scijessreads

At this rate, I’m going to run out of words to describe how much I love Allison’s writing. With every book, she creates deeper, more complex worlds full of characters that speak to parts of me that I didn’t even realize were waiting to be recognized. Rhiannon and Eryx – two weary assassins that continually show up for everyone but themselves – are the latest entries into the category of “characters that I see parts of myself in.” No, I’m not an assassin, a warrior, or a necromancer. But I am a person (as I am sure many of us are) that has definitely felt burnout and an immense desire to just have a moment to recharge and not have to deal with everything that is asked of me by the rest of the world.

OK, to stop turning this into an impromptu therapy session on the internet disguised as a book review… In The Swan, we pick up in the aftermath of the events of The Consulate. The Maere have their swords, and are in the process of rebuilding and figuring out next steps after unexpected revelations. To top it all off, Rhiannon and Eryx (the necromancer assassin) keep being called to Oleander Cottage, a house haunted with spirits that aren’t exactly happy.

As Rhiannon and Eryx start unraveling the magic and mystery of Oleander Cottage, they run into deeper evils that the previous Necroline leaders let fester. And also connections to the Maere and the island that they come from (Rhiannon’s past, specifically). They also both harbor the deep belief that neither of them are worthy of the love of the other, despite both wanting it deeply. As our assassins learn more, they also realize that there are even deeper machinations at play that have been going on for years in the background as their people have just tried to survive and not be completely taken out by humans seeking even more power. There is always more to do in Orphium.

The bone-deep ache and tiredness that Rhiannon feels is palpable. She is tired. She has had to shoulder and overcome so much in her immortal life, and for a long time it feels as if there is no end. She has her Maere sisters, but she also needs someone else that is willing to let her be selfish and not expect anything in return. In Eryx, we have that man. The Swan gives us more of the mythology and history of the world, opens up even more threads for future stories, and shows us the toll (and toil) of those burdened to carry out the tasks that most people would not step up to do. We see the grief and the exhaustion and the pain of lives long-lived etched in every word and thought. But we also get to see the sometimes fragile hope that things can get better. That changes can come around, if you have the love and support and willingness to fight for it.

I read this early as an ARC from the author. All opinions are my own. Book comes out today (11/11)!