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The Souls of Blackwood Academy #0.5
Twisted Vows
Not yet published
Expected 6 Oct 26THE SEQUEL TO IMMORTAL CONSEQUENCES, THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES AND SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER
The Decennial is over, but for the students of Blackwood Academy the fight for the afterlife has just begun.
For Blackwood Academy has been hiding more secrets – and lies – than any of the Decennial's participants could have imagined. And there's still so much that remains buried beneath its ancient foundations. Now, the future of the academy, and all the souls within it, rests in the hands of six former
The charmer and the golden boy.
The traitor and the girl desperate to save her.
The Chosen One. And the one who would choose her over and over again …
Any of them could be the hero the afterlife needs, or the villain who will destroy it for good. Because the truth is, Blackwood's biggest secret has yet to come to light and when it does, it will shake the institution to its core.
Welcome back to purgatory, where even immortality must come to an end.
The Decennial is over, but for the students of Blackwood Academy the fight for the afterlife has just begun.
For Blackwood Academy has been hiding more secrets – and lies – than any of the Decennial's participants could have imagined. And there's still so much that remains buried beneath its ancient foundations. Now, the future of the academy, and all the souls within it, rests in the hands of six former
The charmer and the golden boy.
The traitor and the girl desperate to save her.
The Chosen One. And the one who would choose her over and over again …
Any of them could be the hero the afterlife needs, or the villain who will destroy it for good. Because the truth is, Blackwood's biggest secret has yet to come to light and when it does, it will shake the institution to its core.
Welcome back to purgatory, where even immortality must come to an end.
208 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication October 6, 2026
About the author
I.V. Marie
4 books1,474 followersI.V. Marie is the instant New York Times, USA Today and Indie Bestselling author of Immortal Consequences. She was born and raised in Miami to a Peruvian mother and Chilean father, where she acquired a penchant for afternoon cafecitos and developed an all-consuming obsession with books. Her writing ambitions began behind her grandparents’ computer, where she spent her childhood crafting spooky and fantastical short stories. When she is not writing, you can find her rock climbing or watching atmospheric Youtube videos with her dog, Mr. Darcy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 163 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
okay now give us more because this was everything i wanted! it felt like such a breather after all the chaos in the main duology and i loved getting to just enjoy wren and august’s banter <3 there’s something about knowing how their story plays out that makes you savour the beginning of their relationship even more 🥹🩷
ⓘ thank you to netgalley and random house for the arc!
ⓘ thank you to netgalley and random house for the arc!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
okay what was the point of this...?
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to netgalley and Harpercollins publishing for the ARC !
Ignore me, I'm just going to go cry in that corner over there…
To the people who said this wasn’t needed: I lowkey agree with you… BUT this was wanted. Seeing Wren and August again made me cry myself to sleep. August was DOWN BADDD from the beginning oh my goodness. And of course, the banter was bantering as always, and I was giggling and kicking my feet. But reading this after finishing the series really puts Silas’s character into perspective, because the SIGNS WERE ALWAYS THERE. I WAS JUST TOO DISTRACTED BY WRENAUGUST TO NOTICE. This series is soo divine rivals coded, so if you liked the Letters of Enchantment series, you should definitely give this a go. Wren and August are my favourite couple in this series (and for good reason) because where are you going to find a man as obsessed as August ? Honestly, there wasn’t a lot of important content in the book, it was mainly providing glimpses into Wren’s life after she arrived at Blackwood, and it also gives you a little insight into her death and August’s death. (Plus cameos of the other characters so it’s a win-win situation !)
𝜗𝜚⋆₊˚ Preread 𝜗𝜚⋆₊˚
I GOT THE ARC I GOT THE ARC EVERYONE STAY CALM I GOT THE ARC AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Ignore me, I'm just going to go cry in that corner over there…
To the people who said this wasn’t needed: I lowkey agree with you… BUT this was wanted. Seeing Wren and August again made me cry myself to sleep. August was DOWN BADDD from the beginning oh my goodness. And of course, the banter was bantering as always, and I was giggling and kicking my feet. But reading this after finishing the series really puts Silas’s character into perspective, because the SIGNS WERE ALWAYS THERE. I WAS JUST TOO DISTRACTED BY WRENAUGUST TO NOTICE. This series is soo divine rivals coded, so if you liked the Letters of Enchantment series, you should definitely give this a go. Wren and August are my favourite couple in this series (and for good reason) because where are you going to find a man as obsessed as August ? Honestly, there wasn’t a lot of important content in the book, it was mainly providing glimpses into Wren’s life after she arrived at Blackwood, and it also gives you a little insight into her death and August’s death. (Plus cameos of the other characters so it’s a win-win situation !)
𝜗𝜚⋆₊˚ Preread 𝜗𝜚⋆₊˚
I GOT THE ARC I GOT THE ARC EVERYONE STAY CALM I GOT THE ARC AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Want to Read
July 30, 2026🕯️⌇ pre-release !
⤿ publishing on 10.06.26
october can’t come soon enough 😫 augustwren has my whole heart & i’m definitely interested in seeing how they become rivals, but also don’t want this to end 🥺
i. immortal consequences ★ ★ ★ ★ .5
ii. ruinous ends ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
iii. twisted vows
⤿ publishing on 10.06.26
october can’t come soon enough 😫 augustwren has my whole heart & i’m definitely interested in seeing how they become rivals, but also don’t want this to end 🥺
i. immortal consequences ★ ★ ★ ★ .5
ii. ruinous ends ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
iii. twisted vows
August 3, 2026
I.V. Marie, I am mad at you. How dare you write the perfect novella that takes place before Immortal Consequences but can’t be read until after Ruinous Ends and make me love your characters all over again! That’s just rude. And not only that it was the perfect encapsulation of each one of the characters. Now I’m crying over August and Wren again. It’s like you WANTED us to hurt. (Admit it, I know you did. Mission accomplished.)
All jokes aside, this is the perfect backwards ending to The Souls of Blackwood Academy duology. (DO NOT read this before finishing Ruinous Ends or you’ll be the one having a ruinous end. It’s key that you’ve finished both books before reading this one!) It has the parts we didn’t know we needed. The little glimpse of how it started before we get launched into the narrative in Immortal Consequences, the academic competition in full swing.
The brutal sadness of Olivier, gah it made my heart hurt. And Silas. I fucking hate Silas. All my friends hate Silas. Silas is hateable. But seeing Wren again, seeing Wren the moment that everything changes for her… It was beautiful.
Grab a copy when it hits shelves at your favorite bookish place on October 6. It’s the ending you didn’t know you needed and won’t be able to live without.
6 ghost souls for this one. Absolutely brilliant. (And yes, I am still mad at I.V. Marie.)
Thank you to Random House Children's Books | Delacorte Press and Netgalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
All jokes aside, this is the perfect backwards ending to The Souls of Blackwood Academy duology. (DO NOT read this before finishing Ruinous Ends or you’ll be the one having a ruinous end. It’s key that you’ve finished both books before reading this one!) It has the parts we didn’t know we needed. The little glimpse of how it started before we get launched into the narrative in Immortal Consequences, the academic competition in full swing.
The brutal sadness of Olivier, gah it made my heart hurt. And Silas. I fucking hate Silas. All my friends hate Silas. Silas is hateable. But seeing Wren again, seeing Wren the moment that everything changes for her… It was beautiful.
Grab a copy when it hits shelves at your favorite bookish place on October 6. It’s the ending you didn’t know you needed and won’t be able to live without.
6 ghost souls for this one. Absolutely brilliant. (And yes, I am still mad at I.V. Marie.)
Thank you to Random House Children's Books | Delacorte Press and Netgalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Want to Read
March 13, 2026Update #1 (03/13/26): THIS IS HAPPENING!!! To read about Wren & August this October (Spooky Season)?!?! Yup!!! I am unwell. 🫠🫠🫠.
remind-me-once-out
March 27, 2026I didn't realize we were getting a prequel!
Want to Read
February 15, 2026this novella is one of my most anticipated book releases in 2026 and I can't wait to read this novella about wren and august! And the cover is beautiful !
August 16, 2026
4,5/5 - very pleasant, loved having more Wren x August content 🤭
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3 stars.
As much as I am a sucker for deeper interactions with characters and a slightly slower plot line, one problem that usually occurs in a novella like so, is that the plot kind of gets lost. I seriously loved learning more about August and Wren, especially because they were my favorite couple in the first book, but it all felt drastically different in terms of vibes and pacing, which kind of threw me off.
This book being quite short was another part that threw me off, especially as a fast reader. It took me like an hour and a half max to finish the entire book, which as much as I appreciate shorter reads, felt a little bit off putting. At the end of the day, this was just my opinion, but it could have been longer.
I loved the interactions with Wren and August because their banter was so fun. Essentially, I loved learning about Wren when she first joined the school, and August's thought process throughout the entire book. Seeing Oliver definitely made me sick though, I love him so much.
Thank you to Random House Children's Books and Netgalley for the arc of Twisted Vows!
(Apologies for the shorter review, I dont have much to talk about.)
As much as I am a sucker for deeper interactions with characters and a slightly slower plot line, one problem that usually occurs in a novella like so, is that the plot kind of gets lost. I seriously loved learning more about August and Wren, especially because they were my favorite couple in the first book, but it all felt drastically different in terms of vibes and pacing, which kind of threw me off.
This book being quite short was another part that threw me off, especially as a fast reader. It took me like an hour and a half max to finish the entire book, which as much as I appreciate shorter reads, felt a little bit off putting. At the end of the day, this was just my opinion, but it could have been longer.
I loved the interactions with Wren and August because their banter was so fun. Essentially, I loved learning about Wren when she first joined the school, and August's thought process throughout the entire book. Seeing Oliver definitely made me sick though, I love him so much.
Thank you to Random House Children's Books and Netgalley for the arc of Twisted Vows!
(Apologies for the shorter review, I dont have much to talk about.)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Random House Children's Books and NetGalley for the ARC!
It was so interesting, heartwarming, and at times funny to read about how they met! It made me realize how much I missed them, their relationship, and their chemistry. But then, right at the end, my heart just ached...
I went back and forth for a while on when to read this novella—after book one or book two—and I finally decided it was better to read it after the first one, though honestly, it probably doesn't matter either way.
I'd love to read novellas about the other characters too; it would be so interesting to learn more about them. Also, I realized I’ve forgotten some details, to the point where I actually want to reread the first book now.
I'm honestly too lazy to rate this novella or overthink what it might be missing. It gave me all the right feels, and I’m finally in the perfect mood to dive into book two.
It was so interesting, heartwarming, and at times funny to read about how they met! It made me realize how much I missed them, their relationship, and their chemistry. But then, right at the end, my heart just ached...
I went back and forth for a while on when to read this novella—after book one or book two—and I finally decided it was better to read it after the first one, though honestly, it probably doesn't matter either way.
I'd love to read novellas about the other characters too; it would be so interesting to learn more about them. Also, I realized I’ve forgotten some details, to the point where I actually want to reread the first book now.
I'm honestly too lazy to rate this novella or overthink what it might be missing. It gave me all the right feels, and I’m finally in the perfect mood to dive into book two.
May 21, 2026
This book was definitely needed to understand why things are the way they are in Immortal Consequences. I don’t feel like this prequel can be read before Immortal Consequences. I think it would be hard to start the series there. It would have been better to introduce all the characters a bit more for this book to be read first. It does give you an idea of the disdain between the main characters. I thoroughly enjoyed this prequel. I highly recommend! I’m now going to listen to Immortal Consequences again!
Thank you to NetGalley, I. V. Marie, and Delacorte Press for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley, I. V. Marie, and Delacorte Press for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
September 1, 2026
Twisted Vows by I. V. Marie
Release date:October 6th
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Age rating:15+
Spice:none
Thank you Netgalley for this arc! Was this necessary? No. But was it fun? Yes of course it was. August and Wren are were my favorite from the duology, so I loved getting to learn more about how their journey started. They’ve always had such amazing chemistry, it’s just too good. I’ll miss Blackwood Academy and these characters very much. If you loved the first two definitely check this out!
Release date:October 6th
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Age rating:15+
Spice:none
Thank you Netgalley for this arc! Was this necessary? No. But was it fun? Yes of course it was. August and Wren are were my favorite from the duology, so I loved getting to learn more about how their journey started. They’ve always had such amazing chemistry, it’s just too good. I’ll miss Blackwood Academy and these characters very much. If you loved the first two definitely check this out!
April 2, 2026
First off, I am so grateful to have been chosen for another ARC in this series. It has become one of my favorites!!
This story was exactly what I needed! I needed more of Wren and August because I was not ready to let them go after ruinous ends. The banter and relationship between these characters is one of my favorites and you cannot help but rooting for them and just waiting for them to be together. This book was a light read and it was interesting to learn more about both Wren’s and August’s backstories leading up to Immortal Consequences. The brief mentioning of the main characters in Immortal Consequences and Ruinous Ends were perfect Easter eggs. I have such a love for all these characters it can’t be the end of stories in their world.
Thank you I. V. Marie for giving me another chance to love your characters. Fingers crossed for another book where we somehow get more of August and Wren..and also Oliver and Emilio..
This story was exactly what I needed! I needed more of Wren and August because I was not ready to let them go after ruinous ends. The banter and relationship between these characters is one of my favorites and you cannot help but rooting for them and just waiting for them to be together. This book was a light read and it was interesting to learn more about both Wren’s and August’s backstories leading up to Immortal Consequences. The brief mentioning of the main characters in Immortal Consequences and Ruinous Ends were perfect Easter eggs. I have such a love for all these characters it can’t be the end of stories in their world.
Thank you I. V. Marie for giving me another chance to love your characters. Fingers crossed for another book where we somehow get more of August and Wren..and also Oliver and Emilio..
April 5, 2026
I’m incredibly thankful to NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy of Twisted Vows. This book was such a fantastic story, and I loved how it deepened Wren and August’s relationship, making me want to immediately reread Immortal Consequences. I.V. Marie is going to be an always buy author for me. I genuinely hope there’s more to come beyond these three books in the Blackwood Academy series.
June 17, 2026
First, i would like to thank NetGalley, Random House Children’s Books, and I. V. Marie for the opportunity to read and review this book early. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This novella hurt me🥺 but in a good way…i think. Twisted Vows shows Wren Loughty’s beginning at Blackwood Academy, and she’s not the ambitious and studious character that she is in Immortal Consequences. instead, Wren is angry but also numb when she first arrives to the magical school in the afterlife (rightfully so), so she hides herself in her room. however, there will be consequences if she doesn’t start attending classes, so she finally manages to go to them, with the help of a new friend
but of course everything changes when she meets Augustine Hughes for the very first time… the Demon of Blackwood himself. and then the two are paired up for a magical treasure hunting assignment, and Wren learns that August might not be who everyone makes him out to be. or maybe, just maybe, he is.
I. V. Marie once again captivated me from the start with these characters and the rich settings, and i’m so glad to have read first Immortal Consequences and an eARC of Ruinous Ends, and now i’ve had the wonderful opportunity to read and review this novella early too. i highly recommend this world to everyone, and i hope you love these characters just as much as i do💕
This novella hurt me🥺 but in a good way…i think. Twisted Vows shows Wren Loughty’s beginning at Blackwood Academy, and she’s not the ambitious and studious character that she is in Immortal Consequences. instead, Wren is angry but also numb when she first arrives to the magical school in the afterlife (rightfully so), so she hides herself in her room. however, there will be consequences if she doesn’t start attending classes, so she finally manages to go to them, with the help of a new friend
but of course everything changes when she meets Augustine Hughes for the very first time… the Demon of Blackwood himself. and then the two are paired up for a magical treasure hunting assignment, and Wren learns that August might not be who everyone makes him out to be. or maybe, just maybe, he is.
I. V. Marie once again captivated me from the start with these characters and the rich settings, and i’m so glad to have read first Immortal Consequences and an eARC of Ruinous Ends, and now i’ve had the wonderful opportunity to read and review this novella early too. i highly recommend this world to everyone, and i hope you love these characters just as much as i do💕
May 1, 2026
this was such an insightful prequel! I loved getting behind the scenes of everything & can’t wait to start Ruinous Ends! this book reminded me why I absolutely LOVE Immortal Consequences! August & Wren are everything, even if it frustrated me to no end with his self-sabotaging. Excited to start my Immortal Consequences reread with the audio, then onto Ruinous Fates!
June 24, 2026
YESSSS this brought back everything I loved about the first one!!
I am such a lover of slow burn and maybe that is part of the reason that book two didn't hit as much for me, but this one brought us right back to the beginning and all those feelings came rushing back.
This was definitely short and I don't think it was 100% necessary but it was definitely fun and I enjoyed getting to see a couple more areas of Blackwood that we hadn't gotten to before. It was also nice to get little cameos from our other favorite characters in the other books but this definitely focused on Wren and August,
I really really adore their relationship and their banter is truly unmatched. SO so good, so funny, so entertaining, and honestly so romantic. I just love August and the forbidden love and his yearning is just so good..
I can't really give this more than three starts because it is less than 200 pages and you have to be a truly incredible novella to do so. But, I absolutely adored this and am really going to miss these characters.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I am such a lover of slow burn and maybe that is part of the reason that book two didn't hit as much for me, but this one brought us right back to the beginning and all those feelings came rushing back.
This was definitely short and I don't think it was 100% necessary but it was definitely fun and I enjoyed getting to see a couple more areas of Blackwood that we hadn't gotten to before. It was also nice to get little cameos from our other favorite characters in the other books but this definitely focused on Wren and August,
I really really adore their relationship and their banter is truly unmatched. SO so good, so funny, so entertaining, and honestly so romantic. I just love August and the forbidden love and his yearning is just so good..
I can't really give this more than three starts because it is less than 200 pages and you have to be a truly incredible novella to do so. But, I absolutely adored this and am really going to miss these characters.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 28, 2026
I’ll read anything about Blackwood Academy. I liked seeing how the competition between August and Wren started and how he was longing for her the moment he saw her! I wish The Hunt for the jewels assignment gave a little more but I love these characters so much I didn’t even mind that much.
Thank you to NetGalley and publisher, Random House Children’s Books for providing this book for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and publisher, Random House Children’s Books for providing this book for an honest review.
July 13, 2026
Absolutely perfect. I loved reading Wren and August’s origin story and seeing their chemistry right from the beginning. I’m so glad I read it after Ruinous Ends because all the little hints and Easter eggs of what’s to come made me want to read the duology again IMMEDIATELY. I love this world so much and I’m hoping this isn’t the last novella we get with these characters!
Thank you to Delacorte Press for the digital reader’s copy!
Thank you to Delacorte Press for the digital reader’s copy!
April 4, 2026
I was so happy to receive an ARC of this novella right after I finished the ARC of Ruinous Ends! I needed more of August and Wren in my life. They are one of my favorite couples ever! I absolutely loved getting more insight into Blackwood Academy and the afterlife and magic system. I also loved getting to see how their love-hate relationship began and, of course, all the tension and banter and forced proximity!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Children's Books, Delacorte Press, and I.V. Marie for the opportunity to read Twisted Vows in exchange for an honest review.
Twisted Vows is a novella that directly ties in to Immortal Consequences, the first of The Souls of Blackwood series. The events of the novella occur a few years before the Decennial (an event in which students can "ascend" and keep their memories from their lives). The novella alternates between the third-person perspectives of fan-favorite characters Wren and Augustine. While this novella could be a fun prequel, I highly recommend reading Immortal Consequences first, as there are some terms and even some key aspects of character that are definitely spoilers.
The novella follows Wren as a new student at Blackwood. As one might imagine, she has a hard time coping with the concept of being dead. Blackwood Academy is there to teach her various forms of magic to eventually be someone who helps souls cross over. Blackwood is more like a purgatory for the young. When she does finally get the push she needs to start attending classes, from a classmate who explains how Wren most certainly does not want to end up in "reformatory," she finds it's not all that bad. But rumors of "The Demon of Blackwood" hit her long before her first class.
Enter Augustine, who will do anything to save himself and screw up Decennial opportunities for others. He is expecting Wren. She is the "catalyst." Knowing what the reader should have gained from Immortal Consequences regarding August's character and motives, seeing this early representation of the Demien Order's plans and his involvement with Wren offers a more intense aspect to his feelings and the relationship that eventually blooms.
It's an enemies-to-lovers grapple as the two are teamed up together for a mystical scavenger hunt. Wren may not be magically ready, but August doesn't expect how emotionally unprepared he is if harm comes Wren's way.
There is absolutely nothing negative to say about this novella. I enjoyed it even more than the novel, and I believe that has to do with how concise it is, with the main focus being on just two characters (instead of six), and the two that I personally enjoyed reading the most in the main novel. There are also some fun cameos from other characters who have third-person perspective chapters in the main novel, other than Wren and August. I truly loved seeing the perspective of someone newly dead and new to Blackwood Academy, diving more into what that process may be like for students on a more intimate, individual level. I also enjoyed some of the more sinister elements to the novel. I know they are already dead, but that doesn't mean they can't be taken out of play for an extended period of time for nefarious means!
If you loved Immortal Consequences, I highly recommend this novella. It is very worth the time, especially if you are a Wren+August fan. If you came across this first and it peaks your interest, please go read Immortal Consequences first and immediately! Enjoy!
Twisted Vows is a novella that directly ties in to Immortal Consequences, the first of The Souls of Blackwood series. The events of the novella occur a few years before the Decennial (an event in which students can "ascend" and keep their memories from their lives). The novella alternates between the third-person perspectives of fan-favorite characters Wren and Augustine. While this novella could be a fun prequel, I highly recommend reading Immortal Consequences first, as there are some terms and even some key aspects of character that are definitely spoilers.
The novella follows Wren as a new student at Blackwood. As one might imagine, she has a hard time coping with the concept of being dead. Blackwood Academy is there to teach her various forms of magic to eventually be someone who helps souls cross over. Blackwood is more like a purgatory for the young. When she does finally get the push she needs to start attending classes, from a classmate who explains how Wren most certainly does not want to end up in "reformatory," she finds it's not all that bad. But rumors of "The Demon of Blackwood" hit her long before her first class.
Enter Augustine, who will do anything to save himself and screw up Decennial opportunities for others. He is expecting Wren. She is the "catalyst." Knowing what the reader should have gained from Immortal Consequences regarding August's character and motives, seeing this early representation of the Demien Order's plans and his involvement with Wren offers a more intense aspect to his feelings and the relationship that eventually blooms.
It's an enemies-to-lovers grapple as the two are teamed up together for a mystical scavenger hunt. Wren may not be magically ready, but August doesn't expect how emotionally unprepared he is if harm comes Wren's way.
There is absolutely nothing negative to say about this novella. I enjoyed it even more than the novel, and I believe that has to do with how concise it is, with the main focus being on just two characters (instead of six), and the two that I personally enjoyed reading the most in the main novel. There are also some fun cameos from other characters who have third-person perspective chapters in the main novel, other than Wren and August. I truly loved seeing the perspective of someone newly dead and new to Blackwood Academy, diving more into what that process may be like for students on a more intimate, individual level. I also enjoyed some of the more sinister elements to the novel. I know they are already dead, but that doesn't mean they can't be taken out of play for an extended period of time for nefarious means!
If you loved Immortal Consequences, I highly recommend this novella. It is very worth the time, especially if you are a Wren+August fan. If you came across this first and it peaks your interest, please go read Immortal Consequences first and immediately! Enjoy!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This novella is for all the Atlas Six fans who didn't get enough Nico/Libby content.
Twisted Vows is a novella taking place before the events of Immortal Consequences and focusing on two of the six POV characters: Wren and August. For those of you who are wondering: yes, it does spoil book 1; no, I don't think it spoils book 2 (I will update when I finish it); no, you do not *need* to read it to understand the plot, it just gives a bit more character backstory; yes, it's a bit self-indulgent. In general, it's a very short read that I would've devoured in one sitting if I had the time, and I definitely appreciated some more insight into August and Wren's history.
Wren Loughty has just arrived at Blackwood Academy when she's partnered with the infamous Augustine Hughes for an assignment. The goal? Solve three puzzles to retrieve three gemstones or face the consequences. The plot basically follows Wren and August as they banter through the three puzzles. The stakes are fairly high, and the pacing is quick, but I wouldn't go into this expecting mind-boggling twists. The plot itself is straightforward, and the ending sets up for the Wren and August readers know and love. I did want more, but I understand that this is a novella, so I'm not overly upset about the bonus content we did get.
The point of the novella is really to develop the characters, and I think it accomplishes that well. Seeing Blackwood from the POV of Wren when she first arrives was helpful from a worldbuilding standpoint, but it also made me appreciate Wren more. In the first book, we kind of start with Wren in the middle of her arc, but this gives us the beginning of her time at Blackwood. August's POV was the one that got even more much-needed depth, especially given certain pieces of his backstory that I wanted to see fleshed out at the end of book one. We learn more about his life prior to Blackwood, including how he died - which is something I desperately wanted to know for all the protagonists - as well as some context behind his interactions with Wren. I'm still a bit confused about what time period he's from, but I'm hoping it'll be resolved sooner than later. Also, there are some cameos from other fan favorite characters, most notably Olivier, for all of his fans.
Twisted Vows is a prequel novella for the Souls of Blackwood Academy series, perfect for readers who want banter, puzzles, and plenty of tension in the form of a story that can be devoured in a day.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the free e-ARC!
4/5
Twisted Vows is a novella taking place before the events of Immortal Consequences and focusing on two of the six POV characters: Wren and August. For those of you who are wondering: yes, it does spoil book 1; no, I don't think it spoils book 2 (I will update when I finish it); no, you do not *need* to read it to understand the plot, it just gives a bit more character backstory; yes, it's a bit self-indulgent. In general, it's a very short read that I would've devoured in one sitting if I had the time, and I definitely appreciated some more insight into August and Wren's history.
Wren Loughty has just arrived at Blackwood Academy when she's partnered with the infamous Augustine Hughes for an assignment. The goal? Solve three puzzles to retrieve three gemstones or face the consequences. The plot basically follows Wren and August as they banter through the three puzzles. The stakes are fairly high, and the pacing is quick, but I wouldn't go into this expecting mind-boggling twists. The plot itself is straightforward, and the ending sets up for the Wren and August readers know and love. I did want more, but I understand that this is a novella, so I'm not overly upset about the bonus content we did get.
The point of the novella is really to develop the characters, and I think it accomplishes that well. Seeing Blackwood from the POV of Wren when she first arrives was helpful from a worldbuilding standpoint, but it also made me appreciate Wren more. In the first book, we kind of start with Wren in the middle of her arc, but this gives us the beginning of her time at Blackwood. August's POV was the one that got even more much-needed depth, especially given certain pieces of his backstory that I wanted to see fleshed out at the end of book one. We learn more about his life prior to Blackwood, including how he died - which is something I desperately wanted to know for all the protagonists - as well as some context behind his interactions with Wren. I'm still a bit confused about what time period he's from, but I'm hoping it'll be resolved sooner than later. Also, there are some cameos from other fan favorite characters, most notably Olivier, for all of his fans.
Twisted Vows is a prequel novella for the Souls of Blackwood Academy series, perfect for readers who want banter, puzzles, and plenty of tension in the form of a story that can be devoured in a day.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the free e-ARC!
4/5
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I have a confession to make. The entire time I was reading this novella, I kept thinking, I really need more Olivier and Emilio. LOLOLOL
Twisted Vows was a really enjoyable return (?) to Blackwood Academy and a great companion novella for fans of the series. It is a prequel though, and has spoilers for both Immortal Consequences and Ruinous Ends, so I wouldn't recommend reading it first.
One of my biggest frustrations in the main series was trying to understand how August and Wren went from rivals who had spent nearly two decades annoying each other to suddenly being hopelessly in love. This novella definitely helps bridge that gap. Seeing them meet for the first time, watching their partnership develop and end with a betrayal, helped me understand the history behind their relationship.
That said...I still think the timeline is a little odd. I understand their connection much better now, but I'm not entirely convinced that eighteen years of rivalry naturally translates into the level of obsession these two eventually reach. Am I buying it more than before? Absolutely. Am I fully sold? Not quite.
What I did love was getting to see Blackwood Academy through Wren's eyes as a new arrival. The glimpse into her early days at the academy, her grief, her anger, and her struggle to accept her new reality added a lot of depth to her character.
I also appreciated getting more background on Silas, and why he did what he did (a power hungry man? say whaaat?) After everything that happens throughout the main series, it was interesting to go back and see some of the foundations of his character with fresh eyes.
The little appearances from other familiar faces were also a lot of fun. Every time another character showed up, I found myself smiling. Although poor Emilio was understandably absent since he hadn't arrived at Blackwood yet.
The novella doesn't radically change the story we already know, but it enriches it, which all prequels should.
Now if I.V. Marie would like to write an Olivier and Emilio novella next, I would greatly appreciate it.
I have a confession to make. The entire time I was reading this novella, I kept thinking, I really need more Olivier and Emilio. LOLOLOL
Twisted Vows was a really enjoyable return (?) to Blackwood Academy and a great companion novella for fans of the series. It is a prequel though, and has spoilers for both Immortal Consequences and Ruinous Ends, so I wouldn't recommend reading it first.
One of my biggest frustrations in the main series was trying to understand how August and Wren went from rivals who had spent nearly two decades annoying each other to suddenly being hopelessly in love. This novella definitely helps bridge that gap. Seeing them meet for the first time, watching their partnership develop and end with a betrayal, helped me understand the history behind their relationship.
That said...I still think the timeline is a little odd. I understand their connection much better now, but I'm not entirely convinced that eighteen years of rivalry naturally translates into the level of obsession these two eventually reach. Am I buying it more than before? Absolutely. Am I fully sold? Not quite.
What I did love was getting to see Blackwood Academy through Wren's eyes as a new arrival. The glimpse into her early days at the academy, her grief, her anger, and her struggle to accept her new reality added a lot of depth to her character.
I also appreciated getting more background on Silas, and why he did what he did (a power hungry man? say whaaat?) After everything that happens throughout the main series, it was interesting to go back and see some of the foundations of his character with fresh eyes.
The little appearances from other familiar faces were also a lot of fun. Every time another character showed up, I found myself smiling. Although poor Emilio was understandably absent since he hadn't arrived at Blackwood yet.
The novella doesn't radically change the story we already know, but it enriches it, which all prequels should.
Now if I.V. Marie would like to write an Olivier and Emilio novella next, I would greatly appreciate it.
April 25, 2026
okay so i'm going to need everyone to drop what they're doing because Twisted Vows absolutely delivered on every single thing i wanted from this prequel and then some.
i.v. marie understood the assignment. you give us a beloved couple in Immortal Consequences, fans inevitably start screaming for the backstory, and instead of half-heartedly tossing us a 50-page bonus chapter, we get this — a full novella that actually does the work of character development. and that's the thing about prequels, right? the bar is genuinely on the floor most of the time. half of them just exist to milk a beloved IP. this one earns its place.
stripping the POV down to just wren and august was the right call. Immortal Consequences juggles six perspectives, which i love, but giving these two the full spotlight lets us actually sit inside their dynamic without anyone else's emotional weather competing for airtime. the tension works because we get to feel every shift from both sides — wren's disorientation and grief curdling into spite, august already complicated and getting more complicated by the second. the "demon of blackwood" branding could've been so cringe in a lesser writer's hands but marie sells it.
and the worldbuilding!! i've been obsessed with blackwood since book one but novellas tend to assume you don't need or want more lore. this one quietly expands the campus, the magical curriculum, the soul-guiding mechanics, all of it, without ever stopping to lecture you. the gothic atmosphere is so well-rendered i could basically smell the stone.
the banter is doing exactly what it needs to do. the tension is unhinged in the best way. the "she'd hate him for the rest of eternity" of it all is going to live in my head rent-free until the next book.
genuinely i would read a grocery list if these characters were in it. i'm so deep in this series it's not even funny.
if you loved Immortal Consequences this is non-negotiable. if you haven't read Immortal Consequences yet — first of all, why, and second, you could honestly start here and be totally fine.
5 stars, foil cover gorgeous, endpapers a dream, will be screaming about this on tiktok shortly.
i.v. marie understood the assignment. you give us a beloved couple in Immortal Consequences, fans inevitably start screaming for the backstory, and instead of half-heartedly tossing us a 50-page bonus chapter, we get this — a full novella that actually does the work of character development. and that's the thing about prequels, right? the bar is genuinely on the floor most of the time. half of them just exist to milk a beloved IP. this one earns its place.
stripping the POV down to just wren and august was the right call. Immortal Consequences juggles six perspectives, which i love, but giving these two the full spotlight lets us actually sit inside their dynamic without anyone else's emotional weather competing for airtime. the tension works because we get to feel every shift from both sides — wren's disorientation and grief curdling into spite, august already complicated and getting more complicated by the second. the "demon of blackwood" branding could've been so cringe in a lesser writer's hands but marie sells it.
and the worldbuilding!! i've been obsessed with blackwood since book one but novellas tend to assume you don't need or want more lore. this one quietly expands the campus, the magical curriculum, the soul-guiding mechanics, all of it, without ever stopping to lecture you. the gothic atmosphere is so well-rendered i could basically smell the stone.
the banter is doing exactly what it needs to do. the tension is unhinged in the best way. the "she'd hate him for the rest of eternity" of it all is going to live in my head rent-free until the next book.
genuinely i would read a grocery list if these characters were in it. i'm so deep in this series it's not even funny.
if you loved Immortal Consequences this is non-negotiable. if you haven't read Immortal Consequences yet — first of all, why, and second, you could honestly start here and be totally fine.
5 stars, foil cover gorgeous, endpapers a dream, will be screaming about this on tiktok shortly.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advance reader copy (eARC) of Twisted Vows: A Blackwood Academy Novella in exchange for my honest review.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (3.5–4 stars)
I went straight from finishing and reviewing Ruinous Ends into Twisted Vows, and I don't regret that decision at all. In fact, reading this novella may have bumped my rating for Ruinous Ends up to a 3.5 stars. Let me explain.
Looking back, I think I should have reread Immortal Consequences before jumping into the sequel and this novella. It had been long enough that I'd lost some of my connection to the characters, which definitely affected my experience with Ruinous Ends. After reading Twisted Vows, I felt invested in Wren and August all over again.
That said, I do not recommend reading this before the main books. While it's a prequel, it contains spoilers for Immortal Consequences, so I think the publication order is still the best reading order: Immortal Consequences, Ruinous Ends, and then Twisted Vows.
Despite being a novella, Twisted Vows delivered more of the world-building and magic system that I felt was missing from Ruinous Ends. Getting to experience Blackwood through Wren's eyes when she first arrives at the academy was fascinating, and I loved seeing more of the magic woven naturally into the story.
This novella also focuses entirely on Wren and August's dual POVs, which was exactly what I wanted. Watching the foundation of their relationship form (or perhaps begin to unravel) added so much depth to both characters. The banter was fantastic, and I really enjoyed seeing them wrestle with their feelings for one another. Knowing where their relationship eventually goes made these moments even more impactful. August has been waiting for Wren for a long time, and meeting her changes everything he thought he knew.
Overall, this novella reminded me why I enjoyed this world in the first place. It rekindled my investment in these characters and left me wanting even more stories set at Blackwood Academy.
Now I'm officially hoping I.V. Marie writes more prequel novellas. I'd love to explore Blackwood through Olivier's story next!
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (3.5–4 stars)
I went straight from finishing and reviewing Ruinous Ends into Twisted Vows, and I don't regret that decision at all. In fact, reading this novella may have bumped my rating for Ruinous Ends up to a 3.5 stars. Let me explain.
Looking back, I think I should have reread Immortal Consequences before jumping into the sequel and this novella. It had been long enough that I'd lost some of my connection to the characters, which definitely affected my experience with Ruinous Ends. After reading Twisted Vows, I felt invested in Wren and August all over again.
That said, I do not recommend reading this before the main books. While it's a prequel, it contains spoilers for Immortal Consequences, so I think the publication order is still the best reading order: Immortal Consequences, Ruinous Ends, and then Twisted Vows.
Despite being a novella, Twisted Vows delivered more of the world-building and magic system that I felt was missing from Ruinous Ends. Getting to experience Blackwood through Wren's eyes when she first arrives at the academy was fascinating, and I loved seeing more of the magic woven naturally into the story.
This novella also focuses entirely on Wren and August's dual POVs, which was exactly what I wanted. Watching the foundation of their relationship form (or perhaps begin to unravel) added so much depth to both characters. The banter was fantastic, and I really enjoyed seeing them wrestle with their feelings for one another. Knowing where their relationship eventually goes made these moments even more impactful. August has been waiting for Wren for a long time, and meeting her changes everything he thought he knew.
Overall, this novella reminded me why I enjoyed this world in the first place. It rekindled my investment in these characters and left me wanting even more stories set at Blackwood Academy.
Now I'm officially hoping I.V. Marie writes more prequel novellas. I'd love to explore Blackwood through Olivier's story next!
June 29, 2026
4.75 rounded up.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book to read and review!
I really enjoyed this one more than book 2.
Twisted vows is a short story of how the push and pull, enemies to lovers feelings developed between Wren and August 18 years before the book Immortal Consequences (book #1) took place.
While we are briefly and subtly introduced to other characters we will meet with larger roles in the other books, this one focuses solely on Wren and August and the focus does wonders for the plot of the book. By spending more time in certain POVs, you’re able to develop a stronger relationship with the characters and allows the reader to become more deeply emersed the story. It definitely did that here. I didn’t want to put the book down. I needed to know how Wrens next day went, how their school project was going, etc.
IV Marie did a great job with her character arcs and in building Wren and August’s relationship together. How how he let her down in the end; I let out a deep sigh. I didn’t see it coming. My heart sank for her. She did such a great job of setting up for that let down.
As for the title of the book: she promises to make the rest of his wretched eternity a living hell while he will happily let her break every part of him and loathe him if it means keeping her safe. ❤️
This book definitely made me appreciate them more as individuals as well as a team and couple.
For me, I also appreciate how the author addresses things with subtle messages in each of her books - her one about grief was written so beautifully - “that pain is a reminder of the love you once shared. What a gift..to love somebody so much that their absence haunts you eternally. To love somebody so deeply that the same love follows you. Even in death.” Just beautiful.
At times I wished I could have read this before Immortal Consequences or before Ruinous Ends because of the way the author set up her writing, however there are characters and spoilers that make it so you need to read them in order. I would also not recommend skipping this book because it’s “just a short story”. You will definitely be missing out.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book to read and review!
I really enjoyed this one more than book 2.
Twisted vows is a short story of how the push and pull, enemies to lovers feelings developed between Wren and August 18 years before the book Immortal Consequences (book #1) took place.
While we are briefly and subtly introduced to other characters we will meet with larger roles in the other books, this one focuses solely on Wren and August and the focus does wonders for the plot of the book. By spending more time in certain POVs, you’re able to develop a stronger relationship with the characters and allows the reader to become more deeply emersed the story. It definitely did that here. I didn’t want to put the book down. I needed to know how Wrens next day went, how their school project was going, etc.
IV Marie did a great job with her character arcs and in building Wren and August’s relationship together. How how he let her down in the end; I let out a deep sigh. I didn’t see it coming. My heart sank for her. She did such a great job of setting up for that let down.
As for the title of the book: she promises to make the rest of his wretched eternity a living hell while he will happily let her break every part of him and loathe him if it means keeping her safe. ❤️
This book definitely made me appreciate them more as individuals as well as a team and couple.
For me, I also appreciate how the author addresses things with subtle messages in each of her books - her one about grief was written so beautifully - “that pain is a reminder of the love you once shared. What a gift..to love somebody so much that their absence haunts you eternally. To love somebody so deeply that the same love follows you. Even in death.” Just beautiful.
At times I wished I could have read this before Immortal Consequences or before Ruinous Ends because of the way the author set up her writing, however there are characters and spoilers that make it so you need to read them in order. I would also not recommend skipping this book because it’s “just a short story”. You will definitely be missing out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
𝕊𝕡𝕠𝕚𝕝𝕖𝕣 𝔽𝕣𝕖𝕖
୨ৎ 𝘚𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘎𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘯 𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸 <3
✧˖°. "𝐇𝐞𝐲 𝐒𝐢𝐫𝐢 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐟𝐟 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐛𝐲 𝐋𝐎𝐋𝐎" ₊˚ 🦢
➜ Ok so I absolutely ADORE this whole series and it brings me so much joy to say that I have been a fan of these books since the beginning and I am so happy to be here when it all wraps up! This novella brought back so many memories of reading Immortal Consequences and I loved how we got to see Wren and August before Immortal Consequences took place! Even though this might be a prequel it DOES have spoilers for Ruinous Ends in it!! So I recommend reading it after! I love Wren so much and I feel like I have so much in common with her and so I loved getting to spend more time with her character before the series wrapped up. After Ruinous Ends I didn’t think I would be able to read this because I was too sad but I am so so happy that I did!! Wren and August have such a good academic rivals to lovers thing going on and I loved getting to see them fight and yearn for the entirety of this book! Also idk if it is just me but I’ve always wanted to get a scene where August gets shoved off the roof by Wren cos it mentions it a lot in Immortal Consequences and in this novella WE GOT THE SCENEEE!! I was so happy like idk why him getting flung off a building makes me so happy but it does 😌 August is an absolute diva but he also has SUCH A SAD BACKSTORY and we love a troubled character and he was just so perfect! Everything about this novella I really liked but I wished that we got to see more of Emilio, Olivier, Masika and Irene 😔🙏 they were literally nowhere to be found in this book. I think we saw Irene and Olivier ONCE. Just once is not enough but yk what its alr. Overall this book was SO GOOD and I can not wait to get a physical copy of this book!! 4.8★ 🪞⋆｡𖦹°‧
⊹ ࣪ ˖🕰️"𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐬𝐧'𝐭 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬, 𝐈 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬, 𝐈 𝐬𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐮𝐩 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐦𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐬"୭˚. ᵎᵎ🗝️
୨ৎ 𝘚𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘎𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘯 𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸 <3
✧˖°. "𝐇𝐞𝐲 𝐒𝐢𝐫𝐢 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐟𝐟 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐛𝐲 𝐋𝐎𝐋𝐎" ₊˚ 🦢
➜ Ok so I absolutely ADORE this whole series and it brings me so much joy to say that I have been a fan of these books since the beginning and I am so happy to be here when it all wraps up! This novella brought back so many memories of reading Immortal Consequences and I loved how we got to see Wren and August before Immortal Consequences took place! Even though this might be a prequel it DOES have spoilers for Ruinous Ends in it!! So I recommend reading it after! I love Wren so much and I feel like I have so much in common with her and so I loved getting to spend more time with her character before the series wrapped up. After Ruinous Ends I didn’t think I would be able to read this because I was too sad but I am so so happy that I did!! Wren and August have such a good academic rivals to lovers thing going on and I loved getting to see them fight and yearn for the entirety of this book! Also idk if it is just me but I’ve always wanted to get a scene where August gets shoved off the roof by Wren cos it mentions it a lot in Immortal Consequences and in this novella WE GOT THE SCENEEE!! I was so happy like idk why him getting flung off a building makes me so happy but it does 😌 August is an absolute diva but he also has SUCH A SAD BACKSTORY and we love a troubled character and he was just so perfect! Everything about this novella I really liked but I wished that we got to see more of Emilio, Olivier, Masika and Irene 😔🙏 they were literally nowhere to be found in this book. I think we saw Irene and Olivier ONCE. Just once is not enough but yk what its alr. Overall this book was SO GOOD and I can not wait to get a physical copy of this book!! 4.8★ 🪞⋆｡𖦹°‧
⊹ ࣪ ˖🕰️"𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐬𝐧'𝐭 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬, 𝐈 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬, 𝐈 𝐬𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐮𝐩 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐦𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐬"୭˚. ᵎᵎ🗝️
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Rating: 4.75⭐️
I would quite literally read a grocery list if it was written by I.V. Marie. This book is the blueprint of yearning. The origin story. The foundation. The ancient text of whatever is going on between Wren and August.
Going back to Blackwood Academy felt like returning home (except the home is haunted, emotionally unstable, and full of unresolved tension). I loved getting to dive deeper into the magic system again. It never stops being interesting. I need the small details to be injected directly into my veins. I loved how the magical schedule map works. And the whole explanation about language in the afterlife was a nice touch. The fact that the languages of the living world no longer exist, and that everyone is essentially reborn with a universal translator, adds so much depth and immersion. It makes the world feel real in that eerie, unsettling way that just works.
Okay. Now let me talk about Wren and August again. I need a moment because the push and pull between them was EXQUISITE. Every conversation feels like they’re one step away from either a mental breakdown or an angry love confession in the rain (do they have rain in the afterlife?). There is not a single dull moment when they’re on the page together. I love them in a slightly concerning way.
And yes, plot-wise, this is a prequel novella, so it’s not packed with heavy action or major plot progression. But that’s not the point. This is about understanding them. Why they are the way they are. How they got here. Why their dynamic in Immortal Consequences feels like emotional warfare disguised as tension. And honestly, that alone made it worth it. It still has that same compelling, addictive charm. Just quieter and more personal.
════════════════════════
Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for the ARC!
I would quite literally read a grocery list if it was written by I.V. Marie. This book is the blueprint of yearning. The origin story. The foundation. The ancient text of whatever is going on between Wren and August.
Going back to Blackwood Academy felt like returning home (except the home is haunted, emotionally unstable, and full of unresolved tension). I loved getting to dive deeper into the magic system again. It never stops being interesting. I need the small details to be injected directly into my veins. I loved how the magical schedule map works. And the whole explanation about language in the afterlife was a nice touch. The fact that the languages of the living world no longer exist, and that everyone is essentially reborn with a universal translator, adds so much depth and immersion. It makes the world feel real in that eerie, unsettling way that just works.
Okay. Now let me talk about Wren and August again. I need a moment because the push and pull between them was EXQUISITE. Every conversation feels like they’re one step away from either a mental breakdown or an angry love confession in the rain (do they have rain in the afterlife?). There is not a single dull moment when they’re on the page together. I love them in a slightly concerning way.
And yes, plot-wise, this is a prequel novella, so it’s not packed with heavy action or major plot progression. But that’s not the point. This is about understanding them. Why they are the way they are. How they got here. Why their dynamic in Immortal Consequences feels like emotional warfare disguised as tension. And honestly, that alone made it worth it. It still has that same compelling, addictive charm. Just quieter and more personal.
════════════════════════
Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
There's nothing quite like the chilling coziness of sinking into a good Dark Academia story. Author I.V. Marie proved her dark writing chops to me with Immortal Consequences, a novel that couldn't get much closer to perfection. When I realized she'd written a prequel novella set eighteen years earlier, I wasted no time in finding Twisted Vows.
Wren's the new girl in school, freshly demised and not sure how to cope with that. August is the literal old boy in school, and even though Wren's heard about his reputation as "The Demon of Blackwood", he's quick to offer assistance in settling in. In fact, he's SO quick about it, you'd think he might have ulterior motives... and you'd be right.
The two team up for a class project, a jewel hunt that has them chasing clues through various buildings on campus. Using magical skill is necessary to find the gems, and Wren's still a newbie at that. But at August's insistence, she starts to learn more about her powers.
The hunt is a good backdrop for the duo, giving them a reason to spend time together without overshadowing the main event, which is the battle of wits between Wren and August. Readers will recognize what they mean to each other long before they figure it out. And even at that, don't expect a happily ever after ending. This isn't that sort of book.
Being a novella, it's a short read. I finished it over two evenings, as I didn't want to rush. I do need to read Ruinous Ends soon, as I really don't want to pass up any opportunity to visit Blackwood Academy.
My thanks to I. V. Marie, Delacorte Press, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a digital advance review copy of this book. This review is my honest and unbiased opinion.
Wren's the new girl in school, freshly demised and not sure how to cope with that. August is the literal old boy in school, and even though Wren's heard about his reputation as "The Demon of Blackwood", he's quick to offer assistance in settling in. In fact, he's SO quick about it, you'd think he might have ulterior motives... and you'd be right.
The two team up for a class project, a jewel hunt that has them chasing clues through various buildings on campus. Using magical skill is necessary to find the gems, and Wren's still a newbie at that. But at August's insistence, she starts to learn more about her powers.
The hunt is a good backdrop for the duo, giving them a reason to spend time together without overshadowing the main event, which is the battle of wits between Wren and August. Readers will recognize what they mean to each other long before they figure it out. And even at that, don't expect a happily ever after ending. This isn't that sort of book.
Being a novella, it's a short read. I finished it over two evenings, as I didn't want to rush. I do need to read Ruinous Ends soon, as I really don't want to pass up any opportunity to visit Blackwood Academy.
My thanks to I. V. Marie, Delacorte Press, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a digital advance review copy of this book. This review is my honest and unbiased opinion.
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