An immortal saint and a severed head, enemies forced to travel together in a post-apocalyptic world, embark on a dark and crooked path towards a surprising and cozy romance, challenging the boundaries of good and evil in a unique and captivating enemies-to-lovers narrative. The slow-burn love story unfolds amidst philosophical discussions, magical adventures, and a beautifully crafted, violent universe, offering a different take on immortal romance with exquisite world-building and complex characters.

Reader Review Summary

"Carrion Saints" is a stunningly original sapphic fantasy romance that takes the enemies-to-lovers trope to daring new heights. Set in a richly imagined post-apocalyptic world that is slowly dying, the novel follows the tumultuous relationship between Crow, an immortal saint devoted to protecting humanity, and Magnolia, a seemingly powerless but deeply evil severed head whose magical powers allow her to control others.

What immediately strikes the reader is the breathtaking uniqueness and imagination of the story's premise and characters. A winged immortal woman falling for her greatest foe, who happens to be a talkative decapitated head? It sounds bizarre on paper, but in Hiyodori's skilled hands, it works wonderfully. The author has crafted a vividly realized fantasy universe that easily suspends one's disbelief, allowing us to become fully invested in this dark, unsettling romance.

The novel's greatest strength lies in the exquisitely layered characterizations of Crow and Magnolia. Despite their immortal nature, they feel remarkably human and relatable thanks to Hiyodori's talent for finely wrought character development and interiority. We understand Crow's measured patience and hatred towards the sadistic Magnolia, even as unlikely tendrils of attraction begin to bloom between them over the course of their journey together. Their philosophical debates and evolving dynamic positively crackle with tension.

Hiyodori's lush, immersive prose brings the decaying post-apocalyptic landscapes and strange magic of this dying world vividly to life. The sense of melancholy and fading wonder imbues every line, making it easy to become fully entranced. And while the romance between Crow and Magnolia is certainly a "slow burn," the moments of tenderness and connection that emerge from the ashes of their hatred feel utterly earned and transcendent.

For readers who have read Hiyodori's previous "Wist & Clem" books, "Carrion Saints" offers delicious new pieces of the puzzle, deftly expanding the richly textured fantasy universe. But the novel also works as a magnificent standalone, requiring no prior knowledge. This is a stunningly original, lyrically written tale that takes familiar tropes in bold new directions. An unforgettable tour-de-force of sapphic dark fantasy romance that lingers long after the last page.