The Halls of the Dead

by S. M. Hallow

A queer, gothic horror romance set in a necromancy-tinged London, sure to entrance fans of The Death of Jane Lawrence and Mexican Gothic.

London, December 1849­

Irene Shallcross Haley has dedicated her life to necromancy, a forbidden, reviled art that is passed along through sentient grimoires bound in human skin. With her undead husband St. John—a marriage of kindred spirits and platonic convenience—she has been protecting the knowledge of generations of witches that came before her. Like any magic, it has come at a her reputation, her relationship with her sister, and her soul. But when Irene’s love, Agnes, is hanged for witchcraft, Irene refuses to let Agnes be one more thing that is taken from her.

A true resurrection has not been achieved in two thousand years, but Irene is determined. With the help of St. John, Irene bangs on the doors of the Halls of the Dead, demanding the third part of their triumverate back…or did she? Because the Agnes that awakens comes with both a hunger for raw flesh and a malignant ghost tied to her soul.

Necromancy is the art of saying no—no, I won't let you go; no, I won't let you be destroyed—and Irene’s work is not yet done. She must find a way to bring Agnes back to her true self, she must navigate her feelings for her resurrected lover as well as St. John, and she must do all of this without catching the attention of Sir Silas Underhill, the man who sentenced Agnes to death.

Death is not the end of love. But Irene may realize it can actually be the beginning. 

Genres: Horror, Adult, Fantasy, Queer, Gothic, LGBT, Fiction

352 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication August 18, 2026

Reviews

[Liana Gold]

Gothic horror romance set in a necromancy tinged London.

Sci-fi/Fantasy

Many thanks to NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager and the author, S.M. Hallow for the early eARC!

Publication date: August 18, 2026

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I keep seeing this book described as sapphic romance and I don’t think it does the story justice! The MFC is married to an undead male Saint and she’s got a girlfriend who has just been hanged for witchcraft as the novel opens. This was one of the more moving portrayals of queer polyamory in fantasy that I’ve read (do love the polys in Murderbot too). The relationship between all three is grounded in friendship, respect as well as attraction. I didn’t love all the seeing permission in each others eyes instead having a conversation before massively changing the nature of their triad. I understand that would have slowed things down so I won’t quibble.

Loved how committed the author was to her concepts. Decomposing bodies smell, have bugs, skin might be falling off, if you bring the dead back to life do those issues stay or not? What does eating a still living person smell & taste like? How do you dead with the trauma of remembering your own death?

Hallows writing is slow and contemplative. The flashbacks aren’t just information dumps. As the characters look back they emotionally grow in the present. Her writing shines most in those moments. The last 1/3 of the book as we shift into present events & the action picks up was weaker than the beginning.

Recommend if you don’t mind a slower more introspective read, love necromancy or non traditional relationships. If those don’t float your boat this isn’t for you!

Warning: There’s repeated graphic descriptions of maggots, spiders, centipedes, flies and other insects. There’s graphic cannibalism as well.

[christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ll never be able to hear God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman the same way again.

The Halls of the Dead puts the “romance” in necromancy. It’s a revenge story with incredible catharsis, a poly love story horrormance, a dark fantasy, and one of the best books I read in 2025. The prose is lyrical, gorgeous, absolutely aches with yearning, and the imagery is delightfully gruesome. Hallow clearly has great affection for and knowledge of classic gothic themes and motifs.

The bulk of the plot takes place in the Haley house over roughly six days with flashbacks to the trio’s past in three rotating POVs. In this version of early Victorian London, magic exists and is commonplace, though necromancy is forbidden. I enjoyed the magic system (the foreshadowing, payoff, and attention to detail with the necromancy lore and spellwork was fantastic) and felt like the worldbuilding was sketched out enough for a book with such a tight focus.
(I especially liked the way Hallow nods to faith and the afterlife through St. John’s backstory and the monks at St. Lazarus’s Abbey.) The thematic use of flashbacks to fill us in on the plot events prior to the opening chapter’s resurrection means it can feel a bit slow in the beginning if you’re not someone who enjoys a character-driven narrative, and I did have a bit of trouble keeping track of details and the timeline at times. But after a bit of a lull in the middle, things really heat up, and the gory payoff to the revenge plot does not disappoint.

I enjoyed all three POVs, but I especially loved Irene. I love that this woman failed to resurrect her sister, and rather than take the hint that maybe sometimes people die and we have to move on and let go, she said “no I can do it, for real this time though” and tries again with Agnes. I really appreciated the exploration of the way that depression and disability impact Irene’s life and the lives of her loved ones. And I loved the portrayal of the agony of grief and how it overwhelms and changes us, and can make us into someone we don’t recognize. The scenes between Irene and her sister Willa in the Halls were some of the most affecting for me, but I also loved St. John’s chapters reflecting on his abbot and the necromancers he lost over the years. And speaking of, special shout out to St. John, or as I like to think of him, if Oogie Boogie were a proper Victorian gentleman. His utter devotion to both Irene and Agnes in his narration is delightful.

I think your own relationship with death and loss may play into how hard this book hits for you. I’ve been dealing with prolonged grief from the death of my best friend, so this hit like a truck. Hallow’s observations on grief are poignant and devastating; early on, St. John remarks that he wishes he could make Irene a book after she dies and carry her with him forever, and I found myself in tears. This happened often throughout the book, and consequently I had to take my time with it because it weighed heavily on me. So many sentences stopped me in my tracks. It’s one of the best grief narratives I’ve read, and I’m so thankful I got to read it. 4.5 stars rounded up.

Would I re-read this: Yes

Who should read this:
fans of unlikable/flawed women
queer/poly romance enjoyers
anyone looking for genrebending unique books

If you’re a very visual reader and you like a vibey gothic, I think this will be right up your alley. If you can’t generate your own visuals (and therefore don’t care for beautiful, descriptive language) or you’re a very plot driven reader, you’ll likely bounce off this book. Additionally, while this book is deeply romantic, I think readers picking this up as a romance expecting a typical romance structure/beats might be disappointed.

For fans of: Caitlin Starling, Johanna van Veen, S. T. Gibson, Alix E. Harrow, Maggie Stiefvater

Thank you to S. M. Hallow, Avon/Harper Voyager, and Netgalley for the eARC.

[Sierra Hess · Rating 4 out of 5]

woah look an actual review. thanks netgalley

Deeply Gothic and romantic, gruesome and bloodsoaked. The mix of necromancy and religion was so captivating and I was obsessed with how Hallow never shied away from the brutality and gore associated with the dead. Corpses decay and rot, bugs and maggots crawl over everything. What does a bucket of blood smell like. What does a body taste like. What an honor it is to die, but also, what an honor it is to continue on and share everything you are for eternity. The prose was stunning and vivid, each character POV was unique and individual, I understood perfectly their desires and fears. My favorite was Irene, who through sheer force of will and strength carried this story even at her weakest points. I adored the way Hallow approached magic and spellwork, particularly the way Agnes and Irene were forced to come up with new spells on the spot.

I will say though, I wish this was a duology, even if I would have been so frustrated waiting for the sequel. There are elements to the world that felt a little unexplained - it's common to have magical households items and there are magical judges, yet magic is also frowned upon? How did St. John's transmutations work, if he could turn blood to water and bone to silver, could he not try something to protect the books? The events of the book happened so quickly (and at times, rather slow) that I feel maybe it would have been interesting to follow Irene, Agnes, and St. John just a little longer. I loved them, their tender dynamics and just how willing all three of them are willing to go for each other.

[Rachel Reeves · Rating 5 out of 5]

TW: (taken from the front of the book, which I love) cannibalism, gore, murder, drowning, miscarriage, death in childbirth, self-harm-induced magic, depression, suicidal ideation, possession and loss of autonomy (added) bugs/pests, period typical misogyny, child abuse

So, this settled in my stomach, and wouldn't leave. I have a favorite type of book, and it's a book with queer adults engaging in sacred cannibalism.

First, the plot: In almost like our world Victorian London, Irene practices necromancy, a banned magic in her world. Together with St. John of the Crypt, her undead husband/servant/ mentor, they resolve to resurrect Irene's lover and wife Agnes who has been killed for practicing necromancy. They do succeed, but Agnes comes back with a devouring hunger, and the magistrate who killed her is prowling around the three, looking for a reason to send Irene to an asylum.

I love the characters so much. Irene is driven and damaged, and a true delight to read. I love the way that she cares about both Agnes and her magic with a fierce grasping love. St John is also great; I love his perspective as a man who's lived for centuries, and his affection for Irene and Agnes is understandable and appreciated.

The worldbuilding is subtle, but I love it. Magic exists in this world, and there are forbidden arts that people don't have access to. I love that necromancer's in particular can live on as soul-books. However, I was unclear if this magic was hereditary or could be learned; I assumed it was hereditary.

The language was vivid, and I do appreciate how descriptive it was; the novel is split into three POVs, so be aware (again, I'm not typical, I was able to keep all three in my head, but be prepared to track back if you need to).

The explicit sex scenes are lovely. There is both a threesome and a scene between Irene and Agnes which I will not go into for spoiler reasons, but suffice to say they were both well written and in character. I loved the way it was very woman-centric. The sex enhances the story, but can be glossed over if that is a deal breaker, this isn't a romantic, as all three of the protagonists have feelings for one another of some sort.

This book is incredibly gory and intense. Hunger as cannibalism is a central theme, along with the aftermath of violation and abuse. If you're into that catharsis like I am, you'll enjoy this.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for the ARC!

See my drink paring and check out my other reviews at: https://theredreaderreviews.blogspot....

[Jheneille · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this eARC. I am truly speechless and fear I might be very much incapable of expressing the depth to which I adored this novel.

This tale follows Irene, her husband St. John and Agnes on their journey of survival through sheer devotion. After Agnes is hanged, Irene and St. John embark on the path of the impossible made manifest. They will be a family again, at any cost and if Agnes returns as a monster then so be it. She is worth any price.

I only have praise for The Halls Of The Dead. The prose is immaculate. The way S. M Hallow tells the tale, the way she dives into her characters and just how much they love each other it is beautiful and heartbreaking thing to read. The level of love, support, admiration and devotion between our characters left me speechless. Irene and St John have been married over a decade by the time our tale begins and yet, they yearn for each other still. Their love for each other is absolutely unconditional, it is unwavering and there is no hell either of them could go that the other would not follow. We come up on them already loving each other that way, and yet it feels brand new. I have no words for the beauty protrayed in that. That love, how easily and beautifully they pour it into Agnes, in their ease of forgiveness, their understanding of who she has become. And that is without acknowledging how fascinating this story was. I was enthralled the entire read. Bloody, gory and obsessive.

I applaud our author for how well I understood all our characters motivations. How their choices had such terrible consequences but knowing they were always doing the best they could with what they had. The lore explained throughout coupled with the history of our characters ensured I never felt like I was being hit with world dumping or too much at once. A fascinating tale. Questions that I didn't even think to ask were being answered. Seeds are planted early, watered slowly and the fruit of such labor is exceptionally tender and sweet. Hallow strings the past, present and convergence of her characters lives with such seamless ease, such intentionality that you think the pieces you've put together are of your own accord and not something delicately fed to you.

This novel won't be for everyone however, I know the audience for it, I am part of it after all. A spectacular read and I am jealous of everyone else that will get to read this for the very first time.

[Maranda M · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Halls of the Dead is a necromantic romantic book, which is basically all I ever wanted in a book. It begins with Irene Shallcross Haley, who has dedicated her life to necromancy. She lives with her undead husband, St. John, as they attempt to protect the knowledge of necromancy. During this time, Irene falls in love with Agnes, who is hanged for witchcraft. Using the knowledge that Irene has been protecting, Irene attempts to bring Agnes back in a ritual that hasn’t been completed in two thousand years. Agnes returns, but her body is not her own as she awakens with a hunger for raw flesh and a malignant ghost tied to her soul. Irene must now focus on getting Agnes back to her true self, without catching the attention of Sir Silas Underhill, the man who sentenced Agnes to death.

The description of this book was everything I could have hoped for in a necromantic romantic book however it fell flat in a few places. I found it hard to believe that the characters didn’t understand their own visions and prophecies when I did. It felt so obvious to me what the Hallow was laying out for us and when these characters (who are way smarter than me) couldn’t see it, it just felt frustrating. By the end of the book, I was not surprised with how everything turned out. I also felt the story began to drag in the middle. It surprised me how much had happened despite basically no time moving in the story. It was a little hard to keep up with the timeline but it was enjoyable nonetheless.

However, I loved the characters in this story. I loved the friendship between Irene and St. John, despite being married, and how they refused to give up on each other. I loved that St. John at no point felt threatened by the relationship between Agnes and Irene as he knew his role in their lives. I felt that each character grew into greater versions of themselves thanks to each other. I liked the way they worked together in their necromancy and how everyone seemed to have a place in every spell. I also loved the way necromancy worked here. I loved the fact that each spell began with the same phrase and how intentional every spell had to be. I would love to read anything else S.M. Hallow writes!

Thank you Avon and Harper Voyager for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Kaitlyn Fiorante · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5 Stars)

Release Date: August 18, 2026

First, a huge thank you to S.M. Hollow, Avon and Harper Voyager, and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book.

I’ll be honest: this book is definitely slower than what I am used to reading. However, there was something about the author’s deliberate, atmospheric pace that actually made me want to rush through the chapters. I was so desperate to see how the world expanded! The world-building is a slow burn, but it is absolutely worth the wait. The way Hollow builds the atmosphere of a necromancy-infused London is nothing short of immersive.

At its center, this book is a moving portrayal of queer polyamory set against a high-stakes fantasy backdrop. The relationship dynamics are complex and grounded in a way that feels very real despite the supernatural circumstances.

I absolutely fell in love with these characters. Irene is such a compelling lead. She is driven, damaged, and I loved her POV. I was particularly moved by the way she loves; she possesses a fierce, grasping devotion to both Agnes and her magic. St. John is equally wonderful. His perspective as a man who has lived for centuries brings so much depth to the story, and his deep, sincere affection for both Irene and Agnes is both understandable and deep.

The chemistry between the three MC's is amazing! And for those wondering...the spice was definitely there! It added a layer of intimacy that perfectly balanced out the darker, more macabre elements of the plot.

I don’t usually include content warnings in my reviews, but I feel it’s necessary here: this is not a sanitized version of the undead. S.M. Hollow dives headfirst into the grim reality of death. The descriptions are explicit and visceral, covering:

- Decomposing bodies and skin decay.
- Graphic insect activity (maggots, spiders, and more).
- Detailed experiences of cannibalism.
It is gritty, dark, and perfectly fitting for the necromantic themes of the story.

If you don't mind a slower, more introspective read and have a stomach for the "grittier" side of fantasy, Halls of the Dead is a must-read. It’s a beautiful exploration of love and death.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy from Harper Voyager via Netgalley in exchange for a fair review. Release date August 18th, 2026.

I was immediately intrigued by the queer gothic necromancy premise of this book. In The Halls of the Dead, Irene is an illegal necromancer practicing her craft with her undead husband of convenience, who has safekept necromantic secrets for hundreds of years. When Irene's lover Agnes is executed for necromancy, Irene brings her back--but Agnes is unmistakably changed by the unwise promises she made in the Halls of the Dead...

Fittingly for a book about necromancy, this is a novel that is fixated on that past. There's three point of view characters, and we get flashbacks from each of their perspectives. The sections set in the past include their youths, plus scenes from the substantial chunk of plot that happened before the opening of the book, like Irene's own trial and Agnes' execution. The heavy use of flashbacks is thematically appropriate for a book about refusing to let go of the past, but it does slow the story down significantly. However, it does help that the plot starts where most books would stop, amd skips pver most of the previous events. Instead of the fourth act of Irene learning to accept the tragic death of her lover by seeking revenge on the inquisitor who condemned her, we're beginning the story at that point with a Came Back Wrong narrative.

The plot is nominally set in an early Victorian version of London, where not only the reviled necromancy exists, but also transmutation and illusions. However, the story frame is very constrained, with almost all of the present-set plot occurring inside the same house. I didn't see much of the world or get a good feel for the worldbuilding. The Halls of the Dead is a book with an intensely personal focus. Hallow isn't interested in exploring the politics that empower the inquisitor or other characters in general--it's precisely concerned with just Irene, Agnes, and St John. Although the focus is limited, it's enlivened by a prose which lusciously describes the horrors of the body. St John is animated by thousands of insects, Irene can only use her necromantic book by stabbing herself through the hand, revivified Agnes insatiably craves flesh. Flashy stuff, and plenty of blood to go around.

A vivid bit of light gothic gore. The plot and themes reminded me most of Johanna van Veen's writing and Caitlin Starling's The Starving Saint, although it's respectfully not quite as good, since both of those titles are heavy hitters. Very solid for a debut novel, though. I like authors who aren't squeamish.

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Halls of the Dead by @smhallowink is a "queer, gothic horror romance set in a necromancy-tinged London, sure to entrance fans of The Death of Jane Lawrence and Mexican Gothic" and is set in London, December 1849.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

📌 August 18, 2026
📚 HarperCollins
📝 352 pages

"The world is ours, now. We snatched it with broken fingers and ate it with kicked-in teeth. We’re never giving it back." 

"It’s a romance. It’s a dark fantasy. It’s a Christmas horror story. It’s a righteous fury revenge quest. It’s about love lasting longer than death. It’s got cannibalism, blood magic, a guy full of bugs, an unlikable female protagonist with chronic pain, and it’ll be here on shelves in 2026."

I haven't loved a guy full of bugs since Oogie Boogie! As soon as I picked this up, I was intrigued and engaged from the first page and really enjoyed the heavy gothic atmosphere. I could tell a lot of research went into the Victorian London way of life. I found this to be a suspension of disbelief read and immersed myself in the dark oppressive vibes. The writing and character voices were my favorite part, and I was enjoying the three distinct POV switches throughout the plot. You are thrown straight into their adventure and get backstory through inner dialogue along the way. Every page is a new hurdle for the characters, and I felt the weight of their dilemma as yet another challenge would arise just when they thought they could get a moment of triumph. And singing God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen while bloody gore is all around and cannibalism is being engaged in and simply making tea like it's all just a normal day is my kind of dark humor.

"My soul may be a wounded thing,” I say, “but it will always find yours. The distance between us is never a great divide. There is nothing in this world great enough to keep us apart. Not forever. Not even for a day."

Check trigger warnings! It does get quite dark with cannibalism and blood magic and death.

Thank you @netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC ✨

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley/the publisher/the author for the eARC in exchange for an honest review
✨
If I had a nickel for every time I read a story about a triad including a necromancer and someone who came back from the dead, I would have two nickels, which isn’t a lot but it’s weird it’s happened twice.
I love necromancers (in theory. IRL they’d probably scare me).
I love gothic horror.
I love gothic romance.
I love VICTORIAN gothic horroromance.
I wanted so much to love this book because it was all of that. But… I didn’t.
THOTD was about a woman who is hanged for witchcraft and brought back from the dead by her necromancer wife and her undead magician husband. But she comes back wrong. You’d think this book would be about the agony of loving someone to the point of resurrection, about the vile horrors of being dead and then being alive, but it fell short. This book was very intimate and I felt like I was flung into that intimacy with no explanation. It was confusing for most of the book. About halfway through I realized there was literal magic in this world and spells for everything. The book just started and you were expected to already know everything. I had to check at least three times that this wasn’t a sequel. It is a standalone (to my knowledge), too. But it didn’t feel like it should be. It felt like there should be more. More depth. More worldbuilding. More character exploration. The plot itself felt muddy at times, jumping from Agnes’s sudden hunger for raw meat to St. John’s longing to bring the Halls back to Irene having part of her soul eaten??? Nothing really wrapped up, either. Well, maybe it did. I did start skimming at the 60% mark because I just did not care for the plot or characters anymore. I guess I just felt neutral the whole time. The characters were interesting and I would have loved to see more development with them but that’s it.
If you like this kind of book, you would like The Familiar (Leigh Bardugo), Dark Rise (CS Pacat), and Frankenstein (2025) (I hated this movie though so take that with a grain of salt).

[Jensen McCorkel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating 4.25

The Halls of the Dead feels like it draws straight from classic Victorian gothic motifs in the most wonderful way. But it does not have just a gothic vibe with light horror like classic Victorian reads, its so much more. Its grim, magically macabre, beautifully emotional, darkly unsettling and very, very morally messy. Hallow gives us a lushly atmospheric gothic world that literally comes alive with a continuous feeling of dread. Then gives us a cast of emotionally complex characters that the reader will both come to love and despise. In fact at times Irene’s decisions can be frustrating, even infuriating but alas it is what makes her more human and relatable.

I have always loved a good necromancy romance story but sometimes authors let the romance overshadow the darkness and the macabre but Hallow does not let this happen. In fact the romantic aspects become darker and more morally gray only adding to the creeping dread. I do wish there was a bit more detail into how the necromancy magic works. There are no real clear cut rules to the magic in this story, its more more symbolic and just there.

Overall The Halls of the Dead is a hauntingly beautiful edition to the gothic genre with its roots deeply buried in victorian gothic of old but bold enough to tread into the darker side of morality and body gore.

[Stephanie White · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Halls of the Dead - is about necromancy - and the main characters are Irene, St. John and Agnes. The book sucked me in - to the story. I felt I was there. St. John was the Keeper of the Crypt - and has lived hundreds of years and has been friends with and in families with fellow necromancers. In this book - necromancy is something that is through bloodlines - Irene and here sister Willa were necromancers - although Willa gave hers up to lead a normal life. St. John I think was made one willingly - Agnes defintely had the gift - from birth and you find out that her aunt was also "gifted".

We have death, corrupt politicians, love, necromancy - and also I think that on the flip side you have a story about how women were supposed to behave, this took place in the mid 1800's so there is a touch of feminism and the wrongs that women have had to endure. I would defintely rate this book five stars.

I just want to warn you - we have same sex sex scenes, polyamorous sex (not like overall descriptive), death, cannibalism, abuse by fathers, murders.

[Madeline · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a super romantic book, I wouldn’t say this is that book. It’s dark, gritty, macabre, and while there is romance, it’s woven through some very dark themes that are too heavy to really call this a romantic book.

But I will call it a gothic love story in the sense that Frankenstein could be considered a love story. Like Frankenstein, love, obsession, and grief are at the forefront of this story. One leads to the other, and a lack of one creates another. It’s a dark tale filled with sorrow that blooms love, but what you do to get to that love may change you forever.

If you’re a fan of gothic tales along the lines of Frankenstein and Crimson Peak, this one is for you!

Thank you so very much to Avon and Harper Voyager, as well as NetGalley, for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Bones99 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a really hard read but it may not be the fault of the author but rather just not my cup of tea. The book includes alot of self harm. Don't get me wrong, I love a good thrasher (Eli Roth is one of my favorite filmmakers) but self mutilation at this scale is just a bit much for me. The story starts out slow but I really like that the author gives you the story from all three main character perspectives. It really picks up about 2/3 of the way in and the ending, although gruesome is satisfying. You have to decide for yourself who are the good guys (if there are even any) and who are the bad guys. If you don't mind the self mutilation, this is a great story. Thank you to #NetGalley, #HarperCollins, and S.M.Hallow for letting me read an advance reader copy.

[Sarah Glenn Marsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some of the most beautiful- and powerful- prose I've ever read. Three characters whose lives are utterly entwined, each wonderfully sympathetic as you come to know them and all they've endured, as you watch them stand in their power even when so much feels hopeless. A bloody, romantic, haunting story I can guarantee I will never, ever forget. Since I have the honor of writing the first review here, let me be the one to say: I can't wait to see this resonate with so many people, and to watch it sweep awards and receive the kind of recognition it richly deserves. This is THE necromancer love story, period.

Also important: I would do anything for St. John <3

[Mika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gothic horror generally isn't my thing, and as I first started reading this book I thought maybe it was a bit too macabre for my tastes. But as the characters developed, and the story unfolded I found myself becoming more invested. While there is romance in this book, as others have mentioned, it is very much not the main theme. However, I kind of found myself thinking that the necromancy shown here is maybe the utmost expression of love. While yes this is a bit graphic and gory at times, it doesn't seem to be so in a way that is unnecessary or over the top. It all seems pivotal to the story coming to life.

[Travis Butler · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Halls of the Dead
By S. M. Hallow
Pub Date: Aug 18 2026

This is a Gothic Horror and a love story stitched into a spellbinding book of necromancy.
This book is amazing. The character development is top notch. The book is dark but the writing is beautiful.
S M Hallow is going to be on my must watch list.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book early in return for my honest review.

[Jennifer Loschiavo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was placed in the perfect era. Gothic romance, necromancy magic system. Dragged in the mid section quite a bit, plot got very lost. I really enjoyed the three characters interaction and relationship build up though. The magic system was clearly the focus and it held strong and was what kept me interested. It is also what bonded the three and made everything relevant(in my opinion). Cover art is also amazing.

[Chelsea Pierce · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you author, publisher, and NetGalley for giving me the arc to this book.

The cover was really what drew me in. I found it quite captivating. I also thought the storyline sounded pretty intriguing.

I found the idea of an undead husband and necromancy to be very interesting. I was slightly confused in the beginning of the book but enjoyed the magic system.

[Tali · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book full of love, mystery, and magic. Sometimes it felt like a fever dream and I’d get lost in the plot during the first half of the story but that was my own fault in understanding. The story is very poetic. I could see it playing out in my head like a play. Beautifully written.

[Q. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a phenomenal read. I’m grateful to NetGalley for the eARC. A wonderful debut novel by S. M. Hallow, this is what happens if Gideon the Ninth and Saint Death’s Daughter have a very queer baby and she grows up in London. Alternately beautiful and funny and sad, it will have your heart — whether you let it or not.

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderfully written book. Though not my typical read it was captivating and intriguing. Characters and the world are beautifully built with great detail. A must read for those who enjoy dark gothic styles.

[Bookish Venturess · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an interesting one. I’ve never read about necromancers and so this was a totally new to me topic. I really did enjoy it and the characters. The story was amazing and I would definitely be interested in seeing more from the three characters.

[Kay West · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating 5 stars based on the quotes S.M Hallow has on Instagram. I'm so excited for this!
Stay tuned for my full review.

[Nenia Campbell]

Not a want but a NEED