Noelani is angry. She was exiled years ago and now has been suddenly called back by her former lover, the queen Isadora, for her 
expert aid. The princess, who Noelani has often considered her own daughter, has disappeared on the night before her wedding. Although the king does not seem wise to Noelani’s former romance with his wife (he is portrayed as somewhat dopey), there are dangers all around in the kingdom, and Noelani has to find the princess or lose her life.
On her return to the kingdom of Patria Lupi, Noelani is not met with a welcome reception from everyone. She has enemies in Queen Isadora’s new guard, Benazir (her replacement) and in her former teacher, Father Werham. Seeing the queen again also reignites feelings she previously buried, drowning them in alcohol.
Besides her exile and a summoning that basically amounts to a kidnapping, Noelani has a lot to be angry about. Throughout the narrative are the flashbacks to Noelani’s young life as the “holy champion” knight, and these are some of the more captivating parts of the story. Torn from her home years prior, she endured harsh, sadistic training to become a knight (many reviews refer to this story as “Arthurian noir,” and I can see the parallel). Even in this female-dominated world, she suffered significant abuse and misogyny; of her cruel and barbaric teacher, Father Werham, she says “He took a kind and empathetic young girl and turned her into an engine of hate.” This backstory effectively lays the groundwork for Noelani’s complex character development.
The Cold Ever After defies easy categorization, blending elements of different genres: detective story, fantasy, horror, and romance. In a flashback to how they met, Noelani battles a dragon to save Isadora (I had never before considered the smell of a dragon, but this book took me there). And in the book’s conclusion, there is witchcraft, sacrifice, and a bit of good old-fashioned gore. Overall, there is a lot going on here, but it’s the mystery and nonstop action that will keep readers turning pages.
Artwork is generally stellar—colorful, believable/realistic facial expressions—but it can get a little confusing during action sequences. The colors are often more muted, and the images are less fleshed out when characters are in battle. This one is definitely for adults and it’s sure to satisfy someone seeking a sapphic fantasy novel that leans into the dark side. There is illustrated nudity and a lot of bloody violence, so proceed with caution.
The Cold Ever After
By Jeremy Whitley
Art by Megan Huang
Titan, 2024
ISBN: 9781787741904
NFNT Age Recommendation: Adult (18+)
Character Representation: Queer,
