Sins of Survival

Legacy of Shadows #2

by Jen Karner

It's been years since Dani left the Scions of Seraph in her rearview, after finding out they were killing innocents. But if she's learned anything about people, it's that they hold a grudge, and her old "family" is no different. A near miss with some of their people leaves Dani and Emilie with a target painted on their backs and a group of hunters out for blood.

After a year of trying, and failing, to fit in as a hunter, Emilie gets a call from a local clinic about a message from beyond the grave begging for help. The spirits show her the man who killed them, a rip in the veil between the realm of spirits and the living, and a monster from beyond the veil using hunters as hosts.

So it's just a Tuesday, really.

The Scions must be stopped and the creature eliminated if they hope to close the tear and restore balance. To find a way forward, Dani must face the skeletons in her closet. To keep her new family, Emilie must embrace all of her talents. To find the life they want, they'll have to decide if that life includes each other.

Genres: Fantasy, Lesbian

341 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 7, 2026

About the author

Jen Karner is a queer writer who never attended college but still did the required reading. A feminist banshee, she enjoys horror movies, tabletop games, and debating about her many fandoms. When she isn't writing, you can find her pretending to catch up on her TBR list, trying to convince her dog to love her best, or watching D&D shows.

Jen was raised in the Baltimore suburbs, where she devoured as many books as possible and spent her afternoons running amuck in the woods. She lives in Maryland with her nesting partner, their dog, and a growing number of plants.

Reviews

[Missfit]

I really need to stop requesting ARCs that say "it can be read as a standalone".

Because most of the time, it really can’t ⁠(⚈̥̥̥̥̥́⌢⚈̥̥̥̥̥̀)

I apologize to the author. I wanted to like this book. I really did. I literally just finished a 5 star sapphic read that had me bawling, and I wanted to jump into another sapphic story. But from chapter one, I didn’t understand anything (๑´•.̫ • `๑). The prospect of a necromancer and some kind of witch (?) seemed like a great combination. It looked like something I would enjoy, and even the writing itself was pleasant. But like I said, this book didn’t work as a standalone and just left me confused.

Still, thank you to the author for the opportunity! I plan to revisit this book later, when I’m not drowning in arcs hehehe 💚

[Solely Sapphic Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review
Duel 3rd Person POV. 4.5🌟. 340 pages

This was an immaculate sequel to the Cinders of Yesterday. Sins of Survival had me hooked! Much like the first book, the second is still giving very much Lost Girl meets Wynona Earp meets Supernatural and that will always be a combo I’ll devour.

The story follows Dani and Emilie on the road a year after the events of book one, when they come across a collective of talented that have been taken out violently and it turns out somethings come back to bite you in the ass. The duo must fight to save the talented from a murderous cult, destroy a mystical parasite that is controlling said cult, repair a tear in the veil and save the spirits of those lost. What could go wrong?

Sins of Survival is full of magic systems and intrigue, haunting pasts, ex lovers who want them dead, a hunter with a feral side, healing from grief, self sacrifice for the greater good and a butt load of action and adventure. And honestly if you truly sit with it for a while you’ll notice that the story is poignant, it’s reminiscent of the witch hunts and the atrocities of today. It’ll make you think, it’ll make you angry and it’ll make you want to burn the world.

However, If you read solely for romance be warned that the romance aspect of both books takes on more of a sub-subplot role and the couple spend more of the book apart than they do together. But it has so much more to offer, it’s an intriguing read, with an immaculate plot, diverse cast of characters and so much heart, it’ll have you wanting more when it’s done!

Sins of Survival will be released April 7th, be sure to add it to your TBR asap!

Read if you LOVE:
✨Urban Fantasy
✨Blade & Magic Wielding Sapphics
✨Romance Sub-Plot
✨Magic Systems
✨Nomadic Settings
✨Wynona Earp meets Lost Girl meets Supernatural
✨Murderous Cults
✨Mystical Parasites
✨Spirit Talking & Veil Walking
✨A lot of Action & Adventure

[Know My Shelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ rounded up to 5 ⭐️

Thank you to Netgalley and the Chipped Cup Collective for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

After seeing that the book stated it was book 2 in a series, I first started by going back and reading doom one ‘Cinders of Yesterday’. After reading them both consecutively, I can definitely see the authors marked improvement and progression. Whilst I struggled a little with being thrown into the deep-end with lore in the first book, this books is a much better read.

It’s giving a little bit of Supernatural and Mortal Instruments. The book starts around one year after the events that occur in ‘Cinders of Yesterday’. Emilie and Dani have been hitting the open road, kicking ass and taking names. They run abreast of a radical group of hunters that believe the talented, people with otherworldly powers, are abominations and should be destroyed. Their almost motto is ‘human first’. It feels like it’s echoing some of the problems and sentiments that are currently occurring worldwide (especially here in Japan where the Sanseito legit do say ‘Japanese first’). The plot follows along as we discover more about Dani’s past in relation to the Sions and watch as Emilie grows into her powers.

I love the little snippets of romance between Dani and Emilie; big fan. In fact, I could even do with some more. I crave it. They fit together so nicely and have carved a little life out for themselves, even if that life is a little unconventional.The romance, trust and pet names seem to come so easy between them. I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall during the interlude between books 1 and 2 to see how they got to such a comfortable level.

I’m looking forward to where we go moving forward in the next book. The ending here left some loose threads (here’s looking at you Julia) and it will be interesting to see if they are resolved. Buzzing with eager anticipation!

[Tasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

A year later…
A new experience…

Back with high paranormal plot, wlw relationship, light romance, no spice (closed door if it happens)! So if that’s your jam, jump in!

This is a deeper dive into Dani’s past and Emilie experiencing her developing talents. The plot still moves in a mostly predictable pattern, not too much brain power required or emotional damage experienced (at least for me). Haunted past, threats to magical people, cryptic messages, choices must be made… Danger Will Robinson!! All in all, the story builds to an intriguing climax! it’s a good ride.

i’m neutral in this one.

Now for the nitpick. Please note I am reviewing an advance copy. There may be edits between now and publish!! It’s a bit repetitive, and I don’t mean just recap info from Cinders. It feels like filler material to stretch the story. That lost my attention. A lot. A sense of déjà vu in Ch30 (because Ch16) 😬

[Morgan Dante · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jen Karner’s Sins of Survival is an excellent follow-up to Cinders of Yesterday. Listen, when I hear Supernatural and Destiel but with lesbians, that’s an automatic yes for me. Also great if you are a fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer or Lost Girl, that specific flavor of late 1990s through the early 2010s paranormal/contemporary fantasy. The character dynamics and banter are great and the world is both dark and fun.

[Marcia - itsabookthing2021 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading Sins of Survival, I loved how it progressed from book 1 and was set 1 year ahead. The character developments were great and I loved the fact the romance was set a sub-plot to the main plot as I enjoyed all the action type, I felt this story was more Dani than Emilie as we dived into her past more and I loved that aspect. It felt weird got to know the character more. I loved how this novel is fleshed out, it's descriptive and creates a world a liken to Buffy and Supernatural (in my opinion). I loved the vibe it gives and I really enjoyed reading this novel.

[Avery · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review!

I did enjoy Cinders of Yesterday, and I thought this was better! There were a few spots where it got repetitive, and a few phrases were used liberally, but it was otherwise really good! If you're a fan of Supernatural or Wynona Earp but sapphic then you'll love this!

[Ladz · Rating 5 out of 5]

In SINS OF SURVIVAL, the dead don't rest and old enemies shatter Dani and Emilie's dreams of domestic bliss. Fueled by community love and justice, Karner flexes with crisp pacing, riveting battles between monsters and magic, and plenty of female rage. - Ladz, author of The Cradle of Eternal Night

[Jen Karner · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book in my love letter to the paranormal genre might have taken me 4+ years to write, but I love it just as much (if not more) than Cinders of Yesterday. 🖤

[Marilyn Formosa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written well done. Again feels like supernatural/Winona Earp. Ehh a good nostalgic feeling.

[Calling All Book Lovers · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25

I received an e-arc from the author in exchange for an honest review.

I went into Sins of Survival with high expectations, especially since I loved the first book, and honestly, it did not disappoint. I really appreciated that while the romance is definitely there, it never takes over the main plot or derails the story halfway through. Everything stays balanced and on track, so nothing feels confusing or unnecessary.

I enjoyed this book just as much as the first one (I genuinely can't choose a favourite😂), and I somehow fell even more in love with the two main protagonists. Emilie has come such a long way on her journey to figure out where she belongs and to understand her background. I love how her empathy shows through her friendly, outgoing nature, which contrasts perfectly with Dani's more serious, straightforward way of caring. Dani has also grown so much; she's more open with the people she loves now and is the perfect protector for her "little medium" 🤗.

The chemistry and banter between Dani and Emilie were so good that I honestly wish we had gotten more of it. That's not a flaw in the story at all, just a personal preference because I adore them so much 😁.

I wouldn't say the book ends on a cliffhanger per se, but it definitely sets up the stakes and direction for the next instalment. Unfortunately, the second book isn't out yet, which means I'm stuck waiting (and suffering) because I'm already itching for the third book to be released.

Overall, this is a fantastic series. I've been struggling to find sapphic books that lean more into horror fantasy rather than romantasy, and this one really delivered. I also found a new favourite author along the way. So, I highly recommend picking up the first book before this instalment's release date!

[Cait · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sins of Survival is the second book in the Legacy of Shadows series. I was gifted a copy by MTMC Tours, which hasn't impacted my revjew.

When “humans first” hunters begin targeting anyone with magic, only a battle-scarred hunter with a legendary weapon, and a witch who can hear the dead can stop them. Sparks fly between them in this sapphic paranormal fantasy as they try to save the world, and get justice for the ghosts trapped in the veil.

I had so much fun reading both Legacy of Shadows books, which really give you the same feeling at watching a monster of the week serial. They are just downright fun, while keeping that "just one more page" pace. If Cinders of Yesterday was Emilie's book then Sins of Survival is very much Dani's. I loved that we got to find out more about her past, and that the drama came from the different factions not from within Dani and Emilie's relationship.

I'd say this is 0.5 on the spice scale (hints and veilled) and is sapphic 🌶

[Colsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to the author for the ARC!!

The second book in the series brining nonstop tension, emotional depth, and gritty urban fantasy. Dani and Emilie’s journey is intense, layered, and full of high stakes! The action hits hard, but it’s the character growth and the strength of their relationship that truly stands out.