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In Scientia #2
In Secreta
Eva Nelson wanted answers. What she found was a world built on lies.
In the follow-up to In Scientia, Eva must reckon with the cost of the truth as secrets surface from every corner of her life. Her family. The boy she loves. Even the story of her parents' deaths seems to change depending on who is telling it.
The more Eva learns, the more dangerous she becomes to the ancient order that has spent centuries deciding who gets knowledge, who gets protected, and who gets erased. But Eva has survived too much to surrender quietly. Armed with dangerous new magic, impossible wealth, and a best friend who would follow her into hell, she is beginning to understand that the power they fear may be the only thing that can set her free.
From the glittering danger of Manhattan to the guarded estates of London and the volcanic winds of the Canary Islands, In Secreta is a seductive, high-stakes sequel about forbidden love, ancient secrets, inherited betrayal, and a girl discovering that existence is not something she needs permission for.
In the follow-up to In Scientia, Eva must reckon with the cost of the truth as secrets surface from every corner of her life. Her family. The boy she loves. Even the story of her parents' deaths seems to change depending on who is telling it.
The more Eva learns, the more dangerous she becomes to the ancient order that has spent centuries deciding who gets knowledge, who gets protected, and who gets erased. But Eva has survived too much to surrender quietly. Armed with dangerous new magic, impossible wealth, and a best friend who would follow her into hell, she is beginning to understand that the power they fear may be the only thing that can set her free.
From the glittering danger of Manhattan to the guarded estates of London and the volcanic winds of the Canary Islands, In Secreta is a seductive, high-stakes sequel about forbidden love, ancient secrets, inherited betrayal, and a girl discovering that existence is not something she needs permission for.
380 pages, Paperback
First published August 26, 2026
About the author
L.J. Baines
2 books25 followersLuke Baines is an English-born Australian actor, writer and producer. He's best known for his work on the Netflix/Freeform fantasy drama series Shadowhunters, which earned him a Teen Choice nomination. Luke also starred in The Girl In The Photographs, directed by Nick Simon and produced by Wes Craven, and in David Robert Mitchell's A24 feature Under The Silver Lake, which premiered at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival. His other film credits include Untitled Horror Movie, Syfy Channel's Truth or Dare, The Ever After, As Night Comes, A Dark Place and Disney's Saving Mr. Banks (even though he was cut out of it). His TV credits include, Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., The Mandalorian and Nancy Drew. In Scientia marks his debut as an author.
Source: Amazon.
Source: Amazon.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 29, 2026
In this addictive sequel to In Scientia, the magic deepens, the mystery is heightened, and Eva gets even more room to shine. Luke took me on an emotional rollercoaster - humour, suspense, and so many I-can't-believe-it moments. He pulled me along for the ride, and he didn't disappoint. In Secreta is darker, bolder, more confident, and completely unputdownable. It delivered, and I inhaled it.
August 29, 2026
I loved “In Scientia,” but this sequel completely blindsided me — in the best way.
I told myself I’d just “read a few pages” before bed, and suddenly it was 2am and I was still sitting there, completely unable to stop. Eva has grown exactly the way I hoped she would, and the story takes turns I absolutely did not see coming. There were moments I laughed out loud, and others where my breath genuinely caught. Luke Baines writes with noticeably more confidence and boldness than in the first book — you can feel him growing as a writer. I devoured this book in one day, which is rare for me, and now I’m just sitting here wondering if I should start over from page one, because I’m not ready to leave this world yet. Very well Done L.J.Baines
I told myself I’d just “read a few pages” before bed, and suddenly it was 2am and I was still sitting there, completely unable to stop. Eva has grown exactly the way I hoped she would, and the story takes turns I absolutely did not see coming. There were moments I laughed out loud, and others where my breath genuinely caught. Luke Baines writes with noticeably more confidence and boldness than in the first book — you can feel him growing as a writer. I devoured this book in one day, which is rare for me, and now I’m just sitting here wondering if I should start over from page one, because I’m not ready to leave this world yet. Very well Done L.J.Baines
September 15, 2026
Getting to step into Eva’s world felt like coming home ! I loved the first book but In Secreta is even better : funnier, darker and bolder.
We get to discover more of this magical world along with Eva who is still growing and learning. Figuring out where to stand and who to trust.
Get ready for magic, heartbreak and betrayal… but also humour that will have you cackling like a crazy person (true story) and sweet moments because our babies deserve a break… right before the next thing is thrown at them.
We get a lot of questions answered - and new questions and more theories.
My personal highlight was yelling « Yes Daddy M****** !! » when one of my major theories got confirmed and we got one of my favorite chapters 🥺
The writing feels even more special in this second book and we get so invested in the story, it’s hard to put the book down. Finishing it felt like a tragedy for how good it was. I really look forward to the next book in this amazing series to reunite with these characters that feel like friends !
We get to discover more of this magical world along with Eva who is still growing and learning. Figuring out where to stand and who to trust.
Get ready for magic, heartbreak and betrayal… but also humour that will have you cackling like a crazy person (true story) and sweet moments because our babies deserve a break… right before the next thing is thrown at them.
We get a lot of questions answered - and new questions and more theories.
My personal highlight was yelling « Yes Daddy M****** !! » when one of my major theories got confirmed and we got one of my favorite chapters 🥺
The writing feels even more special in this second book and we get so invested in the story, it’s hard to put the book down. Finishing it felt like a tragedy for how good it was. I really look forward to the next book in this amazing series to reunite with these characters that feel like friends !
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews