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The Poisoner #2
The Arachnid
The hauntingly beautiful second book in the gothic romance Poisoner series, where Alina Lis finds herself the prey of her vampiric ex-lover, Silas. They’re a couple deadly as sin, and as intoxicating as a sip of poison . . .
Return to the world of The Poisoner...
In the shadows of 1890s Buffalo, a poisoner's bite leaves more than just scars—even for the undead.
Two years after fleeing London, Alina Lis has built something she never thought possible: a home. Leading a commune of women like herself, she's found a new, greater purpose; experimenting on the Vipera. But peace, she learns, is as fragile as a spider's web in winter.
Silas Forbes, the Vipera she escaped, hasn’t forgotten. But his thirst for Alina threatens everything he’s created in her absence. And he’s brought another along for the hunt: Luka Novikov, the man who once betrayed her, now bound to them both by wounds that won't heal and debts that can't be paid.
As human and Vipera worlds violently collide, old poisons surface and new alliances form. In a society where survival means choosing sides, Alina must protect the family she’s built, Silas must decide what price he'll pay for his obsession, and Luka—marked forever by the poisoner’s kiss—must survive the clash of an immortal’s longing and a woman’s fury.
Some venoms have no antidote. Some hungers can never be satisfied.
The Arachnid is the second installment of the darkly seductive Poisoner series, where humans and Vipera twist together like lovers in the dark.
Return to the world of The Poisoner...
In the shadows of 1890s Buffalo, a poisoner's bite leaves more than just scars—even for the undead.
Two years after fleeing London, Alina Lis has built something she never thought possible: a home. Leading a commune of women like herself, she's found a new, greater purpose; experimenting on the Vipera. But peace, she learns, is as fragile as a spider's web in winter.
Silas Forbes, the Vipera she escaped, hasn’t forgotten. But his thirst for Alina threatens everything he’s created in her absence. And he’s brought another along for the hunt: Luka Novikov, the man who once betrayed her, now bound to them both by wounds that won't heal and debts that can't be paid.
As human and Vipera worlds violently collide, old poisons surface and new alliances form. In a society where survival means choosing sides, Alina must protect the family she’s built, Silas must decide what price he'll pay for his obsession, and Luka—marked forever by the poisoner’s kiss—must survive the clash of an immortal’s longing and a woman’s fury.
Some venoms have no antidote. Some hungers can never be satisfied.
The Arachnid is the second installment of the darkly seductive Poisoner series, where humans and Vipera twist together like lovers in the dark.
448 pages, Paperback
First published April 14, 2026
About the author
I.V. Ophelia
8 books2,855 followersUSA Today Bestselling author I.V. Ophelia is known for the gothic vampire series The Poisoner. Born in small-town New England, she now haunts the streets of New York City, writing the most unhinged tales she can conjure. When not crafting gothic romance, she works as a full-time artist, hoards nineteenth-century gowns and antique furniture, dotes on her menagerie of pets, and plots her next literary transgression.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,323 reviews
June 28, 2026
Such a snooze fest. Zero plot. Filler book. Could have been 2 stars but the fact that she gave a POV to luka…. The man that abused her in book 1, yeah no thanks he gets zero redemption from me.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Alina just walks Silas like a dog while that man just barks, happy to be there and i ate it UP!!!!!!! (I may have barked a few times too tbh)
April 14, 2026
THAT ENDING!! I love the development of our characters in this and I’m very excited with where the plot is heading 👀
June 7, 2025
Welcome back to the Poisoner universe! The Arachnid is the SECOND book in The Poisoner Series. The Duet audiobook will be available with the standard formats on release day!
Here’s some things to expect:
🕷️Three POV characters
🕷️Ensemble Narration Audiobook
🕷️Yuletide season in Buffalo, NY
🕷️Second chance
🕷️Larger cast of characters
🕷️Groveling and angst
🕷️More vipera mischief
🕷️ First chapter of THE CANNIBAL in the back of the Paperback
Poisoner Re-Release: January 13th, 2026
Arachnid Release: April 14th, 2026
Cannibal Release: September 1st, 2026
Get The Poisoner https://www.amazon.com/Poisoner-I-V-O...
Get The Arachnid https://www.amazon.com/Arachnid-Poiso...
Get The Cannibal https://a.co/d/03101TMt
🕷️Three POV characters
🕷️Ensemble Narration Audiobook
🕷️Yuletide season in Buffalo, NY
🕷️Second chance
🕷️Larger cast of characters
🕷️Groveling and angst
🕷️More vipera mischief
🕷️ First chapter of THE CANNIBAL in the back of the Paperback
Poisoner Re-Release: January 13th, 2026
Arachnid Release: April 14th, 2026
Cannibal Release: September 1st, 2026
Get The Poisoner https://www.amazon.com/Poisoner-I-V-O...
Get The Arachnid https://www.amazon.com/Arachnid-Poiso...
Get The Cannibal https://a.co/d/03101TMt
April 16, 2026
What is life if you cannot find something you love, and let it kill you?
I hate to say it, but this book felt like yet another filler where the plot is stretched way too thin, and everything remotely interesting is dumped into the final chapters…
Pros:
– poetic writing
– Silas’s delulu confidence
– Luka’s… let’s call it a redemption arc (barely)
Cons:
– Alina’s stubbornness (which really tested my patience)
– Phoebe’s sudden romantic feelings (wtf?)
– the lack of grovelling that was clearly set up
At one point, I was convinced I was done with this series. But that ending… the cliffhanger definitely made me pause. I might continue, but I’m still undecided.
I hate to say it, but this book felt like yet another filler where the plot is stretched way too thin, and everything remotely interesting is dumped into the final chapters…
Pros:
– poetic writing
– Silas’s delulu confidence
– Luka’s… let’s call it a redemption arc (barely)
Cons:
– Alina’s stubbornness (which really tested my patience)
– Phoebe’s sudden romantic feelings (wtf?)
– the lack of grovelling that was clearly set up
At one point, I was convinced I was done with this series. But that ending… the cliffhanger definitely made me pause. I might continue, but I’m still undecided.
February 13, 2026
….well this is the perfect example of middle book syndrome.
It lacked the strength of plot that carried book 1. I was lost on what the stakes were for the majority of the book. It felt as if there was a pert 1 and part 2- but just in goals that didn’t translate cohesively. The overall plot was just very stagnant.
The amount of characters dumped on us had them all stale and unmemorable. The characters who we were told to hate in book one had the weakest redemption arc to date that I’ve read. And the romance was so forced, the banter was dry in form that just came off as forced and ingenious.
It lacked the strength of plot that carried book 1. I was lost on what the stakes were for the majority of the book. It felt as if there was a pert 1 and part 2- but just in goals that didn’t translate cohesively. The overall plot was just very stagnant.
The amount of characters dumped on us had them all stale and unmemorable. The characters who we were told to hate in book one had the weakest redemption arc to date that I’ve read. And the romance was so forced, the banter was dry in form that just came off as forced and ingenious.
April 18, 2026
This second book had a completely different tone from the first one. Our FMC Alina is going through a bit of an identity crisis and is spiraling a bit behind the scenes . This takes place 2 years after the first book so in that time frame she has established her own Nest - of all women , Hosts & Vipera. There is a threat outside their walls that becomes somewhat of a mystery.
I have to say I did not enjoy this as much as the first book. The pacing felt all over the place, the chapter would end and we’d have so much missing time or things not continued it felt like little pieces of the book at once. I thought Lukas POV was unnecessary , in my opinion he brought nothing to this book except confusion…As a reader of the indie edition I had his image already established in my mind as a total villain, but after she deleted that ONE scene from her trad published edition, I could not see him as anything but that . He was painted as this big bad WELL KNOWN Vipera , yet he’s taking instruction and discipline from the human girl who he had captured in the first book… the characters felt very unfamiliar from what we knew of them.
The ending was predictable but as such a lover of the first book I really want to know what happens so I will continue on.
I have to say I did not enjoy this as much as the first book. The pacing felt all over the place, the chapter would end and we’d have so much missing time or things not continued it felt like little pieces of the book at once. I thought Lukas POV was unnecessary , in my opinion he brought nothing to this book except confusion…As a reader of the indie edition I had his image already established in my mind as a total villain, but after she deleted that ONE scene from her trad published edition, I could not see him as anything but that . He was painted as this big bad WELL KNOWN Vipera , yet he’s taking instruction and discipline from the human girl who he had captured in the first book… the characters felt very unfamiliar from what we knew of them.
The ending was predictable but as such a lover of the first book I really want to know what happens so I will continue on.
Want to Read
June 6, 2025FINALLY BOOK TWO!!!
April 17, 2026
4 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“The arachnid doesn’t have to suffocate her prey for them to know she is dangerous; they need only believe she is venomous.”
Tangled within it's web, the Arachnid gripped me the same way it's predecessor did and I willingly surrendered.
This installment delivers on the decadent depravity one would expect from I.V. Ophelia, with new predators emerging and a an unconventional found family founded by Alina and Phoebe—and that dynamic of all was my favorite addition.
Two years later after relocating to New York, Alina resumes her indulgence in her twisted craft even amid her growing responsibilities as the dam of her Vipera nest whom are led by three rules: autonomy, sustainability, utilitarianism.
We were bonded by the cause of creating a better world, since the men were not the best at improving anything.
Meanwhile, Silas clung to the hope that Alina would return to him but he had crossed the point of no return with his previous actions, so is he willing to follow her across the globe to repent? Or will he allow his obsession to fade away? If you knew Silas well enough you already have your answer.
The new cast of female characters and their bonds were wholesome (even it had it's dark and twisted quirks).
Alina and Silas's chemistry is addictive!! The poisoner and the creature continue their wicked waltz even with their insatiable hunger for one another consumes them.
Luka's arc, however, took quite the turn.
The pacing felt a tad slower than the first book, still I devoured every page and interaction and by the end of the book I was gasping at the audacity of ending it on such a cliffhanger.
I have to applaud once again the incredible narrators for bringing to life these characters, although they are words on paper but they almost feel tangible to me. It was as if the narrators were truly possessed by the spirits of these characters, an exaggeration I know but I need to gush about their spectacular performance!
I highly, HIGHLY recommend experiencing the audiobook. It's a stellar cast!
Looking forward to more depravity and wickedness in The Cannibal.
This is a gothic romance with explicit and triggering content, please ensure to look up the content warning.
“The arachnid doesn’t have to suffocate her prey for them to know she is dangerous; they need only believe she is venomous.”
Tangled within it's web, the Arachnid gripped me the same way it's predecessor did and I willingly surrendered.
This installment delivers on the decadent depravity one would expect from I.V. Ophelia, with new predators emerging and a an unconventional found family founded by Alina and Phoebe—and that dynamic of all was my favorite addition.
Two years later after relocating to New York, Alina resumes her indulgence in her twisted craft even amid her growing responsibilities as the dam of her Vipera nest whom are led by three rules: autonomy, sustainability, utilitarianism.
We were bonded by the cause of creating a better world, since the men were not the best at improving anything.
Meanwhile, Silas clung to the hope that Alina would return to him but he had crossed the point of no return with his previous actions, so is he willing to follow her across the globe to repent? Or will he allow his obsession to fade away? If you knew Silas well enough you already have your answer.
The new cast of female characters and their bonds were wholesome (even it had it's dark and twisted quirks).
Alina and Silas's chemistry is addictive!! The poisoner and the creature continue their wicked waltz even with their insatiable hunger for one another consumes them.
Luka's arc, however, took quite the turn.
The pacing felt a tad slower than the first book, still I devoured every page and interaction and by the end of the book I was gasping at the audacity of ending it on such a cliffhanger.
I have to applaud once again the incredible narrators for bringing to life these characters, although they are words on paper but they almost feel tangible to me. It was as if the narrators were truly possessed by the spirits of these characters, an exaggeration I know but I need to gush about their spectacular performance!
I highly, HIGHLY recommend experiencing the audiobook. It's a stellar cast!
Looking forward to more depravity and wickedness in The Cannibal.
This is a gothic romance with explicit and triggering content, please ensure to look up the content warning.
September 5, 2026
🕷️
This story has one of my FAVORITE settings. The Victorian-era atmosphere, the gothic horror , the vampires… I mean, come on. The writing style fits this story so perfectly because the whole thing feels dark, eerie enchanting, and just a little bit unsettling.
And then we have Alina and Silas, who are quite literally a pair. 😂 The cat-and-mouse chase between these two? THE BANTER? The enemies-to-lovers tension? It goes so fucking hard. Sometimes I genuinely forget that these two are actually lovers (they are right?? Lmao) because they spend so much time acting like they’d rather kill each other especially Alina. The push and pull between them is absolutely insane.
After the emotional fucking roller coaster that was the ending of book one, I could NOT wait to see what these two were going to get themselves into next. Is Alina in her villain era a little? She’s low key unhinged😅
Silas continues to be one of my favorite kind of men because this man has the most laid-back, blasé demeanor while simultaneously being completely fucking feral and obsessed with this woman. Like sir??? You will really follow this woman across the world and then act like you’re mildly inconvenienced by it??? 😂 SO SASSY.
I loved their relationship in the first book, but I really enjoyed seeing it deepen and expand here. Alina still has her guard UP, and I’m a huge fan. You better make that man work for it. Make him grovel. Make him crawl over broken glass. We love to see it.
The plot was also so interesting to me. There’s this constant sense of doom and gloom hanging over the entire story, and I loved how that darker atmosphere worked alongside the romance. We also get to expand more into the world of the vampires, their history, and the larger storyline surrounding them, which made everything feel so much bigger than just Alina and Silas.
Overall I really enjoyed this one,a gothic vampire romance an eerie and enchanting setting, enemies-to-lovers FOR REAL, banter, morally questionable people making questionable decisions, and a relationship that has me screaming JUST FCK OR KILL EACH OTHER ALREADY.
I’m completely invested in these two and whatever fucked-up journey they’re taking me on next.
This story has one of my FAVORITE settings. The Victorian-era atmosphere, the gothic horror , the vampires… I mean, come on. The writing style fits this story so perfectly because the whole thing feels dark, eerie enchanting, and just a little bit unsettling.
And then we have Alina and Silas, who are quite literally a pair. 😂 The cat-and-mouse chase between these two? THE BANTER? The enemies-to-lovers tension? It goes so fucking hard. Sometimes I genuinely forget that these two are actually lovers (they are right?? Lmao) because they spend so much time acting like they’d rather kill each other especially Alina. The push and pull between them is absolutely insane.
After the emotional fucking roller coaster that was the ending of book one, I could NOT wait to see what these two were going to get themselves into next. Is Alina in her villain era a little? She’s low key unhinged😅
Silas continues to be one of my favorite kind of men because this man has the most laid-back, blasé demeanor while simultaneously being completely fucking feral and obsessed with this woman. Like sir??? You will really follow this woman across the world and then act like you’re mildly inconvenienced by it??? 😂 SO SASSY.
I loved their relationship in the first book, but I really enjoyed seeing it deepen and expand here. Alina still has her guard UP, and I’m a huge fan. You better make that man work for it. Make him grovel. Make him crawl over broken glass. We love to see it.
The plot was also so interesting to me. There’s this constant sense of doom and gloom hanging over the entire story, and I loved how that darker atmosphere worked alongside the romance. We also get to expand more into the world of the vampires, their history, and the larger storyline surrounding them, which made everything feel so much bigger than just Alina and Silas.
Overall I really enjoyed this one,a gothic vampire romance an eerie and enchanting setting, enemies-to-lovers FOR REAL, banter, morally questionable people making questionable decisions, and a relationship that has me screaming JUST FCK OR KILL EACH OTHER ALREADY.
I’m completely invested in these two and whatever fucked-up journey they’re taking me on next.
February 6, 2026
3.75/5 stars rounded up.
I think compared to The Poisoner, I liked The Arachnid a bit less. But this was still an entertaining read (and I already preordered the physical copy, hehe). My opinions on Silas still haven't changed much. He continues to irritate me but I enjoy Alina a lot more. In my review for The Poisoner, I mentioned enjoying the banter, and the same thing can be said for me with The Arachnid. I love a book with some good witty or dry banter.
