have been written any better. 10/10
October 10, 2025
6 stars ⭐️
I think we all know by now that I am Addie Larue’s #1 fan as this year will make my 7th reread, so my expectations were never going to be met going into this book - but by the end they were exceeded.
I have only had now three five star reads this year and this makes one of them. I cannot be convinced this is her debut novel. This story is so hauntingly devastating. I am writing this review still sniffling. This wasn’t a tear down face ending, this was sobs racking my chest and my boyfriend waking up to ask me if I was okay.
There are very few authors in this world who have the innate ability to not only put the human experience into literature that touches you in a way that is tender yet brutal but also have the ability to write that in a character that is quite literally not human - that is true talent.
This book is about deep & bone hollowing grief, perseverance, strength, courage, forgiveness, second chances, fate, and most importantly love. This book has forever changed me in the same ways that Addie Larue did. Addie found me when I needed her first 5 years ago and Astoria found me tonight. I have so much to say about this book still, but alas, I will leave you with one lasting word - masterpiece.
I think we all know by now that I am Addie Larue’s #1 fan as this year will make my 7th reread, so my expectations were never going to be met going into this book - but by the end they were exceeded.
I have only had now three five star reads this year and this makes one of them. I cannot be convinced this is her debut novel. This story is so hauntingly devastating. I am writing this review still sniffling. This wasn’t a tear down face ending, this was sobs racking my chest and my boyfriend waking up to ask me if I was okay.
There are very few authors in this world who have the innate ability to not only put the human experience into literature that touches you in a way that is tender yet brutal but also have the ability to write that in a character that is quite literally not human - that is true talent.
This book is about deep & bone hollowing grief, perseverance, strength, courage, forgiveness, second chances, fate, and most importantly love. This book has forever changed me in the same ways that Addie Larue did. Addie found me when I needed her first 5 years ago and Astoria found me tonight. I have so much to say about this book still, but alas, I will leave you with one lasting word - masterpiece.
October 17, 2025
This book is U shaped. It starts off good with an interesting idea and finishes sweetly. However the middle made little sense.
The book suffers from two main issues Great idea but poor execution and weak character building.
Death's is the main problem. He's acts like a superior being not giving a fuck most of the time but randomly acts like he's grumpy and cares about her. He made a decision he should stick by it. As Astoria I'd be confused as fuck about a guy who keeps pushing me away one minute and pulling me into his arms the next.
Astoria is better but acts still upset about a lot and feel connected to humanity a lot, but this isn't how it would go. She should be less caring and agree it hurts but know that's what's living with the curse is like. She should be jaded after living so long. She even expresses concern about being stuck mentally at 22 but Death even says it's obvious you've aged! Literally talked themselves out of the solution!
Also why the lack of push on the secrets. Poor writing on the mystery of death's illness and secrets in general. The reveal that death is taking the souls as replacement was meant to be this big reveal but it was obvious as the character says so. Could easily have made it more subtle and he could have lied to her or gave her an excuse... it's like the author has given Astoria a hit to the head and made her stupid.
Furthermore the whole laboured point about that a simple life is a good life is unbelievable. At her age and the amount she's travelled and lived she's one of the most unique people on the planet. She must speak at least 10 languages if not more. Seen and been at massive historical moments..... Her insecurities make zero sense.
Overall I liked alot of the side characters Dave Fortunes Fate, etc. The writing was good not overly flowery for a debut. I would definitely be interested in her second novel. I reckon she can produce a 5* just need to think about the plot a bit harder.
The book suffers from two main issues Great idea but poor execution and weak character building.
Death's is the main problem. He's acts like a superior being not giving a fuck most of the time but randomly acts like he's grumpy and cares about her. He made a decision he should stick by it. As Astoria I'd be confused as fuck about a guy who keeps pushing me away one minute and pulling me into his arms the next.
Astoria is better but acts still upset about a lot and feel connected to humanity a lot, but this isn't how it would go. She should be less caring and agree it hurts but know that's what's living with the curse is like. She should be jaded after living so long. She even expresses concern about being stuck mentally at 22 but Death even says it's obvious you've aged! Literally talked themselves out of the solution!
Also why the lack of push on the secrets. Poor writing on the mystery of death's illness and secrets in general. The reveal that death is taking the souls as replacement was meant to be this big reveal but it was obvious as the character says so. Could easily have made it more subtle and he could have lied to her or gave her an excuse... it's like the author has given Astoria a hit to the head and made her stupid.
Furthermore the whole laboured point about that a simple life is a good life is unbelievable. At her age and the amount she's travelled and lived she's one of the most unique people on the planet. She must speak at least 10 languages if not more. Seen and been at massive historical moments..... Her insecurities make zero sense.
Overall I liked alot of the side characters Dave Fortunes Fate, etc. The writing was good not overly flowery for a debut. I would definitely be interested in her second novel. I reckon she can produce a 5* just need to think about the plot a bit harder.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 30, 2025
“I don’t want your firsts. I want your lasts. Your last kiss, your last laugh, your last life… your last breath.”
