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Nightshade #2
Infernium
Pain is an abyss.
How naive of me to think I’d already reached the very depths of it when fate shook my world with a crushing blow. It turns out, there are fathomless levels of pain, like a winding labyrinth of doors leading to shadowy figures and long-forgotten secrets. The kind of inescapable descent into madness that twists nightmares into reality.
What lies at the end of this obscure path I have yet to discover, but where it begins, is a place called Infernium. An asylum, feared by those in Nightshade and untrodden by the angels who’ve forsaken its many lost souls.
Some say it’s the gateway to hell.
Others believe it’s where you go when the last flicker of hope dies out.
For me, it’s where I’ve damned myself for eternity–my penance for a crime against the heavens, and home to the demons that claw at my mind.
Yet, not even they stand a chance against my dark angel, Jericho. He fears nothing. Except losing me.
The longer I remain trapped, though, the stronger this darkness inside of me grows. A duality dividing my heart between love and revenge.
And, soon, saving me may no longer be an option.
How naive of me to think I’d already reached the very depths of it when fate shook my world with a crushing blow. It turns out, there are fathomless levels of pain, like a winding labyrinth of doors leading to shadowy figures and long-forgotten secrets. The kind of inescapable descent into madness that twists nightmares into reality.
What lies at the end of this obscure path I have yet to discover, but where it begins, is a place called Infernium. An asylum, feared by those in Nightshade and untrodden by the angels who’ve forsaken its many lost souls.
Some say it’s the gateway to hell.
Others believe it’s where you go when the last flicker of hope dies out.
For me, it’s where I’ve damned myself for eternity–my penance for a crime against the heavens, and home to the demons that claw at my mind.
Yet, not even they stand a chance against my dark angel, Jericho. He fears nothing. Except losing me.
The longer I remain trapped, though, the stronger this darkness inside of me grows. A duality dividing my heart between love and revenge.
And, soon, saving me may no longer be an option.
686 pages, Paperback
First published June 28, 2022
2166 people are currently reading
14873 people want to read
About the author
Keri Lake
44 books15.7k 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...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,050 reviews
September 12, 2022
thank goodness this is only a duology because i dont know if i have the mental stamina to read another book in the series.
not that this is bad, exactly, but it sure is exhausting. the MCs really tested my patience, especially farryn. her humour/personality is just not for me. i didnt mind her in the first book, but another 600+ pages of her was a bit much. maybe i shouldnt have read these books back-to-back… also, not a lot happens and the plot is very much dragged out.
but there was never really a time when i felt like i wanted to stop reading. sure, it required effort to push through at times, but i never wanted to not know how the story ends. if that makes sense.
this is my first series by KL, but ive read a bunch of her other books and, i have to say, i just think she does standalones much better.
↠ 3 stars
not that this is bad, exactly, but it sure is exhausting. the MCs really tested my patience, especially farryn. her humour/personality is just not for me. i didnt mind her in the first book, but another 600+ pages of her was a bit much. maybe i shouldnt have read these books back-to-back… also, not a lot happens and the plot is very much dragged out.
but there was never really a time when i felt like i wanted to stop reading. sure, it required effort to push through at times, but i never wanted to not know how the story ends. if that makes sense.
this is my first series by KL, but ive read a bunch of her other books and, i have to say, i just think she does standalones much better.
↠ 3 stars
July 4, 2022
4.5 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
“Let them send their legions of angels and demons. Any god or devil foolish enough to lay claim to you will suffer my unforgiving wrath. You are mine, Farryn. Mine. There is no compromise, no bargain that could possibly change what has already been decided. ”
Agony.
This duology is pure agony.
You're asking yourself why do I torture myself with such a story if it's ripping my heart apart piece by piece? because Keri Lake created such an exquisite yet devastating tale of two star-crossed lovers whose love was cursed by the heavens and it gutted me in the best way.
“You are the only creature in all five realms who will ever bring me to my knees.”
Trust me when I say this duology is not for the faint of heart. It's dark. It's gritty. It's bloody. It can be at times, horrific. That's a signature Keri Lake stamp in all of her dark romances.
What sets this duology apart from all of her wonderful works is the epic forbidden romance. She wrote a love that is so powerful it defied heaven, hell, and even fate itself.
I expect nothing less when its a villain who is prepared to burn down the world for his love and is willing to face eternal damnation.
Keri wrote a gothic epic with the cadence of a dark fairytale.
“Now you know. It is a pain deep inside my chest that burns only for you. I feel it every time I look into your eyes. Like the light of a thousand stars. An entire galaxy of love.”
Disclaimer: the following section might contain minor spoilers
After Nightshade utterly broke me, Infernium put my heart back together to only pull out each shard and break it completely. My heart remains partially intact but will never be while again.
The book built up my dread from the very first page. I was holding my breath from page 1 as I was bracing myself for the shock, the pain and the inevitable tragedy that will strike at any point.
I am still not okay.
This does not mean there wasn't a happily ever after, but that is up to interpretation.
I will say I have missed Lustina's POV terribly. There isn't a character I felt this much devastation for as much as I did for her. There was so much she deserved and so much I wish could've been spared from and I won't forgive Keri for that.
“Her name is Lustina. Born of the light.”
I loved the Baron's POV and it was so important to fill in those blanks in the story when it came to Jericho. It just shows how many different facets there are to Jericho, how much good there is in him under all his darkness.
Now when it comes to Farryn, I wish I connected with her more. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed her in the second half of the book but she felt stagnant in the first half (due to her condition) which I can't fault her for. I just don't connect with her as deeply as I did with Lustina. It does not mean my heart did not break for her because it certainly did but I wish I had more of her (especially in action).
“Don’t you dare feel remorse. You just showed me the pain inside of you. Your pain is my pain.”
What's holding me back from giving this book a full 5-stars is because of Lustina and it felt to me that the first half of a book was a bit slow with not much happening in it.
There was a character I truly wished Keri did not kill off. Thinking about them hurts but it's also because of what said character went through.
But that's about it.
It pains me to part with these characters and this story because it's been such an incredible yet sad journey. Keri truly created such an exceptional story.
Please check the triggers below because this duology includes adult and dark themes.
Trigger Warnings: explicit scenes, strong language, violence, blood consumption, sexual assault, miscarriage, death, hallucinations, fictional drug use, transphobia (not by MCs), religious/occult, ped*philia, torture, blood/gore, inc*st, animal cruelty.
“Let them send their legions of angels and demons. Any god or devil foolish enough to lay claim to you will suffer my unforgiving wrath. You are mine, Farryn. Mine. There is no compromise, no bargain that could possibly change what has already been decided. ”
Agony.
This duology is pure agony.
You're asking yourself why do I torture myself with such a story if it's ripping my heart apart piece by piece? because Keri Lake created such an exquisite yet devastating tale of two star-crossed lovers whose love was cursed by the heavens and it gutted me in the best way.
“You are the only creature in all five realms who will ever bring me to my knees.”
Trust me when I say this duology is not for the faint of heart. It's dark. It's gritty. It's bloody. It can be at times, horrific. That's a signature Keri Lake stamp in all of her dark romances.
What sets this duology apart from all of her wonderful works is the epic forbidden romance. She wrote a love that is so powerful it defied heaven, hell, and even fate itself.
I expect nothing less when its a villain who is prepared to burn down the world for his love and is willing to face eternal damnation.
Keri wrote a gothic epic with the cadence of a dark fairytale.
“Now you know. It is a pain deep inside my chest that burns only for you. I feel it every time I look into your eyes. Like the light of a thousand stars. An entire galaxy of love.”
Disclaimer: the following section might contain minor spoilers
After Nightshade utterly broke me, Infernium put my heart back together to only pull out each shard and break it completely. My heart remains partially intact but will never be while again.
The book built up my dread from the very first page. I was holding my breath from page 1 as I was bracing myself for the shock, the pain and the inevitable tragedy that will strike at any point.
I am still not okay.
This does not mean there wasn't a happily ever after, but that is up to interpretation.
I will say I have missed Lustina's POV terribly. There isn't a character I felt this much devastation for as much as I did for her. There was so much she deserved and so much I wish could've been spared from and I won't forgive Keri for that.
“Her name is Lustina. Born of the light.”
I loved the Baron's POV and it was so important to fill in those blanks in the story when it came to Jericho. It just shows how many different facets there are to Jericho, how much good there is in him under all his darkness.
Now when it comes to Farryn, I wish I connected with her more. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed her in the second half of the book but she felt stagnant in the first half (due to her condition) which I can't fault her for. I just don't connect with her as deeply as I did with Lustina. It does not mean my heart did not break for her because it certainly did but I wish I had more of her (especially in action).
“Don’t you dare feel remorse. You just showed me the pain inside of you. Your pain is my pain.”
What's holding me back from giving this book a full 5-stars is because of Lustina and it felt to me that the first half of a book was a bit slow with not much happening in it.
There was a character I truly wished Keri did not kill off. Thinking about them hurts but it's also because of what said character went through.
But that's about it.
It pains me to part with these characters and this story because it's been such an incredible yet sad journey. Keri truly created such an exceptional story.
Please check the triggers below because this duology includes adult and dark themes.
Trigger Warnings: explicit scenes, strong language, violence, blood consumption, sexual assault, miscarriage, death, hallucinations, fictional drug use, transphobia (not by MCs), religious/occult, ped*philia, torture, blood/gore, inc*st, animal cruelty.
October 14, 2025
˙₊➴ ꒰ 1-star★ ꒱ ꒷⊹࣪˖
⊹ ࣪ ˖ੈ Thoughts
When that blurb said “pain is an abyss”, it really is. This book was such a pain in the brain that I would rather be sucked by an abyss🙃‼️
‧˚ ꒰ 🔥 ꒱ overall rant ₊˚⋆
This book literally dragged me to the gates of hell with the amount of draaaaaaaagging it had. It felt like I was actually inside Infernium (Nightshade’s asylum) while reading this, as I continue to lose my mind.🫠 There were even moments that I questioned if I was becoming a cambion (half human, half demon) myself with the amount of screaming and grunting I made due to all the frustration💥
‧˚ ꒰ 🚪 ꒱ plot??? ₊˚⋆
This book's plot was literally just:
➛ Characters were legit fighting their inner demons
➛ Jericho nerfed version
➛ Farryn not using her brain
➛ No love, just pure obsession and possession
➛ Smut was trying to check out all the kink checkboxes
➛ Pregnancy trope down the drain
➛ Backstories and for what!
➛ Family reunions lol
➛ Prophecies that lead to underwhelming reveals
➛ and a never-ending chase/loop of the plot that will only make sense at the last 10-5% of the book.
‧˚ ꒰ 🫀 ꒱ final thoughts ₊˚⋆
If you read Nightshade book 1, please let it be the only book you read‼️ You don’t need to suffer from reading this. KL I'm sorry, but you lost me at this one. 🫡
╴⊹ꮺ˚╴Nightshade Duology 🪦╴⊹˚ ╴
⟢ nightshade 🐦⬛ ꒰ 4✩ ꒱
⟢ inferium ☠️ ꒰ 1✩ ꒱
╴ ⟢・⸝⸝ Overall rating ~ 2.5 stars ☆ .ᐟ ╴
˚₊ ⟢┊pre-read 🖇️┊⊹࣪⋆
Another KL book! Lemme dive back into Nightshade hihi!🏊🏻♀️🖤
❝ That is your trial in life, Jericho. To determine what draws you most. It is not the darkness itself which makes men evil, but what compels them. Learn to control your impulses, to recognize malevolence cloaked in virtue. ❞
⊹ ࣪ ˖ੈ Thoughts
When that blurb said “pain is an abyss”, it really is. This book was such a pain in the brain that I would rather be sucked by an abyss🙃‼️
‧˚ ꒰ 🔥 ꒱ overall rant ₊˚⋆
This book literally dragged me to the gates of hell with the amount of draaaaaaaagging it had. It felt like I was actually inside Infernium (Nightshade’s asylum) while reading this, as I continue to lose my mind.🫠 There were even moments that I questioned if I was becoming a cambion (half human, half demon) myself with the amount of screaming and grunting I made due to all the frustration💥
‧˚ ꒰ 🚪 ꒱ plot??? ₊˚⋆
This book's plot was literally just:
➛ Characters were legit fighting their inner demons
➛ Jericho nerfed version
➛ Farryn not using her brain
➛ No love, just pure obsession and possession
➛ Smut was trying to check out all the kink checkboxes
➛ Pregnancy trope down the drain
➛ Backstories and for what!
➛ Family reunions lol
➛ Prophecies that lead to underwhelming reveals
➛ and a never-ending chase/loop of the plot that will only make sense at the last 10-5% of the book.
‧˚ ꒰ 🫀 ꒱ final thoughts ₊˚⋆
❝ Any god or devil foolish enough to lay claim to you will suffer my unforgiving wrath. You are mine, Farryn. Mine. There is no compromise, no bargain that could possibly change what has already been decided. Understand? ❞
If you read Nightshade book 1, please let it be the only book you read‼️ You don’t need to suffer from reading this. KL I'm sorry, but you lost me at this one. 🫡
╴⊹ꮺ˚╴Nightshade Duology 🪦╴⊹˚ ╴
⟢ nightshade 🐦⬛ ꒰ 4✩ ꒱
⟢ inferium ☠️ ꒰ 1✩ ꒱
╴ ⟢・⸝⸝ Overall rating ~ 2.5 stars ☆ .ᐟ ╴
˚₊ ⟢┊pre-read 🖇️┊⊹࣪⋆
Another KL book! Lemme dive back into Nightshade hihi!🏊🏻♀️🖤
June 30, 2022
5 stars ✿
❝My blood pulses inside of you. Like a magnet, we are drawn to one another. You will feel as I feel, and I will feel as you do. You are my threshold for pain. The suffering I cannot bear, and my only true weakness. I will not lose you to anyone.❞
⊹ playlist: nightshade.
I’m an emotional mess right now. four hours later and I still don’t have the right words to articulate my thoughts and feelings after reading this absolute masterpiece of a book.
keri lake has outdone herself once again. I am truly and utterly wrecked. I mean, how am I supposed to cope right now? this book has completely ruined me, and no other book will ever compare to it.
p.s. I'm still recovering.
❝My blood pulses inside of you. Like a magnet, we are drawn to one another. You will feel as I feel, and I will feel as you do. You are my threshold for pain. The suffering I cannot bear, and my only true weakness. I will not lose you to anyone.❞
⊹ playlist: nightshade.
I’m an emotional mess right now. four hours later and I still don’t have the right words to articulate my thoughts and feelings after reading this absolute masterpiece of a book.
keri lake has outdone herself once again. I am truly and utterly wrecked. I mean, how am I supposed to cope right now? this book has completely ruined me, and no other book will ever compare to it.
p.s. I'm still recovering.
July 10, 2022
Infernium was.... Magnificent!!!! It left me raw and ripped my heart out!!!! Keri Lake has held nothing back in this second book of her Nightshade duology it was 668 pages of amazing storytelling! Usually I steer clear of these big reads but Keri not only kept it moving at a good pace, she knocked it out of the park with world building and back story that answered questions from Nightshade and told more of the story of the half angel half demon Jericho St. Croix. This book gave us not only a look into Jericho's past but let's us see what's going on in his head then and now. He is changing and becoming more of a demon everyday since Farryn brought him back from Ex Nihilo and without his wings he is weakened and he's afraid that his demon side and wanting to claim Farryn will hurt the woman he loves and the baby she's carrying. I don't want to say more about the book since it just came out so here's my gut reaction to the book as a whole. This is a dark and twisted tale. Yes their is love and sizzling passion but theirs also angst, betrayal and ultimate loss as well. This isn't for the faint of heart! Its a true gothic romance with a little horror thrown in. Infernium is hell where every doubt or fear you have comes to life and will break you mentally, emotionally and physically. This book is rollercoaster ride with many twists and turns where your emotions are all over the place! And a few scenes and especially the one's from Infernium had me crying like a baby whether from someone's loss or the evil that people can inflict on others who are different from them. I will be honest I put this book down a couple of times because I felt the characters pain as if it was my own! Keri Lake books always seem to push all the right buttons in getting you to become one with her characters. For me that character was Vespyr a human woman with the ability to kill demons because she was a Dra'Akon. Her backstory was heart wrenching and gave me more reason to hate the bastards of the Pentacrux church!!!!! Such sick twisted motherfuckers they are!!! But what do you expect when their led by two of evilist bastards on earth Claudius St. Croix and bishop Venable. I have hated both these characters from the beginning and wished a horrible and painful death for both of them! They are both pure evil and I quite enjoyed their death's!! My hats off to Archangel Gabriel and his vengeance! Well done angel boy!
Also new character Vaszhago a skilled demon killer that has tried to kill Jericho a couple of times but who will guard Farryn from his father and him should he turn full demon. Vaszhago is dangerous but hot! I loved how he got under Jericho's skin it made for great reading. I'm hoping maybe he will get a book too! I will wrap this review up by saying this book lived up to the hipe 100% and then some! Until next time Luv's💕💋
Thank you Keri lake,the publisher and Give me books PR for the Arc💋💕
Also new character Vaszhago a skilled demon killer that has tried to kill Jericho a couple of times but who will guard Farryn from his father and him should he turn full demon. Vaszhago is dangerous but hot! I loved how he got under Jericho's skin it made for great reading. I'm hoping maybe he will get a book too! I will wrap this review up by saying this book lived up to the hipe 100% and then some! Until next time Luv's💕💋
Thank you Keri lake,the publisher and Give me books PR for the Arc💋💕
April 25, 2023
Just the perfect conclusion to their amazing love story—one that will stay with me for a long time.
December 31, 2022
"He literally aches for you. Pathetic, really..."
Infernium is the second book in the nightshade series. Keri Lake once again flexes her creative storytelling skills by captivating dark romance readers everywhere! Infernium picks up directly where Nightshade ended. However, the complexities of both stories are apparent as they continue to explore the present and the past through the realms of the human world and the depths of Nightshade. Jericho Van Croix and Farryn Ravenshaw are in the fight of their lives. After overcoming all the odds, they still battle the evil that threatens to destroy them.
"I want to taste you."
Told in dual POV, the second installment of Nightshade does not disappoint. The story arc is complex, so the reader must absorb every detail. The dialogue is rich, and the tension between Jericho and "his demons" feels raw and full of intensity with every turn of the page.
"Something had changed."
