As someone whose knowledge of Russian and Italian cultures is limited to food and some basic language (and whose knowledge of Catholicism and it's Russian counterpart is practically nonexistent), this book feels like watching a foreign movie where you can see what's going on, you can understand most of what's being said, but you only really know like a third of what's happening. And I mean this in a very positive way.

A fantasy that resonates how fight against injustice can be, the pain, the sacrifice, the faith it takes. A story about how the law can be wrong and the blamed innocent.

Add to that a MMC who knows that neither his guilt nor his apology absolved him from his past wrongs, smart enough to neither let the bond bind him with someone unless she wants it nor force her away because she deserves better.

The short sentences and paragraphs may be a bother to people who mind. But if that is not too much for you, this story is definitely worth a try.

Thank you Pen Pinery and the author for the ARC.