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Untwined
With the help of the ancient magic awakened inside her, Calla led Vesper Forn's uprising to conquer Kanmane Palace and free the mages of the Kamphua Dominion. Except the victory is short-lived: Calla's power is still not entirely hers, their people are falling one by one, poisoned by Vesper's faulty imbuing ritual, and the surviving monarch is gathering forces to once and for all topple magic's rule on the continent.
Trapped, separated from Gray and Marigo, and in the clutches of her childhood torturer, Calla submerges into strange otherworlds and her own old pain to regain the power that could save her life—save everyone's lives. And this might not be her final trial either: Vesper's tampering in the order of things is bringing an insidious presence crawling up from the depths of the world, demanding its due.
It's a corruption old as time and just as inevitable.
And it will make Calla question even the few things she thought she knew about herself.
Trapped, separated from Gray and Marigo, and in the clutches of her childhood torturer, Calla submerges into strange otherworlds and her own old pain to regain the power that could save her life—save everyone's lives. And this might not be her final trial either: Vesper's tampering in the order of things is bringing an insidious presence crawling up from the depths of the world, demanding its due.
It's a corruption old as time and just as inevitable.
And it will make Calla question even the few things she thought she knew about herself.
About the author
Helyna L. Clove
4 books36 followersHelyna L. Clove (she/they) is a science-fiction/fantasy novelist, and a lover of all types of storytelling, hot comfort drinks, and a universe full of stars.
She was born in Hungary and raised in a small village a few miles off the shores of Lake Balaton. She was often described by her teachers as someone always having “her head in the clouds”, and she spent the first fifteen years of her life mostly consuming books from her parents’ home library, watching some great 90’s sci-fi shows, and working on her eclectic music taste. After several arduous years of obtaining her astrophysics degree, she currently lives in Germany with her small family of a wonderful boyfriend and Puddle, the tortoiseshell cat.
When not writing her stories, she can be found commandeering radio telescopes, reading, cooking, playing video games, or trying her hand at different art forms.
She was born in Hungary and raised in a small village a few miles off the shores of Lake Balaton. She was often described by her teachers as someone always having “her head in the clouds”, and she spent the first fifteen years of her life mostly consuming books from her parents’ home library, watching some great 90’s sci-fi shows, and working on her eclectic music taste. After several arduous years of obtaining her astrophysics degree, she currently lives in Germany with her small family of a wonderful boyfriend and Puddle, the tortoiseshell cat.
When not writing her stories, she can be found commandeering radio telescopes, reading, cooking, playing video games, or trying her hand at different art forms.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 11, 2026
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own. I will return to leave a longer review for the release. 4.4 stars from me ♥.
The first book in the Imbued duology is a beautifully-written fantasy that introduced us to a kingdom of hidden magic users who can encourage life to bloom or steal it away. Book 1 left us on a cliffhanger. Our protagonist, Calla is trapped with a vengeful mage who means to use her as a weapon. Vesper is finally in a position to strike against the Anadem and mage hunters.
The first half of Untwined is perhaps even more introspective than Imbued, with Calla enduring Vesper’s attempts to draw out Riidu, the powerful goddess bonded with Calla. Readers familiar with Calla's personality won't expect her to take action prematurely. Introverted characters like her possess a different kind of strength. Fighting would be foolish in her position, but she is patient and identifies her chances to resist. While Calla’s friend, Aesh, with whom she shares a sibling-like bond, is there for her at this time, they is afraid of truly standing up to Vesper.
The magic system, which is built on the tenuous balance of growth and entropy, is developed further in this book. It’s a unique concept that is felt in the very fabric of this society. The author's descriptions are evocative and pleasing to read. I just felt a less definite sense of place in this book than the first, which could be because Calla navigates dreamscapes more than physical spaces.
The flower symbolism makes a return, which I really liked. Imbued had the Calla lily (our protagonist’s namesake) on the cover. The cover for Untwined features a waterlily, which represents another character who we and Calla get to know better.
The second half of Untwined is where the plot truly starts to shine. We watch Calla come into her own, and that moment is all the sweeter for all the hardship that has come before. We also catch up with Gray, who is fighting his own demons, and other characters from Calla's past.
Content warnings:
Return to the Kamphua Dominion and complete Calla's journey of self discovery!
The first book in the Imbued duology is a beautifully-written fantasy that introduced us to a kingdom of hidden magic users who can encourage life to bloom or steal it away. Book 1 left us on a cliffhanger. Our protagonist, Calla is trapped with a vengeful mage who means to use her as a weapon. Vesper is finally in a position to strike against the Anadem and mage hunters.
The first half of Untwined is perhaps even more introspective than Imbued, with Calla enduring Vesper’s attempts to draw out Riidu, the powerful goddess bonded with Calla. Readers familiar with Calla's personality won't expect her to take action prematurely. Introverted characters like her possess a different kind of strength. Fighting would be foolish in her position, but she is patient and identifies her chances to resist. While Calla’s friend, Aesh, with whom she shares a sibling-like bond, is there for her at this time, they is afraid of truly standing up to Vesper.
The magic system, which is built on the tenuous balance of growth and entropy, is developed further in this book. It’s a unique concept that is felt in the very fabric of this society. The author's descriptions are evocative and pleasing to read. I just felt a less definite sense of place in this book than the first, which could be because Calla navigates dreamscapes more than physical spaces.
The flower symbolism makes a return, which I really liked. Imbued had the Calla lily (our protagonist’s namesake) on the cover. The cover for Untwined features a waterlily, which represents another character who we and Calla get to know better.
The second half of Untwined is where the plot truly starts to shine. We watch Calla come into her own, and that moment is all the sweeter for all the hardship that has come before. We also catch up with Gray, who is fighting his own demons, and other characters from Calla's past.
Content warnings:
Return to the Kamphua Dominion and complete Calla's journey of self discovery!
Want to Read
July 8, 202608/07/2026 Yesterday we revealed the cover of this beaut, and I will be getting back my proofread file in a week or so from my fantastic editor. Just some formatting remaining, some additional stuff here and there, and it will be ready for release in September!
Not scary at all. Not a complicated, awesome, terrifying feeling, not at all. :)
Preorders are already up at books2read.com/untwined, and the first book, Imbued, will be on sale for most of July and August (right now, on Smashwords for example). Also, ask me about eARCs. I have them.
Can't wait to conclude Calla's story. It has been a journey and a half.
Not scary at all. Not a complicated, awesome, terrifying feeling, not at all. :)
Preorders are already up at books2read.com/untwined, and the first book, Imbued, will be on sale for most of July and August (right now, on Smashwords for example). Also, ask me about eARCs. I have them.
Can't wait to conclude Calla's story. It has been a journey and a half.
August 22, 2026
Thank you so much for the ARC.
It was so beautiful. Her writing is so beautiful. I kept telling how beautiful it is. The story is beautiful too.
Find family, love and healing. Not me crying on chapter 15. It was heart breaking. I wanted to highlight the whole chapter. Same with chapter 20. The journey Calla had was sad and heartbreakingly beautiful. I really love this book, i enjoyed it so much and it was so nicely written.
It was so beautiful. Her writing is so beautiful. I kept telling how beautiful it is. The story is beautiful too.
Find family, love and healing. Not me crying on chapter 15. It was heart breaking. I wanted to highlight the whole chapter. Same with chapter 20. The journey Calla had was sad and heartbreakingly beautiful. I really love this book, i enjoyed it so much and it was so nicely written.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews