Books Not Decaf

The Vulture God of Aos needs a partner.

Or more accurately, a watchdog. It’s my job to escort him through the phenomenon called the Anticipation. If I make sure he stays alive until the very end, the fates will save my brother’s life.

Of course I say yes. Who wouldn’t?

I expected Kalos to be repugnant, not an elegant, world-weary man with silvery hair and tired green eyes. I expected him to be cruel and uncaring. As we get to know each other, I find that his caustic commentary shields a soft heart that’s been betrayed too many times before.

He’s used to everyone hating him. He doesn’t know how to handle love, or understanding. He doesn’t know what to do when I don’t turn away from him, and kiss him instead.

Most of all, Kalos doesn’t know that I’m doomed to leave his side, no matter how this ends.

*potential spoilers*

I’m going to start by saying, I haven’t read any of the other Aspect & Anchor series by Ruby Dixon – though I have read a number of her other works. Why, then, did I decide to start with book number five? Because it gave off Famine the Horseman vibes and I thought, why not? Although it is likely that it follows the structure of most of her series, with the overall world building and layering of the story unfolding best if read in order, the story itself functioned just fine as a standalone.

If you’ve read a few of Dixon’s works, I think you’ll find this fits along her typical pattern. The tone and pacing is pretty on point with her other books. There’s a level of humor she brings to her characters that keeps the story from taking it too seriously, while also touching on some of the deeper aspects of the human experience (e.g., mental health, loneliness and connection).

The ideal of ‘aspects’ rather than virtues or vices was interesting. I don’t feel like there was anything revolutionary about it, necessarily, but it was a nice deviation from the deadly sins or the horsemen (although, yes, I did say I read it for those vibes). And Kalos’ journey from apathetic to…well, not always apathetic…was also refreshingly lacking in severely problematic behavior.

Anyone looking for something with some spice, I wouldn’t quite recommend this one.

Ultimately, I would say that if you know Ruby Dixon and her stylization, you can about accurately guess how this book will rank for you. I don’t think it’s created any drive to pursue the series further, but I’m not mad I read(listened) to it, either.

Rating: 3.75/5 ~ ☕︎ ~ Spice: 2/5

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this audiobook.