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A review by cleo_reads
The Fall That Saved Us by Tamara Jerée
4.5
Moody, sexy Sapphic urban fantasy romance between an ex-demon hunter and the demon who was sent to seduce and destroy her but ends up helping her heal.
This is such a promising debut! I enjoyed this so much. At it’s heart, it’s the story of a woman learning how to love and trust after leaving her abusive family – against the backdrop of a centuries long war between angels and demons.
There were some pacing issues and a couple plot holes. The first 3/4 ish is stronger than the last 1/4 – and I’m not sure I really buy the ending, including the way the HEA is set up (I do believe they’re in love and happy together). But I didn’t care that much because I just loved the main character, Cassiel, an ex-demon-hunter turned bookstore owner, and I was so invested in her growth and happiness.
It's an interesting mix of cozy and dark. There's a lot of cozy comfort in this book – Cassiel’s bookstore, her best friend’s coffee shop and the way the succubus Avitue initially woos her with beautiful teacups full of fragrant tea. But be warned that the dark parts are pretty dark. There’s disordered eating, self harm and so, so much shame. Read the content warnings at the beginning of the book.
It’s told entirely from Cassiel’s POV, in close 3rd person. She left her horribly manipulative and abusive mother and the rest of her family 3 years ago but is still recovering. Her mother insisted that extreme denial, asceticism and self-punishment was necessary to connect with their angelic heritage and be effective demon hunters. Cassiel really struggles with that – with learning not to deny herself and to not punish herself for her desires. I loved how Avitue helped her connect with her desires and her power. But it’s not exactly an easy journey.
This is such a promising debut! I enjoyed this so much. At it’s heart, it’s the story of a woman learning how to love and trust after leaving her abusive family – against the backdrop of a centuries long war between angels and demons.
There were some pacing issues and a couple plot holes. The first 3/4 ish is stronger than the last 1/4 – and I’m not sure I really buy the ending, including the way the HEA is set up (I do believe they’re in love and happy together). But I didn’t care that much because I just loved the main character, Cassiel, an ex-demon-hunter turned bookstore owner, and I was so invested in her growth and happiness.
It's an interesting mix of cozy and dark. There's a lot of cozy comfort in this book – Cassiel’s bookstore, her best friend’s coffee shop and the way the succubus Avitue initially woos her with beautiful teacups full of fragrant tea. But be warned that the dark parts are pretty dark. There’s disordered eating, self harm and so, so much shame. Read the content warnings at the beginning of the book.
It’s told entirely from Cassiel’s POV, in close 3rd person. She left her horribly manipulative and abusive mother and the rest of her family 3 years ago but is still recovering. Her mother insisted that extreme denial, asceticism and self-punishment was necessary to connect with their angelic heritage and be effective demon hunters. Cassiel really struggles with that – with learning not to deny herself and to not punish herself for her desires. I loved how Avitue helped her connect with her desires and her power. But it’s not exactly an easy journey.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Self harm and Violence