Even Though I Knew the End

I don't know if it was because I just came off another romance-focused book that didn't quite satisfy, but I kinda enjoyed this one, despite the chaotic energy. It's a novella that may actually have been served better if it had been a full-length novel. There's so much of this world to explore here, but Polk only dips in and explains just enough for us to get the gist.

Helen is a warlock. I'm not sure if it was explained or if I missed it, but warlocks seem to be magic-doers who gravitate more towards demonic arts and therefore shunned by the Church. She takes on a job by her patron, Marlowe, who also happens to be a demon, to hunt down a serial killer, the White City Vampire. She initially wants to reject the job, but Marlowe dangles a carrot that Helen cannot resist - she'll return her soul if she successfully tracks the Vampire down.

We also meet Helen's partner, Edith, who is harbouring a secret of her own, as well as Helen's estranged brother, Theodore aka Teddy, part of the religious order who shuns Helen and her kind.

Helen and Edith were really sweet, but I did kinda wish we saw more of their origins. At the beginning of the book, they were already an established item. As it was, though, I was at least somewhat invested in them, but I also wished we saw how they built up their chemistry together, instead of simply being told about how in love they already were.

I also wished we saw more of Teddy and the relationship between him and Helen. Without divulging any spoilers, they have a lot of water under that bridge, we only really see a snapshot of their relationship in this book. The rapport between them was sweet though and I appreciate that Helen wasn't solely focused on a romantic partner in the whole book, that she was equally willing to risk her life for her brother as well.

As I said, the world was pretty fascinating. From the angels and demons that we meet, to the “magic system” as it were. I was also pretty interested to know more about this angel-hosting business which we saw a glimpse of with Matilda in the asylum. I wish more was explored there!

So overall, there's a theme to my review here: I wish this book was longer, and I wouldn't even mind a longer sequel. It was a great time.