Quick Synopsis – Penny Albright is a thorn witch, destined to burn, to walk the afterlife, and to keep the real world safe. But she soon finds out there is more peril in her world than the hideous warden who keeps all witches confined within his walls. As Penny’s world splits, she’ll face a devastating choice. Because it’s not just her sister’s life that hangs in the balance. It’s the fate of all magic.

Song this Reminds Me Of – I Did Something Bad – Taylor Swift

Spicy Rating – 🌶🌶 out of 5

Overall Rating – ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Publication Date – November 7, 2023

Review – There are two sex scenes in this book, but I would still say this is a good book for younger adult readers as they aren’t incredibly graphic.

I really enjoyed this book. I thought the magic system was interesting, the characters were complex, and the romance had me grinning…..maybe even blushing a little bit.

When we start the story, Penny is a little naive. She’s a thorn witch awaiting her 21st birthday so that she can burn and walk in death. Her naivety to the world around her was a little frustrating. She has two sisters, Ella and Mila, the heir to the thorn queen. Even though she has her siblings and claims to be close to them, she has no idea about the inner workings of their lives. When Ella burns to walk in death but doesn’t return the next morning, Penny knows she must rescue her sister. She can see Ella’s lifeline fading in her crystal, so Penny breaks the rules and burns alone.

What she finds in death is a mysterious man whom she trades her soul with in order to rescue her sister. When Penny makes a deal with Malin, she never imagines how her life will unravel. Penny falls down the rabbit hole and attracts the attention of the Warden. There is romance, mystery, and of course, magic.

There were so many layers to this story; I just really enjoyed following Penny on her journey. I also loved that there wasn’t a huge age gap between love interests. That’s a trope I have grown to feel icky about. There is some predictability, and overall, I could easily see where the story was going, but the magic system and characters kept me hooked. I’m already excited to read the next book in the series.

Thanks to NetGalley and Orbit for the advanced copy. All opinions expressed are my own.