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Cover of The Beasts We Bury

The Beasts We Bury

by D.L. Taylor

🌶️fade to black·spoiler·The Broken Citadel #1

Why Read This?

You'll get a satisfying slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance wrapped in high-stakes political fantasy that keeps you turning pages.

Synopsis

Deceit and betrayal abound in this dark YA romantasy about an heir to the throne who can summon an army of animals and a thief who plans to manipulate her to pull off a once-in-a-lifetime heist. Will he steal her heart... or her chance at the throne? Daughter and heir to the throne, Mancella Cliff yearns for a life without bloodshed. But as a child, she emerged from the Broken Citadel with the power to summon animals—only after killing them with her bare hands. Her magic is a constant reminder of the horrors her father, the ruler of the realm, has forced upon her to strengthen their power. Silver is a charming thief struggling to survive in a world torn apart by Mancella’s father’s reign. When a mysterious benefactor recruits him for the heist of a lifetime, a chance to rob the castle, Silver relishes the opportunity for a real future—and revenge. But he'll have to manipulate Mance and earn her trust to pull it off. As the deception and carnage mount, Mance must find a way to save her realm without becoming the ruthless monster she's been bred to be. And when Silver discovers that his actions are fueling the violence that Mance wants to prevent, he'll have to choose between his ambition and the girl he’s falling for.

At a Glance

3.72 ★ Goodreads
Spice Level🌶️fade to black
Endingspoiler
PairingM/F
Romance Pacingslow burn
Energymedium

Top Tropes

forced proximityhidden identitysecret heir/royaltyblood feud romancerevenge romance

Mood

mysteriousbroodingemotionaldarksuspenseful

Book Details

Goodreads Rating

3.72 ★

Page Count

368 pages

Published

2025

Primary Genre

Ya Romantasy

Pairing

M/F

POV

First Person

Romance Pacing

Slow Burn

Audiobook

Available

Yes

Format

Standard

Narrator

Brenda Scott

Narrator Count

Single

Tropes

RomanceMagicActionAngstWorld
Theme Constellation

Mood & Vibe

Mood

Writing Style

atmosphericdarkimmersivepunchy

Story Pacing

fast

Emotional Weight

heavy

Energy Required

medium

Vibes

Dark court intrigue with morally gray characters and a magic system that feels like walking through a haunted forest at midnight.

Characters

FMC Archetype

reluctant chosen onemorally gray fmcsurvivor

MMC Archetype

morally gray mmcrogue/scoundreldark/tortured soul

Relationship Dynamics

mutual piningtensionenemies to loversforbidden loveslow burn

Spice Details 🌶️

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🌶️
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Spice Level 1

Spice Style

None

Getting Steamy

None

Bringing the Heat

None
Browse more books by spice level →
deathemotional abusekidnappingparental abusetraumaviolencebloodcaptivitygriefwar
Browse books by content warning →

World & Setting

World Type

high fantasy

Primary Setting

royal court / palace

Fantasy Creatures

Reading Context

Emotional Payoff

Best Time of Year

autumn

When & Where to Read

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