Only a pact with Death can give Scarlet a second chance at life—and the power she needs to save the last of her family.
When sixteen-year-old Scarlet is nearly killed by a tyrannical god, the cost of survival is to bind herself in service of the goddess Death. Though now obligated to do Death’s bidding, Scarlet also gains what she’s always desired—someone to teach her magic.
With her newfound strength as a fire mage, she must rescue her mother from the god who nearly took her life, Riordan, before he’s able to extract the secret her mother holds: the key to unfathomable power and the ability to take down the other gods of Quintras.
But slaying a god is no simple task, and Scarlet can’t do it alone.
When she finds kinship with a reluctant seer and joins forces with a rebel faction that shares her quest to destroy the god that terrorizes his own kingdom, she thinks they have a chance of overcoming the impossible odds. That is, if her bond to Death doesn’t hold her back…
How can Scarlet win her freedom in time to save her mother—and the world—from Riordan’s grasp?
Death’s Emissary by Emily Devereux is a really promising debut that stands out in the crowded YA fantasy space with a fresh take on mythology and a darkly compelling concept. It’s a book that will likely appeal to fans of young adult fantasy, stories rooted in myth, and especially anyone who, like me, has a soft spot for Death as a character.
I was drawn in by the premise and the atmospheric tone. The early chapters were especially strong, with an engaging introduction to the world, a solid training arc, and that thrilling sense of discovery as the main character learns about her new role and the powers that come with it. The use of familiar tropes didn’t bother me,they were handled with enough personality and voice to keep everything feeling fun and readable. I’m also not that picky about tropes with YA, which is meant for a target audience who hasn’t read hundred other fantasy books before.
One of the things I appreciated most early on was the apparent absence of romance, which is rare in YA with a female lead. I was hopeful that the story might buck the trend entirely. Unfortunately, romance did eventually make an appearance, and while it wasn’t overpowering, I found myself wishing it had remained more in the background. That said, for readers who enjoy a bit of romantic tension, it’s fairly light and not overly drawn out.
The second half of the book felt a bit uneven in comparison to the first. Some of the transitions between scenes were a little jarring, and the pacing of the action didn’t always hit the mark for me. A few of the fights and confrontations lacked an emotional punch. Still, the book never lost my interest, and the narrative voice kept the story moving forward.
Devereux has built an intriguing world with plenty of potential for future development, and I’d be curious to see how both the characters and lore evolve in the next installment. Despite some rough edges, there’s a strong foundation here, and fans of YA fantasy will find a lot to enjoy.
All in all, Death’s Emissary is a compelling debut with a lot of heart and plenty of room to grow.
