Normal people flirt. I think. Apparently we just exchange terrible life stories.

I think I fell in love with this book before I was even 20% in, and it never disappointed me. There's a lot going on here. Murders! Cults! Mysteries! Spies! Political intrigue! Legal drama! Also, perfumery, sock-knitting, and a domestic civet cat! Seriously, there's so much going on, but it also never gets too much, and all the plot threads and setting details get tied together wonderfully.

First and foremost, though, this is a story about healing,. The romance between Grace and Stephen was super enjoyable to read as they both grappled with the trauma from their pasts and got more and more prepared to go forward. Their love story didn't feel like a magic cure for the PTSD they're both obviously dealing with, but rather as a reason for both of them to recognize that, despite the events of their pasts, they can still work toward a happy future; that they deserve happiness, and it isn't inaccessible. 

I was deeply intrigued by the setting with all of its many gods and the concept of paladins as divine berserks—I'd love to know more about all these deities and their relationships to their paladins and priests and the world in general. I loved everything about the Rat's priests who devote their lives to helping others and fixing everything that can be fixed in the most optimistic manner possible. Every scene with the Bishop was a delight, and Zale is my favorite lawyer (also, it was really cool to see a nonbinary character just casually being themself and no one ever misgendering or questioning anything about them). In general, this book is full of loveable and interesting supporting characters: Margeurite, Grace's spy friend; all the other Saint's paladins around Stephen (Istvhan especially, because he got the most screen time, but there was also that really poignant scene with Marcus, and Shane is definitely someone I'd love to see more of, too); the more minor characters like healer Francis and that one prison guard much further into the story. Really, an amazing cast.

All in all, this book offers a wonderful mix of horror and coziness with lots of twists, turns, and genuinely funny moments that never diminish the seriousness of the issues the main characters have to contend with.