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Archives of the Warden #5
The Wolf's Howl
She aims to discover the truth.
He’s desperate to safeguard their secrets.
Cait has spent her entire life hiding in fear of uncovering the truth about her family’s twisted past. But upon the startling reveal of her powers, she realizes she can no longer hide. She’s more certain than ever that she inherited her father’s curse. Now, she’s committed to protecting her loved ones from whatever destruction this creature inside her may cause. The problem is, she no longer trusts herself around the one person who can give her answers.
Desmond is becoming more desperate each day. With Cait’s role as the Vessel confirmed, he knows he must keep her identity hidden from the Warden at all costs. But as the Varon-Simon feud escalates, he faces a new challenge: how can he protect the girl he loves and the future he has spent his whole life preparing for?
While Cait seeks to control the monster inside her, Desmond searches for a way to save her from her fate. Amidst it all, the Veil’s damage worsens, the Warden’s tensions rise, and the block upon her spirit weakens. With the threat of Druids lurking in the shadows and the spirit-being breaking free, they face the ultimate challenge of sacrifice and courage. Can their love survive their conflicting legacies?
He’s desperate to safeguard their secrets.
Cait has spent her entire life hiding in fear of uncovering the truth about her family’s twisted past. But upon the startling reveal of her powers, she realizes she can no longer hide. She’s more certain than ever that she inherited her father’s curse. Now, she’s committed to protecting her loved ones from whatever destruction this creature inside her may cause. The problem is, she no longer trusts herself around the one person who can give her answers.
Desmond is becoming more desperate each day. With Cait’s role as the Vessel confirmed, he knows he must keep her identity hidden from the Warden at all costs. But as the Varon-Simon feud escalates, he faces a new challenge: how can he protect the girl he loves and the future he has spent his whole life preparing for?
While Cait seeks to control the monster inside her, Desmond searches for a way to save her from her fate. Amidst it all, the Veil’s damage worsens, the Warden’s tensions rise, and the block upon her spirit weakens. With the threat of Druids lurking in the shadows and the spirit-being breaking free, they face the ultimate challenge of sacrifice and courage. Can their love survive their conflicting legacies?
579 pages, Paperback
Published October 15, 2025
About the author
V.K. Dixon
20 books214 followersV.K. Dixon writes fantasy and romance novels filled with found family, lasting love, and unique magic. She believes that the extraordinary gives us a deeper desire for the things beyond us; for the things of God.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 4, 2025
[January 22-March 3, 2025]
Beta Read: I don’t rate beta reads because they’re not final versions, but I’ll say this: prepare yourself for my ARC review when I reread it.
[October 9-13, 2025]
Five Stars
Book 35 of 2025
Genre: Contemporary Fantasy, Magical Realism
Format: E-book ARC
Publication Date: October 14, 2025
Content: make-out scenes, minor language use
I completely forgot how much of a CHOKEHOLD this prologue put me in. I had a near equivalent one once I saw to whom this book is dedicated. (Side note: Victoria, I love you, and I truly feel like you wrote this book just for me 😭. Please don’t ever stop writing.) I hate that I have to wait two more books to have the Porthacen arc conclusion because I’m impatiently waiting for this chokehold to be released.
On a more serious note, this book reads like a TV show. Think Riverdale meets Stars Hollow. There’s teen drama, there’s secret societies, and unlocking secrets of the past–and then there’s Desmond. He's a wonderful combination of sweetness and snark. I love watching him and Cait grow together and all the things that they do for each other.
I was expecting it to get better after the beta read—I mean logically is has to with more revisions and professional copy edits—but I wasn’t prepared for just how much better it was. To keep this review spoiler-free I can’t do into all the details of it, but each event felt real and raw. The pacing was smooth and nothing felt rushed or too slow. The book is complete and utter perfection.
* I received an e-book ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Beta Read: I don’t rate beta reads because they’re not final versions, but I’ll say this: prepare yourself for my ARC review when I reread it.
[October 9-13, 2025]
Five Stars
Book 35 of 2025
Genre: Contemporary Fantasy, Magical Realism
Format: E-book ARC
Publication Date: October 14, 2025
Content: make-out scenes, minor language use
I completely forgot how much of a CHOKEHOLD this prologue put me in. I had a near equivalent one once I saw to whom this book is dedicated. (Side note: Victoria, I love you, and I truly feel like you wrote this book just for me 😭. Please don’t ever stop writing.) I hate that I have to wait two more books to have the Porthacen arc conclusion because I’m impatiently waiting for this chokehold to be released.
On a more serious note, this book reads like a TV show. Think Riverdale meets Stars Hollow. There’s teen drama, there’s secret societies, and unlocking secrets of the past–and then there’s Desmond. He's a wonderful combination of sweetness and snark. I love watching him and Cait grow together and all the things that they do for each other.
I was expecting it to get better after the beta read—I mean logically is has to with more revisions and professional copy edits—but I wasn’t prepared for just how much better it was. To keep this review spoiler-free I can’t do into all the details of it, but each event felt real and raw. The pacing was smooth and nothing felt rushed or too slow. The book is complete and utter perfection.
* I received an e-book ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 7, 2025
SO MANY FEELINGS
Wow. What can I say? I thought I loved Cait and Desmond in The Raven's Cry, and then I read The Wolf's Howl. The jaw dropping moments from prologue on in this book...the teenage angst and banter (flawlessly done and so much fun to read, by the way)...the romance...the world building!!! I *love* how V.K Dixon reveals more about this world in the Creatures of Porthaven sub-series. Both sub-series, Veil of DeVerre and COP, have their own vibes; and I love the revelations about the "spirit realm" in each uniquely! I have so many feelings about this book. I loved all the characters. I feel like saying this in every V.K. Dixon review, but her characters are so realistic. Their problems and development and growth is so genuine (how does she do that?!), it feels like I know them. I also enjoyed getting more POVs in this one. We see Rese's POV more, as well as other characters, and I really loved getting to know her character as well as how the story progressed with that perspective. This one is another easy five stars for me! These books are like getting absorbed in your favorite comfort show--the perfect blend of drama, romance, humor, and *THE SETTING(s)*.
Thank you SO MUCH to V.K. Dixon for sending me this ARC so early. I feel honored to be one of your early readers, and I so love your heart to get your stories out into the world! The world definitely needs to read what you have to say!
Wow. What can I say? I thought I loved Cait and Desmond in The Raven's Cry, and then I read The Wolf's Howl. The jaw dropping moments from prologue on in this book...the teenage angst and banter (flawlessly done and so much fun to read, by the way)...the romance...the world building!!! I *love* how V.K Dixon reveals more about this world in the Creatures of Porthaven sub-series. Both sub-series, Veil of DeVerre and COP, have their own vibes; and I love the revelations about the "spirit realm" in each uniquely! I have so many feelings about this book. I loved all the characters. I feel like saying this in every V.K. Dixon review, but her characters are so realistic. Their problems and development and growth is so genuine (how does she do that?!), it feels like I know them. I also enjoyed getting more POVs in this one. We see Rese's POV more, as well as other characters, and I really loved getting to know her character as well as how the story progressed with that perspective. This one is another easy five stars for me! These books are like getting absorbed in your favorite comfort show--the perfect blend of drama, romance, humor, and *THE SETTING(s)*.
Thank you SO MUCH to V.K. Dixon for sending me this ARC so early. I feel honored to be one of your early readers, and I so love your heart to get your stories out into the world! The world definitely needs to read what you have to say!
October 17, 2025
I give this a reluctant five stars because I am not a fan of how much of an emotional grip this series has on me.
Going into any of V. K. Dixon’s books, I know it will be my next 5 star read and this was definitely not an exception.
The character and relationship development in this book is absolutely beautiful. I am loving the glimpses into the personalities and lives of “side” characters.
The storyline, as always, is gripping, emotional, and this book ends on THE WORST cliffhanger of the series so far, in my opinion.
I’m still in awe of the intricacies of the magic and spirit world throughout this series, as well. The Raven’s Cry gave some really fascinating details I didn’t expect, and I loved seeing the additional details in this book.
I could easily go on and on… just please let book 7 come soon!!!
Going into any of V. K. Dixon’s books, I know it will be my next 5 star read and this was definitely not an exception.
The character and relationship development in this book is absolutely beautiful. I am loving the glimpses into the personalities and lives of “side” characters.
The storyline, as always, is gripping, emotional, and this book ends on THE WORST cliffhanger of the series so far, in my opinion.
I’m still in awe of the intricacies of the magic and spirit world throughout this series, as well. The Raven’s Cry gave some really fascinating details I didn’t expect, and I loved seeing the additional details in this book.
I could easily go on and on… just please let book 7 come soon!!!
November 21, 2025
ngl hit a HARD reading slump right before I started this book, so it took me a month just to read the first half. But V.K.’s writing pulled me out of that slump so fast once the action picked up 🙌🏻 a unique continuation of AotW and I cannot wait to see what happens next!! V.K.’s cliffhangers are always so rough because I know the next book isn’t published yet 😭
October 18, 2026
Victoria does such a wonderful job with character work. I really struggled with these characters in The Raven's Cry, but I have grown to love them now. Also the environmental descriptions are always so nice and crispy. I will pretty much always read what Victoria puts out, because she rights truly enjoyable stories.
March 18, 2025
😭 Beta Read. In true VK Dixon style- this book is brilliant. Further investing you emotionally. Full review to come when it releases. Another read you won’t be able to walk away from.
December 15, 2025
That cliffhanger is a doozy, wow… Loved this, and can’t wait for the next book!!
November 2, 2025
Just as the other four books before this one, this one is a masterpiece!
February 23, 2025
I was able to beta read this and wow I absolutely love this world and these characters. Every time I open these stories it feels like home in the sense of comfort even though danger lurks in the shadows. I love the battle of the unseen world and all these lives intersecting the stories are merging together in a big way. There are huge twists and turns in this story alone and the ending leaves you excited for more. it's hard to believe this was just the beta read felt more like I was arc reading.
March 13, 2025
I loved beta reading this book. Review to come when I reread it as an ARC.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews