Even in Death—A Hauntingly Bittersweet Love Story

Even in Death, the second installment in The Fragile Divine series, plunges us deeper into a world of gods, curses, and unresolved passion. This time, the focus shifts to Finnian as he endures torment in Cassian’s domain—the dark and twisted Land of the Dead. Though this book leans more into the dark romance territory than I usually read, I still found myself drawn to its stunning prose, immersive mythos, and aching emotional core.

At a Glance

A Darker Path Through Divine Realms

When we last saw Finnian in The Goddess Of, he had made a selfless choice—offering himself in place of his sister Naia to become Cassian’s prisoner. In Even in Death, that sacrifice begins to unfold in full. Trapped in Moros, Cassian’s nightmarish prison, Finnian suffers both physically and emotionally. But the story doesn’t stop there—we also flash back in time, reliving key moments between Finnian and Cassian from The Goddess Of, but this time through their own dual POVs.

This dual timeline, dual perspective structure gives the story a haunting intensity. We witness how deep the bond between them runs, even through hatred, betrayal, and pain. 

Gods, curses, and a romance that felt simultaneously fated and impossible made for a dark and harrowing experience. The representation of disability and mental health was fantastic and handled with great care. Loved the unique time and fate angle on the enemies-to-lovers trope! A necromancer robbing a god of death of souls. What could go wrong?

Beautifully Written, Deeply Emotional

Though this book was darker than my usual reads, I couldn’t help but admire the depth of feeling and the lyrical, almost poetic prose. The story pulses with longing, heartbreak, and anger—every emotion raw and exposed. The world-building remains just as strong as in book one, continuing to blend ancient myth with a unique fantasy structure that feels wholly its own.

I enjoyed the inclusion of hearing-impaired representation, handled with care, and woven naturally into the narrative. It added another layer of realism and sensitivity to a world already steeped in magic and tragedy.

A Quote That Says It All

"I loathe you," he said through curled lips.

"I loathe you just as much," Cassian whispered. I long for you, is what he wanted to say instead.

And perhaps the line that encapsulates the entire series best:

“Even in death, Finnian. Love is the only thing truly immortal.”

Tropes & Themes

- 👑 High Gods and Goddesses  

- ⚔️ Enemies to Lovers  

- 🧙‍♂️ Curses  

- 🌈 MM Romance  

- 💔 Tragic Love Story  

- 🌑 Morally Grey Character  

- 🍯 Cinnamon Roll Character  

- 🌀 Dual POV  

- ⏳ Dual Timelines  

- 🧏 Hearing-Impaired Representation  

Final Thoughts

Even in Death is darker, heavier, and more emotionally intense than The Goddess Of, and while that made it a challenging read for me personally, I still appreciated the beauty of its execution. If you enjoy angst and a slow-burn MM romance wrapped in mythology, with characters who hurt and heal in equal measure, this book will absolutely deliver. I recommend that you read the books in order. Happy reading!