A dark and twisted story of cruelty, vengeance, and the balancing of the scales.
I love and I hate a story about how unfair the world can be and has been. Not because I want to put my head in the sand and ignore it, but because it hurts. It hurts to think about people who have been dismissed, abused, and even killed because of human greed, insecurity, and the need to control others. These stories should be told and read, but that doesn’t make them easy.
But this time, there is justice, and be warned—it’s graphic.
Our main character, Abitha, struggles in the confines of Puritan life—a life that she was sold into by her father. It seems from the very start she is doomed, and I held my breath as her world fell apart. The story itself is not about seeking fame or glory but rather the plight of a woman striving to survive in a community that wants her not only to lose hope but to suffer indefinitely.
While Abitha’s life spins, a separate story is being told—that of Samuel. Samuel is waking, but from what you are not sure. He is returning to his body, and the promise of blood pushes him to rise. Samuel is an ancient beast who’s lost, unaware of what he is or what purpose he serves in the world. His awareness and character develop before the reader’s eyes, and he becomes something both terrifying and heroic.
The story is told from a few perspectives. The way the author chooses to move through the characters’ consciousness is both artful and immersive. Not one you want to miss.
The illustrations in the novel are phenomenal, and the book itself is a work of art. Even the scene changes and page numbers have a touch of originality.
If you are looking for a dark, visceral read, this is the one.
