Graves We Have Dug by L.B. Black is the second book in The Princess of Bones series, completing the duology. It’s a Latine, rivals-to-lovers, dark romantasy that tells the story of two competing séanceros hell bent on revenge as they navigate a rich world of politics and propaganda, death magic, and obsession.
*this review contains spoilers for the first book in the series, Ghosts I Have Loved*
Betrayed by her rival, Felix de Paz, and captured by their employer, Isa has to do whatever she can to convince the future High Minister that she is still useful to him as he runs his corrupt campaign.
When a rebellion rises from the ashes of a tragedy, every faction wants one thing: the remains of The Princess of Bones, which promise immortality. The High Minister, the priests, and the rebellion are all willing to go to any lengths to find these bones and use them to achieve their ends.
It’s a war where no one is entirely innocent, and Isa and Felix are forced to once again work together to navigate a treacherous political situation, wading through the muddied waters between the regime and the rebellion, and fighting the tangled attraction that remains between them.
The characters in this book are ones that readers can truly understand. They are such clear portraits of themselves, and even if you can’t relate to them, it feels very much like you know them from the very start.
It is such a joy to read Isa, a female protagonist who is competent and confident. She’s the best, and she knows it, and it made me want to be like her. Felix is just as wonderful, eccentric and academic, and so deeply obsessed with his rival.
Felix’s two defining traits were likes to read and was once accused of murder. He functioned best when brooding, quiet, and full of secret words that could kill a man mid-sentence.
Graves We Have Dug is a slow burn, even though their relationship is established in the first book. Felix’s betrayal, whatever his reasons for it, naturally did some damage to that relationship. When the tension finally breaks, the spice is wonderful and perfectly fits these characters and their story.
Every aspect of this book, from the characters to the magical system, is totally unique. It feels like something entirely new, but with the familiar beloved tropes found in every great romantasy.
The story is infused with beautiful, atmospheric descriptions of the island, the magic, and the people. While reading, I had such a clear image in my mind of Verdeira and of everything Felix and Isa experienced.
Her round face was painted with streaks of black and gold, resembling a skull. There were more marigolds woven into her hair—a crown for the princess of no kingdom, other than this quiet place that she would never leave.
Graves We Have Dug is a story of rebellion and revenge, infused with intrigue and subterfuge. Its realistic view of revolution is complicated and painful, and that makes it feel so true. The magic is remarkable, and it left an impression that will not fade for a long time. This book is truly memorable, and I loved every moment of this series.
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