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bookish_rival 's review for:
The Beasts We Bury
by D.L. Taylor
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
4.25/5☆
Wow. This book completely took me by surprise in the best way possible! I didn't know what to expect when going in, but what I got was incredible —a simple yet daring story, an incredible magic system, and characters that felt so real, flawed, and deeply compelling. I was never bored for a second, and by the end, I was left stunned by how everything came together.
The plot itself is relatively straightforward, but that’s actually what makes it so good. There’s no unnecessary fluff, no drawn-out detours—it’s focused, sharp, and constantly moving forward. And despite that simplicity, the story doesn’t hold back when it comes to dark, emotional, and deeply human struggles. Both Silver and Mancella have beena put through so much, and yet they never lost sight of themselves.
One of my absolute favorite aspects was the magic system/the magical abilities. The way different abilities worked was fascinating, and I loved how each power had both a strength and a consequence.
But Mancella’s magic in particular? It was both haunting and mesmerizing. Her ability to call upon the souls of the animals she had killed was incredibly dark and cruel, yet undeniably unique and fascinating. These spirits weren’t under her full control—they responded to her emotions, acting on instinct rather than command, making her powers feel volatile and unpredictable. And throughout the book, one chilling question lingered: Would her magic also work if she killed a person? When we finally got the answer at the very end, I wasn’t terrified by the possibility itself—because Mancella is not that kind of person—but the fear I had for her, to face her own monster… that was what truly unsettled me and is the reason I am looking forward to the sequel.
I love romance, but I don’t always love when it takes over the main plot—so the way this book handled Silver and Mancella’s relationship? Perfection. It’s a subplot, not the main focus, and it’s slow burn in the best way. No rushing, no forced passion—just two people who are drawn to each other but are also deeply aware of the consequences of getting too close. Their restraint felt earned. I really appreciated that there were multiple moments where they could have given in but actually stopped because they weren’t ready or didn’t want to hurt each other. That kind of self-control and emotional awareness is so rare in fantasy romance, and it made their eventual real moment all the more rewarding.
Both of them were just so well written. Silver started everything because he wanted a better life for himself and his friends, and that never changed. Even after falling for Mancella, he didn’t abandon his original goal for love—instead, he made her part of it. It was never about throwing everything away for romance, but about wanting better for both of them.
And Mancella? Her character was heartbreaking yet incredibly inspiring. Everything she endured, what her father forced her to do, the darkness she carried with her—it’s so intense. And yet, despite all of it, she never let herself become the monster everyone thought she. Even with her powers, even with all the reasons she had to break, she stayed kind, she fought for herself, and she never lost who she really was. That made the final twist even more devastating and brilliant.
I thought I knew where this book was going. I thought I understood the stakes. And then the ending hit. Absolutely did not see that coming. Without spoiling too much, the moment Mancella is finally free and is no longer afraid of herself feels like a happy ending. The entire story was about proving that she was not a monster—accepting her abilties and coming to terms with them—and yet, her biggest challenge remains to be her magic and what it is capable of. I am obsessed with where this is going next.
This book was everything I wanted and more. Dark, emotional, full of intense magic and personal struggles, with a romance that actually respected the story instead of overwhelming it. The ending has set up something so unique and compelling that I need the next book immediately.
If you love fantasy that isn’t afraid to dive into morally complex characters, high stakes, and incredible magic, you need to pick this one up.
Highly, highly recommend!
Wow. This book completely took me by surprise in the best way possible! I didn't know what to expect when going in, but what I got was incredible —a simple yet daring story, an incredible magic system, and characters that felt so real, flawed, and deeply compelling. I was never bored for a second, and by the end, I was left stunned by how everything came together.
The plot itself is relatively straightforward, but that’s actually what makes it so good. There’s no unnecessary fluff, no drawn-out detours—it’s focused, sharp, and constantly moving forward. And despite that simplicity, the story doesn’t hold back when it comes to dark, emotional, and deeply human struggles. Both Silver and Mancella have beena put through so much, and yet they never lost sight of themselves.
One of my absolute favorite aspects was the magic system/the magical abilities. The way different abilities worked was fascinating, and I loved how each power had both a strength and a consequence.
But Mancella’s magic in particular? It was both haunting and mesmerizing. Her ability to call upon the souls of the animals she had killed was incredibly dark and cruel, yet undeniably unique and fascinating. These spirits weren’t under her full control—they responded to her emotions, acting on instinct rather than command, making her powers feel volatile and unpredictable. And throughout the book, one chilling question lingered: Would her magic also work if she killed a person? When we finally got the answer at the very end, I wasn’t terrified by the possibility itself—because Mancella is not that kind of person—but the fear I had for her, to face her own monster… that was what truly unsettled me and is the reason I am looking forward to the sequel.
I love romance, but I don’t always love when it takes over the main plot—so the way this book handled Silver and Mancella’s relationship? Perfection. It’s a subplot, not the main focus, and it’s slow burn in the best way. No rushing, no forced passion—just two people who are drawn to each other but are also deeply aware of the consequences of getting too close. Their restraint felt earned. I really appreciated that there were multiple moments where they could have given in but actually stopped because they weren’t ready or didn’t want to hurt each other. That kind of self-control and emotional awareness is so rare in fantasy romance, and it made their eventual real moment all the more rewarding.
Both of them were just so well written. Silver started everything because he wanted a better life for himself and his friends, and that never changed. Even after falling for Mancella, he didn’t abandon his original goal for love—instead, he made her part of it. It was never about throwing everything away for romance, but about wanting better for both of them.
And Mancella? Her character was heartbreaking yet incredibly inspiring. Everything she endured, what her father forced her to do, the darkness she carried with her—it’s so intense. And yet, despite all of it, she never let herself become the monster everyone thought she. Even with her powers, even with all the reasons she had to break, she stayed kind, she fought for herself, and she never lost who she really was. That made the final twist even more devastating and brilliant.
I thought I knew where this book was going. I thought I understood the stakes. And then the ending hit. Absolutely did not see that coming. Without spoiling too much, the moment Mancella is finally free and is no longer afraid of herself feels like a happy ending. The entire story was about proving that she was not a monster—accepting her abilties and coming to terms with them—and yet, her biggest challenge remains to be her magic and what it is capable of. I am obsessed with where this is going next.
This book was everything I wanted and more. Dark, emotional, full of intense magic and personal struggles, with a romance that actually respected the story instead of overwhelming it. The ending has set up something so unique and compelling that I need the next book immediately.
If you love fantasy that isn’t afraid to dive into morally complex characters, high stakes, and incredible magic, you need to pick this one up.
Highly, highly recommend!