A review by persephonefoxx
To Cage a God by Elizabeth May

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

3.75

“I’d rather spend an eternity hoping we cross paths than resign myself to a single moment without you”

This is a romatasy that wins in the romance category and struggles in the fantasy category. 

I was as a fan of the romances in this book, actively rooting for both major romance plot lines wholeheartedly. However, when it came to the fantasy side things got a little hazy. I definitely enjoyed this story more for the romance aspects it had to offer than what it brought to the table in terms of fantasy and there is a clear moment within the narrative itself where despite the incredibly dire circumstances, the characters find themselves more focused on intimacy than the villain in their midst. 

I don’t think this book had any business having five POVs. Personally I don’t believe the characters were different enough in their depiction, to constitute the switching perspectives. The story could have been achieved with POVs from Sera and Galina alone (although I will give Vitaly a pass for his solid ‘wife guy’ energy). 

I really did enjoy the representation in this book. Particularly the inclusion of someone experiencing chronic illness and how she had to navigate the world in light of that. Also huge props for said character experiencing romance where at no point was she seen as a burden on her partner. 

This book was enjoyable. But I wouldn’t say it was groundbreaking. It was cliche and a little tropey at times, but that isn’t always a bad thing. The story, and more importantly the relationships between the characters, has intrigued me enough to continue with this duology.
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