For lovers of Hadestown, of kids promising to do better than their parents, of embracing your shadows, of music, dance, photography … Death’s Country is for you.

We follow Andres, a teenager who has firmly reinvented himself after a brush with death and a move to Miami. His parents are drowning him in miserable battles, but he escapes into music with his beloved guitar. And when he meets shining dancer Liora and fierce photographer Renee, he falls deeply in love with them both.

But their polyamorous triad is shattered one night when a car hits Liora and sends her into a coma. Renee knows there’s only one thing for them to do: travel to the underworld and rescue her soul. Andres agrees, but he’s fearful of encountering Death once more. Especially since there’s a part of himself left with the dead, and a bargain that he has yet to fulfill.

Let me start off by doting on R. M. Romero’s verse. It’s beautiful, and the writing flows with such a lovely musicality. This is truly one for the theatre kids.

We get three different coming-of-age journeys where our main characters learn to embrace all facets of their identities - and stand up for themselves without turning to rage. It’s a lesson in letting yourself be vulnerable with those you trust, and the joy that releases.

Andres, Renee, and Liora are compassionate towards each other, thoughtful, and forgiving. Orpheus has a lack of faith; these three have absolute faith, both before and after revealing their vulnerabilities & darkest secrets. I would have actually loved more time spent building these relationships up - instead we sort of shift and jump through time from the start of their relationship to a very deeply emotionally caring polyamorous triad. 

Magic and metaphor entwine in the underworld, and we meet a fascinating roundup of characters and creatures. There are nods to many famous stories and myths, as well as real life figures. I was particularly touched by Virgil and his tragic & earnest plotline. 

Death’s Country is ultimately a story of faith, vulnerability, and love, and I think young readers will see themselves strongly represented in at least one member of our trio. 

Whether they have loving parents, parents who despise each other, parents who are obsessive or controlling, or something in between – and whether they’ve found romantic love or friends who they trust with their lives - AND whether they see their souls in art or something else – there’s something real and raw here for everyone.

The writing is transformative, and there are moments & phrases I will definitely carry with me.

CW: death (child), war, suicide, eating disorder, emotional abuse, infidelity, car accident, self harm

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(I received an advance reader copy of this book; this is my honest review.)