The Virtue and the Vixen Volume Two

by Sarah M. Cradit

A necromancer’s vow. A love that transcends worlds. The poisonous betrayal demanding its due.
Descend into the haunting conclusion to Jesstin and Elloven’s malefic, labyrinthine saga.

Full blurb coming soon.

Kindle Edition

Expected publication June 12, 2026

About the author

Sarah is the USA Today and International Bestselling Author of over forty contemporary and epic fantasy stories, and the creator of the Kingdom of the White Sea and Saga of Crimson & Clover universes.

Born a geek, Sarah spends her time crafting rich and multilayered worlds, obsessing over history, playing her retribution paladin (and sometimes destruction warlock), and settling provocative Tolkien debates, such as why the Great Eagles are not Gandalf's personal taxi service. Passionate about travel, she's been to over twenty countries collecting sparks of inspiration, and is always planning her next adventure.

Sarah and her husband live in a beautiful corner of SE Pennsylvania with their three tiny benevolent pug dictators.


Connect with Sarah:

sarahmcradit.com
Instagram: @sarahmcradit
Facebook: @sarahmcradit

Reviews

[Beba Andric · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ms Cradit does it again! No...she outdid herself! This 2 book saga, captured me entirely. Ellovan' and Jesstin took command of me and didn't let go...their story wrung me like a rag. The end of the previous book ended catastrophically, gut wrenchingly so. Conspiracies come to a head, manipulations are exposed, truths hit harder than punches at the events that took place at the end of the previous book. The unbelievable becomes believable. This author turned a tragedy into a mind-blowing opportunity, of renewal, of a magic so hidden, that when it surfaced, it shattered reality. The vividry in the majestic world building, transported me to LIVE the story, not only read the story. This is one seamless tale, set over 2 books, giving more depth to the storytelling, the characters, and the compulsion to learn more of Ellovan's and Jesstin's fate, is firmly set from book 1. If I had any doubts to this author's talent, which I didn't, she just reinforced everything I knew her to be. She has a knack for exposing a darkness that resides in all of us, she paints an intricate portrait of complexities that seem effortless in their telling but so convoluted and mired in shadows, it's only when she deems fit to peel away the shadows, do we see her brilliance. This second part of this riveting tale, was writhingly stark, vivid, desperate. The yearning was real, the emotions hard-hitting and the darkness compelling. Traversing the underworld, uniquely, sets a new standard for magnificent storytelling, with Necromancy, magic, survival, uneasy alliances, fierce loyalties and love, give this book the edge. An unputdownable edge!

Haggling, scheming, plotting, decieving , all go hand in hand in this edition. Distraught and desperate, the only one who can bring Ellovan back, is Jesstin. It sounds so simple, venture into literally uncharged territory, find her, bring her home. Golly do I love the complexity of his character! He's so contrary to what he outwardly portrays and he doesn't always think things through, he's rash, he's determined and nothing can sway him once he sets his mind on something. He's hidden himself, his pain, so deeply, a can opener wouldn't be able to pry him open. Lexsea has the right of it, “You’re punishing yourself for the behavior of other men. Men who are not you, are nothing like you.” The revulsion Jess feels for himself at what he did, at what his family did, is a noose around his soul. He cannot forget and he certainly cannot forgive himself. Only Sesto, amazing, loyal Sesto can see what Jess is doing to himself and why.

"I built an entire life out of being seen as a villain because it was the only way I could keep them from seeing me.” can one be more vulnerable??? And when he bared his soul to Ellovan, geez! Jesstin really did a number on my heart! Yes he's impetuous, yes he's impulsive, yes he "does" before he thinks but his heart, his soul, is in the right place. On his journey to save Ellovan, Jess is forced to face his biggest fears and learns so much in the process. And oh dear lordie, WHAT he encounters made me want to howl in agony for him. Even knowing how Ms Cradit releases and tugs on the stings of her tale, I was gobsmacked! Jess, needless to say, was beyond devastated...the pain of the truth hitting you smack bang, is always devastating. And when Ms Cradit turned up the volume, the drama, the tension, the danger, I thought I was going to combust! Hells, WHERE she took this story, WHAT she conjured, I was clenching my teeth in angst. For Jess, for Ellie, I was literally screaming NO! Sarah not only conjured the beautiful but tortured souls I fell in love with, she also conjured the fantastical, despicable Conductor, Fabrien, amongst others. But heck, the Conductor made my brain freeze at the depth of her...it's .. depraved nature! Nothing in this book was as I expected, Sarah kept me on the edge of my seat throughout, I was completely spellbound, I was completely immersed and I was completely devastated at what Ellovan and Jesstin endured.

“I see you and nothing else, not even the sun, because my love for you is blinding.” these very word Jesstin proves over and over again. The lengths he goes through for Ellovan, will go through for her, even to his own detriment, melted what remained of my heart. Which Ms Cradit pulled every which way. Which Ms Cradit soundly stomped over. Which Ms Cradit gently healed...She twisted so many knots, she turned so many characters, she surprised me so many times. And that is the power she has, just as I thought I could expel the breath I was holding, I realised how wishful my thinking was, Sarah hit me once again, even harder, right in the heart. I sobbed. For Taven, for Jesstin, for Ellovan, for Gennady, for friendship list, for the truth that has the ability to cut sharper than any blade. When Jess said these words to Ellie, it decimated me “I love you a thousand times more than I’ve ever hated myself.” because he did. Both love Ellovan and loathe himself with an intensity that sears.

But, through all my writhing in absolute agony, by the end of this book, I, as well as Ellovan and Jesstin, finally got to banish the darkness that clung like leeches, no more sucking, no more pain, only the beauty of light, of love, of putting the past behind and embracing the light. This story, told over 2 books, is dark, really dark. The sliver of light so easily extinguished by the author, only to have it shine a little brighter each time it appears. This is a story of immense torturous events, of despair and helplessness but it's also one of courage,of strength, of redemption, of conquering demons, and of forgiveness. Immaculately presented, magnificently delivered, and even though the trauma was real for me too, this is my favourite Sarah M Cradit read.

[Caitlyn (delightful.reading) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The conclusion to the Virtue & the Vixen!

Volume 2 follows Jesstin in his journey to save Elloven. It actually starts right where Volume 1 ends. Jesstin is very much a tortured lead who will burn the world to save her - it’s interesting to see the depths he’d go. And the necromancy elements were neat. I also love Elloven’s character growth! And how her relationship with Jesstin emerges in this volume! (Also if you’re a fan of the follow her to hell trope / Orpheus x Eurydice vibes, vol 2 definitely dives more into that)

This book is melancholic but the themes have some hope interwoven. I also adored the redemption / forgiving yourself message in this two part volume! There’s also a lot of themes around Jesstin’s necromancy and Elloven’s chaos magic that were neat to explore / read in this volume 👀

All in all, I really enjoyed this duo of novels!

Many thanks to the author & Luna Blooms PA for the eARCs and opportunity to be on the street team for these novels!

TV&TV features:
💚Against All Odds
✨Bound by Magic
💚Neurodivergent FMC
✨Self-destructive MMC
💚MMC Runs a House of Vice
✨FMC Murdered Her Husband (Black Widow)
💚Age Gap (FMC is older)
✨He Killed Her Brother (but she doesn’t know)
💚Forced Proximity
✨Travel to Another World
💚Death and the Afterlife
✨Lovable Sidekick

[Maddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS BOOK WAS BANANAS oh my gosh!! We went to such crazy places in this one, and I looooved the complications within the relationship that we saw. Them trying to reconcile all of the things they know with the feelings they feel, this one hit deep. Plus THAT TIME JUMP WHAT THE HECK. I was expecting something like that but not to that extent! It felt heart-breaking reading about the characters I knew but having them be old!
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I just loved the ending to this trilogy and the introductions to the future worlds, plus also the introductions to the original trilogy (being Jesstin's descendents!) Definitely excited to dive into the original trilogy hopefully this year. Thank you so much Sarah for allowing me to read this one 💖

[Andra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This second addition and conclusion to the saga brought all the emotions to the table. The main characters face one challenge after another, but overall have tremendous character growth. This book portrays necromancy at its height with all the deep-seated struggles, yet an underlying desire to survive against all odds. And above all, a love story that will withstand the fiercest trials.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my, the pain continues for these two but their ending is so well-earned after it all! Nothing is easy, nothing is clear cut, and nothing comes without a cost.
Another fantastic addition to The Book of All Things world!