scijessreads

Some books (and series) leave a piece of themselves in your soul to linger long after you turn the last page. Beneath the Buried Sea is one of those books. This duology is one of those series. It weaves together mythology, Arthurian legend, rage and revenge, and the ever-present specter of death, fate, and love. This is the sort of fantasy story (and story in general) that I gravitate toward. Emotional, dark, messy, and achingly beautiful. Full of characters finding reservoirs of strength in themselves and finding ways to finally trust in others to help them reach whatever end is upon them.

From the first chapter, where we pick up where Beyond the Aching Door left us waiting, the emotional toll begins mounting. No one is safe from gods or time or the Protectorate working to claim the power of magic for themselves. Fate is fickle, and Prophecies are a bit vague. Absolute, bone-deep love can still be brought to its’ knees by death, even for a deathless witch and an Unseelie Fey King.

What I have come to appreciate most about Reagan (and the King) is that they are not afraid to feel and rage and become monstrous. A millennia of love doomed to face death changes a person (or a King). But at some point, you risk the pain to save the one you love. To face down a god and Fate for a chance at changing the threads of the world and the people you hold dear.

It was beautiful to see Reagan find the power in her rage. At the same time, we get to see a King who truly appreciates the depths and the darkness of his love and revels in his willingness to do anything for his love, even bear the weight of loss over and over again. The ache of the first book is still present, perhaps more because now we can see how the past lives have molded into the present journey.

The world is rich, full of depth, and filled with a sense of rebellion, hope, and a little bit (or a lot) of sacrifice. There are no easy choices. But there is always a deep river of love. Love as an oath. Love as an anchor. Love as a thread to guide you home.

Thank you to the author for the ARC. All opinions are my own. Publication date is September 24th.

“How can you love what you know you’re going to lose?”

“Do you not realize […] that I love you enough to lose you a thousand times over and still seek you like a moth to flame?”