What do you think?
The Script of Serun #2
Vervain: A Dark Dystopian Horror Romance
After surviving the Red Moon, Saya Claymore finds herself trapped among the dead and caged like a flightless bird. Except she is the only one with a beating heart. And the one who trapped her is the nightwalker she fell for.
As the Vampire Lord's wife, she finds herself in the one place her mother never wanted her to go—the Undercity. The only issue is that she can’t leave, and with her magik lying dormant inside of her, she needs to trust the nightwalker who made her his consort more than ever.
But as Saya learns more about herself than she ever knew before, the slayers are plotting their next move, and this time, she finds herself in the centre of the storm, willing to do anything to save her brother, no matter the cost.
If you
One Coffin
She is Mother (Still)
Love Chomps
Thigh Bites
Pierced Peen
Yearning
Touch HIM and...
Only Kneels for Her
As the Vampire Lord's wife, she finds herself in the one place her mother never wanted her to go—the Undercity. The only issue is that she can’t leave, and with her magik lying dormant inside of her, she needs to trust the nightwalker who made her his consort more than ever.
But as Saya learns more about herself than she ever knew before, the slayers are plotting their next move, and this time, she finds herself in the centre of the storm, willing to do anything to save her brother, no matter the cost.
If you
One Coffin
She is Mother (Still)
Love Chomps
Thigh Bites
Pierced Peen
Yearning
Touch HIM and...
Only Kneels for Her
500 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 22, 2026
About the author
Shaina Anastasi
21 books160 followersShaina Anastasi is a romantic fantasy author who loves delving into magic, blending elements of science fiction and horror into her work.
She loves pushing boundaries and crafting stories that stem from an overflowing mind filled with chaotic imagination.
Lately, she’s been dabbling in horromance and enjoying all things spooky and dark.
When she's not writing through the late hours of the night–keeping the ghosts company–Shaina creates Emergency Evacuation Diagrams for her day job and is also a full-time carer and cat enthusiast.
Your cat pics won't go unnoticed!
She loves pushing boundaries and crafting stories that stem from an overflowing mind filled with chaotic imagination.
Lately, she’s been dabbling in horromance and enjoying all things spooky and dark.
When she's not writing through the late hours of the night–keeping the ghosts company–Shaina creates Emergency Evacuation Diagrams for her day job and is also a full-time carer and cat enthusiast.
Your cat pics won't go unnoticed!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
August 25, 2026
what am i supposed to do until the next book??? 😩
August 25, 2026
So clearly I am in the minority here and that's totally fine. I am glad that other people enjoyed this!
I just haven't really vibed with the author’s writing style. The story and writing didn’t flow particularly well for me, and unfortunately, some of the characters felt like they were waiting for someone to give them a personality. Especially the MMC. This man had mostly one word replies for the FMC a lot of the time. Sir. Use your words. Presumably, this guy has lived for centuries and this is the vocabulary we’re working with? Also, he doesn't know what 'jealousy' means? How?
Also, special mention for the vamps living underground with no/very little light. I couldn't' get on board with that either. Like, I understand they’re vampires. I understand they don’t exactly want to be frolicking in the sunshine. But living underground with little to no light?? There are humans, including children running around. Huh?
I also felt like the story needed more context or explanation in several places. There were moments where I was sitting there thinking, 'Okay... so are we going to explain what’s happening, or am I just supposed to nod and go with it?'
That said, I actually really like the premise of this series! There’s definitely something here that I think could be really interesting. Unfortunately, for my personal taste, I just don’t think the execution quite lived up to the potential. The concept had me intrigued, but the writing, character development, and pacing left me wanting a little more.
Basically: great premise, questionable execution, and one extremely committed member of the One-Word Response Club. 😂
I just haven't really vibed with the author’s writing style. The story and writing didn’t flow particularly well for me, and unfortunately, some of the characters felt like they were waiting for someone to give them a personality. Especially the MMC. This man had mostly one word replies for the FMC a lot of the time. Sir. Use your words. Presumably, this guy has lived for centuries and this is the vocabulary we’re working with? Also, he doesn't know what 'jealousy' means? How?
Also, special mention for the vamps living underground with no/very little light. I couldn't' get on board with that either. Like, I understand they’re vampires. I understand they don’t exactly want to be frolicking in the sunshine. But living underground with little to no light?? There are humans, including children running around. Huh?
I also felt like the story needed more context or explanation in several places. There were moments where I was sitting there thinking, 'Okay... so are we going to explain what’s happening, or am I just supposed to nod and go with it?'
That said, I actually really like the premise of this series! There’s definitely something here that I think could be really interesting. Unfortunately, for my personal taste, I just don’t think the execution quite lived up to the potential. The concept had me intrigued, but the writing, character development, and pacing left me wanting a little more.
Basically: great premise, questionable execution, and one extremely committed member of the One-Word Response Club. 😂
August 27, 2026
Vervain picks up right where Moonflower left off, Saya is in the undercity with Serun as his consort and this explores their complicated feelings toward each other while Saya is desperate to find her brother Cole. I loved the premise of a “horrantasy” theme but there wasn’t much horror or romance, it’s just a paranormal world that’s not explained super well. Unfortunately this really dragged for me and not much happened for the first 90% of the book. Then, everything feels crammed into the very end before we’re left on a cliffy after being starved for plot progression. The “Will they won’t they” between Saya and Serun felt repetitive and I just didn’t feel their chemistry. I also felt confused sometimes like I was missing context. I’m glad that others really seemed to enjoy this, and hope that the next two books pay off! Unfortunately I don’t think I’ll be continuing this series as it really didn’t do it for me. I greatly appreciate the author providing me an ARC for an honest review.
September 4, 2026
First of all, I want to thank you Shaina Anastasi for providing me with an ARC copy!
Moonflower was my first horrormantasy, and I devoured that book in less than 24 hours. It was a breath of fresh air, packed with intrigue, action, romantic tension, trauma, and sadness.
Vervain, however... did not meet the same standards, nor my expectations.
I enjoyed accompanying the characters on their journey through the world of Serun while learning more about how everything works down there. However, there are quite a few things that made me lower my rating.
One of the biggest ones was the lack of action compared to book one. As I said, I liked spending time with our two MCs; however... too little happened during that time. I felt like we were constantly on the move, chatting, and kicking down a guard or two whenever we stumbled upon one.
That, combined with the slooow pace, didn't make for an easy or fast read.
Keep in mind that I was reading the eARC, so I don't know if this was fixed in the final version before publication, but there were phrases—or the same pieces of information—repeated every few chapters. It was easy enough to overlook the first two or three times, but after that I couldn't help but notice it.
After the events that took place in Moonflower, tensions were pretty high between our MCs, and the trust between them was shaky.
I enjoyed the push and pull, their banter, the clear adoration Serun has for our Lark, and watching them try to fight their attraction to no avail. I can't wait to see it all boil over.
Now, the ending... after a book that rumbled along at such a slow pace, that failed to make me feel anything particularly intense, throwing a few pages packed with action, anxiety, and twists that were meant to shock us out of our socks didn't suddenly make me raise my rating. If anything, it annoyed me.
Because that's what I wanted and expected throughout the whole book, and I had to wait until the very end to get it.
It left me a bit disappointed, I'm not gonna lie to you.
I will read the next book, because I am still intrigued by the story and invested. Plus, I care about what happens to these characters >.<
Moonflower was my first horrormantasy, and I devoured that book in less than 24 hours. It was a breath of fresh air, packed with intrigue, action, romantic tension, trauma, and sadness.
Vervain, however... did not meet the same standards, nor my expectations.
I enjoyed accompanying the characters on their journey through the world of Serun while learning more about how everything works down there. However, there are quite a few things that made me lower my rating.
One of the biggest ones was the lack of action compared to book one. As I said, I liked spending time with our two MCs; however... too little happened during that time. I felt like we were constantly on the move, chatting, and kicking down a guard or two whenever we stumbled upon one.
That, combined with the slooow pace, didn't make for an easy or fast read.
Keep in mind that I was reading the eARC, so I don't know if this was fixed in the final version before publication, but there were phrases—or the same pieces of information—repeated every few chapters. It was easy enough to overlook the first two or three times, but after that I couldn't help but notice it.
After the events that took place in Moonflower, tensions were pretty high between our MCs, and the trust between them was shaky.
I enjoyed the push and pull, their banter, the clear adoration Serun has for our Lark, and watching them try to fight their attraction to no avail. I can't wait to see it all boil over.
Now, the ending... after a book that rumbled along at such a slow pace, that failed to make me feel anything particularly intense, throwing a few pages packed with action, anxiety, and twists that were meant to shock us out of our socks didn't suddenly make me raise my rating. If anything, it annoyed me.
Because that's what I wanted and expected throughout the whole book, and I had to wait until the very end to get it.
It left me a bit disappointed, I'm not gonna lie to you.
I will read the next book, because I am still intrigued by the story and invested. Plus, I care about what happens to these characters >.<
August 23, 2026
Wauw 🤩 Als eerste wil ik de auteur bedanken dat ik deel mocht nemen aan dit ARC team 🫶🏻
Moonflower (#1) was al fantastisch maar dit boek, Vervain, is nog even beter. Je duikt verder deze dystopische horror wereld in. Je leert Serun en Saya beter kennen. Maar ook de wereld waarin zich dit afspeelt, hoe deze is geworden zoals hij nu is.
De karakters maken een hele mooi groei door en je begrijpt ze steeds beter.
“No matter how dark you go, I will follow”
Als je niet over dark fantasy kunt, is dit boek niets voor jou. Dit verhaal is duister, heel duister. Niet alleen vol met bloed, organen en ledematen maar ook hoe de liefde opbloeit.
“You’re like a parasite in my bloodstream. I could remove you, but I am fond of the way it hurts”
En dan tot slot hoe de auteur weet om te gaan met woorden en zinnen. Dit boek is net als Moonflower (#1) bijna poëtisch te noemen. Ik heb zoveel prachtige zinnen en alinea’s gemarkeerd. Waanzinnig tof.
“Oh, how I crave you. To see you devoured by shadow”
En dan die epilogue to be continued…
Moonflower (#1) was al fantastisch maar dit boek, Vervain, is nog even beter. Je duikt verder deze dystopische horror wereld in. Je leert Serun en Saya beter kennen. Maar ook de wereld waarin zich dit afspeelt, hoe deze is geworden zoals hij nu is.
De karakters maken een hele mooi groei door en je begrijpt ze steeds beter.
“No matter how dark you go, I will follow”
Als je niet over dark fantasy kunt, is dit boek niets voor jou. Dit verhaal is duister, heel duister. Niet alleen vol met bloed, organen en ledematen maar ook hoe de liefde opbloeit.
“You’re like a parasite in my bloodstream. I could remove you, but I am fond of the way it hurts”
En dan tot slot hoe de auteur weet om te gaan met woorden en zinnen. Dit boek is net als Moonflower (#1) bijna poëtisch te noemen. Ik heb zoveel prachtige zinnen en alinea’s gemarkeerd. Waanzinnig tof.
“Oh, how I crave you. To see you devoured by shadow”
En dan die epilogue to be continued…
August 19, 2026
"No matter how dark you go, I will follow."
The Edward girlie in me is being fed 🙂↕️
First of all, a huge thank you to the author for sending me an early copy of this book and trusting me with her work. Having absolutely devoured Moonflower, I couldn't wait to see where Saya's journey would lead next - and what a sequel this was.
We're immediately thrown back into the action, which had me instantly invested in the story. There was never a dull moment and I loved how we continuously learn more about the world.
Kepler is a complex enough and fascinating world. It's grim and brutal, but there's still light to be found in the form of its inhabitants 🦇 We also get introduced to several new characters while getting to know some familiar faces better - and I especially enjoyed the glimpses we got of Serun's chosen family.
I liked the interwoven twists and the way the story - and Saya and Serun's relationship - progressed. The tension between them was immaculate, and I loved how his actions make clear just how much she means to him. As Lucifer said, Serun is smitten like a kitten with Saya 🤭
And once again, Shaina has left us with a cliffhanger - not that I'm complaining, though. That, combined with all my theories for future instalments, has me looking forward to the next book even more 👀
4.25 ⭐️ ARC Review
The Edward girlie in me is being fed 🙂↕️
First of all, a huge thank you to the author for sending me an early copy of this book and trusting me with her work. Having absolutely devoured Moonflower, I couldn't wait to see where Saya's journey would lead next - and what a sequel this was.
We're immediately thrown back into the action, which had me instantly invested in the story. There was never a dull moment and I loved how we continuously learn more about the world.
Kepler is a complex enough and fascinating world. It's grim and brutal, but there's still light to be found in the form of its inhabitants 🦇 We also get introduced to several new characters while getting to know some familiar faces better - and I especially enjoyed the glimpses we got of Serun's chosen family.
I liked the interwoven twists and the way the story - and Saya and Serun's relationship - progressed. The tension between them was immaculate, and I loved how his actions make clear just how much she means to him. As Lucifer said, Serun is smitten like a kitten with Saya 🤭
And once again, Shaina has left us with a cliffhanger - not that I'm complaining, though. That, combined with all my theories for future instalments, has me looking forward to the next book even more 👀
4.25 ⭐️ ARC Review
August 22, 2026
Shaina has done it again 👏🏻👏🏻
Thank you so much to Shaina for allowing me to be apart of your arc team for this book!
I devoured this book like a nightwalker who hasn’t fed in 5 days 👀🤣 I love the horror elements sprinkled in this story. These creatures are nightmare fuel! It thunderstormed every night while I was reading Vervain, and that was the perfect setting to binge this book!
We pick up immediately after the cliffhanger of Moonflower with Saya in a….tight predicament. And the story takes off from there. Saya gets to explore the meaning of what and who she is, without the need to glamour herself. Her desperation for her brother is palpable. And I’m so glad she had some reservations about Serun after book 1 and didn’t immediately forgive and forget. She chose what she wanted and I feel that’s very important. Especially because Saya hasn’t had much choice in her life. Speaking of Serun, our undead, respectful king. 👑 TRULY the definition of morally grey. He will take out anyone who stands between himself and Saya, no cares given, but also is very much a stickler for his laws. That is, unless it comes to keeping Saya safe. Loved seeing more side character action and even a few returning characters from book 1. (Jax you still piss me off.) This book exceeded my expectations and I am once again on the edge of my seat waiting for book 3!
I loved getting to explore the Underworld in Vervain. The world building was impeccable and easy to visualize. Shaina does a great job at writing books you do not want to sit down! If you’re looking for books to add to your spooky season TBR make sure you add Moonflower and Vervain!!!
Thank you so much to Shaina for allowing me to be apart of your arc team for this book!
I devoured this book like a nightwalker who hasn’t fed in 5 days 👀🤣 I love the horror elements sprinkled in this story. These creatures are nightmare fuel! It thunderstormed every night while I was reading Vervain, and that was the perfect setting to binge this book!
We pick up immediately after the cliffhanger of Moonflower with Saya in a….tight predicament. And the story takes off from there. Saya gets to explore the meaning of what and who she is, without the need to glamour herself. Her desperation for her brother is palpable. And I’m so glad she had some reservations about Serun after book 1 and didn’t immediately forgive and forget. She chose what she wanted and I feel that’s very important. Especially because Saya hasn’t had much choice in her life. Speaking of Serun, our undead, respectful king. 👑 TRULY the definition of morally grey. He will take out anyone who stands between himself and Saya, no cares given, but also is very much a stickler for his laws. That is, unless it comes to keeping Saya safe. Loved seeing more side character action and even a few returning characters from book 1. (Jax you still piss me off.) This book exceeded my expectations and I am once again on the edge of my seat waiting for book 3!
I loved getting to explore the Underworld in Vervain. The world building was impeccable and easy to visualize. Shaina does a great job at writing books you do not want to sit down! If you’re looking for books to add to your spooky season TBR make sure you add Moonflower and Vervain!!!
September 28, 2026
I received an arc of Vervain in exchange for an honest review which I am super grateful for! I was so excited for the release of this book after reading book 1 and absolutely loving it.
My favourite thing about this book was the MMC; I absolutely love the way he alters his appearance and the way the author uses his eyes to emphasise his emotions. His devotion to the FMC is gorgeous, and his ruthlessness is brutal.
However, unfortunately this one just didn't do it for me and I am so sad about it. Whilst I can appreciate the mystery of the unknown throughout the book knowing there are a couple more books in the series, personally for me there was something missing to the point where I couldn't connect or get into the flow of the story.
For me, there was too much repetition in internal monologue of the FMC, the plot felt dragged out until the main action at the very end, the romantic slow burn was a bit confusing at times, and sometimes I felt like I was completely missing context and was questioning if I'd skipped pages. I can definitely see it being really great for some people and I really wanted to love this one! It just wasn't for me.
My favourite thing about this book was the MMC; I absolutely love the way he alters his appearance and the way the author uses his eyes to emphasise his emotions. His devotion to the FMC is gorgeous, and his ruthlessness is brutal.
However, unfortunately this one just didn't do it for me and I am so sad about it. Whilst I can appreciate the mystery of the unknown throughout the book knowing there are a couple more books in the series, personally for me there was something missing to the point where I couldn't connect or get into the flow of the story.
For me, there was too much repetition in internal monologue of the FMC, the plot felt dragged out until the main action at the very end, the romantic slow burn was a bit confusing at times, and sometimes I felt like I was completely missing context and was questioning if I'd skipped pages. I can definitely see it being really great for some people and I really wanted to love this one! It just wasn't for me.
August 25, 2026
WOWOWOWOWOWOWOW I AM OBSESSED
Vervain picks up right where Moonflower left off (and wow what a cliff hanger moonflower left us with!!!)
I feel I fell even more in love with this series the more I read this book. The more we got to explore the underworld in Vervain and get to know even more about the characters and world building and magic system just the more and more I fell in love and needing even more! I loved the slow build of chemistry between Saya and Serun and I adored the horror aspects that’s always being added in (I love me a good horror). I truly loved every single thing about this book and super blessed to be on the arc team for Shaina!
I am so excited for book 3 and I recommend everyone read this series asap!! <3
Vervain picks up right where Moonflower left off (and wow what a cliff hanger moonflower left us with!!!)
I feel I fell even more in love with this series the more I read this book. The more we got to explore the underworld in Vervain and get to know even more about the characters and world building and magic system just the more and more I fell in love and needing even more! I loved the slow build of chemistry between Saya and Serun and I adored the horror aspects that’s always being added in (I love me a good horror). I truly loved every single thing about this book and super blessed to be on the arc team for Shaina!
I am so excited for book 3 and I recommend everyone read this series asap!! <3
August 27, 2026
Seriously, what?
I signed up for this ARC on vibes and character art alone. I had no idea.
After the cliffhanger in Moonflower, I should have known. I did not protect my heart, and for that, I should be ashamed.
70% in I went "What am I doing? This is not a duolagy."
80% in, I couldn't put it down.
90% in, I slid into the author's DMs with threats.
The yearning, the edging! Moonflower gives you much spice and a hint of unhinged writing, Vervain dangles the spice just out of reach while sneaking in some of the most unhinged plots I have read this year (and that is saying a lot)
Book 3 better come soon or else...I don't know what I am going to do.
I signed up for this ARC on vibes and character art alone. I had no idea.
After the cliffhanger in Moonflower, I should have known. I did not protect my heart, and for that, I should be ashamed.
70% in I went "What am I doing? This is not a duolagy."
80% in, I couldn't put it down.
90% in, I slid into the author's DMs with threats.
The yearning, the edging! Moonflower gives you much spice and a hint of unhinged writing, Vervain dangles the spice just out of reach while sneaking in some of the most unhinged plots I have read this year (and that is saying a lot)
Book 3 better come soon or else...I don't know what I am going to do.
September 4, 2026
Sadly, this one didn’t quite live up to my expectations and definitely couldn’t reach Moonflower for me 🫣
I absolutely adore Saya and Serun and their story, but this book was sooooo slow-paced. The last 10% was by far the most interesting part, and I kept waiting for things to finally happen 😭
I love the world, the characters and the overall story enough that I’m definitely looking forward to Book 3.
But PLEASE… enough with the yearning already! Give this poor man some fun with Saya!!! 😂🫣
ALSO thank you again for the arc copy💕
I absolutely adore Saya and Serun and their story, but this book was sooooo slow-paced. The last 10% was by far the most interesting part, and I kept waiting for things to finally happen 😭
I love the world, the characters and the overall story enough that I’m definitely looking forward to Book 3.
But PLEASE… enough with the yearning already! Give this poor man some fun with Saya!!! 😂🫣
ALSO thank you again for the arc copy💕
August 19, 2026
Wowowow. This world Shaina has created is ADDICTING! Fast paced story, the most painful yearning, and witty characters. So much to love. The epilogue has me itching to find out what’s to come…
Review of advance copy received from Author
Solid 4 stars ⭐
Dual POV (FMC is in first person & MMC is in third)
The horror aspect is INTRIGUING. I never read horror fantasy, but this was definitely a fun time! I loved the grim and gory world, and the lab/experiment/slayer part of the book was disturbingly cool.
I loved to learn more about the world but it still feels vague. Maybe it's a way to keep the mystery aspect, dropping hints and we will piece everything out in the end.
I'm a little torn about the writing, I LOVE how it flows and it never dragged. No long inner monologues - a plague in fantasy romance these days, and on times with less actions (part 2 for example), it didn't feel long, I kept turning pages! However, I noticed lots of repetitions regarding FMC biting her lips constantly, mentions of her/his ears, and "only to taste cotton". Sometimes these expressions come back after few sentences and it bothered me a little. Perhaps it's a way of showing instead of telling, but to me it was repetitive (reading taste is subjective!). The very few modern lingo like "cheat code" and "red flag" felt out of place too.
Regarding the romance, I'm neutral. They are definitely cute, have a lot of back and forth, which is a nice edging, and they get to learn a little bit about each other through the book. However, I feel it's a little uneven relationship because of 1 specific aspect (I mention it in the spoilers below) and he clearly hides something from her. I love his devotion and jealousy - obsessed with her but not in an obnoxious way. Also love that she is more experienced than him, it's rare in books!
Excited to read book 3!! I can feel it'll be a 5 stars. Ordered this ebook to support the author. And thank you Shaina for the ARC! ❤️
*spoilers* These are my theories, take it with a pinch of salt!
*spoilers end*
Dual POV (FMC is in first person & MMC is in third)
The horror aspect is INTRIGUING. I never read horror fantasy, but this was definitely a fun time! I loved the grim and gory world, and the lab/experiment/slayer part of the book was disturbingly cool.
I loved to learn more about the world but it still feels vague. Maybe it's a way to keep the mystery aspect, dropping hints and we will piece everything out in the end.
I'm a little torn about the writing, I LOVE how it flows and it never dragged. No long inner monologues - a plague in fantasy romance these days, and on times with less actions (part 2 for example), it didn't feel long, I kept turning pages! However, I noticed lots of repetitions regarding FMC biting her lips constantly, mentions of her/his ears, and "only to taste cotton". Sometimes these expressions come back after few sentences and it bothered me a little. Perhaps it's a way of showing instead of telling, but to me it was repetitive (reading taste is subjective!). The very few modern lingo like "cheat code" and "red flag" felt out of place too.
Regarding the romance, I'm neutral. They are definitely cute, have a lot of back and forth, which is a nice edging, and they get to learn a little bit about each other through the book. However, I feel it's a little uneven relationship because of 1 specific aspect (I mention it in the spoilers below) and he clearly hides something from her. I love his devotion and jealousy - obsessed with her but not in an obnoxious way. Also love that she is more experienced than him, it's rare in books!
Excited to read book 3!! I can feel it'll be a 5 stars. Ordered this ebook to support the author. And thank you Shaina for the ARC! ❤️
*spoilers* These are my theories, take it with a pinch of salt!
*spoilers end*
Review of advance copy received from Author
Special thanks to the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Vervain is for the girls who…
→ love when new friendships are formed
→ love when characters get a power upgrade
→ love when characters become more vulnerable
→ love when the world gets progressively more dangerous 👀
We pick up right where we left off, with our badass protagonist Saya entering or rather, being “rebirthed” into the Nightwalker territory known as the Under City.
The world of Saya and our delicious Nightwalker Lord Serun expands in Vervain as we explore new places, meet new characters, and discover that the world they thought they knew is far more dangerous than they realized. The world building feels even more lush and descriptive this time around, while still maintaining that sense of danger lurking around every corner.
And the threats have definitely multiplied. What was once Saya’s biggest threat, the Nightwalkers, has now expanded into something much bigger. We get more insight into Saya’s mysterious and sinister Blessed, as well as the Slayers, who are supposedly meant to be guardians. Except, as we learn more about them, it becomes clear that they don’t necessarily have the humans’ or anyone’s best interests at heart.
And then we’re introduced to an entirely new type of monster: a mutated, intelligent creature that adds yet another layer of danger. Our characters are no longer dealing with just one threat, but multiple forces with their own agendas, making the world feel increasingly unpredictable.
We’re also introduced to so many new characters, including Serun’s siblings and other Nightwalkers like Daren and Olivia. One thing I really appreciate about this author is how well she writes complex characters. Everyone feels fleshed out and distinct, with their own personalities, motivations, and layers. Even the new characters feel like they have their own place within the story rather than simply being there to move the plot forward.
I also loved getting more insight into Serun, both as the Lord of the Under City and as Suren himself. We get to see more of his personality and vulnerability, and I really enjoyed the progression of his relationship with Saya. Saya is beginning to understand him in a way she couldn’t before, even noticing that his shadows show emotions. 🥹
And of course, I absolutely LOVE when the title of a book is incorporated into the actual story, and Vervain does exactly that with the purple flowers and their special uses… 🤭 IYKYK.
Overall, Vervain builds on everything that made the first book so compelling while raising the stakes even higher. More characters, more powers, more vulnerability, more world building, and definitely more danger. The world keeps getting bigger and somehow, with every new discovery, it also gets more sinister.
Vervain is for the girls who…
→ love when new friendships are formed
→ love when characters get a power upgrade
→ love when characters become more vulnerable
→ love when the world gets progressively more dangerous 👀
We pick up right where we left off, with our badass protagonist Saya entering or rather, being “rebirthed” into the Nightwalker territory known as the Under City.
The world of Saya and our delicious Nightwalker Lord Serun expands in Vervain as we explore new places, meet new characters, and discover that the world they thought they knew is far more dangerous than they realized. The world building feels even more lush and descriptive this time around, while still maintaining that sense of danger lurking around every corner.
And the threats have definitely multiplied. What was once Saya’s biggest threat, the Nightwalkers, has now expanded into something much bigger. We get more insight into Saya’s mysterious and sinister Blessed, as well as the Slayers, who are supposedly meant to be guardians. Except, as we learn more about them, it becomes clear that they don’t necessarily have the humans’ or anyone’s best interests at heart.
And then we’re introduced to an entirely new type of monster: a mutated, intelligent creature that adds yet another layer of danger. Our characters are no longer dealing with just one threat, but multiple forces with their own agendas, making the world feel increasingly unpredictable.
We’re also introduced to so many new characters, including Serun’s siblings and other Nightwalkers like Daren and Olivia. One thing I really appreciate about this author is how well she writes complex characters. Everyone feels fleshed out and distinct, with their own personalities, motivations, and layers. Even the new characters feel like they have their own place within the story rather than simply being there to move the plot forward.
I also loved getting more insight into Serun, both as the Lord of the Under City and as Suren himself. We get to see more of his personality and vulnerability, and I really enjoyed the progression of his relationship with Saya. Saya is beginning to understand him in a way she couldn’t before, even noticing that his shadows show emotions. 🥹
And of course, I absolutely LOVE when the title of a book is incorporated into the actual story, and Vervain does exactly that with the purple flowers and their special uses… 🤭 IYKYK.
Overall, Vervain builds on everything that made the first book so compelling while raising the stakes even higher. More characters, more powers, more vulnerability, more world building, and definitely more danger. The world keeps getting bigger and somehow, with every new discovery, it also gets more sinister.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 18, 2026
Spoil Free Reviews
Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Author: @shainaanastasi.author
POV: Duo: 1st person MFC, 3rd person MMC (it works)
Gene: Dystopian Horroantasy
Triggers: Graphic murder descriptions, gore, horror, SA (spoken about), open door spice, etc.
Read Time: 7 - 10 hours
Expected Publishing Date: August 22, 2026
I received an advance review copy from the author, & I am leaving this review voluntarily.
❤️ World Building: The world building was mostly on the Undercity, since that was a new place for readers. It was dark, lush, and definitely had a dystopian feel to it. The top side also had great detail, and some of those details are gruesome (it fits the story).
❤️ The Characters: I still love Saya and Serun, how he treats her is how every man should treat their partner. He is devoted and will only kneel for her. We meet Serun’s family as well, and I still think there is more behind their stories that we don’t know yet. Unfortunately, Jax is still in the story, but even he has his part to play. I also loved the addition of Oliva & some other newborn vampires.
❤️ The Story: The story was soooo good! I was enraptured from the first chapter till the epilogue (which was amazing). Some moments were tender, others were dark, & others made me so mad (in a good way!)
❤️🔥Overall: I absolutely love this series so far & can’t wait to see where it goes from here!
Vervain lore facts: The Druids considered Vervain to be highly sacred. They used it to bless sacred spaces & saw it as an essential ingredient for opening rites. Vervain oil was used for spiritual anointment & the herb is said to be an ingredient in Cerridwen’s Brew, a potion used to bless Bards. In modern Druidic practice, Vervain is still believed to stimulate the flow of ‘Awen’, the spirit or essence of life. Likewise, the Romans also held Vervain in high esteem with priests who were tasked with advising the Roman Senate on matters of war & peace wearing crowns woven from this plant. In Egyptian mythology, the plant was sacred to the goddess Isis, who is said to have wept Vervain tears over the death of her husband, Osiris.
(source: www.pagansofthenorth.co.uk)
Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Author: @shainaanastasi.author
POV: Duo: 1st person MFC, 3rd person MMC (it works)
Gene: Dystopian Horroantasy
Triggers: Graphic murder descriptions, gore, horror, SA (spoken about), open door spice, etc.
Read Time: 7 - 10 hours
Expected Publishing Date: August 22, 2026
I received an advance review copy from the author, & I am leaving this review voluntarily.
❤️ World Building: The world building was mostly on the Undercity, since that was a new place for readers. It was dark, lush, and definitely had a dystopian feel to it. The top side also had great detail, and some of those details are gruesome (it fits the story).
❤️ The Characters: I still love Saya and Serun, how he treats her is how every man should treat their partner. He is devoted and will only kneel for her. We meet Serun’s family as well, and I still think there is more behind their stories that we don’t know yet. Unfortunately, Jax is still in the story, but even he has his part to play. I also loved the addition of Oliva & some other newborn vampires.
❤️ The Story: The story was soooo good! I was enraptured from the first chapter till the epilogue (which was amazing). Some moments were tender, others were dark, & others made me so mad (in a good way!)
❤️🔥Overall: I absolutely love this series so far & can’t wait to see where it goes from here!
Vervain lore facts: The Druids considered Vervain to be highly sacred. They used it to bless sacred spaces & saw it as an essential ingredient for opening rites. Vervain oil was used for spiritual anointment & the herb is said to be an ingredient in Cerridwen’s Brew, a potion used to bless Bards. In modern Druidic practice, Vervain is still believed to stimulate the flow of ‘Awen’, the spirit or essence of life. Likewise, the Romans also held Vervain in high esteem with priests who were tasked with advising the Roman Senate on matters of war & peace wearing crowns woven from this plant. In Egyptian mythology, the plant was sacred to the goddess Isis, who is said to have wept Vervain tears over the death of her husband, Osiris.
(source: www.pagansofthenorth.co.uk)
August 22, 2026
ARC Review
I genuinely don’t even know where to start because HOW am I supposed to put all my feelings about this book into words?! 😭
After reading the first book in this series, I had been counting down the days until I could read Vervain… and somehow, it STILL managed to completely exceed my expectations. Every single one.
I am absolutely obsessed with this author’s writing. Her writing style is so beautiful, immersive, and intentional, and I’m yet to read one of her books that I haven’t completely fallen in love with. The way she weaves in tiny details, subtle hints, specific wording, pieces of backstory and little clues throughout the story is SO clever.
And the WORLD. The first book gave me one understanding of this world, the magic, and the people within it, and this book completely challenged that perception.l
The characters??? MY BABIES. 🥹
The Saya and Serun are genuinely two of my favourite characters I’ve ever read. Their dynamic is EVERYTHING. The banter, the opposing personalities, the light vs. dark contrast, the tension… their chemistry is honestly jaw-dropping.
And watching her blossom, open up, discover herself, and start accepting who she is was such a beautiful part of her journey. The role he plays in that development made their relationship even more special to me. Their romance is EVERYTHING. The chemistry is insane, the tension is immaculate, and there is definitely some spice for those who enjoy that in their fantasy romance. 👀🔥
POV: Dual POV — 1st person FMC & 3rd person MMC (and somehow it WORKS SO WELL).
Genre: Dystopian romantasy / horror fantasy 🖤
And THAT ENDING??? 😭
The final chapters had me putting the book down, taking a deep breath, and just staring into space while my brain attempted to process what I had just read. I was SPIRALLING. This series genuinely just keeps getting better and better, and I already know I’m going to be impatiently waiting for book three.
Now excuse me while I go reread this and make approximately 47 theories. 👀
I genuinely don’t even know where to start because HOW am I supposed to put all my feelings about this book into words?! 😭
After reading the first book in this series, I had been counting down the days until I could read Vervain… and somehow, it STILL managed to completely exceed my expectations. Every single one.
I am absolutely obsessed with this author’s writing. Her writing style is so beautiful, immersive, and intentional, and I’m yet to read one of her books that I haven’t completely fallen in love with. The way she weaves in tiny details, subtle hints, specific wording, pieces of backstory and little clues throughout the story is SO clever.
And the WORLD. The first book gave me one understanding of this world, the magic, and the people within it, and this book completely challenged that perception.l
The characters??? MY BABIES. 🥹
The Saya and Serun are genuinely two of my favourite characters I’ve ever read. Their dynamic is EVERYTHING. The banter, the opposing personalities, the light vs. dark contrast, the tension… their chemistry is honestly jaw-dropping.
And watching her blossom, open up, discover herself, and start accepting who she is was such a beautiful part of her journey. The role he plays in that development made their relationship even more special to me. Their romance is EVERYTHING. The chemistry is insane, the tension is immaculate, and there is definitely some spice for those who enjoy that in their fantasy romance. 👀🔥
POV: Dual POV — 1st person FMC & 3rd person MMC (and somehow it WORKS SO WELL).
Genre: Dystopian romantasy / horror fantasy 🖤
And THAT ENDING??? 😭
The final chapters had me putting the book down, taking a deep breath, and just staring into space while my brain attempted to process what I had just read. I was SPIRALLING. This series genuinely just keeps getting better and better, and I already know I’m going to be impatiently waiting for book three.
Now excuse me while I go reread this and make approximately 47 theories. 👀
September 7, 2026
ARC review
I finished reading Vervain and I'm currently at a point where I can't even form coherent thoughts about it.
It was one of those books that I thought about for so long, and after finishing the first book, I was just dying to jump back in and experience the world again, which I did with sky-high expectations no less.
It did not disappoint, if anything, it made me question why I ever thought I knew what to expect!
One of my favourite things about this series is how effortlessly the author makes you feel like you understand the world she's made, only for you to slowly realise that she's been fooling you the entire time. Vervain builds upon the foundation of the first book in ways I could have never expected, and I just love how much there was to discover beneath the surface. There was an underlying history to some things, an alternate view on others, small and large reveals and carefully placed details that enriched the world far beyond what I was expecting.
I could gush about this author's writing for hours because it's so easy to get lost in. Everything has that certain 'feel' to it that makes you appreciate every single word, and I love how much there is to find if you look close enough.
the real highlight for me was Saya and Serun!!
I LOVE THEM.
Their contrasting personalities shine so well together, and the banter and tension between them is just the perfect blend to keep you engaged at all times. I loved getting to see what happened between the two of them, and all the little teases and implications along the way.
What made their dynamic so endearing to me, however, was seeing Saya grow as a person and take ownership of who she is and what she wants. To see Serun play a part in that and get to witness their bond slowly form was simply beautiful! 😭🖤
I finished reading Vervain and I'm currently at a point where I can't even form coherent thoughts about it.
It was one of those books that I thought about for so long, and after finishing the first book, I was just dying to jump back in and experience the world again, which I did with sky-high expectations no less.
It did not disappoint, if anything, it made me question why I ever thought I knew what to expect!
One of my favourite things about this series is how effortlessly the author makes you feel like you understand the world she's made, only for you to slowly realise that she's been fooling you the entire time. Vervain builds upon the foundation of the first book in ways I could have never expected, and I just love how much there was to discover beneath the surface. There was an underlying history to some things, an alternate view on others, small and large reveals and carefully placed details that enriched the world far beyond what I was expecting.
I could gush about this author's writing for hours because it's so easy to get lost in. Everything has that certain 'feel' to it that makes you appreciate every single word, and I love how much there is to find if you look close enough.
the real highlight for me was Saya and Serun!!
I LOVE THEM.
Their contrasting personalities shine so well together, and the banter and tension between them is just the perfect blend to keep you engaged at all times. I loved getting to see what happened between the two of them, and all the little teases and implications along the way.
What made their dynamic so endearing to me, however, was seeing Saya grow as a person and take ownership of who she is and what she wants. To see Serun play a part in that and get to witness their bond slowly form was simply beautiful! 😭🖤
September 11, 2026
Vervain pulled me straight back into the world of Naylen with an interesting start that quickly reminded me why I liked this world in the first place. Picking up right where Moonflower left off, it expands on the characters, conflicts and world already established in the first book.
I do think I would have benefited from rereading Moonflower beforehand, as I found myself trying to remember some of the smaller details early on.
The worldbuilding was easily one of my favourite parts. It was stunning, and I loved getting to explore more of Naylen and everything within it. Shaina gave us the information we needed without constantly over-explaining, which made everything feel much more natural. The dialogue also felt consistent throughout, and I really appreciated having the pronunciation guide at both the beginning and end, along with the meaning guide at the back.
The character interactions were another highlight, especially Saya and Serun. Their scenes together were some of my favourites, and I loved seeing more of their dynamic. I also liked seeing how they interacted with the other characters throughout the story. Some of those relationships started with quite a bit of tension, so it was interesting watching that slowly ease as the story progressed and the characters began to understand each other more. There was also a great balance of action and suspense, with something always happening or building in the background to keep me interested.
The ending wasn't what I expected, but I liked the direction it took. Overall, this was a strong continuation and a 4.5-star read for me. My biggest regret is not refreshing my memory of Book 1 first.
I’d recommend this to readers who enjoy dark fantasy/dystopian stories with strong worldbuilding, action, suspense and characters whose stories continue across the series.
I do think I would have benefited from rereading Moonflower beforehand, as I found myself trying to remember some of the smaller details early on.
The worldbuilding was easily one of my favourite parts. It was stunning, and I loved getting to explore more of Naylen and everything within it. Shaina gave us the information we needed without constantly over-explaining, which made everything feel much more natural. The dialogue also felt consistent throughout, and I really appreciated having the pronunciation guide at both the beginning and end, along with the meaning guide at the back.
The character interactions were another highlight, especially Saya and Serun. Their scenes together were some of my favourites, and I loved seeing more of their dynamic. I also liked seeing how they interacted with the other characters throughout the story. Some of those relationships started with quite a bit of tension, so it was interesting watching that slowly ease as the story progressed and the characters began to understand each other more. There was also a great balance of action and suspense, with something always happening or building in the background to keep me interested.
The ending wasn't what I expected, but I liked the direction it took. Overall, this was a strong continuation and a 4.5-star read for me. My biggest regret is not refreshing my memory of Book 1 first.
I’d recommend this to readers who enjoy dark fantasy/dystopian stories with strong worldbuilding, action, suspense and characters whose stories continue across the series.
September 6, 2026
I am very grateful for receiving an eARC of this book. Thank you Shaina Anastasi.
We are reunited with Saya and Serun, and Serun is as morally dark as he can be. Making no apologies for who he is and how he is. In contrast, Saya is as lost as it can get, which is understandable given her past and the events at the end of book 1. They try to navigate their "relationship" together, while Saya learns about Serun's world. The tension between the two was palpable and I love me a slow burn haha.
I loved that Saya's focus and loyalty to her brother Cole didn't waver even for Serun, and that it took time for her to trust him again. The characters all felt true to themselves, according to what we saw in the previous book.
Plot-wise, the world extends and some questions are answered while other new ones arise (but it is book 2, so that's normal). We were introduced to new characters, and I have to say each one felt like they had their own personality. I am curious about one or two in particular, and I hope we see them more in the next books 👀.
However, this book was really slow-paced, and felt less "horrorantasy" than the previous one, Moonflower. Maybe it's a me thing because I read many dark books, so maybe this one felt less dark than what I expected of it?
Some of the scene seems to appear from nowhere, and it felt like I was missing information. With that said, the book also had a lot of positive. And despite these few scenes, the story flowed well. I am still interested in reading book 3 and 4, and know what happens next to Serun and Saya!
Overall, I think it's a 3.5/5 stars (based on vibes) because I was very excited to read this one after Moonflower and I wasn't as obsessed with it.
We are reunited with Saya and Serun, and Serun is as morally dark as he can be. Making no apologies for who he is and how he is. In contrast, Saya is as lost as it can get, which is understandable given her past and the events at the end of book 1. They try to navigate their "relationship" together, while Saya learns about Serun's world. The tension between the two was palpable and I love me a slow burn haha.
I loved that Saya's focus and loyalty to her brother Cole didn't waver even for Serun, and that it took time for her to trust him again. The characters all felt true to themselves, according to what we saw in the previous book.
Plot-wise, the world extends and some questions are answered while other new ones arise (but it is book 2, so that's normal). We were introduced to new characters, and I have to say each one felt like they had their own personality. I am curious about one or two in particular, and I hope we see them more in the next books 👀.
However, this book was really slow-paced, and felt less "horrorantasy" than the previous one, Moonflower. Maybe it's a me thing because I read many dark books, so maybe this one felt less dark than what I expected of it?
Some of the scene seems to appear from nowhere, and it felt like I was missing information. With that said, the book also had a lot of positive. And despite these few scenes, the story flowed well. I am still interested in reading book 3 and 4, and know what happens next to Serun and Saya!
Overall, I think it's a 3.5/5 stars (based on vibes) because I was very excited to read this one after Moonflower and I wasn't as obsessed with it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Firstly, a thank you to Shaina for having me on her ARC team for the next installment of The Script of Serun series. I am writing this review for free and completely of my own thoughts and opinions.
I ATE this up, again. I just adore this world that Shaina has created.
I said in my review of book one (that was NOT an ARC read) that Shaina had really strong base blocks for the world building in this series and that continued to be true here, we got more lore that answered questions from book one but are still left with questions I am desperate to get answers for in book three. Talk about keeping us on a hook!
I found the dystopia elements to be just as good in this book and continued to love the blend with horror and romance. It all contrasts each other so well and leaves you feeling uncomfortable and twitchy at the best moments. I honestly think this would translate so well into visual media, I could really see this being a sick TV show or animated series.
Serun and Saya are still utter babies and Serun is definitely fully cemented for me now as one of my top MMC's. Basically every word out of this man's mouth had me highlighting passages.
The yearning and tension in the romance was delicious and I loved how Saya had control the entire time, even though the scenario she was in technically was contradictory to that, nothing happened until she said it did and that respect was delightful.
I cannot recommend this series enough honestly, especially for those who love a shadow wielding vampire. It also will work great for those who like slightly uncomfortable atmospheres and lots of mysterious elements your trying to piece together.
I ATE this up, again. I just adore this world that Shaina has created.
I said in my review of book one (that was NOT an ARC read) that Shaina had really strong base blocks for the world building in this series and that continued to be true here, we got more lore that answered questions from book one but are still left with questions I am desperate to get answers for in book three. Talk about keeping us on a hook!
I found the dystopia elements to be just as good in this book and continued to love the blend with horror and romance. It all contrasts each other so well and leaves you feeling uncomfortable and twitchy at the best moments. I honestly think this would translate so well into visual media, I could really see this being a sick TV show or animated series.
Serun and Saya are still utter babies and Serun is definitely fully cemented for me now as one of my top MMC's. Basically every word out of this man's mouth had me highlighting passages.
The yearning and tension in the romance was delicious and I loved how Saya had control the entire time, even though the scenario she was in technically was contradictory to that, nothing happened until she said it did and that respect was delightful.
I cannot recommend this series enough honestly, especially for those who love a shadow wielding vampire. It also will work great for those who like slightly uncomfortable atmospheres and lots of mysterious elements your trying to piece together.
August 23, 2026
I just finished Vervain, and it was exactly what I was hoping for! A fantastic blend of horror and fantasy with just enough tension and spice to keep things interesting 🌶️ Did you know that Serun has a pierced peen? Now you do 🥵
Vervain picks up right after the events of Moonflower. In comparison to the first book, this one is much more fast-paced. After being bought by Serun at auction and finding herself in the Undercity as the nightwalker’s wife, Saya is forced to accept a part of herself that she doesn’t completely understand and has tried to keep hidden. With the fall of the feeding ground, she is also determined to find and rescue the brother she was forced to leave behind while she comes to terms with her new life.
What I found interesting is that this second installment is broken into a duel POV - first person Saya and third person Serun. It seems a little strange at first, but works to give the reader a more full picture of what is going on while still keeping certain details a mystery. There is so much we still don’t know about the vampire lord. What I do know, though, is that he’d do pretty much anything for his beloved Saya, and I’m 100% here for it. Serun shows so much control and respect towards his consort, giving Saya all the power in the relationship.
Unfortunately, yes, Jax is still alive. He has a role to play, as annoying as he is 🙄 The more we learn about the slayers, though, the more I hate Jax and his brethren. I’m hoping for a fitting end for all of them, especially after Olivia shared her story of how she was turned.
Thank you to the author for the eARC. I look forward to the next book! All thoughts are my own.
Vervain picks up right after the events of Moonflower. In comparison to the first book, this one is much more fast-paced. After being bought by Serun at auction and finding herself in the Undercity as the nightwalker’s wife, Saya is forced to accept a part of herself that she doesn’t completely understand and has tried to keep hidden. With the fall of the feeding ground, she is also determined to find and rescue the brother she was forced to leave behind while she comes to terms with her new life.
What I found interesting is that this second installment is broken into a duel POV - first person Saya and third person Serun. It seems a little strange at first, but works to give the reader a more full picture of what is going on while still keeping certain details a mystery. There is so much we still don’t know about the vampire lord. What I do know, though, is that he’d do pretty much anything for his beloved Saya, and I’m 100% here for it. Serun shows so much control and respect towards his consort, giving Saya all the power in the relationship.
Unfortunately, yes, Jax is still alive. He has a role to play, as annoying as he is 🙄 The more we learn about the slayers, though, the more I hate Jax and his brethren. I’m hoping for a fitting end for all of them, especially after Olivia shared her story of how she was turned.
Thank you to the author for the eARC. I look forward to the next book! All thoughts are my own.
September 13, 2026
**Received this book as an ARC for an honest review**
“Saya, I can move anywhere and call it home. The issue is, if you aren’t there with me, I wouldn’t want any part of it.”
I'm sorry. But HELLO???
I.
Am.
Obsessed.
I was absolutely fascinated with the artwork before the first book, Moonflower, was released, and it was an instant yes from me.
Now we have come to the second book, and I'm quite happy to report that I do, in fact, love the second book just as much, if not more than the first.
In Vervain we meet Saya as she wakes up in a different state, with a different title, and in a different part of the world than she has grown accustomed to in the Darkovish Feeding Ground, where she lived for a big part of her life.
Her new title, consort to the powerful and mysterious Lord of the Undercity, Serun, feels almost like a cage, as she did not consent to the title. But the more time she spends around this nightwalker and his family, the more she realizes that perhaps they are not the monsters she was made to believe growing up.
If anything, they seem almost more human than the slayers who roam the world in the daylight.
As Saya and Serun continue the search for not only her brother but also his family that went searching for him before disappearing as well, they find that the Prayer Sanctuary that is meant to be a place of safety for humans who make their way here is just a part of what this place is and holds far darker secrets and experiments.
And unfortunately once again, Saya finds herself right in the middle of it.
Luckily this time she's not alone.
“Saya, I can move anywhere and call it home. The issue is, if you aren’t there with me, I wouldn’t want any part of it.”
I'm sorry. But HELLO???
I.
Am.
Obsessed.
I was absolutely fascinated with the artwork before the first book, Moonflower, was released, and it was an instant yes from me.
Now we have come to the second book, and I'm quite happy to report that I do, in fact, love the second book just as much, if not more than the first.
In Vervain we meet Saya as she wakes up in a different state, with a different title, and in a different part of the world than she has grown accustomed to in the Darkovish Feeding Ground, where she lived for a big part of her life.
Her new title, consort to the powerful and mysterious Lord of the Undercity, Serun, feels almost like a cage, as she did not consent to the title. But the more time she spends around this nightwalker and his family, the more she realizes that perhaps they are not the monsters she was made to believe growing up.
If anything, they seem almost more human than the slayers who roam the world in the daylight.
As Saya and Serun continue the search for not only her brother but also his family that went searching for him before disappearing as well, they find that the Prayer Sanctuary that is meant to be a place of safety for humans who make their way here is just a part of what this place is and holds far darker secrets and experiments.
And unfortunately once again, Saya finds herself right in the middle of it.
Luckily this time she's not alone.
September 15, 2026
~Paris Rona's ARC review~
Shaina Anastasi has done it again!!!!
We ended up in the cliffhanger, with Jax and his brother taking Saya's brother Cole hostage. Saya is still reeling from the deaths of her friends and having suddenly become Serun's Wife. She learns more about Serun and herself through her dreams. Before Jax, she used to have a "blessed" who was really creepy in my opinion. Her mother hid a lot of things from her.
During all this, she gets closer to Serun and a newly created nightwalker named Olivia. They save each others lives in different times, but she doesn't want to get close to her, fearing she'll condemn her to a similar fate as her friends (I'm still not over that tbh...i miss myshaylas). Then we find out that everything Saya knew about Serun's world was a lie. Humans and Orphans live amongst nightwalkers and they are all scared of the slayers (the faction that Jax is from smh that little traitor).
We learn more about the Slayers and how they're hunting down vervain because the Vegodians (Saya's faction) plant it around their territory. Saya is trying to get Cole back in the topside world, and Serun follows her because he loves her, and doesn't want to see her get hurt. We find out about Serun's siblings and their animosity towards Saya because she's kinda "corrupting" Serun.
The part that had me shook was when we found out the origin of Saya's story. Serun's sister basically admits that she took in a young single mother in need of help, and her baby when there was chaos in their region, and that baby ended up being Saya. She knew Saya's mom was a vegodian and that Saya is half human half nightwalker, (which is rare) and kept that bit of information to herself until she divulged it to Saya and Serun.
The chemistry...Serun's romantic one-liners...THAT ENDING!!! omg I'm so excited for Spider Lily <3 I'm sat for the next installment and am so thankful for Shaina for the ARC opportunity!
Shaina Anastasi has done it again!!!!
We ended up in the cliffhanger, with Jax and his brother taking Saya's brother Cole hostage. Saya is still reeling from the deaths of her friends and having suddenly become Serun's Wife. She learns more about Serun and herself through her dreams. Before Jax, she used to have a "blessed" who was really creepy in my opinion. Her mother hid a lot of things from her.
During all this, she gets closer to Serun and a newly created nightwalker named Olivia. They save each others lives in different times, but she doesn't want to get close to her, fearing she'll condemn her to a similar fate as her friends (I'm still not over that tbh...i miss myshaylas). Then we find out that everything Saya knew about Serun's world was a lie. Humans and Orphans live amongst nightwalkers and they are all scared of the slayers (the faction that Jax is from smh that little traitor).
We learn more about the Slayers and how they're hunting down vervain because the Vegodians (Saya's faction) plant it around their territory. Saya is trying to get Cole back in the topside world, and Serun follows her because he loves her, and doesn't want to see her get hurt. We find out about Serun's siblings and their animosity towards Saya because she's kinda "corrupting" Serun.
The part that had me shook was when we found out the origin of Saya's story. Serun's sister basically admits that she took in a young single mother in need of help, and her baby when there was chaos in their region, and that baby ended up being Saya. She knew Saya's mom was a vegodian and that Saya is half human half nightwalker, (which is rare) and kept that bit of information to herself until she divulged it to Saya and Serun.
The chemistry...Serun's romantic one-liners...THAT ENDING!!! omg I'm so excited for Spider Lily <3 I'm sat for the next installment and am so thankful for Shaina for the ARC opportunity!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 25, 2026
🩸Book Review: Vervain🩸
By: @shainaanastasi.author
Spice: 🌶️
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
⚰️Review⚰️
And back to the world of Naylen we go…. If you haven’t read Moonflower yet please proceed at your own risk!!!!!
‼️YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED ‼️
Ok…. Ok ok ok I am going to need a minute cause I can not handle crazy cliffhanger like that again 😱😱😱😱 AND THE EPILOGUE….. what in The Mother was that?!?!?!?
We pick up right where Moonflower had ended with Saya in her hanging predicament (IYKYK). But she is not alone 👀👀👀👀 there are a few other Nightwalkers that we get the pleasure of meeting, Olivia, Daven, and one known only as the Death Sprit. Once our daywalker is out of her cage, she is back together with our shadow daddy Serun 🖤🖤🖤🖤
This book sets up more of the lore as to what happened before Mother left, as well as more of what is going on in the world of Naylen. We start by getting to see the Sunken City and also get the pleasure of meeting Serun’s “family”, and let’s says some are more welcoming than others 😉😉😉😉 while in the Sunken City, Saya and Serun’s relationship develops in the best slow burn way as possible. And the yearning, OMG THE YEARNING THAT COMES FROM THIS NIGHTWALKER!!!!!!!! It had me begging for more and had me kicking when it was cut short. 💔💔💔
This is the second book in the series and could definitely tell with the amount of world building, lore, amount of characters introduced, and with the ever evolving story that has secrets being revealed left and right. And let me just say that last 25%, woooo death grip that book cause things are about to get wild!!!!
Overall, I absolutely loved this book. Saya and Serun have a special place in my (dead) heart and cannot wait to see where their story goes!!!
Please note that all these are my own opinions and are to be taken with open minds and hearts 🩷
And as always…
💕Happy reading friends!!!💕
#books #bookstagrammer #fantasy #horror #beta
By: @shainaanastasi.author
Spice: 🌶️
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
⚰️Review⚰️
And back to the world of Naylen we go…. If you haven’t read Moonflower yet please proceed at your own risk!!!!!
‼️YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED ‼️
Ok…. Ok ok ok I am going to need a minute cause I can not handle crazy cliffhanger like that again 😱😱😱😱 AND THE EPILOGUE….. what in The Mother was that?!?!?!?
We pick up right where Moonflower had ended with Saya in her hanging predicament (IYKYK). But she is not alone 👀👀👀👀 there are a few other Nightwalkers that we get the pleasure of meeting, Olivia, Daven, and one known only as the Death Sprit. Once our daywalker is out of her cage, she is back together with our shadow daddy Serun 🖤🖤🖤🖤
This book sets up more of the lore as to what happened before Mother left, as well as more of what is going on in the world of Naylen. We start by getting to see the Sunken City and also get the pleasure of meeting Serun’s “family”, and let’s says some are more welcoming than others 😉😉😉😉 while in the Sunken City, Saya and Serun’s relationship develops in the best slow burn way as possible. And the yearning, OMG THE YEARNING THAT COMES FROM THIS NIGHTWALKER!!!!!!!! It had me begging for more and had me kicking when it was cut short. 💔💔💔
This is the second book in the series and could definitely tell with the amount of world building, lore, amount of characters introduced, and with the ever evolving story that has secrets being revealed left and right. And let me just say that last 25%, woooo death grip that book cause things are about to get wild!!!!
Overall, I absolutely loved this book. Saya and Serun have a special place in my (dead) heart and cannot wait to see where their story goes!!!
Please note that all these are my own opinions and are to be taken with open minds and hearts 🩷
And as always…
💕Happy reading friends!!!💕
#books #bookstagrammer #fantasy #horror #beta
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to Shaina for providing me with an ARC for this book!
I've been waiting for this book ever since I finished Moonflower, and can I just say, it did not disappoint. This book serves to reveal more of the MCs' backstories and worldbuilding while simultaneously furthering the plot. (it may have been a little predictable at certain points but that was only because of how certain plot points have been foreshadowed)
I loved seeing how Saya and Serun's relationship evolved and how Saya comes to accept - and dare I say love - the one she's been taught to hate her entire life. Serun's yearning, their push and pull, literally everything was perfect (I don't know about Saya but I definitely fell in love with the Lord of the Undercity). I'm so happy that Olivia and Saya find each other and would love to see their friendship deepen - once both of them let their guards down, of course. Reyes and Avianna's relationship dynamic is so cute, and I can't wait to see more of it in the future. I'm also very obviously looking forward to the Slayers and white coats reaping what they sow.
So many of my questions from book 1 were answered, albeit giving way to new ones. Saya and I both desperately need answers! Shaina has revealed and developed just enough of the plot to keep us satisfied but wanting more (I'm still waiting to find out what "kamai" means). Can't wait to see what happens with Saya and Serun in the next book!
Also the art....absolutely beautiful!
I've been waiting for this book ever since I finished Moonflower, and can I just say, it did not disappoint. This book serves to reveal more of the MCs' backstories and worldbuilding while simultaneously furthering the plot. (it may have been a little predictable at certain points but that was only because of how certain plot points have been foreshadowed)
I loved seeing how Saya and Serun's relationship evolved and how Saya comes to accept - and dare I say love - the one she's been taught to hate her entire life. Serun's yearning, their push and pull, literally everything was perfect (I don't know about Saya but I definitely fell in love with the Lord of the Undercity). I'm so happy that Olivia and Saya find each other and would love to see their friendship deepen - once both of them let their guards down, of course. Reyes and Avianna's relationship dynamic is so cute, and I can't wait to see more of it in the future. I'm also very obviously looking forward to the Slayers and white coats reaping what they sow.
So many of my questions from book 1 were answered, albeit giving way to new ones. Saya and I both desperately need answers! Shaina has revealed and developed just enough of the plot to keep us satisfied but wanting more (I'm still waiting to find out what "kamai" means). Can't wait to see what happens with Saya and Serun in the next book!
Also the art....absolutely beautiful!
August 28, 2026
This review is for the second book in The Script of Serun series and will contain spoilers for books one.
Saya survived the echoes attack of Darkovish Feeding Ground, but she is separated from her brother, Cole. Her last sight of him included him being grievously wounded and being taken away from her by Jaxton, who was secretly a slayer. Saya is taken to the Undercity, to recover from her own wounds and to albe turned, by Serun.
When Saya awakens, she is in a coffin and must claw her way out of it. Once she has freed herself, she is then caged. Turns out that Saya and the other newborn nightwalkers are up for auction. Though, Saya isn't truly included in the auction as she has been claimed by Serun as his consort. After the auction ends, Saya confront Serun about finding her brother. They agree that a search shall be sent out, but Saya will remain behind until Cole's locations has been verified. Saya reluctantly agrees to bide her time, but she plans to return home immediately once Cole is found.
This was a very intense sequel! We are learning more of the world Saya lives in now that she is free of the feeding ground, and it is dark! I do love Saya and Serun, though! The yearning, especially on Serun's end, is fantastic and it helps alleviate some of the darkness of the story. I can't for the next book!
Thank you to author Shaina Anastasi for the gifted eARC.
Saya survived the echoes attack of Darkovish Feeding Ground, but she is separated from her brother, Cole. Her last sight of him included him being grievously wounded and being taken away from her by Jaxton, who was secretly a slayer. Saya is taken to the Undercity, to recover from her own wounds and to albe turned, by Serun.
When Saya awakens, she is in a coffin and must claw her way out of it. Once she has freed herself, she is then caged. Turns out that Saya and the other newborn nightwalkers are up for auction. Though, Saya isn't truly included in the auction as she has been claimed by Serun as his consort. After the auction ends, Saya confront Serun about finding her brother. They agree that a search shall be sent out, but Saya will remain behind until Cole's locations has been verified. Saya reluctantly agrees to bide her time, but she plans to return home immediately once Cole is found.
This was a very intense sequel! We are learning more of the world Saya lives in now that she is free of the feeding ground, and it is dark! I do love Saya and Serun, though! The yearning, especially on Serun's end, is fantastic and it helps alleviate some of the darkness of the story. I can't for the next book!
Thank you to author Shaina Anastasi for the gifted eARC.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 29, 2026
"No matter how dark you go, I will follow."
I loved that we jumped straight back into the story! Saya and Serun are still such mysteries to me, and I feel like I have about a million questions about them, the Vegodian people, and the Nightwalkers. I love that we’re slowly getting more answers though, even though I still have some questions about the world, the monsters, and the history of this world, the Nightwalkers and Vegodian people. However, I loved finding out that the Nightwalkers might not actually be the bad guys. That completely shook me. And Serun being absolutely obsessed with Saya? I’m here for it. So cute. Even though he needs to learn to talk more, it must be terribly awkward between them sometimes.
I also loved discovering new places like the Sunken City and the Undercity and getting to see completely different sides of both Saya and Serun. I somehow love them even more now. But I NEED to know how Serun got that scar and why his back keeps aching. And that ending?! So much action and so many surprises. A rescue mission, Saya being blessed, Emily, Cole… WHAT IS HAPPENING?! I have even more questions now. What is going on with the children? Is a war coming? What are the Slayers actually doing? I need the next book!
Another one of my fave quotes:
"You're like a parasite in my bloodstream. I could remove you, but I am fond of the way it hurts."
I loved that we jumped straight back into the story! Saya and Serun are still such mysteries to me, and I feel like I have about a million questions about them, the Vegodian people, and the Nightwalkers. I love that we’re slowly getting more answers though, even though I still have some questions about the world, the monsters, and the history of this world, the Nightwalkers and Vegodian people. However, I loved finding out that the Nightwalkers might not actually be the bad guys. That completely shook me. And Serun being absolutely obsessed with Saya? I’m here for it. So cute. Even though he needs to learn to talk more, it must be terribly awkward between them sometimes.
I also loved discovering new places like the Sunken City and the Undercity and getting to see completely different sides of both Saya and Serun. I somehow love them even more now. But I NEED to know how Serun got that scar and why his back keeps aching. And that ending?! So much action and so many surprises. A rescue mission, Saya being blessed, Emily, Cole… WHAT IS HAPPENING?! I have even more questions now. What is going on with the children? Is a war coming? What are the Slayers actually doing? I need the next book!
Another one of my fave quotes:
"You're like a parasite in my bloodstream. I could remove you, but I am fond of the way it hurts."
September 6, 2026
*ARC Review*
I love this series! The world the author has created is absolutely phenomenal. If someone asks me about this book series, I will tell them everything I remember and probably still miss a bunch of important stuff. I was left with so many questions and I'm excited for the next book. This series is so unique and a great blend of several genres.
Saya and Serun really gain a lot of ground in their relationship throughout this book. She's really starting to see that everything they were taught growing up was wrong. Even what her own mother said about her. I'm starting to get the feeling there's so much more than what we've seen so far. Serun is the best kind of supportive this entire time. He even helps with training her as they search for her brother. We are starting to get glimpses of his past as well. They're building trust and seeing that maybe they don't just want each other but actually need the other to be stronger.
There is violence and gore, but also a strong healing journey for Saya. A found family for Serun that will hopefully become Saya's as well. Their pasts are riddled with mystery. Saya needs answers from her mom. Serun's past is starting to tie in with the present. It's so good! These are not stand-alone novels and you must read them in order (this is book 2).
I love this series! The world the author has created is absolutely phenomenal. If someone asks me about this book series, I will tell them everything I remember and probably still miss a bunch of important stuff. I was left with so many questions and I'm excited for the next book. This series is so unique and a great blend of several genres.
Saya and Serun really gain a lot of ground in their relationship throughout this book. She's really starting to see that everything they were taught growing up was wrong. Even what her own mother said about her. I'm starting to get the feeling there's so much more than what we've seen so far. Serun is the best kind of supportive this entire time. He even helps with training her as they search for her brother. We are starting to get glimpses of his past as well. They're building trust and seeing that maybe they don't just want each other but actually need the other to be stronger.
There is violence and gore, but also a strong healing journey for Saya. A found family for Serun that will hopefully become Saya's as well. Their pasts are riddled with mystery. Saya needs answers from her mom. Serun's past is starting to tie in with the present. It's so good! These are not stand-alone novels and you must read them in order (this is book 2).
September 12, 2026
Vervain; book 2 in The Script of Serun series (possibly 4 books?)
**spoilers**
He falls first and he falls HARD!
Book 2 in the Script of Serun was worth the wait. I can neither conform nor deny the presence of Book 1, Moonflower, in e-book, paperback and audiobook in my house. Vervain had a completely different ambience to it when compared to book one. Now free fromthe Darkovish feeding grounds Saya follows Serun to the Vampire underground city after he ‘persuades’ her into being his consort (wife). Serun is all in. He likes his pet names such as Kamai (still don’t know what this actually means) and darling. Saya’s dry sense of humor kept me laughing, but it is her broken heart and dark past that made me ache for her younger self.
He is sexy but slightly disturbing at the same time. He creates a safe space for Saya to practice her ‘light’ magic which encourages Saya to grow in confidence and maturity. The reverse sensual dynamic between these two from what is historically portrayed in a power couple makes for some sexy banter and great one-liners. Recs: Read this series!
I’m converted…Horroromance is now my thing!
Awesome quotes compliments of Serun:
“You are like a parasite in my bloodstream. I could remove you but I am fond of the way it hurts”
“Hold your liars, tongue KAMAI and fu€#ing kiss me”
“If I could strip you of your skin and kiss the scars within, I would”
**spoilers**
He falls first and he falls HARD!
Book 2 in the Script of Serun was worth the wait. I can neither conform nor deny the presence of Book 1, Moonflower, in e-book, paperback and audiobook in my house. Vervain had a completely different ambience to it when compared to book one. Now free fromthe Darkovish feeding grounds Saya follows Serun to the Vampire underground city after he ‘persuades’ her into being his consort (wife). Serun is all in. He likes his pet names such as Kamai (still don’t know what this actually means) and darling. Saya’s dry sense of humor kept me laughing, but it is her broken heart and dark past that made me ache for her younger self.
He is sexy but slightly disturbing at the same time. He creates a safe space for Saya to practice her ‘light’ magic which encourages Saya to grow in confidence and maturity. The reverse sensual dynamic between these two from what is historically portrayed in a power couple makes for some sexy banter and great one-liners. Recs: Read this series!
I’m converted…Horroromance is now my thing!
Awesome quotes compliments of Serun:
“You are like a parasite in my bloodstream. I could remove you but I am fond of the way it hurts”
“Hold your liars, tongue KAMAI and fu€#ing kiss me”
“If I could strip you of your skin and kiss the scars within, I would”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 29, 2026
“He wants to see the smile that reaches her eyes, and it is more than enough for him to fulfil a vow.”
“If this is all a trick again, Serun, I doubt my heart would heal this time.”
“I want you far beyond limerence.”
“I am wounded that your thoughts went to your servant when you were about to kiss me. I deserve all your thoughts.”
“Saya, I can move anywhere and call it home. The issue is, if you aren’t there with me, I wouldn’t want any part of it.”
“Very well, nightwalker. Don’t miss me too much.”
“You consume my every thought. I doubt my ability not to miss you.”
i loved book 2, the pacing, and how the romance developed in such a tender way. Saya's growth was so empowering. Serun has just entered the peak of his yearning stage, and it was SO satisfying to read (ESPECIALLY with his pov!).
the romance was a slow burn (for me at least), and i like that feeling when you read a book and just want to scream at it, "kiss already!". the tension was delicious, and i like how they, Saya in particular, learn to open up about their feelings, emotions, and the pasts that trigger things inside them. i ABSOLUTELY loved the 'marriage of convenience' and 'one coffin' tropes. they felt refreshingly unique.
and what was THAT ending? i'm so curious about book 3 because that cliff was hanging, for sure.
Shaina is such an underrated writer! i like how immersive and dark her book series is. it reminds me of everything i fell in love with (aesthetic, plot, and romance-wise).
i HIGHLY recommend checking out this book series!!! <3
“If this is all a trick again, Serun, I doubt my heart would heal this time.”
“I want you far beyond limerence.”
“I am wounded that your thoughts went to your servant when you were about to kiss me. I deserve all your thoughts.”
“Saya, I can move anywhere and call it home. The issue is, if you aren’t there with me, I wouldn’t want any part of it.”
“Very well, nightwalker. Don’t miss me too much.”
“You consume my every thought. I doubt my ability not to miss you.”
i loved book 2, the pacing, and how the romance developed in such a tender way. Saya's growth was so empowering. Serun has just entered the peak of his yearning stage, and it was SO satisfying to read (ESPECIALLY with his pov!).
the romance was a slow burn (for me at least), and i like that feeling when you read a book and just want to scream at it, "kiss already!". the tension was delicious, and i like how they, Saya in particular, learn to open up about their feelings, emotions, and the pasts that trigger things inside them. i ABSOLUTELY loved the 'marriage of convenience' and 'one coffin' tropes. they felt refreshingly unique.
and what was THAT ending? i'm so curious about book 3 because that cliff was hanging, for sure.
Shaina is such an underrated writer! i like how immersive and dark her book series is. it reminds me of everything i fell in love with (aesthetic, plot, and romance-wise).
i HIGHLY recommend checking out this book series!!! <3
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