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Duskwalker Brides #2
A Soul to Heal
All Delora ever wanted was to disappear.
Thrown into the Veil for a crime she committed, Delora was discarded by the world. Although afraid of her oncoming demise, she accepts it as it would be a worldly escape from her problems. She didn’t expect that she would wake up from her deadly fall, nor that the person who saved her would be a Duskwalker.
She’s wary about him at first, but Delora begins to realise there’s more to him than just a faceless monster.
All he ever wanted was a name.
After discovering that humans can be kept as companions, he begins planning for the day he finds his own bride. He still lacks humanity and there is much learn first. One morning when leaving his cave, a human suddenly crashes into him from the sky. Broken and sleeping, he gets to work on healing the woman.
It doesn’t take him long to understand she’s wounded in a way his magic can’t heal.
But will he be able to gain her affections, or will she come to hate him as he stumbles his way through learning about her – and more importantly, himself?
Thrown into the Veil for a crime she committed, Delora was discarded by the world. Although afraid of her oncoming demise, she accepts it as it would be a worldly escape from her problems. She didn’t expect that she would wake up from her deadly fall, nor that the person who saved her would be a Duskwalker.
She’s wary about him at first, but Delora begins to realise there’s more to him than just a faceless monster.
All he ever wanted was a name.
After discovering that humans can be kept as companions, he begins planning for the day he finds his own bride. He still lacks humanity and there is much learn first. One morning when leaving his cave, a human suddenly crashes into him from the sky. Broken and sleeping, he gets to work on healing the woman.
It doesn’t take him long to understand she’s wounded in a way his magic can’t heal.
But will he be able to gain her affections, or will she come to hate him as he stumbles his way through learning about her – and more importantly, himself?
557 pages, Paperback
First published October 11, 2022
5607 people are currently reading
17220 people want to read
About the author
Opal Reyne
21 books5,825 followersOpal Reyne is an Australian Author who has been a fan of the Adult Paranormal Romance genre from the moment she picked up a book of it - and has never looked back.
She loves everything spicy, smutty,and everything boarder-line monster loving. She started writing because of her love of the written word, and because she wanted to build a diverse world of mythological creatures, while also showing the beauty of all ethnicities of humanity. She thrives to produce a plot driven, character developing book while sprinkling in enchanting imagery.
-Duskwalker Brides a series that features a very real monster who never turns into a handsome prince.
-Witch Bound is a series of Dragon-shifter males falling for their species enemies, Witches!
-She currently has a completed series called 'A Pirate Romance duology'.
As of the 20th of June 2022, The Aedus Chronicles has been unpublished. Thank you to all the readers who enjoyed the series, and Opal may look into revising them in the future.
She loves everything spicy, smutty,and everything boarder-line monster loving. She started writing because of her love of the written word, and because she wanted to build a diverse world of mythological creatures, while also showing the beauty of all ethnicities of humanity. She thrives to produce a plot driven, character developing book while sprinkling in enchanting imagery.
-Duskwalker Brides a series that features a very real monster who never turns into a handsome prince.
-Witch Bound is a series of Dragon-shifter males falling for their species enemies, Witches!
-She currently has a completed series called 'A Pirate Romance duology'.
As of the 20th of June 2022, The Aedus Chronicles has been unpublished. Thank you to all the readers who enjoyed the series, and Opal may look into revising them in the future.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,550 reviews
October 8, 2022
Anyone who’s read a soul to keep knows this book is about to be the tiddies. But this book is so much tiddier to me. Delora… she’s a hot piece of all the right junk in all the right places. This bish is straight thrown off into the veil yall like yeeted off the h0e cuz she caught her man diddling a cuntasaurus and busted a cap. I’m so with it like I’d be wearing orange and kiss my prison pocket goodbye No Cap. So the village is like oh fam we’re not down with the trifling and bam. Koby her all into the void like bam 💥. She lands all up on a mavka bone daddy. He gets knocked tf out and wakes up like oh sht home girl done fell what do I do??? Eat her. No. Ima heal her up and make her my ole lady for life. She wakes up and he nurses her back to health and THEN that snake from Harry Potter tries to eat her @ss and not in the good way. Fast forward a bit we vibing. I will NOT be providing any spoilers on the smexxy smex times but mah dudes. The cup do runneth over. This dude treats her like she’s the most loveliest thing in creation. But her whisker biscuit he does kinda dirty and I liked it. It’s called a soul to heal but let’s be real. The big curvy voluptuous babe snatched his soul right outta his custard cannon. He is the biggest himbo I’ve read but like full @ss Dr jekyll mr Hyde in the bedroom. It’s so primal he acts like he’s Tarzan and she’s Jane and y’all that vine be swinging if you know what I mean. Real talk Opal Reyne I wanna hump your brain
August 7, 2024
I was so so disappointed with this, especially because I was very excited for it to come out and I loved the cover art. This is one of the worst FMCs I have ever read. Unlikable FMCs can work when they are able to learn and grow but that was not the case here
Spoilers:
She murders a 19 year old girl in a fit of jealous rage because the girl is having an affair with her (much older) husband. She then goes on to publicly taunt the girl's father about her death (and makes a point to say that she heard he has a small penis?). The reasoning is that she is mad that he is in charge of her punishment as he is the captain of the guard but... it really doesn't play. Of course he was devastated and angry. But he still didn't hurt or assault her. They cast her out of the village instead of imprisoning her for life (probably because he didn't want to have to look at his daughter's killer everyday).
Throughout the book she struggles with depression about the murders but it is COMPLETELY SELF-CENTERED. She spent more time worrying that the MMC will think badly of her because of the crime. Even by the end, she is really only sorry for herself and has almost no insight. I would say there is a minor character arc in the last 20% or so, but she has almost no growth.
It was especially painful to read because there was this sense that the MMC was so happy to have SOMEONE that he would settle for someone so shallow and selfish. And PLEASE don't get me started on how she treated her baby. I can't even address it, it pissed me off so much.
This is also an example of how NOT to do plus sized characters. The first chapter was dedicated almost entirely to putting her down for her weight. After that the MMC goes on and on about how he loves her body and her weight but being plus-sized is not a defining personality trait ffs. The major focus on her weight (both bad and good) was over the top and kind of dehumanizing (I'm a very plus sized woman and I can say that it made it difficult to read).
I loved the first book and I loved this one's MMC. I'm really hopeful the next one will go in a different direction because this was a struggle to finish and left a terrible taste in my mouth
Spoilers:
She murders a 19 year old girl in a fit of jealous rage because the girl is having an affair with her (much older) husband. She then goes on to publicly taunt the girl's father about her death (and makes a point to say that she heard he has a small penis?). The reasoning is that she is mad that he is in charge of her punishment as he is the captain of the guard but... it really doesn't play. Of course he was devastated and angry. But he still didn't hurt or assault her. They cast her out of the village instead of imprisoning her for life (probably because he didn't want to have to look at his daughter's killer everyday).
Throughout the book she struggles with depression about the murders but it is COMPLETELY SELF-CENTERED. She spent more time worrying that the MMC will think badly of her because of the crime. Even by the end, she is really only sorry for herself and has almost no insight. I would say there is a minor character arc in the last 20% or so, but she has almost no growth.
It was especially painful to read because there was this sense that the MMC was so happy to have SOMEONE that he would settle for someone so shallow and selfish. And PLEASE don't get me started on how she treated her baby. I can't even address it, it pissed me off so much.
This is also an example of how NOT to do plus sized characters. The first chapter was dedicated almost entirely to putting her down for her weight. After that the MMC goes on and on about how he loves her body and her weight but being plus-sized is not a defining personality trait ffs. The major focus on her weight (both bad and good) was over the top and kind of dehumanizing (I'm a very plus sized woman and I can say that it made it difficult to read).
I loved the first book and I loved this one's MMC. I'm really hopeful the next one will go in a different direction because this was a struggle to finish and left a terrible taste in my mouth
March 3, 2023
Rating: 3.25 / 5
The author may try to justify it any which way she wants, but the conclusion is this: this book was WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY inferior to A Soul to Keep.
Okay, I will admit that part of the reason that ASTK works so well is that it's clearly a Beauty and the Beast retelling story. Not only are those popular all around and everywhere, but they also are a reading weakness of mine, I admit it.
HOWEVER
It's not that I wasn't willing to explore new perspectives to the Duskwalkers and their stories. I very much knew to expect something different for this story, and I honestly thought that a depressed heroine and a "stupid" mavka were going to be a good match together. Working together, they would each overcome their own difficulties, eventually coming out stronger and happier by the end.
EXCEPT
That doesn't happen. Not entirely.
Delora as a heroine is....someone that I think you'll grow to hate the more the story goes on.
At first, I understood her, in that she felt lonely, betrayed, angry, hurt, and, all in all, depressed. These were relatable emotions given her situation, and so I didn't mind that she was a super downer.
At the beginning.
