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Tithe
In the volcanic hell of Veyrhold, 144 young adults are kidnapped from rival provinces and forced into a year-long death game. Only four will survive to become the Riders of the Horsemen—Death, War, Pestilence, and Famine—and the Empire will claim them as weapons.
Xanthe Destry never planned to die properly. Snarky, strategic, and refusing to break, she fights to outlast the trials while secrets and forbidden bonds threaten to unravel her.
A dark romantasy of betrayal, found family, cosmic obsession, and love that could destroy everything—perfect for fans of Fourth Wing, A Court of Thorns and Roses, and The Cruel Prince, but with heavier grimdark stakes and spicier shadows.
In Veyrhold, everyone dies. Some just refuse to stay dead.
Xanthe Destry never planned to die properly. Snarky, strategic, and refusing to break, she fights to outlast the trials while secrets and forbidden bonds threaten to unravel her.
A dark romantasy of betrayal, found family, cosmic obsession, and love that could destroy everything—perfect for fans of Fourth Wing, A Court of Thorns and Roses, and The Cruel Prince, but with heavier grimdark stakes and spicier shadows.
In Veyrhold, everyone dies. Some just refuse to stay dead.
387 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 23, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 6, 2026
Tithe by JW Freeman book review!
5⭐️ - This was so good! I was so invested from the start! This book needs more recognition! I haven’t read a book based on the four horseman so this introduction to them was amazing! Well written and well done!
5⭐️ - This was so good! I was so invested from the start! This book needs more recognition! I haven’t read a book based on the four horseman so this introduction to them was amazing! Well written and well done!
August 5, 2026
Edge-of-Your-Seat Trials with Perfectly Paced Romance
"Congratulations, Tithes. You have entered the Veyrhold. You are now initiates of the Order of Worth. Survive long enough, and you may stand before the Four."
If you liked Fourth Wing, you will like Tithe by JW Freeman. It shares similar themes of trials, a training academy environment, and romance despite poor survival odds.
What I loved: the high-stakes trials, the sweet romance, and the clever plot twist.
What I didn’t love: heavy use of metaphor.
The ending sets up a sequel or series, and I really hope we get one because I'm impatient to know what happens next.
On the spice scale, I’d give it 3.5 chillies. It’s open door but not overly explicit or frequent. It’s easy to skip if you aren’t into it, but there’s enough to make you giggle and kick your feet.
Favourite character: Mors. I love a snarky companion, and Mors delivers.
Favourite quote: "Good parenting begins with shared vision." (The context makes it funny, I promise)
Favourite plot point: every single trial. High stakes, ratcheting higher each time.
Favourite writing mechanic: short chapters. Very satisfying, and "one more chapter" doesn't throw off your whole day/night.
Highly recommend.
"Congratulations, Tithes. You have entered the Veyrhold. You are now initiates of the Order of Worth. Survive long enough, and you may stand before the Four."
If you liked Fourth Wing, you will like Tithe by JW Freeman. It shares similar themes of trials, a training academy environment, and romance despite poor survival odds.
What I loved: the high-stakes trials, the sweet romance, and the clever plot twist.
What I didn’t love: heavy use of metaphor.
The ending sets up a sequel or series, and I really hope we get one because I'm impatient to know what happens next.
On the spice scale, I’d give it 3.5 chillies. It’s open door but not overly explicit or frequent. It’s easy to skip if you aren’t into it, but there’s enough to make you giggle and kick your feet.
Favourite character: Mors. I love a snarky companion, and Mors delivers.
Favourite quote: "Good parenting begins with shared vision." (The context makes it funny, I promise)
Favourite plot point: every single trial. High stakes, ratcheting higher each time.
Favourite writing mechanic: short chapters. Very satisfying, and "one more chapter" doesn't throw off your whole day/night.
Highly recommend.
July 23, 2026
Amazing book! Extremely well written! The characters had depth and meshed well together. The story line made sense and flowed incredibly well. Just an awesome read. HIGHLY RECOMEND!
August 13, 2026
Loved Xanthe’s internal monologue through the whole thing. Kept me on the edge of my seat!
July 14, 2026
4.5 stars. Only because it's not my typical genre. This is a good dystopian with fantasy elements at the end of the book. Similar in a way to the hunger games where 12 people at the age of 24 (eldest of the family), from 12 province are reaped to go into these trials for the Empire to eventually become riders of the 4 horseman. Death, famine, pestilence and war. The horseman haven't chosen a rider in centuries for no apparent reason. Xanthe is poisoned by her older sister (they're triplets) and forced to do the trials. Where she meets Ceres (from the same province as her), Varric from Galatean and a few other supporting characters.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews