When I first picked up Lumen Borne, I wasn't exactly sure what to expect. The premise was intriguing, and for the first few pages I thought this was going to be a riff on "Beauty and the Beast" mixed with a bit of "The Lottery," but that description hardly does this story justice. This tale stands defiantly on its own merits.

The story wastes no time getting down to business, launching into the plot with little preamble. The underlying lore is revealed in a just-in-time fashion, without needless exposition. This is a very quick read, but the pace doesn't feel rushed or frenetic; the author gives us plenty of time to breathe.

I was absolutely enthralled with the writing. It is intense, and rich in an almost touchable way. Every word choice seems deliberate and measured, with repeated words and phrases that give it a kind of drumbeat, echoing the urgency that the characters are feeling.

The relationship between Raphael and Serena (and the castle) is great. There are hints of light banter, especially toward the end, that humanize them both even in the face of monstrosity. The dark romance aspect builds slowly and believably, with as much left to the imagination as on the page. I hope it's not too much of a spoiler to say that there's not an out-and-out love scene, which I actually appreciate. That can feel a bit formulaic, which I think would be an affront to Serena and her desire to flout expectations.

There were a lot of things about Lumen Borne that inverted tropes in ways that delighted and intrigued me. The author seems to hint that this story could continue, and I sincerely hope it does. If you love strong characters and strong storytelling, check out Lumen Borne ASAP!