⭐️⭐️ (2/5 stars)
Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

In the Veins of the Drowning started off with great promise. The eerie, atmospheric setting and intriguing opening chapters immediately pulled me in, and I was excited to see where the story would go. However, once I reached the 30% mark—specifically after Imogen left with Theodore and his crew—the narrative began to unravel for me.

The plot became difficult to follow, with storylines that felt disjointed and confusing. The pacing shifted dramatically, and I often found myself lost trying to piece together how events connected. The romance between Imogen and Theodore especially felt underdeveloped and rushed. Theodore’s feelings for Imogen seemed to change drastically without believable progression—going from viewing her as dull and cowardly to suddenly being in love with her after the blood bond. It lacked emotional buildup and felt unearned.

The romantic tension involving Princess Halla also felt unnecessary and didn’t add much to the overall arc. Meanwhile, the central storyline—Imogen discovering her divine heritage and her blood bond with Eursia, the Siren killer—was introduced in a way that lacked clarity and cohesion. It had the potential to be powerful, but instead, it left me confused and disconnected from the stakes.

The climax, unfortunately, felt hastily written and underwhelming. It lacked the emotional weight and resolution I had hoped for after sticking with the story through its chaotic middle section. Overall, this novel feels like it would benefit from a substantial round of edits to strengthen the pacing, develop the romance more organically, and tighten the plot structure.

While I truly appreciate the creative ambition and the compelling initial setup, In the Veins of the Drowning ultimately didn’t work for me.

I tend to avoid books advertised as romance. I’ve just never been satisfied with them.
I am very glad that I received the ARC for In the Veins of the Drowning. It gives me an incentive to read more. I liked the characters, and the plot was such that I (an avowed avoider of romantasy) was unable to put the book down. I find myself eagerly awaiting the next book.

Imogen is the ward of the cruel King Nemea,
but she has kept a secret from everyone her entire life; she is a siren and can lure men to do her bidding. She hid her siren side away until she accidentally transformed in front of her fiancé, who happens to hunt and kill sirens. Imogen makes a deal with a visiting King, Theodore, for him to help her escape.

I don’t know if it’s because I’ve never read a book about sirens before, but I found the storyline fascinating and I was hooked from the beginning. Because of the bond Imogen and Theodore swear to one another, they are constantly drawn to each other and you’re like OHMYGOD just give in already! I had no idea where the story was taking me and I thoroughly enjoyed it. As this is an ARC, I have no idea when the second book is coming out, but I need it. Now.

I like Imogen as a character, I like the arc her character went on. Though at times it did feel a little rushed. I also like Theo as a character. He is annoyingly self-righteous, but it makes sense for who is as a character. What I didn't care for was the very insta-love aspect of the romance. He goes from seeming like he hates her to saying that he was smitten with her from the moment he saw her. I felt like I was missing something. I think this book could've used a dual-pov with Imogen and Theo, it would've filled in the gaps of the relationship more. I do think it could be a little longer, and more time given to some of the world building aspects, and building a better foundation on their romance. I was thrown a bit into the deepend, so to speak, when it came to worldbuilding. Though it is likely some of that will be expanded on in book 2.

All that aside, I was invested in the rest of the plot. Imogen trying to break a different bond with an evil sea-witch character, trying to save the rest of the siren race. Her discovering who she really is and where she came from. However, I think a better understanding of how the magic works is needed. This is a world with a Pantheon of deities, and not a lot of information is given on them. I'm still invested and curious enough to read book 2 when it comes out.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance reader's copy of the book. This book had a lot of things going on and everything moved really fast. It kept me hooked and wanting to see where it went. The author creatively teased the lore and world building through this fast paced story. The ending really left me wanting more, and I cannot wait to read the next book.

This novel was without a doubt, one of the most stellar debut books I have ever read. The romance sizzled, the vibes were immaculate, and within the first chapter I developed this deep ache, already bemoaning that at some point, likely far before I was ready, it would be over. The prose is rich, the atmosphere intoxicating, and if you enjoy rich complexity in your characters and heart-pounding romance that will leave you begging for more, it's in my opinion that you'll greatly enjoy this stunning debut.

A perfect summer romantasy read for anyone who loves rich atmospheric writing, women's wrongs, and romance that will make you kick your feet and swoon for the dark haired brooding prince.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for the ARC. I've preordered already and cannot wait to see what this author does next!

Every book I've read with Sirens as a main character has been entirely disappointing, until now. I was so emerged in this ere gothic world. I loved Imogen and the way she shows power and intelligence. Theodore was such a swoon- worthy mmc too. If you want great banter and a strong but unlikely chemistry, this is it!

I'm just starting to dabble in the fantasy/romantasy genre. I enjoyed the underlying storyline, but at times things were difficult for me to understand because I'm new to this world ( I had to google what a siren even is). For someone that is looking for more depth to their fantasy novels, this will fit the bill. If you are newer to the genre, this may be a little more complicated. Overall, I really enjoyed this story and glad I gave it a go!

Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

RATING: 3/5 STARS

This was a promising fantasy as it was endorsed by Rachel Gillig, but it couldn't keep my interest. It has all the standard fantasy elements but the plot didn't engage me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for my eARC of this novel! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This one really grabbed my attention at the very beginning. It’s atmospheric and dark, and the whole concept of Sirens and one kingdom slaying them while one welcomes them really intrigued me. I wish I could say my attention stuck for the entire novel, but, unfortunately, I felt the romance was a little too quick and forced and therefore my attention wavered.

I would give it a shot if you like fantasy. I was a little confused following the lineage of Imogen, but that could also be my fresh postpartum brain. Overall, it’s a quick read and I enjoyed most of it. I just felt it could be fleshed out and finessed a little more.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this title.

I have some mixed feelings about this book. I love books about mermaids or sirens so that aspect I really enjoyed. I found the beginning of this book to be a little slow and hard to get in to. By the 50% mark, I was enjoying the story a lot more. This is a personal problem but one of the main characters has the same name as my child and I always hate that. The ending of this book was pretty great. Even though I wasn't in love with this one, I would consider picking up the sequel.

Infinity stars. I devoured In the Veins of the Drowning in one sitting! It was everything I crave in a siren romantasy: dark, brutal, and absolutely swoony in all the right places.

We’ve got gods. We’ve got magic. We’ve got prophecies. And let’s not forget the chef’s kiss slow-burn enemies-to-lovers dynamic that had me kicking my feet.

If you’re in your romantasy era and want something that hits all the tropes you love while still feeling fresh and totally unforgettable, this is the one.

It's perfect for fans of Rachel Gillig or Rebecca Ross!

Thank you, Netgalley, for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I really enjoyed this book. It was the perfect romantasy and with sirens?! Umm YES PLEASE! It kept my interest throughout and I found the plot so compelling. Thank you NetGalley for letting me read this advance arc!

"But if you are to devastate me, then let it be completely. Lay waste to me and everything that's mine."

To put it plainly, it has been a very long time that a romantasy has impacted me the way that this book did. Out of my mind spiralling, not wanting to finish it because I wasn't ready for the crash out, forcing friends to request it on NetGalley so they can read it and spiral with me.

This is an absolutely insane debut. Kalie Cassidy has come out swinging and I am content to let her hit me in the face, repeatedly.

I could ramble on and on about this but here are some of my highlights:
༄ First off, our FMC Imogen. I support Imogen's rights, but most importantly I support Imogen's wrongs. She has quickly climbed the ranks of my top fictional female characters at all time.
༄ Imogen has been repressing her siren magic since essentially birth, so when it is freed she has no control over it and has an extremely difficult time reigning it in. AND I LOVE TO SEE THAT. BECAUSE THAT MAKES SENSE.
༄ Theodoreeeeeeee 🫠 a pathetic, down bad male, who is quite literally willing to risk it all for Imogen fduksahgfjkslghfjgkl I feel sick just thinking about him (this is all said positively)
༄ The proooooooose. Once I go through it again I am certain I will have a highlight on virtually every page. Especially tying in the ocean imagery (marine biologist bias). The gasps I guspts.
༄ Duty vs love vs just wanting to live for yourself with no rulers and nothing to keep you held down because you've spent your life in a cage to please others!!!!
༄ Everything. Everything is a highlight.

If you are even the slightest bit intrigued I highly recommend you put this on your tbr.

At the time of writing this it has been three weeks since I finished the book and it is still at the forefront of my mind. As I was going through my tabs and deciding what quote(s) to include in this review I came to the conclusion that I will be rereading this again before release. No one can stop me.

"For I was as undiscerning as a storm, as ruinous as a tidal wave crashing, and I could never live with myself if he was caught in my devastation."


Disclaimer: I received an ARC from Hachette Book Group Canada and Little, Brown and Company. These quotes are taken from the uncorrected proof and are subject to change upon comparison to the final publication.

Thank you Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I adored this! This was such an atmospheric read with beautiful descriptive writing. It was my first time reading a fantasy book with sirens as the focus, and I truly hope it won’t be my last. I only wish it was longer, but it was still a 5 star read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book lured me in and I was instantaneously under Imogen's spell. I was genuinely so upset I had to be an adult with adult responsibilities like going to work when I had much better things to be doing like finishing this book. This book has it all! A FMC and MMC with absolutely stellar chemistry. I ate up every single scene they interacted in. A neat take on sirens that I'm excited to see explored more in the sequel. A plot revolving around the ruling descendants of gods with some truly incredible political intrigue that had me on the edge of my seat. This was a fantastic debut and now begins the long wait for the sequel.

DNF @ 50%

Unfortunately, this book did not work for me. This book had a really promising and interesting start but as the book went on, I started losing interest. I felt like a lot this book was underdeveloped and I had a hard time connected to the characters. This book also has very little plot so I was struggling to feel engaged and intrigued with the story because of the lack of plot. This book has some really great and unique concepts but the execution just fell flat for me and left me wanting more and left me feeling a bit bored.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for gifting me an ARC.

THIS is the book I've been searching for amidst the sea (pun intended) of paint-by-numbers romantasy offerings. Enemies to lovers with true animosity and stakes? Perfection. World building and a magic system that feels fresh and well thought out? Fantastic. Leads with compelling character arcs and personalities beyond "sassy" and "smirking"? Thank you. The only downside: having to wait for book 2.

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for my arc in exchange for my unbiased opinion.

"In the Veins of the Drowning" by Kalie Cassidy follows Imogen Nel who hides her Siren blood, her wings, and her hunger. But when a visiting king uncovers her secret, they forge a blood bond and flee across undead-infested seas. As desire threatens duty and her powers surge, Imogen must decide to kill the monster hunting her and becoming a monster herself.

I was so excited to receive this arc. I love when sirens are scary and clawed up and the summary of Cassidy's novel promised my beloved nightmare sirens. The actual story is where my potential love died. Imogen is such a flacid noodle of a character; she's got no direction, no real personality, and she's just so boring. I am not engaged with her. And then the worldbuilding is severely lacking for me. Cassidy drops the reader right into the world without any context and no real earned narrative. Dropping a reader into the story lacking context only works when the world is strong and the narrative gives an earned build up and earned climax. I feel like this book does none of those things.

However, I can see others really enjoying this. Romantasy has a market and despite all of my issues with this book, it also falls perfectly into the romantasy checkboxes.

That said, I wouldn't recommend this for any readers who want a story with real teeth.

Not my usual genre but have been hearing such buzz about it that I couldn't pass up the chance to read In The Veins of the Drowning! An absolutely thrill of a debut, the world building is seamless and the pace is spot-on. It never lulled, I was never caught off guard by new elements of the story... In fact many of the layers were unveiled as if Kalie were reading my mind, ready for more! There's a lot of originality to this story & the romance -- it's deep and nuanced, which feels rare in both these genres. Stayed up way too many nights lost in this one and will be recommending it to readers, whether they believe they are a romantasy reader or not! Looking forward to jumping back in to the sequels (and definitely re-reading before then!)