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Whispers of the Wicked #2
Echoes of the Wicked Wood
Not yet published
Expected 1 Dec 26The sequel to the USA TODAY Bestselling dark fantasy romance, Lore of the WIcked Wood.
Once terrified of the dark magic lurking within her, Everinne has embraced the ruthless power she feared. Having escaped the tortures of the Rizenrok Forge, she seeks safety in the wicked wood, where she learns nothing is as it seems. Not even herself. The sentient forest reveals more than ancient secrets and forgotten lore. It guards her heart’s deepest desire—Atlas.
Trapped in the body of the Zolvost, Atlas shares his mind and soul with Vaskka, a demon fueled by lust. Determined to remain loyal to Everinne, Atlas strikes a dangerous bargain that costs him his magic. Though his reunion with Everinne burns with passion, it is painfully short-lived. His kingdom is dying.
The gilded streets are consumed by darkness. Humans have fled the city, vampires wage war against each other, and the witches have taken refuge in the Marzena. Worse still, Jarek Zima is more powerful than anyone could have imagined, and he only wants one thing—the bride he was promised.
Forced back into the twisted world of the Mystic Obscura, Atlas and Everinne soon discover that death may be more favorable than the horrors awaiting them.
Because time favors no one.
Once terrified of the dark magic lurking within her, Everinne has embraced the ruthless power she feared. Having escaped the tortures of the Rizenrok Forge, she seeks safety in the wicked wood, where she learns nothing is as it seems. Not even herself. The sentient forest reveals more than ancient secrets and forgotten lore. It guards her heart’s deepest desire—Atlas.
Trapped in the body of the Zolvost, Atlas shares his mind and soul with Vaskka, a demon fueled by lust. Determined to remain loyal to Everinne, Atlas strikes a dangerous bargain that costs him his magic. Though his reunion with Everinne burns with passion, it is painfully short-lived. His kingdom is dying.
The gilded streets are consumed by darkness. Humans have fled the city, vampires wage war against each other, and the witches have taken refuge in the Marzena. Worse still, Jarek Zima is more powerful than anyone could have imagined, and he only wants one thing—the bride he was promised.
Forced back into the twisted world of the Mystic Obscura, Atlas and Everinne soon discover that death may be more favorable than the horrors awaiting them.
Because time favors no one.
- GenresRomantasy
Kindle Edition
Expected publication December 1, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS BOOK!
After the ending of Lore of the Wicked Woods, I needed to know what was going to happen to Atlas and Everinne. I needed answers, and I needed to see how their story would finally unfold. And let me tell you, the end of their story does NOT disappoint!
Getting to that happily ever after, though? It's a rough ride. Pain and heartbreak abound in this book. It is BRUTAL, but I was here for every minute of it. Because what's a good fantasy story without a few twists, turns, and revelations that leave your jaw on the floor?
The pacing was great overall. The story moves quickly, with a few slower moments that give everything enough room to breathe. And those revelations? Just when you think you have things figured out, the story throws something else at you.
Now, I don't mind a spicy book, but this one had a bit more spice than I personally wanted for this particular story. I know there are plenty of readers who are going to LOVE every bit of it, and I can absolutely see this being a five-star read for them. It just wasn't quite my preference.
And can we talk about Veros for a minute? He gets a few chapters of his own in this book, and I WANTED MORE! His role in this story is much bigger than those few chapters might lead you to believe, and I was definitely left wanting more of him.
Overall, this was a very satisfying conclusion to Atlas and Everinne's story. At least, their story! There was a little hint at the very end that we might not be done with this world just yet, and I am certainly not complaining about that.
If you loved Lore of the Wicked Woods, you are going to love finally seeing how Atlas and Everinne's story comes to an end. Just be prepared for the pain, the heartbreak, and all the twists along the way!
After the ending of Lore of the Wicked Woods, I needed to know what was going to happen to Atlas and Everinne. I needed answers, and I needed to see how their story would finally unfold. And let me tell you, the end of their story does NOT disappoint!
Getting to that happily ever after, though? It's a rough ride. Pain and heartbreak abound in this book. It is BRUTAL, but I was here for every minute of it. Because what's a good fantasy story without a few twists, turns, and revelations that leave your jaw on the floor?
The pacing was great overall. The story moves quickly, with a few slower moments that give everything enough room to breathe. And those revelations? Just when you think you have things figured out, the story throws something else at you.
Now, I don't mind a spicy book, but this one had a bit more spice than I personally wanted for this particular story. I know there are plenty of readers who are going to LOVE every bit of it, and I can absolutely see this being a five-star read for them. It just wasn't quite my preference.
And can we talk about Veros for a minute? He gets a few chapters of his own in this book, and I WANTED MORE! His role in this story is much bigger than those few chapters might lead you to believe, and I was definitely left wanting more of him.
Overall, this was a very satisfying conclusion to Atlas and Everinne's story. At least, their story! There was a little hint at the very end that we might not be done with this world just yet, and I am certainly not complaining about that.
If you loved Lore of the Wicked Woods, you are going to love finally seeing how Atlas and Everinne's story comes to an end. Just be prepared for the pain, the heartbreak, and all the twists along the way!
October 22, 2026
This is a book that you need to read your trigger warnings. This was soo good and so unexpected. It was a really deep and heavy read. It traumatized me in the best way possible. I absolutely love the path this story has taken from book one all the way through to this second book's ending. I cannot say enough about just how much I loved Atlas and Ever's story.
Atlas and Ever are separated from each other and each dealing with their situations as best as they can. Fighting their way back to each other brings them to the wicked wood and a cabin on a lake. Ever is frightened by Atlas' appearance and can hear the demon in her ind as well. Their battle to freedom doesn't end when they reunite.
Atlas and Ever are separated from each other and each dealing with their situations as best as they can. Fighting their way back to each other brings them to the wicked wood and a cabin on a lake. Ever is frightened by Atlas' appearance and can hear the demon in her ind as well. Their battle to freedom doesn't end when they reunite.
November 1, 2026
I received this book as an ARC.
This book started off strong. Right in the midst of things and relatively tense with high stakes situations. There’s a lot of spice in the beginning, which I’m here for. Although, I don’t really understand the mechanics, with the shadow play, how Atlas can also feel whatever his shadow feels, but that didn’t really take away anything from the scene.
This was a quick read, and I was really enjoying the chemistry between Everinne and Atlas. However, at about 60%, I felt that the story started to lack logical sense with plot holes present. The villain comes off extremely powerful with a large range of skills in which none of them are explained, nor why he can seem to do whatever “magic” that he wills. The characters seem to conveniently find themselves where (or with whom) they need to be without any efforts at traversing to that location with the exception that when Ever needed to escape, she didn’t know how to get out (despite the fact that Atlas recently left).
Veros has his own POV chapter, which doesn’t really seem to contribute much to the overall story. He plays a role towards the end, but it seems like another convenience.
A lot of events seem to occur in Starysa, but all happen off page. We are only told of the dire situation. Information and history also seem to be revealed by characters only when convenient. High stakes moments towards the end occur without any real lead up, making everything feel rushed.
I think the outline and intended plot points of this story are interesting and had potential. The writing is good as well. This book could just have used some more development and fleshing out of the characters and events.
Check your trigger warnings:
Non con present.
This book started off strong. Right in the midst of things and relatively tense with high stakes situations. There’s a lot of spice in the beginning, which I’m here for. Although, I don’t really understand the mechanics, with the shadow play, how Atlas can also feel whatever his shadow feels, but that didn’t really take away anything from the scene.
This was a quick read, and I was really enjoying the chemistry between Everinne and Atlas. However, at about 60%, I felt that the story started to lack logical sense with plot holes present. The villain comes off extremely powerful with a large range of skills in which none of them are explained, nor why he can seem to do whatever “magic” that he wills. The characters seem to conveniently find themselves where (or with whom) they need to be without any efforts at traversing to that location with the exception that when Ever needed to escape, she didn’t know how to get out (despite the fact that Atlas recently left).
Veros has his own POV chapter, which doesn’t really seem to contribute much to the overall story. He plays a role towards the end, but it seems like another convenience.
A lot of events seem to occur in Starysa, but all happen off page. We are only told of the dire situation. Information and history also seem to be revealed by characters only when convenient. High stakes moments towards the end occur without any real lead up, making everything feel rushed.
I think the outline and intended plot points of this story are interesting and had potential. The writing is good as well. This book could just have used some more development and fleshing out of the characters and events.
Check your trigger warnings:
Non con present.
November 3, 2026
If Hillary Raymer writes it, I READ IT. No questions asked.
Can we please talk about ATLAS?! Because that man is a TOP TIER BOOK BOYFRIEND. The devotion. The yearning. The way he loves Everinne in every version of himself. Prince, demon, whatever he becomes, his heart belongs to her.
“I love you as my prince.”
“I love you as my demon.”
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!
And Everinne’s love for him is just as consuming.
“My heart has been yours from the moment it started beating. It’s why I said I didn’t have a heart anymore, because I already gave it to you. It’s always been yours, Atlas. I…I have always been yours.”
Hillary has such a gift for writing magical worlds and romances that completely consume you. Atlas and Everinne’s story was no exception, and I’m so sad to say goodbye to them.
Atlas, you have officially earned your place among my favorite fictional men.
Thank you to Hillary Raymer for the ARC and the opportunity to experience this incredible ending early!
Can we please talk about ATLAS?! Because that man is a TOP TIER BOOK BOYFRIEND. The devotion. The yearning. The way he loves Everinne in every version of himself. Prince, demon, whatever he becomes, his heart belongs to her.
“I love you as my prince.”
“I love you as my demon.”
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!
And Everinne’s love for him is just as consuming.
“My heart has been yours from the moment it started beating. It’s why I said I didn’t have a heart anymore, because I already gave it to you. It’s always been yours, Atlas. I…I have always been yours.”
Hillary has such a gift for writing magical worlds and romances that completely consume you. Atlas and Everinne’s story was no exception, and I’m so sad to say goodbye to them.
Atlas, you have officially earned your place among my favorite fictional men.
Thank you to Hillary Raymer for the ARC and the opportunity to experience this incredible ending early!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Review to come
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews