I backed this book via Backer Kit, and got the hardback as my pledge reward. I was extremely excited to back a couple of independent authors from my home state. The fact that it's urban fantasy with queer rep just made the project all the more appealing. It took me far too long to get to reading the book, thanks to work and ADHD conspiring against me. I'm so glad that I managed to make this the last book I read in 2025.

Both Acanthus and Cypress are fully realized characters, and I love the concept of the Night Garden as a sort of Underground Railroad for supernatural individuals. Given how Acanthus was turned, and the way they spent the first 60 years of their immortal life, I completely understood why providing a path to freedom would be important to them. The evolution of the relationship between Acanthus and Cypress was wonderfully organic, and I was very happy [... spoilers... ].

My heart hurt for them as they each worked through their self-doubt and uncertainty regarding their relationship. They both needed that care and support, but it's so incredibly hard to reach for those things when one has been hurt so much. Getting more insight into the Night Garden and how it operated was fascinating. Being a founder of the Night Garden, Acanthus's journey following it's path as a supplicant rather than a gardener was fraught and uncomfortable. However, it reconnected the vampire with the friends he'd left behind when he went into his self-imposed isolation.

In my opinion, this was invaluable in helping Acanthus rediscover his strengths. For Cypress, taking the path of the Night Garden was invaluable rediscovering their self-worth and self-confidence. He was also able to start rebuilding his faith in others, and discover a community that welcomed him with open arms. Without the Night Garden, I don't think Cypress would have learned to communicate their needs to Acanthus.

I'm incredibly excited for the next chapter in their story.