I borrowed a copy of Emma Hamm‘s The Deathless One from my local library.
Jessamine was raised to be a leader for her people, but when the land is overrun by an incurable plague, she must enter a political marriage to save them all. A union that should have brought hope only brings death as her new husband murders her at the wedding altar and seizes the throne.
But her death is just the beginning. Her spirit is met by the Deathless One, a god of death yearning to return to the mortal plane, and he needs her help. The two of them make a deal—her life and the return of her kingdom in exchange for his resurrection. But the Deathless One is a known trickster, and a deal with him is one made in blood.
Jessamine knows the Deathless One is a dangerous ally, but the longer they work together, the more she wants him and the less she can stay away. As their connection deepens, soon she wonders if she even wants this contract to end. Perhaps the more appealing throne is the one by his side, but she’d have to turn her back on her people to get it.
I’m really hit-or-miss with Emma Hamm books. I’ve read some I really loved, and I’m constantly after that high again. However, I’ve read some that I’ve been kind of meh about and some, like this one, that I flat-out disliked. Mostly, I was just bored by everything about this book. I borrowed it and the sequel from the library (intending to buy the third since it isn’t at the library yet). But it took me about an eon to finish this book, and I eventually returned the second one unread because I had no interest in continuing the story.
I think the issue is that Hamm sets Jessamine up to be a ruthless, wronged woman out for revenge. I mean, look at that cover image. Yes, I’m here for it! Then delivers a milqtoast, “I don’t want to hurt anyone,” all but YA heroine who basically does nothing but make moon eyes the whole book. Boooring. And the God of Death is no better, though I have to admit I kind of liked his simping. But Hamm doesn’t lean into it. She sets him up as an evil, villainous bastard and then delivers a simping, softy. Even if I liked that about him, the disconnect was notable and jarring. Is this the touch of traditional publishing polishing the interesting rough edges off a character? Maybe, I don’t know. I only know I didn’t like it.
Additionally, the reader is led to believe that Jessamine and her mother, the queen, were good rulers. However, leaders who know nothing about their people and their problems (even if those problems are actively hidden from them) aren’t good leaders. Period. You will not change my mind on this. Which is just one more inconsistency between what the author wants the reader to believe and what they actually provide.
As I said, I won’t be continuing the series to find out if it gets better.
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