Nov 22, 2025
Maevyth Bronwick, Anathema by Keri Lake
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Maevyth Bronwick, Anathema by Keri Lake
Ꭺɴꭺꭲꮋꭼꮇꭺ
Inspired by @sssinister_
I'm 60% into Anathema, and I can say this is a fun time! It's like Tim Burton Sleepy Hollow and Sweeney Todd in terms of vibes and gore, but obviously, with magic. (If you don't like spiders, I would not read this.) All the characters have a nice chemistry going on, world building is really good, and the only thing that is slightly annoying me is Zevander explaining he's penis throbs for Maevyth because it's written in a cringe way but I'll get over it.
The second half of Anathema has been a constant "Rykaia NO"
ᲝaevყႵჩ
Inspired by @meri.goen
"Anathema" minor spoilers ahead (flirty banter) :
“Careful now,” he said, looking out over the dark landscape. “I consider threats to my life an invitation.”
...
“As I said, I consider threats to my life an invitation.” The broad side of the blade scratched over the fabric of my robe when he gently dragged it across my tightly contracted stomach. “You ought to be careful how you wield them,” he warned in that rich, baritone voice.
...
Instead, he whispered, “Should you decide to carry through with your threat, I’ll leave my balcony door unlocked.”
ZEVANDER!!! The flirt that you are holy shit!!!
Book: Anathema
Author: Keri Lake
Series: The Eating Woods Trilogy i
Publisher: Keri Lake
Length: 704 Pages
Overall Rating: 6 Stars
Only the sinners go into the forest of Witch Knell known as the eating woods. This is by force not by choice after all who want to be eaten by grotesque creatures who eat them alive and toss their bones. Women have no choice in the mortal world of Mortasia where Maevyth Bronwick and her sister Aleysia live. It is an oppressive place for women, who aren't allowed to have a career in a religious order called the red veil. Similar to a misogynistic cult run but they cut their tongues out to keep their secrets and never marry and are ruled by the Kingdom of Vonkoyva. The other is to marry a much older wealthy grotesque man who only wants a young baby maker. Naturally neither choice is appealing. Unfortunately anytime their village and governor decides to punish one of their residents. They are sent to the eating woods and never seen again.
In another realm, the cursed world of Aethyria and Eidolon, the masked Zevander Rydainn has been cursed since infancy due to his father’s bad decisions . He is 211 years old but looks to be in his late 20’s. Partly because he is not human and also because of his curse with dark magic and sablefyre from the dark mage. Zevander’s nickname is The Scorpion where he has the magical ability to summon Scorpions and do his bidding. He is the top assassin for the King of Nyxteros, in a group known as the Letalisz. Now his brother is even worse both physically and mentally yet he is turning into a spider like creature. All because of his father and trusting and evil mage. Zevander is trying to break his family’s curse. He believes Maevyth’s blood will break his family’s curse. One problem is he needs to kill her for this to happen. Except for the first time he can’t kill one of his victims due to his attraction to her and also his scorpions wouldn't accept his command. It’s very complicated but he ends up being her protector and jealous of any man that even looks at her with interest or attraction.
Now Maevyth is in their world and separated from her sister and all she wants to do is find out if her sister is dead or alive but she is also developing feelings for grumpy Zevander too. A man that makes a living killing people and putting her in a dungeon. A very cozy dungeon too. She also has made her first female friend in this realm and it is Zevander's sister Rykaia. A favorite character of mine as she is rather hilarious in this dark and confusing world. An absolute masterpiece! This is filled with horror, gothic fantasy, slow burn romance, mystery and suspense.This book was one of my favorites of the year! I definitely will be reading more books by Keri Lake. The second book Eldritch releases tomorrow and I will be grabbing a copy that is for sure!
Reading Modes:
Kindle 💻📱✔️
Audio 🎧✔️
Romantasy✔️
Slow Burn✔️
Enemies to Lovers✔️
Fantasy✔️
Magic System✔️
Banter✔️
Prequel✔️
Character Develop✔️
World Building✔️
Scorpion✔️
Mage✔️
Monsters✔️
Cursed Souls✔️
Grotesque Creatures✔️
Assassin✔️
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