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The Red Woman and the White Bear #2
The Shadowbound and the False God
The Red Woman was made. Now, she must rise.
Aisling Morrow moves through her life like a ghost, forever changed by the events that led to the reawakening of the long-dormant Silver Saints. She’s seen the corruption of power and has borne the heavy weight of prophecy. Now, beset by guilt and frightened by the decisions she made in the name of peace, she must gather what remains of her strength to journey alongside Rodney, Raif, and Lyre into the god realm to find the Unseelie King.
But Elowas is a dark and twisted place, one that was hewn from shadow and poisoned by depravity. And the entity that awaits Aisling there—the eldritch god that spirited Kael away—is even more terrific than anyone imagined. He has staked his claim over the king and the power that binds him to both realms, and with that power would see a return to days of old when the Wyldraíocht Fae worshipped him unreservedly—and humans paid their toll in blood.
Amidst the realm’s decay, Aisling learns of bygone deities, the sacrifice of the Silver Saints, and a magic long since lost to time. The tale of Elowas and those trapped there is a sordid one, and recovering what was lost will push the rescue party to the limits of their resolve as they fight to escape the nightmare themselves.
A human woman, a warrior, a Weaver, a worshipper, and a once-powerful king will discover that in a realm blackened and broken, only one certainty remains: fate is not quite through with the Red Woman yet.
Aisling Morrow moves through her life like a ghost, forever changed by the events that led to the reawakening of the long-dormant Silver Saints. She’s seen the corruption of power and has borne the heavy weight of prophecy. Now, beset by guilt and frightened by the decisions she made in the name of peace, she must gather what remains of her strength to journey alongside Rodney, Raif, and Lyre into the god realm to find the Unseelie King.
But Elowas is a dark and twisted place, one that was hewn from shadow and poisoned by depravity. And the entity that awaits Aisling there—the eldritch god that spirited Kael away—is even more terrific than anyone imagined. He has staked his claim over the king and the power that binds him to both realms, and with that power would see a return to days of old when the Wyldraíocht Fae worshipped him unreservedly—and humans paid their toll in blood.
Amidst the realm’s decay, Aisling learns of bygone deities, the sacrifice of the Silver Saints, and a magic long since lost to time. The tale of Elowas and those trapped there is a sordid one, and recovering what was lost will push the rescue party to the limits of their resolve as they fight to escape the nightmare themselves.
A human woman, a warrior, a Weaver, a worshipper, and a once-powerful king will discover that in a realm blackened and broken, only one certainty remains: fate is not quite through with the Red Woman yet.
400 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 24, 2025
5 people are currently reading
226 people want to read
About the author
Fern A. Ellis
3 books59 followersBased out of Virginia but currently living in Africa, Fern A. Ellis is a 31-year-old author whose writing is heavily rooted in nature, inspired by a childhood spent in the forests and mountains of the Pacific Northwest—which she considers to be one of the last places on earth where real magic still exists. When she isn't writing, Fern spends her free time adventuring with her very own White Bear, a nine-year-old goldendoodle named Newt.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
June 4, 2025
I don't want to see this book being underhyped- ever! I think I'll shout it from the rooftops for a long time how incredible this story is: the rich and creative world, the lore, the raw and real relationships, and how it makes you live through your whole repertoire of feelings in the span of a few hours.
At first, this book reminded me a little of The Songbird and the Heart of Stone with their descent into the god realm. But that's where the similarities stop. This is a whole different story. And I loved every single minute I spent immersed in this lish world of folktales, terrifying creatures and ancient magic. I never thought I could like a book with forestcore horror elements (cause, let's be real, I'm a scaredy cat), but this book pulled it off so well that it made me both scared and unable to stop reading at the same time.
I really liked the first book, The Red Woman and the White Bear, but I loved this one. It's one of those rare ones that made me wish I had written it myself. Fern, if I were you, I would wear this book like a medal around my neck!
So book one left me craving more, with so many questions and really feeling the absence of Kael, I was ecstatic to dive into book two right away. Massive thanks to Fern A. Ellis for allowing me to read this early.
The story of The Shadowbound and The False God picks up right where we left off. The beginning was rough, emotionally speaking. I could feel myself mourning alongside Aisling and sliding into that dull nothingness of depression and grief. So I couldn't be happier when the squad finally started their journey to rescue the Unseelie King. And what a found family this little squad became. Even to me as a reader. Even though I was quite mad at Rodney for longer than I'd like to admit.
I liked they way the multiple POVs showed us glimpses of the other characters' minds and pasts. Usually, when I read multiple POVs, I have a favourite POV and one (or some) that are quite boring, but this wasn't the case here. Each POV brought a new perspective and a missing piece of the puzzle. Plus, it made sense to have multiple POVs as the squad got split up almost right after entering the god realm. And each of their haunting illusions and traumas have been very interesting to read about. Also, can I both like the mystery of "is this real or is it in their mind?" and be annoyed by it? Apparently, yes. Yes, I can.
Ok, now we need to talk about the trials trope. I think I am in a love-hate relationship with the trials trope. I looove good trials, but so often they're so half thought-out and pointless. But I am soooo pleased that Yalde's trials were so complex and far from pointless. Well, if you think about the fact that they were there just for his entertainment and wicked pleasure, then yes, they were pointless. But not in the way they were built. They were cruel in a way that made sense. It wasn't just tests for the sake of it, it was a sadistic god feeding off Aisling's pain. Just like an ancient evil God would.
I also mostly hate riddles in books because they're always meh. Pretty predictable, in my opinion, like Amarantha's in ACOTAR. But this one really did throw me off with that false answer.
As for the romance, I liked the romance in the first book, the "slowly and then all at once" type of falling in love. But I definitely enjoyed Aisling and Kael's relationship even more in this book. It was soooo believable. The way Aisling was ready to face anything to get him back, but didn't talk to him once she did. The way his sacrifice was both done out of love for her and felt like a betrayal to her felt so real when seeing her pain. And the way it hurt so bad, she couldn't even put it into words for a while... ah, maybe I just see myself a bit in Aisling and find that I would maybe act the same as her, but this was sooo believable to me. Aisling's devotion, her silence after Kael's return, the rawness of their pain and miscommunication... it was so believable. Their love felt messy, complicated, real. Relationships are hard, and sacrifices are sometimes unwelcome. And once you get back together, it's not always rainbows and butterflies. But they did fight for each other, and their relationship ultimately got stronger because of everything and in spite of everything.
Now, my favourite part has to be the lore!! I am still in awe at the complexity of the Red Woman series's lore! The names sound ancient, the myths believable, the characters and creatures' appearance utterly creative (and terrifying sometimes). It felt like diving into an oral tradition passed down through generations.
And the plot twist with the Low One and Yalde. Puh! I loved it!! Reading about the creation lore, I found myself thoroughly captivated, just like a child listening wide-eyed and clingling to every word of a fairytale. This is what made this book stand out for me! And I can't wait to see what other myths, folktales, and adventures await in the next book.
☆FINAL RATINGS: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
☆RELEASE DATE: 24. June 2025
☆YA/NA/A: NA
☆BOOK #: 2nd book in a series (#2)
☆GENRE:
- Fantasy
- Romantasy
☆POV: 5 POVs, Third Person
☆TROPES:
- Found family
- Reluctant chosen one (still)
- Touch him and die
- Trials
- Unique magic system
- Shadow magic
- Morally grey characters
- Creation lore
- Forestcore horror elements
☆CHARACTERS: 👥️👥️👥️👥️👥️ /5
☆WRITING: ✍️✍️✍️✍️✍️ /5
☆PLOT: 📜📜📜📜📜 /5
☆MYSTERY: 🔎🔎🔎🔎🔎 /5
☆ROMANCE: 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹 /5
☆SPICE: 🌶
☆CLIFFHANGER: ✔️
At first, this book reminded me a little of The Songbird and the Heart of Stone with their descent into the god realm. But that's where the similarities stop. This is a whole different story. And I loved every single minute I spent immersed in this lish world of folktales, terrifying creatures and ancient magic. I never thought I could like a book with forestcore horror elements (cause, let's be real, I'm a scaredy cat), but this book pulled it off so well that it made me both scared and unable to stop reading at the same time.
I really liked the first book, The Red Woman and the White Bear, but I loved this one. It's one of those rare ones that made me wish I had written it myself. Fern, if I were you, I would wear this book like a medal around my neck!
So book one left me craving more, with so many questions and really feeling the absence of Kael, I was ecstatic to dive into book two right away. Massive thanks to Fern A. Ellis for allowing me to read this early.
The story of The Shadowbound and The False God picks up right where we left off. The beginning was rough, emotionally speaking. I could feel myself mourning alongside Aisling and sliding into that dull nothingness of depression and grief. So I couldn't be happier when the squad finally started their journey to rescue the Unseelie King. And what a found family this little squad became. Even to me as a reader. Even though I was quite mad at Rodney for longer than I'd like to admit.
I liked they way the multiple POVs showed us glimpses of the other characters' minds and pasts. Usually, when I read multiple POVs, I have a favourite POV and one (or some) that are quite boring, but this wasn't the case here. Each POV brought a new perspective and a missing piece of the puzzle. Plus, it made sense to have multiple POVs as the squad got split up almost right after entering the god realm. And each of their haunting illusions and traumas have been very interesting to read about. Also, can I both like the mystery of "is this real or is it in their mind?" and be annoyed by it? Apparently, yes. Yes, I can.
Ok, now we need to talk about the trials trope. I think I am in a love-hate relationship with the trials trope. I looove good trials, but so often they're so half thought-out and pointless. But I am soooo pleased that Yalde's trials were so complex and far from pointless. Well, if you think about the fact that they were there just for his entertainment and wicked pleasure, then yes, they were pointless. But not in the way they were built. They were cruel in a way that made sense. It wasn't just tests for the sake of it, it was a sadistic god feeding off Aisling's pain. Just like an ancient evil God would.
I also mostly hate riddles in books because they're always meh. Pretty predictable, in my opinion, like Amarantha's in ACOTAR. But this one really did throw me off with that false answer.
As for the romance, I liked the romance in the first book, the "slowly and then all at once" type of falling in love. But I definitely enjoyed Aisling and Kael's relationship even more in this book. It was soooo believable. The way Aisling was ready to face anything to get him back, but didn't talk to him once she did. The way his sacrifice was both done out of love for her and felt like a betrayal to her felt so real when seeing her pain. And the way it hurt so bad, she couldn't even put it into words for a while... ah, maybe I just see myself a bit in Aisling and find that I would maybe act the same as her, but this was sooo believable to me. Aisling's devotion, her silence after Kael's return, the rawness of their pain and miscommunication... it was so believable. Their love felt messy, complicated, real. Relationships are hard, and sacrifices are sometimes unwelcome. And once you get back together, it's not always rainbows and butterflies. But they did fight for each other, and their relationship ultimately got stronger because of everything and in spite of everything.
Now, my favourite part has to be the lore!! I am still in awe at the complexity of the Red Woman series's lore! The names sound ancient, the myths believable, the characters and creatures' appearance utterly creative (and terrifying sometimes). It felt like diving into an oral tradition passed down through generations.
And the plot twist with the Low One and Yalde. Puh! I loved it!! Reading about the creation lore, I found myself thoroughly captivated, just like a child listening wide-eyed and clingling to every word of a fairytale. This is what made this book stand out for me! And I can't wait to see what other myths, folktales, and adventures await in the next book.
☆FINAL RATINGS: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
☆RELEASE DATE: 24. June 2025
☆YA/NA/A: NA
☆BOOK #: 2nd book in a series (#2)
☆GENRE:
- Fantasy
- Romantasy
☆POV: 5 POVs, Third Person
☆TROPES:
- Found family
- Reluctant chosen one (still)
- Touch him and die
- Trials
- Unique magic system
- Shadow magic
- Morally grey characters
- Creation lore
- Forestcore horror elements
☆CHARACTERS: 👥️👥️👥️👥️👥️ /5
☆WRITING: ✍️✍️✍️✍️✍️ /5
☆PLOT: 📜📜📜📜📜 /5
☆MYSTERY: 🔎🔎🔎🔎🔎 /5
☆ROMANCE: 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹 /5
☆SPICE: 🌶
☆CLIFFHANGER: ✔️
June 24, 2025
If you’ve read “The Red Woman & The White Bear,” then you’ve probably been like me and eagerly waiting to see what would happen in the next chapter of this series! I was so excited that we waste no time as book 2 drops you right back in! For that reason, I would highly recommend re-reading the last couple of chapters of TRW&TWB and the glossary for an easy transition back into the structure of the wild and this magical world.
“The Shadowbound and The False God” is an emotional rollercoaster of feelings- heartache, sadness, excitement, fear, and curiosity! It felt a little slow paced for me, but also seems to be setting us up for even more excitement ((and romance)) in the next book! No spoilers, so I can’t say much, but as a romantasy reader at heart I was missing more of the romance. I have my fingers crossed for next book though!!
Thank you so much to the author for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.
“The Shadowbound and The False God” is an emotional rollercoaster of feelings- heartache, sadness, excitement, fear, and curiosity! It felt a little slow paced for me, but also seems to be setting us up for even more excitement ((and romance)) in the next book! No spoilers, so I can’t say much, but as a romantasy reader at heart I was missing more of the romance. I have my fingers crossed for next book though!!
Thank you so much to the author for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.
June 2, 2025
Cathartic, empowering and ethereal, The Shadowbound and the False God, will take hold of you and not let go. Magnificent from beginning to end.
*I was given an ARC of this novel and allowed to explore it thanks to author, Fern Ellis.*
A harrowing journey of self-discovery that forces each character to face their reflection despite not liking what they may see. The emotional second novel of The Red Woman and the White Bear series is dark, formidable, and will devour you whole. Taking place in Elowas, the god realm, Aisling and her friends discover what lies beyond the veil in an attempt to resurrect the Unseelie King. Abound with fantastical elements, heartbreaking realizations, and friendship, this novel is magic. TSATFG is a captivating adventure and a must read for absolutely everyone.
*I was given an ARC of this novel and allowed to explore it thanks to author, Fern Ellis.*
A harrowing journey of self-discovery that forces each character to face their reflection despite not liking what they may see. The emotional second novel of The Red Woman and the White Bear series is dark, formidable, and will devour you whole. Taking place in Elowas, the god realm, Aisling and her friends discover what lies beyond the veil in an attempt to resurrect the Unseelie King. Abound with fantastical elements, heartbreaking realizations, and friendship, this novel is magic. TSATFG is a captivating adventure and a must read for absolutely everyone.
June 1, 2025
I just love this world so much. This book is a dark and emotional follow up to The Red Woman and the White Bear. It’s full of magic, trials, horror and such deep feelings. I was so pulled into the realm of Elowas. The way Fern writes creates such intense imagery. I was hooked from the start. I love the unique magic system, the world building, and all of the lore. I especially loved the heart-wrenching connections forged between the characters in this book. The journey through the god realm is something that impacts each character so deeply and I just cannot recommend this series enough.
May 27, 2025
A deliciously dark follow up to the Red Woman and the White Bear. The Shadowbound and the False God does not disappoint.
Thank you Fern A Ellis for allowing me an early read of the next book in the Red Woman series.
The SATFG picks up right where TRWATWB leaves off, with fire. After mourning the loss of her beloved Unseelie King Kael, Aislng Morrow is thrown right back into the world of the Red Woman Prophecy with a new interpretation.
Knowing she will do whatever it takes to bring Kael back, Aisling sets off into Elowas with the help of some familiar faces. Elowas is dark. It is scary and forboding. It holds secrets and offers little protection. With danger lurking in every shadow, the group seeks out their friend. But will they find him as they remember him?
The SATFG involves trials to endure, hidden identities, lots of darkness and a spark of hope.
Thank you Fern A Ellis for allowing me an early read of the next book in the Red Woman series.
The SATFG picks up right where TRWATWB leaves off, with fire. After mourning the loss of her beloved Unseelie King Kael, Aislng Morrow is thrown right back into the world of the Red Woman Prophecy with a new interpretation.
Knowing she will do whatever it takes to bring Kael back, Aisling sets off into Elowas with the help of some familiar faces. Elowas is dark. It is scary and forboding. It holds secrets and offers little protection. With danger lurking in every shadow, the group seeks out their friend. But will they find him as they remember him?
The SATFG involves trials to endure, hidden identities, lots of darkness and a spark of hope.
June 20, 2025
The Red Woman and the White Bear still has my heart, but I love that this book took us even deeper into the mysteries around the red woman's prophecy and the new world of Elowas. We pick up where we left off at the cliffhanger of the first book. The writing continues to be very beautiful and atmospheric, while going more eerie and obscure. I never knew what to expect or what was coming next. I enjoyed getting POVs from almost every main character. There is so much lore built into this story and it's twisted in a way that makes it unique. I'm looking forward to the final piece of this series!
Thank you so much to the author for the early review copy!
Thank you so much to the author for the early review copy!
October 5, 2025
Ok this book got me in the end. I was gonna give it like 4-4.5 stars but the last quarter was actually great. This book was like spiderwick chronicles meets amarantha’s trials under the mountain meets Alice in wonderland. ALSO, when’s the next book coming out because the cliff hanger has me itching for real.
Side note. The beginning of this book is slower and depressing, but stick with it and it gets good.
Side note. The beginning of this book is slower and depressing, but stick with it and it gets good.
June 21, 2025
Prophecies and secrets have led Aisling to where she is, with her friends looking for impossible answers. As they search for the Unseelie King, Kael, everything seems to be unraveling in Elowas.
I loved watching Kael and Aisling's changes as individuals and as a team through this, and it was such a wild ride to get to the end.
I loved watching Kael and Aisling's changes as individuals and as a team through this, and it was such a wild ride to get to the end.
July 2, 2025
Fern did it again folks! She found the perfect way to blend horror, thriller and fantasy into one dark twisted tale. I don’t want to give anything away so just trust me that it’s another amazing read with a mind blowing ending. I’m super excited to see where the journey goes in the third installment!!!
June 24, 2025
✨𝒜𝑅𝒞 𝑅𝑒𝓋𝒾𝑒𝓌✨
📖: The Shadowbound and the False God (The Red Woman Series Book 2)
Grief-stricken by the prophecy and its devastating events, Aisling strengthens her resolve and journeys into the world of old gods where she’s tested in various trials and uncovers life-altering truths.
Tropes:
👀Multi POV
🩶Morally grey characters
☝🏻Reluctant chosen one
📜Deities & prophecies
❤️🩹Trauma healing
💀Trials
💫Shadow magic
🧑🧑🧒🧒Found family
🚫Touch him & 💀
The Shadowbound and the False God explores the corruption of power and the aftermath of loss and its lasting effects. I loved the multiple POVs that further enrich this dark and evocative tale.
This Romantasy series is brimming with unique magic, lore, and rich characters. Bonds and loyalties are tested and the fates still have much in store for them all. I cannot wait to see what happens next in their journey.
Thank you to the author for the review copy. This is my honest and voluntary review.
📖: The Shadowbound and the False God (The Red Woman Series Book 2)
Grief-stricken by the prophecy and its devastating events, Aisling strengthens her resolve and journeys into the world of old gods where she’s tested in various trials and uncovers life-altering truths.
Tropes:
👀Multi POV
🩶Morally grey characters
☝🏻Reluctant chosen one
📜Deities & prophecies
❤️🩹Trauma healing
💀Trials
💫Shadow magic
🧑🧑🧒🧒Found family
🚫Touch him & 💀
The Shadowbound and the False God explores the corruption of power and the aftermath of loss and its lasting effects. I loved the multiple POVs that further enrich this dark and evocative tale.
This Romantasy series is brimming with unique magic, lore, and rich characters. Bonds and loyalties are tested and the fates still have much in store for them all. I cannot wait to see what happens next in their journey.
Thank you to the author for the review copy. This is my honest and voluntary review.
August 6, 2025
This is one of my favorites series, period. The second installment in the series drops you into the middle of the chaos and doesn’t stop. While more of a bridge in the plot, it is no less enticing, but has a tone all of its own. I would recommend reading book 1 and 2 right after as there is no waiting or recap in chapter 1 of book 2.
September 28, 2025
3.5. Solidly improved from book 1.
November 13, 2025
UMMMMMMMMM this was so good. Chef’s kiss 🤌🏻
July 21, 2025
This was my first ever ARC 🥹
Wow! What a stir of emotions as I sit here having just finished this story. I was at the edge of my seat after finishing the red woman and the white bear, how am I supposed to wait for the next book now? Cliff hangers are an addiction!
A dark, haunting tale, a FMC doing everything to carry on with life and prophecy along with attempting to save the King she fell in love with. Trials, an evil God, Labrynth vibes . What more could you ask for? Thanks for the ARC, Fern!
Wow! What a stir of emotions as I sit here having just finished this story. I was at the edge of my seat after finishing the red woman and the white bear, how am I supposed to wait for the next book now? Cliff hangers are an addiction!
A dark, haunting tale, a FMC doing everything to carry on with life and prophecy along with attempting to save the King she fell in love with. Trials, an evil God, Labrynth vibes . What more could you ask for? Thanks for the ARC, Fern!
