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Love Lethal, Death Divine
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Expected 7 Apr 26When Liana learns that her beloved husband, Prince Amron, was killed, she uses her half-divine blood to strike a bargain: the gods will send her back into the past and give her three days to make Amron fall in love with her. If she succeeds, she gets him back. If she fails, she loses him, and her divine powers, forever.
Seventeen years earlier, Melia is forced by her controlling father to marry Amron on the brink of the biggest peace treaty in history. But Melia has her own plans: to destroy the treaty and carve a new future with her rebellious lover, Ferisa.
As Melia’s betrayal sparks a bloody conflict, Liana realizes the gods have deceived her: she must help Amron earn Melia’s trust, even if it means losing him, or the future won’t exist. And Melia must decide whether to reveal the truth, knowing it could cost her everything – or let the kingdom burn to ashes.
A dark fantasy story of love and revenge, Love Lethal Death Divine blends the history of Eastern Adriatic with Slavic folklore, set in the same world as Ghost Apparent and Dark Woods, Deep Water.
Seventeen years earlier, Melia is forced by her controlling father to marry Amron on the brink of the biggest peace treaty in history. But Melia has her own plans: to destroy the treaty and carve a new future with her rebellious lover, Ferisa.
As Melia’s betrayal sparks a bloody conflict, Liana realizes the gods have deceived her: she must help Amron earn Melia’s trust, even if it means losing him, or the future won’t exist. And Melia must decide whether to reveal the truth, knowing it could cost her everything – or let the kingdom burn to ashes.
A dark fantasy story of love and revenge, Love Lethal Death Divine blends the history of Eastern Adriatic with Slavic folklore, set in the same world as Ghost Apparent and Dark Woods, Deep Water.
386 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication April 7, 2026
2 people are currently reading
131 people want to read
About the author
Jelena Dunato
24 books130 followersJelena Dunato is an art historian, curator, speculative fiction writer and lover of all things ancient. She grew up in Croatia on a steady diet of adventure novels and then wandered the world for a decade, building a career in the arts.
Jelena’s stories have been published in Beneath Ceaseless Skies, The Dark, Future SF and Mermaids Monthly, among others. She is a member of SFWA and Codex.
Jelena’s stories have been published in Beneath Ceaseless Skies, The Dark, Future SF and Mermaids Monthly, among others. She is a member of SFWA and Codex.
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October 9, 2025Love Lethal, Death Divine is a dark fantasy love story about two women fighting for everything they hold dear in a world on the brink of war. It is a story about doomed choices, generational trauma and wounds which cannot heal. It has angry, unapologetic, queer heroines, trickster gods and political turmoil. It's inspired by history of the Eastern Adriatic and Slavic folklore.
Love Lethal, Death Divine is a standalone sequel to my novel Dark Woods, Deep Water which doesn't require any previous knowledge about the world or the characters, but the readers who have read my previous works will find a few familiar characters and settings.
CW: violence, murder, abuse, death (parent, spouse, sibling)
Love Lethal, Death Divine is a standalone sequel to my novel Dark Woods, Deep Water which doesn't require any previous knowledge about the world or the characters, but the readers who have read my previous works will find a few familiar characters and settings.
CW: violence, murder, abuse, death (parent, spouse, sibling)
November 8, 2025
As soon as I read the blurb, I wanted to read this book. I was fortunate to receive an ARC from the author, and it did not disappoint. The premise, the deceiving gods, the two alternating points of view, and Liana's three days in the past-now-present, everything flowed seamlessly and captivated me from beginning to end. A great read!
October 9, 2025
Love Lethal, Death Divine is about two women in two separate pieces of time that are fighting against all odds to do one thing: save him, them and stop the turmoil barreling towards their timelines. With notes of queer love, battle, loss, sacrifice, the elements of Gods and their roles in the life of these characters and the story in which it plays out. It is a powerful story of devotion and love that makes you feel what the character is, beautifully detailed and immersive.
