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House of Dusk
A romantic epic fantasy featuring a fire-wielding nun grappling with her dark past and a young spy caught between her mission and a growing attraction to an enemy princess
With complex relationships, a rich and mythic world, and brisk pacing, House of Dusk is perfect for fans of Tasha Suri, Samantha Shannon, and Shannon Chakraborty
Ten years ago, Sephre left behind her life as a war hero and took holy vows to seek redemption for her crimes, wielding the flames of the Phoenix to purify the dead. But as corpses rise, a long-dead god stirs, and shadowy serpents creep from the underworld to hunt her, she has no choice but to draw on the very past she's been trying so hard to forget.
Orphaned by the same war Sephre helped win, Yeneris has trained half her life to be the perfect spy, a blade slipped deep into the palace of her enemies. Undercover as bodyguard to Sinoe, a princess whose tears unleash prophecy, Yeneris strives to complete her true mission to recover the stolen bones of a saint. Sinoe's prophecies may hold answers, but allying with the fiercely compassionate princess is perilous. Yeneris must find a way to balance her growing attraction for Sinoe with her duty to her people as they conduct a dangerous search for the source of the king's power.
As Sephre investigates the signs of a looming apocalypse, she finds her beliefs tested by Nilos, a mercurial and charming agent of the serpent. He should be her enemy, but when Sephre is wrongly accused of heresy and desperate to rescue her innocent apprentice, she has no choice but to work with the enigmatic man. Together they embark on a treacherous quest, seeking answers in the labyrinthine underworld.
As gods are reborn and spirits destroyed, the world trembles on the edge of a second cataclysm. When the true enemy makes their bid for power, Yeneris must find a way to remain true to her full self and save both her mission and her heart. And Sephre must decide whether to be bound by her past, or to forge a better future, even if it means renouncing her vows and accepting a new and terrible power.
With complex relationships, a rich and mythic world, and brisk pacing, House of Dusk is perfect for fans of Tasha Suri, Samantha Shannon, and Shannon Chakraborty
Ten years ago, Sephre left behind her life as a war hero and took holy vows to seek redemption for her crimes, wielding the flames of the Phoenix to purify the dead. But as corpses rise, a long-dead god stirs, and shadowy serpents creep from the underworld to hunt her, she has no choice but to draw on the very past she's been trying so hard to forget.
Orphaned by the same war Sephre helped win, Yeneris has trained half her life to be the perfect spy, a blade slipped deep into the palace of her enemies. Undercover as bodyguard to Sinoe, a princess whose tears unleash prophecy, Yeneris strives to complete her true mission to recover the stolen bones of a saint. Sinoe's prophecies may hold answers, but allying with the fiercely compassionate princess is perilous. Yeneris must find a way to balance her growing attraction for Sinoe with her duty to her people as they conduct a dangerous search for the source of the king's power.
As Sephre investigates the signs of a looming apocalypse, she finds her beliefs tested by Nilos, a mercurial and charming agent of the serpent. He should be her enemy, but when Sephre is wrongly accused of heresy and desperate to rescue her innocent apprentice, she has no choice but to work with the enigmatic man. Together they embark on a treacherous quest, seeking answers in the labyrinthine underworld.
As gods are reborn and spirits destroyed, the world trembles on the edge of a second cataclysm. When the true enemy makes their bid for power, Yeneris must find a way to remain true to her full self and save both her mission and her heart. And Sephre must decide whether to be bound by her past, or to forge a better future, even if it means renouncing her vows and accepting a new and terrible power.
448 pages, Hardcover
First published August 26, 2025
33 people are currently reading
7485 people want to read
About the author
Deva Fagan
10 books204 followersI write fantasy and science fiction for readers of all ages. I live in Maine with my husband and our dog. When I'm not writing I spend my time reading, playing video games, doing geometry, and drinking copious amounts of tea.
NOTE: My comments on books I've read are not meant to be critical reviews, but are just my own reactions. I don't generally use stars, but I do occasionally mark a book with five stars if it's one that feels like it will become a long-term favorite, because it's exactly my sort of book, and caters to my specific tastes as a reader. There are plenty of books I read and really admire that are clearly excellent books, but which are not so exactly "for me" that I give them five stars. I will unabashedly stop reading books I really don't care for, so if a book is on my read list at all it means I liked it enough to finish it.
NOTE: My comments on books I've read are not meant to be critical reviews, but are just my own reactions. I don't generally use stars, but I do occasionally mark a book with five stars if it's one that feels like it will become a long-term favorite, because it's exactly my sort of book, and caters to my specific tastes as a reader. There are plenty of books I read and really admire that are clearly excellent books, but which are not so exactly "for me" that I give them five stars. I will unabashedly stop reading books I really don't care for, so if a book is on my read list at all it means I liked it enough to finish it.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews
August 8, 2025
A fire-wielding nun, a mysterious green-eyed man, a prophesying princess and a spy disguised as her bodyguard, expertly woven and unputdownable, House of Dusk is a MUST read!
What’s to love…
- 2 POVs (fire-wielding nun & spy/bodyguard) that are equally as interesting and perfectly woven
- Interesting world and magic that is complex and rich, ye easy to grasp
- Perfectly paced with a solid plot-to-character-driven ratio
- STANDALONE! Although a bit ambiguous, and I would gladly take more books in this world, but it doesn’t feel lacking as a standalone
- Sapphic romance with a little something something in the het romance department as well. (bi/pan babes, this feels like it was written for us)
- older FMC (40s)
- SLOW BURN
- No spice
- Themes of self-discovery & forgiveness
- Betrayals, political machinations, gods, monsters, and more!
What’s what might not work for some…
- It’s lighter on the romance, but still very much an important sub-plot. If you’re looking for romantasy this might not be the right pick for you.
Audio Narration: 5/5 Seriously good! The pacing, pausing, inflection, the various voices, even each POV had a slightly different “voice” and that whispering! OMG SO CREEPY (complimentary)!
| TikTok | IG |
Thank you DAW Books for the gifted book & Libro.fm for the ALC. All opinions are my own.
What’s to love…
- 2 POVs (fire-wielding nun & spy/bodyguard) that are equally as interesting and perfectly woven
- Interesting world and magic that is complex and rich, ye easy to grasp
- Perfectly paced with a solid plot-to-character-driven ratio
- STANDALONE! Although a bit ambiguous, and I would gladly take more books in this world, but it doesn’t feel lacking as a standalone
- Sapphic romance with a little something something in the het romance department as well. (bi/pan babes, this feels like it was written for us)
- older FMC (40s)
- SLOW BURN
- No spice
- Themes of self-discovery & forgiveness
- Betrayals, political machinations, gods, monsters, and more!
What’s what might not work for some…
- It’s lighter on the romance, but still very much an important sub-plot. If you’re looking for romantasy this might not be the right pick for you.
Audio Narration: 5/5 Seriously good! The pacing, pausing, inflection, the various voices, even each POV had a slightly different “voice” and that whispering! OMG SO CREEPY (complimentary)!
| TikTok | IG |
Thank you DAW Books for the gifted book & Libro.fm for the ALC. All opinions are my own.
Read
May 2, 2025That was really a lot of fun. Clever and funny in places, sweet and thoughtful in others. The book wraps up well to be a standalone, but I’ll look forward to more if that changes…
June 10, 2025
An ex-soldier fire-wielding nun, a spy bodyguard, a prophetic Princess, and dead bodies turning up.
Gideon the Ninth fantasy edition meets The Jasmine Throne and The Priory of the Orange Tree…
Sephre is an ashdancer, running away from her past. Her order’s duty is to guard the holy flame, to cleanse the dead and to destroy any creature of the underworld that dares trespass in the mortal realm.
It is lucky for Princess Sinoe that Yeneris had been hired to guard her life. Otherwise, Yeneris would almost certainly have murdered her. Naive, impulsive, infuriating, pretty. I mean, pretty annoying.
Sephre is filled with guilt and shame. Yeneris is tugged between two duties. Sinoe is struggling with her responsibility of the Sybil of Tears.
Maybe there was a difference between the pains that were done to you and the ones you inflicted on yourself. The pain that was pure suffering, and the pain you could learn from.
This was fun! Lots of conspiracies and sneaking around. Lots of do-I-hate-or-love-this-person. Lots of internal strife.
Yeneris and Sinoe did act like teenagers, but it did make this lighter and gave you an angsty romance to root for (and roll your eyes at).
