Between Life and Death by Jaclyn Kot Summary

Between Life and Death is a dark fantasy romance set on the continent of Edenvale, where possessing magic is punishable by death. The story follows Sage, who joins the Cursed rebels to rescue her conscripted brother and encounters Von, the mysterious rebel leader with otherworldly black eyes. This fated mates tale blends high fantasy with steamy romance, inspired by Hades and Persephone mythology with gods who have vampire-like tendencies.

Jaclyn Kot is a Canadian author from Saskatchewan who writes high fantasy fiction with morally grey characters and strong romantic elements. She lives on a farm with her husband and various animals, and began working on Between Life and Death ten years ago before completely rewriting it in 2021. Kot describes her writing style as featuring plot twists, spice, and morally grey males paired with strong-willed females.

Between Life and Death is perfect for fans of A Court of Thorns and Roses seeking similar fantasy romance content. Readers who enjoy fated mates, forced proximity, elemental magic systems, and morally grey protagonists will find this book appealing. The novel features spicy content, fast-paced action, and found family dynamics, making it ideal for adult fantasy romance enthusiasts who appreciate darker themes with emotionally complex characters.

Between Life and Death achieved Amazon Top 100 Category Best Seller status and garnered strong reader engagement with nearly 1,000,000 Kindle Unlimited pages read in the first month of the sequel's release. The book delivers on its promise for ACOTAR fans with fated mates, political intrigue, and a swoonworthy "shadow daddy" protagonist. Readers praise its addictive pacing, short chapters, and blend of fantasy worldbuilding with steamy romance scenes.

Between Life and Death explores themes of persecution and prejudice through its premise of magic-users facing execution. The novel examines fate versus free will through the magnetic connection between Sage and Von, while also addressing sacrifice, family loyalty, and the cost of war. Additional themes include found family, political corruption, religious oppression, and the grey areas between heroism and villainy in morally complex characters.

Sage is the protagonist who leaves her peaceful cottage life to join the Cursed rebels and rescue her brother from conscription. Von is the enigmatic leader of the Cursed rebels, described as a 6'8" morally grey character with black, starless eyes who harbors dark secrets. Their relationship features an "invisible tether" and magnetic pull that drives the fated mates storyline, with Von being characterized as a shadow daddy willing to burn the world for Sage.

Between Life and Death contains what author Jaclyn Kot describes as "an appropriate amount" of spice for the plot. The romance features steamy moments between Sage and Von, including forced proximity situations and one-bed tropes. The sequel Between Sun and Moon is described as "darker and steamier," while the prequel Between the Moon and Her Night is noted as more spice-heavy, catering to readers seeking adult fantasy romance content.

Between Life and Death is marketed specifically for A Court of Thorns and Roses fans "looking to scratch that insatiable itch." Both series feature fated mates, morally complex love interests, elemental magic systems, and blend high fantasy with romance. Like ACOTAR, Jaclyn Kot's series includes political intrigue, dangerous missions, and strong female protagonists navigating magical worlds. The Hades and Persephone inspiration parallels ACOTAR's mythological influences.

The Between Life and Death series reading order is: Between Life and Death (Book 1), Between Sun and Moon (Book 2), and Between the Moon and Her Night (Book 2.5). Although Between the Moon and Her Night is technically a prequel, it's intended to be read third for maximum enjoyment. Between Soul and Vessel released September 23, 2025, with a fifth and final book planned for 2026.

In Between Life and Death, "Cursed" is the label given to people who possess magic on the continent of Edenvale. By order of the king, Cursed individuals face "Cleansing"—execution by burning at the stake with an iron collar. The Cursed rebels are a group fighting against this persecution, defending their lands from the king's reach in an ongoing, bloodthirsty war that forms the central conflict of the series.

Between Life and Death features an elemental fantasy magic system where certain individuals possess magical abilities that mark them as Cursed. The story incorporates gods and goddesses with vampire-like tendencies, creating a unique supernatural framework. Iron collars are used to suppress magical powers, as seen when Sage is cut off from her abilities in the sequel. The magic intertwines with the Hades and Persephone-inspired mythology underlying the series.

Between Life and Death is available as an audiobook published by Podium Entertainment with duet narration by Nikki Grey and Connor Brannigan.

• The first book runs 12 hours and 15 minutes.
• Between Sun and Moon is 14 hours and 54 minutes.
• Between the Moon and Her Night is 10 hours and 18 minutes.

All three books in the series currently have audiobook versions available on Audible.