I'm sitting here in awe. I'm positively stupified. I recently found Milena McKay's work and to say I'm obsessed is putting it very mildly. I'm not even sure how to review this book because I'm not 100% confident that my words will do it justice. As with my review of The Headmistress- you can read the details in the synopsis or in other reviews but I can't help but talk about how this book made me feel. McKay evokes so much feeling from her readers, it's indescribable (but I'm going to try).McKay's writing is enthralling. It's ethereal. Her prose is stunningly beautiful and achingly visceral. The author very softly, lovingly, SEDUCTIVELY, takes you by the wrist, caressing the delicate skin with her sweet, poetic words, and gently lures you into this universe that's labeled contemporary but feels otherworldly. It's almost a fantasy (if McKay wrote a fantasy novel, my chest cavity could explode with joy) the way her words pour over you like warm honey, coating your mind in this sweet, sweet substance and you'd be utterly delighted to endure its perpetually sticky sweetness, reveling in its warmth. McKay's stellar wording and phrasing are unlike anything I've ever read - it's stunning.I adored literally everything about this book, but one thing that I cannot get out of my mind is McKay's chapter titles. They're gold standard level - again- just captivating. "Of Serendipitous Poetry & Momentous Discoveries" "Of Persipicacious Mothers & Fusha Boas" "Of Ruinous Choas & Things We Hoped For" "OF Howling Crowds & Unbridled Courage" I mean, COME ON! How do those not draw you in?! How could one not be utterly enchanted ?!Even her spicy scenes are delivered with so much passion and such a descriptive nature that you can't help but feel what her characters are feeling. She does this in a way that is unique to her, it's unlike anything I've ever read - and I've read amazing spicy, steamy, sexy books for a good portion of my life. McKay has set herself apart by delivering her entire book in a beautiful fashion, consistent and incredibly complementary to the story.Magdagalne is unlike ANY Ice Queen I've ever read. Her back story just flayed me to the bone. Her quest for vengeance and her power were beautifully relayed through these pages and my heart ached for her. Sam - who is so lovely and kind and pure - just melted her. This was beautiful to see through Sam's character in the Headmistress and absolutely devastating to see through Magdalene's eyes in this story. I was completely destroyed and healed in this book.I did everything I could to pace myself for this book because you can only experience it for the first time, once. And my, oh my. What an experience this was. Beyond measure. Unparalleled.Read this.Read every word McKay has written.That's what I'm going to do.*I'm on the edge of my seat for the audio version of this book. Abby Craden. Magdalene Nox. The world is NOT ready but bring it regardless. I'm ready for this destruction and resurrection of my SOUL!*