"He wasn’t a hero. He’d never asked for this power. All Orpheus had ever wanted was to find a shred of happiness in a world that had been cold and harsh."

This book is such a unique take on a villain redemption story. For years, Orpheus has done everything he can to help his one friend, Lore, achieve her goals. As a sorcerer, he has access to magic that other people don't and he plays a key role in helping Lore unite her empire. But when the consequences of his magic causes harm to those in the palace they live in, he's banished and sent out to live on his own. Outside of the gilded walls for the first time in his life, he starts to understand the role he's played and how his actions might be more villainous than he expected them to be.

"It was too easy to paint an enemy in flat colors when you held the vantage of power, to overlook the humanity of what you destroyed and see simply a means to an end."

I love the way this story plays out. As an outside perspective we get to see the cracks and holes in Orpheus' life before he starts to realize them. There's so much he's blocked out from his own life and as his secrets unravel, it gives him the chance to choose his own path forward for the first time. Experiencing the way his very foundation breaks as he realizes some harsh truths is so heartbreaking. But it also helps him find his true strength and the way he builds himself back up and sets out to right his wrongs is truly admirable.

"Fenrir held Orpheus there, tucked into the crook of his shoulder, fingertips digging and dragging, a slow circling into his scalp that calmed Orpheus in a way nothing ever had."

And by his side through it all is Lore's ex-general and his nemesis, Fenrir Rawkner. Fenrir is the sunshine to all of Fifi's grumpiness. (Yes, Fenrir does call Orpheus "Fifi" and it's just as adorable as it sounds!) Regardless of all the dark things he's seen out there and all the battles he's fought, he manages to hold onto his hope and optimism and it's what keeps them going every time the world tries to bring them down. Of course, his undying love for Fifi is not to be forgotten.

"He refused to look at Fenrir again. Refused to confront his stupid blush and his stupider grin and all those stupid muscles."

The moment when Orpheus realizes that their years of bantering and pranks has just been a form of flirting is one of my favorites. And the way Fenrir is always their with open arms to comfort him is so sweet and made me swoon every time. These two are so cute together and after everything that's happened, I just need them to be happy.

“Fifi,” Fenrir said, voice so raw it broke, “I would have waited until the world ended all over again if that’s how much time you needed.”

The mix of hell beasts and magic, along with relics of the past makes this world really intriguing. Especially the combinations of magic, technology and nature. Those are things I'd like to see more of in the future. While this book could stand alone, I'm glad we're getting more from this world and its people. I feel like there's so many more ways in which it can be explored and I can't wait to see where the author takes the story to next!