A review by theneurodivergentowl
The Antlered King by Marianne Gordon

adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

The Antlered King is by far my favourite new book for 2025 so far. It was bleak & brilliant, heartbreaking & hopeful, terrifying & tender. Sullivain is monstrous and utterly, devastatingly human. I found so much to relate to in Hellevir, a young woman who carves literal pieces out of herself to bring people back from death because she is able to help.  If you love happily ever afters this book may not be for you. If (like me) you love dark themes, political intrigue and epic queer love so deep & destructive that it changes the course of the world and leaves you sobbing through its last chapters - you are in luck. This book will stay with me for a long time.