Book list
From Booklist, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission.

Jane and Miriam are young women on the cusp of adulthood living ina small, British town during the waning days of WWII. Fashionable Jane longs for the life of excitement lived by her Aunt Edith in Paris, while pensive, Jewish Miriam is thankful for a home while her parents are on the run. But this is not a typical WWII novel: all of these women are part of a generations-old society of diabolists, actively fighting Nazi diabolists. Alternating between the points of view of each girl as she explores her new powers and makes choices about how to best employ her special knowledge, this is a compelling, fun, and thought-provoking story of magical adventure, coming of age, sacrifice, and family, with secrets that add a lingering darkness to the entire tale. The third of Tanzer’s connected novels (Creatures of Will & Temper, 2017) provides a different frame, but complementary details serve to deepen the worldbuilding. The entire series can be read in any order and is an excellent choice for fans of Seanan McGuire, Alma Katsu, and Erin Morgenstern.

Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Near the end of World War II, two friends and aspiring diabolists ("We're not witches, Jane") get in each other's way as they pursue forbidden magic for different endsone to stop the Nazis, even if it costs her life, and the other to save herself, even if it puts the world at risk.Perfectionist Jane Blackwood and people-pleaser Miriam Cantor, the Blackwoods' ward and a German Jew, are more sisters than friends. When Aunt Edith, an allied diabolist spy, arrives in their sleepy English village to administer The Test, their lives and their relationships are changed forever. Miriam passes and can take the next step to becoming a full-fledged diabolist, but she also learns the diabolist society suspects her parents, still in Germany, of joining the Nazis. Meanwhile, Jane must hide that she failed her Test or risk life as a society servantor worse. Isolated by their fears and plagued by building resentments, each girl delves into forbidden magic as a last resort. Miriam works to clear her parents, which literally endangers her soul, and uncovers a Nazi diabolist's plot that could win them the war. Jane, who can no longer make a pact with a more benevolent demon to gain full diabolist power, uses a dark and dangerous way to get it. When she unknowingly allows a sinister demon access to the world, and her mother's soul, Miriam's and Jane's magical work collide. Suddenly the Nazis are the least of their worries. They must put aside their jealousies, hurt, and secrets to save the world and each otherbut being a true diabolist always requires a sacrifice. This companion to Tanzer's other two Creatures novels (Creatures of Want and Ruin, 2018, etc.) dives deeper into the diabolists' world and their magical sciences. Familiarity with the previous books is unnecessary to enjoy this well-written, fun, and thoughtful tale of evil Nazi plots, body-snatching behind enemy lines, magical libraries, complicated parental relationships, deep-seated prejudices, and suspicious felines.An enticing genre mashup. Horror, SF, and fantasy readers alike will find something to love and someone to root for. Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Publishers Weekly
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Two apprentice diabolists explore dangerous magic in WWII-era Britain in the enthralling final installment of Tanzer’s Diabolist’s Library trilogy (after Creatures of Want and Ruin). Miriam Cantor wants nothing more than to discover the fate of her parents, who were part of the diabolist resistance against the Nazis until they disappeared. Miriam’s foster sister, Jane Blackwood, is preoccupied with becoming a master diabolist, motivated by her fear of the painful fate of being “rendered for parts” that awaits apprentices who fail to meet expectations. As both girls delve deeper into the diabolic arts, Jane to ensure her safety and Miriam to find her parents, their friendship is tested and they must each answer the question of how much they’re willing to sacrifice. Tanzer captures both the atmosphere of the novel’s gritty, war-torn world and the adolescent voices of her struggling protagonists. Moral ambiguity abounds in this dark, captivating coming-of-age fantasy that expertly depicts the painful loneliness of growing up and apart. Series fans and new readers alike will be entranced. Agent: Cameron McClure, Donald Maass Literary. (Apr.)

Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Near the end of World War II, two friends and aspiring diabolists ("We're not witches, Jane") get in each other's way as they pursue forbidden magic- for different ends—one to stop the Nazis, even if it costs her life, and the other to save herself, even if it puts the world at risk. Perfectionist Jane Blackwood and people-pleaser Miriam Cantor, the Blackwoods' ward and a German Jew, are more sisters than friends. When Aunt Edith, an allied diabolist spy, arrives in their sleepy English village to administer The Test, their lives and their relationships are changed forever. Miriam passes and can take the next step to becoming a full-fledged diabolist, but she also learns the diabolist society suspects her parents, still in Germany, of joining the Nazis. Meanwhile, Jane must hide that she failed her Test or risk life as a society servant…or worse. Isolated by their fears and plagued by building resentments, each girl delves into forbidden magic as a last resort. Miriam works to clear her parents, which literally endangers her soul, and uncovers a Nazi diabolist's plot that could win them the war. Jane, who can no longer make a pact with a more benevolent demon to gain full diabolist power, uses a dark and dangerous way to get it. When she unknowingly allows a sinister demon access to the world, and her mother's soul, Miriam's and Jane's magical work collide. Suddenly the Nazis are the least of their worries. They must put aside their jealousies, hurt, and secrets to save the world and each other—but being a true diabolist always requires a sacrifice. This companion to Tanzer's other two Creatures novels (Creatures of Want and Ruin, 2018, etc.) dives deeper into the diabolists' world and their magical sciences. Familiarity with the previous books is unnecessary to enjoy this well-written, fun, and thoughtful tale of evil Nazi plots, body-snatching behind enemy lines, magical libraries, complicated parental relationships, deep-seated prejudices, and suspicious felines. An enticing genre mashup. Horror, SF, and fantasy readers alike will find something to love and someone to root for. Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.