Eldritch

The Eating Woods #2

by Keri Lake, James Cassidy (Narrator), Melissa Barr (Narrator)

In the grimly captivating sequel to Anathema, Maevyth and Zevander must navigate the perilous mortal lands to deliver Zevander from the clutches of an ancient, malevolent power that threatens to shatter both worlds.

An eldritch magic has awakened, turning the mortal world darker. Colder. Famished. With flesh-eating monsters and a sinister curse spreading like a plague, the last glimmer of humanity in Foxglove Parish has long since faded.

For Maevyth and Zevander, the only chance of escape is through The Eating Woods. But fate has woven a new web, tangling the threads of destiny, and crossing the mystical boundary to Aethyria might not be so simple.

As the bones of Maevyth's past are unearthed, and truths unravel with unsettling clarity, the possibility of never leaving Mortasia is becoming more of a reality. Unfortunately for Zevander, time is running out. The longer he stays in the mortal lands, deprived of essential vivicantem, the more he succumbs to the encroaching specter of madness.

Or maybe those chasing shadows are someone hunting him. A wretched evil closing in, threatening to pull him into the darkest corners of his mind.

Only, this time, Maevyth may not have the power to save him.

Eldritch is a full-length, gothic dark fantasy, and the second book in The Eating Woods trilogy. Perfect for listeners who enjoy a plot-heavy and atmospheric story with a unique magic system, a slow-burn romance, and a touch of horror.

Contains mature content. A complete list of content warnings can be found on the author's website. Narrated in duet style.

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Gothic, Dark Romance, Romance, Fantasy Romance, Dark

24 pages, Audible Audio

First published September 9, 2025

About the author

Author of gothic romance who specializes in demon wrangling, vengeance dealing and wicked twists.

I love connecting with readers, so feel free to join my reading group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thego...

Reviews

[SK · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars ✨

Okay I have mixed feelings about this one. It was good but this one was quite flawed and in an honest opinion, poorly executed. Like sure, the vibes, the tension and the dark past are all captivating, but it doesn't live up to Anathema.

Firstly, the way it starts is pretty good and yet there is so much time spent in one location, it ended up reading like a filler. Sure, Maevyth and Zevander getting to know each other and explore that bond is essential but nothing really happens in that time. Then they finally start moving but oh no wait, not for long because we're going to spend time in another location doing the same things all over again. This was a very poorly edited book.

My second issue was the switch between the past, present and then a completely different pov. It simply broke my reading rhythm. Just when I was getting a bit sucked into it- the pov changed or we're thrown back in a tragic past. It was a bit frustrating to read. Like I get the appeal to make it mysterious but I would have much preferred a consistent flow. I didn't really like Kazhimyr's pov. It was boring.

I loved Maevyth but she clearly was not the spotlight in this book. There's not much thoughts for her when it was Zevander who shined and sort of carried the book. I wanted more of him and I got it but I was truly not prepared. There was definitely a character imbalance but it was meant to be the case, so I'm not going to complain much there. However, I will question if Zevander needed to be so extremely abused for the sake of the plot? We're not talking about abuse that can be healed within a few months of love and passion with his woman. It's heavy trauma, it's utterly dark and broke me so much. I get the point that there needed to be a tragic backstory to give a blooming story of trust, growth and add a bit to the plotline. But was there really an absolute need for him to go through so much?

But I loved the relationship growth and angst between Maevyth and Zevander. They've grown so much. So beautifully. The slow burn, the passion and love was utterly mesmerizing to read. The chemistry between the two is chef's kiss and their vulnerability to open up their darkest parts to each other was both heartbreaking and beautiful to read. I won't even call it spice, it was intense lovemaking.

The ending was both fun and had the surpise and ehem- cliffhanger moment. Iykyk 👀 I can't wait to read the third book whenever it comes out. But I would hope for a healing arc. Cause it's just fucked to write such a dark book with no healing arc. Please check trigger warnings before diving into it.



~•~•~
Need to dive into this immediately. Also, here for more Zevander 🤭🤭

[Annica ⚡️ annica_reads_books ⚡️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m sitting here, staring off into space, unable to move on from the sheer brilliance of this book. I don’t know if I can truly express how perfect I thought this story was, but I’ll try my hardest. This review is spoiler-free and focuses on my feelings, as well as highlights a few things readers should be aware of as they dive back into The Eating Woods. If you’re sitting on the fence unsure whether you should dive into this trilogy or not, I hope my words bring you excitement, maybe a little anxiety, but also some comfort.

Eldritch picks up seamlessly where Anathema left off—and reader beware, the stakes are higher, the story is darker, and the tension is palpable. While Anathema laid the groundwork, Eldritch is the perfect “middle” book in The Eating Woods trilogy. At times, readers may find certain scenes taking longer than they think they should or show a scene that they may not think is necessary, but if you’re familiar with Keri Lake’s writing, you know every sentence is intentional. Nothing is wasted: everything has meaning.

This book takes a necessary turn from Anathema by diving deep into the tragic backstories of our anti-hero, Zevander, and our heroine, Maevyth. It forges strong connections to the first book without ever talking down to the reader. Lake strikes that perfect balance—her prose is intelligent but never pretentious, it’s lyrical yet technical. She doesn’t spoon-feed you answers; instead, she plants the clues and leaves you to connect the dots. If you walked away from Anathema with lingering questions, chances are you’ll find answers here—or in the final installment (title to come). At times, reading Eldritch feels like unraveling a mystery, piecing together Keri Lake’s masterful storytelling.

Think Anathema was dark? Think again. Eldritch cranks up the horror, the atmosphere, and the danger. The darkness deepens, and the stakes climb ever higher. And that cliffhanger? It was brutal in the best way.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: a heroine will make or break a book for me. Maevyth, who already crowned herself as my new favorite heroine from Keri Lake in Anathema, continues to be my new favorite. She balances logical decision making with heartfelt compassion. She’s layered, resilient, and intelligent, and it’s easy to see why Zevander cares so much for her.

Zevander is a quintessential Keri Lake hero: a guarded man scarred by tragedy. The kind of man who would burn the world for the woman he loves. Watching his vulnerability surface with Maevyth was a heartbreaking and beautiful experience. I loved seeing his cocky charm in between those tender moments. Zevander and Maevyth make a fantastic couple as their strengths and weaknesses compliment each other perfectly.

Keri Lake’s stories are meant to be savored, and Eldritch is no exception. She has once again outdone herself. I’ve long held several of her books in “god-tier” status (Nightshade, I’m looking at you), but The Eating Woods trilogy has surpassed even my highest expectations.

Keri Lake, I bow to you. Eldritch isn’t just another installment in The Eating Woods trilogy—it’s a triumph.

Link to my video review here.

[Maddy ✨ ~The Verse Vixen {AFK brb}]

ೃ ⁀➷ pre-view: ⚔️

The Hunger of Shadows: A Curse Written in Blood and Bone

~WELCOME BACK TO THE EATING WOODS:where shadows hunt, monsters feast, magic bleeds into the night, and the only rule that matters is: survive… if you can 🗡️
In the grim sequel to Anathema, Maevyth and Zevander find themselves trapped in the mortal lands, where eldritch magic has awakened—and it is starving.

