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Claimed by the Undead
One novice witch. One cursed sorcerer. A slow-burn romantasy series drenched in darkness.
Helena
For a lifetime I believed myself peculiar, someone discontent with the Alpine village I call home. A loveless marriage and tedium awaited me…until an encounter with a cursed sorcerer awakened me to a realm of magic.
I'm a Teuton witch of light. The only witch in my village. The only witch who caught the attention of the reclusive priest inhabiting a fortress atop a snowcapped mountain. The only witch to view him as a human soul, not a wicked vampire damned to hell.
When he returns to me, I'll join him without question. Even if my family disapproves. Even if it means leaving home forever.
Konstantin
After falling under the filial curse, my demon lord set me loose upon the earth with a single stipulation. Just one rule. Don't succumb to love's cruel sway.
No problem at all. Or so I thought.
I never expected to cross paths with a defiant witch who challenged my grim fate. Or to concoct an elaborate lie about her to protect us both from infernal punishment. And from the wrath of my ruthless peer.
Fans of A Discovery of Witches, Mortal Instruments, and Vampire Academy will devour C.L. Carhart’s This Earthen Cage series.
Scroll up and one-click to start reading this suspenseful slow-burn romantic fantasy series today.
Helena
For a lifetime I believed myself peculiar, someone discontent with the Alpine village I call home. A loveless marriage and tedium awaited me…until an encounter with a cursed sorcerer awakened me to a realm of magic.
I'm a Teuton witch of light. The only witch in my village. The only witch who caught the attention of the reclusive priest inhabiting a fortress atop a snowcapped mountain. The only witch to view him as a human soul, not a wicked vampire damned to hell.
When he returns to me, I'll join him without question. Even if my family disapproves. Even if it means leaving home forever.
Konstantin
After falling under the filial curse, my demon lord set me loose upon the earth with a single stipulation. Just one rule. Don't succumb to love's cruel sway.
No problem at all. Or so I thought.
I never expected to cross paths with a defiant witch who challenged my grim fate. Or to concoct an elaborate lie about her to protect us both from infernal punishment. And from the wrath of my ruthless peer.
Fans of A Discovery of Witches, Mortal Instruments, and Vampire Academy will devour C.L. Carhart’s This Earthen Cage series.
Scroll up and one-click to start reading this suspenseful slow-burn romantic fantasy series today.
358 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 20, 2025
5 people are currently reading
4 people want to read
About the author
C.L. Carhart
27 books65 followersC.L. Carhart has been writing since the age of 4, dabbling in everything from children’s books, to fantasy, to historical fiction. Eventually, her lifelong interest in European history inspired her to create a mystical other-world based on the Teutonic people groups. Her Teutonic Fantasy Realm is chock full of heart-pounding adventure, dark magic, and swoon-worthy romance.
A book addict, stray cat rescuer, and unashamed metalhead, you can find her plotting out fresh stories deep in the night with a can of diet soda and a fun-sized panther infringing on her progress.
Join her mailing list ➜ https://bf.clcarhart.com/6w57qgfhc9
Visit her website ➜ https://clcarhart.com/
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Follow her on Instagram ➜ https://www.instagram.com/c.l.carhart...
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A book addict, stray cat rescuer, and unashamed metalhead, you can find her plotting out fresh stories deep in the night with a can of diet soda and a fun-sized panther infringing on her progress.
Join her mailing list ➜ https://bf.clcarhart.com/6w57qgfhc9
Visit her website ➜ https://clcarhart.com/
Like her Facebook page ➜ https://www.facebook.com/CLCarhartAuthor
Follow her on Instagram ➜ https://www.instagram.com/c.l.carhart...
Follow her on BookBub ➜ https://www.bookbub.com/profile/c-l-c...
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
June 24, 2025
A dark Beauty and the Beast retelling with a twist.
I really liked this story and can't wait to read the next book, as this one ended on a cliffhanger that left me crying my eyes out.
Somewhere around 60-80%, I felt like the story became a bit uninteresting (almost boring), but I kept reading and didn't regret it.
If you're looking for a darker read and love Beauty and the Beast retellings, this one is for you!
I really liked this story and can't wait to read the next book, as this one ended on a cliffhanger that left me crying my eyes out.
Somewhere around 60-80%, I felt like the story became a bit uninteresting (almost boring), but I kept reading and didn't regret it.
If you're looking for a darker read and love Beauty and the Beast retellings, this one is for you!
June 5, 2025
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Five stars for the absolute BEAUTY of this plot and how much it unearths about the Black Priests, Woutan, and the complexity of all these bonds in the Teuton world.
As I've said before, I'm very much in love with Ms Carhart's fictional world, and I keep returning to it again and again on purpose. 'Gift of Light' was one of my favourites of hers in the 'Elemental Bloodlines' series, so to actually get a full blown, fleshed out story about Helena and Konstantin? Sign me up!
Warning though, this one's a banger and tear-jerker.
Setting: 19th century Austrian countryside in the mountains, however, I will say that some of the linguistic choices used feel quite modern to the time period, or maybe it's just me. I might be too inundated with how I THINK people spoke back then ... I'll work on that one.
World: we're getting more and more about the Teutons and I love it. If you think we got it all in Bloodlines you'd be vastly mistaken, because that only scratched the very surface, and the deeper you go into these books, the more you'll know. I HIGHLY recommend.
Main characters: Helena and Konstantin are Beauty and the Beast in a story about what happens AFTER Beast gets Beauty, and doesn't turn into a handsome prince (he's handsome anyway, he doesn't need to turn into anyone else, lbr). How do you navigate a relationship with someone who's undead, bound to a wicked demon, and his anger can flatten everyone in a wide radius? How do you conceal your love for someone so pure from the master you purportedly serve? Those and other questions are all answered, to a degree, in this book.
I do have to mention however that Helena is a little bit ... well. Girl, you CANNOT just think you'll be making bargains with the demon overlord everyone's terrified of in your community. Really now.
Side characters: I like the sprinkles of information throughout, and loving the shout-out to Wolfgang, a character you just have to read OTHER books by Ms Carhart about to know, and people like Ludolf or Kazimir and even Woutan himself who we actually see and interact with in this one give this book a very grand shine. I'm loving it! They all bring something to the table that I wasn't expecting, and it's brilliant.
Magic system: we've already gone into a lot of the nitty-gritty, but the more we deal with these priests, the better we'll learn about it, and I, for one, can't wait.
Overall, this is another banger by Ms Carhart and I can't recommend it enough. It ends on a massive cliffhanger so, just be aware of that, and be prepared to continue the journey!
Helena, Konstantin, I'm rooting for you. You got this!
Five stars for the absolute BEAUTY of this plot and how much it unearths about the Black Priests, Woutan, and the complexity of all these bonds in the Teuton world.
As I've said before, I'm very much in love with Ms Carhart's fictional world, and I keep returning to it again and again on purpose. 'Gift of Light' was one of my favourites of hers in the 'Elemental Bloodlines' series, so to actually get a full blown, fleshed out story about Helena and Konstantin? Sign me up!
Warning though, this one's a banger and tear-jerker.
Setting: 19th century Austrian countryside in the mountains, however, I will say that some of the linguistic choices used feel quite modern to the time period, or maybe it's just me. I might be too inundated with how I THINK people spoke back then ... I'll work on that one.
World: we're getting more and more about the Teutons and I love it. If you think we got it all in Bloodlines you'd be vastly mistaken, because that only scratched the very surface, and the deeper you go into these books, the more you'll know. I HIGHLY recommend.
Main characters: Helena and Konstantin are Beauty and the Beast in a story about what happens AFTER Beast gets Beauty, and doesn't turn into a handsome prince (he's handsome anyway, he doesn't need to turn into anyone else, lbr). How do you navigate a relationship with someone who's undead, bound to a wicked demon, and his anger can flatten everyone in a wide radius? How do you conceal your love for someone so pure from the master you purportedly serve? Those and other questions are all answered, to a degree, in this book.
I do have to mention however that Helena is a little bit ... well. Girl, you CANNOT just think you'll be making bargains with the demon overlord everyone's terrified of in your community. Really now.
Side characters: I like the sprinkles of information throughout, and loving the shout-out to Wolfgang, a character you just have to read OTHER books by Ms Carhart about to know, and people like Ludolf or Kazimir and even Woutan himself who we actually see and interact with in this one give this book a very grand shine. I'm loving it! They all bring something to the table that I wasn't expecting, and it's brilliant.
Magic system: we've already gone into a lot of the nitty-gritty, but the more we deal with these priests, the better we'll learn about it, and I, for one, can't wait.
Overall, this is another banger by Ms Carhart and I can't recommend it enough. It ends on a massive cliffhanger so, just be aware of that, and be prepared to continue the journey!
Helena, Konstantin, I'm rooting for you. You got this!
June 4, 2025
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I had two big problems with this book:
#1 Obsession with bloodline in Germany/Austria where people are not pure enough of blood to make the cut….
It just reeked of Nazism. I tried to look past it, tried to read around it, but it’s a significant part of the book. It keeps coming up. It does not go away. I don’t want to shame the author, but the author made a terrible decision when they put this in their book. She could have written anything. If she wanted to write it about Germany (which fine, Germany is actually a cool place and I can respect wanting to write in late 1880s Germany and Austria) then don’t make it about the purity of your race. Or make it about the purity of your race in a different place. One or the other I could have accepted, but using BOTH was a tasteless choice.
#2 Sex is BAD and WICKED and THE URGES are the WORST PART OF HIM
There are significant problems with this part of the book idea. Sex is wicked but not in a good way. Sex is part of his curse. He’s always hard, he has to rape his sacrifices. But there’s no redemption of sex being good between two consenting adults. It’s just wicked. It’s probably not even fun. Yet he’s down there tasering old nun’s privates. He can go into the dungeons and ‘do what his inner beast needs him to do’ while she is so pure he won’t touch her. What the hell is that about? It reeked of fundamental Christianity, double standards, 1990’s DARE, and Abstinence Only programming.
Conclusion:
I wanted to like this book. I love the idea of exploring Teutonic magic. I like that there were so many different elements to wield. There was so much I wanted to get out of this book, but I never got it. The idea of a Black Priest was so badass. It had so much potential. I was willing to go with so much of the story line but at some point this started to feel like homework to read rather than enjoying it. I read every word until 72% then started skimming. I had gotten back into the book around 91% just in time for the ending. I know she wanted a cliffhanger but that was just rough.
Even with all the problems, I’ll probably skim read Book 2. I’m interested in seeing how they get to their HEA. I am invested in the characters. I want to see how they figure it all out… because I think they probably will do just that.
I had two big problems with this book:
#1 Obsession with bloodline in Germany/Austria where people are not pure enough of blood to make the cut….
It just reeked of Nazism. I tried to look past it, tried to read around it, but it’s a significant part of the book. It keeps coming up. It does not go away. I don’t want to shame the author, but the author made a terrible decision when they put this in their book. She could have written anything. If she wanted to write it about Germany (which fine, Germany is actually a cool place and I can respect wanting to write in late 1880s Germany and Austria) then don’t make it about the purity of your race. Or make it about the purity of your race in a different place. One or the other I could have accepted, but using BOTH was a tasteless choice.
#2 Sex is BAD and WICKED and THE URGES are the WORST PART OF HIM
There are significant problems with this part of the book idea. Sex is wicked but not in a good way. Sex is part of his curse. He’s always hard, he has to rape his sacrifices. But there’s no redemption of sex being good between two consenting adults. It’s just wicked. It’s probably not even fun. Yet he’s down there tasering old nun’s privates. He can go into the dungeons and ‘do what his inner beast needs him to do’ while she is so pure he won’t touch her. What the hell is that about? It reeked of fundamental Christianity, double standards, 1990’s DARE, and Abstinence Only programming.
Conclusion:
I wanted to like this book. I love the idea of exploring Teutonic magic. I like that there were so many different elements to wield. There was so much I wanted to get out of this book, but I never got it. The idea of a Black Priest was so badass. It had so much potential. I was willing to go with so much of the story line but at some point this started to feel like homework to read rather than enjoying it. I read every word until 72% then started skimming. I had gotten back into the book around 91% just in time for the ending. I know she wanted a cliffhanger but that was just rough.
Even with all the problems, I’ll probably skim read Book 2. I’m interested in seeing how they get to their HEA. I am invested in the characters. I want to see how they figure it all out… because I think they probably will do just that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 22, 2025
Claimed by the Undead has the bones of a great idea and plot, but in my opinion is not executed to it's best.
Helena, a "light witch" just coming into her powers, falls for Konstantin, a "dark prince" (read, newly-minted vampire) who is forbidden to love, and together they must try and navigate their nascent relationship while avoiding said vampire's unearthly master and associated minions.
Much of the plot is solid, especially from the point when Helena travels to learn more about her abilities and onwards. However, for me, the relationship conversations felt awkward - almost cringe-worthy. Perhaps it's because Helena and Konstantin are barely hitting 19 or 20 years old, and they seem to be written as being particularly naive - but considering Konstantin has a "perfect mind" as he so regularly reminds us, it feels - I don't know - off. Their conversation where they discuss how old they are, and how many months apart their birthdays were, was particularly weird.
Occasionally too, there will be words or phrases used which are modern vernacular, and just don't fit this book; a couple of examples are "newbie" and "hang a left" (when travelling in a carriage). "Newbie", I felt, was especially egregious as it was used in a character's conversation. I found the use of such terms in a story set in the late 1800s as particularly jarring, and it hit so hard against the suspension of disbelief that it pulls you out of the flow.
There is so, so much potential here; but alas, I felt the execution was not quite good enough to pull me in.
Many thanks to the author and BookSirens for the complimentary copy on which this review is based.
Helena, a "light witch" just coming into her powers, falls for Konstantin, a "dark prince" (read, newly-minted vampire) who is forbidden to love, and together they must try and navigate their nascent relationship while avoiding said vampire's unearthly master and associated minions.
Much of the plot is solid, especially from the point when Helena travels to learn more about her abilities and onwards. However, for me, the relationship conversations felt awkward - almost cringe-worthy. Perhaps it's because Helena and Konstantin are barely hitting 19 or 20 years old, and they seem to be written as being particularly naive - but considering Konstantin has a "perfect mind" as he so regularly reminds us, it feels - I don't know - off. Their conversation where they discuss how old they are, and how many months apart their birthdays were, was particularly weird.
Occasionally too, there will be words or phrases used which are modern vernacular, and just don't fit this book; a couple of examples are "newbie" and "hang a left" (when travelling in a carriage). "Newbie", I felt, was especially egregious as it was used in a character's conversation. I found the use of such terms in a story set in the late 1800s as particularly jarring, and it hit so hard against the suspension of disbelief that it pulls you out of the flow.
There is so, so much potential here; but alas, I felt the execution was not quite good enough to pull me in.
Many thanks to the author and BookSirens for the complimentary copy on which this review is based.
July 8, 2025
This book is… atmospheric. It’s gothic, dark, cold, moody, and very emotionally heavy and filled with longing! I respect what the author was going for, and at times I was genuinely pulled in.
The romance took forever to ignite— my type 🤩🤩
The romance is 90% pining, 10% actual interaction. It’s a true slow burn. Although I did a lot of skimming, I still enjoyed it.
But, there’s not a lot of plot progression. It’s mostly Helena circling around thinking, reflecting, feeling torn, feeling guilty and more thinking.
That said, the writing itself is pretty. The atmosphere is on point. The world is rich and filled with potential that was executed well— it just needs more momentum and less brooding.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The romance took forever to ignite— my type 🤩🤩
The romance is 90% pining, 10% actual interaction. It’s a true slow burn. Although I did a lot of skimming, I still enjoyed it.
But, there’s not a lot of plot progression. It’s mostly Helena circling around thinking, reflecting, feeling torn, feeling guilty and more thinking.
That said, the writing itself is pretty. The atmosphere is on point. The world is rich and filled with potential that was executed well— it just needs more momentum and less brooding.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 21, 2025
This story continues the one in "Gift of Light", bringing us Helena and Konstantin in search of a way to live their love in peace. Counting on the blessing of some of their families and friends, while helping make the world a little better place, and Helena learning more about her powers; they will have to face great, dangerous obstacles. Here we also find out why Konstantin became a Black Priest.
I really want to read the next part of this story!
There's a great amount of love, friendship, and heartbreak moments.
I've received an ARC of this e-book from the author. All the opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
I really want to read the next part of this story!
There's a great amount of love, friendship, and heartbreak moments.
I've received an ARC of this e-book from the author. All the opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
May 23, 2025
this was a strong start to the This Earthen Cage series, it uses the dark fantasy element in a way that I was expecting and also something different. I enjoyed that it had that romance element that I was looking for in this type of book and enjoyed the overall feel of this. The characters were so well done and worked in the world, it was engaging and left me wanting to read more.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 19, 2025
A witch and a cursed sorcerer. What could go wrong?
This is a fantastic story. The writing style fit perfectly. It is definitely slow burn. I really loved the setting and time period of this story as well. This plot pulled me in and just did not let up and now I have to read Book Two in This Earthen Cage series just to find out what happens between Helena and Konstantin.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This is a fantastic story. The writing style fit perfectly. It is definitely slow burn. I really loved the setting and time period of this story as well. This plot pulled me in and just did not let up and now I have to read Book Two in This Earthen Cage series just to find out what happens between Helena and Konstantin.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 10, 2025
Another incredible story by C.L Carhart that I've been waiting forever for. We finally get to hear Konstantin's story on how he came across his light mage and found love when he thought all was lost to wuotan and his dark priests. I've loved every minute reading and I can't wait to read what's next in store.
May 20, 2025
So good! The characters were well developed and likable, the story flowed with ease, the storyline was entertaining and kept me engaged throughout. I so loved Konstantin! I can’t wait for whatever’s next. Terrific read!
May 22, 2025
Very important *** there are a few big trigger warnings in this book*** it is very very good the characters pull you in without a doubt and you fall for the characters big time. I feel bad for Konstantin .. I had to skip parts it was too upsetting for me to read and the ending was devastating !!
May 23, 2025
I enjoyed this story and liked Konstantin and Helena. It was interesting, dark at times, but had me glued to the end to see what would happen next. It did entertain me and had me laugh at times too so a good read.
May 30, 2025
This is a wonderful new series that is fantastic as a fantasy with magic! It has great characters that pull you into this storyline and keep you reading to see what happens next! I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
June 1, 2025
Slow burn magic
A romance about witch and a vampire - count me in! I loved it.
Konstantin and Helena are a interesting couple and easily drew me into their story. Full of magic, secrets, danger, slow burn romance, twists, emotion and action.
I’m looking forward to seeing what happens next
A romance about witch and a vampire - count me in! I loved it.
Konstantin and Helena are a interesting couple and easily drew me into their story. Full of magic, secrets, danger, slow burn romance, twists, emotion and action.
I’m looking forward to seeing what happens next
May 19, 2025
This is not a genre I read very often. However I have to say that it was very well written, good characters and a great story line. I will be reading the next installment to see what happens next.
May 24, 2025
Claimed By The Undead - a review by Rosemary Kenny.
CL Carhart's This Earthen Cage series-opener, Claimed By The Undead, sounds like the title of a horror flick, but instead introduces Helena, a young Teuton witch drawn to the vampire Konstantin, in a quasi-Twilight fantasy, that leaves her under the influence of the eponymous Undead.
Can the couple persuade humans and Konstantin's peers to expose the true demons, amongst them and bring peace to the village and beyond?
Read Claimed By The Undead today...it will grip you firmly by the imagination throughout - guaranteed!
June 19, 2025
A Witch and a Sorcerer, what a combination. Definitely a story you won’t want to miss.
October 29, 2025
Wow, what a great novel
This series is definitely my favourite one so far.
This was a fantastic start of the story.
I can’t wait for book 3 now!
This series is definitely my favourite one so far.
This was a fantastic start of the story.
I can’t wait for book 3 now!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews