Barnes & NobleDeath's Country by R. M. Romero

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R.M. Romero has become an auto-request/auto-buy author for me and I’m so lucky to be approved for her books because her novels in verse are always full of vibes and feels. Death’s Country, as a polyamorous Orpheus and Eurydice retelling, did not lack in atmosphere or emotions. Liora, Renee, and Andres find each other and fall in love, but they each have their own secrets that could dmn them in the underworld. Watching the three of them grow in love with each other, but also in acceptance of themselves, was so beautiful and natural. Part of me wished this book wasn’t YA because there were themes that could apply to all ages, but the other part of me saw why this book had to be YA, for 16 is an age when so many teens are figuring out exactly who they want to be and begin to express themselves and defend their expression. While this book has a smaller storyline, it did not lack in plot, so much of the action took place within these characters and I enjoyed that introspection. I especially enjoyed the theme of accepting one’s own darkness, that is truly a favorite trope of mine, as well as the theme of finding acceptance of every aspect of oneself from those we love. While I still think The Ghosts of Rose Hill is my favorite R.M. Romero book thus far, I still put Death’s Country in the five star category. I think queer and poly representation is so important, and Orpheus and Eurydice retellings always get me!