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The Blight of Hollowmire: A Slow-Burn Dark Fae Fantasy Romance
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Expected 21 Sep 26376 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication September 21, 2026
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Did Not Finish
September 4, 2026I really wanted to like this. The story of a fae girl, in her 40s and a blight to her people due to her powers of decay, comes head to head with a human knight who has long since laid down his sword and longs only for the land to heal itself from a curse of famine. Everything about this novel screamed I'd love it, from the reluctant hero arc to the adorable, non-conventional animal companion.
But omfg, the excessive usage of em dashes! The archaic and awkward sentences and turns of phrase! The confusing passage of time and ambiguous descriptions! Try as I might, I could not experience a total immersion into the book and kept focusing on line-level errors and inconsistencies.
DNF @ 32%
But omfg, the excessive usage of em dashes! The archaic and awkward sentences and turns of phrase! The confusing passage of time and ambiguous descriptions! Try as I might, I could not experience a total immersion into the book and kept focusing on line-level errors and inconsistencies.
DNF @ 32%
September 16, 2026
3.5⭐️ Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted book.
I’ll be honest… this one was a bit of a struggle for me. 😅 The pacing was REALLY slow, and I didn’t feel like the book truly picked up until around the 70% mark. Thankfully, it’s a shorter book, so I decided to stick with it and see where the story went.
Vireth is a Fae princess whose magic allows her to decay things—basically, she makes mushrooms. 🍄 Not exactly the magical gift you’d expect from a princess! But when her kingdom’s crops begin dying and a seer prophesizes that the mysterious “Blight Mother” will bring even more destruction, Vireth quickly becomes the center of everyone’s fear.
Naturally, her parents’ solution is to lock her away and try to hide her from the kingdom. Because apparently hiding the potential cause of your kingdom’s destruction is a solid plan. 😂
Meanwhile, Reynard, a former human knight, is sent to Hollowmire by the Regent, Ayden, in hopes of finding a way to stop the Blight. When Reynard and Vireth cross paths, the two decide to work together to find answers and hopefully save their kingdoms.
Once the story finally picked up, I found myself much more invested, and the ending was decent. I just wish we had gotten more of Ayden, the Regent. I felt like his background and motivations could have added so much more to the story.
Overall, this wasn’t a bad read, but the slow pacing made it difficult for me to fully connect with the story. I’m glad I stuck with it, especially once things finally started moving!
I’ll be honest… this one was a bit of a struggle for me. 😅 The pacing was REALLY slow, and I didn’t feel like the book truly picked up until around the 70% mark. Thankfully, it’s a shorter book, so I decided to stick with it and see where the story went.
Vireth is a Fae princess whose magic allows her to decay things—basically, she makes mushrooms. 🍄 Not exactly the magical gift you’d expect from a princess! But when her kingdom’s crops begin dying and a seer prophesizes that the mysterious “Blight Mother” will bring even more destruction, Vireth quickly becomes the center of everyone’s fear.
Naturally, her parents’ solution is to lock her away and try to hide her from the kingdom. Because apparently hiding the potential cause of your kingdom’s destruction is a solid plan. 😂
Meanwhile, Reynard, a former human knight, is sent to Hollowmire by the Regent, Ayden, in hopes of finding a way to stop the Blight. When Reynard and Vireth cross paths, the two decide to work together to find answers and hopefully save their kingdoms.
Once the story finally picked up, I found myself much more invested, and the ending was decent. I just wish we had gotten more of Ayden, the Regent. I felt like his background and motivations could have added so much more to the story.
Overall, this wasn’t a bad read, but the slow pacing made it difficult for me to fully connect with the story. I’m glad I stuck with it, especially once things finally started moving!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is more than a book. It is therapy wrapped in an atmospheric tale that examines feminine rage, the weight of judgment, and what it means to be worthy of love. I signed up for a romantasy and got a quietly feminist meditation on self-acceptance with the powerful reminder that pain comes with choice.
Vireth has spent decades being pushed to the corners. Her decay magic isn't pretty. It isn't seen as useful. It's seen as something to contain, to hide. Something shameful. In turn, she comes to see herself as something to endure, especially compared to her sisters, whose magic is everything hers is not. She has lived her life trying to make herself more palatable for those around her, "swallowing pieces of [herself] to make everyone else more comfortable."
And that was before the fortune teller named her the Blight Mother, foretold to bring about the world's end...
Unwilling to accept such destruction must be her fate, our heroine sets off to defy this latest in a lifetime of expectations thrust upon her. Her goal is to find the fortune teller and demand answers, yet her journey brings her into the path of a man who sees her as someone to cherish, even as her own body and powers rebel against her. To the rest of the world, Vireth might be someone to fear, but Renard sees the woman underneath, a woman who has endured cruelty without herself becoming cruel, who adores her companion corpse weasel, who "pretends not to care about small kindnesses," as she has gone so long without them.
Sure, he was sent by his regent to kill her, but details, right? ;)
He's still the one person she feels like she can trust.
In all honesty, I loved the dynamic between these two from the moment she first saves him in the swamp, which is a nice twist on the damsel-in-distress trope. Here is this retired knight, still capable and formidable in his own right, injured by creatures even grown fae would prefer not to face, and she just happens to be in the right place at the right time, rescues him, and tends to his injuries—and those of his horse. From there on, their banter and the care he shows for her as her own plight worsens build a love story you feel invested in, one where, for once in her life, someone loves her without her having to become less first.
But the relationship at the heart of this story is the one between Vireth and the Blight Mother she so desperately does not want to lose herself to. I see the Blight Mother serving as a foil for Vireth, who has experienced pain and heartache and has every right to be bitter. Yet, she actively fights the "fact" that the Blight Mother is supposed to destroy the world to bring it back to balance after the transgressions of man. In this way, the Blight Mother could easily be seen not only as a threat to the world, but as a reflection of who Vireth could be if she allowed herself to be hardened by her pain. Rather than simply accepting the Blight Mother as her inevitable end, she wrestles for control of herself and her choices. From the beginning of her journey, she insists, "Whether the Blight Mother is my fate or my doom, I am going to determine the shape of it myself," and her every action echoes her desire for agency.
And what is truly impactful about this book is the way it invites us, the reader, to examine the way these themes play out in our own lives. If the Blight Mother could be considered to represent the part of us that can recognize when we have been wronged and stand firm knowing that we do not have to minimize or dismiss the pain that we feel, Vireth, then embodies the refusal to yield to the temptation to allow that anger -- however justified it may be -- to consume us, our lives, our world.
Too often, women are taught to gloss over our own feelings or the wrongs done against us. But we shouldn't have to pretend those things away. We are allowed to be angry. But this book invites us to examine what happens when anger becomes the only thing we have left.
Vireth was never the sickness. Everything she was conditioned to feel about herself was wrong. In the end, she was exactly who she needed to be, as she was, all on her own, despite the judgment and pressure from those around her. And this, unexpectedly, struck me right between the eyes. Because aren't we, as women, so often taught there is a correct way to be and so often told that we aren't... that? Aren't we, too often, told that we need to be more "this," less "that" to make ourselves more palatable, to make others more comfortable? And don't we, too, often feel unworthy of love for those things that we can't (or shouldn't have to) change? I didn't expect to feel connected to the character in that way, but as I read, I found myself recognizing some of the pain that I carry.
While this book contains a love story that I am all here for, the plot seems to function more as an externalization of her interior wound. As strong and formidable as Renard is, he doesn't come to save the day or rescue her. Instead of solving her problems for her or being the solution, he simply loves her as she is. She makes the choices. She does the heavy lifting. And by the end, she knows that being different doesn't make her worthless, being angry doesn't make her broken, and being loved doesn't have to cost her any part of herself.
I came for a story about a fae with strange magic and a potential enemies-to-lovers romance with the fate of the world resting on their shoulders. I did get that, and it was very well done. I just didn't expect to walk away a little bit healed myself.
I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a fair and honest review.
Vireth has spent decades being pushed to the corners. Her decay magic isn't pretty. It isn't seen as useful. It's seen as something to contain, to hide. Something shameful. In turn, she comes to see herself as something to endure, especially compared to her sisters, whose magic is everything hers is not. She has lived her life trying to make herself more palatable for those around her, "swallowing pieces of [herself] to make everyone else more comfortable."
And that was before the fortune teller named her the Blight Mother, foretold to bring about the world's end...
Unwilling to accept such destruction must be her fate, our heroine sets off to defy this latest in a lifetime of expectations thrust upon her. Her goal is to find the fortune teller and demand answers, yet her journey brings her into the path of a man who sees her as someone to cherish, even as her own body and powers rebel against her. To the rest of the world, Vireth might be someone to fear, but Renard sees the woman underneath, a woman who has endured cruelty without herself becoming cruel, who adores her companion corpse weasel, who "pretends not to care about small kindnesses," as she has gone so long without them.
Sure, he was sent by his regent to kill her, but details, right? ;)
He's still the one person she feels like she can trust.
In all honesty, I loved the dynamic between these two from the moment she first saves him in the swamp, which is a nice twist on the damsel-in-distress trope. Here is this retired knight, still capable and formidable in his own right, injured by creatures even grown fae would prefer not to face, and she just happens to be in the right place at the right time, rescues him, and tends to his injuries—and those of his horse. From there on, their banter and the care he shows for her as her own plight worsens build a love story you feel invested in, one where, for once in her life, someone loves her without her having to become less first.
But the relationship at the heart of this story is the one between Vireth and the Blight Mother she so desperately does not want to lose herself to. I see the Blight Mother serving as a foil for Vireth, who has experienced pain and heartache and has every right to be bitter. Yet, she actively fights the "fact" that the Blight Mother is supposed to destroy the world to bring it back to balance after the transgressions of man. In this way, the Blight Mother could easily be seen not only as a threat to the world, but as a reflection of who Vireth could be if she allowed herself to be hardened by her pain. Rather than simply accepting the Blight Mother as her inevitable end, she wrestles for control of herself and her choices. From the beginning of her journey, she insists, "Whether the Blight Mother is my fate or my doom, I am going to determine the shape of it myself," and her every action echoes her desire for agency.
And what is truly impactful about this book is the way it invites us, the reader, to examine the way these themes play out in our own lives. If the Blight Mother could be considered to represent the part of us that can recognize when we have been wronged and stand firm knowing that we do not have to minimize or dismiss the pain that we feel, Vireth, then embodies the refusal to yield to the temptation to allow that anger -- however justified it may be -- to consume us, our lives, our world.
Too often, women are taught to gloss over our own feelings or the wrongs done against us. But we shouldn't have to pretend those things away. We are allowed to be angry. But this book invites us to examine what happens when anger becomes the only thing we have left.
Vireth was never the sickness. Everything she was conditioned to feel about herself was wrong. In the end, she was exactly who she needed to be, as she was, all on her own, despite the judgment and pressure from those around her. And this, unexpectedly, struck me right between the eyes. Because aren't we, as women, so often taught there is a correct way to be and so often told that we aren't... that? Aren't we, too often, told that we need to be more "this," less "that" to make ourselves more palatable, to make others more comfortable? And don't we, too, often feel unworthy of love for those things that we can't (or shouldn't have to) change? I didn't expect to feel connected to the character in that way, but as I read, I found myself recognizing some of the pain that I carry.
While this book contains a love story that I am all here for, the plot seems to function more as an externalization of her interior wound. As strong and formidable as Renard is, he doesn't come to save the day or rescue her. Instead of solving her problems for her or being the solution, he simply loves her as she is. She makes the choices. She does the heavy lifting. And by the end, she knows that being different doesn't make her worthless, being angry doesn't make her broken, and being loved doesn't have to cost her any part of herself.
I came for a story about a fae with strange magic and a potential enemies-to-lovers romance with the fate of the world resting on their shoulders. I did get that, and it was very well done. I just didn't expect to walk away a little bit healed myself.
I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a fair and honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
“ Space could never be made for me, because there is never space for an outcast. “
“I’m leaving because being wanted in pieces is no longer enough.”
“I don’t need to be adored, really. And I don’t need to be loved by everyone. But someone would be nice. I just wanted someone to love me without needing me to become less first.”
Ugh 😩 if those few statements don’t hit you in the gut I don’t know what does, but those hit me in the gut hard and really hit home hard for a version of myself. I absolutely loved this book honestly. From the feelings of basically being a loner as I like to call myself like the FMC and it’s not because we chose it but it’s because it just happens to us to the feelings of wanting to be loved and wanting to feel like you were enough for someone without needing to change hit hard for a younger version of myself and to see that our FMC eventually is able to find that and accept herself for who she is unapologetically ugh just hits home so hard. (Spoiler not spoiler she finds herself at the ripe old age of 40 and our MMC, which I love too. It’s never too late to be a baddie ) The MMC wrestles with a lot of guilt for things in his past that he has to come to terms with and he goes on his own journey of healing as well when he meets her. Now the fun stuff! Their banter had me cracking up I loved every moment of it. It was gold. One bed. Gold because the comedic relief from it was top tier. Can’t forget about our trusty Magnar and Mistress Bones either stars of the show right there. Ahh and the blight mother she was something for sure. All imma say. I throughly enjoyed this book and it put my in my feels I sobbed at chapter 22 like a baby for sure and praised our girl too. Also I don’t know what everyone’s else’s deal is with the em dashes is but I barely noticed them because I was so enthralled by the beautiful writing and being sucked in so. 🤷🏼♀️ I finished this in less than a day if that tells you anything. Highly recommend once released on September 22nd! Thanks Netgally for the read.
“I’m leaving because being wanted in pieces is no longer enough.”
“I don’t need to be adored, really. And I don’t need to be loved by everyone. But someone would be nice. I just wanted someone to love me without needing me to become less first.”
Ugh 😩 if those few statements don’t hit you in the gut I don’t know what does, but those hit me in the gut hard and really hit home hard for a version of myself. I absolutely loved this book honestly. From the feelings of basically being a loner as I like to call myself like the FMC and it’s not because we chose it but it’s because it just happens to us to the feelings of wanting to be loved and wanting to feel like you were enough for someone without needing to change hit hard for a younger version of myself and to see that our FMC eventually is able to find that and accept herself for who she is unapologetically ugh just hits home so hard. (Spoiler not spoiler she finds herself at the ripe old age of 40 and our MMC, which I love too. It’s never too late to be a baddie ) The MMC wrestles with a lot of guilt for things in his past that he has to come to terms with and he goes on his own journey of healing as well when he meets her. Now the fun stuff! Their banter had me cracking up I loved every moment of it. It was gold. One bed. Gold because the comedic relief from it was top tier. Can’t forget about our trusty Magnar and Mistress Bones either stars of the show right there. Ahh and the blight mother she was something for sure. All imma say. I throughly enjoyed this book and it put my in my feels I sobbed at chapter 22 like a baby for sure and praised our girl too. Also I don’t know what everyone’s else’s deal is with the em dashes is but I barely noticed them because I was so enthralled by the beautiful writing and being sucked in so. 🤷🏼♀️ I finished this in less than a day if that tells you anything. Highly recommend once released on September 22nd! Thanks Netgally for the read.
September 10, 2026
A dark and haunting fantasy romance with two main characters who are over 40 and a FMC with powers over death/decay.
You follow the FMC, who is the outcast sister of her family, a fae with powers that can cause rot and decay, and is seen as an ill omen which means she spends most of her time alone. When her sisters 20th bloomday comes and her family hopes for her to make a match, the FMC reluctantly attends and tries her best of hide, only to be brought to the center of attention by a seer who proclaims a prophecy of the FMC being the blight mother and causing the destruction of her land. When her family takes this information and locks her up because of it, she escapes only to find the MMC caught in a creatures claws and rescues him. The MMC comes from the human realm, a cast out knight turned farmer who’s spent the past several years trying to feed as many people as he can as there is some type of curse upon his kingdom causing most of the food to look normal but not nourish people. The regent sends him on a mission to find the blight mother and bring her back as her death according to the regent will lift the curse.
I love the dual POV of this book and seeing both the FMC deal with her own self doubt due to her power and the MMC slowly fall for her and decide to not follow through with his plan. There was lots of excitement as the pair crossed the kingdoms to find more about the prophecy and her true powers and eventually travel to save his people, with the dangers of the fae kingdom around each corner. I love an animal companion so both characters having one was my favorite thing! This was a dark fantasy so make sure to check your triggers as there was lots of death and decay related decisions! Overall my rating 4.4/5!
Thanks to the author for the gifted copy, all opinions given are my own!
You follow the FMC, who is the outcast sister of her family, a fae with powers that can cause rot and decay, and is seen as an ill omen which means she spends most of her time alone. When her sisters 20th bloomday comes and her family hopes for her to make a match, the FMC reluctantly attends and tries her best of hide, only to be brought to the center of attention by a seer who proclaims a prophecy of the FMC being the blight mother and causing the destruction of her land. When her family takes this information and locks her up because of it, she escapes only to find the MMC caught in a creatures claws and rescues him. The MMC comes from the human realm, a cast out knight turned farmer who’s spent the past several years trying to feed as many people as he can as there is some type of curse upon his kingdom causing most of the food to look normal but not nourish people. The regent sends him on a mission to find the blight mother and bring her back as her death according to the regent will lift the curse.
I love the dual POV of this book and seeing both the FMC deal with her own self doubt due to her power and the MMC slowly fall for her and decide to not follow through with his plan. There was lots of excitement as the pair crossed the kingdoms to find more about the prophecy and her true powers and eventually travel to save his people, with the dangers of the fae kingdom around each corner. I love an animal companion so both characters having one was my favorite thing! This was a dark fantasy so make sure to check your triggers as there was lots of death and decay related decisions! Overall my rating 4.4/5!
Thanks to the author for the gifted copy, all opinions given are my own!
September 16, 2026
Thank you to NerdFam for the gifted copy of Blight of Hollowmire.
I loved Blight of Hollowmire from its stunning cover right to the very end. Mushrooms, decay magic, older MC’s and animal companions? Yes please!! 🍄 🐿️
I related very strongly to Vireth the FMC and found her extremely likeable. She is curious, cheeky and says what’s on her mind. She feels unappreciated and excluded by her family because her magic isn’t seen as purposeful or pretty. She has more wisdom than your average FMC, being in her 40’s, and she eventually decides to take her fate into her own hands.
“I love fiercely in a place that prefers gentler attachment”. -Vireth
Renard, the MMC, is a a war worn veteran who has taken up farming and feeding the hungry. I found him to be the perfect balance of protective and strong with some vulnerability and awareness of his flaws.
The meet cute for these two is spot on! I love how Vireth constantly insults Renard for being a weak human, but isn’t actually intending to be rude. The pace of their burgeoning relationship is perfect. Their banter is incredibly amusing and very witty, I found myself snickering out loud at several points.
These two MC’s have life experience and are established in who they are. They do not want to be vulnerable with eachother but they slowly let their walls down and find that they can still love, heal and change. Lily Riley does an excellent job of capturing the grief that comes with regret, goodbyes and what could have been.
The two animal companions in this book, Nibblebones the corpse weasel and Magnar the war horse feel like MC’s. They are absolutely adorable and make the story feel more complete.
This book feels like a standalone but I’m excited to see its a series as I definitely want more stories from the fantastic world this author has created!
I loved Blight of Hollowmire from its stunning cover right to the very end. Mushrooms, decay magic, older MC’s and animal companions? Yes please!! 🍄 🐿️
I related very strongly to Vireth the FMC and found her extremely likeable. She is curious, cheeky and says what’s on her mind. She feels unappreciated and excluded by her family because her magic isn’t seen as purposeful or pretty. She has more wisdom than your average FMC, being in her 40’s, and she eventually decides to take her fate into her own hands.
“I love fiercely in a place that prefers gentler attachment”. -Vireth
Renard, the MMC, is a a war worn veteran who has taken up farming and feeding the hungry. I found him to be the perfect balance of protective and strong with some vulnerability and awareness of his flaws.
The meet cute for these two is spot on! I love how Vireth constantly insults Renard for being a weak human, but isn’t actually intending to be rude. The pace of their burgeoning relationship is perfect. Their banter is incredibly amusing and very witty, I found myself snickering out loud at several points.
These two MC’s have life experience and are established in who they are. They do not want to be vulnerable with eachother but they slowly let their walls down and find that they can still love, heal and change. Lily Riley does an excellent job of capturing the grief that comes with regret, goodbyes and what could have been.
The two animal companions in this book, Nibblebones the corpse weasel and Magnar the war horse feel like MC’s. They are absolutely adorable and make the story feel more complete.
This book feels like a standalone but I’m excited to see its a series as I definitely want more stories from the fantastic world this author has created!
Review of advance copy
First of all I would like to thank the NerdFam for gifting me this ARC.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Blight of Hollowmire was such an interesting and atmospheric read! One of the things I especially loved was having main characters who are 40+. It’s refreshing to see older characters at the center of a fantasy story, with all the history, regrets, and life experience that comes with them.
The writing was beautifully poetic, and I really enjoyed the darker, unusual magic woven throughout the story.
Vireth has had a truly terrible life, constantly being spurned and looked down upon because of her rotting magic. When she finally runs, she’s determined to change the path her life has taken. As she struggles to understand her magic and discovers more about her fate, she also has to confront the deeply negative way she sees herself after years of being made to feel worthless. Her journey toward realizing that she deserves more was one of my favorite parts of the story.
And then there’s Nibblebones! 🥹 I absolutely loved this little animal companion. He doesn’t say a word, yet somehow manages to be hilarious and steal every scene he’s in. Sometimes the silent characters really do have the most personality!
Renard, a retired Knight, has his own devastating history and plenty of wounds of his own. I really enjoyed the way his relationship with Vireth developed, particularly how he helps her begin to see herself as someone worthy of love, respect, and a better life. Their shared histories gave their connection some real emotional weight.
Overall, I really enjoyed the characters, the poetic writing, and the unique take on magic. It was a dark and emotional fantasy with a lovely thread of hope running through it. A solid 4 stars from me! ⭐⭐⭐⭐
⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Blight of Hollowmire was such an interesting and atmospheric read! One of the things I especially loved was having main characters who are 40+. It’s refreshing to see older characters at the center of a fantasy story, with all the history, regrets, and life experience that comes with them.
The writing was beautifully poetic, and I really enjoyed the darker, unusual magic woven throughout the story.
Vireth has had a truly terrible life, constantly being spurned and looked down upon because of her rotting magic. When she finally runs, she’s determined to change the path her life has taken. As she struggles to understand her magic and discovers more about her fate, she also has to confront the deeply negative way she sees herself after years of being made to feel worthless. Her journey toward realizing that she deserves more was one of my favorite parts of the story.
And then there’s Nibblebones! 🥹 I absolutely loved this little animal companion. He doesn’t say a word, yet somehow manages to be hilarious and steal every scene he’s in. Sometimes the silent characters really do have the most personality!
Renard, a retired Knight, has his own devastating history and plenty of wounds of his own. I really enjoyed the way his relationship with Vireth developed, particularly how he helps her begin to see herself as someone worthy of love, respect, and a better life. Their shared histories gave their connection some real emotional weight.
Overall, I really enjoyed the characters, the poetic writing, and the unique take on magic. It was a dark and emotional fantasy with a lovely thread of hope running through it. A solid 4 stars from me! ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review of advance copy
Vireth is a 40yo fae female who doesn't meet her families expectations. Her magic is not pretty or dainty and scares potential suitors away. Most of her family easily forgets about her, doesn't celebrate her and is quick to keep her contained, out of sight out of mind. She assumed that removing herself from view is what her family wants. According to many, she herself is the epitome of a bad omen. In comes a prophecy that makes her parents and people who wrote her off think they were right all along or their fears came true.
Her determination and fear to cause them pain or harm drives her to learn more about this new discovery.
Can she turn the tide?
Renard.. A former knight who seems to be by honour, guilt, duty, sacrifice and a hint of shame for not being everything to everyone.
They are united by a quest to save this land.
This captured my heart.
I don't know if this story is an allegory for what's happening in the world today where we produce beautiful things that do not nourish us.
I don't know if it's meant as a story about women of a certain age (40!) and how they scare society if they don't fulfill a clear-cut purpose, fit neatly into a mold. However mouldy that mold may be.
I don't know if it's about power that even if not addressed spills out from us because our body and spirit inadvertently fight back from being silenced.
I don't know if it's about touching grass and finding beauty in the challenging, overlooked and rotting parts of our culture and history, meaning old here, or general aging or understanding that to build we must respect what nourishes the ground before it produces fruit.
But I know that it is beautiful.
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted book.
Her determination and fear to cause them pain or harm drives her to learn more about this new discovery.
Can she turn the tide?
Renard.. A former knight who seems to be by honour, guilt, duty, sacrifice and a hint of shame for not being everything to everyone.
They are united by a quest to save this land.
This captured my heart.
I don't know if this story is an allegory for what's happening in the world today where we produce beautiful things that do not nourish us.
I don't know if it's meant as a story about women of a certain age (40!) and how they scare society if they don't fulfill a clear-cut purpose, fit neatly into a mold. However mouldy that mold may be.
I don't know if it's about power that even if not addressed spills out from us because our body and spirit inadvertently fight back from being silenced.
I don't know if it's about touching grass and finding beauty in the challenging, overlooked and rotting parts of our culture and history, meaning old here, or general aging or understanding that to build we must respect what nourishes the ground before it produces fruit.
But I know that it is beautiful.
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted book.
September 12, 2026
This story starts out with lush, vivid, visual prose. The imagery pulled me in immediately and continued to do so periodically throughout the story. The characters are well written, balanced, and believable, including the core romance.
While I enjoyed the story and the way the atmosphere is described, I did find that the pacing lagged in areas a bit more than I would have liked. We start to get solid answers around the 75% mark, with a solo chapter from a new POV, and I think waiting that long for some of those answers made the momentum lag a bit.
While all the em dashes used did not prevent me from enjoying the story, there did feel like there was an overabundance of them, and they pulled my attention away from the prose at times.
I found myself highlighting several quotes throughout the story from both Vareth’s POV and Renard’s. The dialogue flowed naturally to me, and the relationships felt like they had enough time to grow, feel real, and follow a steady cadence.
One of my favorite parts of this book, though, were the descriptive side characters and creatures. Whether they were friend or foe to our main characters, I loved them and the way they were visually described. I also really enjoyed the imagery of the different settings, particularly the bog. The author does a fantastic job of making locations come to life, even when the beats of the story lacked momentum or lulled a bit.
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC of The Blight of Hollowmire. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
While I enjoyed the story and the way the atmosphere is described, I did find that the pacing lagged in areas a bit more than I would have liked. We start to get solid answers around the 75% mark, with a solo chapter from a new POV, and I think waiting that long for some of those answers made the momentum lag a bit.
While all the em dashes used did not prevent me from enjoying the story, there did feel like there was an overabundance of them, and they pulled my attention away from the prose at times.
I found myself highlighting several quotes throughout the story from both Vareth’s POV and Renard’s. The dialogue flowed naturally to me, and the relationships felt like they had enough time to grow, feel real, and follow a steady cadence.
One of my favorite parts of this book, though, were the descriptive side characters and creatures. Whether they were friend or foe to our main characters, I loved them and the way they were visually described. I also really enjoyed the imagery of the different settings, particularly the bog. The author does a fantastic job of making locations come to life, even when the beats of the story lacked momentum or lulled a bit.
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC of The Blight of Hollowmire. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I am Arc Reader who was given a free copy of this book by the author, however I am leaving a review on my own accord.
Upon reading The Blight of Hollowmire, I was plesently surprised. I haven't come across a slow burn--fantasy romance that held my attention for so long. I would say it was a slow-burn for the length of this particular book.
At one point I ended up in the ER (unrelated reasons) BUT, I read this on my Kindle the entire time. How does one tell medical staff you all of a sudden feel better because the characters have reached an INN and there is only one bed LOL.!
I genuinely thought the plot was creative, but stayed because both MCs are in their 40's, I've never come across a fantasy novel where the characters are close in age, so this stood out to me. I rather did enjoy this. However, in the first chapter I didn't realize how old the women were because the manger in which they would bicker.
Nibblebones was absolutely one of my favorite sidekicks that I have ever read about, he was unique, and has his own humor. I laughed out loud when he provided Reynard with his first gift.
the FMC is really badass and I am grateful I came across her, she will hang out on my bad ass female characters shelf in my brain LOL.
if you're own the fence about this book, remember that I was in the ER and continued reading THIS book LOL
Upon reading The Blight of Hollowmire, I was plesently surprised. I haven't come across a slow burn--fantasy romance that held my attention for so long. I would say it was a slow-burn for the length of this particular book.
At one point I ended up in the ER (unrelated reasons) BUT, I read this on my Kindle the entire time. How does one tell medical staff you all of a sudden feel better because the characters have reached an INN and there is only one bed LOL.!
I genuinely thought the plot was creative, but stayed because both MCs are in their 40's, I've never come across a fantasy novel where the characters are close in age, so this stood out to me. I rather did enjoy this. However, in the first chapter I didn't realize how old the women were because the manger in which they would bicker.
Nibblebones was absolutely one of my favorite sidekicks that I have ever read about, he was unique, and has his own humor. I laughed out loud when he provided Reynard with his first gift.
the FMC is really badass and I am grateful I came across her, she will hang out on my bad ass female characters shelf in my brain LOL.
if you're own the fence about this book, remember that I was in the ER and continued reading THIS book LOL
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received a free ARC of The Blight of Hollowmire and leave this review voluntarily.
"For every woman who was told she was too much and not enough in the same breath."
That dedication!! I was intrigued from then on!!
The Blight of Hollowmire was such an unique read. From the setting, to the magic system itself. The fact that both of the main characters are older than in their 20s (40s) for a change, gave a different perspective. Showing what they have endured and how it made them into who they are and yet still molding them into who they are meant to be.
Vireth, the fae FMC , due to her particular kind of magic , she endures so much throughout her life that your heartbreaks and pulls for her all through her journey. She is misjudged and mislabeled even by the ones who are suppose to love her despite it all.
Renard the MMC, who is a former first knight turned farmer is trying to make amends for his short comings in the past.
Their paths collide, and whether it be fate or a dangerous impossible desire, they will face it all together. It is dark, emotional and yet hopeful.
I truly enjoyed this book. Also, I thought their companions were absolutely adorable!! I will definitely re-read and will recommend.
"For every woman who was told she was too much and not enough in the same breath."
That dedication!! I was intrigued from then on!!
The Blight of Hollowmire was such an unique read. From the setting, to the magic system itself. The fact that both of the main characters are older than in their 20s (40s) for a change, gave a different perspective. Showing what they have endured and how it made them into who they are and yet still molding them into who they are meant to be.
Vireth, the fae FMC , due to her particular kind of magic , she endures so much throughout her life that your heartbreaks and pulls for her all through her journey. She is misjudged and mislabeled even by the ones who are suppose to love her despite it all.
Renard the MMC, who is a former first knight turned farmer is trying to make amends for his short comings in the past.
Their paths collide, and whether it be fate or a dangerous impossible desire, they will face it all together. It is dark, emotional and yet hopeful.
I truly enjoyed this book. Also, I thought their companions were absolutely adorable!! I will definitely re-read and will recommend.
Review of advance copy
The fmc is a fae with rot/decay like powers, rather then the typical make flowers bloom type, and as such she is shunned, bullied and ignored, even by her family.
A seer makes a scene at a party, naming Vireth The Blight Mother and the one who's going to end the world.
Her family immediately locks her up 'for her safety' instead of asking questions.
Vireth is naturally annoyed at this treatment and does a bunk, planning to hunt the seer down to get answers.
Meanwhile our MMC, Renard, a human exiled Knight, turned farmer, is talked into heading to Hollowmire to get help from the fae with the Blight thats cursed their kingdom with inedible food.
I liked how the fmc was not a damsel, in fact, she was the one that did most of the saving. It also made for a refreshing change that both the main characters were in their 40s... however the constant words saying how he's old and 'past it' when hes 40 and has a bit of grey in his beard was a tad much., and the yearning between the two started a bit too soon, and at times ill timed.
Special mention has to go to darling little Nibblebones, a clever little corpse weasel who is Vireth's faithful companion, she stole all the scenes she was in, and made me smile.
Thank you to NerdFam for this eARC.
A seer makes a scene at a party, naming Vireth The Blight Mother and the one who's going to end the world.
Her family immediately locks her up 'for her safety' instead of asking questions.
Vireth is naturally annoyed at this treatment and does a bunk, planning to hunt the seer down to get answers.
Meanwhile our MMC, Renard, a human exiled Knight, turned farmer, is talked into heading to Hollowmire to get help from the fae with the Blight thats cursed their kingdom with inedible food.
I liked how the fmc was not a damsel, in fact, she was the one that did most of the saving. It also made for a refreshing change that both the main characters were in their 40s... however the constant words saying how he's old and 'past it' when hes 40 and has a bit of grey in his beard was a tad much., and the yearning between the two started a bit too soon, and at times ill timed.
Special mention has to go to darling little Nibblebones, a clever little corpse weasel who is Vireth's faithful companion, she stole all the scenes she was in, and made me smile.
Thank you to NerdFam for this eARC.
September 14, 2026
ARC REVIEW:
Thank you so much to the Author for the wonderful opportunity to jump into this story. This was a ⭐️⭐️⭐️.75 star read so rounded to a 4 because Goodreads doesn’t let me get extra like that.
I think sometimes as readers we simply forget to just read the story and not look for ways to pick it apart. For me this story was a pretty solid romantasy with a darker undertone.
The creatures and world descriptions were delicious. The FMC and MMC were in their 40s?! 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼 honestly nice touch. I really enjoyed the darker undertones and the 🍄 in this story. Honestly it read a little more like a dark folklore. And it was really rather unique. Nibblebones may actually be one of my favorite characters?! Because who doesn’t love a solid animal companion.
The only reason for loss of stars in this was some errors with spelling and correct words, as well as some scenes seemed a little short or under developed and I would have LOVED more because the bones of it were solid. It felt like an appetizer with the vengeance. Bring me more blood guts and gore ha ha
Again over all this entire story was unique and interesting. I really rather enjoyed it and am looking forward to more to come should this build beyond the one written.
Thank you so much to the Author for the wonderful opportunity to jump into this story. This was a ⭐️⭐️⭐️.75 star read so rounded to a 4 because Goodreads doesn’t let me get extra like that.
I think sometimes as readers we simply forget to just read the story and not look for ways to pick it apart. For me this story was a pretty solid romantasy with a darker undertone.
The creatures and world descriptions were delicious. The FMC and MMC were in their 40s?! 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼 honestly nice touch. I really enjoyed the darker undertones and the 🍄 in this story. Honestly it read a little more like a dark folklore. And it was really rather unique. Nibblebones may actually be one of my favorite characters?! Because who doesn’t love a solid animal companion.
The only reason for loss of stars in this was some errors with spelling and correct words, as well as some scenes seemed a little short or under developed and I would have LOVED more because the bones of it were solid. It felt like an appetizer with the vengeance. Bring me more blood guts and gore ha ha
Again over all this entire story was unique and interesting. I really rather enjoyed it and am looking forward to more to come should this build beyond the one written.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Blight of the Hollowmire by Lily Riley was such a beautiful read. This romantasy is set in a world being consumed by hunger, where fae and humans are caught in the aftermath of old wrongs and the Blight Mother is coming to set things right.
One of my favorite parts of this book was having both the FMC and MMC be over 40. It was so refreshing to read about older main characters, and that life experience brought such richness to their personalities and stories. The banter between them was top notch, and I loved watching their relationship develop.
Our FMC is not your typical perfect fae. She has rot magic, and I loved how the story showed that there can be beauty in something others might fear. She also has an adorable animal sidekick, which was an added delight.
I also loved our MMC because he has lived a life already. He isn’t immune to pain or unaware of what the world can bring, and that gave his character so much depth.
Beautifully written, atmospheric, and full of characters I genuinely enjoyed getting to know. I loved this book and the development between these two was wonderful to watch.
Thank you to Lily Riley for providing me with an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
One of my favorite parts of this book was having both the FMC and MMC be over 40. It was so refreshing to read about older main characters, and that life experience brought such richness to their personalities and stories. The banter between them was top notch, and I loved watching their relationship develop.
Our FMC is not your typical perfect fae. She has rot magic, and I loved how the story showed that there can be beauty in something others might fear. She also has an adorable animal sidekick, which was an added delight.
I also loved our MMC because he has lived a life already. He isn’t immune to pain or unaware of what the world can bring, and that gave his character so much depth.
Beautifully written, atmospheric, and full of characters I genuinely enjoyed getting to know. I loved this book and the development between these two was wonderful to watch.
Thank you to Lily Riley for providing me with an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you, Lily Riley, for an ARC of this book.
"She is becoming the end of the world. He is sworn to stop her—no matter the cost."
I liked the world-building and the concept of decay magic. Hollowmire had a lovely gothic vibe. And magic mushrooms, I really loved the MCs magic. I can still see it.
This book unfolded as a slow-burn romance between the MCs, a spurned fae and an exiled human knight. The MCs were in their 40s, which gave a different perspective on past life choices while still having a coming-of-age feel. It was quite the exploration of negative self-thoughts and reframing. The relationship between the MCs was well-paced. The physical struggle, old bones, and back pain, so relatable. I mean, yes, please bring me a soft pad if I am sleeping outdoors. Or better yet, one bed.
While I appreciated the descriptive passages, they occasionally lost my attention. Some of the scenes really made me feel for Virith and wished I could alter them.
If you are looking for an immersive fantasy book with MCs in their 40s who are overcoming expectations, you should give this a read.
"She is becoming the end of the world. He is sworn to stop her—no matter the cost."
I liked the world-building and the concept of decay magic. Hollowmire had a lovely gothic vibe. And magic mushrooms, I really loved the MCs magic. I can still see it.
This book unfolded as a slow-burn romance between the MCs, a spurned fae and an exiled human knight. The MCs were in their 40s, which gave a different perspective on past life choices while still having a coming-of-age feel. It was quite the exploration of negative self-thoughts and reframing. The relationship between the MCs was well-paced. The physical struggle, old bones, and back pain, so relatable. I mean, yes, please bring me a soft pad if I am sleeping outdoors. Or better yet, one bed.
While I appreciated the descriptive passages, they occasionally lost my attention. Some of the scenes really made me feel for Virith and wished I could alter them.
If you are looking for an immersive fantasy book with MCs in their 40s who are overcoming expectations, you should give this a read.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you, Lily Riley, for this opportunity.
This is a standalone
I applied to this ARC with such urgency; the blurb was deliciously compelling, and it delivered with flying colors. What a refreshing story! Our FMC is neither a hero nor a villain, but a vessel of a very destructive force, so the conflict resides inside her as much as it does outside in the world.
Both our characters are flawed. Do they try to do what they think is best? Yes. Do they achieve it all the time? No. They are both scared in their own way.
It’s difficult to feel empathy towards the world with the characters we get to meet; I honestly think that Vireth should destroy the world, as everyone was so cruel and despicable. She’s 40—that’s a lot of years of non-stop hatred directed towards her; no wonder she’s always pissed. And speaking of being mad: it’s fantastic how the writing makes you feel her anger.
Our poor lad Renard is so tired and emotionally destroyed; he’s the character with the most growth. Despite the high-stakes plot, the book is not full of action. I want to highlight the inn (one-bed) scene!! So good, and not for the reason everyone would think; the dialogue was so smart. For the pickier readers, the writing is done so that it feels formal and dated, and that is consistent throughout the book. I really appreciate that choice because it fits the characters perfectly. This book is short, mid-paced, and features a 50-50 dual POV.
This is a standalone
I applied to this ARC with such urgency; the blurb was deliciously compelling, and it delivered with flying colors. What a refreshing story! Our FMC is neither a hero nor a villain, but a vessel of a very destructive force, so the conflict resides inside her as much as it does outside in the world.
Both our characters are flawed. Do they try to do what they think is best? Yes. Do they achieve it all the time? No. They are both scared in their own way.
It’s difficult to feel empathy towards the world with the characters we get to meet; I honestly think that Vireth should destroy the world, as everyone was so cruel and despicable. She’s 40—that’s a lot of years of non-stop hatred directed towards her; no wonder she’s always pissed. And speaking of being mad: it’s fantastic how the writing makes you feel her anger.
Our poor lad Renard is so tired and emotionally destroyed; he’s the character with the most growth. Despite the high-stakes plot, the book is not full of action. I want to highlight the inn (one-bed) scene!! So good, and not for the reason everyone would think; the dialogue was so smart. For the pickier readers, the writing is done so that it feels formal and dated, and that is consistent throughout the book. I really appreciate that choice because it fits the characters perfectly. This book is short, mid-paced, and features a 50-50 dual POV.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you Lily Riley for the ARC.
I could not put this book down! Literally every free second I had, I was reading it. A blight slowly taking over a kingdom and our two MCs having very different reasons for wanting to stop it was fantastic. Especially when one of them might actually be the cause of it.
I loved Vireth and Renard! Their reluctant alliance turning into friendly banter and then flirty banter was everything have ever wanted. laughed, cried, and that's the best type of book for me.
This book is heavy on internal self-doubt but also healing, and it's done so well. Especially with Vireth having spent so much of her life believing there was something wrong with her because of her magic and Renard dealing with his own past.
I also loved Nibblebones and Magnar-best animal companions!
And I LOVED the role reversal of the man being the damsel in distress and having a badass woman in charge. Like, chef's kiss! Give me the woman doing the rescuing while the man needs to be saved.
I could not put this book down! Literally every free second I had, I was reading it. A blight slowly taking over a kingdom and our two MCs having very different reasons for wanting to stop it was fantastic. Especially when one of them might actually be the cause of it.
I loved Vireth and Renard! Their reluctant alliance turning into friendly banter and then flirty banter was everything have ever wanted. laughed, cried, and that's the best type of book for me.
This book is heavy on internal self-doubt but also healing, and it's done so well. Especially with Vireth having spent so much of her life believing there was something wrong with her because of her magic and Renard dealing with his own past.
I also loved Nibblebones and Magnar-best animal companions!
And I LOVED the role reversal of the man being the damsel in distress and having a badass woman in charge. Like, chef's kiss! Give me the woman doing the rescuing while the man needs to be saved.
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️4.
🌶 3 of 5- for 2 scenes of self pleasuring and 2 intimate scenes with play by play and named body parts, one scene was quite brief.
❤️🔥 slow burn to spice and a lot of yearning.
⚠️ 2 uses of the C word (not used as derogatory name calling), and SA of a character.
👧🧔♂️💀 multi POV with characters 40 yrs old.
📖 seems to be a standalone.
I loved the gothic, eerie vibes of this book! The setting in Hallowmire was absolutely exquisite and the imagery was vivid. I found this book to be beautifully written and truly captivating.
The dialogue between MCs was relatable and flowed naturally as did their relationship. Both struggle with self doubt and self worth and I enjoyed seeing how they perceived themselves and how they perceived each other in their own POVs. Vireth's character was so relatable and I found myself in tears over her pain more than once. Also, the MCs are 40 yrs old and I loved that so much.
Thank you to the author for the ARC! These opinions are my own and I was not compensated in any way.
🌶 3 of 5- for 2 scenes of self pleasuring and 2 intimate scenes with play by play and named body parts, one scene was quite brief.
❤️🔥 slow burn to spice and a lot of yearning.
⚠️ 2 uses of the C word (not used as derogatory name calling), and SA of a character.
👧🧔♂️💀 multi POV with characters 40 yrs old.
📖 seems to be a standalone.
I loved the gothic, eerie vibes of this book! The setting in Hallowmire was absolutely exquisite and the imagery was vivid. I found this book to be beautifully written and truly captivating.
The dialogue between MCs was relatable and flowed naturally as did their relationship. Both struggle with self doubt and self worth and I enjoyed seeing how they perceived themselves and how they perceived each other in their own POVs. Vireth's character was so relatable and I found myself in tears over her pain more than once. Also, the MCs are 40 yrs old and I loved that so much.
Thank you to the author for the ARC! These opinions are my own and I was not compensated in any way.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I was thankfully able to receive an ARC copy of this book. (These thoughts are my own and I did not get paid for a review.)
It was wonderful! I really liked that the characters were older (main character is around 40). The author was able to really captivate me with the story and the characters were so well done from the beginning. All the descriptions were very well thought out and I was able to vividly imagine the world.
Intricate relationships and a lot of self growth with the main characters. What a great not only physical, but mental and emotional journey they went on. (FMC goes on a journey after finding out a prophecy from a seer. Has to find out who/what she is and MMC comes into the picture because he used to be a knight and wants to figure out how to help save the kingdom). Slower burn, but well done in my opinion. I also really liked that the MMC had to be saved versus the FMC. It was a great & refreshing change in dynamic.
Also, I always LOVE a good side character/kick/friend/animal and this book had it! I fell in love with her right away.
It was wonderful! I really liked that the characters were older (main character is around 40). The author was able to really captivate me with the story and the characters were so well done from the beginning. All the descriptions were very well thought out and I was able to vividly imagine the world.
Intricate relationships and a lot of self growth with the main characters. What a great not only physical, but mental and emotional journey they went on. (FMC goes on a journey after finding out a prophecy from a seer. Has to find out who/what she is and MMC comes into the picture because he used to be a knight and wants to figure out how to help save the kingdom). Slower burn, but well done in my opinion. I also really liked that the MMC had to be saved versus the FMC. It was a great & refreshing change in dynamic.
Also, I always LOVE a good side character/kick/friend/animal and this book had it! I fell in love with her right away.
Review of advance copy
All I can say is that I have not finished a book in a single day in along time. I never left my reading chair. This book gave me the same feeling I got when I read Silversmith. The yearning is palpable. And the heartbreak and torment is just as strong as in Souls In Ruin or dare I even say Crown Me Dead. And I did something I rarely do... dm'd the author because I felt compelled to tell her how much I was enjoying her story.
The writing is impeccable, drawing me in with vivid descriptions and the ability to make me feel every heartstring being pulled. Not only that but the playful banter and internal thoughts had me giggling and smiling, giving a brief relief from the more intense moments.
The Blight of Hollowmire has easily solidified itself as one of my faves.
Thank you to @NerdFam and author @lilyriley for allowing me the opportunity to ARC read #theblightofhollowmire
It was honestly my pleasure.
The writing is impeccable, drawing me in with vivid descriptions and the ability to make me feel every heartstring being pulled. Not only that but the playful banter and internal thoughts had me giggling and smiling, giving a brief relief from the more intense moments.
The Blight of Hollowmire has easily solidified itself as one of my faves.
Thank you to @NerdFam and author @lilyriley for allowing me the opportunity to ARC read #theblightofhollowmire
It was honestly my pleasure.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is one of those books that once I started, I just couldn't put down!
The world building is incredible and the characters are beautifully written and complex. Vireth is a strong FMC who has spent her fae life believing that she was inherently wrong and unworthy of love, because her swampy, gothic decay magic. After receiving a horrifying prophecy about a terrible blight, she ventures into the swamps away from Hollowmire in search of answers to stop it. Renard is the exiled ex-knight of a neighboring kingdom who has many regrets but ventures into swamps to Hollowmire in search of a cure to the famine plaguing his kingdom. Loved the role reversal of the MMC needing to be saved by the FMC, the witty banter between them, the slow-burn, and the fact that they're both older and more mature.
The world building is incredible and the characters are beautifully written and complex. Vireth is a strong FMC who has spent her fae life believing that she was inherently wrong and unworthy of love, because her swampy, gothic decay magic. After receiving a horrifying prophecy about a terrible blight, she ventures into the swamps away from Hollowmire in search of answers to stop it. Renard is the exiled ex-knight of a neighboring kingdom who has many regrets but ventures into swamps to Hollowmire in search of a cure to the famine plaguing his kingdom. Loved the role reversal of the MMC needing to be saved by the FMC, the witty banter between them, the slow-burn, and the fact that they're both older and more mature.
Review of advance copy
First let me say thank you to The Nerd Fam for gifting me this arc.
I signed for this one because the description and tropes were everything I knew I would enjoy. Going into right away from just the dedication, I had a feeling I was going to really enjoy this one and I did. This book is perfect for the season we are in, because of its haunting atmosphere. The lore that it had. My heart repeatedly broke for both the fmc and mmc. Two broken souls just trying to find their way and a little bit of love and happiness. Ugh my heart broke for them many times over. There wasn't one thing about this story that I didn't enjoy. When we got to the end I wasn't sure what to expect, but having my heart ripped out wasn't one of them. I bawled the last few chapters. Ahhhhh it wrecked me and yet its 5⭐️s 🤣🤣
This one releases 9/22/26
Make sure to add it to your tbr
I signed for this one because the description and tropes were everything I knew I would enjoy. Going into right away from just the dedication, I had a feeling I was going to really enjoy this one and I did. This book is perfect for the season we are in, because of its haunting atmosphere. The lore that it had. My heart repeatedly broke for both the fmc and mmc. Two broken souls just trying to find their way and a little bit of love and happiness. Ugh my heart broke for them many times over. There wasn't one thing about this story that I didn't enjoy. When we got to the end I wasn't sure what to expect, but having my heart ripped out wasn't one of them. I bawled the last few chapters. Ahhhhh it wrecked me and yet its 5⭐️s 🤣🤣
This one releases 9/22/26
Make sure to add it to your tbr
Review of advance copy
Dark fae romantasy with older leads (both 40s!) and I am so here for it.
Vireth and Renard are both hiding things when they're thrown together, and watching them go from guarded to genuinely caring about each other was my favorite part of this book. The banter is fun, the world is dark and strange in the best way, and the animals? Adorable.
Moments that made me melt: her nursing him back to health. Him braiding her hair. A sacrifice that gutted me.
Fair warning — the prose took a little settling in for me early on (some scattered archaic phrasing and heavy em-dashes), but by about 30% it found its rhythm and I stopped noticing.
This is book one of the Sins of the Earth series and it wraps up satisfyingly, no cliffhanger. I'll absolutely be picking up book two.
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the eARC!
Vireth and Renard are both hiding things when they're thrown together, and watching them go from guarded to genuinely caring about each other was my favorite part of this book. The banter is fun, the world is dark and strange in the best way, and the animals? Adorable.
Moments that made me melt: her nursing him back to health. Him braiding her hair. A sacrifice that gutted me.
Fair warning — the prose took a little settling in for me early on (some scattered archaic phrasing and heavy em-dashes), but by about 30% it found its rhythm and I stopped noticing.
This is book one of the Sins of the Earth series and it wraps up satisfyingly, no cliffhanger. I'll absolutely be picking up book two.
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the eARC!
Review of advance copy received from Author
*this is a review of an advanced readers copy and was sent to me for free*
This book has some of the most absolutely gorgeous imagery I have ever come across. All the details are so vivid and stunning, I couldn't have stopped if I wanted to. For me, this was the perfect start to the "ber" months, welcoming in the cozy and minorly spooky season.
The main character is an outcast with powers that set her apart from her people and lead them to fear her, the MMC is an exiled knight with a traumatic past, and the two come together in the most forgiving and sassy way. I loved their dynamic from the beginning. I love that their flaws are accepted rather than ignored. And their journey together was amazing.
This book has some of the most absolutely gorgeous imagery I have ever come across. All the details are so vivid and stunning, I couldn't have stopped if I wanted to. For me, this was the perfect start to the "ber" months, welcoming in the cozy and minorly spooky season.
The main character is an outcast with powers that set her apart from her people and lead them to fear her, the MMC is an exiled knight with a traumatic past, and the two come together in the most forgiving and sassy way. I loved their dynamic from the beginning. I love that their flaws are accepted rather than ignored. And their journey together was amazing.
Review of advance copy received from Author
3.5 stars
Huge thank you to The Nerd Fam and Lily Riley; this is an ARC review.
I really enjoyed this standalone - it was beautifully written with a very gothic feel. I really appreciated that that our FMC and MMC were more mature, being in their 40s vs early 20s. I loved the quest vibes and the reluctant companions to lovers. One thing I thought was a bit lack luster was our antihero. Once they are finally uncovered and defeated, I just like oh. They weren't a huge presence in the story, so I found their demise less impactful. I did find the magic system was well thought-out and executed spectacularly. I actually found I want more of the Blight Queen and Goodness - I think her vengeance could have been given a few more pages. A great read, and one I would recommend.
Huge thank you to The Nerd Fam and Lily Riley; this is an ARC review.
I really enjoyed this standalone - it was beautifully written with a very gothic feel. I really appreciated that that our FMC and MMC were more mature, being in their 40s vs early 20s. I loved the quest vibes and the reluctant companions to lovers. One thing I thought was a bit lack luster was our antihero. Once they are finally uncovered and defeated, I just like oh. They weren't a huge presence in the story, so I found their demise less impactful. I did find the magic system was well thought-out and executed spectacularly. I actually found I want more of the Blight Queen and Goodness - I think her vengeance could have been given a few more pages. A great read, and one I would recommend.
Review of advance copy received from Author
"For every woman who was told she was too much and not enough in the same breath."
This was such a beautiful story like no other I have ever read. The FMC, Vireth, is the fae and the MMC, Renard is a human. The turning of the tables from most fantasy stories was perfect.
Vireth is a fae that is ashamed of her rot-magic that she feels has been cursed to her. She has been unable to come to except her rot for the beauty that it can truly be until she meets a seer that flips her world upside down. Upon meeting Renard and saving his life, the embark on a journey to end the curse on their lands and their crops, while trying to learn more about the prophecy spoken about Vireth.
Such a great story, that I couldn't put down. I hope this will get the honor it deserves. Highly recommend.
This was such a beautiful story like no other I have ever read. The FMC, Vireth, is the fae and the MMC, Renard is a human. The turning of the tables from most fantasy stories was perfect.
Vireth is a fae that is ashamed of her rot-magic that she feels has been cursed to her. She has been unable to come to except her rot for the beauty that it can truly be until she meets a seer that flips her world upside down. Upon meeting Renard and saving his life, the embark on a journey to end the curse on their lands and their crops, while trying to learn more about the prophecy spoken about Vireth.
Such a great story, that I couldn't put down. I hope this will get the honor it deserves. Highly recommend.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you to The NerdFam for accepting me to read The Blight of Hollowmire in advance of its publication date of September 22nd, 2026.
This was different than what I usually read and I love slow burn romance so I did enjoy this but it was not my favorite I’ve read this year.
Because of the FMC powers, she really gave me Slade Ravinger Vibes and I’m not complaining because I love him!
Throughout the whole book you could feel the hurt of our FMC jumping off the page because of the struggles of not living up to the expectations of her family and I really do believe you can feel that energy off the page.
What I liked if that the FMC is the one with the dark power that instead of being delicate, she destroys and not always maliciously!
This was different than what I usually read and I love slow burn romance so I did enjoy this but it was not my favorite I’ve read this year.
Because of the FMC powers, she really gave me Slade Ravinger Vibes and I’m not complaining because I love him!
Throughout the whole book you could feel the hurt of our FMC jumping off the page because of the struggles of not living up to the expectations of her family and I really do believe you can feel that energy off the page.
What I liked if that the FMC is the one with the dark power that instead of being delicate, she destroys and not always maliciously!
Review of advance copy received from Storygraph
4.4 stars
Really thankful to read this wonderful arc. This is a wonderful flushed, very detailed world. Both our main characters are very insightful and clear headed. They both have their faults but it's what makes them believable.
I appreciated the dual POV of the main characters so we as the readers could get the perspective of both the main characters, their backstories, and their thoughts.
The creatures that the author described were creepy and very detailed. I also very much loved nibblebones. Shes the best companion
This was a great story all and all. I had a great time reading this
Thank you Nerdfam for the Arc!
Really thankful to read this wonderful arc. This is a wonderful flushed, very detailed world. Both our main characters are very insightful and clear headed. They both have their faults but it's what makes them believable.
I appreciated the dual POV of the main characters so we as the readers could get the perspective of both the main characters, their backstories, and their thoughts.
The creatures that the author described were creepy and very detailed. I also very much loved nibblebones. Shes the best companion
This was a great story all and all. I had a great time reading this
Thank you Nerdfam for the Arc!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Absolutely amazing. I am lucky enough to have read this ARC and it is one of my top 10 so far this year. The slow burn romance with both a mature mmc and fmc was perfect. The story that was layered with both of their individual trauma and growth, as well as the quest at hand. The quest to find out who or what the Blight Mother is was very engaging and the writing style of the author kept me going back to the book every second I had free. I loved the descriptive writing as it was done with great balance. The dual pov was done so well, which is not what I find to be the case often. A million stars truly.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The descriptive, atmospheric writing pulled me in and the interesting plot kept me reading!
I loved that the main characters were older and more mature! It was nice to see how, despite their age, they were able to still make a difference and overcome their own preconceived notions of themselves.
I was surprised this is a standalone (though I think it may be the first in an interconnected standalone series, but everything worked so well! Nothing felt rushed and the characters and plot were well developed!
I definitely recommend reading this book if you enjoy dark fantast and want a book for spooky season!
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted book!
I loved that the main characters were older and more mature! It was nice to see how, despite their age, they were able to still make a difference and overcome their own preconceived notions of themselves.
I was surprised this is a standalone (though I think it may be the first in an interconnected standalone series, but everything worked so well! Nothing felt rushed and the characters and plot were well developed!
I definitely recommend reading this book if you enjoy dark fantast and want a book for spooky season!
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted book!
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