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The Deadly Divine #2
Fate So Cruelly Bound
The veil has been crossed—
and the cost has only begun.
Hunted by the realm she fled and mistrusted by the one she’s entered, Elara walks the immortal isles of Tir na nÓg with a single truth thrumming in her chest—she no longer belongs to either world. The Sidhe call her dangerous. The remnants of her human heart call her lost. Somewhere between them, her blood hums with a power that was never meant to exist—her heart pulled toward two men divided by war.
When an attack within the Sidhe courts exposes a conspiracy older than the war between their realms, Elara and Reynnar are thrust into a perilous journey across Tir na nÓg.
Gaps in the ledgers. Altered maps. Names the courts refuse to speak.
But the land remembers what they bury— and Elara means to unearth it.
Across the veil, Latheria burns. The Lord Sovereign tightens his grip as rebellion rises in the north. Ivan Dantan—once the Hunter, now a fugitive—feels himself turning into something monstrous. Marked by a power he does not trust, he walks the fault lines of the war he helped ignite, haunted by the girl he cannot forget.
As gods stir and the past and the future begin to braid, Elara must face what she was always meant to become—
the key, the weapon, and the warning.
Because some truths do not rest.
Some threads refuse to break.
And some destinies aren’t chosen.
They are cruelly bound.
and the cost has only begun.
Hunted by the realm she fled and mistrusted by the one she’s entered, Elara walks the immortal isles of Tir na nÓg with a single truth thrumming in her chest—she no longer belongs to either world. The Sidhe call her dangerous. The remnants of her human heart call her lost. Somewhere between them, her blood hums with a power that was never meant to exist—her heart pulled toward two men divided by war.
When an attack within the Sidhe courts exposes a conspiracy older than the war between their realms, Elara and Reynnar are thrust into a perilous journey across Tir na nÓg.
Gaps in the ledgers. Altered maps. Names the courts refuse to speak.
But the land remembers what they bury— and Elara means to unearth it.
Across the veil, Latheria burns. The Lord Sovereign tightens his grip as rebellion rises in the north. Ivan Dantan—once the Hunter, now a fugitive—feels himself turning into something monstrous. Marked by a power he does not trust, he walks the fault lines of the war he helped ignite, haunted by the girl he cannot forget.
As gods stir and the past and the future begin to braid, Elara must face what she was always meant to become—
the key, the weapon, and the warning.
Because some truths do not rest.
Some threads refuse to break.
And some destinies aren’t chosen.
They are cruelly bound.
Unknown Binding
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews
June 28, 2026
“i will remember the human who walked into the dark and came back with their names.”
wowwww!!!!
i love the world that the author has created, the magic system is developed so much further but i definitely struggled to wrap my head around some of it which took my attention away at times. however, it is so unique and so different to anything i’ve read before! the writing is some of the best i’ve ever read.
elara’s character development in this was everything, seeing how she’s grown from book 1 to book 2. i can’t blame her for not being able to choose between ivan and reynnar because i can’t either. the slow burn and longing between them was INSANE.
”she is not yours to define. i know what she is. i know what she’s not. i choose her anyway.”
”every step i have taken of my own will and not another man’s has bent, in the end, toward you.”
i absolutely love the found family in this series. TRISTAN MY MAN. i love him🤭
i’m so scared at what’s to come in book 3 after how that’s ended.
thank you so much j.m. grosvalet and the nerd fam for the e-arc!🫶🏻
wowwww!!!!
i love the world that the author has created, the magic system is developed so much further but i definitely struggled to wrap my head around some of it which took my attention away at times. however, it is so unique and so different to anything i’ve read before! the writing is some of the best i’ve ever read.
elara’s character development in this was everything, seeing how she’s grown from book 1 to book 2. i can’t blame her for not being able to choose between ivan and reynnar because i can’t either. the slow burn and longing between them was INSANE.
”she is not yours to define. i know what she is. i know what she’s not. i choose her anyway.”
”every step i have taken of my own will and not another man’s has bent, in the end, toward you.”
i absolutely love the found family in this series. TRISTAN MY MAN. i love him🤭
i’m so scared at what’s to come in book 3 after how that’s ended.
thank you so much j.m. grosvalet and the nerd fam for the e-arc!🫶🏻
June 28, 2026
What in the hail fire storm is that ending?!
This book holds you hostage needing more. Theres so many pieces coming together while still building for something much bigger.
This book is so beautifully written and I am fully invested in these characters.
Thank you NerdFam for the eArc. My opinion is given freely.
This book holds you hostage needing more. Theres so many pieces coming together while still building for something much bigger.
This book is so beautifully written and I am fully invested in these characters.
Thank you NerdFam for the eArc. My opinion is given freely.
June 24, 2026
Did I devour this book, or did this book devour me? I don’t even know what to say. Truly. This book left me speechless, it was everything I wanted and more. Words are not enough to describe the feelings it evoked in me. I feel like it reached deep into my brain and dragged out every little thing I didn’t even realize I was craving to be fulfilled.
When I tell you it consumed me, sucked me in so violently, a catastrophic event could be raging around me and you still wouldn’t be able to pry this book from my cold, dead hands. Beautifully written, absolutely captivating, with deeply layered characters and a masterfully done physical and EMOTIONAL slow burn.
Oh my god, THIS IS IT. This is how you write a compelling and balanced fantasy romance. The tension made me want to crawl out of my skin. And the love triangle?! I’ve never been so conflicted, like you ALWAYS know which side you’re taking, you just do. But here? I’m afraid one of them has to literally die, and even then I would be so grief stricken it wouldn’t even matter who was left standing.
What do you mean I now have to function again like a normal human being?
Thank you to the author for the ARC. 🫶
When I tell you it consumed me, sucked me in so violently, a catastrophic event could be raging around me and you still wouldn’t be able to pry this book from my cold, dead hands. Beautifully written, absolutely captivating, with deeply layered characters and a masterfully done physical and EMOTIONAL slow burn.
Oh my god, THIS IS IT. This is how you write a compelling and balanced fantasy romance. The tension made me want to crawl out of my skin. And the love triangle?! I’ve never been so conflicted, like you ALWAYS know which side you’re taking, you just do. But here? I’m afraid one of them has to literally die, and even then I would be so grief stricken it wouldn’t even matter who was left standing.
What do you mean I now have to function again like a normal human being?
Thank you to the author for the ARC. 🫶
June 22, 2026
Not only did I devour the first book yesterday, but I devoured this one between last night and today. It is a bit long, but God it is so good. I will say the pacing sometimes is a little bit slower in certain areas but the writing, how the story is told and thought out and executed. I have a hard time believing this is only the third book she’s written and I’ve read now two of the three.
Ivan and Reynnar. How can one choose? I love them both for different things. I’m so excited to see where this goes but also I hate waiting. I do think that the world building is equally as fantastic in this one as it wasn’t the first one it continues to build. And so does the characters they all have growth in one way or another. I also like that we do seem to have another POV in this one or the last one it is just one. Which makes sense since at times we aren’t in the same plane of existence. opening rifts is something that is very interesting to me. We still have more political intrigue here. This book does pick up right where the first book leaves off.
I’m so excited for the next one I will now highly be anticipating it because I need to know how this all plays out!
Thank you to the nerd fam for the complementary copy all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Ivan and Reynnar. How can one choose? I love them both for different things. I’m so excited to see where this goes but also I hate waiting. I do think that the world building is equally as fantastic in this one as it wasn’t the first one it continues to build. And so does the characters they all have growth in one way or another. I also like that we do seem to have another POV in this one or the last one it is just one. Which makes sense since at times we aren’t in the same plane of existence. opening rifts is something that is very interesting to me. We still have more political intrigue here. This book does pick up right where the first book leaves off.
I’m so excited for the next one I will now highly be anticipating it because I need to know how this all plays out!
Thank you to the nerd fam for the complementary copy all thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 26, 2026
This book may be a little long, but every page is worth it. While the pacing slows in a few spots, the incredible writing, immersive storytelling, and thoughtful execution kept me completely invested. It’s hard to believe this is only the author’s third novel. Ivan and Reynnar both stole my heart for different reasons, and I can’t choose between them. The world-building continues to grow alongside the characters, with meaningful development, fascinating rifts, and political intrigue that kept me hooked. I also loved the addition of another POV, which fits perfectly with the story’s shifting planes of existence. Picking up right where the first book ended, this sequel pulled me right back in, and now I’m counting down the days until the next one because I need to know how it all ends.
Want to Read
December 27, 2025I need this like I need oxygen
June 25, 2026
“i’ve seen what power looks like when it breaks someone. that’s not what this is. you’re not broken, eilíara. you’re just waking up.”
—
someone sedate me after this book. i have so many emotions and thoughts so let’s dive in!
first of all, the magic system in this series is absolutely insane. it’s very scientific and physics-based, which takes a lot of brain power, but it’s so interesting. this is definitely a series you have to digest and pay really close attention to.
is this a love triangle? a why choose? i genuinely DON’T know. when i tell you i never root for a why choose, but i love both of these men so much that i need it to happen. and if it doesn’t? i feel like one of them would have to die because there is absolutely no way i can choose. but also please don’t kill either of them.
the romance in this book is the definition of a torturous slow burn with painful yearning. they are gonna have to drag me into the insane asylum at this point.
ivan. my literal shayla. oh my god. he’s so tortured and truly believes he isn’t deserving of good things. get behind me!!! i will protect him at all costs. “baby”? my kindle flew. this man is so insanely selfless, and getting his pov was one of my favorite parts of the book.
and then there’s reynnar, who i also adore. he is perfect. i love the way he never puts pressure on elara and always lets her make her own decisions while supporting her regardless. how am i supposed to choose when these are my options???
speaking of elara, i really loved her character. normally when two men are involved, i get annoyed with the fmc’s choices, but not in this case. all of her actions felt completely justifiable, and i would totally be in the same situation.
tristan also gets his own little shoutout because i love him so much and desperately need more of him. thank you.
the writing is so poetic, and the way everything is described is beautiful. weaving two completely different worlds together can be hard, but it was done so well.
the ending? girl, don’t even get me started. i was actually screaming at my kindle and fully crashing out. i cannot believe i have to endure more pain after that ending. have i not suffered enough???
if book three could come out like yesterday, i would be very grateful. i will sell my soul for an arc and to be reunited with this found family.
my one and only complaint is that i wish there was a glossary. i love how unique and complex this world is, but sometimes my brain struggles to keep track of all the terms.
thank you so much to j.m. grosvalet and the nerdfam for this e-arc! ♥︎
“𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒅𝒆𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒆. 𝒊 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒊𝒔. 𝒊 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒔𝒉𝒆’𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕. 𝒊 𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒏𝒚𝒘𝒂𝒚.”
—
someone sedate me after this book. i have so many emotions and thoughts so let’s dive in!
first of all, the magic system in this series is absolutely insane. it’s very scientific and physics-based, which takes a lot of brain power, but it’s so interesting. this is definitely a series you have to digest and pay really close attention to.
is this a love triangle? a why choose? i genuinely DON’T know. when i tell you i never root for a why choose, but i love both of these men so much that i need it to happen. and if it doesn’t? i feel like one of them would have to die because there is absolutely no way i can choose. but also please don’t kill either of them.
the romance in this book is the definition of a torturous slow burn with painful yearning. they are gonna have to drag me into the insane asylum at this point.
ivan. my literal shayla. oh my god. he’s so tortured and truly believes he isn’t deserving of good things. get behind me!!! i will protect him at all costs. “baby”? my kindle flew. this man is so insanely selfless, and getting his pov was one of my favorite parts of the book.
and then there’s reynnar, who i also adore. he is perfect. i love the way he never puts pressure on elara and always lets her make her own decisions while supporting her regardless. how am i supposed to choose when these are my options???
speaking of elara, i really loved her character. normally when two men are involved, i get annoyed with the fmc’s choices, but not in this case. all of her actions felt completely justifiable, and i would totally be in the same situation.
tristan also gets his own little shoutout because i love him so much and desperately need more of him. thank you.
the writing is so poetic, and the way everything is described is beautiful. weaving two completely different worlds together can be hard, but it was done so well.
the ending? girl, don’t even get me started. i was actually screaming at my kindle and fully crashing out. i cannot believe i have to endure more pain after that ending. have i not suffered enough???
if book three could come out like yesterday, i would be very grateful. i will sell my soul for an arc and to be reunited with this found family.
my one and only complaint is that i wish there was a glossary. i love how unique and complex this world is, but sometimes my brain struggles to keep track of all the terms.
thank you so much to j.m. grosvalet and the nerdfam for this e-arc! ♥︎
“𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒅𝒆𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒆. 𝒊 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒊𝒔. 𝒊 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒔𝒉𝒆’𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕. 𝒊 𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒏𝒚𝒘𝒂𝒚.”
July 31, 2026
My jaw is 𝑺𝑻𝑰𝑳𝑳 on the floor because what do you mean @grosvaletwrites with that ending?? 🤯
Im trying so hard not to spoil anything from either book OK?!
𝘍𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘚𝘰 𝘊𝘳𝘶𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘉𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 picks up immediately after book 1 and drops us right into the action. Book one was all Elara’s POV but in this book we get ANOTHER POV and it was such a great surprise!
There are two different storylines with these POV’s that are fated to overlap and it had me so desperate for every chapter.
We unravel more of Elara’s background along with her and it while it answered many questions, it also opened up even more. Her character evolved so much in this book and I have loved watching her go from a sad prisoner to a strong capable woman in this story. This book is an absolute beast and was such a roller coaster full of thrilling action and anticipation. The struggle between fate and choice… it feels impossible🥺
“𝘉𝘰𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘳 𝘯𝘰𝘯𝘦, 𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘐𝘯 𝘢 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘦 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩, 𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘮𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘩, 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘣𝘰𝘥𝘺, 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘵. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯. 𝘐𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘺, 𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘨𝘪𝘧𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘪𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘴𝘢𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘯.”
𝘏𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘢𝘪𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘮𝘢𝘯’𝘴 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘏𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘥𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴. 𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩. 𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘷𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦, 𝘴𝘢𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘦𝘳, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘴, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘭𝘢𝘺 𝘣𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮. 𝘽𝙚𝙘𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙄 𝙘𝙖𝙣𝙣𝙤𝙩.
This whole world is so well planned out, like you can tell the author has put 𝐬𝐨 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡 thought and love into creating this book, the worlds, magical systems and layering in intricate scientific elements.
There’s so much tension and yearning and healing, but heartbreak too. So many times my throat was tight with emotions as I tried and failed to hold back tears. I cannot tell you how much I adore the cast of side characters. They are lovable, charming and damaged and wholly have my heart. I think Tristan might be my favorite ❤️
The ending left me staring at the wall and full of grief and I don’t know what to do with that yet. (So of course I went back and read the final chapter again because apparently it didn’t hit me hard enough the first time). That plot twist WTF?! I wanted to chuck my kindle into a fire.
That being said, I am desperate for what’s next. Thank you to the @thenerdfam for this copy!
Im trying so hard not to spoil anything from either book OK?!
𝘍𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘚𝘰 𝘊𝘳𝘶𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘉𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 picks up immediately after book 1 and drops us right into the action. Book one was all Elara’s POV but in this book we get ANOTHER POV and it was such a great surprise!
There are two different storylines with these POV’s that are fated to overlap and it had me so desperate for every chapter.
We unravel more of Elara’s background along with her and it while it answered many questions, it also opened up even more. Her character evolved so much in this book and I have loved watching her go from a sad prisoner to a strong capable woman in this story. This book is an absolute beast and was such a roller coaster full of thrilling action and anticipation. The struggle between fate and choice… it feels impossible🥺
“𝘉𝘰𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘳 𝘯𝘰𝘯𝘦, 𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘐𝘯 𝘢 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘦 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩, 𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘮𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘩, 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘣𝘰𝘥𝘺, 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘵. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯. 𝘐𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘺, 𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘨𝘪𝘧𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘪𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘴𝘢𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘯.”
𝘏𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘢𝘪𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘮𝘢𝘯’𝘴 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘏𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘥𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴. 𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩. 𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘷𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦, 𝘴𝘢𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘦𝘳, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘴, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘭𝘢𝘺 𝘣𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮. 𝘽𝙚𝙘𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙄 𝙘𝙖𝙣𝙣𝙤𝙩.
This whole world is so well planned out, like you can tell the author has put 𝐬𝐨 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡 thought and love into creating this book, the worlds, magical systems and layering in intricate scientific elements.
There’s so much tension and yearning and healing, but heartbreak too. So many times my throat was tight with emotions as I tried and failed to hold back tears. I cannot tell you how much I adore the cast of side characters. They are lovable, charming and damaged and wholly have my heart. I think Tristan might be my favorite ❤️
The ending left me staring at the wall and full of grief and I don’t know what to do with that yet. (So of course I went back and read the final chapter again because apparently it didn’t hit me hard enough the first time). That plot twist WTF?! I wanted to chuck my kindle into a fire.
That being said, I am desperate for what’s next. Thank you to the @thenerdfam for this copy!
July 8, 2026
I honestly had no doubt this had the potential to be a 5 star book, and it ended up exceeding my expectations. I am convinced that JM Grosvalet is a genius. The things she comes up with are nearly unfathomable to me.
I need time to fully process and write a real review but everyone around me better prepare for the peer pressure from me. I’m never shutting up about this series/author
edit: okay I am back to fully write this thing.
I am unwell from the amount of yearning, tension, and star-crossed love that was packed into this book. Probably well over the recommended maximum daily dose. The writing is just as stunning as in the first book. I was going back and rereading passages so I could linger and appreciate how gorgeous the words were. I LOVED the new settings we visit. This hands down has to be the best love triangle situation I have ever read, because I was genuinely switching "teams" every other chapter. There isn't a wrong choice?!
Elara continues to be one of my favorite FMCs ever. She is soft, but determined, and she is curious/questions everything without just accepting what she is being told!!!! I feel like she has learned her lesson the hard way and she is FED UP being told what to do.
The author is also now at the top of my list for her ability to write twists and endings that absolutely shock me. Again, the world and magic in this is almost beyond comprehension, I was having multiple existential crises. It is based off the idea of quantum entanglement theory (stay with me here). This is
when two particles link together in a certain way no matter how far apart they are in space. I can't say much else because of the effort to avoid spoilers.
(trying really hard to not list anything that would give spoilers away)
-Book 2 of 4 planned in gothic fantasy romance series
-slow burn continues
-tension and yearning x 10000000
-war on the horizon/rebellion continues
-torn between two men (but I swear it's not in an annoying way)
-some themes of identity and belonging
-missing memories
-expanded world building
-no explicit spice in this one but the tension OMG
-dual POV, third person
-KU
-Currently no audiobook
I need time to fully process and write a real review but everyone around me better prepare for the peer pressure from me. I’m never shutting up about this series/author
edit: okay I am back to fully write this thing.
I am unwell from the amount of yearning, tension, and star-crossed love that was packed into this book. Probably well over the recommended maximum daily dose. The writing is just as stunning as in the first book. I was going back and rereading passages so I could linger and appreciate how gorgeous the words were. I LOVED the new settings we visit. This hands down has to be the best love triangle situation I have ever read, because I was genuinely switching "teams" every other chapter. There isn't a wrong choice?!
Elara continues to be one of my favorite FMCs ever. She is soft, but determined, and she is curious/questions everything without just accepting what she is being told!!!! I feel like she has learned her lesson the hard way and she is FED UP being told what to do.
The author is also now at the top of my list for her ability to write twists and endings that absolutely shock me. Again, the world and magic in this is almost beyond comprehension, I was having multiple existential crises. It is based off the idea of quantum entanglement theory (stay with me here). This is
when two particles link together in a certain way no matter how far apart they are in space. I can't say much else because of the effort to avoid spoilers.
(trying really hard to not list anything that would give spoilers away)
-Book 2 of 4 planned in gothic fantasy romance series
-slow burn continues
-tension and yearning x 10000000
-war on the horizon/rebellion continues
-torn between two men (but I swear it's not in an annoying way)
-some themes of identity and belonging
-missing memories
-expanded world building
-no explicit spice in this one but the tension OMG
-dual POV, third person
-KU
-Currently no audiobook
July 1, 2026
I rated this book 4 stars. This is the second book in the Deadly Divine Duology. I liked the first book, but I did find the magic and world building very confusing. This second book helped a lot, but honestly, there are still a lot of gaps for me in understanding. The core magic system is very interesting to me, and I would like to see it explored more in fantasy. The magic is based in Druid mythology and has a lot to do with ether, but it get’s very complex in these books with other factors, like lay lines, parallel universes, or void spaces, mixed in with fae lore, druid magic, and god magic. You must pay attention when reading because it's like algebra, if you miss something, the next thing doesn't make sense either. I did a lot of going back and forth to check on events or characters.
The book also has a large cast of characters, and their allegiances shift as the world changes and alliances are formed to fight the corrupt usurper that seems to have figured all this magic system out to work in his benefit. That was a little contrary to me, because the bad guy (who is really really bad) does not necessarily seem smart enough to pull off the complexity of what he used, stole, or built from this complex magic, which is also almost impenetrable. But, in this book, two major alliances form in parallel, both working towards the same overall objectives, but their approaches are quite different, and they have other objectives that affect them more personally. So, a lot going on in these books and is was tough to digest it all.
The book series has a why choose romance major sub-plot that I didn’t like, not because it wasn’t well written but because she didn’t choose the same way I wanted her too and it was really disappointing (but I guess makes for good tension?) However, the character work in this book, especially for the two MMC’s was exceptional. I had mixed feelings about the FMC, but overall she was a good character for this type of story.
I have to give it to the author though – this was an intricate, well-designed book and I would recommend it. Final thought - I also did not like the ending (personal preference) - it was intriguing but felt incomplete. I’m hoping there will be another book, but I don’t see that one is planned. Happy Reading!
The book also has a large cast of characters, and their allegiances shift as the world changes and alliances are formed to fight the corrupt usurper that seems to have figured all this magic system out to work in his benefit. That was a little contrary to me, because the bad guy (who is really really bad) does not necessarily seem smart enough to pull off the complexity of what he used, stole, or built from this complex magic, which is also almost impenetrable. But, in this book, two major alliances form in parallel, both working towards the same overall objectives, but their approaches are quite different, and they have other objectives that affect them more personally. So, a lot going on in these books and is was tough to digest it all.
The book series has a why choose romance major sub-plot that I didn’t like, not because it wasn’t well written but because she didn’t choose the same way I wanted her too and it was really disappointing (but I guess makes for good tension?) However, the character work in this book, especially for the two MMC’s was exceptional. I had mixed feelings about the FMC, but overall she was a good character for this type of story.
I have to give it to the author though – this was an intricate, well-designed book and I would recommend it. Final thought - I also did not like the ending (personal preference) - it was intriguing but felt incomplete. I’m hoping there will be another book, but I don’t see that one is planned. Happy Reading!
July 2, 2026
Thank you to the nerd fam for this eARC
This book completely swept me away. From the first page, I was pulled into a hauntingly beautiful world where ancient magic, forgotten gods, and impossible choices collide. Every chapter peeled back another layer of mystery, leaving me desperate to uncover the truth.
Elara is the kind of heroine you can’t help but root for. She’s fierce, vulnerable, and burdened by powers she never asked for. Reynnar absolutely stole my heart with his unwavering loyalty, tortured past, and the delicious tension between duty and desire. Their chemistry is filled with longing, sacrifice, and quiet moments that somehow hit just as hard as the action.
The world-building is rich without being overwhelming, weaving Celtic-inspired mythology, political intrigue, and dangerous magic into a story that feels both epic and deeply personal. Every revelation raised the stakes, and the twists had me questioning everything I thought I knew.
The writing itself is lyrical and atmospheric, creating a story that lingers long after you’ve turned the final page. By the end, my emotions were in absolute shambles, and I was left staring at the last chapter wondering how I’m supposed to wait for what’s next.
If you love:
🖤 Celtic-inspired fantasy
⚔️ Slow-burn romance
✨ Ancient magic and prophecy
🗡️ Political intrigue
💔 Tortured, protective heroes
🌿 High-stakes adventure with emotional depth
This is one you’ll want to add to your TBR immediately. This was an unforgettable five-star read that proves fate can be both beautiful… and utterly devastating.
This book completely swept me away. From the first page, I was pulled into a hauntingly beautiful world where ancient magic, forgotten gods, and impossible choices collide. Every chapter peeled back another layer of mystery, leaving me desperate to uncover the truth.
Elara is the kind of heroine you can’t help but root for. She’s fierce, vulnerable, and burdened by powers she never asked for. Reynnar absolutely stole my heart with his unwavering loyalty, tortured past, and the delicious tension between duty and desire. Their chemistry is filled with longing, sacrifice, and quiet moments that somehow hit just as hard as the action.
The world-building is rich without being overwhelming, weaving Celtic-inspired mythology, political intrigue, and dangerous magic into a story that feels both epic and deeply personal. Every revelation raised the stakes, and the twists had me questioning everything I thought I knew.
The writing itself is lyrical and atmospheric, creating a story that lingers long after you’ve turned the final page. By the end, my emotions were in absolute shambles, and I was left staring at the last chapter wondering how I’m supposed to wait for what’s next.
If you love:
🖤 Celtic-inspired fantasy
⚔️ Slow-burn romance
✨ Ancient magic and prophecy
🗡️ Political intrigue
💔 Tortured, protective heroes
🌿 High-stakes adventure with emotional depth
This is one you’ll want to add to your TBR immediately. This was an unforgettable five-star read that proves fate can be both beautiful… and utterly devastating.
July 7, 2026
What a ride that was. I’m sitting here wondering which way is up.
How am I supposed to choose between these men??? How is Elara? I went into book two telling myself that surely we’d have some clarity and a front runner would surface. But Ivan and Reynnar????? My heart can’t take it. (Am I leaning towards Ivan? Do I have a type?)
J.M. Grosvalet what are you doing to us??? I need closure.
Thank you to The Nerd Fam and J.M. Grosvalet for the ARC.
How am I supposed to choose between these men??? How is Elara? I went into book two telling myself that surely we’d have some clarity and a front runner would surface. But Ivan and Reynnar????? My heart can’t take it. (Am I leaning towards Ivan? Do I have a type?)
J.M. Grosvalet what are you doing to us??? I need closure.
Thank you to The Nerd Fam and J.M. Grosvalet for the ARC.
June 23, 2026
4 ⭐️
🌶️
3rd person POV
Book 2
This sequel picks up immediately from the first book. The worldbuilding expands beautifully as we explore more of the world, uncover new secrets, and dive deeper into conflicts. Every chapter felt like it revealed another layer of a much larger story.
One of my favorite things about this book was Elara’s growth. She’s forced to confront difficult truths about herself, her powers, and where she belongs, and watching her navigate those challenges made her journey even more compelling. The found family elements were also incredible and added so much heart to an otherwise intense and emotional story.
Now, I’m not sure if this going turn into a why choose (no complaints here), but I don’t know how I’m supposed to choose between Ivan and Reynnar because this book made me love them both for the yearning, tension, and slow burn romance that were absolute perfection! Every interaction felt meaningful, and the love triangle somehow worked in this book.
The pacing occasionally slows to allow the story and characters room to breathe, and with this being a long book I did finding myself reading other books between these pauses I had.
Tropes + atmosphere:
Gothic romantasy
Political intrigue
Rebellion
High stakes
Love triangle (possibly why choose)
Slow burn
Yearning
Star-crossed tension
Touch her and 💀
Cursed powers
Found family
If you love romantasy with found family, slow burn romance, emotional tension, and love triangles that will have you going back and forth for more, then this series deserves a spot on your TBR. There is a cliffhanger that has left me with more questions than answers!
Thank you to NerdFam and J.M. Grosvalet for the ARC.
“I decide what I become.” -Elara
🌶️
3rd person POV
Book 2
This sequel picks up immediately from the first book. The worldbuilding expands beautifully as we explore more of the world, uncover new secrets, and dive deeper into conflicts. Every chapter felt like it revealed another layer of a much larger story.
One of my favorite things about this book was Elara’s growth. She’s forced to confront difficult truths about herself, her powers, and where she belongs, and watching her navigate those challenges made her journey even more compelling. The found family elements were also incredible and added so much heart to an otherwise intense and emotional story.
Now, I’m not sure if this going turn into a why choose (no complaints here), but I don’t know how I’m supposed to choose between Ivan and Reynnar because this book made me love them both for the yearning, tension, and slow burn romance that were absolute perfection! Every interaction felt meaningful, and the love triangle somehow worked in this book.
The pacing occasionally slows to allow the story and characters room to breathe, and with this being a long book I did finding myself reading other books between these pauses I had.
Tropes + atmosphere:
Gothic romantasy
Political intrigue
Rebellion
High stakes
Love triangle (possibly why choose)
Slow burn
Yearning
Star-crossed tension
Touch her and 💀
Cursed powers
Found family
If you love romantasy with found family, slow burn romance, emotional tension, and love triangles that will have you going back and forth for more, then this series deserves a spot on your TBR. There is a cliffhanger that has left me with more questions than answers!
Thank you to NerdFam and J.M. Grosvalet for the ARC.
“I decide what I become.” -Elara
July 1, 2026
Sometimes a book just finds a place in your heart and settles into little pieces of you, and you have to sit with it before it all feels whole. Unfortunately, this story isn’t finished yet, so those pieces are still floating around, waiting for the next book.
I was not expecting this to be the emotional rollercoaster that it was. Somehow it delivered incredible character development, amazing world-building, and a plot that just kept getting better. I loved this one even more than the first book, and that’s saying a lot.
Our FMC continues to discover who she really is, realizing that letting people in and allowing herself to experience happiness might be the key to unlocking her true purpose. She finds her heritage, her family, and someone who truly loves her, but there are still parts of herself that feel incomplete. There are memories lost and a heart she can’t let go of, and she’s left wondering if all of those pieces can exist alongside the person she’s becoming. She restores so much that was lost, but not everything can be put back together.
“𝑰 𝒂𝒎 𝒔𝒐 𝒕𝒊𝒓𝒆𝒅,” 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒂𝒊𝒅, 𝒃𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒅, “𝒐𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒅𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒇 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒉 𝒎𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈.”
Our MMC is quite literally falling apart. So much has been taken from him, and now he may be losing the one thing that meant more to him than living as half a person. Even so, he willingly carries that burden. In many ways we find that he is finding his identity outside of being a weapon, though old habits die hard. He knows he can be more, but he’s left wondering who he can be without the most important person by his side.
The action never lets up, and every twist pushes the story toward one of the most brutal cliffhangers I’ve read in a long time. I was not emotionally prepared. I was horrified, heartbroken, and honestly a little angry. How did we get here?! How is this happening to her?!
This has easily earned a spot on my list of favorite reads of 2026.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Six stars!
I was not expecting this to be the emotional rollercoaster that it was. Somehow it delivered incredible character development, amazing world-building, and a plot that just kept getting better. I loved this one even more than the first book, and that’s saying a lot.
Our FMC continues to discover who she really is, realizing that letting people in and allowing herself to experience happiness might be the key to unlocking her true purpose. She finds her heritage, her family, and someone who truly loves her, but there are still parts of herself that feel incomplete. There are memories lost and a heart she can’t let go of, and she’s left wondering if all of those pieces can exist alongside the person she’s becoming. She restores so much that was lost, but not everything can be put back together.
“𝑰 𝒂𝒎 𝒔𝒐 𝒕𝒊𝒓𝒆𝒅,” 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒂𝒊𝒅, 𝒃𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒅, “𝒐𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒅𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒇 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒉 𝒎𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈.”
Our MMC is quite literally falling apart. So much has been taken from him, and now he may be losing the one thing that meant more to him than living as half a person. Even so, he willingly carries that burden. In many ways we find that he is finding his identity outside of being a weapon, though old habits die hard. He knows he can be more, but he’s left wondering who he can be without the most important person by his side.
The action never lets up, and every twist pushes the story toward one of the most brutal cliffhangers I’ve read in a long time. I was not emotionally prepared. I was horrified, heartbroken, and honestly a little angry. How did we get here?! How is this happening to her?!
This has easily earned a spot on my list of favorite reads of 2026.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Six stars!
June 26, 2026
ARE YOU JOKING?!??
This series is my God tier series! I’m genuinely so obsessed and foaming out of mouth for every word.
The void aspect of this book and all of the intricate details of it, the longing and tension, the betrayal and love, the ending of the book with the twist, I SIMPLY CEASE TO EXIST! 😫
For one, let me just say that i ABSOLUTELY LOVEEEEEEE Tristan and Caelion! They are such beautiful and wonderfully funny characters, every word that comes out of their mouth I can’t help but laugh at and want more. Genuinely obsessed!
The character development of Elara!!! 😩 THESE MEN AND THE MOST AMAZING THINGS THEY SAY AND DO!?!?!! AHHHH
I simply cannot put into feasible words how much i love this series nor can i sit here and tell you word for word why you should read it.
All I can say is if you love character development, found family, MEN WHO LONGGGG, war plotting and ulterior motives, intricate details of fantasy worlds and portals, and your heart shattering and making itself whole again just to repeat the process….. THEN PLEASE FOR THE LOVE…. Read this book and the entirety of the series!!!
Below are some of my favorite quotes: ❤️❤️
“If you call her poison, then let it run through me.”……“She is not yours to define. I know what she is. I know what she’s not. I choose her anyway.”
Elara lifted her cup in mock salute. “For this heroic act, I shall name my firstborn after you.”
“You will never be only that,” he murmured. “Mo chuisle.” My pulse.
“I’ve said nothing,” he replied, mildly as ever, reaching down for his tunic. “And I will continue to say nothing. In all matters concerning the private affairs of my friends, I am entirely deaf and quite nearly blind.”
“I killed her.” “No, baby.” 😅😩
This series is my God tier series! I’m genuinely so obsessed and foaming out of mouth for every word.
The void aspect of this book and all of the intricate details of it, the longing and tension, the betrayal and love, the ending of the book with the twist, I SIMPLY CEASE TO EXIST! 😫
For one, let me just say that i ABSOLUTELY LOVEEEEEEE Tristan and Caelion! They are such beautiful and wonderfully funny characters, every word that comes out of their mouth I can’t help but laugh at and want more. Genuinely obsessed!
The character development of Elara!!! 😩 THESE MEN AND THE MOST AMAZING THINGS THEY SAY AND DO!?!?!! AHHHH
I simply cannot put into feasible words how much i love this series nor can i sit here and tell you word for word why you should read it.
All I can say is if you love character development, found family, MEN WHO LONGGGG, war plotting and ulterior motives, intricate details of fantasy worlds and portals, and your heart shattering and making itself whole again just to repeat the process….. THEN PLEASE FOR THE LOVE…. Read this book and the entirety of the series!!!
Below are some of my favorite quotes: ❤️❤️
“If you call her poison, then let it run through me.”……“She is not yours to define. I know what she is. I know what she’s not. I choose her anyway.”
Elara lifted her cup in mock salute. “For this heroic act, I shall name my firstborn after you.”
“You will never be only that,” he murmured. “Mo chuisle.” My pulse.
“I’ve said nothing,” he replied, mildly as ever, reaching down for his tunic. “And I will continue to say nothing. In all matters concerning the private affairs of my friends, I am entirely deaf and quite nearly blind.”
“I killed her.” “No, baby.” 😅😩
June 30, 2026
Thank you to The Nerd Fam and the author for the gifted book!
✦ 𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 ✦
Although I did enjoy the first book more overall, this was still a well written, interesting follow up. The atmospheric writing style was still a big strength here, and there is a lot of complexity to this narrative. I did enjoy how the lore was built in this book, and how complex the narrative was, although I don’t think that it will be for every Romantasy reader. The duel POV did break this up a bit, but it was frustrating for me that the characters were disconnected for such a large portion of the book.
I found Elara’s struggle with identity as she navigated the immortal isles to be really compelling, and appreciated how well the author captured the internal trauma of being torn apart by war.
All of this said, the ending left a lot of open questions for me, and the cliffhanger is absolutely diabolical. I’d recommend this one if you have the patience for very intricate, complex fantasy with an absolutely painful slow burn.
✄----------
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
3.5 Stars Rounded Up
✄----------
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✦ 𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 ✦
Although I did enjoy the first book more overall, this was still a well written, interesting follow up. The atmospheric writing style was still a big strength here, and there is a lot of complexity to this narrative. I did enjoy how the lore was built in this book, and how complex the narrative was, although I don’t think that it will be for every Romantasy reader. The duel POV did break this up a bit, but it was frustrating for me that the characters were disconnected for such a large portion of the book.
I found Elara’s struggle with identity as she navigated the immortal isles to be really compelling, and appreciated how well the author captured the internal trauma of being torn apart by war.
All of this said, the ending left a lot of open questions for me, and the cliffhanger is absolutely diabolical. I’d recommend this one if you have the patience for very intricate, complex fantasy with an absolutely painful slow burn.
✄----------
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
3.5 Stars Rounded Up
✄----------
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This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 26, 2026
I had the pleasure of receiving this as an e-ARC and voluntarily will be giving my honest review. This book has left me speechless what can I say!! Wow!! This was absolutely intense and emotional in the best kind of way! This is a slow burn with absolutely stunning world building! This is definitely a thick book so be prepared and in some spots it is slow but you have to trust the process because this book will totally reck you and you will have a book hangover!!
“The veil has been crossed—
and the cost has only begun.
Hunted by the realm she fled and mistrusted by the one she’s entered, Elara walks the immortal isles of Tir na nÓg with a single truth thrumming in her chest—she no longer belongs to either world. The Sidhe call her dangerous. The remnants of her human heart call her lost. Somewhere between them, her blood hums with a power that was never meant to exist—her heart pulled toward two men divided by war.
When an attack within the Sidhe courts exposes a conspiracy older than the war between their realms, Elara and Reynnar are thrust into a perilous journey across Tir na nÓg.”
“The veil has been crossed—
and the cost has only begun.
Hunted by the realm she fled and mistrusted by the one she’s entered, Elara walks the immortal isles of Tir na nÓg with a single truth thrumming in her chest—she no longer belongs to either world. The Sidhe call her dangerous. The remnants of her human heart call her lost. Somewhere between them, her blood hums with a power that was never meant to exist—her heart pulled toward two men divided by war.
When an attack within the Sidhe courts exposes a conspiracy older than the war between their realms, Elara and Reynnar are thrust into a perilous journey across Tir na nÓg.”
July 6, 2026
Thank you to the NerdFam for the ARC!
This picks up directly where we left off in book one. You remember? When Ivan pushes Elara into the rift and tells Reynnar to take care of her. 🙄 Yeah... I'm still salty about that.
We then get to experience the Sidhe realm alongside Elara. There is so much more to the unique magic system that unfolds, and it becomes even more intricate as the story progresses. It's so in-depth at times that it almost becomes difficult to wrap your head around.
This book was THICCC, which resulted in the pacing feeling a little slower at times. However, the prose more than made up for it, in my opinion. J.M. has a way with words that makes you feel every emotion right alongside the characters.
«"And with a clarity so complete it nearly made her lurch, she understood—
She was in a great deal of trouble."»
Sheesh... you and me both, sister.
I try to stay away from love triangles because they never seem to choose the person I'm rooting for. And I fear that's exactly where this series is headed.
There is only one outcome I'll accept.
Now, can I please get book 3 immediately?.
This picks up directly where we left off in book one. You remember? When Ivan pushes Elara into the rift and tells Reynnar to take care of her. 🙄 Yeah... I'm still salty about that.
We then get to experience the Sidhe realm alongside Elara. There is so much more to the unique magic system that unfolds, and it becomes even more intricate as the story progresses. It's so in-depth at times that it almost becomes difficult to wrap your head around.
This book was THICCC, which resulted in the pacing feeling a little slower at times. However, the prose more than made up for it, in my opinion. J.M. has a way with words that makes you feel every emotion right alongside the characters.
«"And with a clarity so complete it nearly made her lurch, she understood—
She was in a great deal of trouble."»
Sheesh... you and me both, sister.
I try to stay away from love triangles because they never seem to choose the person I'm rooting for. And I fear that's exactly where this series is headed.
There is only one outcome I'll accept.
Now, can I please get book 3 immediately?.
June 24, 2026
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted e-arc and the opportunity to early review Fate So Cruelly Bound!
What a roller coaster that was!!! And the ending??
This book picks up right after book 1, and the story immediately takes off! The world building and magic system is heavily expanded upon.
Elara is questioning where she belongs and who she is as well as who does she want to be with. She is a little frustrating at times, but I think it shows her character growth. It shows that not all choices are easy and that she’s trying her best.
This was a love triangle, which I normally get a little awkward with, but this was handled really well!! The tension and yearning was top tier! The different povs was a great touch! It allowed us to get the story from multiple locations at a time was great for the plot. The found family in this book was so comforting. After how they came together to begin with, the way they form a bond is so special.
This series is unique and compelling! The writing is captivating and quick. I definitely recommend this book!
What a roller coaster that was!!! And the ending??
This book picks up right after book 1, and the story immediately takes off! The world building and magic system is heavily expanded upon.
Elara is questioning where she belongs and who she is as well as who does she want to be with. She is a little frustrating at times, but I think it shows her character growth. It shows that not all choices are easy and that she’s trying her best.
This was a love triangle, which I normally get a little awkward with, but this was handled really well!! The tension and yearning was top tier! The different povs was a great touch! It allowed us to get the story from multiple locations at a time was great for the plot. The found family in this book was so comforting. After how they came together to begin with, the way they form a bond is so special.
This series is unique and compelling! The writing is captivating and quick. I definitely recommend this book!
June 27, 2026
Thanks Nerdfam for the ARC!
Fate So Cruelly Bound unfortunately doubled down on many of the issues I struggled with in the first book rather than improving on them.
The writing style remains heavily overwritten, with paragraphs that feel more concerned with sounding dramatic than actually advancing the story. There is a constant layer of emotional intensity applied to every moment, which ironically made it harder for any individual scene to stand out or feel impactful.
Plot progression felt uneven. Important events would happen quickly, often told in summary or wrapped in long descriptive passages, while other moments were stretched out far beyond what the narrative needed. The pacing made it difficult to stay engaged, as I often felt like I was either waiting for something to happen or trying to untangle what had just happened.
The characters continue to suffer from a lack of distinct voice differentiation. Dialogue frequently blends together, and emotional reactions feel broadly similar across the cast. Instead of character-driven tension, much of the conflict feels narrated at the reader rather than experienced through them.
Fate So Cruelly Bound unfortunately doubled down on many of the issues I struggled with in the first book rather than improving on them.
The writing style remains heavily overwritten, with paragraphs that feel more concerned with sounding dramatic than actually advancing the story. There is a constant layer of emotional intensity applied to every moment, which ironically made it harder for any individual scene to stand out or feel impactful.
Plot progression felt uneven. Important events would happen quickly, often told in summary or wrapped in long descriptive passages, while other moments were stretched out far beyond what the narrative needed. The pacing made it difficult to stay engaged, as I often felt like I was either waiting for something to happen or trying to untangle what had just happened.
The characters continue to suffer from a lack of distinct voice differentiation. Dialogue frequently blends together, and emotional reactions feel broadly similar across the cast. Instead of character-driven tension, much of the conflict feels narrated at the reader rather than experienced through them.
June 28, 2026
If you want yearning, tension, slow burn, insane magic, a beautiful world, found family, an epic FMC, do yourself a favor and read this series!
JMs writing style is unparalleled and will send you through all the emotions and having loving one MM and then completely switching on you. She has a way of putting everything on the page.
This book picks up right where book 1 leaves off and we are thrown right back into everything. We are taken to a new realm and lots of forced proximity with the MMC. Elara is really figuring out who she is and what she wants to do. All the puzzle pieces really started to fall into place from book one and we are left with so much more for the next book.
I honestly don’t know how to write a review for this because I could write a whole novel on how much I loved it.
Just do yourself a favor and pick these books up, you won’t regret it
JMs writing style is unparalleled and will send you through all the emotions and having loving one MM and then completely switching on you. She has a way of putting everything on the page.
This book picks up right where book 1 leaves off and we are thrown right back into everything. We are taken to a new realm and lots of forced proximity with the MMC. Elara is really figuring out who she is and what she wants to do. All the puzzle pieces really started to fall into place from book one and we are left with so much more for the next book.
I honestly don’t know how to write a review for this because I could write a whole novel on how much I loved it.
Just do yourself a favor and pick these books up, you won’t regret it
June 28, 2026
How do I even review this book?
I finished it and just sat there staring at the wall because my brain couldn’t process what I had just read.
The first book was fantastic, but somehow this one is even better. The world gets bigger, the stakes get higher, and the slow burn… MY GOD. Every interaction had me kicking my feet and screaming internally.
I loved getting to spend more time in Tir na nÓg. The politics, the mystery, the twists… I was completely hooked. Every time I thought I knew where the story was going, J.M. Grosvalet proved me wrong.
This is a commitment. It’s a big book, and it’s a slower, character driven fantasy. But trust the process because every single page matters. The payoff is incredible.
I don’t throw around the word masterpiece often, but this one earned it. This series deserves so much more attention!!
I finished it and just sat there staring at the wall because my brain couldn’t process what I had just read.
The first book was fantastic, but somehow this one is even better. The world gets bigger, the stakes get higher, and the slow burn… MY GOD. Every interaction had me kicking my feet and screaming internally.
I loved getting to spend more time in Tir na nÓg. The politics, the mystery, the twists… I was completely hooked. Every time I thought I knew where the story was going, J.M. Grosvalet proved me wrong.
This is a commitment. It’s a big book, and it’s a slower, character driven fantasy. But trust the process because every single page matters. The payoff is incredible.
I don’t throw around the word masterpiece often, but this one earned it. This series deserves so much more attention!!
June 28, 2026
Hands down one of my favorite reads recently this month! The yearning and tension - top tier! The slow burn - true smolder. Absolutely loved every minute of the world and these characters!!
The love triangle / why choose (not really sure which one) - I honestly don’t know which one I would choose…it’s so hard and it’s so hard not feeling so invested to not be sad for what’s going to come!
The magic system is so thought out in this series too! Not just that but the world building and character development - I’m here for it all and I’m obsessed! Can’t wait to see what comes next! Thank you to the author and NerdFam for this early read! I was not prepared for this and now I fear I’ll keep thinking about this story for week 🤣 which is bad news for my TBR/upcoming arcs. All opinions are my own.
The love triangle / why choose (not really sure which one) - I honestly don’t know which one I would choose…it’s so hard and it’s so hard not feeling so invested to not be sad for what’s going to come!
The magic system is so thought out in this series too! Not just that but the world building and character development - I’m here for it all and I’m obsessed! Can’t wait to see what comes next! Thank you to the author and NerdFam for this early read! I was not prepared for this and now I fear I’ll keep thinking about this story for week 🤣 which is bad news for my TBR/upcoming arcs. All opinions are my own.
June 25, 2026
"She kissed him without hesitation, without fear. Like he was not already damned. Like there was still a man in him worth the trouble".
This picks up right were book one left us and will leave you even more captivated. This dark romantasy is filled the best written political intrigue, delicious tension, found family, and one of the most heart wrenching love triangles.
I really like that this a truly equally weighted romantasy. We get that mouth watering tension with a study dose of plot the entire time. I am really rooting for everyone and I love that I have no idea what to expect in book 3.
I must read for any romantasy lover.
This picks up right were book one left us and will leave you even more captivated. This dark romantasy is filled the best written political intrigue, delicious tension, found family, and one of the most heart wrenching love triangles.
I really like that this a truly equally weighted romantasy. We get that mouth watering tension with a study dose of plot the entire time. I am really rooting for everyone and I love that I have no idea what to expect in book 3.
I must read for any romantasy lover.
June 26, 2026
If you love dark fantasy that takes its time building intricate politics before shattering your heart with brutal plot twists, this sequel is flawless. It’s high-angst, high-stakes, and completely worth the sleepless night.
December 27, 2025
I am sat
June 30, 2026
I am undone. I am bereft. I have been staring blankly at a wall for the last ten minutes because I cannot do anything else because I just finished "Fate so Cruelly Bound," and have experienced the most exquisite storytelling and had my heart absolutely ripped out and now I'm wandering aimlessly in the void. Holy crap.
Okay, so for the review part.
"Fate so Cruelly Bound," is the second book in The Deadly Divine series by J.M. Grosvalet, and boy, does this book deliver. We meet up with Elara where we left her - fleeing through Tir na Nog after liberating the Sidhe from the Pit, hunted by humans, and mistrusted by the Sidhe in the realms she's traveling. She's grieving, she's conflicted, she's vulnerable. When a conspiracy rears it's ugly head, Elara and Reynnar commit to journey to uncover the ugly, buried truth.
On the other side of the Veil, Ivan the Hunter is also traveling, but as a prisoner of war, and must decide who and what holds his loyalty.
The veil will be crossed. Fates braided together and woven, loyalties questioned, and love tested.
What to expect:
🗡️ The best slowburn - the queen of slow burns, the bestest most delicious slowburn
💨 Gorgeous, lyrical, descriptive writing
🗡️Absolutely perfect tension
💨 Yearning to destroy all other yearning - gaaaaah
🗡️Superb magic system
💨 Supportive, lovely, wonderful male characters
🗡️Dark/gothic vibes, romantasy
💨 High stakes
🗡️Touch her and 💀
💨 Found family
🗡️Political intrigue and rebellion
💨Ends on a cliff hanger
Top tier read, hands down one of my favorite books (not just of this month or year, but on the "Favorite Favorites," list because the descriptions, the world building (SO MUCH WORLDBUILDING) the unique and intricate magic system, the main characters that you *love* and are absolutely invested in, the side characters that are so three dimensional and well-rounded they jump off the page, the science involved in the calculations and the travel through the Veil (be still my nerdy heart) and the MOST PERFECT SLOW BURN TENSION EVER EVER EVER. GAH. The last ten percent of this book I was hyperventilating and had to take breaks after each chapter because the buildup was SO GOOD I couldn't handle it all at once.
This is an epic fantasy for readers who want to be completely immersed in the world they are visiting. For readers who want the details and complexities and depth and *time* spent with the world and the characters. Please, please, please add it to your list - it's lovely and beautiful and deserves space in your brain and on your shelf.
I'll be waiting (not so patiently) for the next installment, and in the meantime, recommending this series to everyone I know.
Thank to you TheNerdFam and the author for the eARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Okay, so for the review part.
"Fate so Cruelly Bound," is the second book in The Deadly Divine series by J.M. Grosvalet, and boy, does this book deliver. We meet up with Elara where we left her - fleeing through Tir na Nog after liberating the Sidhe from the Pit, hunted by humans, and mistrusted by the Sidhe in the realms she's traveling. She's grieving, she's conflicted, she's vulnerable. When a conspiracy rears it's ugly head, Elara and Reynnar commit to journey to uncover the ugly, buried truth.
On the other side of the Veil, Ivan the Hunter is also traveling, but as a prisoner of war, and must decide who and what holds his loyalty.
The veil will be crossed. Fates braided together and woven, loyalties questioned, and love tested.
What to expect:
🗡️ The best slowburn - the queen of slow burns, the bestest most delicious slowburn
💨 Gorgeous, lyrical, descriptive writing
🗡️Absolutely perfect tension
💨 Yearning to destroy all other yearning - gaaaaah
🗡️Superb magic system
💨 Supportive, lovely, wonderful male characters
🗡️Dark/gothic vibes, romantasy
💨 High stakes
🗡️Touch her and 💀
💨 Found family
🗡️Political intrigue and rebellion
💨Ends on a cliff hanger
Top tier read, hands down one of my favorite books (not just of this month or year, but on the "Favorite Favorites," list because the descriptions, the world building (SO MUCH WORLDBUILDING) the unique and intricate magic system, the main characters that you *love* and are absolutely invested in, the side characters that are so three dimensional and well-rounded they jump off the page, the science involved in the calculations and the travel through the Veil (be still my nerdy heart) and the MOST PERFECT SLOW BURN TENSION EVER EVER EVER. GAH. The last ten percent of this book I was hyperventilating and had to take breaks after each chapter because the buildup was SO GOOD I couldn't handle it all at once.
This is an epic fantasy for readers who want to be completely immersed in the world they are visiting. For readers who want the details and complexities and depth and *time* spent with the world and the characters. Please, please, please add it to your list - it's lovely and beautiful and deserves space in your brain and on your shelf.
I'll be waiting (not so patiently) for the next installment, and in the meantime, recommending this series to everyone I know.
Thank to you TheNerdFam and the author for the eARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 5, 2026
This book was heavy. Not necessarily in a bad way, but in a “maybe I need a whiteboard and several different colored markers” kind of way.
There is a lot of lore, history, politics, magic, gods, realms and soul mechanics packed into this story. At times, the worldbuilding came through in some pretty dense information dumps, and I do think the book could have benefited from additional POVs. Ivan’s chapters were consistently some of my favorites, and getting occasional chapters from Reynnar, Tristan or even another character already familiar with the world might have allowed us to learn some of the history more naturally.
That being said, I was fascinated by so many of the ideas explored here—especially the concept that souls and memories can almost exist as entities of their own. That every soul has a reflection across the different worlds, and that these seemingly separate realms may be far more connected than anyone wants to admit.
Each faction is so focused on protecting its own people and maintaining its own identity, but the deeper we get into the story, the clearer it becomes that none of them truly exist independently. Their histories, magic, gods and even their souls are tangled together. It also made me wonder whether these worlds were ever supposed to overlap at all—or whether everything happening now is the consequence of people forcing open doors that should have remained closed.
I also loved getting more of Ivan’s perspective. He remains such a complicated character, and his chapters added a lot of emotional weight to the story. Meanwhile, Reynnar continues to make it nearly impossible for me to decide who I like better. Ivan brings the history, angst and morally messy devotion, while Reynnar brings trust, patience and the possibility of an actual future.
And apparently Elara and I are equally incapable of choosing.
The ending answered some major questions while somehow creating approximately five hundred new ones. It definitely feels like this book was doing a lot of work to expand the story into something much larger than the conflict we started with.
Overall, this was a beautifully written, ambitious sequel with fascinating ideas and strong emotional moments. The worldbuilding occasionally became overwhelming, but I stayed invested—and that ending guaranteed I will be reading whatever comes next.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
There is a lot of lore, history, politics, magic, gods, realms and soul mechanics packed into this story. At times, the worldbuilding came through in some pretty dense information dumps, and I do think the book could have benefited from additional POVs. Ivan’s chapters were consistently some of my favorites, and getting occasional chapters from Reynnar, Tristan or even another character already familiar with the world might have allowed us to learn some of the history more naturally.
That being said, I was fascinated by so many of the ideas explored here—especially the concept that souls and memories can almost exist as entities of their own. That every soul has a reflection across the different worlds, and that these seemingly separate realms may be far more connected than anyone wants to admit.
Each faction is so focused on protecting its own people and maintaining its own identity, but the deeper we get into the story, the clearer it becomes that none of them truly exist independently. Their histories, magic, gods and even their souls are tangled together. It also made me wonder whether these worlds were ever supposed to overlap at all—or whether everything happening now is the consequence of people forcing open doors that should have remained closed.
I also loved getting more of Ivan’s perspective. He remains such a complicated character, and his chapters added a lot of emotional weight to the story. Meanwhile, Reynnar continues to make it nearly impossible for me to decide who I like better. Ivan brings the history, angst and morally messy devotion, while Reynnar brings trust, patience and the possibility of an actual future.
And apparently Elara and I are equally incapable of choosing.
The ending answered some major questions while somehow creating approximately five hundred new ones. It definitely feels like this book was doing a lot of work to expand the story into something much larger than the conflict we started with.
Overall, this was a beautifully written, ambitious sequel with fascinating ideas and strong emotional moments. The worldbuilding occasionally became overwhelming, but I stayed invested—and that ending guaranteed I will be reading whatever comes next.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
June 23, 2026
Can someone please come over and pick my jaw up off the floor? What, and I mean WHAT, was that absolutely diabolical ending. MA’AM!!
Book two starts right at the ending of book one… which was beautiful and devastating in its own right, let’s be honest, and Elara is with Rey in the far realm. We don’t know what’s happened in the mortal realm and who might still be alive, but here we go. The goal is the rally help from the fae to defeat Osin (who is still vile, putrid, hideous… the worst aka best type of villain).
I cannot stress this enough, JM Grosvalet is an EXCEPTIONAL WRITER. Her word choices, stunning. I love getting to use my brain when reading a fantasy romance novel. The immersive world that she has built, the incredible journey that Elara goes through discovering who she is and what she is capable of - I could write sonnets about her growth journey.
The love triangle aspect is handled really beautifully, the YEARNING all three of these characters goes through. I loathe a love triangle and this one is done so so so well.
But. The biggest love about the book for me is the found family. After the manner in which they all meet each other, coming together in such a beautiful way… I’ll start crying again. The friendly banter in this book is reason enough to read the series. I don’t want to name names bc no spoilers…. I kicked my feet up the glee and giggled my face off. I’ll even admit one large guffaw or cackle aloud.
We need to know what happens next… THAT ENDING. I’ll be unwell for the rest of the day.
Tropes:
He trains her
Love triangle
Unique and interesting magic system
Crossing into the void using calculations of current (ether)
Dual POV
Found family
Dancing but one of them doesn’t know the steps
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted book and an opportunity to read this eARC #fatesocruellybound #thenerdfam
Book two starts right at the ending of book one… which was beautiful and devastating in its own right, let’s be honest, and Elara is with Rey in the far realm. We don’t know what’s happened in the mortal realm and who might still be alive, but here we go. The goal is the rally help from the fae to defeat Osin (who is still vile, putrid, hideous… the worst aka best type of villain).
I cannot stress this enough, JM Grosvalet is an EXCEPTIONAL WRITER. Her word choices, stunning. I love getting to use my brain when reading a fantasy romance novel. The immersive world that she has built, the incredible journey that Elara goes through discovering who she is and what she is capable of - I could write sonnets about her growth journey.
The love triangle aspect is handled really beautifully, the YEARNING all three of these characters goes through. I loathe a love triangle and this one is done so so so well.
But. The biggest love about the book for me is the found family. After the manner in which they all meet each other, coming together in such a beautiful way… I’ll start crying again. The friendly banter in this book is reason enough to read the series. I don’t want to name names bc no spoilers…. I kicked my feet up the glee and giggled my face off. I’ll even admit one large guffaw or cackle aloud.
We need to know what happens next… THAT ENDING. I’ll be unwell for the rest of the day.
Tropes:
He trains her
Love triangle
Unique and interesting magic system
Crossing into the void using calculations of current (ether)
Dual POV
Found family
Dancing but one of them doesn’t know the steps
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted book and an opportunity to read this eARC #fatesocruellybound #thenerdfam
July 19, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 🌶️ 0.5/5
Can we all just agree to pretend Goodreads lets us give six stars? Because that’s exactly what Fate So Cruelly Bound deserves. Half a chili pepper for spice, six stars for absolutely everything else.
TBH the first book took me a little while to get into. The world is complex. The lore is complex. The magic is complex. But let’s not confuse complex with convoluted. Every ounce of world building in Blood So Deadly Divine pays off in spades here. Looking back every detail mattered.
I won’t spoil anything but Elara absolutely comes into her own in this installment. She’s no longer bowing at the feet of a king she despises. She’s becoming a force to be reckoned with. Caught between the human realm and Tír na nÓg she belongs to both…and neither. Watching her embrace who she is instead of who everyone expects her to be was one of my favorite parts of the book.
Now let’s address the elephant in the room…
WHO IS THE LOVE INTEREST?! 🤣
At this point I think Elara is just as confused as I am. How exactly am I supposed to choose between Mr. Tall, Dark and Broody and a devastatingly irresistible Fae Lord? Honestly, this is the definition of a no-lose situation and I’m here for every second of it.
This story is dark with flashes of hope. A book set in a world ravaged by war isn’t supposed to be sunshine and rainbows and this one isn’t afraid to make you hurt. There are moments that will absolutely rip your heart out, stomp on it and then casually walk away.
And finally…
J. M. Grosvalet has officially earned the title of my Queen of Plot Twists. I pride myself on seeing twists coming from a mile away. This author? Not once. Not twice. She got me every single time.
And that ending…
I…
Can’t…
Even…
Please tell me there’s going to be a book three because I need it. Like…yesterday.
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted book.
Can we all just agree to pretend Goodreads lets us give six stars? Because that’s exactly what Fate So Cruelly Bound deserves. Half a chili pepper for spice, six stars for absolutely everything else.
TBH the first book took me a little while to get into. The world is complex. The lore is complex. The magic is complex. But let’s not confuse complex with convoluted. Every ounce of world building in Blood So Deadly Divine pays off in spades here. Looking back every detail mattered.
I won’t spoil anything but Elara absolutely comes into her own in this installment. She’s no longer bowing at the feet of a king she despises. She’s becoming a force to be reckoned with. Caught between the human realm and Tír na nÓg she belongs to both…and neither. Watching her embrace who she is instead of who everyone expects her to be was one of my favorite parts of the book.
Now let’s address the elephant in the room…
WHO IS THE LOVE INTEREST?! 🤣
At this point I think Elara is just as confused as I am. How exactly am I supposed to choose between Mr. Tall, Dark and Broody and a devastatingly irresistible Fae Lord? Honestly, this is the definition of a no-lose situation and I’m here for every second of it.
This story is dark with flashes of hope. A book set in a world ravaged by war isn’t supposed to be sunshine and rainbows and this one isn’t afraid to make you hurt. There are moments that will absolutely rip your heart out, stomp on it and then casually walk away.
And finally…
J. M. Grosvalet has officially earned the title of my Queen of Plot Twists. I pride myself on seeing twists coming from a mile away. This author? Not once. Not twice. She got me every single time.
And that ending…
I…
Can’t…
Even…
Please tell me there’s going to be a book three because I need it. Like…yesterday.
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted book.
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