Kay's Raves - March in Review

Hey, it's Kay.

Guess what? I read one book this month! Granted, it was a book I had started reading in February, but hey! Sometimes we have to read at our own paces. And since I made the decision to go part-time at work, maybe I can pick up the pace and read more than one book a month.

This month it was Seven Faceless Saints by Canadian author MK Lobb, so keep scrolling to read my review.

When I tell you this book checked off every single thing I enjoy. Religious angst, murder, magic, queer girls, found family, girls with knives, angry girls, trauma, really bad parents, plot twists, stunning settings.

The book follows Roz and Damian, a disciple who adamantly despises the saints and an officer who unshakably believes in them. Childhood friends, war and grief tore them apart until suddenly, like gravity, they're flung back into each other's lives as they both try to solve strange murders in the city. The only problem is, Roz is too hardened by what happened in the past to let Damian back in so easily, and Damian--well, he can't separate the girl of his past with the girl of his present. As the murders become more frequent, lies and truths twine together until they're nearly indistinguishable--which is exactly what the murderer wants. Without giving away any spoilers, this plot is certainly...chaotic.

Part of the reason I chose this book over all the others on my TBR is because of the religious tones. Anything with a complex belief system and characters who struggle with that is an instant fvaourite. Roz is the kind of person who knows exactly what and who she believes in--herself, and the people she loves. She's not quick to trust, but her heart doesn't lie, and she will do anything for those people. Including joining a rebellion that works to dismantle an unjust system that ignores the struggles of half its city. Damian, on the other hand, begins to falter. Unfavoured himself, he still prays to the saints, even after all of his words go unheard. He's the kind of person I can relate to--someone who grew up being told what to believe, only to slowly realize maybe it's wrong. Maybe the saints don't listen. Maybe they never did. He can't believe in the saints and also believe in Roz, so he makes a choice.

Hopefully it was the right choice. I guess we'll find out next year.

As a fellow Canadian author, I feel like that Cars meme, cheering on MK from the sidelines. Another excellent 5 star read, and I can't wait to see what kind of chaos ensues in the sequel.

Until next month!