RUINOUS ENDS

A battle over the fate of the entire afterlife forms the climax of this duology closer that follows 2025’s Immortal Consequences.

The series opener established the range of diversity in race and sexuality of the central cast members—August, Emilio, Irene, Masika, Olivier, and Wren—and their conflicting choices of loyalty to one of the three factions dedicated either to defending or destroying purgatory’s Blackwood Academy. Now, the six deceased main characters are well positioned for this climactic whirl of physical and emotional storms, real and seeming betrayals, clinches, quests, and further wrenching sacrifices. Aside from some psychological torture, most of the violence lies in the background of the story, and heaven and hell are conspicuously absent from the duology’s worldbuilding; with their emotional entanglements, the author’s dead cast members behave much like living teens. Her prose, unfortunately, sometimes flatlines: “She saw the apathy in Irene’s glowing eyes, the unwavering determination….” Still, giving readers plenty of chances to pick favorite couples or characters, Marie sweeps her lovers through steamy passages and waves of intense feelings toward a general reunion in the midst of battle, expressions of eternal devotion, and apotheoses both personal and relational that lead to resolutions ranging from tragic to cute.

Rough around the edges, but a sweet finish.