Reign of the Fallen by Sarah Glenn Marsh
Odessa is one of Karthia’s master necromancers, catering to the kingdom’s ruling Dead. Whenever a noble dies, it’s Odessa’s job to raise them by retrieving their souls from a dreamy and dangerous shadow world called the Deadlands. But there is a cost to being raised–the Dead must remain shrouded, or risk transforming into zombie-like monsters known as Shades. If even a hint of flesh is exposed, the grotesque transformation will begin.
A dramatic uptick in Shade attacks raises suspicions and fears among Odessa’s necromancer community. Soon a crushing loss of one of their own reveals a disturbing conspiracy: someone is intentionally creating Shades by tearing shrouds from the Dead–and training them to attack. Odessa is faced with a terrifying question: What if her necromancer’s magic is the weapon that brings Karthia to its knees?
Trigger & Content Warnings:
- Ableist language
- Classism
- Attempted kiss without consent
- Substance addiction
- Hallucinations and delusions
- Self-harm
- Alcohol consumption
- Pill addiction, drug abuse, and nonconsensual detox
- Graphic blood and gore, and dead bodies
- Physical injuries and burns
- Grief & loss depiction
- Death of a boyfriend (on-page)
- Death of a mentor,
- Death of a father
- Death of a girlfriend
- Murder & attempted murder
- Strangulation & hanging (mentioned)
- Fire