Liana and Melia are from different parts of the world and time and yet their paths cross in the most unexpected ways as they are both working to stop a war and at the center is Amron. A husband, prince and lover. But that is where love becomes lethal and the death to save that love divine. What wouldn't you do for love and Liana is the first jump head first to save it; an expert hunter with ties to the Gods themselves utilizes her worth and weighs the choices ahead to save her love. Melia the past, torn and too late to realize she wanted more than to be a pawn to a game set by her father, her own blood. She helped set things in motion with a blindfold over her eyes, but when she claims back her choices and rips the blind away - she has work to do and that is the biggest obstacle and challenge of all.
Amron, always doing his best and never good enough. The center of the past, present and future colliding on a massive scale. Duty first but there's a pull, a tether, his anchor but he doesn't know or who until he sees her. But things aren't easily undone and unveiling the true nature of her random appearance can disrupt more of the balance she's willingly teetering on for him. All he knows is his heart is isnt the woman with him in this time, but one from another; and he has no idea how or why.
This book was phenomenal and wonderful in all the ways a dark fantasy, folklore story should be with time travel and love that knows no bounds, that doesn't follow the laws of time and place. Highlighting the price of duty, the price to love and the toll it takes to protect not just your heart beating inside your chest, but the one outside of your body and the sacrifices we will accept to preserve even a piece of it.
I thoroughly loved this so much, I'm rereading it because I am without words and this review deserves more!!
Thank you to the author for the chance to advance read this for you. I loved it.
Liana and Melia are from different parts of the world and time and yet their paths cross in the most unexpected ways as they are both working to stop a war and at the center is Amron. A husband, prince and lover. But that is where love becomes lethal and the death to save that love divine. What wouldn't you do for love and Liana is the first jump head first to save it; an expert hunter with ties to the Gods themselves utilizes her worth and weighs the choices ahead to save her love. Melia the past, torn and too late to realize she wanted more than to be a pawn to a game set by her father, her own blood. She helped set things in motion with a blindfold over her eyes, but when she claims back her choices and rips the blind away - she has work to do and that is the biggest obstacle and challenge of all.
Amron, always doing his best and never good enough. The center of the past, present and future colliding on a massive scale. Duty first but there's a pull, a tether, his anchor but he doesn't know or who until he sees her. But things aren't easily undone and unveiling the true nature of her random appearance can disrupt more of the balance she's willingly teetering on for him. All he knows is his heart is isnt the woman with him in this time, but one from another; and he has no idea how or why.
This book was phenomenal and wonderful in all the ways a dark fantasy, folklore story should be with time travel and love that knows no bounds, that doesn't follow the laws of time and place. Highlighting the price of duty, the price to love and the toll it takes to protect not just your heart beating inside your chest, but the one outside of your body and the sacrifices we will accept to preserve even a piece of it.
I thoroughly loved this so much, I'm rereading it because I am without words and this review deserves more!!
Thank you to the author for the chance to advance read this for you. I loved it.
October 20, 2025
I read this as an ARC - and devoured it in one day, pretty much.
Some of the key elements that made this enjoyable to me:
1) The suspense and the ticking clock that keeps the pacing tight as you wait with bated breath to see whether things will work out as promised. The story essentially stretches over a couple of days, which can easily end up feeling like a slog to read 300+ pages of, but that's definitely not the case here. Dunato weaves in some good foreshadowing with matching plot twists towards the end that really help keep the pacing at a solid run.
2) The romance. I loved how mature and realistic the romance and the love story was between Prince Amron and the half-divine Liana in particular. This isn't a fresh romance, so to speak, but a lasting romance that is suddenly put at threat... and Dunato absolutely nails those emotional beats and inner worlds. Even across two timelines, their relationship had me 100% immersed.
3) Melia. I loved how Melia is an example of a character that is forced into a passive position and then does her very best to work with what she's got. Despite appearances, I found her quietly resourceful. This isn't as typical of a character to find in a story such as this, but I'm all here for more of that, please!
4) The way that they book ties in with the world and the cast of Dunato's other two books (DWDP and GA). You don't need to read them all to understand this one, but I had a lot of fun piecing things together across all three books when I was reading this one.
5) The prose. Dunato has such an excellent grasp on prose that flows and captures you and just doesn't really let you go. It has lyrical elements to it, yes, but it also just flows really well. There's a reason I read this book in one day, m'kay?
All in all, I was very much not disappointed by this book and will remain faithful to anything that Dunato writes in the future (whether set in the same world or not)!
Some of the key elements that made this enjoyable to me:
1) The suspense and the ticking clock that keeps the pacing tight as you wait with bated breath to see whether things will work out as promised. The story essentially stretches over a couple of days, which can easily end up feeling like a slog to read 300+ pages of, but that's definitely not the case here. Dunato weaves in some good foreshadowing with matching plot twists towards the end that really help keep the pacing at a solid run.
2) The romance. I loved how mature and realistic the romance and the love story was between Prince Amron and the half-divine Liana in particular. This isn't a fresh romance, so to speak, but a lasting romance that is suddenly put at threat... and Dunato absolutely nails those emotional beats and inner worlds. Even across two timelines, their relationship had me 100% immersed.
3) Melia. I loved how Melia is an example of a character that is forced into a passive position and then does her very best to work with what she's got. Despite appearances, I found her quietly resourceful. This isn't as typical of a character to find in a story such as this, but I'm all here for more of that, please!
4) The way that they book ties in with the world and the cast of Dunato's other two books (DWDP and GA). You don't need to read them all to understand this one, but I had a lot of fun piecing things together across all three books when I was reading this one.
5) The prose. Dunato has such an excellent grasp on prose that flows and captures you and just doesn't really let you go. It has lyrical elements to it, yes, but it also just flows really well. There's a reason I read this book in one day, m'kay?
All in all, I was very much not disappointed by this book and will remain faithful to anything that Dunato writes in the future (whether set in the same world or not)!
December 23, 2025
“Love Lethal, Death Divine” is a fascinating read, one that I found to be a well-written mix of thrills and twists with an interesting theme. Add in strong character work to make for a story that was truly a joy to read.
I was able to read this story early, but already had it on my list anyway and the review’s my honest opinion.
I was able to read this story early, but already had it on my list anyway and the review’s my honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Squarely among my top 3 reads of 2025. Love Lethal, Death Divine is a fast-paced and deeply emotional political fantasy where men scheme, gods sneer, and two solitary women on opposing sides of an imminent war must fight the world—and the divinity beyond it—to save the precious few things they're allowed to love from the grasping dark waters of death. A must-read for any fan of political intrigue that will have you holding your breath, shattered to pieces, then gently mended together with a comfort that will warm you even long after the final page.
A note on the serialization:
You do not need to have read Dark Woods, Deep Water or Ghost Apparent to understand everything in Love Lethal, Death Divine. In fact, this book is a perfect entry point. Each of the books will inform and provide context to each other, but they're not direct and continuous sequels of one another. My personal suggestion is that you start here, then read Dark Woods, Deep Water second, followed by Ghost Apparent last.
Love Lethal, Death Divine was practically written for me. I'm very much its target audience and I loved every word of it. Here's why:
Characters: 11/10
You came for the plot, but you'll stay for the characters. They're just so good. So good.
Liana is headstrong, pragmatic, and will stop at nothing to get what she wants. She's a touch selfish, always prioritizing her own purpose, but that's precisely why I love her. Abia is a harsh world, harsher still for women with no status, no background, no support. The gods—quite literally—robbed her of the one person who made her life worthwhile and meaningful, and she's striped of everything by those same gods before she's allowed to try to get him back. And her only resources? Her wits, her determination, and the knowledge of potential futures if certain events are permitted to pass. If Liana didn't fight and defend herself and her own interests, literally no one else will. She's a realist, a pragmatist whose deeply emotional goal drives her into some of fantasy fiction's most dangerous and daring strategies.
Melia is quiet and reserved, a fledgling thrown into the deep and dark waters of courtly politics with no instruction, no training, no mentor nor ally. It's truly "sink or swim" for Melia. I don't normal get attached to fledgling characters, but Melia grew on me really quickly. Her position in the intrigue is inherently passive, but she's constantly fighting the passivity, expectations, and ignorance that's arbitrarily shoved into her. She's trying her damn hardest to carve a place for herself in this brutal world, and when her father throws her squarely into the path of his insurgence, she fully comes into her own. This book would've fallen apart without Melia. She is Liana's foil, the dark and solemn counterweight to Liana's fire and chaos.
Amron is the singularity at the centre of this whirlpool of a story—but he doesn't know it. He is forever the comforting, soothing hearth that one comes home to at the end of a hard long day. I will literally refund your copy of the book if you don't end up swooning over his burning yearning suppressed by his gentle certitude toward his duties. (Unless you're not into men, in which case: You're right, Ferisa is better.) Sidenote: If you've read Dark Woods, Deep Water, you will certainly enjoy how different yet heartachingly familiar Amron is during his younger days.
Plot & Pacing: 10/10
The political intrigue is woven into the very foundation of the characters. This is definitely not a book where the characters merely react to the events. Liana drives the literal trajectory of the world in the first half of the book, and Melia the second. The back cover blurb might make it seem like a star-crossed romantasy, but it's first and foremost a political intrigue. The romance goes hand-in-hand with the political upheaval, and I've genuinely not come across another fantasy where the romance and political plots are so seamlessly integrated.
I don't believe the book is short by any means, but it felt quick and snappy. The story hits the ground sprinting and never sags. Liana and Melia being on opposing sides paints a well-rounded picture of all the events, conflicts, and consequences, and I love the added context and tension. You want both of them to succeed, but everything they do seems to always hurtle the other toward an inevitably tragic end because that's just the nature of opposition...
I won't spoil whether either or both of them end in tragedy. You should find out for yourself. The ending is tremendously satisfying.
Style & Prose: 11/10
I'm also a fantasy writer. I wish I knew how to write like this. I wish I had written this book. The prose is deeply—deeply—emotive. Every pain, every hopelessness, every burning desire and secret yearning, you feel it like a tingle down your back. The prose is laced with subdued elegance and the writing is masterful. You can study this book as a example of deep POV and flashbacks done right.
Worldbuilding: 10/10
Abia is a harsh world, and this is a dark fantasy. It's not Joe Abercrombie's levels of hardcore grimdark, but the darkness here comes from the cruelty and ruthless of the gods that be, the status quo, and all the people surrounding the MCs. If I were to (mis)quote Jean-Paul Sartre, this is a book that makes one realize: darkness is other people. (And the gods.)
I read Dark Woods, Deep Water back when the audiobook came out, and the chilling revelations about the gods stayed with me for a long time afterwards. Love Lethal, Death Divine took those chilling revelations and turned it up to 12. The gods are so bloody cruel. I love every bit of despair and suffering they caused.
But the worldbuilding also goes beyond the darkness. There is a full and vibrant world here. Being the third book in the same universe benefitted this novel greatly. You don't need to have read those other two to understand everything here, but those other books did all the groundwork to give you a refined and polished version of the world that never leaves you feeling like it's a facade with no substance underbeath.
In conclusion, should you read this?
Yes, if you like a deeply emotive book with characters who break your heart then slowly nurture it back to one piece.
Yes, if you like a political fantasy that's in fact more character-driven than plot-driven.
Yes, if political schemes and betrayals that shatter a main character's entire world is up your alley.
Yes, if your fantasy worldbuilding dark. Like actually dark and cruel and ruthless.
Yes, if you enjoyed any of the other books in the same world.
No, if you're not a fantasy reader, I guess, in which case: WHY ARE YOU HERE???
A kind thank you to Jelena for proving an ARC of this book.
A note on the serialization:
You do not need to have read Dark Woods, Deep Water or Ghost Apparent to understand everything in Love Lethal, Death Divine. In fact, this book is a perfect entry point. Each of the books will inform and provide context to each other, but they're not direct and continuous sequels of one another. My personal suggestion is that you start here, then read Dark Woods, Deep Water second, followed by Ghost Apparent last.
Love Lethal, Death Divine was practically written for me. I'm very much its target audience and I loved every word of it. Here's why:
Characters: 11/10
You came for the plot, but you'll stay for the characters. They're just so good. So good.
Liana is headstrong, pragmatic, and will stop at nothing to get what she wants. She's a touch selfish, always prioritizing her own purpose, but that's precisely why I love her. Abia is a harsh world, harsher still for women with no status, no background, no support. The gods—quite literally—robbed her of the one person who made her life worthwhile and meaningful, and she's striped of everything by those same gods before she's allowed to try to get him back. And her only resources? Her wits, her determination, and the knowledge of potential futures if certain events are permitted to pass. If Liana didn't fight and defend herself and her own interests, literally no one else will. She's a realist, a pragmatist whose deeply emotional goal drives her into some of fantasy fiction's most dangerous and daring strategies.
Melia is quiet and reserved, a fledgling thrown into the deep and dark waters of courtly politics with no instruction, no training, no mentor nor ally. It's truly "sink or swim" for Melia. I don't normal get attached to fledgling characters, but Melia grew on me really quickly. Her position in the intrigue is inherently passive, but she's constantly fighting the passivity, expectations, and ignorance that's arbitrarily shoved into her. She's trying her damn hardest to carve a place for herself in this brutal world, and when her father throws her squarely into the path of his insurgence, she fully comes into her own. This book would've fallen apart without Melia. She is Liana's foil, the dark and solemn counterweight to Liana's fire and chaos.
Amron is the singularity at the centre of this whirlpool of a story—but he doesn't know it. He is forever the comforting, soothing hearth that one comes home to at the end of a hard long day. I will literally refund your copy of the book if you don't end up swooning over his burning yearning suppressed by his gentle certitude toward his duties. (Unless you're not into men, in which case: You're right, Ferisa is better.) Sidenote: If you've read Dark Woods, Deep Water, you will certainly enjoy how different yet heartachingly familiar Amron is during his younger days.
Plot & Pacing: 10/10
The political intrigue is woven into the very foundation of the characters. This is definitely not a book where the characters merely react to the events. Liana drives the literal trajectory of the world in the first half of the book, and Melia the second. The back cover blurb might make it seem like a star-crossed romantasy, but it's first and foremost a political intrigue. The romance goes hand-in-hand with the political upheaval, and I've genuinely not come across another fantasy where the romance and political plots are so seamlessly integrated.
I don't believe the book is short by any means, but it felt quick and snappy. The story hits the ground sprinting and never sags. Liana and Melia being on opposing sides paints a well-rounded picture of all the events, conflicts, and consequences, and I love the added context and tension. You want both of them to succeed, but everything they do seems to always hurtle the other toward an inevitably tragic end because that's just the nature of opposition...
I won't spoil whether either or both of them end in tragedy. You should find out for yourself. The ending is tremendously satisfying.
Style & Prose: 11/10
I'm also a fantasy writer. I wish I knew how to write like this. I wish I had written this book. The prose is deeply—deeply—emotive. Every pain, every hopelessness, every burning desire and secret yearning, you feel it like a tingle down your back. The prose is laced with subdued elegance and the writing is masterful. You can study this book as a example of deep POV and flashbacks done right.
Worldbuilding: 10/10
Abia is a harsh world, and this is a dark fantasy. It's not Joe Abercrombie's levels of hardcore grimdark, but the darkness here comes from the cruelty and ruthless of the gods that be, the status quo, and all the people surrounding the MCs. If I were to (mis)quote Jean-Paul Sartre, this is a book that makes one realize: darkness is other people. (And the gods.)
I read Dark Woods, Deep Water back when the audiobook came out, and the chilling revelations about the gods stayed with me for a long time afterwards. Love Lethal, Death Divine took those chilling revelations and turned it up to 12. The gods are so bloody cruel. I love every bit of despair and suffering they caused.
But the worldbuilding also goes beyond the darkness. There is a full and vibrant world here. Being the third book in the same universe benefitted this novel greatly. You don't need to have read those other two to understand everything here, but those other books did all the groundwork to give you a refined and polished version of the world that never leaves you feeling like it's a facade with no substance underbeath.
In conclusion, should you read this?
Yes, if you like a deeply emotive book with characters who break your heart then slowly nurture it back to one piece.
Yes, if you like a political fantasy that's in fact more character-driven than plot-driven.
Yes, if political schemes and betrayals that shatter a main character's entire world is up your alley.
Yes, if your fantasy worldbuilding dark. Like actually dark and cruel and ruthless.
Yes, if you enjoyed any of the other books in the same world.
No, if you're not a fantasy reader, I guess, in which case: WHY ARE YOU HERE???
A kind thank you to Jelena for proving an ARC of this book.
December 7, 2025
This book had me on edge the entire time. I expected one story and got something far more intense, layered, and emotionally gripping.
Fair warning: if you don’t enjoy time loops or flashback-style storytelling, this might not be your book. And there is no spice here — this is a plot-driven, emotionally rich, fantasy-forward story. But honestly? It doesn’t need spice. The tension, the heartbreak, the stakes — they’re more than enough.
The characters feel painfully real: flawed, complicated, and incredibly human. Liana’s bargain with the gods — granting her the chance to go back and save the man she loves — sets off a chain of events that is as brutal as it is beautiful. Nothing goes the way you expect, and that’s exactly what makes it so powerful.
The plot is everything in this book, and it’s done in a way that keeps you guessing until the very end. On top of that, it’s a standalone, which is a rare and beautiful thing in fantasy lately.
I won’t say more because anything else would be a spoiler. Just read it. Trust me.
Highly, highly recommended.
Fair warning: if you don’t enjoy time loops or flashback-style storytelling, this might not be your book. And there is no spice here — this is a plot-driven, emotionally rich, fantasy-forward story. But honestly? It doesn’t need spice. The tension, the heartbreak, the stakes — they’re more than enough.
The characters feel painfully real: flawed, complicated, and incredibly human. Liana’s bargain with the gods — granting her the chance to go back and save the man she loves — sets off a chain of events that is as brutal as it is beautiful. Nothing goes the way you expect, and that’s exactly what makes it so powerful.
The plot is everything in this book, and it’s done in a way that keeps you guessing until the very end. On top of that, it’s a standalone, which is a rare and beautiful thing in fantasy lately.
I won’t say more because anything else would be a spoiler. Just read it. Trust me.
Highly, highly recommended.
December 13, 2025
I was given this as an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I enjoyed this one. It has a unique blend of mythology and references back to The Little Mermaid tale. And because I saw those patterns, I thought I knew where it was going, but the twists kept twisting. There was also an elegance to the writing style, particularly the prose at the beginning. It made you feel like you were really about to read an old mythological tale. And most importantly, I absolutely LOVED that this was a stand alone. There are so few fantasy stories these days where I don't have to commit to a series. The only part that was a bit of a struggle for me in this book was the time hopping with multiple POVs. I wish there had been time indicators maybe with their ages since the timeline isn't linear.
I enjoyed this one. It has a unique blend of mythology and references back to The Little Mermaid tale. And because I saw those patterns, I thought I knew where it was going, but the twists kept twisting. There was also an elegance to the writing style, particularly the prose at the beginning. It made you feel like you were really about to read an old mythological tale. And most importantly, I absolutely LOVED that this was a stand alone. There are so few fantasy stories these days where I don't have to commit to a series. The only part that was a bit of a struggle for me in this book was the time hopping with multiple POVs. I wish there had been time indicators maybe with their ages since the timeline isn't linear.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was lucky enough to get an ARC of this. I've been a big fan of Jelena's writing since I came across Dark woods, Deep water and read it through twice in a row. This is another wonderful book by her. Dark fantasy with Slavic folklore but told for a modern audience. The women are great, two totally different women, one married to the male character, one in love with him. And yet it still stays their story rather than his.
I'm very much looking forward to this being released and getting the physical copy and reading it again! Definitely recommended.
I'm very much looking forward to this being released and getting the physical copy and reading it again! Definitely recommended.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I knew it’d be good, but I had no idea just how good. This book kept me turning the pages at a pace I haven’t read at in a long, long time. I literally could not put it down and wouldn’t want to even if I could!
*I received a reader copy & this is my honest, voluntary opinion.*
*I received a reader copy & this is my honest, voluntary opinion.*
December 17, 2025
Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read and review this ARC, which is expected to be released on the 7th of April, 2026.
This is a tricky one; I felt some disconnect to begin but loved the outcome.
It starts with Liana learning of her life partner, Prince Amrons, demise.
Riddled with grief and intent on getting him back, she uses hers divine blood to strike a bargain with the gods; they will send her back in the time and she has 3 days to make him fall in love with her.
But alas, Liana learns the gods have tricked her; they've sent her back 17 years. In this time period, he's married to someone else and the kingdom is on the cusp of a war. Knowing what will come of the future, can Liana change its course enough to prevent bloodshed and save her beloved? Is the future always set in stone?
I overall loved the story but felt some issues with its flow at times. However, I really loved the incorporation of Slavic lore and found the setting wonderfully portrayed in the writing.
4/5⭐s
This is a tricky one; I felt some disconnect to begin but loved the outcome.
It starts with Liana learning of her life partner, Prince Amrons, demise.
Riddled with grief and intent on getting him back, she uses hers divine blood to strike a bargain with the gods; they will send her back in the time and she has 3 days to make him fall in love with her.
But alas, Liana learns the gods have tricked her; they've sent her back 17 years. In this time period, he's married to someone else and the kingdom is on the cusp of a war. Knowing what will come of the future, can Liana change its course enough to prevent bloodshed and save her beloved? Is the future always set in stone?
I overall loved the story but felt some issues with its flow at times. However, I really loved the incorporation of Slavic lore and found the setting wonderfully portrayed in the writing.
4/5⭐s
December 27, 2025
This book was filled with yearning, striving against fate for love, and characters caught in political intrigue. There were many bittersweet moments ringing with beautiful writing.
The character I was rooting for the most through the whole thing was Melia, as I resonated with her struggle against larger-than-life events and powerful figures. It was satisfying to see her I highlighted a quote that I loved from her POV: "But he didn't want her opinion, he wanted her approval."
I also very much enjoyed the descriptions of the divine, and how the MC could pull back the curtain of reality and find herself in the realm of the gods. I loved the scenes with her mother, they seemed so surreal and eerie!
Honored to have received an ARC from this author. Recommended!
The character I was rooting for the most through the whole thing was Melia, as I resonated with her struggle against larger-than-life events and powerful figures. It was satisfying to see her I highlighted a quote that I loved from her POV: "But he didn't want her opinion, he wanted her approval."
I also very much enjoyed the descriptions of the divine, and how the MC could pull back the curtain of reality and find herself in the realm of the gods. I loved the scenes with her mother, they seemed so surreal and eerie!
Honored to have received an ARC from this author. Recommended!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews