Nineteen-year-old Signa Farrow, orphaned as a baby, has been raised by a string of guardians, each more interested in her wealth than her well-being—and each has met an untimely end. Her last remaining relatives are the Hawthornes, an eccentric family living at the glittering and gloomy estate of Thorn Grove. Thorn Grove’s patriarch, Elijah, mourns his late wife, Lillian, through wild parties and drink, while eldest son Percy grapples for control of the family’s waning reputation and daughter Blythe suffers from the same mysterious illness that killed her mother. And when Lillian’s spirit confronts Signa and claims she was poisoned, Signa realizes that Blythe could be next to die.

Signa’s best chance of uncovering the culprit and solving Lillian’s murder is an alliance with Death himself—the very man she hates most. And Death, that fascinating, dangerous shadow who has never been far from her side, shows her that their connection may be more powerful than she ever dared imagine.

THIS book! I was genuinely surprised by how much I loved this book. Normally, I’m skeptical of hyped-up books, but this one truly lived up to all the excitement. It was a captivating, atmospheric read that I couldn’t put down. I finished it in just two days! The audiobook narration was excellent, with distinct voices that brought the story to life, adding to its haunting atmosphere.

Set in a gothic, eerie world perfect for fall or Spooky Season, the story features a chilling ghost that adds a gruesome touch. The slow-burn mystery Signa embarks on to uncover the dark secrets of her new family kept me hooked from start to finish.

Signa’s love story with Death, who has been waiting for her for thousands of years, was both unique and poignant. The chemistry between them was unexpected but beautifully written. While I would’ve liked a bit more action and faster pacing in some parts, the mood and tension built throughout kept me engaged.

This book reminded me of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, with the relationship to Death, and Heidi, with its orphan protagonist moving in with a wealthy family, but it brings its own dark magic and twist. The mystery surrounding Signa’s family and their secrets made for an intriguing read, and I loved how the plot unfolded.

I wasn’t in the mood for fantasy when I picked this up, but after reading all the rave reviews, I decided to give it a shot. Not only did this YA romantasy reignite my love for fantasy, but it also introduced me to a new subgenre—gothic fantasy—that I’ve quickly fallen in love with. It pulled me out of my fantasy slump and kept me hooked from start to finish. Now, I’m excited to explore more books in this captivating new genre!

Overall, it is a haunting, mysterious, and beautifully written book that I highly recommend, especially for fans of gothic tales with a touch of romance.