This is book 2 of the series. For our summary and review of book 1, Anathema, check out this link!
Book Stats
- Series: Book 2 of The Eating Woods series
- Publication Dates: 09/07/25 (ebook) & 03/31/26 (audiobook)
- Format: ebook & audiobook
- Narrators: Melissa Barr & James Cassidy
- Chapters: 83, with 1 prologue
- Pages: 766
- Length: 23 hours & 12 minutes
- Narrator POV: Alternates between several characters – 1st person POV for Maevyth & 3rd person POV for Zevander and Kazhimyr
Book Rating
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️/5
Summary & Review
If you read my review of Anathema, book 1 of the series, you’ll know how much I loved not only the writing and plot, but the narration as well. It’s my favorite book and this one was a beautiful addition to the series.
If you read this book’s reviews before diving in, just know there are a lot of mixed reviews for this one. Many readers felt like nothing was progressing in the story because they primarily stayed in one location. Many also felt that we didn’t need so much insight into Zevander’s past/trauma. Another common complaint I saw was that Kazhimyr didn’t need his own chapters and that they were boring/useless. I would suggest reading it and forming your own opinions because I completely disagree with all of that. 🖤
So yes, the story takes place in just a few locations and there’s little travel that occurs. But things are progressing and we get to learn so much about the characters. Primarily Zevander, my favorite. This book does take us back to Zevander’s past several times, but I think it’s crucial in order to fully understand the complexity of his character and the struggles he’s dealing with. We see the trauma he endured, of course, but we also got to see the things that kept him going, his reasons for continuing to fight, and how he met and developed the friendships he has. This allowed us to see how he became the emotionally constipated man we love and how his past impacts his current relationship with Maevyth.
I kinda feel bad for all the readers who couldn’t fully enjoy the complexity and depth Keri Lake added to this story.
Additionally, I loved Kazhimyr’s POVs. For one, we got to continue seeing bits of what was happening on the other side of the vale, which I felt gave us a more complete story. I also loved how many of the characters he dealt with had a past with Zevander, which tied everything together so nicely. So leave Kazhimyr and his chapters alone, you monsters!
Keri Lake is such a wonderful author, and her stories are so beautifully written. They’re deep and emotional and heartbreaking. I loved this one as much as the first, just differently.
Oh, and the narrators! They breathed life into the story and helped create this masterpiece. Melissa Barr does a wonderful job with Maevyth, making her sound innocent but determined, sweet but tough. And all with just her voice! And James Cassidy. Ugh, that man is wonderful. In this book we get to hear so many various voices and accents. He flips back and forth flawlessly, and it adds so much to the story. Phenomenal. Both of them.
Now I just have to impatiently wait for book 3, Vasmora, to be completed, published, and then created into audio perfection. 🖤
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