This book has:
- Pansexual rep and a lesbian love interest
- Enemies to lovers
- Fantastic worldbuilding
- Trigger warnings for: blood magic, death magic
Review:
“Despite my fogginess, a different kind of clarity begins to sharpen inside me: I’m fucked.”
I don’t know if it’s my absence from the YA fantasy or if authors are just upping their game like never before but damn, In the Ravenous Dark checked all the boxes for me. I can’t really talk a lot about the plot without spoiling too much, so let me just highlight a few things in this story that are absolutely worth picking it up.
The worldbuilding in this was impeccably done—there isn’t too much info-dumping or simply expecting the reader to pick up the pieces, instead Strickland creates this extraordinary world of Thanopolis (sidenote: the first few times I read that place I couldn’t put my finger on why this magical world sounds so familiar—don’t stress your brains, Mia’s last name in The Princess Diaries is Thermopolis). The magic system as well is dark and grimy and enchanting and compelling—seeing as our protagonist is a messy bloodmage who’s been hiding her skills but now gets to use them, there is loads to discover, especially since there might be a hot dead guy showing up.
The queerness of the cast of characters was also what dreams are made of. There are f/f relationships, there’s an asexual and nonbinary character, polyamorous relationships, and so much more! And what I loved most about this was that the queerness wasn’t the issue—sure, when it interferes with magic or royal success lines, it came into play, but other than that, the representation was so casual.
I also just really loved Rovan as a character. Most of this book reads more like Adult fantasy and we definitely see that in the way Rovan approaches situations. That’s not to say she’s not messy or in over her head, but that made me love her even more. Though this is by no means a light book—after all, Rovan begins the narrative grappling with her father’s brutal murder—Strickland still managed to keep the humour alive throughout Rovan’s journey. Within these pages, you have dark and gory moments, but you also have Rovan finding acceptance and love and a family that would do anything for her. And we are all suckers for the found family trope.
Blending dark blood magic with funny moments, In the Ravenous Dark is a lush, queer and intense YA fantasy that needs to be on your shelves! Rovan may or may not steal your girl but more importantly, she’s coming for your heart—and this woman always gets what she wants.
In the Ravenous Dark is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of May 18th 2021.
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Synopsis | Goodreads
A pansexual bloodmage reluctantly teams up with an undead spirit to start a rebellion among the living and the dead.
In Thanopolis, those gifted with magic are assigned undead spirits to guard them—and control them. Ever since Rovan’s father died trying to keep her from this fate, she’s hidden her magic. But when she accidentally reveals her powers, she’s bound to a spirit and thrust into a world of palace intrigue and deception.
Desperate to escape, Rovan finds herself falling for two people she can’t fully trust: Lydea, a beguiling, rebellious princess; and Ivrilos, the handsome spirit with the ability to control Rovan, body and soul.
Together, they uncover a secret that will destroy Thanopolis. To save them all, Rovan will have to start a rebellion in both the mortal world and the underworld, and find a way to trust the princess and spirit battling for her heart—if she doesn’t betray them first.
