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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.
*****
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.
834 pages, Paperback
First published October 6, 2026
About the author
Keri Lake
46 books19.8k 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 - 30 of 223 reviews
October 8, 2026
“There isn’t a word that encompasses the love I feel for you, moon witch. It transcends anything I’ve ever felt before.”
That was disappointing for a finale. I believe I'm in the minority here given most people are enjoying this. But it just did not work for me 😭😭 Book 1 was amazing, book 2 kinda meh but still readable. This one? It started off fine, not the best but fine. Then the middle completely fell apart and flatlined and the end was like giving it CPR, just enough not completely recovered 🥲
This was so boring and dull. I did like reading about Maevyth and Zevander, their chemistry was amazing as ever. But the plot did not support them. Things stopped being interesting for them after 40%. The other povs did not do much but drag for 863 pages. Surprisingly the one with the most depth and good storyline was Kazhimyr. He pulled emotions out of me and I always appreciate that. Like the man was a tortured soul I just wanted to hug.
Also, this book was doing this weird thing where things from book 1 and 2 didn't really matter and took a sudden different route. I was left feeling confused. Then dragging scenes which didn't matter in such a slow paced manner but the endings for some characters were wrapped up quickly. Too quickly.
Coming to the ending, it did make me sob. It was painful and oddly satisfying. And yet it was not enough to save the book. The damage was already done. All I wished was the book being actually interesting. It wasn't. This did not need to be 863 pages long. Anyway, done and dusted. I'm free now.
~•~•~
Time for the finale. Just give my baby Zevander some happiness ffs 😭😭
Also, damn.. Over 800+ pages? This book is chonky af. Wish me luck 🤞
That was disappointing for a finale. I believe I'm in the minority here given most people are enjoying this. But it just did not work for me 😭😭 Book 1 was amazing, book 2 kinda meh but still readable. This one? It started off fine, not the best but fine. Then the middle completely fell apart and flatlined and the end was like giving it CPR, just enough not completely recovered 🥲
This was so boring and dull. I did like reading about Maevyth and Zevander, their chemistry was amazing as ever. But the plot did not support them. Things stopped being interesting for them after 40%. The other povs did not do much but drag for 863 pages. Surprisingly the one with the most depth and good storyline was Kazhimyr. He pulled emotions out of me and I always appreciate that. Like the man was a tortured soul I just wanted to hug.
Also, this book was doing this weird thing where things from book 1 and 2 didn't really matter and took a sudden different route. I was left feeling confused. Then dragging scenes which didn't matter in such a slow paced manner but the endings for some characters were wrapped up quickly. Too quickly.
Coming to the ending, it did make me sob. It was painful and oddly satisfying. And yet it was not enough to save the book. The damage was already done. All I wished was the book being actually interesting. It wasn't. This did not need to be 863 pages long. Anyway, done and dusted. I'm free now.
~•~•~
Time for the finale. Just give my baby Zevander some happiness ffs 😭😭
Also, damn.. Over 800+ pages? This book is chonky af. Wish me luck 🤞
January 13, 2026
ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ✦ . ⁺ . 4.0 ☆ . ⁺ . ✦
ㅤ ㅤ ˋ°•*⁀➷ㅤmight contain spoilers ❗
ㅤ Keri really wanted to see me either depressed or dead with this book because there is genuinely no other explanation for the sheer amount of trauma she put me through alongside these characters; before finally giving me a glimpse of happiness...
ㅤ I wanted this to be a 5-star read, trust me, I really did. But there were a few things that stopped me from giving it more than 4 stars, which is still a very good rating. I just felt like there were some small things this book could have done better, and unfortunately, they were enough to keep it from reaching that perfect rating for me.
ㅤ ㅤ “I would’ve bled across a path of blades to return to you, moon witch.”
ㅤ ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹ honest thoughts
ㅤ ⋅ ☾ Again, I am going to start with the same thing I said for each of these books: READ THE TRIGGER WARNINGS BEFORE YOU START. This is pretty dark and some subjects are not very comofrtable to read about.
ㅤ I fucking hate spiders so damn much....
ㅤ ⋅ ☾ So, I will first start by saying that this series has genuinely become one of my favourites, and I do not think I will be getting over it anytime soon. I grew incredibly attached to so many of these characters, and even the ones who were not given nearly enough page time still somehow managed to steal my heart.
ㅤ This was probably the best conclusion this series could have gotten, but...I am afraid there are still a few buts.
ㅤ ⋅ ☾ The book was definitely pretty slow at times, and while I actually loved the pacing overall, there were still moments when I found myself wondering why the plot was barely moving. I enjoyed spending time with the characters and letting the story breathe, but occasionally it felt like we were lingering in the same place for just a little too long.
ㅤ ⋅ ☾ I can understand sacrifice in a book, and sadly, it does make the story feel more realistic and emotionally impactful. BUT SO MANY SACRIFICES, KERI??? WAS ALL OF THAT REALLY NECESSARY???
ㅤ THEY WERE FREAKING MATES. I WAS SO DAMN SURE THEY WERE MATES, AND THAT WAS THE WAY YOU CHOSE TO CONFIRM IT TO ME??? Absolutely cruel. I feel personally attacked.
ㅤ ⋅ ☾ I actually loved the plot and the way everything came together. Despite my minor complaints, the story itself and this book are definitely SOLID. The authors did such a great job tying everything together and bringing the entire story to a satisfying conclusion.
ㅤ I just could not shake this constant feeling that something was missing. Nothing major enough to ruin the experience, but just enough to stop the book from feeling completely perfect to me.
ㅤ ⋅ ☾ Zevander Rydainn is one of the hottest MMCs to ever exist and Maevyth is probably one of my top FMCs ever. ATP I DO NOT PLAY ABOUT THESE TWO.
ㅤ ⋅ ♡ You know I NEVER play about the romance in a book, and let me tell you, this entire series does romance, loyalty, and yearning like almost nothing else. True, it is not entirely the slow-burn it is marketed as, but trust me, you will hardly even mind once you see how beautifully everything progresses.
ㅤ It is easily one of my favourite parts of the entire series, and this book especially does such an incredible job at showing just how deep love can run, and how much sacrifice it can drive someone to make for even the slightest chance of saving the person they love. Sure, it is rather...carnal and sometimes pretty rough, but I am no Virgin Mary either, so of course I loved it. More importantly, it actually made sense for their story and for the kind of relationship they had built.
ㅤ ⋅ ☾ Now, here is one thing about me: I absolutely HATE this type of epilogue in books, especially when the characters are supposed to be immortal because literally WHERE IS THE RUSH??? This is entirely a personal preference, of course, so take it as nothing more than that.
ㅤ I am also one of those people who feels like the image of the characters can completely change once this sort of thing gets added, and sadly, that happened here too. I genuinely could not look at Maevyth and Zevander the same way after reading that epilogue.
ㅤ So, naturally, I have decided to ignore it. It did not happen.
ㅤ ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹ characters
ㅤ ⊹ Maevyth — Oh, this book definitely marked the peak of her growth and development as a main female character. I loved seeing how, despite everything she had been through and all the trauma she was forced to carry, she finally started taking control of her own decisions. She stopped backing away from fights, protected the people she loved, and still managed to hold on to the kindness and goodness that the world had spent so long trying to taint.
ㅤ Did she become a little more heartless along the way? Yes. But honestly, I think that was necessary for her to finally step fully into her power.
ㅤ ⊹ Zevander — This man could do absolutely no wrong in my eyes. Even if he suddenly decided to turn fully evil and ruin everyone’s existence, I am afraid I would still be standing firmly on his side.
ㅤ What I love most about him is that he never loses his own personality or individuality, even when he becomes a complete yearning mess. And THAT matters so much to me. His protectiveness never overrides her wishes or her authority. His patience while helping her heal? His absolute bloody rampage when he found out she had been taken? His respect for her choices and decisions, even when he disagreed with them?
ㅤ Oh, Zevander Rydainn... they truly need to make more men like you.
ㅤ ⊹ I will not start talking about any other character, because I might genuinely start crying. Know that I love them all, though....
ㅤ ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹ should you read this?
ㅤ This entire series has been such an amazing experience for me. Sure, it is rather dark, and I would genuinely recommend checking the trigger warnings first if you know your heart might not survive this level of SHEER TRAUMA DUMP, but I loved these books with my entire being.
ㅤ I might have wished for a few things to be different here and there, but I cannot really complain when I absolutely devoured every single one of these books. This series is GOOD, and I am going to miss it terribly.
⊹₊┈ㆍ┈ㆍ┈ㆍ┈ㆍendㆍ┈ㆍ┈ㆍ┈ㆍ┈₊⊹
ㅤ ᯓ ✿ pre-reading ⪼
ㅤ ○ started ┆08-October-2026┆
ㅤ ㅤ ⤿ I can finally start this!!! I just finished my reread of the previous two books, so the pain in me is fresh 🫶🏻 can't wait for this to hurt me even more
ㅤ ㅤ ˋ°•*⁀➷ㅤmight contain spoilers ❗
ㅤ Keri really wanted to see me either depressed or dead with this book because there is genuinely no other explanation for the sheer amount of trauma she put me through alongside these characters; before finally giving me a glimpse of happiness...
ㅤ I wanted this to be a 5-star read, trust me, I really did. But there were a few things that stopped me from giving it more than 4 stars, which is still a very good rating. I just felt like there were some small things this book could have done better, and unfortunately, they were enough to keep it from reaching that perfect rating for me.
ㅤ ㅤ “I would’ve bled across a path of blades to return to you, moon witch.”
ㅤ ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹ honest thoughts
ㅤ ⋅ ☾ Again, I am going to start with the same thing I said for each of these books: READ THE TRIGGER WARNINGS BEFORE YOU START. This is pretty dark and some subjects are not very comofrtable to read about.
ㅤ I fucking hate spiders so damn much....
ㅤ ⋅ ☾ So, I will first start by saying that this series has genuinely become one of my favourites, and I do not think I will be getting over it anytime soon. I grew incredibly attached to so many of these characters, and even the ones who were not given nearly enough page time still somehow managed to steal my heart.
ㅤ This was probably the best conclusion this series could have gotten, but...I am afraid there are still a few buts.
ㅤ ⋅ ☾ The book was definitely pretty slow at times, and while I actually loved the pacing overall, there were still moments when I found myself wondering why the plot was barely moving. I enjoyed spending time with the characters and letting the story breathe, but occasionally it felt like we were lingering in the same place for just a little too long.
ㅤ ⋅ ☾ I can understand sacrifice in a book, and sadly, it does make the story feel more realistic and emotionally impactful. BUT SO MANY SACRIFICES, KERI??? WAS ALL OF THAT REALLY NECESSARY???
ㅤ THEY WERE FREAKING MATES. I WAS SO DAMN SURE THEY WERE MATES, AND THAT WAS THE WAY YOU CHOSE TO CONFIRM IT TO ME??? Absolutely cruel. I feel personally attacked.
ㅤ ⋅ ☾ I actually loved the plot and the way everything came together. Despite my minor complaints, the story itself and this book are definitely SOLID. The authors did such a great job tying everything together and bringing the entire story to a satisfying conclusion.
ㅤ I just could not shake this constant feeling that something was missing. Nothing major enough to ruin the experience, but just enough to stop the book from feeling completely perfect to me.
ㅤ ⋅ ☾ Zevander Rydainn is one of the hottest MMCs to ever exist and Maevyth is probably one of my top FMCs ever. ATP I DO NOT PLAY ABOUT THESE TWO.
ㅤ ⋅ ♡ You know I NEVER play about the romance in a book, and let me tell you, this entire series does romance, loyalty, and yearning like almost nothing else. True, it is not entirely the slow-burn it is marketed as, but trust me, you will hardly even mind once you see how beautifully everything progresses.
ㅤ It is easily one of my favourite parts of the entire series, and this book especially does such an incredible job at showing just how deep love can run, and how much sacrifice it can drive someone to make for even the slightest chance of saving the person they love. Sure, it is rather...carnal and sometimes pretty rough, but I am no Virgin Mary either, so of course I loved it. More importantly, it actually made sense for their story and for the kind of relationship they had built.
ㅤ ⋅ ☾ Now, here is one thing about me: I absolutely HATE this type of epilogue in books, especially when the characters are supposed to be immortal because literally WHERE IS THE RUSH??? This is entirely a personal preference, of course, so take it as nothing more than that.
ㅤ I am also one of those people who feels like the image of the characters can completely change once this sort of thing gets added, and sadly, that happened here too. I genuinely could not look at Maevyth and Zevander the same way after reading that epilogue.
ㅤ So, naturally, I have decided to ignore it. It did not happen.
ㅤ ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹ characters
ㅤ ⊹ Maevyth — Oh, this book definitely marked the peak of her growth and development as a main female character. I loved seeing how, despite everything she had been through and all the trauma she was forced to carry, she finally started taking control of her own decisions. She stopped backing away from fights, protected the people she loved, and still managed to hold on to the kindness and goodness that the world had spent so long trying to taint.
ㅤ Did she become a little more heartless along the way? Yes. But honestly, I think that was necessary for her to finally step fully into her power.
ㅤ ⊹ Zevander — This man could do absolutely no wrong in my eyes. Even if he suddenly decided to turn fully evil and ruin everyone’s existence, I am afraid I would still be standing firmly on his side.
ㅤ What I love most about him is that he never loses his own personality or individuality, even when he becomes a complete yearning mess. And THAT matters so much to me. His protectiveness never overrides her wishes or her authority. His patience while helping her heal? His absolute bloody rampage when he found out she had been taken? His respect for her choices and decisions, even when he disagreed with them?
ㅤ Oh, Zevander Rydainn... they truly need to make more men like you.
ㅤ ⊹ I will not start talking about any other character, because I might genuinely start crying. Know that I love them all, though....
ㅤ ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹ should you read this?
ㅤ This entire series has been such an amazing experience for me. Sure, it is rather dark, and I would genuinely recommend checking the trigger warnings first if you know your heart might not survive this level of SHEER TRAUMA DUMP, but I loved these books with my entire being.
ㅤ I might have wished for a few things to be different here and there, but I cannot really complain when I absolutely devoured every single one of these books. This series is GOOD, and I am going to miss it terribly.
⊹₊┈ㆍ┈ㆍ┈ㆍ┈ㆍendㆍ┈ㆍ┈ㆍ┈ㆍ┈₊⊹
ㅤ ᯓ ✿ pre-reading ⪼
ㅤ ○ started ┆08-October-2026┆
ㅤ ㅤ ⤿ I can finally start this!!! I just finished my reread of the previous two books, so the pain in me is fresh 🫶🏻 can't wait for this to hurt me even more
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 for The Eating Woods. 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 quite 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 an emotive and adrenaline-drenched conclusion.
It’s dark.. it’s stressful .. even devastating at times. I swear each chapter tested my emotional stability and my adrenal system. But omg was the payoff worth every moment!
Even with some semblance of what these characters would have to face in this book, I still wasn’t ready. Maevyth’s journey crushed my already wounded heart and fanned the flames of my burning need for vengeance (iykyk). Chapter 18 wrecked me. But I was also so proud of her strength and resilience, and watching her continued character growth throughout this finale was really rewarding.
Speaking of vengeance… wow did Vasmora deliver. I couldn’t think of a better (read: worse) outcome for a certain someone 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 and devotion, the mutual vulnerability and the instinct to protect each other at all costs... it is so profoundly moving. Maevyth & Zevander’s bond feels SACRED and their “happy ever after” is 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 for The Eating Woods. 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 quite 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 an emotive and adrenaline-drenched conclusion.
It’s dark.. it’s stressful .. even devastating at times. I swear each chapter tested my emotional stability and my adrenal system. But omg was the payoff 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 these characters would have to face in this book, I still wasn’t ready. Maevyth’s journey crushed my already wounded heart and fanned the flames of my burning need for vengeance (iykyk). Chapter 18 wrecked me. But I was also so proud of her strength and resilience, and watching her continued character growth throughout this finale was really rewarding.
Speaking of vengeance… wow did Vasmora deliver. I couldn’t think of a better (read: worse) outcome for a certain someone 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 and devotion, the mutual vulnerability and the instinct to protect each other at all costs... it is so profoundly moving. Maevyth & Zevander’s bond feels SACRED and their “happy ever after” is 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, 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! 🥹😭
October 11, 2026
I honestly have no words right now. This was everything I hoped for and more in the ending of this series. I’ll try and sit with my thoughts and write a better review but just know that I highly recommend this series, and Maevyth and Zevander will forever be a favorite of mine 🥹🥹🥹
Currently Reading
January 12, 2026I NEED THIS BOOK MORE THAN AIR 😫😫😫😫😫😫
October 9, 2026
I’M NOT READY TO SAY GOODBYE TO THESE TWO
Keri Lake really put Maevyth and Zevander through HELL and back, and I was here for every second of it. 😭🖤
The plot had me hooked, and I loved how everything unfolded throughout the story. There was so much going on, but it all made for a great conclusion to the trilogy
Keri Lake really put Maevyth and Zevander through HELL and back, and I was here for every second of it. 😭🖤
The plot had me hooked, and I loved how everything unfolded throughout the story. There was so much going on, but it all made for a great conclusion to the trilogy
October 11, 2026
This book was quite the journey! Maybe a bit too long, but worth the read, regardless.
I love Zevander, he wil forever be one of my favorite book boyfriends. And Maevyth, such a strong and fierce FMC.
The pain from this book... the trauma, sacrifice, and loss along the way was difficult to experience, and such a sad ending for some of the characters. For others.... their ending was very deserved.
I love the ending and seeing Zevander, Maevyth, and their friends and family finally have some peace and a chance to breath and live their HEA.
I enjoyed this series and I am going to miss these characters. I do hope that maybe we will see them again? There are a few openings here for spinoff series' where maybe we will get a few more moments with them.
I love Zevander, he wil forever be one of my favorite book boyfriends. And Maevyth, such a strong and fierce FMC.
The pain from this book... the trauma, sacrifice, and loss along the way was difficult to experience, and such a sad ending for some of the characters. For others.... their ending was very deserved.
I love the ending and seeing Zevander, Maevyth, and their friends and family finally have some peace and a chance to breath and live their HEA.
I enjoyed this series and I am going to miss these characters. I do hope that maybe we will see them again? There are a few openings here for spinoff series' where maybe we will get a few more moments with them.
October 11, 2026
This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year and it did not disappoint!! I would genuinely read Keri Lake’s grocery list and enjoy every second of it. Everything this woman writes is a masterpiece. This was the final book of the eating woods trilogy, and it gave such a satisfying ending to a series I love so much. It’s dark, spooky, and gothic with elements of horror that’ll literally make your skin crawl. The romance is full of tension and chemistry. The plot is intricate and engaging. It can be gory and uncomfortable, but you can’t put it down. Maevyth and Zevander had so much growth in this—seeing them overcome their traumas together had me in tears. Their experiences dealing with their trauma felt so realistic because some things never truly go away. The found family and multiple plot lines coming together was *chefs kiss.* I love this series so much.
October 9, 2026
I really enjoyed this trilogy overall. But I feel some disappointment with this final book. The pacing really picked up in this book, but I feel like some of the plot points fell to the wayside in order to (attempt) wrapping everything up. Spoilers ahead!
One of the biggest disappointments was the final battle. We have been reading about the big, bad Cadavros and Pestilios for three books only for them to be beaten in one chapter, and rather quickly. We had more of a fight with them in the second book than we do in the final book, at least that's what I think. I really don't like it when a book series builds up the antagonist, making them seems like this terribly powerful opponent only for them to be defeated in a single chapter. Why?
My next big disappointment is that the whole book we are reading that Morsana's power is needed in order for them to win the war, but we only see her power being used my Maevyth a handful of times. The last two books heavily imply how powerful and integral Maevyth's power will be since she is Vasmora, but it's barely used or seen. She uses the same powers we've seen throughout the whole series in this book, and the only new abilities after agreeing to be the new death goddess are her squeezing the life out of beings without touching them, seeing the infection in the body through her mind, and raising the bones of ancestorial warriors. What are the other powers? Then, let's talk about how Morsana is supposed to ascend into Maevyth's body is a major plot point for the last two books, only for this to be over and done with in practically one chapter. Then, we learn Maevyth is Deimos's daughter, she tells Zevander the knowledge when she returns to her body, and that's it.... nothing else comes from this...? It's only important because she is resilient to sablefire and can manipulate it? She can't create/use her own sablefire like Zevander? What's the point of being his daughter if she doesn't have his abilities as well? Just so she will have the choice of being a new death god instead of being a vessel for Morsana? Why all this build-up for practically nothing? It just seemed too rushed for me. I wanted to see more exploration of what Maevyth could do with her Death power, and I wanted to see more of a struggle to win against Cadavros and Pestilios.
Another thing that confused and sort-of irked me was Kazhimyr's story line. We read in the last two books how he was so enamored by Allura. Don't get me wrong, I am so happy for her and Rykaia, but it seems odd to me that it's hinted that Kaz and she may have some romantic ties, only for it to go nowhere. Also, what happened between him and Dravien? Was the mate bond a friend mate bond? What happened during their travels that caused Kaz to reach Eidolon before Dravien? I feel like Dravien got the short-end of the stick, and he deserved more in the end. He suffered for so many years/decades, just to be ripped apart by mutations.
Then we have Dolion's POV chapters. He does all this research for so many things only for us, the reader, to learn the knowledge..? He never really gets the chance to explain to anyone what he's discovered. Only once when Zevander and Maevyth back it back to Eidolon, he touches base with Zevander about his discoveries then.... nothing lol. WTF? It all seems so pointless.
Next, we're just going to breeze past the fact that Zevander is the king's bastard son...? I get that Zevander wants nothing to do with the crown, but this is mentioned maybe two times he may be the king's first born son, then it is confirmed after Zevander bleeds on the ritual dagger before he and Lothare reach the nest where Cadavros/Pestilios are. Then it is never mentioned again.
One more thing, how come Maevyth never sees Ravezio after he died? She sees Branimir after he passes multiple times, but never sees Ravezio. I know there are some people that Morsana doesn't have access to. I think she is the goddess of the people who are not claimed by other gods when they die, but still... He is barely mentioned in this book. Only in passing moments is he mentioned, then when he is, the character who is thinking about him is like, "don't have time to mourn him now" then we move on. Ravezio just dies at the end of the second book, and it's over and done with. UGH. He deserves more than that.
I think the author was trying to get this book out as quickly as possible and left some loose ends. I'd rather wait for the last book of the series than to read a story that feels rushed and haphazardly put together just to please the readers. Or maybe this should have been split into two books instead of one.
One of the biggest disappointments was the final battle. We have been reading about the big, bad Cadavros and Pestilios for three books only for them to be beaten in one chapter, and rather quickly. We had more of a fight with them in the second book than we do in the final book, at least that's what I think. I really don't like it when a book series builds up the antagonist, making them seems like this terribly powerful opponent only for them to be defeated in a single chapter. Why?
My next big disappointment is that the whole book we are reading that Morsana's power is needed in order for them to win the war, but we only see her power being used my Maevyth a handful of times. The last two books heavily imply how powerful and integral Maevyth's power will be since she is Vasmora, but it's barely used or seen. She uses the same powers we've seen throughout the whole series in this book, and the only new abilities after agreeing to be the new death goddess are her squeezing the life out of beings without touching them, seeing the infection in the body through her mind, and raising the bones of ancestorial warriors. What are the other powers? Then, let's talk about how Morsana is supposed to ascend into Maevyth's body is a major plot point for the last two books, only for this to be over and done with in practically one chapter. Then, we learn Maevyth is Deimos's daughter, she tells Zevander the knowledge when she returns to her body, and that's it.... nothing else comes from this...? It's only important because she is resilient to sablefire and can manipulate it? She can't create/use her own sablefire like Zevander? What's the point of being his daughter if she doesn't have his abilities as well? Just so she will have the choice of being a new death god instead of being a vessel for Morsana? Why all this build-up for practically nothing? It just seemed too rushed for me. I wanted to see more exploration of what Maevyth could do with her Death power, and I wanted to see more of a struggle to win against Cadavros and Pestilios.
Another thing that confused and sort-of irked me was Kazhimyr's story line. We read in the last two books how he was so enamored by Allura. Don't get me wrong, I am so happy for her and Rykaia, but it seems odd to me that it's hinted that Kaz and she may have some romantic ties, only for it to go nowhere. Also, what happened between him and Dravien? Was the mate bond a friend mate bond? What happened during their travels that caused Kaz to reach Eidolon before Dravien? I feel like Dravien got the short-end of the stick, and he deserved more in the end. He suffered for so many years/decades, just to be ripped apart by mutations.
Then we have Dolion's POV chapters. He does all this research for so many things only for us, the reader, to learn the knowledge..? He never really gets the chance to explain to anyone what he's discovered. Only once when Zevander and Maevyth back it back to Eidolon, he touches base with Zevander about his discoveries then.... nothing lol. WTF? It all seems so pointless.
Next, we're just going to breeze past the fact that Zevander is the king's bastard son...? I get that Zevander wants nothing to do with the crown, but this is mentioned maybe two times he may be the king's first born son, then it is confirmed after Zevander bleeds on the ritual dagger before he and Lothare reach the nest where Cadavros/Pestilios are. Then it is never mentioned again.
One more thing, how come Maevyth never sees Ravezio after he died? She sees Branimir after he passes multiple times, but never sees Ravezio. I know there are some people that Morsana doesn't have access to. I think she is the goddess of the people who are not claimed by other gods when they die, but still... He is barely mentioned in this book. Only in passing moments is he mentioned, then when he is, the character who is thinking about him is like, "don't have time to mourn him now" then we move on. Ravezio just dies at the end of the second book, and it's over and done with. UGH. He deserves more than that.
I think the author was trying to get this book out as quickly as possible and left some loose ends. I'd rather wait for the last book of the series than to read a story that feels rushed and haphazardly put together just to please the readers. Or maybe this should have been split into two books instead of one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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.
April 8, 2026
pre-read: I NEED THISS!! i also need that bitch dead please🤞
I loved this so much!! I'm so sad to leave these characters behind (a reread is somewhere in the future), this series is so vivid and I had forgotten just how dark this world is until I read this. I'm so glad they got their happy ending.
I loved this so much!! I'm so sad to leave these characters behind (a reread is somewhere in the future), this series is so vivid and I had forgotten just how dark this world is until I read this. I'm so glad they got their happy ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 8, 2026
This book is approximately 860 pages long, and somehow THERE WERE NOT ENOUGH PAGES. 😭
Keri Lake. MA'AM. What have you done to me?!
I picked up Anathema thinking I'd enjoy a spooky little gothic romantasy situation, and three books later, I am emotionally attached to an entire ecosystem of cursed, morally questionable supernatural weirdos.
And now I'm supposed to just... LEAVE?!?!
Absolutely not. 😂
Let's discuss:
🌲 The worldbuilding? Immaculate. Dark, intricate, unsettling, and so richly imagined that I would happily spend another thousand pages wandering around in it. Which is concerning, considering the general mortality rate. 🕷️
✨🦴 The magic system? SO GOOD. Strange, layered, original, and just complicated enough.
💀🐦⬛ The atmosphere? Gothic nightmare perfection. Monsters! Curses! Blood! Horrible things lurking in horrible places!
I LOVE IT HERE.
⚔️ The plot? Relentless. This enormous book somehow never felt enormous. I was practically inhaling pages. Pacing was great. People hate on book 2, but it was solid groundwork for action in book 3.
🖤 The romance? FERAL. Devoted. Tender. Catastrophically romantic. And yes, the 🌶️ department delivered. 🥵🤌
And then there's ZEVANDER. 🦂
SIR.
This man has spent three books establishing himself as:
🔥 Dangerous
🔥 Damaged
🔥 Aggressive
🔥 Protective
🔥 Deeply, catastrophically gone
🔥 Willing to make the continued existence of civilization everyone else's problem
But what makes him so wonderful isn't just the ferality.
It's the tenderness. The vulnerability. The absolute reverence he has for Maevyth. 🐦⬛ They're in love. They're working through their trauma together.
And Maevyth. 🐦⬛🦴
Our spooky little moon witch! Watching her journey across these three books has been an absolute delight. I loved her mystery, her strength, her vulnerability, and the way her story just kept becoming bigger and more fascinating.
My only complaint (not a complaint) is the side characters.
I want more of their histories. Their relationships. Their ridiculous supernatural problems. Their ordinary Tuesdays. Give me spin-offs. Give me novellas. Give me 400 pages of people sitting around discussing what happened last week.
I DON'T CARE. I JUST WANT MORE TIME WITH MY PEOPLE.
And now I'm sitting here feeling genuinely sad that it's over. 😢
I didn't just want to know how this story ended.
I wanted to stay in this world forever.
Which is ridiculous, because the place is an absolute nightmare. 😂🌲💀
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Five stars. No notes. Except please write another thousand pages. 🖤🦂🐦⬛🕷️
Keri Lake. MA'AM. What have you done to me?!
I picked up Anathema thinking I'd enjoy a spooky little gothic romantasy situation, and three books later, I am emotionally attached to an entire ecosystem of cursed, morally questionable supernatural weirdos.
And now I'm supposed to just... LEAVE?!?!
Absolutely not. 😂
Let's discuss:
🌲 The worldbuilding? Immaculate. Dark, intricate, unsettling, and so richly imagined that I would happily spend another thousand pages wandering around in it. Which is concerning, considering the general mortality rate. 🕷️
✨🦴 The magic system? SO GOOD. Strange, layered, original, and just complicated enough.
💀🐦⬛ The atmosphere? Gothic nightmare perfection. Monsters! Curses! Blood! Horrible things lurking in horrible places!
I LOVE IT HERE.
⚔️ The plot? Relentless. This enormous book somehow never felt enormous. I was practically inhaling pages. Pacing was great. People hate on book 2, but it was solid groundwork for action in book 3.
🖤 The romance? FERAL. Devoted. Tender. Catastrophically romantic. And yes, the 🌶️ department delivered. 🥵🤌
And then there's ZEVANDER. 🦂
SIR.
This man has spent three books establishing himself as:
🔥 Dangerous
🔥 Damaged
🔥 Aggressive
🔥 Protective
🔥 Deeply, catastrophically gone
🔥 Willing to make the continued existence of civilization everyone else's problem
But what makes him so wonderful isn't just the ferality.
It's the tenderness. The vulnerability. The absolute reverence he has for Maevyth. 🐦⬛ They're in love. They're working through their trauma together.
And Maevyth. 🐦⬛🦴
Our spooky little moon witch! Watching her journey across these three books has been an absolute delight. I loved her mystery, her strength, her vulnerability, and the way her story just kept becoming bigger and more fascinating.
My only complaint (not a complaint) is the side characters.
I want more of their histories. Their relationships. Their ridiculous supernatural problems. Their ordinary Tuesdays. Give me spin-offs. Give me novellas. Give me 400 pages of people sitting around discussing what happened last week.
I DON'T CARE. I JUST WANT MORE TIME WITH MY PEOPLE.
And now I'm sitting here feeling genuinely sad that it's over. 😢
I didn't just want to know how this story ended.
I wanted to stay in this world forever.
Which is ridiculous, because the place is an absolute nightmare. 😂🌲💀
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Five stars. No notes. Except please write another thousand pages. 🖤🦂🐦⬛🕷️
October 13, 2026
“You’re not an interest. You’re a purpose. And I love you more than everything else.”
I finished this at 2:14am and I am still at a loss for words. What a beautifully heartbreaking yet perfect ending to the series. This series was already one of my all time favorites but I think Vasmora solidified that. It was dark, it was gritty, it was gut wrenching, it was action packed, it was everything I was hoping it was going to be and more 🖤
Maevyth's personal growth in this book is unmatched. The things she goes through at the hands of Loyce were nothing short of horrific and instead of letting it consume her, she used it as fuel to get the revenge she and Zevander both deserved.
I would be remiss if I didn't talked about Maeyvth and Zevander's love for each other because oh. My. God. Their pure devotion to each other had me swooning at every interaction. Seriously, Zevander is the ultimate book boyfriend of all book boyfriends and I will never hear otherwise!!
Maeyvth and Zevander's story is one for the ages and while I am so sad to be saying goodbye, I already can't wait to start my full reread. Keri Lake's ability to give us stories like this, painting pictures so vividly of the world, the characters, the grotesque creatures is nothing short of spectacular and I cannot wait to see what she gifts us next 🖤
I finished this at 2:14am and I am still at a loss for words. What a beautifully heartbreaking yet perfect ending to the series. This series was already one of my all time favorites but I think Vasmora solidified that. It was dark, it was gritty, it was gut wrenching, it was action packed, it was everything I was hoping it was going to be and more 🖤
Maevyth's personal growth in this book is unmatched. The things she goes through at the hands of Loyce were nothing short of horrific and instead of letting it consume her, she used it as fuel to get the revenge she and Zevander both deserved.
I would be remiss if I didn't talked about Maeyvth and Zevander's love for each other because oh. My. God. Their pure devotion to each other had me swooning at every interaction. Seriously, Zevander is the ultimate book boyfriend of all book boyfriends and I will never hear otherwise!!
Maeyvth and Zevander's story is one for the ages and while I am so sad to be saying goodbye, I already can't wait to start my full reread. Keri Lake's ability to give us stories like this, painting pictures so vividly of the world, the characters, the grotesque creatures is nothing short of spectacular and I cannot wait to see what she gifts us next 🖤
January 12, 2026
i don’t think anything will give me the same feeling as anathema did
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.
October 12, 2026
I'm sad to be writing this because this was another one of those series that had me in a chokehold with the first two books, and I was so so excited for the finale. It wasn't a bad book, but it just didn't have the same hold on me like the others.
My main issue is that it felt like too much was crammed in without enough development. It's a huge book, but its length just didn't feel necessary. There were several characters and plot elements that were either introduced in this book or only hinted at in the previous ones, and I don't think they received the development they needed. I felt like these elements either deserved a lot more attention (perhaps making this a 4-book series instead of a trilogy) or shouldn't have been introduced at all. There was just too much happening without enough depth.
Secondly, I felt like after about 50%, the writing started to feel rushed, and the character interactions weren't as deep or meaningful anymore. This was particularly disappointing because the emotional depth and character development were some of the things I loved most about the previous books.
Overall, I love Keri Lake's stories and writing, and I think that this is absolutely worth it if you've made it this far, but I wish I had been able to rave about it like I did the other two in this trilogy. It was still worth it for me to read as a whole because Eldritch changed my life. I am still obsessed with Zevander and Maevyth because of that book.
My main issue is that it felt like too much was crammed in without enough development. It's a huge book, but its length just didn't feel necessary. There were several characters and plot elements that were either introduced in this book or only hinted at in the previous ones, and I don't think they received the development they needed. I felt like these elements either deserved a lot more attention (perhaps making this a 4-book series instead of a trilogy) or shouldn't have been introduced at all. There was just too much happening without enough depth.
Secondly, I felt like after about 50%, the writing started to feel rushed, and the character interactions weren't as deep or meaningful anymore. This was particularly disappointing because the emotional depth and character development were some of the things I loved most about the previous books.
Overall, I love Keri Lake's stories and writing, and I think that this is absolutely worth it if you've made it this far, but I wish I had been able to rave about it like I did the other two in this trilogy. It was still worth it for me to read as a whole because Eldritch changed my life. I am still obsessed with Zevander and Maevyth because of that book.
October 7, 2026
gosh. i feel so emotional and empty?? i’m being dramatic, but i can’t believe this trilogy has actually come to an end 😭 having to go back to reality after living vicariously in my favorite gothic fantasy atmosphere feels like actual torture. I DON’T WANT TO LEAVE EVER!!! i’ll edit this review eventually, but right now i can’t even imagine leaving this world and these characters. this series will never just be a memory for me
WHY DIDN’T I SAVOR THIS MORE??? WHY DO I HAVE NO SELF CONTROL????
WHY DIDN’T I SAVOR THIS MORE??? WHY DO I HAVE NO SELF CONTROL????
Want to Read
January 12, 2026Fall 2026!!! 🥳🥳🥳
October 10, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 6 STARS. ALL DAY.
One of the greatest endings to a trilogy I have ever read. A gothic romantasy that absolutely wrecked me in the best and worst ways possible. I genuinely don’t know how to put into words what I’m feeling right now, lying in bed after crying for the last hour. My heart is full, my soul is shattered, and I think a little piece of me will always belong to this story.
This book was very quick, especially by Keri Lake standards, but that never once took away from the quality of the story or the weight of its ending. If anything, I was so caught up in everything happening that I barely had time to catch my breath. It felt much more fantasy-heavy, with an almost grimdark atmosphere that made the stakes feel real and the world feel brutal. And the romance? The perfect amount. Enough to make my heart ache, to give me something beautiful to hold on to amidst all the darkness, without ever taking away from the larger story being told.
Because this is war. And war is cruel. Not everyone makes it out, and I think that’s part of what made this ending hit so hard. There are losses, there is heartbreak, and there are moments that leave you wondering how your heart is supposed to recover. But somehow, somehow, the ending still felt satisfying in a way I cannot begin to explain. Not because everything was easy or everyone got the outcome they deserved, but because it felt right for the story. It felt earned. It felt like an ending worthy of everything these characters endured to get there.
And the quotes. THE QUOTES. How am I supposed to move on from these characters when Keri Lake gives me lines like these?
“But should fate ever take you from me, I’d carve my own heart from my chest.”
EXCUSE ME????? I NEED A MOMENT.
And then—
“I always imagined Death to be violent and terrifying.”
“I never imagined her to be so kind and gentle. Merciful.”
I AM UNWELL. ACTUALLY UNWELL.
There is something so devastatingly beautiful about a story that can make death feel gentle, love feel eternal, and heartbreak feel like a privilege because it means you got to love these characters in the first place.
I don’t know how to explain what this book did to me. I don’t know how to explain how it feels to finish a trilogy and realize that you have to say goodbye to a world and characters who have come to mean so much to you. All I know is that I sat here and cried, and cried, and cried, because I wasn’t ready for it to be over.
A six-star read. A phenomenal end to a trilogy. A story that hurt, healed, and broke my heart all at once.
Gothic romantasy at its finest. Dark, brutal, beautiful, and devastatingly tender when it mattered most.
I will be thinking about this ending for a very, very long time.
And if you need me, I’ll be right here, staring at the ceiling, emotionally attached to fictional characters who have permanently altered my brain chemistry. 🖤🥀
One of the greatest endings to a trilogy I have ever read. A gothic romantasy that absolutely wrecked me in the best and worst ways possible. I genuinely don’t know how to put into words what I’m feeling right now, lying in bed after crying for the last hour. My heart is full, my soul is shattered, and I think a little piece of me will always belong to this story.
This book was very quick, especially by Keri Lake standards, but that never once took away from the quality of the story or the weight of its ending. If anything, I was so caught up in everything happening that I barely had time to catch my breath. It felt much more fantasy-heavy, with an almost grimdark atmosphere that made the stakes feel real and the world feel brutal. And the romance? The perfect amount. Enough to make my heart ache, to give me something beautiful to hold on to amidst all the darkness, without ever taking away from the larger story being told.
Because this is war. And war is cruel. Not everyone makes it out, and I think that’s part of what made this ending hit so hard. There are losses, there is heartbreak, and there are moments that leave you wondering how your heart is supposed to recover. But somehow, somehow, the ending still felt satisfying in a way I cannot begin to explain. Not because everything was easy or everyone got the outcome they deserved, but because it felt right for the story. It felt earned. It felt like an ending worthy of everything these characters endured to get there.
And the quotes. THE QUOTES. How am I supposed to move on from these characters when Keri Lake gives me lines like these?
“But should fate ever take you from me, I’d carve my own heart from my chest.”
EXCUSE ME????? I NEED A MOMENT.
And then—
“I always imagined Death to be violent and terrifying.”
“I never imagined her to be so kind and gentle. Merciful.”
I AM UNWELL. ACTUALLY UNWELL.
There is something so devastatingly beautiful about a story that can make death feel gentle, love feel eternal, and heartbreak feel like a privilege because it means you got to love these characters in the first place.
I don’t know how to explain what this book did to me. I don’t know how to explain how it feels to finish a trilogy and realize that you have to say goodbye to a world and characters who have come to mean so much to you. All I know is that I sat here and cried, and cried, and cried, because I wasn’t ready for it to be over.
A six-star read. A phenomenal end to a trilogy. A story that hurt, healed, and broke my heart all at once.
Gothic romantasy at its finest. Dark, brutal, beautiful, and devastatingly tender when it mattered most.
I will be thinking about this ending for a very, very long time.
And if you need me, I’ll be right here, staring at the ceiling, emotionally attached to fictional characters who have permanently altered my brain chemistry. 🖤🥀
October 9, 2026
The pacing greatly improved from the 1st and 2nd books but it was also just a tad bit too fast for me.
Felt like a good number of characters were dropped into the plot and made allies too easily.
Other things just happened so casually after so much build up and tension that it almost felt anticlimactic. For one, the whole Zevander vs Loyce final fight didn't have the payoff I was expecting. I do like the fate she deserved but I just thought the actual fight would be on a grander scale after all the horror Loyce put everyone through for hundreds of pages.
Another battle off the top of my head that felt anticlimactic was the one against Pestilios. All those allies gathered and it was like no one but Gavroche, Lorathe and Zevander had a role so everyone was just fighting for their lives. They really should've had a huddle and come up with a better game plan first after running into Lorathe and the wolves. And wtf was with Gavroche and Rho just running into the web like that? C'mon...
I thought there would be some sort of pregnancy subplot for Maevyth in the latter half of the story since there was all that stuff going on about bulging bellies, birthing and breeding, Morsana obsessed with sowing her oats, etc. But I guess babies are usually saved for the epilogue so as to not get in the way of heroine getting in on the action.
I kind of hate that some of the deaths happened so fast: Daelan, Oswin, Dravien. Also, were Dravien and Kazhimyr bonded mates or something? Maybe I need to reread the books again but I was getting confused as to which side character is intended to be with who. I thought Kaz had a thing for Rykaia?? And what was that ominous cliffhanger scene where Kaz seemed like he was possessed and gonna kill Dravien?
I was also waiting for Dravien to have a proper conversation with Maevyth once he reunited with the team at Eidolon but we basically saw no interaction with them.
I did enjoy that ominous ending though! Reminds me a lot of Inception's ending. I'm pretty sure Maevyth is indeed free from Caligorya and that was just the light coming in at an angle. Especially with all the worry about not tainting the dagger and Zevander having to wipe his blood off it first! But the spiderweb leaves room for thought and a spin-off for other characters to explore their stories (maybe Rykaia and healing her tainted womb?).
I hope Keri Lake one day returns to this enchanting universe of the Eating Woods. While the pacing overall had issues, I immensely enjoyed this trilogy and find it so unique.
Felt like a good number of characters were dropped into the plot and made allies too easily.
Other things just happened so casually after so much build up and tension that it almost felt anticlimactic. For one, the whole Zevander vs Loyce final fight didn't have the payoff I was expecting. I do like the fate she deserved but I just thought the actual fight would be on a grander scale after all the horror Loyce put everyone through for hundreds of pages.
Another battle off the top of my head that felt anticlimactic was the one against Pestilios. All those allies gathered and it was like no one but Gavroche, Lorathe and Zevander had a role so everyone was just fighting for their lives. They really should've had a huddle and come up with a better game plan first after running into Lorathe and the wolves. And wtf was with Gavroche and Rho just running into the web like that? C'mon...
I thought there would be some sort of pregnancy subplot for Maevyth in the latter half of the story since there was all that stuff going on about bulging bellies, birthing and breeding, Morsana obsessed with sowing her oats, etc. But I guess babies are usually saved for the epilogue so as to not get in the way of heroine getting in on the action.
I kind of hate that some of the deaths happened so fast: Daelan, Oswin, Dravien. Also, were Dravien and Kazhimyr bonded mates or something? Maybe I need to reread the books again but I was getting confused as to which side character is intended to be with who. I thought Kaz had a thing for Rykaia?? And what was that ominous cliffhanger scene where Kaz seemed like he was possessed and gonna kill Dravien?
I was also waiting for Dravien to have a proper conversation with Maevyth once he reunited with the team at Eidolon but we basically saw no interaction with them.
I did enjoy that ominous ending though! Reminds me a lot of Inception's ending. I'm pretty sure Maevyth is indeed free from Caligorya and that was just the light coming in at an angle. Especially with all the worry about not tainting the dagger and Zevander having to wipe his blood off it first! But the spiderweb leaves room for thought and a spin-off for other characters to explore their stories (maybe Rykaia and healing her tainted womb?).
I hope Keri Lake one day returns to this enchanting universe of the Eating Woods. While the pacing overall had issues, I immensely enjoyed this trilogy and find it so unique.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 12, 2026
MY CHEST. MY HEART. MY SOOOUUUULLLLL
So I’m gonna need 3-5 business days for my emotions to stabilize.
Keri Lake has done it again, and she did it again PERFECTLY. The ending to this trilogy was WILD, fast, intense, head on a constant swivel, cannot catch a breath but so fking gripping which I find important considering this was nearly 900 pages.
I could not put this down, adult responsibilities be damned. I was so enthralled by the conclusion and the journey to get there.
While we know how much I LOVE & ADORE Zevander’s character…Maevyth is the one to truly admire. She started out as just a girl with no sense of belonging, facing constant judgement and ridicule but she became so much more and grew into an incredible & strong character.
I’ve learned through this trilogy that Keri has intention with everything she writes when she tells a story. There is no such thing as a useless detail, throwaway information, or wasted chapters/scenes. The way she splits this story apart through multiple POV’s creates a much bigger picture to capture the severity of the conflict and showcase the themes of vengeance, sacrifice, survival, & fate. It’s a BEAST of a book/trilogy, believe me, but it is so worth the read.
I still stand ten toes down that this trilogy has probably become my favorite fantasy series, if not series AS A WHOLE, of all time. Bury me with my deluxe editions pls & thnx.
So I’m gonna need 3-5 business days for my emotions to stabilize.
Keri Lake has done it again, and she did it again PERFECTLY. The ending to this trilogy was WILD, fast, intense, head on a constant swivel, cannot catch a breath but so fking gripping which I find important considering this was nearly 900 pages.
I could not put this down, adult responsibilities be damned. I was so enthralled by the conclusion and the journey to get there.
While we know how much I LOVE & ADORE Zevander’s character…Maevyth is the one to truly admire. She started out as just a girl with no sense of belonging, facing constant judgement and ridicule but she became so much more and grew into an incredible & strong character.
I’ve learned through this trilogy that Keri has intention with everything she writes when she tells a story. There is no such thing as a useless detail, throwaway information, or wasted chapters/scenes. The way she splits this story apart through multiple POV’s creates a much bigger picture to capture the severity of the conflict and showcase the themes of vengeance, sacrifice, survival, & fate. It’s a BEAST of a book/trilogy, believe me, but it is so worth the read.
I still stand ten toes down that this trilogy has probably become my favorite fantasy series, if not series AS A WHOLE, of all time. Bury me with my deluxe editions pls & thnx.
October 15, 2026
I enjoyed the trilogy overall, but some things felt unresolved or underdeveloped. However, I will NEVER forgive Keri Lake for Branimir’s fate!!! I was holding on to hope until the very end that he would be healed and finally get the happy ending he deserved after everything he’d been through. But no. And I’m HEARTBROKEN.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 13, 2026
Unfortunately, this one fell a little flat for me. And not in a quiet-before-the-storm kind of way. I just never got the emotional highs or lows I was hoping for.
This book was long. Supposedly, all that extra page time was needed to tie up loose ends, but most of those loose ends didn’t actually seem to matter to the story. So many moments felt like random bits of information taking up space without adding anything to the plot or shifting the story in any meaningful direction. No big aha! moment. No exciting reveals. Just a whole lot of boxes being ticked. A little too convenient for my taste.
So many developments came out of nowhere, courtesy of a vision or some random character suddenly appearing to save the day. The relationships also lacked the depth I wanted, and the side characters were mentioned plenty without ever really being explored. Meanwhile, the killing and fighting started to feel more like filler than anything that moved the story forward.
Honestly, this felt so far removed from the atmospheric, mysterious magic of Anathema. Instead of getting swept up in the story, I felt like we were speed-running a checklist of everything that needed to be addressed, just in case leaving anything unanswered might create a plot hole. Bows on everything. And on top of all that, the language has lost it’s shine as well.
That said, I did enjoy the wrap-up. I like seeing things come full circle, knowing where everyone ends up, and getting a proper ending for the characters. And the last couple of pages? Loved them. I especially liked how the author left a little something open to interpretation, allowing readers to fill in the blanks however they wanted. That final touch worked beautifully for me.
So, while I appreciated the closure and loved the way it ended, the journey there just didn’t do it for me. I wanted atmosphere, mystery, emotional devastation, something. Instead, I got an extremely thorough list of completed tasks.
This book was long. Supposedly, all that extra page time was needed to tie up loose ends, but most of those loose ends didn’t actually seem to matter to the story. So many moments felt like random bits of information taking up space without adding anything to the plot or shifting the story in any meaningful direction. No big aha! moment. No exciting reveals. Just a whole lot of boxes being ticked. A little too convenient for my taste.
So many developments came out of nowhere, courtesy of a vision or some random character suddenly appearing to save the day. The relationships also lacked the depth I wanted, and the side characters were mentioned plenty without ever really being explored. Meanwhile, the killing and fighting started to feel more like filler than anything that moved the story forward.
Honestly, this felt so far removed from the atmospheric, mysterious magic of Anathema. Instead of getting swept up in the story, I felt like we were speed-running a checklist of everything that needed to be addressed, just in case leaving anything unanswered might create a plot hole. Bows on everything. And on top of all that, the language has lost it’s shine as well.
That said, I did enjoy the wrap-up. I like seeing things come full circle, knowing where everyone ends up, and getting a proper ending for the characters. And the last couple of pages? Loved them. I especially liked how the author left a little something open to interpretation, allowing readers to fill in the blanks however they wanted. That final touch worked beautifully for me.
So, while I appreciated the closure and loved the way it ended, the journey there just didn’t do it for me. I wanted atmosphere, mystery, emotional devastation, something. Instead, I got an extremely thorough list of completed tasks.
October 7, 2026
I genuinely don’t know how I’m supposed to say goodbye to my favorite series 😭
Finishing Vasmora feels so bittersweet because I’m absolutely heartbroken that The Eatings Woods trilogy is over, but at the same time, I couldn’t have asked for a better ending.
This book truly felt like it was written for the fans. It was so carefully done, never felt rushed, and every loose end was tied up in a way that felt satisfying and earned.
I cried. I laughed. I screamed. I swooned.
There were moments that broke my heart, moments that had me smiling like an idiot, and moments where I just had to put the book down and process what I’d read.
I don’t think I’ll ever get over this series. This world, these characters and this story has completely taken over my heart and I already know I’m going to miss them so much.
I’m devastated that it’s over… but so incredibly happy with the way it ended.
Simply incredible. 🖤🐦⬛🦂
Thank you, Keri Lake, for giving us this world. I will never forget The Eatings Woods.
Finishing Vasmora feels so bittersweet because I’m absolutely heartbroken that The Eatings Woods trilogy is over, but at the same time, I couldn’t have asked for a better ending.
This book truly felt like it was written for the fans. It was so carefully done, never felt rushed, and every loose end was tied up in a way that felt satisfying and earned.
I cried. I laughed. I screamed. I swooned.
There were moments that broke my heart, moments that had me smiling like an idiot, and moments where I just had to put the book down and process what I’d read.
I don’t think I’ll ever get over this series. This world, these characters and this story has completely taken over my heart and I already know I’m going to miss them so much.
I’m devastated that it’s over… but so incredibly happy with the way it ended.
Simply incredible. 🖤🐦⬛🦂
Thank you, Keri Lake, for giving us this world. I will never forget The Eatings Woods.
October 8, 2026
Vasmora is dark, twisted, grotesque, and absolutely fantastic. I thought this series was dark before, but this book takes it to another level. Spider monsters, brutal on-page deaths, torture and some truly unhinged moments make for a story that is not afraid to go there.
But what makes it work is the balance. For all the darkness, there is so much heart in the characters, especially Maevyth and Zevander. They both carry so much trauma, and watching them navigate that together while fighting for the chance to simply be together was one of my favourite parts of the series.
The magic system and the way the gods are woven into the story are incredibly unique, and there are so many individual moments I could call out. The writing completely pulled me in. I gasped, cried, laughed out loud and occasionally just sat there thinking, what the actual hell?
The ending was perfect. We get the epic, action-packed and emotional finale, but also a glimpse of what comes after, giving the series a beautifully wrapped-up, bittersweet and incredibly satisfying conclusion.
But what makes it work is the balance. For all the darkness, there is so much heart in the characters, especially Maevyth and Zevander. They both carry so much trauma, and watching them navigate that together while fighting for the chance to simply be together was one of my favourite parts of the series.
The magic system and the way the gods are woven into the story are incredibly unique, and there are so many individual moments I could call out. The writing completely pulled me in. I gasped, cried, laughed out loud and occasionally just sat there thinking, what the actual hell?
The ending was perfect. We get the epic, action-packed and emotional finale, but also a glimpse of what comes after, giving the series a beautifully wrapped-up, bittersweet and incredibly satisfying conclusion.
October 14, 2026
Keri Lake never lets you down. What a journey this series has been!
Great conclusion to the story. I was anxiously on the edge of my seat for most of it! Much more fast paced than the previous two which was appreciated. Loose ends tied up and our long suffering characters getting the happiness they deserved… Or did they? That ending gave me chills. What an incredibly talented and imaginative writer KL is to have created this vast world and magic system. I’m really glad I decided to give this series a try 🖤🫶🏻
Great conclusion to the story. I was anxiously on the edge of my seat for most of it! Much more fast paced than the previous two which was appreciated. Loose ends tied up and our long suffering characters getting the happiness they deserved… Or did they? That ending gave me chills. What an incredibly talented and imaginative writer KL is to have created this vast world and magic system. I’m really glad I decided to give this series a try 🖤🫶🏻
October 7, 2026
Vasmora
Book 1 was very good. Book 2 was so very, very good. The characters are fantastic. The side characters as well. It felt like a long wait for book 3 but it did not disappoint. A few twists, A few turns, good, evil, love, hate, spice (A lot) ... It has it all. A super good story by a really super good writer. A must read.
Book 1 was very good. Book 2 was so very, very good. The characters are fantastic. The side characters as well. It felt like a long wait for book 3 but it did not disappoint. A few twists, A few turns, good, evil, love, hate, spice (A lot) ... It has it all. A super good story by a really super good writer. A must read.
October 12, 2026
Brb… need to process how I’ll continue life without these characters 😭 A very strong, solid 5-star conclusion to the Eating Woods trilogy! 👏🏻 Keri Lake said the pacing would be faster than what we’re used to seeing from her, and she absolutely delivered. Nonstop, heartbreaking action from page one to the gritty end. I have zero notes, but some of the deaths in this book were SO unfair. 😭❤️
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