In the heart-wrenching sequel to The Sins on Their Bones, The Lure of Their Graves forces Dimitri and Vasily to confront old ghosts and a new threat: political enemies-turned-suitors, all coveting Dimitri’s throne and his hand in marriage.

Dimitri Abramovich may have won back the throne of Novo-Svitsevo, but even after defeating his former husband, the usurper Alexey Balakin, he seems no closer to securing lasting peace for his people. Enemies are closing in on all sides, and pressure is mounting for Dimitri to play the one card he has left in a bid for stability—offering his hand in marriage for a second time.

But Dimitri is still healing from the tragedies of the war, his return to the throne, and Alexey’s years of torment. Vasily Sokolov is the only person with whom he feels safe, and giving up the comfort of their budding relationship feels unfathomable, even if it’s the only way to sever the alliances being formed among the countries surrounding Novo-Svitsevo. So as Dimitri and Vasily reckon with political treachery, the lasting consequences of Dimitri’s resurrection, and the sinister legacy of Alexey’s use of the Holy Science, they must also work to understand what it means to love each other even as they prepare to let each other go—which might prove the most difficult of all.

The Lure of their Graves by Laura R. Samotin is breathtaking. It is incredibly accessible considering it is the second book in the series but you immediately get a good sense of the characters and the story. I love how even though it deals with trauma and abuse, it is incredibly hopeful and joyous in nature, especially at those moments between Dimitri and Vasily. While sacrifice and love are powerful themes in this book, it is ultimately the relationships that are enthralling as Dimitri finds himself and discovers what he truly wants and is capable of. 

I also love the magic of this world and how while at times the story is heartbreaking, it is also loving and joyful. It is an intense and heady ride, the story between Dimitri and Vasily but breathtaking. If you like queer romance with powerful themes of love and sacrifice, and don’t mind that the novel also deals with trauma and abuse, this novel may be for you. It delves into the many ways to love a person even when it is difficult. And I love at the end of the novel, the characters choose love. 

Rating: 5 out of 5 suitors

Penguin RandomHouse

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