The Blade and the Last Sacrifice

The Broken Accords #2

by Elizabeth May

AN EMPRESS BOUND BY BLOOD. A GOD BOUND BY HATE. A CHOICE THAT COULD SHATTER TWO WORLDS.

Theodora Devaliant wasn't born to rule-she was born to bleed. The last Anchor of a cursed royal bloodline, her body alone upholds the fragile veil between divine and mortal realms. When her life is threatened and demigods are found slaughtered in her streets, the god-king issues an ultimatum: marry, produce an heir, or watch the realms burn. To ensure she survives long enough to comply, he sends his most lethal Enforcer to guard her.

Bastien has spent centuries nursing his hatred for the Devaliant family. Convinced Theodora is behind the murders, he'll use his assignment as her bodyguard to gather proof and watch her empire crumble. But as desire blurs the lines between enemy and ally, the body count rises, and evidence points to a conspiracy that could shatter both their worlds.

Because when duty and desire collide, and the veil between gods and humans begins to tear, choosing wrong doesn't just mean death-it means apocalypse.

PERFECT FOR FANS OF
- Enemies to lovers
- Touch her and die
- Villain gets the girl
- Forced proximity
- He falls first

Genres: Romantasy, Fantasy, Romance, Spicy, Dark Romance, Fiction, Fantasy Romance

560 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication February 16, 2027

About the author

Elizabeth May is the #1 Sunday Times bestselling author of The Wolf and the Crown of Blood, To Cage A God, The Falconer series, and historical romance novels under the pen name Katrina Kendrick. She is Californian by birth and Scottish by choice, and holds a PhD from the University of St Andrews. She currently resides on an old farm in rural Scotland with her husband, three cats, and a lively hive of resident honey bees.

Reviews

[Elizabeth May]

Bastien (the Blade) & Theo's book - Out February 16, 2027

While I did my best to make The Blade and the Last Sacrifice readable as a standalone, it continues plot arcs introduced in book 1. I recommend starting with The Wolf and the Crown of Blood.

You can expect:
🥀 Bodyguard romance
🥀 Hate to love
🥀 He's touch-averse, she's touch-starved
🥀 Forced proximity

Please do read the content notes for this one, they're on my website.

[G]

genuinely CANNOT wait for this book because it will be DEVOURED ❤️‍🔥👹

[Chloe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not normal about this series. It is so deeply unhinged, in both violence and romance, but it also takes so much care in it's handling of trauma, about how it's possible to choose softness and healing, about how it's possible to let yourself deserve them. I could not love it more.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Drugs, this book has literal drugs magically woven into the words. I'm just.. whew... words are escaping me how good this one was. I was bullied into reading The Wolf and the Crown of Blood but ended up inhaling it and loving it (no I told you so's from my friend) but just getting the glimpses of Theo and Bastien had me FERAL for this book. It did not disappoint in any way possible and absolutely exceeded all expectations! There's no way I can come up with a decently written review, there's going to be some rambling...you've been warned!

First and foremost check those TWs. This is one of the most unhinged series I've read but The Blade and the Last Sacrifice makes The Wolf and the Crown of Blood feel like ACOTAR in terms of sunshine. Blade is dark and there is loads of trauma and sadness and lots of awful things that will have you bawling BUT there's also growth and learning and softness and forgiveness and love, there's so much love. This one will stick with me for a long time, wow.

Theo is the last living Anchor of the Shroud since the ascension of her sister Bryony and death of her uncle. The pressure to marry and produce an heir/anchor is higher than ever before. But she's being threatened by her own citizens and unknown assassins are coming out of the shadows everywhere she turns. Alexios sends Bastien to protect her and to make her get her baby making duty started. Theo LOATHES any man telling her what she can and can't do, she's been running the realm since she was 15 even if it was under the guise of her father or her uncle being king while she did so. Not only does she hate the message Bastien brings but she hates him as well as he was the one to crack open her mind a year ago and that's when she started losing it (so she thinks). Bastien is no big fan of Theo's either (to say the least) as it's her family that tortured him and cut his wings off. Not only does he have to protect his sworn enemy but now murdered demigod bodies are being strewn about the kingdom and Bastien thinks Theo's family is up to no good again.

These two absolutely DESPISE one another oh god it was horrible! Just so much loathing and hate but then at times you were like oh wait hey there are sparks of something there...hate each other some more, lol oh lord this was crazy! Even though they hate each other there's still some like sexiness about it but there's no feelings at all for a good chunk of this book so prepare yourself, I still think counts as a slow burn. I really liked how the relationship progresses throughout the book and by the time the end comes it's almost a 180. And Elizabeth May did that all in 560 pages and they were FANTASTIC pages. Her writing was just so poetic and so emotional and really brought you into this story.

There's lots of twisty turns and a few I saw coming but for the most part I was just as surprised as I was supposed to be. I loved that there were different POVs in this book and not just Theo and Bastien's as it makes me very curious as to who May will treat us with next because this is obviously not over by a long shot and we've been getting bits and pieces of other people that I would love to explore more. The pacing is right on, I didn't feel any lulls and I would've finished quicker if life did not get in the way. I also loved getting more glimpses of Bryony and Evander, they are so stinkin cute!

This was just what I hoped for and more with this book and it just might be my number one read of the year. I'm so satisfied with it and so glad I took the chance and literally begged Bloomsbury for a Netgalley approval lol totally worth the embarrassment! Thank you so much to Bloomsbury Publishing and Aria for gifting me this eARC, I'm forever grateful!

[Crisia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for my ARC of The Blade and the Last Sacrifice!

Dear lord, I inhaled this book like my life depended on it. There are literal drugs in it. There is no other explanation. It is so ridiculously unhinged in the most addictive way possible, and I'm so here for it. Elizabeth May's writing is so good, you guys.

It has everything that makes me obsessed: perfect character development, so much yearning, torturously earned romance, and a unique plot that doesn't just blur into all the other romantasies I've been reading. The characters are so compelling, the emotional tension is delicious, and the story managed to be completely chaotic while still keeping me deeply invested in every single thing that happened. Much like Book 1 ha.

I didn't think Bastien would win me over as much as Evander did from Book 1 but boy was I wrong. I will be wringing my hands over here waiting for the next book just to catch a glimpse of him and Theo again. And on that note, thank you Elizabeth for giving us more Evander and Bryony in this book!!

[Nicole Geneva · Rating 5 out of 5]

6 ★
This was an absolute masterpiece and I'm genuinely at a loss for words.

Elizabeth's prose is so beautiful and I'm always left in awe of the way she writes such nuanced characters that you can't help but fall in love with. These books are spicy, yes, but the spice is balanced so well with gripping plot, amazing side characters, and so many moments of comedic relief. If Elizabeth writes it, I'm reading it.

My sweet baby Bas. He's done bad things but he's a product of severe trauma and abuse, fueled by centuries of justified hatred. His growth throughout this story was truly amazing to watch and I'm obsessed with him and Theo. He really will do anything for her and he doesn't care about the consequences, and he shows it through his actions the entire book. I'm pretty sure the last 15% took several years off my life but I wouldn't have changed a single thing.

The overarching plot expands further with each book and I'm SO excited (and equal parts terrified) to see where Elizabeth takes things in the next one.

Thank you to Bloomsbury for the ARC!

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good GOD. This is how you do a romance novel. Elizabeth May writes without any fear and this was EXACTLY what I needed it to be and more. I am in awe of her abilities. Damn damn damn. This is everything fantasy romance should be.

Full review to come closer to publication.

[Dani Fall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. From start to finish. These characters are so damaged, but that just made me love them more. I loved the snark, the possession, the obsession, the dark, gritty hunger of this story. I can't wait to see where this story goes from here. I know whose stories I want next, and I know I want them to bleed for it.

[chrissy king · Rating 5 out of 5]

bastien stole my heart. 🖤😭

he’s broken by his past yet continues to persevere through the trauma he’s endured absolutely wrecked me. he’s so cold and touch starved, a weapon, only to slowly open himself up to the one person whose family is responsible for his tortured past. the yearning was DEEP, and my heart ached so much for bas & theo.

my poor theo too, she gives everything to the kingdom, the sacrifice, while craving one thing for herself that she can control. watching her carry the weight of everything while trying to rebuild what was left in ruins was incredible.

i loved this book from start to finish. it’s dark, beautifully written, full of emotion, and 🌶️🌶️🌶️. i was completely consumed

[andrea]

update: PLEASE. i just got denied for an arc and im in shamblessss 😭😭😭 but that’s a okay !!! I’ll just sit in my little chair, wearing my little hat, while the world burns around me, trying to convince myself “this is fine” until February (iykyk)

the fact that I won’t be able to read this until a year from now is downright criminal. I deserve justice (an arc)

[ObscureVi]

MOMMY, THE RELEASE DATE AND THE TITLE JUST DROPPED

Can I treat this one as my birthday gift since it's going to release in February? Pretty please.

[Brooke (The_Brookeshelf_) · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s truly hard to put into words just how incredible Elizabeth May’s writing is unless you’ve experienced it. There is something so smooth and easy about it, yet she manages to tell stories of the most tortured souls and heartwrenching pain balanced with a naturally quick witted humor and banter, and sense of love and longing, that all comes off as effortless. This is writing that can envelop you into this world so gently and sweep you away long into the late hours of the night before you have even notice it’s happened.

I didnt think it would be possible to love another book as much as I loved The Wolf and the Crown of Blood—I haven’t stopped talking about it since January when I ARC read it—but by god, Elizabeth has done it again. Theo and Bas are two completely and utterly tortured individuals, both with haunting pasts and looming futures that feel suffocating and unavoidable. But when their souls find one another, there is a reason. They allow each other acceptance and space to grow a sense of vulnerability with one another that they’ve never had the opportunity to experience before. Their incredibly high walls are able to crumble in front of one another, and what a beautiful thing this was throughout the book.

The story is built on high stakes and intense emotions that you’ll face from start to finish, taking the reader on a roller coaster full of twists and turns you won’t see coming. The richness of the world building, character development (both main characters and side characters), and history we are given creates a vivid story that wraps you up and you’ll never want to leave. These books are built on such a unique storyline, you won’t find anything like this, I guarantee it. Every element and detail is given such consideration, it makes this world feel so authentic.

Thank you to Elizabeth Mays and Bloomsbury Publishing for access to this ebook. All opinions are my own.

Tropes:
⚔️ Dark romantasy
⚔️ Enemies to lovers
⚔️ Forced proximity
⚔️ Bodyguard x royalty
⚔️ Touch her and die
⚔️ Trauma rep
⚔️ High stakes
⚔️ He falls first
⚔️ Mortals, Gods, Demigods

[Paige Guerra · Rating 5 out of 5]

6 stars and this will be one of my top books of the year.

I knew I was going to love Bastien and Theo's story from the moment he appeared on the page in The Wolf and The Crown of Blood, but I was not prepared for this reading experience. Elizabeth has the most beautiful way of writing about these characters' pain and trauma and path to healing. The heartache, the way they weaponize their pain, the small glimmers of hope they find, all jump off the page and sink into your heart. It is heavy material that is balanced with great spots of levity. The banter and dialogue are excellent. The depth of their inner monologues was profound. It was so hard to put down.

Both of these characters are terribly broken people that use their teeth and claws to protect themselves but they also have some beautiful soft moments of connection. Theodora is the embodiment of female rage. She is an Empress who literally dies over and over to keep her kingdom safe, and yet all the men around her want to take her power and put her in a convenient box. She sees the game being played around her and masterfully bends the rules to her will.

As an MMC, Bastien is right up there with Xaden, Azriel and Kingfisher. He's a broken soul who has closed himself off to survive. In Theo he meets his mirror and together they find a way to break down their walls.

This is a romance and spice heavy book, but it is an integral part of the characters' journeys. But there is so much else happening in this book with the plot. Gods are still being murdered and realms are on the brink of war again. The villains step out of the shadows and we are setup for an amazing book 3.

There are elements of this book that are dark. There is a lot of trauma that is explored so check the triggers. If you are a fan of The Eating Woods trilogy by Keri Lake, The Poison Daughter by Sheila Masterson or Court of Ravens by Liv Zander you will enjoy this series.

[Andersen · Rating 5 out of 5]

If Elizabeth May’s writing style, humor, and character depth could exist in every book, there would be no bad books. Truly. WOW. What a sequel to The Wolf and the Crown of Blood! The way this story expands, unfolds the intricate layers established in book one, and makes us fall even more in love with these characters has me in absolute awe.

Theodora and Bastien are both tortured souls, coping with their pain in very different ways. Theo puts on a cold, heartless front required to fulfill her duty as Empress and the last Anchor. She is strong, incredibly intelligent, and constantly underestimated as a woman in power (stupid men). She takes what she wants, and I applaud her every single time.

And my baby Bas... This touch-starved, closed-off God is haunted by his past and fueled by his hatred for the Devaliant family, and he feels SO deeply. Slowly, he becomes absolutely FERAL for Theo. Holy mother of everything, it is SO HOT. He's possessive, he's protective, and he's absolutely the kind of man who would burn the entire world down for her. Watching this man fall for her had me SCREAMING. I am 100% OBSESSED with them.

Elizabeth May has such a special way of balancing humor, emotional depth, and the suspense and mystery woven throughout the story added such an interesting layer, too! I loved how the reveals kept me questioning what was really happening and made the plot even more compelling. It added a whole new level of intrigue that kept me hooked right alongside the romance and character development.

I am genuinely blown away by this series, and I cannot get over how much I love these characters and the story. I'm already ready for more!

Thank you BloomsburyUSA for the eARC!

[acourtofbooksandchocolate II Giulia · Rating 5 out of 5]

ABSOLUTELY FUCKED UP, UNHINGED AND DELICIOUS!

“Two liars in the dark, and the dark is calling us both by name.”

Theo and Bastien story was heartbreakingly beautiful. We have two broken people who keep fighting to stay above water, and while they are touch starved and touch averse, they are not afraid to get their hands dirty (in every sense of the word). They both do some fucked up things to cope and their pain was so raw and beautifully written that I felt in my bones. So this book broke me and put me back together. Their relationship was full of banter, raw pain and so so much love and devotion. Seeing them slowly open up to each other and start healing was everything.

The angst and the yearning was top notch.

We also got more glimpses into Amara, Severin, Alexios and Zephyr past. The Eternals are one big dysfunctional family and they are so disfunctional and imperfect and I love all of them and the terrible things they do lol.

Bonus points for how funny Evander was, he had some one liners that cracked me up. He really doesn’t like if they get his wing color wrong.

While the romance is the primary focus the plot thickened, literally. Demigods are still being murdered and the Shroud is on the brink of collapse.. and new mysterious entities enter the world. I'm so excited for the next one.

Reminder that this is book 2 of the series, and while each book focuses on a different couple the plot is connected so please read book 1 first! And check trigger warnings.

Thank you net galley and Daphne Press for the arc!

[Morgan Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

6 stars. 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

This was better than book 1 and that was also 6⭐️. Perfection. Thank you to the author and netgalley for an ARC. I fear Im going to be in the worst slump now.

[Tawny Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brace yourselves—this will be my longest review yet.

Elizabeth May is arguably one of the best authors of our time, and I'm not just saying that because I'm biased. I'm saying it because it's true. Her storytelling is exceptional. Her plotlines are so intricately developed, with not a single loose end or detail that feels out of place. And her characters? EXQUISITE. They're complicated, flawed, deeply human, and so beautifully written that they feel tangible. They're relatable. They're authentic. They're f*cking painful.

Mark my words: this book is going to be a bestseller. If it isn't the number one book on the charts when it's released, it will absolutely be in the top five books of 2027.

Now, let's get to the book.

I was approved for this ARC toward the beginning of October, and I am NOT exaggerating when I say I worked my way through 23 other ARCs before finally allowing myself to pick this one up. I wanted to SAVOR it. I wanted to take my time with it. That's how much I had been looking forward to reading this book!!

Did I read it in one sitting? YES. Did I bookmark and highlight more than 65 quotes? Also YES.

The enemies-to-lovers dynamic... I almost hate reducing this book to tropes because it is so much more than that. But if we're going to talk about it, we're talking about the most relentless, unforgiving YEARNING. We're talking about two profoundly broken people who feel as though their own bodies are cages. Self-hatred meets self-hatred, and somehow, they're supposed to figure out how to love one another.

It is a brutally honest and heartbreakingly accurate portrayal of what it means to survive trauma and attempt to find connection, intimacy, and love afterward. It captures the complicated reality of carrying scars, whether physical or internal, and how those scars can shape the way we see ourselves, the way we receive love, and the way we believe we're deserving of it. Anyone who has ever struggled with feeling unlovable will find something deeply personal in these pages.

There were moments when I had to physically stop reading because certain passages hit me so deeply. I would put the book down, walk into another room, cry, come back, reread the quote, and then continue. There is an analogy woven throughout the story about pressing into bruises just to feel something, and I cannot adequately explain how breathtakingly honest and devastating that imagery is when it comes to feeling unlovable and wanting to feel pain just so you don’t feel empty. It is one of those descriptions that stays with you long after you've turned the page.

And the EMOTIONAL DAMAGE? The BETRAYAL? The SPICE? Absolutely TOP-NOTCH. Truly, you cannot get better than the chemistry and spice between Bastien and Theodora. AND OMG, the hand scene absolutely destroyed me!!

I could go on and on about this book, and I fully intend to scream about it for the next year.

Bastien. My sweet baby, broken Bastien. The MF Blade. He is sexy, diabolical, unhinged, and absolutely everything I look for in an MMC. But beneath all of that is a character whose pain, complexity, and vulnerability absolutely WRECKED MY SOUL.

And Theodora? Power incarnate. She is the very personification of feminine power. A woman. An empress. Truly iconic in every sense of the word.

And Bastien's devotion to Theodora? The lengths he is willing to go to protect her, save her, CLAIM HER, and ensure her safety are beyond anything I can adequately describe. It is unwavering, undeniable, all-consuming devotion. THE SACRIFICE IS REAL, YALL!!

I also loved getting to see some of our beloved characters from The Wolf and the Crown of Blood. Getting glimpses of Bryony and Evander made me so happy, and I'm stoked to see how this series continues to expand. I would love to see more of Amara and Severin, or Alexios and Zephyr, or even Elias because… yum. There are SO many possibilities, and I am already desperate for more.

This is a devastating, beautiful, emotionally consuming book, and I loved every single second of it.

Thank you so much to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC. I literally created my NetGalley account specifically because I wanted the opportunity to get my hands on this book. That's how much I anticipated it.

[Alina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spice level: 4🌶 (Yes, this does mean well above average...)

Theodora is the last member of the Devaliant family available for the ritual blood sacrifice that holds up the barrier between humans and gods. If she dies, all hell will break loose, to the detriment of gods and people alike. Yet after a kidnapping attempt it becomes clear that somebody does want her to die, so the gods send Blade -- one of their most brutal enforcers -- to protect her.

This book (and the preceding volume, which I also read and rated 3 stars) is not for everybody. It's very dark and very violent. I did request it as an ARC because I read the previous book in the series, and it was absolutely addictive: the world building was very well done, and I really wanted to know what happens to the characters and to learn the back stories that were hinted at but not entirely revealed. This book succeeds very well. The character development continues strongly, some old dramas get elaborated on, and some new dramas are revealed. In other words, the world building, the plot movement, and the character development are all 5 stars. There were a few amazing plot twists (the one about Blade's role in Devaliants' duty was quite amazing), I loved Theodora's feminist take on the old violent traditions of the royal family's spouse selection, and there are new and interesting villains.

I also felt like this second relationship in the series had more depth than the first one, and the feelings come out less "out of the blue" and build up more. There were some eye-rolling tropes here as well, but they were not nearly as overused as in the in first book, and the dynamic between the two main characters was much more palatable to me here: less built on continuous degradation and humiliation and more on extreme trauma.

Having said that, I did not love the ending and the ever-expanding magic in a world that's otherwise built with extreme precision to be self-consistent and with excellent continuity from Book 1 to Book 2. The plot twisted itself into so many knots that I was wondering how it can all be untangled, and unfortunately the ending didn't quite do it for me, either in terms of the "genie out of the bottle" plot devices or in terms of the emotional impact and resolution. Finally, just like in the first book, I find it very odd that the protagonist, after ostensibly deeply caring for her people and her kingdom to the point of repeatedly sacrificing herself, just leaves everything behind without further thought -- and right after a major cataclysm that we thought was supposed to be the end of the world.

The author seems to have left the door open for #3, and I am certainly invested enough in the characters to go for it if it materializes!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury publishing for providing a free Advance Review Copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Kay · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

“I am obsessed, destroyed, devastated, and my ruin has one name, and I’m looking at her.”

The Blade and the Last Sacrifice is a dual-pov dark romantasy standalone in the Broken Accords series following Theodora Devaliant and Bastien, or the Blade. Theo is the final remaining member of the Devaliant royal family, the only ones who are able to anchor the Shroud, a protective barrier separating the humans and the Gods, via regular ritual sacrifice and resurrection. Due to her precarious position, the god-king demands she marry and produce an heir as quickly as possible; to ensure this, he sends Bastien, one of the most lethal gods, to protect her. Despite their mutual hatred and against all better judgement, Theo and Bastien find themselves caught in a web of desire, danger, and a conspiracy that could incite world-ending war.


I loved the first book of the Broken Accords series, The Wolf and the Crown of Blood, and was incredibly excited to read the next installment of the series. The Blade and the Last Sacrifice brings all of the wit, cutting banter, yearning, unhinged tendencies, and romance I loved in Wolf and dumps extra trauma in for good measure. Theo and Bastien are damaged hearts with every reason to despise each other, yet their compatibility is off the charts, and they hate each other for it, among many other things. Once again, Elizabeth May did an amazing job of making me believe these two characters are mortal enemies, and then finding a way for them to fall in love despite that. I was completely invested in every part of the romance, particularly in how May handled a touch-adverse character with a touch-starved one.

I also found the overarching plot from Wolf that continued in Blade extremely interesting and enjoyable. Though books in this series are primarily romance novels, the worldbuilding is done so well that I’m highly invested in the story that connects each couple, as well as how the fallout from the end of this novel will impact the couple in the next installment. If I had any complaints whatsoever, it would be that I felt the ending was, in some ways, too similar to Wolf, and also left me feeling unbalanced/unsatisfied with Bastien’s choice (no spoilers!). However, given there will be more books in which Bastien will likely appear as a side character, I’m interested in seeing how Theo and Bastien will continue to be involved in the growing conflict in their world. I still highly recommend both this novel and the first standalone, The Wolf and the Crown of Blood, and will eagerly await more books within this world.

✨ 4.5 stars! ✨

Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury USA | Aria for providing an ARC. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

[Kait · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

Thank you for the eARC! The way the first book gave us snippets of Theodora and Bastien, both separate and interacting, made me really excited to read this installment. And it did not disappoint! I'm giving this 4.25 stars. I read this in a weekend, there is something about Elizabeth May's writing style combined with the dark elements and plot line make it hard to put down. This series, (including this book) is definitely unhinged (complimentary), its dark, its twisty, it's got trauma, and heavy emotions. Check TW! But it's also got growth, overcoming your past, banter, crazy spice, and most importantly, love. This story follows Theodora, who is the last Anchor of the Shroud, who's sacrifice maintains the barrier between the realm of the gods and mortals. Because she is the last of her line, Theodora is expected to marry and produce and heir to continue the need for an anchor. As empress, she is facing threats from her people, those unhappy with the gods and the state of their world. Alexios, god of storms, sends Bastien to keep watch on Theodora-as a guard but also to remind her that of her duty. Bastien and Theodora hate eachother. Theodora because shes tired of being ordered around by men and the demands of the gods. Bastien, because he hates all mortals after being captured and tortured during the war. The two despise being around each other. They also are both very much suffering from the trauma of they've been and continue to go through. They both process their trauma differently-Bastien avoids everyone and loathes being touches. Theodora hides been sarcasm and escapes by seeking solace in others/physical touch. But also Theo and Bastien are often similar in that they lash out (often to each other) but ultimately both feel alone and hopeless. There was a lot of emotional tension between the two as well as attraction. But as the story progressed, they learned one another, related to each other, gave into their chemistry yes, but also healed with one another. They were two broken people who found the pieces needed in one another -though it was a battle to get there. The overarching plot related to gods and mortals was really interesting. There were a bunch of twists and developments. It's definitely setting up to continue in the next book. I think it was a good amount of action and intrigue but the true focus (for me at least) was seeing how Theo and Bas could possibly be more than just banter, hate, and spice. At the end it came together, in a way that felt relatable to who their characters were and was what I hoped for them.

[Naz- bookhusbandcollector · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could give this book more than 5 stars, I would! I read the Wolf and The Crown of blood earlier this year and it was one of my favorite books of 2026 because Elizabeth wrote such a gripping world, magic system and complex characters. I loved Bryony & Evander The story was dark, haunting and emotional.

I went into The Blade and The Last Sacrifice on a high knowing I would be back in this world with Theo and Bastien who I got a sneak peak at in book one. I didn't expect them to blow me out of the water like they did. This book delivers everything I loved about the first book in the series but ten fold. I was addicted and could not put this down. The story was heartbreaking and beautiful and ended on a note that made me happy but also excited for what is next in the series.

Theo and Bastien are so heavily intertwined, not only due to their respective siblings loving each other, the sacrifice to the shroud and the efforts to keep their respective people safe but also in their trauma. While their trauma and experiences are different, they are part of the same larger issues at hand in this world. Bastien's response is to close himself off from emotion and touch where Theo craves it.

They clash in spectacular fashion, their motivations and needs warring against each other. Their dislike for each other is palpable and real. I was screaming at Bastien for so much of this book but also rooting for him. Theo, despite her dark reality is smart, capable, sarcastic and witty. I was laughing at things she said, rejoicing at how she deals with her problems and cheering her on. She is one of my favorite FMCs I've read. Her and Basiten challenge each other and it's not always cute and pretty, in fact, it almost never is. Their opening to each other is slow and painful and so beautiful in the end.

This book is sexy, not just because of spice but the way it's written. The way the characters think and feel for one another. The way they get revenge on each other. It was addictive!

I also LOVED that we got more POVS in this book and learn more about side characters that I think will be the main characters in the next books. I even liked Caden's snarky ass responses knowing there was something off about him. What a fantastic second book in the series. I am so grateful I had the chance to read this and I can't wait to see how the overarching issues play out in the rest of the series.

[Abby · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC!

I read the first book in this interconnected series earlier in the year and really enjoyed it, so when I saw that this book was up on Netgalley, I went for it, but I didn't think I'd get it. I'm glad I did, though.

Theo was great as an MFC. She was witty and never let the men in her life walk all over her, despite the fact that they didn't think she could handle being empress or that she shouldn't because she was a woman and her only worth was birthing an heir. Her inner thoughts were also highly amusing, especially when Evander was around. She fantasized about chucking him off a cliff on more than one occasion, which was highly amusing. She also held a grudge like nobody's business, and watching her retaliate for it was just as amusing and savage as Elias and Amara said it was.

Bastian was also an interesting MMC. I don't think I enjoyed him more than Evander, but he's definitely different from his brother, opposite powers aside. His wounds are deeper, and considering that, I was really curious how this was going to go when I found out this was his book. He doesn't like touch, and Theo needs it. But I think that it was done pretty well, and it was clear that for as much as Bas hated her, he also liked her and was extremely territorial over her.

There were a couple of twists in this book that I never would have seen coming. But there was one that I think is pretty obvious, even if it isn't exactly what I was thinking when I first had the thought that something wasn't right. Super vague, but it's a pretty big spoiler and I don't want to give any spoilers.

This book was sitting at a solid four stars for pretty much the entire book, but the last sixty or so pages kind of ruined that. I wasn't a fan of what happened, and I admire Bas for the choices he made since even people in love wouldn't always make that choice, but I just didn't like it. I felt like it was kind of the opposite of what happened with Evander in a way and Bas got the short end of the stick. But other than that, I really enjoyed this book, and I'm really curious to see who the next book is about. There are a couple of choices, and I know the author has said that she's only contracted to write three, and of the two couples I really want to know more about, I can't decide who I want more. I think they'd both be great and really interesting books, so I look forward to what the authors comes up with next.

[read.with.haley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is DEFINITELY in my top three favorite books of 2026. The way Elizabeth writes her characters is everything to me. She captures such raw vulnerability while balancing it with the most perfectly timed, witty humor. It’s my absolute favorite combination, and I would read anything she writes.

I genuinely can’t put into words the amount of pain and suffering woven into this story. The quiet, contemplative inner monologues of two survivors threatened to break me more than once. Bastien and Theodora are equally complex and resilient, and I deeply admire the vulnerability they show despite everything they’ve endured. The way Elizabeth explores healing and navigating trauma is absolutely beautiful. Watching these incredibly hardened characters slowly find softness in one another was such a special thing to witness.

The protectiveness and obsession in this book are on a WHOLE new level of unhinged, and I absolutely adored every second of it. Bas is my perfect MMC: a tortured soul, sad boy who is completely closed off in every possible way, yet somehow can’t help but let his walls crumble for Theo. Because she gets him. She understands his pain, his self-destruction, and the parts of himself he struggles to accept. And she loves him through it all, not in spite of who he is, but because she sees him for exactly who he is. And he returns the favor tenfold— he literally gives it all up for her. It’s beautifully heartbreaking.

The mystery and suspense throughout, combined with the absolutely SHOCKING developments toward the end, had me on the edge of my seat. I truly never wanted this book to end.

A 10/10 in every single aspect. The characters, the plot, the emotional depth, the spice… THIS BOOK HAS IT ALL. 🖤

Thank you Elizabeth May and Bloomsbury for the eARC.

✨Dark Romantasy
✨Enemies to Lovers
✨Villain Gets the Girl
✨Bodyguard Trope
✨He Falls First
✨Forced Proximity
✨Touch Her & Die
✨Cursed Bloodline
✨Mortals, Demis, & Gods
✨High-Stakes Suspense
✨Trauma & Healing
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️(4/5)

[Sarah Kwilecki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Bloomsbury and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC! I'm SO grateful! I screamed when this hit my inbox!

This book is so beautiful. It is such a wonderful exploration of grief, trauma, love, pain, hope, and anger. I truly felt the full range of human emotions while reading this. The prose is really beautiful and I truly felt like I was in Theodora and Bastian's world. The imagery is vivid and the emotionalism is extremely poignant.

The book picks up right where The Wolf and the Crown of Blood ends and immediately we are thrust into Theodora's world of politics and ruling. She is such a formidable character. Her tenacity despite what she's suffered throughout her life is incredible. And the way she stands up to sexist men? Iconic!

Bastian is such a complex character and because this dual pov we get to see into his character more than the first book. His moral complexity as well as his tendency to act first and think later makes him a more morally black character that is a product of trauma and loss.

Theodore and Bastian both grow as a pair and individually throughout the story and May did a great job keeping their characters distinct from another despite the romance being a major plot point. Which I think can be hard to do!

May does a wonderful job expanding the world and you learn so much more about the magic, the Eternals, the war, and learn more about characters like Alexios, Amara, and Zephyr. We also see more of Evander and Bryony which is great. Evander is still down bad!

Overall, this was such an enjoyable read and I didn't want it to end. If I could rate it six stars I would!

I can't wait for others to read this book! Excited for book three!

Tropes:
Enemies-to-Lovers
Trials
Touch Averse MMC
Morally Black MMC
Morally Gray FMC
God x Human
Epic World Building/Continuation of World Building
Political Intrigue
Murder Mystery

[Monica Beard · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is very rare that I receive a notification from Netgalley that I have an advanced copy and break into the book (no matter when the release date is) the same day. With The Blade and the Last Sacrifice, I absolutely did. The tension between Theodora and Blade snapped, even as secondary characters in the romance of their respective siblings, and so I was incredibly excited to see how the relationship developed when the two took the focus that they'd been trying to steal.

The book's overarching plot, that of trying to restore the uneasy truce between the Gods and the people they overlook in the Accords, is very much a continuation of the first book, and the political manoeuvrings will make a lot less sense if you skipped the first book - I would definitely read these two in order. The book definitely has some influences from Greek mythology - these are bisexual gods who change partners frequently and change alliances constantly, as well as having no claim to moral authority over the people, but there are some interesting power dynamics between the gods which means that when we're not focused on the cat and mouse (they take turns as the cat) dynamics between Blade and Theodora, the book is a lot less interested or interesting when it considers the mortals as opposed to the divine. The third act really does take the stage away from the citizens that Theodora has spent her life ruling and protecting and while it does feel a bit out of character, it does set the stage to focus a lot more tightly on the gods in book 3 and 4, which I suspect is where May's interests lie.

This book deals with a lot of self harm and trauma, so I would definitely advise all potential readers to check out the content warnings to decide if this is a safe good for them. But I devoured it and was so glad I did. Thanks to Bloomsbury for the early copy.

[❤️Tina❤️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

'𝑰 𝒂𝒎 𝒐𝒃𝒔𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒅, 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒚𝒆𝒅, 𝒅𝒆𝒗𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒅, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒎𝒚 𝒓𝒖𝒊𝒏 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒏𝒂𝒎𝒆, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑰’𝒎 𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒕 𝒉𝒆𝒓.'

I don't know what Elizabeth puts in these books but I'm addicted!!

I have been so excited for Theo and Bas' story since book one! An empress who craves touch to know she's alive and a god who hates physical touch, what a pair they make!

Their story had me hooked! They're such an explosive pairing, the hatred and yearning was divine!

'𝑺𝒉𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒅𝒆𝒗𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑰 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒔𝒆𝒆𝒏, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑰 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒕𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒅 𝒄𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒃𝒖𝒓𝒏.'

Bastian is the newest sexy Shadow daddy added to my book boyfriend collection. He is closed off, scarred and full of trauma but so is Theodora! They both carry their trauma in such different ways.

Bas may do everything in his power to fight against the inevitable, but his jealousy is delicious and deadly! Also when he's a monster for everyone but her and counting her freckles 🥹 This god has me in a chokehold!

Oh and the spice was 🥵🔥 there were definitely some interesting locations for some of the spicier scenes too 👀🪽

“𝑰 𝒉𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖.”“𝑮𝒐𝒐𝒅. 𝑮𝒆𝒕 𝒐𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒌𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒎𝒆 𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒎𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒉𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒎𝒆.”

There was plenty of action throughout, especially with over 400 men fighting to the death for the prize of the Empress. It made for some interesting reading with a possessive god nearby!

I love that we got to see Bryony and Evander pop up too! The Wolf had me giggling and Theo's sass towards him was even better! Honorable mention to Elias too, I really hope we get more from him in this series 😍

I can't wait for more books in the series, as much as each book is an interconnected standalone for the characters within, there is a war brewing within this world! I'm looking forward to seeing that develop through the books, but who will our next couple be? I have ideas!

Thank you so much to Daphne Press for the arc copy for review 🫶🏻

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The cold place shatters. The ice shelf I built across the thing that wants collapses, and what pours through the gap is recognition.”

Theodora Devaliant is the Empress of Vartena and the last of her family whose sacrifices keep the Shroud intact to prevent war from raging between humans and gods once more. And so she needs protection and an heir. Enter Bastien, the Blade of Asteria, a god who is tasked with this duty. Hatred and desire will run deeper between these two tortured souls with every glance, every vicious word, every burning touch, until one of them breaks and the other holds the shattered pieces in their hands.

Y’all, this is now my favorite book of all time, hands down, nothing could top this. The trauma and grief, the touched starved longing, the buried and burning desire, the smothered truths, the potential for real healing—all of it is woven together by Elizabeth so beautifully and devastatingly. Theo and Bas are like mirrors of each other, and it’s so shocking to them and to you as a reader when they look up and see their inner selves staring back. I think I highlighted every other sentence because their thoughts and words left me reeling or climbing up the walls (in the best way). Everything about this book is perfect. So, I’m going to go reread now, because truly nothing else hits like this incredible story. 🖤

The Blade and the Last Sacrifice is a dark romantasy and is the second book in The Broken Accords series (The Wolf and the Crown of Blood is book one) and releases on February 16. A million thank yous to the Bloomsbury team, NetGalley, and Elizabeth May for an ARC copy, and so I could find my favorite book of all time. 🖤

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some books leave you scrambling for your next read. The Blade and the Last Sacrifice left me wanting more time with its characters. 🖤

Elizabeth May delivers the danger, obsession, and tension I love in dark romantasy, but the emotional weight is what made this story stand out. There’s so much hurt beneath the sharp dialogue and guarded reactions, and the humor offers just enough breathing room without taking away from it.

Bastien and Theodora are the heart of this book. Both have learned to protect themselves, which makes every small moment of trust between them feel earned. Their relationship doesn’t erase what they’ve survived. Instead, it gives them somewhere to be vulnerable without having to explain away the difficult parts of themselves.

And Bas? The brooding, the devotion, the wildly protective instincts, I was done for. But what really got me was how Theo sees beyond his defenses. She recognizes the parts of him he finds hardest to love, and their connection becomes so much more compelling because of that. The chemistry is intense, but it’s the understanding underneath it that makes them unforgettable.

Beyond the romance, the secrets and suspense kept giving me reasons to read one more chapter. By the final stretch, I was desperate for answers and completely unprepared for where the story went.

Dark, emotional, spicy, and full of characters I couldn’t stop rooting for. Easily one of my favorite reads of the year.

Read this for:
🖤 Enemies to lovers
🗡️ Bodyguard tension and forced proximity
🔥 He falls first—and falls hard
🥀 A villain worth falling for
✨ Cursed bloodlines, gods, and dangerous secrets
❤️‍🩹 Hard-won trust and healing

[Sydney · Rating 4.75 out of 5]

Thank you Bloomsbury USA and Netgalley for this e-arc.

4.75 stars

Oh my Gosh I love this world and these characters so much!!!! This story between Theodora and Bastian was the one I hoped to be next and it did not disappoint!!!!! WE leave over relatively close to where the wolf and the crown of blood ended and Thoedora is trying to stabilize her kingdom which wants her off the throne and pregnant with a child to further her bloodline for sacrifice. Meanwhile, our Blade, Bastian has been sent to protect the person he hates the most and to make sure she has a child . What could go wrong?? LITERALLY EVERYTHING. Oh my gosh I absolutely love Theodora she is strong and powerful and kinda scary which Is fantastic and Bastian is absolutely terrible and I love it. The romance between them is very slow going, but when it happens oh my gosh my heart just sang. They match in every way and they make each other better and for Bastian to get past his hatred was just amazing to read. I think Elizabeth May is easily an auto buy author for me and I will read anything in this world she has to offer! Thank you so much for letting me read this early!!!!!!!!

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never thought a scene of a man removing his gloves could feel so obscene, but here I am.

I loved The Wolf and the Crown of Blood, so I was SO excited to get an ARC of The Blade and the Last Sacrifice. And it did not disappoint.

Theodora is the last Devaliant, destined to die every fortnight to keep the shroud intact. Bastien hates the Devaliant family, and now he's been assigned to protect her. Needless to say, neither is particularly happy about this arrangement.

Their stories are both so tragic. Two broken people carrying so much trauma, struggling with their own self-worth, and somehow still finding reasons to be in one another's proximity. The tension is palpable, strung SO tight. Delicious.

And everything that ensues is dark, romantic, possessive, a little (or a lot) unhinged, and SO SO GOOD. so good. I'm obsessed.

All the while, dead demigods are turning up, and we don't know the who or why of it.

We also get glimpses of other POVs, which were truly a delightful addition. And let me tell you, I am FERAL for these other stories!! I will be first in line to read the next ones.

Thank you so much to Bloomsbury for the ARC!