Time to finally close the case files in the Amberlough Dossier—the final book in this thrilling trilogy by Lara Elena Donnelly has arrived! Two years ago, I reviewed Amberlough, the decadent spy thriller that kicked off the series, and last year followed up with Armistice, its dark and gritty sequel. Now the series is finishing off with Amnesty, which comes out tomorrow, April 16. If you’re in the New York City area, be sure to join me at the official book launch at the Astoria Bookshop!
The revolution was a success, but that doesn’t mean it’s time for happily ever after… When Armistice left off, our exiled heroes had concocted a dangerous plan to topple the fascist government that had taken over their homeland. Amnesty skips the intervening years of bloody fighting and insurrection and drops us into the aftermath once the dust has begun to settle. With the Ospies gone, Amberlough is being ruled by an interim government while they gear up for their first real election in years. Lilian DePaul finds herself playing both sides—apparently a family trait—as she cozies up to the two opposing political candidates in the hopes of securing a place in Amberlough’s new government, whatever form it takes. Aristide Makricosta has cleaned up his crime lord reputation and buried his illegal dealings beneath the facade of a legitimate imports and exports company. But both of their delicate schemes begin to crumble like a house of cards when a man they’d all presumed dead returns—Cyril DePaul. Lilian’s brother and Aristide’s lover, Cyril is hated by most everybody else after he enabled the Ospies to take over during his stint as a double agent. Scarred by years in a war-torn jungle and racked by guilt, Cyril is apt to agree with those who want him dead. But Lilian and Aristide will do whatever it takes to keep from losing Cyril a second time.
One of the defining motifs of this series is paradox and strange juxtapositions. The series opened up with a steamy romantic relationship between the most unlikely couple: a drug-smuggling cabaret dancer and a government spy. Over the years, their positions have changed dramatically but are no less contradictory: Aristide is now almost a folk hero for having been friends with the leader of the revolution, while Cyril is reviled as a traitor to the cause. But no matter how much divides them, they can’t help but be drawn together. The central paradox in Amnesty is neatly summed up by the rhetorical quip at the bottom of the front cover: “What crime will you commit for redemption?” Each of the characters in the series has had to make terrible choices and impossible decisions—Cyril most of all. He longs for redemption, but is past the point of forgiveness in the eyes of many. And allowing the legal system to pursue justice will most likely end up with Cyril on the scaffold. To save his life, Cyril will have to defy the law once more, but can he truly atone for his sins by returning to a life of crime?
Another core concept in the novel is corruption and compromising one’s values. In the game of international politics, there are no good guys and bad guys, there are only allies and enemies—and even those can change at the drop of a hat. Anyone can be bought for the right price, and those with real integrity don’t tend to live too long. Both Aristide and Lillian play chess with their country’s future, trying to influence the election to best suit their personal needs. But they are trapped in the game, as well, and will have to decide if saving Cyril is worth risking the things that once mattered most.
If you’ve been following along with the Amberlough trilogy, you absolutely don’t want to miss its stunning conclusion! You can find Amnesty on shelves in your local bookstore starting tomorrow. Or you can buy it online and support The Gothic Library in the process, using this Bookshop.org affiliate link. Once you’ve read it, be sure to let me know what you think in the comments!