Tales of a Deadly Devotion

Tales of a Monstrous Heart #2

by Jennifer Delaney

DARKNESS ALWAYS FINDS ITS WAY BACK.

As Fey wage hopeless war against the oncoming storm of mortal conquest, Fairfax Manor lies in ruins. The first witches of Blackthorn forged the ancient fortress from their very souls to keep those of their bloodline safe. No one is safe now.

Katherine Woodrow might have survived persecution at the Institute of Magic and journeyed across the divided lands of Elysior to study magic with the legendary Lord Emrys Blackthorn himself, but losing her heart and almost her life wasn't on the curriculum.

All magic has a price - a price Alma would rather have died than see Kat pay. But the dark isn't finished with Kat yet. And Alma will stop at nothing to save her, drawing on the power of the beasts that simmer beneath her skin and even facing the secrets of her own past to help her friend.

And there's no time to lose. Because more demons are escaping from the cursed texts the mortals failed to guard. The world is slipping back into darkness. And something is returning...

A tale of deadly devotion.

From the author of instant Sunday Times bestseller Tales of a Monstrous Heart, comes a spellbinding new dark fantasy filled with gothic romance and forbidden magic - perfect for readers of Sarah J Maas and Rachel Gillig.

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Gothic, Fantasy Romance, Dark Academia, Romance, Fae

384 pages, Hardcover

First published August 28, 2025

About the author

Jennifer Delaney lives in Liverpool, England. She has a BA and MA in Creative Writing from Liverpool John Moores University.
Jennifer has always had a deep love of fantasy, troublesome characters, heart stopping romance and all things gothic.
Tales of a Monstrous Heart is her debut novel. The first book in her gothic fantasy trilogy.

Reviews

[Δανάη Ιμπραχήμ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do not start this series before the third comes out. The cliffhangers will have you roaring.

[Lens and Pages · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t wait to dive back into this world of monsters and curses after the cliffhanger finish to book one. It didn’t disappoint, picking up more or less where the first one finished.

There’s a lot more revealed about the characters back stories in this and we have the added point of view from Alma as the chapters flip back and forth between her and Kat. Alma’s pain, both physically and mentally is done well, creating real anguish for her character.

The romance continues in a beautiful way that doesn’t feel forced or rushed. The friendships and found family vibes also continue, with the house fast becoming a favourite character in its own right.

Once again we see the story ending on a cliffhanger that has me looking forward to book three. Hopefully we won’t have to wait too long for this beautifully monstrous and gothic tale to continue.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

[Rose Pearson · Rating 3 out of 5]

3* DNF at 27%
Im so sorry, I wanted to like this so much, I wanted to love it. I just didn't. 

I loved the first book when it was released last year, I gave it 5*s and it held such a special place for me, I got the goldsboro edition plus a standard signed edition both in prime position on my display. I reread it last week in preparation for the sequel, I did the first ten chapters on audible but switched to kindle as I didn't gel with the narator and it set me off on the wrong foot. Rereading it I kept getting stuck on lots of issues with repeated themes and phrasing, a lot of telling vs showing. I really hoped going into the second book that the writing style may have developed some since the first book but I was disappointed to find it hadn't. I decided to stick it out and skim read for the jist of the plot but quickly lost all interest. Again, I'm so so sorry Jennifer. X

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another absolute masterpiece from Jen. Loved it. Devoured it. Need book 3 like, NOW hahaha!

Tales of a Monstrous Heart was a top read of 2024 for me and I have been waiting for Tales of a Deadly Devotion with excitement akin to a kid on Christmas Eve. We pick up right where we left off from the end of book 1, where the tension between the characters is super high given the events at the end of TOAMH.

TOADD sees the addition of Alma's POV which I adored. It means that we get more of her backstory and allows us more insight into the stunning world that Jen has created. Alma has always been a favourite character of mine and I loved seeing things from her perspective and gaining an understanding of what she went through prior to meeting Kat. My heart! Alma's story had me sobbing several times throughout - she's such an incredible character and you can see the direct impact that Kat's presence has had on her life. Their bond and unwavering love and friendship has forged a lifeline between them and I genuinely believe they are non-romantic soulmates.

Kat is still as fierce as ever despite everything that's happened, and she is such a breath of fresh air. We get to see the relationship between her and Emrys continue to develop and it just feels so natural, like the two are made for each other. She's still discovering more about her heritage and I love how Jen has created such a complex history between the fae and humans, and the web of politics that plays into this. I remember in the first book feeling so devastated for the fae at the loss and cruelty they have faced from the humans, but then with more revealed in this book, you realise that some of they fey are just as bad and judgemental of their own! The lines of morality become blurred and it's clear that there are villains on both sides, which Kat has to navigate and find her place within.

Thean, Gideon and William are absolutely brilliant as our side characters. Jen has created such a unique band of characters that just WORK. They all have such different personalities and motivations, but are thrown together by fate or because, if you're Thean, because they do what they want hahaha. Gideon's presence in this book really helps bring more of Emrys to light, in the same way that Thean does for Alma. I honestly just love all of them!

It wouldn't be Tales without a cliff-hanger / twisty ending would it?! Honestly, the ending had me SCREAMING and spamming Jen's DMs like my life depended on it. I cannot wait for the third and final book in the Tales trilogy, I can't wait to see the final arc of our beloved tales crew and how Jen wraps up this incredible series!!!

[Ruqayyah · Rating 4 out of 5]

If we are just voting based on Kat and Emrys, take all the stars- they are the cutest!
Otherwise, 4

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I cannot wait for this and somehow I shall try

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 4.75/5⭐️

Tales of a Deadly Devotion was my top 1 for most anticipated release of 2025 and let me tell you, Jennifer has killed it again! We are thrown straight back into this lush and fantastic world Jennifer has created and the plot starts after the finale on Tales of a Monstrous Heart!

We have so much uncovering about each character backstory that we had the opportunity to delve into deep and also the history of this world and the legends and forbidden compendiums! It was almost magical seeing it all come to play and to focus on the characters. Devotion is definintely a bit more character plot driven versus Tales and I think it was a very good approach to show how versatile and complex this trilogy can be! We also have dual POV between Kat and Alma and they both have such different voices: I love Kat’s, she’s courageous and very clever and I enjoy her chapters the most! And then we have Alma’s who has a heavy voice and struggles daily with her traumas and how to find herself. Then we have more characters from the previous book that came forward in Devotions and made the plot so much better and compelling - yes, looking at you Gideon boy! Emrys is still my very favourite boy tho!

One of the things I adored the most on book 1 and it carried along to this book, is Jennifer’s writing. Sometimes when I’m reading I can connect with a lot of things - from characters to specific situations and even writing - and Jennifer’s writing feels like it was a love letter to my soul! I am not a very visual reader but I can see little glimpses of expressions and touches and I just love how Jennifer describes the situations and makes me feel like I’m actually there and I can see Thean’s smirk, Emrys’ gentle touches, Gideon’s bright blue eyes…! I swear every time Kat and Emrys were having a moment my heart went all giddy and happy - also, William ugh, go get yourself busy with your plants and leave them alone!

I really struggle with sequel reviews as I always try to avoid giving spoilers so here’s my advice: if you enjoyed Tales, get ready to enjoy Devotion as much! It has a beautiful cliffhanger and I cannot wait for the finale of this Trilogy - we have so much to uncover and all the subplots to close! I am ready!

[Stephanie B. •literaryland_livin• · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 Where gothic academia and magic meet we find Tales of a Deadly Devotion leading its readers back into Blackthorn Manor where curses, dark monsters, ancient texts, and forbidden magic reign supreme. Picking up right from the cliffhanger ending of book one we follow along Kat, Emrys, Alma, Thean, Gideon, and William as they battle against a dangerous long ancient darkness.
I screamed so loud when I received this arc as it was one of my most anticipated reads of the year and as expected I loved and devoured every second of this dark gothic magical academia world and it’s characters. The found family aspect that I adored so much in book one is again present and took my admiration to a new level. For I had already thought I loved all these characters so greatly but book two absolutely solidified my obsessions with each and every single one of them as I found this installment to be very character driven focused. This particularly rang true for sassy and mysterious Thean, as well as resiliently fearless Alma as we get to see more of these two characters and hear some of their own backstories. Now the romances (yes that’s right, I used plural because there is more than one this time around) continue to be delicious with all the banter, angst, yearning, and tension that make for truly swoon worthy slow burns. The magic, legends, world building, and lore are also much more prominently featured here than in the previous installment which I I anticipate being a larger focus for book three. And yes this installment also does end on a cliffhanger, leaving me again desperate for more of this immersive and magical academic world that Delaney has created. If you are a lover of books filled with forbidden magic, ancient lore, curses, dangerous monsters, gothic dark academia vibes set in a magically sentient manor, brooding and mysterious characters, slow burn romances with all the hand flexes and stolen glances, and an amazing found family then you need to read this series immediately.
Tales of a Deadly Devotion comes out August 28th, 2025. Thank you NetGalley and Gollancz for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[k.eela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I couldn’t wait to dive back into Delaney’s supremely gothic world again. Deadly Devotion plunges you back into the unique and magical world of vengeful foes, fire wielding, dark magic, cursed tomes, sentient grumbly houses, pernickety familiars and moody romance. I could keep my list going but I should try and keep it succinct!
Deadly Devotion opens a page turn and a few days after the final events and fallout of the previous book, things are tense, but the storyline gets moving straight away.
I absolutely adored the exploration of Kat’s heritage throughout this book, the power and strength she draws from her familial line brings a lot of emotion into this tale. Alma too has a similarly emotional time, while she doesn’t make as much progress as Kat does - although I’m sure there’s more to come from Alma, her repeated confrontations, be it mental or physical, with her past trauma are really admirable and a great insight into her characters history.
Delaney maintains the dark and moody aesthetic that Tales of a Monstrous Heart thrives off of, yet woven through were bright bursts of friendship and a steady creaking open into the wider world of this tales magic system, setting and storyline.
Once again I have been left in disarray by a cliff hanger and will be waiting impatiently for number 3!

My last note would be, that the book does still need a wee tidy up, there’s quite a bit of spelling and grammatical errors and a few scenes/moments that jump too soon/don’t feel very smooth, but publication is still a few months off so I think tightening up is still possible! Despite this, I did still really enjoy this story.

Thank you to NetGalley, Orion and Gollancz for providing me with a digital reading copy.

[Sophie.K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tales of a Deadly Devotion
Book 2

ARC - publishing 28th August 2025

“Darkness always finds its way back”

I absolutely LOVED Tales of a Monstrous Heart (book 1) and I have been yearning for book 2. So…you can imagine how thrilled I was to get approved for book 2 on @netgalley 🙌🏼 . This series has a fantastic gothic romance vibe, filled with slow burn romance and forbidden magic.

Now. I was not able to sit and read this as quickly as I would’ve liked because you know…life & two children. So I have only been managing to read a couple of chapters here and there but today I was DETERMINED to finish it and goodness me I am so happy I did.

Number 1… Gideon is hilarious and I just love him and want him to be my new cynical best friend with the best one liners.

Number 2. Alma….poor, poor Alma. My heart just breaks for her.

Number 3. Alma & Thean = 🔥

Number 4. Will Kat & Emrys EVER get a moment to themselves 😂 honestly I was pretty much screaming at the book to just give them the room and stop being interrupted.

The characters in this book are just top tier. Super interesting, dark and great development in their relationships. We get some answers to a lot of questions by the end of this book HOWEVER you will most likely be rather flustered and heart will be pounding just as an FYI. Mega cliff hanger which will of course be having me cry in a corner until news of book 3 comes along. I will be eagerly awaiting any and all snippets!! 👏🏼

Solid 4 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟

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[Lawren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll start by saying this one jumps right into the aftermath of the first book and seeing how the characters deal with the fall out from the end of the first book. So it might be good giving yourself a refresher before jumping into this one (which I didn't do & it took me a minute to remember).

I listened to the audiobook for this one and I really enjoyed the narration, I felt like it pulled me in and gave the perfect gothic vibes. The only thing I will say is you have to listen to whose chapter it is as there isn't any difference in the narration of Kat and Alma.

For me the characters and found family are the best part of this series. The interactions between them all are so realistic and just warm my heart. Seeing them grow as a group within the confines of the gothic backdrop of Blackthorn Manor are so what keep pulling me back to this series. I was excited to see the addition of Alma's POV as she is one of my favourites and it did not disappoint.

I did find myself a little lost at times as a lot of information is giving to us. However, I did enjoy the expansion of the lore of the world and seeing the backstories of some of our characters.

That ending!! What a cliff hanger, I am excited to se how the finale of this series wraps everything up and where it goes.

I'm a little late with this one but thank you to @netgalley and @gollancz for the e-arc

[Rebecca Dee Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second book in a series so spoilers for book 1 but not this one.

