
Beth Revis's "Bid My Soul Farewell" is a compelling young adult fantasy told through two distinct voices. Set on the plague-ravaged Lunar Island, the story follows Grey, who is desperate to restore his home, and Nedra, a powerful necromancer. Their burgeoning love is complicated by Grey's political alliance with an emperor and Nedra's fierce devotion to her revenant sister, whom she refuses to let go. The narrative delves into profound themes of grief, sacrifice, the ethics of life and death, and the difficult choices young people face when personal desires conflict with the greater good. Parents should be aware of the dark fantasy elements, including necromancy, revenants, and the pervasive theme of plague and death, which are handled with sensitivity but can be intense for younger readers. It's ideal for mature teens who enjoy morally complex stories with a strong romantic undercurrent.
Told in two voices, Grey hopes to revitalize plague-ravaged Lunar Island, but knows that his alliance with the emperor threatens his love for necromancer Nedra, who wants to keep her revenant sister with her even as she tries to free the souls of the dead.