Sephre’s romance did feel slightly more forced and rushed, but a sequel could fix this…
This is currently a standalone and is satisfying as one, but there is so much potential for more. Similar to Samantha’s Shannon’s Priory set up, there is a lot of lore, twisting of history and prophecies, and threads for a sequel too.
Arc gifted by Daw publisher.
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Gideon the Ninth fantasy edition meets The Jasmine Throne and The Priory of the Orange Tree…
Sephre is an ashdancer, running away from her past. Her order’s duty is to guard the holy flame, to cleanse the dead and to destroy any creature of the underworld that dares trespass in the mortal realm.
It is lucky for Princess Sinoe that Yeneris had been hired to guard her life. Otherwise, Yeneris would almost certainly have murdered her. Naive, impulsive, infuriating, pretty. I mean, pretty annoying.
Sephre is filled with guilt and shame. Yeneris is tugged between two duties. Sinoe is struggling with her responsibility of the Sybil of Tears.
Maybe there was a difference between the pains that were done to you and the ones you inflicted on yourself. The pain that was pure suffering, and the pain you could learn from.
This was fun! Lots of conspiracies and sneaking around. Lots of do-I-hate-or-love-this-person. Lots of internal strife.
Yeneris and Sinoe did act like teenagers, but it did make this lighter and gave you an angsty romance to root for (and roll your eyes at).
Sephre’s romance did feel slightly more forced and rushed, but a sequel could fix this…
This is currently a standalone and is satisfying as one, but there is so much potential for more. Similar to Samantha’s Shannon’s Priory set up, there is a lot of lore, twisting of history and prophecies, and threads for a sequel too.
Arc gifted by Daw publisher.
Bookstagram
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Want to read
August 4, 2025Soft DNF for now. I'm interested in the story, but the prose isn't gripping me rn. I might try the audiobook when it drops.
August 31, 2025
2.5 stars
Probably harsh but I just didn’t enjoy this
Probably harsh but I just didn’t enjoy this
August 15, 2025
House of Dusk
by Deva Fagan
Fantasy
NetGalley Audio ARC
Narrated by Raquel Beattie
Pub Date: Aug 26, 2025
Dreamscape Media
Ages: 16+
Sephre took the holy vows because of her guilt over the deeds she had done as a soldier. Now she wields the flames of the Phoenix to purify the dead, but she would rather spend her time alone fighting her demons than performing the rituals.
After multiple people are found dead from a snake bite, she is sent to investigate the death and the rumor of a bald man with green eyes seen in the areas. Finding a snake bite on the deceased, she also finds that the man with green eyes was also there, asking directions to a nearby town.
Yeneris, an orphan because of the war, had spent her life training to be a spy. Using her skills, she becomes the bodyguard to Sinoe, the daughter of the man who started the war, stealing the bones of Yeneris' people's Saint. But not only is Sinoe a princess, she also sheds prophetic tears.
But the dead are starting to rise, possessed by demons.
I felt that the dual POVs were played out nicely, almost feeding each other as the story progressed. The reader could feel the connection the two MCs had, even though neither of them knew of each other or their connection.
There was some violence, and the MCs are older women (in their twenties and forties), and a few things that are not suitable for younger readers, but I feel that readers sixteen and older would enjoy this. There is action and personal struggles along with a little clean romance. I could almost call this a cozy, but there is death and violence.
As I listened to the audiobook, I found that the narrator, Raquel Beattie, did a really good job and had a good range of voices for the different characters.
On a side note, I know I read the blurb for this book when I requested it, but I did not re-read it when I started to listen. If I had re-read the blurb, my opinion of this book would be different, and I would've given it one less star! The blurb dressed this story up and exaggerated it, and if I had gone into the story expecting that, I would've been disappointed!
I don't always re-read the blurbs when I start a book because I requested/bought it for a reason, but now I wonder if I should, so I can include the honesty of the blurb.
4 Stars
by Deva Fagan
Fantasy
NetGalley Audio ARC
Narrated by Raquel Beattie
Pub Date: Aug 26, 2025
Dreamscape Media
Ages: 16+
Sephre took the holy vows because of her guilt over the deeds she had done as a soldier. Now she wields the flames of the Phoenix to purify the dead, but she would rather spend her time alone fighting her demons than performing the rituals.
After multiple people are found dead from a snake bite, she is sent to investigate the death and the rumor of a bald man with green eyes seen in the areas. Finding a snake bite on the deceased, she also finds that the man with green eyes was also there, asking directions to a nearby town.
Yeneris, an orphan because of the war, had spent her life training to be a spy. Using her skills, she becomes the bodyguard to Sinoe, the daughter of the man who started the war, stealing the bones of Yeneris' people's Saint. But not only is Sinoe a princess, she also sheds prophetic tears.
But the dead are starting to rise, possessed by demons.
I felt that the dual POVs were played out nicely, almost feeding each other as the story progressed. The reader could feel the connection the two MCs had, even though neither of them knew of each other or their connection.
There was some violence, and the MCs are older women (in their twenties and forties), and a few things that are not suitable for younger readers, but I feel that readers sixteen and older would enjoy this. There is action and personal struggles along with a little clean romance. I could almost call this a cozy, but there is death and violence.
As I listened to the audiobook, I found that the narrator, Raquel Beattie, did a really good job and had a good range of voices for the different characters.
On a side note, I know I read the blurb for this book when I requested it, but I did not re-read it when I started to listen. If I had re-read the blurb, my opinion of this book would be different, and I would've given it one less star! The blurb dressed this story up and exaggerated it, and if I had gone into the story expecting that, I would've been disappointed!
I don't always re-read the blurbs when I start a book because I requested/bought it for a reason, but now I wonder if I should, so I can include the honesty of the blurb.
4 Stars
August 11, 2025
What a surprise! I feel like the comparisons to The Priory of the Orange Tree do both books an injustice. The style of writing and the worldbuilding are totally distinct from one another. In my opinion, it's better compared to the Book of the Ancestor series (Red Sister). I didn't find the relationships particularly enthralling, but I did like the characters individually.
Thank you to Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
May 27, 2025
House of Dusk was a stunning romantic fantasy that had me at fire-wielding warrior nuns and a slow-burn sapphic romance between a prophecying princess and her bodyguard. And it more than lived up to my expectations.
This was a proper slow-burn too, with plenty of yearning, no kissing until the 75% mark, and wrestling with moral dilemmas of loyalty to the bodyguard's spy mission or to her heart. I didn't mind that I didn't get the POV of the princess too because I could tell how she felt through Yeneris's interpretations and hopes.
The story follows two points of view, starting with Sephre, a middle-aged nun for the House of Dawn who sought refuge in the cloisters from her PTSD from her previous life in combat. There used to be more houses, but only House of Dawn still stands. I found it interesting how the author emphasized that the philosophy of the stories the conquerers tell are the ones we believe in, even if they're wrong.
Sometimes the pacing could get lost in ethical dilemmas and political machinations but I loved the characters and worldbuilding.
The other pov follows Yeneris, bodyguard to Princess Sinoe, also known as the Sibyl of Tears. Cursed with the gift of prophecy, she is controlled by her father who believes himself to be the Ember King. But she's also a girl who sighs over romantic poetry and treasures a pet dragon/bird of prey creature. Yeneris is a double agent, secretly working for a group that seeks to return sacred bones to their rightful home. But she's also fighting a growing attraction to the princess.
I loved seeing two strong, smart butch women in this in the forms of Yeneris and Sephre, who has her own side romance with a mysterious green-eyed traveling man. I did not find that romance as compelling as that with Yeneris and Sinoe and almost felt that was too much romance for the story. They acted too much like teenagers.
The characters are fighting the rise of undead creatures who I thought at first were vampires because of the puncture wounds on their necks but act more like ghouls. They played a smaller part in the story than I expected vs the mythology and the politics of the religious houses.
Overall though I really loved this book, this world and the romance between Sinoe and Yeneris was swoonworthy. Priory of the Orange Tree was an excellent comp title. I hope this book has series potential because I would read more in this world. I got closure with the ending but it also felt like a small opening for that.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This was a proper slow-burn too, with plenty of yearning, no kissing until the 75% mark, and wrestling with moral dilemmas of loyalty to the bodyguard's spy mission or to her heart. I didn't mind that I didn't get the POV of the princess too because I could tell how she felt through Yeneris's interpretations and hopes.
The story follows two points of view, starting with Sephre, a middle-aged nun for the House of Dawn who sought refuge in the cloisters from her PTSD from her previous life in combat. There used to be more houses, but only House of Dawn still stands. I found it interesting how the author emphasized that the philosophy of the stories the conquerers tell are the ones we believe in, even if they're wrong.
Sometimes the pacing could get lost in ethical dilemmas and political machinations but I loved the characters and worldbuilding.
The other pov follows Yeneris, bodyguard to Princess Sinoe, also known as the Sibyl of Tears. Cursed with the gift of prophecy, she is controlled by her father who believes himself to be the Ember King. But she's also a girl who sighs over romantic poetry and treasures a pet dragon/bird of prey creature. Yeneris is a double agent, secretly working for a group that seeks to return sacred bones to their rightful home. But she's also fighting a growing attraction to the princess.
I loved seeing two strong, smart butch women in this in the forms of Yeneris and Sephre, who has her own side romance with a mysterious green-eyed traveling man. I did not find that romance as compelling as that with Yeneris and Sinoe and almost felt that was too much romance for the story. They acted too much like teenagers.
The characters are fighting the rise of undead creatures who I thought at first were vampires because of the puncture wounds on their necks but act more like ghouls. They played a smaller part in the story than I expected vs the mythology and the politics of the religious houses.
Overall though I really loved this book, this world and the romance between Sinoe and Yeneris was swoonworthy. Priory of the Orange Tree was an excellent comp title. I hope this book has series potential because I would read more in this world. I got closure with the ending but it also felt like a small opening for that.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 26, 2025
This book had me at fire wielding nun. I was all in by page three, and it was such an enjoyable read. I was also surprised to find out this is the author’s debut novel. Needless to say, I will absolutely be reading anything she publishes in the future.
I’m always looking for stories with well written female heroes who don’t play the communication? never heard of her card. The story focuses on Sephre and Yeneris through their dual POVs. The book flowed seamlessly as we follow their individual journeys until they eventually cross paths. While the romance isn’t necessarily swoon worthy, it also wasn’t painful insta love. There were moments where it didn’t feel entirely organic. But it’s far from the worst I’ve read.
Here’s where I felt a little let down, this is a standalone. Up until today I thought this was the start of a series. Because of that, I do think some of the background lore and details, like the war or catalytic, could have been fleshed out more. Still, the writing is immersive and beautifully descriptive. It was incredible easy to get lost in the world.
Thank you NetGalley and DAW for the ARC!
I’m always looking for stories with well written female heroes who don’t play the communication? never heard of her card. The story focuses on Sephre and Yeneris through their dual POVs. The book flowed seamlessly as we follow their individual journeys until they eventually cross paths. While the romance isn’t necessarily swoon worthy, it also wasn’t painful insta love. There were moments where it didn’t feel entirely organic. But it’s far from the worst I’ve read.
Here’s where I felt a little let down, this is a standalone. Up until today I thought this was the start of a series. Because of that, I do think some of the background lore and details, like the war or catalytic, could have been fleshed out more. Still, the writing is immersive and beautifully descriptive. It was incredible easy to get lost in the world.
Thank you NetGalley and DAW for the ARC!
April 4, 2025
A fantastic debut novel expertly weaving myth and magic in a reimagined ancient Mediterranean landscape of olive groves and vineyards, cities and mountain villages. Our protagonists Sephre and Yeneris are, unknown to each other, engaged in the same task but from different directions, and this allows Fagan to expertly weave information between the two storylines so that the reader can put together the picture of who has done what, why, and for whom.
Murders, dead gods, ghouls come back from the grave and the holy fire of the ashdancers the only weapon to defeat them, House of Dusk follows a princess and her bodyguard (Yeneris) and an ex-soldier turned ashdancer (Sephre) as they separately try to discover who is attempting to bring back the God of Death and bring about a second, world-shattering cataclysm.
Beautifully written and cleverly plotted, House of Dusk is a brilliant standalone novel with the capacity for follow ups (caveat: I don't know if this is the start of a series or not).
Highly recommended.
Murders, dead gods, ghouls come back from the grave and the holy fire of the ashdancers the only weapon to defeat them, House of Dusk follows a princess and her bodyguard (Yeneris) and an ex-soldier turned ashdancer (Sephre) as they separately try to discover who is attempting to bring back the God of Death and bring about a second, world-shattering cataclysm.
Beautifully written and cleverly plotted, House of Dusk is a brilliant standalone novel with the capacity for follow ups (caveat: I don't know if this is the start of a series or not).
Highly recommended.
August 26, 2025
I love this book so much that I blurbed it!
“Vivid, exciting, thrillingly magical, and achingly romantic. I loved it!” —Stephanie Burgis, author of Wooing the Witch Queen and Snowspelled
Seriously, one of my very favorite books this year. SO GOOD!
(Details: one sapphic bodyguard/princess romance; one mature fire-priestess reckoning with her past and falling for a guy who is seriously UP TO SOMETHING; so many cool and creepy magic and great worldbuilding throughout!
“Vivid, exciting, thrillingly magical, and achingly romantic. I loved it!” —Stephanie Burgis, author of Wooing the Witch Queen and Snowspelled
Seriously, one of my very favorite books this year. SO GOOD!
(Details: one sapphic bodyguard/princess romance; one mature fire-priestess reckoning with her past and falling for a guy who is seriously UP TO SOMETHING; so many cool and creepy magic and great worldbuilding throughout!
June 22, 2025
This is an underrated gem and I honestly hope this becomes popular!
House of Dusk is told through the perspectives of Sephre, a former soldier who became a nun to pay for her war crimes, and Yeneris, a spy who's undercover to recover a stolen relic from her destroyed homeland. Their vastly different POVs give the story so much substance that I don't think I can point out anything wrong with the story overall, probably except that it was a bit slow at first and that it ended the way it did—not a cliffhanger, but it made you want MORE. Sephre and Yeneris were both great characters, with fleshed-out backstories and strong characterizations. Personally, I loved Sephre's POV more just because more interesting stuff happened, but that doesn't mean Yeneris didn't have a bigger adventure.
Borrowing elements from Greek mythos, this book was new and familiar to me at the same time. It felt like seeing an old friend, even though most of my exposure to Greek myth-related books is from Rick Riordan (sue me). Anyway, the book felt like it was teasing for a sequel, which I hope will happen! The worldbuilding is lush and anything can happen in it, I don't care if it's not told through Sephre or Yeneris. Their stories already ended in this book, but I wish their endings were explored a little bit more. The author only gave crumbs on Sephre' and Yeneris' endgame, and I think this is the only time I've wanted to see at least one make-out scene haha.
Thank you NetGalley and DAW Books for providing me with this eARC in exchange for an honest review
House of Dusk is told through the perspectives of Sephre, a former soldier who became a nun to pay for her war crimes, and Yeneris, a spy who's undercover to recover a stolen relic from her destroyed homeland. Their vastly different POVs give the story so much substance that I don't think I can point out anything wrong with the story overall, probably except that it was a bit slow at first and that it ended the way it did—not a cliffhanger, but it made you want MORE. Sephre and Yeneris were both great characters, with fleshed-out backstories and strong characterizations. Personally, I loved Sephre's POV more just because more interesting stuff happened, but that doesn't mean Yeneris didn't have a bigger adventure.
Borrowing elements from Greek mythos, this book was new and familiar to me at the same time. It felt like seeing an old friend, even though most of my exposure to Greek myth-related books is from Rick Riordan (sue me). Anyway, the book felt like it was teasing for a sequel, which I hope will happen! The worldbuilding is lush and anything can happen in it, I don't care if it's not told through Sephre or Yeneris. Their stories already ended in this book, but I wish their endings were explored a little bit more. The author only gave crumbs on Sephre' and Yeneris' endgame, and I think this is the only time I've wanted to see at least one make-out scene haha.
Thank you NetGalley and DAW Books for providing me with this eARC in exchange for an honest review
August 23, 2025
This was on paper probably something that I should’ve really enjoyed. Unfortunately the comp authors, being some of my all-time favourite authors, really raised my expectations and they did not end up being met.
The use of dual POV, having both characters working towards the same goal but from different angles, in theory was interesting but then as they were coming to the same conclusions just at different times the story began to feel repetitive for me. They were not seeking these answers, rather they just seemed to happen to them. It began to get a bit boresome as the characters appeared to have no really agency and urgency.
I was impressed that Deva Fagan was able to wrap up this story in one book as it really had me convinced it was going to need a sequel for awhile there.
Despite all of that, Raquel Beattie did a great job narrating and keeping all the characters distinct from each other in voice, Unfortunately her skills did not make me enjoy this book. In fact it was probably only that I had an audiobook that allowed me to finish this.
Thank you Dreamscape Media for the ARC
The use of dual POV, having both characters working towards the same goal but from different angles, in theory was interesting but then as they were coming to the same conclusions just at different times the story began to feel repetitive for me. They were not seeking these answers, rather they just seemed to happen to them. It began to get a bit boresome as the characters appeared to have no really agency and urgency.
I was impressed that Deva Fagan was able to wrap up this story in one book as it really had me convinced it was going to need a sequel for awhile there.
Despite all of that, Raquel Beattie did a great job narrating and keeping all the characters distinct from each other in voice, Unfortunately her skills did not make me enjoy this book. In fact it was probably only that I had an audiobook that allowed me to finish this.
Thank you Dreamscape Media for the ARC
April 6, 2025
“Priory of the Orange Tree” fans, of which I am one, rejoice! Here is another epic fantasy with a phenomenal and inclusive cast of characters, an intricate plot, supernatural happenings, immersive world building, and sapphic yearning. Bonus point for having one of the main characters be a mid 40’s, fire wielding woman with a past she can’t outrun. I couldn’t put it down.
Thank you NetGalley and DAW books for an ARC!
Thank you NetGalley and DAW books for an ARC!
August 19, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing a free ALC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a pleasant surprise! A story filled with lore, adventure, light romance, etc. The world building was excellent, and the characters were interesting and likable. The relationship between the two fmcs was slow burn, and you could really see the trust develop over time between them. I do wish that the lore was a little more fleshed out as it could have really benefited from some more history being laid out for context, but overall I feel like the story was detailed enough to provide what was needed. The book is a standalone, but I'm hoping that more books may come from it eventually. I will definitely be picking up more by this author in the future!
This was a pleasant surprise! A story filled with lore, adventure, light romance, etc. The world building was excellent, and the characters were interesting and likable. The relationship between the two fmcs was slow burn, and you could really see the trust develop over time between them. I do wish that the lore was a little more fleshed out as it could have really benefited from some more history being laid out for context, but overall I feel like the story was detailed enough to provide what was needed. The book is a standalone, but I'm hoping that more books may come from it eventually. I will definitely be picking up more by this author in the future!
August 13, 2025
Received an arc from NetGalley in exchange for honest opinion, thanks!
3,5⭐️
A very good piece of story, featuring tropes of monastery and romance between bodyguard and princess. Word building is well thought through, simple enough to not overcomplicated things, yet complex enough that it allows the author to create a great tale. Characters do not fall behind, Fagan keeps them interesting and likable. I have especially favored Sephre, with her military background and her path to finding herself via becoming a sister. Romance was a nice add on, not too overwhelming compared to the main plot, yet not lacking depth.
Overall, there is much to be liked about this book. Cannot recommend enough!
3,5⭐️
A very good piece of story, featuring tropes of monastery and romance between bodyguard and princess. Word building is well thought through, simple enough to not overcomplicated things, yet complex enough that it allows the author to create a great tale. Characters do not fall behind, Fagan keeps them interesting and likable. I have especially favored Sephre, with her military background and her path to finding herself via becoming a sister. Romance was a nice add on, not too overwhelming compared to the main plot, yet not lacking depth.
Overall, there is much to be liked about this book. Cannot recommend enough!
August 17, 2025
"a romantic epic fantasy in which a fire-wielding nun seeking redemption and a young spy caught between her mission and romancing an enemy princess uncover the truth behind the legends of a brutal king and the rise of a long-dead god"
HERE FOR IT
actual review of my advanced reading copy
I think this is objectively lovely, and I massively approve of several things Fagan is doing here - myths/religion not telling the whole story of ancient events; the subversion of the One Evil God trope; conflicting faiths; fire-wielding priestesses; a world where non-binary people are nothing noteworthy, just accepted as completely normal. The prose is a good few levels above adequate, albeit nothing really special; our two POV characters are GREAT, I really liked them both, especially Sephre, our fire-wielding priestess who really wants to be wiped clean of all her memories, to get away from her guilt over what she did in the past war. The setting FEELS rich, even though the actual amount of worldbuilding and description we get is less than I usually like.
What I'm saying is that I think the problem is me, not the book. For some reason, I was bored senseless. Yeneris' chapters - half the book, and the F/F storyline - didn't interest me at all, especially because the princess she's guarding is naive beyond belief. I think it's very hard to write prophecies/seeing the future well, and I didn't love it here; the prophecies are cryptic as heck (think the pronouncements of the Oracle at Delphi and you're on the right track), and even though Sinoe acknowledges this very wryly, I still found them annoying to read. I made it to 47%, and just...didn't feel any interest in pushing on to the ending. Maybe because it all feels very straightforward (possibly as a result of making this story fit into a standalone)?
I think tons of people will LOVE this, and they should. I don't think House of Dusk has any objective flaws - a few things I don't really enjoy, but that's a taste thing, not a An Actual Flaw thing. I really can't put my finger on why it's not working for me. I would happily pounce on future books from this author! I may even be willing to try House of Dusk again in a year or two. So like - four stars, objectively! Just not for me, at least right now.
HERE FOR IT
actual review of my advanced reading copy
I think this is objectively lovely, and I massively approve of several things Fagan is doing here - myths/religion not telling the whole story of ancient events; the subversion of the One Evil God trope; conflicting faiths; fire-wielding priestesses; a world where non-binary people are nothing noteworthy, just accepted as completely normal. The prose is a good few levels above adequate, albeit nothing really special; our two POV characters are GREAT, I really liked them both, especially Sephre, our fire-wielding priestess who really wants to be wiped clean of all her memories, to get away from her guilt over what she did in the past war. The setting FEELS rich, even though the actual amount of worldbuilding and description we get is less than I usually like.
Maybe you had to be a bit terrible, to make your mark on the world.
What I'm saying is that I think the problem is me, not the book. For some reason, I was bored senseless. Yeneris' chapters - half the book, and the F/F storyline - didn't interest me at all, especially because the princess she's guarding is naive beyond belief. I think it's very hard to write prophecies/seeing the future well, and I didn't love it here; the prophecies are cryptic as heck (think the pronouncements of the Oracle at Delphi and you're on the right track), and even though Sinoe acknowledges this very wryly, I still found them annoying to read. I made it to 47%, and just...didn't feel any interest in pushing on to the ending. Maybe because it all feels very straightforward (possibly as a result of making this story fit into a standalone)?
Tell her that glory was a sword with no hilt. That it sliced you open if you tried to wield it.
I think tons of people will LOVE this, and they should. I don't think House of Dusk has any objective flaws - a few things I don't really enjoy, but that's a taste thing, not a An Actual Flaw thing. I really can't put my finger on why it's not working for me. I would happily pounce on future books from this author! I may even be willing to try House of Dusk again in a year or two. So like - four stars, objectively! Just not for me, at least right now.
August 28, 2025
This felt like a blast from the past! If you have nostalgia for classic heroic fantasy where ordinary people have to step up to the challenge to save the world from ancient evil, this is a must read. I swear they don't make them like that anymore.
Solid, immersive worldbuilding that plays an important part in the plot and isn't just a vain decoration. Gods, prophecies, ancient heroes and Orders, shadows of past wars, zombies, and a Byzantine vibe to the world.
Romance that develops naturally as a consequence of the plot and never halts the plot to a standstill to insert 20 tik tok tropes.
Writing style that takes just enough time to be atmospheric, but not too much to be overwritten.
Characters who feel like living people and not embodiments of 1 trait each.
Some amount of banter, but not so much to make the reader cringe or feel like a filler.
Prophecies utilized as foreshadowing, but not in a totally obvious way.
Legends and stories that have different versions between cultures and different interpretations.
I especially liked Yeneris' development where at start she views Sinoe as this spoiled, vapid, naive princess and slowly sees how that's just a mask Sinoe's forced to wear and starts noticing her hidden strengths and capabilities, and her beauty too, but it never felt shoehorned. The princess is an objectively beautiful - and beautified through various treatments - woman, and the forced proximity scenes always served the plot rather than plot serving the romance.
I also liked the student - teacher relationship (non-romantic) between Sephre and Timeus and how she viewed him as someone who could have been her younger brother or her alter ego in the past.
Sephre's romantic relationship with a "mysterious stranger" played a bit of a second fiddle, because they only meet once in the first half of the book and most of it takes place in the second half, but I liked the comfortable camaraderie they developed between themselves.
The pacing felt slower at start, to get all the pieces of the puzzle on the board, but slowly built up to a climactic finale. It felt epic and so very fitting the story.
And most importantly - this is a standalone. I'm so tired of the majority of "epic fantasy" being a trilogy where book 1 is an extended prologue, book 2 is filler aka middle book syndrome and only book 3 is actually worth reading. Nope, here you get a complete, satisfying story in just one book. No need to wait 2+ years for the sequels and paying triple the price.
This book seems extremely underrated - no crates, no special editions, no big hype. A shame! Recently a lot of hyped releases disappointed me, while a few smaller, hidden gems surprised me positively, this was one of them.
I really miss the vibe of classic heroic / adventure fantasy that isn't a bloated epic or forcibly crammed into "cozy fantasy", or overshadowed by a romance plot. I'd love a dozen more books like this one, please.
Thank you DAW and Netgalley for the ARC!
Solid, immersive worldbuilding that plays an important part in the plot and isn't just a vain decoration. Gods, prophecies, ancient heroes and Orders, shadows of past wars, zombies, and a Byzantine vibe to the world.
Romance that develops naturally as a consequence of the plot and never halts the plot to a standstill to insert 20 tik tok tropes.
Writing style that takes just enough time to be atmospheric, but not too much to be overwritten.
Characters who feel like living people and not embodiments of 1 trait each.
Some amount of banter, but not so much to make the reader cringe or feel like a filler.
Prophecies utilized as foreshadowing, but not in a totally obvious way.
Legends and stories that have different versions between cultures and different interpretations.
I especially liked Yeneris' development where at start she views Sinoe as this spoiled, vapid, naive princess and slowly sees how that's just a mask Sinoe's forced to wear and starts noticing her hidden strengths and capabilities, and her beauty too, but it never felt shoehorned. The princess is an objectively beautiful - and beautified through various treatments - woman, and the forced proximity scenes always served the plot rather than plot serving the romance.
I also liked the student - teacher relationship (non-romantic) between Sephre and Timeus and how she viewed him as someone who could have been her younger brother or her alter ego in the past.
Sephre's romantic relationship with a "mysterious stranger" played a bit of a second fiddle, because they only meet once in the first half of the book and most of it takes place in the second half, but I liked the comfortable camaraderie they developed between themselves.
The pacing felt slower at start, to get all the pieces of the puzzle on the board, but slowly built up to a climactic finale. It felt epic and so very fitting the story.
And most importantly - this is a standalone. I'm so tired of the majority of "epic fantasy" being a trilogy where book 1 is an extended prologue, book 2 is filler aka middle book syndrome and only book 3 is actually worth reading. Nope, here you get a complete, satisfying story in just one book. No need to wait 2+ years for the sequels and paying triple the price.
This book seems extremely underrated - no crates, no special editions, no big hype. A shame! Recently a lot of hyped releases disappointed me, while a few smaller, hidden gems surprised me positively, this was one of them.
I really miss the vibe of classic heroic / adventure fantasy that isn't a bloated epic or forcibly crammed into "cozy fantasy", or overshadowed by a romance plot. I'd love a dozen more books like this one, please.
Thank you DAW and Netgalley for the ARC!
July 20, 2025
How good is House of Dusk, you may ask? I’d say it’s pretty dang good!
Fire-wielding nuns in a queer normative world? Say less!
Yearning and banter that will have you giggling? Yes please!
This is an epic fantasy for those who loved Vespertine and The Merciful Crow – with death magic, gods, and faith at its centre.
Thank you NetGalley and DAW Books for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
To read my full review, visit my Wordpress blog at https://eviethebookworm.wordpress.com...
Fire-wielding nuns in a queer normative world? Say less!
Yearning and banter that will have you giggling? Yes please!
This is an epic fantasy for those who loved Vespertine and The Merciful Crow – with death magic, gods, and faith at its centre.
Thank you NetGalley and DAW Books for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
To read my full review, visit my Wordpress blog at https://eviethebookworm.wordpress.com...
April 28, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and DAW for the ARC!
House of Dusk follows two alternating POVs against a backdrop of mythology, prophecy, and an ancient scheming evil. Sephre, a flame-wielding nun trying to forget a horrific war crime she helped commit, is thwarted by rising corpses and a mysterious man who accompanies a trail of death across the country. Meanwhile Yeneris, an undercover agent orphaned by the same war and tasked with recovering the stolen bones of her people's saint, is waylaid by the charismatic princess and a much darker secret within her enemies' palace. Each of the two women follows her own path toward preventing a cataclysmic event that would destroy the world.
I went into this with high expectations, and while I enjoyed elements of the story, overall I think it lacked the emotional punch suggested in its premise. The worldbuilding is fun and inventive, if not particularly original (though I did really like the nuns' powers, both the flame wielding (windup nunzilla, anyone?) and a second, in my opinion even cooler power introduced later on that I won't spoil!) The romance between Yeneris and the princess Sinoe was probably my favorite part, as it was well-developed throughout. Sinoe in particular had layers of characterization that made it easy to sympathize with her and root for her the whole way through. Actually, I wish the novel could have spent more time with Yeneris and Sinoe working together to uncover the villainous plot. Sephre's romantic subplot felt a little more forced, though I had warmed up to it by the end. I think the problem was that even though this book is quite long, there wasn't time to develop both romances fully because this is essentially two separate stories disguised as one book.
Which is why the dual POV aspect of this novel didn't work as well for me, even though I'm usually a sucker for unusual story structure. The two main characters are separate for the entire story, but as they move along their individual narratives, they're each uncovering the same information, and frequently by putting two and two together the same way the reader does (so rather than taking some sort of action or making a discovery in-scene, they basically think about what they've learned already and make a conclusion). So the reader is already doing that, and then you watch the first character figure it out, and then the second character. This really slows down the pacing and sort of kills any anticipation of what's going to happen next, so the second half in particular dragged quite a bit as I waited for the characters to figure it all out. That said, the finale had some good action and the ending was satisfying.
———
Is it queer? Yes! This book has both a sapphic and a hetero relationship.
Is it diverse? It's kind of fantasy diverse, but no, not really.
How long did it take? I spent around 12 hours reading this and that was spread across 11 days because I was struggling to keep my attention on it for long stretches at a time.
House of Dusk follows two alternating POVs against a backdrop of mythology, prophecy, and an ancient scheming evil. Sephre, a flame-wielding nun trying to forget a horrific war crime she helped commit, is thwarted by rising corpses and a mysterious man who accompanies a trail of death across the country. Meanwhile Yeneris, an undercover agent orphaned by the same war and tasked with recovering the stolen bones of her people's saint, is waylaid by the charismatic princess and a much darker secret within her enemies' palace. Each of the two women follows her own path toward preventing a cataclysmic event that would destroy the world.
I went into this with high expectations, and while I enjoyed elements of the story, overall I think it lacked the emotional punch suggested in its premise. The worldbuilding is fun and inventive, if not particularly original (though I did really like the nuns' powers, both the flame wielding (windup nunzilla, anyone?) and a second, in my opinion even cooler power introduced later on that I won't spoil!) The romance between Yeneris and the princess Sinoe was probably my favorite part, as it was well-developed throughout. Sinoe in particular had layers of characterization that made it easy to sympathize with her and root for her the whole way through. Actually, I wish the novel could have spent more time with Yeneris and Sinoe working together to uncover the villainous plot. Sephre's romantic subplot felt a little more forced, though I had warmed up to it by the end. I think the problem was that even though this book is quite long, there wasn't time to develop both romances fully because this is essentially two separate stories disguised as one book.
Which is why the dual POV aspect of this novel didn't work as well for me, even though I'm usually a sucker for unusual story structure. The two main characters are separate for the entire story, but as they move along their individual narratives, they're each uncovering the same information, and frequently by putting two and two together the same way the reader does (so rather than taking some sort of action or making a discovery in-scene, they basically think about what they've learned already and make a conclusion). So the reader is already doing that, and then you watch the first character figure it out, and then the second character. This really slows down the pacing and sort of kills any anticipation of what's going to happen next, so the second half in particular dragged quite a bit as I waited for the characters to figure it all out. That said, the finale had some good action and the ending was satisfying.
———
Is it queer? Yes! This book has both a sapphic and a hetero relationship.
Is it diverse? It's kind of fantasy diverse, but no, not really.
How long did it take? I spent around 12 hours reading this and that was spread across 11 days because I was struggling to keep my attention on it for long stretches at a time.
August 18, 2025
This was absolutely lovely. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
In a break from form, I'll give my major complaint first: the beginning was a little slow, and I had trouble getting into the book. I'm not sure exactly why, but it may have been just the introduction of world building felt slightly overwhelming to me. I'm writing my dissertation and recently gave myself stress-induced heartburn: I'm having a rough one. I would have loved a map, just to help keep track of the geography at the beginning. It's not necessary, but I have read books with far less need of a map than this one that do have maps. I also did not particularly like Yeneris at first, which is unfortunate for a POV character.
However, all of that changed once we got to the lore and I got a little more comfortable with the world I was in. I loved the Greek inspiration, and I loved the toying that Fagan did with the idea of reincarnation. Religion in general was handled really well. Religion is a tool in this book, not mindlessly good or evil. Sephre's journey regarding religion was particularly resonant with me for somewhat spoilery reasons, so I won't get into that here, but rest assured that it is well-handled. I really liked the book's questioning of what cycles are worthwhile and what aren't, and how we should deal with them either way. It wasn't particularly groundbreaking, but it was done well, and that is not a certainty in the publishing industry these days. The other main theme for the theme-enjoyers: coping with the past and the process of myth-making! That's the good shit! Tell me more about how history is a construct!
Let's talk about the characters in general, because Fagan really nailed the assignment. Sephre is great, because we need more 30-something epic fantasy female protagonists. I'm always down for a character who has done The Horrors and figures out how to move past them, so that was an easy slam dunk. Yeneris and Sinoe grew on me as well! I, like Yeneris, fell for Sinoe's act at first, but I grew to like her. I love a character that can just bullshit people effectively and also cry blood tears. Yeneris was also so competent, and I loved that they both respected each other's talents. There was also never any keeping secrets bullshit! Everyone talked to each other a reasonable amount, and I never felt like there were any contrivances. For more side characters, I obviously liked Timeus because I'm just like him for real, but I also really liked Beroe. Well, liked is a bit of a strong word, but I found her so interesting to watch as Sephre's opposite. If there is ever a second book, I'd really like to see more of her.
Ok, I am going to slip in one more complaint at the end: it does get a little quippy sometimes. Sinoe, Yeneris, and Nilos are the main offenders for me, but it's not really that bad. I'm just a hater about such things.
Overall, a great read, and I would read any further adult fiction that Fagan writes.
In a break from form, I'll give my major complaint first: the beginning was a little slow, and I had trouble getting into the book. I'm not sure exactly why, but it may have been just the introduction of world building felt slightly overwhelming to me. I'm writing my dissertation and recently gave myself stress-induced heartburn: I'm having a rough one. I would have loved a map, just to help keep track of the geography at the beginning. It's not necessary, but I have read books with far less need of a map than this one that do have maps. I also did not particularly like Yeneris at first, which is unfortunate for a POV character.
However, all of that changed once we got to the lore and I got a little more comfortable with the world I was in. I loved the Greek inspiration, and I loved the toying that Fagan did with the idea of reincarnation. Religion in general was handled really well. Religion is a tool in this book, not mindlessly good or evil. Sephre's journey regarding religion was particularly resonant with me for somewhat spoilery reasons, so I won't get into that here, but rest assured that it is well-handled. I really liked the book's questioning of what cycles are worthwhile and what aren't, and how we should deal with them either way. It wasn't particularly groundbreaking, but it was done well, and that is not a certainty in the publishing industry these days. The other main theme for the theme-enjoyers: coping with the past and the process of myth-making! That's the good shit! Tell me more about how history is a construct!
Let's talk about the characters in general, because Fagan really nailed the assignment. Sephre is great, because we need more 30-something epic fantasy female protagonists. I'm always down for a character who has done The Horrors and figures out how to move past them, so that was an easy slam dunk. Yeneris and Sinoe grew on me as well! I, like Yeneris, fell for Sinoe's act at first, but I grew to like her. I love a character that can just bullshit people effectively and also cry blood tears. Yeneris was also so competent, and I loved that they both respected each other's talents. There was also never any keeping secrets bullshit! Everyone talked to each other a reasonable amount, and I never felt like there were any contrivances. For more side characters, I obviously liked Timeus because I'm just like him for real, but I also really liked Beroe. Well, liked is a bit of a strong word, but I found her so interesting to watch as Sephre's opposite. If there is ever a second book, I'd really like to see more of her.
Ok, I am going to slip in one more complaint at the end: it does get a little quippy sometimes. Sinoe, Yeneris, and Nilos are the main offenders for me, but it's not really that bad. I'm just a hater about such things.
Overall, a great read, and I would read any further adult fiction that Fagan writes.
August 16, 2025
It's hard to write a very good review about a book you liked as much as I liked this one.
As far as criticisms go, I will say that this is a fantasy book for fantasy readers. Fagan throws you into the world and expects you to just swim along with the current until things start making sense to you. There's no glossary to hold your hand. She's in no hurry to get the plot underway or unravel the mystery, at first. Throughout, her prose primarily hangs out somewhere between purple and poetic, occasionally touching each shore. She also does the much-mocked fantasy author thing where she smashes two words together to name all her fantasy plants and animals, so much so that even I, a dyed-in-the-wool fantasy nerd, found it a bit much at times.
It's also very much a first novel, which I say with affection.
If Sephre's first two chapters don't hook you, I don't know that I would recommend hanging on another 4 hours (per my audio book) until the plot really gets going. There is nothing about saving the world from evil gods that is particularly unique, and while the plot has lots of twists and turns, they're signposted so well that they are unlikely to surprise you.
Me? I've never met prose too purple to love, and I hate both dramatic irony and mysteries that stretch on too long, so I was perfectly content with the writing.
I was hooked by Sephre's first two chapters. She's the fire-wielding nun of the description, which is cool and all, but also a retired war hero/war criminal (depending on your perspective) in her forties who has chosen a monastic life in an attempt to escape from the genuinely, truly horrific things she has done. Like Ancillary Justice's Breq or Graceling's Katsa, she's an unreliable narrator who thinks her prickly exterior is better at keeping people from loving her than it actually is.
I also loved Yeneris, the other POV character, but less so. She's much more straightforwardly good, which makes her a bit less interesting. Her love interest, Princess/sibyl Sinoe, on the other hand, is an absolute delight. I understand why Yeneris has to be the POV and not Sinoe, but Sinoe really steals those chapters.
What didn't work for me specifically? Really just Sephre's romance subplot. I felt nothing and think the story would have been stronger without it, but I understood why it made sense and I didn't totally hate it.
I received a free eARC through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
As far as criticisms go, I will say that this is a fantasy book for fantasy readers. Fagan throws you into the world and expects you to just swim along with the current until things start making sense to you. There's no glossary to hold your hand. She's in no hurry to get the plot underway or unravel the mystery, at first. Throughout, her prose primarily hangs out somewhere between purple and poetic, occasionally touching each shore. She also does the much-mocked fantasy author thing where she smashes two words together to name all her fantasy plants and animals, so much so that even I, a dyed-in-the-wool fantasy nerd, found it a bit much at times.
It's also very much a first novel, which I say with affection.
If Sephre's first two chapters don't hook you, I don't know that I would recommend hanging on another 4 hours (per my audio book) until the plot really gets going. There is nothing about saving the world from evil gods that is particularly unique, and while the plot has lots of twists and turns, they're signposted so well that they are unlikely to surprise you.
Me? I've never met prose too purple to love, and I hate both dramatic irony and mysteries that stretch on too long, so I was perfectly content with the writing.
I was hooked by Sephre's first two chapters. She's the fire-wielding nun of the description, which is cool and all, but also a retired war hero/war criminal (depending on your perspective) in her forties who has chosen a monastic life in an attempt to escape from the genuinely, truly horrific things she has done. Like Ancillary Justice's Breq or Graceling's Katsa, she's an unreliable narrator who thinks her prickly exterior is better at keeping people from loving her than it actually is.
I also loved Yeneris, the other POV character, but less so. She's much more straightforwardly good, which makes her a bit less interesting. Her love interest, Princess/sibyl Sinoe, on the other hand, is an absolute delight. I understand why Yeneris has to be the POV and not Sinoe, but Sinoe really steals those chapters.
What didn't work for me specifically? Really just Sephre's romance subplot. I felt nothing and think the story would have been stronger without it, but I understood why it made sense and I didn't totally hate it.
I received a free eARC through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
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August 26, 2025Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy
House of Dusk by Deva Fagan is a third person dual-POV epic romantic fantasy. Sephre is a nun who wields the flames of the Phoenix to pay for her crimes during the war. Yeneris is a war orphan-turned-spy who is searching for the bones of a saint, but ends up falling for the princess she’s pretending to protect. As the dead start rising up again and the gods begin to come back, Yeneris and Sephre need to decide if they’re going to stay the course or change their paths.
This doesn’t follow the usual structure of dual-POV romantic fantasies as Yeneris’ love interest, Princess Sinoe, does not get any POV chapters. This could have put the romance in the backseat to the point that it didn’t feel present enough to be a romantic fantasy, but since Yeneris’ POV is so strongly centered on her growing feelings for Sinoe, it does fit into the subgenre. That could be reader dependent, though, as I know some readers have different expectations for what makes a book a romantic fantasy versus a fantasy with a romance subplot.
This felt sort of like a DND campaign or a classic dungeon fantasy game to me. The use of the broader lore, the dungeon, the expansive world, being set after a war all created this feeling for me of epic stakes like was found in fantasy that was more common decades ago. These days, a lot of fantasy is more claustrophobic, which has its benefits in enhancing specific subgenres like cozy, Romantasy, and Gothic, but if something is sold to me as an epic fantasy, I want it to be as big as possible. The classic fantasy aspects felt updated while also feeling familiar.
There are two romance subplots going on: the Sapphic bodyguard x princess relationship between Sinoe and Yeneris and the slowburn between Sephre and Nilos, a man who holds parts of the Serpent, a god with immense power. Both relationships felt very different and had different amounts of screen time, which allowed the epic parts of the plot to unfold while developing the characters.
I would recommend this to fans of romantic fantasy and epic fantasy and readers of classic fantasy who want a Romantasy
House of Dusk by Deva Fagan is a third person dual-POV epic romantic fantasy. Sephre is a nun who wields the flames of the Phoenix to pay for her crimes during the war. Yeneris is a war orphan-turned-spy who is searching for the bones of a saint, but ends up falling for the princess she’s pretending to protect. As the dead start rising up again and the gods begin to come back, Yeneris and Sephre need to decide if they’re going to stay the course or change their paths.
This doesn’t follow the usual structure of dual-POV romantic fantasies as Yeneris’ love interest, Princess Sinoe, does not get any POV chapters. This could have put the romance in the backseat to the point that it didn’t feel present enough to be a romantic fantasy, but since Yeneris’ POV is so strongly centered on her growing feelings for Sinoe, it does fit into the subgenre. That could be reader dependent, though, as I know some readers have different expectations for what makes a book a romantic fantasy versus a fantasy with a romance subplot.
This felt sort of like a DND campaign or a classic dungeon fantasy game to me. The use of the broader lore, the dungeon, the expansive world, being set after a war all created this feeling for me of epic stakes like was found in fantasy that was more common decades ago. These days, a lot of fantasy is more claustrophobic, which has its benefits in enhancing specific subgenres like cozy, Romantasy, and Gothic, but if something is sold to me as an epic fantasy, I want it to be as big as possible. The classic fantasy aspects felt updated while also feeling familiar.
There are two romance subplots going on: the Sapphic bodyguard x princess relationship between Sinoe and Yeneris and the slowburn between Sephre and Nilos, a man who holds parts of the Serpent, a god with immense power. Both relationships felt very different and had different amounts of screen time, which allowed the epic parts of the plot to unfold while developing the characters.
I would recommend this to fans of romantic fantasy and epic fantasy and readers of classic fantasy who want a Romantasy
August 26, 2025
4.25/5
it shocked me how much i enjoyed this book—i truly was not expecting to fall in love with this world like i did! the storyline was giving epic fantasy while also maintaining a cozy bedtime story vibe, and i really enjoyed that. the characters were likeable and real, and i especially enjoyed that most of the characters were older (majority being 30+) which i found incredibly refreshing and relatable as a 30 year old myself. there is a slight bit of clean romance, one sapphic and one straight, but it definitely takes a major back seat to the main plot. there were a few sweet moments, however sometimes i will say they did feel forced/unnatural in a way that made them feel like they were only added to appease those that need romance in a story in order to read it. i didn’t think either were necessary, but alas i did still like them.
i loved the duel pov and seeing the two separate plot lines converge. i also thought that having realizations/plot points be revealed nearly simultaneously but in vastly different ways was a really creative way to move the story along in both perspectives. the two main characters came from very different points of the world which fleshed out a lot of world-building without it feeling too info dumpy which often times happens in books with complex worlds with different countries and historical backgrounds at play.
while this was a standalone, it seems like the author left the ending pretty open, which could mean we could see a prequel or a interrelated sequel in the future which makes me excited. i almost wish this one was a full duology because i found the ending a bit rushed and wanted it to be further expanded upon, and also i just really enjoyed learning about the magic system, the old gods, and the different houses and what they stood for which could make me biased.
in all i definitely recommend this one and hope it becomes popular!!!
it shocked me how much i enjoyed this book—i truly was not expecting to fall in love with this world like i did! the storyline was giving epic fantasy while also maintaining a cozy bedtime story vibe, and i really enjoyed that. the characters were likeable and real, and i especially enjoyed that most of the characters were older (majority being 30+) which i found incredibly refreshing and relatable as a 30 year old myself. there is a slight bit of clean romance, one sapphic and one straight, but it definitely takes a major back seat to the main plot. there were a few sweet moments, however sometimes i will say they did feel forced/unnatural in a way that made them feel like they were only added to appease those that need romance in a story in order to read it. i didn’t think either were necessary, but alas i did still like them.
i loved the duel pov and seeing the two separate plot lines converge. i also thought that having realizations/plot points be revealed nearly simultaneously but in vastly different ways was a really creative way to move the story along in both perspectives. the two main characters came from very different points of the world which fleshed out a lot of world-building without it feeling too info dumpy which often times happens in books with complex worlds with different countries and historical backgrounds at play.
while this was a standalone, it seems like the author left the ending pretty open, which could mean we could see a prequel or a interrelated sequel in the future which makes me excited. i almost wish this one was a full duology because i found the ending a bit rushed and wanted it to be further expanded upon, and also i just really enjoyed learning about the magic system, the old gods, and the different houses and what they stood for which could make me biased.
in all i definitely recommend this one and hope it becomes popular!!!
August 15, 2025
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC!
Ah, this was good. Nothing really to complain about, with endearing characters, tight character arcs and plotlines, and a satisfying conclusion. My one nitpick would just be I thought Yeneris and Sinoe's romance felt very fast-paced for how deeply devoted to each other they are but I can forgive it given the story's timeline and they're very cute together (it was also pretty hilarious reading how Yeneris was down so bad for the princess). I most enjoyed the more realistic and mature relationship between Sephre and Nilos though, in addition to their more mature attitudes given their older age; the two of them balanced each other out nicely and their relationship hit a lot of tropes and notes that I really love to see in romances but it would be spoilery to mention so IYKYK. I'm not sure if this is a standalone or first in a series as I felt the ending felt mostly wrapped up but there's plenty of room for a sequel and I would be eager to see more from this world, especially with more elaboration on the pantheon and the other Houses.
Ah, this was good. Nothing really to complain about, with endearing characters, tight character arcs and plotlines, and a satisfying conclusion. My one nitpick would just be I thought Yeneris and Sinoe's romance felt very fast-paced for how deeply devoted to each other they are but I can forgive it given the story's timeline and they're very cute together (it was also pretty hilarious reading how Yeneris was down so bad for the princess). I most enjoyed the more realistic and mature relationship between Sephre and Nilos though, in addition to their more mature attitudes given their older age; the two of them balanced each other out nicely and their relationship hit a lot of tropes and notes that I really love to see in romances but it would be spoilery to mention so IYKYK. I'm not sure if this is a standalone or first in a series as I felt the ending felt mostly wrapped up but there's plenty of room for a sequel and I would be eager to see more from this world, especially with more elaboration on the pantheon and the other Houses.
August 23, 2025
*Thank you to Daw and Dreamscape Media for a complimentary arc and alc of House of Dusk. All opinions expressed are my own. *
Considering Fagan has mostly written for children previously, I wasn’t familiar with her writing before this and didn’t know what to expect from House of Dusk at all. The synopsis sounded like it would either deliver something incredible or something that would feel like it was trying to hard, yet I was left feeling like neither fit my final thought on the book in the end.
The usage of greek mythology elements makes the world building and story easier to get into, but doesn’t make the plot feel predictable.
The POVs of Sephre and Yeneris are written so different that it feels like Fagan really managed to give the characters their own voices, which added a lot of depth and substance to the storytelling, and while the two leads don’t know each other, they’re essentially on the same mission from different angles, and the details that get revealed from each POV allows you to put the pieces together for yourself, but without it feeling like a predictable plot.
Fagan managed to do so much with House of Dusk, without leaving any threads loose, that I’m surprised at what she managed to deliver in a standalone novel. While I enjoyed reading this, I didn’t feel like it really hooked me as much as I’d hoped. I liked it, but it didn’t keep me up late to get another chapter done. Still, I’m very intrigued to see whatever Fagan might deliver to us next.
Considering Fagan has mostly written for children previously, I wasn’t familiar with her writing before this and didn’t know what to expect from House of Dusk at all. The synopsis sounded like it would either deliver something incredible or something that would feel like it was trying to hard, yet I was left feeling like neither fit my final thought on the book in the end.
The usage of greek mythology elements makes the world building and story easier to get into, but doesn’t make the plot feel predictable.
The POVs of Sephre and Yeneris are written so different that it feels like Fagan really managed to give the characters their own voices, which added a lot of depth and substance to the storytelling, and while the two leads don’t know each other, they’re essentially on the same mission from different angles, and the details that get revealed from each POV allows you to put the pieces together for yourself, but without it feeling like a predictable plot.
Fagan managed to do so much with House of Dusk, without leaving any threads loose, that I’m surprised at what she managed to deliver in a standalone novel. While I enjoyed reading this, I didn’t feel like it really hooked me as much as I’d hoped. I liked it, but it didn’t keep me up late to get another chapter done. Still, I’m very intrigued to see whatever Fagan might deliver to us next.
July 16, 2025
Rating: 4.25 stars
An ex-war hero now turned fire-wielding nun, a bodyguard whose true job is to spy on her charge, and a princess who speaks the prophecies of the fates all set in a rich world of gods and ghouls, death and reincarnation.
I thought the world building was stunning. It’s full of myth and Mediterranean ethos. The sapphic love story was so sweet. It’s marketed as a standalone and the ending is satisfying, but there is definitely so much more to be explored in this world. And on that note, my main criticism is that I think there was room for this novel to be even more epic, and I would have sat with it for another 100 pages to see more of the world expanded on.
This book kind of came out of nowhere (thank you Daw books for gifting me a copy), but it was such a pleasant surprise.
An ex-war hero now turned fire-wielding nun, a bodyguard whose true job is to spy on her charge, and a princess who speaks the prophecies of the fates all set in a rich world of gods and ghouls, death and reincarnation.
I thought the world building was stunning. It’s full of myth and Mediterranean ethos. The sapphic love story was so sweet. It’s marketed as a standalone and the ending is satisfying, but there is definitely so much more to be explored in this world. And on that note, my main criticism is that I think there was room for this novel to be even more epic, and I would have sat with it for another 100 pages to see more of the world expanded on.
This book kind of came out of nowhere (thank you Daw books for gifting me a copy), but it was such a pleasant surprise.
April 28, 2025
This was an incredible read. I can't believe this is Deva Fagan's first adult fantasy book. This is an epic story with romantic subplots, and it felt very indicative of stories like Blood Over Bright Haven, Priory of the Orange Tree, or She Who Became the Sun. I find stories like these are so relevant to current day. I kept thinking about how government, religion, and the winners in conflict write the history we all tend to follow and believe. And how blind belief can lead to horrible consequences. House of Dusk felt like a reminder to listen to your heart, but always think critically about everything you hear and see.
I loved the characters in this story. We have dual POV from two very powerful, strong, independent women who are navigating an intricate plot, a complex world, and very high-stakes.
10/10 highly recommend. And all of this in a standalone? AMAZING.
I loved the characters in this story. We have dual POV from two very powerful, strong, independent women who are navigating an intricate plot, a complex world, and very high-stakes.
10/10 highly recommend. And all of this in a standalone? AMAZING.
September 5, 2025
Thank you Daw Books for sending me an Advanced Reading Copy!
House of Dusk was a book that said "for fans of Priory of the Orange Tree" and did NOT disappoint! For once, a comp title feels actually comparable. From the first page it had that “oh, this is special” feeling, the kind of fantasy that throws you into a world brimming with danger, history, and magic but never feels overwhelming. I was hooked on the atmosphere, with its simmering gods, shadowy threats, and that sense that anything could come clawing out of the dark at any moment.
But what I loved most was the characters! It was nice to see older characters that had the complexity and multitudes; it made them feel very grounded. Sephre and Yeneris stole my heart in completely different ways. Sephre, with her fire and heavy regrets, felt raw and human in the middle of all this epic chaos. And Yeneris was smart, cautious, but also quietly aching for connection. I loved every single moment from her perspective. I honestly couldn’t pick a favorite POV because they were both so strong and emotionally charged.
Not to mention the romance! It’s exactly the kind I fall for every time: slow burn, delicate, and complicated by duty and secrets. The way feelings unfold between Yeneris and Sinoe had me grinning, holding my breath, and rooting for them with my whole chest. It wasn’t rushed, it wasn’t forced—it just fit, and by the time it bloomed it felt so worth the wait.
This book gave me everything I want in fantasy: high stakes, fierce women, ancient magic, and a romance that at the end of the day, was very sweet. My only qualms with the book was that occasionally Yeneris and Sinoe felt a bit juvenile, and the plot had a few moments where I felt small sags. For the most part, though, it was a very solid book that I see the potential for additions in the future! Although this was a standalone, I enjoyed the world immensely, and would like to return to it in another installment.
4.5 stars!
House of Dusk was a book that said "for fans of Priory of the Orange Tree" and did NOT disappoint! For once, a comp title feels actually comparable. From the first page it had that “oh, this is special” feeling, the kind of fantasy that throws you into a world brimming with danger, history, and magic but never feels overwhelming. I was hooked on the atmosphere, with its simmering gods, shadowy threats, and that sense that anything could come clawing out of the dark at any moment.
But what I loved most was the characters! It was nice to see older characters that had the complexity and multitudes; it made them feel very grounded. Sephre and Yeneris stole my heart in completely different ways. Sephre, with her fire and heavy regrets, felt raw and human in the middle of all this epic chaos. And Yeneris was smart, cautious, but also quietly aching for connection. I loved every single moment from her perspective. I honestly couldn’t pick a favorite POV because they were both so strong and emotionally charged.
Not to mention the romance! It’s exactly the kind I fall for every time: slow burn, delicate, and complicated by duty and secrets. The way feelings unfold between Yeneris and Sinoe had me grinning, holding my breath, and rooting for them with my whole chest. It wasn’t rushed, it wasn’t forced—it just fit, and by the time it bloomed it felt so worth the wait.
This book gave me everything I want in fantasy: high stakes, fierce women, ancient magic, and a romance that at the end of the day, was very sweet. My only qualms with the book was that occasionally Yeneris and Sinoe felt a bit juvenile, and the plot had a few moments where I felt small sags. For the most part, though, it was a very solid book that I see the potential for additions in the future! Although this was a standalone, I enjoyed the world immensely, and would like to return to it in another installment.
4.5 stars!
September 6, 2025
4.5 stars
thank you to DAW for the arc!
it was a really delightful read—I loved the characters most of all (especially a crotchety middle-aged woman with a healthy dose of self-loathing but a lot of tenderness buried deep down and her reluctantly-accepted mentee) but the worldbuilding was also quite fun. I like when belief and religion and figuring out the truth among myths are a major theme in books, and this one delivered well. there was also a very sweet slow-burn bodyguard/princess sapphic romance in this that took me by surprise in how much I enjoyed it.
solid prose, a great story arc, fantastic worldbuilding, and very lovable characters
thank you to DAW for the arc!
it was a really delightful read—I loved the characters most of all (especially a crotchety middle-aged woman with a healthy dose of self-loathing but a lot of tenderness buried deep down and her reluctantly-accepted mentee) but the worldbuilding was also quite fun. I like when belief and religion and figuring out the truth among myths are a major theme in books, and this one delivered well. there was also a very sweet slow-burn bodyguard/princess sapphic romance in this that took me by surprise in how much I enjoyed it.
solid prose, a great story arc, fantastic worldbuilding, and very lovable characters
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