I appreciated how Alina felt like a stronger, more self-assured version of herself. She didn't give in to Silas as much as I had remembered her doing so in the first book. I thought Silas had to do a lot more "making up" to Alina as well, which I appreciated. I again, really enjoyed the writing and atmosphere in this book. Vampires, poison, and a gothic setting are an immediate "yes" from me.
I did find myself struggling with the plot and some of the secondary characters. At times I had to reread some parts to fully understand what was going on, and really focus in with who some of the characters were. There are some books that I would prefer to read a physical copy instead of a digital copy because in moments of confusion, it's easier to flip backwards to reacquaint myself than scroll through an ebook. This was one of those books. I think I would like to reread books 1 and 2 with the paperback to get a more solid experience. I think my mild confusion with the plot led to my feelings on this book coming and going. I was completely locked in once I reached about 70% because everything felt much more clear and smooth to me than points in the book prior.
I plan to read book 3, so I also liked getting the sneak peek of The Cannibal. I'm excited to have the printed version of The Arachnid in my hands on pub day.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon Maverick Books for the ARC. All opinions are my own!
I think compared to The Poisoner, I liked The Arachnid a bit less. But this was still an entertaining read (and I already preordered the physical copy, hehe). My opinions on Silas still haven't changed much. He continues to irritate me but I enjoy Alina a lot more. In my review for The Poisoner, I mentioned enjoying the banter, and the same thing can be said for me with The Arachnid. I love a book with some good witty or dry banter.
I appreciated how Alina felt like a stronger, more self-assured version of herself. She didn't give in to Silas as much as I had remembered her doing so in the first book. I thought Silas had to do a lot more "making up" to Alina as well, which I appreciated. I again, really enjoyed the writing and atmosphere in this book. Vampires, poison, and a gothic setting are an immediate "yes" from me.
I did find myself struggling with the plot and some of the secondary characters. At times I had to reread some parts to fully understand what was going on, and really focus in with who some of the characters were. There are some books that I would prefer to read a physical copy instead of a digital copy because in moments of confusion, it's easier to flip backwards to reacquaint myself than scroll through an ebook. This was one of those books. I think I would like to reread books 1 and 2 with the paperback to get a more solid experience. I think my mild confusion with the plot led to my feelings on this book coming and going. I was completely locked in once I reached about 70% because everything felt much more clear and smooth to me than points in the book prior.
I plan to read book 3, so I also liked getting the sneak peek of The Cannibal. I'm excited to have the printed version of The Arachnid in my hands on pub day.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon Maverick Books for the ARC. All opinions are my own!
April 21, 2026
1.5 ⭐️
Why are we giving redemption arcs to rap!sts?
Why are we giving redemption arcs to rap!sts?
August 6, 2025
Not only was the grovelling done right, but Alina and Silas stayed completely true to their personalities throughout the whole book, which is something I’m always scared of when a second instalment gets released.
That said, this one did feel a bit slower than the first book, which is why I’m giving it 4 stars.
We also got introduced to new characters, including pov for Luka, or Viktor as we previously knew him, and I’m honestly surprised by how much I liked his character. Another morally complex addition to the story that I didn’t expect to enjoy this much. I still don’t fully understand why he tortured Alina in the first book, but let’s just say he definitely paid a hefty price for crossing her.
And Edith? Hated her. Though to be fair, I think the audiobook narrator’s voice for her was already warning me 🤣
And of course… that ending?! Amazing. I can’t wait for the third book 💙🩷
That said, this one did feel a bit slower than the first book, which is why I’m giving it 4 stars.
We also got introduced to new characters, including pov for Luka, or Viktor as we previously knew him, and I’m honestly surprised by how much I liked his character. Another morally complex addition to the story that I didn’t expect to enjoy this much. I still don’t fully understand why he tortured Alina in the first book, but let’s just say he definitely paid a hefty price for crossing her.
And Edith? Hated her. Though to be fair, I think the audiobook narrator’s voice for her was already warning me 🤣
And of course… that ending?! Amazing. I can’t wait for the third book 💙🩷
April 28, 2026
yeah i knew i wasn’t gonna like this one after finishing the first one. i just cannot STAND the fmc, and on top of that the plot just feels a little messy to me. i don’t feel a ton of depth in anything. could just be that i’m checked out idk. didn’t love the writing. just don’t really have anything nice to say here i fear 🫣
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an arc!!
pre-read
i didn't love the first one but i fear i requested the arc of this before i finished that and now ... well ... i'm stuck reading this ... so ...
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an arc!!
pre-read
i didn't love the first one but i fear i requested the arc of this before i finished that and now ... well ... i'm stuck reading this ... so ...
April 16, 2026
I honestly liked this one more than the first 👀
Alina felt like such a stronger version of herself this time around, which I loved. She wasn’t just giving in to Silas so easily, and he actually had to work for her forgiveness for once. It made their whole dynamic way more satisfying.
And the tension?? Absolutely insane. It’s that perfect mix of wanting to hurt each other and wanting each other, and it makes everything feel so intense. The chemistry is messy, toxic, and completely addictive, but there are also moments where you see a softer side to both of them, which adds a lot more depth than just chaos.
I also feel like we got way more character development overall. It’s not just “unhinged killers” anymore, there’s actual growth happening and a bit of a redemption vibe going on for multiple characters, which I was really into. The extra POV was a surprise too I did NOT expect to care about The Fixer, but here we are… he kind of became one of the more reliable ones??
The side plots kept things interesting, even if we’re still left with some questions that are clearly setting up book three.
The tension, the drama, the toxicity it’s all still there, just better this time. I’m definitely continuing the series and I really hope the audiobook drops at the same time again because it just hits different (IYKYK) 😏
Alina felt like such a stronger version of herself this time around, which I loved. She wasn’t just giving in to Silas so easily, and he actually had to work for her forgiveness for once. It made their whole dynamic way more satisfying.
And the tension?? Absolutely insane. It’s that perfect mix of wanting to hurt each other and wanting each other, and it makes everything feel so intense. The chemistry is messy, toxic, and completely addictive, but there are also moments where you see a softer side to both of them, which adds a lot more depth than just chaos.
I also feel like we got way more character development overall. It’s not just “unhinged killers” anymore, there’s actual growth happening and a bit of a redemption vibe going on for multiple characters, which I was really into. The extra POV was a surprise too I did NOT expect to care about The Fixer, but here we are… he kind of became one of the more reliable ones??
The side plots kept things interesting, even if we’re still left with some questions that are clearly setting up book three.
The tension, the drama, the toxicity it’s all still there, just better this time. I’m definitely continuing the series and I really hope the audiobook drops at the same time again because it just hits different (IYKYK) 😏
April 2, 2026
Okay, so, to preface: I really liked The Poisoner. The Victorian vibes were hitting, the premise was original, I adored Alina. She is fierce and fiery and a force to be reckoned with. And, per usual, I ate up the rich, smart, shitty & blonde Silas.
This book, though? I’m floored.
It’s like—everything above, on another level. The hate to heat is even hotter, the plot twists are wild, the character growth is excellent. The world gets bigger but in a way that always feels purposeful.
I was SO MAD at Luka. And Silas, for his complicity, for that matter. They both still fully won me over. Like, I felt truly terrible for Luka by the end. Insane.
🎧 Oh, also, this book, on audio?! INSANE. The three-narrator duet floored me here. Also—the clicking noises? I need to touch grass, after what they did to me.
This series is just—you know that goth artsy girl who gave kinda loner vibes but was just, so cool? That is The Poisoner. She’s that girl, and you should be reading her.
If you want something gothic and weird and twisty, and are open to some kinda strange but shockingly hot 🐍 smut, this is the one. Vipera are the only basilisks I would be kissing, personally.
THANK YOU Simon Maverick for the ARC & ALC!
This book, though? I’m floored.
It’s like—everything above, on another level. The hate to heat is even hotter, the plot twists are wild, the character growth is excellent. The world gets bigger but in a way that always feels purposeful.
I was SO MAD at Luka. And Silas, for his complicity, for that matter. They both still fully won me over. Like, I felt truly terrible for Luka by the end. Insane.
🎧 Oh, also, this book, on audio?! INSANE. The three-narrator duet floored me here. Also—the clicking noises? I need to touch grass, after what they did to me.
This series is just—you know that goth artsy girl who gave kinda loner vibes but was just, so cool? That is The Poisoner. She’s that girl, and you should be reading her.
If you want something gothic and weird and twisty, and are open to some kinda strange but shockingly hot 🐍 smut, this is the one. Vipera are the only basilisks I would be kissing, personally.
THANK YOU Simon Maverick for the ARC & ALC!
April 16, 2026
This book screamed "smash the patriarchy/all men are bad" slop. Both the mmc and the fmc had about as much character depth as a shallow puddle. One of the worst reads of the year, which is saddening.
Oh also, the author called potential readers illiterate, so there's that. 🤷
Oh also, the author called potential readers illiterate, so there's that. 🤷
May 15, 2026
Luka absolutely should not have a redemption arc and I just couldn’t get past that……DNF
April 16, 2026
Edited after reading The Cannibal.
3.5/5 ⭐️
2/5🌶️
I went into The Arachnid by IV Ophelia with incredibly high expectations after reading The Poisoner more than once. I was obsessed with that book, and while I initially really enjoyed this follow-up, having now finished the trilogy, I have much more complicated feelings about it.
Ophelia’s take on vampire lore continues to shine. The gothic atmosphere is rich and immersive, shifting from 1890s London to New York without losing its edge. We pick up two years later with Alina and Phoebe building a “nest” of their own. It feels like stability, but it is fragile from the start.
Silas is just as obsessive and dangerous, and bringing Luka into the mix adds another layer of tension. Luka is still marked by Alina, and watching the two men try to work their way back into her world is messy in the best way. Alina is not here for it, and that energy carries much of the story.
“The Corrupted” raise the stakes quickly. They are feral, violent, and impossible to control. When one of their own is killed, Alina goes on the offensive, determined to find the source. The reveal hits hard, and the ending certainly left me desperate to find out what happened next.
But now that I do know what happens next, I’ve found myself reevaluating this book.
Even on my first read, The Arachnid didn’t have the same sharpness as The Poisoner. The banter felt softer, the pacing slower, and the writing lacked some of the raw, sexy, funny, slightly unhinged quality that made the first book so special. At the time, I was willing to overlook much of that because I assumed this book was laying the groundwork for a huge payoff in the final installment.
After finishing The Cannibal, I’m not sure that payoff ever justified how much of The Arachnid feels like setup.
Obviously, this book has an important job to do in moving Alina toward who and what she becomes, but looking at the trilogy as a whole, The Arachnid now feels strangely disconnected from the books on either side of it. The plot spends so much time moving pieces into position that ultimately don’t feel as consequential as I expected them to be.
I still love these characters. I still love Ophelia’s vampire lore. And there are absolutely things about The Arachnid that I enjoyed. But with the benefit of knowing where the story ultimately goes, I can’t rate this as highly as I did when I first finished it.
The Poisoner felt electric. The Arachnid feels like the bridge between where this series started and where it ultimately decided to go, and unfortunately, I’m not sure it was the bridge I wanted.
Thanks to I.V., their publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC!
3.5/5 ⭐️
2/5🌶️
I went into The Arachnid by IV Ophelia with incredibly high expectations after reading The Poisoner more than once. I was obsessed with that book, and while I initially really enjoyed this follow-up, having now finished the trilogy, I have much more complicated feelings about it.
Ophelia’s take on vampire lore continues to shine. The gothic atmosphere is rich and immersive, shifting from 1890s London to New York without losing its edge. We pick up two years later with Alina and Phoebe building a “nest” of their own. It feels like stability, but it is fragile from the start.
Silas is just as obsessive and dangerous, and bringing Luka into the mix adds another layer of tension. Luka is still marked by Alina, and watching the two men try to work their way back into her world is messy in the best way. Alina is not here for it, and that energy carries much of the story.
“The Corrupted” raise the stakes quickly. They are feral, violent, and impossible to control. When one of their own is killed, Alina goes on the offensive, determined to find the source. The reveal hits hard, and the ending certainly left me desperate to find out what happened next.
But now that I do know what happens next, I’ve found myself reevaluating this book.
Even on my first read, The Arachnid didn’t have the same sharpness as The Poisoner. The banter felt softer, the pacing slower, and the writing lacked some of the raw, sexy, funny, slightly unhinged quality that made the first book so special. At the time, I was willing to overlook much of that because I assumed this book was laying the groundwork for a huge payoff in the final installment.
After finishing The Cannibal, I’m not sure that payoff ever justified how much of The Arachnid feels like setup.
Obviously, this book has an important job to do in moving Alina toward who and what she becomes, but looking at the trilogy as a whole, The Arachnid now feels strangely disconnected from the books on either side of it. The plot spends so much time moving pieces into position that ultimately don’t feel as consequential as I expected them to be.
I still love these characters. I still love Ophelia’s vampire lore. And there are absolutely things about The Arachnid that I enjoyed. But with the benefit of knowing where the story ultimately goes, I can’t rate this as highly as I did when I first finished it.
The Poisoner felt electric. The Arachnid feels like the bridge between where this series started and where it ultimately decided to go, and unfortunately, I’m not sure it was the bridge I wanted.
Thanks to I.V., their publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 4, 2026
This series has sadly gone downhill.. was not a huge fan of it as the plot was pretty lackluster and the characters didn’t intrigue me as much as it did in the first book, probably won’t be continuing the series but will see when the last book comes out
May 25, 2026
This book suffers heavily from middle-book syndrome. It's so boring, I felt like DNF'ing every like 20 pages or so; I only finished it because I put the audiobook on while I did my nails. The plot could be reduced to 50 pages at best, and the rest is just filler and half-baked attempts at redeeming the irredeemable.
Enjoyment-wise, I'd give The Arachnid a lukewarm 3 stars, but I deducted 1 star because of how badly this book needed more editing. I most likely won't be finishing the series.
Enjoyment-wise, I'd give The Arachnid a lukewarm 3 stars, but I deducted 1 star because of how badly this book needed more editing. I most likely won't be finishing the series.
May 20, 2026
Somehow, I feel like book 2 was even better than Book 1.
I love how down bad Silas is for Alina no matter how many times she tries to rid herself of him. He takes her stabs as foreplay and makes sure she’ll never be rid of him. If you want a Gothic vampire romance with a strong Black cat FMC and a morally grey Mmc that may or may not like to stalk our FMC I highly recommend reading the poisoner and the arachnid. I will say that the cliffhanger in book 2 was brutal. I can’t wait to see where the next book leads.
I love how down bad Silas is for Alina no matter how many times she tries to rid herself of him. He takes her stabs as foreplay and makes sure she’ll never be rid of him. If you want a Gothic vampire romance with a strong Black cat FMC and a morally grey Mmc that may or may not like to stalk our FMC I highly recommend reading the poisoner and the arachnid. I will say that the cliffhanger in book 2 was brutal. I can’t wait to see where the next book leads.
February 4, 2026
Just like with The Poisoner (book 1), I need to make it abundantly clear that I am NOT a dark romance girlie, yet somehow I.V. Ophelia has made her books into an exception for me. And I think that says a lot--when you get someone into a genre they are not normally into! Alina and Silas are infuriating and hot all at the same time. But I am a sucker (pun intended) for a vampire. I think Alina has a stronger backbone in this one and I liked her even more in this installment. It's hard to discuss without giving away anything but I'll try to give a little! We pick up about two years after The Poisoner and Alina has been a very busy girl and has honestly changed, which we see in her interactions with others. Still a poisoner, still experimenting, and I honestly love what she has built--but I won't go into details! She has a good thing going. Her tentative peace is shattered with the arrival of Silas, the Creature, and Luka, the Fixer. Our three find themselves wrapped up in another mystery of drained bodies. We have a surprising redemption arc, excellent dialogue and banter, and that infuriating but tantalizing love/hate thing with Alina and Silas. In this book, we explore the dangers of obsession. And it's not always with a person either, though that's certainly part of it. It is dark, it is gritty, it is captivating. And we get another killer cliffhanger. I.V. Ophelia, your endings slay me!!!
Huge thank you to Simon Maverick for the ARC! Book releases 4/14/26.
