Description
Anathema,
Maevyth and Zevander must navigate the perilous mortal lands to deliver Zevander from the clutches of an ancient, malevolent power that threatens to shatter both worlds.
An eldritch magic has awakened, turning the mortal world darker. Colder. Famished. With flesh-eating monsters and a sinister curse spreading like a plague, the last glimmer of humanity in Foxglove Parish has long since faded.
For Maevyth and Zevander, the only chance of escape is through The Eating Woods. But fate has woven a new web, tangling the threads of destiny, and crossing the mystical boundary to Aethyria might not be so simple.
As the bones of Maevyth's past are unearthed, and truths unravel with unsettling clarity, the possibility of never leaving Mortasia is becoming more of a reality. Unfortunately for Zevander, time is running out. The longer he stays in the mortal lands, deprived of essential vivicantem, the more he succumbs to the encroaching specter of madness.
Or maybe those chasing shadows are someone hunting him. A wretched evil closing in, threatening to pull him into the darkest corners of his mind.
Only, this time, Maevyth may not have the power to save him.
Eldritch is a full-length, gothic dark fantasy, and the second book in The Eating Woods trilogy. Perfect for listeners who enjoy a plot-heavy and atmospheric story with a unique magic system, a slow-burn romance, and a touch of horror.
Contains mature content. A complete list of content warnings can be found on the author's website. Narrated in duet style.
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Let's be honest, I wanted to read this since we read the first book with bookclub.This was a bit slower compared to the first one. Especially since I had to somehow read the prologue twice, before I remembered the world and stuff. The begining of the book was way too slow and it felt like it dragged. I liked the flashbacks to Zevander's past and there was a lot to unpack. Luckily it picked up and I actually enjoyed it.But the ending? That was low blow.
4.5 ⭐This book absolutely ended me. It broke me into a million pieces. I painfully loved every single page of this story, even though it was full of trauma, struggles, violence, and abuses. Let me be clear: it's not a book for everyone. Zevander's story is heartbreaking, I read some pages through fingers covering my eyes and palms covering gasp from my mouth 🫣😢🫢😰. I'm an emotional reader, and the pain, suffering, rage, and love is what I felt while reading this book. Ultimately, the reason I rated it 4.5 stars and not a perfect 5.0 comes down to the pacing.The main focus of this entire book was to let us know Zevander's past - what he went through - and to give sense and meaning to his current actions. It functions almost like a prequel mixed with current events, which I deeply appreciated for the character work. However, this meant the overall plot development was heavily sidelined and felt rushed, only truly kicking off in the last 10 or 12 chapters.So, be aware of this before reading. Don't approach it thinking you'll have all the answers.The shift between Zevander's past and the present didn't trouble me at all; quite the opposite. They were incredibly well done and essential for making sense of his current behavior. The only structural thing that occasionally confused me was Kazhimir's POV. It wasn't poorly written, but I sometimes found myself forgetting where we'd left off in his last chapter.In conclusion, I have to say that I love Keri Lake's writing style. It is captivating and holds you hostage. I would carefully read the TWs as some abuses are shocking and sickening, but I honestly couldn't put the book down. It felt as if I wanted to give him strength to hold on.2026 couldn't come soon enough... I need book 3 NOW!!