Review Detail

SEVEN FACELESS SAINTS is a YA fantasy/mystery. The story is told primarily from two perspectives, that of Damian and Rossana (Roz). Once friends, they are now practically enemies. Roz lost her father when he was executed for desertion in the holy war happening in the north against the disciples of Chaos. The details of his death have enflamed a hatred in her for what the saints stand for as well as the Palazzo structure and Damian for his family's part in it. She has some magic, and as such, she is a disciple - in her case, of Patience. However, she only holds this position of privilege for what it allows her to do - her heart is with the rebellion and those people who have not been blessed with magic and are instead forced to fight in their wars and live in poverty.

Damian is the head of the Palazzo security, and under his watch a disciple of Death has been murdered. He is told to investigate and figure out who is behind it under threat of being sent back to the warfront. As he tries to figure out what happened, he notices a connection with the deaths of some unblessed people. Roz is looking into those deaths, and they decide to work together. As they do, their old feelings begin to rise.

What I loved: The mystery and world here really drive the story and were intriguing. The investigation is slow and done mostly in secret with plenty of information to be uncovered. While there is not much in terms of questioning others, it is mostly learning little facts through examination. This plot is complemented by some thought-provoking themes around religion and the way religion is used to oppress, power/status, war and its consequences, and family.

Religion is a big theme here, and the rebellion has formed against the way that it is employed. While there may be something true about the religion with the magic and embodiment of the power, there are definitely ways in which it has been twisted for the gain of a select few. The rebellion became a smaller theme later in the story, but this was definitely a powerful one, suggesting the need to speak/act out against injustice even when it benefits you directly.

Damian and Roz have solid history that is revealed throughout the story, and it is this that propels the romance, with a bit of a second-chance flair. They are each compelling in their own ways, overcoming the tragedies of their past and still dealing with the emotional and mental consequences.

What left me wanting more: The pacing felt a bit off with some parts seeming really very slow and circumspect while others were really fast and the text very blunt. There are times when things could be better inferred by the reader but were spelled out in a way that felt a bit jolting. This may be improved in the final copy, as it really takes the reader out of the story in places. There were also some big reveals that did not seem as though they were led to as well, which leaves readers scrambling back to try to figure out who they were. This made some of the big reveals/emotional moments fall a bit flat. This is vague so as to avoid spoilers, but hopefully also to be improved in the final copy.

Final verdict: SEVEN FACELESS SAINTS is an intriguing YA fantasy that will appeal to readers who enjoy mysteries and second-chance romance.