Starred review from June 10, 2024
Enright’s riveting and remarkably assured dark fantasy debut follows a young woman on a quest for revenge that leads her to the heart of the treacherous court of the vampire king. When Shan LeClaire, a powerful Blood Worker, assassinates her disgraced noble father and assumes control of the family, it’s just the first step in her complex plan of vengeance against the Eternal King. Along the way, her machinations ensnare Samuel Hutchinson, a man with an impossibly rare gift; reignite her childhood romance with the Royal Bloodworker; and send the trio on the hunts for the serial killer terrorizing the city. Enright’s richly atmospheric prose immerses readers in a meticulously crafted world, where familiar vampire tropes are skillfully subverted. The novel’s greatest strength lies in its morally ambiguous, multifaceted characters, particularly Shan, the cunning and ruthless antiheroine whose relentless machinations drive the story forward. The high-stakes romance subplot, featuring a polyamorous relationship and trans representation, adds depth and tension to the narrative. Calling to mind the works of both Anne Rice and V.E. Schwab, this tale of magic, murder, and ambition will captivate fans of dark, political fantasy. Agent: Jennifer Azantian, Azantian Literary.