The Conduit: A Dark Sapphic Romantasy

by Clara Spargo, PinPoint Editing (Editor)

Agatha Du Lac wasn't always the villain.

Once, she was just the girl across the creek, with wild hair, sea-glass eyes, and magic sparking like a storm between her fingers. My closest friend, until she learned to hate what I am.

Before the Rupture, we called her kind sirens. A pretty name for creatures that don't let go once they've pulled you under, and Agatha is the worst of them. Vicious, beautiful, and dangerous.

Now she’s the most lethal huntress in the Western Isles, and my search for answers has dragged me straight into her crosshairs.

The moment her eyes lock onto mine, I know there will be no escape.

She watches me like she's been hunting me all along. Like she can sense whatever's stirring inside me, calling to the magic beneath her skin.

There's a tether between us I can't sever, no matter how it burns. It drags at my ribs, turns my blood to wildfire.

I'm in way over my head.

Because Agatha Du Lac doesn't just break hearts.
She drowns them.

The Conduit is an adult dark romantasy set in a post-apocalyptic world inspired by Celtic myth.
For fans of Rina Kent and Callie Hart (but make it WLW with morally grey mermaids).
Contains explicit sexual content, violence, and dark magical elements. 18+

Genres: Dark Romance, Lesbian

401 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 13, 2026

Reviews

[BookaholicallyBridie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC for this book. Here is my honest review:
I really enjoyed this book! I adored the relationship between Maude and Agatha—it was giving toxic lesbians and I was THERE for it. The banter? The reluctant romance? It was PERFECT.
The only thing that would have improved this for me was just a little more world building. The world after rupture is such an interesting concept, so I would have loved to learn about the different types of monsters that were created by the rupture. Some of the monsters were touched on or referenced, but not really described. To this day, I’m still trying to work out whether there were vampires or sirens in this book, or a combination of the two?
The plot was great, fairly fast paced, and there was a lot of intrigue that was happening.
I had a really fun time reading this one!

[Lani (Petrulo) Rodgers · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ (rounded up to 5)

I want to start by thanking the author for the opportunity to experience this as an ARC!

And then I want to say that I don't think I've ever read anything quite like this.

BRIEF OVERVIEW:
The story is primarily narrated via the perspective of FMC Maude, with the occasional perspective of the other FMC Agatha. Their childhood friendship days are long past and this story is almost a "second-chance" / but definitely more in the "forbidden romance" trope?

WHAT WAS DONE REALLY WELL?
- character development: at least for Maude -- still would like more for other characters
- vivid scenery descriptions: overall the writing was incredibly beautiful and I'd love to see an on-screen adaptation bring this to life

WHAT DO I WANT MORE OF?
- I want more about Agatha!! well.. more about the Rifter/Tideweaver magic system and character in general. I'd like to know WHY exactly the romance is "forbidden". Is it just about the power dynamic? Or something else?
- Is a series planned? I would read more!

WHO WOULD ENJOY THIS?
- I think anyone who generally likes romantasy would enjoy this book as well, but definitely those who want to see more strong FMCs & good sapphic romance representation!

[Eryn Deys · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first ARC and it did not disappoint!

The story flowed easily and there were no moments I was bored of waiting for the story to progress. Lots of descriptive language and a MC whose background is easily woven into her present day story. A morally grey badass mermaid who is obsessed equalled some explicit FF spicy scenes that fit well into the story and characters love interest progression.

Worth the read! Looking forward to whatever comes next in this series.

[Gabi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The review is based on the advanced copy received by the author. My opinions are my own.

This book had me completely obsessed from start to finish. The tension, the longing, the absolute chaos of these two women trying to stay away from each other while being pulled together anyway? I ate it up.

Maude has spent her whole life orbiting around Agatha. Even after the hurt, even after the distance between them, that connection never loosened its grip. Agatha feels dangerous in the best way — sharp edges, guarded heart, the kind of person who pretends not to care while clearly drowning in it. Every scene between them felt heavy with history and that desperate “I shouldn’t want you but I do” energy.

The world itself felt dark and suffocating in such a good way too. Maude’s family curse, the rot creeping through generations, the secrets nobody wanted to explain after the accident — it all gave the story this eerie tension that never really let up. And once Maude starts searching for answers with the Rebels and is forced back toward Agatha again? The chemistry becomes unbearable. They fight it constantly but every interaction feels like it’s one step away from combusting.

And THAT cave scene during the hunt??? Yeah. That changed everything. From that moment there was absolutely no going back for either of them.

The romance is messy, obsessive, emotional, and addictive. If you love sapphic romantasy where the characters are practically consumed by each other, this one delivers.

Book tropes:

- atmospheric dark romantasy
- obsessive fmc
- family curse
- ocean vibes
- spicy 🔥
- slow burn
- fated mates
- forbidden romance
- childhood friends to enemies to lovers
- possessive “touch her and you will literally burn” vibes

[Angelica T · Rating 5 out of 5]

***ARC REVIEW***
5/5⭐️
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

I was hooked the moment I started reading The Conduit. The world building was easy to follow and not overwhelming. It made the book more immersive, to the point it felt like I was living in this fantasy world Clara has created. The way you connect with the characters through Clara’s writing has you on an emotional roller coaster ride. The character developments were absolutely incredible. I’m talking even the side characters had me wanting to be a ride or die for them or fight them. The plot twists had me screaming “omg what is happening,” because I did not expect them to the point I couldn’t put the book down. At one point my jaw dropped, and I was genuinely frazzled at what was revealed. The pacing was perfection, especially if you enjoy a slow burn to action packed in all the right places. By the time you get to the end, you’re simply left with wanting more. Like Clara, HELLO, why’d you do this to me?!? Just kidding Clara, you are amazing!

A little touch into the book with ZERO spoilers, because I WANT YOU to preorder this book or simply add to your TBR…

Living in a post apocalyptic world where magical creatures (Rifters) rule while humans (Breathers) are looked down on to serve them. One a Rifter, while the other a Breather — fate intertwined their lives unexpectedly. AGATHA DU LAC (FMC 1) IS MY GIRL. She’s ruthlessly vicious and lethal, but with a heart that bleeds for only one. How far will she go to protect what is hers, and what will it cost her? Maude (FMC 2) is stubborn but ever so fierce. She thrives in survival mode, as she looks for answers to questions she may not be ready for and could possibly break her. Will secrets destroy everything she’s ever known? Will she push to the brink of losing it all? Each racing against time that they don’t have when it comes to the Rot.

Again, go ahead and add this to your TBR! It’ll be WORTH IT, as Clara really captivates you with her story. I hope you devour this book like I did!

Tropes:
Sapphic dark romantasy
Friends > Enemies > Lovers
Touch her you die
Morally grey characters
Open door spice
Fated bonds
Forced proximity

[Lydia Schriel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book sucked me in and made me feel everything! Ever Since Maude was a little girl she always felt this pull towards Agatha. The girl who hurt her but who she gladly would break for. No matter what has happened Maude’s heart belongs to Agatha. And even though Agatha is a tough cookie. The pull drowned them both with missing each other because what is fated cannot be stopped. No matter the political game from the Council

Maude thinks her family is plagued by the rot but once it has her mother and tried to kill them both by driving and falling in the ocean in the car. She hits her head and ever since she woke up she never was the same again. Seeking answers of to what had happened to her. Maude had to seek those answers at the Rebels. Because when she went to rapport her mother nobody wanted to help or give answers. Taissa the rebel leader claims Joel the man who tended to Maude found a big lead about her mother which she is made to return to the West. And face the Warden that makes her belly dip and heart race and ever since she returned they were constantly circling each other, trying to fight the pull they have for each other! And once Agatha got Maude during the hunt in the cave it was explosive and no way back for either of them.

Book tropes:
- sapphic dark romantasy
- Possessive fmc
- Family bloodline curse
- H2O inspired
- Spicy 🔥
- Slow burn
- Fated mates
- Forbidden love
- Childhood friends to Enemies to Lovers
- “Shouldn’t want you but I do” energy
- “You’re mine” energy

Recommend this to all romantasy readers that also love a dark Sapphic one 🔥

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was picked as an ARC reader for this book and it was AMAZING!!

I've only just started reading fantasy spicy books as a previous Harry Potter, Where the Crawdads Sing, The Seven Sisters series fan (which has NOTHING on this book!!), and recently venturing into The Game Changer series (TYSM Heated Rivalry series for introducing me to spicy romance novels!) and this book did NOT disappoint!

The worldbuilding was easy to follow (unlike GOT) but just as magical as LOTR or Fantastic Beasts. It hooked you from the start and I didn't feel bored at any point! The characters were well written with the perfect balance of depth and mystery, including the side characters! I liked that you had one main POV for most of the book with a few chapters of another POV. The breadcrumbs were fun enough that you could make little predictions but there were still little plot twists/reveals that you want to keep reading for!

10/10 read and great intro fantasy adult novel IMO!!

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

I am absolutely obsessed. This was so different from other fantasy books I’ve read with the world building and magic system. I was hooked in immediately and if it wasn’t for stupid work I would’ve easily finished it way quicker. I couldn’t stop myself from picking it up every spare second I had. I loved the way the author wrote about the grief of the one fmc. It truly made me feel the grief with the character. And the tension between the two fmcs? Electric (literally 🤭). There is definitely some SPICY spice in this book, but I loved that it added to the story instead of being the main focus. This was also my first ff book and it will definitely not be my last. I love that the book ended with an opening for the story to continue for other characters, and you can bet that if another book comes out I’ll be devouring that one too.

[Alison Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

World Building: Excellent. Understood the world and how it worked.
Character building: Good understood the characters through the main characters point.
Side Characters: great made you care about them and want to know more about them
Plot: Good started slow and gradually built with good twists and suspense.

I enjoyed how this was a vastly different from my normal reads, it had a unique magic system set in a post-apoclyptic world. The FMC isn't some over powered character who can defeat anyone. She is a normal person with normal concerns who is going through changes along with trauma and grief. This representation was done well putting the reader into the characters shoes. The main story wraps up nicely by the end of the book without feeling rushed and a nice opening for further books.

[Hayley_book_corner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this ARC from Clara Spargo in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, if it wasn't for having to work I'd have read this book in one sitting. It had me gripped.

I will admit with it being F/F I was a bit apprehensive, especially as I haven't read anything with F/F spice, but it was an amazing read.

The story and descriptions were beautiful and perfect, not going too in-depth while painting a picture.

If you are into Dark Fantasy Romance this definitely needs to be on your TBR, can't wait to see what else Clara writes.

[Honey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of The Conduit by Clara Spargo in exchange for an honest review.

I fully loved this book. The pacing was spot on and kept me hooked the entire time. The spice was fantastic without overpowering the story, and the world-building felt immersive while still being easy to follow. One of my favorite parts was watching Maude’s transformation. Her growth felt natural and really pulled me deeper into the story.

The Conduit sucked me under and left me wanting more.

[Natalie Carlisle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very lucky to receive an ARC of this and I devoured it in a couple of days, I couldn’t put it down! It’s well written, exciting, the characters are interesting and well fleshed out. The plot has you hooked from the beginning. Easy to follow but still very detailed!

F/F romance, mermaids, friends-enemies-lovers, blood magic, possession and horror elements.

[Dani Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A reallly good dark F/F fantasy! Just the right amount of spice and story.