The best way to sum up this book in one line is to tell you that by 50% through, I already knew I was adding it to my very exclusive favourites list.
The Second Death of Locke by V. L. Bovalino publishes today!
Grey is the dedicated Hand to Kier – he is a Mage and she is the Well that he draws his power from. Mages cannot use magic without a well. The story opens with them in camp at war, readying for yet more battle. The war is being waged between several nations over the fate of Locke, an isle which is the source of all the magic but which was submerged in the sea during a deadly attack, taking all survivors down with it. When a prisoner is captured who claims to be the missing heir to Locke, Grey, Keir and a small band of protectors are responsible for delivering the girl. However, there is a secret (which is pretty apparent very early on), that Grey has much more to do with Locke than being a warrior fighting for it.
Read more: Book Review: Hemlock & Silver by T. Kingfisher
I heard excellent things about this book before picking it up, and I selected it as an ARC as my first real foray into knights in romantasy, but admittedly, the blurb didn’t grip me. While I enjoy a bit of battle and action as part of a wider storyline, it’s not really my thing. Maybe until now, I guess.
This was a tale of epic proportions. It had everything I wanted, and more I didn’t know I wanted: quests, battles, love, a lost island, found family, and heartbreaking grief. It was packed with secrets and lies, hidden magic, long lost heirs, sacrifice, blood and betrayal, and some of the most heartrending decisions that I’ve ever faced in a book. On a smaller scale, there are some gorgeous friendships and allegiances that develop along the journey. I truly felt connected to some of these characters, especially as we see Grey open up to them, and us as readers, more throughout the story.
Read more: Romantasy Book Review: Arcana Academy by Elise Kova
The romance is very much friends to lovers with a whole lot of yearning. It was a beautiful blossoming of a change in their relationship which felt even from the beginning like it’s on borrowed time – love in the time of war always would do, I suppose.
The wider world of the novel was also brilliant. It was excellently built – although it did take me a minute to get my head around the different nations and army structures. I really enjoyed the normality of varying genders and attractions throughout the book as well. Queer characters are scattered easily throughout the story and not included as token characters.
Read more: Best Romantasy Books & Series You HAVE To Read Now
I don’t know how to convince you more that you need to take a chance on this book, even if it’s not usually your style of romantasy. I’m so so glad that I did, I enjoyed every moment of it.
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publishers for a review copy of this book.
