What do you think?
Rate this book
Where Lost Souls Fall
A set of trials woven from tragedy. Two supposed Fated Mates. Only one can leave victorious.
On the day that was supposed to be my wedding, I was murdered. Waking up as a Spirit, I find myself in a competition designed to tear Fated bonds apart. And it's all for the entertainment of a vengeful King. Because of him, my peaceful afterlife is on the line.
They say my Fated is Chaos. A demon prince who is far too good at acting for the cameras and getting under my skin. Try as I might, I can’t seem to stay away.
With each trial filled with clues about my murder, we’re somehow roped into solving this mystery together. But I’m determined to win this game, no matter how infuriatingly distracting Chaos can be with his good looks and charm. Only one of us can win. And I will be victorious.
Where Lost Souls Fall is the first book in the standalone series The Infernight Trials. A seductive Dark Romantasy filled with lethal trials, a shocking murder mystery, unexpected twists, and a sizzling romance. For fans of Kingdom of the Wicked and Phantasma, are you ready to play the game?
On the day that was supposed to be my wedding, I was murdered. Waking up as a Spirit, I find myself in a competition designed to tear Fated bonds apart. And it's all for the entertainment of a vengeful King. Because of him, my peaceful afterlife is on the line.
They say my Fated is Chaos. A demon prince who is far too good at acting for the cameras and getting under my skin. Try as I might, I can’t seem to stay away.
With each trial filled with clues about my murder, we’re somehow roped into solving this mystery together. But I’m determined to win this game, no matter how infuriatingly distracting Chaos can be with his good looks and charm. Only one of us can win. And I will be victorious.
Where Lost Souls Fall is the first book in the standalone series The Infernight Trials. A seductive Dark Romantasy filled with lethal trials, a shocking murder mystery, unexpected twists, and a sizzling romance. For fans of Kingdom of the Wicked and Phantasma, are you ready to play the game?
362 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 4, 2026
About the author
L.J. Kerry
7 books127 followersL.J. Kerry is an author based in England. She’s an avid reader turned author with some of her favourite genres being Fantasy and Dystopia. Kerry likes to spend her free time playing video games and travelling.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
October 10, 2026
🖤 If you are looking for a Halloween read and loved Phantasma, then I have the perfect book for you!
Imagine being murdered on the day you were supposed to get married… only to wake up in the afterlife and discover that death is just the beginning 👀 Welcome to the Infernight Trials, — when you’ve been summoned, there is no escape. 15 Fated pairings, deadly challenges, secrets around every corner, and a murder mystery that our FMC Esrea has to solve… from the grave 🕵🏻♀️
And then there’s Chaos. A demon prince with a brutal reputation, a Fated connection to Esrea, and exactly the kind of morally questionable energy that makes you think, oh… this is going to be a problem🔥
I loved the combination of lethal trials + dark fantasy + murder mystery + Fated mates + sizzling romance. Every trial brings another clue, another question, and another reason to wonder who can actually be trusted.
The twists kept me guessing, the atmosphere was deliciously dark, and the stakes only got higher as Esrea got closer to uncovering the truth behind her own murder.
If you love Kingdom of the Wicked or Phantasma, definitely add this one to your TBR.
Thank you Author LJ Kerry and Books and Bloom PR for this ARC
Imagine being murdered on the day you were supposed to get married… only to wake up in the afterlife and discover that death is just the beginning 👀 Welcome to the Infernight Trials, — when you’ve been summoned, there is no escape. 15 Fated pairings, deadly challenges, secrets around every corner, and a murder mystery that our FMC Esrea has to solve… from the grave 🕵🏻♀️
And then there’s Chaos. A demon prince with a brutal reputation, a Fated connection to Esrea, and exactly the kind of morally questionable energy that makes you think, oh… this is going to be a problem🔥
I loved the combination of lethal trials + dark fantasy + murder mystery + Fated mates + sizzling romance. Every trial brings another clue, another question, and another reason to wonder who can actually be trusted.
The twists kept me guessing, the atmosphere was deliciously dark, and the stakes only got higher as Esrea got closer to uncovering the truth behind her own murder.
If you love Kingdom of the Wicked or Phantasma, definitely add this one to your TBR.
