Eternal ruin by Tigest Girma

The ReadPlus review of Girma’s debut novel Immortal Dark (2024) describes it as ‘a brilliant debut from Ethiopian-Australian author, Tigest Girma. The novel weaves East African history and mythology into a dark academia fantasy with a true enemies-to-lovers romance’. Now, in the sequel, black vampires meek dark academia in Eternal ruin, second tome in the planned trilogy.

The setting, Uxley University, mixes the contemporary world of a prestigious university with the world of fantasy and vampires, but it is also a world drawn from Ethiopian culture; the characters are East African, magic power resides in the impala horn, an antelope prevalent in Ethiopia, and the name of Susenyos, the conflicted vampire hero, is drawn from Ethiopian history,

The heroine Kidane is consumed with rage about the abduction of her sister June; and her long enduring love for June leads to acts that may be cruel but are justified in her mind by her goal of reunion and safety. She turns to a dark philosophical text that takes her down a dangerous path, one she is prepared to pursue if it will hasten the acquisition of the powers she seeks.

Susenyos, the strong and powerful vampire that she is inexorably attracted to, is her sparring partner. Theirs is a battle of wits and wills. Kidane seeks constantly to reassure herself that he is trustworthy and reliable. Both are vying for control and power, and both have to learn to trust and have confidence in each other.

There are twists and turns to the plot that the devoted fantasy reader might enjoy, but this sequel is a long story that is heavily dependent on the reading of the first novel. If you are a fan of this genre, you have to read Immortal dark first; and then Eternal ruin takes you to a cliffhanger ending that will have everyone desperately waiting for book three.

Themes: Fantasy, Vampires, Romance, Power, Love, Revenge.

Helen Eddy