Wraithwound: An Epic Gothic Fantasy Romance featuring a Wraith and a Warrior with Gods, Monsters and Magic

by Sienna Kirk

Book 1 in the Wrath of the EverGods Series

Perfect for fans of One Dark Window, Anathema and The Witcher, WRAITHWOUND is an epic fantasy romance with enemies-to-lovers, slow-burn spice, found family, a loyal pet sidekick and an immersive world of magic and monsters.
Citizens of Reimar know two things, if you’re scratched by a wraith, your life is forfeit; if you manage to survive the turn, you’ll kill everyone you love and devour their souls.

After being scratched by a wraith, Lena only has a limited time, before she turns, to find a cure.

She’ll race across a land magic has since abandoned and reclaim the healing skills she once forsook to delay the transformation. It isn’t just her own life she seeks to preserve. To delay the deadly infection, her brother gifted her his soul and now she carries it within her.

But when she saves Cross, a warrior oathbound to destroy wraiths. Her choice binds him to protect her, even as the infection turns her into the very thing he has sworn to kill.

As Lena’s corruption deepens, her search uncovers a connection between the wraiths, Reimar’s vanished magic, and the Goddess, whose disappearance left the realm defenseless.
Will she risk losing her humanity to save them all, or succumb to the monster growing inside her?

If you like an adult heroine who is smart and takes calculated risks and a brooding, mysterious hero who is all green flags, you will devour this sexy and addictive fantasy adventure.

Wraithwound is the gripping first book in the heart-pounding, epic gothic fantasy romance series, The Wrath of the EverGods.

550 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 8, 2026

Reviews

[Kristin Phillips]

I am not a typical fantasy reader, but this book hit all the marks of what I love. To see Lena go through this journey of self discovery and growth, was so relatable! Watching her go on her own journey of grief and feeling alone, we see that if we keep moving forward, we can come out even stronger, more self-loving and confident. The characters all keep you guessing, in the BEST of ways. A book where I couldn’t stop reading, and had to know what was going to happen on the next page. Absolute MUST read, even for the non-fantasy readers.

[Lacey]

This was a long one but an amazing read. The beginning pulled me in immediately, I was not expecting it to start that way, it was a nice change of pace. Lena became my favorite character she showed that even in death, a sibling bond never goes away. Especially for older siblings, we would do anything to protect our siblings, at least I will. Cross was cool too and I like how he didn't treat Lena different because of her "condition". The ending was good and I'm patiently waiting for book two to go on another adventure with Lena and others.

[Ella]

ARC Review | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you so much for Sienna for gifting me with this chance to read the ARC! 🖤

I started reading this book without knowing exactly what to expect since my tendency is not to pick high fantasy books with myriad creatures and an involved magic system, but wow, I was in for an unforgettable experience!

The main heroine, Lena, is deeply tragic and relatable because everybody can associate themselves with her in terms of hope, loss, confusion, helplessness, and anger. All of these emotions are evoked as Lena witnesses the murder of her village members with Wraiths and then is marked to become one of the creatures herself because of the Wraithwound. After finding her brother dying, she is given a chance to save herself by receiving his soul, which would give her a chance to live longer and try to avoid becoming a Wraith. As Lena searches for a way to save herself, the story becomes even more intriguing because of the complex world with creatures and the need to protect oneself from them and the chance for a soulbound soldier to save someone whom he loves.

My major takeaway from this story was meeting a remarkable character named Lena, who is deep and multi-faceted and can be loved for her inner strength, which does not allow her to break even under the most devastating circumstances. In addition, I liked how the author created the world rife with Wraiths, various creatures, and wars and managed to make it understandable and easy to imagine. Moreover, I liked that the characters in the book had distinct personalities, so it was always easy to guess who was talking by their speech. Finally, the plot was equally attractive because there were many twisting and turning moments, and it was hard to predict what event would occur next.

Thus, it was hard to put this book aside after reading a page because the author makes you wonder what would happen to the protagonists and whether they would survive and how they would do that. At the same time, some plot twists surprised me, but they were logical and justified at the same time, so I could not wait to reread the book to experience the suspenseful plot and an involved mystery and dive into the well-developed world full of dangerous creatures and different types of magic.

Overall, it was a pleasant surprise to read this book, and I would recommend it to friends who enjoy the genre with immersive world-building, multiple creatures, and suspenseful plots with an array of twists.

Thank you again, Sienna! It was a pleasure to read this book, and I cannot wait for the next part to get published!
5/5 ⭐️

[Kliunaai]

Review of an advance copy received from the author.

Thank you so much to Sienna Kirk for the opportunity to read this ARC!​🖤

I really enjoyed this one! 🖤🖤🖤🖤
Wraithwound drew me in with its dark atmosphere and eerie sense of unease. 🖤 There was always this feeling that something could shift or go wrong at any moment, which kept me completely invested.
Needless to say, “Just one more chapter…” happened more times than I’d like to admit. 😂 😂😂

I really connected with Lena and her journey through grief, loss, and self-discovery.
What stood out to me was how the story explores not just grieving the people you’ve lost, but the fear of losing yourself in the process. Lena is carrying so much guilt, pain, and uncertainty while also trying to understand what is happening to her, and I thought that made her journey especially compelling. Watching her slowly find determination beneath all that grief and try to hold onto who she is was one of my favorite parts.
I especially appreciated the map and pronunciation guide!

The characters were another highlight for me. They definitely made some questionable decisions that had me internally — and occasionally externally — 🫣screaming, but I actually liked that they weren't perfect. Their flaws made their emotions and relationships feel more real. I also enjoyed Lena and Cross's dynamic, especially because the romance doesn't overshadow the rest of the story.
I did have a few moments where the pacing felt a little off, and there were places where I wanted more depth, which is what kept this from being a 5-star read for me. Still, I was invested throughout and genuinely cared about what happened.
Overall, Wraithwound gave me plenty of feelings, kept me turning the pages, and left me curious about what's coming next.
4.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rounded up

[Jasmine Stensrud]

I enjoyed this book a lot. I don’t typically read a ton of fantasy books and the romantasy ones I’ve read are a lot heavier on the romance, however, this was a breath of fresh air for me. I really liked the pov it was written at, as that’s very different from most books I read being in the first person pov. I also thought this was a very unique and intriguing story.
First, the world building wasn’t too overwhelming and it never took away from the actual plot and characters like some fantasy books do. The book flowed in a way that I still learned about the world, but also, still understood the issues at stake with the FMC and her journey.
Secondly, the building of the characters was flawless. I felt like they were all described so well and I felt like I could actually know them and could tell them all apart. Especially Lena and Cross. I loved how they were portrayed. I did kinda want more for their relationship in this book, but I was pleased with what was given in that aspect because it will really build off into what it will be (I hope) in the series.
About 50-60% of the way into the story, a lot of the background info started to click. To be spoiler-free, the fmc’s familial background or history is touched on and it plays a bigger part later. I also feel as though, this is when the story did become more interesting to me as well. I think in the beginning, it felt slow in some ways, but then I’d really be drawn in with something, then it became a little slow again. This happened quite a bit at first for me, but once I hit that half way mark, the rest drew me in. I’m not sure if that’s just because certain parts didn’t click yet or if I had too many questions.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and will definitely be reading the next!!

[Monica Petcu]

First of all, I want to thank the author for giving me the opportunity to read her book before its release in exchange for an honest review. 💕

Overall, I found this story pretty good. However, there were a few things that didn’t quite work for me, so I’ll start with those and finish with what I enjoyed about the book.

From time to time, the timeline seemed to contradict itself. In some parts, Henry appeared to have already been part of the family while Grandpa was still alive, while in others, Grandpa had already passed away before Henry joined the family. This made the timeline a little confusing at times.

The connection between Lena and Cross also felt forced and unnatural to me. I didn’t really feel any chemistry between them, and considering everything else that was happening, Cross’s gentleness felt a little strange. From around 40% to 60% of the book, the scenes they spent together also felt sooooo sloooooow. Because of that, I lost focus and interest for a while.

We were also left hanging when it came to Grandpa’s last patient. And, in the end, the whole “real name” reveal felt like it didn’t really mean anything. I expected it to have a bigger impact on the story, but it ultimately felt a little underwhelming.

However, despite these issues, the story kept me hooked and I enjoyed following everything as it unfolded. What I enjoyed the most were all the connections that were made along the way and watching all the puzzle pieces slowly come together.