But see, that's the thing about beginnings and development: the latter HAS to follow the former in order for the story to be engaging.
To translate, what I mean by this is that Delora HAS to change and move past that depressive stage at the beginning, as both her love for Magnar (the Mavka whom she names) and her new chance at life unfold.
Except...that doesn't happen.
Delora is, simply put, selfish, whiny, depressed, pathetic, and overall just annoying from start to finish. Like...I would have been fine dealing with even a bit of prolonged depression if only she redeemed herself in some way, but NOTHING about her as a character is attractive or appealing, and at NO POINT does a redemption arc genuine feel present or earned. Sure, at one point she sort-of contributes, but by that point the story just DRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGED on and on and on and on and on and on (and so on), that I didn't care anymore.
I didn't expect this book to have skippable moments when I first went in...
...but yeah, it definitely had a LOT of skippable moments.
As in...close to DNFing moments, and POSSIBLY turning me off the whole series moments.
It's that bad in parts, honestly.
The absolute WORST part for me was when
But, anyway, yeah. Take it all in all, this book was a big disappointment, and if it wasn't for Magnar as a character and the way that he's so sweet and the fact that the beginning was actually tolerable whereas the rest of the book was LESS SO, then I would've gone down to 2 stars for this.
As it is, please consider the content warnings below if ever you want to try reading this:
- severe depression that's continued throughout the book
- stupid, unlikeable heroine who doesn't change hardly at all and is someone you just CAN'T understand or support
- rejection of one's own child for a while (because...yeah, see the spoiler content above)
- a LONG and UNJUSTIFIABLY LONG plot
- a story that drags you like roadkill over a hundred miles until not even vultures will come to peck at what's left of you
- overall, a story full of content and a length that does NOT justify itself and will probably be DNFed by the time that more people get their hands on it
- AND a BIIIIIGGGGGGGGGGG disappointment compared to Book 1 of this series. Just saying.
That's just my two cents that I'm tossing into the Complainamania Fountain. Leave it at that.
Pre-Read:
Gaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
SO GLAD WE FINALLY HAVE A COVER!
AND IT'S GORGEOUSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!
The author may try to justify it any which way she wants, but the conclusion is this: this book was WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY inferior to A Soul to Keep.
Okay, I will admit that part of the reason that ASTK works so well is that it's clearly a Beauty and the Beast retelling story. Not only are those popular all around and everywhere, but they also are a reading weakness of mine, I admit it.
HOWEVER
It's not that I wasn't willing to explore new perspectives to the Duskwalkers and their stories. I very much knew to expect something different for this story, and I honestly thought that a depressed heroine and a "stupid" mavka were going to be a good match together. Working together, they would each overcome their own difficulties, eventually coming out stronger and happier by the end.
EXCEPT
That doesn't happen. Not entirely.
Delora as a heroine is....someone that I think you'll grow to hate the more the story goes on.
At first, I understood her, in that she felt lonely, betrayed, angry, hurt, and, all in all, depressed. These were relatable emotions given her situation, and so I didn't mind that she was a super downer.
At the beginning.
But see, that's the thing about beginnings and development: the latter HAS to follow the former in order for the story to be engaging.
To translate, what I mean by this is that Delora HAS to change and move past that depressive stage at the beginning, as both her love for Magnar (the Mavka whom she names) and her new chance at life unfold.
Except...that doesn't happen.
Delora is, simply put, selfish, whiny, depressed, pathetic, and overall just annoying from start to finish. Like...I would have been fine dealing with even a bit of prolonged depression if only she redeemed herself in some way, but NOTHING about her as a character is attractive or appealing, and at NO POINT does a redemption arc genuine feel present or earned. Sure, at one point she sort-of contributes, but by that point the story just DRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGED on and on and on and on and on and on (and so on), that I didn't care anymore.
I didn't expect this book to have skippable moments when I first went in...
...but yeah, it definitely had a LOT of skippable moments.
As in...close to DNFing moments, and POSSIBLY turning me off the whole series moments.
It's that bad in parts, honestly.
The absolute WORST part for me was when
But, anyway, yeah. Take it all in all, this book was a big disappointment, and if it wasn't for Magnar as a character and the way that he's so sweet and the fact that the beginning was actually tolerable whereas the rest of the book was LESS SO, then I would've gone down to 2 stars for this.
As it is, please consider the content warnings below if ever you want to try reading this:
- severe depression that's continued throughout the book
- stupid, unlikeable heroine who doesn't change hardly at all and is someone you just CAN'T understand or support
- rejection of one's own child for a while (because...yeah, see the spoiler content above)
- a LONG and UNJUSTIFIABLY LONG plot
- a story that drags you like roadkill over a hundred miles until not even vultures will come to peck at what's left of you
- overall, a story full of content and a length that does NOT justify itself and will probably be DNFed by the time that more people get their hands on it
- AND a BIIIIIGGGGGGGGGGG disappointment compared to Book 1 of this series. Just saying.
That's just my two cents that I'm tossing into the Complainamania Fountain. Leave it at that.
Pre-Read:
Gaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
SO GLAD WE FINALLY HAVE A COVER!
AND IT'S GORGEOUSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!
October 31, 2022
Oh man, I feel bad about this one!
I read A Soul to Keep at the beginning of September 2022 and absolutely loved it. It was 500+ pages but it flew by, and I loved the world building, the character and relationship development, and the almost quiet character study - since so much of the book was just the hero and heroine, alone.
So, I was really excited for A Soul to Heal, especially since we met the nameless antler Mavka in the first book. Unfortunately, it really didn't do it for me.
In this book, I felt like I was getting whiplash. I understood the choices the author was making to separate the book from the first - she probably wanted to prevent comparisons of it being too similar. So Nameless and Delora are pretty much the opposite of Orpheus and Reia in every way. They fall into this deep connection and partnership without either of them realizing the implications. Having a Mavka who barely understood, who was never told very basic things, hindered the relationship development.
There was also so much plot. Something I loved about book 1 was that there was so much time devoted to Orpheus and Reia learning to understand one another. I felt like that deeper connection was missing from Nameless/Delora's relationship, because of the lack of humanity/intelligence in Nameless, the things he was in the dark on about his own life and humans lives, and because they were constantly interrupted by other things.
I really didn't enjoy the inclusion of
This book dragged for me. There were a lot of little things that made me go, "Huh? Why?" The "third act conflict" was also a bit of a letdown because again, it felt like an infodump. A long winded speech by the Demon King about why he's out to get Mavka… when it didn't even really make sense to me.
Whereas the third act conflict in book 1 made perfect sense and really rounded out the story , I didn't feel any of the conflict or relationship building added to the story. What was the point of Nameless and Delora being together, truly? She gave him her soul because she didn't care if she lived or died. She stayed with him because he was safe, sweet, naïve. She fell in love with him, despite the lack of emotional building on page. But what did they improve from one another, gain from one another? Acceptance, maybe. But after how impactful I found book 1, the relationship in the follow up left me… a little hollow.
Maybe you will love this book! And that's a-okay. I think I was just hoping for something as deeply character driven as book 1 and, after immediately finishing the book, I'm a little let down. I will still be reading book 3, though I think that one will have even MORE plot, since it will take place out of the Veil.
I read A Soul to Keep at the beginning of September 2022 and absolutely loved it. It was 500+ pages but it flew by, and I loved the world building, the character and relationship development, and the almost quiet character study - since so much of the book was just the hero and heroine, alone.
So, I was really excited for A Soul to Heal, especially since we met the nameless antler Mavka in the first book. Unfortunately, it really didn't do it for me.
In this book, I felt like I was getting whiplash. I understood the choices the author was making to separate the book from the first - she probably wanted to prevent comparisons of it being too similar. So Nameless and Delora are pretty much the opposite of Orpheus and Reia in every way. They fall into this deep connection and partnership without either of them realizing the implications. Having a Mavka who barely understood, who was never told very basic things, hindered the relationship development.
There was also so much plot. Something I loved about book 1 was that there was so much time devoted to Orpheus and Reia learning to understand one another. I felt like that deeper connection was missing from Nameless/Delora's relationship, because of the lack of humanity/intelligence in Nameless, the things he was in the dark on about his own life and humans lives, and because they were constantly interrupted by other things.
I really didn't enjoy the inclusion of
This book dragged for me. There were a lot of little things that made me go, "Huh? Why?" The "third act conflict" was also a bit of a letdown because again, it felt like an infodump. A long winded speech by the Demon King about why he's out to get Mavka… when it didn't even really make sense to me.
Whereas the third act conflict in book 1 made perfect sense and really rounded out the story , I didn't feel any of the conflict or relationship building added to the story. What was the point of Nameless and Delora being together, truly? She gave him her soul because she didn't care if she lived or died. She stayed with him because he was safe, sweet, naïve. She fell in love with him, despite the lack of emotional building on page. But what did they improve from one another, gain from one another? Acceptance, maybe. But after how impactful I found book 1, the relationship in the follow up left me… a little hollow.
Maybe you will love this book! And that's a-okay. I think I was just hoping for something as deeply character driven as book 1 and, after immediately finishing the book, I'm a little let down. I will still be reading book 3, though I think that one will have even MORE plot, since it will take place out of the Veil.
October 16, 2022
miren, no fue malo pero después del 60% ya me empezaron a hinchar las pelotas, es de esos casos donde el problema soy yo (y mi amiga que también lo esta leyendo y se quejo de las mismas cosas.... digo nomas) el libro no es malo y tiene mucha info nueva del universo de esos monstruos pero hermanas llega un punto en el que estan horny todo el dia POR CUALQUIER COSA Y ME SACABA DE QUICIOOOO
hay como tres escenas donde esta super horny re en esa y se OLVIDAN que tienen un BEBE???? tipo la criatura esta ahí en el medio de los dos (LITERALMENTE) y los otros "uyyy quiero que me metas la lengua hasta la garganta" BESTIE.... UNA NEURONA TE PIDO. Literalmente hay una escena donde la mina empieza a GEMIR el nombre del chabon mientras su hijite esta durmiendo entre medio de los dos... jail.
Fue todo muy trambolico todo el asunto del bebe y el embarazo pero me entretuvo así que messrive
hay una parte al final donde magna esta como feliz que su bebe (que ya no era mas un bebe porque ahora sobrepasa en altura a su PADRE, dos metros y medio tiene mínimo) ya se haya ido de la casa asi puede estar solo con la madre (la protagonista), no tener que compartirla y dice que era molesto que ella le preste atención también al crio y que esta contento porque ahora puede cojer con la minita......... todo me recuerda a el...... ¿el? freud.
Todo eso de que Fyodor se vaya me pareció medio verga, osea, entiendo el porque y tiene sentido, pero el 70% del libro se basa en el embarazo/la criatura/su relación con su hijite para después sacármelo en un capítulo, que los protagonistas vuelvan a "ew mas bebes no" y dejarlo ASI RE CHOTO????
Miren no se si es porque yo no estaba en el mood o que pingo pero me saltee la mayoría de las escenas de sexo, YA SE QUE NO TIENE SENTIDO TENIENDO EN CUENTA QUE ES ESPECIFICAMENTE UN MONSTER FUCK PERO YA ESTABA HARTA NO QUIERO VER MAS UN PITO CON TENTACULOS NUNCA MAS EN MI VIDA.
dicho eso: la autora dijo que el tercer libro va a ser el mas smutty hasta la fecha y yo quiero llorar porque no quiero mas pijas pero el protagonista del tercer libro yo se que lo voy a re contra re mil amar (ya lo amo, fan del club atlético kitty)
EN FIN: lo que cuenta es la experiencia de haberlo leído que se yo.
hay como tres escenas donde esta super horny re en esa y se OLVIDAN que tienen un BEBE???? tipo la criatura esta ahí en el medio de los dos (LITERALMENTE) y los otros "uyyy quiero que me metas la lengua hasta la garganta" BESTIE.... UNA NEURONA TE PIDO. Literalmente hay una escena donde la mina empieza a GEMIR el nombre del chabon mientras su hijite esta durmiendo entre medio de los dos... jail.
Fue todo muy trambolico todo el asunto del bebe y el embarazo pero me entretuvo así que messrive
hay una parte al final donde magna esta como feliz que su bebe (que ya no era mas un bebe porque ahora sobrepasa en altura a su PADRE, dos metros y medio tiene mínimo) ya se haya ido de la casa asi puede estar solo con la madre (la protagonista), no tener que compartirla y dice que era molesto que ella le preste atención también al crio y que esta contento porque ahora puede cojer con la minita......... todo me recuerda a el...... ¿el? freud.
Todo eso de que Fyodor se vaya me pareció medio verga, osea, entiendo el porque y tiene sentido, pero el 70% del libro se basa en el embarazo/la criatura/su relación con su hijite para después sacármelo en un capítulo, que los protagonistas vuelvan a "ew mas bebes no" y dejarlo ASI RE CHOTO????
Miren no se si es porque yo no estaba en el mood o que pingo pero me saltee la mayoría de las escenas de sexo, YA SE QUE NO TIENE SENTIDO TENIENDO EN CUENTA QUE ES ESPECIFICAMENTE UN MONSTER FUCK PERO YA ESTABA HARTA NO QUIERO VER MAS UN PITO CON TENTACULOS NUNCA MAS EN MI VIDA.
dicho eso: la autora dijo que el tercer libro va a ser el mas smutty hasta la fecha y yo quiero llorar porque no quiero mas pijas pero el protagonista del tercer libro yo se que lo voy a re contra re mil amar (ya lo amo, fan del club atlético kitty)
EN FIN: lo que cuenta es la experiencia de haberlo leído que se yo.
Want to read
September 22, 2022OH MY GOOD LOOK HOW GORGEOUS THIS COVER IS!!! SHE IS STUNNING! AND THE WAY HES HOLDING HER AND RESTING ON HER HEAD AHHHHHHH!!!!!🫣
October 26, 2022
DNF at 56% (which is over 350 pages in so I’m still counting this as a read book). I LOVED book 1 and was so excited to immediately start this one the day it dropped…but after a couple weeks of trying to read this I just can’t do it anymore. The beginning started off fine and I really adored the nameless Mavka, but then my least favorite trope of all time got introduced so early on and I just canNOT make myself spend hours slogging through the second half. Especially when, if I’m being brutally honest, I don’t think the heroine was at ALL emotionally or psychologically in a place to have that trope happen. It honestly felt icky to me, and now I’m not sure that I want to continue on with this series. Which is such a damn shame when I gave the first book 5⭐️ and consider it one of my fave monster romances.
March 19, 2024
There’s no reason for this book to be over 300 pages.
October 18, 2022
4.5 ⭐️
The amount of tears that were shed while reading this book though 😭😭😭
After shanking her adulterous husband, Delora gets yeeted into the Veil for her crime, and conveniently lands on the sweet Mavka that Orpheus and Reia help in book one.
All his life the nameless Mavka has wanted a name and a companion, and when one literally lands in his lap the nameless Mavka is pleased as punch! As the sweet Mavka heals and nurses his human back to health, he learns that he cannot heal all of Delora’s wounds no matter how hard he tries.
As the pair get to know each other better, Delora names the adorable Mavka, and slowly begins to heal herself. Things get a little crazy when a certain surprise happens and changes their dynamic, but she and grow closer and her love for him grows.
I loved Reia, but there’s just something about Delora that I connected with. She’s so emotive and feels so deeply, and I felt her pain as if it were my own. Watching her character heal and grow, and the selfless thing she did… So many tears.
AND !!!! He is hands down my favorite Duskwalker so far (outside of another I can’t mention because spoilers). He won me over in A Soul to Keep with his naïveté, but having his character fleshed out and seeing how truly kind, sweet and inquisitive he was… He deserves the whole world.
The amount of tears that were shed while reading this book though 😭😭😭
After shanking her adulterous husband, Delora gets yeeted into the Veil for her crime, and conveniently lands on the sweet Mavka that Orpheus and Reia help in book one.
All his life the nameless Mavka has wanted a name and a companion, and when one literally lands in his lap the nameless Mavka is pleased as punch! As the sweet Mavka heals and nurses his human back to health, he learns that he cannot heal all of Delora’s wounds no matter how hard he tries.
As the pair get to know each other better, Delora names the adorable Mavka, and slowly begins to heal herself. Things get a little crazy when a certain surprise happens and changes their dynamic, but she and grow closer and her love for him grows.
I loved Reia, but there’s just something about Delora that I connected with. She’s so emotive and feels so deeply, and I felt her pain as if it were my own. Watching her character heal and grow, and the selfless thing she did… So many tears.
AND !!!! He is hands down my favorite Duskwalker so far (outside of another I can’t mention because spoilers). He won me over in A Soul to Keep with his naïveté, but having his character fleshed out and seeing how truly kind, sweet and inquisitive he was… He deserves the whole world.
July 11, 2023
-Spoilers-
This book did not hold a candle to the first. While it was a decent read the first book left me with expectations, expectations that were not at all met in this book. I typically like stories with pregnancy, they have to be done right like any other trope; this one however felt very wrong. I did not like that Magnar did not understand what he was doing and it felt very off. Magnar apologized for "taking advantage" of Delora and I truly felt like it was the other way around. All in all, it was an okay read; I was able to enjoy Delora and Magnar connecting, however, it had so much more potential.
This book did not hold a candle to the first. While it was a decent read the first book left me with expectations, expectations that were not at all met in this book. I typically like stories with pregnancy, they have to be done right like any other trope; this one however felt very wrong. I did not like that Magnar did not understand what he was doing and it felt very off. Magnar apologized for "taking advantage" of Delora and I truly felt like it was the other way around. All in all, it was an okay read; I was able to enjoy Delora and Magnar connecting, however, it had so much more potential.
March 18, 2023
DNF…I try very hard to be objective with characters as I don’t think every “good” character needs to be likeable, but man, chapter 1 and I already really hate the FMC. I also don’t care for stories where weight is always the focus and becomes like, the focal point of the character. Perhaps I will try this again later, but having seen spoilers from other reviews and my own foray into the story, I don’t think I can get behind it. Shame because I absolutely adore the MMC but the FMC does not strike me as a great match for him.
January 3, 2024
A monster himbo (sort of) is something I did not know I was missing, but now that I know it’s out there…I need more.
MAIN CHARACTER NAMES AND AGES
Delora Theralia (26) | Nameless / Magnar (120+ years)
FEATURES
∘ monster romance
∘ sweet mmc
∘ non-annoying jealousy
∘
∘
REVIEW
Magnar carried this book. His naivety, curiosity, and tenderness made him such a sweet, endearing character. Even when he does do something that causes a side-eye (e.g. convincing Delora to give him her soul almost immediately; going against her wishes with “that thing”), it’s understandable—and charming—from his point of view.
I struggled with Delora’s character in the beginning. All of her likable characteristics mainly have to do with her kindness to Magnar. It took at least half of the novel for my perception of her to change, and I honestly did not think I’d make it that far with how frustrated she made me.
Delora knows Magnar is pretty much clueless about the world. She knows just how much he doesn’t know, yet instead of explaining things to him (e.g. sex), she doesn’t. As a result, there’s misunderstandings that they have to communicate through, making what could have been a quick explanation a hundred times more complicated. That being said, she never wanted to hurt Magnar’s feelings, even before she knew him. It is a large part of the reason I didn’t give up on them (and I’m thankful for that).
The moment we find out Delora murdered her husband’s 19-year-old mistress, it was going to be a struggle to redeem her. Listen, I get it, the mistress knew that what she was doing was wrong, and this, and that, but Delora’s attitude toward the situation left a sour taste in my mouth. She felt self-hatred but also justifies her actions. It was almost as if her guilt was disingenuous, like she was performing for herself. In a twisted way, the more she recovered, the more her guilt felt authentic.
Moments that showed Delora’s humanity were highlights to her character. Her reaction and grim acceptance of the state of her soul stuck with me and will continue to do so. The way this author wrote Delora’s depression was masterfully done. I found myself rooting for her as she started to heal and rediscover enjoyment that was lost for so long because of her marriage and former life.
Everything was going smoothly until I got to the most heartbreaking—yet expected—part of this novel. I know I’m being dramatic, but I’m in mourning, okay?
A Soul to Heal was always going to struggle in the shadow of its predecessor. While I was disappointed with the initial direction of the story, it helped to further my love of the universe. I am (cautiously) anticipating reading the rest of the novels in the series.
OW/OM DRAMA past OM — Delora was in a loveless marriage, and she did in fact murder her husband, but Magnar gets (adorably) jealous anyway
CHEATING none
THIRD ACT BREAKUP no
ENDING HEA — a few hours later epilogue
POV dual / third person
SPICE LEVEL 4 / 5
RATING 3.5 / 5
MAIN CHARACTER NAMES AND AGES
Delora Theralia (26) | Nameless / Magnar (120+ years)
FEATURES
∘ monster romance
∘ sweet mmc
∘ non-annoying jealousy
∘
∘
REVIEW
Magnar carried this book. His naivety, curiosity, and tenderness made him such a sweet, endearing character. Even when he does do something that causes a side-eye (e.g. convincing Delora to give him her soul almost immediately; going against her wishes with “that thing”), it’s understandable—and charming—from his point of view.
I struggled with Delora’s character in the beginning. All of her likable characteristics mainly have to do with her kindness to Magnar. It took at least half of the novel for my perception of her to change, and I honestly did not think I’d make it that far with how frustrated she made me.
Delora knows Magnar is pretty much clueless about the world. She knows just how much he doesn’t know, yet instead of explaining things to him (e.g. sex), she doesn’t. As a result, there’s misunderstandings that they have to communicate through, making what could have been a quick explanation a hundred times more complicated. That being said, she never wanted to hurt Magnar’s feelings, even before she knew him. It is a large part of the reason I didn’t give up on them (and I’m thankful for that).
The moment we find out Delora murdered her husband’s 19-year-old mistress, it was going to be a struggle to redeem her. Listen, I get it, the mistress knew that what she was doing was wrong, and this, and that, but Delora’s attitude toward the situation left a sour taste in my mouth. She felt self-hatred but also justifies her actions. It was almost as if her guilt was disingenuous, like she was performing for herself. In a twisted way, the more she recovered, the more her guilt felt authentic.
Moments that showed Delora’s humanity were highlights to her character. Her reaction and grim acceptance of the state of her soul stuck with me and will continue to do so. The way this author wrote Delora’s depression was masterfully done. I found myself rooting for her as she started to heal and rediscover enjoyment that was lost for so long because of her marriage and former life.
Everything was going smoothly until I got to the most heartbreaking—yet expected—part of this novel. I know I’m being dramatic, but I’m in mourning, okay?
A Soul to Heal was always going to struggle in the shadow of its predecessor. While I was disappointed with the initial direction of the story, it helped to further my love of the universe. I am (cautiously) anticipating reading the rest of the novels in the series.
OW/OM DRAMA past OM — Delora was in a loveless marriage, and she did in fact murder her husband, but Magnar gets (adorably) jealous anyway
CHEATING none
THIRD ACT BREAKUP no
ENDING HEA — a few hours later epilogue
POV dual / third person
SPICE LEVEL 4 / 5
RATING 3.5 / 5
October 13, 2022
SOBBING, CRYING, THROWING UP
It is 4:30 am. I should have been asleep HOURS ago, but I just couldn't stop reading.
I liked Her Soul to Keep. I LOVED this book. I can't even put into words everyone I liked, but I will try.
Delora. Has a more perfect FMC ever been created? I don't think so. She is snarky and rude in ALL the best ways, but also struggles with VERY real mental health issues. Depression is debilitating, and we see that in Delora's story. She has had to deal with trauma, heartbreak, and betrayal. Honestly, her reaction to her husband's infidelity (while she is struggling with depression and the trauma of emotional abuse) is very understandable (even though I don't condone it). Her growth was non-linear, making it so much more realistic. I loved the fact that she's fat. I'm fat. A lot of us are fat, but we're still beautiful and sexy!!! It was so refreshing to see the body issues being a "them" problem, and not a "her" problem. Despite the hateful comments, Delora still liked her body.
The Duskwalker was the epitome of golden retriever energy. You could really sense his naivety, as well as his eagerness to learn. He was completely enamored with Delora, which made me love him even more. Plus that boy could dirty talk paint off the walls!!!!
The story was engaging in a way that I haven't encountered in other novels- putting the focus on mental and emotional growth instead of some lingering doom (don't worry, there's still plenty of conflict). I don't want to give anything away, but the plot twists were amazing and really helped shape the character's personal growth (my sleepy brain can't think of the right word).
I WANT TO WRITE POEMS ABOUT THIS BOOK! I WANT TO SHOUT FROM THE ROOFTOPS! I WANT TO FLY TO OPAL'S HOUSE, GIVE HER THE WORLD'S BIGGEST HUG, AND ASK HOW I CAN SERVE MY QUEEN!
It is 4:30 am. I should have been asleep HOURS ago, but I just couldn't stop reading.
I liked Her Soul to Keep. I LOVED this book. I can't even put into words everyone I liked, but I will try.
Delora. Has a more perfect FMC ever been created? I don't think so. She is snarky and rude in ALL the best ways, but also struggles with VERY real mental health issues. Depression is debilitating, and we see that in Delora's story. She has had to deal with trauma, heartbreak, and betrayal. Honestly, her reaction to her husband's infidelity (while she is struggling with depression and the trauma of emotional abuse) is very understandable (even though I don't condone it). Her growth was non-linear, making it so much more realistic. I loved the fact that she's fat. I'm fat. A lot of us are fat, but we're still beautiful and sexy!!! It was so refreshing to see the body issues being a "them" problem, and not a "her" problem. Despite the hateful comments, Delora still liked her body.
The Duskwalker was the epitome of golden retriever energy. You could really sense his naivety, as well as his eagerness to learn. He was completely enamored with Delora, which made me love him even more. Plus that boy could dirty talk paint off the walls!!!!
The story was engaging in a way that I haven't encountered in other novels- putting the focus on mental and emotional growth instead of some lingering doom (don't worry, there's still plenty of conflict). I don't want to give anything away, but the plot twists were amazing and really helped shape the character's personal growth (my sleepy brain can't think of the right word).
I WANT TO WRITE POEMS ABOUT THIS BOOK! I WANT TO SHOUT FROM THE ROOFTOPS! I WANT TO FLY TO OPAL'S HOUSE, GIVE HER THE WORLD'S BIGGEST HUG, AND ASK HOW I CAN SERVE MY QUEEN!
August 10, 2025
Dark Monster Romance
🖤 Bookish Thoughts
Oof, this book is heavy. This was a reread for me, and I actually enjoyed it more the second time around. Knowing what to expect helped me approach Delora’s character with a more open mind.
Delora is deeply traumatized and in the middle of a mental health crisis when she’s quite literally shoved into the Veil. None of us are at our most likable when we’re at rock bottom, and she hasn’t even hit her lowest point yet when the story begins. I’ll keep this spoiler free, but understanding where she’s coming from made it easier to sit with some of her harder, more unlikeable moments. By the end, I truly felt she redeemed herself and was in a much healthier place both physically and mentally.
Now, Nameless (no spoilers on his real name!) is such a sweetie. I adored him in book one, and this story made me love him even more. Especially after a certain event midway through the book. My poor clueless guy did his absolute best 🥺.
His devotion to Delora never wavered, and watching them grow together while he learned and adapted was so satisfying. Even as he got smarter, his kindness and loyalty stayed the same. If anything, he became more loyal and compassionate.
💬 Favorite Quote
“There is only one place in the world for me, and that is where Delora is safest. And she is safest sheltered under my magic.”
I’d recommend checking the TWs before diving in since this book digs deep into depression and anxiety. But rest assured, there’s a happy ending for both MCs. If you can, give Delora a little grace, because the ending and their hard won happiness are worth it.
🖤 Bookish Thoughts
Oof, this book is heavy. This was a reread for me, and I actually enjoyed it more the second time around. Knowing what to expect helped me approach Delora’s character with a more open mind.
Delora is deeply traumatized and in the middle of a mental health crisis when she’s quite literally shoved into the Veil. None of us are at our most likable when we’re at rock bottom, and she hasn’t even hit her lowest point yet when the story begins. I’ll keep this spoiler free, but understanding where she’s coming from made it easier to sit with some of her harder, more unlikeable moments. By the end, I truly felt she redeemed herself and was in a much healthier place both physically and mentally.
Now, Nameless (no spoilers on his real name!) is such a sweetie. I adored him in book one, and this story made me love him even more. Especially after a certain event midway through the book. My poor clueless guy did his absolute best 🥺.
His devotion to Delora never wavered, and watching them grow together while he learned and adapted was so satisfying. Even as he got smarter, his kindness and loyalty stayed the same. If anything, he became more loyal and compassionate.
💬 Favorite Quote
“There is only one place in the world for me, and that is where Delora is safest. And she is safest sheltered under my magic.”
I’d recommend checking the TWs before diving in since this book digs deep into depression and anxiety. But rest assured, there’s a happy ending for both MCs. If you can, give Delora a little grace, because the ending and their hard won happiness are worth it.
November 3, 2024
I support women’s rights but more importantly I support women’s wrongs ♡ Especially beautiful, plus-size women. Those who struggle with finding their own worth amongst hurtful and spiteful people who take satisfaction from their tears. Those who don't seem to experience pleasure in life, simply breathing and existing under the pressure of depression crushing their shoulders. I support women like Delora and although not perfect, and sometimes genuinely unlikable, I see a lot of myself in her. Funny how a silly, fantasy romance about monsters with animal skulls literally made me cry at page ten. I think Opal Reyne is slowly but surely becoming my favourite author, not only of the romance genre, but books in general. They're just the right amount of funny, spicy and heart-wrenching. Have I mentioned thick? I'm obsessed with hefty, wrist-numbing novels.
A lot of people didn't enjoy this particular instalment, because of the main female character's attitude and the very important trope that was introduced, but I actually didn't mind that much. I could empathise with Delora's difficulties and unlikable moments, and to see her actually battling with depression and genuinely struggling to be better than her inner demons, without a magical, healing transformation to suddenly change her into a perfect being was... A positive surprise.
Don't get me wrong though, she can be insufferable sometimes.
A lot of people didn't enjoy this particular instalment, because of the main female character's attitude and the very important trope that was introduced, but I actually didn't mind that much. I could empathise with Delora's difficulties and unlikable moments, and to see her actually battling with depression and genuinely struggling to be better than her inner demons, without a magical, healing transformation to suddenly change her into a perfect being was... A positive surprise.
Don't get me wrong though, she can be insufferable sometimes.
November 14, 2023
EPIC LETDOWN
Honestly I can't recall when I've been so disappointed in a 2nd book before. The first book was AMAZING! I flew through it, I couldn't read fast enough and loved it.
then this one comes out and YES! I'm all set. Then I find out Delora is a horrible, horrible person. She murdered 2 people because she was jealous. Big whoop. I had a very hard time with that. It felt like such a weak reason for her to become a murderer.
And then SPOILER
They have a baby and it's the whole They/Them thing. That's so annoying to read! Just call it a baby.
And then she rejects her own baby!
Overall I just couldn't deal with her. She was dreadful in almost every way.
So bummed because this book should have been good- after the first book how can you go downhill that fast?
Honestly I can't recall when I've been so disappointed in a 2nd book before. The first book was AMAZING! I flew through it, I couldn't read fast enough and loved it.
then this one comes out and YES! I'm all set. Then I find out Delora is a horrible, horrible person. She murdered 2 people because she was jealous. Big whoop. I had a very hard time with that. It felt like such a weak reason for her to become a murderer.
And then SPOILER
They have a baby and it's the whole They/Them thing. That's so annoying to read! Just call it a baby.
And then she rejects her own baby!
Overall I just couldn't deal with her. She was dreadful in almost every way.
So bummed because this book should have been good- after the first book how can you go downhill that fast?
November 12, 2023
And as with the first book, I'm completely in love with this one as well!!!!
This superior feeling when you find a series that feels like it's written for you, I couldn't be more excited and thankful that I still have 3 more books ahead of me of this gem.
Perhaps it wasn't as spicy as the first one, but it was absolutely hilarious, I was cackling like an old with when the clueless Mavka started exploring Delora's body bahahha.
Also if anyone has recommendations of similar series I'm dying to know!!
This superior feeling when you find a series that feels like it's written for you, I couldn't be more excited and thankful that I still have 3 more books ahead of me of this gem.
Perhaps it wasn't as spicy as the first one, but it was absolutely hilarious, I was cackling like an old with when the clueless Mavka started exploring Delora's body bahahha.
Also if anyone has recommendations of similar series I'm dying to know!!
October 11, 2022
Dnf at 65%. It just dragged on and on. And I couldn’t just get into either of the chracters’ heads. 🤷🏻♀️
January 19, 2023
The first one was so much better.
August 23, 2022
I wish this next book would continue with Orpheus and Reias story. I feel as though there is so much left to explore with the black cat and the surviving character at the end of the book. This doesn’t feel like the end of their story. Also I’m not so interested in reading the proposed idea of the second book at all. I ask will we ever see another book with these characters and the main characters?
November 15, 2022
I was so excited for this book to come out because I loved the first one. But, this one definitely did not live up to my expectations except for the smut.
Delora as a FMC was…really hard to enjoy. Being depressed doesn’t give you the right to be a bitch lol she rude to, like, everyone around her.
I loved Magnar as a MMC and, as many times as he feared he manipulated her, I think it was Delora who manipulated him. During one erotic scene, she has some internal conflicts about engaging in sexual activity with him because he doesn’t know what’s happening to his body nor what the act really is but she goes ahead with the act anyway. She likes him naive though, as we see later on when she expresses she doesn’t want him to gain any more humanity even though it was for the benefit of her safety and their relationship. Even though her love for Magnar at the end was what caused her soul to alight, it was really the baby that caused her to start coming out of her depression as that’s when we see the biggest change in her.
I didn’t expect the pregnancy and kid to be so present either. I knew there was a pregnancy trope, but ugh wow. It was really THERE for most of the book. She gets pregnant, then gives birth to the baby and immediately rejects it. Magnar tries to soothe the baby by putting it near her why she sleeps, but she’s infuriated when she finds out because he did it without her consent (hypocritical, if you ask me, that she puts so much emphasis on consent throughout this book even though their first sexual encounter can’t really be called consensual because Magnar didn’t know what was going on with his body and instincts). She eventually comes to love the baby but, similar to Magnar, she doesn’t want them to grow and change. She BEGS for help to stop them from growing up. Her resistance to other’s healthy and normal changes was really off putting and came across really selfish.
I also don’t understand how she taunted the commander in the first chapter about murdering his daughter, only to then have it be this cloud that hung over her head for most of the book that she refuses to reveal out of shame. Do you feel remorse or not? The author’s notes also pointed out how she didn’t want to make Delora’s weight a big focus of her personality and the book, but the weight is part of the reason (or the reason?) why her husband left her and caused her to further spiral into depression. We have the fatphobia in chapter one and then comments about her curvy body throughout the book (Reia remarks on it to Magnar, Delora voices discomfort when Magnar touches her stomach, and there’s quite a few mentions of stretch marks). I don’t know how you can say you don’t want focus on her weight when it’s consistently brought up that she’s not small and skinny?
The Demon King makes a reappearance in this book but I felt like it was so random. Like, the author wanted to include him to further the plot but didn’t know how. We get some background into his motivations this book and those motivations were…felt kind of forced? Flat? Exposition-y? Idk felt weird for this guy to spill out his motivations to them in that moment.
Overall, this book did not live up to the expectations the first one had set. There should have been more focus on Magnar and Delora’s relationship rather, especially because of Magnar’s initial naive nature. The baby was introduced too early into their time together and Delora’s personality change after accepting motherhood came across as “I’m less depressed now that I have a baby, which I always wanted” plot device. I don’t think we see much actual character growth other than she begins to trust people more towards the end. She’s jealous, resistant to change, and just kind of mooches off of Magnar. It’s hard not to compare her to Reia who tended her garden and learned to use a sword to make herself less useless in this strange new world. It’s generally difficult to not compare the two couples, actually, especially since the book has both Magnar and Delora expressing, “I want want Orpheus and Reia have” at points. I wanted more of what they had, too.
Delora as a FMC was…really hard to enjoy. Being depressed doesn’t give you the right to be a bitch lol she rude to, like, everyone around her.
I loved Magnar as a MMC and, as many times as he feared he manipulated her, I think it was Delora who manipulated him. During one erotic scene, she has some internal conflicts about engaging in sexual activity with him because he doesn’t know what’s happening to his body nor what the act really is but she goes ahead with the act anyway. She likes him naive though, as we see later on when she expresses she doesn’t want him to gain any more humanity even though it was for the benefit of her safety and their relationship. Even though her love for Magnar at the end was what caused her soul to alight, it was really the baby that caused her to start coming out of her depression as that’s when we see the biggest change in her.
I didn’t expect the pregnancy and kid to be so present either. I knew there was a pregnancy trope, but ugh wow. It was really THERE for most of the book. She gets pregnant, then gives birth to the baby and immediately rejects it. Magnar tries to soothe the baby by putting it near her why she sleeps, but she’s infuriated when she finds out because he did it without her consent (hypocritical, if you ask me, that she puts so much emphasis on consent throughout this book even though their first sexual encounter can’t really be called consensual because Magnar didn’t know what was going on with his body and instincts). She eventually comes to love the baby but, similar to Magnar, she doesn’t want them to grow and change. She BEGS for help to stop them from growing up. Her resistance to other’s healthy and normal changes was really off putting and came across really selfish.
I also don’t understand how she taunted the commander in the first chapter about murdering his daughter, only to then have it be this cloud that hung over her head for most of the book that she refuses to reveal out of shame. Do you feel remorse or not? The author’s notes also pointed out how she didn’t want to make Delora’s weight a big focus of her personality and the book, but the weight is part of the reason (or the reason?) why her husband left her and caused her to further spiral into depression. We have the fatphobia in chapter one and then comments about her curvy body throughout the book (Reia remarks on it to Magnar, Delora voices discomfort when Magnar touches her stomach, and there’s quite a few mentions of stretch marks). I don’t know how you can say you don’t want focus on her weight when it’s consistently brought up that she’s not small and skinny?
The Demon King makes a reappearance in this book but I felt like it was so random. Like, the author wanted to include him to further the plot but didn’t know how. We get some background into his motivations this book and those motivations were…felt kind of forced? Flat? Exposition-y? Idk felt weird for this guy to spill out his motivations to them in that moment.
Overall, this book did not live up to the expectations the first one had set. There should have been more focus on Magnar and Delora’s relationship rather, especially because of Magnar’s initial naive nature. The baby was introduced too early into their time together and Delora’s personality change after accepting motherhood came across as “I’m less depressed now that I have a baby, which I always wanted” plot device. I don’t think we see much actual character growth other than she begins to trust people more towards the end. She’s jealous, resistant to change, and just kind of mooches off of Magnar. It’s hard not to compare her to Reia who tended her garden and learned to use a sword to make herself less useless in this strange new world. It’s generally difficult to not compare the two couples, actually, especially since the book has both Magnar and Delora expressing, “I want want Orpheus and Reia have” at points. I wanted more of what they had, too.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 15, 2023
3☆ Review:
“Are you stupid or something?”
“Yes. I have been told I am stupid.”
Nameless (I won’t spoil what his name ends up being) was hard not to love. He was so clueless and I knew from A Soul to Keep that I would enjoy reading about him. All he wants is a human of his own, though he has no idea what that really means just yet. His character is what truly kept me reading.
“If you do not want to be responsible for your life, then give me your soul.”
Unfortunately, I didn’t connect with the main character, Delora. In the beginning, I felt her pain and was excited to learn all about her. However, as the story progressed, there was almost no character development. There was only so much self-deprecating I could take before it began to get old. I did like her, but considering how long this book was, I was really hoping for more from her.
Don’t let this discourage you from reading this because I still enjoyed the story. Plus, you get to see more of Orpheus and Reia!
I’m looking forward to the next one!
“Are you stupid or something?”
“Yes. I have been told I am stupid.”
Nameless (I won’t spoil what his name ends up being) was hard not to love. He was so clueless and I knew from A Soul to Keep that I would enjoy reading about him. All he wants is a human of his own, though he has no idea what that really means just yet. His character is what truly kept me reading.
“If you do not want to be responsible for your life, then give me your soul.”
Unfortunately, I didn’t connect with the main character, Delora. In the beginning, I felt her pain and was excited to learn all about her. However, as the story progressed, there was almost no character development. There was only so much self-deprecating I could take before it began to get old. I did like her, but considering how long this book was, I was really hoping for more from her.
Don’t let this discourage you from reading this because I still enjoyed the story. Plus, you get to see more of Orpheus and Reia!
I’m looking forward to the next one!
June 23, 2023
I'm choosing to write a response to a review I saw discussing Delora's reaction to her spawn biting her. I'm going to be drawing some quotes. I just didn't feel like getting into this on some random person's review when I can easily do it this way and if they choose to engage with it then it's more on their terms.
"Delora as a heroine is....someone that I think you'll grow to hate the more the story goes on.
At first, I understood her, in that she felt lonely, betrayed, angry, hurt, and, all in all, depressed. These were relatable emotions given her situation, and so I didn't mind that she was a super downer.
At the beginning.
But see, that's the thing about beginnings and development: the latter HAS to follow the former in order for the story to be engaging.
To translate, what I mean by this is that Delora HAS to change and move past that depressive stage at the beginning, as both her love for Magnar (the Mavka whom she names) and her new chance at life unfold.
Delora is, simply put, selfish, whiny, depressed, pathetic, and overall just annoying from start to finish. Like...I would have been fine dealing with even a bit of prolonged depression if only she redeemed herself in some way, but NOTHING about her as a character is attractive or appealing, and at NO POINT does a redemption arc genuine feel present or earned. Sure, at one point she sort-of contributes, but by that point the story just DRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGED on and on and on and on and on and on (and so on), that I didn't care anymore."
Firstly, I find it extremely interesting that this is someone's response to a character that has depression and for once isn't "fixed with love." She HAS Magnar's love, but a monster cock can't be the sole drive for someone to not be depressed. That's toxic. Secondly, Delora is depressed as shit, she's been abused, cheated on, she murdered her husband and his lover, was exiled from her community and then THROWN INTO A FUCKING DEMON FOREST. That's not something that you can just bounce back from because you're getting some regular monster dick. Healing isn't linear, why get mad when Delora does something?
"The absolute WORST part for me was when Delora outright REJECTED her own child just because he tried to bite her. And, as Magnar points out, that HER OWN FAULT for not controlling her fear. Like...the author ADMITS at the end of the book that she's never had her own child, so this is someone writing from the perspective of a mother when she has NOOOO idea how a mother would react. Like...for all mothers out there, would you reject your child just because they tried to bite you or hit you ONCE?
Um...HELL NO!
So yeah, feels like a huge gamble on the part of the author that did NOT pay off, and really just left a bad taste in my mouth."
One of my cousins had such bad post-partum depression after she had her kid that she literally couldn't hold her child for upwards of 5 years and struggled to emotionally connect for much longer. Who are you to judge what is right or wrong if you aren't even a parent yourself. Delora has depression, she's supposed to be flawed. Aside from that, this is fiction, what's written doesn't necessarily mean it's right/something the author agrees with themselves, it was a plot point for her to overcome. Delora is a depressed mother f*cker, you really think she's going to be able to handle a faceless brainless muncher? I agree Delora can be really annoying and selfish, but shocker, that's something that happens with depression. Being pathetic???? Usually comes with depression. Delora doesn't have to be a functioning depressed person anymore because she almost died, and hid in a cave. Honestly let me go into a dark cave and just let myself be depressed for a bit I'm down. So how is there any motivation outside of a romance "fixing her" to STOP being depressed? When she finally gets used to the kid he fucking leaves!!!! And then she's back to being sad!!! Because who wouldn't?
Also this person suggested that A Soul to Keep is better simply because it's a beauty and the beast retelling and those are more popular........ please go back to the Y/A section I'm begging.
"Delora as a heroine is....someone that I think you'll grow to hate the more the story goes on.
At first, I understood her, in that she felt lonely, betrayed, angry, hurt, and, all in all, depressed. These were relatable emotions given her situation, and so I didn't mind that she was a super downer.
At the beginning.
But see, that's the thing about beginnings and development: the latter HAS to follow the former in order for the story to be engaging.
To translate, what I mean by this is that Delora HAS to change and move past that depressive stage at the beginning, as both her love for Magnar (the Mavka whom she names) and her new chance at life unfold.
Delora is, simply put, selfish, whiny, depressed, pathetic, and overall just annoying from start to finish. Like...I would have been fine dealing with even a bit of prolonged depression if only she redeemed herself in some way, but NOTHING about her as a character is attractive or appealing, and at NO POINT does a redemption arc genuine feel present or earned. Sure, at one point she sort-of contributes, but by that point the story just DRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGED on and on and on and on and on and on (and so on), that I didn't care anymore."
Firstly, I find it extremely interesting that this is someone's response to a character that has depression and for once isn't "fixed with love." She HAS Magnar's love, but a monster cock can't be the sole drive for someone to not be depressed. That's toxic. Secondly, Delora is depressed as shit, she's been abused, cheated on, she murdered her husband and his lover, was exiled from her community and then THROWN INTO A FUCKING DEMON FOREST. That's not something that you can just bounce back from because you're getting some regular monster dick. Healing isn't linear, why get mad when Delora does something?
"The absolute WORST part for me was when Delora outright REJECTED her own child just because he tried to bite her. And, as Magnar points out, that HER OWN FAULT for not controlling her fear. Like...the author ADMITS at the end of the book that she's never had her own child, so this is someone writing from the perspective of a mother when she has NOOOO idea how a mother would react. Like...for all mothers out there, would you reject your child just because they tried to bite you or hit you ONCE?
Um...HELL NO!
So yeah, feels like a huge gamble on the part of the author that did NOT pay off, and really just left a bad taste in my mouth."
One of my cousins had such bad post-partum depression after she had her kid that she literally couldn't hold her child for upwards of 5 years and struggled to emotionally connect for much longer. Who are you to judge what is right or wrong if you aren't even a parent yourself. Delora has depression, she's supposed to be flawed. Aside from that, this is fiction, what's written doesn't necessarily mean it's right/something the author agrees with themselves, it was a plot point for her to overcome. Delora is a depressed mother f*cker, you really think she's going to be able to handle a faceless brainless muncher? I agree Delora can be really annoying and selfish, but shocker, that's something that happens with depression. Being pathetic???? Usually comes with depression. Delora doesn't have to be a functioning depressed person anymore because she almost died, and hid in a cave. Honestly let me go into a dark cave and just let myself be depressed for a bit I'm down. So how is there any motivation outside of a romance "fixing her" to STOP being depressed? When she finally gets used to the kid he fucking leaves!!!! And then she's back to being sad!!! Because who wouldn't?
Also this person suggested that A Soul to Keep is better simply because it's a beauty and the beast retelling and those are more popular........ please go back to the Y/A section I'm begging.
October 23, 2022
Look away if you don't want to be spoiled.
For real.
If you tell me this book is about parenting a monster baby, I wouldn't believe you. For such a fun campy smutty monster romance, I would never think that this book would address a few real-life kinds of stuff in them, especially about mental health, body insecurities, fat-phobia, postpartum depression, parenthood, inclusivity, consent, and perhaps a few more that flew off my radar.
It was, in my own experience reading it, a little heavy on the emotional stuff than I expected. Our heroine, Delora, here really went through a few dark phases that I know most of us have been and it was jarring to see it on the same page as monster sex lol. That's not the issue here.
My issue, however, stemmed from the problem that is the lack of chemistry between these two people. It all happened far too fast and then suddenly they were parents to this weird Mavka baby? Then, it was all about the youngling (which btw, props for the creativity because I laughed my ass off when the dad accidentally threw the 'newborn' across the room right after they were born). Plus, I noticed how we didn't get to know the heroine much further other than the fact she loves painting and she murdered her husband and his mistress.
Magnar though? I found him the greatest joy to have in this book. His innocence was so endearing and I enjoyed reading about how he's navigating his daily life with Delora. There is just something about these Duskwalkers that is so adorable and ruthless at the same time.
As for the whole side plot with the Demon King? I'm intrigued and super curious about how that'll turn out. But most of all, I want to know about more about the deep void father and the Owl Witch's backstory. I kinda hope we'll get a story about them in the future.
All in all, it was still a pretty satisfying read for me. The chemistry was not there for me unfortunately but the plot and storyline still hold up for me. Pretty unique story if you ask me. Especially for the youngling subplot.
p.s. I may didn't enjoy this as much as Book 1 but let me tell you, it did drew a couple of tears off this coldhearted heart of mine.
For real.
If you tell me this book is about parenting a monster baby, I wouldn't believe you. For such a fun campy smutty monster romance, I would never think that this book would address a few real-life kinds of stuff in them, especially about mental health, body insecurities, fat-phobia, postpartum depression, parenthood, inclusivity, consent, and perhaps a few more that flew off my radar.
It was, in my own experience reading it, a little heavy on the emotional stuff than I expected. Our heroine, Delora, here really went through a few dark phases that I know most of us have been and it was jarring to see it on the same page as monster sex lol. That's not the issue here.
My issue, however, stemmed from the problem that is the lack of chemistry between these two people. It all happened far too fast and then suddenly they were parents to this weird Mavka baby? Then, it was all about the youngling (which btw, props for the creativity because I laughed my ass off when the dad accidentally threw the 'newborn' across the room right after they were born). Plus, I noticed how we didn't get to know the heroine much further other than the fact she loves painting and she murdered her husband and his mistress.
Magnar though? I found him the greatest joy to have in this book. His innocence was so endearing and I enjoyed reading about how he's navigating his daily life with Delora. There is just something about these Duskwalkers that is so adorable and ruthless at the same time.
As for the whole side plot with the Demon King? I'm intrigued and super curious about how that'll turn out. But most of all, I want to know about more about the deep void father and the Owl Witch's backstory. I kinda hope we'll get a story about them in the future.
All in all, it was still a pretty satisfying read for me. The chemistry was not there for me unfortunately but the plot and storyline still hold up for me. Pretty unique story if you ask me. Especially for the youngling subplot.
p.s. I may didn't enjoy this as much as Book 1 but let me tell you, it did drew a couple of tears off this coldhearted heart of mine.
November 16, 2022
Extremely disappointed honestly. Like I waited 6 months for a book that has an pregnancy trope in it?! Not to spit in anyone's cup of tea... it's just not my thing. Also, found it strongly disturbing how the sexual assault towards nameless is literally glorified in this book. I frankly don't care if he's a monster, If a human deserves respect... so does an imaginary monster :/ I'd rate it ZERO if I could.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 22, 2022
DNF 54%
I just finished the first one and I had to read the next one but OMG it was soooo bad
The first one had an amazing story with interesting characters, I can see how the author didn't want this book to be similar to the other so we have very different situations and characters.
At first I didn't connect with the heroine but after a few pages I just couldn't stand her, like I can understand her depression but to be a egotistical rude bitch for no reason? I'm sorry but no, no matter what you have going on with your life, that doesn't give any right to be mean and rude to others.
She was so unlikeable and I hate how the author manages her depression. Instead of giving us a book where she finds meaning in life through him, she only wants to bang him and it's happy as long he worships her, Nameless deserve better.
I think if the book had focus more in their relationship instead in the intense inner monologue of her, like he only had the foundation of his house if he make her to help out building their home and in doing so she starts to find more meaning in her life, they could have been sweet and funny moments explaining and teaching him things like reading! or playing certain games, explaining more about life itself and maybe reading books to him, like there was so much opportunity to funny moments and growth moments for either character but instead we only read her boring monologue and how they barely interact because they do physical stuff or run away from each other either physically or mentally and It was so hard to keep reading.
I still have high hopes for this author, like the first one was sooo damn good and I'm hoping the next ones have a better main character and story.
I just finished the first one and I had to read the next one but OMG it was soooo bad
The first one had an amazing story with interesting characters, I can see how the author didn't want this book to be similar to the other so we have very different situations and characters.
At first I didn't connect with the heroine but after a few pages I just couldn't stand her, like I can understand her depression but to be a egotistical rude bitch for no reason? I'm sorry but no, no matter what you have going on with your life, that doesn't give any right to be mean and rude to others.
She was so unlikeable and I hate how the author manages her depression. Instead of giving us a book where she finds meaning in life through him, she only wants to bang him and it's happy as long he worships her, Nameless deserve better.
I think if the book had focus more in their relationship instead in the intense inner monologue of her, like he only had the foundation of his house if he make her to help out building their home and in doing so she starts to find more meaning in her life, they could have been sweet and funny moments explaining and teaching him things like reading! or playing certain games, explaining more about life itself and maybe reading books to him, like there was so much opportunity to funny moments and growth moments for either character but instead we only read her boring monologue and how they barely interact because they do physical stuff or run away from each other either physically or mentally and It was so hard to keep reading.
I still have high hopes for this author, like the first one was sooo damn good and I'm hoping the next ones have a better main character and story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 12, 2023
Another unfortunate case of unlikable (dare I say terrible?) heroine strikes yet again.
Delora was the most self-centered, selfish, self-deprecating, and infuriating character I've read in a while and I spent half of this book wanting to wring her neck and feeling SO POORLY for Nameless* for being tied to such a drag of a human being. NAMELESS DESERVES BETTER.
Okay, I will give Delora the credit of not being a bad character in the first quarter of the book. She's depressed and struggling and her aversion to everything in the veil makes sense. That's okay, that's understandable. Just give her time, right? WRONG. THIS WOMAN DOES NOT GO THROUGH ANY CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT WHATSOEVER, save for her willingness to get fucked by a monster. Yeah, fine don't develop and mature, but don't hold back the creatures around you. What the fuck. In one part Nameless wants to gain more humanity to BE A BETTER PARTNER FOR DELORA and Delora's so adamantly against this notion because "what if he gets a conscious and leaves me because XYZ". SEE. SELFISH. And don't get me fucking started on the way she treated Baby Mavka. What a terrible person. I hate her.
Nameless carried this book for me. He is the sweetest, stupidest being ever and it is so easy to love him. The poor guy was so green that he DIDN'T EVEN KNOW WHAT HIS OWN PENIS WAS/DOES/WAS FOR. Like come on! *gestures wildly* How freaking precious.
Orpheus and Reia (from A Soul to Keep) show up in this quite a bit and it was so nice to revisit them while also seeing them from another perspective!
I still think the Demon King's plan for revenge is ridiculous and makes no sense. Would not mind if that whole impending doom and war was not a part of the story.
We get introduced to another fully formed mavka in this one, who is actually possibly more wise than Orpheus, and I'm SO excited for his book. I haven't looked into A Soul to Touch yet, but if it's going how I think it's gonna go, I'm READY FOR IT.
This hurts to say but I'm rating this book 2.5 rounded up to 3 stars. I wanted to love this SO BAD but FUCK DELORA.
*The nameless mavka does get a name in this but I don't want to spoil so he will be referred to as nameless for the rest of the review!
Delora was the most self-centered, selfish, self-deprecating, and infuriating character I've read in a while and I spent half of this book wanting to wring her neck and feeling SO POORLY for Nameless* for being tied to such a drag of a human being. NAMELESS DESERVES BETTER.
Okay, I will give Delora the credit of not being a bad character in the first quarter of the book. She's depressed and struggling and her aversion to everything in the veil makes sense. That's okay, that's understandable. Just give her time, right? WRONG. THIS WOMAN DOES NOT GO THROUGH ANY CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT WHATSOEVER, save for her willingness to get fucked by a monster. Yeah, fine don't develop and mature, but don't hold back the creatures around you. What the fuck. In one part Nameless wants to gain more humanity to BE A BETTER PARTNER FOR DELORA and Delora's so adamantly against this notion because "what if he gets a conscious and leaves me because XYZ". SEE. SELFISH. And don't get me fucking started on the way she treated Baby Mavka. What a terrible person. I hate her.
Nameless carried this book for me. He is the sweetest, stupidest being ever and it is so easy to love him. The poor guy was so green that he DIDN'T EVEN KNOW WHAT HIS OWN PENIS WAS/DOES/WAS FOR. Like come on! *gestures wildly* How freaking precious.
Orpheus and Reia (from A Soul to Keep) show up in this quite a bit and it was so nice to revisit them while also seeing them from another perspective!
I still think the Demon King's plan for revenge is ridiculous and makes no sense. Would not mind if that whole impending doom and war was not a part of the story.
We get introduced to another fully formed mavka in this one, who is actually possibly more wise than Orpheus, and I'm SO excited for his book. I haven't looked into A Soul to Touch yet, but if it's going how I think it's gonna go, I'm READY FOR IT.
This hurts to say but I'm rating this book 2.5 rounded up to 3 stars. I wanted to love this SO BAD but FUCK DELORA.
*The nameless mavka does get a name in this but I don't want to spoil so he will be referred to as nameless for the rest of the review!
October 27, 2022
Okay... So I liked this one. I really did. I liked it a lot more than I thought I would early on, as I was reading it... Delora is.. for a time, difficult to comprehend. No that's wrong. You understand her fine. It was just kind of difficult for me to fully sympathize with her and thinking she was strong enough to be the kind of mate/Bride that would be good for Magnar. So for a good portion of this story, I struggled with this.
Now what made this one beyond great for me, is that we get tons of answers and reveals regarding the true genesis of the Mavka. And the process it takes to get them to the levels of Orpheus and eventually Magnar, in regard to wisdom and knowledge. Thought and action. And anticipating the possible needs of others. This was really fascinating to learn what I did, and I am so happy the author chose this route, for this story.
The last 5 chapters and Epilogue really had me in all my feelings big time.
You do see quite a bit of Reia and Orpheus from book 1 here as well, which was nice to see.
The new Mavka that was introduced in the latter part of this book, has me very intrigued about him and his journey. So I will be back for book 3, no doubt, when it is released.
Based on books 1&2 I highly recommend this series for lovers of this genre. And if you're a first timer, I would recommend this series as well.
PLEASE READ THIS SERIES IN ORDER If you don't, you'll totally mess up the sequence of important events and possibly ruin your whole understanding/enjoyment of these characters and the point of these stories.
There are a few surprises here too. Some gravely intense, others heartwarming and bittersweet as well... But with as good as this one is, it just does not hold a candle to book 1, IMO, on all fronts of the story.
Now what made this one beyond great for me, is that we get tons of answers and reveals regarding the true genesis of the Mavka. And the process it takes to get them to the levels of Orpheus and eventually Magnar, in regard to wisdom and knowledge. Thought and action. And anticipating the possible needs of others. This was really fascinating to learn what I did, and I am so happy the author chose this route, for this story.
The last 5 chapters and Epilogue really had me in all my feelings big time.
You do see quite a bit of Reia and Orpheus from book 1 here as well, which was nice to see.
The new Mavka that was introduced in the latter part of this book, has me very intrigued about him and his journey. So I will be back for book 3, no doubt, when it is released.
Based on books 1&2 I highly recommend this series for lovers of this genre. And if you're a first timer, I would recommend this series as well.
PLEASE READ THIS SERIES IN ORDER If you don't, you'll totally mess up the sequence of important events and possibly ruin your whole understanding/enjoyment of these characters and the point of these stories.
There are a few surprises here too. Some gravely intense, others heartwarming and bittersweet as well... But with as good as this one is, it just does not hold a candle to book 1, IMO, on all fronts of the story.
September 19, 2025
2.5 stars
I absolutely adored the first book, A Soul to Keep . but this one, for some reason, didn’t hit the same spot as the first one. I liked Magnar, I was so so about Delora. she never really grew on me like I hoped she would. their chemistry wasn’t nearly as great as it could have been either, which is one of the biggest determinants for me in how much I enjoy a romance. not to mention the demon baby thing was a bit too much for me🫠
I’m currently stuck at 83% and having trouble pushing through. I’m finding myself bored and frustrated with everything that is happening. it’s not a bad book—learning the history of the Duskwalkers and more of their backgrounds was interesting—but it just didn’t captivate me the way the first one did. I’m hoping the next installments will give me that same feeling I had with book one.🤞🏻
I absolutely adored the first book, A Soul to Keep . but this one, for some reason, didn’t hit the same spot as the first one. I liked Magnar, I was so so about Delora. she never really grew on me like I hoped she would. their chemistry wasn’t nearly as great as it could have been either, which is one of the biggest determinants for me in how much I enjoy a romance. not to mention the demon baby thing was a bit too much for me🫠
I’m currently stuck at 83% and having trouble pushing through. I’m finding myself bored and frustrated with everything that is happening. it’s not a bad book—learning the history of the Duskwalkers and more of their backgrounds was interesting—but it just didn’t captivate me the way the first one did. I’m hoping the next installments will give me that same feeling I had with book one.🤞🏻
December 17, 2024
delora is such an unlikable character she ruined the whole book.
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