Emma Hamm’s The Deathless One emerges as a gripping entry into the romantasy genre that refuses to shy away from the darker corners of power and revenge. The first installment in the Gravesinger series introduces us to Princess Jessamine, whose wedding day becomes her death day, and whose resurrection sparks a tale that balances brutal political intrigue with intoxicating romance.
Hamm demonstrates her mastery of the genre by immediately subverting expectations. Rather than beginning with the typical sheltered princess discovering her power, we meet Jessamine in her moment of ultimate betrayal—murdered at her own wedding altar by the man meant to save her plague-ravaged kingdom. This visceral opening sets the tone for a story that consistently chooses complexity over comfort.
The Gravesinger’s Burden: A Magic System with Weight
The magic system Hamm constructs around gravesingers stands as one of the novel’s greatest strengths. Unlike many fantasy romance novels where magic feels convenient, Jessamine’s power comes with genuine cost and moral complexity. Her ability to anchor the Deathless One to the mortal realm isn’t simply about wielding power—it’s about choosing what kind of person she wants to become when unlimited power is within reach.
The relationship between gravesinger and god operates on multiple levels that Hamm explores with impressive nuance. Jessamine isn’t merely a conduit for the Deathless One’s magic; she becomes increasingly connected to him, their bond deepening beyond simple necessity into something that threatens to consume her identity entirely. The author skillfully portrays this progression, showing how power shared becomes power that transforms.
What makes this magic system particularly compelling is its foundation in sacrifice and mutual dependence. The Deathless One has suffered centuries of exploitation by witches who used his power through ritual sacrifice, creating a dynamic where trust becomes the most precious currency. Hamm uses this history to explore themes of consent, agency, and the difference between worship and partnership.
Character Development: From Princess to Queen of Shadows
Jessamine’s character arc represents some of Hamm’s finest work. The transformation from murdered princess to woman claiming her own power feels earned and authentic. In the early chapters, we see Jessamine struggling with basic survival on the streets of her own kingdom, a humbling experience that strips away her royal privilege and forces her to confront the reality of her people’s suffering.
The author excels at showing Jessamine’s internal conflict between her desire for revenge and her moral compass. When she gains the ability to kill with a thought through her connection to the Deathless One, Hamm doesn’t gloss over the psychological impact. Jessamine’s struggle with having killed Benji, even though he betrayed her family, adds depth to her character and prevents her from becoming a simple vengeance fantasy.
The Deathless One, known as Elric, emerges as far more than the typical dark love interest. Hamm gives him a rich backstory filled with centuries of pain and exploitation that explains his initial cynicism about Jessamine’s motives. His gradual realization that she genuinely cares for him as more than a source of power creates some of the novel’s most emotionally resonant moments.
Romance with Shadows and Substance
The romantic elements of The Deathless One succeed because Hamm grounds them in genuine character development rather than simple attraction. The relationship between Jessamine and Elric builds organically from mutual need to understanding to desire. Their connection feels inevitable yet dangerous, which captures the essence of what makes dark romantasy compelling.
Hamm writes their intimate scenes with a blend of passion and tenderness that serves the story rather than overwhelming it. The physical relationship between Jessamine and Elric becomes another way of exploring themes of power, consent, and trust. Their moments together in his shadow realm feel both otherworldly and deeply human.
However, the romance occasionally suffers from pacing issues. Some of the emotional beats between Jessamine and Elric feel rushed, particularly their transition from wariness to deep emotional connection. While their physical chemistry is palpable, the emotional foundation sometimes feels like it needs more development to support the weight of their bond.
World Building: A Kingdom in Crisis
The plague that ravages Jessamine’s kingdom serves as more than backdrop—it becomes a character in its own right. Hamm’s descriptions of the infected, with their frozen postures and bursting pustules, create a genuinely disturbing atmosphere that underscores the desperation driving the political machinations.
The author effectively uses the kingdom’s class divisions to explore themes of power and responsibility. Jessamine’s time in the streets reveals how her subjects truly live, while the revelation that Callum has built an underground society of her own people adds layers to the political intrigue.
The magic system’s history, particularly the persecution of witches and the binding of gods, creates a rich foundation for future books. Hamm hints at larger conflicts and older powers without overwhelming the current narrative.
Political Intrigue and Betrayal
The conspiracy that leads to Jessamine’s murder unfolds with satisfying complexity. Callum’s revelation as both surrogate father figure and calculating usurper creates genuine emotional impact. His motivations—survival in the face of plague and protecting his underground community—add moral ambiguity to his actions.
The introduction of Fortuna Beaumont, the Poppet Keeper, and her connection to Jessamine’s cousin adds another layer to the conspiracy. Hamm effectively builds anticipation for future confrontations while resolving enough of the immediate plot to provide satisfaction.
Writing Style and Execution
Hamm’s prose in The Deathless One strikes an effective balance between accessibility and sophistication. Her descriptions of magic and emotion particularly shine, creating vivid images without becoming overly ornate. The author handles perspective shifts smoothly, giving readers insight into both Jessamine’s and Elric’s experiences without confusion.
The pacing generally serves the story well, though some middle sections feel slightly rushed as Hamm moves between character development, world building, and plot advancement. The action sequences, particularly the confrontations with Callum and Benji, feel appropriately intense without becoming gratuitously violent.
Some dialogue occasionally feels modern for the fantasy setting, though this may be intentional to maintain accessibility for contemporary readers. The emotional conversations between Jessamine and Elric generally feel authentic and serve their character development well.
Strengths and Critiques
Strengths:
- Complex magic system with real costs and moral implications
- Well-developed character arc for Jessamine from victim to empowered woman
- Atmospheric world building that supports the dark themes
- Romance that serves character development
- Political intrigue with emotional stakes
Areas for Improvement:
- Some rushed emotional beats in the romantic development
- Certain dialogue feels anachronistic
- The middle section could benefit from tighter pacing
- Some secondary characters need more development
Comparisons and Context
The Deathless One will appeal to readers who enjoyed Sarah J. Maas’s A Court of Thorns and Roses series, particularly those who appreciated the darker elements of Rhysand’s character. Fans of Jennifer L. Armentrout’s From Blood and Ash will find similar themes of hidden power and destined love, though Hamm’s approach feels more grounded in moral complexity.
The book also shares DNA with Stephanie Meyer’s darker works and Kerri Maniscalco’s Kingdom of the Wicked series, particularly in its exploration of morally ambiguous supernatural love interests. However, Hamm’s focus on the political consequences of power sets it apart from more romance-focused narratives.
Emma Hamm’s Literary Evolution
Readers familiar with Hamm’s previous works, including the Fire Heart and Heart of the Fae series, will recognize her skill with romantic fantasy while noting an increased sophistication in her handling of darker themes. The Deathless One represents a maturation of her voice, tackling more complex moral questions while maintaining the emotional engagement that marks her best work.
Her experience with monster romance in series like Whispers of the Deep clearly influences the way she writes Elric as a genuinely otherworldly being while maintaining his emotional accessibility.
Verdict: A Promising Start to a Dark Series
The Deathless One succeeds as both a standalone romantic fantasy and the opening to what promises to be an engaging series. Hamm creates a world worth exploring and characters worth following, even when their choices lead them into morally ambiguous territory.
The book works best for readers who appreciate romantasy with genuine stakes and characters who must grapple with the consequences of their power. While it has minor pacing issues and some dialogue concerns, the strong character development and compelling magic system make it a worthwhile read.
Fans of dark romantasy looking for something that balances passion with substance will find much to enjoy in Jessamine and Elric’s story. The book sets up intriguing conflicts for future installments while providing enough resolution to feel satisfying on its own.
Similar Books You Might Enjoy
If The Deathless One resonated with you, consider these similar reads:
- Hunt on Dark Waters by Katee Robert – For readers who enjoyed the morally complex supernatural romance
- One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig – Similar dark magic systems and atmospheric world building
- Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer – For those who appreciated the political intrigue elements
- The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller – Standalone dark fantasy romance with similar themes
- Caraval by Stephanie Meyer – Magical realism with romantic elements and mysterious world building
The Deathless One marks an impressive entry into the crowded romantasy field, offering readers a story that respects both their intelligence and their desire for compelling characters finding love in dark circumstances.