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That Dark Infinity
By night, the Ankou is a legendary, permanently young mercenary. By day, a witch's curse leaves him no more than bones. Caught in an unending cycle of death and resurrection, the Ankou wants only to find the death that has been prophesied for him, especially once he begins to rot while he's still alive....
After the kingdom of Kaer-Ise is sacked, Flora, loyal handmaiden to the princess, is assaulted and left for dead. As the sole survivor of the massacre, Flora wants desperately to find the princess she served. When the Ankou agrees to help her find the princess, and to train her in exchange for her help in breaking his curse, she accepts. But how can she kill an immortal? Especially one whom she is slowly growing to understand—and maybe even to love?
Together, they will solve mysteries, battle monsters, break curses, and race not only against time, but against fate itself.
After the kingdom of Kaer-Ise is sacked, Flora, loyal handmaiden to the princess, is assaulted and left for dead. As the sole survivor of the massacre, Flora wants desperately to find the princess she served. When the Ankou agrees to help her find the princess, and to train her in exchange for her help in breaking his curse, she accepts. But how can she kill an immortal? Especially one whom she is slowly growing to understand—and maybe even to love?
Together, they will solve mysteries, battle monsters, break curses, and race not only against time, but against fate itself.
384 pages, Hardcover
First published October 19, 2021
51 people are currently reading
8301 people want to read
About the author
Kate Pentecost
3 books141 followersKate Pentecost was born and raised on the Texas/Louisiana border, where ghosts and rural legends lurk in the pines and nothing is completely as it seems.
She holds an MFA in Writing for Children & Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. She was recently nominated for a Rhysling award for her poem "Small Town Witches."
Her debut novel, Elysium Girls, is forthcoming from Disney Hyperion in 2020 in print and audio formats.
She is obsessed with the Romantic Poets and can be identified by the enormous tattoo of Percy Bysshe Shelley on her arm. She lives in Houston.
She holds an MFA in Writing for Children & Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. She was recently nominated for a Rhysling award for her poem "Small Town Witches."
Her debut novel, Elysium Girls, is forthcoming from Disney Hyperion in 2020 in print and audio formats.
She is obsessed with the Romantic Poets and can be identified by the enormous tattoo of Percy Bysshe Shelley on her arm. She lives in Houston.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 336 reviews
October 20, 2021
Unfortunately THAT DARK INFINITY is a great example of a very exciting premise that is let down by execution.
This dark romantic premise is hamstrung by very young-leaning YA dialogue, which is frustrating considering the darker content, and an immortal being that, after living three centuries as a nineteen year old instead reads like he's sixteen. For someone who carried all these tales and mystique around him, I enjoyed that almost none of them were remotely true, which was a funny twist, but at the same time.. some mystique would've been good. How this was set up, how it played out, and how he actually should've been treated based on how he interacted with others.. I don't know, it didn't quite line up.
Another thing that didn't quite work was this starts off with an off-page assault on our other main character, Flora, which is not only traumatic but carries extra shame due to her peoples' value on virtue, but what was perplexing is that she was mistaken for the princess when she was grabbed and her attackers made a comment she was meant for the invading prince but "what he wouldn't know wouldn't hurt him" and yet.. they subsequently leave her for dead? Because the prince also said to "leave no one alive". So.. she wasn't going to the prince after all? We never end up seeing this prince, this whole plotline kind of becomes background noise to a certain extent, so it doesn't have any real relevance I'm just irritated because I don't understand the point of the comment or why things end up the way they do.
Over the course of the book, the aforementioned weird dialogue persisted, which was frustrating as some of the description was decent. But overall there was just no tension. These big action or suspenseful moments were, theoretically, taking place but you could feel none of it. Especially as the characters reacted as if, really, nothing had happened. At one point, during a scene I can't describe due to spoilers, Flora is calling out constantly for Lazarus to help her, save her, and then he does, and when he asks after her, she says "oh don't worry about me".. insert side eye here. At another point, Flora gets her period (yay! and cramps! love to see it, hate to live it) and it's a big issue because it attracts spirit thingies and this whole scene is set up where we see her surrounded and barely protected by their super special fence thing, except.. she's found sleeping outdoors infront of said fence. Why? There's no explanation for it. It's just for this tension-less tense scene. It just.. doesn't make sense.
Anyway, I'll end the complaining, mostly because I don't even want to get started on the "romance", but this just wasn't it. And I'm sad. It's got a good looking cover (which, granted, looks better from a distance than it does close up) and has what sounded like a great, intriguing, romantic premise but.. alas.
Wouldn't recommend and, unfortunately, I wouldn't pick up this author again.
1.5 stars
** I received an ARC from the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
---
This review can also be found at A Take From Two Cities.
This dark romantic premise is hamstrung by very young-leaning YA dialogue, which is frustrating considering the darker content, and an immortal being that, after living three centuries as a nineteen year old instead reads like he's sixteen. For someone who carried all these tales and mystique around him, I enjoyed that almost none of them were remotely true, which was a funny twist, but at the same time.. some mystique would've been good. How this was set up, how it played out, and how he actually should've been treated based on how he interacted with others.. I don't know, it didn't quite line up.
Another thing that didn't quite work was this starts off with an off-page assault on our other main character, Flora, which is not only traumatic but carries extra shame due to her peoples' value on virtue, but what was perplexing is that she was mistaken for the princess when she was grabbed and her attackers made a comment she was meant for the invading prince but "what he wouldn't know wouldn't hurt him" and yet.. they subsequently leave her for dead? Because the prince also said to "leave no one alive". So.. she wasn't going to the prince after all? We never end up seeing this prince, this whole plotline kind of becomes background noise to a certain extent, so it doesn't have any real relevance I'm just irritated because I don't understand the point of the comment or why things end up the way they do.
Over the course of the book, the aforementioned weird dialogue persisted, which was frustrating as some of the description was decent. But overall there was just no tension. These big action or suspenseful moments were, theoretically, taking place but you could feel none of it. Especially as the characters reacted as if, really, nothing had happened. At one point, during a scene I can't describe due to spoilers, Flora is calling out constantly for Lazarus to help her, save her, and then he does, and when he asks after her, she says "oh don't worry about me".. insert side eye here. At another point, Flora gets her period (yay! and cramps! love to see it, hate to live it) and it's a big issue because it attracts spirit thingies and this whole scene is set up where we see her surrounded and barely protected by their super special fence thing, except.. she's found sleeping outdoors infront of said fence. Why? There's no explanation for it. It's just for this tension-less tense scene. It just.. doesn't make sense.
Anyway, I'll end the complaining, mostly because I don't even want to get started on the "romance", but this just wasn't it. And I'm sad. It's got a good looking cover (which, granted, looks better from a distance than it does close up) and has what sounded like a great, intriguing, romantic premise but.. alas.