Overall, Keri Lake has done an excellent job of keeping readers on the edge of their seats, never knowing what will happen next. The story is full of twists and turns, leaving you guessing until the end. If you are a fan of dark romance, look no further than Infernium and the Nightshade Duet.
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
July 3, 2022
Infernium is the epic conclusion to The Nightshade duology. Words alone can’t articulate how phenomenal this book is. Keri Lake's writing and imagination are top-notch. She creates a vivid picture of a world you never want to end.
Farryn and Jericho are my all-time favorite couple. The connection and love they have for each other are beyond any words I can describe. They go through hell and would do anything for the other.
Infernium is between past and present. We now have Jericho’s back story. I am in complete awe and highly impressed; most of the book is written in first-person POV, with a sprinkle of third-person narration.
This book had so many twists. I thought I had one kart figured out, and then BOOM, I was wrong. My mind is blown away. We are introduced to a few more side characters. Some you will love, some you will love to hate. Vaszhago is my personal favorite.
I highly recommend this duology, take the time and enjoy it. It’s one of my top reads.
July 5, 2022
(1,5 stars)
"Intoxicated? I should take advantage of you then."
This is a five POV book out of which three frequent. Those who frequent are the POVs of Farryn, Jericho and the Baron.
I loved the first book „Nightshade“ so much, that I really wanted to love Infernium as well and I was so hyped for the release and bought it right away. However, it sadly didn´t work for me. Soooo welcome everyone to another rage review of mine.
Farryn and Jericho felt so different in this book to the first one. I missed Farryns cunning and smart nature, she seemed kind of stupid and naive here. The romance between Jericho and Farryn seemed barely like a romance in this book. He constantly calls her „my female“ and tries to lay claim on her so many times, that I actually wouldn´t have been surprised if he had tried to piss on her somewhere in the book. Sexual tension is also not really there. They are constantly going at it like horny teenagers, all logic goes out the window once one of them has the chance for sex. The ending was kind of sweet and reminded me more of "Nightshade" but at this point I already didn´t care about them anymore.
The side characters were okay, although there were not many. The only character I liked in this book was Vespyr. She was also the only one with a background story and some depth to her. I also disliked how some of the side characters just vanished after a few pages without ever showing up again.
(This is the part of the review where some minor spoilers will come in, so please be aware of that!)
Plotwise this is not just dark, this is pitch black. And please be aware of what you are getting yourself into, because in here were many triggers that were not mentioned by the author on her website. Which is not okay at all, please do better Miss Lake!! The incest is a depicted sex scene that is going on for a full page and it is nowhere mentioned in her trigger warnings.
The romance was barely there, it was more of a constant lust. "For weeks I´ve dreamed of filling you." Uhm okay dude. Also I don´t understand how he can say he worries a lot for her health and her pregnancy and then the next minute he impales her like a kebab on a stick and tells her that she will need to be carried back to her room after this. And I have to say I am also not a fan of the constant raping that is happening.
Jericho wore his weakness so openly that basically everybody knew about it, besides Evie who doesn´t seem to be the smartest cookie. But no worries, she is only mentioned in one chapter and then somehow disappears completely....
It is also not that much happening action wise that drives the story forward. It is mostly just flashbacks and a lot of triggers being depicted and traumatic things happening.
I feel like Nightshade should have been left to be like it was intended, being a standalone.
Overall it was an incredibly dark and twisted read, to the point it really made me uncomfortable a few times.
To everybody I recommended Nightshade to, I take it back.
trigger warnings: incest, torture, pedophilia, murder, rape, drugs, necrophilia and beastiality (mentioned), masochism, attempted murder of a baby, exorcisms, animal cruelty (beheading of a puppy), possession, cannibalism, miscarriage/loss, transphobia/trying to "convert" a trans person, loss of loved ones, murder of children, stabbing/blood play during sex
"Intoxicated? I should take advantage of you then."
This is a five POV book out of which three frequent. Those who frequent are the POVs of Farryn, Jericho and the Baron.
I loved the first book „Nightshade“ so much, that I really wanted to love Infernium as well and I was so hyped for the release and bought it right away. However, it sadly didn´t work for me. Soooo welcome everyone to another rage review of mine.
Farryn and Jericho felt so different in this book to the first one. I missed Farryns cunning and smart nature, she seemed kind of stupid and naive here. The romance between Jericho and Farryn seemed barely like a romance in this book. He constantly calls her „my female“ and tries to lay claim on her so many times, that I actually wouldn´t have been surprised if he had tried to piss on her somewhere in the book. Sexual tension is also not really there. They are constantly going at it like horny teenagers, all logic goes out the window once one of them has the chance for sex. The ending was kind of sweet and reminded me more of "Nightshade" but at this point I already didn´t care about them anymore.
The side characters were okay, although there were not many. The only character I liked in this book was Vespyr. She was also the only one with a background story and some depth to her. I also disliked how some of the side characters just vanished after a few pages without ever showing up again.
(This is the part of the review where some minor spoilers will come in, so please be aware of that!)
Plotwise this is not just dark, this is pitch black. And please be aware of what you are getting yourself into, because in here were many triggers that were not mentioned by the author on her website. Which is not okay at all, please do better Miss Lake!! The incest is a depicted sex scene that is going on for a full page and it is nowhere mentioned in her trigger warnings.
The romance was barely there, it was more of a constant lust. "For weeks I´ve dreamed of filling you." Uhm okay dude. Also I don´t understand how he can say he worries a lot for her health and her pregnancy and then the next minute he impales her like a kebab on a stick and tells her that she will need to be carried back to her room after this. And I have to say I am also not a fan of the constant raping that is happening.
Jericho wore his weakness so openly that basically everybody knew about it, besides Evie who doesn´t seem to be the smartest cookie. But no worries, she is only mentioned in one chapter and then somehow disappears completely....
It is also not that much happening action wise that drives the story forward. It is mostly just flashbacks and a lot of triggers being depicted and traumatic things happening.
I feel like Nightshade should have been left to be like it was intended, being a standalone.
Overall it was an incredibly dark and twisted read, to the point it really made me uncomfortable a few times.
To everybody I recommended Nightshade to, I take it back.
trigger warnings: incest, torture, pedophilia, murder, rape, drugs, necrophilia and beastiality (mentioned), masochism, attempted murder of a baby, exorcisms, animal cruelty (beheading of a puppy), possession, cannibalism, miscarriage/loss, transphobia/trying to "convert" a trans person, loss of loved ones, murder of children, stabbing/blood play during sex
July 13, 2022
Read my interview with Keri Lake:
https://wp.me/p5bsdH-4mr
Genre: Gothic Romance
Type: Book 2 of 2 from Nightshade Duology
POV: Shifting - First person (female) & third person
Rating:
After inciting the wrath of both heaven and hell, Jericho Van Croix and Farryn Ravenshaw were forced to be on the run. As the lines of friends and foes were tested, they must find a way to fix the conundrum or risk the utter destruction of everything they held dear.
This book was a bit of a struggle for me due to the length and the intricacy of the storyline. While I liked the general plot, it required effort to keep up with the happenings. I held on because I loved the world the author created.
It is not the darkness itself which makes men evil, but what compels them.
My favorite part of the book was the last 20%. It was scary and intense. I loved how the characters struggled to survive not only the situation but their own psyche. Vaszhago was easily my favorite character in this book.
Infernium is a story of obsession and realm defying love. The duology would appeal to readers who enjoy gothic romance with a heavy dose of fantasy.
Note: I liked Syrisa 😆
❌💀❌ . . . (F)BR with Twinsie CC & Loyda . . . ❌💀❌
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April 25, 2023
3.5 stars
Yikes. So that didn't go quite as well as I thought.
The horror elements though were done extremely well. There were parts in the book (the 'doors' & 'moving belly' chapters) really scared the hell out of me. I also love that we got the Baron's POV before he met Lustina. It was so fascinating to see things from his view, especially how besotted he was over her even before she knew about his existence.
Also, Farryn's chapters were the highlights of this book. It was disturbing, chilling and far more interesting if you ask me. I kinda wish we got more of her in this book. Jericho's parts were just... eh. Maybe that's why I didn't enjoy this as much as I did the first one.
Overall, it was an okay ending. I do prefer the first book compared to this one, mainly because of the plot was not as convoluted and the pacing was better in that one (in this one, it was pretty slow up until the 70% mark).
Trigger warning:
p.s.
Yikes. So that didn't go quite as well as I thought.
The horror elements though were done extremely well. There were parts in the book (the 'doors' & 'moving belly' chapters) really scared the hell out of me. I also love that we got the Baron's POV before he met Lustina. It was so fascinating to see things from his view, especially how besotted he was over her even before she knew about his existence.
Also, Farryn's chapters were the highlights of this book. It was disturbing, chilling and far more interesting if you ask me. I kinda wish we got more of her in this book. Jericho's parts were just... eh. Maybe that's why I didn't enjoy this as much as I did the first one.
Overall, it was an okay ending. I do prefer the first book compared to this one, mainly because of the plot was not as convoluted and the pacing was better in that one (in this one, it was pretty slow up until the 70% mark).
Trigger warning:
p.s.
June 15, 2022
There aren't enough stars to even come close to how many the epic conclusion of Jericho and Farryn's story deserves...I'm utterly speechless.
Make no mistake, there will be more questions, there will be no straight lines, there will be unimaginable darkness, there will be heartbreak...but this author is a master storyteller and once you remember to breathe you'll be applauding the magical genius of this journey.
