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Zachariah
Virginia, 1874.
Zachariah has spent years earning a reputation as a man who gets things done. Loyal, feared, and unwavering in his duty, he serves one of the most powerful families in the South, protecting their interests and keeping their enemies at bay.
But power comes at a price.
When tragedy strikes, Zachariah finds himself drawn into a darkness that threatens to consume everything he once believed in. As grief, vengeance, and bloodshed collide, he is forced to confront a question that will determine the fate of his
How far is a man willing to go when he has nothing left to lose?
Set decades before the events of Soulless, ZACHARIAH is a haunting gothic novella about loss, redemption, and the choices that shape who we become.
Zachariah has spent years earning a reputation as a man who gets things done. Loyal, feared, and unwavering in his duty, he serves one of the most powerful families in the South, protecting their interests and keeping their enemies at bay.
But power comes at a price.
When tragedy strikes, Zachariah finds himself drawn into a darkness that threatens to consume everything he once believed in. As grief, vengeance, and bloodshed collide, he is forced to confront a question that will determine the fate of his
How far is a man willing to go when he has nothing left to lose?
Set decades before the events of Soulless, ZACHARIAH is a haunting gothic novella about loss, redemption, and the choices that shape who we become.
283 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 31, 2026
About the author
Weena Bernabel
7 books58 followersWeena Bernabel is a storyteller of intense emotion.
Her novels explore the thin line between light and darkness, where passion feels dangerous and connection feels destined. With a love for gothic atmospheres, poetic prose, and emotionally charged relationships, she writes stories that dive deep into the shadows of the human heart.
Inspired by classic literature, haunting melodies, and the belief that some souls are bound beyond logic, Weena creates worlds where love is powerful enough to defy fate. An old soul at heart, she finds inspiration in 1950s oldies and blues music.
When she is not writing, she can be found cozy with a book, a warm mug of coffee, and Luna by her side.
She believes every being deserves to be loved—and that some loves are written long before we are born.
Her novels explore the thin line between light and darkness, where passion feels dangerous and connection feels destined. With a love for gothic atmospheres, poetic prose, and emotionally charged relationships, she writes stories that dive deep into the shadows of the human heart.
Inspired by classic literature, haunting melodies, and the belief that some souls are bound beyond logic, Weena creates worlds where love is powerful enough to defy fate. An old soul at heart, she finds inspiration in 1950s oldies and blues music.
When she is not writing, she can be found cozy with a book, a warm mug of coffee, and Luna by her side.
She believes every being deserves to be loved—and that some loves are written long before we are born.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
Have you ever started a book and just knew that it was going to break your heart? That’s exactly what Zachariah did. This is truly a beautiful heartbreaking story. The way Weena pulls you into the story and just makes you feel every emotion that Zachariah goes through. I’m absolutely loving the Souls Universe! Can we talk about that ending?! Seriously what a great ending for this book.
If you’ve read Soulless then you’ve met Malek. Now we’re getting the man he was before he became a reaper. He’s dark, a man not be crossed and maybe a little feared. This is a story of a historical gothic villain origin with redemption and TRAGEDY.
A huge thank you to Weena for the arc!
If you’ve read Soulless then you’ve met Malek. Now we’re getting the man he was before he became a reaper. He’s dark, a man not be crossed and maybe a little feared. This is a story of a historical gothic villain origin with redemption and TRAGEDY.
A huge thank you to Weena for the arc!
October 28, 2026
📚 Book Review: Zachariah by Weena Bernabel
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 Stars
I do enjoy a story that takes a darker turn and explores what grief, loss, and revenge can do to a person, and Zachariah definitely caught my attention with its dark, gothic atmosphere. 🖤
Set in Virginia in 1874, this novella follows Zachariah, a man who has built his reputation on loyalty, duty, and getting things done. He’s spent years protecting a powerful Southern family, but when tragedy hits, everything starts to change. As grief and vengeance begin to take hold, he’s faced with a question that really makes you think: How far would you go if you felt you had nothing left to lose?
What stood out to me is the way this story explores how pain can change someone. When a person experiences a devastating loss, it’s not always easy to make the right choices, and sometimes the desire for revenge can take over everything else. I love when a story gets me thinking about a character’s decisions and whether I would have reacted any differently in their situation.
The historical setting and gothic atmosphere also work so well with the darker themes of loss, redemption, and bloodshed. I was especially interested in the fact that this story takes place decades before Soulless, giving readers a chance to explore an earlier part of this world.
I’m giving Zachariah 4 stars! ⭐️ I enjoyed the dark premise, the haunting atmosphere, and the deeper questions about grief and morality. It’s the kind of story that makes you think about how one devastating event can change the direction of someone’s life and how difficult it can be to find your way back once you’ve been consumed by darkness.
🖤 Question for you: Do you think grief can change someone completely, or does it bring out a side of them that was already there?
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 Stars
I do enjoy a story that takes a darker turn and explores what grief, loss, and revenge can do to a person, and Zachariah definitely caught my attention with its dark, gothic atmosphere. 🖤
Set in Virginia in 1874, this novella follows Zachariah, a man who has built his reputation on loyalty, duty, and getting things done. He’s spent years protecting a powerful Southern family, but when tragedy hits, everything starts to change. As grief and vengeance begin to take hold, he’s faced with a question that really makes you think: How far would you go if you felt you had nothing left to lose?
What stood out to me is the way this story explores how pain can change someone. When a person experiences a devastating loss, it’s not always easy to make the right choices, and sometimes the desire for revenge can take over everything else. I love when a story gets me thinking about a character’s decisions and whether I would have reacted any differently in their situation.
The historical setting and gothic atmosphere also work so well with the darker themes of loss, redemption, and bloodshed. I was especially interested in the fact that this story takes place decades before Soulless, giving readers a chance to explore an earlier part of this world.
I’m giving Zachariah 4 stars! ⭐️ I enjoyed the dark premise, the haunting atmosphere, and the deeper questions about grief and morality. It’s the kind of story that makes you think about how one devastating event can change the direction of someone’s life and how difficult it can be to find your way back once you’ve been consumed by darkness.
🖤 Question for you: Do you think grief can change someone completely, or does it bring out a side of them that was already there?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 25, 2026
This story follows Zachariah, a man working at Green Waters while trying to support and protect his family. As things start to get messy at Green Waters, Zachariah finds himself trying to keep his wife and son safe while still having a job to do. Things take a turn for the worst, and soon there is bloodshed, revenge, and ultimately redemption.
This story took me on a roller coaster of emotions. This is a story about a man's pain and just how far he is willing to go for the people he loves.
I absolutely loved seeing how much Zachariah loved his wife and son.
He would do anything to protect them, even if it came at a cost. You could truly feel the love he had for his family, but you could also feel the weight he was carrying throughout the story.
The way Weena writes is so full of emotion and when I was reading could feel Zachariah's pain and then I physically started to hurt. I could feel his internal struggles, his grief, his anger, and the pain he was carrying deep down and that's when you know the writer is phenomenal and that is what Weena is (o And that ending?! WOW.
(a It really hit me hard.
A beautiful dark story of revenge, redemption, love, sacrifice, and the lengths a man will go to for his family and what that cost him.
This story took me on a roller coaster of emotions. This is a story about a man's pain and just how far he is willing to go for the people he loves.
I absolutely loved seeing how much Zachariah loved his wife and son.
He would do anything to protect them, even if it came at a cost. You could truly feel the love he had for his family, but you could also feel the weight he was carrying throughout the story.
The way Weena writes is so full of emotion and when I was reading could feel Zachariah's pain and then I physically started to hurt. I could feel his internal struggles, his grief, his anger, and the pain he was carrying deep down and that's when you know the writer is phenomenal and that is what Weena is (o And that ending?! WOW.
(a It really hit me hard.
A beautiful dark story of revenge, redemption, love, sacrifice, and the lengths a man will go to for his family and what that cost him.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This may have been a Novella but it was chalked full of emotion, love, heartache, pain and a bittersweet ending.
I enjoyed getting to read Zachariah's story. It was such a sad story but you really got to know him and what drove him. Even though he didn't have his memories as Malek, who he was at his core still bleed through into that life.
The ending was bittersweet and I am so happy for Zachariah/Malek. But I was left wondering what about Meredith? Where is she and what happiness does she have. I know the book wasn't about her but she touched a part of my heart.
Overall I enjoyed reading Zachariah. I always look forward to anything Weena Bernabel writes!
Thank you to the author Weena Bernabel for the eARC!
I enjoyed getting to read Zachariah's story. It was such a sad story but you really got to know him and what drove him. Even though he didn't have his memories as Malek, who he was at his core still bleed through into that life.
The ending was bittersweet and I am so happy for Zachariah/Malek. But I was left wondering what about Meredith? Where is she and what happiness does she have. I know the book wasn't about her but she touched a part of my heart.
Overall I enjoyed reading Zachariah. I always look forward to anything Weena Bernabel writes!
Thank you to the author Weena Bernabel for the eARC!
November 6, 2026
Oh my heart! This was an emotional read. I have always had a soft spot in my heart for Malek, but this story of his life before becoming the Reaper, it was so so sad. Zachariah was such an amazing and devoted father and husband. Being morally gray didn't extend into his personal life and the amount of love he had for his family was infinite. He didn't deserve what happened to him, but the redemption that eventually comes is so so beautiful. Weena just has such an amazing way of writing, its almost magical to me! I highly recommend this whole series!
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 STARS | ZACHARIAH by Weena Bernabel 🖤🖤
This book had me HOOKED! Dark, intense, and absolutely fantastic, Zachariah is the kind of read that pulls you in and refuses to let you go. The atmosphere, the darkness, and that dangerous energy had me completely invested. 🖤🐦⬛
If you love your books dark, your characters complicated, and your reading experience a little unhinged, this one deserves a spot on your TBR!
Weena, you absolutely delivered with this one! Five stars from me!
My taco-loving, dark-romance heart is VERY happy!
This book had me HOOKED! Dark, intense, and absolutely fantastic, Zachariah is the kind of read that pulls you in and refuses to let you go. The atmosphere, the darkness, and that dangerous energy had me completely invested. 🖤🐦⬛
If you love your books dark, your characters complicated, and your reading experience a little unhinged, this one deserves a spot on your TBR!
Weena, you absolutely delivered with this one! Five stars from me!
My taco-loving, dark-romance heart is VERY happy!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I can't express enough how much I love Weena Bernabels writing. Every story I get to read gets better and emotional. I finished this book within 24 hours and during my time of reading I did a lot of crying. This one completely wrecked me💔 that I personally messaged Weena to tell and SHOW her how much I was crying! The many times I had to put my kindle down because I couldn't see the screen is unreal 😢. The details in every scene make you feel as if you are watching everything unfold right before your own eyes. The tropes for Zachariah are Morally Gray Hero , Villian Origin Story , Gothic Revenge TRAGEDY (I capitalize that for a reason 😭) , Gothic Historical Story, Redemption and Husband/Father Devotion. If any of these tropes call out to you add this to your TBR so you too can be emotional unwell with me !
Review of advance copy received from Author
Hi. Hello.
I wrote this book, and I never thought I would have to go to such a dark and emotional place to tell this story.
ZACHARIAH means so much to me. Malek has always been one of my favorite characters to write, and with this novella, I wanted to show the man he was before he became the Reaper. I wanted to give him the story, the truth, and the happiness he deserved.
This book broke my heart in many ways, but it also reminded me why I love this universe so much.
I hope you love Zachariah’s story as much as I loved writing it.
Love,
Weena
I wrote this book, and I never thought I would have to go to such a dark and emotional place to tell this story.
ZACHARIAH means so much to me. Malek has always been one of my favorite characters to write, and with this novella, I wanted to show the man he was before he became the Reaper. I wanted to give him the story, the truth, and the happiness he deserved.
This book broke my heart in many ways, but it also reminded me why I love this universe so much.
I hope you love Zachariah’s story as much as I loved writing it.
Love,
Weena
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book had me in tears! But I was expecting that! Lol. This story is about malek, and how his life was before he became a reaper.
Zachariah was a tough man, not to be messed with. He was also very loving, and cared for his family so much. This book had so many emotions, and I understand why malek was the way he was in soulless. I loved it, I cried. The ending was perfect!! Thank you Weena for letting me be an ARC reader for you again! Your stories are always so passionate, and well written. I always feel that the stories are real, and I'm actually there in the pages! 💔🥰🥹🫶🏻
Zachariah was a tough man, not to be messed with. He was also very loving, and cared for his family so much. This book had so many emotions, and I understand why malek was the way he was in soulless. I loved it, I cried. The ending was perfect!! Thank you Weena for letting me be an ARC reader for you again! Your stories are always so passionate, and well written. I always feel that the stories are real, and I'm actually there in the pages! 💔🥰🥹🫶🏻
Review of advance copy received from Author
I swear each book gets better and better. Zachariah is a heartbreaking tale in grief but also in redemption. We get a glimpse into his life before he became a reaper. To what a man can do if he is pushed to the edge. This book will have you laughing, sobbing, and wanting vengeance. Weena is an amazing story teller, she will have you feeling as if you are inside rhe story. Bravo 5 stars.
Review of advance copy received from Author
***ARC REVIEW***
Ohh Zachariah! The way they did him in this story was heart breaking. I cried! But now I see how he needed that second chance in Soulless. This book did not disappoint.
Ohh Zachariah! The way they did him in this story was heart breaking. I cried! But now I see how he needed that second chance in Soulless. This book did not disappoint.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews