I was given an ARC at YALC. This has not affected my opinions.
Genre: Fantasy Age Range: YA Star Rating: 4 stars Series: yes - second book of duology
*SPOILER ALERT: contains SPOILERS for GIVE THE DARK MY LOVE*
Synopsis:
Alchemy student turned necromancer Nedra Brysstain has made a life-changing decision to embrace the darkness–but can the boy who loves her bring her back to the light before she pays the ultimate price?
Lunar Island is trying to heal. The necromantic plague that ravaged the land has been eradicated, and Emperor Auguste, the young and charming leader of the Allyrian Empire, has a plan: rid the island of necromancy once and for all. Though Greggori “Grey” Astor wants what’s best for his people, he knows that allying himself with Auguste threatens the one person he loves most: necromancer Nedra Brysstain. Feeling like he already failed to save Nedra once, Grey becomes determined to help the Emperor rebuild Lunar Island while still keeping Nedra safe from harm.
Back at the quarantine hospital, Nedra’s army of revenants are growing increasingly inhuman by the day. Wracked with guilt for imprisoning their souls, Nedra vows to discover a way to free the dead while still keeping her sister by her side.
But, still reeling from the trauma of the plague, the people of Lunar Island are looking for someone to blame, and Grey can only protect Nedra for so long. And when Nedra and Grey are thrust into a battle with an even more terrifying adversary, Nedra will be pushed to the darkest depths of her necromantic powers. But can Grey let her go that far?
Synopsis taken from Goodreads. Add to your shelves here.
Thoughts:
I likes this book, devouring it quickly, as Beth Revis’ sharp prose spun the story and expanded the world. I love seeing worlds expanded, so the trip off Lunar Island was great, because it really let Revis flex her world building muscles.
BID MY SOUL FAREWELL had a more political bent to it (yay!). Not much, but some as Grey gets pulled into the world of power by the Emperor. His (Grey’s) inexperience is so clear, his naive trusting making me want to shake him at times, but it really balances the darkness Nedra’s struggling with.
There didn’t seem to be many barriers to the two achieving there intermediary goals – the steps they think will help them achieve their desires. Grey struggles more, and I liked that, but Nedra seems to have no trouble finding necromancy texts and objects despite the ban. The reason why is explained, but it felt a little too easy at times.
The primary conflict, therefore, is between the two of them – skirting around their emotions and differing opinions on necromancy. I like complex relationships where beliefs are fundamental issues to a romantic relationship, so this was the stand out part of the book for me. Their fighting, avoiding topics and trying to find a compromise despite their personal morals.
I have the same sort of opinions on the ending as I did with the previous book. The twist felt more deserved this time, though, but it’s a very similar sort of twist (one might say the same just with different characters) that comes right at the very end to make the finale more punchy. Unfortunately, I now have quite a few questions about the end of GIVE THE DARK MY LOVE.
Overall, it was a good ending to the duology, that didn’t simply aim for a happy ending where all desires are met. If there hadn’t been costs, that would have undermined the entire feel and tone of both books. I liked that the hinted costs were fully realised.
Read my reviews of other books by Beth Revis:
Give the Dark my Love (this series):
Sifa Elizabeth Reads 