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Heaven's Graveyard
Not yet published
Expected 16 Jun 26From the Sunday Times-bestselling author of Floating Hotel and Idolfire comes a science fantasy tale of history and myth, magic and mystery, perfect for fans of Shelley Parker-Chan and A. K. Larkwood
Two thousand years after the events of Idolfire, the world is on the brink of war, and the discovery of the enchanted city of Nivela threatens to push it over the brink
"What do you want to know?"
It’s been 2,000 years since the events of Idolfire, and we’re in a whole new Kite-drawn cargo ships race across thoroughly chartered seas, hauling the latest innovations in convenience and slaughter. It is developed, learned, interconnected, and on the brink of catastrophic war.
Archeologist Cod couldn’t care less about the conflict brewing between neighboring powers. She spends her days in happy obscurity, cataloging relics in the Republic of Asha and searching for clues about her lifelong obsession, the mythical hero Aleya Ana-Ulai.
Then a letter arrives summoning her home. Cod’s old teacher has made the discovery of a lifetime. But her home is Palgaro, and the discovery—the ruins of the enchanted city of Nivela—is set to change the world. And not for the better…
Heaven's Graveyard is a sinister lesbian history mystery bringing the magic of Idolfire into a dangerous new century.
Two thousand years after the events of Idolfire, the world is on the brink of war, and the discovery of the enchanted city of Nivela threatens to push it over the brink
"What do you want to know?"
It’s been 2,000 years since the events of Idolfire, and we’re in a whole new Kite-drawn cargo ships race across thoroughly chartered seas, hauling the latest innovations in convenience and slaughter. It is developed, learned, interconnected, and on the brink of catastrophic war.
Archeologist Cod couldn’t care less about the conflict brewing between neighboring powers. She spends her days in happy obscurity, cataloging relics in the Republic of Asha and searching for clues about her lifelong obsession, the mythical hero Aleya Ana-Ulai.
Then a letter arrives summoning her home. Cod’s old teacher has made the discovery of a lifetime. But her home is Palgaro, and the discovery—the ruins of the enchanted city of Nivela—is set to change the world. And not for the better…
Heaven's Graveyard is a sinister lesbian history mystery bringing the magic of Idolfire into a dangerous new century.
368 pages, Paperback
Expected publication June 16, 2026
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About the author
Grace Curtis
5 books317 followersAuthor of FRONTIER, FLOATING HOTEL and IDOLFIRE. Up next: HEAVEN'S GRAVEYARD.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
December 5, 2025
I received a free copy from DAW via Netgalley in exchange for a fair review. Release date June 16th, 2026.
I liked both of Curtis' previous novels, and I thought the premise of her academia-based latest sounded intriguing. In Heaven's Graveyard, detached academic Coda is summoned back to her hometown with news of a massive archeological find--only to find that the beloved professor who sent the message has been murdered. Chasing stories of her beloved and probably mythical Aleya, Coda is about to be dragged into a plot that is far more than she bargained for.
With its obsessive academic fixated on stories of a dead woman while oblivious to her country's slow slide into war, Heaven's Graveyard sets up obvious comparisons with one of my standout reads of 2025, The Everlasting. Like Owen Mallory, Coda is spectacularly oblivious, paying so little attention to politics that she tries to leave the country without even realizing that her world is on the brink of effectively World War I. Unlike The Everlasting, Coda's indifference to modern events does not become a major thematic element--it just adds a layer of complication in the form of an unreliable narrator who doesn't pay attention to an important chunk of plot. Even if Coda doesn't bother to follow modern events, modern events are about to be deeply interested in her...
It was an interesting decision for Cutis to set a sequel to Idolfire thousands of years later, moving from the mythic past to a world of trains and movies. I liked the emphasis on history fading into legend. Compared to Idolfire, I liked the setting of Heaven's Graveyard better, with its recognizably modern empire teetering on the brink of sectarian violence. It's a fun world, and the book would have been far less compelling set in the usual medieval-generic rather than in the loud clatter of cities and trams and university politics.
Outside of the expansiveness of the world, the story itself was relatively small and compact. The cast is effectively just Coda, her tumultuous ex, her dead professor Marr, and the stiffly religious Thal, who gets dragged into the whole mess. The plot is vaguely murder mystery shaped in that Coda answers an urgent summons only to find a dead friend instead of the promised academic triumph. However, Coda does very little in the way of actual investigating . She's quickly dragged into the archaological find (and the resulting political implications) that Marr was murdered over, and doesn't really get into any Sherlock Holmes type business.
A slow sapphic novel about the perils of archaeology and difficult ex-lovers. Readable enough, but not quite up to the flash and bang of The Everlasting. Great concept though, and much stronger than the comparatively aimless Floating Hotel. I'm interested to see what Curtis writes next.
I liked both of Curtis' previous novels, and I thought the premise of her academia-based latest sounded intriguing. In Heaven's Graveyard, detached academic Coda is summoned back to her hometown with news of a massive archeological find--only to find that the beloved professor who sent the message has been murdered. Chasing stories of her beloved and probably mythical Aleya, Coda is about to be dragged into a plot that is far more than she bargained for.
With its obsessive academic fixated on stories of a dead woman while oblivious to her country's slow slide into war, Heaven's Graveyard sets up obvious comparisons with one of my standout reads of 2025, The Everlasting. Like Owen Mallory, Coda is spectacularly oblivious, paying so little attention to politics that she tries to leave the country without even realizing that her world is on the brink of effectively World War I. Unlike The Everlasting, Coda's indifference to modern events does not become a major thematic element--it just adds a layer of complication in the form of an unreliable narrator who doesn't pay attention to an important chunk of plot. Even if Coda doesn't bother to follow modern events, modern events are about to be deeply interested in her...
It was an interesting decision for Cutis to set a sequel to Idolfire thousands of years later, moving from the mythic past to a world of trains and movies. I liked the emphasis on history fading into legend. Compared to Idolfire, I liked the setting of Heaven's Graveyard better, with its recognizably modern empire teetering on the brink of sectarian violence. It's a fun world, and the book would have been far less compelling set in the usual medieval-generic rather than in the loud clatter of cities and trams and university politics.
Outside of the expansiveness of the world, the story itself was relatively small and compact. The cast is effectively just Coda, her tumultuous ex, her dead professor Marr, and the stiffly religious Thal, who gets dragged into the whole mess. The plot is vaguely murder mystery shaped in that Coda answers an urgent summons only to find a dead friend instead of the promised academic triumph. However, Coda does very little in the way of actual investigating . She's quickly dragged into the archaological find (and the resulting political implications) that Marr was murdered over, and doesn't really get into any Sherlock Holmes type business.
A slow sapphic novel about the perils of archaeology and difficult ex-lovers. Readable enough, but not quite up to the flash and bang of The Everlasting. Great concept though, and much stronger than the comparatively aimless Floating Hotel. I'm interested to see what Curtis writes next.
not-yet-released
November 4, 2025I loved Idolfire, so I am hyped for this
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to DAW Books and NetGalley for providing a free digital ARC in exchange for a fair review.
This was a delightful and very intriguing read, and my first outing with Grace Curtis' books. I was immediately interested in the premise of the book, especially from the description calling it a "sinister lesbian history mystery bringing old magic into a dangerous new century" in what might be a description made to appeal directly to me.
I will note that I have not read Idolfire, so my thoughts are focused solely on Heaven's Graveyard. Despite this being a far future sequel of sorts, I don't think you need to read one to understand the other. That being said, I did find myself wondering what it would be like to read this book with knowledge of Idolfire. With 2,000 years between Idolfire and Heaven's Graveyard, I imagine there are some interesting call backs and bonuses for a reader who has read both books given the focus on history, mythology and archaeology.
