Kirby and Aleya both want something back from the Nivelan empire which once controlled the world but has since mysteriously gone quiet. This story is their journey across the world to retrieve what was taken from their people.

It reminded me a bit of the spear cuts through water in that it’s a hero’s journey with queer lovers that plays around with structure and tense of storytelling.

Worldbuilding is definitely a strength. I loved the description of all the places and cities they travelled through, and how Nivela left its mark as a stain across the landscape through their conquest.

This is a cosy sapphic fantasy, very PG rated, though the stakes do feel sufficiently high to keep it interesting.

It is now a fact of life; I will devour everything Grace Curtis writes, without question. Everything she writes is simply outstanding, fantastic, and worthy of your time and energy. Idolfire is no different - pick this one up asap!