Lake of Glass

Archives of the Warden #1

by V.K. Dixon

An inheritance they never expected will change their lives, reveal long-held secrets, & expose a world they didn't know existed….

Brothers and co-authors, Peter and Spencer Collins, are living the life of the struggling artist. When their estranged Great-Aunt leaves her house and extensive inheritance to them in her will, it seems their dreams can come true. Picking up their whole lives, the brothers move to the tiny town of DeVerre, WA, to become full-time authors. But as strange occurrences and a string of animal attacks arise in the town, the brothers begin to feel as though they’ve stepped into one of their own mysteries.
Questioning their choice to uproot their entire lives, Peter and Spencer find themselves thrown into danger they never expected as secrets and conspiracies are uncovered in DeVerre — along with a link to the supernatural.
The brothers must decide if the success of their career and the truth behind these life-changing secrets are worth potentially risking their lives as they are drawn into a mystery filled with the ghosts, phantoms, and beasts of the spirit world.

Genres: Fantasy, Christian Fiction, Clean Romance, Christian, Magical Realism

346 pages, Paperback

Published October 18, 2022

About the author

V.K. Dixon writes fantasy and romance novels filled with found family, lasting love, and unique magic. She believes that the extraordinary gives us a deeper desire for the things beyond us; for the things of God.

Reviews

[Erica Dansereau · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am blown away. Dixon is a master at world and character building. Lake of Glass oozes with atmosphere, mystery, and suspense. I found myself glued to every page, staying up way past my bedtime to read just one more chapter, and then subsequently being too preoccupied thinking about the story to sleep! This is a brilliant start to what I know will be a wildly fantastic series!

[Alissa J. Zavalianos · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

This book was a lot of fun! While the tone felt a little more serious to me than maybe intended, I think a lot of that was because of the moody atmosphere and Dixon’s excellent job of creating a world that feels real. As someone who doesn’t read paranormal fiction, I wasn’t too sure what to expect from this one, but I really enjoyed it! As always, I’m impressed by Dixon’s pen and imagination, and I’m excited to continue the journey in DeVerre alongside Peter & Spencer!

Content:
Spirit world things (nothing demonic or witchcraft, just ghosts and shadow beasts)
Minor language
Cute budding romances
Suspense and mystery

[Britt Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

“We’re gonna get ourselves killed.”

And just like that, author V.K. Dixon hits the ground running with this tantalizing introduction to Lake of Glass, the first installment of her brand-new fantasy series, Archives of the Warden. I had the great honor of being the editor for this book. I can promise you, Lake of Glass hasn’t left my thoughts since and I am waiting with bated breath to get my hands on the next book in the series.

Packed to the brim with heart-pounding tension, witty dialogue, lovable characters, loads of adventure, and such moody, atmospheric vibes that you’ll be planning your move to DeVerre, Washington, Lake of Glass is the kind of writing debut that authors dream about. Dixon weaves mystery, intrigue, small town secrets, budding friendships, and a unique blend of supernatural realism into a fantasy novel that will suck you in and refuse to let go. If better-than-Twilight and Stephen King-esque vibes intrique you, this is the novel for you!

And can we talk about your next book boyfriends? You’ll have a hard time choosing between Peter and Spencer Collins, two dream-boat brothers who are just so adorable and wonderful that you’re going to have to stake your claim. These brothers have so much heart and passion. They are unique and flawed and utterly lovable. Watching their journey of development as they face their fears and take a huge leap of faith to claim their life-changing inheritance in DeVerre was pure joy. You feel for them and with them as each brother comes face-to-face with the uncomfortable things that push him to grow.

Dixon takes on the challenging task of infusing her fantasy novel with Christian themes with a grace and elegance that is a delight to see. We NEED more Christian elements in fiction that portray realistic, flawed, relatable humans and their journey of faith. I am so intrigued to see how she develops the concept and history of a spiritual world at play beyond our senses as the series progresses.

Lake of Glass is a stunning debut. I can’t wait to see what V.K. Dixon has for us next!

[Jennie Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know that feeling when it's autumn and you just want to curl up on the couch with a good spooky book or TV show and lose yourself in another world for a few hours? I never expect to be able to find anything that suits my mood when I get like that...but this book did!

Right from the beginning I was hooked. Peter and Spencer, along with the rest of the cast, are well-drawn and relatable. The plot moves along quickly, with just the right amount of slower scenes to make me feel like I really "settled in" and got to know the place and the characters.

I can't put my finger on what exactly made me enjoy this book so much, but I think it's this: sometimes I feel like books don't always live up to the vibes they promise, but this one does. It's just a great, well written fun story, just like you'd find watching mainstream TV; but what was so refreshing is that there was no agenda pushed, whether political, social, or even religious, despite the fact that it is written from a Christian perspective. There's spooky vibes and the beginnings of romance, but nothing is graphic, gory, or sexual, and despite the paranormal themes, it didn't delve so deeply into the realm of demonic material as to make me uncomfortable.

All in all, an extremely impressive debut from V.K. Dixon. I can't wait to read the rest of the series and check out the other works she has planned for the future.

[Brian McBride · Rating 5 out of 5]

Supernatural x Teen Wolf x Frank Peretti

I thoroughly enjoyed this first installment in what is sure to become a comfort series for me! It had that air of tension throughout the book that you really want in a mystery novel. The supernatural lore was super cool to learn, and i imagine it’s just the tip of the iceberg! The setting and the characters were absolutely the best thing about this book. The protagonist’s are likable. Their banter is hilarious. The side characters are awesome and I look forward to seeing how certain relationships develop. 👀

The book had a bit more profanity than I’m generally comfortable with, and just because of my personal convictions, I did find it distracting at times. But overall it didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the story!

Archives of the Warden is sure to become a cozy, comfort read for me! 😁

Content warnings:
Sex: none
Graphic violence: references to animal maulings
Profanity: d*mn, h*ll, freaking, p*ssed, sh*t, d**chebag, *ss

I totally recommend this book for mature audiences who love a Christian-based (though not overly theological) supernatural/paranormal mystery!

[Kait · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t completely understand what I’ve gotten myself into but V. K. Dixon has kicked off her writing career with an interesting adventure that is one of twelve (or more!) planned books in an anthological series called “Archives of the Warden.” This first installment, “Lake of Glass,” follows two author brothers who stumble into an unusual inheritance in a mysterious, secluded town. What comes next is an exploration of growing up, conquering fears, and learning there might be more to their world than they could possibly have ever imagined. I enjoyed getting to know Peter and Spencer, and can’t wait to see how their characters evolve in the next book!

I received an arc of this book in exchange for my honest review. “Lake of Glass” comes out October 18th!

[V.K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why, yes, I reread my book this year. 😊

And, boy oh boy, do I love it!

The banter. The questions. The slow (slow, slow, slow, slow) burn romance. The red herrings. The plot twist. The second plot twist. The Easter eggs. The town of DeVerre. The creepy residents. The backstory. The Collins brothers.

But I digress. 🫠🫠🫠

Yes, I love my book. Yes, I think it’s perfect. Yes, I find it to be truly 10/10. Yes, I think you should read it. Yes, I’m wildly obsessed with Peter, Spencer, Cassandra, Anguis, Nex, Owen, Ava, Anna, Connor, Aaron, Haley, Gerard, and all the rest of them.

. . .

So anyway, I recommend this one. 🤎

[Charisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

What do you get when two brothers aspiring to be authors move into a creepy old house in a small town that has more secrets than it can handle?

Lots of trouble 👻

I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of this spooky, hilarious, and atmospheric debut from V.K. Dixon. Peter and Spencer are lovable brothers and bythe end of the book, they really feel like your friends!

I visited Washington State two years ago, and it was to compare my experience there with that of DeVerre. I have to say, Dixon nailed it!

This book contains mystery, ghostly encounters, and humor that gave me Scooby-Do meets the Hardy Boys vibes. Peter and Spencer are witty, sarcastic, and very human, each with their own personalities and struggles and strengths. I loved getting each of their perspectives on the events taking place throughout the story. I also adored their relationship, how they look out for one another and constantly lean on each other for advice or guidance. It's wonderfully refreshing to see a positive portrayal of siblings.

Dixon created some amazing side characters like Anna, Ava, Cassandra, and Owen. They each brought a unique flavor to the story and I'm left wondering just how much each of them really know. I really enjoyed the little hints of romance here and there and the promise of a delightful slow burn with some of these characters.

The concept of ghosts and the spiritual world is handled and explained very well, without giving us long info dumps. We are left with questions to be answered in future books, but also left feeling like we have a good understanding of the foundation. Keep in mind that the spirit world referenced is not based off of actual truth, and is not to be taken as such, so I was able to suspend reality to enjoy the fantasy.

I can't wait to rejoin Peter and Spencer in book 2!

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a refreshing read! I loved getting to know the small town of DeVerre, WA along with brothers and newcomers, Peter and Spencer Collins. After they inherit a massive old house, mysteriously dubbed The House of Occasus, they move to the town to pursue their dreams of being writers. First, however, they need to be able to fit in with the tiny town’s close-knit population, figure out how to make an income, and uncover the secrets of their new house that’s DEFINITELY not haunted…right?
Can the brothers follow their dreams, make a living, and face their biggest fears?

Lake of Glass was a read with vibes perfect for the upcoming fall season: woodsy and atmospheric, cozy and mysterious, and a little bit spooky. I enjoyed the overall pacing and the timing of when we met all the characters, and I really appreciated the faith-based undertones, even in the midst of a mystery novel. I also really enjoyed the little touch of humor and found myself smiling a lot! The dialogue was a little clunky in a few places, and sometimes I felt like I was being told information instead of shown it, but overall this was a refreshing and inviting debut novel by V.K. Dixon!

I received an ARC for this novel in exchange for my honest review.
Get Lake of Glass October 18th, 2022!

🌲🍂🍁🥾🔍🧳🐕🍄☕️🏔📖🕯

[Anna Barroso · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Goodreads doesn’t do half stars, but in my heart, this is a 4.5.

Genre: Christian fantasy
** very minor language usage

When two brothers suddenly inherit their great-aunt Diane’s estate, they pack up their lives in Virginia and trek across the country to the small town of DeVerre, Washington. Peter and Spencer had it all planned out: they finally had enough money to co-write their book. What they didn’t agree to, was taking care of Diane’s dogs and her best friend. Little did they know, that was the least of their worries. Each day they spend in the small town, new secrets are uncovered. With the help of unlikely companions, Peter and Spencer follow Diane’s research and aim to learn about the secrets of the lake.

This review is challenging to write. Not because I didn’t enjoy it, but rather the complete opposite. Peter and Spencer’s banter is ✨golden✨. This book feels like coming home (until the suspenseful stuff starts, iykyk). This book would be the perfect spooky season book. Victoria is an excellent writer. Her character building is smooth, subtle, and natural. Peter and Spencer have wonderfully thought out personalities.

Personally, I like when books just dive right into the thick of it; however, this book needed time to world build. It never felt like it drug on, and it was very delicately done. The only reason this book gets 4.5 stars and not 5 is because of that. However, I can’t wait for the next book to come out because I just adore Pete and Spence. Seriously, these boys stole my heart.

[Amy Shaw · Rating 3 out of 5]

I completely relate to Spencer, and the book is well-written, but it feels like a niche market that I am not a part of. I feel I understand what Dixon was going for and can appreciate it for what it is, but while I went into this expecting the supernatural elements (not my usual forte), the paranormal (even less my forte) got lumped in there too, which made it less enjoyable for me personally. I guess we’ll see if I continue on… I know she’s planning a lot of books. I would certainly try something else by her in another genre.

[ali wynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

the second one comes in the mail on sunday and i cannot WAIT i love this book

[Joshua Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lake of Glass by V.K. Dixon was unlike anything I've read recently.

This story takes you on the journey of two brothers: 28-year-old older brother and Wesley creator Peter Collins and his 26-year-old younger brother Spencer Collins. First off, I just want to say how amazing Dixon is at infusing these characters with depth that not only makes you believe that they are real people, but their internal thoughts and monologues really give an insight into themselves and each other. I loved their sibling dynamic; particularly when it came to their differing writing styles and how they were going to approach their blog.

It was really interesting to see two brothers not only have a deep and rich bond with each other but stick up for each other. I really loved the way Peter and Spencer acknowledged each other's strengths and weaknesses in a way that showed just how much they cared for each other and what moving their whole lives to a new state and city felt like for each of them.

The way V.K. Dixon crafted the town of DeVerre was amazing. I really got the sense of the tone and atmosphere of the small town, but also the suspicious nature of small towns. I love the dynamics that Peter and Spencer make through the story, trying to not be "outsiders" in a town where being an outsider was hard to overcome. Even when it looks like they are making progress, they still stumble, and I love that about their characters. Their inquisitiveness is actually a detriment at times, and I love seeing how they would resolve that issue.

The spiritual aspects of the story was actually not as bad as I thought it would be initially.

The way Dixon infuses the spiritual world with the physical world and the power system she created to complement this story really speaks to her dedication to this overarching story. I loved the descriptions of the spiritual world in a way that stays true to Scripture while at the same time infusing it with a sense of dread and joy. There are spiritual forces at play in this story and the history of it all just fascinates me (History buff, love this sort of stuff.)

Peter and Spencer's relationship with their great-aunt, the creepy yet old-school house they've inherited and the myriad of issues that come with it are the crux of the story and I love it. The way they are trying to navigate a small town and make it as writers was inspiring but also touched on many fears many within Gen Z might be having or facing.

Overall, I'd give this a solid 5 out of 5 stars. I can't wait to see where God leads Dixon with this series.

...CONTENT WARNING: THIS BOOK DOES DEAL WITH SPIRITUAL ASPECTS SO IF YOU KNOW YOU ARE SENSITIVE IN THIS AREA, I'D ADVISE WAITING UNTIL YOU ARE READY AND COMFORTABLE TO READ IT.

I received this as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Lydia Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, I wasn’t too sure what was going to happen once I opened this book and I think that was one of my favorite things about it.

The story starts off by introducing brothers Peter and Spencer Collins, recent inheritors of their great-aunt’s estate and aspiring novelists. The two brothers have such a great relationship and I loved being able to see how their characters play off of each other. The two brothers share their own thoughts through a dual point-of-view narrative. It allows the reader to understand not only how the brothers see each other, but also how they see themselves.

Dixon does such a good job with world-building. She starts off with drawing in the reader through the brothers, and brings us into DeVerre with them. Just as they are outsiders to the town, so is the reader. Dixon does an amazing job acting on fair play rules and I never felt like the plot points were either out of reach or too predictable to the audience. The introduction and descriptions of DeVerre makes the place magical and real.

I’m also taking this moment to say that I really, really love these characters! Cassandra and Spencer are my new comfort characters, and I cannot wait to see what happens next for all of them!!

Lake of Glass was a new take on spirituality and the supernatural, and is entertaining from the very start. The characters have different ideas and dynamics when it comes to Christianity, and I thought it was wonderful and refreshing to see the way that each of their relationships with their faith grow throughout the story.

This book is released just in time to be a fall-tastic read for spooky season!

What secrets await the brothers in DeVerre? It’s 100% worth the read to find out!

**I received an ARC of this book in return for an honest review**

[Molly killian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spooky, fun, bewitching debut.

Grab your blankets, light a candle, and hunker down because this is a book you'll want to devour in a sitting. The plot is a blend of mystery, fantasy/spiritualism, and things that go bump in the night. The pacing is impressive; I loved every carefully placed detail, the intentional world-building, and dynamic character development, yet never felt like the storyline was dragging. Dixon particularly shines with dialogue, crafting realistic reactions and actions that flow so naturally, I could almost see the scene playing on a screen. Hardly a chapter went by I didn't catch myself smiling, laughing, or anticipating alongside each completely developed, complex character. I'm deeply invested in the creepy, beautiful, Stephen King-esque DeVerre, and the two brothers unwrapping her mysteries.

So, how do I get my hands on book 2?
5 stars!

[Amanda Auler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dixon’s debut is the perfect example of setting a scene and making sure you never want to leave it.

This was the first book in some time that I found myself thinking about often when I wasn’t reading and wondering when I could “watch another episode” only to remember that it was in fact, a book.

The settings, the friend group, the tavern and the town all made me want to join them in Washington—rain or shine.

My only issue was I felt the book explained a bit too much and didn’t quite trust the reader, sometimes with more telling than showing.

Overall, perfect fall read with Supernatural vibes! Four stars from me and definitely looking forward to book two!

**I received an ARC from the author for an honest review**

[Anie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moving across the country, from everything and everyone you know is hard stuff. I've done it myself, so I immediately felt connected to the Collins brothers. They adapt swimmingly and build some great connections. I enjoyed their POVs and am eager to read more about them + Anna and Cass. The suspense of this story kept me going -- and that ENDING. The whole story is clever and inviting and is a wonderful debut. And don't forget the world-building. The descriptions transport you from the page straight to DeVerre and Occasus, and what's better than feeling lost in a book? Nothing. The answer is nothing.

Even if you are like me, and don't identify as a Christian, christian-lit can still be for you! This definitely draws on the authors religious beliefs, but not in a way that would turn you off. I think it's important to put this note in here, because the author does market it as deriving from Christian principles. I just want readers to know it didn't deter from the experience because the story is so engaging. And even if you don't know anything about the religion, it doesn't exclude that audience, either.

[Cheyenne]

Solid start

I thought this was a very solid start to an urban fantasy series. I think the pacing was a bit off as it took about half of the book just to explain the world, magic, and town politics. It definitely feels like a debut book. However, the setup is intriguing and I'm looking forward to continuing on with this series.

I really loved the spooky, gloomy atmosphere the setting evoked and I'm looking forward to having more magic in the following books in the series.

[Ariella Flores · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb! Colorful, relatable characters, rich settings, and an AMAZING storyline.

Would DEFINITELY recommend, especially for Christian fantasy readers.

(And yes, I’m officially obsessed with the Collin’s brothers)

[Kasey Nichols · Rating 2 out of 5]

For some reason what I had in my head about what this book would be about when I saw posts about in in the author’s social media ended up seeming way different to me when I actually started reading. Too paranormal/ghosty for what I can handle. I tried to push through, but put it in the DNF category after reading about 40%.

Things I enjoyed about it:
I was interested in finding out what was going on in the little town (I love mystery and trying to put puzzles pieces of a story together) Because of that, I kept reading at first.

Things I did not enjoy about it:
The usage words like”dude” and “freakin’” were a turn off.

I was under the impression it was an adult fantasy, but when I started reading, the vocabulary and dialogue of the MCs seemed juvenile.

I was surprised to find God’s name being used inappropriately, with it being a Christian author.

The use of cuss words was disappointing, even if it was only a couple of times—One “damn”, and one time of calling someone a “dick” (not sure about after the 40% read mark).

[Lindsey Robison (theinfernalqueen) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to V.K Dixon for the wonderful opportunity to be an ARC reader & for being such a wonderful person!

Now, let’s talk about the BEAUTY & MYSTERY of Lake of Glass! This book had me on EDGE. I’m still on edge y’all, from that ENDING!

The vibes of this story are completely straight from Twilight with the forest, small town gossip and the otherworldly elements & I was here for ALL. OF. IT.

The Collins brother have to be on my top ten bookish boyfriends list they were both adorable & perfectly imperfect in their own way & I loved them both so so much DONT MAKE ME CHOOSE OKAY?

The side characters here were also such a plus! Loved Anna & Cass so so much & I can’t wait to see where they’re stories go! (Especially if they involve the brothers…😘🙃)

If you are looking for a suspenseful story that makes you wonder about ghosts & the spirits of the other side, all the while mix in some awkward banter & flourishing friendships? This one is for you!

Thanks again V.K for allowing me to read your book baby & fall in love with these quirky but absolutely adorable brothers! ✨🤍

[Brooke J Katz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lake of Glass captured my attention from it's first page. This story picks you up and takes you with the Collins brothers. You don't just simply read this story you are in the story. You feel what they feel and see what they see and question what they question.

I don't want to give anything away but I loved it. I couldn't put it down because things just kept on unraveling and I needed to know why or what was going to happen. I loved the the main characters and that they were Christian and to see it in a positive way in contemporary fantasy and supernatural thriller was awesome. I could relate to both of them and saw myself in each of them.

I laughed so hard at times and was also second guessing things I thought I had figured out. This was like a grown up hardy boys meets a supernatural thriller with christian themes.

Loved it! Highly recommend.

[Serenity 🪶💛 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Small town DeVerre, WA is home to 300 residents and icy to outsiders. When the Collins' brother's great-aunt leaves them her estate, Peter and Spencer take the opportunity to move to a new town (aka, Aunt Diane's seemingly haunted house) to write their debut novel whilst diving into the secrets of DeVerre. Will the boys build enough trust to uncover the long held secrets or will the haunting ghost stories send the boys running for the hills?
-
This captivating contemporary fantasy is the first novel in V.K.'s Archives of the Warden. Lake of Glass will leave you on the edge of your seat, ready for the next chapter. V.K.'s world building history, relationships between characters, and sibling/friendship banter are incredibly well written, and that cliffhanger will leave you begging for the next book! 😲

[Morgan Gauthier · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is easily a 5 star read!

First of all, the writing style was incredible, and I found myself immediately sucked into this story and into the world Dixon created! The Collins brothers are so relatable and likeable, and all the supporting characters added so much to the plot.

There was just enough spooky to make this the perfect fall read! If you are a fan of Murder She Wrote and The Hardy Boys, then pick this up NOW. You won't regret it!

And THAT ENDING! I'm SCREAMING for more! I cannot wait for the next book.

Thank you to the author for sending me an ARC for an honest review. I highly recommend this book!

[Stephanie W (cartfullofbooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved how immersive the writing was and how unique of a story this is - it was so moody too and is perfect for the chillier months that are upon us! I enjoyed getting both Peter and Spencer's POVs and find it very cool there are darker elements all wrapped in a Christian worldview.

Excited to see how the rest of the series goes! (Spoiler, I've read the next 2 books and they're also pretty cool!)

[Jordan Comeaux · Rating 4 out of 5]

I tend to take a long time to process how I feel about books, so reviews take awhile.
So I’m trying to leave mini reviews before then…

I saw myself so clearly in both of the boys, Pete and Spence, they each hold a key to who I am and I adore them and this book for that!

[Manda Simas · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.4 - This was a great read. I think overall the book was a great intro to the series. Definitely a good October read.

I will say, this is not my favorite genre of book. I think personally for me it's more of a 3. But for the type of book it is I think it's actually better than just good. If you're showing up here because you like ghosts and beasts and paranormal things, you'll love it!

Plot: I think it did a great job at building a good story. It was a pretty slow build which I can understand for the stage being set, I hope that future books will be a little quicker, but all in all it felt like an old school mystery and set the stage for a massive series which I think is the plan. I was shocked a few times and had a lot of assumptions throughout that were not correct which is always fun.

Characters: I am in love with many of them. Everyone needs a Gerard in their life. I loved Peter and Spencer, I think there's a lot more depth to go for them, I hope it's dug into. Cass is the most flat for me. I need more from her. I think there could have been a little more foreshadow to family structures that are revealed later, and in general a little less tell more show with Spencer's fears.

World building: Setting was pretty vanilla, but made up for it with the strange culture that unfolded. The "magic system" if you call it that was a slow reveal, really not known at all until mid book and we're left with a lot of questions still (which I'm happy about). In general all of these things made it a bit slow in the beginning but kept you going and had that old school feel.

Prose: It was very readable, heavy in conversations, and really enjoyable. No qualms.

Notes: I think you need to be really careful when you bring Christianity and the spiritual world directly into modern fantasy. I think this could cross a few lines for some. I'm not sure I'm ok with it, it's all a bit borderline.

[Hailey Ciric · Rating 4 out of 5]

👻👻👻👻/5

If you’re looking for a fall read that involves spooky szn then you NEED to grab this one!

We meet Peter and Spencer Collins and some of the other mysterious citizens of DeVerre, Washington. Which is this crazy tiny and secluded town that holds tons of secrets.

The whole town is creepy. And the people are…strange. But I’m so intrigued and really want to visit. And I’d love to see Occasus with my own eyes! And Nex and Anguis too!

This whole story is full of mystery, ghouls, and suspense. And I’m blown away by the world and atmosphere @v.k.dixon created here.

I feel like it was full of information and content, but I personally wanted more action. Although, the action we did get was super fun and interesting. However, knowing this series will be longer makes me feel a ton better and hopeful that we will get all of that, and more.

I’m interested to see the romance play out further in the future too, but LoG definitely set some up the foundation of budding relationships (platonic and romantic).

And the foundation of the paranormal boundaries of DeVerre. I loved all the backstory and I’m super interested to see it develop further. Plus, DeVerre is full of enough deception and mystery to keep me coming back for more later on.

In general, I can’t wait to see more of what happens in Cassandra and Owen’s stories, and how they will connect to the Collins brothers. But my other favorite character is Anna and I hope we get a lot more of this witty and blunt artist.

@v.k.dixon has fully coaxed me into this world of magic, deceit and suspicion. And I’m fully invested in how this story will turn out. I’m already sitting on the edge of my seat waiting for Book 2.

[Jelka · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book blew me away. From the very beginning, it captured my attention and never let go. What starts as a small mystery involving two brothers gradually evolves into a much bigger enigma, with elements of the paranormal seamlessly woven into the story. Amid all the intrigue, there's also a subtle touch of romance that flows beautifully throughout the narrative.
The pacing is perfect—nothing feels rushed, yet there are no dull moments where you’re left waiting for the next event. This makes the book a smooth and effortless read. I absolutely love Victoria's writing style. She masterfully keeps your attention and builds the story with just the right balance of detail and progression. It's descriptive without being tedious, thrilling yet cozy, and both revealing and mysterious at the same time. This is precisely why I’m already looking forward to reading the next parts of this series!
If you enjoy stories set in small towns, slow-burn romance, paranormal elements, and intriguing mysteries, this book is definitely for you.
A special note for readers whose native language is not English: the language in this book is accessible and doesn’t rely on overly complicated vocabulary. It’s a great choice for intermediate English learners. If you’re reading on Kindle, the built-in vocabulary feature makes it even easier to look up any unfamiliar words.

[Caitlyn Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entering the world of the Archives of the Warden after reading "Fire and Night" by V.K. Dixon, I felt that it took me a little longer to settle in as things unfolded a little more slowly. There is a lot of worldbuilding, but not in a boring, takes-pages-to-describe-a-tree sort of way. Every character description, every action, every note on the scenery felt intentional- something that was only confirmed as I kept reading. It starts with the main characters on their way to a significant, yet uncertain, opportunity and the story gains momentum with lots of mystery, banter, a close sibling relationship, developing friendships, and a quest for Truth. The points of view were done super well and all added to the story, the writing flowed beautifully, the conversations felt real, and the plot was interesting. I was surprised when it ended and was thankful the next two books were out already so I could read more!