Jia Yi has always believed she’s an Empty, someone without magical power. While searching for a cure to her grandmother’s illness, Jia is stabbed through the heart by a soldier of her mortal enemy, Prince Essien Lancaster. She finds herself in the afterlife and face-to-face with the ghost of Lin, the childhood best friend who betrayed her. Desperate to escape him, she resurrects and discovers she has a power after all: the ability to move between the Living and Death Realms. Jia must use this power to find a legendary sword hidden in the afterlife to save her grandmother. But to survive the treacherous layers of the Death Realm, Jia must seek the help of Lin, and Prince Essien. As tensions between Jia, Lin and the Prince grow, she must confront the ghosts of her past, or risk becoming one herself.

After devouring Keshe Chow’s first book, The Girl with No Reflection, I couldn’t wait to read this one. It deserves to be crowned Young Adult Book of the Month, just based on the cover alone! I have read MANY young adult fantasies, but I’ve truly never read anything like this. It’s fast-paced, funny and emotionally charged. It had me squealing and kicking my feet with delight. The character development is strong and the plot is well thought out. And the twists! Oh my!

Following Jia on her journey through the Death Realm felt like a fever dream, in the best way. The enemies-to-lovers trope has always been my favourite, but after reading this it’s been replaced by friends-to-lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers-to- … I won’t give any spoilers!

Inspired by Wuthering Heights, and with an element of Inception, this haunting fantasy will stick with you long after you’ve read the final page. It’s perfect for fans of love triangles, enemies-to-lovers tales and anyone aged 13+ who loves great romantasy.