The Harlots: The Devoutly Corrupt

The Mourners #2

by Aminah Fox

Haunted by guilt and grief, Elide finds herself torn between her past and an uncertain future. Branded a traitor after her daring escape from Prana, she seeks refuge with the enigmatic rebels known as the Crimson Thorns, a group determined to overthrow the oppressive regime gripping their world.

But Elide’s resolve is put to the test as she struggles to conceal her true identity as the Teller, a role that could change the course of history. With her newfound allies at her side, she embarks on a perilous journey to reclaim her destiny and liberate her world from the clutches of the Apostate's tyranny.

Unfortunately, Elide faces a dual threat: the Apostate’s sinister plan to expand the regime's dominion beyond Scopus’ borders, and the relentless pursuit of his disciples. Bereft of her mentor’s guidance, Elide must learn to wild the untamed power within her.

Amidst the chaos, Elide finds an unexpected ally in a tracker, who harbors his own doubts about the regime. Together, they navigate the treacherous landscape of a nation teetering on the brink of civil war. As tensions mount, Elide realizes that the fate of Scopus hangs in the balance, and the time to act is now…

The Harlots: The Devoutly Corrupt is the second novel in The Mourners series.

Unknown Binding

Published August 28, 2024

About the author

Aminah Fox was born in Oakland, California in June 1998. She is an alumna of the University of Toronto (MI in Library & Information Science) and Hofstra University (BA in English, Creative Writing & Literature). Her sophomore novel, The Mourners: The Deadly Elite, was published in 2022. She lives in Texas (USA) and Toronto (CAN).

Keep in touch with her via www.aminahfox.com, on Instagram @aminahsfox, on Twitter @AminahFox, and on Facebook www.facebook.com/AminahFoxOfficial.

Reviews

[Laure · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book of this series is even better than the first. While Elide may have escaped from the Apostate and the rebel group known as the Crimson Thorns have agreed to hide her identity but Elide knows she wants to help in their battles, she just isn't sure how. Unfortunately, she quickly realizes that without being fully trained, not understanding her own powers, and without the guidance of the only mentor who could help her, there isn't all that much she can do to assist in the rebellion.
The characters are all compelling, and it is very easy to be drawn into their stories, and to understand their motivations. Elide is particularly fascinating and this author makes it easy to empathize with her struggle to overcome her lack of self-confidence as well as her understanding of and her inability to use her power effectively. An exciting, action-packed read with some magic, romance, and unexpected twists in the plot that kept me engaged in this book. I recommend this book to other readers.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary ARC of this book.

[Janel Crowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

2nd book in The Mourners series-may contain spoilers

Elide’s story is one of defiance, destiny, and daring rebellion! Branded a traitor after her audacious escape from Prana, she seeks refuge with the Crimson Thorns—a fearless rebel group determined to overthrow the ruthless regime strangling Scopus. But her secret is a dangerous one: she is the Teller, a figure capable of rewriting history itself.

As the Apostate expands his sinister control, Elide must navigate betrayal, relentless pursuit, and the raw power that lies untamed within her. Without her mentor, she must rise on her own, forging her path forward in a world teetering on the brink of war. Alongside a skeptical but skilled tracker, she weaves through a treacherous landscape where every decision is a battle for survival.

The stakes couldn’t be higher—Scopus stands on the edge of ruin, and Elide is the spark that could ignite its revolution. The time for hiding is over. The time for action is now!

[Jennifer Loschiavo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alrighty then…this is a odd soup. Dystopian sci fi fantasy plot with epic fantasy magic system and little slow burn romance. Original and enjoyable but odd. If you like the divergent series this will be your jam. Both books so far have gotten a bit muddled in the middle for me but otherwise a solid enjoyable story.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Harlots: The Devoutly Corrupt pulled me in with its gritty emotion and complex characters. It’s raw, beautifully written, and full of tension that kept me turning the pages. I loved how it explored the grey areas of morality and survival with such honesty. A powerful second installment—I’m already looking forward to the next.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her life is not easy and she will join the rebels hiding her true identity. She wants to get rid of the rulers but she will also find an ally who will help her. A fascinating story
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a great journey

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book as an ark. The author was kind enough to include the first book as I haven’t read it yet. They were both written very well and kept me roped in. Can’t wait to see where Elides story takes her!

[Angie Hardy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought it was a fun book I liked it a lot. I was given an arc and I chose to give a honest review.

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I stated in the review for the first book in this series, "The Mourners," these books remind me a lot of "Divergent" and "The Hunger Games," with a bit of "Brave New World" thrown in. I do love a good dystopian novel, and these books, while reminiscent of ones I've read before, can still hold my attention in a way that few fiction books do.
At the end of the first book, the main character, Elide, escapes the confines of a society into which she was thrust and also escapes The Apostate's clutches. In the second installment, she joins a rogue band of rebels and plots the overthrow of The Apostate's government with them while hiding from those looking for her. Being the only Teller for centuries, she has the power to rewrite the course of history. But she still doesn't understand her power, much less how to use it, and now, she has no mentor who can teach her. Her main enemy is herself; she still battles a debilitating lack of confidence, which means her power displays itself when she is upset and unable to control it. The fate of the new world rests in the hands of a young woman who has no idea who she is or what she can do.
This book, in my opinion, is better than the first, although I still wish there was more depth to the characters and the history provided. It seems the author just followed the idea for the story and did not try to build it up to give more life to the world and characters she has created. This is the only issue I have with these books, hence the rating of four stars and not five. These books are very short, which isn't necessarily indicative of a bad book; I just wish that there was more time diving into the characters, exploring the history of the world they live in, and a richness and depth in the books given to what easily could be movies. If the film were to follow the books, it would jump right into the action rather than taking time to connect the characters and their world with the viewers (or readers) exploring them. Otherwise, these are a wonderful read, and I am so happy I was introduced to them.