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The Eating Woods #3
Vasmora
In the harrowing conclusion of The Eating Woods trilogy, an age-old prophecy will come to pass, plunging the immortal world into a blighted web of destruction and despair.Fate has never been entirely kind to Maevyth Bronwick. Though, after having survived a sinister plague, grotesque monsters, and gut-wrenching tragedy, she never imagined things could possibly get worse. But cursed gods, she was wrong.
It seems fate was only sharpening its claws.
Ensnared in the golden gauntlet of the most sadistic general in Aethyria, Maevyth faces the wrath of a jealous tyrant who longs to watch her suffer a slow and painful ruin.
A torment said to be worse than death.
Without the protection of her blood magic, Maevyth is no more than a powerless mortal and must fight the urge to succumb to the cruelty. Not an easy task, given the devastating loss she refuses to accept—and rightly so.
Because Zevander “The Scorpion” Rydainn isn’t dead, after all.
He’s very much alive and seething with vengeance. Brimming with rage. Merciless in his pursuit to reclaim his beloved mate and bring the ancient godsflame to anyone who stands in his way.
A necessary brutality when a slumbering god awakens and Aethyria’s foretold destruction reignites the hunt of those who seek Maevyth’s precious blood.
Prophecies will unravel. Walls will crumble. Kingdoms will fall. And through it all, a monolith of truth stands
Their love may conquer all, but death will tear them apart.
Vasmora is a full-length, gothic dark fantasy, the final installment in the The Eating Woods trilogy. Perfect for readers who enjoy an atmospheric story with a unique magic system, a slow-burn romance and a touch of horror.
It seems fate was only sharpening its claws.
Ensnared in the golden gauntlet of the most sadistic general in Aethyria, Maevyth faces the wrath of a jealous tyrant who longs to watch her suffer a slow and painful ruin.
A torment said to be worse than death.
Without the protection of her blood magic, Maevyth is no more than a powerless mortal and must fight the urge to succumb to the cruelty. Not an easy task, given the devastating loss she refuses to accept—and rightly so.
Because Zevander “The Scorpion” Rydainn isn’t dead, after all.
He’s very much alive and seething with vengeance. Brimming with rage. Merciless in his pursuit to reclaim his beloved mate and bring the ancient godsflame to anyone who stands in his way.
A necessary brutality when a slumbering god awakens and Aethyria’s foretold destruction reignites the hunt of those who seek Maevyth’s precious blood.
Prophecies will unravel. Walls will crumble. Kingdoms will fall. And through it all, a monolith of truth stands
Their love may conquer all, but death will tear them apart.
Vasmora is a full-length, gothic dark fantasy, the final installment in the The Eating Woods trilogy. Perfect for readers who enjoy an atmospheric story with a unique magic system, a slow-burn romance and a touch of horror.
863 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication October 6, 2026
About the author
Keri Lake
45 books19.6k followersAuthor of gothic romance who specializes in demon wrangling, vengeance dealing and wicked twists.
I love connecting with readers, so feel free to join my reading group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thego...
I love connecting with readers, so feel free to join my reading group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thego...
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
Want to Read
January 13, 2026ㅤ ᯓ ᯽ pre-release ࿐ ࿔*:･ﾟ
ㅤ aajxjqkxoqjxkkqkxalxo GIVE IT TO ME NOW!!!!!! PLEASE!! I am literally thinking about this book daily I AM NOT OK!!
ㅤ I also need that psychotic bitch dead.
ㅤ aajxjqkxoqjxkkqkxalxo GIVE IT TO ME NOW!!!!!! PLEASE!! I am literally thinking about this book daily I AM NOT OK!!
ㅤ I also need that psychotic bitch dead.
January 12, 2026
I need to scream from the rooftops about this series, especially this EPIC conclusion! Vasmora was my most anticipated release of 2026, and I'm not exaggerating when I say it exceeded my expectations in every way. Stop what you're reading right now and pick this series up. Just get comfortable first, because it's a masterfully intricate web of connections, and so much happens that you'll want to take your time to really appreciate everything that Keri puts down. I highly recommend doing what I did and rereading Anathema and Eldritch beforehand, because I had forgotten so many little details. And rest assured, I'll be rereading Vasmora once the audiobook is released.
To be quite honest, I was a little nervous to start this book. If you remember where Eldritch left off, you know that it ended on a dark cliffhanger. And that’s where Vasmora begins. I had a feeling I was heading for pain before I started the book, and it turned out I was right.
“Even decay can be beautiful, once you accept you can’t change it.”
There are absolutely heartbreaking moments, but Keri makes the pain worth it. I teared up in a few spots, which is a feat all on its own. The character development is phenomenal. Zevander was extra swoony, and Maevyth truly comes into herself. It was beautiful to witness their individual growth as well as their relationship with each other.
“I knew the moment I laid eyes on you that I would fight hell and death for you.”
Vasmora is much faster-paced than Eldritch, so buckle up! Beautiful, dark, and unrelenting, this story showcases exactly why Keri takes her time between releases: when her books drop, they're masterpieces. It's the perfect ending to the Eating Woods trilogy, balancing the depravity and horror I crave in a dark fantasy with the romantic elements I long for. I promise, you won’t be disappointed.
I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to read an early copy. Thank you, Keri. This was one of my top reads of the year, and I can’t wait for the opportunity to visit this story and these characters again. 🖤🦂🕷️🕸️
To be quite honest, I was a little nervous to start this book. If you remember where Eldritch left off, you know that it ended on a dark cliffhanger. And that’s where Vasmora begins. I had a feeling I was heading for pain before I started the book, and it turned out I was right.
“Even decay can be beautiful, once you accept you can’t change it.”
There are absolutely heartbreaking moments, but Keri makes the pain worth it. I teared up in a few spots, which is a feat all on its own. The character development is phenomenal. Zevander was extra swoony, and Maevyth truly comes into herself. It was beautiful to witness their individual growth as well as their relationship with each other.
“I knew the moment I laid eyes on you that I would fight hell and death for you.”
Vasmora is much faster-paced than Eldritch, so buckle up! Beautiful, dark, and unrelenting, this story showcases exactly why Keri takes her time between releases: when her books drop, they're masterpieces. It's the perfect ending to the Eating Woods trilogy, balancing the depravity and horror I crave in a dark fantasy with the romantic elements I long for. I promise, you won’t be disappointed.
I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to read an early copy. Thank you, Keri. This was one of my top reads of the year, and I can’t wait for the opportunity to visit this story and these characters again. 🖤🦂🕷️🕸️
Review of advance copy received from Author
WOW!! What a phenomenal conclusion to a truly epic trilogy!!
Full of horror and heartache and the most stunning romance, Vasmora took me on an emotional rollercoaster that surged straight through to the most hard-won and satisfying conclusion I could have imagined. I’m never getting over this.
If you’ve read the previous books, you know Eldritch ends with a crescendo of chaos and anguish alongside an insane cliffhanger.. And let me tell you, Vasmora starts exactly where Eldritch left off and does not stop. It’s incredibly fast-paced, which works so well to continue that momentum and cover a lot of necessary ground. While Vasmora stays true to the gothic style, everything has escalated to terrifying new heights, culminating in a show-stopping, emotive and adrenaline-drenched conclusion.
It's dark.. it's stressful .. and devastating at times. But oh my gosh, the payoff was worth every moment!
Even with some semblance of what Maevyth would have to face in this book, I still wasn’t ready. Her journey crushed my already wounded heart and fanned the flames of my burning need for vengeance (iykyk). Chapter 18 absolutely wrecked me. But I was also so proud of her strength and resilience in the face of such hardship, and watching her continued character growth throughout this finale was really rewarding.
And speaking of VENGEANCE… I’ll be vague to avoid spoilers but wow did *that* character get what they deserve. I’m not a sadist but I won’t deny the complete sense of relief and retribution this gave me. I couldn’t think of a better (read: worse) outcome and all I can say is THANK YOU KERI because now I can finally know peace.
The character work in this series is unparalleled and the way it has shaped the romance is nothing short of incredible. The yearning, devotion and instinct to protect each other at all costs... it is so profoundly moving. Seriously, my heart bleeds for these two!
The mutual vulnerability between Maevyth and Zevander is so beautiful and becomes even stronger in this final book; the new challenges they face illuminate a poignant symmetry in the way they care for one another that took my breath away. To be loved is to be known, and the way Zevander notices and anticipates what Maevyth needs, and asks her what she needs… It is a reflection of the love she has already shown him. Their bond feels truly sacred, and their “happy ever after” felt so indulgent, so well-deserved and satisfying. I could have read 800 more pages just to bask in their forevermore. Swoon.
Keri Lake is truly the QUEEN of gothic romance and I will never tire of her insane ability to deliver a story that makes me feel so deeply. She is fluent in the macabre, the chilling and the dreadful… and she knows how to wield all of it to illuminate hope and love against all odds. Of course this translated so beautifully to an epic dark fantasy, but I am still left awestruck when I think about the magnitude of this world, the depth of the characters and the absolute masterpiece delivered.
I would recommend this trilogy to any romance readers that appreciate gothic romance, intricate fantasy worlds and magic systems, grimdark and horror elements, layered characters and slow burn, intense romance, vengeance-dealing, complex villains, and hard-won HEAs.
One last thing … If you’ve read Keri Lake’s other gothics you will know that she sometimes will include little easter eggs and OMG there is one here that had me screaming!! So clever and fun and a little bit mind-blowing.
Advanced copy kindly provided by the author for review. All thoughts are my own and left voluntarily.
Extras:
- Official playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3pL...
- Series character art
- Content warnings
Full of horror and heartache and the most stunning romance, Vasmora took me on an emotional rollercoaster that surged straight through to the most hard-won and satisfying conclusion I could have imagined. I’m never getting over this.
If you’ve read the previous books, you know Eldritch ends with a crescendo of chaos and anguish alongside an insane cliffhanger.. And let me tell you, Vasmora starts exactly where Eldritch left off and does not stop. It’s incredibly fast-paced, which works so well to continue that momentum and cover a lot of necessary ground. While Vasmora stays true to the gothic style, everything has escalated to terrifying new heights, culminating in a show-stopping, emotive and adrenaline-drenched conclusion.
It's dark.. it's stressful .. and devastating at times. But oh my gosh, the payoff was worth every moment!
I’d been shown a new dimension of love—the darker, more terrifying plane where pain was inevitable.
Even with some semblance of what Maevyth would have to face in this book, I still wasn’t ready. Her journey crushed my already wounded heart and fanned the flames of my burning need for vengeance (iykyk). Chapter 18 absolutely wrecked me. But I was also so proud of her strength and resilience in the face of such hardship, and watching her continued character growth throughout this finale was really rewarding.
And speaking of VENGEANCE… I’ll be vague to avoid spoilers but wow did *that* character get what they deserve. I’m not a sadist but I won’t deny the complete sense of relief and retribution this gave me. I couldn’t think of a better (read: worse) outcome and all I can say is THANK YOU KERI because now I can finally know peace.
“There would be no life after you, moon witch… Stars would lose their brilliance. My world would dull to a colourless hellscape.”
The character work in this series is unparalleled and the way it has shaped the romance is nothing short of incredible. The yearning, devotion and instinct to protect each other at all costs... it is so profoundly moving. Seriously, my heart bleeds for these two!
The mutual vulnerability between Maevyth and Zevander is so beautiful and becomes even stronger in this final book; the new challenges they face illuminate a poignant symmetry in the way they care for one another that took my breath away. To be loved is to be known, and the way Zevander notices and anticipates what Maevyth needs, and asks her what she needs… It is a reflection of the love she has already shown him. Their bond feels truly sacred, and their “happy ever after” felt so indulgent, so well-deserved and satisfying. I could have read 800 more pages just to bask in their forevermore. Swoon.
“He’s crawled from death and shadows, risen up from that abysmal chasm. For me. My angel with dark wings. My merciless weapon of wrath.”
Keri Lake is truly the QUEEN of gothic romance and I will never tire of her insane ability to deliver a story that makes me feel so deeply. She is fluent in the macabre, the chilling and the dreadful… and she knows how to wield all of it to illuminate hope and love against all odds. Of course this translated so beautifully to an epic dark fantasy, but I am still left awestruck when I think about the magnitude of this world, the depth of the characters and the absolute masterpiece delivered.
I would recommend this trilogy to any romance readers that appreciate gothic romance, intricate fantasy worlds and magic systems, grimdark and horror elements, layered characters and slow burn, intense romance, vengeance-dealing, complex villains, and hard-won HEAs.
One last thing … If you’ve read Keri Lake’s other gothics you will know that she sometimes will include little easter eggs and OMG there is one here that had me screaming!! So clever and fun and a little bit mind-blowing.
Advanced copy kindly provided by the author for review. All thoughts are my own and left voluntarily.
Extras:
- Official playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3pL...
- Series character art
- Content warnings
Want to Read
January 12, 2026I NEED THIS BOOK MORE THAN AIR 😫😫😫😫😫😫
Want to Read
January 12, 2026FOAMING AT THE MOUTH FOR THIS BOOK! Eldritch was SUCH a cliffhanger and I hung on every single word of this story. 6 star series for me and I'm sure VASMORA will be no different! 🥹😭
Review of advance copy received from Author
Infinite stars!!! Review to come. What an emotionally beautiful ride this book was. I will now be staring at a wall for the foreseeable future.
First off THANK YOU to Keri Lake for letting me ARC read this. Pinch me. I just finished and this moment still doesn't seem real. How is this my life. How did I get so lucky?! Infinite stars!! Wow. Brilliant. Stunning. Perfection. What a perfect ending to The Eating Woods trilogy. I wouldn't expect anything less from Keri, but wowwwwwwzers she delivers ten fold on this one! I am in awe of this series in a whole. The amount of element and details blow me away. The way I devoured this book, straight up inhaled. I could not stop. The amount of action that is going on. It is a nonstop feel. One you literally cannot put down. You wanna know what comes next. You're on the edge of your seat the entire time. What's coming. What will be. Oh goshhhhhhhh ALL the emotions.
This one has some intense parts, gory parts, heartbreaking parts. YES I cried. How could I not with what goes on. And just knowing this is the finale installment for Maevyth and Zevander, that alone made me weak. I loveeeee all the POVs we get in this one. Yes there is a new one. I squealed and kicked my legs when I saw it. And it is such a perfect addition. Breaks up things, gives you more insight. Just all around bravo!
What we get in this book is answers. We get SO much action. Some spice that's always nice. Sadness. Grit and war. And just honestly a story for the ages. Like I can't actually fathom how I am supposed to move on from this. I feel complete and fulfilled, yet just like what now. These characters have embedded themselves on me in so many ways. I truly will never fully move on. The Eating Woods has consumed my brain for better of three years. And for this to be it truly went above and beyond my expectations of what I wanted from it. Everything was all finished up with a black bow on it.
Pacing is definitely not your typical pace for a Keri book. Trust me I know. LOL. We all know I am an OG diehard of her work. But with how this story plays out and comes to a finish I can't even see it not being so fast paced. It is such a work of art the flow. Seriously give yourself a few open days. Full days. Cause you're gonna be consumed and unable to do anything but read. I want to say a TON more but honestly this is one that needs to be absorbed blind. Just go in knowing it answers all your Eating Woods burning questions and then some. I am not one to break down every little detail in a book. So I won't start now.
I am so excited to see what's next from Keri. I know it'll be moody and dark and Amazing! Until then I will be book hangovering from this book lol.
First off THANK YOU to Keri Lake for letting me ARC read this. Pinch me. I just finished and this moment still doesn't seem real. How is this my life. How did I get so lucky?! Infinite stars!! Wow. Brilliant. Stunning. Perfection. What a perfect ending to The Eating Woods trilogy. I wouldn't expect anything less from Keri, but wowwwwwwzers she delivers ten fold on this one! I am in awe of this series in a whole. The amount of element and details blow me away. The way I devoured this book, straight up inhaled. I could not stop. The amount of action that is going on. It is a nonstop feel. One you literally cannot put down. You wanna know what comes next. You're on the edge of your seat the entire time. What's coming. What will be. Oh goshhhhhhhh ALL the emotions.
This one has some intense parts, gory parts, heartbreaking parts. YES I cried. How could I not with what goes on. And just knowing this is the finale installment for Maevyth and Zevander, that alone made me weak. I loveeeee all the POVs we get in this one. Yes there is a new one. I squealed and kicked my legs when I saw it. And it is such a perfect addition. Breaks up things, gives you more insight. Just all around bravo!
What we get in this book is answers. We get SO much action. Some spice that's always nice. Sadness. Grit and war. And just honestly a story for the ages. Like I can't actually fathom how I am supposed to move on from this. I feel complete and fulfilled, yet just like what now. These characters have embedded themselves on me in so many ways. I truly will never fully move on. The Eating Woods has consumed my brain for better of three years. And for this to be it truly went above and beyond my expectations of what I wanted from it. Everything was all finished up with a black bow on it.
Pacing is definitely not your typical pace for a Keri book. Trust me I know. LOL. We all know I am an OG diehard of her work. But with how this story plays out and comes to a finish I can't even see it not being so fast paced. It is such a work of art the flow. Seriously give yourself a few open days. Full days. Cause you're gonna be consumed and unable to do anything but read. I want to say a TON more but honestly this is one that needs to be absorbed blind. Just go in knowing it answers all your Eating Woods burning questions and then some. I am not one to break down every little detail in a book. So I won't start now.
I am so excited to see what's next from Keri. I know it'll be moody and dark and Amazing! Until then I will be book hangovering from this book lol.
Review of advance copy
There are really two reasons why I want to read this ASAP 🌋
1. Ending a book on a cliffhanger is the meanest thing ever, but leaving the heroine in the hands of a deranged-unhinged-psychopath with military power, defenseless, after serving us 400 pages of depravities and cruelty the captor is capable of, is down right diabolical.
I am honestly scared to read in the next book what was done to her.
2. So someone had to say it, what is with the rungs or piercings or whatever Zevander has on his 🍆.
Like, how is this supposed to look like? I cannot for the life of me imagine it. Why did they only manage to fit just 3 out of 10 in? Like how big is that thing?! They don’t seem to be painful for the female, or are they? I need more info.
1. Ending a book on a cliffhanger is the meanest thing ever, but leaving the heroine in the hands of a deranged-unhinged-psychopath with military power, defenseless, after serving us 400 pages of depravities and cruelty the captor is capable of, is down right diabolical.
I am honestly scared to read in the next book what was done to her.
2. So someone had to say it, what is with the rungs or piercings or whatever Zevander has on his 🍆.
Like, how is this supposed to look like? I cannot for the life of me imagine it. Why did they only manage to fit just 3 out of 10 in? Like how big is that thing?! They don’t seem to be painful for the female, or are they? I need more info.
Want to Read
January 12, 2026GIVE IT TO ME NOWWWWW I’M SO EXCITED
Want to Read
January 12, 2026Fall 2026!!! 🥳🥳🥳
Want to Read
July 3, 2026I need this now pls.
Currently Reading
April 8, 2026I NEED THISS!! i also need that bitch dead please🤞
Want to Read
January 12, 2026I can't wait for this! Fall 2026 can't get here soon enough
Want to Read
August 15, 2026i read book 1 & two shortly after each other and i am dying of anticipation for book 3!!
Read
September 24, 2026Only a few more days!!!!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews