The Realmwalker

Unwoven Fates #2

by Elizabeth Zoba

London, 1921.

Malachy Bane is running out of time—and chances.

Demons stalk the shadows. The Mage Tribunal wants his head. And Cora, the woman who once held his heart, is slipping through his fingers.

Now the Realmwalker has returned from death, dragging long-buried secrets and a reckoning soaked in blood and betrayal.

A darkly seductive he-falls-first fantasy romance.

Genres: Fantasy, Unfinished

239 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 2, 2025

About the author

Biologist by day and fantasy writer by night, Elizabeth lives in California with her feline familiar.

Stay in touch by signing up for her mailing list or following on Instagram (@liz_zoba).

Reviews

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐️
me at the last chapter: 😍😍😍
me at the epilogue: 🤯🤯🤯

[Joana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elizabeth Zoba is back with an amazing sequel!

Elizabeth’s writing is everything I look for in a book – descriptive and almost poetic. She weaves (no pun intended, haha) dark elements into the story, making it the perfect “Halloween” read. The only reason I’m not giving this five stars is that I didn’t feel quite as gripped by the story as I was with the first one... but that’s definitely down to personal preference, because this book is truly fantastic.

In this book, we learn even more about Malachy Bane, which was such a plus for me. We get a glimpse of his origin story and begin to understand why he is the way he is. Cora becomes even more badass and learns to trust – and through that, their relationship grows stronger, with the feelings that began in the first book solidifying even further.

And that ending?? My jaw dropped! I honestly can’t wait for the next book.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Zen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of The Realm Walker, and wow — I’m blown away. I absolutely loved The Unweaver, but this book took everything I adored and made it even better. Elizabeth Zoba’s writing is pure magic — dark, poetic, and completely immersive. The world-building, the twists, the tension… it’s everything I want in a dark fantasy.

I’m honestly obsessed with her storytelling; she has such a gift for weaving emotion and danger together in a way that keeps you hooked from start to finish. This series deserves so much more attention — it’s criminally underrated. I can’t wait to see where Zoba takes us next!

[Moonburst · Rating 5 out of 5]

Malachy's past has finally come to haunt him. His past transgressions have the Mage Tribunal itching to kill him, but they give him one final, impossible task: hunt down the demons they refuse to acknowledge. Hampered by a magical binding, and his criminal network in shambles from his long incarceration with the Tribunal, Malachy knows it's only a matter of time before his old master Ghose makes good on his threat to use Cora to return fully into his power. As multiple traps close in around him, can Malachy defeat the demons and keep Cora safe?

The Realmwalker continues the excellent story started in the Unweaver, but largely takes place from Malachy's point of view. This fleshes out the history underlying the conflict, and allows for greater humanization of the mysterious Malachy as a whole. A perfect addition to the series that continues to move the plot forward while continuing to build upon the world of the story.

Another excellent read with character depth and a sense of impending doom.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Clare Burnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having been reading a lot of fantasy lately I was getting a bit bored of high fantasy settings, but like with The Unweaver, the setting of The Realmwalker, 1920s London, expanding outwards and backwards was brilliant and a breath of fresh air. Vibrant, interesting and loved the gritty urban fantasy of it all. Bane and Cora are a great dark pairing with lots of sexual tensjon. I do have some small complaints, like a couple of typos, the excessive use of flashbacks, occasional cringe moment ("Cora-mancer" - no) and I would have liked to see some side characters better fleshed out, e.g. Anita. There was also the overused trope of "we can't be together because it's dangerous for you" which thankfully resolved itself quickly. But otherwise an excellent read and devoured it in a weekend. Very much recommend.

[see nic read · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a great second installment, although I rated it lower than the first one because of all the separation of the two main characters. I get dragging out tension, but we had a whole first book of tension, so I was personally impatient! It seemed like it was wrapping up as a duology, but it seems we’re at least getting one more!

🌶️: 4/5

[seli · Rating 5 out of 5]

i loved returning to this world & these characters so much. i AM so excited for book 3

[Anna Baker · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not even the cliffhanger in the epilogue could stop this one being a 'meh' for me

[Reyna M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to BookSirens & publisher for the arc!

**4 stars** The way I clicked “request for ARC” the second I got the email notification was embarrassing, but no shame. This was such a good sequel to the first book.

Picking up straight from book one, we’re now in Bane’s POV. We follow him in the midst of a trial with the Mage Tribunal, who very much want him dead. With demons on the loose in his city, Bane manages to strike a deal that has him wrangling all of them. The catch: he’s under a magical binding that prevents him from mentioning the deal at all. Now that he’s back in London, he also plans to mend things with Cora, who was left in shambles after being kept in the dark about what happened. While he’s trying to win Cora back, another threat looms in the form of an old master.

The minute I saw the glossary of mages at the start, I was so happy. I’m glad to see this author taking feedback on board and implementing it in the next installment. I never know whether authors read ARC reviews that closely, so it was really refreshing to see.

I enjoyed reading from Bane’s POV. The story is told across a couple of timelines, showcasing his past, which works cleverly with the fact that he’s a time mage. It was interesting to learn more about his history and his inner turmoil over his connection with Cora. I found myself living for the Cora–Bane scenes. Their tension was so thick, not even a cutting mage could slice through it. When we finally got to the scene we’d all been waiting for, I was slightly disappointed because it was awkward to read at times; it felt rushed and choppy. Regardless, I still loved them.

The ending was amazing. Just when you think things are stagnant, everything changes. It gave me the exact same feeling as the first book, and I’m really looking forward to the final book in this trilogy.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Realmwalker starts off where Unweaver ends, with Malachy at the mercy of the Mage Tribunal. The Master Mages are blinded by protocol and their desire to keep the fragile status quo. After months of doing nothing particularly helpful, they eventually give Bane a ultimatum: fix the demon problem or be imprisoned.

Which obviously won’t do. Malachy desperately needs to get back to Cora. So with a quest in hand and binding agreement to gag him, Mal is back to London and the gang. Which unfortunately is a mess. Nosy coppers have been getting in the way of Emerald Club business. Mages are plotting a revolution. Demons run afoot, causing delicious mayhem. Also somehow Malachy has gained a doppelgänger in his absence. He sure has his hands full.

So what did I like about this book? Malachy’s continued respect of Cora’s boundaries. Consent was key in every spice scene. The tension was thick and paid off. I honestly can’t wait to see how Cora’s and Mal’s relationship further develops in book 3. It was also refreshing to get so many scenes in Malachy’s POV, plus all of the flashbacks that further explored his past. We got to learn more about the mages and realms, which made the world even more compelling.

I unfortunately did not love this book as much as its predecessor. I rated Unweaver 5 star, but Realmwalker is only a 4.5 (in my opinion). Mostly due to small things involving pacing and character decisions. Please remind me why our leads should trust the Masters? Especially since they have traitors in their midst. I also just personally am not a fan of the miscommunication trope. Which briefly occurred between the two leads. There were a few scenes I would have preferred Cora’s POV. I still would recommend this book, regardless.

All in all, this was a worthwhile sequel to a excellent debut. I’ve enjoyed the ride so far and can’t wait to see where we go from here in the sequel, Queen Of Rot.

Full disclosure: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I would like to thank Elizabeth Zoba and the team at BookSirens for letting me read this book early and free of charge. Last I checked, I haven’t encountered any memnomancers, so I am leaving this review of my own free will.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved The Unweaver and couldn’t wait to read the next book in this series, The Realmwalker. And it did not disappoint!

We picked up right where the last book left off. Except now demons are on the loose and mages are running amok with new players in town. Malachy is in a tenuous position with both the Tribunal and Cora. He’s also trying to keep the coppers out of his business and away from finding out about the mages. To say he has his hands full is an understatement. It seems like as soon as he has one problem solved, ten more pop up that needs to be handled. He soon realizes that there are not only demons behind what’s happening, but unknown forces pulling strings. He’s determined to send the demons back where they belong and unraveling the cause of all this disruption. At the same time, he’s desperate to protect Cora and wanting to keep her close.

What I loved most about this book was Malachy. While I thoroughly enjoyed the first book, I wanted more of Malachy. Zoba gave me everything I wanted and more. We learn what makes Malachy, Malachy. We learn about his past, his family, and what drove him to become so ruthless and closed off. But I have a feeling there’s more that will be discovered in the next book of the series.

Cora is growing into the role of the Unweaver. In the first book, she was reluctant to use her necromancer magic and always believed what was said about her – that she was an abomination. Now, she’s starting to embrace her powers and has no problem unweaving those that threaten her – or Malachy. I loved the growth she showed with this second book and can only imagine how fierce she will be in the next.

The world building for this series is incredible! I loved the gothic vibe of 1920’s London and how dark and gritty it was. The magic system of the mages was unique. The sense of mystery of the Tribunal kept me guessing who could be trusted. The ending sets up what’s to come in the next book perfectly. I can’t wait to get my hands on it to see how everything plays out.

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much thanks to BookSirens & the publisher for the ARC- this review is left voluntarily and with every intention of telling people how amazing this novel is!

*screaming/crying/throwing up!*

This was a perfect 2nd book in the Unwoven Fates series. I will have a book hangover with this one for a WHILE. The first book in this series was all about Cora, the second book in the series is all about Malachy. Malachy is a devastatingly complex character with an intricately woven backstory. The author has created many worlds and many realms so deep and complex that I felt transported over and over again every time we went somewhere new. The author provided such rich descriptions of the settings that anywhere Malachy went, I went right there with him.

Malachy isn't the traditional main male character. He has depth that made complete sense. He has hesitations and fears and underneath his title of the Realmwalker and one of the most powerful men in London, he carries heavy burdens and vulnerabilities that could only be dissuaded by Cora. Their relationship is simultaneously terrifying and soft, both vicious in what they are to the world and delicate towards what they are to each other.

This book had so many twists and turns that I could barely keep up; in the best way possible. I couldn't predict one page to the next, I had no idea what would happen, where things would happen or how they were even happening. The magic, the mages and their capabilities, how they're all used for and against each other; incredible. All of the characters, morally grey, downright evil or something in between, were all depicted vividly in my mind. I had no trouble and only joy in imagining everyone surrounding Malachy.

In short, (without giving anything away!) this book was spellbinding, delicious, heartbreaking and an adventure worth traversing from page one until the very end. Also that end? *GASP*. Cannot wait for book 3!

[Anne M Knab · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Realmwalker is the second book in the proposed trilogy of the Unwoven Fates series. It’s a direct follow-up to The Unweaver which introduced us to Cora Walcott and the mages of 1920s London. The realmwalker is Cora’s boss/potential paramour Malachy Bane who is a highly successful Irish gangster and time mage. This book is told primarily from his P.O.V and delves into his past and current battles with the rival gangs, the mage tribunal and demons trying to implement a new world order.
Elizabeth Zoba is definitely one of the better fantasy romance writers I’ve read. Her world building is dense and intricate and her characters are well fleshed out. Cora is a thirty year old woman who has experienced trauma but is not a shrinking violet. She kills when she needs to and takes responsibility for her actions. Malachy is a complicated man and we get to learn more of his secrets and motivations in this book. The historical references including the Irish potato famine, WW1 and the rise of fascism in Europe in the 1920s are integrated into the plot line to really interesting effect. It was a pleasure reading such well written prose and the plot moved at a good pace with little repetition or reliance on over-used fantasy tropes.
It’s been awhile since I’ve read The Unweaver, so it took me some time to get back into the world of mages. There was a lot I had forgotten and a prologue containing a recap would have been helpful but I did manage to jog my memory on some plot elements.
The Realmwalker doesn’t end on a cliffhanger per se but the epilogue does set up the third book nicely. I’m really looking forward to reading it in 2026 when it comes out. I received an ARC copy for review.

[Old Sea Hag · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The unweaver was one of my favorite books of this year. It’s written smartly, it’s mature, it has a unique magic system, Malachi and Cora are complex well developed characters and couple. It really is so unlike other fantasy books out there and is such a refreshing read. The sequel is a continuation of that. The plot and relationship development in this sequel was so engaging. I love that this was a dual POV, and we get to see Malachis devotion to Cora and his tragic backstory. Overall I loved this sequel butttt… I’m feeling shall we say hesitant about the set up for book3.
Now, this might just be a me thing but I really don’t like when a plot device is to continue to break up the MCs rather than have them be a team and work together to fight the big bad, while also developing & nurturing their relationship. I’m not 100% that’s where book3 is going but it kinda felt like that was the set up here… also it’s confusing why Cora is just gonna go live/work with the dude that helped to imprison Malachi, the one person who has truly had her back when a main feature of her personality is loyalty.
So all in all a well done sequel, and I really hope my reservations for the next one are misplaced.

[Leslie Cunningham · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is absolutely C R I M I N A L that more readers aren’t fully invested in the Unwoven Fates series. Elizabeth Zoba is a treasure. C'MON romantasy girlies what are we doing here??? The Unweaver was one of my favorite books of 2025, and while Realmwalker didn’t hit quite as hard for me, it’s still an good follow-up.

The worldbuilding remains top-tier—truly, think Peaky Blinders with magic and an atmosphere so textured you feel like you could walk straight into it. I’m baffled this series isn’t all over everyone’s booktok.

This installment leans more into Mal’s story, whereas book one centered on Cora. And listen… I simply do not need more pages dedicated to the inner workings of the male mind. That’s just me. But to its credit, the book still gives us a delicious continuation of their dynamic. Mal’s character development is excellent, and the groveling? Extremely satisfying. Now that he has his heart back (IYKYK), the man is gone for her in the best way.

The spice is well-placed—present, purposeful, and never over the top. And the expanded demon lore is fascinating, even if a few sections had my mind drifting a bit.

Overall, a rich and compelling continuation of the series. I’m already impatient for book three.

[Emm · Rating 4 out of 5]

🪞 The Realmwalker ARC Review 🪞

The Realmwalker is the 2nd book in the Unwoven Fates series. Malachy Blane is the traget of the Mage Tribunal. It’s 1921 London and all he wants to do is return home to Cora, who to his horror, is growing farther and farther away. Demons haunt every corner and its up to Malachy to find out how to stop them, outsmart the Tribunal, and bring Cora back to him.

Rating: 4/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was an absolute dark and gloomy fantasy and I loved it. The setting of 1800-1900s London was done so well. I could picture the characters walking the old, Victorian streets.

My favorite thing about this series is the magic system, and more specifically Cora’s power as a Necromancer. I thought it was an interesting take where not only could she rise the dead, but she could talk to them without doing that. It’s more focused on in the first book than the second.

I like seeing Malachy’s backstory. It made me feel more for him than I had in the first book.

Thank you to Booksirens and the publisher for the ARC!

[Sarah-Jayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was everything I hoped for and more. Elizabeth Zoba has such a beautiful way with words—her writing pulls you in immediately and creates a story that feels both poetic and vivid. She isn’t afraid to explore darker themes, and she handles them with a depth that really adds to the emotional impact.

In the Realmwalker, we get a deeper look into who Mal is as this book is written mainly from his point of view, exploring his origin story is intense, complicated, and adds a ton of depth to the overall series.

The character development throughout is fantastic, and the world-building is vivid and captivating, making it impossible not to be drawn in.

The ending left me wanting so much more, and now the countdown is officially on for the next book! I truly couldn’t put this one down. I absolutely loved it and am beyond excited to see where the story goes next.

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC copy for free, but this review reflects my own honest thoughts and feelings.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Realmwalker is a dark, atmospheric continuation of Elizabeth Zoba’s Unwoven Fates series that deepens both the magic and the emotions established in The Unweaver. We get so much more of Malachy Bane and his POV as he faces the Tribunal, new enemies, and the unraveling consequences of his past. The world-building really expands in this second book revealing the political inner workings of mage society. I also really loved the deeper connection that we got to experience between Malachy and Cora as she continues to face struggles of her own, especially with her memories. there are so many secrets, betrayals, along with strong character, development, an intricate magic system, and this growing sense of danger and that something worse is coming. The second book really delivered and set the stage for The Queen of Rot! I cant wait.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kristie Kieffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Realmwalker is a rich and imaginative fantasy adventure that had me hooked from the start. Elizabeth Zoba creates a vivid world full of danger, magic, and intrigue, with just the right balance of heart and high stakes.

The worldbuilding was detailed and immersive without ever feeling overwhelming, and the characters were layered and easy to connect with. I loved watching the protagonist grow and adapt as the story unfolded—there’s a perfect blend of action, emotion, and self-discovery.

Zoba’s writing is elegant yet fast-paced, keeping you turning pages to see what’s next. It’s the kind of fantasy that feels both classic and fresh, with just enough mystery to leave you wanting more.

A fantastic debut (or next-in-series) for fans of epic quests, portal fantasy, and character-driven storytelling.

[Kinsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great sequel to The Unweaver. We got Cora’s backstory and POV in the first one, and we got Malachy’s backstory and POV in this one. The character development is top tier for this reason. The progression and pacing of Malachy and Cora’s relationship is perfectly done in my opinion. There was tons of action, plot twists, and I was never bored. I love the world Elizabeth created. It really is so unique and spooky. I did think the pacing of the plot was a bit fast and think slowing it down a bit would have benefited the story. There were some parts of the plot that I felt weren’t described well so I was left a bit confused. This totally could have just been me missing something and I’ll definitely be doing a re-read before book 3 comes out, so hopefully that clears that up for me.
Overall this book was great, this series is fantastic, and I can’t wait to see how it ends!

[Alden · Rating 3 out of 5]

I absolutely loved The Unweaver and was so excited to pick up The Realmwaler to continue Cora and Malachy's story. However, I just couldn't get in to this one as much as I was hoping to. It was hard to follow at some parts and I kept having to crack open the first book to remind myself who a few of these characters were. Maybe I just didn't like the inclusion of Bane's POV. Cora was largely just a side character this book except for the epilogue. The entirety of The Reamwalker felt like filler to get to the ending cliffhanger which did, by the way, leave me intrigued for book 3!!

Thanks to BookSirens for providing me an ARC!

[Viv · Rating 3 out of 5]

This second installment focuses predominantly on Malachy, so we follow most of the story through his POV.

Fans of a down bad MMC will absolutely love this sequel, and we get to explore Mal's past and see how that shaped him into the man he is now.

Meanwhile Cora grows into her new-self.

Whilst I did enjoy this book, I found it a bit disjointed as there are different flashbacks that break the pace.

Loved the historical parallels, it grounds the story and makes it more poignant.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Cee Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Realmwalker is a solid fantasy read with a wild magical structure. The shifting realms and the way they connect are actually the strongest part of the book; Zoba builds the world in a way that feels fresh without drowning you in lore. The writing is perfectly dark, daunting, and makes you feel like you are there.

There are a couple twists that genuinely caught me off guard, and the ending lands nicely without feeling forced & that ending makes me ansy for the next book!

This series is 100% worth the read!

[Ragne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the awesome opportunity to read this book as an ARC and I loved it!

Elizabeth knows how to write almost poetically and how to lure you in so you’re unable to put the book down.

This book feels like a good continuation to the previous one (that I also had the honour of reading as an ARC) can’t wait to see what’s going to happen next!

**** I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Madi • SleuthingInk · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author has amazing talent in telling stories that capture your attention from the start and just keeps pulling you in deeper. When I read the first book I couldn’t wait for the sequel and I’m so glad I was able to read Realmwalker as an ARC. This book just grabbed ahold of me and hasn’t let go!!!!

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Somehow, it improved upon the first book. I love Malachy's story and that Cora still had her own development/occasional perspective to keep her active as a character and not sidelined. 5/5, YOU CAN'T DO THIS TO ME and if I don't get an HEA then I'm setting shit on fire. 

[SW · Rating 5 out of 5]

Both books are fantastic and I can’t wait until the third is published!

[Brooklyn L. Wolves · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book!! It was beautifully written and the character development was done really well.

[river · Rating 4 out of 5]

so much stronger than the first!!! i would recommend this series strongly, it's very memorable and improves on itself as it goes on!

[Summer · Rating 5 out of 5]

That mf epilogue