Princess Calla has never quite fit into her family’s expectations. As a necromancer, she’s supposed to be built for battle—but all she wants is to dance with spirits. After one too many lectures from her mother, Calla runs away into the forest surrounding the Dead City… only to cross paths with a lonely gorgon whose touch could turn her to stone. Nathaira has spent years in isolation after being cast out from gorgon society, content in her solitude—until an accident binds her fate to Calla’s in a way neither expected.
What really stood out to me was the tenderness in the way Nathaira sees Calla. The way she describes her when they first meet, the care she takes while Calla is trapped in her home, and the quiet respect she shows by giving her space to dance—the one thing her family never allowed her to do. It’s soft, emotional, and unexpectedly healing. This story reminds us that sometimes, the acceptance and understanding we crave come from the person we least expect, at the most unexpected time.
I loved this novella! For being around 100 pages, it’s packed with heart, detail, and vivid worldbuilding. Emma Elizabeth’s writing instantly pulls you in—you can practically feel the forest air, the tension, and the soft moments between Calla and Nathaira. Her “cozy fantasy” tagline fits perfectly; it’s comforting and magical but still delivers the kind of beautifully written spice that feels earned and intimate.
I couldn’t put it down and found myself wishing there was more. Emma Elizabeth has definitely earned a spot on my must-read list!
If you love cozy fantasy with rich emotion, tender sapphic romance, mythical beings, and stories about finding belonging in unexpected places—Take by a Gorgon will absolutely enchant you.