I can't quite believe that we are already reading book 3 with one of my all time favorite characters, Celehar. I am keeping my fingers crossed that we will be getting more with this character and this world. I think that says enough about what I think about this book. What, you want more? Well okay then.

After the ending of The Grief of Stones, Celehar finds himself in an odd situation. He has lost his abbility to speak with the death. He is unsure of where that leaves him and it makes him feel empty. Regardless those above him find him things to do. Those things lead him into some interesting situations. Of course they do. This is Celehar.

Where the previous two installments were more around the 200 pages, this is almost twice its length. I'm not complaining. The previous two books have worked things up to a point where I think a longer book works. There are certainly consequences from Celehar's previous adventures. We also know very well how Almelo and Celehar's life works. And I could never not want a long book with Celehar. He is such an interesting character to follow.

It is clear from this book that Celehar still doesn't seem to understand his worth to others. It is something that he slowly learns throughout this book. His previous problems with his family and romance have him jaded and careful. But in this book his friends manage to make him see he is worth a whole lot to them. I think I loved to see his relationships with Pel-Thenhior and the others. His budding relationship with his guard was also interesting.

It once again also shows Celehar's strength of characters, something he would say he doesn't have. But the way that he will always stand up for what is right, even if the other party will murder him for it, is admirable. That doesn't mean he isn't scared sometimes or that things don't effect him. He is clearly traumatized by the revehar from the previous book and seems to have PTSD from it.

Lastly I loved seeing some previous characters from The Goblin Emperor appear in this book. With a longer book this was now possible and it was great to see them again and to see them interact with Celehar.

We are, once again, back in this complex and fascinating world with Thara Celehar, our dearest (and favorite) Witness of the Dead and the most unassuming MC ever. And it was pure bliss! Even if the world is complex and diverse, and full of things, honorifics, and people, and keeping things straight can be complicated from time to time, in a sense, reading this book was like going back home.
This book is sort of cozy, but in a quiet way. It is a tad hard to explain, but it is a compelling mix of cozy and high-stakes story, with mystery and political intrigues thrown in the mix, just to be on the safe side. So as you can see, it is not really your usual sort of cozy, the vibes aren’t the ones I usually pair with the label “cozy Fantasy”, but the story is quiet and slow (not too slow, mind me, but you can’t really say that this is a fast-paced book!) and it has some meditative vibes too. Celehar is like a pillar of calm who moves around, and you don’t have options if not let yourself be lulled by his calm and peace.

And we also have some great friendships here (even if our dear Celehar is not the easiest person to befriend, and I am not hiding that I wanted to scroll him, from time to time, because really… he is sooo bad at relationships, and I am not talking about romance, I am talking of relationships of every kind, besides the professional ones, he is great at those!). Anyway, as I was saying, we see some great friendships here, and it was so good!
But, as I said before, we have high-stakes here. Our favorite Witness for the Dead finds himself as the Witness for 192 death dragons (yes, you read that right) and he finds himself intertwined in politics (as always), murders (when this doesn’t happen?!), and intrigues.
And we get to see the Emperor too!! ( I won’t say more, but you need to know this!!).

All these elements are perfectly balanced, and the pace is just right on the spot. And if you pair this with amazing characters (Celehar could well be a sad and unassuming elf, who is trying his best to fade in the background while trying to do his best, and who is bad at relationships, but we love him for all of these!), intrigues and the thirst for justice that is the fundamental core of Celehar, you’ll have a book that will keep you hooked and that would make you feel more at peace with the World.

I had fun with this, and I enjoyed every moment I spent with it!!

Obviously, every book is authored, and almost as obviously, sometimes the authorial presence is key to the appeal; even if we stick to other contemporary fantasy series, Wayward Children and Cat Valente's Fairyland both rely heavily on the sense of being told a tale. But for all that the cast are elves and goblins, my experience of Katherine Addison's Cemeteries Of Amalo was quite otherwise; the two previous volumes (and their precursor, The Goblin Emperor) got away with their complicated forms of address and extensive discussion of different teas partly because Addison, though she'd crafted this world, was invisible within its pages, and it felt like one was simply reading a report from another world where all of this was how things were. This time, though...the acknowledgements say it was a difficult book, the gap between volumes emphasises that, and too often it feels as if the crew are in shot and the cast are doing their best with scripts they've only just been handed.

