Review by: Samantha M. Siciliano
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Quick Summary:
Til Death Do Us Part introduces us to a world where some of the United States’s population have powers- some controllable, others dangerously unleashed. Through shifting perspectives, we follow Requiesha, Anthony, Ironic, and Lamiyah- supers condemned to the infamous fortress-prison, Fort Riker. Each voice reveals a different facet of the brutal, twisted games of survival they must endure against hundreds of other teams to gain their freedom. Welcome to Fort Riker, where your stay will be a nightmare, the warden is a miserable human, and where supers (especially cryptics) are mistreated in prison and society.
The Review:
THIS. BOOK. WAS. AWESOME! If you crave the ruthless spectacle of Squid Games or the sacrifices seen in The Hunger Games, then this book will electrify you! The warden of the prison of supers (people who have special powers) is following a plan called Project Hawke. However, unlike the plan where one team receives freedom if they defeat all the others, the warden decides the fate of the losers… and death is on the table. For their first challenge, each prisoner must choose a partner. Requiesha and Anthony unite, as do Ironic and Lamiyah, each pair navigating a gauntlet of violence and impossible odds.
What captivated me the most was the masterful use of multiple points of view. The narrative shines a searchlight on each character’s inner worlds as they evolve- scarred yet still reaching for hope. Memories and present horrors intertwine, revealing how trauma shapes and sometimes shatters one’s world. Character development thrives in this chaos, reminiscent of “The DaVinci Code” and ESPECIALLY The Bloodsworn Trilogy by John Gwynne. Now, “Til Freedom Do Us Part” joins their ranks.
Recently, I’ve been drawn to stories that wrench the heart, and this one is no exception. There were moments reading Til Freedom when I found myself holding my breath, tensing my muscles, grinning at small victories or cute moments, genuinely happy, or sad, mourning the losses that felt all too real. Anger shone through at the plethora of injustice. I hate injustice (I know that most people don’t like it, but it’s something that I tend to hyperfixate on). I hate it when people aren’t treated with the respect and dignity they deserve. The book forced me to step away, to question what justice could possibly look like in a system so broken, and whether anyone would be held accountable. Some characters were so twisted and psychologically unhinged that their enjoyment of suffering royally ticked me off. Imagine Umbridge from Harry Potter- only with more blood on her hands.
Like Aleeza’s other work, Blank 12, the ending was wonderful. I always love a happy ending, as I truly feel that almost everyone in life deserves one. But especially in a dystopian world where injustice and suffering are rampant. I closed this book satisfied. The writing was sharp, the story tightly woven, and as Schmidt from New Girl would say: “No notes!” I’m giving it a solid 5 out of 5. If you’re craving a fresh dystopian adventure, do yourself a favor and READ THE FRACKING BOOK!
I received an advanced copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. This book will be released in February 2026.
Up Next: Golden Son by Pierce Brown
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