After the literally life shattering ending of book 1, Kat is on deaths door and Alma and Emrys will give anything to have her back.

They both blame themselves but Kat will have to use her own strength to fight her way back.

With darkness and dangers on the rise, they better work fast as they will have to face their own demons, as well as physical ones...

I was so excited for this book as the first was a standout of last year, but I did find it quite a struggle to pick back up on the story and characters, and I'm normally quite quick at getting back up to speed regardless of time between books.

Definitely, in terms of the story, I did feel less invested in the characters and where things were going, albeit there was still a decent amount of action (of varying kinds...)

Almas relationship that developed was a highlight, and the house was probably my favourite side character...

Definitely still interested enough to continue to series to conclusion but did feel a bit middle bookish. I'd say a 3.5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and Gollanz/Orion for the review copy. All opinions my own

[Cyd’s Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for approving me to read this book, I’m rating it 4.0-4.25 stars.

What a follow up to book 1! We’re dumped into a minefield of emotion and devastation as we pick up the story with Kat on what seems to be her death bed and Alma struggling to keep it together feeling somewhat responsible.

This story gets darker and more violent as things unfold leading to a crushing and epic end, but it appears there may be more to the story based on those last few pages which has me overly excited to see where it goes next. I also really enjoy the multi POV of this book giving us a very well rounded story.

[A N N A · Rating 5 out of 5]

“This series is just stunning!”
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for sending me a copy in exchange for a review.
Tales of a Monstrous Heart was one of my favourite books of last year, and the sequel lives up to my expectations! The characters are all well rounded, flawed and growing, the world building is getting bigger and the plot is just exploding with drama and foreshadowing. I predict the third will be a powerhouse of fantastic writing and gut wrenching action. I can't wait.

Pick up this series immediately! You won't be disappointed.

[Lora Hogg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved being back in this world. The interesting magic system, plot, and brilliant characters made the book so difficult to put down (unfortunately life got in the way, otherwise I would have finished this one in one day). I adored the angst and sarcasm between a few of the main characters, felt all the emotions as history came to light & once again, was left wanting more of Jennifer’s story telling!

[Camilla_Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A million stars for my favourites 😍 Being back with Kat, Emrys and the crew (including Blackthorn Manor) was so fantastic. Things seem bleak at first, and after that cliffhanger at the end of book one I expected no less. Having the extra POV chapters added more to the story - and god I didn't know I could love Alma even more but I do. Her and Kat's friendship is just as - maybe even MORE - important than any romantic endeavours in the book too, and is such a fantastic representation of loyal, undying female friendship. As always, the writing is fantastic and the story captivating. So many secrets come to light, and more mysteries present themselves. I'm genuinely going to be insufferable waiting for book three, especially after another highly intense cliffhanger (Jen, please expect me in your DMs) 😅 This series is a must read for anyone who loves the idea of Jane Eyre meets Howl's Moving Castle, but make it gothic and dark and gloomy.

[Kuura Reinhardt-Birchall · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sadly this was an DNF for me after about 350 pages. Quite liked the first part of this series and hoped that the second part would be as good but was left a tad disappointed. Maybe I'll pick it up again at a later time but as of now it's a dnf

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I couldn’t finish this. The writing style was weird, I didn’t like the characters and I felt I was wasting my time.

[Alyssa Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 🌟 i need MORE

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

“You burn, I burn” 😭😭😭

this book has a death grip on me and I need the next one immediately

[Noemi Proietti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tales of a Deadly Devotion is one of the sequels I have been waiting for, after that unexpected cliffhanger of the first book, Tales of a Monstrous Heart, and it didn’t disappoint. Not at all. I actually liked it even more than the first book.

Once again, the author’s writing kept me glued from the first to the last page and I love the dual perspective, from Kat and Alma, as we get not only more of their background story, but also their struggles as they face their pasts and their traumas.

The book starts right where it left off and there is as much darkness and magic as in the first book. We have curses, forbidden magic, monsters, and ancient texts. There is also a lot of banter, tension, and slow-burn romance. I loved how Kat and Emrys’s relationship develops, but my favourite theme is the found family as Kat, Alma, Emrys, Gideon, William, and Thean stand together against powerful and dark enemies. Kat is brave and clever, Emyrs is adorable and fierce at the same time, Alma is loyal and courageous, Gideon’s sarcasm was my favourite thing, and William’s naivitè made me laugh, while Thean was full of surprises. Also, let’s not forget the magical manor that keeps playing matchmaking and moving rooms and people around.