As the book opens, Thara Celehar is no longer Witness for the Dead, having lost his ability to communicate with the recently dead in the previous book. He has a new task from his ecclesiastical superior – to sort out a dysfunctional municipal graveyard – and is also serving as mentor for his replacement while she investigates her first murder. Which, tying things further to the series' established territory, took place at the opera house run by Celehar's is-he-isn't-he slow-burn love interest. This is very much what I came for; gentle yearning, exasperating bureaucratic comedy, a melancholy exploration of someone who has for too long been reluctant to exist as anything beyond his calling trying to work out his place in the world now that calling has been taken from him. Hell, there's even an ongoing and very entertaining subplot about the state of his coat and his reluctance to let anyone help him with that. Wonderful.

Except he's then thrown into the titular Tomb of Dragons – literally, on all counts – and suddenly it feels like the story is trying to play for higher stakes without quite knowing how to do that, or altogether sacrifice its cosy side. Celehar is henceforth beset by a series of insurmountable challenges – except always ones he gets out of without much difficulty. He's doomed now that he can't speak to the dead anymore – oh, he got better! Powerful figures are plotting against him – but more powerful ones are on his side, so it's fine! And yes, I appreciate this is how plots operate, but the wires shouldn't be this visible. Worse, the little stuff the books did so well, the teas and coats, gets almost entirely squeezed out by the stumbling facsimile of a political thriller, which is all the more puzzling when this setting began in exactly that genre with The Goblin Emperor, which was magnificent. And as for the romance subplot...I don't hate the late swerve as much as some readers have, it felt vexing but real, but it is exactly the sort of thing which, though it does happen this way in life, probably needs more work to establish as legitimate in fiction. More dissatisfying was the way that the high-level plot, about the difficulties of finding a just resolution to historical crimes, looks like it's been concluded in a suitably knotty compromise – only for another strand of the plot to conveniently intrude and shift that into an implausibly super-neat resolution! It's a fascinating world, and I did enjoy spending time here again, but this outing is very much the runt of the litter.

(Netgalley ARC)

These books are a fantasy companion to Becky Chambers’ Wayfarers series, in that they relatively lowkey (although the stakes do get raised in this one) and the villains are largely kept offstage in favour of spending time with likeable characters who are -shock - nice to each other. These characters are mostly all wounded one way or another and the books have a melancholy air, but they don’t dwell on this darkness. Instead they focus on the importance of consolation and the bonds of friendship (even if Thara is terrible at recognising these latter). Ultimately they speak to what we can be instead of what we so often are, which is needed more than ever these days.

A Witness for the Dead, said the dragon. How ... appropriate. Will you witness for us? We need a witness, and we assure you we are dead. [loc. 1307]
At the end of The Grief of Stones, Thara Celehar lost his Calling, but was promised 'an assignment that is uniquely suited to your abilities'. Unfortunately, that seems to involve a lot of paperwork and bureaucracy. His days are not without incident, though. Though his apprentice, the excellent and determined Velhiro Tomasaran, is answering the few witnessing requests that come in, there are other matters that demand his attention; a murder at the Vermillion Opera, demesne of Celehar's friend Iäna Pel-Thenhior; an escaped political prisoner; and a group of miners are keen to have someone talk to the unseen horror that lurks in the depths of a mountain.

This is as much a novel about friendship and support as it's about paperwork, mines or murders. Celehar has always battled feelings of inadequacy and self-worth (he doesn't even think he deserves a decent coat, let alone a better stipend from the city treasury) and he doesn't seem to recognise friendship when it's offered. But it is offered, and reciprocated, and sometimes Celehar even manages to trust those friends: Tomasaran, Pel-Thenhior (who has, to be fair, shown signs that could be interpreted as something more than friendship), Azhanharad the subpraeceptor, and even some individuals in the distant capital.

Given the publisher's blurb ('deftly wrapping up The Cemeteries of Amalo trilogy') I'd expected more of a conclusion here. The finale of this novel feels more like the beginning of a new phase than an ending to Celehar's story -- or the stories of his friends. Yes, he's grown and changed across the course of these three books, and his personal relationships are in considerably better shape than they were at the start of The Witness for the Dead; yes, he's overcome the lingering grief of events that happened well before even The Goblin Emperor. But there is so much more possibility in his life now -- perhaps even romantically -- and I'd love to see what happens next.

In preparation for this long-awaited novel, I reread The Witness for the Dead and The Grief of Stones, the first two books in the trilogy... I found I liked Stones rather better this time around, as more happens to Celehar in it.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my advance review copy! UK publication date, at least for Kindle, is 13th March 2025.

I’m delighted to have another chance to spend time with Thara Celehar, a Witness for the Dead who we first met in The Goblin Emperor and is now treating us to a third book from his own point of view. Celehar is a prelate of one of the religions that infuse the Empire, but he is also blessed with the gift of being able to talk to – and thus witness for, in a legal sense – the dead. At least, that’s how we started the trilogy – things are a lot more complicated by the time we reach this volume…!

Following the traumatic events in The Grief of Stones, Celehar can no longer perform his duties. However, the archprelate recognises the gift he has for detection and problem solving, and sets him other work. I’ve said before that these aren’t the most action-packed of books, but there is something very comforting – and trust me, not at all boring! – about a near-impossible admin task and enough paperwork to drown in. And it’s a nice counterpoint to oh, the literal dragon and a few near-death experiences…!

If anything, this is the most action-packed of the series. Coming at this point, it really deepens the character and his emotional backstory, as Celehar is set up for some huge challenges.

But, as great as it all is, the bit I love the most is the quiet and the depth. This is such a hugely rich world, one easy to just let lap over you entirely. I didn’t even try to pronounce half the names, and yes, it was easy to get a little mixed up – but oddly that just adds to the experience of being a visitor to a truly fantastical world.

Couldn’t really recommend it more, I just hope this isn’t the end of The Chronicles of Osreth.

The Tomb of Dragons is the third book in The Cemeteries of Amalo series (fifth overall), and after two fairly gloomy books, Thara Celehar is finally showing signs of recovering from the tragedy of his past of sending his lover to death with his witnessing. The beginning isn’t auspicious though. Having lost his ability to speak with the death, he’s at loss for what he’s supposed to do now.

The purpose comes from his unique sponsor, the Archprelate, who tasks him with sorting out a cemetery that hasn’t been functioning for fifty years. What seems like an administrative task turns out to be an uncontrollable mess that has begun decades ago. But Thara Celehar is good at cleaning up messes.

His mentee Velhiro Tomasaran also keeps him busy. She’s now given the full status of the Witness for the Dead, but she’s never investigated on behalf of a murdered person before, and constantly relies on Thara for advice. It’s an odd murder, with seemingly no suspects, as the victim didn’t have time to notice they were being killed. Only one memory guiding Tomasaran, she slowly unravels a conspiracy.

Thara’s main story begins when he’s kidnapped and forcefully transported into a mine where the miners say a ghoul of a dragon remains, killing the workers. But the joke’s on them, because he can’t speak with the dead anymore and can’t banish ghouls, so he’s left for dead. But he’s not alone; his god, Ulis, seems to have a purpose for him and so he’s saved. What he learns is that 192 dragons were brutally killed in the mines, with one of them remaining as a guardian. She wants him to witness for them, and he accepts.

But the mining company is powerful, its tentacles reaching everywhere in the society. Thara has only one option: pleading with the emperor. Good thing he knows him personally. But it brings the ire of the company on him. After an attempt on his life, he agrees with his friends that he needs a guard.

Enter Captain Hanu Olgarezh. He’s caught Thara’s eye early in the book, but as Thara isn’t used to being interested in anyone except his dead lover, he doesn’t really pay attention. But now that they spend a long winter together, the pain inside him begins to ease and he starts to hope that the captain might be interested in him too.

He opens with his other friends too. Instead of pushing everyone away so he wouldn’t be a nuisance, he accepts their help and interest in him. That especially applies to Iäna Pel-Thenhior, the opera director who I thought would be the long-term romantic interest (not that I entirely agreed). But the two have an open conversation and it turns out Iäna isn’t even interested in men, nor is Thara interested in him. You could’ve fooled me.

The emperor gives his ruling on the Tomb of Dragons and the matter should be settled. But the mining company isn’t about to give up on having their revenge on Thara. He can’t stay in Amalo, a fate he and his friends had discussed of so they know he’s not abandoning them.

And he’s not alone in his exile. Captain Olgarezh is with him and eager for adventures. He’s an old soldier with his own troubled past and perfect for Thara. The book ends with the two on the run, and I very much hope there will be many books of them sorting out troubles for the Archprelate all over the empire.

This was a great book. It wasn’t as heart-wrenching or scary as the earlier books, but I loved the healing arc Thara was on here. The world is as brilliantly rich and complicated as ever, with only a surface showing to the readers. The reader has no idea what people are talking about half the time, but it’s always very interesting. With a world like this and a character as wonderful as Thara, there’s material for exploring for many books to come.

This is the third in a sequence of books by the author called Cemeteries of Amalo. I first immersed myself in the authors world of the Goblin Emperor during lockdown and I was completely fascinated by the detailed social interactions, language and general world building. I did in fact create a "family tree" of all the characters in the book and how they related to each other - it kept me sane during the strange days of the pandemic.
From the Goblin Emperor our focus moves to Thara Celehar a minor character in that book, but one that deserved their own story development.
Thara is a prelate of Ulis and a Witness for the Dead - Ulis grants some of his clergy the ability to speak to the dead, to advocate for them and to seek justice in the living world. Thara was an exceptional Witness and also investigator, however at the climax of the story told in Grief of Stones, he encounters and banishes a malignant spirit however in doing so his ability to commune with the dead is damaged and he is left bereft. Despite this he is called on by the Archprelate to investigate a major city cemetery which has for decades stopped accepting the dead, and this alongside his mentoring of Othalo Tomasaran (newly raised to be a Witness for the Dead) he has work to keep his busy mind occupied.
Thara is a modest character, one who finds it difficult to understand the depth of feeling and respect people who interact with him feel, including the regard of the Goblin emperor. He struggles with friendships but his honesty, compassion and honour means that he has more friends at all levels of society than he knows.
The story weaves between Thara's life and duties from rectifying the chaos found in Ulnemenee cemetery, their kidnapping by renegade miners, subsequent escape with the help of the raging spirit of a dead dragon who demands justice for their murder, to coming in the crosshairs of the Clenverada dynasty who wish to kill him. Life is certainly not easy for Thara and they need to use all their knowledge, wit, friendships and tenacity to weather the coming storm.
All the characters in the authors books are beautifully nuanced and the books are simply a joy to read. I would suggest that a reader is not too hung up on the definition and interpretation of the terminology or language used in the book, context can be gleaned and becomes clearer the more you read.
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for access to this ARC, my views are my own and this is my favourite book of the year so far.

The Tomb of Dragons by Katherine Addison is a deeply engaging fantasy novel that explores themes of loss, redemption, and the enduring power of friendship. Following Thara Celehar, a former "Witness for the Dead" who has lost his unique ability to communicate with the deceased, the story delves into his struggles to find purpose and meaning in a world that no longer needs his services in the same way.

Despite losing his title, Celehar still faces several challenges, including the secrets buried in a municipal cemetery, the haunting memories of a traumatic event known as the revethavar, and a group of dangerous miners willing to kill for what they believe is rightfully theirs. As he works through these mysteries, Celehar is not alone. His team of companions—Velhiro Tomasaran, a determined and inexperienced mentee; Iäna Pel-Thenhior, a supportive and passionate opera director; and Hanu Olgarezh, a steadfast guard captain—offer their skills and friendship, even when Celehar finds it difficult to accept help.

The novel is packed with layered mysteries, political intrigue, and character-driven moments. Addison expertly weaves together a narrative where justice must be sought in a tense political landscape, and the pursuit of truth is far from straightforward. Celehar’s emotional journey—his battle with self-worth, his hesitancy to believe in the sincerity of those who care for him, and the gradual healing of his wounds—is both compelling and heartbreaking.

One of the standout elements of the book is the development of its friendships. Through moments of tension, mutual support, and vulnerability, the bonds between the characters feel authentic and heartwarming. Celehar's relationships with those around him, especially as they grow deeper and more trusting, are a key highlight that makes this story truly special.

The world-building is rich and immersive, with a deeply intriguing political backdrop that adds complexity to the characters’ actions and motivations. The mysteries Celehar faces are multifaceted and full of twists, keeping the reader invested in each revelation.

If you're a fan of character-driven fantasy with intricate plots, heartfelt relationships, and a touch of mystery, The Tomb of Dragons is a must-read. The book leaves readers hoping for more in this world, and I certainly look forward to future instalments in the series.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

THE TOMB OF DRAGONS is a compelling end to these three books looking at Thara Celehar.

Unlike THE GRIEF OF STONES, THE TOMB OF DRAGONS is much more indicative of what happens in the book. Thara finds a tomb of dragons and has to witness for it. Of course, there is so much more to this book, which like the others in the series is full of meandering subplots about characters and lives, weaving together into a rich tapestry.

This is a tale of healing and accepting help. Thara has lost his powers and is trying to find a new path in the world. He has made friends but doesn't quite understand why they are his - and he has the chance to make new ones. There was a lovely conversation with Iäna about how friendship doesn't have to be a means to an end but the end in itself, which was not a conclusion to an arc but an effective demonstration of where Thara had come from and how he had made progress but still had some way to go.

There is a lot more hands off investigation in this book. Thara isn't the witness for the dead for the city so, while he can help ,he cannot do it all. It felt like someone helping the next generation and knowing when and how to take a back seat.

All of this means the book is as gentle and meandering and ponderous as other installments. By this point, it is to be expected for the series. I quite like it, like that this difference in tone and style does exist in the genre.

I really loved that Maia, THE GOBLIN EMPEROR himself was present in this book (under his regal name, of course.) I liked seeing him through other eyes and without all the self doubt clouding his actions.

This has, I believe, been described as the last book. It ends in such a way that it feels like there are more stories of Thara's in the world - and I would not object to more books about this world in general - but it is also in keeping with the style of the series to end here.

The third and seemingly final novel in the Goblin Emperor side books centered on Thara Celehar, priest and sorta-action-detective in the cod-Victorian elven city of Amalo, and a difficult book to review. Tomb's defiance of a neat three act structure and reader expectations means it really shouldn't work at all, but the strength of Addison's character work and themes simply carries it over itself and off into a final(?) warm sunset.

————

On the one hand, The Tomb of Dragons is a story with nearly fatal pacing issues, accelerating from the dead stop we reached at The Grief of Stones to a thematically blunt three-mystery circus in about 100 pages with only the barest fig leaves of continuity pasted on for decency. And then, after this mad rush, we just kinda bumble along for another 200-odd pages while Thara repeats his story to anyone who will listen and literally does paperwork, only to accelerate again into frantic action adventure once the main story has gradually wrapped itself up.

On the other hand, Addison's writing is so rich in detail and builds so much goodwill around Thara, painfully nice and dutiful cat-lover that he is, that these defects just...don't matter? Indeed, there are so many deliberately distancing narrative choices (absolutely crystallized in one scene that is precision-engineered to explode the heads of Tumblr-centric fandom) that it's hard not to read Tomb as a kind of middle-aged anti-picaresque, just one damn thing happening after another. Or maybe that thing fails to happen at all, or just is left in abeyance while life grinds endlessly on; everything is a work in progress, and nothing ever ends..

This seems a surprisingly bleak stance for a "cozy" fantasy book, but I find it fits right in with the near-existential tone of the other Amalo books and The Goblin Emperor itself. Thara's world has plenty of supernatural flourishes but no transcendent sense of right and wrong to make sense of it all, just basic decency and justice. Amazingly, they seem to be enough*.

* Though Addison seemingly adds a footnote here: treason is treason. Some readers might find this timely.

ARC provided by NetGalley, Rebellion Books, and the author in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks!

Katherine Addison’s The Tomb of Dragons is the third instalment of The Cemeteries of Amalo trilogy, once again following Thara Celehar, a Witness for the Dead, as he navigates intricate mysteries, political intrigue, and his own deeply personal struggles. In this installment, Celehar finds himself at a crossroads— his abilities to speak with the dead are gone, but his duty remains. As he seeks to solve a series of murders, including those of dragons, he must also reckon with his evolving identity and the steadfast friendships that refuse to let him slip into self-imposed isolation.

Thara Celehar is a fascinating protagonist—self-effacing to a fault, relentlessly dedicated to his calling, and deeply wounded by past choices. This book continues his journey toward self-acceptance, showing him gradually learning to embrace the support of those around him. While his humility and restraint have made him an unusual lead for a fantasy series, they also make his small victories feel particularly rewarding. The relationships in this book, especially the friendships that have developed over time, are beautifully rendered, offering some of the most heartfelt moments in the novel.

That said, Celehar is not without his flaws, and some readers may find his continued self-denial frustrating. While his friends see his worth, he remains skeptical, which can make his development feel slow-moving at times. However, his gradual shift toward accepting care and companionship makes for an ultimately satisfying arc.

The story begins with a mysterious murder which unravels into something much more complex, leading Celehar into dangerous confrontations with forces both political and supernatural. Addison balances the quiet introspection of Celehar’s character with an engaging mystery, maintaining the series’ distinct blend of detective work and fantasy intrigue.

The plot may not be the most riveting in terms of high-stakes tension, but its steady pacing and thoughtful unraveling of secrets make for an immersive reading experience. The novel’s structure echoes those of Lois McMaster Bujold’s Penric and Desdemona books—though, for some, the heavy focus on courtly details such as fashion, tea, and religious ceremonies may feel excessive rather than enriching.

One of Addison’s greatest strengths is her worldbuilding, and The Tomb of Dragons is no exception. The milieu is layered lovingly with culture, politics, and religious customs adding depth to every interaction. Addison’s meticulous attention to detail makes the world feel both unique and lived-in, allowing readers to effortlessly roam Amalo’s streets.

The Cemeteries of Amalo stands out for offering a quietly compelling exploration of duty, kindness, and redemption.


The Tomb of Dragons feels like a satisfying conclusion to Thara Celehar’s journey, blending mystery, fantasy, and character-driven storytelling in a way that will appeal to longtime fans. While the pacing and focus on courtly details may not work for everyone, Addison’s ability to craft a deeply immersive world and compelling characters shines through. This is a book for readers who appreciate introspective protagonists, rich worldbuilding, and the quiet triumphs of personal growth.

Though this installment ties up Celehar’s story well, the possibility of more stories set in this universe remains. If Addison chooses to return to the Elflands, I’ll be eager to follow.

The Tomb of Dragons es la tercera entrega de la saga The Cemeteries of Amalo, el spin-off de The Goblin Emperor con el que Katherine Addison sigue narrándonos las vicisitudes de Thara Celehar como Testigo de los Muertos.


El libro sigue la línea ya marcada en las anteriores novelas, con un tono extremadamente pausado, que puede llegar a desesperar a algún que otro lector. Addison ha creado un mundo de tremenda cortesía y miramiento, tanto que a veces te dan ganas de coger de las solapas a más de uno a ver si espabilan un poco. En contraste con esta educación y esta reverencia, hay asesinatos, encubrimientos y traición por doquier. Creo que esta yuxtaposición de elementos tan dispares es el principal atractivo de la saga.

Como ya estamos en el tercer volumen de la saga, no debería sorprendernos ni el vocabulario inventado por la autora, que tampoco es que se entretenga en crear un glosario para facilitarnos la labor, ni en la gran cantidad de personajes con nombres enrevesados que pululan por sus páginas. Esta es una de las características definitorias de la serie.

Thara Celehar sigue siendo una persona apocada que se atribuye tan poco valor que no deja de sorprenderse cada vez que algún amigo intenta ayudarlo. The Tomb of Dragons es un libro que da casi la misma importancia a los remiendos de un abrigo que a la existencia de dragón no muerto que amenaza la existencia de los mineros. Capaz de poner a descansar a un ghoul y acto seguido preocuparse por no poder pagar el ticket del servicio de transporte, Celehar parece que va madurando un poco o al menos abriendo algo los ojos a lo que tiene alrededor. Quizá por esto el libro también tiene cierto gusto a despedida.

Katherine Addison también aprovecha para contentar a los seguidores de la serie con algunos cameos que están especialmente dirigidos a los que comenzaron la saga desde un principio, con la aparición estelar del propio emperador goblin.

The Tomb of Dragons es un libro denso y pausado, pero quizá por esa misma razón su lectura deja un poso en el ánima que tarda en irse.

This novel reads either like a conclusion to Thara Celehar's stories, or at least a conclusion to what in retrospect more like his Amalo arc: this book is by far the longest of the three, and there is a lot references and reappearances of people and threads from the first two, presented with a measure of closure. I am deeply fond of "sad gay priest solves crimes for justice and doesn't notice he makes friends along the way" genre, and this particular novel really leans into it with an emphatic "and friends aggressively remind him they exist and are willing to share his burdens". From that perspective, it was lovely to let the rythm of Thara Celehar's narrative voice, and his persistent kindness in the name of service, carry the story forward. I would have been okay with the crime of the week kinda return to the world, but once it became clear the ambition is wider - a petition like no other in history, and even a couple of cameos from Maia and Csevet, and yet the loose ends were coming from earlier cases Thara Celehar had solved - I was enjoying this even more.

To address the relationship elephant in the room: I have so many thoughts about Iana Pel-Thenhior. SO MANY. I can easily imagine this will spark discussion once the book hits the shelves, so suffice it to say at this stage that my view on resolution with Iana is that the guy Wei Wuxian'ed real hard there. It's entirely possible to read what he said at face value, and everyone can decide for themselves whether it ought to be taken as such or analyzed deeper, but you will pry this explanation out of my cold dead hands. (distant muttering about straight boy Wei Ying problems; further muttering about a threesome being also acceptable)

With gratitude to Netgalley and Solaris/Rebellion for an early review copy, as this was one of my most awaited books of the year.

The third book in the series finds our protagonist continuing on his path towards self-acceptance and happiness, while dealing with dragons, political corruption, gross negligence, and treason. Many of the characters are as in the previous books, with a few notable additions.

I continue to really like the author's writing style - her prose is vivid and potent, creating colourful scenes and memorable encounters. The plot itself, while not particularly riveting, does the job of keeping the reader going. The protagonist evolves throughout the story, and moves away from the morbid and self-effacing proclivities (which is very welcome).

While I enjoyed it, this book had several flaws. First and foremost, in its levity, plot structure, and style it reminded me a lot of the Penric and Desdemona series by Bujold. It is inferior to that series in its protracted depictions of clothes, food, tea, political intrigue and court gossip, and religious ceremonies, which add little to plot progression. I just don't care enough about any of it. It's so inconsequential that it really has no place in the narrative. Bujold does a great job skirting these elements, or, when she does talk about them, she does so in service of the plot. Here - it just didn't fit. I also really struggle with the protagonist. While they are clearly a good person, they are quite insufferable, and I find it incredible that they inspire such devotion in their friends. It just doesn't hold water. They take way more than they give, and, over time, such personalities tend to struggle with keeping their friends around them, in real life.

Overall - a lovely little read, and I'm glad I read it. I'm not sure I'll remember much of it as times goes by, as there is little there beyond the narrow story, and I don't think that not reading it would have left a lacune of note in my literary journey.

Recommended to anyone looking for a light read, and for fans of Bujold, in particular.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an early copy of this book in return for an honest review.

The Tomb of Dragons by Katherine Addison is such a good story. I loved every single second of it and I couldn't be more grateful because I could read it. I rated it 5 stars.