If a book about magical duels and a long-standing revenge plot sounds like your type of book, then look no further than To the Death by Andrea Tang! Not only do we see intricate fight scenes, but we also get spoiled with a sapphic romance, just in time for Valentine’s Day!
Andrea Tang’s new fantasy novel features two talented, young magicians: Tamsin Blackwood and Samantha “Sam” Chan. Tamsin’s trying to find a way out of her father Mateus’s shadow and make a name for herself. Sam has long been planning a takedown of her brother’s killer. It’s a plan that involves destroying Mateus Blackwood and his most prized possession: his daughter.
There are layers to Sam’s path to vengeance, but she could not have expected to slowly fall for the very same person she’s meant to destroy. If we haven’t convinced you to pick it up yet, here are three reasons you should read Andrea Tang’s To the Death!
Book Overview: To The Death
Content warnings: death, murder, death of a loved one, parental abandonment, graphic violence, gore, bodies, smoking
Summary: Eighteen-year-old Samantha Chan wants only one thing: revenge for her brother’s death in an illegal magical duel. Ever since that terrible day, she’s been quietly working with legitimate dueling champion Lysander Rook and biding her time until she can take down her brother’s killer: Mateus Blackwood.
Tamsin Blackwood is trapped. She wants to make a name for herself in the magical dueling circuit, but she can’t get away from the legacy of her father—and coach—Mateus Blackwood. When she receives a challenge from the undefeated Lysander and his assistant Sam, she jumps at the chance to earn enough fame and glory to finally escape her father’s influence.
Tamsin has no idea about Sam’s scheming, and Sam plans to keep it that way. Despite herself, though, she can’t help liking Tamsin, and the two girls quickly grow closer to each other than anyone else in their lives. But Sam won’t let anything get in the way of her revenge—not even her heart.
Tamsin & Sam’s Romance
To the Death features a sapphic romance between Tamsin and Sam, one that neither of them expected to form. Tamsin unknowingly trauma dumps onto Sam upon their first meeting, which works out for Sam to figure out her weaknesses. But as they become closer, they realize just how much they’ve been needing a friend in their lives. Tamsin and Sam have so much in common, from their one-track mind for magic to their lack of true female friendships. And once real feelings start to develop, Sam becomes unsure of her ability to avenge her brother.
So Much Teenage Angst
But of course, what is a good revenge plot without some teenage angst mixed in? We can appreciate how To the Death played around with our expectations as we read it. The weeks leading up to the main duel build on the budding friendship/romance between Sam and her supposed enemy Tamsin. But all of the work Sam put into plotting against Tamsin falls apart when the truth comes out. Lies and deception catch up to Sam, and the duel yields some unexpected yet truly fitting results.
The Ending
Speaking of the results, we love how To the Death doesn’t end immediately after the duel between Tamsin and Lysander, Sam’s champion. It goes on to show Sam and Tamsin in the aftermath, now that their plans and goals have changed. And if we think about it, the ending isn’t really the end. There is still so much time for these girls to grow in their magic and their connection with each other. They are no longer held back by the past, and that is more than enough.
With magic, vengeance, and a sapphic romance, Andrea Tang’s To the Death has surpassed all our expectations!
To the Death by Andrea Tang comes out February 10th, and you can order a copy of it here!
What do you think of Andrea Tang’s new novel, To the Death? Let us know on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!
Want to hear some of our audiobook recommendations? Here’s the latest!
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ANDREA TANG:
INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | WEBSITE
