ARC Review: ‘Anathema’ by Keri Lake
I received a complimentary copy of the book from Give Me Books PR in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Anathema
by Keri LakePublished by Self-Published on September 10, 2024
SubGenres: Fantasy, Gothic Dark Fantasy
Format: eArc
Pages: 704
Source: Give Me Books PR
Audience: 18+/Adult
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A new gothic dark fantasy coming in 2024
Only the banished know what lies beyond the woods ...
There are whispers about what lurks in Witch Knell—the forest where sinners go to die. The villagers call it The Eating Woods because what’s taken is never given back. Only those who’ve lost their senses would dare to go near it.Or the banished.Maevyth Bronwick knows better than to breach the misty labyrinth of trees, but a tragic turn of events compels her beyond the archway of bones, to a boundary no mortal has crossed before. One that cloaks a dark and fantastical world that’s as dangerous as it is alluring.It’s there that he dwells, the cursed lord of Eidolon. The one tasked to keep her hidden from the magehood that seeks to crucify her in the name of an arcane prophesy. Zevander Rydainn, known to his prey as The Scorpion, is the coldest, most calculated assassin in all of Aethyria and he’d sooner toss his feisty ward to a pack of vicious fyredrakes than keep her safe.If only he could.Maevyth’s blood is the key to breaking his despised curse and vanquishing the slumbering evil in Witch Knell. Unfortunately for Lord Rydainn, fate has other plans for the irresistible little enchantress. And his growing obsession with her threatens to destroy everything.Including himself.
I’ve been a fan of Keri Lake’s books since her Sons of Wrath series, and when I found out she was writing a Gothic Dark Fantasy with horror elements, I knew I had to read this book. After reading it, though, I’m not sure what to read next or even do. However, I do know what I need, I need the second book like yesterday. Yes, this book is part of a duology that leaves you with a cliffhanger, but thankfully, 2025 will be here before you know it.
Keri Lake is one of those authors who writes books that make you feel like you are there with the characters. Her world-building and character development are detailed, descriptive, and downright enthralling. This was the case with Anathema.
This book is mainly a dark fantasy with horror elements and romance coming in second to the storyline. Don’t worry, there is romance, but it’s a slow burn. If there is one thing that Keri Lake does well is Slow Burn Romance. The characters she introduces in this book you will fall hard for in different ways.
What can I say about the two main leads in this book without giving too much away? They may very well be my favorite characters ever written by Keri Lake, and I can’t wait to continue their story in the next book. The FMC, Maevyth, had my heart the second she was introduced due to how she was treated. Then, there was the tortured and cursed antihero, Zevander, who was sent to kill her but couldn’t because she entranced him. Now, he is forced to protect her from the magehood who want to crucify her.
Keri Lake definitely kept me on the edge of my seat with this book. It may have given me some nightmares, as spiders were mentioned, but I powered through it. This will definitely be one of my favorite books I’ve read this year, and I wish I could give it more than five stars because it deserves ways more than five stars.
If you haven’t read a single book from Keri Lake, then you are missing out. This book is a must-read for Dark Fantasy/Romance readers out there. Just remember this is a slow burn (a prolonged slow burn), but the tension and banter between the main leads will keep you on edge the whole time. =)
Keri Lake’s Anathema is another Masterpiece and one I will never forget. I can’t wait to reread it over and over again, especially while waiting for book two.
Trope(s)/Element(s):
🖤Gothic Dark Fantasy with Horror Elements
🖤Enemies to Lovers
🖤Slow Burn
🖤Tortured & Cursed AntiHero
🖤Shunned Heroine
🖤Forced Proximity
🖤Found Family
🖤One Bed
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About Keri Lake
Keri Lake is a dark romance writer who specializes in demon wrangling, vengeance dealing and wicked twists. Her stories are gritty, with antiheroes that walk the line of good and bad, and feisty heroines who bring them to their knees. When not penning books, she enjoys spending time with her husband, daughters, and their rebellious Labrador (who doesn’t retrieve a damn thing). She runs on strong coffee and alternative music, loves a good red wine, and has a slight addiction to dark chocolate.
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