There were so many elements and so many things happening, all within a single book, and I really enjoyed seeing how everything connected.
All things considered, despite the parts that felt a little lacking to me, I still thought this was a really good book. 💕

[Ella Dancey]

Review of advanced copy received from author.

Full spoilers ahead

To start with, I was unsure with this book. The beginning felt very underwhelming, too much crammed into a world that had no explanation.

But then it really grew on me. This book was great, an exploration of grief, loss, self discovery and depression, while being entertaining.

The world starts to make sense the longer you read, some stuff still needs more clarification, and some stuff just doesn’t make sense still, like I’m a bottle confused what the whole motivation behind creating the soulbounds was. But this is a very interesting world with a lot of potential, and the author has a very interesting imagination.

It was a very gripping read though, I struggled to put it down. I was very grateful that the end battle wasn’t over in just a few pages, it was actually a “will they won’t they” type feel. Though I do feel some characters should have died.

Thya (or however you spell it) is an absolute asshole and I really hate her with everything in me.

The motivation for the wraith is interesting, like it’s never revealed why she kills Eduard and Ada. It would have been good with some more exploration of the motivation behind the creature.

Some of the monsters were terrifying and this author could do well with horror.

I am excited for number two, I want Cross back, but also next time can he not be so hot and cold? It was interesting at the end when Rena said that he was Alina’s aenigme.

This was a good book, it was a great read, great world building and a great story. I really enjoyed it and am grateful to the author for allowing me to read this book.

[Withered.rose.bookreviews]

Before I get into the heart of the review, I want to take a moment to recognize something which is so awesome that I wish more books would do. Firstly, there is the map, and I cannot stress enough how important that is to me. Personally, a map is an instant way for me to already be invested in the book before I even get to chapter one. That is not all; however, we were also given a pronunciation guide. It extended to names, places, animals, worlds, and deities alike. As someone who has dyslexia, this is a lifesaver. I often spend entirely too long struggling to say the words in my mind, so thank you!

So, starting off, I want to discuss the worldbuilding and the general plot with non-spoilers, of course. There was a uniqueness to this that featured rich lore that went beyond the bare bones and gave you an in-depth look that showed that this was created with care in mind. It felt like a living world that pulled you in from the beginning with the promise of an excellent story. It delivered beautifully. When I thought I had it figured out, it pulled me in a different direction. There was romance, but that was not the main focal point of the story, which helps strengthen this further, as it was able to stand without the crutch of romance carrying the sword.

The next section would be the pacing, and again this was done to a degree that showed how much the story wanted to keep you pulled in. It wasn’t fast, nor slow; the pacing was steady and smooth throughout. I am usually very critical in this regard, as the book can be a masterpiece, but bad pacing can completely derail the book at various junctions. I saw none of that here; instead, I found no instances that were too slow nor too fast. I don’t like using the word perfection, as there is always room for further improvement in everything, yet the pacing was fairly close to making me break my rule.

Going into the characters themselves, the leads were done magnificently, and you can see the layers that were put into them. When they express an emotion, it is conveyed to the reader, and I find that rare, yet so captivating. Moving away from the leads is where there is more shining happens; that is, the side characters. They were great and helped progress the plot; they felt as strong as the leads instead of below them.

The ending was phenomenal; it secured the plot satisfactorily while also opening the door for a second book. All in all, I had a great time reading this. I had the arbitrary 1-5 system that is so prevalent on all review sites, but if I must, I would say a 4.25. Thank you again for this wonderful opportunity. You laid out a truly wonderful book, and I look forward to reading more by you in the future.

[Elle]

⭐ 5/5 ⭐

Thank you for my ARC of this book!

After her village is attacked, Lena, our fmc, now has a “wraithwound” after being scratched by a Wraith and is doomed to turn into one herself. After finding her brother dying, he gifts her his soul to have which ultimately helps delay her from completing the change.

She is now on a mission to fight the change in her body, seek further help and find herself again. Meeting a soulbound along the way, a soldier sworn to slain the very thing she’s turning into, she’s starting to think maybe there’s more than meets the eye?

This book is FULL of heavy fantasy, action and creatures - not my typical cup of tea but I honestly couldn’t have asked for better! Everything was so descriptive, well thought out and the writing was just beautiful - how she depicted emotion, especially inner turmoil Lena was feeling the majority of the book, I really felt for her.

I loved ALL the characters that were introduced and in the book - they were all so detailed and so distinguishably different, that you could tell who was talking even without the name.

The twists, the turns, the suspense - I loved every second. Thank you SO much Sienna for letting me read this book, I eagerly recommend this book to ANYONE who loves a deep fantasy plot, amazing world building and genuine character development.
I CANNOT WAIT for the next book!
🫶🏼🖤

Tropes:
Fantasy
One Horse
One bed
Slowwwwww burn
Gods, magic and monsters

[Bre reads]

I instantly connected with Lena as someone who is 28 themselves and has felt the way she has before in life at the end of chapter 2 when she says, “She had failed so many people in her twenty-eight years of life.” As Lena tries to come to terms with the wraithwound across her chest and the unimaginable grief of losing a love one she sets her sites on traveling to visit old friends of the family. Once inside the city she finds herself in a meeting of other healers who seem to be after her mother’s diary. After making a daring escape from the commanders soldiers she meets Cross. Cross is a soulbound soldier who is meant to hunt down wraiths and end them. Cross is knocking at deaths door when Lena comes to find him. Determined for them both to get to where they are going they decide to travel together where they then agree to go separate ways afterwards. But something keeps pulling them together so they enter the mysterious whispers together in hope of answers. Upon arrival they find more questions than answers, Cross tells Lena “There is still strength to be found in our darkest moments.” Can Lena fight the turn? Will Cross keep his oath to the soulbound?

[Dominique]

This book was so refreshing after some of the ARCs I've read recently!

The story flows smoothly; there weren't any dull moments in the plot, and everything was explained perfectly. Details were shown in instances where an explanation would have been pulled out of the book. This detail may not seem like a big deal, but with books lately, it's something I've missed in storytelling.

It's definitely a book I would want to read again and highlight all the bits I didn't pay too much attention to before and see how even the tiny details were there from the beginning. I love when books showcase little details throughout and how every single thing matters in the end. Nothing went unaccounted for, and the story planning really shone through in this case.

I will now be (im)patiently waiting for the sequel to come out! I can't wait to see what happens next and how the characters will react to all the changes that occurred towards the end. So many things occurred, and I am still trying to grasp all that I just read.

[Kelsie M.]

I received an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

First off, it's obvious that a lot of thought and creativity went in to crafting this world. It felt detailed and unique. I enjoyed both of the leads and it was believable to me that they grew to care for each other despite their differences. Cross is basically a Witcher (a series i absolutely love) with a twist. He's deadly with a sword, drinks skill enhancing potions and kills wraiths and other monsters. Lena, a skilled healer, has recently been infected by a wraith and cares less for curing herself than she does for saving her brother's soul. I really liked that we got time with Lena to sympathize with her journey before she met Cross who would, in normal circumstances, want to kill her for being a danger to society.
What kept this from being a 5 star for me was the redundant sentence structure. Throughout the book there were many times where the same start or end to a sentence would repeat back-to-back and this sometimes took me out of the flow of the story. I would occasionally reread a sentence thinking it was the same one as before, but it would be only slightly different. Overall, I had a great time with this book and thought the ending was very action-packed and engaging with a cliff hanger that left me wanting more. The eleuth was so endearing as an animal companion. The conflict with the wraith wound felt appropriately gruesome and unpredictable. This is a great choice for a witchy fantasy read and I can't wait to see more from this author!

[Stacy's Reads]

I really enjoyed this one. 🖤

There was just something about Wraithwound that pulled me in. I loved the darker atmosphere and that slightly unsettling feeling that something could go wrong at any moment. It had me saying “okay, just one more chapter” more than once. 😂

I really connected with the characters too. They definitely made some questionable decisions that had me internally (and externally 🫣) screaming at times, but I actually liked that they weren't perfect. It made their emotions and relationships feel more real to me.

I did have a few moments where the pacing felt a little off, and I wanted more depth in certain parts, which is what kept this from being a 5-star read for me.

But overall, I had a great time with it. It kept me invested, gave me plenty of feelings, and left me glad I picked it up.

4 stars from me! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🖤📖

[Blitheroo]

I received this book as an ARC, and WHEW was it a journey!!

I struggled with pacing and annoyingly short chapters for the first 20% or so, and I kind of hated Lena. BUT!!!! Not long after that, I couldn't put it down lol. Lena irritated me because we meet her as a depressed and self-loathing person, completely alone in the world. She's felt that way for much longer though, wallowing in grief and self-pity. Not a super fun FMC. HOWEVER!!! This is a necessary part of her healing journey. We have to meet her at her absolute rock bottom worst in order to truly appreciate her growth. She has more than redeemed herself by the end.

We also have some incredibly interesting side characters and an MMC I LOVE, but I won't spoil anything about him. But the slow burn and tension were perfection! And Wyn!!!! I freaking love her!

Long story short, this book surprised me in the best way ❤️

[Kelly]

Lena’s story had me gripped from the beginning. From the heartache she suffered to the epic journey she went on, it was full of action, danger, betrayal and suspense. Lena faced some big challenges, changes and difficulties throughout, and took me on a roller coaster of emotions with her.

I loved the details to the world building (I am a sucker for a fantasy book where the world building has just as much attention to detail as the plot). The characters had plenty of depth and raw emotions and everything was set to a great pace, which meant that it was a book I didn’t want to put down.

Also, that cliffhanger at the end! So now I’m sitting and waiting impatiently waiting for book two.

I received an ARC of this from the author.

[Orla]

​This high-fantasy novel delivers a deeply immersive experience packed with suspense, rich world-building, and high stakes.

​The story follows Lena, a deeply tragic heroine whose life is upended when her village is attacked by Wraiths. Left marked by a dangerous Wraithwound that threatens to turn her into one of the creatures, she receives her dying brother's soul in a bid to buy time and survive. Her quest to save herself unfolds within a complex, war-torn world filled with intricate magic, diverse creatures, and a soulbound soldier driven to protect the one he loves.

​An absolute page-turner for fans of immersive fantasy, rich creature lore, and suspenseful storytelling. Highly recommended for readers looking for deep character arcs and unexpected narrative turns.

[Anna-Brooke]

🤬: 3/5 (swearing on and off, violence)
🌶️: 1/5 (kiss and she falls into a lake 😅 but nothing explicit)


It’s really good! For her debut novel there are a lot of things I love! Lena’s character ark for one! In the beginning she’s consumed with grief and she has to learn how to accept it and overcome it to fulfill her ‘destiny’ of sorts! I also loved the concept and what we saw of the world! I feel like it was thought out a lot and I could follow very easily! I will say it’s a slooooow beginning but it picks up pace as Lena starts to interact with other characters. The romance is also strangers to lovers and that’s lowkey short lived 😅 hoping to see more of her and whoever ( 🤫 ) in the second book!

[Alex]

Review of Advanced Reader Copy

Okay, so I wasn't expecting to jump into the action straight away with the first chapter, but it had me hooked from the get go. I couldn't wait to find out more about Lena and follow her journey to discover what was going to happen. I fell in love with the characters in this book and the journey of discovery kept me wanting to turn the pages and not put this down.

It was a 5 star read for me and I cannot wait for what's to come because I need more. I need to know how Lena's story continues and what happens to Cross. I have to know! I've been left hanging and wanting more and I'll be eagerly awaiting the next installment.

[Muri]

This book was a little bit hard for me to get into at first because you just get thrown into the chaos of the story right away….but that ended up working really well for the storyline.

Very action packed and full of emotions! There are lots of themes that really make you think about life and the choices we make impacting not only our own lives but also the lives of others. Sienna did a really good job weaving this throughout the book.

No smut, but I appreciated that the stories about the people and the plot were the sole focus in this book. It’s clear there is a relationship budding as the story progresses but I will be eagerly awaiting book 2 to see how it develops!

[Katie Johnson]

I don't know where to start. I loved this book, the writing, the story, the character development. Lena just wants to save her brother after the attack without losing herself in the process. She does everything she can to retain her humanity, even saving the kind meant to kill her. Cross is so hard to read, what is he thinking, how is he feeling. To think he did what he had to do to get her where he needed her to be, just to say eff the system and helps her defeat Malnik, his boss, ultimate bad guy. I literally am on the edge of my seat waiting for book 2. I want to see Lena get what she wants.

[Taylor Niefer]

ARC REVIEW - Firstly, I’d like to express my gratitude that I was chosen to receive an ARC for this novel.
Sienna did any amazing job at highlighting the parts of grief that aren’t always portrayed well. The FMC growth throughout the novel is great and leaves more opportunity for growth and learning in the remainder of the series. From being a student of her grandfather and mother, to a healer, to drowning in grief, to learning to crawl her way back to herself the FMC is relatable and well written. This first novel of the series wraps up perfectly but leaves many questions to be answered in sequels. If you love found family, animal companions, and yearning you’ll enjoy this book.

[Maya Rosaline]

Advanced Reader Copy Review

This was so AMAZING. One of my favorite fantasy reads this month, I truly loved it. The details and world building was phenomenal without being overwhelming, the characters were so well placed and intriguing. Lena’s journey was so beautiful, the self discovery, facing her fears and grief. She kept moving no matter how much she got knocked down, loved so fierce you could feel it in the pages. I couldn’t stop reading, I stayed up so late determined to finish the book. This is a must read, I absolutely recommend!

[Lynn Connolly]

Review of an advanced copy received from author

OMG!!! ABSOLUTELY FLOORED!! I am beyond honored to have been an ARC reader for this life altering book. I was hooked from the first page. Such a powerful and devastating first chapter. The constant high stakes and elevated emotions keeps you sucked in!! If I didn't have responsibilities I would have devoured this in one sitting. The unexpected turns and twists and mind blowing reveals really had me going. I love how some loose ends get tied up as the story goes and weaves more throughout! I cannot wait for the next book! I need it tomorrow!!

[Donna Stump]

Wraith Wound is the beginning of something epic!

I’ve never read a book like this before. The FMC is scratched by a wraith and has to deal with the consequences of changing and loosing herself to the monster.
The beginning started off a little slow for me but the book more than made up for it.
There were some good twists and I really loved the animal sidekick.
I enjoyed Lena’s growth as a character most of all. She a lot of crap to sort thru. I’m glad I stayed until the end.

[Melanie]

This ambitious story kicks off when the FMC wakes up infected and promises her dying brother to fight against the wraith infection. The strongest elements are the gritty internal struggles—particularly when she is losing physical control to an infection, raw grief of losing family, and a desperate fight to retain her humanity alongside dark reflections on her life ahead of the change, driving a relentless quest through a world of gods, magic and monsters.

[Samantha Miller]

I found this to be a really unique story line and concept! I enjoyed being able to see everything Lena went through from the moment she woke up in that field. The ongoing struggle of battling the wraith inside of her and fighting to keep her humanity intact was conveyed so well! No matter how many times she wants to give up, she keeps pushing forward. There is so much detail and information within the book that all clicks into place as it goes on. I can’t wait to see what book 2 holds!

[Kaylie Davidson]

First. I loved the dynamic between Lena and cross! They had a beautiful give and take between them. There were a lot of moving pieces that I enjoyed putting together while reading! The FMC grew a lot throughout the book emotionally. I will say there is a side kick character that I would have loved to take home and snuggle! 5/5 this book was amazing!

[MC_ESQ]

Wraithwound had me hooked from the very beginning - I had such a hard time putting it down! I absolutely loved the animal sidekick, that silly creature added a ton of heart and charm to the story. Sienna also did a fantastic job of building a world that feels like there's still so much left to explore and discover, and I can't wait to see where the story goes next.

[Crystal]

Lena was such a great FMC! She was fearless, loyal, strong and had a good heart. Poor girl went through a lot in this book but she never gave up. The fantasy aspects of it was great too. I haven’t read a book like this in a while. We get some romance, action, emotions, suspense and a lot of world building! Can’t wait to see what comes next in her adventure! 4.5 stars!

[Tanya Chidester]

I am so happy and honored I received this as an ARC. This book pulled me in from the beginning and kept me hooked! Wraithwound is about a girl named Lena "our FMC" who received a 'wraithwound' after being scratched by a wraith during an attack on her village and thats just the beginning, this book has ton of action and adventure. Its a definite must read. I can't wait to see what book 2 brings.