⭐⭐⭐⭐¾
Solace of Dusk
By K.V. Meadows
Where to begin…?
Solace of Dusk is a slow burn, in more ways than one. Following the vastly different lives of two women brought together in strange circumstances, the book starts slowly, teasing political intrigue while masterfully weaving a layered court and country.
Durvla, a so-called “Undesirable” is arrested for petty theft and through a series of strange events she ends up in the service of the Princess. Her one goal is to get home to her brother – another Undesirable, who she has taken care of since their parents’ death.
Princess Carys, stone cold and bored, begins through Durvla’s companionship to see that the kingdom is not as it seems from within the walls of the palace.
As the two girls’ lives are intertwined, both girls discover hidden pieces of themselves which come to a head about halfway through when everything is turned upside down.
I was never bored by this book. Frustrated by the Princess? Yes. Annoyed at Durvla’s self control when it comes to the very attractive, secretive guard? Also yes.
The representation in this book alone makes it worth reading, featuring a Deaf main character and countless others with disabilities – hidden or otherwise, without falling on the trope that they need to be fixed or healed.
I laughed, eyerolled, and teared up while reading this book.
My one annoyance is that this book ends on a complete cliffhanger!!!
Oh, I do have one small criticism, and that is that while many of the names are Gaelic/Celtic and spelled properly, a few spellings are changed for easier pronunciation. I feel like this kind of diminishes their effect — ie, Eefa instead of Aoife.
Regardless, I cannot wait for the second installment.
⭐⭐⭐⭐¾
Thank you to KV Meadows for the Advance Readers Copy
Solace of Dusk can be found on Amazon here and at Ingram Books. Signed copies are available here
The Midnight Review 