Anathema
by Keri Lake

From the publisher

A spellbinding gothic dark fantasy about a shunned woman who is forced beyond the mortal realm’s forbidden boundary, into a terrifying world of cursed souls and grotesque creatures.

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.

My Review

This review is for the audiobook read by James Cassidy and Melissa Barr

At 20 hours of listening time (if you listen at 1x speed), this is a chunk book, but it’s worth the time. This was my first Keri Lake, but is definitely not going to be my last. The atmosphere she creates in this world is impeccable. Literally the only thing I would change is myself – I read it in July, but I should have save it for October. It would have been a perfect seasonal pick for Halloween.

Yes, Maevyth is a cursed girl from a provincial and superstitious mortal village. Yes, Zevander is a grumpy royal assassin with a complicated family and a dark, mysterious past. But that is where the Romantasy stereotypes end. Okay, yes, there is an “only one bed” moment, but Keri makes you work for it and it’s not at an inn. I’m not even sure inns exist in this world, because it is certainly far too dangerous to travel freely.

The monsters don’t just lurk in the woods. They are everywhere. Even at home. And the spooky creepy crawlies might actually just be on your side after all. I’m big time icked out by spiders and their ilk so I was actively grateful for my aphantasia during this one. I will give you that one. But also! It’s so good!!!