Heaven's Graveyard is a rather unique mix of murder mystery thriller and archaeological adventure blended into one. The story follows Coda, or "Cod", our protagonist. An academic fixated on the mythological tales of Aleya Ana-Ulai, Coda is drawn back to her hometown by her old professor, mentor and friend, Marr, with the promise of a grand discovery relating to their shared interest in Aleya. However, her homecoming takes a sad turn when she arrives only to find Marr was found dead in his office that very morning. From here the story shifts as Coda quickly realises there is something off about her mentor's death and she chooses to take up the research he left behind, only to slowly realise she may be in over her head. I found the plot to be strong and interesting. The first 10% was a little slow, but once Coda reaches Tessi it picks up and maintains a steady pace.
Mysteries thread through the heart of the story itself, from the obvious mystery of what happened to Coda's professor, to the slower burn mysteries of Aleya herself and why Coda left her hometown, breaking off relationships and friendships in the process. But there are plenty of other topics as well: warfare and religion, and how the two drive humanity makes up a large chunk of the story as well, with an underlying mystery for the reader regarding what is happening in the world, with whispers and rumours of war on the horizon. Curtis did a great job of making the wider world feel present even when the story was so focused on a few individuals.
Obsession and how it can drive and ruin someone crops up during the book as well. Coda's obsessive desire to know everything about Aleya Ana-Ulai and prove she was real is the driving force of the book, and was shared to a lesser extent by her professor Marr. There are a couple of other characters that have their own defining obsessions as well, but I will leave that for future readers to discover.
The cast were very strong. Coda is a very unique woman who reads as neurodivergent, but with a certain awareness of her behaviours and how much she struggles to "correctly" interact with people. It's subtle, but she does undergo a reasonable amount of growth without fundamentally changing who she is. Sparrow is a delightful contrast to Coda, being friendly, fun and personable where Coda isn't, while having many secrets of her own, and Thal's no nonsense attitude and blunt criticism of Coda's behaviour provides a lovely counterbalance in the story. My only complaint is that I wish we'd seen a bit more of Thal, but I still feel we were given plenty of reasons why she couldn't have been more involved.
Overall, I had a very enjoyable time with this book and am interested in picking up Curtis' other works in the future. If the 'sinister lesbian history mystery' tagline intrigues you, or if you love fantasy realism, and a story that balances tension, mystery and some good old sapphic yearning well, then keep your eyes out for the book when it releases in June 2026!
This was a delightful and very intriguing read, and my first outing with Grace Curtis' books. I was immediately interested in the premise of the book, especially from the description calling it a "sinister lesbian history mystery bringing old magic into a dangerous new century" in what might be a description made to appeal directly to me.
I will note that I have not read Idolfire, so my thoughts are focused solely on Heaven's Graveyard. Despite this being a far future sequel of sorts, I don't think you need to read one to understand the other. That being said, I did find myself wondering what it would be like to read this book with knowledge of Idolfire. With 2,000 years between Idolfire and Heaven's Graveyard, I imagine there are some interesting call backs and bonuses for a reader who has read both books given the focus on history, mythology and archaeology.
Heaven's Graveyard is a rather unique mix of murder mystery thriller and archaeological adventure blended into one. The story follows Coda, or "Cod", our protagonist. An academic fixated on the mythological tales of Aleya Ana-Ulai, Coda is drawn back to her hometown by her old professor, mentor and friend, Marr, with the promise of a grand discovery relating to their shared interest in Aleya. However, her homecoming takes a sad turn when she arrives only to find Marr was found dead in his office that very morning. From here the story shifts as Coda quickly realises there is something off about her mentor's death and she chooses to take up the research he left behind, only to slowly realise she may be in over her head. I found the plot to be strong and interesting. The first 10% was a little slow, but once Coda reaches Tessi it picks up and maintains a steady pace.
Mysteries thread through the heart of the story itself, from the obvious mystery of what happened to Coda's professor, to the slower burn mysteries of Aleya herself and why Coda left her hometown, breaking off relationships and friendships in the process. But there are plenty of other topics as well: warfare and religion, and how the two drive humanity makes up a large chunk of the story as well, with an underlying mystery for the reader regarding what is happening in the world, with whispers and rumours of war on the horizon. Curtis did a great job of making the wider world feel present even when the story was so focused on a few individuals.
Obsession and how it can drive and ruin someone crops up during the book as well. Coda's obsessive desire to know everything about Aleya Ana-Ulai and prove she was real is the driving force of the book, and was shared to a lesser extent by her professor Marr. There are a couple of other characters that have their own defining obsessions as well, but I will leave that for future readers to discover.
The cast were very strong. Coda is a very unique woman who reads as neurodivergent, but with a certain awareness of her behaviours and how much she struggles to "correctly" interact with people. It's subtle, but she does undergo a reasonable amount of growth without fundamentally changing who she is. Sparrow is a delightful contrast to Coda, being friendly, fun and personable where Coda isn't, while having many secrets of her own, and Thal's no nonsense attitude and blunt criticism of Coda's behaviour provides a lovely counterbalance in the story. My only complaint is that I wish we'd seen a bit more of Thal, but I still feel we were given plenty of reasons why she couldn't have been more involved.
Overall, I had a very enjoyable time with this book and am interested in picking up Curtis' other works in the future. If the 'sinister lesbian history mystery' tagline intrigues you, or if you love fantasy realism, and a story that balances tension, mystery and some good old sapphic yearning well, then keep your eyes out for the book when it releases in June 2026!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The premise of this book is amazing: an introverted archaeologist obsessed with proving a female hero from ages past actually existed is forced to return to her home country when her favourite professor and dear friend is assassinated. I have not read its prequel-of-sorts, Idolfire, which follows said female hero through her adventures, but as I understand it’s an epic fantasy road trip journey of self-discovery with a larger cast. This is not the case for Heaven’s Graveyard.
Rather, this is a character-driven novel about struggling with guilt and grief, and how to push past the self-loathing they engender to live a fulfilling life—and of course, save the world in the process.
At the beginning, it reminded me a lot of The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow, what with the childhood obsession with a female figure out of myth, the complicated relationship with her mother, and the indifference to war and current events. Unlike everyone else, I did not particularly enjoy that book, so I was glad that the plot here went into a completely different direction.
Despite the grittiness implied in a murder mystery set in a world on the brink of war, the atmosphere was almost cozy for a big chunk of the book. It’s hard to feel a sense of impending doom when the cities are described so vibrantly, with trams whistling past and colorful bell towers. That made the switch of tone midway through hit all the hardest.
For a book with stakes so high, the cast was surprisingly small. Most secondary characters disappeared with barely a mention after they fulfilled their role, leaving just four characters with significant arcs, though all of them revolved around Coda.
She was a good protagonist to follow—not special in any way, and with a confidently negative opinion of herself that sometimes hit too close for comfort, who nonetheless never shied away from tackling head-on the problems she caused. Much more compelling than her, however, was the villain: ruthless but also silly, obsessed with Coda but not to the point of putting her well-being above their own interests, and vaguely unhinged. Just a lot of fun.
I quite liked Curtis’s writing style. It was simple but engaging, with beautiful descriptions of the modernish cities and some cracking metaphors and similes that conveyed Coda’s feelings better than a whole paragraph of exposition ever could.
