Ava Reid has carved a niche for herself as a master of the “gorgeously gruesome,” and her latest venture, Innamorata—the first installment of The House of Teeth duology—is perhaps her most unapologetically dark work to date. Released in March 2026 and quickly ascending the New York Times bestseller list, Innamorata is a haunting, atmospheric exploration of legacy, colonialism, and the high cost of silence.

Synopsis

Set on the cursed, Italian-inspired island of Drepane, the story unfolds in a world where necromancy was once the ultimate power. Following a brutal conquest by the kingdom of Seraph, the island’s seven noble houses were stripped of their magic and forced into the “Septinsular Covenant”—a grisly peace treaty that mandates the ritualistic desecration of every corpse to ensure the dead stay dead.

At the heart of the narrative is Agnes, the silent, overlooked cousin of Marozia, the current heiress of the fallen House of Teeth. Agnes has not spoken a word in seven years, but her silence is a strategic shroud. Charged by her late grandmother to reclaim the family’s forbidden secrets, Agnes must navigate a treacherous political landscape. She orchestrates a betrothal between Marozia and Liuprand, the “Golden Prince” and heir to the conqueror’s throne, to gain access to the forbidden royal archives. However, as Agnes draws closer to the prince, she finds herself ensnared in a passion that is as treasonous as it is visceral, threatening to dismantle her revenge and the fragile remains of her house.

The Highlights

The greatest strength of Innamorata lies in Reid’s masterful world-building and prose. Drepane is a character in its own right—a place of crumbling marble, salt-sprayed cliffs, and macabre traditions. Reid’s writing is decadent and sensory; she describes decay with the same elegance she affords to a royal gala.

Agnes is a compelling protagonist whose agency is found not in her voice, but in her observations and internal resilience. The relationship between Agnes and Marozia is equally fascinating, portraying a toxic, codependent bond warped by trauma and the weight of ancestral expectation. For readers who enjoy “Grimdark” fantasy that prioritizes atmosphere and psychological depth over traditional “happily-ever-after” tropes, the book is a triumph.

The Drawbacks

However, Innamorata is not without its thorns. The prose, while beautiful, occasionally veers into the overwrought. Some readers may find the relentless use of flowery metaphors and “ten-dollar words” (like the author’s frequent use of quotidian) to be a distraction that slows the narrative pacing.

Furthermore, the plot is a deliberate slow-burn that focuses more on character interiority and political tension than on action. The middle section can feel stagnant, and the marketing of the book as a “romantasy” is somewhat misleading. This is a gothic horror first and a romance second; those expecting a standard romantic arc may be off-put by the grim, “red-flag” nature of the central relationship.

Verdict

Innamorata is a visceral, unflinching look at power and the rot beneath the skin of nobility. It is a demanding read that rewards those who appreciate dark aesthetics and complex heroines, even if its dense prose occasionally threatens to bury the plot.

– The Moving Words Review