Warning signs everywhere: ⚠️☠️ “TURN BACK. THE WOODS ARE HUNGRY.”⚠️☠️ …yeah well, here we are again..💀Walking straight into cursed territory like rent’s due and monsters are a side quest.…and me? I’m already halfway in with my lantern, tripping dramatically!🤸‍♀️

Because guess who’s back?
⚔️ Our cursed assassin Zevander (still brooding, still ancient—211 years and counting, and yes, still hot while losing his sanity 🤌🏻)
⚔️ Our chaotic FMC -Maevyth who has the survival instincts of a moth in a bonfire (but oops, she’s the only one who might save him).

🕯️ What Awaits / Tropes & Vibes:

✔️ Grumpy x Feisty ROUND TWO!
✔️ Gothic atmosphere cranked up to max (bones, blood, whispers in the dark—like yes please)
✔️ Maevyth is digging up bones of her past she was never meant to find.
✔️ Zevander is running out of vivicantem—and out of time.
✔️ And shadows stalk him closer, whispering madness… or hunting him outright.
✔️ The “woods are cursed, flesh-eating monsters are hungry, and oh yeah—witches are waiting with their creepy little bargains 🕯️🕸️
✔️ Zevander’s mind slowly unraveling 😭 (is it madness, a curse, or someone hunting him?)
✔️ Maevyth digging up past secrets she REALLY did not need right now, thanks 💀
✔️ Forced proximity but make it gothic horror—aka “we might die if we don’t cling to each other… but also ew feelings.”One bed…but make it “if you fall asleep, something WILL eat you” 🕷️
✔️“Touch him/her and die”—but monsters aren’t listening 🗡️
✔️BUT WAIT. Enter stage left: Rykaia.
Our chaos queen. The “best sister” award holder 🏆. The only one who can roll her eyes at ancient curses while sharpening her knives. Her banter? Chef’s kiss. Her vibe? “Yes, the world is ending, but did you see what she’s wearing??” I want more of her!!
✔️ Banter that feels like foreplay (fight me).
✔️ Monsters, curses, secrets, shadows—and me loving every second.

📜 The Vibe:

If Book 1 was gothic banter & curses, Book 2 is Abt to be madness, hunger, and the slow suffocation of hope.
Think Crimson Peak + Wuthering Heights + eldritch horror lurking at the edges.
It’s candlelight, whispered truths, and the terrifying thought that love might not be enough this time.

After Anathema left me hanging on the sharpest cliffhanger ever—Maevyth and Zevander’s fates tangled in curses, madness, and dark secrets—I’m practically pacing in anticipation for Eldritch to deliver the payoff.

📍The stakes are higher, the curse is darker, and the hunger is real-

And me? I’m here with Rykaia commentary in my ear, popcorn in hand 🍿, screaming at the woods to just TRY me.. yes—Buddy Read Round Two with Katerina ⚔️ because clearly we didn’t learn our lesson the first time. LET'S F*CKING GOO!!And I am not leaving that forest without my happily ever after.

[Andy ₊✩‧₊˚౨ৎ˚₊✩‧₊ · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️

While I loved Anathema I am so disappointed with this book it is not even funny at this point. I was so bored and I found my self racing towards the end just to be done with it. 🤷‍♀️

Not much has happened to justify almost 800 pages. I love getting to know Zevander’s past but TBH it was such a big part of the book that I got bored even with that. Why did I need Kazhimyr’s POV? No idea 🤷‍♀️ .

Well, the last 30 % of the book was great but the feel of disappointment has been present throughout whole book.

[Keri Lake]

For the second book in this trilogy, I decided to explore Zevander’s backstory, to show how integral it is to his character and the events in Anathema. As a result, this is a more character driven story than book one. A shift in pace. There will be revelations throughout, but this book turns inward, peeling back character layers.
The unsettling quiet before the storm.
Keep an eye out for links back to book one-some that might be subtle.
If you’re looking for spice after having read Anathema, know that I took great care to handle Zevander’s past and trauma delicately. The scenes in this book are open door and explicit but were approached with consideration and acknowledgment of the abuse he suffered. Please be patient regarding the romance, as both characters have a lot to work through.

A word of caution …
This book contains a number of potentially triggering situations. You can find the full list of trigger warnings-with spoilers-on my website: www.kerilake.com/eldritch

Thank you for reading and embracing these characters and their world. 🖤

Welcome back to The Eating Woods.

[évieane · Rating 4 out of 5]

ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ㅤ ‍‍‍✦ . 　⁺ 　 . 4.2 - 4.4 ☆ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦
ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ˋ°•*⁀➷ㅤmight contain spoilers ❗

ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ To tell the truth, if Anathema had dragged me into a haunted house, Eldritch just forced me to unpack and live there with the lights off, my heart broken, and the curtains never opened. It is a descent rather than merely a sequel, with each step feeling more significant and intimate. This time, instead of monsters, everything reverberates with sorrow, remembrance, and a voice that has been muffled for too long. And I want to clarify that, despite my slightly lower rating in comparison to the previous book, this was still very enjoyable to read.
ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ This book is more about what lives inside a man who has been broken repeatedly until even his shadows have teeth than it is about what lurks in the shadows. It is a slow process that reveals a soul's grotesque beauty, tenderness, and brutality. Eldritch caused me to become motionless, ache, and bear Zevander's suffering as though it were my own.



ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ “You were not meant to become a delicate flower, but the frost that wilts the vine.”

ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹ short summary
ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ Eldritch dives into the shadows left behind by Anathema, unravelling the tormented past of Zevander while Maevyth navigates the dangerous present. Memories of betrayal, curses, and heartbreak bleed into the present, forcing choices filled with impossible weight. Secrets long buried claw their way to the surface, and every step forward is laced with fear, longing, and the kind of tension that twists the gut.
ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ The story moves more slowly than its predecessor, less about spectacle and more about the fractures within its characters; be ready for quiet horrors, haunted spaces of memory, and the tender sparks that bloom in the darkness. I made it sound beautiful, didn't I? Well, it freaking isn't, it's absolutely traumatic...but in the best way possible. It’s a book that lingers, refusing to let go, and leaves you questioning what survival even means when the past refuses to stay buried. It also makes you question your OWN life and survival, but we don't go there.


ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹ honest thoughts
ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ⋅ ☾ I'll begin by saying that Eldritch is unabashedly character-driven, and it's jarring in the best way possible. The action takes a backseat as you are thrust into Zevander's agony, his violent past, and the atrocities that shaped him into the eerie, unforgiving person he is today. Each chapter reveals a new layer of suffering, revealing not only what he went through but also how those wounds continue to affect him today.
ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ No, unlike Anathema, this book won't keep you on the edge of your seat with its constant action. It will instead make you want to tuck yourself in a soft blanket in your bed while you weep ugly at two in the morning over a man who was taught to give everything and expect nothing in return. Needless to say, I was RUINED.

ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ⋅ ☾ Because this instalment is so character-driven, the complex lore and magical system ease up; therefore the world-building takes a back seat. You still uncover prophecies, old rites, and creepy characters, but there’s less information-dumping and more room to breathe. For me, that was a relief because the series's complexity needed a pause to let the people in it matter more than the plot that binds them. New mysteries still surface, but they do so much less shockingly and much more emotionally.

ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ⋅ ☾ Maybe this was just me, but until about the 80% mark, the present-day chapters felt like trudging through wet cement. I wasn’t hating them, but I was definitely speed-reading just to get back to Zevander’s past—the chapters that wrecked me, gutted me, and left me clawing at my chest for this man. They were so raw, so exquisitely brutal, that the present felt almost...hollow(?).
And look, I love when a series slows down to dig into wounds instead of feeding me constant love declarations. But here, I just wasn’t connecting. I was this close to lowering my rating—until the last 20–25% came in, cracked my ribs open, and reminded me why I trust Keri Lake with my entire sanity. High rating intact and heart fully destroyed.

ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ⋅ ☾ I still have conflicting feelings about this book's romance. On the one hand, I loved it; I was crying, screaming, and going crazy over how beautiful it was that it started as a glimmer of hope for them both; I was sobbing over how pure, and innocent, and gentle it all was. Every tiny, painful glimpse of it destroyed me.
ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ On the other hand, there was a slight void in the interactions of the present. I feel as though I was given everything—devotion, tragedy, and longing—but not the last piece that would have completed the picture perfectly. Maybe it’s just me spiralling too hard over this book right now, but I have a feeling a reread will settle things. For now, all I can say is: it’s too soon, I’m too raw, and I’m not done crying about it.

ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ⋅ ☾ I hope Keri Lake is planning to announce the release of the next book like in the next hours and that the release date will be tomorrow, because otherwise I will be suing if I have to wait an entire year after THAT ending. I hate it here so much....


ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹ characters
ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ In Eldritch, these characters, who were already dangerous, complex, and captivating in Anathema, become even more so; you can see how much their burdens influence every decision as the fissures in their souls widen and the shadows from their pasts emerge into the moonlight. Even though I don't have as much to add about them, there were still some lovely little developments for them.

ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ 🕸 Maevyth – she’s no longer just bleeding in silence or learning magic in fits and starts; Eldritch forces her to become a rescuer and both a witness and an active part in the suffering of others. She is forced to bear both her past and Zevander’s as if they are twin scars, and she does it so beautifully and innocently that it makes your heart hurt for her. Her powers grow, yes, but so do her doubts about what she can protect, about whether love demands too much sacrifice and quite about everything else around her. The sister she is and the power she holds weigh heavily on her.

ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ 🕸 Zevander – if Anathema introduced the curse, Eldritch digs into its origin. We see him stripped back to his core: the betrayals, the torture, the slow decay of hope in the mines and Gildona. His past chapters don’t just haunt him and me from this day forward; they shape the present in ways that fracture him both emotionally and mentally in such a heartbreaking way. Watching him try to carry on despite the dark fire inside him is heart-wrenching in the best, worst way ever, and his selflessness even when he is the one suffering more than anyone else is absolutely maddeningly painful.

ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ 🕸 Aleysia – Aleysia gets a bit more depth in this book for sure. She is both the girl Maevyth aches to protect and a mirror of what happens when innocence is devoured by cruelty. Her presence makes the stakes razor sharp: she embodies the fragility of hope and the brutal truth that not everyone survives untouched. She anchors Maevyth’s choices and, through the depth of their bond, helps her make the right decisions despite all that might be sacrificed.

ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ 🕸 Khazimyr, Ravezio, Torryn + Dravien – their roles feel slightly more textured here. The banter is still there, the dark humor, those moments of camaraderie that feel necessary to survive. But Eldritch shows how their loyalty to Zevander is not just because he leads them, but because they’ve seen his pain, because they’ve shared a past that’s too brutal to name and because he never forgot them. The addition of Dravien clearly brings some more humour and unexpected bonds along the way. Their own scars glimmer under the flash of their jokes, and I felt every one of those invisible bruises. Please give me more of my found family in the next book.

ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ 🕸 Loyce – motherfucking psychotic bitch; I cannot put into words the things I wish upon this deranged creature. I have genuinely never felt this much hatred towards a character in my entire life. I was feeling sheer, uncontrollable anger each time I was forced to read about her sick and twisted existence. I need Keri Lake to study all of the darkest and most horrifying torture methods in existence, multiply them tenfold, and return them to this sick piece of trash in at least three chapters of uninterrupted description of such actions for the next book.


ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹ should you read this?
ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ If Anathema was a blade, Eldritch is the twist, the VERY SLOW twist of that said blade. It’s slower, sharper, crueller, less about battlefield spectacles and great adventures and more about the wars inside a body, a memory, a curse. If you crave non-stop action, this might not be your book. But if you want to be gutted by character, undone by trauma, and carried by prose that drips like poetry into wounds you didn’t know you had — then yes. Read it. But know: it will not love you gently.
ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ Safe to say, I am currently feeling entirely dead inside, and I am trying to distract myself from this book with anything I can because otherwise I might end up crying again. I NEED THE NEXT BOOK RIGHT NOW, KERI!!!!!!

⊹₊┈ㆍ┈ㆍ┈ㆍ┈ㆍendㆍ┈ㆍ┈ㆍ┈ㆍ┈₊⊹

ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍˗ˏˋ📖‧ ˚ ₊⊹ The Eating Woods series reviews:
⋆˚࿔ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍Anathema (4.8 ⭐)



⊹₊┈ㆍ┈ㆍ┈ㆍ┈ㆍㆍ✿ㆍㆍ┈ㆍ┈ㆍ┈ㆍ┈₊⊹
ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ᯓ ✿ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍pre-reading ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ⪼ ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ started ┆12-September-2025┆
ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ⤿ Keri put pure crack in this series and I am a complete addict!! give me more spiders, i don't even care anymore; i love this so much that i will take all the nightmares it will put in my head 😩

[✵]

i have to wait for april 2025 to read the first book bc i don’t want to start an unfinished series 😔💔

[Sloan MacDonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

WHY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Carleen ☾ ☀︎ · Rating 5 out of 5]

⛧☾ “You’re the fragile thread anchoring me as this endless night approaches. My mind’s only tether in a maddening abyss. I loved you before I even knew your name.” ☽⛧
꒰ 🕸️🥀🕷🖤⛓🕯️💀✨ ꒱


📖┆Eldritch
╰┈➤ ✰┆ ˗ˏˋ 𝟝 𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕣𝕤 ˊˎ˗

📆┆˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ Dates read: 9/27/25 - 10/1/25

𓂃🖊 ┆ 𝓣𝓻𝓸𝓹𝓮𝓼:
❥ morally gray characters ❥ touch her and die ❥ forced proximity ❥ fated mates ❥ shunned FMC ❥ cursed / tortored MMC ❥ found family ❥ elements of horror ❥ gothic dark fantasy

🏷️┆𝓐𝓽 𝓪 𝓰𝓵𝓪𝓷𝓬𝓮:
⛧ Dark gothic fantasy romance 🥀
⛧ 2nd book in a trilogy with a cliffhanger ending ‼️
⛧ Multiple POV with two timelines ⏳
⛧ Character-driven plot with slower pacing
⛧ Atmospheric descriptions with horror elements 💀
⛧ Unique magic system with a dark forest and monsters 🕷️
⛧ Slow-burn romance 🖤 with 3/5 🌶️ (open-door explicit scenes)
⛧ ⚠️tw: murder, graphic violence/gore, animal death, spiders, child abuse & death, sexual abuse/trauma, self-harm, suicide/suicidal ideation, torture

📋┆𝓢𝔂𝓷𝓸𝓹𝓼𝓲𝓼:
An eldritch magic has awakened, turning the mortal world darker. Colder. Famished. With flesh-eating monsters and a sinister curse spreading like a plague, the last glimmer of humanity in Foxglove Parish has long since faded. For Maevyth and Zevander, the only chance of escape is through The Eating Woods. But fate has woven a new web, tangling the threads of destiny, and crossing the mystical boundary to Aethyria might not be so simple.

As the bones of Maevyth’s past are unearthed, and truths unravel with unsettling clarity, the possibility of never leaving Mortasia is becoming more of a reality. Unfortunately for Zevander, time is running out. The longer he stays in the mortal lands, deprived of essential vivicantem, the more he succumbs to the encroaching specter of madness.

Or maybe those chasing shadows are someone hunting him—a wretched evil closing in, threatening to pull him into the darkest corners of his mind. Only, this time, Maevyth may not have the power to save him.

“My obsession knows no bounds, moon witch. I’d tear apart the heavens and sacrifice my own soul for you.”

🎵 ┆𝓝𝓸𝔀 𝓹𝓵𝓪𝔂𝓲𝓷𝓰: ♫ Not Afraid Anymore by Roniit ♪
↻ ◁ 𝕀𝕀 ▷ ↺
0:53 ────|────── 3:17 Volume: ■■■■■□□□

─────── ⋆.˚ ✩ ⋆˙⟡ ───────

💭┆𝓡𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀:
╰┈➤ 📌┆Initial Thoughts:
➛ UMMM WHAT DO YOU MEAN THIS IS A TRILOGY?! I thought this was a duology. God damn, I have to wait another year for the final book? No one talk to me until 2026 when I have the last book in my hands. I am not ok. I am unwell. I will not survive.

╰┈➤ 📝┆Plot and Pacing: 5 stars ✰✰✰✰✰
➛ Eldritch seamlessly picks up where Anathema left off, with our main characters stuck in the bleak mortal realm attempting to find their way back to Aethyria. We take a detour from the action and instead focus on the characters. It was very much a character-driven novel, which means the pacing may seem slow or disjointed for some. However, the payoff was well worth it in my opinion. By diving into the tragic backstory of Zevander with dual timelines and making strong connections to the first novel, we can forge a deep emotional bond with the story. It felt necessary to do the story justice, and it will tie in brilliantly with the final novel. If this were a doulogy, there would not have been enough time to explore the characters and thus would be lacking emotionally.

However, don't worry, there were plenty of revelations and twists that kept me up reading late into the night. I was addicted and couldn't let go. The ending was nail-bitingly intense and left me reeling. I was mentally preparing myself for a cliffhanger ending because Keri Lake just loves to torture her readers, and yep, she did not disappoint! I absolutely cannot wait for the last book!

╰┈➤ 👫┆Characters: 5 stars ✰✰✰✰✰
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ 🔥┆Zevander
➛ Ughhhh this man! Keri Lake crafted his backstory beautifully. I would've read his prequel in a heartbeat. I cannot get enough of him, and he made this story what it is. His past was truly devastating and heartbreaking. A guarded man scarred by tragedy. The kind of man who would burn the world for the woman he loves. He imbues this story with such depth and emotion. Keri Lake tackles his trauma incredibly well. Watching his vulnerability surface with Maevyth was a heartbreaking and beautiful experience. His brooding nature, quick wit, and the intense, slow-burning dynamic he shares with Maevyth, where he uses pain as a source of power but struggles with trust and vulnerability, are central to his character arc. His transformation hinges on his growing connection with her, and in turn, she helps him confront his inner darkness. Brilliant.

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ 💀┆Maevyth
➛ She is a resilient, compassionately determined heroine. I loved witnessing her evolve from an ostracized, vulnerable outcast into a powerful sorceress capable of confronting prophecies and saving loved ones. Driven by her deep loyalty to her sister, Maevyth's journey is a powerful exploration of self-discovery, the burden of a cursed bloodline, and the struggle to reconcile immense power with a compassionate nature. Her character development is marked by growing confidence, the acceptance of her dark powers, and a profound strength found in connection.

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ Romance/Spice
➛ Keri Lake writes all-consuming romances. This was no exception. Maevyth literally pulled Zevander out of his darkness and saved him, and she doesn't even know it! Although these characters technically got together at the end of the first novel, it still felt like a slow burn. The romance is still building, which I found refreshing. So many times I read a romantasy and start losing interest after the main characters get together because there is no tension. There is simply nowhere else to go. But with Eldritch, the romance is still developing. There is a lot of trauma and abuse that these characters have to overcome. They have to learn to trust each other and be vulnerable together. Keri Lake did an excellent job of demonstrating this. The spice is open door and explicit, and it's not the soft-focus romantic smut that you may be looking for. This is (literally) sharp and bladed, and it fits perfectly with the story. It never felt gratuitous.

╰┈➤ ✎┆Setting and Writing: 5 stars ✰✰✰✰✰
➛ Keri Lake is the queen of dark, moody, and atmospheric prose. Her writing is very intentional. Every word has meaning, and every scene has a purpose. Lake strikes that perfect balance—her prose is intelligent but never pretentious, it’s lyrical yet technical. She doesn’t spoon-feed you answers; instead, she plants the clues and leaves you to connect the dots. She also creates such a unique world and magic system that makes it distinct from other romantasy books. The Gothic atmosphere, with its spiders, creepy forest, flesh-eaters, and a chilling abandoned church, was impeccable. I devoured every. single. page. I would read 700+ more pages in a heartbeat.

╰┈➤ ☁️┆Themes: 5 stars ✰✰✰✰✰
➛ This series explores themes of religious oppression and trauma, the weight of betrayal and guilt, healing and hope, survival and vengeance, and the blurred lines between light and dark. Keri delves into the cost of survival, the power of love, and the possibility of redemption.

╰┈➤ 💕┆Emotional Impact: 5 stars ✰✰✰✰✰
➛ The number of times I cried while reading this should be studied. I was so immersed in the world and invested in these characters. It was giving everything to me. Deeply emotional and brimming with intensity.

╰┈➤ ✨┆Enjoyment: 6 stars ✰✰✰✰✰✰
➛ I'm sitting here, staring at the wall, attempting to move on with my life, BUT I CAN'T! GAHHH!!! This is what it means to be a reader. These are the books that give me an emotional high and keep me coming back for more.

─────── ⋆.˚ ✩ ⋆˙⟡ ───────

╰┈➤ 🚨┆𝓑𝓸𝓽𝓽𝓸𝓶-𝓵𝓲𝓷𝓮:
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ This book has consumed my mind, body, and soul. It has left me in shambles and has become my entire personality. It was simply brilliant, and I need more of it. Keri Lake speaks to me like no other and is an auto-buy author for me. If you enjoy dark fantasy with gothic horror elements, an incredibly unique world and magic system, with a slow burn romance then give this series a try!

➛ ✔ 𝓦𝓸𝓾𝓵𝓭 𝓘 𝓡𝓮𝓬𝓸𝓶𝓶𝓮𝓷𝓭? UMM YES!

➛ 📚┆𝓢𝓲𝓶𝓲𝓵𝓪𝓻 𝓑𝓸𝓸𝓴 𝓡𝓮𝓬𝓸𝓶𝓶𝓮𝓷𝓭𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷𝓼:
✃ Nocticadia by Keri Lake - ✰✰✰✰✰
✃ Nightshade by Keri Lake - ✰✰✰✰✰
✃ Phantasma by Kaylie Smith - ✰✰✰ ½
✃ Fairydale by Veronica Lancet - ✰✰✰✰✰
✃ Master of Salt & Bones by Keri Lake - ✰✰✰✰✰

➛ ♡ ┆𝓢𝓮𝓻𝓲𝓮𝓼 𝓡𝓪𝓷𝓴𝓲𝓷𝓰:
✃ Anathema (The Eating Woods #1) - 5 stars ✰✰✰✰✰
✃ Eldritch (The Eating Woods #2) - 5 stars ✰✰✰✰✰
✃ Book 3 - TBD

─────── ⋆.˚ ✩ ⋆˙⟡ ───────

“No one would ever nourish his starving, ruined heart the way she did.”

“Refusing to look at her was like trying not to look at a star captured in the palm of his hand.”

“I would call you the soft glow of moonlight in a pitch-black world. A prayer I never spoke aloud, but somehow the gods answered anyway. The strike of lightning I dare to behold without flinching. The reason I breathe.”

[hade · Rating 1 out of 5]

Excruciatingly boring. You can tell this was meant to be a duology but was dragged out into a trilogy, and my god, what a slog it’s become. I forced myself through the first book, hoping the plot would deepen and the characters would finally develop, but what a joke that was.

We live in a time where too many believe that being an avid reader automatically qualifies them to write something life changing. Get real. This book and Anathema are perfect examples of someone who has no business writing. It’s a damn shame, because I wanted so badly to love these. The gothic premise was right up my alley, but execution? Utterly disastrous.

There’s been zero character development, if anything, the opposite. Not one of them is likable. And then there’s this obnoxious trend of slapping sexually graphic, violent backstories onto characters as if that alone will make them complex, sympathetic, or “edgy.” It’s a cheap cop-out, it’s lazy writing, and it does the opposite of what’s intended: it makes serious readers slam the book shut.

I’ve never written a review in my ten years as a devoted reader, but I felt compelled to warn others and hopefully save them from this misery. The writing is lazy, the world-building nonsensical, the naming conventions ridiculous. Forever glad I didn’t spend a penny on this atrocity.

The only thing that could have salvaged this mess would’ve been starting from scratch. Speaking for readers with a sensical mind, it’s time to log off the computer and pursue another path

[Laura Jane ♡]

Pre-read: So excited for this one!! I thought I’d put it off a bit given the 3rd book isn’t scheduled until Sept 2027!!! But who am I kidding? I need a win and I’m so sure Maevyth and Zevander will deliver 🖤

[Tatianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

09/17/25: I did, in fact, read this book a second time after I finished. 🤭 Definitely helped with the hangover.

INFINITE STARS! ♾️

“You’re the fragile thread anchoring me as this endless night approaches […] My mind’s only tether in a maddening abyss.”

Across all of Keri Lake's books, you'll find a brilliant balance between darkness and horror and a deeply impactful, all-consuming romance. While this is true with The Eating Woods series, its added grim and fantastical landscape takes things to new heights entirely. Eldritch is the perfect second instalment for what is to become an epic trilogy.

This review is spoiler-free, however, if you haven't read Anathema yet, you must start there! You can read my review here, and if needed, please review the content warnings on the author's website.

The Eating Woods series is gothic fantasy romance that follows Maevyth Bronwick, a young mortal woman that is shunned by her very religious community, and Zevander Rydainn, a cursed assassin from the magical realm of Aethyria. Circumstances force Maevyth beyond a forbidden boundary in her realm, and she discovers a terrifying world of magic and monsters. This series explores themes of oppression, religious indoctrination and trauma, as well as healing and hope against all odds.

Eldritch provides so many answers to questions that were raised in the first book, while also allowing for strong character development and major revelations that propel the overarching plot forward. It's a lengthy book, just like its predecessor, but every word and scene is intentional. Don't let the slower pace at the beginning fool you… the story crescendos carefully and methodically toward a gripping and intense conclusion that had me by the throat. Seriously, the end of this book had me feeling frantic, feverish and ravenous for more. It's pretty diabolical, to be honest. Even after 700+ pages, I could read 700+ more. I am down bad.

While a lot of ground is covered in this story, none of the chilling, eerie vibes were sacrificed to make that happen. Keri Lake's signature gothic atmosphere persists and the horror elements are ON POINT. So many scenes are intensely cinematic and evoked visceral, emotional reactions from me.

Where Anathema set the stage for the romance, Eldritch has drawn the curtains. I won’t give specifics as I don’t want to spoil anything, but this book allows the reader to get to know Zevander and Maevyth on a much deeper level, making their romance that much richer and the stakes that much higher.

“You’re a fate I never dared to dream, moon witch. The stars I was never meant to grasp. But seeing how this gluttonous world devours the unclaimed, I'm calling you mine.”

Zevander Rydainn. The Scorpion of Nyxteros. Lord of Eidolon. I am simply on my knees for this fictional man. This book really focuses on Zevander, unraveling some of the mystery surrounding his very traumatic past and also showcasing the danger of his inner demons in the present. Getting to know him on this level was such an emotional experience. He is the embodiment of strength and resilience. The flashbacks provide so much insight.. but they also give rise to revelations that had me FREAKING OUT. Like, jaw-dropping, heart-in-my-throat, kicking-my-feet kind of revelations.

“Show me everything. I want to see every part of you. Even the darkest.”

Maevyth is put in many situations that challenge her and her growth is both satisfying and believable. She is still curious, thoughtful and so compassionate... but she has this unbridled power inside of her that she is not afraid to use to protect herself and those she loves. The emotional connection that strengthens between her and Zevander is absolutely everything. There is spice, but it’s so much more than that. The intimacy shared by these characters is heart-achingly beautiful and nothing short of sacred. I could go on and on about their connection and its impact, but really, it just needs to be experienced.

I wish I had the words to do this book and this series justice. There is so much to unpack, so many delicious layers and I know that this story will be heavy on my mind for a long time. After I finished, I actually went right back to the beginning… something I’ve only ever done once before. Waiting for the final book is going to be the sweetest agony.

Keri Lake is a master of her craft. She's written across a variety of romance subgenres and each time I swear she raises the bar. This blending of her signature gothic style with fantasy is such creative flex and a breath of fresh air in the world of romantic fiction. Her work is a cut above, every damn time. I'm (happily) ruined for dark fantasy now.

One last note: if you’re someone who loves to pair their reads with music, the official playlist is a must-listen! I can’t stress enough how much it captures the emotional tone and desperation of this world, particularly with respect to the hard-won, raw vulnerability between Maevyth and Zevander.

This series is simply a must-read for anyone who enjoy plot-heavy dark fantasy romance with a touch of horror!

[✨⚡ Kelcey (felinebooktrovert) ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel like I read a different book than everyone else...?

First off, I picked up Anathema because it was a duology and I could read the first in time for the second release, but now it's a trilogy!? Did anyone know this prior to reading?? And the ending of this was just crazy enough for me to need to read the next one.

But oh man, exactly nothing happened for the first 40-50% of this book. During that time, the main characters are stuck in one location, just trying to survive. So we had all this big ending energy from the previous book and hit the biggest road block at the beginning of this one that just completely stalled the storyline. Then the next 20% is them then stuck at a different location but finally some stuff is starting to progress, both with the overall storyline and the main relationship.

So because nothing is happening, we also have past chapters for Zevander to scar us for life and also another POV, both of which I think were required to add because NOTHING ELSE WAS HAPPENING. Now, the past chapters do have some nice tie in's to the present, but I wasn't liking the execution. It would have been cool if those were maybe turned into a novella and got us even more pumped up for the next book.

But the last 40% was great (some issues with the FMC not withstanding), and there was finally some action, some emotional progress, and a cliffhanger to really rip your heart out and stomp on it.

So like I said, I will be continuing the series, but I was really pushing myself to get through the first half of this book 😮‍💨

[Britany Brown]

50 FUCKIN STARS

[Hold-my-beer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was so bored. Everything seemed to happen randomly, at least in the main plotline. I couldn't care less about kazhimyrs pov or zevanders past or his dream sequences. The only time things actually progressed were the last 100 or 50 pages.

Maevyth got on my nerves so bad. It's a literal zombie apocalypse and she bitchin about killing people, putting everyone in her group at risk and trying to be mother theresa towards strangers. Ugh. Morsana pls take over.
I was waiting for her to become a badass but no such luck. Raivox was the real mvp

The subplot with Aleysia seemed promising at first only to fizzle out into a nothing burger at the end.

So many missed opportunities and wasted potential. It's like this book had zero outlining.

P.S. I thought it was gonna be a duology?
Now everything makes sense. The author turned this book into a complete filler to stretch this into more books.

You can still stretch things out but why botch viable plotlines? Why such an abrupt and unsatisfying end to Alessia's subplot? You could have continued to build up tension to resolve everything in the next book but at this rate you'll have nothing left to look forward to in book 3...

I just can't imagine why this was written. It's a complete stream of consciousness, like there were no editors or beta readers to point out the obvious.

[Rowe Fowler · Rating 1 out of 5]

I feel like I have to lower this to 1.5⭐️. I can’t stop thinking about how bad it was.

Apparently, 2025 is the year of disappointing sequels.

“Anathema” was one of my favorite reads from last year, so I just don’t understand how so many things went wrong in “Eldritch.” To start, it is immediately evident that this series has been stretched from a duology to a trilogy. The entire book is extremely boring; nothing happens for the first 50%, with things *starting* to pick up around 75-80%. With “Eldritch” being nearly 800 pages, this is absurd. The vast majority of this book is the characters being stuck in two locations with Maevyth and Zevander having the same, ridiculous argument/discussion over and over and over. (The whole “We can’t be together but we want to be,” is so irritating and made absolutely no sense in the context in which it was presented.) I very quickly grew tired of the repetitiveness from the conversations and actions in “Eldritch.”

Because absolutely nothing happens in the majority of “Eldritch”, this book is entirely unnecessary and too long. For being nearly 800 pages, I expected a lot more. I am not one to shy away from a long book. (I recently read “Nocticadia” and loved it; it didn’t even feel long to me.) However, “Eldritch” was an absolute chore to pick up and read. I just simply stopped caring.

When I first picked up “Eldritch,” I initially thought my dislike was due to me forgetting major plot points; I very quickly realized this was not true. The ending of “Anathema” started to lose me and this carried over into the second book; though I enjoyed the cliffhanger, any momentum gained by this was immediately lost by the complete stopping of the plot progression in “Eldritch.” After reading such a slow plot in the first book (which I didn’t mind at all), I was definitely expecting more action in the sequel.

Along with boredom I felt while reading, I found that “Eldritch” suffered from a lack of outlining. Everything that occurred in the main plot line felt random and unplanned. A lot of the plot points were built up to eventually fall away to nothing and the pacing was extremely chaotic. Again, I don’t mind a slow pace, but this was too haphazard to be enjoyable in any capacity. Additionally, the plotlines that did exist were very predictable and even more unenjoyable.

Because the plot of “Eldritch” was so incredibly boring, Lake’s solution to this was including an excessive and unnecessary amount of Zevander’s trauma. While some of this was necessary for understanding him as a character, there was way too much in the book. It was overall very unnecessary and only existed to add shock-value to an otherwise bland and empty plot. Along with this, his ventures into Caligorya were convoluted and unenjoyable. While the idea was unique and interesting, the execution itself was poor and created a confusing sequence of events that I did not enjoy.

My other main issue with the book was with the characters. They were all extremely unlikable and any character development that occurred in “Anathema” was completely undone in “Eldritch.” I did not feel any connection to the characters, nor did I feel the connections they had with each other. I felt like Lake was focusing on writing “quote-worthy” lines instead of focusing on actual plot points or relationship developments. Additionally, there was the addition of a new point-of-view; which was only necessary because absolutely nothing else was occurring in the book.

After explaining all my issues with this book, I do want to mention that I did enjoy how the pieces began to come together. It made trudging through the 800 pages of random plot somewhat worth it. While I definitely think the execution could have been better, every other aspect of “Eldritch” was so bad that the converging storylines seemed excellent in comparison.

“Eldritch” was incredibly disappointing. I genuinely wish Lake had kept the series as a duology instead of doing whatever this was.

[dak ⋆.˚ ☾ .⭒˚ · Rating 5 out of 5]

“𝙄 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙘𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙤𝙛𝙩 𝙜𝙡𝙤𝙬 𝙤𝙛 𝙢𝙤𝙤𝙣𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙞𝙣 𝙖 𝙥𝙞𝙩𝙘𝙝-𝙗𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙. 𝙖 𝙥𝙧𝙖𝙮𝙚𝙧 𝙄 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙨𝙥𝙤𝙠𝙚 𝙖𝙡𝙤𝙪𝙙, 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙜𝙤𝙙𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙨𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙣𝙮𝙬𝙖𝙮. 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙄 𝙙𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙙 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙛𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜. 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙤𝙣 𝙄 𝙗𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙚.” 𓅇

—

let me start off by saying this book was everything + more. 6 painfully beautiful stars⭐️
maevyth and zevander🖤 the romance in this book is literally untouchable. the yearning we get?? excuse me while i pass away
this world, the spooky gothic vibe, the plot?! all absolutely amazing. keri lake you do not disappoint queen!!
the flashbacks…💔 my heart broke more with each one
(i tried to read this as slowly as possible but fuck i need another 800 pages pls)

that ending also left me unwell. sick to my stomach❤️‍🩹…😭…🤕

—

“𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠 𝙤𝙛 𝙢𝙖𝙚𝙫𝙮𝙩𝙝”…
𝙡𝙪𝙣𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙯𝙠𝙖, 𝙢𝙮 𝙢𝙤𝙤𝙣 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙘𝙝 ⏾⋆.˚ 𓅆࿐

[༻rach༺ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pre-read: Anathema actually ripped my heart out and I’ll never be the same. It was my top read of 2024. I NEED this book to the point where it’s probably unhealthy but I’m okay with it.

Five MF stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!!!! Keri Lake you rip my heart out every book you write. Anathema was favorite book I read in 2024 and Eldritch is one of my favorites for 2025. The connection I have to these characters is unhinged. I love Maevyth and Zevander so much. Don’t even get me started on Raivox. I love that bird dragon baby!!!

The way that Keri Lake explores trauma in this book is some of the best I’ve read. Maevyth has experienced trauma from her youth and Zevander was subjected to extreme abuse his entire life. I cried more times than I could count as I watched Zevander struggle and try to exist with his intense trauma. The way he is able to love Maevyth and connect with her in the ways she wants even while dealing with his trauma was so beautifully heartbreaking. The way Maevyth helps Zevander through his trauma during intimacy felt so important to the story. This isn’t just a spicy romantasy read, this is a gothic romance that is extremely dark and focuses on overcoming immense physical and emotional abuse. I’ve never felt so connected to a story and to characters before. The themes in this book feel so important and Keri Lake explores them so intentionally.

I did miss being in Aethyria and being with Zevander’s family but I know we’ll get more of them in the final book and I did like the perspective we got from Ravezio and Kazimyer. I loved their witty banter and it added a level of fun and lightheartedness to the gothic and dark story. Don’t even get me started on that ending though, it completely ruined me. I was sobbing and will probably be unwell until I’m able to read the third book.


If you like a dark, gothic story that explores themes of trauma, abandonment, a unique magic system, horrifying creatures, romance, psychosis, multiple povs/timelines then this is definitely a book you should pick up immediately!

[Kate · Rating 1 out of 5]

I got 80% through this book and had to DNF. It was like reading Crescent City again... painful. This book is over 700 pages long, nothing happens until you are 75% of the way through, and the rest is filled with fluff and a bunch of POVs no one cares about. I could have done without all the chapters of Zevander's past, and Kazhimyr's POV was honestly pointless. Also, don't get me started on Zevander and Maevith's weird bout of abstinence and the dumb reasoning behind it. It created no angst and no believable yearning. If I'd held off on some good hanky-panky just because my family was near, I wouldn't have lived my prime years during college.🤷🏼‍♀️✌🏼This book also had virtually no banter. Zevander lost his entire personality. He went from a gruff, grumpy warrior to a complete and total 😸. The only character I could stomach was Raivox, and that's just because his beaked-ass is a baddie.🐦‍⬛🐲 Sorry, not sorry! Anyone giving this book 5⭐ reviews is wild... respectfully. But absolutely wild.

[Renata Gasparic · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was bored. Just plain bored. Nothing was happening and was static until 73% in (i know cuz i checked). Kazhymir POV was also boring and unnecessary- ended up skimming those. Zevander past was too long with nothing really happening. I did enjoy his glimpses of Maeve tho. Main plot - what was the plot exactly? I forced myself to finish this and sadly will not be continuing with book 3. To say I was disappointed is an understatement. 3 stars only cuz i liked some of the things but one word only - BORING. 762 pages of ‘yeah girl, give us nothing’
Edit: had to lower the rating because this put me in a reading slump

[Erin O'Roark · Rating 1 out of 5]

Are we so for real right now? Keri Lake was so desperate to milk this for a series when it was supposed to be two books that we spent over 50% of the book DOING NOTHING. This needs to be retitled to “Zevander hallucinates” because that’s all that took place.

I’m so tired of these freaking authors making series longer than they need to and wasting my time with horrible second books.

[Mahnoor]

The way I SCREAMED

[EMthebooktrovert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eldritch is the spooky gothic dark fantasy follow up to Anathema in this Eating Woods trilogy. Keri Lake cranked up the world-building and unique magic system in this book, while keeping a strong focus on the characters and their development.

It took me some time to be completely immersed in this world again. The pacing was a little slow initially, but that was because I think the author wanted the readers to understand more about Zevander. The page count was over 700 pages long, and this was the reason why I had to wait for the right time to dive into this book.

I fell in love with Zevander Rydainn once again as I traveled back to the flashbacks of his tragic past, trauma and abuse. It was painful to read, but I understand why the author included these scenes. Maevyth shone in Eldritch as well. There were plenty of growth and development as she transitioned from that abandoned young girl who was shunned. She was compassionate, brave, resilient and intelligent, and I love how strong she was too.

The slow burn simmered at the right pace and temperature, and whew, I savored all that delicious tension.
I loved you before I even knew your name was also beautifully written by how Zevander rewrote his and Maevyth's fates despite the gods. I also loved how desperately Zevander yearned for Maevyth. Intense. All consuming.

Zevander Rydainn, our tortured and scarred hero, whom I believed was also a poet. He bared his vulnerabilities, and displayed his tenderness during beautiful moments with his beloved moon witch.

🌙 “You’re the fragile thread anchoring me as this endless night approaches. My mind’s only tether in a maddening abyss. I loved you before I even knew your name.”
🌙 “I would call you the soft glow of moonlight in a pitch-black world. A prayer I never spoke aloud, but somehow the gods answered anyway. The strike of lightning I dare to behold without flinching. The reason I breathe.”
🌙 "You're a fate I never dared to dream, moon witch. The stars I was never meant to grasp. But seeing how this gluttonous world devours the unclaimed, I'm calling you mine."

Oh dear. That cliffhanger when General Loyce took Maevyth, reminded me of that chapter when Violet was captured by that fucking Varrish in Iron Flame. I hate what is coming in the next book, but I know Zevander will plot a most spectacular rescue, and mutilate that sadist in the process.

I'll be patiently waiting for the next book in the meantime, Keri Lake.

[liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keri Lake you will be getting slammed with a class action lawsuit from me for the last 25% of that book. I am serious. It counted as a HIIT workout according to my Apple Watch. I have chest pain, shortness of breath and so much emotional damage I could fund a therapist’s summer vacation.

Nobody, and I repeat NOBODY, writes gothic fantasy as deeply immersive as Keri Lake. The queen. I bow to thee. After finishing that, I truly feel the overwhelming urge to stand up and start clapping like the pilot safely touched us down to land after an extremely turbulent flight. (Let me be frank: the round of applause Keri deserves for this is a full 15 minute standing ovation Cannes Film Festival style.)

The WORLD. BUILDING. GOES. CRAZY. Keri is touched by the God of Art for the way she can make you feel like you are right there alongside every character as they navigate their worlds. This book is SO freaking creepy. Even creepier than the first. The spiders being a main theme was nasty of her! I seriously slapped and itched my body hundreds of times reading this because I felt the creepy crawlies all over me. Multiple times reading this in the middle of the night I had to pause and turn on the light because it was so eerie. Perfection. No notes.



So hear me out, the first 70% of this book is a slow slow pace of unraveling our building plot mixed with flash backs that have us deep diving into the characters’ back stories. Will some people find this boring? I suspect so. But to get to experience these characters that have so much depth and to fall so deeply and viscerally in love with them makes this absolutely impossible to put down for me. A slow burn FEARS ME! Tell me every single detail about every single thing. I live for it. I want to know everything. I never want to leave these characters. Matter of fact, tell me more actually!

“You were not meant to become a delicate flower, but the frost that wilts the vine. It is your strength in a world that seeks warmth and frailty in a woman. Steel your bones, and do not bend, or break to their will. Accept what you are and what you will become.”
“What am I to become?”
“Vindicated.”

Was the background storylines necessary for the full picture? Absolutely yes. I love an immersive world. I love multilayered and complex characters. Was it absolute torture to watch Zevander go through the agony of his life? Also yes! I was sick to my stomach reading a lot of it. My heart was breaking for him.

Because of this did we unlock one of the most beautiful and soul defying love stories of all time? We absolutely fucking did. I could cry 100 times for the every lifetime type of love that Maevyth and Zevander hold for eachother. I did not expect it to take this turn and I gasped when it did. Stunning. I am speechless.

“Fate could change the path a thousand times over, but in the end, it’ll always be you and me.”


The lines that Zevander hit us with during this book? Lock me up me in jail and throw away the key because I would do anything for this man. Anything.

“Beautiful is too ordinary a word for you.”
“And what would the mighty assassin call me if not beautiful?”
“I would call you the soft glow of moonlight in a pitch-black world. A prayer I never spoke aloud, but somehow the gods answered anyway. The strike of lightning I dare to behold without flinching. The reason I breathe.”

Finally an MMC who is LEGITIMATELY morally grey. Zevander really gives 0 fucks when it comes to anything but Maevyth. Sometimes he would do stuff and Maevyth would look at him and be like “Zevander what the hell?” And he would just shrug and be like “idk idc ily my moon witch.”



And the last 20% of that book was a nonstop adrenaline rush that had me pacing around my house, cursing into the wind, shaking, crying, throwing up, etc etc. and I really am not exaggerating. Talk about a cliffhanger (literally).

Fuck. This is going to put me in a book slump because of the emotional toll it took out of me. I just love this world. Impatiently waiting for the final book. But I never want to let these characters go.



Important PSA:
Please read the trigger warnings, truly, the things Zevander’s character had to (and still has to) go through is very tough to read and not for everybody.

[Kilikina · Rating 5 out of 5]

SOMEONE SEDATE ME BECAUSE I PHYSICALLY CANNOT COPE WITH LIFE UNTIL I HAVE BOOK 3 IN MY HANDS.

This was genuinely my most anticipated book of 2025 BY FAR, and it exceeded every expectation I had. These characters are EVERYTHING to me. I love them so much. Maevyth & Zevander…….yeah they own me entirely.

This series is absolutely phenomenal and has quickly secured itself as an all-time favorite. I’m in literal pain knowing there’s no date for book 3 yet. I’ll be thinking about this book every day until we get a release date 😫😫😫😫😫😫😫😫😫😫😫😫😫😫😫😫😫😫

[amandathebookworm 📚🪱 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This probably gets 4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ — I loved it but just a hair less than Anathema.


PLOT
After Zevander & Maevyth have gotten to the human lands, they’ve discovered Maevyth’s sister in the basement of the witch’s home. They’re on the lookout for vivicantum for Zevander so he can maintain his powers, monitoring a comatosed sister, all while trying to figure out how to save the world from someone trying to bring down the Umbravale. This book:
- is book 2 in a trilogy
- is DARK DARK DARK plz read trigger warnings
- spooky gothic environment
- gory & graphic
- med/higher spice (& plz check triggers, no non-con but some atypical spice)


PROS
- This world is so intricately detailed & well crafted. What a gothic, spooky place we get to live in for nearly 800 pages.
- Zevander’s explored backstory was devastating. My god that man has been put through the ringer, the ringer’s ringer, & the ringer’s ringer’s ringer. But all of this truly explained the man we have met & continue to get to know. He is so well explored & my heart shatters for him.
- Maevyth, you are just my queen. I forgot how much I loved Maevyth. She’s clever & strong despite being cast off as weak & never given a chance. She’s not necessarily a warrior but she is an absolute badass. I seriously love her.
- This book is more of a character exploration & journey than it is a big plot book. & that’s okay, I didn’t mind it one bit. Getting to know Zevander in this way had me feverishly turning pages & wishing death on his enemies.
- The General is heinous & I hate her which makes her an excellent villain.
- Keri Lake writes tf out of spice.
- I personally love flashbacks to get to know a character but if you struggle with timeline shifts know you will be bouncing around quite a bit this book.


MIDS
- This is maybe the most I’ve ever needed a “previously in…” review to start the read. SO basically if you didn’t JUST read Anathema, I would 100% try & find a plot/world refresher online.
- There are a couple of things that just sort of feel a little random & “Will this matter? Why did we do this?” but this is an incomplete trilogy so I gotta assume it’ll get figured out in the next book.


CONS
- I’m not sure why we had to have Kazhimyr’s POV chapters tbh. Unless truly just to get to the “why” of something that happened or to explain how characters knew each other? I’m just not sure. It’s not that he’s a bad character, but they dragged a tad for me in comparison & I found myself really wanting to fast forward through them to get back to Zevander & Maevyth’s POVs.
- I wish we had a little bit better reintroduction of stuff. The glossary is on the website not in the book, so that’s impossible to access when I don’t have WiFi for example. There is a lot of custom terminology for this world & I think we could have been better reintroduced to stuff instead of seemingly assuming we remembered everything.


Cannot wait for the final book in this trilogy!


⚠️ SPOILERS ⚠️
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- So next book we gotta somehow go from 3 to 10?! Poor Maevyth. 😆
- Also they better fucking un-enchant his piercings or istg. But can keep the fun enchantments for Maevyth. Or take them out entirely.
- I cannot wait to see Zevander kill the general omg. That’s going to be so satisfying after this book.
- I wonder if/how sister & dad & the community they joined will come back into play.
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K SEE YOU NEXT BOOK

[Sam Sellner · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️!

I am absolutely speechless at that ending! THIS is why I read. It has been multiple days and I still have not stopped thinking about this series. If Maevyth and Zevander don’t get a happy ending… Keri Lake you better count your days.

[Unfortunately Mortal · Rating 5 out of 5]

HOLY FUCK ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

First off I would like to thank Keri Lake for existing. Her writing is so immersive and detailed that subconsciously I was having a difficult time separating reality and this story, my nightmares have been insane (that is a compliment not a complaint).

Eldritch was a huge difference from Anathema in the ways of character depth and pacing. I enjoyed every second, even though I cried and was physically in pain majority of the story. Learning about Zevanders past and seeing how everything intertwined with the present was absolutely incredible and unimaginably painful. Watching Maevyth grow into her abilities and seeing her confidence as a woman blossom, made my heart happy. This book is so well laid out, the set up for the story is genius, and the twists and turns at every corner had me QUAKING.

I have never highlighted a book so much, I quite literally ran out of tabs. Their love for eachother is beyond comprehension, I quite literally am in love with their love for eachother. 😭😭🥹❤️

The ending had me close to calling 911 out of fear I was going to go into cardiac arrest. I’m so scared for what is to come, yet at the same time absolutely salivating for more. I know book 3 will be my ruin.

Anywho I could write an 800 page book based purely on all the reasons I love this book, so I will end things here… “You’re the fragile thread anchoring me as this endless night approaches. My minds only tether in a maddening abyss. I loved you even before I even knew your name.”


P.S. if anyone wants to talk about this with me please reach out (my man just doesn’t get the pain I’m in)

[Nicole Holstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Infinity Star ♾️⭐️. If I read one more 1 star review for this book, calling it “boring” I’m actually going to get violent. This book was the most perfect continuation of Anathema, with an incredible story, plot, character development, and spooky fall vibes. It was perfect in every way. If your critique is that it doesn’t have enough ‘spice’ or ‘drama’, I highly recommend you expand your mind.
I had to force myself to slow down reading it because I wanted to really enjoy this book for more than 72 hours.

Maevyth REALLY grew into herself for this one, embracing the darkest parts of her magic & power, letting her walls down with Zevander and becoming more independent/brave. It was so refreshing to feel her character develop this way.
But Zevander is the main focus of this book, going deep into his back story and the darkest parts of his soul through his abusive upbringing and subsequently, his dark power. He becomes more vulnerable in this book, definitely more protective of Maevyth (like 11/10 touch her and die energy) and allows himself to be irrevocably in love with her.

I am OBSESSED with Keri Lake’s writing style. So immersive, so powerful, made me actually afraid and everything I wanted to feel.
If I was on a deserted island, leave me this book and I will be just fine. I am salivating for book 3.

[Madison Chambers · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF after a little over 100 pages. I really enjoyed the first one and felt like this series had great potential. I immediately picked up the second book and was just sooooo bored. The main characters are just stuck in a house and can’t give into each other bc her sister might wake up???? I can deal with the yearning in the first book bc it made sense and was written well but to make the characters not give into each other bc of such a stupid reason makes no sense and feels like we are just prolonging the yearning for no real reason. I would have maybe kept reading if this was a 400-500 page book but I just felt like I COULD NOT go through 700 pages of this bs sorry. Anytime I’m constantly picking up my phone and scrolling instead of reading I know the book isn’t for me. Will not be cont with this series :/