Book Review: Psychopomp and Circumstance by Eden Royce

Psychompomp and Circumstance is my kind of love story.

Romance is prolific as a genre, and subgenre, but I'm exceedingly picky about romantic love I read or watch. The love stories I prefer have characters who have been in romantic love for a long time and still adore each other, like Ruby and Sapphire, Morticia and Gomez. I also enjoy stories of platonic and familial love. Psychopomp and Circumstance is about Phaedra "Phee" St. Margaret, and her love for her Aunt Cleo.

It's been ten years since Phee has seen Aunt Cleo. Phee's mother estranged Aunt Cleo from the family under public, dramatic circumstances, and has prevented Phee from seeing her auntie. Now that Phee is an adult, she's going to wriggle from her mother's control and go visit Aunt Cleo.

Then comes the news that Aunt Cleo has died. The messenger wants to know, who will arrange and execute Cleo's pomp? Phee says yes before her mother can stop her. Pomps, also known as homegoing or funeral services, are legally binding. Once she has agreed, no one can stop Phee from doing the pomp.

Throughout the book, Phee grapples with many emotions. There's regret for not being more determined to see her auntie. She doesn't wallow in the feeling, but channels it into action. However, this is the first pomp she has ever organized. She has never even assisted with one before, so there is a lot to learn and people to interact with. Arrangements get overwhelming at times, but her determination to do right by Aunt Cleo and learn about the last ten years of her life help Phee through this period.

The worldbuilding was another selling point to me. I enjoy well thought out worlds, and Psychopomp and Circumstance delivers. This takes place during a post slavery Reconstruction that allows for Black people to prosper and live life on their own terms. A prominent example is Phee, whose maternal and paternal family are among the financial and social elite of New Charleston, and she's expected to marry into another high society family. We also see middle and working class Black people. They too get to have lives and stories outside of wyt oppresison.

Speculative elements include supernatural messengers who are treated as an everyday occurance, and hippogriffs used to pull carriages in New Charleston's semi-flooded streets. There are other fantasy elements to the novel, but that would be delving into spoilers.

In short, if you enjoy stories about family bonds, free of Black trauma, Psychopomp and Circumstance is for you.

Disclosure: I received an advanced reader cop in exchange for an honest review.

Ilex says: If you're a grownup, please read this book!