There was a lot a liked about this - it gave me feelings similar to The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, Peaches and Honey and a bit of Our Infinite Fates. I also enjoyed the prose and come on, the mmc is death so of course we love him!
The fmc Astoria never grew on me, unfortunately. She has lived for 100 some odd years but still acts like a 19 year old, so I found her really frustrating and juvenile. Also found her to be hypocritical.
”With everything I am, and for all I wish I was. I am not good, nor will I ever be, but I cannot resist you any longer.”
Grim (Astoria gave him his name, which is kinda cute) was a lot more compelling. I appreciated his turmoil and in the end, his sacrifice. He got development whereas I feel like Astoria didn’t.
Also, Grim threw out a few of my fav tropes…
”You came.”
“You called.”
and
“I’m going to kiss you now.”
And… he wrote letters!!
Overall, there were things to enjoy and things that weren’t for me. Solid debut though!
There was a lot a liked about this - it gave me feelings similar to The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, Peaches and Honey and a bit of Our Infinite Fates. I also enjoyed the prose and come on, the mmc is death so of course we love him!
The fmc Astoria never grew on me, unfortunately. She has lived for 100 some odd years but still acts like a 19 year old, so I found her really frustrating and juvenile. Also found her to be hypocritical.
”With everything I am, and for all I wish I was. I am not good, nor will I ever be, but I cannot resist you any longer.”
Grim (Astoria gave him his name, which is kinda cute) was a lot more compelling. I appreciated his turmoil and in the end, his sacrifice. He got development whereas I feel like Astoria didn’t.
Also, Grim threw out a few of my fav tropes…
”You came.”
“You called.”
and
“I’m going to kiss you now.”
And… he wrote letters!!
Overall, there were things to enjoy and things that weren’t for me. Solid debut though!
January 21, 2026
5⭐️
I went into this book completely blind- literally had NO IDEA what I was getting myself into.. but genuinely, this just did not disappoint. This was the most devastatingly, beautiful yet heartbreaking story I have read in a while. The way that the author wrote this story was poetic and eloquent, and UGHH I just feel like this is just a book that I will forever love
This book was enjoyable while reading it; however, it wasn’t until the last 15% that it actually started getting PHENOMENAL. The way that this author finished the story was just absolutely incredible, I could not have asked for a more beautiful ending. It definitely hurt, but in the best way 😭😭
I went into this book completely blind- literally had NO IDEA what I was getting myself into.. but genuinely, this just did not disappoint. This was the most devastatingly, beautiful yet heartbreaking story I have read in a while. The way that the author wrote this story was poetic and eloquent, and UGHH I just feel like this is just a book that I will forever love
This book was enjoyable while reading it; however, it wasn’t until the last 15% that it actually started getting PHENOMENAL. The way that this author finished the story was just absolutely incredible, I could not have asked for a more beautiful ending. It definitely hurt, but in the best way 😭😭
October 14, 2025
The concept was beautiful, reminds me of addie la rue but with the ending we all wanted
Death was my favorite daddy MMC
Death was my favorite daddy MMC
October 24, 2025
I’ve got nothing nice to say!
December 13, 2025
I would like to be buried with this book, thank you.
January 5, 2026
If death is a boring man who is enamoured by a boring Mary sue of a character then I have more to fear than I thought
“Death, what have you done?”
Girl … what do you think?????
“Death, what have you done?”
Girl … what do you think?????
December 20, 2025
I can’t remember the last book that made me ugly cry like this one did😭
October 27, 2025
3.5 ⭐️ SPOILERS
I have conflicted emotions. I did not like how the curse was broken… that was very anticlimactic. I really wish there would have been more lore around the witch trials and the curse. I’m so happy Astoria got her long happy life but damn it Grim hurt my feelings. The ending was very abrupt.
Rounding up to 4 stars cause I did cry 🫠
I have conflicted emotions. I did not like how the curse was broken… that was very anticlimactic. I really wish there would have been more lore around the witch trials and the curse. I’m so happy Astoria got her long happy life but damn it Grim hurt my feelings. The ending was very abrupt.
Rounding up to 4 stars cause I did cry 🫠
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 2, 2025
Wow. I have no words for this book. I don’t even know how I came across this book, but I read the description and ordered it on Amazon and devoured it in a day. It ripped my heart to shreds. It was so filled with pain, loss, grief, and sadness. Astoria and deaths story was tragic, and I typically love a HEA but this had such a satisfying ending despite also wrecking my soul. The love death has for Astoria is so great and selfless. My heart PHYSICALLY HURTS over what transpired. I’ll also add I loved the incorporation of the threads of fate in this book.
Want to highlight one of my fav quotes:
“I chose the thread that severed you from me. Because for all I have destroyed, you will be my greatest tragedy. You, the love I was never meant to have.”
Want to highlight one of my fav quotes:
“I chose the thread that severed you from me. Because for all I have destroyed, you will be my greatest tragedy. You, the love I was never meant to have.”
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