Infernium is the second book in this duology, so if you haven't read Nightshade you need to do that first. This is not a quick read, there are multiple layers to this plot and everything that happens, in the past and present, has meaning. I urge you to take your time and savor each and every word.
"Strę vera’tu...as real as the stars.
When you feel lost, you say those words and I will bring you home again." ~Jericho Van Croix
Make no mistake, there will be more questions, there will be no straight lines, there will be unimaginable darkness, there will be heartbreak...but this author is a master storyteller and once you remember to breathe you'll be applauding the magical genius of this journey.
Infernium is the second book in this duology, so if you haven't read Nightshade you need to do that first. This is not a quick read, there are multiple layers to this plot and everything that happens, in the past and present, has meaning. I urge you to take your time and savor each and every word.
"Strę vera’tu...as real as the stars.
When you feel lost, you say those words and I will bring you home again." ~Jericho Van Croix
July 8, 2022
3.5
I swear this book started so good. With threats to Farryn’s life and Jericho’s beef with his father, I thought this was going to be a wild ride. However, some of Jericho’s POVs fell flat for me. There were plenty of chapters for his backstory which could be fewer. Yes, he lost his wings and was having severe case of blue balls, but must he really be less clever in this book? Farryn was a bit futile, too (must be the pregnancy hormones), yet I enjoyed the gothic atmosphere that was so vibrant in her scenes.
One thing that irked me was Jericho’s father, though. It was apparent he was the villain, or one of, in this story. But much to my disappointment, he didn’t appear in the present timeline until around the 85% mark. Idk, it felt too late for me. I wanted twenty chapters of tension between them.
I believed Jericho and Farryn could have figured their problems out together had they really discussed about them. There were so many clues based on what's happening to Farryn, it was either Jericho ignored them like a real man or his research skills were poor. 👀
Nightshade was great. Infernium is still a pretty good gothic romance, even if I didn’t love it as much as I anticipated it.
I swear this book started so good. With threats to Farryn’s life and Jericho’s beef with his father, I thought this was going to be a wild ride. However, some of Jericho’s POVs fell flat for me. There were plenty of chapters for his backstory which could be fewer. Yes, he lost his wings and was having severe case of blue balls, but must he really be less clever in this book? Farryn was a bit futile, too (must be the pregnancy hormones), yet I enjoyed the gothic atmosphere that was so vibrant in her scenes.
One thing that irked me was Jericho’s father, though. It was apparent he was the villain, or one of, in this story. But much to my disappointment, he didn’t appear in the present timeline until around the 85% mark. Idk, it felt too late for me. I wanted twenty chapters of tension between them.
I believed Jericho and Farryn could have figured their problems out together had they really discussed about them. There were so many clues based on what's happening to Farryn, it was either Jericho ignored them like a real man or his research skills were poor. 👀
Nightshade was great. Infernium is still a pretty good gothic romance, even if I didn’t love it as much as I anticipated it.
July 10, 2022
From my review of book one, Night shade:
Although this ended up as a duology, the author herself admits in book two that this was initially intended as a stand-alone. After having now read both, part of me wishes she had just left this one alone. Or written a short novella as follow-up instead. This book is dark but there are still beautiful moments of joy scattered throughout. With book two the content just gets heavier, the joyful moments fewer and farther between. If you’re the type that absolutely needs all loose ends tied up, then go ahead and read it, but otherwise I can’t say I recommend that one TBTH.
Nightshade Spoilers ahead:
Oof, where to start? We find our two MC’s emotionally and often physically cut off from each other for about 2/3’s of this one. I get that authors like to give us some drama but this plot line was just completely excessive and unnecessary IMO.
Our Male hero, Jericho, is struggling with his angel/demon balance in the wake of having lost his wings. This presents an odd dilemma aside from the typical emotional trauma one would expect from such an excessive bodily injury; instead we become privy to his inability to control his demon side, during sex specifically. This alone makes the spice level of this book basically non-existent for me; and don’t get me wrong there is quite a lot of sex!
The main problem is that Lustina, the best part of book one, is basically absent from this story, and her presence is gravely missed. Farryn has never been relatable to me and I cannot stand the decisions she makes nor the way she behaves most of the time. The result is that we get a seemingly endless cycle in which our two MC’s can’t learn from their mistakes and every single sexual encounter ends in some sort of major trauma. It’s extremely uncomfortable and starts to feel overly aggressive after so much repetition.
On top of that, there’s like nothing good that happens to anyone in this story until the very end. While Jericho’s boyhood POV is fairly interesting it really only gave us the tiniest peek into his character development. Otherwise this was just one horrible revelation after horrible event after the next. I wish our author would have sat down and thought about the reading experience this presents. There’s absolutely no joy and nothing much to anticipate at all.
Triggers are even more abundant than in Nightshade. It was incredibly dark and heavy and I came very close to not finishing this one. Is it scary? Incredibly so. Romantic? Nope, not at all (sad face). It was honestly purely my thirst for knowledge that kept me going to the end. And what I learned about myself is that while I do enjoy a more mature story and some darker elements, I still ultimately crave joy and excitement in my reads as well.
Although this ended up as a duology, the author herself admits in book two that this was initially intended as a stand-alone. After having now read both, part of me wishes she had just left this one alone. Or written a short novella as follow-up instead. This book is dark but there are still beautiful moments of joy scattered throughout. With book two the content just gets heavier, the joyful moments fewer and farther between. If you’re the type that absolutely needs all loose ends tied up, then go ahead and read it, but otherwise I can’t say I recommend that one TBTH.
Nightshade Spoilers ahead:
Oof, where to start? We find our two MC’s emotionally and often physically cut off from each other for about 2/3’s of this one. I get that authors like to give us some drama but this plot line was just completely excessive and unnecessary IMO.
Our Male hero, Jericho, is struggling with his angel/demon balance in the wake of having lost his wings. This presents an odd dilemma aside from the typical emotional trauma one would expect from such an excessive bodily injury; instead we become privy to his inability to control his demon side, during sex specifically. This alone makes the spice level of this book basically non-existent for me; and don’t get me wrong there is quite a lot of sex!
The main problem is that Lustina, the best part of book one, is basically absent from this story, and her presence is gravely missed. Farryn has never been relatable to me and I cannot stand the decisions she makes nor the way she behaves most of the time. The result is that we get a seemingly endless cycle in which our two MC’s can’t learn from their mistakes and every single sexual encounter ends in some sort of major trauma. It’s extremely uncomfortable and starts to feel overly aggressive after so much repetition.
On top of that, there’s like nothing good that happens to anyone in this story until the very end. While Jericho’s boyhood POV is fairly interesting it really only gave us the tiniest peek into his character development. Otherwise this was just one horrible revelation after horrible event after the next. I wish our author would have sat down and thought about the reading experience this presents. There’s absolutely no joy and nothing much to anticipate at all.
Triggers are even more abundant than in Nightshade. It was incredibly dark and heavy and I came very close to not finishing this one. Is it scary? Incredibly so. Romantic? Nope, not at all (sad face). It was honestly purely my thirst for knowledge that kept me going to the end. And what I learned about myself is that while I do enjoy a more mature story and some darker elements, I still ultimately crave joy and excitement in my reads as well.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 7, 2022
What a treat to come back to the Nightshades universe, its incredibly dark and thick atmosphere!
With Infernium, second and last book of the duet, Mrs Lake concludes epically Farryn and Jericho's saga.
This book is huge, all the more words to enjoy, getting immersed and, losing myself into a world of a rare complexity and intricacy. I can only name a handful of authors that will bring out such raw and intense emotions in me, amd Mrs Lake is certainly one of my favorites. I cringed, almost hid behing my hands, bit my nails and even smiled at times! The passion left me breathless, completely riveted to the pages.
Navigating between past and present, between Farryn and Jericho's points of view, I couldn't read fast enough and at the same time I needed to slow down to savor the depth of the storyline and the richess of the ambience.
It's certainly a duet you need to experience if you are in the mood for a breathraking. dark gothic romance.
With Infernium, second and last book of the duet, Mrs Lake concludes epically Farryn and Jericho's saga.
This book is huge, all the more words to enjoy, getting immersed and, losing myself into a world of a rare complexity and intricacy. I can only name a handful of authors that will bring out such raw and intense emotions in me, amd Mrs Lake is certainly one of my favorites. I cringed, almost hid behing my hands, bit my nails and even smiled at times! The passion left me breathless, completely riveted to the pages.
Navigating between past and present, between Farryn and Jericho's points of view, I couldn't read fast enough and at the same time I needed to slow down to savor the depth of the storyline and the richess of the ambience.
It's certainly a duet you need to experience if you are in the mood for a breathraking. dark gothic romance.
July 24, 2022
Infernium is the second and final book in the Nightshade Duology — a paranormal gothic romance duet that tells an incredible story of eternal love against all odds. This was my most anticipated read to date & I was not disappointed. I am so grateful to have received an ARC to review.
In this conclusion you can expect: intensified gothic elements, expanded world-building, multiple POVs & timelines (with a focus on Jericho’s origin), incredible new side characters, fated love against all odds, explicit sex scenes & mature themes including multiple traumatic events. Keri Lake has detailed trigger warnings list here (includes some spoilers).
Infernium is a hypnotizing and intoxicating story. Where Nighshade was haunting, Infernium is chilling; both are heart-wrenching. This love story broke my heart wide open, as I expected it would, and I am beside myself, awestruck, raw and emotionally exhausted upon its completion. It’s exactly what I was hoping for in a sequel and conclusion, though even more mind-bending and harrowing than I could have imagined.
There is an added layer of intrigue and intensified elements of horror in this story as Farryn is grappling with strange experiences, dreams and visions — things even Jericho can’t quite explain — and Jericho is battling his own inner demon. It's a true development from the precarious situation they land themselves in at the end of Nightshade, with the addition of evil forces at work beyond my wildest imagination. The world is expanded to include the addition of multiple realms in detail and their respective creatures. The plot is intricate and unpredictable but masterfully written; I felt completely immersed in this world just as I did with Nightshade. I won't say much more about that, but know that this story gets very dark, very bleak, and terrible things happen which are completely irreparable. Oh look, here I am crying again.
"Let them send their legions of angels and demons. Any god or devil foolish enough to lay claim to you will suffer my unforgiving wrath. You are mine, Farryn. Mine. There is no compromise, no bargain that could possibly change what has already been decided. Understand?"
Our beloved Jericho maintains his morally grey status as he becomes desperate to protect his love at all costs. Gaining knowledge of his early years and also experiencing him make decisions out of sheer desperation without his full power verifies his nature as this true entity of both good and evil. He is ruthless, possessive and merciless, with only one goal: protect Farryn.
"You are my threshold for pain. The suffering I cannot bear, and my only true weakness. I will not lose you to anyone."
The chapters from the perspective of the Baron in Praecepsia were incredibly well done. I was so satisfied having some of the blanks from book one filled in while also experiencing the moments leading up to his entanglement with Lustina. The few glimpses we get of him and Lustina struck me right in the heart. Lustina, born of the light, is a character that I will never forget. I've never felt such raw heartbreak for a fictional character in all my life as I did in Nightshade. And I was so naive to think that there was not more to her story. Once again, I was a sobbing mess for this girl that is the embodiment of purity and grace.
"Don't you dare feel remorse. You just showed me the pain inside of you. Your pain in my pain. When you suffer, I suffer."
Alongside Jericho, Farryn comes into her own resilient and assertive power, though she endures unbelievable suffering in her pursuit for freedom and love. The scars she carries from the events of this book are the type which never truly fade. Her journey devastated me.
“Turned out... the intensity of what love could be, was more than just a scrawled heart on a page. More than the simplicity of affection and longing, caring and nurturing. I’d come to know there was a shadowed side of it, too. A much darker version, comprised of obsession, pain, and the unflinching readiness to sacrifice.”
Oh, and before I forget. The sex scenes in this book are on point, though some are actually a little horrifying... But the primal connection Farryn and Jericho share is unmatched.
"I am starving for your saericasz." If you know, you know.
I read Infernium over the course of a few days because my work life got in the way. But I listened to Keri Lake's playlist (can be found here) in my time between chapters and it truly transformed the reading of this book into an experience, allowing me to slip over the edge into a deep sea of daydreams and introspection about these characters. I truly am going to miss Farryn and Jericho and this world, though I am satisfied with their conclusion and will cherish this story forever.
There are two epilogues which are just perfection. Keri Lake is a master when it comes to writing in general, but her epilogues bring a sense of closure that help to mend the heart while not muting the intensity of the final chapter. In her foreward she writes that she hopes Infernium provides its readers with a sense of closure for Farryn and Jericho and I personally got that.
Keri Lake, if you read this, I hope you know how incredibly talented you are! Your stories leave me with a sense of awe and wonder, and move me through so many emotions — and this is the reason I read. This Duology is unmatched in my opinion at this point in my reading journey (okay, perhaps matched only by the Juniper Unraveling series) and I will continue to recommend it over and over.
In this conclusion you can expect: intensified gothic elements, expanded world-building, multiple POVs & timelines (with a focus on Jericho’s origin), incredible new side characters, fated love against all odds, explicit sex scenes & mature themes including multiple traumatic events. Keri Lake has detailed trigger warnings list here (includes some spoilers).
Infernium is a hypnotizing and intoxicating story. Where Nighshade was haunting, Infernium is chilling; both are heart-wrenching. This love story broke my heart wide open, as I expected it would, and I am beside myself, awestruck, raw and emotionally exhausted upon its completion. It’s exactly what I was hoping for in a sequel and conclusion, though even more mind-bending and harrowing than I could have imagined.
There is an added layer of intrigue and intensified elements of horror in this story as Farryn is grappling with strange experiences, dreams and visions — things even Jericho can’t quite explain — and Jericho is battling his own inner demon. It's a true development from the precarious situation they land themselves in at the end of Nightshade, with the addition of evil forces at work beyond my wildest imagination. The world is expanded to include the addition of multiple realms in detail and their respective creatures. The plot is intricate and unpredictable but masterfully written; I felt completely immersed in this world just as I did with Nightshade. I won't say much more about that, but know that this story gets very dark, very bleak, and terrible things happen which are completely irreparable. Oh look, here I am crying again.
"Let them send their legions of angels and demons. Any god or devil foolish enough to lay claim to you will suffer my unforgiving wrath. You are mine, Farryn. Mine. There is no compromise, no bargain that could possibly change what has already been decided. Understand?"
Our beloved Jericho maintains his morally grey status as he becomes desperate to protect his love at all costs. Gaining knowledge of his early years and also experiencing him make decisions out of sheer desperation without his full power verifies his nature as this true entity of both good and evil. He is ruthless, possessive and merciless, with only one goal: protect Farryn.
"You are my threshold for pain. The suffering I cannot bear, and my only true weakness. I will not lose you to anyone."
The chapters from the perspective of the Baron in Praecepsia were incredibly well done. I was so satisfied having some of the blanks from book one filled in while also experiencing the moments leading up to his entanglement with Lustina. The few glimpses we get of him and Lustina struck me right in the heart. Lustina, born of the light, is a character that I will never forget. I've never felt such raw heartbreak for a fictional character in all my life as I did in Nightshade. And I was so naive to think that there was not more to her story. Once again, I was a sobbing mess for this girl that is the embodiment of purity and grace.
"Don't you dare feel remorse. You just showed me the pain inside of you. Your pain in my pain. When you suffer, I suffer."
Alongside Jericho, Farryn comes into her own resilient and assertive power, though she endures unbelievable suffering in her pursuit for freedom and love. The scars she carries from the events of this book are the type which never truly fade. Her journey devastated me.
“Turned out... the intensity of what love could be, was more than just a scrawled heart on a page. More than the simplicity of affection and longing, caring and nurturing. I’d come to know there was a shadowed side of it, too. A much darker version, comprised of obsession, pain, and the unflinching readiness to sacrifice.”
Oh, and before I forget. The sex scenes in this book are on point, though some are actually a little horrifying... But the primal connection Farryn and Jericho share is unmatched.
"I am starving for your saericasz." If you know, you know.
I read Infernium over the course of a few days because my work life got in the way. But I listened to Keri Lake's playlist (can be found here) in my time between chapters and it truly transformed the reading of this book into an experience, allowing me to slip over the edge into a deep sea of daydreams and introspection about these characters. I truly am going to miss Farryn and Jericho and this world, though I am satisfied with their conclusion and will cherish this story forever.
There are two epilogues which are just perfection. Keri Lake is a master when it comes to writing in general, but her epilogues bring a sense of closure that help to mend the heart while not muting the intensity of the final chapter. In her foreward she writes that she hopes Infernium provides its readers with a sense of closure for Farryn and Jericho and I personally got that.
Keri Lake, if you read this, I hope you know how incredibly talented you are! Your stories leave me with a sense of awe and wonder, and move me through so many emotions — and this is the reason I read. This Duology is unmatched in my opinion at this point in my reading journey (okay, perhaps matched only by the Juniper Unraveling series) and I will continue to recommend it over and over.
December 8, 2025
What a WILD, dark, demonic, unhinged, insane ride. This duology was flawlessly done, no surprise given its author. This man literally goes to hell and back, several times, for this woman. There was a looot of detailed layers to the darker elements of this story and I did find them overwhelming, along with the shift between timelines. But I am not averse to being overwhelmed. Jericho and Farryn are a great illustration for ‘I will love you in any life time’
There is a scene in this book that I will never forget. It is burned into my mind for the rest of my existence and it involves Jericho chained to his own bed (by his own will), calling for Farryn, when she goes to him…that’s all I will say. I will simply relive it in my mind forever.
There is a scene in this book that I will never forget. It is burned into my mind for the rest of my existence and it involves Jericho chained to his own bed (by his own will), calling for Farryn, when she goes to him…that’s all I will say. I will simply relive it in my mind forever.
July 26, 2022
DNF 46%
DNF'ing because this was boring as helllllllll for many reasons. One reason being majorly due to no character development and 2D side characters. In fact, I think there was almost character regression in many cases, especially Farryn. I feel like in the pervious book, Nightshade, she was this bada** take no prisoners type of character, in this book she's pretty much room temp oatmeal. Her character was pretty much reassigned to "pregnant" and "Jericho's female". Also Jericho was pretty much angry angel/demon male, you know the type "If anyone touches/looks at my female, even this duck, they die". The s*x was super awkward too. I'm not going to lie, I ROFL'd pretty hard during the scene where Jericho screams for Farryn to sit on his face, it was pretty darn funny by being weirdly dramatic.
Keri Lake is usually better than this, so I will try the next story she writes, but for now this one is staying a hard dnf.
DNF'ing because this was boring as helllllllll for many reasons. One reason being majorly due to no character development and 2D side characters. In fact, I think there was almost character regression in many cases, especially Farryn. I feel like in the pervious book, Nightshade, she was this bada** take no prisoners type of character, in this book she's pretty much room temp oatmeal. Her character was pretty much reassigned to "pregnant" and "Jericho's female". Also Jericho was pretty much angry angel/demon male, you know the type "If anyone touches/looks at my female, even this duck, they die". The s*x was super awkward too. I'm not going to lie, I ROFL'd pretty hard during the scene where Jericho screams for Farryn to sit on his face, it was pretty darn funny by being weirdly dramatic.
Keri Lake is usually better than this, so I will try the next story she writes, but for now this one is staying a hard dnf.
February 25, 2025
I had to DNF before I lost the will to live.
There was no need for a second book.
This was woefully unnecessary.
It sucks because while I enjoyed Nightshade (flaws and all), I think Lake lost control of the plot in this one. I think if she had altered the ending of book 1 a little bit, we could’ve had a decent, satisfying standalone.
If she does the same to Anathema part 2, I will riot.
There was no need for a second book.
This was woefully unnecessary.
It sucks because while I enjoyed Nightshade (flaws and all), I think Lake lost control of the plot in this one. I think if she had altered the ending of book 1 a little bit, we could’ve had a decent, satisfying standalone.
If she does the same to Anathema part 2, I will riot.
October 27, 2024
4.5✨ what a continuation to nightshade. wow. still trying to wrap my mind around this
i was loving all the jericho/baron pov and getting the lead up and backstory of everything. getting the baron’s pov of the events from lustina’s in nightshade was honestly incredible. all that backstory for jericho made things so much more profound and helped to get a more well rounded picture of him as a character and i absolutely fucking loved it the whole time. and jericho’s present pov and everything he’s feeling and going through with farryn and all outside forces, overcoming himself in ways, all of it was just wow. the way he tries, and perseveres, and loves so hard. it’s spectacular.
farryn went through so. fucking. much. in this book. so much trauma and the trials & tribulations. i felt for her, i really did. i honestly can’t even imagine (obvi cause this is so fictional but still). it was devastating and i really loved how it all played out. the hallucinations and everything was so wild but so good. she bug me at times, i won’t lie, i think just certain situations felt a little annoying to me. but overall i still fkn love this girl and respect the shit out of her for everything did and would do to get her life back.
i knew i was gonna love vaszhago and i absolutely did. if he got his own book, i would not at all be mad. yes he was bound but you could it became so much more than his risk for him. he cared. he stayed. he protected. i just loved his snark and sarcasm and everything.
i thought vespyr was gonna be so good for farryn and i was right but i think i wanted a bit more of it. and the end ugh ouch that hurt so much.
claudius is literally the worst fucking person and his end was spectacular.
can bishop venable just fucking die already please? thanks.
one of my favourite things about this book was the constant and immediate back & forth between jericho & farryn's pov’s while in the labyrinth. it kept me on my toes and entertained and screeching and dying in the best way. i just loved how it was done and written. it was so damn wild. i did feel like the book dragged a bit at some points and like there were almost too many twists towards the ends and it’s that that has kept me from a five star rating. this is my sixth keri lake book and the only one that wasn’t five stars so honestly i’m not complaining. i still loved this and thought it was a great follow up to nightshade and a beautiful conclusion for jericho & farryn and their happily ever after. this world was amazing. this duology was spectacular.
“There is not a single thought in my day that doesn’t involve you. I want you in a thousand different ways.”
“Whatever wretched and vile thing lives beneath this flesh and these bones belongs to you. I am yours eternally. And you are mine.”
“What I feel for you is a word that does not exist in human vocabulary. Stronger than love.”
“You are my threshold for pain. The suffering I cannot bear, and my only true weakness. I will not lose you to anyone.”
“I shiver when I look at you. Because every cell in my body knows you are the only creature capable of destroying me. The only thing in this world I would die for.”
“You are not alone. I will come for you in the darkness. And I will bring you back into the light.”
• dark gothic fantasy romance
• fated mates
• demons & angels & humans & more
• occult
• age gap
• torture
• touch her & you die
• morally grey
• reincarnation
• supernatural / paranormal
• complete duology
i was loving all the jericho/baron pov and getting the lead up and backstory of everything. getting the baron’s pov of the events from lustina’s in nightshade was honestly incredible. all that backstory for jericho made things so much more profound and helped to get a more well rounded picture of him as a character and i absolutely fucking loved it the whole time. and jericho’s present pov and everything he’s feeling and going through with farryn and all outside forces, overcoming himself in ways, all of it was just wow. the way he tries, and perseveres, and loves so hard. it’s spectacular.
farryn went through so. fucking. much. in this book. so much trauma and the trials & tribulations. i felt for her, i really did. i honestly can’t even imagine (obvi cause this is so fictional but still). it was devastating and i really loved how it all played out. the hallucinations and everything was so wild but so good. she bug me at times, i won’t lie, i think just certain situations felt a little annoying to me. but overall i still fkn love this girl and respect the shit out of her for everything did and would do to get her life back.
i knew i was gonna love vaszhago and i absolutely did. if he got his own book, i would not at all be mad. yes he was bound but you could it became so much more than his risk for him. he cared. he stayed. he protected. i just loved his snark and sarcasm and everything.
i thought vespyr was gonna be so good for farryn and i was right but i think i wanted a bit more of it. and the end ugh ouch that hurt so much.
claudius is literally the worst fucking person and his end was spectacular.
can bishop venable just fucking die already please? thanks.
one of my favourite things about this book was the constant and immediate back & forth between jericho & farryn's pov’s while in the labyrinth. it kept me on my toes and entertained and screeching and dying in the best way. i just loved how it was done and written. it was so damn wild. i did feel like the book dragged a bit at some points and like there were almost too many twists towards the ends and it’s that that has kept me from a five star rating. this is my sixth keri lake book and the only one that wasn’t five stars so honestly i’m not complaining. i still loved this and thought it was a great follow up to nightshade and a beautiful conclusion for jericho & farryn and their happily ever after. this world was amazing. this duology was spectacular.
“There is not a single thought in my day that doesn’t involve you. I want you in a thousand different ways.”
“Whatever wretched and vile thing lives beneath this flesh and these bones belongs to you. I am yours eternally. And you are mine.”
“What I feel for you is a word that does not exist in human vocabulary. Stronger than love.”
“You are my threshold for pain. The suffering I cannot bear, and my only true weakness. I will not lose you to anyone.”
“I shiver when I look at you. Because every cell in my body knows you are the only creature capable of destroying me. The only thing in this world I would die for.”
“You are not alone. I will come for you in the darkness. And I will bring you back into the light.”
• dark gothic fantasy romance
• fated mates
• demons & angels & humans & more
• occult
• age gap
• torture
• touch her & you die
• morally grey
• reincarnation
• supernatural / paranormal
• complete duology
July 21, 2022
Wanted to love this. Nightshade was one of my top reads of last year, but Infernium was boring. It was super slow, nothing really happened until the last 10%. I pulled through because I still loved Lustina and Jericho so much. <333
October 22, 2025
2,5
Trochę nie wiem jak ocenić tę książkę, którą odgrzebałam ze stosu wstydu, żeby sprawdzić jak pisze Keri Lake, wiec te ocenę wyśrodkuję. Książka została skategoryzowana jak dark fantasy gothic romans - jest dark, jest gothic, ale romans przykrywa smut. I całkowicie rozumiem zarówno oceny pięciogwiazdkowe (jeśli ktoś szuka mocnych wrażeń) jak i jednogwiazdkowe.
Największym moim zastrzeżeniem jest przedstawienie problemów z jakimi borykają się głowni bohaterowie w tej część - w teorii i z opisu wynika, że to trudna ciążą Farryn i strata skrzydeł przez Jerycha. Jednak z zachowania i myśli bohaterów na czoło wysuwa się inny dylemat, który całkowicie dominuje pozostałe, a mianowicie, że nasza para nie może uprawiać ostrego, wyuzdanego seksu (choć i tak podejmują to ryzyko). Głowę Jerycha, bardziej niż obawa o partnerkę i dziecko zaprząta to, że nie może jej posiąść kiedy tylko zechce. Bohatersko walczy z sukkubami, które mogłyby mu ulżyć, ale on pozostaje wierny swojej kobiecie. Dajcie mu medal. Farryn, jak na postać w takiej sytuacji w jakiej się znajduje, też zbyt często duma o tym jak bardzo chciałaby być wypieprzona przez Jerycha. I jak ja mam się martwić o bohaterów i przeżywac z nimi okropne momenty, skoro tak ustawiają swoje priorytety?
Sceny smutu były ostre i mroczne (a te z retrospekcji nawet obleśne), ale mnie najbardziej wykręcał dirty talk - to co wychodziło z ust Jerycha (w każdym sensie) działało na mnie odwrotnie niż pociągająco. Jednocześnie nie mogę mieć pretensji, że w dark fantasy był demoniczny smut - wiedzialam na co się piszę.
Farryn dalej nie robi użytku z jej wykształcenia związanego symboliką i starożytnymi religiami. Jerycho niby próbuje znaleźć jakieś rozwiązanie ich sytacji, ale wszytko to jest takie na pół gwizdka. Był jednen fajny wątek, kiedy udał się do więzienia, by wydobyć z niego wątpliwej moralności ochroniarzy dla Farryn - pyskówki i klimat tego miejsca przypominało mi sceny rodem z Suicide Squad kiedy zbiera się bandę zakapiorów do odwalenia brudnej roboty. Szkoda, że nie było tego więcej, a mniej retrospekcji, które bardziej mnie skręcały niż interesowały. Nie do końca chyba też zrozumiałam tę sprawę z dzieckiem.
Podsumowując: ten tom jest bardziej pokręcony. Dark fantasy gothic erotyk to nie jest (już) kategoria dla mnie, ale byłam na tyle zainteresowana finałem tej historii (na szczęście to tylko dylogia) by dotrwać do końca. Kari Lake umie w popieprzone rzeczy i mroczny klimat i jeśli ktoś szuka czegoś takiego na halloween to ta dylogia będzie dobrą propozycja.
Trochę nie wiem jak ocenić tę książkę, którą odgrzebałam ze stosu wstydu, żeby sprawdzić jak pisze Keri Lake, wiec te ocenę wyśrodkuję. Książka została skategoryzowana jak dark fantasy gothic romans - jest dark, jest gothic, ale romans przykrywa smut. I całkowicie rozumiem zarówno oceny pięciogwiazdkowe (jeśli ktoś szuka mocnych wrażeń) jak i jednogwiazdkowe.
Największym moim zastrzeżeniem jest przedstawienie problemów z jakimi borykają się głowni bohaterowie w tej część - w teorii i z opisu wynika, że to trudna ciążą Farryn i strata skrzydeł przez Jerycha. Jednak z zachowania i myśli bohaterów na czoło wysuwa się inny dylemat, który całkowicie dominuje pozostałe, a mianowicie, że nasza para nie może uprawiać ostrego, wyuzdanego seksu (choć i tak podejmują to ryzyko). Głowę Jerycha, bardziej niż obawa o partnerkę i dziecko zaprząta to, że nie może jej posiąść kiedy tylko zechce. Bohatersko walczy z sukkubami, które mogłyby mu ulżyć, ale on pozostaje wierny swojej kobiecie. Dajcie mu medal. Farryn, jak na postać w takiej sytuacji w jakiej się znajduje, też zbyt często duma o tym jak bardzo chciałaby być wypieprzona przez Jerycha. I jak ja mam się martwić o bohaterów i przeżywac z nimi okropne momenty, skoro tak ustawiają swoje priorytety?
Sceny smutu były ostre i mroczne (a te z retrospekcji nawet obleśne), ale mnie najbardziej wykręcał dirty talk - to co wychodziło z ust Jerycha (w każdym sensie) działało na mnie odwrotnie niż pociągająco. Jednocześnie nie mogę mieć pretensji, że w dark fantasy był demoniczny smut - wiedzialam na co się piszę.
Farryn dalej nie robi użytku z jej wykształcenia związanego symboliką i starożytnymi religiami. Jerycho niby próbuje znaleźć jakieś rozwiązanie ich sytacji, ale wszytko to jest takie na pół gwizdka. Był jednen fajny wątek, kiedy udał się do więzienia, by wydobyć z niego wątpliwej moralności ochroniarzy dla Farryn - pyskówki i klimat tego miejsca przypominało mi sceny rodem z Suicide Squad kiedy zbiera się bandę zakapiorów do odwalenia brudnej roboty. Szkoda, że nie było tego więcej, a mniej retrospekcji, które bardziej mnie skręcały niż interesowały. Nie do końca chyba też zrozumiałam tę sprawę z dzieckiem.
Podsumowując: ten tom jest bardziej pokręcony. Dark fantasy gothic erotyk to nie jest (już) kategoria dla mnie, ale byłam na tyle zainteresowana finałem tej historii (na szczęście to tylko dylogia) by dotrwać do końca. Kari Lake umie w popieprzone rzeczy i mroczny klimat i jeśli ktoś szuka czegoś takiego na halloween to ta dylogia będzie dobrą propozycja.
November 11, 2023
Nightshade is one of my favorite gothic stories. Lake's writing is as good as it is in Nightshade. She mesmerizes me with her words and I can't stop reading. The atmospheric setting, the morally grey characters, the amazing world building and the language that Lake has created is fantastic and impressive. The shifts between past/present and between different characters perspective is done effortlessly. I wanted more of Lord Byron/Jericho in Nightshade and I got it in Infernium. He is such a fascinating character. Unfortunately I didn't found Farryns POV as interesting. Not much happens in this book but still I was glued to the pages. I guess that says a lot about Lake's writing.
July 6, 2022
Holy shizz – I don't even know where to start. It's been days since I finished this book and I'm still grappling with words to describe what I read.
Infernium is the ending to the Nightshade duology and it's a complete mind-fuck in the most delicious ways.
I will start off by warning readers that this book does have A LOT of extremely dark triggers along with other triggers that you can expect in any dark romance. Please note that some of these triggers are not carried out by the MCs but are events in the book.
I have always known Keri to write gothic and dark books that will push boundaries because that is what her characters and their stories require. However, she definitely pushed herself into a new realm of writing this duology. It is not going to be for everyone but it definitely showcased her writing as an author and how far she's come.
This book is told from multiple POV's and moves between time. This not just a dark romance, it's a forbidden romance that defies everything and transcends time. Jericho is who he is – a being with grey morals that will stop at nothing to protect Farryn. Farryn definitely took a backseat in this book as this portion focused more on Jericho, but she's definitely held her own as she endured many horrific and unusual things.
I feel like I am rambling but only because so much happens and I still don't know how to wrap my head completely around it all.
Infernium was like nothing I have read before. Keri truly delivered a very dark, gritty and raw gothic. She gives readers an extremely detailed story about Nightshade, all its inhabitants and their depraved ways. It's not a story for the faint of heart but it's one that will have your heart pumping in so many ways.
I could not put this down once I started. I craved the words that Keri laid out before us and I needed to know the journey that would leave Jericho and Farryn to their finality.
“You are the only creature in all five realms who will ever bring me to my knees.”
Bravo Keri for delivering another unique and jaw-dropping story that will stay with me for ages.
Infernium is the ending to the Nightshade duology and it's a complete mind-fuck in the most delicious ways.
I will start off by warning readers that this book does have A LOT of extremely dark triggers along with other triggers that you can expect in any dark romance. Please note that some of these triggers are not carried out by the MCs but are events in the book.
I have always known Keri to write gothic and dark books that will push boundaries because that is what her characters and their stories require. However, she definitely pushed herself into a new realm of writing this duology. It is not going to be for everyone but it definitely showcased her writing as an author and how far she's come.
This book is told from multiple POV's and moves between time. This not just a dark romance, it's a forbidden romance that defies everything and transcends time. Jericho is who he is – a being with grey morals that will stop at nothing to protect Farryn. Farryn definitely took a backseat in this book as this portion focused more on Jericho, but she's definitely held her own as she endured many horrific and unusual things.
I feel like I am rambling but only because so much happens and I still don't know how to wrap my head completely around it all.
Infernium was like nothing I have read before. Keri truly delivered a very dark, gritty and raw gothic. She gives readers an extremely detailed story about Nightshade, all its inhabitants and their depraved ways. It's not a story for the faint of heart but it's one that will have your heart pumping in so many ways.
I could not put this down once I started. I craved the words that Keri laid out before us and I needed to know the journey that would leave Jericho and Farryn to their finality.
“You are the only creature in all five realms who will ever bring me to my knees.”
Bravo Keri for delivering another unique and jaw-dropping story that will stay with me for ages.
July 7, 2022
Infernium is book 2 in the Nightshade Duology and the continuation of Farryn and Jericho's story. This book was really long and moved slowing at times from past to present. Jericho and Farryn go through so much during this story while trying to get Jericho's wings back. Their journey wasn't easy and at times I felt they didn't trust each other enough which led to unnecessary issues. I loved Vaszhago and would love to read a book with him in it. There are twist and turns I didn't see coming but who Farryn actually is, was pretty obvious to me. Jericho's father was despicable and what was done to Lustina was heartbreaking. Overall, another enjoyable book by Keri and I look forward to whatever she has planned next.
***ARC provided by Author***
***ARC provided by Author***
July 7, 2022
Easiest five stars I have ever given.
Wow! My mind is blown away. This was so good and I have been savouring every single minute of it from past few days because I didn’t want it to end but at the same time I wanted to know how it would end 😭
Don’t look anywhere else, stop and just pick this up and go blindly into it, because they way Keri lake has intricately woven the entire plot that is not only engagingly gothic and mysterious, but, also serves everything; from the solid word building to the, the amazing character’s arc, growth and the development, palpable chemistry, swoon worthy and twin-flame kinda love.
I just know I’m gonna miss these characters so much but at the same time I’m quite happy too as they got their rightful HEA.
Wow! My mind is blown away. This was so good and I have been savouring every single minute of it from past few days because I didn’t want it to end but at the same time I wanted to know how it would end 😭
Don’t look anywhere else, stop and just pick this up and go blindly into it, because they way Keri lake has intricately woven the entire plot that is not only engagingly gothic and mysterious, but, also serves everything; from the solid word building to the, the amazing character’s arc, growth and the development, palpable chemistry, swoon worthy and twin-flame kinda love.
I just know I’m gonna miss these characters so much but at the same time I’m quite happy too as they got their rightful HEA.
November 5, 2025
Ok so I’m pretty disappointed in this one…but I enjoyed the storyline overall. I was so disappointed in the romance for book two it was just all lust and I COULD NOT stand Farryn in this book!!!!! Good LORDDDD. Girl do you have a brain hello?? I missed when you were Lustina ugh go back 😭 why did Lustina and Jericho have more chemistry than him & Farryn when the women are supposed to be the same person…but book one romance was 10x better and I’m just frustrated with the lack of romance until the very end... Also I could have done without the crazy exes and Jericho always being in a situation with different women.. plus scenes with him felt very off character..
What saved this book for me was the last 20% and Veszhago 😫😫 my fav demon hello handsome 🫦 we get some pretty words and romance at the very END. I was confused about everything really and also not at the same time for the first 80%?? Idk what to say I’m just disappointed but I loved the world building, spooky and gothic vibes, angels/demons, side characters ,the magic system and the mythical creatures/monsters.
What saved this book for me was the last 20% and Veszhago 😫😫 my fav demon hello handsome 🫦 we get some pretty words and romance at the very END. I was confused about everything really and also not at the same time for the first 80%?? Idk what to say I’m just disappointed but I loved the world building, spooky and gothic vibes, angels/demons, side characters ,the magic system and the mythical creatures/monsters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 10, 2022
"I need to push away every soul-crushing thought, because things were about to get worse, and I couldn't afford to slip into the quicksand of emotions that threatened to pull me under." (My thoughts exactly in the middle of reading this book)
This book annihilated me. I'm nothing but dust scattered across emptiness. Pain. Suffering. Pain. More suffering.
Miss Keri Lake has done it again. As with Nightshade, I was speechless after having finished this book and I can't even explain what I'm feeling. I'm a mess of emotions until this very moment and will be for a long while, that's for certain. I feel like I should be singing praises, learning psalms and hymns, dancing in revelry while at the same time crying songs of both lament and elation. This book was out of this world - it exists in its own plane, a whole separate universe too vast and wonderful and dreadful for me to even begin to explain its effects.
The writing was phenomenal, but then again, it was Keri Lake so that was no surprise. I loved every second reading this book and as much as I'd wanted to finally reach the resolution so I could finally breathe after being under thick, murky waters for the whole ride, I didn't want it to end.
Everything was intentional. From the events in Nightshade, until the dreadful climax of Infernium, every encounter, each word said or uttered, all the flashback scenes from the past. Every single thing culminated in one huge final confrontation against the enemy. There was no good, there was no evil. There was only Farryn and Jericho against the world. Them against everyone.
The tale of Farryn and Jericho, a beautiful tragedy laced with pain and misery. The road was paved with evil, bad intentions, betrayal, sufferings, and such melancholy it shattered my heart and ruptured my soul. A love story spanning centuries; the love that survived hell, literally, even the wrath of the heavens. Different realms and even nothingness could not dissever these two from one another.
Lord Van Croix brought a new meaning to the word love (amreloc), the kind of hero who does not choose anyone else over the woman he loves. He'd literally condemn the fate all five realms to Lucifer if it meant saving his Tu'Nazhja. Farryn, oh, Farryn. So much had been taken from her. She suffered through two lifetimes, yet she survived all the torment bestowed upon her. Farryn was a strong woman, yet she was not indestructible. She was susceptible to anger, prone to heartbreak, and did she experience them all in each and every form. I do not know of any other person who would've survived what she did. I know I wouldn't.
Two people who came barreling towards me unexpectedly taking my breath away were Vaszhago and my butterfly, Vespyr. How the author managed to endear me to these two new characters in such a short period of time and with the amount of their exposure in the story was beyond me. Speaks volumes of her innate talent in writing, yes?
Keri Lake braved writing such unbearable scenes of loss and violation, searing through my heart such incomparable agony. The details of some of the torments were not detailed and bless the author's heart for that. Doesn't make the implications any less devastating. I am a glutton for pain, and if I have to bear eternal affliction in reading this duet over and over again, then shall be it, because there is no doubt that I'd be obsessed - as obsessed as Jericho is to Farryn especially during his Rur'axze - for eternity.
This book is ma' baalirhya diszhra. Everything about it - from the people and the places and the burnt cities and the entities, the creatures, and the events - for me, is stre vera'tu. I don't just love this book; Imolz era'da amreloc.
This book annihilated me. I'm nothing but dust scattered across emptiness. Pain. Suffering. Pain. More suffering.
Miss Keri Lake has done it again. As with Nightshade, I was speechless after having finished this book and I can't even explain what I'm feeling. I'm a mess of emotions until this very moment and will be for a long while, that's for certain. I feel like I should be singing praises, learning psalms and hymns, dancing in revelry while at the same time crying songs of both lament and elation. This book was out of this world - it exists in its own plane, a whole separate universe too vast and wonderful and dreadful for me to even begin to explain its effects.
The writing was phenomenal, but then again, it was Keri Lake so that was no surprise. I loved every second reading this book and as much as I'd wanted to finally reach the resolution so I could finally breathe after being under thick, murky waters for the whole ride, I didn't want it to end.
Everything was intentional. From the events in Nightshade, until the dreadful climax of Infernium, every encounter, each word said or uttered, all the flashback scenes from the past. Every single thing culminated in one huge final confrontation against the enemy. There was no good, there was no evil. There was only Farryn and Jericho against the world. Them against everyone.
The tale of Farryn and Jericho, a beautiful tragedy laced with pain and misery. The road was paved with evil, bad intentions, betrayal, sufferings, and such melancholy it shattered my heart and ruptured my soul. A love story spanning centuries; the love that survived hell, literally, even the wrath of the heavens. Different realms and even nothingness could not dissever these two from one another.
Lord Van Croix brought a new meaning to the word love (amreloc), the kind of hero who does not choose anyone else over the woman he loves. He'd literally condemn the fate all five realms to Lucifer if it meant saving his Tu'Nazhja. Farryn, oh, Farryn. So much had been taken from her. She suffered through two lifetimes, yet she survived all the torment bestowed upon her. Farryn was a strong woman, yet she was not indestructible. She was susceptible to anger, prone to heartbreak, and did she experience them all in each and every form. I do not know of any other person who would've survived what she did. I know I wouldn't.
Two people who came barreling towards me unexpectedly taking my breath away were Vaszhago and my butterfly, Vespyr. How the author managed to endear me to these two new characters in such a short period of time and with the amount of their exposure in the story was beyond me. Speaks volumes of her innate talent in writing, yes?
Keri Lake braved writing such unbearable scenes of loss and violation, searing through my heart such incomparable agony. The details of some of the torments were not detailed and bless the author's heart for that. Doesn't make the implications any less devastating. I am a glutton for pain, and if I have to bear eternal affliction in reading this duet over and over again, then shall be it, because there is no doubt that I'd be obsessed - as obsessed as Jericho is to Farryn especially during his Rur'axze - for eternity.
This book is ma' baalirhya diszhra. Everything about it - from the people and the places and the burnt cities and the entities, the creatures, and the events - for me, is stre vera'tu. I don't just love this book; Imolz era'da amreloc.
June 30, 2022
Keri Lake delivered a genre defying, epic story of love, loss and mind bending twists. With Infernium, she continues building on the exquisite world she began in with Nightshade and expands it, filling it with more emotional depth, heart pounding tension, and intense and quirky characters. All the while, seamlessly blending historical, fantasy, and paranormal elements into a story that consumed me heart and soul.
To say Infernium was an unforgettable experience, is an understatement. Nearly 700 pages and I still didn't want to end. This is one of those rare gems that will be with me for a long, long time.
I've long been a fan of Keri Lake's books and with each one, she pushes boundaries, stretching her talent in new directions. Yet she never fails to deliver compelling stories that fill both the heart and the mind.
To say Infernium was an unforgettable experience, is an understatement. Nearly 700 pages and I still didn't want to end. This is one of those rare gems that will be with me for a long, long time.
I've long been a fan of Keri Lake's books and with each one, she pushes boundaries, stretching her talent in new directions. Yet she never fails to deliver compelling stories that fill both the heart and the mind.
December 3, 2024
Nightshade was a standalone, and Jericho actually dies, and all the rest was a hallucination, and this book never happened.
There. I fixed it.
**Honestly, I think these might be different characters completely. Jericho lost his allure, Farryn lost any intelligence she ever had, and the rest of the book seemed to be for shock value only. Admittedly, I DNFed at 23%, so perhaps I am not giving it time to get better, but at this point, I wish to pretend Kerri Lake never wrote this book as I have loved everything else is have ever read by her.
Denial is the name of the game, and this book never happened.
There. I fixed it.
**Honestly, I think these might be different characters completely. Jericho lost his allure, Farryn lost any intelligence she ever had, and the rest of the book seemed to be for shock value only. Admittedly, I DNFed at 23%, so perhaps I am not giving it time to get better, but at this point, I wish to pretend Kerri Lake never wrote this book as I have loved everything else is have ever read by her.
Denial is the name of the game, and this book never happened.
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