 | Saint Death’s Daughter tells the story of Miscellaneous “Lanie” Immiscible Stones, a budding Necromancer allergic to violence from a family of assassins. The very thought of violence makes Lanie nauseous as she physically absorbs injuries in the presence of violent actions—which are quite common in the Stones family. Her only companions are an undead revenant, Goody Graves, magically bound to her family line, and the irascible ghost of her grandfather, Irradiant “Rad” Stones who (sort of) tutors her in Necromancy. Lanie is the heart of the novel: She is endearing but lacks conviction and skill. It’s a delight to watch Lanie grow into her power and cunning over the course of the story yet remain true to her compassionate nature. |
Four different countries are introduced in the novel:
- Lirat, ruled by the Blood Royal Brackenwilds and historically served by the Stones family assassins. Saint Death and the Fire God Sappacor are their deities.
- Quidib, which recognizes twelve gods. Bonded pairs of shapeshifting bird-people and wise ones help defend the country, utilizing magic based on songs and meditation. They view Liriat as a heretical and unbalanced for acknowledging only two of the twelve gods.
- Shakmaht, an ancient rival of Liriat, whose wizard Sky Houses were imprisoned during the Northernmost War by Lanie’s grandfather Irradiant “Rad” Stones. Creditors from Shakmaht hound Lanie and her sister (hoping to free the ancient wizards).
- The Rookery, ruled by a sorceress-queen and powerful Fascinator magician, the Blackbird Bride—and the Parliament of Rooks, four and twenty wizards under her command.
 | In the opening, both of Lanie’s parents have recently died and creditors have come calling. In desperation, she writes to her psychotic and cruel older sister, Amanita “Nita” Muscaria Stones, an assassin-in-training at an academy in Quidib. Nita has the power of Fascination: she can influence people’s minds for short periods. She’s used her lethal skill to assume power over a shapeshifting falcon-man, Mak, whom she brings home with her. When Mak tries to poison himself to escape Nita’s clutches, Lanie intercedes, defying the Death Saint to pull him back from the brink of death. For which he is entirely ungrateful. |
The love of Lanie’s life is Canon Lir, a nonbinary fire priest and twin of the country’s Royal Brackenwild crown prince. Lanie and Lir have a halting romance that is an intriguing (though minor) subplot.
 | “Canan Lir was, she was sure, the most beautiful person in Liriat, possibly the world. They were just about her height, plump where she was scrawny, coiffed where she was untidy, and impeccably clad in the petaled vestments of the fire priests of Sappacor. Their moon-round face was painted like a shining disc of gold leaf, with a design of orange flames on cheeks and chin. . . . Cana Liir’s lips were red, too. What went into that paint to make such a color, such a plump-ripe-red, ruby-gloss red, Lanie did not know—but she could never see it without wanting to nibble it.” |
To help pay off the family debt, Lanie’s ruthless sister Nita is tasked by the queen of Liriat with assassinating the Parliament of Rooks.
 | Seven years pass, with Nita racking up kills and Lanie left at home to raise Nita’s daughter, Sacred Datura “Datu” Stones. Then one of Nita’s kills goes awry and the Blackbird Bride arrives with two of her most powerful Rook wizards. The sorceress vows to kill Nita’s seven-year-old daughter Datu in revenge and make Lanie one of her Rooks. This is one of many exciting scenes in the book where Lanie uses her creativity and Necromancy to (barely) survive the Blackbird Bride. |
But now that their home has been breached, Lanie, her niece Datu, the revenant Goody Graves, and falcon-man Mak must flee—with the ghost Irradiant “Rad” Stones.
 | Much of the story involves Lanie learning to use her Necromancy. Her magic is visceral and fascinating, inventive and macabre—and extracts a price every time Lanie uses it—although on “surge” days (equinoxes and solstices), she is able to use powerful ambient magic to perform her rituals rather than drawing down her own reserves. Lanie’s Necromancy is unique to this novel, yet reminded me at times of the arduous magic in Nettle & Bone, yet also had blood-magic reminiscent of The Queens of Innis Lear (see list of other related stories below). |
The story is full of surprising twists and turns: plans thwarted at the last moment, ecstatic highs turning into crushing lows, victories drawn from desperate defeats, layers of identities revealed in unforeseen ways.
 | Most delightful was Lanie’s heartfelt and vulnerable connection with the gentle goddess Saint Death, which evolves throughout the course of the novel. Compelling moral dilemmas also permeate this enticing tale: the lasting legacy of violence and revenge, the transformative power of forgiveness, the pain of grief, and the strength required to do what is right, even when it risks what we hold most dear. |
Canon Lir makes an impassioned plea to Lanie at the novel’s climax:
“If we have learned anything from our bloody history, let our lesson be that we are better--you are better—than those who came before us. You are more rational, more compassionate, more able to co-exist with the kindness of the world than with its cruelties. What you decide today will blaze a path for succeeding generations.”
“If we have learned anything from our bloody history, let our lesson be that we are better--you are better—than those who came before us. You are more rational, more compassionate, more able to co-exist with the kindness of the world than with its cruelties. What you decide today will blaze a path for succeeding generations.”
Lanie is a deserving heroine in an exciting and meaningful story. The ending is hopeful and complete yet challenges remain, setting up a sequel. Saint Death’s Daughter was the 2023 World Fantasy Award winner for best novel.
Read other books featuring bonds between humans and gods: Paladin’s Grace, Fevered Star,
The Unspoken Name, The Thousand Eyes, City of Blades, City of Miracles, Little Thieves
Read other books with visceral and dangerous magic:
Greenteeth, Sistersong, The Witch’s Heart, The Queen’s of Innis Lear, Nettle & Bone
The Unspoken Name, The Thousand Eyes, City of Blades, City of Miracles, Little Thieves
Read other books with visceral and dangerous magic:
Greenteeth, Sistersong, The Witch’s Heart, The Queen’s of Innis Lear, Nettle & Bone
