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Inkwater #1
The Inkwater Witch
Pain provides clarity. Suffering builds strength. Mercy is a weakness.
Mardella believed the lessons etched into her skin and memory would prevent her from ever being captive to another again.
She was wrong.
After a disastrous encounter in her enchanted swamp, she finds herself in chains and her magic bound at the feet of her enemy. The gorgeous and imposing fae general demands she release his people from her curse, or he’ll happily kill her for her past crimes.
The only thing is, she isn’t the one poisoning the fae.
Roric doesn’t trust the witch or her denials. Her beauty is as diabolical as the pernicious flowers that adorn her home. The darkness poisoning his people originates from her cursed swamp and he’ll keep her close as he forces her to guide him through her treacherous waters. Once the curse is removed, he’ll rid the world of the dangerous creature.
Even if his twin soul whispers that the fearsome witch is his mate.
Mardella believed the lessons etched into her skin and memory would prevent her from ever being captive to another again.
She was wrong.
After a disastrous encounter in her enchanted swamp, she finds herself in chains and her magic bound at the feet of her enemy. The gorgeous and imposing fae general demands she release his people from her curse, or he’ll happily kill her for her past crimes.
The only thing is, she isn’t the one poisoning the fae.
Roric doesn’t trust the witch or her denials. Her beauty is as diabolical as the pernicious flowers that adorn her home. The darkness poisoning his people originates from her cursed swamp and he’ll keep her close as he forces her to guide him through her treacherous waters. Once the curse is removed, he’ll rid the world of the dangerous creature.
Even if his twin soul whispers that the fearsome witch is his mate.
314 pages, ebook
Published July 12, 2022
156 people are currently reading
913 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
June 23, 2022
Rating: 4.5 every-little-thing-she-does-is-magic stars!
Quote that sums up the book: “She was so soft and sweet, despite her fearsome reputation.”
Review:
I LOVE ATLEY WYKES!!! This is her fourth book, and the first in a new series, and I’m obsessed with her writing!
What I liked about the book:
1. First of all, there was a map at the beginning of the book. You know the book is going to be amazing if there is a map, especially if you have to go to some website to see the full-size version. I am a total map whore, and my theory of maps = good books did not let me down.
2. The worldbuilding and character backstories were phenomenal. We got witches, fae, werewolves/shifters, humans, crazy-ass creatures and plants, and a swamp Alec Holland would find comfortable.
I won’t go into too many specifics given the book is yet to be released, but I can tell you it gave me strong MTG (magic the gathering) vibes, which was a definite plus! It reminds me of my first deck that centered around the Bogbrew Witch, the Festering Newt, and the Bubbling Cauldron.
Other than this, there is LGBTQIA+ representation, political/lineage issues for both the fae and the werewolves, fierce females, protective men, and found family. It’s fantastic!
3. I loved Mardella and Roric’s back-and-forth at the beginning and how they went from “enemies” to lovers. I love when a guy calls me on my shit, and I definitely have fared better with men who enjoy the same. This was right up my alley and just plain fun to read.
4. I am convinced Atley and I have a thing for the same type of men at this point. Roric was…everything. He was my ultimate fae bae!
First of all, he is a fae who also happens to be a werewolf/shifter. Did I know this was something that was going to prove dangerous to my libido before reading it? Absolutely not. Did that stop me from enjoying every second and now having a new obsession? Hell no!
Let’s start with his looks. Long hair, silvery facial hair (“fae men never grew beards”), claw-mark scars running down what I often imagined was a deliciously thick neck, and tattoos for days. Oh, and he was hella strong. Basically, I thought of Henry Cavill as Geralt of Rivia with a beard and tattoos.
God, I love guys with scars! Scars and tattoos truly are my kryptonite.
So basically, a written character took my breath away, and his looks are only the beginning. His constant need to protect her and see to her every need, definitely had me feeling like this alpha would bend over backwards for his queen.
I swear, every time this man growled, I could not help but get giddy; there was a lot of lip biting while reading this very primitive action. And every time he called her “love”? SO. FREAKING. GOOD! I’m not the biggest fan of “sweetheart” usually, but this man made me want to earn that title right along with his witchy mate.
5. I loved that Halana (half-human, half-fae female warrior) shut down the miscommunication trope not once, but twice! When our girl Mardella thought she would be too much for Roric and tried to dip out of the relationship "for his own good", Halana tossed that baggage away and told her to stop being stupid! This is the side character we need!!!
6. Not only is the spin-off potential amazing, but the books are already planned!!! 3 more books coming at us, with the next one anticipated this fall. I cannot wait to dive more into this series!
7. Yay for the au naturel bush representation!
What could have been better:
1. Throughout the entire story, I really felt myself become engrained with the group of travelers, feeling as though I was some 7th side character that just wasn’t talked about all that often. I trudged through the swamp, I ate and fought the weirdest creatures, I watched Mardella save everyone at least once. I was in the thick of it with these characters. So, you could say I was a bit disappointed when the final battle came and it took up a very, very small portion of the book.
There came a point in reading where I legitimately thought we were going to get a cliffhanger because there was no way the book could wrap up so much in the last 10%. I was wrong, it did, it just wasn’t done justice.
2. Alright, this one gave me the most bangxiety I’ve had in a really long time. 83%, Atley? Really? Not that I didn’t love all the appetizers, but why did we have to wait this long for the main course?
Thank you to Booksprout, the publishers, and Atley Wykes for this incredible book in exchange for my honest review! Make sure you check it out July 12!
Quote that sums up the book: “She was so soft and sweet, despite her fearsome reputation.”
Review:
I LOVE ATLEY WYKES!!! This is her fourth book, and the first in a new series, and I’m obsessed with her writing!
What I liked about the book:
1. First of all, there was a map at the beginning of the book. You know the book is going to be amazing if there is a map, especially if you have to go to some website to see the full-size version. I am a total map whore, and my theory of maps = good books did not let me down.
2. The worldbuilding and character backstories were phenomenal. We got witches, fae, werewolves/shifters, humans, crazy-ass creatures and plants, and a swamp Alec Holland would find comfortable.
I won’t go into too many specifics given the book is yet to be released, but I can tell you it gave me strong MTG (magic the gathering) vibes, which was a definite plus! It reminds me of my first deck that centered around the Bogbrew Witch, the Festering Newt, and the Bubbling Cauldron.
Other than this, there is LGBTQIA+ representation, political/lineage issues for both the fae and the werewolves, fierce females, protective men, and found family. It’s fantastic!
3. I loved Mardella and Roric’s back-and-forth at the beginning and how they went from “enemies” to lovers. I love when a guy calls me on my shit, and I definitely have fared better with men who enjoy the same. This was right up my alley and just plain fun to read.
4. I am convinced Atley and I have a thing for the same type of men at this point. Roric was…everything. He was my ultimate fae bae!
First of all, he is a fae who also happens to be a werewolf/shifter. Did I know this was something that was going to prove dangerous to my libido before reading it? Absolutely not. Did that stop me from enjoying every second and now having a new obsession? Hell no!
Let’s start with his looks. Long hair, silvery facial hair (“fae men never grew beards”), claw-mark scars running down what I often imagined was a deliciously thick neck, and tattoos for days. Oh, and he was hella strong. Basically, I thought of Henry Cavill as Geralt of Rivia with a beard and tattoos.
“He wasn’t a beautiful fae; he was too hard and too scarred for that. No, he wasn’t beautiful in the manner his brother and Cianan were, but he was even more attractive for it.”
God, I love guys with scars! Scars and tattoos truly are my kryptonite.
So basically, a written character took my breath away, and his looks are only the beginning. His constant need to protect her and see to her every need, definitely had me feeling like this alpha would bend over backwards for his queen.
I swear, every time this man growled, I could not help but get giddy; there was a lot of lip biting while reading this very primitive action. And every time he called her “love”? SO. FREAKING. GOOD! I’m not the biggest fan of “sweetheart” usually, but this man made me want to earn that title right along with his witchy mate.
5. I loved that Halana (half-human, half-fae female warrior) shut down the miscommunication trope not once, but twice! When our girl Mardella thought she would be too much for Roric and tried to dip out of the relationship "for his own good", Halana tossed that baggage away and told her to stop being stupid! This is the side character we need!!!
6. Not only is the spin-off potential amazing, but the books are already planned!!! 3 more books coming at us, with the next one anticipated this fall. I cannot wait to dive more into this series!
7. Yay for the au naturel bush representation!
What could have been better:
1. Throughout the entire story, I really felt myself become engrained with the group of travelers, feeling as though I was some 7th side character that just wasn’t talked about all that often. I trudged through the swamp, I ate and fought the weirdest creatures, I watched Mardella save everyone at least once. I was in the thick of it with these characters. So, you could say I was a bit disappointed when the final battle came and it took up a very, very small portion of the book.
There came a point in reading where I legitimately thought we were going to get a cliffhanger because there was no way the book could wrap up so much in the last 10%. I was wrong, it did, it just wasn’t done justice.
2. Alright, this one gave me the most bangxiety I’ve had in a really long time. 83%, Atley? Really? Not that I didn’t love all the appetizers, but why did we have to wait this long for the main course?
Thank you to Booksprout, the publishers, and Atley Wykes for this incredible book in exchange for my honest review! Make sure you check it out July 12!
January 9, 2024
Even though I absolutely devoured this book, it was kinda meh.
The story as a whole was really enjoyable. I loved the idea of a lonely swamp witch who ends up finding a family in a group of fearsome fae warriors, but execution-wise, it could've been better. The political intrigue and war aspect were weak, and I skimmed the chapters that focused on these elements because it seemed like the primary focus was on Mardella and Roric. The writing was also a bit inconsistent when the characters would speak like old fae but then use modern slang throughout the book.
However, I did really enjoy reading about the characters' journeys toward healing themselves and the kingdom. Mardella and Roric have incredibly traumatic pasts and it was wonderful to see them both support each other and grow as individuals. I also loved the fact that these characters were both older and not a relationship where it's a 20-something year old with a 300+ year old fae. The miscommunication trope wasn't too dragged out and the whole "fearsome general meets his match" was fun to read!
Read if you're into:
- found family trope
- fated mates
- scarred, silver haired love interests
- deadly swamps
He was her anchor in the storm of magic raging within her.
The story as a whole was really enjoyable. I loved the idea of a lonely swamp witch who ends up finding a family in a group of fearsome fae warriors, but execution-wise, it could've been better. The political intrigue and war aspect were weak, and I skimmed the chapters that focused on these elements because it seemed like the primary focus was on Mardella and Roric. The writing was also a bit inconsistent when the characters would speak like old fae but then use modern slang throughout the book.
However, I did really enjoy reading about the characters' journeys toward healing themselves and the kingdom. Mardella and Roric have incredibly traumatic pasts and it was wonderful to see them both support each other and grow as individuals. I also loved the fact that these characters were both older and not a relationship where it's a 20-something year old with a 300+ year old fae. The miscommunication trope wasn't too dragged out and the whole "fearsome general meets his match" was fun to read!
Read if you're into:
- found family trope
- fated mates
- scarred, silver haired love interests
- deadly swamps
Want to read
September 15, 2022🎁 FREE on Amazon today (9/15/2022)! 🎁
July 15, 2022
I was instantly intrigued by this book, and hooked from the first page. I loved this book. Roric is the wounded hero, who has spent centuries defending and protecting his people and his kingdom, and hating the Inkwater Witch. Now that his people are dying, he decides enough is enough and he and his team of close warriors venture to the swamp and take the witch hostage. The witch, Mardella has wounds of her own, and she's feisty as all get out. These two spar with each other and trade heated words over and over again. But as the group journeys on and face near death over and over again, they learn that their legends and deep seated hatred of one another's people isn't exactly accurate or necessary.
This book was a very captivating read, full of heat, heart, action, and page-turning twists and turns. All with a lovely end that is the perfect segue into the next in series. I can't wait for more!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book was a very captivating read, full of heat, heart, action, and page-turning twists and turns. All with a lovely end that is the perfect segue into the next in series. I can't wait for more!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 15, 2022
I really loved this book! Mardella is such a strong, compassionate and capable woman, it’s impossible not to like her, and Roric and Lowan have such similar motivations and goals, but I suppose that’s to be expected in some ways.
There is so much about this book that is wonderful and while a lot of the “issues” could have been avoided or worked out had the parties involved sat down to talk, there were enough characters that would have never allowed that to happen to make sense as to why they didn’t. Though the personal internal relationships seemed to be mostly worked out in a reasonable time frame. Anyways, this is an incredible story that any fan of great paranormal stories will love this one!
5 ⭐️s= Perfect story, exciting, engrossing, well developed complex characters, solid plot with few to no holes, descriptive environments and place settings, great mystery elements, realistic dialogue, believable reactions and behaviors, loved this story so much I’d buy it.
4 ⭐️s= Great story, highly entertaining and enjoyable, exciting storyline, well developed characters and settings, a few discrepancies but nothing that can’t be overlooked. Believable actions and reactions, realistic dialogue, a book I would consider buying.
3 ⭐️s= Good but not great story, noticeable discrepancies, grammatical and or spelling errors, undeveloped characters or unbelievable behaviors but still readable. Nothing majorly wrong with the story, just not interesting enough for me to continue. Would not buy the book.
2 ⭐️s= Not offended by the story, but not interested enough to finish. Unbelievable characters, poor writing, many mistakes, big holes or discrepancies, many spelling or grammatical errors, characters not believable, unlikeable or TSTL.
1 ⭐️= Offensive, extremely poor writing, horrible characters, victimization, gaslighting, blatant abuse, unnecessary violence, child endangerment, or any other highly objectionable behaviors by Main characters. Would never buy this book, and do not recommend it to anyone.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
There is so much about this book that is wonderful and while a lot of the “issues” could have been avoided or worked out had the parties involved sat down to talk, there were enough characters that would have never allowed that to happen to make sense as to why they didn’t. Though the personal internal relationships seemed to be mostly worked out in a reasonable time frame. Anyways, this is an incredible story that any fan of great paranormal stories will love this one!
5 ⭐️s= Perfect story, exciting, engrossing, well developed complex characters, solid plot with few to no holes, descriptive environments and place settings, great mystery elements, realistic dialogue, believable reactions and behaviors, loved this story so much I’d buy it.
4 ⭐️s= Great story, highly entertaining and enjoyable, exciting storyline, well developed characters and settings, a few discrepancies but nothing that can’t be overlooked. Believable actions and reactions, realistic dialogue, a book I would consider buying.
3 ⭐️s= Good but not great story, noticeable discrepancies, grammatical and or spelling errors, undeveloped characters or unbelievable behaviors but still readable. Nothing majorly wrong with the story, just not interesting enough for me to continue. Would not buy the book.
2 ⭐️s= Not offended by the story, but not interested enough to finish. Unbelievable characters, poor writing, many mistakes, big holes or discrepancies, many spelling or grammatical errors, characters not believable, unlikeable or TSTL.
1 ⭐️= Offensive, extremely poor writing, horrible characters, victimization, gaslighting, blatant abuse, unnecessary violence, child endangerment, or any other highly objectionable behaviors by Main characters. Would never buy this book, and do not recommend it to anyone.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 22, 2022
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice Scale: 🌶️🌶️
Heat Scale: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
I devoured this book. I didn’t think I would love it this much, but here we are.
This story holds a special place in my heart with all the growth and healing the characters went through and how much they’ve come from the beginning.
I really loved to see Mardella’s healing, from constantly struggling with her powers and being terrified of it and herself, to coming to terms and accepting the depth of it. Our girl really thought she would bring death to whoever she allowed close to her, until she met a really stubborn and handsome Fae-Wolf prince who proved her the opposite.
Roric was just this side of growly while being an utter fluff ball (literally!) that made me love him even more. His healing was just as important as Mardella’s and it was nice to have a fictional man who doesn’t gets off on gaslighting his lady like most do these days. I loved how his Wolf part was balanced with his Fae roots without overpowering everything.
If I want to be nitpicky, I have one single, teeny-tiny criticism which is also more of a personal preference so it doesn’t really count, I just wish the time frame was a little bigger. Going through this emotional journey in a single week feels like a stretch to me, but hey, I’m good with pretending away plot holes and such, soooo… Also Mardella and Roric’s romance got wrapped up in this book, so there’s that.
This aside, I’m really intrigued to see where the story goes from here and which characters we will see in the future books. I really hope to see Ithric’s story someday. Poor boy deserves the world after everything.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
---------
Full review once I can finally get my brain working but... I LOVED THIS SO MUCH. There was so much healing and growth, I think my heart grew a couple of sizes while reading. I know I will think about it in the following months so what else could I rate it than 5 stars?! Mardella and Roric deserve it.
Spice Scale: 🌶️🌶️
Heat Scale: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
I devoured this book. I didn’t think I would love it this much, but here we are.
This story holds a special place in my heart with all the growth and healing the characters went through and how much they’ve come from the beginning.
I really loved to see Mardella’s healing, from constantly struggling with her powers and being terrified of it and herself, to coming to terms and accepting the depth of it. Our girl really thought she would bring death to whoever she allowed close to her, until she met a really stubborn and handsome Fae-Wolf prince who proved her the opposite.
Roric was just this side of growly while being an utter fluff ball (literally!) that made me love him even more. His healing was just as important as Mardella’s and it was nice to have a fictional man who doesn’t gets off on gaslighting his lady like most do these days. I loved how his Wolf part was balanced with his Fae roots without overpowering everything.
If I want to be nitpicky, I have one single, teeny-tiny criticism which is also more of a personal preference so it doesn’t really count, I just wish the time frame was a little bigger. Going through this emotional journey in a single week feels like a stretch to me, but hey, I’m good with pretending away plot holes and such, soooo… Also Mardella and Roric’s romance got wrapped up in this book, so there’s that.
This aside, I’m really intrigued to see where the story goes from here and which characters we will see in the future books. I really hope to see Ithric’s story someday. Poor boy deserves the world after everything.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
---------
Full review once I can finally get my brain working but... I LOVED THIS SO MUCH. There was so much healing and growth, I think my heart grew a couple of sizes while reading. I know I will think about it in the following months so what else could I rate it than 5 stars?! Mardella and Roric deserve it.
February 12, 2023
Although this story was an intriguing and original concept, there were a few things that I had a hard time getting past.
The things that were done right:
- really original story concept; I didn’t feel as though it was something I had read a million times
- I loved how the descriptions really transported me to the swamp
- the author did a great job weaving the past and present together
The things that I felt were tough to get past:
- My biggest problem throughout the book was that Roric’s entire character read like an alpha wolf wattpad archetype.
- There was no guessing when it came to Mardella and Roric’s relationship; his “wolf” thoughts about her were just too on the nose. It made me cringe the entire time. I think the anticipation and mystery was completely lost here. Could be personal preference though.
- Many things felt too abrupt in this story. And it left me feeling like things were too neatly tied up without there being a satisfactory journey there.
If you like the very obvious alpha werewolf romance mating, this is definitely for you. I just like a little more subtlety when it comes to romance in fantasy.
The things that were done right:
- really original story concept; I didn’t feel as though it was something I had read a million times
- I loved how the descriptions really transported me to the swamp
- the author did a great job weaving the past and present together
The things that I felt were tough to get past:
- My biggest problem throughout the book was that Roric’s entire character read like an alpha wolf wattpad archetype.
- There was no guessing when it came to Mardella and Roric’s relationship; his “wolf” thoughts about her were just too on the nose. It made me cringe the entire time. I think the anticipation and mystery was completely lost here. Could be personal preference though.
- Many things felt too abrupt in this story. And it left me feeling like things were too neatly tied up without there being a satisfactory journey there.
If you like the very obvious alpha werewolf romance mating, this is definitely for you. I just like a little more subtlety when it comes to romance in fantasy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Want to read
March 21, 2023purchased this item on September 15, 2022. Amazon
December 25, 2022
4 Stars
New to me author. Definitely won't be the last time I read her books.
This story was fascinating to me. It kept me hooked through the whole story, I didn't grow bored once (super unusual me lately) and I finished it in two days. Only because I had to sleep, but I read 70% just the first night. 😂
The hero Roric was SO interesting to me. I mean, a Fae prince but also a wolf shifter? *fans self*
Roric, like all the characters introduced in this book had so many layers and depth to them. I truly felt for Roric and his feeling of not fitting in with his people because of his inner wolf. Though he never looked down upon his late mother who was a wolf shifter herself, it was more that the Fae people seemed to keep him at a distance and act as if they feared him because of his wolf. So, he held himself apart from them for most of his life and thus his inner wolf as well.
We never saw this firsthand, more we were told by Roric and his feelings through flashbacks and memories. Though, by the end he came to terms with the fact his people did accept him and more or less were intimidated by his reputation as their war general.
Getting to know Roric and his struggles and watch him accept his wolf side was lovely. It felt natural and genuine how it came about.
The same could be said for the heroine Mardella.
Mardella was known as the Inkwater Witch, for reasons I won't reveal and spoil. But she was considered evil to everyone who lived outside the swamp and according to Mardella she believed them. She didn't have a great opinion of herself or her ability to not hurt others with her magic because of her past.
Which obviously wasn't the truth. Mardella was one of the sweetest of women. Much like everyone else in this book, she had been through so much in her life. Despite being over a century old she still had so much life left to live instead of hiding in the swamp she created.
Seeing her grow into herself as she, Roric and his warriors traveled to the center of the swamp was such great storytelling.
Especially the way the author revealed the bits of Mardella past as the story progresses. It was well placed and the pacing worked really well IMO. It was always the perfect moment to reveal more to the reader.
Safe to say Mardella had been through hell and I didn't blame her for reacting as she had all those years before. She honestly could have done much worse or even given up completely or given into the darkness her former coven leader and abuser wanted her to. But she didn't. She had such inner strength to her it's no wonder she was chosen to be a powerful witch.
As for Mardella and Roric as a couple, I thought they worked really well. They had some great chemistry even if it was very slow burn and low intensity for most of the book. It didn't take away from the deliciousness when we got a taste of them together. I loved that they got their happily ever after and more than anything that Roric helped Mardella see herself in a different light and come to accept her powers rather than fear them.
What might've stole the show throughout the whole book was the interaction between Roric's warriors Halana, her twin brother Baelin (💔), Cianán and Roric's younger brother Ithric. Especially Halana and Mardella becoming friends. That was surprising but welcome when it took that turn. Their interactions and scenes together often carried comedic undertones that lightened the story and showed the camaraderie they had with one another. It especially shone a spotlight on how lonely Mardella was and how she tried her best to hold herself apart from their friendliness once they saw she meant them no harm. It was one of my favorite parts of the story tbh.
Overall I really enjoyed this. It was engrossing and fascinating. A little slow to start and to really immerse myself in with all the new creatures Mardella was introducing to us at first but once you get past that it really picked up.
I also find it a little misleading to claim it's a "spicy romance" considering there were maybe three sex scenes total, and two being actual sex and not just foreplay. And these happened past the 70% mark if I remember correctly. For me it wasn't all that spicy only because I relate spice to the quantity of the spice (sex scenes) not the quality of them. 😄 BUT the spice that was in the few sex scenes and intimate moments between Mardella and Roric were 🥵🔥 especially because Roric and his dirty talk! So, I wasn't disappointed but more surprised by how slow the burn between them was but I enjoyed it regardless.
New to me author. Definitely won't be the last time I read her books.
This story was fascinating to me. It kept me hooked through the whole story, I didn't grow bored once (super unusual me lately) and I finished it in two days. Only because I had to sleep, but I read 70% just the first night. 😂
The hero Roric was SO interesting to me. I mean, a Fae prince but also a wolf shifter? *fans self*
Roric, like all the characters introduced in this book had so many layers and depth to them. I truly felt for Roric and his feeling of not fitting in with his people because of his inner wolf. Though he never looked down upon his late mother who was a wolf shifter herself, it was more that the Fae people seemed to keep him at a distance and act as if they feared him because of his wolf. So, he held himself apart from them for most of his life and thus his inner wolf as well.
We never saw this firsthand, more we were told by Roric and his feelings through flashbacks and memories. Though, by the end he came to terms with the fact his people did accept him and more or less were intimidated by his reputation as their war general.
Getting to know Roric and his struggles and watch him accept his wolf side was lovely. It felt natural and genuine how it came about.
The same could be said for the heroine Mardella.
Mardella was known as the Inkwater Witch, for reasons I won't reveal and spoil. But she was considered evil to everyone who lived outside the swamp and according to Mardella she believed them. She didn't have a great opinion of herself or her ability to not hurt others with her magic because of her past.
Which obviously wasn't the truth. Mardella was one of the sweetest of women. Much like everyone else in this book, she had been through so much in her life. Despite being over a century old she still had so much life left to live instead of hiding in the swamp she created.
Seeing her grow into herself as she, Roric and his warriors traveled to the center of the swamp was such great storytelling.
Especially the way the author revealed the bits of Mardella past as the story progresses. It was well placed and the pacing worked really well IMO. It was always the perfect moment to reveal more to the reader.
Safe to say Mardella had been through hell and I didn't blame her for reacting as she had all those years before. She honestly could have done much worse or even given up completely or given into the darkness her former coven leader and abuser wanted her to. But she didn't. She had such inner strength to her it's no wonder she was chosen to be a powerful witch.
As for Mardella and Roric as a couple, I thought they worked really well. They had some great chemistry even if it was very slow burn and low intensity for most of the book. It didn't take away from the deliciousness when we got a taste of them together. I loved that they got their happily ever after and more than anything that Roric helped Mardella see herself in a different light and come to accept her powers rather than fear them.
What might've stole the show throughout the whole book was the interaction between Roric's warriors Halana, her twin brother Baelin (💔), Cianán and Roric's younger brother Ithric. Especially Halana and Mardella becoming friends. That was surprising but welcome when it took that turn. Their interactions and scenes together often carried comedic undertones that lightened the story and showed the camaraderie they had with one another. It especially shone a spotlight on how lonely Mardella was and how she tried her best to hold herself apart from their friendliness once they saw she meant them no harm. It was one of my favorite parts of the story tbh.
Overall I really enjoyed this. It was engrossing and fascinating. A little slow to start and to really immerse myself in with all the new creatures Mardella was introducing to us at first but once you get past that it really picked up.
I also find it a little misleading to claim it's a "spicy romance" considering there were maybe three sex scenes total, and two being actual sex and not just foreplay. And these happened past the 70% mark if I remember correctly. For me it wasn't all that spicy only because I relate spice to the quantity of the spice (sex scenes) not the quality of them. 😄 BUT the spice that was in the few sex scenes and intimate moments between Mardella and Roric were 🥵🔥 especially because Roric and his dirty talk! So, I wasn't disappointed but more surprised by how slow the burn between them was but I enjoyed it regardless.
June 21, 2024
First half: 4 Stars
Second half: 2 Stars
This book wasn’t bad- not great- but better than I expected. I almost didn’t download it based on the fact that the title described it as a spicy romance, and I often find that those books don’t have much in the way of plot or character development. But I was actually surprisingly invested in the plot.
The main character, Mardella, is a witch with a tragic past who now lives as a hermit in a magic swamp of her creation. She is kidnapped by a group of Fae, including the outcast Fae prince, Roric. They believe that she is poisoning their people and she must work with them to lift the curse that is actually causing it.
The first 50% of the book was pretty good. The swamp and it’s creatures (especially the water walkers) made for a vivid and intriguing setting. The characters are likable, if a bit run of the mill. I enjoyed the interactions and distrust between Mardella, Roric, and the rest of his companions, and I wish we would have gotten more of that. I’m a sucker for a good, angsty backstory, so I enjoyed reading about the main characters’ pasts.
However, I did not enjoy the romantic plot, which really went into full swing around the halfway mark. While the book is a decent example of enemies to lovers, I found the transition to be way too fast. One moment they dislike each other and the next they are professing their love. I’d rather they have stayed enemies as I was much more invested in that part. Also, Roric’s constant use of “sweetheart” as an endearment got annoying real fast. I lost interest quickly once the book started to focus on their relationship.
Also, I could really have done without the steamy scenes. And I found myself skimming over them since I just wanted to go back to the plot. The writing felt weird, like those scenes had been written either much earlier or later than the rest of the book and didn’t have the same tone. Also some of the descriptions were super cringey, like using the words “forbidden hole”. My inner middle schooler with a juvenile sense of humor came out and I literally snickered out loud at that. Which I don’t think is the reaction the author was going for. Though if you prefer spicy scenes over plot, you’ll probably still enjoy it.
The parts of the book I did consistently like were the chapters from Lowen’s point of view. Lowen is the son of the depraved wolf king and his storyline is mostly separate, connecting with the other only at the end. I found Lowen to be sympathetic and likable.
My overall impression is that reading this was a good way to kill some time, but I probably could have stopped at the half way point. The quality drops off after that and it becomes very romance heavy. I wish the romance was more of a slow burn so that we could continue to enjoy the characters and plot. It’s neither the best nor worst thing I’ve read.
Second half: 2 Stars
This book wasn’t bad- not great- but better than I expected. I almost didn’t download it based on the fact that the title described it as a spicy romance, and I often find that those books don’t have much in the way of plot or character development. But I was actually surprisingly invested in the plot.
The main character, Mardella, is a witch with a tragic past who now lives as a hermit in a magic swamp of her creation. She is kidnapped by a group of Fae, including the outcast Fae prince, Roric. They believe that she is poisoning their people and she must work with them to lift the curse that is actually causing it.
The first 50% of the book was pretty good. The swamp and it’s creatures (especially the water walkers) made for a vivid and intriguing setting. The characters are likable, if a bit run of the mill. I enjoyed the interactions and distrust between Mardella, Roric, and the rest of his companions, and I wish we would have gotten more of that. I’m a sucker for a good, angsty backstory, so I enjoyed reading about the main characters’ pasts.
However, I did not enjoy the romantic plot, which really went into full swing around the halfway mark. While the book is a decent example of enemies to lovers, I found the transition to be way too fast. One moment they dislike each other and the next they are professing their love. I’d rather they have stayed enemies as I was much more invested in that part. Also, Roric’s constant use of “sweetheart” as an endearment got annoying real fast. I lost interest quickly once the book started to focus on their relationship.
Also, I could really have done without the steamy scenes. And I found myself skimming over them since I just wanted to go back to the plot. The writing felt weird, like those scenes had been written either much earlier or later than the rest of the book and didn’t have the same tone. Also some of the descriptions were super cringey, like using the words “forbidden hole”. My inner middle schooler with a juvenile sense of humor came out and I literally snickered out loud at that. Which I don’t think is the reaction the author was going for. Though if you prefer spicy scenes over plot, you’ll probably still enjoy it.
The parts of the book I did consistently like were the chapters from Lowen’s point of view. Lowen is the son of the depraved wolf king and his storyline is mostly separate, connecting with the other only at the end. I found Lowen to be sympathetic and likable.
My overall impression is that reading this was a good way to kill some time, but I probably could have stopped at the half way point. The quality drops off after that and it becomes very romance heavy. I wish the romance was more of a slow burn so that we could continue to enjoy the characters and plot. It’s neither the best nor worst thing I’ve read.
July 9, 2022
Content: violence, some intense language, sexual acts, ptsd, trauma, abuse
A fae king trying to save his people + a witch being blamed for another’s actions = a spicy romance waiting to happen.
The Inkwater Witch by Atley Wykes is the first in the Inkwater Series and was an intense emotional redirection story! After accidentally killing her family and getting stranded by the ink water, Mardella had to rely on her knowledge to survive. She didn’t want to use her magic as much because she was afraid of it. She’s suddenly attacked by a man, Roric, and blacks out before she could save herself. Her captor was a half human half fae. He thinks the witch is responsible for the people in the kingdom getting sick and dying and he’s determined to save them, even if it means getting rid of the woman his soul yearns for.
I really liked the story overall. The misunderstanding and conflicted connection that both have with each other while also not having a connection at all was great. Lots of intertwined pasts and paths. That was written very well. I loved that Mardella was dealing with such tough things like ptsd and self blaming while Roric was dealing with grief, the need to prove himself and stepping up. There were so many layers to unfold and it created space for both to begin to heal. They were each other’s problems and solutions.
It was great to see a strong female lead and of course who can forget to mention the hot tension between the two. Who doesn’t love a good steamy connection?
The only thing that threw me off was keeping up with the family members and for a moment I was a bit confused as to what was happening with the wolves, fae, and witches. I couldn’t figure out who was what, aside from the witch until I was further into the story.
If you love a spicy shifter romance novel, this is for you! Oh, you are down for enemies to lovers tropes too? You’re in the right place.
Can’t wait to see what’s to come.
Next in series: The Wolf King, (Sept 2022)
*This was an honest review for a complimentary copy of The Inkwater Witch from Atley Wykes via Booksprout
A fae king trying to save his people + a witch being blamed for another’s actions = a spicy romance waiting to happen.
The Inkwater Witch by Atley Wykes is the first in the Inkwater Series and was an intense emotional redirection story! After accidentally killing her family and getting stranded by the ink water, Mardella had to rely on her knowledge to survive. She didn’t want to use her magic as much because she was afraid of it. She’s suddenly attacked by a man, Roric, and blacks out before she could save herself. Her captor was a half human half fae. He thinks the witch is responsible for the people in the kingdom getting sick and dying and he’s determined to save them, even if it means getting rid of the woman his soul yearns for.
I really liked the story overall. The misunderstanding and conflicted connection that both have with each other while also not having a connection at all was great. Lots of intertwined pasts and paths. That was written very well. I loved that Mardella was dealing with such tough things like ptsd and self blaming while Roric was dealing with grief, the need to prove himself and stepping up. There were so many layers to unfold and it created space for both to begin to heal. They were each other’s problems and solutions.
It was great to see a strong female lead and of course who can forget to mention the hot tension between the two. Who doesn’t love a good steamy connection?
The only thing that threw me off was keeping up with the family members and for a moment I was a bit confused as to what was happening with the wolves, fae, and witches. I couldn’t figure out who was what, aside from the witch until I was further into the story.
If you love a spicy shifter romance novel, this is for you! Oh, you are down for enemies to lovers tropes too? You’re in the right place.
Can’t wait to see what’s to come.
Next in series: The Wolf King, (Sept 2022)
*This was an honest review for a complimentary copy of The Inkwater Witch from Atley Wykes via Booksprout
July 12, 2022
I just want to say THANK YOU to Atley Wykes. When I selected this book to read, the beautiful cover drew me in, the title blurb drew me in even further, and the description sold me all the property. What was I expecting from it all? A good read. What I got? An excellent story with an amazing world build sprinkled with some heady tension, a great group of characters, will they won't they, absolute enemies to lovers, redemption stories, acceptance, and a vision of this beautifully terrifying swamp. This book has fae, wolves, and the Inkwater Witch. I only have a few books where I wish I could read it again like it's the first time and this is being added to it. Now you might be reading this review and thinking I am blowing smoke. This is 100 percent my personal opinion so take from that what you will.
Mardella...I felt everything for her. Her story is a heart shattering one and she does her best to continue on. Is she surviving? That's up for debate. It feels like she has just been existing. Then enters Roric and his crew, who despise her. Now she has to help them on their journey to find the source of the poison and get rid of it. I am using "help" loosely here since they have her chained and cuffed.
Roric is the general of his people's army. His mission is to find the Inkwater Witch and get her to reverse whatever poisoning she is doing to his people. When he first meets her, he is repulsed by her image and is ready to get it over with so he can destroy her and save his people. Only she is not the source of the poison after all, but thinks she knows where it may be coming from. He chains her and uses her as a guide through her swamp. As they progress, his twin soul keeps whispering "protect". Why would he need to protect her?
While Mardella and Roric are the two MC's of this book, let that in no way take away from any of the other characters and their part in the story. I love almost all of them equally. There is only one character that I am not in love with, but I am hoping that his story gets to play out more so I can come to love him like the others. This story had me laughing, gasping, crying, and reading chapters over and over again to absorb as many details as possible. I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves great fantasy stories filled with adventure, world building that makes you able to envision what the characters are seeing, and an epic love story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Mardella...I felt everything for her. Her story is a heart shattering one and she does her best to continue on. Is she surviving? That's up for debate. It feels like she has just been existing. Then enters Roric and his crew, who despise her. Now she has to help them on their journey to find the source of the poison and get rid of it. I am using "help" loosely here since they have her chained and cuffed.
Roric is the general of his people's army. His mission is to find the Inkwater Witch and get her to reverse whatever poisoning she is doing to his people. When he first meets her, he is repulsed by her image and is ready to get it over with so he can destroy her and save his people. Only she is not the source of the poison after all, but thinks she knows where it may be coming from. He chains her and uses her as a guide through her swamp. As they progress, his twin soul keeps whispering "protect". Why would he need to protect her?
While Mardella and Roric are the two MC's of this book, let that in no way take away from any of the other characters and their part in the story. I love almost all of them equally. There is only one character that I am not in love with, but I am hoping that his story gets to play out more so I can come to love him like the others. This story had me laughing, gasping, crying, and reading chapters over and over again to absorb as many details as possible. I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves great fantasy stories filled with adventure, world building that makes you able to envision what the characters are seeing, and an epic love story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 11, 2022
Fabulous fast-paced and emotional fantasy romance.
This emotional enemies-to-lovers fantasy romance is the first book I have read by the author and I found it to be a fabulous read. The enemies-to -lovers trope is one of my favourite and it worked so well given the setting of this story, an enchanted swamp, home to Mardella, a solitary witch, reviled by all due to her reputation for evil.
The worldbuilding was excellent. I was very soon immersed in the dark beauty and menace of the swamp, its capricious magic and Mardella’s future after she is taken captive by Roric, a fae/wolf shifter and his team who are intent on compelling her to release the curse they believe she is responsible for inflicting upon their people.
The romance between Mardella and Roric is very much a slow burn, but when it combusts it does so with a passion! There is no love lost between them when they first meet and I vastly enjoyed the journey the couple went on as they navigate the mysteries of the swamp and their feelings for each other. The book features explicit love-making scenes, violence and descriptions of past trauma, so it is very much an adult read.
My heart ached for the injustices inflicted on Mardella in the past, which are slowly revealed as the plot progresses and I enjoyed her character development and that of Roric, who has his own issues. As they begin to respect and trust each other they find they have much in common and despite being enemies, their futures are intertwined. The side characters and their own personalities and motivations are equally entertaining and I am looking forward to learning more about the world the author has created in future books in the series.
Recommended to lovers of fantasy romance.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This emotional enemies-to-lovers fantasy romance is the first book I have read by the author and I found it to be a fabulous read. The enemies-to -lovers trope is one of my favourite and it worked so well given the setting of this story, an enchanted swamp, home to Mardella, a solitary witch, reviled by all due to her reputation for evil.
The worldbuilding was excellent. I was very soon immersed in the dark beauty and menace of the swamp, its capricious magic and Mardella’s future after she is taken captive by Roric, a fae/wolf shifter and his team who are intent on compelling her to release the curse they believe she is responsible for inflicting upon their people.
The romance between Mardella and Roric is very much a slow burn, but when it combusts it does so with a passion! There is no love lost between them when they first meet and I vastly enjoyed the journey the couple went on as they navigate the mysteries of the swamp and their feelings for each other. The book features explicit love-making scenes, violence and descriptions of past trauma, so it is very much an adult read.
My heart ached for the injustices inflicted on Mardella in the past, which are slowly revealed as the plot progresses and I enjoyed her character development and that of Roric, who has his own issues. As they begin to respect and trust each other they find they have much in common and despite being enemies, their futures are intertwined. The side characters and their own personalities and motivations are equally entertaining and I am looking forward to learning more about the world the author has created in future books in the series.
Recommended to lovers of fantasy romance.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 13, 2022
This book was very nearly perfect. The world-building was beautifully written, full of lavish imagery and interesting lore. Mardella was a solitary and striking main character that managed to carry the whole of the book on her back nearly single-handedly. I adored her as the main character, and along with the backdrop of her beloved, but very dangerous swamp, it created such a dynamic force in driving the story forward.
My only problem with the story was the romance.
I loved the plot, the setting, and the characters…. But the romance felt as if it were an entire story separate to itself. On one hand, you had this gorgeous epic fantasy with werewolves, fae, and untamed magic…. And then you had an erotic fiction line that was so out of place that I wish it'd been dropped altogether - and that's coming from a reader who reads romance primarily. I'm not usually one to shy away from erotic fiction… but the quality of the writing, the pacing, and the graphic nature of the sex scenes felt wildly different than the rest of the story. I can't even begin to fathom why the author thought having the two main characters have sex while suspended on a rope above a swamp and a large predator, surrounded by other people was the way to go. It was absurd.
And don't even get me started on the last chapter. I get it, romance often has a Happily Ever After moment… but it wasn't necessary to the plot, and it felt kind of cheap.
Overall, I loved the book, I think it was amazingly well written for the most part - I just think there was a clash between the romance aspect of the story and the fantasy. It's not that those two things can't be together, but in this case, they weren't equal in temperament or quality. I'd recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy stories, just be aware that the erotic nature of the story may be something worth skipping over.
My only problem with the story was the romance.
I loved the plot, the setting, and the characters…. But the romance felt as if it were an entire story separate to itself. On one hand, you had this gorgeous epic fantasy with werewolves, fae, and untamed magic…. And then you had an erotic fiction line that was so out of place that I wish it'd been dropped altogether - and that's coming from a reader who reads romance primarily. I'm not usually one to shy away from erotic fiction… but the quality of the writing, the pacing, and the graphic nature of the sex scenes felt wildly different than the rest of the story. I can't even begin to fathom why the author thought having the two main characters have sex while suspended on a rope above a swamp and a large predator, surrounded by other people was the way to go. It was absurd.
And don't even get me started on the last chapter. I get it, romance often has a Happily Ever After moment… but it wasn't necessary to the plot, and it felt kind of cheap.
Overall, I loved the book, I think it was amazingly well written for the most part - I just think there was a clash between the romance aspect of the story and the fantasy. It's not that those two things can't be together, but in this case, they weren't equal in temperament or quality. I'd recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy stories, just be aware that the erotic nature of the story may be something worth skipping over.
December 1, 2025
This is a mixed bag. Maybe a list is the way to go.
The good:
- The FMC has a complicated history with complex magic that keep the reader interested. Bits of information are revealed at an appropriate pace, so we’re neither bored or frustrated.
- The MMC has a unique situation going on, with the whole wolf shifter vs wolf shifter thing. He’s got internal shit to work out but he doesn’t take forever to do it.
- The FMC gets to have a female friend, and conversations with this friend are used to move misunderstandings along in a timely manner.
- All the characters are pretty likable, though they aren’t terribly complex.
- The plot was actually pretty entertaining.
The bad:
- It just isn’t well written. That seems like a mean thing to say, but a little care in editing would prove that an effort was made. This really felt like no one even tried. That’s saying a lot coming from me, because I genuinely don’t care about grammar or accuracy in any form. This was so bad that it seems like not only was there not an editor, but that the author didn’t even proofread. Like, there was only one draft.
- The previous point wouldn’t bother me much if the story was told well, but it isn’t. There isn’t any nuance and the conversations aren’t quite right. Some aspects are too simplistic.
- The misunderstanding trope will always knock off at least one star.
- The DNF is the result of me figuring out that one of the characters will die. I was checking reviews to see if the misunderstanding was going to last forever and ran across that spoiler, which is helpful. I don’t do character death and that’s the end of that.
The good:
- The FMC has a complicated history with complex magic that keep the reader interested. Bits of information are revealed at an appropriate pace, so we’re neither bored or frustrated.
- The MMC has a unique situation going on, with the whole wolf shifter vs wolf shifter thing. He’s got internal shit to work out but he doesn’t take forever to do it.
- The FMC gets to have a female friend, and conversations with this friend are used to move misunderstandings along in a timely manner.
- All the characters are pretty likable, though they aren’t terribly complex.
- The plot was actually pretty entertaining.
The bad:
- It just isn’t well written. That seems like a mean thing to say, but a little care in editing would prove that an effort was made. This really felt like no one even tried. That’s saying a lot coming from me, because I genuinely don’t care about grammar or accuracy in any form. This was so bad that it seems like not only was there not an editor, but that the author didn’t even proofread. Like, there was only one draft.
- The previous point wouldn’t bother me much if the story was told well, but it isn’t. There isn’t any nuance and the conversations aren’t quite right. Some aspects are too simplistic.
- The misunderstanding trope will always knock off at least one star.
- The DNF is the result of me figuring out that one of the characters will die. I was checking reviews to see if the misunderstanding was going to last forever and ran across that spoiler, which is helpful. I don’t do character death and that’s the end of that.
March 15, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️.8
~SPOILERS~
You know what, I really enjoyed this.
I loved the swamp and the descriptions of creatures and plants and mud. I loved the group of friends. I loved the worldbuilding and was pleasantly surprised with quite a few emotions in certain parts such as what happened to Teodora and Lilia/Lillia. The backstories were incredible and I had a blast reading this honestly. Halana, I love u❤️
Yeah, there was a lot of grammar mistakes and misspelled names and no definitive plot but shit, this was enjoyable for me. I would’ve liked to know more about how magic works because it wasn’t really explained, just that POOF magic, you can do anything if you will it. Same goes for the curse. The “well” inside Mardella wasn’t really explained (or maybe it was and I missed it) but where did it come from? Which stars blessed Mardella with it? Who knows??
I will say it felt strange that the gay couple was split up but the hetero couples were ok…
And honestly,
(ENDING SPOILERS)
Mardella and Roric having anal sex and then she goes “I’m pregnant” once they were done was so funny to me, what a wacky and memorable ending. will not forget that, no sirree. I would’ve liked them to have had children many years into the future after dealing with their traumas but hey! This was great
Plot Execution: 2/5
Characters: 4/5
Writing: 3/55
Worldbuilding: 3.5/5
Romance: 4/5
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️ (I couldn’t stop thinking “how would she taste good if y’all have been traveling in a SWAMP FOR NUMEROUS DAYS”)
Diversity: 2.7/5
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.8
~SPOILERS~
You know what, I really enjoyed this.
I loved the swamp and the descriptions of creatures and plants and mud. I loved the group of friends. I loved the worldbuilding and was pleasantly surprised with quite a few emotions in certain parts such as what happened to Teodora and Lilia/Lillia. The backstories were incredible and I had a blast reading this honestly. Halana, I love u❤️
Yeah, there was a lot of grammar mistakes and misspelled names and no definitive plot but shit, this was enjoyable for me. I would’ve liked to know more about how magic works because it wasn’t really explained, just that POOF magic, you can do anything if you will it. Same goes for the curse. The “well” inside Mardella wasn’t really explained (or maybe it was and I missed it) but where did it come from? Which stars blessed Mardella with it? Who knows??
I will say it felt strange that the gay couple was split up but the hetero couples were ok…
And honestly,
(ENDING SPOILERS)
Mardella and Roric having anal sex and then she goes “I’m pregnant” once they were done was so funny to me, what a wacky and memorable ending. will not forget that, no sirree. I would’ve liked them to have had children many years into the future after dealing with their traumas but hey! This was great
Plot Execution: 2/5
Characters: 4/5
Writing: 3/55
Worldbuilding: 3.5/5
Romance: 4/5
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️ (I couldn’t stop thinking “how would she taste good if y’all have been traveling in a SWAMP FOR NUMEROUS DAYS”)
Diversity: 2.7/5
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.8
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 16, 2022
Good adventure with gradual reaveal of characters' histories
This book was mostly enjoyable. The writing style is strong enough to keep the reader engaged throughout the story. My only gripe is that the steamier parts were written crudely, as though the author wasn't entirely sure how to describe the encounters without resorting to harsher words compared to the rest of the writing. If the steamy writing matched the rest of the book, then I would have rated this book a 5/5 star read.
Mardella is a really powerful witch who is able to perform a seemingly endless list of spells and magics. She is ambushed by a small group of Ice Fae who believe she is evil and is responsible for a sickness that has befallen the Ice Fae kingdom. They discover the sickness is part if a curse, but still blame Mardella for its existence.
They drag her along through the Inkwater swamp to find and destroy the curse. Along the way they encounter several dangerous creatures that live within the swamp. The Fae also learn more about the witch, and how and why the swamp came into existence a century earlier.
There is an enemies-to-lovers aspect between Mardella and Roric, the leader of the Fae in their party. Their intimate scenes are more crude than steamy, which left a sour taste against the really good writing in the rest of the book.
I do look forward to the next book with Lowan. The world in these pages is an interesting one.
This book was mostly enjoyable. The writing style is strong enough to keep the reader engaged throughout the story. My only gripe is that the steamier parts were written crudely, as though the author wasn't entirely sure how to describe the encounters without resorting to harsher words compared to the rest of the writing. If the steamy writing matched the rest of the book, then I would have rated this book a 5/5 star read.
Mardella is a really powerful witch who is able to perform a seemingly endless list of spells and magics. She is ambushed by a small group of Ice Fae who believe she is evil and is responsible for a sickness that has befallen the Ice Fae kingdom. They discover the sickness is part if a curse, but still blame Mardella for its existence.
They drag her along through the Inkwater swamp to find and destroy the curse. Along the way they encounter several dangerous creatures that live within the swamp. The Fae also learn more about the witch, and how and why the swamp came into existence a century earlier.
There is an enemies-to-lovers aspect between Mardella and Roric, the leader of the Fae in their party. Their intimate scenes are more crude than steamy, which left a sour taste against the really good writing in the rest of the book.
I do look forward to the next book with Lowan. The world in these pages is an interesting one.
December 10, 2025
8/10⭐️
The Inkwater Witch - the first book introduces us to the Inkwater Kingdom, a place filled with old magic, curses, and political tension. Mordella, the witch, lives hidden, feared for her abilities, until she’s dragged into a larger conflict involving prophecies and ancient magic.
The Wolf King - The second book introduces werewolves, rival kingdoms, political threats, and a king struggling with something monstrous inside him (a wolf). Molrdellas's powers become more important, and her relationship with Roric deepens through danger rather than romance alone.
The Lost Warrior - it ties Roric's past with Mordella's true destiny.
I enjoyed this trilogy. Even though the plot itself isn’t groundbreaking or wildly innovative, the books are well written, compelling, and easy to fall into. Atley Wikes has a very clean, immersive style that kept me turning pages without feeling overwhelmed or confused.
The triangle is, I guess, inevitable, but it brings more to the story than just the fantasy and action, and in my personal opinion, it's always welcome. It has a well built world, with a steady pacing and easy to remember events and characters.
I especially liked how it was low on smut, focusing on tension and chemistry, a few more intimate scenes that felt emotional rather than vulgar. It was refreshing to read fantasy romance that didn’t rely on spice to carry the story.
The Inkwater Witch - the first book introduces us to the Inkwater Kingdom, a place filled with old magic, curses, and political tension. Mordella, the witch, lives hidden, feared for her abilities, until she’s dragged into a larger conflict involving prophecies and ancient magic.
The Wolf King - The second book introduces werewolves, rival kingdoms, political threats, and a king struggling with something monstrous inside him (a wolf). Molrdellas's powers become more important, and her relationship with Roric deepens through danger rather than romance alone.
The Lost Warrior - it ties Roric's past with Mordella's true destiny.
I enjoyed this trilogy. Even though the plot itself isn’t groundbreaking or wildly innovative, the books are well written, compelling, and easy to fall into. Atley Wikes has a very clean, immersive style that kept me turning pages without feeling overwhelmed or confused.
The triangle is, I guess, inevitable, but it brings more to the story than just the fantasy and action, and in my personal opinion, it's always welcome. It has a well built world, with a steady pacing and easy to remember events and characters.
I especially liked how it was low on smut, focusing on tension and chemistry, a few more intimate scenes that felt emotional rather than vulgar. It was refreshing to read fantasy romance that didn’t rely on spice to carry the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 8, 2023
DNF @ 60%
Ugh. I tried so hard with this one! I even tried to ignore some ridiculous grammar mistakes on EVERY SINGLE PAGE.😤
“I don’t like that book.” He said. ❌Wrong❌
“I don’t like that book,” he said. ✅Right✅
First of all, a comma goes at the end of dialogue, before the end quotation mark, and because there is a comma, “he” as in “he said” is NOT supposed to be capitalized. “He said” is not supposed to be its own sentence! Like what the hell does that even mean if it just says “he said.” WTF DID HE SAY??
If you can’t afford an editor, fine, I get it. But if you can’t, open a book to at least learn basic stuff like dialogue tags.
I mean, the FMC’s last name is spelt differently several times…Ridiculous. These are unacceptable errors because you don’t need an editor to get these right.
Other dislikes:
-The random, handful of POV’s of people who don’t add anything to the story. Aka: not the heroine or hero.
-Sloooowww Af pacing.
-It’s underwhelming when they get together because they’ve been with others the whole time they’ve known each other. And it’s been, what, like a few days??
Likes:
-Great world building in regard to the swamp.
-Good premise. I mean that. This story really could be amazing with a lot of TLC from an editor. But it drags and drags…Well, I guess I can’t speak for it past 60% but whatever.
Ugh. I tried so hard with this one! I even tried to ignore some ridiculous grammar mistakes on EVERY SINGLE PAGE.😤
“I don’t like that book.” He said. ❌Wrong❌
“I don’t like that book,” he said. ✅Right✅
First of all, a comma goes at the end of dialogue, before the end quotation mark, and because there is a comma, “he” as in “he said” is NOT supposed to be capitalized. “He said” is not supposed to be its own sentence! Like what the hell does that even mean if it just says “he said.” WTF DID HE SAY??
If you can’t afford an editor, fine, I get it. But if you can’t, open a book to at least learn basic stuff like dialogue tags.
I mean, the FMC’s last name is spelt differently several times…Ridiculous. These are unacceptable errors because you don’t need an editor to get these right.
Other dislikes:
-The random, handful of POV’s of people who don’t add anything to the story. Aka: not the heroine or hero.
-Sloooowww Af pacing.
-It’s underwhelming when they get together because they’ve been with others the whole time they’ve known each other. And it’s been, what, like a few days??
Likes:
-Great world building in regard to the swamp.
-Good premise. I mean that. This story really could be amazing with a lot of TLC from an editor. But it drags and drags…Well, I guess I can’t speak for it past 60% but whatever.
August 23, 2022
I've been powering through Atley Wykes' backlog this summer and I must say, she is quite a dynamic author- her zombie series was extremely light hearted and fun but the Inkwater Series took a very fantastical turn on her normal faire. This followed Mardella and Roric's story. Mardella is the Inkwater witch, whom Roric blames for the slaughter of his people after she created the swamp where she lives...which is technically true but happened under duress (much more on that is told over time). Roric and his crew find Mardella in the swamp and put her in chains, forcing her to accompany them across the river. At first they hate one another, but slowly as time passes they cannot fight their attraction and feelings toward one another. Once his brother, Ithric, arrives and is appalled at his imprisonment of her thing start to look up for their relationship as well! The author does a really phenomenal with the storytelling- it weaves from how they all hate her as a witch to them becoming this found family. Along the way there's a lot of action, some steamy romance scenes and definite openings for more stories with the other characters. An overall great read!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 5, 2024
I am sadly disappointed with this- the first half was great, I was really excited at how quickly I fell into the plot and didn’t mind the quick pace and I loved the setting and world. Really unique and well crafted swamp imagery and dangers lurking within. A world I could totally get lost in. The characters were also interesting and well set up and I loved that the FMC was capable, etc.
Unfortunately the second half fell apart for me, the romance went from 0-we’ll be together forever without anything in between and I felt robbed of the sexual tension I thought was just beginning to build. There was spice which was decent (maybe a 3/5 but felt like a 2/5) but along with the relationship it just didn’t quite hit the mark.
I also don’t know if I just was better rested or something when I picked up the second half but I started noticing more and more typos which started to really take me out of the story and I started getting annoyed at the unnecessary and depressing side plot chapters. I think those chapters were setting up the next book more than anything- and I ended up skipping a lot of it sadly. This wasn’t fully a DNF but definitely a lost interest and skimmed to the end.
Unfortunately the second half fell apart for me, the romance went from 0-we’ll be together forever without anything in between and I felt robbed of the sexual tension I thought was just beginning to build. There was spice which was decent (maybe a 3/5 but felt like a 2/5) but along with the relationship it just didn’t quite hit the mark.
I also don’t know if I just was better rested or something when I picked up the second half but I started noticing more and more typos which started to really take me out of the story and I started getting annoyed at the unnecessary and depressing side plot chapters. I think those chapters were setting up the next book more than anything- and I ended up skipping a lot of it sadly. This wasn’t fully a DNF but definitely a lost interest and skimmed to the end.
October 31, 2022
DNFed on p.272 out of 310
So. This was pretty good in the beginning. I really like the concept, and the FMC seems really cool. Her backstory is interesting, and so is the story behind her magic. The worldbuilding was also pretty good. The issue is I don't like the romance. Do not tell me that her fingers don't even fit around his dick like come on. It also just felt like once they confessed their feelings they both turned into completely different characters (especially the guy). And THEN . So yeah idk the fact that I got bored at the end is not a good sign. Oh and I didn't like how the FMC was just totally unaffected by the man just... knowing her dreams... like she barely even reacted and that was SUPER personal! So yeah overall lots of potential, but it's not for me. I can see why other people would like it though.
So. This was pretty good in the beginning. I really like the concept, and the FMC seems really cool. Her backstory is interesting, and so is the story behind her magic. The worldbuilding was also pretty good. The issue is I don't like the romance. Do not tell me that her fingers don't even fit around his dick like come on. It also just felt like once they confessed their feelings they both turned into completely different characters (especially the guy). And THEN . So yeah idk the fact that I got bored at the end is not a good sign. Oh and I didn't like how the FMC was just totally unaffected by the man just... knowing her dreams... like she barely even reacted and that was SUPER personal! So yeah overall lots of potential, but it's not for me. I can see why other people would like it though.
June 1, 2022
Pain provides clarity and suffering builds strength and mercy is a weakness Marcella believed the lessons etched into her memory would prevent her from ever being captive to another again she was wrong after a disastrous encounter in her enchanted swamp she finds herself in chains and her magic bound at the feet of her enemy the gorgeous and imposing fae general demand’s she release his people from her curse or he’ll happily kill her for her past crimes and the only thing is she isn’t the one poisoning the fae Roric doesn’t trust the witch or her denials her beauty is as diabolical as the pernicious flowers that adorn her home and the darkness poisoning his people originates from her cursed swamp and he’ll keep her close as he forces her to guide him through her treacherous waters
Well totally gripping I read it in one sitting totally recommend I want to read more from Atley Wykes.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Well totally gripping I read it in one sitting totally recommend I want to read more from Atley Wykes.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 11, 2022
Put up the do no disturb signs, for you won't want to have any interruptions. I loved this engrossing tale. Mardella is a feared witch, but did they have the tales they tell about her correct? All she wants is to do her own thing and be left alone, although that changes when Roric crosses her path and forces her to help him in his quest to get rid of what seems to be poisoning his people. To complicate things further Roric and Mardella seem to be strongly attracted to one another, and they might be destine to be more to one another. I loved all the travelling companions, who are more like a little family, and of course I loved both the heroic Roric and the resourceful Mardella. I now need the next book, please.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 20, 2022
Not what I expected at all. The Inkwater Witch drew me in from the very beginning. The swamp described in this book was beautiful and terrifying. The characters were interesting with tragic and dark backstories that were revealed with perfect timing. The characters grew and discovered so much more about themselves and each other as they were on this mission to save their people from a curse within the swamp.
If you enjoy enemies to lovers, fated mates, and found family with a hint of magic, fantasy, action and a bit of spice, this is a book for you.
I received a free copy of this book from Booksprout. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
If you enjoy enemies to lovers, fated mates, and found family with a hint of magic, fantasy, action and a bit of spice, this is a book for you.
I received a free copy of this book from Booksprout. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 15, 2022
I enjoyed this story with all of the characters. The main characters were Mardella and Roric
Mardella is a enchanted swamp witch. One day after looking for ingredients for a potions she returned home to find someone there. They are an enemy that has caught her and wants something.
Roric is a werewolve and a fae. He and his group is look for the swamp witch. When they find her they caught her.
This was a fun book to read. It has action, adventure, secrets and suspense throughout. It also had a few laughs throughout to.
I received a complimentary copy via Booksprout. This is my honest unbiased opinions.
Mardella is a enchanted swamp witch. One day after looking for ingredients for a potions she returned home to find someone there. They are an enemy that has caught her and wants something.
Roric is a werewolve and a fae. He and his group is look for the swamp witch. When they find her they caught her.
This was a fun book to read. It has action, adventure, secrets and suspense throughout. It also had a few laughs throughout to.
I received a complimentary copy via Booksprout. This is my honest unbiased opinions.
December 16, 2022
Read rave reviews so jumped in. The first chapter or 2 I wasn’t sure if I was going to like it and then BAM gripped me!
The world building was beautiful. We have powerful witches, fae & wolves. All my favourites.
It states it’s an enemies to lovers but I wouldn’t class it as that. From the beginning it was very clearly “hinted” Roric’s wolf recognised Mardella as their mate. So I’d class this as fated mates, again what I love. The trifecta - dual POV!
Supporting characters were just as intriguing and lovable and I hope to see this series continue with their stories.
Ends with Roric & Mardella’s HEA.
The world building was beautiful. We have powerful witches, fae & wolves. All my favourites.
It states it’s an enemies to lovers but I wouldn’t class it as that. From the beginning it was very clearly “hinted” Roric’s wolf recognised Mardella as their mate. So I’d class this as fated mates, again what I love. The trifecta - dual POV!
Supporting characters were just as intriguing and lovable and I hope to see this series continue with their stories.
Ends with Roric & Mardella’s HEA.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 18, 2023
I really enjoyed it, and was, for a long time, debating if it was a four or five star read, but then the last 30-20% came and it just sort of... got boring and anticlimatic and... predictable.
I thought I was gearing in to a thrilogy, filled with twist and turns and back stapping and so on, but all of the sudden everyone became friends and everything was resolved and all wad good, and nobody had any issues with the inkwater witch and all the evil was gone. IDK. Just really not what I was expecting.
I will still recommend it. It was entertaining and filled with enemies to lovers energy and lonely girl vipe.
I thought I was gearing in to a thrilogy, filled with twist and turns and back stapping and so on, but all of the sudden everyone became friends and everything was resolved and all wad good, and nobody had any issues with the inkwater witch and all the evil was gone. IDK. Just really not what I was expecting.
I will still recommend it. It was entertaining and filled with enemies to lovers energy and lonely girl vipe.
October 20, 2024
5 Stars
The Inkwater Witch is the first book in the Inkwater series by Atley Wykes.
I loved this book/series- devoured it in one sitting, and then went looking for more.... Wonderfully woven fantasy with refreshingly original premise, lore, and characters. One of my favourite series.... ever!
Can't recommend this series highly enough- I have read it several times now and never tire of this world and characters.
If you love romantasy with plenty of action and adventure, then you will definitely want to check out this book/series/author asap!
Happy Reading...
Thank you, Atley Wykes!
The Inkwater Witch is the first book in the Inkwater series by Atley Wykes.
I loved this book/series- devoured it in one sitting, and then went looking for more.... Wonderfully woven fantasy with refreshingly original premise, lore, and characters. One of my favourite series.... ever!
Can't recommend this series highly enough- I have read it several times now and never tire of this world and characters.
If you love romantasy with plenty of action and adventure, then you will definitely want to check out this book/series/author asap!
Happy Reading...
Thank you, Atley Wykes!
July 12, 2022
Check triggers before reading as there are a few things that could be considered triggering.
This book was an amazing, fast paced, enemies to lovers masterpiece.
The world building was absolutely wonderful and really allows you to imagine yourself immersed in thr world the author has created.
The romance, though a slow burn, absolutely combusts when the passion hits its high.
Definitely read it. Just do yourself the favor and read it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book was an amazing, fast paced, enemies to lovers masterpiece.
The world building was absolutely wonderful and really allows you to imagine yourself immersed in thr world the author has created.
The romance, though a slow burn, absolutely combusts when the passion hits its high.
Definitely read it. Just do yourself the favor and read it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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