Tales of a Deadly Devotion is a brilliant gothic academia novel with brooding heroes and tenacious heroines, magic and ancient lore, and yet another cliffhanger that left me looking forward to the next book!

[Clara (bookish_clara) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐

Tales of a Deadly Devotion picks up straight after the cliffhanger from book one and throws you right into the action as the group try to find a way to heal and save Kat, I really loved having Alma's POV as I feel like it gave me a lot more insight into what she has been through and the sacred relationship that she has with Kat.

This very much more character driven as well as plot development as we not only get to see more of the old gods and the connections they have with both Kat and Emrys but also learn more of Emrys past.

I always love the way Jennifer's beautiful writing can pull you in and keeps you engaged from start to finish, it is immersive, thought provoking and emotional. I'm looking forward to the last book especially as this one again ends on a brutal cliffhanger and I can't wait to see how everything concludes.

[Dee Hancocks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tales of a Deadly Devotion is a Gothic rollercoaster of a book. I had to devour this in two sittings. The prose continues to be beautifully dark. I absolutely loved the focus shift to the side characters as well. We still had plenty of the legendary Lord Blackthorn though. I absolutely love his gloomy and over protective personality. The romance continues in a lush and torturous way. Plus we have a new romance blossom. Alma is fast becoming my favourite character along with the house! Let’s not forget the darkness and war. The beasts are all vivid, terrifying and add to the high stakes action. An absolute whirlwind of drama and action that I could not put down. Give me the next now! Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this advanced reader copy. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.

[Beth’s Book Collection · Rating 5 out of 5]

"You might have too much faith in me."
"You're the only thing I have faith in."

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
🌶🌶🌶

What you'll find in this book:
- Hidden Identities
- Slow Burn Romance
- Morally Grey MMC
- Gothic Fantasy
- Forbidden Magic
- He's Possessive & So is She
- Dual POV
- Found Family
- Demons & Gods
- Fey & Mortals

Ahhhhhh that cliffhanger, hot damn, I didn't know Jennifer was going to leave us hanging quite like that! How am I supposed to go on now I have to wait for book three to be released. Sometimes book two in a series can very much feel like a filler, acting to set up for the third and final book, but this is very much not the case here. For me this book felt elevated from book one, with multiple POV now in place allowing us to see the story, events and characters from Alma's perspective, which altered the dynamic of the story to provide a tale that is engaging from start to finish. This book hit so much harder than the first book in the series, now that we have an established world filled with characters we know and love we can fully focus on the story itself and everything going on in the world we are experiencing. There is no way I can possibly articulate my obsession with this series, and how good this book truly is, a perfect blend of gothic fantasy and romance with forbidden wild magic and and an evil that could consume the world.

Picking up directly from book one, we rejoin this world where the Fey wage a hopeless war against mortal machinations. Following from the disastrous events at Fairfax Manor our group of characters are left in complete disarray. With Kat having survived so much at the hands of the Institute of Magic, and then proceeded to travel across Elysior to be a partner mage for the elusive Lord Emrys Blackthorn. However, she never imagined that this new adventure would have her giving her heart away and almost loosing her life. Alma has spent so much of her time trying to keep Kat safe, just as Kat saved Alma's she is determined to repay the favour time and time again. With the darkness coming for Kat, Alma will stop at nothing to help even if that means harnessing the beasts lurking within and facing the secrets haunting her past. With time running out and more demons escaping into the mortal world, will they manage to stop the advancing darkness and the things waiting in the wings to tear everything and everyone apart.

Oof where do I even begin with these amazing characters?! The continued development of the relationship and connection between Kat and Emrys is breathtaking. Their deep faith and trust to always find and fight for one another allows for the most delicious slow burn romance. We read as Kat works to get past all of the lies she has been told to try and free herself, and to find who she once was and who she was meant to be. While we read as Kat struggles to find herself we get to indulge in so much more of Emrys's backstory, which really allows me to love him so much more as a character. The concept of the daily struggle he has endured to keep the darkness at bay, and how this impacts those around him. I adored that we got to see more of his monstrous side, and how this translated to his possessiveness of Kat. Outside of the romance between Kat and Emrys, we continue to explore characters we have already met as well as those who are new to us. I think I might be a little in love with Gideon Swift, how it is in his nature to be a serious and stoic healer one moment, flirty and flighty the next and then being jovial and joking around. Initially you can tell he is trying to distance himself from everything to prevent getting hurt, but as the book goes on you see his warmer protective side. Getting to see a different side of the magic in this world from him also added a different dynamic to the book. Who knew that William was a little bit spicy? We get to see more of his cheeky side but he still remains so pure and meek, I really enjoy that he has developed but still feels the same. Alma is the character I feel we learn the most about in this book as she takes charge of her destiny, having her POV we see how she has walls built up incredibly high in order to protect herself and then the fallout from letting these walls begin to crumble slightly. Learning more about the ways that Alma's magic works felt so naturally and necessary as part of this book. I honestly dont know what to think of Thean anymore, and that's all I'm gonna say to avoid spoilers, IYKYK.

This book delivers more demons, more action, and more romance with higher stakes than ever. Gripping my attention from start to finish, we read as the secrets, revelation and darkness trying to claim the world begins to fracture the group. Each character has an idea of what the groups priority should be, and these don't always align. We read as this group continues to get into trouble at every possible turn, with both Fey rebels and Mortals alike. The story ebbs and flows as we learn more about the world, the darkness and the characters and how they all interlink with one another. Jennifer continues to build on the world throughout this book, providing with with new locations to explore that are dripping with gothic influence. Alongside this we continue to see more of the wild magic that makes up this world and the lore surrounding it which further enriches the story in the best way, everyone's magic is so distinct and unique that it feels perfectly personal to them. I can wholeheartedly say with such excitement say that I did not see the cliffhanger coming and it has left me with way more questions than answers which I love.

Thank you so much to the author and publisher for sending me an e-ARC to read and review early.

Author: Jennifer Delaney
Publisher: Gollancz
Release Date: August 28th, 2025
Pages: 512

[maya_iuga · Rating 5 out of 5]

This serie continues to blow my mind. The writting remains just as good as in the first book - which is anything short of incredible and reminds me of the classic Emily Brontë, Jane Austen. The dark academia gothic vibes are impeccable. The magic system remains one of the most unique and engaging ones I've ever encountered. I love the development of the side characters and their relationships - it has me kicking my feet. The love story between the FMC and MMC it's so soft and pure in such a dangerous way I'm OBSESSED. The world keeps evolving and getting more and more complicated which I love. So much to digest at the end I'll be thinking about it for the foreseeable future

[Melissa Fletcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Oh wow this really just kicks off right where the last one ended!! Immediately straight into the action from that whirlwind of a cliffhanger at the end of book 1.
The plot of this book is so fast paced and wild you have 0 time to be bored! It delves so much more into the backstories of all the characters and we learn more about their past and their trauma.
Kat is a beautifully written heroine! She is devoted wholeheartedly to the people she loves, whether that be family who are no longer with her, her chosen family especially Alma, to her lover. She is a fierce protector with a giant heart who would tear the world apart to keep those she loves safe.
Oh Emrys what a beautifully dreamy MMC. He is so unbelievably sweet and caring yet wildly passionate. He's so scared of hurting Kat but is so devoted to her. We stan a man who yearns! Bring back yearning 2026.
Their relationship is everything! It has fire, passion, tenderness, tension. It wasn't just about the attraction (which believe me gives way for some very spicy scenes) but they listen to each other, help each other and support each other. Beautifully written relationship!
The addition of Alma's POV was so good! She really intrigued me as a character in the first book and I really loved getting into her head. We see so much of her past and how that has traumatised her into believing she can never be loved and she's a horrid monster. Its so nice to have everyone around her show her thats not the case because she is such a loveable character! I wish we had more of her POV and hoping she gets more page time in book 3.
Thean once again is the most intriguing character to me! You never quite know whether to trust them but can't help loving them all the same. I ship them and Alma soooooo hard their tension and banter is so juicy cannot wait to see more of their dynamic!
Gideon, William and even the house are fantastic side characters. Gideon with his slight temper yet sweet side, William with his gentleness and again I love the concept of the house being alive and helping the characters with what they need.
ANOTHER CLIFFHANGER?! My heart can't take much more of this and I'm gonna be chomping at the bit to get my hands on book 3 immediately!!

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review is for Tales of a Deadly Devotion by Jennifer Delaney which releases in the UK on the 28th August! Thanks so much to Netgalley and Gollancz for giving me an eArc copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I’m already a massive fan of this series from the first book alone, and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this one. This book has lived up to all my expectations, and is one of my fav reads from this year so far.

After being left on the cliffhanger of the first book, I was so excited to see where Delaney took the story in the this one. It picked up nearly exactly where the first left off, focusing on a world full of fae, monsters and curses with our main characters battling their oppressors. A lot more comes to light in this book however, digging deeper into the histories of their world and how our characters fit into it (I’m trying SO HARD to be spoiler free here, I want to scream about this book to the heavens, someone pls appreciate me)

We especially get to see more of Alma who was one of my fav characters from the first book. It builds more on her personality and how she came to be where she is today, as well as her relationship with Kat which will continue to be one of my favourite things in this series. You also get to see more of Kat and Emrys (Kat is one lucky son-of-a-bitch I tell you that) and their budding relationship, which you can see developed throughout the book in such a lovely way.

The story is action filled and full of adventure, while also being full of twists and turns that I could not expect. Especially when we learn more about Kat and her bloodlines, it helps to explain a lot more about her and her powers. I could not out this down and would have easily read this is one sitting if life didn’t get in the way. The ending has left me on my tippy toes and I need the next one ASAP.

I honestly could not recommend this series enough, it’s easily one of my new favourites!!

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for providing me an ARC for this book 🙏

What an amazing sequel to an already amazing serie!
This book managed to make me cry from the first few pages, that’s quite a feat!
I loved having chapters written from Alma’s perspective, she bring a very different voice to this story and we get to know her more intimately. Her love for Kat is so fierce, and her backstory so much more complex than previously thought. I loved how Kat’s POV was handled at the beginning of the book, it’s brilliant storytelling.

I instantly fell in love with Gideon whilst my love for Thean only grew deeper, and I’m glad we got to see more in depths backstory and personality for their characters. I only wish we got to hear more about William (hopefully in book 3?), but for now I’m happy with every scene he’s in, and how everyone cares for him.
I thought this book to be more mature and gruesome in its description of gore and brutally, which I personally enjoy.

Alma’s transformation were very graphic at times for example, which really make us appreciate how bone deep those changes truly are. I would have loved to have more chapters from Alma’s POV, especially in the middle of the book, but the ending more than makes up for it.

Alongside Alma, it’s truly Kat who shone in this book with an amazing character development, she finally decided to take action and stopped being silent. She’s finally ready to fight back and stop cowering, and it’s amazing to see.

Overall, I loved this book and how everything starts to click into place plot-wise, and I loved learning more about everyone. Book 3 can’t come fast enough with how this one ended! I’m so invested in their story, I don’t know how I’ll manage to wait for the next installment. I’ll be recommending this book to everyone who likes high stakes fantasy and fierce love stories.

[Becky'sBookBlog · Rating 4 out of 5]

After re-reading book one, and now finishing this one, I’m not really sure where I sit with this series. There are parts of it I love, but the more I read, the less I seem to be able to pin point what, exactly, the plot is and through that, where the story is going. I just feel like the series as a whole needed another round of editing to make it a little clearer in parts. But that being said, there was still so much I enjoyed, so let’s start with the good.

Alma! We finally got her POV and I won’t lie, but I found her infinitely more interesting than Kat. She’s got this internal anger that always seems to leave her on the edge, something that is completely understandable when you realise what happened to her as a child. She will do anything to protect those she loves, especially Kat, the person who has never left her, even knowing all of her scars both physical and mental, but that does mean she puts herself in danger more than she should. She almost feels like her life is worth less for some reason, and I just found myself really connecting with her emotionally, and desperately wanting more of her chapters.

Kat stays a very similar character from book one, which meant there wasn’t really any character growth, and because of that she just felt a little flat for me. Her whole character seemed to focus around Emrys, how she wanted to protect him, how she loved him, and while I get that this is a romance, a little development outside of that would be nice. There were a few reveals relating to her character and history, one that I guessed in the first book, but they didn’t hit emotionally the way I would have expected them too. They seemed there for the shock value more than anything. We do get to meet a new character in this one, Gideon, Emrys’ half brother, and we get more Thean who we met in the first book. Thean quickly became a favourite character of mine, not just for their snark and inherent danger, but because of how the manage to rile up Alma at every turn.

It’s obvious to us as outsiders that there are feelings, feelings that go deeper than simple attraction. Thean’s ability to be wherever Alma needs them to be, their willingness to help Emrys and Kat even though it might be going against their mistress’s wishes. I would absolutely love to get their pov in the next book because firstly, I need them to explain some of their decisions in this book (that ending), but also because I feel their romance with Alma would hit that much more knowing just how much they care about her. This became the romance of the book for me with Kat and Emrys taking a backseat, even though their romance plays a heavier part in the book. If I had one issue with both of the romances though it was how easily they would flit from mortal peril to sexy time. There is a time and a place guys, and sometimes I felt they became ruled more by their hormones than sense.

I’m still not 100% sure what the plot of this series is meant to be? Like Delaney kept throwing in these big plot points, twists and reveals etc and I just found myself getting more and more confused. This could absolutely be a me thing, but I’m really not sure where the story is supposed to be going. I understand it’s a romantasy, so heavy on the romance, but it’s so plot heavy as well that I feel I should have a better understanding of where it’s going? I also felt that, while prosaic, Delaney’s writing became a little bit repetitive and nonsensical in places. I get wanting flowery and lush writing, but at some points it just felt like she was putting words in to made it sound prettier, without it making that much sense?

But, despite my issues I will probably be picking up the third book. I’m intrigued to see what actually happens with the plot, but more than that this book ended up a horrific cliffhanger, leaving my fave in peril and I need to know that they end up ok.

[Briony · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars.
Tales of a deadly devotion is a direct sequel to Tales of a Monstrous Heart. It starts immediately after the cliffhanger we were left on. To me Monstrous Heart was more of a dark academia/fantasy whereas I feel this is more dark fantasy rather than academia.
We are mainly reading from Kat's P.O.V. however, there are chapters that we see from Alma's P.O.V. which is interesting and gives us a little more development to the creature lore and magic system created.
The world-building continues in this sequel, fleshing out a bit more, however, at times I do feel as though its forced. So, we get additions to canon in the format of new creatures and magic, making a complex and richer world. The way that they are introduced to us with new terminology and new words of the language created, feels more tell than show. We get new information as an afterthought which makes it feel as though not only do we not have a clue what is going on but neither does Kat. There isn't enough description of how the magic system works, it just seems to appear out of nowhere. I will say the second half seems to be more well rounded. That is the only problem I have with this book and honestly, it might be just me as it's been a while since I read Monstrous Heart.
I did love the tension between Kat and Emrys and the constant interruptions make for a comedic element.
The development of the side characters, in particular, Thean and Alma. Also, the UST between these two is *chef's kiss*.
All in all, I did enjoy this. I will mention I'm in a bit of a reading slump at the moment so I'll need to reread this at some point and I have pre-ordered the Goldsboro edition so take that how you will.
Thanks to NetGalley and Orion Publishing Group for the opportunity to read this in advance.

[Gigi Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 we knew it would be another 5 stars - are you kidding? ARC Review for TOADD by the incredible Jennifer! (Love you!) 💙🥹

I’m honestly screaming. As an OG Tales fan since day one, I knew this book would ruin me in the best possible way - and it delivered.

I am constantly in awe of Jennifer's writing. She doesn’t just write gothic romantasy - she resurrects it. Builds it. Breathes life into it with pain, beauty, and power. My ultimate GR author.. period. 👏🏻

Tales of a Deadly Devotion is *everything*. The stakes are higher than ever, the emotions more gutting, and the magic darker, deeper, and dangerously addictive. Fairfax Manor is falling. The old protections are crumbling. And Katherine? She is being forged into something new - something terrifying and brilliant. Her journey from student to survivor is nothing short of breathtaking. And Alma? DON’T get me started on Alma. Her loyalty, her rage, the beast within — I wanted to annotate & highlight every single line she’s in.

This book had me flipping pages like a madwoman. The secrets, demons, cursed texts, and rising darkness - it all builds into a storm of soul-shattering moments that left me reeling. The friendship between Kat and Alma, the echoes of the past colliding with the terror of what’s coming… It’s so well-crafted, so intense, and SO unforgettable.

Jennifer Delaney has written her best book yet. I feel so honored to have received this ARC and to witness the evolution of this series from the very beginning. If you thought you were ready… you’re not.

But go ahead. Pre-order the book!!
The darkness is waiting. 🖤