The City of Dusk by Tara Sim
- Amanda Melton
- Oct 6
- 2 min read
I feel as though I'm behind in popular books, and that's okay. As of writing (07/20/2025), I have just picked up this book and finished it so quickly (at least a week), given its 500+ pages, which I don't usually read.
The Story
Tara Sim’s The City of Dusk launches the Dark Gods trilogy with a sweeping, character-driven fantasy set in the city of Nexus, where four realms—Life, Death, Light, and Darkness—once flowed freely until the gods sealed them off. Now, the city and its magic are dying.
At the heart of the story are four heirs from noble houses, each tied to a god and gifted with divine magic:
Taesia Lastrider wields shadows and harbors rebellion.
Risha Vakara is a necromancer burdened by restless spirits.
Angelica Mardova channels elemental magic through music, driven by ambition.
Nikolas Cyr struggles with fading light magic and family pressure.
As the once-in-a-century event, Godsnight, approaches, the heirs must decide whether to challenge divine will and reopen the realms. Their alliance is uneasy, their motives tangled, and their secrets dangerous.
There's a forbidden magic, linked to demon summoning, that emerges as the possible key to restoring balance (hmm..). One heir is imprisoned for murder, a fifth realm is identified, and the gods possess their heirs in a battle of death, a battle that has been raging for centuries.
Analysis
Sim’s worldbuilding is lush and intricate, with a magic system that feels both ancient and volatile. The characters are flawed, queer, and compelling, each wrestling with legacy, loyalty, and power. While the pacing can be slow at times, the final act delivers high-stakes twists and emotional payoffs that set the stage for the sequel.
There's a battle of power versus power, a clash over love and wit, loyalty and betrayal. The list is endless.
Rating 5/5
It's a complex, emotionally layered, character-driven work, with beautifully written arcs for each heir.
Rich worldbuilding, queer representation... the list goes on.
Finally, an ethically grey moral and magic system that lovers of dark goth, fantasy, and the like would enjoy.
The ending... find out yourself!
Self Promo
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