The City of Dusk (The Dark Gods, #1)

THE CITY OF DUSK is an explosive and riveting dark fantasy. In the city of Nexus, four Houses control the magic and a lot of the wealth and are competing to become the next to be crowned as ruler. Each has a particular magic, given to them by the gods from which they are descended. The book follows four main characters, one from each House. Taesia from House Lastrider has control over shadows and struggles with morality, her own power, and the problems in the world around her. While her methods are often suspect, her goals are noble.

Nikolas from House Cyr has the power of Lumin, which is more than just light. He is coming-of-age and will be communing with his god to get his blessing - as his brother, the true heir, had died, Nikolas still does not feel deserving of the honor. Angelica from House Mardova is an elementalist, but her powers are limited to when she is playing an instrument. Her deepest goal is rid herself of this weakness and access her power directly, but she is heavily influenced by her mother's desire for the crown. Risha from House Vakara has the power of necromancy. She understands death better than anyone and worries about what is to come.

As the celebration of Godsnight approaches, a night when the veil between gods and their world is thinned, the machinations of others will be working to unravel the Houses and the very world. The heirs must discern what is happening and what they will choose before it is too late.

What I loved: This is such an imaginative and atmospheric world that unfolds to the reader slowly. As we get to know each of the main characters, their houses, abilities, and motivations, we also slowly learn about the mythology of Nexus, the City of Dusk, and the elements that have come together to make it what it is. The different magical abilities were fascinating, and we get to see each of the Houses through the next generation - who are also struggling with defining themselves and where they want to be once the dust settles. In some ways, it felt like a coming-of-age as they act, react, and redefine. The character development was not always positive, but it was a powerful element of the story and their actions were understandable through their motivations and insights. Each of the main characters really came to life through the telling, and they were each thoroughly crafted in a way that felt very real. They were all really compelling, and together, they built to something even stronger.

There were some really intriguing themes here around power, family, friendship, loyalty, morality, coerced confessions/justice systems, religion and the ways it can be warped, socioeconomic disparity, and defining yourself and who you will be. The four Houses/families have a lot of power that they wield in different ways and with different goals. Notably, their power is viewed in different ways by people who do not have the power of wealth or magic, and this exploration of power, the illusion of it, the corruption of it, and the responsibility of it is an intriguing theme to untangle in the story.

The theme of family is another strong one, which plays out differently for the main characters, owing to their differing situations. Loyalty to family and understanding when to separate from family is a theme that will resonate with readers. In addition, the religion system here was intriguing in the way it was viewed, and the presence of the gods with the Houses that gives them a power they have enjoyed - but at an ultimate questionable cost. The way that history has evolved for the religions was also intriguing, with the corruption of this history entangled into it all.

What left me wanting more: There is a lot happening and so many different characters in the story that the beginning moves particularly slowly. However, it was incredibly helpful to have the list of Houses and members at the front of the book - I ended up keeping a finger there so I could easily flip back and forth to remember who was who. The last half of the book really moves quite quickly once we start to understand and differentiate each of the main characters and secondary characters.

Separately, I would note that despite darker elements of battles, murder, betrayals, and necromancy, the book could work for older YA readers in addition to adults.

Final verdict: Dark and atmospheric, THE CITY OF DUSK is an epic fantasy that weaves a pensive and explosive tale. Highly recommend for fans of FOUNDRYSIDE, SONG OF BLOOD AND STONE, and AGE OF ASH.