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Grim Heart: Book One of the Grim Series
Elara Marina Wren was thrown to the wolves.
Her attendance at Aether Academy was not only expected, it was enforced. Haunted by the ghosts of her past and trapped under the heavy weight of her parents' expectations, she must return to Veilwood and continue on her father's noble lineage. When she is sorted into the Siren Class of Aphrodite devotees, she is determined to excel in her studies. Between keeping up with her academics and adjusting to a magical society, she develops a disdain and an infuriating attraction to the most arrogant man she has ever met.
Rowan Mattias Grim.
Local celebrity and son of Headmaster Grim. Rowan embodies a true Hades devotee, top of the Dark Knight Class, cunning, intelligent, and undeniably charming. Rowan battles silently against the burden of what it means to be a Grim. His future is set in the 51st Bloodwright. Arranged Marriage. Ruthless, sharp, cold-blooded killer.
Cursed from his very first breath.
Or so he thought—until Elara. Through truth serums and Potions projects, Elara and Rowan risk exposing their own vulnerabilities and a forbidden attraction that threatens to consume them both. As Elara uncovers secrets about her past, her lineage, and Rowan Grim, she soon finds out not everything is what it seems. All the while, Elara is reeling with the burning question: Does Rowan Mattias Grim, the man she hates, really have a heart?
Her attendance at Aether Academy was not only expected, it was enforced. Haunted by the ghosts of her past and trapped under the heavy weight of her parents' expectations, she must return to Veilwood and continue on her father's noble lineage. When she is sorted into the Siren Class of Aphrodite devotees, she is determined to excel in her studies. Between keeping up with her academics and adjusting to a magical society, she develops a disdain and an infuriating attraction to the most arrogant man she has ever met.
Rowan Mattias Grim.
Local celebrity and son of Headmaster Grim. Rowan embodies a true Hades devotee, top of the Dark Knight Class, cunning, intelligent, and undeniably charming. Rowan battles silently against the burden of what it means to be a Grim. His future is set in the 51st Bloodwright. Arranged Marriage. Ruthless, sharp, cold-blooded killer.
Cursed from his very first breath.
Or so he thought—until Elara. Through truth serums and Potions projects, Elara and Rowan risk exposing their own vulnerabilities and a forbidden attraction that threatens to consume them both. As Elara uncovers secrets about her past, her lineage, and Rowan Grim, she soon finds out not everything is what it seems. All the while, Elara is reeling with the burning question: Does Rowan Mattias Grim, the man she hates, really have a heart?
541 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 13, 2025
About the author
Chanteli Mercedes
3 books12 followersChanteli Mercedes is an indie author and college student writing novels in between lectures and research essays. Born and raised in Massachusetts, she was always an avid reader of Fantasy and Dystopia. She makes her debut with Grim Heart, the first book of the Grim Series.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
June 17, 2025
"Now, my heart is sobbing, sputtering, losing blood as I fall deeper into the abyss of death.
I knew it all before—all too well... There was no question, no uncertainty, no doubts... There was only utter finality.
Rowan Grim does not have a heart."
Well, Jesus Christ, it's over. My heart. *breaks down in 'i have to wait for book 2*
Five stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I recieved this book as an ARC read, so here's my honest, no-sugarcoating review. I wrote this as soon as I was done so excuse me if it's a little emotional🫠.
Grim Heart is the incredible fantasy romance set in Veilwood, a different realm from the one we live on (aka human realm). It stars Rowan Grim and Elara Wren, two lovers whose love is already doomed by their fate a thousand years before.
Chanteli Mercedes is such an incredible storyteller! Her writing style is the kind you (as a writer) would want to take notes on because it's that good. This book is perfect for teens and adults who love an awesome slow-burn romance that keeps tripping over uncertainty and the undeniable assurance that the cosmos are in fact, b*stards.
And Grim Heart, well... now I know what the title means.
This book had everything. It's the kind of book that forces you to feel everything. I found myself having to sit up on numerous occasions because I couldn't take the suspense and switching my phone off to bury my head under my blankets when Rowan and Elara frustrated me.
Elara Wren is the embodiment of fierce, independent and beautiful woman.
I 100% recommend this book to anyone who loves romantasy, slow-burns and characters who have the power to make you *feel*.
I knew it all before—all too well... There was no question, no uncertainty, no doubts... There was only utter finality.
Rowan Grim does not have a heart."
Well, Jesus Christ, it's over. My heart. *breaks down in 'i have to wait for book 2*
Five stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I recieved this book as an ARC read, so here's my honest, no-sugarcoating review. I wrote this as soon as I was done so excuse me if it's a little emotional🫠.
Grim Heart is the incredible fantasy romance set in Veilwood, a different realm from the one we live on (aka human realm). It stars Rowan Grim and Elara Wren, two lovers whose love is already doomed by their fate a thousand years before.
Chanteli Mercedes is such an incredible storyteller! Her writing style is the kind you (as a writer) would want to take notes on because it's that good. This book is perfect for teens and adults who love an awesome slow-burn romance that keeps tripping over uncertainty and the undeniable assurance that the cosmos are in fact, b*stards.
And Grim Heart, well... now I know what the title means.
This book had everything. It's the kind of book that forces you to feel everything. I found myself having to sit up on numerous occasions because I couldn't take the suspense and switching my phone off to bury my head under my blankets when Rowan and Elara frustrated me.
Elara Wren is the embodiment of fierce, independent and beautiful woman.
I 100% recommend this book to anyone who loves romantasy, slow-burns and characters who have the power to make you *feel*.
September 16, 2025
I really enjoyed this one. I loved the world building and sorting into different categories (it’s giving HP 🫶🏼). The characters were fun and relatable. The cliffhanger also made me intrigued to read on.
4 stars because the back and forth between the love interests happened too much. I love enemies to lovers but the “I hate you jk I love you nvm I hate you” was annoying.
4 stars because the back and forth between the love interests happened too much. I love enemies to lovers but the “I hate you jk I love you nvm I hate you” was annoying.
July 3, 2025
Grim Heart is the first in a series set in a magical university where students pledge themselves to a Greek god/goddess based upon affinity. The magic is real; the gods are listening and interfering; the shadow daddies are tortured. Elara Wren is our reluctant hero, and she puts in the werk. No instantly perfect at everything here, she's deeply flawed and proud, but she's here to learn. Rowan Grim is the darkest of the Dark Knights with the weight of a future he didn't ask for but has been told is his destiny. Despite the magic, true power is only in the hands of the mysterious Council, and they, along with the gods, have plans for both Elara and Rowan that may be more of a curse than a blessing.
This ends on a cliffhanger, but it felt like a natural space to end despite being pretty intense. I am sat waiting for Book 2.
This one is for the Romantasy girlies 💖
Representation: Panic Attacks with healthy coping mechanisms
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Tropes:
🪄 Chosen One
📚 Dark Academia
🔮 Truth Serum
🤯 Amnesia
TW: death of parents, abandonment, sexual content, addiction, domestic violence
Full disclosure: I know and respect the author as a person and writer. I received an ARC, and all opinions are authentically my own.
This ends on a cliffhanger, but it felt like a natural space to end despite being pretty intense. I am sat waiting for Book 2.
This one is for the Romantasy girlies 💖
Representation: Panic Attacks with healthy coping mechanisms
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Tropes:
🪄 Chosen One
📚 Dark Academia
🔮 Truth Serum
🤯 Amnesia
TW: death of parents, abandonment, sexual content, addiction, domestic violence
Full disclosure: I know and respect the author as a person and writer. I received an ARC, and all opinions are authentically my own.
August 4, 2025
So many thoughts, so many feelings, so much love for this book and the author.
Magical world and magic system that had my hooked from the beginning, two love interests that start as enemies to become lovers!
Plot twists, angst, love, hate, happy, sad, relief, then the ending!
I cannot wait for book 2 to come out, im absolutely in love with the main characters and the side characters 🖤
Magical world and magic system that had my hooked from the beginning, two love interests that start as enemies to become lovers!
Plot twists, angst, love, hate, happy, sad, relief, then the ending!
I cannot wait for book 2 to come out, im absolutely in love with the main characters and the side characters 🖤
September 15, 2025
Chanteli did such and amazing job writing this book and giving the reader the ability to live in this world!! the imagery was amazing and it was seriously a movie for my mind the entire time, this book is full of so many of my favorite things, enemies to lovers, a magic system, greek mythology, a slow burn, the whole nine!! i can’t wait to come back and read more with book two!!
June 26, 2025
5⭐️
2🌶️
This was SO good! I was hooked in right away!
Our FMC, Elara, is being sent to the prestigious Aethera Academy. She grew up in the human realm, not surrounded by magic, despite both her parents attending this same academy. She knew of it but magic is still a new concept to her. Right away, she feels out of place but quickly has to adapt to her surroundings.
After being sorted into her new house, she quickly begins to find new friends. It happens that these people are also friends with Rowan Grim, the most famous guy around. His father is the headmaster and he’s destined to become the highest ranking military member under the Chancellor. He’s dark, mysterious, handsome, and someone Elara needs to stay away from. But there’s this automatic pull they both seem to have to one another. An irritating one. They constantly fight and bicker over everything. And Rowan is the type that one moment he’s a prick and putting her down and the next he’s sweet and caring. They both have been told by others and their own parents to stay away from each other…but they can’t help it. They’re rollercoaster of a relationship takes the reader on a real ride. There’s things at play that neither of them even realize as to why they should stay away from each other, and Rowan’s pre-determined life makes it impossible for them to be together.
For some, I can see where people would say the characters can read as young and immature but the characters are only 20. I know it’s supposed to be college setting, not high school, but even at 20 people, no one is 100% mature. The back and forth Elara and Rowan go through in their relationship can be frustrating but it’s honest and relatable! I enjoyed it!
I also loved that most of the core group of friends are all guys. As someone who grew up with mostly guy friends, I can relate. And I liked that at some point, a lot of them have a thing for Elara but it doesn’t tear the group apart. It’s fun to watch each of them flirt with her a bit but she still can be best friends with them all.
The spice 🌶️ is slow burn but whew 🥵 well worth the wait. And I low key loved the revelation you get from it too (iykyk). But because this is a bit of forbidden love and the back and forth between the characters, it all builds up nicely.
My favorite part though is honestly Rowan’s character. As a MMC, this man is so raw and has so much depth to him. Honestly, the male characters in general are written beautifully. Men literally not afraid to break down or cry despite the weight of the world on their shoulders. It was so refreshing to read and doesn’t take away from ANY of them and their masculinity or mystery to their characters.
This ends on a brutal cliffhanger 😭 that I can’t wait for book 2 already! I have some thoughts and theories that I’m curious to see if they pan out or not. 😜 The twists and turns this story took just opened it all up in the end, I’m super excited to see where it all goes next!!
A great read by an indie author! Loved it!!! 😍
2🌶️
This was SO good! I was hooked in right away!
Our FMC, Elara, is being sent to the prestigious Aethera Academy. She grew up in the human realm, not surrounded by magic, despite both her parents attending this same academy. She knew of it but magic is still a new concept to her. Right away, she feels out of place but quickly has to adapt to her surroundings.
After being sorted into her new house, she quickly begins to find new friends. It happens that these people are also friends with Rowan Grim, the most famous guy around. His father is the headmaster and he’s destined to become the highest ranking military member under the Chancellor. He’s dark, mysterious, handsome, and someone Elara needs to stay away from. But there’s this automatic pull they both seem to have to one another. An irritating one. They constantly fight and bicker over everything. And Rowan is the type that one moment he’s a prick and putting her down and the next he’s sweet and caring. They both have been told by others and their own parents to stay away from each other…but they can’t help it. They’re rollercoaster of a relationship takes the reader on a real ride. There’s things at play that neither of them even realize as to why they should stay away from each other, and Rowan’s pre-determined life makes it impossible for them to be together.
For some, I can see where people would say the characters can read as young and immature but the characters are only 20. I know it’s supposed to be college setting, not high school, but even at 20 people, no one is 100% mature. The back and forth Elara and Rowan go through in their relationship can be frustrating but it’s honest and relatable! I enjoyed it!
I also loved that most of the core group of friends are all guys. As someone who grew up with mostly guy friends, I can relate. And I liked that at some point, a lot of them have a thing for Elara but it doesn’t tear the group apart. It’s fun to watch each of them flirt with her a bit but she still can be best friends with them all.
The spice 🌶️ is slow burn but whew 🥵 well worth the wait. And I low key loved the revelation you get from it too (iykyk). But because this is a bit of forbidden love and the back and forth between the characters, it all builds up nicely.
My favorite part though is honestly Rowan’s character. As a MMC, this man is so raw and has so much depth to him. Honestly, the male characters in general are written beautifully. Men literally not afraid to break down or cry despite the weight of the world on their shoulders. It was so refreshing to read and doesn’t take away from ANY of them and their masculinity or mystery to their characters.
This ends on a brutal cliffhanger 😭 that I can’t wait for book 2 already! I have some thoughts and theories that I’m curious to see if they pan out or not. 😜 The twists and turns this story took just opened it all up in the end, I’m super excited to see where it all goes next!!
A great read by an indie author! Loved it!!! 😍
July 11, 2025
I honestly don’t even know how to start with this book. (For context it’s midnight and I’m a little unwell after just finishing.)
The entire book was so whimsical, creative, and fun. There was banter, a SUPER layered romance that had me on the edge of my seat literally the whole time, and such a unique take on a magic academy.
The plot twists in this book stunned me to my very core. I had to put/throw my kindle down MULTIPLE times (but I always picked it back up cause ROWAN GRIM?!?! …I couldn’t help myself)
BUT THE ENDING. I’m truly at a loss for words. I saw none of it coming. In the last hundred pages I laughed, cried, blushed, laughed, and then cried some more.
I’m counting down the days until book two.
Five WELL DESERVED stars for Grim Heart 💜🖤💜
The entire book was so whimsical, creative, and fun. There was banter, a SUPER layered romance that had me on the edge of my seat literally the whole time, and such a unique take on a magic academy.
The plot twists in this book stunned me to my very core. I had to put/throw my kindle down MULTIPLE times (but I always picked it back up cause ROWAN GRIM?!?! …I couldn’t help myself)
BUT THE ENDING. I’m truly at a loss for words. I saw none of it coming. In the last hundred pages I laughed, cried, blushed, laughed, and then cried some more.
I’m counting down the days until book two.
Five WELL DESERVED stars for Grim Heart 💜🖤💜
July 4, 2025
This book was so unique. So different. So intriguing. I could not put it down. I’m so intrigued with this academy and how it works. And of course I fucking love Rowan and Elara and their relationships. It makes my single soul sing and cry cause I wish I had a relationship like theirs. And I love everyone’s friendships. It’s hilarious and heartwarming. I felt every single emotion and my mind was blown at so many things I thought was going on that I only put together at the last second.
And the ending was of course left a cliffhanger but a CRAZY one because WHAT!? Oh the tears. The pain. This was such an amazing book. I loved it so much and I can’t wait for book two
And the ending was of course left a cliffhanger but a CRAZY one because WHAT!? Oh the tears. The pain. This was such an amazing book. I loved it so much and I can’t wait for book two
July 1, 2025
When I tell you I am obsessed with this book and these characters, I AM OBSESSED!!!
Elara and Rowan, my new favorite “new adult” MCs!! The yearninggggg, the slow burn, the dislike to love, the wishy washy back and forth (which i usually don’t like but it worked here very well), the “fu*k it” moment when they finally stop fighting. Ugh, i loved it and them!
I love the world that has been created, the magical elements of everything, the academy dynamics with the different classes, the way they call intertwined and the way each class had different meanings and abilities.
Now that plot, that plot is PLOTTING!! The twist at the end, I just knew it, I knew Elio was fishy, i think he is the bad guy, the heir that everyone thinks is dead.
This book does end on a brutal cliffhanger that will leave you staring at the wall for days, so be prepared for that but it’s so worth it!!
I’d very much recommend this book!!
Elara and Rowan, my new favorite “new adult” MCs!! The yearninggggg, the slow burn, the dislike to love, the wishy washy back and forth (which i usually don’t like but it worked here very well), the “fu*k it” moment when they finally stop fighting. Ugh, i loved it and them!
I love the world that has been created, the magical elements of everything, the academy dynamics with the different classes, the way they call intertwined and the way each class had different meanings and abilities.
Now that plot, that plot is PLOTTING!! The twist at the end, I just knew it, I knew Elio was fishy, i think he is the bad guy, the heir that everyone thinks is dead.
This book does end on a brutal cliffhanger that will leave you staring at the wall for days, so be prepared for that but it’s so worth it!!
I’d very much recommend this book!!
July 5, 2025
10/10
PERFECT. 10/10!!! This book had me in a chokehold. The romance, the plot, and the character development?
I can’t wait for the next book!!
PERFECT. 10/10!!! This book had me in a chokehold. The romance, the plot, and the character development?
I can’t wait for the next book!!
June 25, 2025
AHHHHHH this was genuinely the best book ive read all year. It whipped me out of a reading slump faster than Rowan shadowsteps to Elara.
Okay but really. I devoured this book. Rowan is just 🥵🥵 like I literally love him so much. I can’t wait to see more of his story in the next book. Elara is hilarious and witty and so relatable. Which is how I view myself, so obviously I’m obsessed with her.
The two of them together? Wow. I just need them to have their happy ending or else I’m gonna rampage.
The worldbuilding is incredible. Every little detail feels so well thought out, and it all just flows together seamlessly. The Greek mythology in a university setting is like Harry Potter for adults, and I am sooo here for it.
Chanteli’s writing is beautifully detailed yet 100% bingeable. This is definitely a book I will be rereading recommending to all my friends.
Thank you so much for the arc read 🫶🏼
Okay but really. I devoured this book. Rowan is just 🥵🥵 like I literally love him so much. I can’t wait to see more of his story in the next book. Elara is hilarious and witty and so relatable. Which is how I view myself, so obviously I’m obsessed with her.
The two of them together? Wow. I just need them to have their happy ending or else I’m gonna rampage.
The worldbuilding is incredible. Every little detail feels so well thought out, and it all just flows together seamlessly. The Greek mythology in a university setting is like Harry Potter for adults, and I am sooo here for it.
Chanteli’s writing is beautifully detailed yet 100% bingeable. This is definitely a book I will be rereading recommending to all my friends.
Thank you so much for the arc read 🫶🏼
June 16, 2025
First of all - Chanteli Mercedes, Thank you so much for the arc!
This was such a wild ride. For being the author’s first debut romantasy novel, this book was awesome!
It gives me Hogwarts meets Dark Academia drama vibes - with Greek mythology on top. Combine that with the romantasy aspect!? Amazing!
The writing is well paced and slowed well, the characters are so good! And there are so many of them. I obviously feel for the dark and twisted Rowen. He is everything a morally grey MMC should be: misunderstood with a tortured soul.
The FMC, Elara, is magical, but so human. With real emotions and struggles, which made it very easy to connect with.
A lot of other characters came into view, but didn’t get enough screen time, if you ask me. But that could be picked up in the following book ;)
I mean, there has to be book 2, cause the ENDING!!! had me in a chokehold. Chanteli, how could you do this to me?! There are cliffhangers and then there is THIS! Well, I loved it! No further notes.
This was such a wild ride. For being the author’s first debut romantasy novel, this book was awesome!
It gives me Hogwarts meets Dark Academia drama vibes - with Greek mythology on top. Combine that with the romantasy aspect!? Amazing!
The writing is well paced and slowed well, the characters are so good! And there are so many of them. I obviously feel for the dark and twisted Rowen. He is everything a morally grey MMC should be: misunderstood with a tortured soul.
The FMC, Elara, is magical, but so human. With real emotions and struggles, which made it very easy to connect with.
A lot of other characters came into view, but didn’t get enough screen time, if you ask me. But that could be picked up in the following book ;)
I mean, there has to be book 2, cause the ENDING!!! had me in a chokehold. Chanteli, how could you do this to me?! There are cliffhangers and then there is THIS! Well, I loved it! No further notes.
November 12, 2025
Absolutely skip your entire TBR and read this book immediately!
I got the privilege to be an arc reader for this beautiful debut! It’s the first in an upcoming series and I would like to start by saying Chanteli has a way with words! There were so many moments throughout where I was in awe of the way she worded things. She has a poetic beauty to her writing style that isn’t too much and made me wish I was a reader who annotates. I read it on kindle and was highlighting like mad!
I love how Aether Academy gives off Hogwarts meets dark academia with a Greek mythology twist. I also adore the siren inclusion, I feel like I don’t see enough fantasy worlds with mermaids! The slow-burn yearning was exactly what I’ve been wanting lately. I’ve always seen people talking about books that have them giggling and kicking their feet and I thought it was just a saying. I stand corrected, the banter and how real the characters were actually had me kicking my feet!
I absolutely adored this book and find myself thinking about it throughout the day. I’m already eagerly awaiting the next book!
I got the privilege to be an arc reader for this beautiful debut! It’s the first in an upcoming series and I would like to start by saying Chanteli has a way with words! There were so many moments throughout where I was in awe of the way she worded things. She has a poetic beauty to her writing style that isn’t too much and made me wish I was a reader who annotates. I read it on kindle and was highlighting like mad!
I love how Aether Academy gives off Hogwarts meets dark academia with a Greek mythology twist. I also adore the siren inclusion, I feel like I don’t see enough fantasy worlds with mermaids! The slow-burn yearning was exactly what I’ve been wanting lately. I’ve always seen people talking about books that have them giggling and kicking their feet and I thought it was just a saying. I stand corrected, the banter and how real the characters were actually had me kicking my feet!
I absolutely adored this book and find myself thinking about it throughout the day. I’m already eagerly awaiting the next book!
June 17, 2025
*ARC reader and so grateful!* This book had me hooked for three days unable to put it down for long! The MMC gives Kai Azer vibes so Powerless fans will absolutely love his “killer on the outside, hopeless romantic at heart" personality. Great plot, great twists and an amazing (if not slightly depressing) ending! NEED BOOK 2 ASAP CHANTELI!
September 28, 2025
If you liked Harry Potter and Percy Jackson as a kid you will fall into Chanteli Mercedes’ world of magic as an adult. The push and pull of tension between Rowan and Elara is frustrating and enthralling all at the same time. Plenty of twists and turns with just enough spice to make it a page turner with an ending that leaves you wanting more. Grim Hearts is a solid debut novel and I can’t wait to see what this young author has next in store for Rowan and Elara!
June 17, 2025
I wrote a review earlier when I had finished the book but the page updated and it deleted! So here you go!
Firstly thank you so much Chanteli for the ARC!!
Spoilers halfway through, I label it when they start!
Rounded up to 4 stars!
Mercedes is an exceptionally talented and creative author with a world of magic at her fingertips. This book is incredibly enjoyable and I recommend it to everyone!
This story is truly immersive and takes the reader into an incredibly interesting and original world. The world building was better than several best sellers I’ve read.
Some of the plot felt messier than it should’ve been, however. My main thought while reading was that this story had the bones of an incredible work, but read too much like a first draft.
The main character, Elara, contains enough contradictions to humanize her, but not enough time is spent living in her brain in a meaningful way to bridge the gaps between her sharp, defensive attitude and the way characters label her as a “bleeding heart.” These two things can coexist yes, but Elara’s words made me flinch as a reader more often than not because of their cruelty, and reconciling her venomous nature with the claimed “gentle spirit” that the other characters labeled her as was difficult. I honestly ended the story not being a huge fan of her’s, because she had been so excessively cruel. I also don’t have problems with characters that are cruel! This can happen! Like Nesta from ACOSF. However, with characters like that, in order to get the audience to root for them, you have to spend a lot of time in their brain and in their heart explaining their actions, and make them sympathetic enough, apologetic enough, and hurt enough that their cruelty seems warranted and can be forgiven. None of these things happened with Elara, and I felt confused.
That being said, it’s clear that all characters had a fair amount of work and thought put into them. There’s something to love about all of them.
SPOILERS!
In terms of dynamics, the enemies to lovers to enemies to lovers to enemies to lovers to—well, you get the point—between Rowan and Elara was captivating, albeit redundant. Had Rowan and Elara not fought and reconciled so many times over, their third act breakup and the cliffhanger at the end would have felt much more meaningful. They’ve fought so violently—especially with Elara taking Rowan’s vulnerabilities and throwing them back in his face—and reconciled so lovingly enough times that their feelings were established, and moving them back into enemies territory felt forced. Their breakups lost meaning to me as a reader since they were so numerous.
Elara and Elio are another story. Their friendship is beautiful, colorful, and rich, albeit complicated by Elio’s clear feelings for Elara. This complication was never resolved, and it irked me as a reader. This could be something Mercedes revisits in the later books, which I would be excited to read! But Elio and Elara’s several kisses going unresolved for the entirety of the book didn’t sit right with me. I also was really expecting him to be the Leviathan.
Marcellus is an incredibly interesting character and maybe my favorite character in this book. His dynamic with Elara felt calming, loving, and reassuring.
As far as plot twists go, this book is full of them, and they kept me on my toes!! I was invested, and was genuinely excited to guess what could happen next and be proven right or wrong. The ending was genius. Like I said, this story has all the makings of a great work.
All of this being said, unfortunately, the book read as a first draft. This book feels like a best selling novel that simply hasn’t found an editor yet.
For a debut novel, coming close to something resembling that is an extraordinary accomplishment, and I can’t wait to see what Chanteli Mercedes does next with these characters and this wonderful, beautiful, magical world she’s created.
Firstly thank you so much Chanteli for the ARC!!
Spoilers halfway through, I label it when they start!
Rounded up to 4 stars!
Mercedes is an exceptionally talented and creative author with a world of magic at her fingertips. This book is incredibly enjoyable and I recommend it to everyone!
This story is truly immersive and takes the reader into an incredibly interesting and original world. The world building was better than several best sellers I’ve read.
Some of the plot felt messier than it should’ve been, however. My main thought while reading was that this story had the bones of an incredible work, but read too much like a first draft.
The main character, Elara, contains enough contradictions to humanize her, but not enough time is spent living in her brain in a meaningful way to bridge the gaps between her sharp, defensive attitude and the way characters label her as a “bleeding heart.” These two things can coexist yes, but Elara’s words made me flinch as a reader more often than not because of their cruelty, and reconciling her venomous nature with the claimed “gentle spirit” that the other characters labeled her as was difficult. I honestly ended the story not being a huge fan of her’s, because she had been so excessively cruel. I also don’t have problems with characters that are cruel! This can happen! Like Nesta from ACOSF. However, with characters like that, in order to get the audience to root for them, you have to spend a lot of time in their brain and in their heart explaining their actions, and make them sympathetic enough, apologetic enough, and hurt enough that their cruelty seems warranted and can be forgiven. None of these things happened with Elara, and I felt confused.
That being said, it’s clear that all characters had a fair amount of work and thought put into them. There’s something to love about all of them.
SPOILERS!
In terms of dynamics, the enemies to lovers to enemies to lovers to enemies to lovers to—well, you get the point—between Rowan and Elara was captivating, albeit redundant. Had Rowan and Elara not fought and reconciled so many times over, their third act breakup and the cliffhanger at the end would have felt much more meaningful. They’ve fought so violently—especially with Elara taking Rowan’s vulnerabilities and throwing them back in his face—and reconciled so lovingly enough times that their feelings were established, and moving them back into enemies territory felt forced. Their breakups lost meaning to me as a reader since they were so numerous.
Elara and Elio are another story. Their friendship is beautiful, colorful, and rich, albeit complicated by Elio’s clear feelings for Elara. This complication was never resolved, and it irked me as a reader. This could be something Mercedes revisits in the later books, which I would be excited to read! But Elio and Elara’s several kisses going unresolved for the entirety of the book didn’t sit right with me. I also was really expecting him to be the Leviathan.
Marcellus is an incredibly interesting character and maybe my favorite character in this book. His dynamic with Elara felt calming, loving, and reassuring.
As far as plot twists go, this book is full of them, and they kept me on my toes!! I was invested, and was genuinely excited to guess what could happen next and be proven right or wrong. The ending was genius. Like I said, this story has all the makings of a great work.
All of this being said, unfortunately, the book read as a first draft. This book feels like a best selling novel that simply hasn’t found an editor yet.
For a debut novel, coming close to something resembling that is an extraordinary accomplishment, and I can’t wait to see what Chanteli Mercedes does next with these characters and this wonderful, beautiful, magical world she’s created.
July 1, 2025
ARC review ⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
Firstly, thank you Chantelli for sending me this ARC I really enjoyed the book and for a debut novel it was fantastic!
Here’s my honest review of what I loved & what I think would’ve made it a 5 star read
What I loved:
- Greek mythology underpinning, this was nice to see as it added a unique element to the world building
- world was well built out, enough for it to be an easy read and not too complex, I felt like the powers/magic systems were well enough explained
- some nice plot twists throughout the book, enough drama to keep it exciting and fast paced
- slow burn element of our enemies to lovers was written well but I do have some notes on this below
- nice dramatic plot twist at the end with a perfect cliffhanger for book 2!
What I didn’t love as much:
- I will say some parts of this book felt choppy, almost like it was still a draft, and I felt there were scenes in there that didn’t add much & confused me as a reader for their relevance
- The enemies to lovers between Elara and Rowan felt like it needed more depth. It felt like they just hated each other straight off the bat without reason, and there wasn’t any back story built up as to why this was. Honestly at some points their ‘hate’ felt quite immature and overly rude for no reason which took away from the enjoyment somewhat. I also found their love hate relationship to be too much, we were flicking between love and hate within a matter of words and it sometimes was too repetitive, it felt like a good portion of the book was spent with them arguing without really adding much to the development of the characters or story.
Overall, I think this was an enjoyable, entertaining read with lots of opportunities to build out the story in future books & im looking forward to seeing where Chantelli takes it!
Firstly, thank you Chantelli for sending me this ARC I really enjoyed the book and for a debut novel it was fantastic!
Here’s my honest review of what I loved & what I think would’ve made it a 5 star read
What I loved:
- Greek mythology underpinning, this was nice to see as it added a unique element to the world building
- world was well built out, enough for it to be an easy read and not too complex, I felt like the powers/magic systems were well enough explained
- some nice plot twists throughout the book, enough drama to keep it exciting and fast paced
- slow burn element of our enemies to lovers was written well but I do have some notes on this below
- nice dramatic plot twist at the end with a perfect cliffhanger for book 2!
What I didn’t love as much:
- I will say some parts of this book felt choppy, almost like it was still a draft, and I felt there were scenes in there that didn’t add much & confused me as a reader for their relevance
- The enemies to lovers between Elara and Rowan felt like it needed more depth. It felt like they just hated each other straight off the bat without reason, and there wasn’t any back story built up as to why this was. Honestly at some points their ‘hate’ felt quite immature and overly rude for no reason which took away from the enjoyment somewhat. I also found their love hate relationship to be too much, we were flicking between love and hate within a matter of words and it sometimes was too repetitive, it felt like a good portion of the book was spent with them arguing without really adding much to the development of the characters or story.
Overall, I think this was an enjoyable, entertaining read with lots of opportunities to build out the story in future books & im looking forward to seeing where Chantelli takes it!
June 18, 2025
Received an ARC for an honest review. Thank you for the opportunity!
I absolutely adore the book and the premise behind it so much so that I’ve managed to down half of it within a day. This book is quite a page-turner, and I highly recommend it to everyone who’s looking for an enjoyable read.
The main characters, Elara and Rowan, are both lovable in their own way. They’re equally flawed as characters, containing enough realistic contradictions in their personalities that humanize them. As for their romantic chemistry, the back and forth of enemies to lovers and vice versa was thrilling! However, in some parts, it does feel a bit overused and takes me out of the immersion.
My main gripe about the story is that there are quite a few notable female characters, other than their notable titles. The only time I’ve managed to remember them is due to their elaborate titles and their supposed relevance to the world of the story. Remove it, then they're quite forgettable.
The world-building? It’s a very interesting and refreshing take on Greek mythology. I hope to see Chanteli delve deeper into it in her future books.
As for the side characters, Dorian is my favorite lol. He feels so mysterious and silly that I can’t help but ship him and Elara (huge pass on the Elio)
As for the plot twist, I just have to say…how dare you (I mean this in the most loving way as possible lol). My jaw was on the floor as I reread the entire page to make sure that what I read was right.
Overall, for a debut novel, this was a really good book. I’m frothing for the second book Chanteli
I absolutely adore the book and the premise behind it so much so that I’ve managed to down half of it within a day. This book is quite a page-turner, and I highly recommend it to everyone who’s looking for an enjoyable read.
The main characters, Elara and Rowan, are both lovable in their own way. They’re equally flawed as characters, containing enough realistic contradictions in their personalities that humanize them. As for their romantic chemistry, the back and forth of enemies to lovers and vice versa was thrilling! However, in some parts, it does feel a bit overused and takes me out of the immersion.
My main gripe about the story is that there are quite a few notable female characters, other than their notable titles. The only time I’ve managed to remember them is due to their elaborate titles and their supposed relevance to the world of the story. Remove it, then they're quite forgettable.
The world-building? It’s a very interesting and refreshing take on Greek mythology. I hope to see Chanteli delve deeper into it in her future books.
As for the side characters, Dorian is my favorite lol. He feels so mysterious and silly that I can’t help but ship him and Elara (huge pass on the Elio)
As for the plot twist, I just have to say…how dare you (I mean this in the most loving way as possible lol). My jaw was on the floor as I reread the entire page to make sure that what I read was right.
Overall, for a debut novel, this was a really good book. I’m frothing for the second book Chanteli
February 1, 2026
“They align with the one person In life who has seen every side of me. My priorities begin and end with elara wren.” -Rowan Grim.
Whether you open the first page, or whether you flip to page 100… and something, you will find within it a place that’s close to home. A moment where you’re deeply seen, and deeply heard and you’re everything but alone. Grim Heart was breathtakingly beautiful and it was so beautifully written, love is shown in a way that can’t be measured through the eyes, or felt with only the hands, it exists because it is shown on a soul-deep level and reaches beyond, a love that stands strong even in the chaos of the fates. 🥹✨🕯️
I loved every moment of this book and will now be (impatiently) waiting for book 2!!!!!!!✨
Whether you open the first page, or whether you flip to page 100… and something, you will find within it a place that’s close to home. A moment where you’re deeply seen, and deeply heard and you’re everything but alone. Grim Heart was breathtakingly beautiful and it was so beautifully written, love is shown in a way that can’t be measured through the eyes, or felt with only the hands, it exists because it is shown on a soul-deep level and reaches beyond, a love that stands strong even in the chaos of the fates. 🥹✨🕯️
I loved every moment of this book and will now be (impatiently) waiting for book 2!!!!!!!✨
December 26, 2025
Reads like your favorite fanfic in the BEST way.
I'm still reading this, but I'm leaving a review anyway because it deserves it. The world and mythology is just so stunning. It takes something that could be tired or overdone (magical school), but that's beloved and familiar and gives it new life. I want to LIVE in the Siren dorms. There are such beautiful descriptions, the writing is so accessible, and overall it's such an amazing ride.
I can't wait to finish it and I can't wait for the rest of the series!
I'm still reading this, but I'm leaving a review anyway because it deserves it. The world and mythology is just so stunning. It takes something that could be tired or overdone (magical school), but that's beloved and familiar and gives it new life. I want to LIVE in the Siren dorms. There are such beautiful descriptions, the writing is so accessible, and overall it's such an amazing ride.
I can't wait to finish it and I can't wait for the rest of the series!
September 9, 2025
ROOOOWAN GRIMMMMMM!!!!!!
I have so much love for this story and its characters. The drama, the worldbuilding, the yearninggggh everything about Grim Heart is captivating. Two souls meant for eachother placed in a world where everything has been set to keep them apart 😭 I’m attached to this series
I have so much love for this story and its characters. The drama, the worldbuilding, the yearninggggh everything about Grim Heart is captivating. Two souls meant for eachother placed in a world where everything has been set to keep them apart 😭 I’m attached to this series
August 1, 2025
Came back to edit my review from 4 to 5 stars because it's been over a week since i finished this book and I can't stop thinking about it, which never happens to me! So caught up in this one!!
Grim Heart is an absolutely amazing read that I couldn't put down! The FMC Elara is instantly likeable and so witty! I adore her personality and all of her friendships throughout this book. What can I say about Rowan... everyone loves a bad boy and he's that in spades. I fell in love with both Marcellus and Elio. I NEED the second book immediately because that ending.... has me on edge!
Grim Heart is an absolutely amazing read that I couldn't put down! The FMC Elara is instantly likeable and so witty! I adore her personality and all of her friendships throughout this book. What can I say about Rowan... everyone loves a bad boy and he's that in spades. I fell in love with both Marcellus and Elio. I NEED the second book immediately because that ending.... has me on edge!
December 10, 2025
I made a Goodreads just to rate this book. You know it’s good because of that. Let’s dive in.
This world building is easily better than most books I’ve read. The writing was different, but beautiful. The way I stared at the page multiple times in awe like… I’m speechless. I did come here to say that there were things I did think were plot holes: we are getting into spoiler territory here. There was a line about Rowan’s grandfather, a character said one thing and another character said another and I was like… is this a mistake? Yeah no. It was foreshadowing for the lies Elara’s parents were telling her the entire time. This made me think a lot. I don’t want to put attention to the fact that this is technically Mercedes’ debut novel. Because I would have never known if I didn’t research her. There was so much thought put into every single scene.
I love Elara. Based on the other reviews this might be an unpopular opinion. She was so relatable. Being a twenty year old girl, censored her entire life, meeting a man that reminds her of her father who she hates. Of course, she’s going to be rude. There was never a time that I was reading where I had to question the characters motives. Even with the enemies to lovers to enemies to lovers stuff. It all made sense at the core of who they were. And that, is hard to do as a writer. CHANTELI, you did amazing. Thank you so much for the ARC and I’m foaming at the mouth for the second book. (Theory about the ending: that wasn’t Rowan. The potion that Elio gave Rowan… SUS. It wasn’t him. I’ll die on this hill.)
This world building is easily better than most books I’ve read. The writing was different, but beautiful. The way I stared at the page multiple times in awe like… I’m speechless. I did come here to say that there were things I did think were plot holes: we are getting into spoiler territory here. There was a line about Rowan’s grandfather, a character said one thing and another character said another and I was like… is this a mistake? Yeah no. It was foreshadowing for the lies Elara’s parents were telling her the entire time. This made me think a lot. I don’t want to put attention to the fact that this is technically Mercedes’ debut novel. Because I would have never known if I didn’t research her. There was so much thought put into every single scene.
I love Elara. Based on the other reviews this might be an unpopular opinion. She was so relatable. Being a twenty year old girl, censored her entire life, meeting a man that reminds her of her father who she hates. Of course, she’s going to be rude. There was never a time that I was reading where I had to question the characters motives. Even with the enemies to lovers to enemies to lovers stuff. It all made sense at the core of who they were. And that, is hard to do as a writer. CHANTELI, you did amazing. Thank you so much for the ARC and I’m foaming at the mouth for the second book. (Theory about the ending: that wasn’t Rowan. The potion that Elio gave Rowan… SUS. It wasn’t him. I’ll die on this hill.)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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