Book: Below by Brea Lamb
Reviewed by IvI
Rating: God Tier
Below is the perfect sequel to Above! It was so incredible, I now need the third book, because WHAT A CLIFFHANGER 👀
As dark and anguished as the first book, but also even more visceral. There were so many difficult parts to read.
This was always such a despotic world, especially against the eadi, the common people.
Azazel was divine! I mean, how can we not love him? He's deviously perfect! He had such amazing growth since we first met him, and we get to see it, how he slowly changes into something MORE, something BETTER. And he's really funny too, especially when he's thinking about Nova 😏
Nova, on the other hand, is so lost, the poor thing! I grieved with her, bled with her, and cried with her. Her family didn't deserve any of that, and neither did she. The STARS are so freaking wicked! And so is their society. Everything is for the greater good and for the sovereigns above... That's just so messed up, but I loved this twisted, crooked, vindictive story. I loved how we get to know so many backstories, and how, in spite of everything, some of them are willing to change and fight for a "better world".
There were a lot of fighting scenes, a lot of gore and awful things, some twists and turns, and some secrets and hidden truths. I couldn't sit still reading this book! I was always on edge!
Tropes:
Dark Dystopian Fantasy
Caste Society & Prejudice
Divine Entities & Magic
Enemies to Lovers
Found Family
Slow-Burn Romance
Secrets & Hidden Truths
Spicy Scenes
Betrayals
Mental Health Rep.
So much Gore