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The Vatra Witch: Book One The Lost Souls of Eraphon Series
Not yet published
Expected 15 Mar 26In this high-stakes new epic fantasy series by debut author G.V. Hext, you’ll find deadly magic, fated love, and a witch who won’t stop until she burns the world to save what’s hers. Perfect for fans of Throne of Glass, The Witcher, and The Foxglove King.
On twenty-three-year-old Seraphina Wildrick’s first mission as a Keeper of the Artifacts, she finds a priceless relic that awakens the magic of death in her veins. There are no records of that darkness in her coven’s archives, and revealing the foreign magic to the elders would be sure death. So Sera locks it up… until she can’t any longer.
On her sister’s trial day, Sera’s darkness escapes, opening a doorway to the underworld. When the coven’s greatest enemy kidnaps her sister, Sera is thrust into a mission to save her—accompanied by Alistair, the childhood crush who never returned her feelings. But from the moment they set foot outside the Citadel walls, a more insidious beast watches. A demon lord, the only other being she’s encountered with the same dark magic she wields, offers to help her—for a price.
Tangled in a love triangle between the warlock she’s longed for her entire life and the demon of her destiny, Sera must learn to control her magic and find the doorways to the underworld or risk losing her beloved sister—the only family who understands her.
On twenty-three-year-old Seraphina Wildrick’s first mission as a Keeper of the Artifacts, she finds a priceless relic that awakens the magic of death in her veins. There are no records of that darkness in her coven’s archives, and revealing the foreign magic to the elders would be sure death. So Sera locks it up… until she can’t any longer.
On her sister’s trial day, Sera’s darkness escapes, opening a doorway to the underworld. When the coven’s greatest enemy kidnaps her sister, Sera is thrust into a mission to save her—accompanied by Alistair, the childhood crush who never returned her feelings. But from the moment they set foot outside the Citadel walls, a more insidious beast watches. A demon lord, the only other being she’s encountered with the same dark magic she wields, offers to help her—for a price.
Tangled in a love triangle between the warlock she’s longed for her entire life and the demon of her destiny, Sera must learn to control her magic and find the doorways to the underworld or risk losing her beloved sister—the only family who understands her.
541 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication March 15, 2026
72 people want to read
About the author
G.V. Hext
1 book11 followersBorn and raised in Upstate New York, G.V. Hext can usually be found either writing, reading, or snuggling with one of her pets. Her love for fantasy and romance catapulted her into worlds of mystery and heartbreak, both of which she embraces in her books. She hopes you agree
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 19, 2025
I received this book as an ARC and am DELIGHTED to share a review.
4.75 ⭐️
G.V. Hext’s debut novel has hit it out of the park. The dual POV of Seraphina and her BFF, Dominick, really helped pace the story appropriately while still providing background and context to keep you informed and hooked for more. Seraphina, the FMC, was easy to like. She’s on a path of self-discovery, among other things, and I found her approach to situations fairly relatable (of course what’s a FMC without a splash of the dramatics.)
World-building? Crushed it–filled with origin stories, unique magic systems, and tragically wonderful characters. And I know there’s a lot more to come. Don’t worry, this book also comes with an adorable little sidekick. Who knew goblins could be so endearing.
I’ll be impatiently waiting for the next book in this series.
4.75 ⭐️
G.V. Hext’s debut novel has hit it out of the park. The dual POV of Seraphina and her BFF, Dominick, really helped pace the story appropriately while still providing background and context to keep you informed and hooked for more. Seraphina, the FMC, was easy to like. She’s on a path of self-discovery, among other things, and I found her approach to situations fairly relatable (of course what’s a FMC without a splash of the dramatics.)
World-building? Crushed it–filled with origin stories, unique magic systems, and tragically wonderful characters. And I know there’s a lot more to come. Don’t worry, this book also comes with an adorable little sidekick. Who knew goblins could be so endearing.
I’ll be impatiently waiting for the next book in this series.
December 19, 2025
This was such a well written fantasy novel. You follow Sera and her friend Damien in parallel time lines. The author did a really good job of creating a fantasy world and magic system that was unique but not so complicated it was hard to follow. There are plenty of plot twists in this story so each page turn was suspenseful. The reader is also left on a cliffhanger that I personally did not see coming. I can’t wait for book 2!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Received this as an ARC read.
I am devastated in the best possible way.
Part of that is because from what I can tell, the second book won't advance the story from where book 1 left off, but rather be book 1 from other POVs. Which is fine aside from the massive cliffhanger this book left off on. I want to scream and that is how I like my books to leave me feeling. Send help, I am not okay.
But let's get into the actual review. I really loved and enjoyed this book! It was written very well. Many scatterings of foreshadowing but nothing that outright gives away the plot twists. It develops in a way that the twists aren't easily predictable, but they're not just twists for the sale of shock value- they actually make sense when you think back about all those little clues.
Usually with books there is that one person's POV that I want to skip every time. Not in this book! Every one of the main characters is fleshed out and seeing what's happening in different places at once helps the story progress so well!
This story had me hooked. From the complicated family relationships to the relationship with herself, Seraphina is a very compelling character. I also love Dom and his growth as he finally opens up to someone. The love triangle felt like an actual tough choice which is very rare. Sera has a connection to both of the love interests and different reasons for how she feels about each of them. I may be a little biased towards Al because he has central heterochromia like my husband and I'm a sucker for second chance love stories. He does lose a few points throughout the story but I'm not here to spoil that.
So many moments had me feeling giddy and kicking my feet. "I'll be whatever you want me to be if you keep doing that" is honestly better than Dorian from ToG "I'll bleed whatever color you tell me to". The "As you wish" moment, I don't even care if it's a reference to the Princess Bride, it made me very happy.
The magic system is pretty easy to understand but I wished there was a better exposition of the different colors of robes and their meanings. It doesn't play a huge role in the overall plot but starting out was a little confusing.
Vasso is cheeky and I'm here for it. I feel like Sera was pretty quick to trust him but there are reasons I guess, which are revealed a bit later. I wish we had his POV more.
Lavinia is COLD to Sera, and I know there is more to her involvement in all this, I just know it. I have highlighted a few instances of foreshadowing but I don't have solid proof of just how much she has orchestrated. I don't trust her. Kinda wish we got to see a little more of Raphael and his infiltration but I think we will get a lot more of him in future books.
I love that Snik isn't actually important to the story but he is there and he is adorable. He's just a lil guy and every good adventure book needs a lil guy.
There were a few grammar errors but only if you really pay attention, not enough to knock the rating at all.
Overall, I hope GV Hext keeps me as an ARC reader because I am in pain out of desperation for the rest of the series and the sooner I get it in my claws the better. I am torn about finding her so soon into her writing career. On the one hand I love finding new authors and getting in on the ground level so to speak. But on the other hand, there aren't other series/works for me to read in the meantime while I wait for book 2. Again, send help.
I am devastated in the best possible way.
Part of that is because from what I can tell, the second book won't advance the story from where book 1 left off, but rather be book 1 from other POVs. Which is fine aside from the massive cliffhanger this book left off on. I want to scream and that is how I like my books to leave me feeling. Send help, I am not okay.
But let's get into the actual review. I really loved and enjoyed this book! It was written very well. Many scatterings of foreshadowing but nothing that outright gives away the plot twists. It develops in a way that the twists aren't easily predictable, but they're not just twists for the sale of shock value- they actually make sense when you think back about all those little clues.
Usually with books there is that one person's POV that I want to skip every time. Not in this book! Every one of the main characters is fleshed out and seeing what's happening in different places at once helps the story progress so well!
This story had me hooked. From the complicated family relationships to the relationship with herself, Seraphina is a very compelling character. I also love Dom and his growth as he finally opens up to someone. The love triangle felt like an actual tough choice which is very rare. Sera has a connection to both of the love interests and different reasons for how she feels about each of them. I may be a little biased towards Al because he has central heterochromia like my husband and I'm a sucker for second chance love stories. He does lose a few points throughout the story but I'm not here to spoil that.
So many moments had me feeling giddy and kicking my feet. "I'll be whatever you want me to be if you keep doing that" is honestly better than Dorian from ToG "I'll bleed whatever color you tell me to". The "As you wish" moment, I don't even care if it's a reference to the Princess Bride, it made me very happy.
The magic system is pretty easy to understand but I wished there was a better exposition of the different colors of robes and their meanings. It doesn't play a huge role in the overall plot but starting out was a little confusing.
Vasso is cheeky and I'm here for it. I feel like Sera was pretty quick to trust him but there are reasons I guess, which are revealed a bit later. I wish we had his POV more.
Lavinia is COLD to Sera, and I know there is more to her involvement in all this, I just know it. I have highlighted a few instances of foreshadowing but I don't have solid proof of just how much she has orchestrated. I don't trust her. Kinda wish we got to see a little more of Raphael and his infiltration but I think we will get a lot more of him in future books.
I love that Snik isn't actually important to the story but he is there and he is adorable. He's just a lil guy and every good adventure book needs a lil guy.
There were a few grammar errors but only if you really pay attention, not enough to knock the rating at all.
Overall, I hope GV Hext keeps me as an ARC reader because I am in pain out of desperation for the rest of the series and the sooner I get it in my claws the better. I am torn about finding her so soon into her writing career. On the one hand I love finding new authors and getting in on the ground level so to speak. But on the other hand, there aren't other series/works for me to read in the meantime while I wait for book 2. Again, send help.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book completely blew me away. I had absolutely no expectations when I went into it & I think even if I had, they would have been exceeded. This was easily one of my favourite reads this year and I had a vwry, VERY good reading year. I loved the plot, I loved the characters (THE CHARACTERS, OMG!), the twists, the world building. I could go on and on. I would be incredibly shocked and disappointed if this does not make every best seller list. If this is an indication of how the series is going to be, this will be a god-tier series for me. The Vatra Witch was an infinity star read & I cannot wait until this book and incredibly gifted author get the recognition they both deserve 👏. G.V Hext, hats off to you, this was romantasy perfection.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I knew from the very first chapter that I was going to love The Vatra Witch.
G.V. Hext writes with such confidence and has a clear, intimate understanding of the characters. The chemistry between characters is so good, and the world feels fully lived-in. More than once, I teared up, and even though I flew through this book in a single night, it felt like I was truly part of Sera’s world.
I don’t want to spoil anything, but I highly recommend this book. As always, be sure to check the trigger warnings beforehand. There is some mild spice, which is easy to skip without losing context if that’s your preference.
If you love romantasy with witchy vibes, found family, and a generous helping of shadow-daddy energy, The Vatra Witch is absolutely for you.
Note: I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review, and this one really stayed with me.
G.V. Hext writes with such confidence and has a clear, intimate understanding of the characters. The chemistry between characters is so good, and the world feels fully lived-in. More than once, I teared up, and even though I flew through this book in a single night, it felt like I was truly part of Sera’s world.
I don’t want to spoil anything, but I highly recommend this book. As always, be sure to check the trigger warnings beforehand. There is some mild spice, which is easy to skip without losing context if that’s your preference.
If you love romantasy with witchy vibes, found family, and a generous helping of shadow-daddy energy, The Vatra Witch is absolutely for you.
Note: I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review, and this one really stayed with me.
December 24, 2025
ARC Review:
This story had such interesting world building, the characters are very well fleshed out, and the banter…how do I even begin to say how good the banter is.
The plot and the pacing had me hooked in.
The author plays so well at the line of what makes someone good or evil.
LGBTQIA representation in the main cast with POVs, the best friend is not just a side character!!!!
This story had such interesting world building, the characters are very well fleshed out, and the banter…how do I even begin to say how good the banter is.
The plot and the pacing had me hooked in.
The author plays so well at the line of what makes someone good or evil.
LGBTQIA representation in the main cast with POVs, the best friend is not just a side character!!!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The author has an amazing way of writing that you feel the emotions of the characters and as if you're a part of the story. It was an enjoyable read and not what I expected
The author has an amazing way of writing that you feel the emotions of the characters and as if you're a part of the story. It was an enjoyable read and not what I expected
Review of advance copy received from Author
I loved this book... I wish it was a completed series because I needed book 2 right now! This is one of the books that will stay with me ! Thank you for the arc !
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews