The Prince of Mourning

De: Jenn Bennett

Narrado por: K.C. Sheridan, James Meunier

Belladonna by Adalyn Grace meets A Study in Drowning in this “serpentine occult mystery with a gothic atmosphere that delivers steamy romance and propulsive adventure” (Publishers Weekly) and follows a young nurse and a mysterious young man imprisoned by a dangerous occultist.

In 1873 New York City, working in a hospital is no easy task, but eighteen-year-old nursing student Molly O’Rinn hasn’t had an easy life. After being orphaned at a young age, Molly’s most constant companions have been the ghosts only she can see. One in particular who has been showing up for years—and whose deep, sad eyes haunt Molly more than any ghost ever has.

Molly’s routine gets disrupted when a wealthy young man suffering from tuberculosis hires her as his private live-in nurse. His haunting Hudson Valley mansion is grand but secluded, and Molly spends more of her time exploring than with her bedridden employer. When she stumbles upon a family crypt in the basement, Molly discovers a young man about her age imprisoned there…a man who bears a striking resemblance to the ghost with the sad eyes.

But how could this living, flesh and blood person be the ghost Molly first saw when she was seven years old? With no one else to talk to, Molly manages to convince him to reveal his true nature, which is more fantastical than she could have guessed. It would be safer for them both to stay apart, but neither is able to resist the pull between them.

Their relationship is threatened when outside forces start to press in. Dangerous people are looking for this mysterious young man, and she is standing squarely in the crossfire.

Surprising Twists!

The Price of Mourning was definitely outside of my usual fantasy comfort zone, but I ended up really enjoying how gothic and dark it was. The atmosphere felt heavy and haunting in the best way, and I loved how fully it leaned into that moody tone. Certain elements gave me strong Supernatural vibes, especially in the way the darker themes and mysteries unfolded, and I can absolutely see fans of Belladonna loving this one. The historical setting paired with the fantasy elements worked so well together, and it easily became my favorite historical fantasy I’ve read this year.