A review by ettaviereads
Between Life and Death by Jaclyn Kot

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

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

5.0

Three days from start to finish for this book was way better than I anticipated as a full time momma this week. A debut novel by a Canadian author has left me begging for the end of February so I can read the second book. 

Kot sends the reader into Edenvale where Curses and the Old Gods are shunned but the New Gods are cherished.

Sage is a badass FMC who is strong willed and quick to question motives. She is deeply devoted to her found family -Ezra and Kaleb- and feels deeply for the Cursed ones who are Cleansed. 

Von is the dark, mysterious, drop dead gorgeous MMC with “touch her and ☠️” vibes and jealous tendencies. He’s the epitome of sexy male lead with a dark backstory, a taste for the blood of his lover, and an overly protective side that makes me swoon over fictional men. 

Therapy banter and slow burn between the main couple was perfection. The steamy scenes got my heart racing even with the characters going only as far as oral. I can’t wait to see what happens to them in the second book because I am desperate for the full home run for both of the characters. 

Finally, the side characters provide stability, friendship, and multiple levels of betrayal which leads the reader to contemplate how a person would handle specific situations when given the chance.