Huge thank you to Simon Maverick for the ARC! Book releases 4/14/26.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
what the ever living FUCK do i do until september? hm? HM?!
IV OPHELIA WHEN I CATCH YOU (iloveyouandyoursickandtwistedbrain)
This was one of my most anticipated sequels…maybe ever? and it did not disappoint! The direction IV took us in with this second installment was so unexpected but equally enthralling, chilling and sensual as The Poisoner.
The Arachnid explores more of the relationship between the creatures and the hosts while also reinforcing the story’s powerful feminist theme. Alina steps into a new role that challenges her and I loved getting to see her rise to the occasion while supported by the women around her. I was also very intrigued by the character POV that was added in this installment and applaud how seamless this inclusion was without jarring the reader with this new perspective.
Silas, my down tremendously bad king! Wow, he yearned so good in this book. Every moment of dialogue between him and Alina was intoxicating and the chemistry remains palpably scorching off the page. I am… unwell after that ending and have a very strong feeling better things are about to get exceptionally more unhinged for the conclusion.
Bring
It
Onnnnn
Thank you to Simon Maverick for the digital arc in exchange for my honest thoughts 💌
IV OPHELIA WHEN I CATCH YOU (iloveyouandyoursickandtwistedbrain)
This was one of my most anticipated sequels…maybe ever? and it did not disappoint! The direction IV took us in with this second installment was so unexpected but equally enthralling, chilling and sensual as The Poisoner.
The Arachnid explores more of the relationship between the creatures and the hosts while also reinforcing the story’s powerful feminist theme. Alina steps into a new role that challenges her and I loved getting to see her rise to the occasion while supported by the women around her. I was also very intrigued by the character POV that was added in this installment and applaud how seamless this inclusion was without jarring the reader with this new perspective.
Silas, my down tremendously bad king! Wow, he yearned so good in this book. Every moment of dialogue between him and Alina was intoxicating and the chemistry remains palpably scorching off the page. I am… unwell after that ending and have a very strong feeling better things are about to get exceptionally more unhinged for the conclusion.
Bring
It
Onnnnn
Thank you to Simon Maverick for the digital arc in exchange for my honest thoughts 💌
September 9, 2026
While this book was a completely different tone from the first book. The first one was gripping and intoxicating, this one was more along the lines of mysterious and intriguing. When I was able to read, I just couldn’t put it down. Ophelia’s writing is so haunting and immediately grabs you and holds you against your will until the very end. The truth of the matter is, these books are a true gothic romance. They aren’t for the light hearted. This series is definitely dark, hypnotic, and bloody with honestly little romance. It’s a vampire romance that shows the darker side of it that has little romance and has more of a horror aspect to it with a dash of romance.
If you read book one, you know exactly who the villain was. Luka is definitely more prominent in this one as well and you even get some chapters from his POV which I honestly enjoyed. It’s not a redemption ARC I would say completely, but it gives us a look behind the curtain as to why he is the way he is and while he doesn’t make up for his actions in book one, I can still respect and understand the reasoning for his POV in this book. I don’t want to give anything away, but there is a reason why we were given chapters from his POV and the fact that him and Alina are both Hosts.
Silas was the biggest shock to me, he really stepped up his game in this one with winning Alina back and I was honestly rooting for him. He really showed up and was like, “You want the princess treatment? I’ll give you queen treatment,” which is honestly hot. Is the man perfect? No, his nickname is literally “Creature” and he acts like one, because he is one. While you get chapters from his POV as well, you get more of his back story and how it was extremely different from Phoebe and how she grew up.
This book was honestly such a roller coaster with an ending that I saw coming, but didn’t want to accept at all. I definitely cannot wait to dive into book three after that cliffhanger!
*Thank you to Simon Maverick Books, NetGalley, and the author I.V. Ophelia for the ARC!*
If you read book one, you know exactly who the villain was. Luka is definitely more prominent in this one as well and you even get some chapters from his POV which I honestly enjoyed. It’s not a redemption ARC I would say completely, but it gives us a look behind the curtain as to why he is the way he is and while he doesn’t make up for his actions in book one, I can still respect and understand the reasoning for his POV in this book. I don’t want to give anything away, but there is a reason why we were given chapters from his POV and the fact that him and Alina are both Hosts.
Silas was the biggest shock to me, he really stepped up his game in this one with winning Alina back and I was honestly rooting for him. He really showed up and was like, “You want the princess treatment? I’ll give you queen treatment,” which is honestly hot. Is the man perfect? No, his nickname is literally “Creature” and he acts like one, because he is one. While you get chapters from his POV as well, you get more of his back story and how it was extremely different from Phoebe and how she grew up.
This book was honestly such a roller coaster with an ending that I saw coming, but didn’t want to accept at all. I definitely cannot wait to dive into book three after that cliffhanger!
*Thank you to Simon Maverick Books, NetGalley, and the author I.V. Ophelia for the ARC!*
April 15, 2026
This series remains a tantalizing game of poisoner & deadly vampiric creatures. Per usual, I get wrapped up in I.V Ophelia’s immersive storytelling and this time we’re in Buffalo, New York. 🕷️
There is something mysteriously sickly & wickedly going on within the world, crawling in corruption, and fear on every corner.
Silas remains the same allusive creature, so fixed, & violently feral for Alina. He always seemed very untrustworthy, as if there was always something up his sleeve. Yet, he really proved himself, and carefully treaded lightly around her to let her fully trust him again. He groveled & yearned so aggressively, it was exactly what we needed.
“I feel you could do anything to me. You could squeeze my heart, and it would still beat proudly for you, swelling until it bursts in your fist.”
Alina, is a deadly botanist but acquired some new skills. Let’s say they are a bit more macabre, and I was chilled to the bone. She’s strong & independent but seeing her sit back for a bit to indulge in happiness and pleasure, was admirable.
Feminine rage & being unapologetic is my forte, & this did not disappoint.
”Every godforsaken day, you are chronic. Incessant, ever present, and vicious, the way you leave me with phantom pains.” I fear this is flirting in the oddest but satisfying way for these two🙂↕️
I felt the tension between Alina & Silas fuming off the pages, the tug of war between forgiveness & revenge. The hate is so visceral making the passion between them undeniable. There’s an exploration of softness & endearment knowing they both are complex, and I loved it.
I was intrigued by the newest POV, did not expect to grow a little interest in The Fixer. The tables have turned and he kind of becomes the reliable one. I also loved seeing Phoebe, and hope maybe she’s going to get a POV in the next installment.
4.5 ✨
That ending left me gasping for air, ensnared me in its web, I’m stuck & did not expect that at all!!
Thank you to Simon Maverick, NetGalley, & I.V. Ophelia for sending me this ARC.
There is something mysteriously sickly & wickedly going on within the world, crawling in corruption, and fear on every corner.
Silas remains the same allusive creature, so fixed, & violently feral for Alina. He always seemed very untrustworthy, as if there was always something up his sleeve. Yet, he really proved himself, and carefully treaded lightly around her to let her fully trust him again. He groveled & yearned so aggressively, it was exactly what we needed.
“I feel you could do anything to me. You could squeeze my heart, and it would still beat proudly for you, swelling until it bursts in your fist.”
Alina, is a deadly botanist but acquired some new skills. Let’s say they are a bit more macabre, and I was chilled to the bone. She’s strong & independent but seeing her sit back for a bit to indulge in happiness and pleasure, was admirable.
Feminine rage & being unapologetic is my forte, & this did not disappoint.
”Every godforsaken day, you are chronic. Incessant, ever present, and vicious, the way you leave me with phantom pains.” I fear this is flirting in the oddest but satisfying way for these two🙂↕️
I felt the tension between Alina & Silas fuming off the pages, the tug of war between forgiveness & revenge. The hate is so visceral making the passion between them undeniable. There’s an exploration of softness & endearment knowing they both are complex, and I loved it.
I was intrigued by the newest POV, did not expect to grow a little interest in The Fixer. The tables have turned and he kind of becomes the reliable one. I also loved seeing Phoebe, and hope maybe she’s going to get a POV in the next installment.
4.5 ✨
That ending left me gasping for air, ensnared me in its web, I’m stuck & did not expect that at all!!
Thank you to Simon Maverick, NetGalley, & I.V. Ophelia for sending me this ARC.
August 14, 2026
Audiobook 🎧
Don’t judge me but I’m kinda a Luka girlie now 🫦
I SAID DONT JUDGE ME
IV Ophelia smashes it time after time, at this point I know I’m going to love everything she touches 🤷🏻♂️
Don’t judge me but I’m kinda a Luka girlie now 🫦
I SAID DONT JUDGE ME
IV Ophelia smashes it time after time, at this point I know I’m going to love everything she touches 🤷🏻♂️
April 23, 2026
One star. And that feels like charity.
April 3, 2026
Recieved an e-arc through netgalley, all opinions are my own
3.5
I quite enjoyed the arachnid, and hadn't really realized just how much I missed Alina! Her growth is so visible in this book, and I really loved seeing her bring more people in to her life/heart. It gave her so much more to lose and gave some incredibly stakes to the plot.
The beginning was a bit slow, as we are getting updated on what has changed between Silas and Alina and their current lives, but once it starts going?? OOO does I.V. Ophelia know how to write a DARK romance! I loved their dynamic. And you can see just how different they both are. Their growth only enhances their relationship and shows just how much they truly connect with one another.
I do think that the personalization of the new characters that were introduced was a bit lacking, there wasn't much time to engage with them and understand their personalities. Alina does make such an amazing mother hen, and that pack/nest dyanmic was interesting to show her taking on more responsibility. And Silas- what a simp. I love him for it too.
That ending made me SO excited for the Cannibal! Can't wait to read more from I.V. Ophelia. She's such a breathe of fresh air in the Dark romance genre.
3.5
I quite enjoyed the arachnid, and hadn't really realized just how much I missed Alina! Her growth is so visible in this book, and I really loved seeing her bring more people in to her life/heart. It gave her so much more to lose and gave some incredibly stakes to the plot.
The beginning was a bit slow, as we are getting updated on what has changed between Silas and Alina and their current lives, but once it starts going?? OOO does I.V. Ophelia know how to write a DARK romance! I loved their dynamic. And you can see just how different they both are. Their growth only enhances their relationship and shows just how much they truly connect with one another.
I do think that the personalization of the new characters that were introduced was a bit lacking, there wasn't much time to engage with them and understand their personalities. Alina does make such an amazing mother hen, and that pack/nest dyanmic was interesting to show her taking on more responsibility. And Silas- what a simp. I love him for it too.
That ending made me SO excited for the Cannibal! Can't wait to read more from I.V. Ophelia. She's such a breathe of fresh air in the Dark romance genre.
April 19, 2026
I wanted to love this book but I was struggling. I might be in a reading slump because nothing was sticking in my head. It also lacked the humor from the first book. There were still some good moments and I will read the next one because of that ending
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