I adored The Sins on Their Bones so much. So I had the highest hopes for The Lure of Their Graves and they were 100% fulfilled and more! Keep reading this book review of The Lure of Their Graves for my full thoughts.
Summary
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.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
Okay so The Lure of Their Graves was heartbreaking. If you love a book with high emotional angst this is for you! My heart was in my stomach the whole book. Why? Because The Lure of Their Graves is like watching a heartbreak accident in slow motion. For Dimitri he is facing this schism of his own personal love and desires clash with his responsibilities as a leader. And shouldn’t he do everything he possibly can for his country? For his duty? We watch Dimitri fracture himself into pieces for what he think he should do and the burden of power and the crown.
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At the same time, Dimitri is navigating his own grief and guilt from The Sins on Their Bones. Don’t even get me started on the emotional turmoil of Vasily to watch this splitting apart and feel his own heart breaking. THE EMOTIONAL TORTURE! The Lure of Their Graves had my heart in a chokehold. We witness them haunting their waking moments as they face this universal heartbreak of not being able to be with the one we love. But as a whole, The Lure of Their Graves explores what makes a good ruler. Is a good ruler one who grabs power whenever they can? Exploits everyone friend and enemy alike? One who’s willing to sacrifice it all?
Does Dimitri become the monster we said we banished into the depths of the night? That we escaped from ourselves? The Lure of Their Graves examines when victory hurts too. It was everything I wanted and more! I didn’t think I could love this world or these characters more, but I was wrong. It’s the perfect exploration of themes and heart wrench. Find The Lures of Their Graves on Goodreads, Storygraph, Amazon, Bookshop. org, Blackwells, & Libro. fm.
Discussion
Who is your favorite conflicted ruler?
The post Review: The Lure of Their Graves by Laura R. Samotin appeared first on Utopia State of Mind.
