Demon Memories Awaken

Ryxander, Warden of Gloamingard, is haunted by flashes of a past life as the Demon of Disaster. As the world reels from the release of three new demons—Carnage, Corruption, and Despair—Ryx desperately tries to recall useful knowledge from her demonic past to help the Rookery, her found family of magical troubleshooters. But the memories are elusive, tangled with emotion and guilt, and threaten to erode her sense of self. The urgency is real: the demons are loose, and the world is on the brink of a new Dark Days. Ryx's internal battle is as fierce as the external one, as she fears losing herself to the ancient power within.

Carnage at the Gates

The Demon of Carnage, possessing a young farm girl, arrives at Castle Ilseine, radiating violence and death. The Rookery and imperial defenders scramble to hold her back, but Carnage is a force of nature—musket balls and magic barely slow her. Ryx tries to reason with her, but their shared history only fuels Carnage's hatred. The castle's defenses crumble under Carnage's assault, and the Rookery is forced to improvise a desperate plan to draw her away, knowing that direct confrontation is suicide. The cost is high: the castle falls, and the countryside is left scarred and burning.

The Unstoppable Blade

The Rookery lures Carnage away from the castle, using themselves as bait. Ashe, the group's swordswoman, faces Carnage in a series of brutal duels, buying time for the others to escape and for the countryside to be evacuated. The plan is harrowing and nearly fatal—Ashe is wounded, and Ryx is pushed to her limits. In a final gambit, they collapse a bridge beneath Carnage, trapping her temporarily and allowing the Rookery to flee. The emotional toll is immense, as the group mourns the destruction and the lives lost in the demon's wake.

Fleeing Ruin, Seeking Hope

The Rookery regroups, battered and traumatized, as they witness the devastation Carnage has wrought. The Empire is in chaos, with refugees flooding the roads and entire towns destroyed. The group debates their next move, torn between pursuing the other demons and seeking a way to stop Carnage. Bastian, the group's scholar, suggests seeking out a rumored demon-trapping device at Castle Liret. The Rookery sets out, clinging to hope and each other, determined to find a way to fight back against the unstoppable forces unleashed upon their world.

The Empire's Desperate Defense

At Castle Liret, the Rookery finds the Empire mobilizing every resource to contain the demons. The castle is a hub of magical research, triage, and evacuation. The group faces suspicion and hostility, especially toward Ryx, whose demonic nature is now known to some. They meet Hylah, the artificer behind the demon trap, and navigate tense negotiations with Colonel Farrow, who is more interested in weaponizing demons than saving lives. The Rookery's unity is tested as they balance diplomacy, ethics, and the urgent need for action.

The Rookery's Resolve

The Rookery volunteers for a perilous mission to recover the lost demon trap from a border skirmish. Along the way, they confront the horrors left by Hunger, another demon, and the cost of their own choices. Old friendships and wounds resurface, especially for Bastian, who is reunited with Hylah under fraught circumstances. The group's loyalty to each other is both their greatest strength and a source of vulnerability, as they realize that the only way to save the world may be to risk everything they hold dear.

The Demon Trap's Gamble

The Rookery retrieves the demon trap, but Hunger ambushes them, using Aurelio's body and knowledge to devastating effect. The group is nearly killed, saved only by the intervention of Discord—Ryx's grandmother and the Demon of Discord—who exacts a terrible vengeance on Hunger. The encounter leaves the group shaken and divided, as they grapple with the moral cost of using the demon trap and the realization that their enemies are as cunning as they are powerful. The line between ally and adversary blurs, and trust is in short supply.

Hunger's Deadly Bargain

Back at Castle Liret, Ryx is betrayed by Colonel Farrow, who imprisons her and attempts to use the demon trap on her, seeking to harness her power for the Empire. With the help of her friends and a desperate act of self-sacrifice, Ryx escapes, but not before witnessing the depths of human ambition and fear. The experience leaves her scarred, both physically and emotionally, and cements her resolve to never let herself be used as a weapon. The Rookery, now fugitives, must decide how far they are willing to go to stop the demons—and what they are willing to become.

Discord's Price

Ryx returns to Morgrain, seeking aid from her grandmother, Discord. The reunion is fraught with love, regret, and the weight of history. Discord offers her own solutions—ones that may save Morgrain but doom the rest of the world. Ryx is forced to confront the legacy of her demonic nature and the responsibilities of power. The cost of peace is high, and every choice seems to lead to more suffering. As the border erupts in violence, Ryx must decide where her loyalties truly lie: with her family, her friends, or the world.

The Border in Flames

The Empire and Vaskandar teeter on the brink of war, manipulated by Hunger's machinations and false reports. Despair and Corruption leave trails of devastation, and the Rookery races to prevent a catastrophic battle between a warlock, a Witch Lord, and a demon. In a desperate gambit, Ryx confronts Despair and persuades them to leave the world, averting immediate disaster but at great personal cost. The group's actions buy time, but the threat of total annihilation looms ever closer, and the true enemy remains at large.

Despair's Quiet Catastrophe

The Rookery's victory over Despair is bittersweet, as they witness the lingering effects of the demon's aura—entire towns left in waking slumber, lives quietly erased. Ryx is haunted by the knowledge that even the most "peaceful" demon can cause untold harm. The group debates the ethics of their actions and the use of the demon trap, realizing that every solution carries its own dangers. The world is changed, and the old certainties are gone. Ryx's humanity is both her greatest strength and her deepest vulnerability.

Corruption's Unmaking

The Rookery turns their attention to Corruption, whose passage through Alevar has left the land dying and Severin, Ryx's beloved, mortally wounded. In a harrowing journey, Severin confronts his brother, the Shrike Lord, and witnesses his death and the transfer of power. Severin ascends as the new Witch Lord, struggling to control the overwhelming flood of life and pain in his domain. With Ryx's help, the group traps Corruption and sends him back through the gate, but not before paying a terrible price in blood and sacrifice.

Severin's Sacrifice

Severin's ascension is both a triumph and a tragedy, as he grapples with the weight of Alevar and the memories of his broken family. Ryx, herself immortal, finds solace and fear in their shared fate. The two must navigate the complexities of love, duty, and the knowledge that they may outlive everyone they care about. The Rookery, battered but unbroken, prepares for the final confrontation, knowing that the endgame will demand everything they have left to give.

The Heart of Gloamingard

Back at Gloamingard, Ryx discovers the castle's true nature—a dormant chimera, waiting for an atheling's soul to awaken it. In a desperate move, she merges with the castle, gaining control over its labyrinthine halls and using it to outmaneuver Hunger and Carnage. The final battle is a test of will, cunning, and sacrifice, as Ryx risks her own existence to protect her friends and seal the gate. The cost is high, and the line between human and demon blurs beyond recognition.

The Final Reckoning

In the Black Tower, Ryx faces Hunger in a deadly duel of power and principle. Forced to kill Aurelio, her former friend, to banish Hunger, Ryx is left shattered by the act. The Rookery confronts Carnage in a brutal fight, barely managing to trap her with the last remnants of the demon device. Discord intervenes, healing the wounded and offering a new path forward. The world is saved, but at a cost that will echo for generations.

A New Accord Forged

With the demons banished or contained, Ryx and her grandmother broker a fragile peace with the Empire and the Witch Lords. Whisper, the Demon of Death, agrees to act as a check on Discord's power, and Ryx becomes the eternal guardian of the gate. The Rookery is honored as heroes and tasked with watching over the remaining demons. Old wounds begin to heal, and new alliances are forged. The world is changed, but hope flickers on the horizon.

The Cost of Survival

As the dust settles, Ryx and her friends reckon with the trauma and loss they have endured. The world mourns its dead and begins the slow work of rebuilding. Ryx, now both human and more than human, must live with the choices she has made and the lives she has taken. The Rookery, forever changed, finds new purpose in protecting the fragile peace they have won. The cost of survival is steep, but the bonds of love and friendship endure.

Home, Love, and Legacy

In the aftermath, Ryx finds a measure of peace at Gloamingard, surrounded by friends and the promise of a future with Severin. The Rookery celebrates love and life, even as they remain vigilant against new threats. Ryx's journey from outcast to hero, from demon to guardian, is complete—but the legacy of her choices will shape the world for generations to come. In the end, it is not power, but love, that endures.

Characters

Ryxander (Ryx)

Ryx is the Warden of Gloamingard, a young woman whose broken magic marks her as an outcast—and whose true nature is the reincarnation of the Demon of Disaster. Her journey is one of self-discovery, as she struggles to reconcile her human heart with the ancient, destructive power within. Ryx is fiercely loyal to her friends, the Rookery, and her family, especially her grandmother Discord. Her greatest fear is losing herself to her demonic nature and becoming a threat to those she loves. Over the course of the story, Ryx learns to accept both sides of herself, using her power to protect rather than destroy, and ultimately becomes the eternal guardian of the gate between worlds. Her relationships—with Severin, her found family, and her own past—are the emotional core of the novel.

Severin

Severin is the exiled atheling of Alevar, haunted by a lifetime of abuse from his brother, the Shrike Lord. Cynical, sharp-tongued, and deeply wounded, Severin finds purpose and healing in his relationship with Ryx and the Rookery. When Corruption devastates Alevar, Severin is forced to ascend as Witch Lord, a transformation that nearly destroys him. His struggle to control the overwhelming flood of life and pain in his domain mirrors Ryx's battle with her own power. Severin's love for Ryx is both a source of strength and vulnerability, and together they navigate the burdens of immortality, duty, and the hope of a future together.

Discord (The Lady of Owls)

Discord is Ryx's grandmother, the Witch Lord of Morgrain, and the Demon of Discord. She is a force of nature—brilliant, manipulative, and fiercely protective of her domain and family. Discord's merging of human and demonic natures makes her both a potential savior and a threat to the world. Her love for Ryx is genuine, but her methods are often ruthless, and her willingness to break the rules for those she loves is both her greatest strength and her most dangerous flaw. Discord's ultimate decision to disappear and let others rule in her stead is an act of wisdom and self-preservation, ensuring Morgrain's survival and her own legacy.

Foxglove

Foxglove is the pragmatic, unflappable leader of the Rookery. A former imperial assassin, he is haunted by his past and driven by a fierce sense of responsibility for his found family. Foxglove's loyalty to the Rookery is absolute, but he struggles with self-loathing and the fear that he is unworthy of redemption. His relationship with Lia and Teodor grounds him, and his willingness to risk everything for his friends is both his greatest virtue and his deepest vulnerability. Foxglove's journey is one of atonement, as he learns to accept love and trust from those around him.

Kessa

Kessa is the vivacious, irrepressible heart of the Rookery—a former spy and Greenwitch whose optimism and compassion hold the group together. Her relationship with Ashe is a source of joy and strength, and her willingness to risk herself for her friends is unwavering. Kessa's struggles with depression and self-doubt are handled with nuance, and her journey is one of self-acceptance and the realization that even the brightest souls can carry darkness. Her survival and marriage to Ashe are a testament to the power of love and resilience.

Ashe

Ashe is the Rookery's resident swordswoman, a warrior with a sharp tongue and a sharper blade. Her devotion to Kessa is fierce, and her willingness to face death for her friends is unmatched. Ashe's journey is one of learning to accept help and vulnerability, as she moves from lone wolf to partner and friend. Her duel with Carnage is a highlight of the novel, showcasing her skill, courage, and the strength that comes from fighting for those you love.

Bastian

Bastian is the Rookery's scholar and alchemist, a gentle soul who has survived unimaginable trauma as a former chimera. His reunion with Hylah, his old friend and love, is a source of healing and hope. Bastian's intelligence and creativity are vital to the group's success, and his journey is one of reclaiming agency and self-worth. His willingness to risk himself for others, and his quiet strength, make him an indispensable member of the Rookery.

Hylah

Hylah is the artificer behind the demon trap, a trans woman whose intelligence, compassion, and integrity set her apart. Her relationship with Bastian is tender and complex, and her commitment to using her inventions for good is unwavering. Hylah's struggle with the ethical implications of her work mirrors the novel's central themes, and her ultimate decision to destroy the demon trap is an act of courage and wisdom.

Aurelio / Hunger

Aurelio is a former friend of Ryx and a Falconer possessed by Hunger, the Demon of Hunger. His betrayal is both personal and catastrophic, as he uses his knowledge to aid the demons and manipulate the Empire. Aurelio's internal struggle with Hunger is a portrait of guilt, desperation, and the longing for redemption. His death at Ryx's hands is a moment of profound tragedy, marking the end of innocence and the cost of survival.

Whisper (The Demon of Death)

Whisper is the Demon of Death, a mysterious and aloof figure who serves as both a warning and a guide. His neutrality is both a shield and a burden, as he refuses to intervene directly but offers wisdom and perspective. Whisper's relationship with Ryx is one of deep, ancient friendship, and his willingness to act as a check on Discord's power is a final act of responsibility. Whisper embodies the novel's themes of restraint, mortality, and the limits of power.

Plot Devices

Duality of Human and Demon

The novel's central plot device is the duality within Ryx—her struggle to reconcile her human heart with her demonic nature. This tension is mirrored in other characters (Discord, Severin) and in the world itself, as the boundaries between human and demon, friend and enemy, blur. The narrative structure alternates between moments of intense action and introspective reflection, using memory, dreams, and flashbacks to reveal the past and its impact on the present. Foreshadowing is used to build suspense, especially regarding the true nature of the demons and the consequences of using the demon trap. The castle of Gloamingard itself becomes a living symbol of this duality, both sanctuary and prison, weapon and home.

Found Family and Sacrifice

The Rookery's found family is both a source of strength and a crucible for sacrifice. The plot repeatedly tests the group's loyalty, forcing them to choose between personal safety and the greater good. The use of the demon trap, the willingness to risk or even kill friends for the sake of the world, and the constant negotiation of boundaries and trust drive the emotional arc. The narrative structure uses parallel crises—personal, political, existential—to heighten the stakes and force characters to confront their deepest fears and desires.

The Gate and the Black Tower

The Black Tower and its gate to the Hells are both literal and symbolic plot devices. They represent the source of the world's magic, the origin of the demons, and the site of ultimate choice and sacrifice. The repeated opening and closing of the gate, the use of blood and memory to activate it, and the final merging of Ryx with Gloamingard all serve as climactic moments that test the characters' resolve and shape the fate of the world. The tower's secrets, revealed through dreams, riddles, and the Gloaming Lore, provide both foreshadowing and resolution.

Political Intrigue and Moral Ambiguity

The novel is structured around a series of political and ethical dilemmas: the Empire's willingness to weaponize demons, the Witch Lords' fear of change, the Rookery's struggle to do good in a world where every action has unintended consequences. The use of multiple points of view, unreliable narrators, and shifting alliances keeps the reader off-balance and underscores the theme that there are no simple solutions. The final peace is hard-won, fragile, and incomplete—a reflection of the real cost of survival.

Analysis

Melissa Caruso's The Ivory Tomb is a masterful exploration of power, identity, and the cost of survival in a world on the brink of annihilation. At its heart, the novel is about the struggle to reconcile the monstrous and the human within us all—the tension between the urge to destroy and the longing to protect. Through Ryx's journey from outcast to guardian, Caruso interrogates the nature of heroism, the limits of forgiveness, and the meaning of family. The novel refuses easy answers: every victory is bought with sacrifice, every solution carries its own dangers, and the line between savior and destroyer is razor-thin. The use of memory, dreams, and the living castle as narrative devices deepens the sense of history and consequence, while the found family of the Rookery provides both hope and heartbreak. In the end, The Ivory Tomb is a story about choosing love over fear, restraint over power, and hope over despair—even when the cost is almost too much to bear. It is a fitting conclusion to a trilogy that has always been as much about the heart as about the sword, and a powerful meditation on what it means to be human in a world of monsters.

Last updated: September 20, 2025