July 6, 2025
The Red Woman was made. Now, she must rise.
✨New Release ARC Review✨
The Shadowbound and the False God || The Red Woman series, Book #2
⭐️5 ||🫑 || 🗣️ Multi POV, 3rd Person || 🧗🏼 Cliffy Rating: 1/3
Read this if you like:
▪️True Enemies to Lovers / Hate to Love
▪️She Saves Him
▪️Slowww Burn
▪️Emotional Rollercoaster
▪️Heavy Romantic Tension & Yearning
▪️Level-Headed, Human FMC
▪️Prophecies
▪️Rich Lore & World-Building
▪️Battles of Shame, Grief, Regret, Mourning, Vulnerability
▪️Poetic, Descriptive Writing
▪️Haunting Fae (Gwyllion, Morgen, Hunters)
▪️Horror Elements
▪️Unseelie Fae Court Vibes
We pick up right where we left off in book 1, and follow Aisling into the depths of her grief. The author did a fantastic job of showing grief in its raw, unfiltered, messy form: anger, lack of self-care, self-alienation, guilt. Aisling can’t properly work through the stages of grief since they are holding onto hope that they can rescue Kael from Elowas, the realm where souls are imprisoned by the very deity that the Unseelie Fae worship.
We spend most of this book in that realm and it kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. It is dark and haunting while still keeping that ethereal beauty we came to love in book one. There is definitely a horror/suspense element to this book layered on top of the fantasy element and it was chef’s kiss. There are mental and physical challenges, terrifying creatures, a riddle that turns into a 4-part trial, and that’s all before they reach Kael. The romance takes a back seat to the conflicts, but they both yearn to be reunited through it all, creating this simmering tension full of unspoken words and complicated feelings.
While in Elowas, the group discovers that things are not what they have believed them to be, and their rescue uncovers a bigger task to save both the fae and human realms.
Just some of the things I loved:
🖤Rodney’s POV: We get to know him more, especially after a couple of ~reveals~ and even some backstory that brought him more to the forefront as a side character. I also loved seeing his platonic love for Aisling; the way he cared and fought for her.
🖤Fern’s poetic writing style and the way she captures and represents so many complex, messy emotions we can all relate to:
–“Aisling tried to keep the panic localized to her chest, holding it in the spaces between her ribs so it couldn’t spill out into the rest of her body.”
–But regret is a cruel captor. It doesn’t live in a single moment, doesnt stay confined to the space where it first took root. It grows, spreads, wraps itself around everything it touches until it becomes indistinguishable from the rest. Until its edges blur into the body, the mind, the heart, and it’s no longer clear where one ends and the other begins.”
–Aisling had lived her life chasing redemption she didn’t believe she could ever earn. She’d tried to make herself indispensable, useful, strong enough to make up for her failure. She didn’t say no when people leaned on her because she was terrified of what would happen if she let herself step back, even when she needed someone to lean on herself.”
🖤Raif: We get more of the broody soldier and I came to love him almost as much as the others. He has soft spots that show when he thinks no one is watching (caring for the trees in Elowas, his secret relationship with a certain apothecarist, the way he cares for Kael)
🖤The religious representation: as someone who has not returned to the physical church since I was 18, I appreciated how this book depicted the fae equivalent of religion being twisted by those who stand to gain something from it. I felt for Kael when he learned the truth and grappled with it, as well as Aisling’s frustration in his initial denial of the truth.
"I would see my d3@th a hundred times over if it ensured your safety.”
“And yet you would mourn the loss of a god that ordered you to k!11 me.”
🖤The lore/world depiction: absolutely top-notch. It is equally haunting and deadly while still holding an ethereal beauty, which is a welcome deviation from a majority of romantasy stories that dont always highlight the darker underbelly of fantasy lore.
🗣️ Kael had once likened her to a force of nature; here, she truly was one.
🗣️“Say it again. Please. Just once more.”
“Say what?”
“My name. Say my name.” His fingers tightened slightly on her waist. He sounded desperate, but he hardly cared.
🗣️ “My will is yours, my heart is yours. All that I am – every broken piece and sharp edge, every monstrous thought and every dark wish and every hope to be better, kinder, for you – is yours. If you’ll have me.” … “Everything you are feels like home to me,” he whispered reverently. “And I’ve missed you terribly.”
✨New Release ARC Review✨
The Shadowbound and the False God || The Red Woman series, Book #2
⭐️5 ||🫑 || 🗣️ Multi POV, 3rd Person || 🧗🏼 Cliffy Rating: 1/3
Read this if you like:
▪️True Enemies to Lovers / Hate to Love
▪️She Saves Him
▪️Slowww Burn
▪️Emotional Rollercoaster
▪️Heavy Romantic Tension & Yearning
▪️Level-Headed, Human FMC
▪️Prophecies
▪️Rich Lore & World-Building
▪️Battles of Shame, Grief, Regret, Mourning, Vulnerability
▪️Poetic, Descriptive Writing
▪️Haunting Fae (Gwyllion, Morgen, Hunters)
▪️Horror Elements
▪️Unseelie Fae Court Vibes
We pick up right where we left off in book 1, and follow Aisling into the depths of her grief. The author did a fantastic job of showing grief in its raw, unfiltered, messy form: anger, lack of self-care, self-alienation, guilt. Aisling can’t properly work through the stages of grief since they are holding onto hope that they can rescue Kael from Elowas, the realm where souls are imprisoned by the very deity that the Unseelie Fae worship.
We spend most of this book in that realm and it kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. It is dark and haunting while still keeping that ethereal beauty we came to love in book one. There is definitely a horror/suspense element to this book layered on top of the fantasy element and it was chef’s kiss. There are mental and physical challenges, terrifying creatures, a riddle that turns into a 4-part trial, and that’s all before they reach Kael. The romance takes a back seat to the conflicts, but they both yearn to be reunited through it all, creating this simmering tension full of unspoken words and complicated feelings.
While in Elowas, the group discovers that things are not what they have believed them to be, and their rescue uncovers a bigger task to save both the fae and human realms.
Just some of the things I loved:
🖤Rodney’s POV: We get to know him more, especially after a couple of ~reveals~ and even some backstory that brought him more to the forefront as a side character. I also loved seeing his platonic love for Aisling; the way he cared and fought for her.
🖤Fern’s poetic writing style and the way she captures and represents so many complex, messy emotions we can all relate to:
–“Aisling tried to keep the panic localized to her chest, holding it in the spaces between her ribs so it couldn’t spill out into the rest of her body.”
–But regret is a cruel captor. It doesn’t live in a single moment, doesnt stay confined to the space where it first took root. It grows, spreads, wraps itself around everything it touches until it becomes indistinguishable from the rest. Until its edges blur into the body, the mind, the heart, and it’s no longer clear where one ends and the other begins.”
–Aisling had lived her life chasing redemption she didn’t believe she could ever earn. She’d tried to make herself indispensable, useful, strong enough to make up for her failure. She didn’t say no when people leaned on her because she was terrified of what would happen if she let herself step back, even when she needed someone to lean on herself.”
🖤Raif: We get more of the broody soldier and I came to love him almost as much as the others. He has soft spots that show when he thinks no one is watching (caring for the trees in Elowas, his secret relationship with a certain apothecarist, the way he cares for Kael)
🖤The religious representation: as someone who has not returned to the physical church since I was 18, I appreciated how this book depicted the fae equivalent of religion being twisted by those who stand to gain something from it. I felt for Kael when he learned the truth and grappled with it, as well as Aisling’s frustration in his initial denial of the truth.
"I would see my d3@th a hundred times over if it ensured your safety.”
“And yet you would mourn the loss of a god that ordered you to k!11 me.”
🖤The lore/world depiction: absolutely top-notch. It is equally haunting and deadly while still holding an ethereal beauty, which is a welcome deviation from a majority of romantasy stories that dont always highlight the darker underbelly of fantasy lore.
🗣️ Kael had once likened her to a force of nature; here, she truly was one.
🗣️“Say it again. Please. Just once more.”
“Say what?”
“My name. Say my name.” His fingers tightened slightly on her waist. He sounded desperate, but he hardly cared.
🗣️ “My will is yours, my heart is yours. All that I am – every broken piece and sharp edge, every monstrous thought and every dark wish and every hope to be better, kinder, for you – is yours. If you’ll have me.” … “Everything you are feels like home to me,” he whispered reverently. “And I’ve missed you terribly.”
July 4, 2025
“𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑹𝒆𝒅 𝑾𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒎𝒂𝒅𝒆. 𝑵𝒐𝒘, 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒆.”
📖✨ The Shadowbound and the False God ✨
🧚🏻♀️ Fern A. Ellis
📚 The Red Woman #2
This beautiful book is the 2nd installment in the dark Fae Romantasy series which is gonna leave you emotionally drained!!!
Fern A. Ellis has such a way with words that you feel every emotion the characters feel! You cry with them, you smile with them, you grieve with them, you even rage with them!!
Be sure to read Book 1 (The red woman and the White Bear) before you start this story (be warned, book 1 ends in a MASSIVE cliffhanger!!)
🖤🆃🆁🅾🅿🅴🆂🖤 :
❤️🔥 Dark Fae Romantasy with Prophecy
🐾 Magical Beings and Dark God
❤️🔥 Hot Brooding Fae King
🐾 Fierce FMC
❤️🔥 She rescues Him
🐾 D3ADLY Trials
❤️🔥 Reluctant chosen one
🐾 Overcoming trauma
❤️🔥 Shadow magic
🐾 Hidden powers
❤️🔥 Touch HIM and ☠️
🐾 Sassy Changeling BFF
❤️🔥 Found Family
The book is narrated in multiple POVs with an exquisite world building, fantastical plot, unique magic, lore, and rich characters.
The love story between the MCs is tragically Beautiful.
The character development of both are sublime .
FMC's BFF Rodney became my favourite in this book. Absolutely adore his character and I hope he has a novella dedicated to him (we really need to know his past!!! )
The end is much softer compared to the last book ( Thank you Fern, coz my heart couldn't have taken any more 🥹🥹)
All in all, a wonderfully dark and heart breakingly beautiful book which will leave you wanting more 🥹🥰
Thank you so much @fernaelliswrites for this gifted eARC
📖✨ The Shadowbound and the False God ✨
🧚🏻♀️ Fern A. Ellis
📚 The Red Woman #2
This beautiful book is the 2nd installment in the dark Fae Romantasy series which is gonna leave you emotionally drained!!!
Fern A. Ellis has such a way with words that you feel every emotion the characters feel! You cry with them, you smile with them, you grieve with them, you even rage with them!!
Be sure to read Book 1 (The red woman and the White Bear) before you start this story (be warned, book 1 ends in a MASSIVE cliffhanger!!)
🖤🆃🆁🅾🅿🅴🆂🖤 :
❤️🔥 Dark Fae Romantasy with Prophecy
🐾 Magical Beings and Dark God
❤️🔥 Hot Brooding Fae King
🐾 Fierce FMC
❤️🔥 She rescues Him
🐾 D3ADLY Trials
❤️🔥 Reluctant chosen one
🐾 Overcoming trauma
❤️🔥 Shadow magic
🐾 Hidden powers
❤️🔥 Touch HIM and ☠️
🐾 Sassy Changeling BFF
❤️🔥 Found Family
The book is narrated in multiple POVs with an exquisite world building, fantastical plot, unique magic, lore, and rich characters.
The love story between the MCs is tragically Beautiful.
The character development of both are sublime .
FMC's BFF Rodney became my favourite in this book. Absolutely adore his character and I hope he has a novella dedicated to him (we really need to know his past!!! )
The end is much softer compared to the last book ( Thank you Fern, coz my heart couldn't have taken any more 🥹🥹)
All in all, a wonderfully dark and heart breakingly beautiful book which will leave you wanting more 🥹🥰
Thank you so much @fernaelliswrites for this gifted eARC
June 18, 2025
I am so incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have received an advanced copy of The Shadowbound and the False God from the author! 🫶
It’s truly so special when both books in a series are part of my Roman Empire and The Shadowbound and the False God has done that and I couldn’t have asked for anything more because it was world-class perfection! 🥹❤️ The world building gave me goosebumps running up and down my arms and I loved it. Fern’s writing is poetic and I highlighted so many quotes while reading that I totally lost count! 🫶
I truly went through every single emotion while reading this and was brought through the emotional rollercoaster of the century! 😱😭💔🙊🥰🤪 There was seriously one part in the book that I screamed so loud and had me so shocked that I dropped my kindle out of my hands and it managed to get stuck underneath the couch somehow….🙈 How that happened I still don’t understand but my kindle is all good so I’m glad about that. The emotional connections the characters have forged in this book honestly made me cry! 🥺 It was so beautiful and I felt like I was there in that magical world! 💕
If you love fantasy, found family, forestcore horror vibes, touch him and ☠️, trials, and embracing the darkness then please be sure to read this series because it will leave an imprint on your heart forever! 🫶
It’s truly so special when both books in a series are part of my Roman Empire and The Shadowbound and the False God has done that and I couldn’t have asked for anything more because it was world-class perfection! 🥹❤️ The world building gave me goosebumps running up and down my arms and I loved it. Fern’s writing is poetic and I highlighted so many quotes while reading that I totally lost count! 🫶
I truly went through every single emotion while reading this and was brought through the emotional rollercoaster of the century! 😱😭💔🙊🥰🤪 There was seriously one part in the book that I screamed so loud and had me so shocked that I dropped my kindle out of my hands and it managed to get stuck underneath the couch somehow….🙈 How that happened I still don’t understand but my kindle is all good so I’m glad about that. The emotional connections the characters have forged in this book honestly made me cry! 🥺 It was so beautiful and I felt like I was there in that magical world! 💕
If you love fantasy, found family, forestcore horror vibes, touch him and ☠️, trials, and embracing the darkness then please be sure to read this series because it will leave an imprint on your heart forever! 🫶
June 23, 2025
Thank you to the author for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was everything I was hoping for in the next book of this series. The book takes place immediately following the events of The Red Woman and the White Bear, and we get to see the effects of those final events on Aisling. Ellis does such a good job creating a believable emotional state for Asiling. She is understandably devastated after what happened with Kael, and instead of immediately jumping in to save him, she spends time mired in her own depression and anxiety. And even once they reach Kael in Elowas, Aisling doesn't immediately return to her normal peppy self. We see her struggle with her complicated feelings throughout the whole book, which makes her feel so much more real and relatable.
I loved that this book took a darker turn. Elowas is the land of the gods, ruled by a powerful, evil god, and everything there reflects that. There were lots of forestcore horror elements that gave the journey to find Kael some serious spooky vibes.
One of my favorite parts about this book was the continued romance between Aisling and Kael. There's definitely an element of struggle as they both work through their feelings over what happened at the end of the first book, along with the revelations about the Low One in this book. But when they're together, the tenderness that Kael shows for Aisling, and the way he's able to pull her back to him, had me absolutely swooning.
Read if you like:
Prophecy
30+ FMC
Depression & anxiety rep
Found family
Forestcore horror
Fae lore
Trials
Multi-POV
This was everything I was hoping for in the next book of this series. The book takes place immediately following the events of The Red Woman and the White Bear, and we get to see the effects of those final events on Aisling. Ellis does such a good job creating a believable emotional state for Asiling. She is understandably devastated after what happened with Kael, and instead of immediately jumping in to save him, she spends time mired in her own depression and anxiety. And even once they reach Kael in Elowas, Aisling doesn't immediately return to her normal peppy self. We see her struggle with her complicated feelings throughout the whole book, which makes her feel so much more real and relatable.
I loved that this book took a darker turn. Elowas is the land of the gods, ruled by a powerful, evil god, and everything there reflects that. There were lots of forestcore horror elements that gave the journey to find Kael some serious spooky vibes.
One of my favorite parts about this book was the continued romance between Aisling and Kael. There's definitely an element of struggle as they both work through their feelings over what happened at the end of the first book, along with the revelations about the Low One in this book. But when they're together, the tenderness that Kael shows for Aisling, and the way he's able to pull her back to him, had me absolutely swooning.
Read if you like:
Prophecy
30+ FMC
Depression & anxiety rep
Found family
Forestcore horror
Fae lore
Trials
Multi-POV
June 24, 2025
📖🩸𝕬ℝℂ 𝕽𝖊𝖛𝖎𝖊𝖜 🩸📖
💀 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑹𝒆𝒅 𝑾𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒎𝒂𝒅𝒆… 𝒏𝒐𝒘, 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒆. 💀
⚔️💔 Okay but Fern A. Ellis really said “let’s emotionally wreck you and make it pretty.”
And I said ✨YES, PLEASE.✨
The Shadowbound and the False God is a STUNNING sequel—haunting, visceral, and dripping with realm-shattering stakes. If you like:
🕯️ forestcore horror
👁️ eldritch gods
🖤 shadow magic
😈 morally grey characters
💫 ancient prophecy chaos
…then run, don’t walk, into the abyss of Elowas.
Aisling? Still broken. Still badass.
Kael? Stolen. Possessed. STILL HOT.
The god? 10/10 would NOT recommend as a roommate.
The vibes? Think haunted fairytale meets divine apocalypse.
The prose is lush, the tension is knife-sharp, and the trauma? 👏 Exquisite. 👏
Found family, touch-him-and-die energy, and a soul-deep connection that had me SCREAMING into the void.
🌌✨𝑰 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍 𝒃𝒐𝒕𝒉 𝒃𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒅 & 𝒃𝒆𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒅✨🌌
⚠️ Warning: may cause existential dread, mythological thirst, and the urge to re-read book one IMMEDIATELY.
🩸 5/5 blood-soaked stars
🩵 10/10 would follow Aisling into the dark again
👁️ Now accepting offerings until book 3 arrives
#ARCReview #TheShadowboundAndTheFalseGod #FernAEllis #RedWomanSeries #RomantasyReads #ForestcoreVibes #EldritchHorrorMeetsHeartache #TouchHimAndDie #Bookstagram #DarkFantasyFix #SoulDeepAngst
💀 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑹𝒆𝒅 𝑾𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒎𝒂𝒅𝒆… 𝒏𝒐𝒘, 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒆. 💀
⚔️💔 Okay but Fern A. Ellis really said “let’s emotionally wreck you and make it pretty.”
And I said ✨YES, PLEASE.✨
The Shadowbound and the False God is a STUNNING sequel—haunting, visceral, and dripping with realm-shattering stakes. If you like:
🕯️ forestcore horror
👁️ eldritch gods
🖤 shadow magic
😈 morally grey characters
💫 ancient prophecy chaos
…then run, don’t walk, into the abyss of Elowas.
Aisling? Still broken. Still badass.
Kael? Stolen. Possessed. STILL HOT.
The god? 10/10 would NOT recommend as a roommate.
The vibes? Think haunted fairytale meets divine apocalypse.
The prose is lush, the tension is knife-sharp, and the trauma? 👏 Exquisite. 👏
Found family, touch-him-and-die energy, and a soul-deep connection that had me SCREAMING into the void.
🌌✨𝑰 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍 𝒃𝒐𝒕𝒉 𝒃𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒅 & 𝒃𝒆𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒅✨🌌
⚠️ Warning: may cause existential dread, mythological thirst, and the urge to re-read book one IMMEDIATELY.
🩸 5/5 blood-soaked stars
🩵 10/10 would follow Aisling into the dark again
👁️ Now accepting offerings until book 3 arrives
#ARCReview #TheShadowboundAndTheFalseGod #FernAEllis #RedWomanSeries #RomantasyReads #ForestcoreVibes #EldritchHorrorMeetsHeartache #TouchHimAndDie #Bookstagram #DarkFantasyFix #SoulDeepAngst
July 24, 2025
I loved this book even more than the first one.
For a good chunk we are following Ash and the gang trying to save Kael and I usually hate when the main couple is separated but I didn’t even mind because I love the characters so much.
I adore Ash as our FMC and she devastated me in this book. This author has such a way with writing emotions and of course Ash was heartbroken and she went through a lot in this book. I felt for her so much.
I love Rodney as well. He is such a sweet and kind person and he is the greatest friend to Ash. He has his own character development in this book as well which I loved.
We even got to know Raif a bit more and he’s also gotten more of a backstory.
Kael made me so sad in this book as well. With the trauma he went through and the big realisations about his god. It was all just so sad and overwhelming.
Ash and Kael had a very intense and angsty relationship and even though we didn’t get a big reunion scene I loved it because it felt so realistic even though it was painful to read. But their relationship also developed a lot and the love confessions were beautiful and I just love them together so much.
I wasn’t sure if this was the last book but it’s definitely not which I’m excited about. I just hope we don’t have to wait too long!
For a good chunk we are following Ash and the gang trying to save Kael and I usually hate when the main couple is separated but I didn’t even mind because I love the characters so much.
I adore Ash as our FMC and she devastated me in this book. This author has such a way with writing emotions and of course Ash was heartbroken and she went through a lot in this book. I felt for her so much.
I love Rodney as well. He is such a sweet and kind person and he is the greatest friend to Ash. He has his own character development in this book as well which I loved.
We even got to know Raif a bit more and he’s also gotten more of a backstory.
Kael made me so sad in this book as well. With the trauma he went through and the big realisations about his god. It was all just so sad and overwhelming.
Ash and Kael had a very intense and angsty relationship and even though we didn’t get a big reunion scene I loved it because it felt so realistic even though it was painful to read. But their relationship also developed a lot and the love confessions were beautiful and I just love them together so much.
I wasn’t sure if this was the last book but it’s definitely not which I’m excited about. I just hope we don’t have to wait too long!
June 14, 2025
Short version? I absolutely loved this book!
Long-version? The complexity that Fern Ellis continues to build into this series is amazing. The magic system is so intriguing; the plot is layered, tense, and entertaining; and our characters are dynamic and engaging.
The book is multi-POV and getting to see their insights drove the plot forward in a way that I feel was very important to the story.
I loved Aisling and Kael's angst and the tension between the two. Aisling has to come to terms with whom she has grown into and that plot point is something that I think we are going to continue to reap the benefits from in Book 3.
Rodney and Raif were the POVs I never knew I needed, and I am SO glad that we got to know them better. Rodney still has a story to tell, and his platonic love for Aisling is the kind of friendship everyone deserves.
I could have read this book for 400 more pages. It is beautifully written and there is so much more to discover. I can't wait to go back to the Wild!
overall: highly recommend
spice: no spice
Long-version? The complexity that Fern Ellis continues to build into this series is amazing. The magic system is so intriguing; the plot is layered, tense, and entertaining; and our characters are dynamic and engaging.
The book is multi-POV and getting to see their insights drove the plot forward in a way that I feel was very important to the story.
I loved Aisling and Kael's angst and the tension between the two. Aisling has to come to terms with whom she has grown into and that plot point is something that I think we are going to continue to reap the benefits from in Book 3.
Rodney and Raif were the POVs I never knew I needed, and I am SO glad that we got to know them better. Rodney still has a story to tell, and his platonic love for Aisling is the kind of friendship everyone deserves.
I could have read this book for 400 more pages. It is beautifully written and there is so much more to discover. I can't wait to go back to the Wild!
overall: highly recommend
spice: no spice
July 20, 2025
▸Forestcore horror elements
▸Lore of ancients
▸Trials
▸Found family
▸Unique magic system
▸Lost magic
▸Forklore inspired fae
▸Forbidden love
▸Morally grey characters
▸Slow burn
▸Touch him and d1e
▸Corruption of power
▸Hurt/comfort
▸Shadow magic
▸Reluctant chosen one
▸Soul-deep connection
▸Depression/anxiety rep
this is the sequel to The Red Woman and the White Bear, I loved it so much!!😍 and it didn't disappoint! okay maybe a bit only because there was very little Briar's part here. aaand it seems like I've only read this book for a while and suddenly the page runs out and I'm faced with a cliffhanger ending again?? I was really immersed in reading this book! the worldbuilding is super, an experience that draws readers into the mysterious and gripping world of Elowas and the terrifying creatures in it, really exciting! even though it's told in third person, but the experience's like watching or reading psychological thriller where we also can feel when the characters feel tired, sad, heartbreak, anxiety or yearning, all of it. and don't forget the dark and horror vibes that this book made, amazing! and while most of the book centered around Aishling and her friends fight their way to bring Kael back, Aishling's reunion with Kael and the communication they had made all the wait worth it✨ I'm so looking forward to book 3, hopefully we won't have to wait too long!😫
✨I'm so happy and proud to be a member of our unseelie king rescue squad!✨
this book begins right after the end of the first book, Aishling and Raif have to cremate Kael, the Unseelie King, and Aishling has to live her days full of depression and become a half-living human. But with a new interpretation of the prophecy from the Silver Saints, Aishling and her best friend—Rodney, Raif—the king's right hand and Lyre—the bishop, must go to Elowas to bring back their king who is trapped in Elowas. but Elowas is a dark and twisted place, Aisling and her friends must face its dark creatures and also the God who trapped Kael—and will never let him go.
♥️thank you so much Fern A. Ellis for letting me join your arc team again! I'm so very grateful for the opportunity♥️
▸Lore of ancients
▸Trials
▸Found family
▸Unique magic system
▸Lost magic
▸Forklore inspired fae
▸Forbidden love
▸Morally grey characters
▸Slow burn
▸Touch him and d1e
▸Corruption of power
▸Hurt/comfort
▸Shadow magic
▸Reluctant chosen one
▸Soul-deep connection
▸Depression/anxiety rep
"I love you. I regret not saying it sooner, and I regret that everything I have done up until this point has made you believe otherwise."
this is the sequel to The Red Woman and the White Bear, I loved it so much!!😍 and it didn't disappoint! okay maybe a bit only because there was very little Briar's part here. aaand it seems like I've only read this book for a while and suddenly the page runs out and I'm faced with a cliffhanger ending again?? I was really immersed in reading this book! the worldbuilding is super, an experience that draws readers into the mysterious and gripping world of Elowas and the terrifying creatures in it, really exciting! even though it's told in third person, but the experience's like watching or reading psychological thriller where we also can feel when the characters feel tired, sad, heartbreak, anxiety or yearning, all of it. and don't forget the dark and horror vibes that this book made, amazing! and while most of the book centered around Aishling and her friends fight their way to bring Kael back, Aishling's reunion with Kael and the communication they had made all the wait worth it✨ I'm so looking forward to book 3, hopefully we won't have to wait too long!😫
"Then listen, and I will repeat it once more. My name is yours—do you understand what that means?" Before she could answer, he continued forcefully: "My will is yours, my heart is yours. All that I am—every broken piece and sharp edge, every monstrous thought and every dark wish and every hope to be better, kinder, for you—is yours. If you'll have me."
✨I'm so happy and proud to be a member of our unseelie king rescue squad!✨
this book begins right after the end of the first book, Aishling and Raif have to cremate Kael, the Unseelie King, and Aishling has to live her days full of depression and become a half-living human. But with a new interpretation of the prophecy from the Silver Saints, Aishling and her best friend—Rodney, Raif—the king's right hand and Lyre—the bishop, must go to Elowas to bring back their king who is trapped in Elowas. but Elowas is a dark and twisted place, Aisling and her friends must face its dark creatures and also the God who trapped Kael—and will never let him go.
♥️thank you so much Fern A. Ellis for letting me join your arc team again! I'm so very grateful for the opportunity♥️
July 2, 2025
Such a heart-wrenching read! UGH this book hurt so much! So much emotion and pain and grief to work through, I felt every moment with our characters! Fern has such a way of writing that pulls you right in and makes it feel like you are in the story and experience everything with them. DON’T GET ME STARTED ON THE ENDING! Why do you continue to leave us like that Fern!! 😩 I seriously was crying so much throughout this book!
Besides the emotional damage this book gives me, the world building is also super amazing! This one was so dark and creepy and magical. I also fell in love with our other side characters (except for a certain religious fanatic…..). Reif has stolen my heart and I loved learning a lot more about our favourite Púca, Rodney! I want him to be my best friend! 🫶
Like honestly, I have had the biggest book hangover and continue to fall in love with the world Fern builds. I cannot wait to see where the next book goes and how much more it hurts me!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 1/2🌶️
Besides the emotional damage this book gives me, the world building is also super amazing! This one was so dark and creepy and magical. I also fell in love with our other side characters (except for a certain religious fanatic…..). Reif has stolen my heart and I loved learning a lot more about our favourite Púca, Rodney! I want him to be my best friend! 🫶
Like honestly, I have had the biggest book hangover and continue to fall in love with the world Fern builds. I cannot wait to see where the next book goes and how much more it hurts me!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 1/2🌶️
June 24, 2025
Now this is a sequel!! We are picking up right where we left off with book 1 and are dropped right into the emotional turmoil Aisling and her friends are experiencing. Ellis does a great job of letting the reader sit with these characters in a deeply relatable way, without drawing it out too long. The emotional depth and action is well balanced as the story picks up pace. Forest horror was promised and it was certainly delivered. It’s nice to see the interplay of the two genres of horror and fantasy, firmly placing this one in the category of gothic fantasy for me at least.
Bottom line: this is definitely for the romantasy and gothic fantasy lover, especially if you’re looking for something fresh and unique. 4/5
Immense gratitude and thanks to the author, Fern A. Ellis, for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Bottom line: this is definitely for the romantasy and gothic fantasy lover, especially if you’re looking for something fresh and unique. 4/5
Immense gratitude and thanks to the author, Fern A. Ellis, for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 8, 2025
This book, much like book one, had me absolutely enraptured the entire time. The plot was so addictive, the writing was so beautiful and elegant, and it was amazing to get to watch the characters grow into stronger versions of themselves. The descriptions were so vivid and well done that I could really See the environment, the characters, every single scene. I felt like I was IN each scene, right there with the characters. This book made me FEEL things so strongly too, I think I went through every imaginable emotion while reading this. Anyone who even remotely likes fantasy absolutely must read this series I am being so serious right now. This author is talented beyond belief and I am so grateful to have gotten to read an ARC of this book.
July 12, 2025
𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘦.
the shadowbound and the false god really got the whole “grief and regret is all encompassing” down perfectly. i could feel in my entire soul how much each character hurt and continued to hurt through their lives based on the choices they made or didn’t make - how they felt like they couldn’t live up to a legacy before them.
but you know what happens when you accept your feelings and let go? amazing things. encompassing things. world breaking wonder and achievement in realizing that the regret you feel doesn’t have to weigh you down forever.
this book was a reminder to myself that i don’t have to hold on. aisling, kael, raif, and rodney still have a lot to do and i am eagerly awaiting the final part.
the shadowbound and the false god really got the whole “grief and regret is all encompassing” down perfectly. i could feel in my entire soul how much each character hurt and continued to hurt through their lives based on the choices they made or didn’t make - how they felt like they couldn’t live up to a legacy before them.
but you know what happens when you accept your feelings and let go? amazing things. encompassing things. world breaking wonder and achievement in realizing that the regret you feel doesn’t have to weigh you down forever.
this book was a reminder to myself that i don’t have to hold on. aisling, kael, raif, and rodney still have a lot to do and i am eagerly awaiting the final part.
July 30, 2025
This was such an easy 5 star read for me. This story was captivating and thrilling the entire way, and really nailed the eerie horror elements. I was able to read this as an eARC and am a bit late in finishing, but would definitely recommend someone pick this book up - it has so much lore, ancient and old magic, trickery, trials, horror elements. This was a somewhat new genre to me (I haven't really read many books with any horror elements in it) and it was done SO well. Could definitely feel the creepiness through the pages. The "low one" felt especially unsettling, I can just imagine his cloak and hidden arm 🫥! There isn't as much romance in book 2, but it still has its tender moments that are more impactful to the story. I can't think of a single bad thing about this book; read it!
August 8, 2025
"My will is yours, my heart is yours. All that I am--every broken piece and sharp edge, every monstrous thought and every dark wish and every hope to be better, kinder, for you--is yours. If you'll have me." 🖤*swoon*🖤
After the cliffhanger in The Red Woman and the White Bear, I was eagerly awaiting this book and WOW, it did not disappoint!!
I don't want to give away the plot of this book or it'll spoil the first one. So I'll just say, book two picks up right where book one left off and this one is much darker and oh so wonderfully angsty!!! The writing is so beautiful, the world-building so intricate, I just felt fully immersed and felt the whole roller coaster of emotions. This is a series I think any fantasy/romantasy fan would love!!
I can't wait for the next book in the series and to see what's next for Aisling and Kael, and the rest of the crew!
After the cliffhanger in The Red Woman and the White Bear, I was eagerly awaiting this book and WOW, it did not disappoint!!
I don't want to give away the plot of this book or it'll spoil the first one. So I'll just say, book two picks up right where book one left off and this one is much darker and oh so wonderfully angsty!!! The writing is so beautiful, the world-building so intricate, I just felt fully immersed and felt the whole roller coaster of emotions. This is a series I think any fantasy/romantasy fan would love!!
I can't wait for the next book in the series and to see what's next for Aisling and Kael, and the rest of the crew!
June 25, 2025
Happy Release Day!! Thank you to @fernaelliswrites for allowing me to be apart of your arc team again.
4.5⭐️ Another amazing book!! Following the end of The Red Woman and the White Bear, Aisling now must begin a new journey. One that will take her into the god realm. With the help of Rodney, Raif, and Lyre, Aisling will seek to find the Unseelie King. Darkness will surround them. Something lurks in the background with a ravenous desire for power and the old ways of blood payments. Aisling must find more strength than ever before as she has moments that question reality and trials that will truly test her.
4.5⭐️ Another amazing book!! Following the end of The Red Woman and the White Bear, Aisling now must begin a new journey. One that will take her into the god realm. With the help of Rodney, Raif, and Lyre, Aisling will seek to find the Unseelie King. Darkness will surround them. Something lurks in the background with a ravenous desire for power and the old ways of blood payments. Aisling must find more strength than ever before as she has moments that question reality and trials that will truly test her.
June 25, 2025
This book is stunning.
I'm so glad that I did the reread first because everything hit so much harder.
This sequel is deeper, darker, and a sublime exploration of unearthly power and its costs.
The rawness of grief, pain, love, and hope.
I was blown away by how much this book made me feel.
The multiple POVs enriched the story and helped drive the plot beautifully, balancing answering my questions from the previous book and giving me so many more to ponder.
While I'm excited that there looks to be more books coming from that ending, I'm devastated that I've been kicked back through the Veil and into reality until the next one comes along.
The obsession with Kael burns brightly as ever.
I'm so glad that I did the reread first because everything hit so much harder.
This sequel is deeper, darker, and a sublime exploration of unearthly power and its costs.
The rawness of grief, pain, love, and hope.
I was blown away by how much this book made me feel.
The multiple POVs enriched the story and helped drive the plot beautifully, balancing answering my questions from the previous book and giving me so many more to ponder.
While I'm excited that there looks to be more books coming from that ending, I'm devastated that I've been kicked back through the Veil and into reality until the next one comes along.
The obsession with Kael burns brightly as ever.
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