Wouldn't recommend and, unfortunately, I wouldn't pick up this author again.
1.5 stars
** I received an ARC from the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
---
This review can also be found at A Take From Two Cities.
February 7, 2024
See this review and more at my blog, The Scribe Owl!
5/5 stars
That Dark Infinity is a lyrical, grounded book that showcases the complexities of life in a beautiful fantasy story.
I was expecting to enjoy That Dark Infinity (of course, or else I wouldn't have requested an ARC) but I also expected it to be a solid three- or four-star read. I am thrilled that this story snuck up on me and put down roots in my heart! I already know that I'll probably be thinking of this one for a while.
In That Dark Infinity, we follow Lazarus and Flora. By night, Lazarus is the permanently young mercenary called the Ankou, or the Deathless Death. By day, a curse reduces him to nothing more than a sack of bones. Caught in the never-ending cycle for 300 years, all Lazarus wants to do is die. When Flora's kingdom is massacred, she is assaulted and left for dead. As the only known survivor, what Flora wants is to find the missing princess of her kingdom. When Flora and Lazarus cross paths, they make a deal: Lazarus will help her find her princess if she helps him break his curse and finally die.
What caught me right from the beginning was the characters. Lazarus was not what I expected. For being a 300-year-old cursed immortal, he was surprisingly sweet and borderline innocent. Flora was a dual-sided blade. She was a nurturing and kind character, but that didn't mean she wasn't first to a fight. I really enjoyed having a character that wasn't your stereotypical YA female protagonist!
I have a soft spot for Flora and Laz's relationship. As I've said before, this isn't cookie-cutter YA. I loved the slow-burn! Their relationship was fueled by deep caring rather than lust or desire, which is something I enjoy immensely in a book.
That Dark Infinity does a fabulous job in portraying how messy life can be. It's so easy to be blinded by love, as one of our protagonists learns. And first love doesn't necessarily mean true love. All the relationships, especially the past ones, were messy, gritty, and unlike anything you normally read about.
I absolutely love Kate Pentecost's writing style. It was lyrical in a way that reminds me of some of my very favorite writing styles (Rin Chupeco, V. E. Schwab) and helps immerse the reader into the world created. As I know I've said before, I can't stand a book with a boring writing style, and Kate Pentecost's never disappointed.
While there were so many beautiful elements in the writing and characters, the concept really drives this book home. Stunning writing and characters are one thing, but they need to be put in an environment where they can thrive and showcase all they have to offer. This fantasy story was perfect for it! I loved the vaguely Curse of the Black Pearl-ish way that Lazarus's curse worked and the way that magic was incorporated into the world. Instead of an info-dump chapter, the magic is just present, which works really well for the darkly whimsical tone of the story.
All in all, this was a stunning novel. I can't wait to get my hands on a finished physical copy as soon as possible, and I would highly recommend it!
5/5 stars
That Dark Infinity is a lyrical, grounded book that showcases the complexities of life in a beautiful fantasy story.
I was expecting to enjoy That Dark Infinity (of course, or else I wouldn't have requested an ARC) but I also expected it to be a solid three- or four-star read. I am thrilled that this story snuck up on me and put down roots in my heart! I already know that I'll probably be thinking of this one for a while.
In That Dark Infinity, we follow Lazarus and Flora. By night, Lazarus is the permanently young mercenary called the Ankou, or the Deathless Death. By day, a curse reduces him to nothing more than a sack of bones. Caught in the never-ending cycle for 300 years, all Lazarus wants to do is die. When Flora's kingdom is massacred, she is assaulted and left for dead. As the only known survivor, what Flora wants is to find the missing princess of her kingdom. When Flora and Lazarus cross paths, they make a deal: Lazarus will help her find her princess if she helps him break his curse and finally die.
What caught me right from the beginning was the characters. Lazarus was not what I expected. For being a 300-year-old cursed immortal, he was surprisingly sweet and borderline innocent. Flora was a dual-sided blade. She was a nurturing and kind character, but that didn't mean she wasn't first to a fight. I really enjoyed having a character that wasn't your stereotypical YA female protagonist!
I have a soft spot for Flora and Laz's relationship. As I've said before, this isn't cookie-cutter YA. I loved the slow-burn! Their relationship was fueled by deep caring rather than lust or desire, which is something I enjoy immensely in a book.
That Dark Infinity does a fabulous job in portraying how messy life can be. It's so easy to be blinded by love, as one of our protagonists learns. And first love doesn't necessarily mean true love. All the relationships, especially the past ones, were messy, gritty, and unlike anything you normally read about.
I absolutely love Kate Pentecost's writing style. It was lyrical in a way that reminds me of some of my very favorite writing styles (Rin Chupeco, V. E. Schwab) and helps immerse the reader into the world created. As I know I've said before, I can't stand a book with a boring writing style, and Kate Pentecost's never disappointed.
While there were so many beautiful elements in the writing and characters, the concept really drives this book home. Stunning writing and characters are one thing, but they need to be put in an environment where they can thrive and showcase all they have to offer. This fantasy story was perfect for it! I loved the vaguely Curse of the Black Pearl-ish way that Lazarus's curse worked and the way that magic was incorporated into the world. Instead of an info-dump chapter, the magic is just present, which works really well for the darkly whimsical tone of the story.
All in all, this was a stunning novel. I can't wait to get my hands on a finished physical copy as soon as possible, and I would highly recommend it!
October 31, 2021
TWO MILES FROM THE VILLAGE OF IVO, IN A FOREST full of shifting shadows, a caravan stood alone in a shaft of moonlight. It was solid black, including the walls and the shutters and the curlicues of wood that ornamented the sides. The spokes of the wheels were black, the trimmings on the window and roof were black, and even the horses who pulled it were as black as the night they blended almost seamlessly into. This caravan was one of the greatest mysteries of Valacia, not because of anything about the caravan itself, but because of the one who drove it.
Quite an intriguing start of the story. I was hooked right away! The Brother's Grimm vibe exists throughout the story, creating an atmosphere simultaneously scary and magical, despair and hope. I would go as far as saying that this book is like Yin Yang because light goes hand in hand with darkness.
The story revolves around immortal mercenary Ankou. He was cursed by the witch and cannot die. At night he lives but at dawn, he crumbles to bones until the next night. Ankou has been in such a state for over 300 years and his only wish is to find peace. But while he's searching for his death (does it remind you of Koschei the Deathless???) Ankou fights different monsters who terrorize human villages and cities.
The variety of monsters is really astonishing: starting from vampires, ghouls, demons, sea creatures, and so on. And let me reassure you that these creatures are pretty scary and... sarcastic. There was one episode when Ankou was fighting a demon who kept delivering sarcastic and snide comments. Poor Ankou could not keep up with comebacks and he decided to write a book of comebacks for such cases because the best answers always come after the right moment passes. I know right, so freaking relatable!
The other main character is Flora - handmaiden to the princess of Kaer-Ise Kingdom. When the Kingdom is attacked, Flora is brutally assaulted and left for dead. To be honest it was a horrible scene and I would go and give a trigger warning in advance for gang rape. It wasn't utterly descriptive but Flora's thoughts during the scene and her feelings were quite vivid and it may be hard to read if you find this topic sensitive. I have to add that the way the topic was handled and how Flora dealt with the aftermath is really commendable. Flora is such a strong and reliable character!
Ankou and Flora together made a perfect duet that turned into a trio with the appearance of another great character. That Dark Infinity is a road trip story about friendship, humility, resurrection, and finding a true home. Such strong themes are touched and delivered in the best way I could've imagined from a story like that.
I am sad this book has so little attention and few people have read it yet. I hope the situation would improve because this gorgeous book (the cover though!) deserves to be recognized by more readers.
Highly recommended!
October 23, 2021
This book had a fantastic premise but was so poorly written that halfway through it, I felt like I wanted to rewrite the entire thing just so it wouldn't suck so much.
Let's start with the good:
Excellent premise
Interesting characters at first glance
Okay-ish world building
Some serious darkness
Great cover
Now with everything that is wrong:
Underdeveloped plot and characters
Shoddy dialogues
Character motivations not fleshed out properly
Heavy dependency on coincidences to move the story forward
Parts felt like they were 'inpsired' by other fantasy books (almost eerily similar)
Th darkness felt unnecessary because it wasn't used properly
Overall, this book is a missed opportunity. And I feel bad because I really really wanted to like it a lot.
Let's start with the good:
Excellent premise
Interesting characters at first glance
Okay-ish world building
Some serious darkness
Great cover
Now with everything that is wrong:
Underdeveloped plot and characters
Shoddy dialogues
Character motivations not fleshed out properly
Heavy dependency on coincidences to move the story forward
Parts felt like they were 'inpsired' by other fantasy books (almost eerily similar)
Th darkness felt unnecessary because it wasn't used properly
Overall, this book is a missed opportunity. And I feel bad because I really really wanted to like it a lot.
Want to read
November 13, 2024tattoo that cover on my right ass cheek
April 20, 2021
This book was an absolutely stunning piece and I cried more than once. I went into this story thinking it was going to be more focused on a romance and instead, received a story of feminism, the true bonds of friendship, tests of first love, healing, tests of true love and bonds that are lost forever. I laughed, I cried and rooted for all of the characters. I was surprised with two support characters that I fell in love with and want spin offs for now.
This book focuses on healing, found family, magic, creature features (EVEN UNICORNS), and the trials one is willing to go through for love. Perfect for fans of Girls of Paper and Fire, The Last Unicorn and The Shadows Between Us.
Trigger Warning: This is a book that mentions sexual assault but doesn’t do anything graphically and is not between any of the main characters.
This book focuses on healing, found family, magic, creature features (EVEN UNICORNS), and the trials one is willing to go through for love. Perfect for fans of Girls of Paper and Fire, The Last Unicorn and The Shadows Between Us.
Trigger Warning: This is a book that mentions sexual assault but doesn’t do anything graphically and is not between any of the main characters.
Want to read
April 9, 2021hi hello this sounds AMAZING and oop I got an ARC for it xD
October 19, 2021
I mean...I liked it. :)
November 14, 2021
I hope the Author reads this because…
Congratulations on your debut novel! (I might be wrong about this.) You did it! Little Brown of all places? You should be damn proud of yourself! It was amazing! I could see a piece of your soul and heart in it.
Wow! This book was everything I knew it would be. It was adventurous, fun and I loved the monster slaying aspect! It was so creative it blew me away. I actually voted for it in numerous categories for the epicreads rewards. (which closes soon, so go vote!)
Also…. (as a side note.)
I've read reviews about it after I read it and wanted to ask… how can one be so inconsiderate of another's feelings ? Where has the time gone that we can just take a book and read for the love of the story? Nowadays everyone feels the need to analyze everything in a book to the T or look deliberately for plot holes and shit. Then proceed to shame the author for it. It's not okay! They worked hard. It's their dreams you're talking about.
That being said….
here's a breakdown of my rating:
🖤𝙍𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜: 5/5
This is hands down one of my favorite reads of the year.
🖤𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨: 5/5
I loved every one of them. Flora is bisexual and I think it's so sweet how the author introduced it to her readers.
They show us that you can overcome anything…. They were selfless, they fought for each other, they believed in themselves and one another. They were compassionate and in the end the goodness in them prevailed in the ugliest parts of humanity and the darkness that they had to overcome.
🖤𝙎𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜: 5/5
The world was so rich and creative and it just made this all so exciting. The author takes us through a unique world with monsters of all kinds from the things of nightmares to bad humans and beautiful beings. It was magical in every sense of the word.
🖤𝙒𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜: 5/5
In the beginning of the book, the author's writing is something that you need to get used to but once you do, it doesn't feel any different and you just blow through it. I loved her style and the way she takes you through scenes. Overall she did an amazing job. It was something different like a breath of fresh air. Without a doubt… the author is going places and she's going to take us on incredible journeys and I'll buy anything she writes in the future.
Sidenote: If you're an adult reading YA keep in mind the age is 12 - 18. If Lazarus is 300 years old and speaks like a teenager it's because it's intended for teenagers!!!! How the hell would it have read from the kids perspective if he spoke like Shakespeare or Game of Thrones' characters? Be realistic if you're going to complain about it.
🖤𝙋𝙡𝙤𝙩:5/5
I feel like there is a moral of a story and it will mean different things to different people but the characters and their journey were beautifully constructed.
This wasn't about romance and my favorite books are the once with love as a subplot. This book has a deeper meaning and as a fantasy I loved it even more. In the end every thing worked. The trails they had to go through to reach their goal made it a fantastic read. The plot was super amazing!
🖤𝙎𝙥𝙞𝙘𝙚: None.
Quick Thoughts:
♣️Pros- fast-paced, interesting… well damn perfect.
♣️Cons- Wish it wasn't a standalone!
♣️Trigger Warnings- Mention of rape (background noise. You are just left with the idea that it happened. There is no explicit description of the actual event.)
♠️️Release Date: 19 October 20121
♠️Page Count: 384
In general I will highly recommend this to anyone who likes magical elements, monster hunting, curses and mystery.
Congratulations on your debut novel! (I might be wrong about this.) You did it! Little Brown of all places? You should be damn proud of yourself! It was amazing! I could see a piece of your soul and heart in it.
Wow! This book was everything I knew it would be. It was adventurous, fun and I loved the monster slaying aspect! It was so creative it blew me away. I actually voted for it in numerous categories for the epicreads rewards. (which closes soon, so go vote!)
Also…. (as a side note.)
I've read reviews about it after I read it and wanted to ask… how can one be so inconsiderate of another's feelings ? Where has the time gone that we can just take a book and read for the love of the story? Nowadays everyone feels the need to analyze everything in a book to the T or look deliberately for plot holes and shit. Then proceed to shame the author for it. It's not okay! They worked hard. It's their dreams you're talking about.
That being said….
here's a breakdown of my rating:
🖤𝙍𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜: 5/5
This is hands down one of my favorite reads of the year.
🖤𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨: 5/5
I loved every one of them. Flora is bisexual and I think it's so sweet how the author introduced it to her readers.
They show us that you can overcome anything…. They were selfless, they fought for each other, they believed in themselves and one another. They were compassionate and in the end the goodness in them prevailed in the ugliest parts of humanity and the darkness that they had to overcome.
🖤𝙎𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜: 5/5
The world was so rich and creative and it just made this all so exciting. The author takes us through a unique world with monsters of all kinds from the things of nightmares to bad humans and beautiful beings. It was magical in every sense of the word.
🖤𝙒𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜: 5/5
In the beginning of the book, the author's writing is something that you need to get used to but once you do, it doesn't feel any different and you just blow through it. I loved her style and the way she takes you through scenes. Overall she did an amazing job. It was something different like a breath of fresh air. Without a doubt… the author is going places and she's going to take us on incredible journeys and I'll buy anything she writes in the future.
Sidenote: If you're an adult reading YA keep in mind the age is 12 - 18. If Lazarus is 300 years old and speaks like a teenager it's because it's intended for teenagers!!!! How the hell would it have read from the kids perspective if he spoke like Shakespeare or Game of Thrones' characters? Be realistic if you're going to complain about it.
🖤𝙋𝙡𝙤𝙩:5/5
I feel like there is a moral of a story and it will mean different things to different people but the characters and their journey were beautifully constructed.
This wasn't about romance and my favorite books are the once with love as a subplot. This book has a deeper meaning and as a fantasy I loved it even more. In the end every thing worked. The trails they had to go through to reach their goal made it a fantastic read. The plot was super amazing!
🖤𝙎𝙥𝙞𝙘𝙚: None.
Quick Thoughts:
♣️Pros- fast-paced, interesting… well damn perfect.
♣️Cons- Wish it wasn't a standalone!
♣️Trigger Warnings- Mention of rape (background noise. You are just left with the idea that it happened. There is no explicit description of the actual event.)
♠️️Release Date: 19 October 20121
♠️Page Count: 384
In general I will highly recommend this to anyone who likes magical elements, monster hunting, curses and mystery.
August 25, 2021
Originally published on The Nerd Daily | Review by Mimi Koehler
That Dark Infinity turned out to be one of the most solid standalone YA fantasies I’ve read in years. But before we get into the review, can we just take a moment and appreciate this bonkers beautiful cover? Let me tell you, the vibes of the cover truly reflect the vibes of the story. In That Dark Infinity, we follow the Ankou, a legendary young mercenary who’s been cursed to live forever, disintegrating into dust and bones every time the sun rises. Spending his nights hunting monsters plaguing his country, the Ankou’s true ambition is to find his final rest, no matter the cost. When the kingdom of Kaer-Ise is sacked and Flora, a handmaiden to the royal princess, is assaulted and left for dead, the Ankou’s life is about to change. Wounded and heartbroken, Flora wants nothing more than to be reunited with the princess she loved, so they strike a deal: Flora will help the Ankou break his curse and find his final rest in exchange for training in combat and finding the princess. But as they soon learn, killing an immortal being isn’t as easy as it sounds, especially if his bonds to the human world deepen unexpectedly.
Read the FULL REVIEW on The Nerd Daily
That Dark Infinity turned out to be one of the most solid standalone YA fantasies I’ve read in years. But before we get into the review, can we just take a moment and appreciate this bonkers beautiful cover? Let me tell you, the vibes of the cover truly reflect the vibes of the story. In That Dark Infinity, we follow the Ankou, a legendary young mercenary who’s been cursed to live forever, disintegrating into dust and bones every time the sun rises. Spending his nights hunting monsters plaguing his country, the Ankou’s true ambition is to find his final rest, no matter the cost. When the kingdom of Kaer-Ise is sacked and Flora, a handmaiden to the royal princess, is assaulted and left for dead, the Ankou’s life is about to change. Wounded and heartbroken, Flora wants nothing more than to be reunited with the princess she loved, so they strike a deal: Flora will help the Ankou break his curse and find his final rest in exchange for training in combat and finding the princess. But as they soon learn, killing an immortal being isn’t as easy as it sounds, especially if his bonds to the human world deepen unexpectedly.
Read the FULL REVIEW on The Nerd Daily
August 12, 2022
Holy hell I absolutely adored this book. It was unique and dark. I was hooked from page one. I think it was written brilliantly. It was dark and atmospheric. I absolutely loved the magic system and the monsters. It had everything from striga to unicorns to kelpies. I didn’t know dying every morning could be so hot but wow the Ankou with all of his black shirts and cloaks and baking scones pheww. I really loved all of the characters and I liked how relatable they all were. Nothing like an unhinged witch curse to drive people together. Flora was a great character and I loved her interactions with the Ankou. She was brave but real and after her tragedy she felt broken. It was great seeing her character growth and how she overcame her tough challenges but never wavered in her kindness. I don’t know where this book has been all of my life but wow I highly recommend this book. 10/10
October 14, 2021
4.5/5 Stars
I really enjoyed That Dark Infinity. Before I delve into my gushing, I would advise readers to look into content warnings for this one as there is some material that may prove a bit triggering for some.
First off this cover? Absolutely gorgeous! That Dark Infinity is perfect for spooky season in every way! It is a lushly written dark fantasy with a monster romance, a quest to change the past, and lots of terrifying monsters to keep you happy. I loved loved loved the feel of the world that Pentecost has created here. A world with demons and monsters, an immortal demon slayer, a handmaiden who is the last of her people, unicorns (yes, unicorns!), eagles you can ride on and so much more! What Pentecost has created here is truly a feast for the imagination. The writing gives this story a lush and atmospheric feel the entire way through. Our main characters, Lazarus and Flora, are characters who are very unique and complex, which I consider to be well-developed. I loved the romance between them and all the ways that challenges arise because of their feelings for each other. Lazarus is very swoony and tortured which is something I just love in a LI. I loved the banter between Flora, Lazarus and Antonias as they travel across their world to find a long lost temple with an artifact that grants wishes. This is one of those books that tickled my fancy. It is just a great story with mystery, romance, heartache, and magic. This is probably going to be one of my favorite reads this month, and I hope that fellow readers enjoy this story as much as I did!
I really enjoyed That Dark Infinity. Before I delve into my gushing, I would advise readers to look into content warnings for this one as there is some material that may prove a bit triggering for some.
First off this cover? Absolutely gorgeous! That Dark Infinity is perfect for spooky season in every way! It is a lushly written dark fantasy with a monster romance, a quest to change the past, and lots of terrifying monsters to keep you happy. I loved loved loved the feel of the world that Pentecost has created here. A world with demons and monsters, an immortal demon slayer, a handmaiden who is the last of her people, unicorns (yes, unicorns!), eagles you can ride on and so much more! What Pentecost has created here is truly a feast for the imagination. The writing gives this story a lush and atmospheric feel the entire way through. Our main characters, Lazarus and Flora, are characters who are very unique and complex, which I consider to be well-developed. I loved the romance between them and all the ways that challenges arise because of their feelings for each other. Lazarus is very swoony and tortured which is something I just love in a LI. I loved the banter between Flora, Lazarus and Antonias as they travel across their world to find a long lost temple with an artifact that grants wishes. This is one of those books that tickled my fancy. It is just a great story with mystery, romance, heartache, and magic. This is probably going to be one of my favorite reads this month, and I hope that fellow readers enjoy this story as much as I did!
July 29, 2021
What a darling little dark fantasy. A strange combination but it’s the only way I know how to describe this book.
I found the premise of the book quite unique despite relying on a lot of tropes. Again, contradictory but it works. There’s a dark humor to the book that’s endearing.
The Ankou is cursed with immortality. He cannot he killed nor die, yet every morning he turns to bones and every night his body rebuilds once more. He spends his days as a mercenary hunting supernatural forces. He wants nothing more than to figure out the prophecy to his curse so that he can finally die in peace. 300 years is a terrible amount of time to live with the curse.
He rescues Flora, who is brutally raped and left for dead, because she is a key to solving his curse. And so they strike a bargain. They work together to help the Ankou die and he helps her heal from her traumatic experience of losing her people, her home, and what she honored most—her virtue. Together they come to find a steady peace and healing but a second curse is set off. With a third companion they must travel to find a mystical mountain that can grant their wishes: a cure for Ankou’s new curse that will turn him into a savage monster and for Flora’s kingdom and people to once again live.
It’s a gentle slow burn romance filled with a lot of fantastical adventures.
CW:
Rape
Graphic violence.
I found the premise of the book quite unique despite relying on a lot of tropes. Again, contradictory but it works. There’s a dark humor to the book that’s endearing.
The Ankou is cursed with immortality. He cannot he killed nor die, yet every morning he turns to bones and every night his body rebuilds once more. He spends his days as a mercenary hunting supernatural forces. He wants nothing more than to figure out the prophecy to his curse so that he can finally die in peace. 300 years is a terrible amount of time to live with the curse.
He rescues Flora, who is brutally raped and left for dead, because she is a key to solving his curse. And so they strike a bargain. They work together to help the Ankou die and he helps her heal from her traumatic experience of losing her people, her home, and what she honored most—her virtue. Together they come to find a steady peace and healing but a second curse is set off. With a third companion they must travel to find a mystical mountain that can grant their wishes: a cure for Ankou’s new curse that will turn him into a savage monster and for Flora’s kingdom and people to once again live.
It’s a gentle slow burn romance filled with a lot of fantastical adventures.
CW:
Rape
Graphic violence.
November 1, 2021
Lets start with the cover, it is STUNNING. It promises the perfect spooky season read and fits in nicely with a spooky aesthetic. The pacing is good and the story progresses well. Some of the dialogue was a little stiff for me, said was over used but really that’s my only gripe. I reeeeeally liked The Ankou’s (Lazarus) character and the dynamics of his curse and how as a consequence of his curse he’s severely misunderstood. Overall I really enjoyed it and i think fans of Lakesedge will love it too!
February 12, 2023
This book fell closer to 5 stars for me. It has a very entertaining & unique storyline, with characters that are interesting & believable. Keeping in mind that it’s definitely in the YA category - the only thing keeping this from a 5 star rating is that the book felt a bit condensed, especially the ending - I feel like the trials could have been fleshed out a bit more. Having said that, I was perilously close to hating this book entirely because of the way it ended, but the HEA I wanted was achieved quite nicely in the epilogue.
September 29, 2021
My HEART. Review to come after I dry my tears 😭
October 22, 2021
4.5/5
That Dark Infinity is a YA fantasy that follows Flora, a royal handmaiden, and the Ankou, an immortal monster hunter. The Ankou is cursed with a cycle of death and resurrection, leaving him as only bones during the day and alive at night. All he wants is to break the curse that has kept resurrecting him every sunset so he can finally rest. When the kingdom of Kaer-Ise is attacked and Flora is the sole survivor, all she wants is to find the royal family who made it to an escape ship so that she can be reunited with the princess. She joins the Ankou and they make a bargain: he will help her find the royal family and train her in combat, and she will help him break his curse.
I’ve read a lot of YA fantasy, and this story felt really unique to me. I was addicted from the very first page, and I stayed that way throughout the entire book. It’s full of action and I never felt bored. I will say that some of the situations that the Ankou and Flora faced seemed to solve themselves a bit too conveniently, but that doesn’t bother me that much because I still think that it was a great story.
Overall I really loved this book! I always love a good monster romance, and this one has the added bonus of a fantastic story and great characters. I definitely plan to pick up more books from Kate Pentecost in the future!
Thank you so much to NOVL for sending me an ARC to read and review.
That Dark Infinity is a YA fantasy that follows Flora, a royal handmaiden, and the Ankou, an immortal monster hunter. The Ankou is cursed with a cycle of death and resurrection, leaving him as only bones during the day and alive at night. All he wants is to break the curse that has kept resurrecting him every sunset so he can finally rest. When the kingdom of Kaer-Ise is attacked and Flora is the sole survivor, all she wants is to find the royal family who made it to an escape ship so that she can be reunited with the princess. She joins the Ankou and they make a bargain: he will help her find the royal family and train her in combat, and she will help him break his curse.
I’ve read a lot of YA fantasy, and this story felt really unique to me. I was addicted from the very first page, and I stayed that way throughout the entire book. It’s full of action and I never felt bored. I will say that some of the situations that the Ankou and Flora faced seemed to solve themselves a bit too conveniently, but that doesn’t bother me that much because I still think that it was a great story.
Overall I really loved this book! I always love a good monster romance, and this one has the added bonus of a fantastic story and great characters. I definitely plan to pick up more books from Kate Pentecost in the future!
Thank you so much to NOVL for sending me an ARC to read and review.
June 10, 2022
Wow, what a rough read!
This book had a really exciting premise but was met with poor execution. I didn't have any feelings towards the characters and the relationship that was built between Lazarus and Flora was stale and I'll leave it at that. The action scenes were nonexistent and every time I thought something exciting would happen it fell short. For example Flore goes missing while in the dark/dangerous/haunted forest and where do we find her? SLEEPING. I hate to say it but I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone.
This book had a really exciting premise but was met with poor execution. I didn't have any feelings towards the characters and the relationship that was built between Lazarus and Flora was stale and I'll leave it at that. The action scenes were nonexistent and every time I thought something exciting would happen it fell short. For example Flore goes missing while in the dark/dangerous/haunted forest and where do we find her? SLEEPING. I hate to say it but I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone.
October 3, 2021
I thought about just giving this book 4 stars because a few little things I thought could've been done better but it's been so long since I last read a book where I wanted to keep reading to find out what happened even if I was too tired to keep my eyes open! A super solid fantasy standalone that touches on come challenging subjects with care and allowed all the characters to grow from their trauma and come out feeling hopeful. Just the right amount of whimsical and dark.
February 13, 2022
4.5 🌟 I thought this story was unique and the writing was overall smooth and easy to read. The ending was perfect
October 22, 2021
Initial Thoughts
I fully expected to not read this book because I thought it would be too scary. I’ve said this before and then realized that I was being silly. I decided to apply for a tour for this book and was really excited to be chosen. I was eager to get out of my comfort zone.
Some Things I Liked
Cinnamon roll, semi-immortal love interest, The Ankou. I am obsessed with Lazarus. He was literally the most perfect character. Kind, understanding, but also dark and mysterious. Normally, I’d think a character like that is hiding some devastating secret but I never got that feeling from him. He was just so good.
Themes of acceptance, trauma, and recovery. I think this was handled with such care and respect. My heart hurt when Flora and her land were attacked. But, Flora’s journey was so beautiful to see unfold. She grieved for who she once was and could have been and became so much stronger.
Found family vibes. Atonais, Lazarus, and Flora are the found family I want to adopt me. Their routine and the way they accepted each other was just perfect.
Series Value
I’d love to read more about this crew and their adventures but the ending of this book left it on such a perfectly mysterious but resolved note. I want to preserve that feeling the ending left me with.
However, I would love to read more of Kate Pentecost’s books. The writing here was phenomenal.
Final Thoughts
Never have I ever been so wrong about my initial feelings about a book. How dare I ever think I wouldn’t like this book. I can honestly say this is a top 10 read of the year for me.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I fully expected to not read this book because I thought it would be too scary. I’ve said this before and then realized that I was being silly. I decided to apply for a tour for this book and was really excited to be chosen. I was eager to get out of my comfort zone.
Some Things I Liked
Cinnamon roll, semi-immortal love interest, The Ankou. I am obsessed with Lazarus. He was literally the most perfect character. Kind, understanding, but also dark and mysterious. Normally, I’d think a character like that is hiding some devastating secret but I never got that feeling from him. He was just so good.
Themes of acceptance, trauma, and recovery. I think this was handled with such care and respect. My heart hurt when Flora and her land were attacked. But, Flora’s journey was so beautiful to see unfold. She grieved for who she once was and could have been and became so much stronger.
Found family vibes. Atonais, Lazarus, and Flora are the found family I want to adopt me. Their routine and the way they accepted each other was just perfect.
Series Value
I’d love to read more about this crew and their adventures but the ending of this book left it on such a perfectly mysterious but resolved note. I want to preserve that feeling the ending left me with.
However, I would love to read more of Kate Pentecost’s books. The writing here was phenomenal.
Final Thoughts
Never have I ever been so wrong about my initial feelings about a book. How dare I ever think I wouldn’t like this book. I can honestly say this is a top 10 read of the year for me.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
May 18, 2021
This book was received as an ARC from Little, Brown Books for Young Readers in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.
I am a huge sucker for YA Fantasy novels and you could not get better than this. The circumstances Ankou and Flora went through and later in the end found each other that they both could be each other's finding savior. Ankou can break his curse of death and Flora can return to the princess after being wounded and left to the dead. Kate Penecost's use of imagery was absolutely brilliant in this sense having Ankou magically switch from immortality to just straight bones at first was a little disturbing but in context remarkable. I was hoping for many moment where my heart was racing and I could invest my full attention to the story and I definitely could with That Dark Infinity. This is definitely a pick for one of our future teen book clubs.
We will consider adding this title to our YA collection at our library. That is why we give this book 4 stars.
I am a huge sucker for YA Fantasy novels and you could not get better than this. The circumstances Ankou and Flora went through and later in the end found each other that they both could be each other's finding savior. Ankou can break his curse of death and Flora can return to the princess after being wounded and left to the dead. Kate Penecost's use of imagery was absolutely brilliant in this sense having Ankou magically switch from immortality to just straight bones at first was a little disturbing but in context remarkable. I was hoping for many moment where my heart was racing and I could invest my full attention to the story and I definitely could with That Dark Infinity. This is definitely a pick for one of our future teen book clubs.
We will consider adding this title to our YA collection at our library. That is why we give this book 4 stars.
July 29, 2021
4.5 - Blasted right through this one!
August 25, 2024
Nie rozumiem dlaczego nikt o niej nie mówi
October 16, 2021
Thank you so much, NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for the chance to read and review this book in exchange of an honest review.
TW: rape (off screen), PTSD, death, blood
The Ankou is a young mercenary, cursed to never die. By night he's able to fight against demons, witches, kelpies and all kind of monsters, but, by day, he becomes bones and he's trapped, between life and death, unable to move on and to find peace. Flora is the only survivor of the kingdom of Kaer-Ise. Assaulted and left for dead, she's saved by the Ankou and desperate to find the princess she served and loved, they strike a deal. The Ankou will help her find the princess and train her in combat and Flora will aid him in breaking his curse, following a strange prophecy. But nothing is simple and they will face battle, eagles, solve mysteries and illnesses, while their bond strengthen and threaten everything.
I absolutely LOVED reading That dark infinity! The story is very original and it captured my attention right away. The book is a wonderful and thrilling fantasy, mixing witches and curses, all kind of monsters, political battles, PTSD, falling in love, family's expectations, society's expectations and so much more. The characterization is very good, the book is focused on three characters: the Ankou, Flora and Atonais, the prophecy's protagonists and each of them is facing struggles, expectations, personal journeys.
TThe Ankou is a brilliant character, weighed down by his past, traumas and loves and his inability to actually die and find peace. His meeting with Flora gives him hope to find a real solution, even though it brings more that he and Flora expected, when he starts to rot while awake and alive. Flora, on the other hand, lived all her life believing in her goddess, in virtue and purity, serving and loving his princess, but when her kingdom is attacked and destroyed and she's assaulted, she struggles with her traumas, fears and lost hopes. Travelling with the Ankou gives her a new purpose, battling monsters, looking for a way to save him, helping Atonais, all while still looking for her lost princess, hoping for the best. Atonais is a lightning mage, shunned by his family because different, by the other magicians, because he mixes magic and sciences and he's the third member of this weird group. In their journey, looking for answers, a cure and a lost temple, the Ankou, then called Lazarus, Flora and Atonais grow, change and becoming more and more confident of themselves, creating a peculiar bond with each other, made of loyalty, love and adventure.
The worldbuilding is fascinating, a world where curses and monsters exist, where people call a mercenary to help them fight monsters and diseases, where unicorns and maidens share a bond, ghouls wander, lost temples and gods live and where love can save and complicate everything. It's a book about sacrifice, love, loyalty and healing, it's a journey Lazarus, Flora and Atonais have to take, while healing, finding and embracing themselves and each other. I liked how the author talked about traumas and losses, how her characters face and learn, with time, to accept them and not to let their traumas define them. I also loved the slow burn, friends to lovers and the way it didn't slow or weigh down the story, it was really well integrated and spontaneous. The relationships between characters, both between the main ones and with the side ones, are well written and realistic.
The plot is full of twists, discoveries, battles, monsters and I loved everything. In a race against time and fate, these characters are brilliant, clever and brave. I devoured this book and I absolutely loved it. I definitely recommend it to everyone!
TW: rape (off screen), PTSD, death, blood
The Ankou is a young mercenary, cursed to never die. By night he's able to fight against demons, witches, kelpies and all kind of monsters, but, by day, he becomes bones and he's trapped, between life and death, unable to move on and to find peace. Flora is the only survivor of the kingdom of Kaer-Ise. Assaulted and left for dead, she's saved by the Ankou and desperate to find the princess she served and loved, they strike a deal. The Ankou will help her find the princess and train her in combat and Flora will aid him in breaking his curse, following a strange prophecy. But nothing is simple and they will face battle, eagles, solve mysteries and illnesses, while their bond strengthen and threaten everything.
I absolutely LOVED reading That dark infinity! The story is very original and it captured my attention right away. The book is a wonderful and thrilling fantasy, mixing witches and curses, all kind of monsters, political battles, PTSD, falling in love, family's expectations, society's expectations and so much more. The characterization is very good, the book is focused on three characters: the Ankou, Flora and Atonais, the prophecy's protagonists and each of them is facing struggles, expectations, personal journeys.
TThe Ankou is a brilliant character, weighed down by his past, traumas and loves and his inability to actually die and find peace. His meeting with Flora gives him hope to find a real solution, even though it brings more that he and Flora expected, when he starts to rot while awake and alive. Flora, on the other hand, lived all her life believing in her goddess, in virtue and purity, serving and loving his princess, but when her kingdom is attacked and destroyed and she's assaulted, she struggles with her traumas, fears and lost hopes. Travelling with the Ankou gives her a new purpose, battling monsters, looking for a way to save him, helping Atonais, all while still looking for her lost princess, hoping for the best. Atonais is a lightning mage, shunned by his family because different, by the other magicians, because he mixes magic and sciences and he's the third member of this weird group. In their journey, looking for answers, a cure and a lost temple, the Ankou, then called Lazarus, Flora and Atonais grow, change and becoming more and more confident of themselves, creating a peculiar bond with each other, made of loyalty, love and adventure.
The worldbuilding is fascinating, a world where curses and monsters exist, where people call a mercenary to help them fight monsters and diseases, where unicorns and maidens share a bond, ghouls wander, lost temples and gods live and where love can save and complicate everything. It's a book about sacrifice, love, loyalty and healing, it's a journey Lazarus, Flora and Atonais have to take, while healing, finding and embracing themselves and each other. I liked how the author talked about traumas and losses, how her characters face and learn, with time, to accept them and not to let their traumas define them. I also loved the slow burn, friends to lovers and the way it didn't slow or weigh down the story, it was really well integrated and spontaneous. The relationships between characters, both between the main ones and with the side ones, are well written and realistic.
The plot is full of twists, discoveries, battles, monsters and I loved everything. In a race against time and fate, these characters are brilliant, clever and brave. I devoured this book and I absolutely loved it. I definitely recommend it to everyone!
October 16, 2021
THAT DARK INFINITY is a captivating YA fantasy read about grief, loss, healing, and love. The Ankou is a legendary figure who has been alive for more than 300 years as part of a curse that he is desperate to break. He fills his nights learning new things and defeating monsters and demons and his days as a skeleton in the in between. The answer to his curse is a riddle that begins to make sense when he finds a young woman.
Flora is the handmaid to the princess of Kaer-Ise, a life that she was selected into as a young girl from an orphanage. She has grown up virtuous in their ways, and her entire life falls apart when their kingdom was invaded and destroyed by a rival nation. In her attempt to save the princess, Flora found herself a victim of brutal men who assaulted her and left her for dead amidst the bodies of her countrymen. When the Ankou finds her, she is barely hanging on.
As they spend time together searching out the answers to his curse, each begins to reach for something new and find something unexpected within themselves as they race time, fate, and monsters.
What I loved: This story captivates the reader from the first page and keeps a steady and consuming pace throughout, making it highly devourable. The characters really shine in this story, particularly for the obstacles which they must overcome and the way they come into their own, especially Flora who must come to terms with her past and the trauma that was inflicted upon her, while also carving out a new life for herself. Her journey is particularly noteworthy and will resonate with readers who may also have trauma in their pasts. Other characters who appear later in the story become equally endearing, and I appreciated seeing them grow and develop into unique individuals who also steal the reader's heart.
The themes here were also really thought-provoking around assault, guilt, grief, healing, religion, family, love - corrupted and true, sacrifice, and defining yourself. These are particularly poignant in the stories of both the Ankou (Lazarus) and Flora, who are each overcoming their own traumas and redefining themselves in the world in which they find themselves. I found these deeper dives to be particularly powerful and really elevate the story.
The world-building was also really fascinating, and although I appreciate the stand-alone, this was a world I would love to spend more time in. A spin-off in Parth would be wonderful. The magic, history, monsters and unicorns, kingdoms, and their religions were all endlessly intriguing, and the writing expertly wove these details throughout without sacrificing pace. The ending of the book was really perfect as well.
Final verdict: A compelling, thought-provoking, and consuming story, THAT DARK INFINITY is a beautifully written YA fantasy that is highly devourable. I would particularly recommend this book for fans of THE SHADOWS BETWEEN US, VESPERTINE, and THE MERCIFUL CROW.
Please note that I received an ARC from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Flora is the handmaid to the princess of Kaer-Ise, a life that she was selected into as a young girl from an orphanage. She has grown up virtuous in their ways, and her entire life falls apart when their kingdom was invaded and destroyed by a rival nation. In her attempt to save the princess, Flora found herself a victim of brutal men who assaulted her and left her for dead amidst the bodies of her countrymen. When the Ankou finds her, she is barely hanging on.
As they spend time together searching out the answers to his curse, each begins to reach for something new and find something unexpected within themselves as they race time, fate, and monsters.
What I loved: This story captivates the reader from the first page and keeps a steady and consuming pace throughout, making it highly devourable. The characters really shine in this story, particularly for the obstacles which they must overcome and the way they come into their own, especially Flora who must come to terms with her past and the trauma that was inflicted upon her, while also carving out a new life for herself. Her journey is particularly noteworthy and will resonate with readers who may also have trauma in their pasts. Other characters who appear later in the story become equally endearing, and I appreciated seeing them grow and develop into unique individuals who also steal the reader's heart.
The themes here were also really thought-provoking around assault, guilt, grief, healing, religion, family, love - corrupted and true, sacrifice, and defining yourself. These are particularly poignant in the stories of both the Ankou (Lazarus) and Flora, who are each overcoming their own traumas and redefining themselves in the world in which they find themselves. I found these deeper dives to be particularly powerful and really elevate the story.
The world-building was also really fascinating, and although I appreciate the stand-alone, this was a world I would love to spend more time in. A spin-off in Parth would be wonderful. The magic, history, monsters and unicorns, kingdoms, and their religions were all endlessly intriguing, and the writing expertly wove these details throughout without sacrificing pace. The ending of the book was really perfect as well.
Final verdict: A compelling, thought-provoking, and consuming story, THAT DARK INFINITY is a beautifully written YA fantasy that is highly devourable. I would particularly recommend this book for fans of THE SHADOWS BETWEEN US, VESPERTINE, and THE MERCIFUL CROW.
Please note that I received an ARC from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
October 17, 2021
Huge thanks to NOVL for the review copy!
Phew.
I devoured this book in less than two days and for good reason; it took me completely bur surprise. So rarely do we get a story that reflects the beauty and tragedy of its cover. This fast-paced story is going to take the YA world by storm. Give it all the attention, all the bookstagram features. THIS BOOK!
We have two povs, one from the Ankou, a cursed boy doomed to spend his days as a skeleton in the day and hunting supernatural creatures at night. He hasn't seen a flower bloom or bedded a woman in three hundred years. A severe dry spell if I have to say so myself. The other is, Flora, the handmaiden to a princess whose kingdom is savagely attacked. Raped and left for dead, she's rescued by the Ankou and taken into his creepy caravan. After a moment of horror reminiscent of The Phantom of the Opera, Flora realizes she needs the Ankou to help to find out if the princess is still alive and also try to break the Ankou's curse. Their feelings bloom into love (SQUEEE) but there's danger around every freakin' corner, so it's not going to all be honky dory. Plus, the Ankou (renamed Lazarus) is slowly rotting away.
I felt like this was more Lazarus's story rather than Flora's. I found myself deeply caring for my bone-boy. He's kind, caring (even when Flora gets her period and they have to race through a forest where blood attracts monsters). I love when he goes shopping for her (isn't that what we want, ladies? I mean, not clothes, but books, always books).
Flora takes the aftermath of her brutal rape and channels it into learning to fight. She holds out hope that the princess survived the attack on her home and uses all her skills to not only further their quest through treacherous territory but also to fall in love with Lazarus. It's a testament to overcoming your past and learning that you are more than the worst thing that has happened to you.
The story is fast-paced with little time to take a breath. What I can't get over is how well the world-building is written. I'm a monster girl. I love monsters of all kinds. We get a lot of those in this book from giant serpents to ghuls and strigas; it reminded me so much of Castlevania the Netflix show. There's an endless source of magic and intrigue on every page.
Final thoughts: I am thoroughly obsessed with this book. If I could own a hundred copies, I would.
Phew.
I devoured this book in less than two days and for good reason; it took me completely bur surprise. So rarely do we get a story that reflects the beauty and tragedy of its cover. This fast-paced story is going to take the YA world by storm. Give it all the attention, all the bookstagram features. THIS BOOK!
We have two povs, one from the Ankou, a cursed boy doomed to spend his days as a skeleton in the day and hunting supernatural creatures at night. He hasn't seen a flower bloom or bedded a woman in three hundred years. A severe dry spell if I have to say so myself. The other is, Flora, the handmaiden to a princess whose kingdom is savagely attacked. Raped and left for dead, she's rescued by the Ankou and taken into his creepy caravan. After a moment of horror reminiscent of The Phantom of the Opera, Flora realizes she needs the Ankou to help to find out if the princess is still alive and also try to break the Ankou's curse. Their feelings bloom into love (SQUEEE) but there's danger around every freakin' corner, so it's not going to all be honky dory. Plus, the Ankou (renamed Lazarus) is slowly rotting away.
I felt like this was more Lazarus's story rather than Flora's. I found myself deeply caring for my bone-boy. He's kind, caring (even when Flora gets her period and they have to race through a forest where blood attracts monsters). I love when he goes shopping for her (isn't that what we want, ladies? I mean, not clothes, but books, always books).
Flora takes the aftermath of her brutal rape and channels it into learning to fight. She holds out hope that the princess survived the attack on her home and uses all her skills to not only further their quest through treacherous territory but also to fall in love with Lazarus. It's a testament to overcoming your past and learning that you are more than the worst thing that has happened to you.
The story is fast-paced with little time to take a breath. What I can't get over is how well the world-building is written. I'm a monster girl. I love monsters of all kinds. We get a lot of those in this book from giant serpents to ghuls and strigas; it reminded me so much of Castlevania the Netflix show. There's an endless source of magic and intrigue on every page.
Final thoughts: I am thoroughly obsessed with this book. If I could own a hundred copies, I would.
Read
December 16, 2021TW: panic and traumatic grief dealing with SA, two SA scenes (actual assault off page for one, thwarted for another), city-wide illness involving quarantine, body gore, depression and suicidal ideation (in a sense, it's an extreme context but it IS the plot of the book lol)
I wish I'd liked this more, and I typed up a whole review but I won't be posting it for reasons, and I will say that since Jaye liked this she should definitely watch The Witcher
2-3/5
I wish I'd liked this more, and I typed up a whole review but I won't be posting it for reasons, and I will say that since Jaye liked this she should definitely watch The Witcher
2-3/5
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