There were also some interesting reflections about history—as befitting a book with an archaeologist as a protagonist—explored through two competing views on the role of historians. One sees them as scholars dedicated first and foremost to improving the present by understanding the past; the other as advocates for the dignity of the dead. The concept comes into play from the beginning regarding things like opening tombs, moving human remains, and damaging relics to better understand them, but it is also reflected in Coda’s character development as she slowly shifts her worldview from one interpretation to the other (and in the switch of sidekick).
A note on the reading order. The author mentioned writing them as two interconnected books that can be read in any order, but I would suggest reading Idolfire before Heaven’s Graveyard, if only to have a firmer understanding of the magic. I found it the most fascinating aspect of this novel, and I was slightly disappointed that the focus wasn’t on how it worked. We are told a few details, but not much beyond that—because, I’m assuming, Idolfire already explored the topic in great detail. In addition, certain plot threads I was extremely interested in ended up going nowhere, which makes me think they were easter eggs rather than foreshadowing for some big reveal as I expected. I will be definitely pick it up soon to get more of this world!
Many thanks to Hodderscape and Netgalley UK for providing me with a review copy of this book. All the opinions stated here are my own.
Rather, this is a character-driven novel about struggling with guilt and grief, and how to push past the self-loathing they engender to live a fulfilling life—and of course, save the world in the process.
At the beginning, it reminded me a lot of The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow, what with the childhood obsession with a female figure out of myth, the complicated relationship with her mother, and the indifference to war and current events. Unlike everyone else, I did not particularly enjoy that book, so I was glad that the plot here went into a completely different direction.
Despite the grittiness implied in a murder mystery set in a world on the brink of war, the atmosphere was almost cozy for a big chunk of the book. It’s hard to feel a sense of impending doom when the cities are described so vibrantly, with trams whistling past and colorful bell towers. That made the switch of tone midway through hit all the hardest.
For a book with stakes so high, the cast was surprisingly small. Most secondary characters disappeared with barely a mention after they fulfilled their role, leaving just four characters with significant arcs, though all of them revolved around Coda.
She was a good protagonist to follow—not special in any way, and with a confidently negative opinion of herself that sometimes hit too close for comfort, who nonetheless never shied away from tackling head-on the problems she caused. Much more compelling than her, however, was the villain: ruthless but also silly, obsessed with Coda but not to the point of putting her well-being above their own interests, and vaguely unhinged. Just a lot of fun.
I quite liked Curtis’s writing style. It was simple but engaging, with beautiful descriptions of the modernish cities and some cracking metaphors and similes that conveyed Coda’s feelings better than a whole paragraph of exposition ever could.
There were also some interesting reflections about history—as befitting a book with an archaeologist as a protagonist—explored through two competing views on the role of historians. One sees them as scholars dedicated first and foremost to improving the present by understanding the past; the other as advocates for the dignity of the dead. The concept comes into play from the beginning regarding things like opening tombs, moving human remains, and damaging relics to better understand them, but it is also reflected in Coda’s character development as she slowly shifts her worldview from one interpretation to the other (and in the switch of sidekick).
A note on the reading order. The author mentioned writing them as two interconnected books that can be read in any order, but I would suggest reading Idolfire before Heaven’s Graveyard, if only to have a firmer understanding of the magic. I found it the most fascinating aspect of this novel, and I was slightly disappointed that the focus wasn’t on how it worked. We are told a few details, but not much beyond that—because, I’m assuming, Idolfire already explored the topic in great detail. In addition, certain plot threads I was extremely interested in ended up going nowhere, which makes me think they were easter eggs rather than foreshadowing for some big reveal as I expected. I will be definitely pick it up soon to get more of this world!
Many thanks to Hodderscape and Netgalley UK for providing me with a review copy of this book. All the opinions stated here are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Heaven’s Graveyard was a fun, light-hearted book and was a nice break between heavier/more complex reads. We follow Coda (or Cod), an archaeologist with an obsession about the legendary hero Aleya Ana-Ulai and a desire to prove she was a real figure. Receiving a letter about a monumental discovery from her childhood mentor, she returns to her hometown but finds him dead in an apparently unfortunate accident. But Cod suspects that not all is as it seems. What discovery could be worth killing for?
Heaven’s Graveyard is set in the same world and ties into the events of one of Grace Curtis’ previous books, Idolfire, but I hadn’t read that before reading this one. It’s definitely not necessary to, but there were a lot of easter eggs and moments where it felt like the author was bringing attention to things and winking at the audience that I just didn’t get or appreciate so I think it would probably improve the experience to read Idolfire in the same way that it would improve the experience of reading Mistborn Era 2 if you read Era 1 first, though it’s definitely not needed to understand and appreciate the story. Speaking of the story, it was a lot of fun! I really liked the main character, Cod. Many of her flaws and struggles were really relatable like her struggles to connect with people and I also really liked how determined and decisive she was despite her fears and inexperience of the wider world. The supporting characters also all really worked, they all felt like they had hidden layers and messy motivations.
The murder mystery plot didn’t actually take up a huge amount of page time, but I didn’t mind that because the other mystery plots surrounding the archaeological discoveries and Cod’s mother were also pretty engaging. The plot twists really got me in this one, I felt so blindsided even though in hindsight it should’ve been obvious!
The magic was a really interesting concept, though I felt like I was missing a bit of context and I didn’t quite understand how it worked, which may be because it was fleshed out more in Idolfire. It was still really fun and I loved how chaotic it was but it could have hit a bit harder if I’d understood it more. The worldbuilding also fell into a bit of confusion for me, because it’s the kind of thing I see often in books nowadays where it’s clearly set in a time period that’s meant to reflect the past but the time period is really hard to parse because the older technologies are surrounded by very modern language/turns of phrase. But I did really like the exploration of the effects of new technologies appearing and the effects of a world becoming more and more connected and globalised as these technologies appear, triggering conflict.
The pacing was a bit off quite slow to begin with and then everything was wrapped up really quickly at the end leaving me a bit unsatisfied. It felt like everything was just ultimately a bit too easy to fix and I would have liked more exploration of the wider consequences of the characters’ actions.
Overall, Heaven’s Graveyard was a really fun read. The writing style was clever and engaging, I loved the characters and the plot was full of mystery and twists even if I was a little dissatisfied with the resolution. Definitely pick this up if you’re looking for a light, quick, sapphic read with some fun twists and an interesting political backdrop.
Heaven’s Graveyard is set in the same world and ties into the events of one of Grace Curtis’ previous books, Idolfire, but I hadn’t read that before reading this one. It’s definitely not necessary to, but there were a lot of easter eggs and moments where it felt like the author was bringing attention to things and winking at the audience that I just didn’t get or appreciate so I think it would probably improve the experience to read Idolfire in the same way that it would improve the experience of reading Mistborn Era 2 if you read Era 1 first, though it’s definitely not needed to understand and appreciate the story. Speaking of the story, it was a lot of fun! I really liked the main character, Cod. Many of her flaws and struggles were really relatable like her struggles to connect with people and I also really liked how determined and decisive she was despite her fears and inexperience of the wider world. The supporting characters also all really worked, they all felt like they had hidden layers and messy motivations.
The murder mystery plot didn’t actually take up a huge amount of page time, but I didn’t mind that because the other mystery plots surrounding the archaeological discoveries and Cod’s mother were also pretty engaging. The plot twists really got me in this one, I felt so blindsided even though in hindsight it should’ve been obvious!
The magic was a really interesting concept, though I felt like I was missing a bit of context and I didn’t quite understand how it worked, which may be because it was fleshed out more in Idolfire. It was still really fun and I loved how chaotic it was but it could have hit a bit harder if I’d understood it more. The worldbuilding also fell into a bit of confusion for me, because it’s the kind of thing I see often in books nowadays where it’s clearly set in a time period that’s meant to reflect the past but the time period is really hard to parse because the older technologies are surrounded by very modern language/turns of phrase. But I did really like the exploration of the effects of new technologies appearing and the effects of a world becoming more and more connected and globalised as these technologies appear, triggering conflict.
The pacing was a bit off quite slow to begin with and then everything was wrapped up really quickly at the end leaving me a bit unsatisfied. It felt like everything was just ultimately a bit too easy to fix and I would have liked more exploration of the wider consequences of the characters’ actions.
Overall, Heaven’s Graveyard was a really fun read. The writing style was clever and engaging, I loved the characters and the plot was full of mystery and twists even if I was a little dissatisfied with the resolution. Definitely pick this up if you’re looking for a light, quick, sapphic read with some fun twists and an interesting political backdrop.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review!
This was my first Grace Curtis book, but I was immediately intrigued at the “sinister lesbian history mystery” description. I ended up really enjoying my time with it! Heaven’s Graveyard is an ambitious hybrid of a murder mystery and a National Treasure-esque archeological discovery adventure, set against a backdrop of a nation on the brink of war, but at the end of the day it’s a story about a workaholic academic just finding her way in life.
I really clicked with Grace Curtis’s writing - her characters are delightful and so fun to follow. I really liked Cod, our main character. She’s socially awkward and single-minded, but as we go on we find out so much about her backstory that makes it really easy to empathize with her. The supporting characters are equally as fun - I loved getting scenes with Marr and Sparrow, their more extroverted, charismatic personalities were a great contrast to Cod. I do wish we got more from Thal in the first half, given how much she grew on me by the end.
The world building was also well done, especially in her descriptions of the bustling city of Ash and Cod’s hometown of Tessi. You really get the sense very early on that this nation Cod lives in is quite polarizing in its views of progress, religion, etc. For a story that only focuses on a couple characters and is very zoomed-in in its narration, I think Curtis does a good job of insinuating larger-scale repercussions.
For the most part the plot was quite quick, but I think it did fumble a little bit in the middle. I found myself in a bit of disbelief that some development in the plot would happen so easily. That’s just me nitpicking, though. I would also be remiss if I didn’t mention the scene with animal violence that happens about halfway into the book - it’s brief but pretty graphic and feels a bit out of place in terms of tone.
Now that I’m reading through other reviews, apparently Heaven’s Graveyard is set in the same universe as Curtis’s other book Idolfire, just 2,000 years later. I imagine reading that one first would give you a better idea on the lore and magic system but I definitely think that this stands on its own just fine. I’m definitely intrigued to pick up Idolfire though!
This was my first Grace Curtis book, but I was immediately intrigued at the “sinister lesbian history mystery” description. I ended up really enjoying my time with it! Heaven’s Graveyard is an ambitious hybrid of a murder mystery and a National Treasure-esque archeological discovery adventure, set against a backdrop of a nation on the brink of war, but at the end of the day it’s a story about a workaholic academic just finding her way in life.
I really clicked with Grace Curtis’s writing - her characters are delightful and so fun to follow. I really liked Cod, our main character. She’s socially awkward and single-minded, but as we go on we find out so much about her backstory that makes it really easy to empathize with her. The supporting characters are equally as fun - I loved getting scenes with Marr and Sparrow, their more extroverted, charismatic personalities were a great contrast to Cod. I do wish we got more from Thal in the first half, given how much she grew on me by the end.
The world building was also well done, especially in her descriptions of the bustling city of Ash and Cod’s hometown of Tessi. You really get the sense very early on that this nation Cod lives in is quite polarizing in its views of progress, religion, etc. For a story that only focuses on a couple characters and is very zoomed-in in its narration, I think Curtis does a good job of insinuating larger-scale repercussions.
For the most part the plot was quite quick, but I think it did fumble a little bit in the middle. I found myself in a bit of disbelief that some development in the plot would happen so easily. That’s just me nitpicking, though. I would also be remiss if I didn’t mention the scene with animal violence that happens about halfway into the book - it’s brief but pretty graphic and feels a bit out of place in terms of tone.
Now that I’m reading through other reviews, apparently Heaven’s Graveyard is set in the same universe as Curtis’s other book Idolfire, just 2,000 years later. I imagine reading that one first would give you a better idea on the lore and magic system but I definitely think that this stands on its own just fine. I’m definitely intrigued to pick up Idolfire though!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
‘4.5 stars rounded up
I ran to request this title very quickly as I read Idolfire last spring and thoroughly enjoyed it, having so much fun following Aleya and Kirby’s journey. As this title is essentially an independent sequel to Idolfire, my experience reading it quite shaped my expectations for this one. While Heaven’s Graveyard delivered adventures, sapphics, political tension, mythology and even fun, it was even more than I knew to expect. Where I simply enjoyed Idolfire, I felt deeply touched by Heaven’s Graveyard. Maybe I accidentally read it more closely, but in any case, I feel as though Curtis really went above and beyond this time.
Heaven’s Graveyard takes the reader back into the world of Idolfire, except centuries have passed and Aleya has ceased to be simply a myth, Kirby merely a footnote in her story. However, to Cod, Ashan myths and Aleya’s story are close to a lifeline, having guided her to work at a museum while searching for proof of Aleya’s life. When she gets summoned home, suddenly an adventure dealing with her obsession kickstarts…
The way Curtis writes her characters is so immersive, they all felt real to me throughout the story. Cod’s a lovely narrator, yet real and flawed. She doesn’t always make the right judgement about people and can be caught up in her own world, yet she always, always means well. Sparrow, Thal, Marr, Hani and every other side character also get their voice heard, coming onto their own vividly, even if mostly monitored through Cod’s eyes. Additionally, the narrative is so interestingly written with chapters varying in length and style, all while centering Cod and her story. The world is as richly built as in Idolfire, in its similarities and differences, and I could clearly see the streets of Palgaro in my mind.
Overall, this is a great novel—and so unapologetically sapphic, might I add. I cannot wait for it to be officially out and have a copy of it grace my bookshelves.
Thank you, Hodder & Stoughton | Hodderscape and NetGalley, for providing me with this eARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are mine.
I ran to request this title very quickly as I read Idolfire last spring and thoroughly enjoyed it, having so much fun following Aleya and Kirby’s journey. As this title is essentially an independent sequel to Idolfire, my experience reading it quite shaped my expectations for this one. While Heaven’s Graveyard delivered adventures, sapphics, political tension, mythology and even fun, it was even more than I knew to expect. Where I simply enjoyed Idolfire, I felt deeply touched by Heaven’s Graveyard. Maybe I accidentally read it more closely, but in any case, I feel as though Curtis really went above and beyond this time.
Heaven’s Graveyard takes the reader back into the world of Idolfire, except centuries have passed and Aleya has ceased to be simply a myth, Kirby merely a footnote in her story. However, to Cod, Ashan myths and Aleya’s story are close to a lifeline, having guided her to work at a museum while searching for proof of Aleya’s life. When she gets summoned home, suddenly an adventure dealing with her obsession kickstarts…
The way Curtis writes her characters is so immersive, they all felt real to me throughout the story. Cod’s a lovely narrator, yet real and flawed. She doesn’t always make the right judgement about people and can be caught up in her own world, yet she always, always means well. Sparrow, Thal, Marr, Hani and every other side character also get their voice heard, coming onto their own vividly, even if mostly monitored through Cod’s eyes. Additionally, the narrative is so interestingly written with chapters varying in length and style, all while centering Cod and her story. The world is as richly built as in Idolfire, in its similarities and differences, and I could clearly see the streets of Palgaro in my mind.
Overall, this is a great novel—and so unapologetically sapphic, might I add. I cannot wait for it to be officially out and have a copy of it grace my bookshelves.
Thank you, Hodder & Stoughton | Hodderscape and NetGalley, for providing me with this eARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are mine.
November 28, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc of Heaven's Graveyard! I'm rating it 4.5 stars.
I was sold on Heaven's Graveyard as soon as I saw it described as a "sinister lesbian history mystery" in a science fantasy world. It was somehow exactly as described and not at all what I expected, and I had so much fun reading it!
Heaven's Graveyard is part sapphic thriller novel, part archaeological mystery, and part a story about humanity's tendency towards war. And, it's a story about child-parent relationships, being neurodivergent, and whether we run away from or stay to confront difficult situations.
I haven't read Idolfire, which is set 2,000 years earlier, so my review will be entirely focused on Heaven's Graveyard.
This book makes a lot of chilling points about warfare and religion, and I loved that about it. At the same time, I found it sometimes frustratingly lacking in details — but that was because the protagonist didn't pay any attention to current affairs. She was constantly surprised by what was going on and never asked people questions about themselves or their backgrounds, so I also understand why us readers didn't get more information. All the same, I kind of wish someone had given the protagonist a talking-to and filled her in a bit on things so that we could have learned about it. For me, I think that would have been enough to make this a five-star read.
I also adored our queer, autistic-coded protagonist who is so passionate about the myth at the heart of this mystery, and who also cares so deeply despite others not seeing it. Cod's relationship with her mother and how that affects her sense of self made me cry.
Maybe it's because I'm also an archaeology geek, but I also loved the mythological aspects of this novel and the magic system.
I was sold on Heaven's Graveyard as soon as I saw it described as a "sinister lesbian history mystery" in a science fantasy world. It was somehow exactly as described and not at all what I expected, and I had so much fun reading it!
Heaven's Graveyard is part sapphic thriller novel, part archaeological mystery, and part a story about humanity's tendency towards war. And, it's a story about child-parent relationships, being neurodivergent, and whether we run away from or stay to confront difficult situations.
I haven't read Idolfire, which is set 2,000 years earlier, so my review will be entirely focused on Heaven's Graveyard.
This book makes a lot of chilling points about warfare and religion, and I loved that about it. At the same time, I found it sometimes frustratingly lacking in details — but that was because the protagonist didn't pay any attention to current affairs. She was constantly surprised by what was going on and never asked people questions about themselves or their backgrounds, so I also understand why us readers didn't get more information. All the same, I kind of wish someone had given the protagonist a talking-to and filled her in a bit on things so that we could have learned about it. For me, I think that would have been enough to make this a five-star read.
I also adored our queer, autistic-coded protagonist who is so passionate about the myth at the heart of this mystery, and who also cares so deeply despite others not seeing it. Cod's relationship with her mother and how that affects her sense of self made me cry.
Maybe it's because I'm also an archaeology geek, but I also loved the mythological aspects of this novel and the magic system.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.75 starts.
Thank you to NetGalley, Hodder Books & Hodder Publicity for the arc of this book.
This review is based on this story alone as I have not read Idolfire (yet!). And do you know what, I am quite happy about that, as we got to figure out the magic and the mysteries with Cod, and not feel ahead of the story.
Coda gets pulled back to her hometown after hearing about a huge archaeological discovery, only to arrive and find that her wonderful professor who sent the message, has been murdered. As she chases down whispers of her favourite obsession - the maybe real, maybe not Aleya, Coda quickly realises she’s stepped straight into something massive, messy, and way more dangerous than she ever signed up for.
I don’t say this often, but from the get-go I knew I would enjoy this story. It has great storytelling pacing, and from about 30% I couldn’t put it down. The last 10% was completely inhaled. I could have perhaps done with this being a little bit longer to really build it out.
There is a great balance between the main plot and subplot. Mysteries in each, thrilling and some real edge of the seat stuff in the second half. I like the balance between fantasy and technology too – it’s a very easy to understand, but unique world.
Or main character, Cod (Coda), is interesting to say the least. Relatable to some, but not for me. Cod is very aware of her language and behaviours but throughout the story I don’t really pick up any willingness to do better – it’s more of a resignation to it, and that felt unusual to me.
Our supporting cast are really great. Marr is somehow immediately likeable. Thal is wonderful – her calling out Cod was very satisfying! And Sparrow… well.
Overall, this story is a fantastic concept and executed brilliantly. Right, time for Idolfire!
Thank you to NetGalley, Hodder Books & Hodder Publicity for the arc of this book.
This review is based on this story alone as I have not read Idolfire (yet!). And do you know what, I am quite happy about that, as we got to figure out the magic and the mysteries with Cod, and not feel ahead of the story.
Coda gets pulled back to her hometown after hearing about a huge archaeological discovery, only to arrive and find that her wonderful professor who sent the message, has been murdered. As she chases down whispers of her favourite obsession - the maybe real, maybe not Aleya, Coda quickly realises she’s stepped straight into something massive, messy, and way more dangerous than she ever signed up for.
I don’t say this often, but from the get-go I knew I would enjoy this story. It has great storytelling pacing, and from about 30% I couldn’t put it down. The last 10% was completely inhaled. I could have perhaps done with this being a little bit longer to really build it out.
There is a great balance between the main plot and subplot. Mysteries in each, thrilling and some real edge of the seat stuff in the second half. I like the balance between fantasy and technology too – it’s a very easy to understand, but unique world.
Or main character, Cod (Coda), is interesting to say the least. Relatable to some, but not for me. Cod is very aware of her language and behaviours but throughout the story I don’t really pick up any willingness to do better – it’s more of a resignation to it, and that felt unusual to me.
Our supporting cast are really great. Marr is somehow immediately likeable. Thal is wonderful – her calling out Cod was very satisfying! And Sparrow… well.
Overall, this story is a fantastic concept and executed brilliantly. Right, time for Idolfire!
November 30, 2025
I was intrigued by the premise behind this book and I must say it was better than I expected.
We follow Cod, an archaeologist who is searching for an idol, Aleya, from a book she read as a child. After she receives a message from her old teacher informing her of a discovery, she returns home to find him dead. However, Cod has suspicions it was not just an accident, and with the help of an old lover, Sparrow, they begin to investigate. Alongside this, Cod continues her old teachers studies in the hope it will lead her to proof that Aleya is real. However, when she finds out the truth behind her old teachers death, things spiral out of control.
This was a fantasy world with magic setting, with a sapphic love story, with a murder mystery. The plot was fast paced and there was multiple things going on which kept me entertained. I also did not see that twist coming when they discover the truth behind her old teachers death! And I liked that it picked up pace from here as they were on a time restraint to stop a disaster.
I liked the characters, our main fmc Cod was very likeable, especially as we had snippets into her past and her mother’s past.
The flashbacks were good, usually I’m not overly keen on sudden time jumps or switches, but this worked well with this story. I liked the inclusion of Sparrows letters to Cod as it added depth to their relationship and I had slight empathy for Sparrow despite how she turned out.
I read this in one sitting, I found it easy to read and I wasn’t bored. It’s also now made me want to pick up Idolfire, especially as it was mentioned in the book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.
We follow Cod, an archaeologist who is searching for an idol, Aleya, from a book she read as a child. After she receives a message from her old teacher informing her of a discovery, she returns home to find him dead. However, Cod has suspicions it was not just an accident, and with the help of an old lover, Sparrow, they begin to investigate. Alongside this, Cod continues her old teachers studies in the hope it will lead her to proof that Aleya is real. However, when she finds out the truth behind her old teachers death, things spiral out of control.
This was a fantasy world with magic setting, with a sapphic love story, with a murder mystery. The plot was fast paced and there was multiple things going on which kept me entertained. I also did not see that twist coming when they discover the truth behind her old teachers death! And I liked that it picked up pace from here as they were on a time restraint to stop a disaster.
I liked the characters, our main fmc Cod was very likeable, especially as we had snippets into her past and her mother’s past.
The flashbacks were good, usually I’m not overly keen on sudden time jumps or switches, but this worked well with this story. I liked the inclusion of Sparrows letters to Cod as it added depth to their relationship and I had slight empathy for Sparrow despite how she turned out.
I read this in one sitting, I found it easy to read and I wasn’t bored. It’s also now made me want to pick up Idolfire, especially as it was mentioned in the book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Heaven's Graveyard is a fantastical murder mystery set some two thousand years after Idolfire, the author's first foray into fantasy. This one's more of a science fantasy mix as we see a world that completely forgot its magical roots and developed similarly enough to ours. Idolfire is referenced heavily, but the novel works well enough on its own, giving tantalizing hints that prompt the reader to go back to it, wondering how much of what is referenced is true and how much is fiction.
The book offers fascinating insights into archeology and the pull of ancient history as we follow Coda, a young academic on a mission to prove that her favorite piece of folklore is a real story. The novel kicks off when she gets called back to her hometown and she's forced to start an investigation, confront her own tumultuous past, and see her troublesome ex-girlfriend again. In the background, whispers of a war between countries don't really reach us, as the worldbuilding relies somewhat on knowledge of the previous novel. The story careens towards a high-stakes final confrontation and wraps up everything nicely.
But at its core, the book is about Coda's inner journey from a person who flees from conflict and has trouble with making connections in her everyday life. She reads as neurodivergent in some ways, and the book doesn't magically fix her, but it gives her the tools to better live.
Heaven's Graveyard is a lovely read.
Heaven's Graveyard is a fantastical murder mystery set some two thousand years after Idolfire, the author's first foray into fantasy. This one's more of a science fantasy mix as we see a world that completely forgot its magical roots and developed similarly enough to ours. Idolfire is referenced heavily, but the novel works well enough on its own, giving tantalizing hints that prompt the reader to go back to it, wondering how much of what is referenced is true and how much is fiction.
The book offers fascinating insights into archeology and the pull of ancient history as we follow Coda, a young academic on a mission to prove that her favorite piece of folklore is a real story. The novel kicks off when she gets called back to her hometown and she's forced to start an investigation, confront her own tumultuous past, and see her troublesome ex-girlfriend again. In the background, whispers of a war between countries don't really reach us, as the worldbuilding relies somewhat on knowledge of the previous novel. The story careens towards a high-stakes final confrontation and wraps up everything nicely.
But at its core, the book is about Coda's inner journey from a person who flees from conflict and has trouble with making connections in her everyday life. She reads as neurodivergent in some ways, and the book doesn't magically fix her, but it gives her the tools to better live.
Heaven's Graveyard is a lovely read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Heaven's Graveyard is Grace Curtis' answer to fantastical academia. The novel follows Coda - 'Cod' - an archaeologist returning home after receiving promising news from a former professor and close friend. However, upon her arrival, she is thrust into a murder case that quickly devolves into something far more complicated, and older, than it originally seemed. Heaven's Graveyard is set in the same world as Curtis' novel Idolfire, although it can easily and enjoyably be read as a standalone.
There were many parts of this novel that I greatly enjoyed, such as the intricacies of the world building and the plot twist, which left me going 'how could I not have seen that coming?' . The novel was easy to read and the characters were deeply flawed and somewhat loveable. The queer representation was really wonderful too, although I found the implied romance a little lacklustre considering the book is being marketed as a 'sinister lesbian mystery'. I also felt that the story left a lot to be desired, and was quite a slog for large portions of the book.
Overall, this book was pretty interesting, and I don't regret reading it in any way, but it did leave quite a bit to be desired. I can certainly see this book as being perfect for some people. but sadly I am not a part of that demographic. My official rating is 3.75 stars. Thank you to DAW for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
There were many parts of this novel that I greatly enjoyed, such as the intricacies of the world building and the plot twist, which left me going 'how could I not have seen that coming?' . The novel was easy to read and the characters were deeply flawed and somewhat loveable. The queer representation was really wonderful too, although I found the implied romance a little lacklustre considering the book is being marketed as a 'sinister lesbian mystery'. I also felt that the story left a lot to be desired, and was quite a slog for large portions of the book.
Overall, this book was pretty interesting, and I don't regret reading it in any way, but it did leave quite a bit to be desired. I can certainly see this book as being perfect for some people. but sadly I am not a part of that demographic. My official rating is 3.75 stars. Thank you to DAW for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
February 18, 2026
Thanks to Hodderscape and NetGalley for letting me read this book!
Heaven’s Graveyard was unfortunately a rather forgettable disappointment for me.The book gets you caught up with the synopsis rather quickly, but it fails to really build tension or hold on to it. I love a good murder mystery, so I was really looking forward to that aspect of the story and then was promptly disappointed because it kept being pushed to the side. There was a point in the middle where things got a bit more intriguing, but that was then balanced out by an incredible letdown of an ending.The characters were all pretty standard, and I really wish there had been more time dedicated to the world-building.I think I would have enjoyed this book a lot more if I‘d found everything surrounding the Aleya myth at all compelling, but I just couldn’t get myself to really care, and I frankly never understood why Cod cared so much. While I like the idea of a character being negatively impacted by their disinterest in the larger events of the world, I couldn’t help but feel the book just included this aspect of Cod‘s character to keep her from connecting very obvious dots, which is always frustrating to read.
I didn’t hate this book by any means, but I also didn’t really like it, and I‘ll most likely forget most things about it by the end of the week.
2⭐️
Heaven’s Graveyard was unfortunately a rather forgettable disappointment for me.The book gets you caught up with the synopsis rather quickly, but it fails to really build tension or hold on to it. I love a good murder mystery, so I was really looking forward to that aspect of the story and then was promptly disappointed because it kept being pushed to the side. There was a point in the middle where things got a bit more intriguing, but that was then balanced out by an incredible letdown of an ending.The characters were all pretty standard, and I really wish there had been more time dedicated to the world-building.I think I would have enjoyed this book a lot more if I‘d found everything surrounding the Aleya myth at all compelling, but I just couldn’t get myself to really care, and I frankly never understood why Cod cared so much. While I like the idea of a character being negatively impacted by their disinterest in the larger events of the world, I couldn’t help but feel the book just included this aspect of Cod‘s character to keep her from connecting very obvious dots, which is always frustrating to read.
I didn’t hate this book by any means, but I also didn’t really like it, and I‘ll most likely forget most things about it by the end of the week.
2⭐️
November 16, 2025
My thanks to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for a free DRC of "Heaven's Graveyard" by Grace Curtis.
Murder Mystery in a Fantasy setting with a moraly gray female protagonist.
This was my first work by this author and I loved how many wonderful ellements were introduced such as archeology, artefacts, reading again your favorite book when you are down and the love for historical research.
The main character is so fascinating even if in some instances she crosses the line of moraly gray.
There were some aspects of her past that I could relate and those helped me understand why she behaved in certain ways. I loved her gradual growth trough the novel.
While there is another novel in this universe, "Idolfire" and maybe I would have had more insight of the long past of this world by reading that before, "Heaven's Graveyard" worked charmingly as a standalone for me.
I have to admit there was a point where I thought the focus on the Romance might be too much, I am so glad I continued as everything had a purpose and realy enjoyed my reading experience.
Normaly I don't add trigger warnings, but I'll make one exception here as I know animal death / abuse is a tough thing to read for most readers.
Highly recommended if you can stomach the above topic.
Murder Mystery in a Fantasy setting with a moraly gray female protagonist.
This was my first work by this author and I loved how many wonderful ellements were introduced such as archeology, artefacts, reading again your favorite book when you are down and the love for historical research.
The main character is so fascinating even if in some instances she crosses the line of moraly gray.
There were some aspects of her past that I could relate and those helped me understand why she behaved in certain ways. I loved her gradual growth trough the novel.
While there is another novel in this universe, "Idolfire" and maybe I would have had more insight of the long past of this world by reading that before, "Heaven's Graveyard" worked charmingly as a standalone for me.
I have to admit there was a point where I thought the focus on the Romance might be too much, I am so glad I continued as everything had a purpose and realy enjoyed my reading experience.
Normaly I don't add trigger warnings, but I'll make one exception here as I know animal death / abuse is a tough thing to read for most readers.
Highly recommended if you can stomach the above topic.
December 7, 2025
I received a digital ARC via Netgalley.
Heaven’s Graveyard is a sapphic fantasy with a touch of mystery. Coda is a doctor researching a mythological figure that she believes really existed, when she finds some evidence she rushes back to her home city, to show her mentor. Set amongst of backdrop of brewing war between church and state, this story packs a lot in.
I loved that the story revolved around mostly female characters, male characters only appear in supporting roles, it made my feminist heart happy. Cod is great, her character is autistic-coded, though no explicit diagnosis is given, but scenes where she fails to understand social nuance or respond in a way other people deemed appropriate felt authentic to me. I enjoyed the complex relationships between the characters, Cod and her ex, Sparrow, Cod and her academic rival Thal even Cod and her mother, though we mostly saw that through flashbacks.
The world-building was great, detailed without feeling too heavy or with large chunks of exposition. I enjoyed the mythology which was a key aspect of the plot.
Warning, there is an animal death. It was necessary for the plot but I still found it a tough read.
If you are interested in female-lead fantasy stories, I recommend giving this book a go!
December 10, 2025
It's quite hard to pin down what this book is.
There is a murder mystery. There is some sapphic yearning. There's magic and fantastical elements.
The main character is a nerdy archaeologist/museum curator obsessed with proving that a certain myth is real and actually happened. The world she inhabits feels lived in--there are tensions with a neighboring country and religious persecution that we get hints of, but not the full picture. This might frustrate some lorehounds, but I thought it gave just the right amount of flavor and tension to the world.
The stakes start small and keep escalating all the way to the end. There were twists and turns I didn't see coming and I couldn't wait to find out what happens next. The sapphic yearning was atypical and does not follow your common tropes. I do think the ending was a bit rushed, and I wish we just had a few more pages about the aftermath of the whole thing. I was invested in this world and I wanted to know about the implications of that ending...but it's hard to say much else about that without spoiling the story.
Would absolutely recommend this book for anyone wanting a grand archaeological adventure.
4.25 stars
There is a murder mystery. There is some sapphic yearning. There's magic and fantastical elements.
The main character is a nerdy archaeologist/museum curator obsessed with proving that a certain myth is real and actually happened. The world she inhabits feels lived in--there are tensions with a neighboring country and religious persecution that we get hints of, but not the full picture. This might frustrate some lorehounds, but I thought it gave just the right amount of flavor and tension to the world.
The stakes start small and keep escalating all the way to the end. There were twists and turns I didn't see coming and I couldn't wait to find out what happens next. The sapphic yearning was atypical and does not follow your common tropes. I do think the ending was a bit rushed, and I wish we just had a few more pages about the aftermath of the whole thing. I was invested in this world and I wanted to know about the implications of that ending...but it's hard to say much else about that without spoiling the story.
Would absolutely recommend this book for anyone wanting a grand archaeological adventure.
4.25 stars
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
On the surface, Heaven’s Graveyard is a murder mystery revolving around an ancient fable. Beneath it runs a poignant story of grief, loneliness, and the struggle of finding a place to belong.
Coda ran from her past, cutting off everyone and burying herself in research over a lifelong obsession while trying to suffocate her self-loathing. She built a solitary life, yet when push comes to shove, she finds herself craving companionship.
I had expected a rug pull, but the fall still hurt. Act II came in a rush. Or rather, I lapped it up in a single sitting and was left with a bittersweet ending that continues to tug at my heart.
Though Heaven’s Graveyard features the key character from Idolfire, which is now on my TBR, it offers sufficient worldbuilding that flows with the current narrative, giving us a clear sense of the world.
While most of Heaven’s Graveyard was written from Cod’s pov, we’re also exposed to Sparrow’s thoughts through her letters and a fun interjection from a god.
Overall, though there wasn't much solving of a mystery, this was an enjoyable read set in a curious world with an intriguing magic system. I’m looking forward to reading Idolfire soon.
Coda ran from her past, cutting off everyone and burying herself in research over a lifelong obsession while trying to suffocate her self-loathing. She built a solitary life, yet when push comes to shove, she finds herself craving companionship.
I had expected a rug pull, but the fall still hurt. Act II came in a rush. Or rather, I lapped it up in a single sitting and was left with a bittersweet ending that continues to tug at my heart.
Though Heaven’s Graveyard features the key character from Idolfire, which is now on my TBR, it offers sufficient worldbuilding that flows with the current narrative, giving us a clear sense of the world.
While most of Heaven’s Graveyard was written from Cod’s pov, we’re also exposed to Sparrow’s thoughts through her letters and a fun interjection from a god.
Overall, though there wasn't much solving of a mystery, this was an enjoyable read set in a curious world with an intriguing magic system. I’m looking forward to reading Idolfire soon.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The story follows archaeologist Cod, who is determined to prove that the legendary Aleya truly existed and that magic still holds sway in the modern world. When her mentor uncovers new evidence but is mysteriously murdered, Cod finds herself drawn into a dual quest: unravelling the truth behind Aleya and investigating her mentor’s death.
Cod’s POV for me was very enjoyable. She interprets the world in a very interesting way, and I found her very engaging. There are minor moments where the plot feels slightly muddled tho, but I could still follow the story even if I felt like it dragged a little. I also found the magic and the world very cool, although I've read it's linked to Curtis's previous novel, so maybe keep that in mind before reading (I haven't read her previous books, and although it didn't make it a worse experience for me, I would have loved to get the full picture).
Overall, it’s a well-crafted story with a strong lead character and very good worldbuilding.
Cod’s POV for me was very enjoyable. She interprets the world in a very interesting way, and I found her very engaging. There are minor moments where the plot feels slightly muddled tho, but I could still follow the story even if I felt like it dragged a little. I also found the magic and the world very cool, although I've read it's linked to Curtis's previous novel, so maybe keep that in mind before reading (I haven't read her previous books, and although it didn't make it a worse experience for me, I would have loved to get the full picture).
Overall, it’s a well-crafted story with a strong lead character and very good worldbuilding.
December 3, 2025
4.5 ⭐
Questo libro è un mix sorprendente: parte thriller archeologico, parte mito queer, parte riflessione potente sulla guerra, sui traumi familiari e sull'essere neurodivergenti in un mondo che non sempre lascia spazio.
La protagonista è una ragazza che non cerca di essere l’eroina perfetta. È disorientata, a volte ignara del contesto che la circonda, e questo rende la narrazione molto intima. È completamente centrata su se stessa, sulle sue paure, sul dolore con cui cresce, e per questo il mondo esterno sembra un po' offuscato dalla sua stessa confusione.
Un libro difficile da incasellare ma che sorprende con un rapporto madre-figlia che spezza il cuore e un vero amore per la mitologia che arriva fino al lettore.
nota a parte: ho fatto la richiesta ARC sia per la copertina che per il titolo.
grazie a netgalley per l'ARC!
Questo libro è un mix sorprendente: parte thriller archeologico, parte mito queer, parte riflessione potente sulla guerra, sui traumi familiari e sull'essere neurodivergenti in un mondo che non sempre lascia spazio.
La protagonista è una ragazza che non cerca di essere l’eroina perfetta. È disorientata, a volte ignara del contesto che la circonda, e questo rende la narrazione molto intima. È completamente centrata su se stessa, sulle sue paure, sul dolore con cui cresce, e per questo il mondo esterno sembra un po' offuscato dalla sua stessa confusione.
Un libro difficile da incasellare ma che sorprende con un rapporto madre-figlia che spezza il cuore e un vero amore per la mitologia che arriva fino al lettore.
nota a parte: ho fatto la richiesta ARC sia per la copertina che per il titolo.
grazie a netgalley per l'ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC!
The connections between Heaven's Graveyard and Idolfire were great to notice! I highly recommend reading both, if you like either one.
Cod was an interesting character. She's not someone you see lead a book very often but her growth was good to see. Scientists and historians often don't see themselves as political, but their discoveries are anything but.
I liked the villain (I won't spoil who it is). They were quite cunning and fit well into the story, as both a contrast and mirror of Cod.
The prose was straightforward. I found the dialogue childish in Idolfire but that was much improved upon in Heaven's Graveyard.
I think Thal needed a bit more page time earlier on for me to care about her, even if I did enjoy her and Cod teaming up.
Once more, I accidentally deleted my notes before writing my review so I may come back to update it if I remember anything.
The connections between Heaven's Graveyard and Idolfire were great to notice! I highly recommend reading both, if you like either one.
Cod was an interesting character. She's not someone you see lead a book very often but her growth was good to see. Scientists and historians often don't see themselves as political, but their discoveries are anything but.
I liked the villain (I won't spoil who it is). They were quite cunning and fit well into the story, as both a contrast and mirror of Cod.
The prose was straightforward. I found the dialogue childish in Idolfire but that was much improved upon in Heaven's Graveyard.
I think Thal needed a bit more page time earlier on for me to care about her, even if I did enjoy her and Cod teaming up.
Once more, I accidentally deleted my notes before writing my review so I may come back to update it if I remember anything.
December 22, 2025
Cod our main character had a rough life, throughout the book, she finds out how much she has been liked to or "mislead" if you would like a less angry word - even by her own mother. And actually at the end you find out why and the wherefores' of what happened.
But when she was a child she found a book of fairy tales that she took to be of "real life" and the book is about her meeting the author of said book and then her work in archelogy and museums etc. "he calls her back home" but is dead when she gets there.
Turns out that the book wasn't about make believe, she finds out what true friendship means, she grows as a character and makes up with her mother in the end. Great story - it kept my interest.
But when she was a child she found a book of fairy tales that she took to be of "real life" and the book is about her meeting the author of said book and then her work in archelogy and museums etc. "he calls her back home" but is dead when she gets there.
Turns out that the book wasn't about make believe, she finds out what true friendship means, she grows as a character and makes up with her mother in the end. Great story - it kept my interest.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Fantasy read murder mystery and romance, and more. Dificulté to tie it down completely. Superb world building. This is something the author is really good at. I have read all of Grace’s books and have thoroughly enjoyed them all. In Heaven’s Graveyard there are sapphic relationships running through the story. Cod, MFC, seems to depend on the support these friends give her. Is she in the lead - sometimes, sorely lost - sometimes. I liked that. About 2/3 of the way through there is a twist which takes the story in a new direction. The ending and epilogue are worth reaching. So all in, an enjoyable reading experience. Thank you to Hodder and Stoughton and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley, publisher and the author for the oportunity to read the fre ARC of this book.
The main character, as an archeologist, pulled my interest in this book and liked the ascpects of research and the mystery she has to solve. Book was very emotional in many parts as we get to know our heroine and her past more. And I haven't read the Idolfire, but knowing now these characters that she is researching trully existed in this world, it makes this book even better.
I did feel we got a bit lost and dragged in some places and that some side characters were ther +e to explain something and push the plot,but nothing more.
And I did enjoy the writing style of Grace Curtis and the world she invented.
All opinions here are my own.
The main character, as an archeologist, pulled my interest in this book and liked the ascpects of research and the mystery she has to solve. Book was very emotional in many parts as we get to know our heroine and her past more. And I haven't read the Idolfire, but knowing now these characters that she is researching trully existed in this world, it makes this book even better.
I did feel we got a bit lost and dragged in some places and that some side characters were ther +e to explain something and push the plot,but nothing more.
And I did enjoy the writing style of Grace Curtis and the world she invented.
All opinions here are my own.
November 25, 2025
Loved the writing and the character work, but the plot felt a little stagnant in the middle despite the fact that things were technically happening. Hard to put my finger on why, but maybe it was because all of the conflict stayed contained among a small cast of characters, so it was harder to imagine how widespread the consequences could be. Still, a big fan of Grace Curtis, and I’ll be looking forward to see what she writes next.
January 3, 2026
If nothing else, I respect the fact that Curtis decided this stand alone could also techncially tie in to her previous novel by setting it in the same setting, just a millenium or so down the line, which is an absolutely ballsy choice. We get a fantasy world on the verge of war, and an archaeologist professor who is trying to find her missing professor, who is slowly drawn into an Indiana Jones esque conspiracy involving possible weapons of the gods, nation building mythos, and nations manuevering to try and come out on top. We also have a reveal of an arch nemesis whose epistolary forms a good part of the back of the novel, and gives us some A++ yearning letters. Also the imposition of the second person POV for the god adjacent POV is a really nice touch. Hell of a flex of a novel, and highly recommended when it comes out next summer.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
An absolutely impeccable first fantasy book! I loved this book so much, the characters are so lovable and that plot twist genuinely had me jaw dropped for a solid 5 minutes, i can say that not many books are able to accomplish this. I was gobsmacked to find out that this author is a local to me too! Will definitely be keeping up with Grace's work.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What a thrilling ride! Thank you @netgalley and @hodderbooks for the eARC of Heaven’s Graveyard by Grace Curtis. Cod's character is so lovable and intriguing, I was invested from the beginning. The pace was perfect, with suspense that kept me on the edge of my seat. Definitely going back to explore more of Grace Curtis' works - especially Cod's story, we need more!
November 29, 2025
Excellent adventure. Female lead and an action packed adventure that travels across archaeology, magic, and gay relationships in a fantasy setting. Really enjoyed this novel. Thank you to the author. Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.
November 19, 2025
Had no expectations going into this eARC and was very pleasantly surprised! A sweet and adventurous sapphic tale
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.5 stars rounded up. rtc
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