cnicolle 's review for:

Pits & Poison: These Godly Lies by R. Raeta

5.0

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This book is just as good as the first. I only wish it had been made into a longer series than a duology. There was more that needed to be explored with Anna and Khiran as mortal humans. Unfortunately, the more I reflect on the novel, the more I feel that having cut the story so short has detracted from the love story of Anna and Khiran. A third novel, set during their mortal years, could’ve delved into themes such as self love and acceptance from a male point of view and the tension feeling unhappy in one’s self causes in a relationship. Ultimately, it was a romantic fix to have them both eat the paired peach and return to immortality together, but it happened too soon. I’m left feeling that if the convenient fix didn’t exist, Khiran would’ve grown to resent Anna for everything he lost to keep her. Whereas, if more time (1980s - 2000s) was spent exploring his self worth and growth prior to them returning to immortality, it would’ve been more meaningful. On a different note, the discussion as mortals regarding having children gave me the biggest scare and I am SO relieved Anna chose to remain childfree. It made more sense, seeing as she raised her child centuries ago and she seemed at peace playing a grandparent role to Ami. It was more romantic for Anna to choose to spend the rest of her short mortal life with Khiran as a couple rather than as parents. Not every HEA needs children and I applaud Raeta for acknowledging this. Ultimately, I can’t fault the book because I loved it so much. The only fault is that I want to read more of Anna & Khiran!