I think the overall concept of this is great and very refreshing right now in romantasy. I however really struggled with the main characters and the decisions that were made. That unfortunately took me out of it.

But thank you so much to Little, Brown and Company for my ARC <3 I appreciate it!

3/5

"A Siren, away from the sea. Salt water only makes the longing worse."

These are not your Disney animated mermaids. Think closer to Pitates of the Caribbean. Even closer to Odysseus's Sirens.

A fish without her fins. A bird without her wings.

Dark and beautiful.

If your current monster romance isn't the thing, this will be.

"Together we would bring chaos.
We would bring ruin.
We would bring death."

In the Veins pulls you in immediately and is so hard to put down! Imogen is desperate to prove (maybe to herself) that she is not a monster but the inevitability of what she is ever-looms. The pressure on her is palpable and it kept me turning the page. If you need a reading-slump-breaker-book, this is it!

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this eARC.

Kalie Cassidy’s In the Veins of the Drowning is a breathtaking romantasy that immerses readers in a world of dark magic, forbidden power, and an irresistible slow-burn romance. From the first page, Cassidy’s atmospheric prose weaves an enchanting tale that grips you like the tide, pulling you deeper into the story of Imogen Nel, a Siren hiding from those who see her as a monster.

Imogen is a compelling protagonist—strong yet vulnerable, battling both external threats and the danger within herself. When she forms a blood bond with a brooding, duty-bound king, the novel transforms into a gripping journey filled with tension, longing, and heart-stopping action. Their dynamic crackles with chemistry, making every interaction charged and meaningful.

Cassidy’s worldbuilding is both lush and haunting, with eerie waters teeming with undead horrors and kingdoms on the brink of destruction. The story perfectly balances high-stakes adventure with emotional depth, making it impossible to put down. Fans of One Dark Window and For the Wolf will adore this book’s blend of romance, mythology, and dark fantasy.

With lyrical writing, complex characters, and a plot that keeps you breathless until the final page, In the Veins of the Drowning is an unforgettable debut. A must-read for lovers of atmospheric fantasy and slow-burn romance!

I absolutely loved this one! It is so beautifully written and really immersive, and I felt like I was there the whole time. The romance is perfect, and I was pulled into this story. Loved it!

Amazing. Dark and moody and perfect for those who loved One Dark Window. Why isn't book 2 in my hands right now?

‘In the Veins of the Drowning’ by Kalie Cassidy was exactly what I was looking for in a fantasy- a captivating blend of dark romance and fantasy filled with toe curling suspense that will leave you aching for more. The atmosphere was jaw dropping and immersive. The world-building was chefs kiss. And the brooding king? Oh, he’s brooding alright (had me giggling the whole time honestly)🤭

Imogen Nel is hiding from everything—her bloodthirsty nature as a siren, a kingdom that wants her dead (literally), and the trauma of a king who raised her only to turn on her (yall she’s really going through it). Then, another king shows up, demanding her help and offering a blood bond in return. Which isn’t as simple since things get a bit…complicated. Ya know, the usual-fleeing a kingdom, fighting undead sea monsters, and developing feelings for a brooding royal who’s far too noble for his own good😫🤚 that kind of thing?

The slow burn between Imogen and the king is delicious. I absolutely adored the relationship between them which made the book unputdownable. Although i will say, I did wish for a little more depth for their relationship. I wanted more from the push and pull between them. Regardless of that, the plot was insanely good and was worth every second. .

This is a solid 4-star read. It’s eerie, suspenseful, romantic, and totally immersive. Might actually end up being a 5 stars once I get my hands on the copy and get a feel of the book! If your also a fan of Rachel Gilling this book is a MUST READ.

This book is a nice start to a series that I'm looking forward to. I really enjoyed this. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book

Amazing, amazing, AMAZING! Politics, romance, social hierarchy, rebellion, betrayal; rich history, religion, and plot twists - this book quite literally hits all of the boxes. The only thing wrong with it is that I'm not able to read the second one yet! Kudos to this author, I can't wait for the next Siren Mage novel!

4.5 stars
I absolutely LOVED this. Sirens & pirates are so underrated in the romantasy genre as a whole, and I’m so glad this delivered. Without giving anything away, this was so well done. From the fast-paced plot, magic, Gods, MC’s, and romance, this was everything I wanted and more. This kept me on my toes from page one and never let me down.

I cannot wait for the sequel!

I really really enjoyed this! The writing was fantastic and the atmosphere was dark and moody. I definitely think fans of One Dark Window will enjoy this one. While I enjoyed the romance, I wanted a bit more from the love interest. I think their tension and banter was good, but something was missing for me. Maybe since we don’t get his POV, it leaves something to be desired. Overall, I really enjoyed it and will read the second book to find out more.

I loved this book. The action is great, the romance is lovely, but I especially appreciated the emotional veracity. Torn between submitting to what her adoptive family has told her and embracing the truth that is revealed, Imogen's emotions are raw and visceral. I look forward to the next book in the series!

I'd hoped for more from this book. The actions and angst between the two main characters felt forced and heavy handed. The premise was interesting and I can see how later books in the series could overcome a rocky start.

Say hello to the siren song of the summer! I was swept away by this deliciously complicated and riveting romantasy.

When a siren forces a bond with a king to save her skin, their relationship blooms into something ferocious and deadly that neither could have ever predicted.

Kalie Cassidy knows tension! I devoured this book in one sitting. Fans of Rachel Gillig and Allison Saft will eat this one up!

Thank you to the publisher for an early free copy:)

Thank You Netgalley and Little Brown for the ARC! I’ve recently been let down by a lot of romantasy novels and this was a great way to get out of that rut. I definitely agree with the comparison to Rachel Gillig as there were moments within this novel that gave me the same feelings I had while reading The Shepard King Duology.

One of the things I enjoyed most was that Imogen was proactive and had a lot of agency in this book. It was very interesting and entertaining to see her come into her power and I am excited to see what happens in the rest of the story.

That being said, I did feel like some of it was a little rushed in places I would have liked to spend more time. I also want Agatha and Lachlan to be more dimensional. But all of this is because I enjoy the story and want to have as much of it as I can!

this book was phenomenal and enchanting. just like the main character’s abilities, the author lured me with her writing alone. I felt so drawn to these characters and their story, a perfect five star read for me that I will recommend as far as the depths of the ocean will take me.
the plot gripped me on the synopsis alone but the romance aspect in this won me over. of course I live for when the love interest is a broody KING of all people, but when you throw in a KING WHO GOES ON HIS KNEES for you— Imogen if you won’t keep him I will.
all the characters were so complex, it just helps validate how immersive the writing was from start to finish. you couldn’t help but feel for them as they all tried to grip a sense of belonging in a world that forces them to choose duty over wants.
i was completely hooked, and the ending only makes me wish i already had the second book of this duology in my hands so i could further explore the lore of it’s world.

Spoiler free review:
I didn’t like this book much. Gothic vibes along the line of One Dark Window, but it felt like the pacing was too fast, while dragging along at other points. The main character was childish to me. I understand she had lived a life full of hardship, but the choices she made were very selfish and I had a hard time sympathizing with her plight. It felt like they were instantly in love, and honesty just all felt like it was all a little too convenient. I also don’t like books about affairs much, which seemed to be a main point of this book unfortunately. There was so much potential with this book, it just seemed like it missed the mark in many aspects. I'm sure some people will enjoy this book, it just wasn't for me.

Thank you Netgalley and Little, Brown and company for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book was fine, but has the potential to be GREAT! I loved the world created, but just wanted more. The characters were interesting and I liked them, but I felt like they needed more depth to them. I am intrigued and look forward to reading the next book.

I just do not think this one was for me. I struggled to connect to the characters and felt like twists were there just to check boxes.

In the Veins of the Drowning is an exciting new Siren themed Romantasy that you will not want to miss! Imogen and Theodore are going to be your next favorite ship. Imogen is a Siren and ward to King Nemea who is a 26(!!) year old preparing for her marriage to the captain of the guard. Theodore is a young(27) king of the neighboring kingdom. Kalie Cassidy has crafted an exciting, adventurous tale that had me hooked from the very beginning. King Theo drops some absolute 'Anthony Bridgerton Love Declaration' BANGERS!

It was in the darkest, deepest pert of the sea that monsters were made.

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown, and Company for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.