Echo Swan’s Reviews > Starside > Status Update

“Anger and agony and betrayal shape me, until I become more than just this body, just this armor and this glimmering sword of starlight. I become a sword myself, forged in fury.”

““Get on your hands and knees.” Fuck. We’re really doing this.”

I WAITED THE ENTIRE BOOK FOR THIS MOMENT, are you KIDDINGGGG.

“You are the ember that lights the torch, Aris. I know it. The world is about to change . . . and it’s time we stopped hiding. It’s time we actually do something.”

“Please, I just—These cursed corsets . . .” His voice is punishing. “If you think I’m going to tie your dress—” I sigh. “Fine. I’ll ask Van—” The name isn’t out of my mouth before he’s roughly tugging me back by the strings of my corset, squeezing my ribs, choking the words out of me.

“He’s embarrassed by his face. He doesn’t have one.” I give my most sympathetic look. “It’s just.. it’s just a coil of snakes under there.” Daphne’s mouth parts in horror. She nods understandingly, readily believing that all humans might not look like immortals. I can almost feel Raker glaring at me. It makes me smile. Daphne bows her head before him. “I apologize for your.. for your affliction”

““This is dangerous,” he says. He’s right. This . . . is dangerous. This heat spreading through the core of me is fucking treacherous.”

U G H H H H ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!

“His name spills from my lips again, in a shameful whimper. “Raker—” “Don’t speak,” he bites out. He’s trying to fight it.”

It’s ABOUT DAMN TIMEEEE. Let’s turn up the heat.🔥

“This entire time, we’ve been on a quest to reach the gods. I’ve been on a journey to hunt them down. And now it’s clear . . . the gods are hunting us.”

Raker drops his pack on the cave floor and turns to me. “Your swordplay—” “It’s impressive. I know.” No thanks to him. “—could use some work.” I glare at him.

“You . . . you are a bastard. Do you know that?” He tilts his head. His hood moves with it. Now, though, it’s firmly in place. I remember the sliver mask, though. I remember gray eyes. “What an interesting way to thank me for saving your pathetic life.”