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The Halls of the Dead
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.
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.
348 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 18, 2026
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September 12, 2026
firstly, thank you to the publisher for an arc!
3.5 stars — can you tell i love spooky season? the halls of the dead is a queer and gory gothic horror romance set in an illusionist and necromancy-tinged london, where women cannot get what they wanted in life, even in death.
i would certainly recommend looking into trigger warnings as this book is quite dark, but i feel that’s to be expected from such a gloomy and atmospheric novel set in 19th century london.
there was a small polyamorous twist that i was pleasantly surprised by!
i also listened to the audiobook, which has multiple narrators, and all of the narrators did a fantastic job!
3.5 stars — can you tell i love spooky season? the halls of the dead is a queer and gory gothic horror romance set in an illusionist and necromancy-tinged london, where women cannot get what they wanted in life, even in death.
i would certainly recommend looking into trigger warnings as this book is quite dark, but i feel that’s to be expected from such a gloomy and atmospheric novel set in 19th century london.
there was a small polyamorous twist that i was pleasantly surprised by!
i also listened to the audiobook, which has multiple narrators, and all of the narrators did a fantastic job!
January 1, 2026
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.
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.
Want to Read
January 7, 2026Gothic 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
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
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
If you're a fan of gore and guts and graves in your Gothic fiction, then this is the book to read.
I came here for the Gothic vibes and the necromancy, and this novel delivered 110% on both fronts. I didn't care much for the poly relationship (mostly because I don't care much for romance in the first place), but I'll live. It was an interesting dynamic to read about in a historical fantasy setting, especially since the social norms in this fictional historical London is very similar to the real historical London.
I wasn't sure what to expect from this novel, but this definitely had me seated the entire time. I couldn't stop reading. I loved that this novel treaded the fine line between serious and campy. At times, it was over the top, but the serious parts of the narrative (death, the afterlife, homophobia, misogyny, etc.) managed to reign the story in and keep readers focused on the heart of the story.
Don't get me wrong though, the story did go off the rails several times when it came to the topics of death and reincarnation, but this is Gothic fiction, so those parts were to be expected. And hell, I had so much fun with the soul eating, book eating, and the undead hungering for flesh. Jesus Christ was described as a necromancer, and I was sold on the story.
I would've rated this higher if there were less POVs. Since all three MCs' viewpoints were featured, there was no second guessing or subtlety with anyone's motives. But this is definitely a personal preference since I like a bit of mystery with my Gothic fiction.
Overall, I'm glad I picked up this book. It was dark. It was gross. It was silly. And it definitely satisfied my cravings for a Gothic fantasy.
Thank you to Harper Voyager and NetGalley for this arc.
I came here for the Gothic vibes and the necromancy, and this novel delivered 110% on both fronts. I didn't care much for the poly relationship (mostly because I don't care much for romance in the first place), but I'll live. It was an interesting dynamic to read about in a historical fantasy setting, especially since the social norms in this fictional historical London is very similar to the real historical London.
I wasn't sure what to expect from this novel, but this definitely had me seated the entire time. I couldn't stop reading. I loved that this novel treaded the fine line between serious and campy. At times, it was over the top, but the serious parts of the narrative (death, the afterlife, homophobia, misogyny, etc.) managed to reign the story in and keep readers focused on the heart of the story.
Don't get me wrong though, the story did go off the rails several times when it came to the topics of death and reincarnation, but this is Gothic fiction, so those parts were to be expected. And hell, I had so much fun with the soul eating, book eating, and the undead hungering for flesh. Jesus Christ was described as a necromancer, and I was sold on the story.
I would've rated this higher if there were less POVs. Since all three MCs' viewpoints were featured, there was no second guessing or subtlety with anyone's motives. But this is definitely a personal preference since I like a bit of mystery with my Gothic fiction.
Overall, I'm glad I picked up this book. It was dark. It was gross. It was silly. And it definitely satisfied my cravings for a Gothic fantasy.
Thank you to Harper Voyager and NetGalley for this arc.
August 12, 2026
08/10/2026-08/12/2026
Thank you so much Harper Voyager for the gifted proof widget of “The Halls of the Dead” by S.M. Hallow 🦋
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
(Coming August 18th, 2026)
That was a debut?!?! Holy shit.
I cannot begin to tell you how gorgeously written this one is! 🗡️
Occasionally I love a good read that makes me squeamish, nauseous and lightheaded. Especially when it also leaves me at the edge of my seat, gasping and eager for more. ☠️
This one in all its “gore”y was eerily good and disgustingly bingeable! 🪦
Thank you so much Harper Voyager for the gifted proof widget of “The Halls of the Dead” by S.M. Hallow 🦋
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
(Coming August 18th, 2026)
That was a debut?!?! Holy shit.
I cannot begin to tell you how gorgeously written this one is! 🗡️
Occasionally I love a good read that makes me squeamish, nauseous and lightheaded. Especially when it also leaves me at the edge of my seat, gasping and eager for more. ☠️
This one in all its “gore”y was eerily good and disgustingly bingeable! 🪦
December 29, 2025
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.
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.
August 18, 2026
One of the most lush, creatively daring novels I have had the privilege to read in my lifetime! I am sated.
S. M. Hallow is an author that DESERVES her flowers for this incredible piece of work!
She is an author to watch, because if she's putting out a stand alone that is this magnificent??? In a time where it's quite common to see series after series being published. It's really quite nice to have a solid standalone that serves up: a visual masterpiece, gothic gore, love being celebrated in it's purest form, loyalty, devotion, suspense, spookiness, a plot that flows, and world building that is so incredibly constructed that I felt it's existence in my very bones.
If I have an opportunity to try to convince those interested in this book it would be: If you loved The Magicians and Penny Dreadful, then this book is about to become a new obsession! Buy it, borrow it, or listen to it. The Halls of the Dead exceeded all of my expectations.
🪲I will continue to praise The Halls of the Dead for being so bold in its original design. I literally want to send a bat signal to all my weirdo girls to go and get this book and let it devour them! It is worth it! 🦗
Thank you so, so much to Avon and Harper Voyager, Harper Voyager, NetGalley, and S.M. Hallow for providing me a digital arc of The Halls of the Dead! It was truly such an unforgettable journey that seared its characters into my heart.
S. M. Hallow is an author that DESERVES her flowers for this incredible piece of work!
She is an author to watch, because if she's putting out a stand alone that is this magnificent??? In a time where it's quite common to see series after series being published. It's really quite nice to have a solid standalone that serves up: a visual masterpiece, gothic gore, love being celebrated in it's purest form, loyalty, devotion, suspense, spookiness, a plot that flows, and world building that is so incredibly constructed that I felt it's existence in my very bones.
If I have an opportunity to try to convince those interested in this book it would be: If you loved The Magicians and Penny Dreadful, then this book is about to become a new obsession! Buy it, borrow it, or listen to it. The Halls of the Dead exceeded all of my expectations.
🪲I will continue to praise The Halls of the Dead for being so bold in its original design. I literally want to send a bat signal to all my weirdo girls to go and get this book and let it devour them! It is worth it! 🦗
Thank you so, so much to Avon and Harper Voyager, Harper Voyager, NetGalley, and S.M. Hallow for providing me a digital arc of The Halls of the Dead! It was truly such an unforgettable journey that seared its characters into my heart.
February 19, 2026
This was, for me, a very wobbly 2.5/5 stars.
The novel kicks off with a literal resurrection. Which hey, very cool, very bold. However, that scene drags on for literally the first quarter of the novel. It’s interspersed with flashbacks, sure, but the plot—as it stands in the book’s present day—does not begin to move forward until after the quarter mark. That, for me, is a bit of problem. In fact, the majority of the first quarter of this book is spent in flashbacks, and while they were interesting and offered context relevant to the present day plot, things still felt stagnant to me.
The characters, on the other hand, were a joy—especially St. John—though I sometimes found their actions a tad over the top. There were several instances of Irene shrieking her words out “like a banshee,” and contextually, those just didn’t feel natural to me.
The writing was mostly solid, if a bit navel-gazey. However, there were some turns of phrase that made no sense to me, such as Agnes being so hungry that “her teeth stung.” And for whatever reason, I found that the writing quality tended to degrade during the romantic scenes. Segues grew sloppy, there was ambiguity about who was where, etc. The gore was wonderfully written, though, and overall the prose made great use of the senses, which I always appreciate.
But the most horrifying thing in this book? That corpse we resurrected at the very start? One of the main characters is frenching it post-resurrection but pre-mouth-rinse. Like this person had been dead and buried, and we can’t even get them to chew some mint leaves before we swap spit? Seeing as the necromancer makes no mention of tasting the grave on her lover’s tongue, I’m assuming this makeout session wasn’t intended to be gross or edgy, and maybe was just not considered? Either way, I had a hard time suspending disbelief for that.
If you enjoy books that are vibe-heavy, introspective, navel-gazey, and full of ghoulish descriptions, highly recommend. It just wasn’t for me.
Thank you to NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC!
The novel kicks off with a literal resurrection. Which hey, very cool, very bold. However, that scene drags on for literally the first quarter of the novel. It’s interspersed with flashbacks, sure, but the plot—as it stands in the book’s present day—does not begin to move forward until after the quarter mark. That, for me, is a bit of problem. In fact, the majority of the first quarter of this book is spent in flashbacks, and while they were interesting and offered context relevant to the present day plot, things still felt stagnant to me.
The characters, on the other hand, were a joy—especially St. John—though I sometimes found their actions a tad over the top. There were several instances of Irene shrieking her words out “like a banshee,” and contextually, those just didn’t feel natural to me.
The writing was mostly solid, if a bit navel-gazey. However, there were some turns of phrase that made no sense to me, such as Agnes being so hungry that “her teeth stung.” And for whatever reason, I found that the writing quality tended to degrade during the romantic scenes. Segues grew sloppy, there was ambiguity about who was where, etc. The gore was wonderfully written, though, and overall the prose made great use of the senses, which I always appreciate.
But the most horrifying thing in this book? That corpse we resurrected at the very start? One of the main characters is frenching it post-resurrection but pre-mouth-rinse. Like this person had been dead and buried, and we can’t even get them to chew some mint leaves before we swap spit? Seeing as the necromancer makes no mention of tasting the grave on her lover’s tongue, I’m assuming this makeout session wasn’t intended to be gross or edgy, and maybe was just not considered? Either way, I had a hard time suspending disbelief for that.
If you enjoy books that are vibe-heavy, introspective, navel-gazey, and full of ghoulish descriptions, highly recommend. It just wasn’t for me.
Thank you to NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC!
July 4, 2026
4.75 ⭐️
Thank you to the publisher, Harper Voyager, the author S.M. Hallow, and Book Huddle for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this glorious gothic gathering of the macabre.
If someone had told me that one of my favourite novels of the year would include gleeful and enthusiastic cannibalism, a man whose insides were composed of creepy crawlies, and more galleons of blood than I care to estimate, I would have been at least A LITTLE surprised. Not, like, shocked, since I am still a weirdo gothy kid at heart, but slightly taken aback. It is hard not to become wrapped up in this story, however. The writing is beautiful and haunting, with sentences and sentiments that repeat throughout, a steady beat to follow and be enchanted by. The worldbuilding is probably some of the best I have encountered in some time. While I can see how this can be a stand-alone, it feels like there is so much more to discover within the realm of necromancy.
Additional details I adored include the chronic pain representation, how dead spirits show multiple faces, one for each year of life, and the glimpses into the lives of other necromancers from times gone by. I really enjoyed reading the multiple POVs – something I know is not everyone’s cup of tea but personally I relish. It’s also undeniable that, besides the gothic, horror, and historical elements, this is an inherently queer book. Queer as in not-heterosexual, queer as in polyamorous, and queer as in subverting typical, heteronormative romance and gender roles. While the world-building and the magic are central to the story, at its core it is also very much a love story between three characters. We really don’t get enough throuples in literature.
My one drawback is that the pacing of the story was somewhat uneven. We got such wonderful, in-depth backstories for all three characters, as well as some of the side-necromancers, but the latter third of the book seemed to walk with a bit of a limping gait. Not slow, per se, but somewhat at odds with the first 2/3 of the novel.
Overall, a beautiful and horrifying (in the best way) debut novel. I am both satiated and starved for more.
Thank you to the publisher, Harper Voyager, the author S.M. Hallow, and Book Huddle for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this glorious gothic gathering of the macabre.
If someone had told me that one of my favourite novels of the year would include gleeful and enthusiastic cannibalism, a man whose insides were composed of creepy crawlies, and more galleons of blood than I care to estimate, I would have been at least A LITTLE surprised. Not, like, shocked, since I am still a weirdo gothy kid at heart, but slightly taken aback. It is hard not to become wrapped up in this story, however. The writing is beautiful and haunting, with sentences and sentiments that repeat throughout, a steady beat to follow and be enchanted by. The worldbuilding is probably some of the best I have encountered in some time. While I can see how this can be a stand-alone, it feels like there is so much more to discover within the realm of necromancy.
Additional details I adored include the chronic pain representation, how dead spirits show multiple faces, one for each year of life, and the glimpses into the lives of other necromancers from times gone by. I really enjoyed reading the multiple POVs – something I know is not everyone’s cup of tea but personally I relish. It’s also undeniable that, besides the gothic, horror, and historical elements, this is an inherently queer book. Queer as in not-heterosexual, queer as in polyamorous, and queer as in subverting typical, heteronormative romance and gender roles. While the world-building and the magic are central to the story, at its core it is also very much a love story between three characters. We really don’t get enough throuples in literature.
My one drawback is that the pacing of the story was somewhat uneven. We got such wonderful, in-depth backstories for all three characters, as well as some of the side-necromancers, but the latter third of the book seemed to walk with a bit of a limping gait. Not slow, per se, but somewhat at odds with the first 2/3 of the novel.
Overall, a beautiful and horrifying (in the best way) debut novel. I am both satiated and starved for more.
June 6, 2026
All you have to do is say necromancy, and I am sold. Set in a gothic Victorian London where dark magic and necromancy are forbidden, this book follows Irene as she attempts the impossible after the execution of the woman she loves. What follows is part horror, part romance, and part meditation on what happens when love refuses to let go. It's also told in a pretty campy tone, for lack of a better word, and I was not expecting that but did enjoy it! Described as sapphic, I wouldn't necessarily agree with that, as it's really a polyamorous relationship with Irene, her husband St. John and Agnes, the woman she is looking to bring back from death. Hallow doesn't shy away from the grotesque. There is body horror, blood, rot, and some genuinely disturbing imagery, but it never feels shocking just for the sake of it. The horror serves the story's larger questions about mortality, identity, and whether bringing someone back is truly an act of love or something more selfish. It is definitely a character-driven story where love is both salvation and ruin.
Thank you to Harper Voyager for the e-ARC! Book releases 8/18/26.
Thank you to Harper Voyager for the e-ARC! Book releases 8/18/26.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Halls of the Dead, the debut novel of S. M. Hallow, is a romantic horror fantasy about trauma, grief, historical preservation, and, as you might guess, death. It takes place in an alternative Victorian London, in a timeline where magic is real and highly regulated by the church and state. It’s a lush, Gothic novel with the angst and melodrama ratcheted to the top, with an interesting magic system, take on the afterlife, and compelling romance, though it loses some tension near the end. Like many of the books I’ve been reading and reviewing lately, it should easily be placed into the romantasy genre, though I don’t think it’s likely to be marketed alongside the Sarah J. Maas and Rebecca Yarros’s of the world.
I could see this book making the transition to stage play - albeit one with great special effects - since it takes place almost entirely within the confines of one London manor home, owned by an immortal illusionist filled with grave dirt and bugs named St. John, and his necromantic protege, savant, and wife Irene. The two have been in a lavender marriage of sorts, giving Irene the ability to practice her forbidden necromantic arts without having to subsume her will and goals to live as a conventional housewife. At the beginning of the novel, we discover that Irene’s lover (and St. John’s friend) Agnes has died, having been executed for her magical murder of her abusive and controlling brother. Irene, already traumatized by the events of a mysterious trial of her own, kneels before Agnes’ grave, stabs a knife through the center of her palm, and begins to cast a spell.
In this world, necromancy allows the magician to reanimate, manipulate, and prolong the “life” of a corpse, though “true resurrection” has not been achieved since Jesus resurrected Lazarus. Irene aims to be the next. And she succeeds, though Agnes is not entirely as she was before…
Everyone has their favorite fictional tropes and motifs, and one of mine is characters making terrible arcane sacrifices to resurrect a loved one. It’s the premise of many of my favorite stories, including the novel I’m revising at the moment. Most of these stories present this Faustian bargain as a mistake; death is inevitable and irreversible, they say, and the mature and healthy thing to do is learn to move on. True resurrection is impossible, or else comes with a cost too terrible to bear. The Halls of the Dead seems to follow in this mold at its beginning but eventually takes a refreshing turn away from the pat moralizing. St. John’s perpetual existence as a living record of the forgotten necromancers offers a counter to the necromancy-as-evil narrative. Yes, he’s something of an abomination, yes, he’s filled with writhing bugs, and yes, he has no internal organs, but he’s lived through centuries of trauma and stayed a good and selfless person. And Agnes’ terrifying new condition may not be all it seems.
