Obsession

by Hope Redgrave

What happens when Life and Death collide?

As the Embodiment of Life, Aveoth must preserve the living and continue his legacy. His existence is governed by these two purposes. But questions of morality began to creep into his mind and his once clear path becomes increasingly blurred. Everything he once knew changes when he finally meets her—Raizel, the Embodiment of Death.

Trained from childhood, Raizel moves through existence detached from most emotions and living in silent obedience. Love, hate, sorrow, despair and most other emotions are foreign to her. But someone breaks through her cold existence—a man who claims to love her. Yet his twisted devotion is marked by merciless and ritualistic murders.

The more Aveoth and Raizel work together to unveil the mystery, the more they are haunted by the corpses that are left behind. Each death began to pull them closer to the truth—and to each other. The killings are personal and the killer’s obsession with Raizel is unmistakable. Yet, beneath the surface of their search, something far darker prevails—a growing tension which suggests the killer may be closer than either of them realizes.

Is it affection or madness?

As the line between love and obsession blurs, Aveoth and Raizel begin to wonder: What if the killer isn’t an outsider, but someone close to them—much closer. And if that’s true, how long until their identity comes to light?

In a universe where Life and Death are bound by their own destiny, can they uncover the real murderer before the next victim falls? Or is the answer one neither of them is prepared to face?

506 pages, Paperback

Published June 17, 2025

About the author

Hope Redgrave is a 22-year-old university student who initially developed her love of writing through fanfiction at age 17. Stress from studies suppressed that flame briefly. But she re-claimed it in her university life. Writing was her go-to refuge—her means of world-building outside lecture theaters and deadline projects.

By day, Hope is a student juggling lectures, quizzes, and the occasional existential crisis. By night, she transforms into a storyteller—crafting scenes, developing characters, and editing into the early hours. When she’s not lost in her latest manuscript, you’ll likely find her singing to her favorite tunes, dancing around her room, or getting lost in the strokes of a new painting.

As an anime enthusiast, Hope is likely to take inspiration from the emotional depth, world-building and character work she finds in her favorite shows. Whether sobbing over a season finale or raging about plot twists, anime has made a huge impact on how she thinks about storytelling—and it reflects in her writing.

Reviews

[Hope Redgrave · Rating 5 out of 5]

OBSESSION

It's a story of brutal fate, forbidden longing and a love that destroys everything in its path.

❌ Morally grey MMC
🥀 Emotionally and psychologically damaged FMC
🖤 Fated but cursed
🔪 Betrayal, sacrifice & twisted devotion
💋 Kisses that taste like goodbye
💣 "If I can't have you, I’ll burn the universe down to ashes for you."

A TALE where LIFE and DEATH are the ones bleeding.

A UNIVERSE where love brings destruction.

And a DESTINY that refuses to let them LOVE without a war.

[Sabrina 🧚‍♀️ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had a very difficult time with this book. Although the general story is good, the plot is lacking. The character growth is very quick within the time frame of the book.
I was not a huge fan on how the third person perspective was written.

Theres very little explored on what life and death are capable of. We continue to read they’re capable of great power and that’s it.
The relationship between the characters grows fast and strong but we don’t see very much of it. We follow a series of murders but don’t get much in detail on how they investigate. Very little detail is discussed regarding the trial.

In the end a plan is made and then pouf they’re executing the plan right away. How did they end up in the great hall? How was Aveoth separated from Raizel in the first place?

This book does have potential, I just feel that it was missing to many details.

[Bethkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was fortunate to be an ARC reader and am curious to see where things will lead from here in future books.
This book definitely read as an introductory or backstory. I was roped in from the beginning and found the 3rd person point of view refreshing and a nice approach.
I did find I had difficulty with the last part of the book, but my curiosity had me turning page after page to see how it ends. I can't put my finger on it exactly as to why I struggled, but I think perhaps it was how rushed it seemed without real depth to how things were unfolding. Depth, background, explanation... I'm not sure exactly how best to describe it but it goes from very touchy-feely lovey-dovey to we need to stop him and that sudden flip without the depth was just a bit difficult for me to follow along with. It just sort of felt rushed
I do find it exciting, though, how its leading into the next story and feel this book would be necessary to read before following the lives of their reincarnated selves down in the human world. If it were to end in their deaths, it would feel like a bit of a flop, but knowing it really is just the beginning has me excited for the next book. I think it will only get better from here!

[Shawn Burt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a dark, poetic journey that explores the line between devotion and destruction. All of this is wrapped up in a fantastic world where life and death are just not the forces but are also people. This story drew me in from the beginning, Aveoth is torn between duty and doubt. Raizel is not your typical hero he is more complex and fragile. These two are some of the best dark romance characters ever. I love the fact that we didn’t know who the villain was until the end. Also have no clue who the last victim was so we have to wait till boo 2.

[shadowarc13 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aveoth and Raizel: life & death. The parts off one coin. Each time reincarnated again to keep balance into the realms and into the human world. Both lied to. One learned to balance with love. One with torture. They collided again this lifetime and what happens nobody can stop. A must read for who loves two parts off a coin. And the Action reaction that follows. ☯️💜
Waiting for the next…

"I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving an honest review."

[CHERYL · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tale of Life and Death

Obsession is a unique look at tragedies faced when love becomes an obsession. Life is a male being who is cherished by all, yet Death is a female who has been caged and mistreated all her life. The actions taken and consequences faced when they are brought together are both heartwarming and heartbreaking.

[Renae Bush · Rating 1 out of 5]

The concept was there but it felt like the story was missing a lot and made it hard to follow

[Helena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hope Redgrave’s Obsession is a dark, poetic, and psychologically intricate journey that explores the line between devotion and destruction, all wrapped in a fantastical world where Life and Death are not just forces but people.

I was drawn into this story from the very first pages. Aveoth, the Embodiment of Life, is a character torn between duty and doubt. Redgrave paints his moral unraveling with emotional precision. Watching him question the nature of his purpose and develop a reluctant vulnerability was surprisingly moving. He’s not your typical “hero” he’s something more complex, more fragile.

Then comes Raizel cold, calculating, and tragically empty. As the Embodiment of Death, her detachment from the world is not just philosophical it’s survival. And yet, through Redgrave’s deliberate pacing and layered storytelling, we see her slowly begin to thaw. Her transformation is subtle but powerful, especially when contrasted with the twisted devotion of the mysterious killer stalking her.

The emotional core of this novel is the relationship between Aveoth and Raizel. Their dynamic is slow-burning, marked by hesitation and confusion rather than romance for romance’s sake. It felt earned, honest, and deeply intertwined with the mystery that surrounds them.

Speaking of which the mystery. Redgrave doesn’t spoon-feed answers. Each new corpse left behind by the killer comes with more dread, more tension, and more questions. What made it so effective for me was that the murders weren’t just plot devices, they were deeply personal, each one unraveling part of Raizel’s guarded past.

As the plot unfolds, you can’t help but start second-guessing everyone. The idea that the killer might not be some outside force, but someone close maybe even one of them kept me genuinely on edge. It reminded me that in a world where Life and Death walk among us, obsession becomes something terrifyingly intimate.

Redgrave's prose is sharp but elegant, poetic in parts, especially when digging into the abstract concepts of morality, emotion, and existential weight. There are passages I reread just for the language alone.

Obsession isn’t just a fantasy or a thriller it’s a psychological exploration of two beings meant to exist apart who are slowly, irrevocably drawn together by mystery, mortality, and something frighteningly close to love. If you enjoy dark fantasy with philosophical undertones, flawed protagonists, and a slow-burning emotional core, this one’s worth your time.

[Nameless · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG WHAT THE HELL DID I READ?!!!!!
Aveoth and Raizel are one of the best dark romance characters ever!!
This book has such great description of social inequality and how easy it is to manipulate others for their own gain. the darker politics, the secrets, the murders. it's all gruesome and dirty. I love how until the end we didn't even know who the real villain was.
on top of it all, i love how there's still one mystery left unresolved!!!! Who killed the last victim!
I can't wait to read the next book in this series!
Hope Redgrave had to be one of the craziest fantasy author in this year! Where all other authors focus so much on one factor or other, Hope included romance, fantasy, thriller, mystery, suspense. everything in her story!

[Rhonda P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think about Obsession at least once a day. Raizel sleeping in a cage with Aveoth’s blanket? Etched into my soul. Aveoth standing in a gilded hall with a crown on his head and a war in his heart? I haven’t known peace since. This story isn’t just compelling—it’s addictive. I didn’t read this book. I inhaled it.

Hope Redgrave writes like she’s possessed by rage, tenderness, and some kind of literary witchcraft. Every scene is layered with emotional devastation and soft rebellion. I didn’t know I needed a tortured Life boy falling for a Death girl who doesn’t know how to speak—but here we are.

[Kasey · Rating 4 out of 5]

🖤 Dark Fantasy Romance
🌹 Life x Death
🖤 Murder • Mystery • Political Intrigue
🌹 Toxic. Tender. Twisted.
🖤 Dual POV

What happens when Life falls for Death?
This book was haunting in the best way with equal parts chaos, carnage, and craving. Aveoth is a privileged disaster with a soft heart buried under arrogance, and Raizel? She’s sharp edges and quiet ruin, wrapped in silk. Their relationship felt was both beautiful and terrifying all at once.

The tension was intoxicating, the power plays were brutal, and the emotion snuck up on me when I least expected it. And that ending… I’m still spiraling. I need answers. I need book two. Immediately.

[Barry Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hope Redgrave said, “Let’s write pain,” and Obsession delivered like a freight train of trauma wrapped in poetry. Aveoth is a privileged disaster with a god complex and a soft heart, and Raizel? She’s pain in a pretty dress. Death incarnate, but somehow more alive than anyone around her. Their dynamic? Intoxicating. Toxic. Tender. I’m unwell.

The COLLAR SCENE? I choked. The CAGE? I cried. The BLANKET?? I ascended. This isn’t a love story, it’s a psychological war set in a divine hellscape with roses made of volcanic glass. 10/10, would get emotionally obliterated again.

[Peter James · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started Obsession thinking I was about to enjoy some dark fantasy spice. NOPE. I got slapped with slavery, psychological horror, forbidden longing, mental illness, and cosmic dread—and I ate every word like a starving raccoon. Raizel is the most tragic character I’ve ever met, and I would kill for her.

Aveoth thinks he’s in control. Spoiler: he’s not. Neither am I. Every chapter peeled back a new layer of pain, and I couldn’t stop reading. This book doesn't whisper. It SCREAMS. And I loved every second of it.

[Sabrina Sharp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Redgrave didn’t write a story—she cracked open her soul and bled all over the page. The writing is sharp and savage. The pacing? Exquisite. The emotional damage? Irreparable. Raizel is not your typical strong female lead—she is soft, traumatized, and deeply dangerous. And Aveoth? That boy needs therapy and a hug. From me. Now.

If you like pretty prose with sharp claws, morally gray gods, and slow-burn pain that leaves you breathless, Obsession will wreck you in the most addictively chaotic way. I have bruises on my heart and I want more.

[Deborah Beeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

They shouldn’t work. They absolutely shouldn’t. But Aveoth spoiled, sarcastic, aching for meaning and Raizel silent, obedient, terrifying in her grace—collide like fate itself is gaslighting them. And me. Because this book made me question every emotion I’ve ever had.

Obsession is elegant chaos. It’s fantasy with teeth. And I don’t care if it gives me nightmares. I will re-read this book while sobbing, grinning, and whispering “just one more chapter” until dawn. Redgrave, you beautiful monster.

[Angela M.Angela M. Leggett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This boy is powerful, bratty, wounded, and still out here giving Raizel a blanket. Meanwhile, she’s kneeling in chains and breaking my entire sense of peace. Their scenes together? Electrified with pain and unspoken longing. Every word they say—or don’t say—feels like a scream.

Hope Redgrave made me care about two broken celestial beings more than any human I’ve ever met. That says something. And the way this book teases emotional connection while bathing in moral collapse? Iconic behavior.

[Yasmeen Bartoletti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let’s talk about the power imbalance. Let’s talk about the leash, the cage, the fear, the quiet longing. Let’s talk about how Obsession made me feel more in one page than most books do in 500. Aveoth is a mess of hormones and pressure. Raizel is quiet rage personified. Together, they are doom in the making.

This book is so unfair. So cruel. So unapologetically raw. Hope Redgrave didn’t write a romance. She wrote a storm. And I walked into it willingly. Strike me down, I’m obsessed.

[Davonte Kovacek · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn’t dark fantasy. This is obsessive mythology dipped in blood. Every word is a stab. Every scene between Aveoth and Raizel is a slow, smoldering descent into madness. I didn’t read this—I devoured it like it owed me something.

And let’s talk about Hope Redgrave’s prose: it’s razor-sharp, sarcastic, soulful, and exactly the kind of chaos I live for. This book put me in a chokehold and whispered, “You’re mine now.” I said thank you.

[Alice Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story gripped me from the first line. Aveoth’s internal moral battle and Raizel’s emotional awakening create an irresistible push pull dynamic. It’s dark, romantic, and deeply philosophical. The killer plotline adds real urgency and dread. I found myself rereading entire passages just to soak in the poetic tension between life and death.

[Kitt]

DNF at 0% because I’m not in the mood 🤣🤣