Moon Witch Chaos

Anathema by Keri Lake

We begin the book with a prologue that takes place 211 years ago describing a ritual of sablefyre being conducted on Lady Rydainn youngest son, Zevander. This won’t make too much sense now but keep in mind the magic that occurs and what is done.

In the Eating Woods, present day, Maevyth buries a dead raven in the ground. This event starts a chain reaction that slowly unfolds and unravels what she thought she knew about her world. Her adoptive father is dead and Agatha, Maevyth’s step-grandmother, refuses to care for Maevyth and her sister, Aleysia, so she decides to begin marrying them off. Agatha sets up a meeting between Maevyth and Mr. Moros, a wealthy businessman thrice her age. Maevyth begins to uncover some dark secrets about her step uncles and her sister that she won’t be able to forget. Eventually, a major secret is uncovered that causes Maevyth to run away from Foxglove, straight into the Eating Woods where a creature so vile feasts on mortal flesh. That is just the beginning.

We meet present day Zevander, a cursed lord of Eidolon with a traumatic past, in search of white stones. With the help of the mage, Dolion, he sets off to free himself of the sablefyre. He’s slowing turning into something darker, but will be able to cure it, or will it just consume him like his brother?

Then you’re immersed into this magical world of strange creatures and even scarier bugs (there’s mention of giant bugs like every other page), which makes this a little bit of a horror book.

I may have found a new favorite fantasy author. I loved it! I enjoyed the world building, the relationships, and the character. The slow burn was killing me but it was worth it. I’m recommending this to everyone!

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Review on Fable

If you, like me, have never read anything by Keri Lake, and you’re looking for an interesting (mature) fantasy book with two POV’s, magical places and creatures, and a “villain” who yearns for the mortal witch, then you need to add this to the top of your TBR. This was my first Keri Lake book and I loved it. This reminded me of One Dark Window and Quicksilver, with a sprinkle of horror. If you know me, you know I love the enemies to lovers and a slow burn, this book has both and its so well done. Anathema is a gothic romance with some mature scenes and a cool magical system. It currently available on Kindle Unlimited, so be sure to read it before it goes away.

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Character Summary

Are you currently reading this book and confused about who is who? For a list of characters without any spoilers, continue reading:

Maevyth Bronwick – FMC, outsider, called a “witch” for being strange
Aleysia Bronwick – Maeveth’s step sister, opposite personalities
Zevander Rydainn – MMC, Lord of Eidolon, member of the Letalisz, cursed by saberfyre, controls scorpions
Agatha – step-grandmother to Maeve and Aleysia
Mr. Moros – businessman, needs wife for heirs, hides dark secrets
Rykaia Rydainn – Zevander’s sister
Branimir Rydainn – Zevander’s brother, consumed by sablefyre
Dolion – Mage, helping Zevander
Uncle Fink – resident mortician, step uncle to Maeveth and Aleysia
Uncle Riftyn – step uncle to Maeveth and Aleysia
Sancton Crain – Holy man of Foxglove
The Crone Witch – “Witch” that lives on the outskirts of the Eating Woods
Kazhimyr – Member of the Letalisz
Torryn – Member of the Letalisz,
Ravezio – Member of the Letalisz,

There are other characters but they would be spoilers for the book. Hope this list helps you!