While the love triangle between Irene, St. John, and Agnes takes up a lot of its page count, the most unique and interesting part to me was its approach to necromancy and the afterlife. I won’t go into details here, since the book’s gradual unspooling of this element is really fun, but I was particularly drawn to the history of the necromancers as one of constant death and rebirth. These are people whose love drives them to break the laws of man, church, and nature, who must hide their practices from prying eyes, who try to build up communities and records while fleeing from destruction every few generations. I can sense echoes of queer history and religious minorities here; people related not by blood but by practice, losing access to the knowledge of their predecessors but trying to reconstruct all they can.
I had a good time with this book, but I ultimately found the ending a little pat. It gave me what I wanted in my immediate, fan brain, but as a writer and lover of storytelling it felt like an easy way out, where I wanted more complexity. But ultimately, I think this is a great pick for fans of Gothic romance who can stomach a lot of descriptions of guts and rotting flesh and many, many, grave bugs.
Rounded up from 3 1/2 stars.
The Halls of the Dead is set to publish August 18, 2026.
Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts expressed are my own.
Read more of my reviews at https://terrasomni.substack.com
I could see this book making the transition to stage play - albeit one with great special effects - since it takes place almost entirely within the confines of one London manor home, owned by an immortal illusionist filled with grave dirt and bugs named St. John, and his necromantic protege, savant, and wife Irene. The two have been in a lavender marriage of sorts, giving Irene the ability to practice her forbidden necromantic arts without having to subsume her will and goals to live as a conventional housewife. At the beginning of the novel, we discover that Irene’s lover (and St. John’s friend) Agnes has died, having been executed for her magical murder of her abusive and controlling brother. Irene, already traumatized by the events of a mysterious trial of her own, kneels before Agnes’ grave, stabs a knife through the center of her palm, and begins to cast a spell.
In this world, necromancy allows the magician to reanimate, manipulate, and prolong the “life” of a corpse, though “true resurrection” has not been achieved since Jesus resurrected Lazarus. Irene aims to be the next. And she succeeds, though Agnes is not entirely as she was before…
Everyone has their favorite fictional tropes and motifs, and one of mine is characters making terrible arcane sacrifices to resurrect a loved one. It’s the premise of many of my favorite stories, including the novel I’m revising at the moment. Most of these stories present this Faustian bargain as a mistake; death is inevitable and irreversible, they say, and the mature and healthy thing to do is learn to move on. True resurrection is impossible, or else comes with a cost too terrible to bear. The Halls of the Dead seems to follow in this mold at its beginning but eventually takes a refreshing turn away from the pat moralizing. St. John’s perpetual existence as a living record of the forgotten necromancers offers a counter to the necromancy-as-evil narrative. Yes, he’s something of an abomination, yes, he’s filled with writhing bugs, and yes, he has no internal organs, but he’s lived through centuries of trauma and stayed a good and selfless person. And Agnes’ terrifying new condition may not be all it seems.
While the love triangle between Irene, St. John, and Agnes takes up a lot of its page count, the most unique and interesting part to me was its approach to necromancy and the afterlife. I won’t go into details here, since the book’s gradual unspooling of this element is really fun, but I was particularly drawn to the history of the necromancers as one of constant death and rebirth. These are people whose love drives them to break the laws of man, church, and nature, who must hide their practices from prying eyes, who try to build up communities and records while fleeing from destruction every few generations. I can sense echoes of queer history and religious minorities here; people related not by blood but by practice, losing access to the knowledge of their predecessors but trying to reconstruct all they can.
I had a good time with this book, but I ultimately found the ending a little pat. It gave me what I wanted in my immediate, fan brain, but as a writer and lover of storytelling it felt like an easy way out, where I wanted more complexity. But ultimately, I think this is a great pick for fans of Gothic romance who can stomach a lot of descriptions of guts and rotting flesh and many, many, grave bugs.
Rounded up from 3 1/2 stars.
The Halls of the Dead is set to publish August 18, 2026.
Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts expressed are my own.
Read more of my reviews at https://terrasomni.substack.com
September 28, 2026
necromancer polycule
June 16, 2026
In theory, this book sounded exactly like the kind of thing I’d love. Victorian, gothic settings, morally questionable necromantic magic, the dead refusing to stay dead, and complicated queer relationships are all elements that usually work for me. Unfortunately, while all the ingredients were there, the story never quite came together in a way that fully engaged me.
The story follows three main characters: Irene, a necromancer, St. John, who is undead, and Agnes, a woman who has just been hanged and is being brought back to life. Their relationship forms a kind of polyamorous triangle. John and Irene are married, but their relationship is presented as largely platonic, while Irene and Agnes are clearly in love. This dynamic is further explored throughout the narrative, and because of that, I wouldn’t really call this book simply a sapphic story as some readers suggest.
One of my biggest issues with the book is how unevenly the characters were developed. Irene ends up being by far the strongest and most fleshed out of the three. The story relies on flashbacks, which isn’t inherently a bad thing, but the way they’re used creates an imbalance. We learn most of what we know about St. John through his past, while Agnes spends most of the book in the present with very little background. Irene is the only character who feels fully realized. Reading this book often felt like being dropped into the middle of an ongoing story, almost as if I’d accidentally started with the second book in a series.
The heavy use of flashbacks also hurts the pacing. The first half of the novel is packed with them, which means very little actually happens in the present timeline. As a result, it takes a long time before the story’s direction becomes clear. Agnes’s resurrection, something that’s revealed in the synopsis, occupies roughly the first third of the book, which means the story is slow to find its footing. The stakes don’t properly emerge until around the halfway mark, and things only started to become genuinely interesting for me in the final third. Even then, I wasn’t entirely sure what the characters were working toward or what their larger goal was supposed to be. Without a clear sense of direction, it was difficult to become fully invested in their journey, despite some intriguing developments later on.
That said, the worldbuilding and necromancy lore were interesting. I just didn’t find them compelling enough to carry the story when I was struggling to understand where it was all headed. The writing itself was accessible and easy to read, and honestly that’s what saved the book for me. Without that, I’m not sure I would’ve felt motivated to finish it.
Overall, I think the idea behind this book is great, but the execution didn’t fully live up to its potential. Still, readers who enjoy a bit of ambiguity and don’t mind feeling slightly lost at times may get a lot more out of it. The strong gothic atmosphere is definitely one of the book’s biggest strengths.
Thank you NetGalley and Harper Voyager for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The story follows three main characters: Irene, a necromancer, St. John, who is undead, and Agnes, a woman who has just been hanged and is being brought back to life. Their relationship forms a kind of polyamorous triangle. John and Irene are married, but their relationship is presented as largely platonic, while Irene and Agnes are clearly in love. This dynamic is further explored throughout the narrative, and because of that, I wouldn’t really call this book simply a sapphic story as some readers suggest.
One of my biggest issues with the book is how unevenly the characters were developed. Irene ends up being by far the strongest and most fleshed out of the three. The story relies on flashbacks, which isn’t inherently a bad thing, but the way they’re used creates an imbalance. We learn most of what we know about St. John through his past, while Agnes spends most of the book in the present with very little background. Irene is the only character who feels fully realized. Reading this book often felt like being dropped into the middle of an ongoing story, almost as if I’d accidentally started with the second book in a series.
The heavy use of flashbacks also hurts the pacing. The first half of the novel is packed with them, which means very little actually happens in the present timeline. As a result, it takes a long time before the story’s direction becomes clear. Agnes’s resurrection, something that’s revealed in the synopsis, occupies roughly the first third of the book, which means the story is slow to find its footing. The stakes don’t properly emerge until around the halfway mark, and things only started to become genuinely interesting for me in the final third. Even then, I wasn’t entirely sure what the characters were working toward or what their larger goal was supposed to be. Without a clear sense of direction, it was difficult to become fully invested in their journey, despite some intriguing developments later on.
That said, the worldbuilding and necromancy lore were interesting. I just didn’t find them compelling enough to carry the story when I was struggling to understand where it was all headed. The writing itself was accessible and easy to read, and honestly that’s what saved the book for me. Without that, I’m not sure I would’ve felt motivated to finish it.
Overall, I think the idea behind this book is great, but the execution didn’t fully live up to its potential. Still, readers who enjoy a bit of ambiguity and don’t mind feeling slightly lost at times may get a lot more out of it. The strong gothic atmosphere is definitely one of the book’s biggest strengths.
Thank you NetGalley and Harper Voyager for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
September 6, 2026
Thanks so much to Avon | Harper Voyager for the review copy. All opinions are voluntary and honest.
This is an absolutely gorgeously written poly gothic horrormance and it hit so hard for me. The bulk of the story takes place over about a week but the narrative and world building are enhanced by flashbacks that show us how our MCs came to be where and who they are. I loved the explorations of grief shown through Irene - how it can unravel who you are and force you to make choices and become someone you never thought possible. Her devotion to Agnes, to returning Agnes to who she once was, despite her Necromantic failures in the past, is really a testament to enduring love that looks past a bit of gore and decomposition.
Speaking of love, the poly romance and queer love story is beautiful. St John, Irene and Agnes’s love is really founded on respect and trust and this shines through.
Don’t let that description make you think this is cozy though - it’s emphatically not. There’s gore, there’s horror, and there’s the reality of what decomposing bodies smell, feel and taste like. There’s also a bit of graphic cannibalism (but it serves the story completely!).
This is an absolutely gorgeously written poly gothic horrormance and it hit so hard for me. The bulk of the story takes place over about a week but the narrative and world building are enhanced by flashbacks that show us how our MCs came to be where and who they are. I loved the explorations of grief shown through Irene - how it can unravel who you are and force you to make choices and become someone you never thought possible. Her devotion to Agnes, to returning Agnes to who she once was, despite her Necromantic failures in the past, is really a testament to enduring love that looks past a bit of gore and decomposition.
Speaking of love, the poly romance and queer love story is beautiful. St John, Irene and Agnes’s love is really founded on respect and trust and this shines through.
Don’t let that description make you think this is cozy though - it’s emphatically not. There’s gore, there’s horror, and there’s the reality of what decomposing bodies smell, feel and taste like. There’s also a bit of graphic cannibalism (but it serves the story completely!).
June 28, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-Arc!
I am astounded, utterly flabbergasted, that there's no The Locked Tomb comps in this book's marketing. It's just as unhinged and undead, if not quite as clever and well-plotted. The story of The Halls of the Dead is about resurrection (emotional, physical, spiritual), and glorious retribution. . The reports of poor pacing are not exaggerated, but I was having such a good time with the characters that it didn't slow me down or mar my enjoyment of the book. This novel made me think hard about religion, about the where the line is between a miracle and a sin, and the ethics of raising the dead. The imagery is gorgeous (if you don't mind bugs or viscera), and while Irene is obviously the main character, Agnes and St. John complement her story perfectly. Overall, a meandering, weird novel that puts the romance in necromancer.
I am astounded, utterly flabbergasted, that there's no The Locked Tomb comps in this book's marketing. It's just as unhinged and undead, if not quite as clever and well-plotted. The story of The Halls of the Dead is about resurrection (emotional, physical, spiritual), and glorious retribution. . The reports of poor pacing are not exaggerated, but I was having such a good time with the characters that it didn't slow me down or mar my enjoyment of the book. This novel made me think hard about religion, about the where the line is between a miracle and a sin, and the ethics of raising the dead. The imagery is gorgeous (if you don't mind bugs or viscera), and while Irene is obviously the main character, Agnes and St. John complement her story perfectly. Overall, a meandering, weird novel that puts the romance in necromancer.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
2.75/5 stars rounded up.
Everything about this book's description really drew me in: human skin grimoires, necromancy, witches, undead husbands, LGBTQ aspects. But unfortunately while I loved the bones of this book (pun intended), I found that the writing was not a match for me and the story was very, very slow. It took me about 2 weeks to finish this book, and if you know me, you know that this is a long time for me. The start (up to about half) of the book was painfully slow. It was difficult for me to get into not only due to the slow nature of the writing, but because I felt like I wasn't given enough information for where the author chose to start this story. I thought the plot set-up felt clunky and underdeveloped which led to a diminishing desire to pick this book up.
I thought the descriptions and ideas in this book were pretty solid, but it wasn't executed as well as I had hoped it would be. The characters were a redeeming quality of this story. They were likable and had good relationships with each other that made their chemistry work seamlessly. I think this book will be a good match for those of you who are looking for a slow, gothic read, but it wasn't for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Everything about this book's description really drew me in: human skin grimoires, necromancy, witches, undead husbands, LGBTQ aspects. But unfortunately while I loved the bones of this book (pun intended), I found that the writing was not a match for me and the story was very, very slow. It took me about 2 weeks to finish this book, and if you know me, you know that this is a long time for me. The start (up to about half) of the book was painfully slow. It was difficult for me to get into not only due to the slow nature of the writing, but because I felt like I wasn't given enough information for where the author chose to start this story. I thought the plot set-up felt clunky and underdeveloped which led to a diminishing desire to pick this book up.
I thought the descriptions and ideas in this book were pretty solid, but it wasn't executed as well as I had hoped it would be. The characters were a redeeming quality of this story. They were likable and had good relationships with each other that made their chemistry work seamlessly. I think this book will be a good match for those of you who are looking for a slow, gothic read, but it wasn't for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
June 24, 2026
This was a gothic horror romance set in Victorian time. TW: bugs LOTS OF BUGS. This was a very bloody story about necromancers, and contained different POVs as well as flashbacks. The flashbacks really messed with the pacing for me, and I had a hard time really getting into the flow of the story. The love between Irene, Agnes and St John was really well written (minus the freaking bugs!) but it took me a while to warm up to the story in general. Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC.
August 20, 2026
(3.5 stars) When this book is advertised as a gothic fantasy horror romance... they aren't kidding. S.M. Hallow has a unique ability to make disgusting things elegant and beautiful things terrifying. I wasn't able to stop reading because I was completely enraptured by her prose. The horror came to life in the descriptive narrative and imagery of the graphic scenes, sometimes making me want to vomit-in a good way (it felt real). I used to work in a hospital, so it takes a lot for that to happen. If someone were to ask for a "weird fantasy" recommendation, this is absolutely the book I would hand them.
Even though there are things to be absolutely celebrated, let me get to why I rated it 3.5 stars. I struggled with the logic behind some of the characterization and decision making. (No spoilers to follow, I promise.) Sometimes characters would respond with an irregular kind of empathy instead of genuine panic. Where there was pure acceptance, maybe there should have been an "Oh, shit," right? I'm talking specifically about some of the gory scenes. All I could think was, "What? Surely we panic more? Surely this isn't a 'love is blind' situation?" I'm not a big fan of those. With that being said, some people like that unpredictability and illogicalness. It's surprising and can be fun, so one can argue that maybe this book wasn't for me. I'm okay with that.
Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager for sending me an eARC on NetGalley. This sure was a wild ride, and I'm happy to have been chosen for an ARC for this book!
Even though there are things to be absolutely celebrated, let me get to why I rated it 3.5 stars. I struggled with the logic behind some of the characterization and decision making. (No spoilers to follow, I promise.) Sometimes characters would respond with an irregular kind of empathy instead of genuine panic. Where there was pure acceptance, maybe there should have been an "Oh, shit," right? I'm talking specifically about some of the gory scenes. All I could think was, "What? Surely we panic more? Surely this isn't a 'love is blind' situation?" I'm not a big fan of those. With that being said, some people like that unpredictability and illogicalness. It's surprising and can be fun, so one can argue that maybe this book wasn't for me. I'm okay with that.
Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager for sending me an eARC on NetGalley. This sure was a wild ride, and I'm happy to have been chosen for an ARC for this book!
September 30, 2026
Thank you to Netgalley for the arc in exchange for the honest review.
The writing is great and drew me in. And I loved the gothic atmosphere. I really enjoyed this until pretty much the end and that's where it fell off for me.
The writing is great and drew me in. And I loved the gothic atmosphere. I really enjoyed this until pretty much the end and that's where it fell off for me.
April 30, 2026
2.5
this book had a lot of potential but ultimately the pacing of both the plot and overall book really hindered it. it starts off really strong with a resurrection and established relationships but instead of rewinding back to what led to the death and resurrection, we continue forward with the plot while also being given a lot of flashbacks. i’m really not a fan of being stuck in a sort of suspense mode in general but this dragged on for so long. it isn’t until about halfway in that the majority of the flashbacks end. and it makes perfect sense why the flashbacks are there because all three characters have really important backstories and it really influences how they react but because it’s both flashbacks and the current tense, it’s just really difficult to follow through.
and unfortunately, the focus of all the characters’ stories just isn’t evenly matched. st. john and irene both have strong backstories— but st. john’s is really lacking in the present tense, whereas irene’s is clearly the strongest and really the character the story revolves around the most. agnes on the other hand, has the weakest story despite being the one resurrected and has to deal with the repercussions of that. and on top of that, we also have the plot that leads up to the death and resurrection itself.
this really should’ve been a duology, book1 focusing on the past and book2 on the present. but i will say i did love the witchcraft, necromancy, and bloodlust parts. the world building was very intriguing, i just wish i cared about the characters.
this book had a lot of potential but ultimately the pacing of both the plot and overall book really hindered it. it starts off really strong with a resurrection and established relationships but instead of rewinding back to what led to the death and resurrection, we continue forward with the plot while also being given a lot of flashbacks. i’m really not a fan of being stuck in a sort of suspense mode in general but this dragged on for so long. it isn’t until about halfway in that the majority of the flashbacks end. and it makes perfect sense why the flashbacks are there because all three characters have really important backstories and it really influences how they react but because it’s both flashbacks and the current tense, it’s just really difficult to follow through.
and unfortunately, the focus of all the characters’ stories just isn’t evenly matched. st. john and irene both have strong backstories— but st. john’s is really lacking in the present tense, whereas irene’s is clearly the strongest and really the character the story revolves around the most. agnes on the other hand, has the weakest story despite being the one resurrected and has to deal with the repercussions of that. and on top of that, we also have the plot that leads up to the death and resurrection itself.
this really should’ve been a duology, book1 focusing on the past and book2 on the present. but i will say i did love the witchcraft, necromancy, and bloodlust parts. the world building was very intriguing, i just wish i cared about the characters.
Want to Read
January 12, 2026Literally counting down the days until this comes out because it's ticking all the boxes for me
August 19, 2026
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.75 stars
I really enjoy the possibilities of necromantic and blood magic, and The Halls of the Dead checked those boxes. Add a gothic overwrought situation, some wonderful characters, and an iron will that will command death before losing loved ones, and I am all in. Like the other magical disciplines, necromancy isn’t inherently evil; it’s simply powerful. Connection with the Halls is an access to knowledge and magic like no other, and people would rather forbid the magic and slaughter necromancers than be denied that access. Agnes’ resurrection doesn’t simply give new life to her, it touches everyone; it helps them find and accept the pieces they’ve needed. The triad relationship is V-shaped in the beginning, Irene being the hinge. Agnes’ alteration brings their complete interconnectedness slowly to the fore.
Read Jovan’s review in its entirety here.
4.75 stars
I really enjoy the possibilities of necromantic and blood magic, and The Halls of the Dead checked those boxes. Add a gothic overwrought situation, some wonderful characters, and an iron will that will command death before losing loved ones, and I am all in. Like the other magical disciplines, necromancy isn’t inherently evil; it’s simply powerful. Connection with the Halls is an access to knowledge and magic like no other, and people would rather forbid the magic and slaughter necromancers than be denied that access. Agnes’ resurrection doesn’t simply give new life to her, it touches everyone; it helps them find and accept the pieces they’ve needed. The triad relationship is V-shaped in the beginning, Irene being the hinge. Agnes’ alteration brings their complete interconnectedness slowly to the fore.
Read Jovan’s review in its entirety here.
August 17, 2026
Fantastic reading that gives off historical fantasy with gruesome and skin crawling vibes.
Pages filled with surreal imagery of crypts and critters, death up close, dark magic, and skin covered grimoires and the urgency to resurrect a loved one.
Multiple POV’s from three main characters that blend effortlessly into the storyline, all set in the mid 1800’s London.
Graphically described scenery and action throughout that is both squeamish and unsettling and will make your skin itch, as more than one critter crawls across the pages within.
It is a story of the lengths one will go too, to save loved one, all while trying to remain undetected, for fear of being condemned.
Thanks to Harper Voyage for this stellar necromancer read!
Pages filled with surreal imagery of crypts and critters, death up close, dark magic, and skin covered grimoires and the urgency to resurrect a loved one.
Multiple POV’s from three main characters that blend effortlessly into the storyline, all set in the mid 1800’s London.
Graphically described scenery and action throughout that is both squeamish and unsettling and will make your skin itch, as more than one critter crawls across the pages within.
It is a story of the lengths one will go too, to save loved one, all while trying to remain undetected, for fear of being condemned.
Thanks to Harper Voyage for this stellar necromancer read!
August 17, 2026
Pub Date: August 18, 2026
The gothic vibes and necromancy themes are what I came for, and this book certainly delivered those. The plot quickly stalled out due to pacing issues, and even the delicious ick factors got repetitive quickly. Our FMC is married to a dead saint and had a dead girlfriend to boot. The world in which events unfold has 𝗌𝗈 much potential. It‘s intricate and full of really cool concepts. I just longed for better pacing to keep the plot moving and less same-same.
𝘏𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴:
💀 the dead come back wrong
💀 sacrifice for love
💀 complex polyamorous dynamic
💀 bleak societal pressures
💀 secret magic
The gothic vibes and necromancy themes are what I came for, and this book certainly delivered those. The plot quickly stalled out due to pacing issues, and even the delicious ick factors got repetitive quickly. Our FMC is married to a dead saint and had a dead girlfriend to boot. The world in which events unfold has 𝗌𝗈 much potential. It‘s intricate and full of really cool concepts. I just longed for better pacing to keep the plot moving and less same-same.
𝘏𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴:
💀 the dead come back wrong
💀 sacrifice for love
💀 complex polyamorous dynamic
💀 bleak societal pressures
💀 secret magic
August 15, 2026
3.5⭐️
Well written with a very interesting plot. I’m a big fan of gothic horror. Love a Victorian times moment. Especially loved the sapphic addition. It’s been a while since I’ve read about necromancy, and I found this twist to be really cool…the whole “bring this person I love back from the dead, but they aren’t the same” vibe. It had some pretty gory moments! If you like body horror…this would be for you.
Big thanks to William Morrow and the Tastemaker program for the early copy!
Well written with a very interesting plot. I’m a big fan of gothic horror. Love a Victorian times moment. Especially loved the sapphic addition. It’s been a while since I’ve read about necromancy, and I found this twist to be really cool…the whole “bring this person I love back from the dead, but they aren’t the same” vibe. It had some pretty gory moments! If you like body horror…this would be for you.
Big thanks to William Morrow and the Tastemaker program for the early copy!
August 5, 2026
Pros:
- Queer
- Romantic vibes
- Necromancy
- Poly romance with an undead husband
- Multiple POVs
- No loose ends at the end of the book
Cons:
- Pacing (slow but the story also takes place through the duration of a single week?)
- Writing is somewhat cryptic at times, it felt like a lot of information was missing getting into the story
- Gore & bug/body horror (could be a pro for some!)
If you’re a fan of gothic romantic fiction, this book would be a good match.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with an ARC!
- Queer
- Romantic vibes
- Necromancy
- Poly romance with an undead husband
- Multiple POVs
- No loose ends at the end of the book
Cons:
- Pacing (slow but the story also takes place through the duration of a single week?)
- Writing is somewhat cryptic at times, it felt like a lot of information was missing getting into the story
- Gore & bug/body horror (could be a pro for some!)
If you’re a fan of gothic romantic fiction, this book would be a good match.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with an ARC!
September 4, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This absolutely delivered on the gothic and gruesome vibes, set in a London steeped in necromancy and dark magic, but the romance plot had me confused and unhappy, and the story was kinda disjointed at times. So, its billed as sapphic and yet its not only sapphic - there is a poly relationship. Which is fine, but not what its been promoted as. The writing is sensory in so many ways, invoking pretty gory scenes with smell, taste and visual descriptions. If you have a weak stomach, I'd avoid this book. But the story felt... a bit silly at times? I'm not really sure how to describe it but I've seen the word 'camp' bandied around in other reviews and I'd say I agree. The story arc itself kind of meandered and I was never entirely sure what the end goal of it was. And again - that's totally fine, not all stories need to rigidly stick to the same format, but I guess this one just wasn't really my thing.
This absolutely delivered on the gothic and gruesome vibes, set in a London steeped in necromancy and dark magic, but the romance plot had me confused and unhappy, and the story was kinda disjointed at times. So, its billed as sapphic and yet its not only sapphic - there is a poly relationship. Which is fine, but not what its been promoted as. The writing is sensory in so many ways, invoking pretty gory scenes with smell, taste and visual descriptions. If you have a weak stomach, I'd avoid this book. But the story felt... a bit silly at times? I'm not really sure how to describe it but I've seen the word 'camp' bandied around in other reviews and I'd say I agree. The story arc itself kind of meandered and I was never entirely sure what the end goal of it was. And again - that's totally fine, not all stories need to rigidly stick to the same format, but I guess this one just wasn't really my thing.
September 8, 2026
Victorian gothic vibes, necromancy, all-consuming love, and a whole lot of blood, bugs, and death.
This book is dark so be warned.
A slow read. It's atmospheric and written beautifully but takes its time building a world full of fascinating ideas about souls, justice, revenge, grief, and what we are willing to do for the people we love. The romance is intense but already established, with a relationship dynamic that felt unique and natural.
This is a book for when you’re in the mood to sit with a story and let its themes sink in. Definitely not for the faint of heart, but if you want gothic horror with complicated love, necromancy, and plenty to think about, this one is worth picking up.
This book is dark so be warned.
A slow read. It's atmospheric and written beautifully but takes its time building a world full of fascinating ideas about souls, justice, revenge, grief, and what we are willing to do for the people we love. The romance is intense but already established, with a relationship dynamic that felt unique and natural.
This is a book for when you’re in the mood to sit with a story and let its themes sink in. Definitely not for the faint of heart, but if you want gothic horror with complicated love, necromancy, and plenty to think about, this one is worth picking up.
July 11, 2026
(4.5)
The perfect queer gothic horror. I won the ARC for this at my local bookstores book bingo and I couldn’t have made a better choice. St. John, Irene and Agnes’ relationship was mesmerizing and the way the story flowed was fantastic.
The perfect queer gothic horror. I won the ARC for this at my local bookstores book bingo and I couldn’t have made a better choice. St. John, Irene and Agnes’ relationship was mesmerizing and the way the story flowed was fantastic.
June 30, 2026
3.5 rounded up for Goodreads and Netgalley.
It was a solid read, overall. Its strength, for me, was in its well-crafted dark and gloomy atmosphere. The author truly built something grim and eerie. The plot was interesting but a little bit weak at times, its pace was steady. The horror elements were assuredly there but I feel like they could have been even more detailed. There was some work on the characters for sure, but I didn’t connect with any of them. In fact, the two female characters were more developed than the male character, and I feel like he was sometimes useless. I would have preferred a story with Irene and Agnes only, there was potential for a stronger story with these two. Also, when I read the synopsis I thought the romance was going to be sapphic and I was unfortunately wrong. It was a polyamorous relationship between the three characters, and I didn’t like it very much. There was a little bit of disappointment there but it was wholly my fault so it doesn’t have an impact on my overall enjoyment.
It was a nicely written and atmospheric gothic romantasy with touches of horror sprinkled in there, and I definitely recommend it.
Thank you to Netgalley for an e-ARC in exchange for a honest review.
It was a solid read, overall. Its strength, for me, was in its well-crafted dark and gloomy atmosphere. The author truly built something grim and eerie. The plot was interesting but a little bit weak at times, its pace was steady. The horror elements were assuredly there but I feel like they could have been even more detailed. There was some work on the characters for sure, but I didn’t connect with any of them. In fact, the two female characters were more developed than the male character, and I feel like he was sometimes useless. I would have preferred a story with Irene and Agnes only, there was potential for a stronger story with these two. Also, when I read the synopsis I thought the romance was going to be sapphic and I was unfortunately wrong. It was a polyamorous relationship between the three characters, and I didn’t like it very much. There was a little bit of disappointment there but it was wholly my fault so it doesn’t have an impact on my overall enjoyment.
It was a nicely written and atmospheric gothic romantasy with touches of horror sprinkled in there, and I definitely recommend it.
Thank you to Netgalley for an e-ARC in exchange for a honest review.
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