Picking up where the last book (Deification) left off, Dean begins a sort of world building/character building story that is filled to the brim with prose that breathes with each individual character's personality, and shadows over the world with a deep dark atmosphere that sets the doomed tone of the world.
Where the sort of Mad Max landscape of the first book felt metaphorical in its descriptions, the author sets it in stone, bringing it to life as a real world with a real mythos behind it. Having let Deification set the stage, this book feels like a deeper exploration of the villainy present, while setting up several new ideas and themes that will hopefully be paid on in the next book.
In reading this, I noticed that in a way GTS is sort of two books. The first half is a character building exercise of its key players. Torrence receives an absolute stunning amount of depth, that leaves the readers head scratching as to what is the side of her. Continuing on with the main point of view coming from Torrence, we see her as evil as ever, but are also introduced to a rather tender side that still has me questioning the validity of it. War is given exceptional more time in his POV, growing into conflict that brings us to the second "book" that is here.
While the first half may linger and build the characters, its done so in conjunction with the plot. War takes up the majority of the second book, still allowing us glimpses of the others, and its here that the story begins to pick up steam into what the book was aiming for. Moving at decent pace, it gives room to follow and question where and why things are going as they are. There's not much more I can say without going into spoilers, but suffice to say it works fantastically.
The prose is fantastic and an art in drawing the world in intricate details, but some may not enjoy just how much it goes. The ending line is a highlight for me, breaking my heart and leaving me craving more.
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The chilling story of the abduction of two teenagers, their escape, and the dark secrets that, years later, bring them back to the scene of the crime. | Learn more
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A great sequel to Deification
"Your actions are of love. Love can be manipulative." Grieving the Spirit follows right where "Deification" leaves off. Torrence ever the beautiful, manipulative and violent savage is more powerful than ever after the completion of her ritual. The battle between heaven and hell continues in this post-apocalyptic world. In the name of Torrence, her gang continues to destroy or force all that are good into submission. Her followers remain loyal and nothing or nobody either mortal or divine can stand in the way of her hellish reign. In opposition, War is still the kind and beautiful angel in disguise that has been sent down to earth after his disappearance. There is no doubt that Torrence is unpredictable and built to spread darkness. War should steer clear but undeniably they are drawn to one another and end up in each other's company once again. Torrence's followers worship her and wouldn't think of challenging or questioning her motives, but tension builds as someone begins to wonder what her true intensions are for War. This was one of those reads that ripped all kinds of emotions from me. Dark, shocking, erotic and heart breaking but thought provoking as well. From one chapter to the next I didn't know where the story would lead, and I loved every bit. One thing I admire about Dean's writing is that she does not hold back which makes for all kinds of bold surprises. The ending leaves us with a wide opening for book Three and I am happy to hear it is currently in the works.
Top reviews from other countries
Alex T.
Profound and Complex, with a perfect ending
Reviewed in Canada on May 30, 2023