Thank you Author LJ Kerry and Books and Bloom PR for this ARC
October 15, 2026
We dive straight into a world where the Infernight trials are based and there is 30 contestants - half have volunteed and the other half have been forced in because they are the fated of those volunteers. Esrea is our Wild Card and has been murdered and forced to participate in these trials, her partner is Chaos, a prince with a bad reputation. The only problem is there can only be 1 winner of these trails and losing your fated mate is more painful than death.
Throughout the trials, Chaos and Esrea must work together to uncover the mystery of who murdered her and why. I really enjoyed this mystery element of the story - it was like a whodunnit and that intrigued me although my suspicions were correct.
I also enjoyed the banter between Chaos and Esrea and their flirting in the beginning but for me personally their relationship developed far too quickly and unorganically - it was like they disliked eachother one second then in love the next. I also was just praying that something happened and they were fated mates all along buttttt it's cute they chose eachother regardless.
The ending kind of leaves it open to another book so I am interested in what they would do next especially with King Alden running the show.
Throughout the trials, Chaos and Esrea must work together to uncover the mystery of who murdered her and why. I really enjoyed this mystery element of the story - it was like a whodunnit and that intrigued me although my suspicions were correct.
I also enjoyed the banter between Chaos and Esrea and their flirting in the beginning but for me personally their relationship developed far too quickly and unorganically - it was like they disliked eachother one second then in love the next. I also was just praying that something happened and they were fated mates all along buttttt it's cute they chose eachother regardless.
The ending kind of leaves it open to another book so I am interested in what they would do next especially with King Alden running the show.
October 7, 2026
I really loved this story and the characters! I found it to be very captivating and so immersive. I loved how the plot started and eventually thickened!!
We follow our FMC, who not only gets cheated on by her fiancé but also gets killed on the day that she is supposed to get married by a complete stranger. She soon wakes up as a spirit and is forced into a competition/trails to get rid of this bond that she has with the Prince. What more can I say?!! This book was an instant hook!!
There was so much action going on, and it was just so entertaining. I never guessed the plot twist at the end of the book. I don’t think I would have guessed it or seen it coming. I just loved all the games and the high stakes of everything. I love the blend of mystery with fantasy and magic.
I loved Chaos and Esrea together. So incredibly cute together. They were just amazing. Our FMC Esrea literally got such a huge upgrade of a man. In the beginning of the book, she got cheated on by her fiancé. But all of a sudden, this prince who is her fated bond gets added to the picture, and everything gets 10 times more interesting!!
This story is a Hunger Games meet Phantasma meets Kingdom of Wicked! It was just all so good, highly recommend it!!
We follow our FMC, who not only gets cheated on by her fiancé but also gets killed on the day that she is supposed to get married by a complete stranger. She soon wakes up as a spirit and is forced into a competition/trails to get rid of this bond that she has with the Prince. What more can I say?!! This book was an instant hook!!
There was so much action going on, and it was just so entertaining. I never guessed the plot twist at the end of the book. I don’t think I would have guessed it or seen it coming. I just loved all the games and the high stakes of everything. I love the blend of mystery with fantasy and magic.
I loved Chaos and Esrea together. So incredibly cute together. They were just amazing. Our FMC Esrea literally got such a huge upgrade of a man. In the beginning of the book, she got cheated on by her fiancé. But all of a sudden, this prince who is her fated bond gets added to the picture, and everything gets 10 times more interesting!!
This story is a Hunger Games meet Phantasma meets Kingdom of Wicked! It was just all so good, highly recommend it!!
October 6, 2026
This was a good book! I got dragged into the plot rather quickly, with deadly trials and questionable fated bonds, it was a very enjoyable read!
The FMC was quirky, quick-witted and a bit of a badass! Loved that she kept growing in her strength rather than cowering in fear when being dragged out of the human world into this place full of demons trying to kill each other!!
The MMC was a question mark for me. In a way, I liked his broody side, which made him mysterious and sexy, but then (i dont know how to to describe it) it was almost like the author tried to make him relatable but instead made him look like a wimp!! This is a guy who can shoot lightning from his hands, but jumps out of his skin from someone walking up behind him? He gets knocked to the floor by the FMC and he lays down long after she leaves because his head hurts! Its such a juxtaposition and I just dont know how i feel about it!
However, overall, i enjoyed this book! It kept me interested right to the end and i had a good time!
The FMC was quirky, quick-witted and a bit of a badass! Loved that she kept growing in her strength rather than cowering in fear when being dragged out of the human world into this place full of demons trying to kill each other!!
The MMC was a question mark for me. In a way, I liked his broody side, which made him mysterious and sexy, but then (i dont know how to to describe it) it was almost like the author tried to make him relatable but instead made him look like a wimp!! This is a guy who can shoot lightning from his hands, but jumps out of his skin from someone walking up behind him? He gets knocked to the floor by the FMC and he lays down long after she leaves because his head hurts! Its such a juxtaposition and I just dont know how i feel about it!
However, overall, i enjoyed this book! It kept me interested right to the end and i had a good time!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Another fantastic story by L.J. Kerry.
Following Esrea in the mortal realm, she sees a stranger that make her uncomfortable. Next thing she knows she is in a new world about to compete in trials for her life.
She is paired with Chaos, the Prince and together the must fight, try to solve her murder on earth, and try to end the trials once and for all.
Character development is done well, I felt i knew enough about each of them to link with their emotions and bond with them.
This includes secondary characters as well as the main 2.
The majority of the story happens in the castle or trials, I felt this was mostly left to my own imagination to work out, which I did enjoy but I would have liked a bit more description to support the authors vision for it .
I was happy with the overall pace of the story and each chapter and point of view was a smooth transition.
I struggled to put this book down and look forward to see what L.J. Kerry gives us next.
Following Esrea in the mortal realm, she sees a stranger that make her uncomfortable. Next thing she knows she is in a new world about to compete in trials for her life.
She is paired with Chaos, the Prince and together the must fight, try to solve her murder on earth, and try to end the trials once and for all.
Character development is done well, I felt i knew enough about each of them to link with their emotions and bond with them.
This includes secondary characters as well as the main 2.
The majority of the story happens in the castle or trials, I felt this was mostly left to my own imagination to work out, which I did enjoy but I would have liked a bit more description to support the authors vision for it .
I was happy with the overall pace of the story and each chapter and point of view was a smooth transition.
I struggled to put this book down and look forward to see what L.J. Kerry gives us next.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 6, 2026
What did I just read?
Her fiance cheated, so she dumped his sorry ass.
But what she didn't expect was that she would die.
Just a usual transit ride home wasn't an assassin killed her!
Now she is wearing her wedding dress and she is told she is signed up for the Internight Trials? Why is there a man chained to a bedpost? Like what is actually happening. She learns he is her fated and she has to work with him to survive each trial but what she doesn't expect is betrayals, love and destruction to happen. But life never goes as expected least not when your fated is a Prince with his own secrets.
Hunger games meets dark murder mystery vibes in this story that will entice you from the very page and yes it is a trial book but let me say this in writing it's no trial story I have ever read and will hands down be recommending this book to anyone who loves a murder mystery meet trials dark romantasy.
Her fiance cheated, so she dumped his sorry ass.
But what she didn't expect was that she would die.
Just a usual transit ride home wasn't an assassin killed her!
Now she is wearing her wedding dress and she is told she is signed up for the Internight Trials? Why is there a man chained to a bedpost? Like what is actually happening. She learns he is her fated and she has to work with him to survive each trial but what she doesn't expect is betrayals, love and destruction to happen. But life never goes as expected least not when your fated is a Prince with his own secrets.
Hunger games meets dark murder mystery vibes in this story that will entice you from the very page and yes it is a trial book but let me say this in writing it's no trial story I have ever read and will hands down be recommending this book to anyone who loves a murder mystery meet trials dark romantasy.
October 25, 2026
Thank you for allowing me to ARC read and review.
I enjoyed this book and the characters. The murder mystery, romantasy, and hunger game meets Phantasma vibes blended beautifully. The trials were so good to me and I had to keep reading to see what happened next. With Esrea not only having to participate in the trials but also solve her own murder it keeps the story from feeling slow or dragging. The relationship between Chaos and Esrea is fast paced but well done. Them choosing each other instead of being fated made their love feel even more authentic and real.
I do wish we could of got more world building and history of the trials. I also feel like I was left with several questions. I wanted to know more about her life before death and what exactly her ex got out of murdering her. Small things that do not necessarily take away from the storyline but I definitely think it would of added more to it.
I enjoyed this book and the characters. The murder mystery, romantasy, and hunger game meets Phantasma vibes blended beautifully. The trials were so good to me and I had to keep reading to see what happened next. With Esrea not only having to participate in the trials but also solve her own murder it keeps the story from feeling slow or dragging. The relationship between Chaos and Esrea is fast paced but well done. Them choosing each other instead of being fated made their love feel even more authentic and real.
I do wish we could of got more world building and history of the trials. I also feel like I was left with several questions. I wanted to know more about her life before death and what exactly her ex got out of murdering her. Small things that do not necessarily take away from the storyline but I definitely think it would of added more to it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 21, 2026
The beginning of this book was a bit confusing in trying to figure out if the FMC was in the real world, a dream world, or a different realm. But when it all came together, it was such a cool and intriguing read. We find out that something happens to the FMC which causes her to end up in a different realm where she has to go through trials with her “fated” mate, whom she finds out she isn’t actually fated to. Forced to fake a mating bond, the FMC and MMC undergo trials but one of them has to perish in the end. There’s action, a murder mystery, steamy romance, magical powers, and a love story. But wait to see who is the winner, how the romance plays out, if the mystery can be solved, and so much more.
October 1, 2026
Thank you to the author for the advance readers copy
I really enjoyed this book. The mystery part of it really drew me in. We meet a human Estrea, the FMC, and the God of Chaos, our MMC. The human portion of things really pulled at my heart. And when she would “visit” her family it broke my heart for her and them.
I really do enjoy trips especially when done right. Estrea and Chaos have two missions survive the trials and figure out what happened and how did Estrea end up where she did.
The author knew how to get me riled up lol when they discover what happened and the people behind it. The love story between Estría and Chaos was well written and I loved following them and watching them fall for each other.
I really enjoyed this book. The mystery part of it really drew me in. We meet a human Estrea, the FMC, and the God of Chaos, our MMC. The human portion of things really pulled at my heart. And when she would “visit” her family it broke my heart for her and them.
I really do enjoy trips especially when done right. Estrea and Chaos have two missions survive the trials and figure out what happened and how did Estrea end up where she did.
The author knew how to get me riled up lol when they discover what happened and the people behind it. The love story between Estría and Chaos was well written and I loved following them and watching them fall for each other.
September 6, 2026
This was soooo good!! I was thrilled to receive an ARC copy & I devoured it!
The writing was brilliant, characters are great! The two main characters Chaos & Esrea find each other paired up to compete in the Infernight trials. Esrea has a past that they are trying to figure out together as the book goes on. It has a murder mystery, romantasy vibe which was brilliant. The spice level heats up in the second half of the book, but also a little bit of a slow burn which fit the characters personality’s perfect. Very much in love with Chaos now.
The last 8 or so chapters had me in all the feels! I cried, I smiled, I was shocked & I felt heartbreak!
Was absolutely brilliant 100% recommend.
The writing was brilliant, characters are great! The two main characters Chaos & Esrea find each other paired up to compete in the Infernight trials. Esrea has a past that they are trying to figure out together as the book goes on. It has a murder mystery, romantasy vibe which was brilliant. The spice level heats up in the second half of the book, but also a little bit of a slow burn which fit the characters personality’s perfect. Very much in love with Chaos now.
The last 8 or so chapters had me in all the feels! I cried, I smiled, I was shocked & I felt heartbreak!
Was absolutely brilliant 100% recommend.
Review of advance copy received from Author
5/5-star book
It is well-written, with a very strong and compelling storyline that keeps you hooked.
A lot happens: she is a spirit who must compete in a trial—thereby investigating her own murder and the events surrounding it—alongside Chaos, a prince who has been forced to enter the trials as a "volunteer." Strange occurrences keep happening; elements related to her murder appear during the trials and then vanish again. Many secrets are revealed about him and his reasons for being there, and we also learn more about her and how she ended up in this situation.
They aren't "fated mates," but their bond grows stronger and stronger until they can no longer let go of each other.
It is well-written, with a very strong and compelling storyline that keeps you hooked.
A lot happens: she is a spirit who must compete in a trial—thereby investigating her own murder and the events surrounding it—alongside Chaos, a prince who has been forced to enter the trials as a "volunteer." Strange occurrences keep happening; elements related to her murder appear during the trials and then vanish again. Many secrets are revealed about him and his reasons for being there, and we also learn more about her and how she ended up in this situation.
They aren't "fated mates," but their bond grows stronger and stronger until they can no longer let go of each other.
Review of advance copy received from Author
On the day that was supposed to be my wedding, I was murdered. What a great blurb. Where Lost Souls Fall follows Esrea who was murdered on her wedding day, and who arranged it blows her world apart. She is thrown into another world and is to take part in the Infernight Trials - where there can only be one winner. It's designed to tear apart Fated Mates. When Esrea is paired with Chaos, things take an interesting turn. Told between Esrea and Chaos POV, you follow them as they compete in the trials, and find themselves, and each other. This is such a gripping read.
October 5, 2026
Where Lost Souls Fall
This one was so fun! I loved it. There were so many awesome tropes combined in a unique way. It was entertaining, it was deadly, and it was steamy!
Esrea was a great character! She was kickbutt and I loved her perseverance.
Chaos! Ooh he was fun and I absolutely loved her heart.
If you love fake mates, deadly competition, ghosts, royalty, murder mystery, reluctant allies to lovers, banter, overcoming the odds, hurt/comfort, slow burn with spice, and more then don’t miss this one!
This one was so fun! I loved it. There were so many awesome tropes combined in a unique way. It was entertaining, it was deadly, and it was steamy!
Esrea was a great character! She was kickbutt and I loved her perseverance.
Chaos! Ooh he was fun and I absolutely loved her heart.
If you love fake mates, deadly competition, ghosts, royalty, murder mystery, reluctant allies to lovers, banter, overcoming the odds, hurt/comfort, slow burn with spice, and more then don’t miss this one!
Review of advance copy
The FMC ends up in a different realm where she has to go through trials with her “fated” mate, whom she finds out she isn’t actually fated to. The story has great main characters and interesting secondary characters. The setting was always intriguing and the spice made it even more entertaining and distracted from the sad situation. When introduced to the MMC I wondered if he would be as horrible as described but was happy with the result.
October 9, 2026
This book is such a cool , dark, high-stakes fantasy. Fake fated mates? Yes. Touch-her-and-die energy? Oh, 100%. Add in the lethal Infernight Trials (like Love Island except bloody), and a demon prince like Chaos who completely steals the show. Esrea is an incredible, resilient FMC, and their chemistry/tension is off the charts. If you love a mix of high-stakes danger, a murder mystery, and great spice, check it out!
Review of advance copy received from Author
**ARC Review**
A great palate cleanser!
I loved Esrea and I loved Chaos separately and adored them together.
The trials were bloody and the banter was great. So good to read a standalone too. If you are looking for something quick to read, that makes you laugh while still being an exciting story, this is the one!
A great palate cleanser!
I loved Esrea and I loved Chaos separately and adored them together.
The trials were bloody and the banter was great. So good to read a standalone too. If you are looking for something quick to read, that makes you laugh while still being an exciting story, this is the one!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I got the privilege of reading this ARC! The beginning was little confusing, not really being able to tell what world the MFC was in, but once it came together I really enjoyed in!
This is a faced paced romantasy that keeps you on your toes on what will happen next! I loved the relationship between the MMC and the MFC. I hope we get to see more of Chaos and Esra.
This is a faced paced romantasy that keeps you on your toes on what will happen next! I loved the relationship between the MMC and the MFC. I hope we get to see more of Chaos and Esra.
October 5, 2026
From murder mystery to a love story , we go through trials, a fake mating bond, magical powers, humans and gods . I loved Estria’s character Arc. The God of chaos was fun. I experienced so many emotions while reading. It kept me flipping the pages. The secrets made this so intriguing, can’t wait for the next book! ….Soon I hope.
October 6, 2026
I love love this book. At first it made my brain work but wow. I savoured every single page, not wanting it to end. All the characters were very well described and well thought out. Definitely well worth a read
October 7, 2026
This book is the like a hybrid between a murder mystery/romantasy/ the Hunger Games and I am here for it!
I do wish there had been a bit more of the trials element but over all the characters and the story more than made up for it
It was a fun and twist read!
I do wish there had been a bit more of the trials element but over all the characters and the story more than made up for it
It was a fun and twist read!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book had such a great story idea, and I genuinely liked the characters, which made it all the more frustrating when I felt like so much was missing.
Review of advance copy
For me, it was ok. The premise was intriguing.
Thank you to the author for the early copy. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Thank you to the author for the early copy. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews