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The Rune Tithe #3
An Elixir for Wanderlust
Not yet published
Expected 14 Apr 26Having once escaped the dark waters that cursed him, a young witch returns home to face the evil targeting his loved ones—whatever the consequences.
After almost a decade away, Taliesin Ashborne has come home to attend his grandfather’s funeral. While past tensions still linger between him and his family, a stiff drink and a steamy encounter with Kessian, the gorgeous man who approaches him at the wake, really takes the edge off.
But the old magic of Shearwater Spring has left more scars on Tal than he realized. Nine years ago, twenty-four townspeople, including Tal and his father, mysteriously walked into a deep river one night—and only Tal returned.
To this day, something dangerous lurks in Shearwater’s black waters. It’s hunting down everyone Tal loves, and after it got his twin, he couldn’t stand to lose anyone else. Hoping to rid him of this curse once and for all, his sibling Fae urges him to see the town’s new healer . . . who just so happens to be Kessian.
Trying to keep his emotions in check—for not only his own benefit but also Kessian’s safety—will be anything but easy for Tal after nine years of isolation. Now, with a wraith hot on his trail, he must uncover what corrupted the ancient magic of the river so he can finally come home for good.
Praise for A Spell for Heartsickness
“Reeves’s remarkably assured debut delivers a queer, witchy romp with deep feelings.” —Publishers Weekly
“As comfy and satisfying as ‘the taste of hot stew on a rainy night.’” —Kirkus Reviews
After almost a decade away, Taliesin Ashborne has come home to attend his grandfather’s funeral. While past tensions still linger between him and his family, a stiff drink and a steamy encounter with Kessian, the gorgeous man who approaches him at the wake, really takes the edge off.
But the old magic of Shearwater Spring has left more scars on Tal than he realized. Nine years ago, twenty-four townspeople, including Tal and his father, mysteriously walked into a deep river one night—and only Tal returned.
To this day, something dangerous lurks in Shearwater’s black waters. It’s hunting down everyone Tal loves, and after it got his twin, he couldn’t stand to lose anyone else. Hoping to rid him of this curse once and for all, his sibling Fae urges him to see the town’s new healer . . . who just so happens to be Kessian.
Trying to keep his emotions in check—for not only his own benefit but also Kessian’s safety—will be anything but easy for Tal after nine years of isolation. Now, with a wraith hot on his trail, he must uncover what corrupted the ancient magic of the river so he can finally come home for good.
Praise for A Spell for Heartsickness
“Reeves’s remarkably assured debut delivers a queer, witchy romp with deep feelings.” —Publishers Weekly
“As comfy and satisfying as ‘the taste of hot stew on a rainy night.’” —Kirkus Reviews
Kindle Edition
Expected publication April 14, 2026
224 people want to read
About the author
Alistair Reeves
3 books69 followersAlistair Reeves (he/him) writes romantasy about messy queers and morally grey characters. Born in Canada, he moved to England to indulge his addiction to hot caffeinated beverages. His influences range from video games to Chinese danmei. When not writing, he can be found playing Dungeons & Dragons or tending to his frankly absurd collection of succulents.
In 2019 he won a Watty Award for his queer science fiction, Static Crush, and was a 2022 Pitch Wars mentee. A SPELL FOR HEARTSICKNESS is his debut novel, releasing with Podium in Fall 2024.
He graduated from Sheridan College with a Bachelors in Animation, but he mostly uses his artistic skills to draw his OC’s kissing.
In 2019 he won a Watty Award for his queer science fiction, Static Crush, and was a 2022 Pitch Wars mentee. A SPELL FOR HEARTSICKNESS is his debut novel, releasing with Podium in Fall 2024.
He graduated from Sheridan College with a Bachelors in Animation, but he mostly uses his artistic skills to draw his OC’s kissing.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
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July 24, 2025i'm seated. the publishers are scared and asking me to leave because it 'isn't even published yet' but i'm simply too seated.
September 17, 2025
I was lucky enough to get my hands on an early copy of this book, and it just blew me away. But first, take a moment to gander at that glorious cover. It is truly everything.
When Taliesen returns home to attend the funeral of his grandfather, he fears the inky creepy wraith-like creature haunting him will harm his family, so he's in a hurry to get out of Dodge in his caravan (who is also his familiar.) This evil dates back to his youth when he nearly died in the same spring that has taken the lives of other townsfolk, including his sister and father. He's urged to meet with a healer, Kessian, the confident, sexy man who's new to town but already has a strong, magical connection with the spring. Together they search for a solution to Tal's menacing foe, building a rapport that begins to blossom into more.
An Elixir For Wanderlust is the third installment in The Rune Tithe series. While it can be read as a standalone, there are some old friends along the way that will be more appreciated after reading the first two lovely books. Each of these books is squarely romantasy with a smidgeon of horror at the edges, but this one has another dimension of depth and atmosphere and .... I want to say calculus(?) due to the mastery of some complex timey wimey wibbly wobbly intricacies Alistair handles with precision. Also, did I mention the familiar is a caravan? This whole book is bursting with creativity and wild imagination. My gob was smacked.
Mark this as a must read for 2026!
When Taliesen returns home to attend the funeral of his grandfather, he fears the inky creepy wraith-like creature haunting him will harm his family, so he's in a hurry to get out of Dodge in his caravan (who is also his familiar.) This evil dates back to his youth when he nearly died in the same spring that has taken the lives of other townsfolk, including his sister and father. He's urged to meet with a healer, Kessian, the confident, sexy man who's new to town but already has a strong, magical connection with the spring. Together they search for a solution to Tal's menacing foe, building a rapport that begins to blossom into more.
An Elixir For Wanderlust is the third installment in The Rune Tithe series. While it can be read as a standalone, there are some old friends along the way that will be more appreciated after reading the first two lovely books. Each of these books is squarely romantasy with a smidgeon of horror at the edges, but this one has another dimension of depth and atmosphere and .... I want to say calculus(?) due to the mastery of some complex timey wimey wibbly wobbly intricacies Alistair handles with precision. Also, did I mention the familiar is a caravan? This whole book is bursting with creativity and wild imagination. My gob was smacked.
Mark this as a must read for 2026!
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August 11, 2025Autistic MC
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews