Book Review – A Rather Vengeful Accord by Danielle Knight
A Rather Vengeful Accord by Danielle Knight (The Hallowed Game #1)
Fantasy | Adult | 437 pages
Published on 18 November 2025 by Daphne Press
Synopsis
Enrol in this rivals-to-lovers dark academia fantasy of necromancers and gladiatorial combat against eldritch abominations, perfect for fans of Gideon the Ninth and A Deadly Education.
St Penderghast’s is an elite college for necromancers and gladiators, promising glory to those who can perfect the arcane arts of graving or spiring. Graving is the notorious act of raising the dead and shaping their decaying flesh into eldritch abominations. Spiring is divine-fuelled combat against undead horrors in grand arenas, thrilling crowds of thousands.
Halen Kilchoir would kill (and resurrect) anything to study graving at St. Penderghast’s under the guidance of her hero, master necromancer Mortritis. But Hal cannot enlist alone: the only way she can secure admission is to enter a dangerous accord with her mortal rival, Alastair Faulton – accomplished spirer and the infuriating, formidable exiled scion of the great Faulton dynasty. If they team up as spirer gladiators, fighting gruesome creatures in a cut-throat competition, they could both earn their prestigious places at the college.
As Hal and Alastair fight grisly monsters and ghastly peers side by side, mending their years-long feud in the resplendent halls of the college, Hal faces the horrors of graving, spiring, and the revolting prospect of a romance with her own nemesis.
My rating:
Review
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
The premise of this, and the the comp titles, definitely sold me on the concept here. While it took a little while for me to warm up to it (there is a lot of world to figure out!), when I knew roughly what was going on, I had a great time with it! I did need more world building in general – it’s not super clear why everything is the way it is. I think I picked up some bits, but I wasn’t sure if I was right, which is a bit confusing. But the action packed pace and general fun of it all made up for it.
Hal having doubts about everything and being mislead by everyone around her made her a good MC to follow – I loved her snark and bite, but for all that she’s definitely a little naive. Alastair is interesting as the foil to her, mostly because he is so set, but also because we definitely only see Hal’s perspective on him! I have some theories on him and that Hal clearly hasn’t clocked to, and I am very intrigued to see how right (or wrong!) I am!
And that ending. Such a good twist and cliffhanger. The downside of reading an early copy is having to wait even longer for book 2!
3.75 stars.
Buy A Rather Vengeful Accord by Danielle Knight from Waterstones.
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