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Gorgeous journey through the lands of living and dead, with dark paranormal magic reminding of Ninth House.

The story was eventful from the first pages and fully held my interest till the end. I couldn't put it down! We change continents, then move to a dark island full of thrilling background.

I loved the unique worldbuilding introducing a variation of afterlife, its creatures, and its ruler. It's a dark and mesmerizing idea and though I exepected to be annoyed with it's way, it seduced me with that unforgettable aesthetic.

The ending brought comfort but also raised up questions of the future which I'm looking forward to find answers to in the next book.

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Thanks to NetGalley and Xpresso Book Tours for providing me with this free eARC in exchange for my honest review!

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Thank you to Kerry Williams and Netgalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Initially, I had no idea what this book was about when I started reading it. However, it turned out to be a solid read. I enjoyed the New Orleans vibes and the spooky component, which created a darker atmosphere than I expected. I suggest checking trigger warnings before picking it up.

The beginning of the book was a bit slower-paced as you discover what's happening along with the main character. However, the second half of the book is much more fast-paced. It starts with a paranormal touch but quickly transitions into more of a fantasy theme by the end. I'm excited to continue with the series. If you're a fan of childhood friends to lovers, occult topics, and unexpected twists, this book could be for you.

Well, I really didn't like that book. It takes ages to get going, and when it does, it's all over the place, goes in directions that feel like adding layers of different genre tropes for the sake of it, and is overall very hard to follow. The second part of the book feels like you've been sent into a totally different book without warning.

The characters keep making decisions that don't make any sense: why is Tino suddenly following Lee everywhere (even THERE) after not seeing her for years, why is Lee suddenly trusting these women (that all sound like each other in the writing so it's very hard to follow) she doesn't know despite being someone who has obviously the worst time trusting people, why is she caring about the underworld suddenly, etc.

Also, there's another main character landing too late in the book (because it has to lead to the sequel), but the result is that the whole book feels unbalanced. And I had to roll my eyes when, of course, she felt immediately attracted to that very terrible individual. Again, these tropes were too heavily done for me. There's also no theme to unify the whole thing, and the secondary characters don't help at all the journey of the main POV. Lee doesn't know what she's doing, and, well, that's not a plot.

Adding that the whole setting is dark and depressing, and so there's not a lot of fun or even interest going around the world created by the author. There are absolutely original ideas in that book, but I feel they didn't need to be put all at once in the same book, and they should have been displayed less confusingly. I'm sure the current romantasy trend will have people enjoy that kind of dark and twisted romantasy, but that was not for me. I'll also add that the trigger warning at the start was justified, which can't be said about the scenes that warranted it. It felt gratuitous (but it seems to be a trend these days). As actually all the spicy scenes in that book felt too.

It's a pity because the premise was interesting, and even that sudden dip into the underworld would have been a wow moment that takes it to another level. But it's so cluttered, and the main POV is not fascinating enough to make up for it all.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC :)

The opening line to this story was mesmerizing. The plot overall had flow and made sense, but I didn’t have a super strong connection or attachment to the FMC.

Greek Mythology mixed in with paranormal romance in tbhis story about a girl who suffers from addiction, being haunted, and her heart being torn between her childhood best friend and Death himself. Lovely Timms has flirted with death her entire life, being able to get visions of ghosts and such and not being able to cope and hoping to drown it out with drugs. Yet when a situation gets particularly dangerous during one of her spirals her childhood best friend Tino saves her and they begin a relationship. Yet Lovely finds herself drawn into the paranormal and finds herself facing himself coming for her, with his icy touch asking her to submit to him... can she resist. This is the first book in a duology and oh boy was this book not for me. I love paranormal romances, I love stories with complex female leads and with Death as love interest, but 30% into this book and I deeply knew this was not for me. The FMC wasn't likabnle at all, the romantic interest Tino, barely had a personality, and the story going from gothic dark to just full fantasy in the end just felt so weird. The story itself was odd, I just didn't find myself caring for it all and wanting it to just end. I will not be reading the finale/sequel and honestly, please check the trigger warnings before going into this.

Release Date: February 20, 2025

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Hot Tree Publishing for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

The first 60% of Daughter of the Drowned, is dark, spooky, and atmospheric. Then suddenly, it becomes a full-on fantasy novel, with talking octopuses and Greek mythology. The switch was very jarring and felt like I started a completely new book, making the pace uneven and drawn out, ultimately losing engagement.
I am drawn to any book with Death personified, but this fell flat for me. The “romance” was more insta-lust and the character change of the FMC was driving me crazy.
The first half of the book: 4 stars. I loved the New Orleans dark, gothic atmosphere and where I thought the book was heading.
Second half: completely confused.
Thank you, NetGalley and Random House for providing me with an advance copy (ebook) to review.

Genre: Urban Fantasy with a sprinkle of romance
POV: 1st person, FMC only
Series: Book 1
Relationship: M/F
Cliffhanger: Yes
TW/CW: Yes
ARC Platform: NetGalley
Format: E-book

Darkness Rating: 2/5🖤
Please check the TW/CW prior to reading this book.

Spice Rating: 1/5🌶️
Very minimal, open door steamy scenes but not very explicit or graphic.

Overall Rating: 3/5⭐️
I had a hard time finishing this book because it didn’t really grab my attention. The main character wasn’t very likable, and she seemed more like a teenager than a 21-year-old. At first, I could understand some of her reactions because of the situation she was in and what she had been through. But as the story went on and she had answers, I was hoping she would change and grow. Unfortunately, she didn’t really change or grow at all.

The relationship between her and her best friend was pretty interesting, but I couldn’t really get into their romance. Something wasn’t clicking with between them for me, and maybe I’ll figure out why in the next book.

I did like the side characters and the idea of a found family.

Overall, I still enjoyed the book and would recommend it. It has great potential and eager to see how this ends.

Kerry has done it again. I've never read a book written in this way. Her writing is truly different. I love the fact that there are Easter eggs in this book and I screamed when I realised what they were. It is the kind of story that you believe could happen as it is set in our world in the present. I cannot wait for book 2.

Give this book all of the stars. Every last one of them. Incredible paranormal fantasy that emotionally wrecked me.

Mind the triggers because they're powerful.

This is one of the best books I've read lately. The storytelling is phenomenal and the writing is beautiful. I had a hard time getting used to single quotes for dialog and it slowed my reading as I stumbled over it. But even so, I devoured the book in one sitting. The story follows a woman that has abilities and a man that helps her discover more about it. I loved the way he treated her and how soft and sweet he came across. The emotional toll is very high as she works through her trauma and addictions. Rock bottom. The story goes ballistic after that, in a good way.

This book had trauma, emotional damage, sweetness, self discovery, discovery of friendship, twists, turns, fantasy, romance, steam, and spice.

I am excited for book two. I can't wait to see what happens!! The cliff isn't the worst cliff. I'm thankful for that.

The only things I disliked: the repetitive nature of the ending so it dragged a slight bit and I also thought there could be more time right after the main trauma before she jumped back in.

I dont know what I expected when I went into this book but I got so much more.

Lovely or Lee to her friends had given up. She was being haunted she didnt feel like she had much to live for and she had made some terrible choices.
I enjoyed the fantasy aspect of this book and Death as a character will always be something I want to read about.
I really like how parts of the afterlife are described and look forward to more of this hopefully in book two.

I really cant wait to read more!

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this arc. Im so happy that I was able to receive this. It was such a good quick read and a very cool concept behind the book. I like books where the main characters believes that they are crazy or going insane due to the people around her. Theres was a few times where I audibly said "wow" and was awed. Thank you so much again for this chance.

Usually I'm all for "death" as a character. You give me a real Grim Reaper, Soul Collector, Broody Underworld Man, I'm sold. However, the writing style of this book just really took me out of it. It felt like it was trying too hard to be poetic, deep, and overly descriptive. It's definitely for some people—I'm just not one of them.

I really tried to like this one. There just wasn't any part of it that drew me in. I kept falling out of the story. The dialogue was odd. It didn't flow. The love interest mediocre. The FMC wasn't likeable or understandable. Just so woe is me, it killed me. The fantasy part was more paranormal set in New Orleans of course. I'm sorry I just didn't like it.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Tropes
Childhood friends to lovers
MFC
Supernatural
Mystery
Urban fantasy
Love triangle
Greek mythology

4.75 ⭐️ Arc read

Out February 18th Waterstones & A-Mazon
Absolutely adored this book I couldn’t put it down! What a unique concept I have never read anything like it, it’s giving supernatural otherworldly underworld witches of New Orleans vibes. This was written so beautifully by Kerry, the plot was fast paced which I loved I did indeed stay up all hours binging this.Touching up on subjects such as Death, Mental health,Eating disorders Trauma and addiction. You can tell so much love though and imagination has gone into The FMC Lovely (Lees) character and the whole concept of the book. I cannot wait to see what the next book will bring! Without saying too much Does she make it back? We love a cliff hanger but don’t keep us hanging too long

Off to read the other nature series!

Such a nice premise that I couldn't wait to read it. I was not disappointed! This is a nice romance fantasy with death as a nearby character. Creepy but in i good way. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to review a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars!
• urban fantasy / supernatural intrigue
• steamy childhood friends to lovers
• Death personified

I ate this up! This is a unique & complex story about a woman trying to discover why death haunts her. The romance is sweet and the side characters add an extra layer of depth to the story. This brought out so many emotions in myself, and I'm so curious about what comes next. I can't wait to read book 2!
TW for self harm, addiction, eating disorders, death/dying, and SA

“Sometimes I wonder if it was my greatest misfortune that I didn’t remain dead.”
“I pushed him away. Because I was too scared to live. Because I was too scared to die.”
“How do you help the dead?”
“How many more times are you going to dance with the dead?”

The premise and concept of the book were intriguing, and I loved its moody, mystical vibes. In my opinion the idea of overcoming death and addiction had a lot of potential, but I personally felt that the storyline was lacking.

I didn’t like the FMC, Lovely Timms. I think that her storyline had great potential, with her past struggles with death and addiction, but I feel like her storyline was rushed and lacked any real character development.

The side characters seemed interesting and I wish there would have been more information about them.

The ending left me really confused and with a lot of questions. I don’t think I will continue with this series.

I'd rate this book 3.5 stars. It was a unique concept and I haven't read anything like it before. I loved the mystery around Lovely and whether she was hallucinating due to brain damage or whether there was something more going on. Her journey to finding out more about her hauntings in New Orleans was good and her character was well written, her traumas described empathetically. There is a friend to lover element which comes as we see Lovely begin to heal.

When Lovely heads to the Underworld to find answers, a huge amount of imagination has gone into creating this place, and the octopuses were a novel idea. I do feel that perhaps Lovely was a bit too impulsive in accepting the Ferrymans offer when there were so many questions unanswered. Her character can act without thinking and seems eager for death but it was a bit surprising how she went along with it after not getting clear answers to her questions and her strong desire to return to her friends. This made me less sympathetic towards her when she feels tricked and so I felt a bit less engaged following this.

My prediction that she would somehow get back and her friends still be alive was correct, so there's an element of predictability at the end, however considering Lovely's transformation and how things were likely left in the Underworld it will be interesting how the next book unfolds and I will want to read it to see how it ends.

2⭐️
(I received an arc from Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving this review)
First, let me start by saying that i was really vibing with the book from 35% to 60%.
But
The rest of the book? Not so much.
I am confused about what happened in the end because the story went from no fantasy ( more of a spooky book ) to a proper fantasy book, which wouldn’t be a problem if i liked the execution.
I liked Tino, despite his name being Tino but i wasn't like 100% rooting for him.
I did not like the FMC.
Although i did like the 3 side characters who were helping out the FMC.
I'm not sure if I'll pick up the 2nd book or not because i am honestly not anticipating it that much.
Tropes/themes:
● childhood friends to lovers
● Single pov
● Girl sees ghosts
● Death (?) as a character
● underworld

It's been a while since I read a straight-up fantasy, but I do love Death (well... sort of) as a love interest, so in I dove! I mostly liked this book, but it got pretty dark at times (DEFINITELY check the content warnings!!!) Sometimes the language, especially the way Lovely speaks, seems oddly antiquated and almost purple prose-y, and it kept throwing me out of the story and making me sort of irritated. There's also some back and forth between Lovely and her childhood BFF Tino where I was sort of left reeling and wondering who is mad at who and why now?

Still, the story pulled me in and I found myself unwilling to put the book down because I wanted to find out what would happen next. I also really liked several of the side characters a lot (Hero and Leander!!!) and when Lovely was starting to get on my nerves I kept reading for them. Something of a love triangle developing as well, so I'm interested to see how all that plays out.

This is the first book in the Darkness Duet, and while it could probably be read as a standalone it does end on... it's not quite a cliffhanger, more like a definite "To Be Continued..." note. I'll definitely be coming back for book two!