"Innamorata" by Ava Reid is a dark gothic fantasy about necromancy, vengeance, and forbidden love, and the first in a duology. And dark it is! I’ve read another book by the author, so I expected something atmospheric and gritty. I got more than I bargained for, that’s for sure.
The book follows Agnes, from the House of Teeth, whose grandmother has just passed away. The story takes place on Drepane, an island where the seven noble houses once ruled through the arcane secrets of necromancy. A deadly epidemic and the blade of a cruel conqueror put an end to their reign. Now they are required by law and covenant to desecrate the dead to prevent them from rising.
Only two remain from the House of Teeth: beautiful Marozia, the heiress, and her cousin, the uncanny Lady Agnes, who doesn’t speak by choice. Before her death, their grandmother ordered Agnes to make sure Marozia marries Prince Liuprand and to find a way to bring her back to life through the art of necromancy. At first, all goes according to plan, until love gets in the way and Agnes finds both her tongue and her purpose.
I enjoyed about three-quarters of the tale, if you can call it that, but the final section didn’t work for me. Agnes and Marozia are opposites in every way, in character and look. I liked their dynamic, though not their twisted ways, and their interactions with Prince Liuprand, which affected each of them differently.
The setting is beautifully constructed, and there’s a solid cast of supporting characters. The writing and world-building are excellent. The author doesn’t pity her protagonists and treats them harshly; she pushes them to the edge and beyond. I did like the conflict between duty and love, the way the author wove the threads of legacy into the plot, and the undercurrent of political intrigue that runs throughout the story. But need it be so merciless?
It is a very disturbing, creepy, and depraved novel with multiple trigger warnings and themes, including cannibalism, necrophilia, incest, desecration, abuse, gore, betrayal, revenge, parent–child relationships, and child marriage. Speaking of that, I didn’t like the justification of child marriage in the story, which unfortunately still exists in some parts of the world. Getting married at six years old takes it too far. In addition, some scenes seem to exist purely for shock value. Well, the author sure managed to shock me.
The first half of the book was engaging, steeped in mysticism, secrets, and gothic vibes. While the second half was still interesting, it didn’t hold the same grip as the first, slowing down and moving in a direction I didn’t like. It focuses more on the dynamics and relationships of the characters than the magic itself, and could have been tightened to avoid repetitiveness. The ending left me unsatisfied. To say I didn’t like it would be an understatement.
There is a second book planned, and hopefully it will redeem the ending of this one. I rate the book 3.5 out of 5 stars, rounded up to 4; the ending and the sluggish parts are the reason it didn’t get a higher rating. I’d recommend this book to fans of dark, very dark, gothic fantasy who aren’t afraid of twisted relationships, morally gray choices, and shocking, intense storytelling. This book isn’t for the faint of heart or those with a sensitive stomach, so be aware of the triggers before picking it up.
* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc. All opinions are my own.
* For more info about the book: "Innamorata" by Ava Reid
