What is love, without freedom?

This is a story about unspoken, unwavering trust.
A friend’s to lovers slowwwww burn with an EXCEPTIONAL amount of yearning from both parties.


Grey has dedicated her life as a knight to protecting her childhood/best friend, kier.

She is a vessel for magic called a ‘Well’ and kier is a ‘mage’, someone who can execute that magic in to a tangible force.

Kiers power happens to be able to damage the human heart. I’ll be dammed if it isn’t.

When grey confides in kier that she is the long lost heir to the isle that is the root of all power, they both agree to enlist as soldiers to keep her hidden. The very war that was caused by her and her family’s presumed death.


When a pretender comes out of the wood work assuming the role of Grey, she and Kier are tasked with delivering them to the high lord with promise of freedom and retirement when the task is accomplished.


I loved the development of the found family
Trope. Grey finally starting to let herself care about others and grow as a character.

The book had an easy, un phased way when speaking about disability and queerness.

SOOO much YEARNING

This is in my top five reads for the year

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for ARC access. I would class this review as containing mild spoilers – I think most aspects addressed are already spoiled by the blurb, except for one or two pacing comments, but proceed with caution.

The Second Death of Locke is a fairly archetypal romantic fantasy. Grey Flynn is a well, devoted to her mage, Keir, and hiding the fact that she’s more than an ordinary well; reductively, they’re sent on a quest that forces them to confront their feelings for each other and, ultimately, her destiny.

The magic system and how world events have affected this had the potential to be absolutely fascinating, but it lacks investment over the course of the novel. Concisely: a mage can only cast by drawing on a well, but wells are scarce and no new wells have been born since Locke fell; despite this, wells are treated as lesser, more like a specific mage's property. This could be a very interesting dynamic to show crumbling (particularly with the role of Locke), or to have the threat of being split up as a driver of the main duo’s dynamic and aims; despite this interesting setup in early chapters, the whole power dynamic just kind of falls off once the quest kicks in. Equally, there's a lot of reliance on the abilities of Locke/Grey being very secret and special (though how much ‘secret’ actually bears out is debatable) - but given the abilities and limits of ordinary wells aren’t particularly well established before this point, it comes off more as Grey continually dwelling on how special she is, to the point these special abilities are more routine than the normal limits. It also contributes to an overall lack of real peril, because somehow there’s always some new power to be pulled out to save the day.

Likewise, the worldbuilding could have made for a strong political bent, but this wasn't developed; nations are at war because they are, allies are allied for personal reasons, while enemy motivations are pretty much absent. Lack of explained enemy motivation specifically annoyed me, as it created a bit of a knot - everyone's at war because magic is scarce, because Locke fell, because someone acted against Locke, because...attacking the source of all magic was somehow a smart move and wouldn't screw everyone over equally? There is no attempt to explain the logic behind the event everything in the book is predicated on which, again, contributes towards the lack of a real credible feeling of threat. I also found the way in which much of the worldbuilding for both the magic system and politics were imparted to be fairly clunky – there’s a lot of information just outright stated in the opening chapters that could have been better integrated into the narrative and made for a smoother reading experience.

The weakness in the worldbuilding could be excused for a strong character-driven cast – unfortunately I also found the characters relatively weak. Most notably and frustratingly, Keir’s characterisation seemed particularly absent, beyond being supposedly charismatic and snarky, and obviously in love with Grey. The narrative is very much close on Grey, which should be a useful insight into the more stoic half of the duo; unfortunately, a lot of that insight is angst about her crush on Keir with minimal insight into the man himself. I feel this would have been a much stronger book with an alternating point of view. There’s also not really a lot of sense of motivation to get invested in – while the main duo evidently want to protect each other, there’s no real long-term driving goal, other than Keir’s goal to retire (which gets reduced to another source of pointless angst for Grey). Comparatively Grey has no interest in Locke until, apropos of nothing, she suddenly does. It’s also rather hard to root for Grey’s constant impulse towards self-sacrifice as a character trait, particularly with the effects this would have on the world at large, given the lack of any real consequences for her poor decision-making. Honestly, the most vibrant character in the whole book is Grey’s former situationship, who only features for a few chapters, and at least has a very clear motivation of ensuring everyone is healthy. Naturally, this has consequences for the romance side of things.

If you’re looking for a childhood friends to lovers and the vibe of schoolyard crushes where the only real obstacle is failure to communicate their feelings, you may well enjoy this book. Probably not for slow-burn fans, as the love confessions hit before the 50% mark. None of the above are tropes I particularly enjoy, and they directly countermand the reasons I picked this book up. Marketing for the relationship in this book centres on devotion, sacrifice and co-dependency, which really appealed to me – I love a couple who know each other so intimately that romance is an afterthought, the unquestioning faith and trust, the intimacy of subsuming themself in support of the other, and being willing to sacrifice both themself and each other in pursuit of their goals. The relationship here failed to hit anything close to that.

There’s very little sense from what’s shown on page that the main couple have an intimate knowledge of each other, or even really know each other’s feelings, goals and motivations. Most of the interpersonal conflict is driven directly by a lack of understanding, communication and trust in each other. There’s a lot of physical intimacy, and continual lip service of how well Grey knows Keir (particularly his body), but there’s very little emotional intimacy or understanding demonstrated as part of the storytelling. The inevitable third-act romantic conflict feels deeply contrived and, again, seems to have forgotten the whole ‘devotion’ and ‘co-dependency’ aspects that are supposedly driving the relationship; instead, it’s once again reliant on bad communication and failure to understand one another that, by that point in the book, is becoming deeply tedious.

Overall, the feel is of a cast that is very much going through the motions without the author actually committing to any aspect of interest beyond delivering a happily ever after that doesn't feel particularly earned. I understand this is the author's adult debut; I will say that neither the characters nor the narrative handling of any of the aspects raised felt particularly adult to me personally. Were this marketed as YA, I’d have had less stringent expectations for many of the above aspects.

Overall, for me, The Second Death of Locke was fine – it was enjoyable enough to read, and none of the above aspects were egregious enough to stop me finishing or continually annoy me after I read. However, in my view, it failed to deliver on what it promised or provide a particularly novel exploration of any of the aspects it raised.

I absolutely loved this book! It was beautifully written and I found the world building very intriguing from the start. I genuinely loved all of the characters and found their relationships and conflict very realistic.

This is one of my favourite books of this year so far and I can’t wait to see more in the series!

Lady knight season is well and truly here! Brutal at times and yet laced with fairytale-esque atmosphere, this book is full of longing and courage. The second half had me gripped and in tears.

Five amazing stars! I did an immersive read for this book, and I felt like I was watching a movie in my mind! All the intrigue and betrayals and politics as well. Really looking forward to the sequel!

A special thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for a ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Locke is not your brooding, tortured antihero. He’s the guy who opens the door to your psyche, sets it on fire, and then apologizes for the smoke damage. I spent 300+ pages trying to decide if I wanted to punch him, protect him, or crawl inside his brain and scream. He’s written like a mirror you don’t want to look into too closely because you know it’ll show you something you’ve been avoiding.

The pacing is deliberately tense. It feels like walking a spiral staircase in the dark, where every chapter makes you more unsure of which way is up. There’s this gnawing unease beneath every interaction. You’ll find yourself re-reading conversations not because you’re confused but because you know something isn’t right, and you’re trying to catch the crack in the mask.

The setting isn’t just a backdrop. It’s a character. Gutted cathedrals, candlelight, stone halls that echo too loudly. It’s giving: the air smells like dust and secrets. It made me want to read this book only at night, wrapped in a blanket, preferably during a thunderstorm with a single candle lit. Bonus points if you’ve recently made some morally questionable life decisions.

And the writing? It’s poetic without trying too hard, which is a rare flex. You’re not just reading scenes. You’re inhaling memories, half-truths, and the slow rot of guilt. Every paragraph feels like it’s daring you to keep going, even as it tightens the noose.

I finished it and immediately had to sit in silence like I had just walked out of a funeral I wasn’t invited to but somehow was still grieving.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for giving me a book that will now live rent-free in the part of my brain.

This book was lovely and was exactly what I was looking for! It’s tender, beautifully written, and has a compelling and interesting type of magic and world. The author is very good at her craft.

While I did like the book very much, this is no Gideon the. Ninth. I think this is beautiful in its own right. Gideon the Ninth is tortured and miserable and sparkling and desperate and nightmarish and I love it dearly. This book is simply too soft and tender to be compared to Harrow and Gideon and the destructive and regenerative way they can never be disentangled.

Got this while available as Read Now because I was curious. But my curiosity only lasted to 20% because this prose is dryyyy. Chapter one was a political and cultural info dump that had my eyes criss-crossing and wondering why the Big Secret was being hinted at so early. And Grey's obsession with Kier: Eeesh, cringe. Just couldn't get into this one.

2025 is the year of the Lady Knight and i am here. for. it. This standalone captured my attention so thoroughly! I went literal hours reading, losing track of time and not once pulling out my phone.

Grey is the heir to a lost island, Locke, and the heir to the source of all power. Her isle was destroyed 20 years ago, sunk beneath the sea, along with her family and everyone she had known. Grey has been in hiding ever since. She has dedicated her life to Keir, her childhood best friend and the only person who knows who she truly is, and the Mage to her Well. They’ve been fighting together for the last several years, somehow keeping Grey’s power hidden from those who have been searching for the heir of Locke. Grey and Keir are sent on a dangerous special quest that will put their lives in danger, and it threatens to reveal everything she’s worked hard to keep hidden for the last 20 years.

The Second Death of Locke is adventurous and romantic, all about dedication, loyalty, sacrifice, and devotion. What I loved most about this story is that we follow a woman who has always known she’s the chosen one. She’s spent her whole life knowing who she is, what she is capable of, and what will be required of her, should she pursue her destiny. She knows the cost, at least some of it. She’s already battleworn by the time we meet her, having spent much of her adult life wearing armor and fighting alongside Keir. She’s already been in love with Keir for most of her life, and she’s already followed him to dangerous places. It was a really nice and surprising change of pace from following the usual arc of an unsuspecting, reluctant hero who stumbles into their destiny and their love.

The fierce loyalty Grey feels for Keir and her fellow knights is admirable and you can really feel it. I truly believed Grey would give herself for everyone around her, and they would do the same for her, no questions asked.

My only slight complaint is that the second half of the book did not hook me as much as the first. In the second half, there is more focus on the politics of the land, and although I didn’t find that boring, I did have a hard time grasping exactly how these politics worked in the long run. The purpose of this 20 year long war was a little lost on me.

Ultimately, though: this book was incredible. Full of romance and adventure, devotion and sacrifice, loyalty and trust. I can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy in September.

Thank you, NetGalley, for an early digital copy of this book!

My reading tastes in 2025 can be summed up with– awesome covers, badass FMCs (extra points for lady knights), and MMCs who would literally SACRIFICE THEMSELVES for their lovers. That’s it. That’s all I’m asking for.

Soooo, that being said, there’s the blurb from Amazon for The Second Death of Locke:

"Love. Loyalty. Sacrifice.

Grey Flynn has dedicated her life to her mage, Kier. She will be his blade on the battlefield, his healer and protector. The deep well of raw power inside her is Kier’s to wield. They are bound together by blood and magic, but there is one truth Grey dare not reveal . . . not even to Kier.

When a quest to protect the child of an enemy kingdom pulls them into a dangerous mission, Grey will need to decide what she’s willing to sacrifice to protect her secret.

For Grey is no ordinary magical well, and if she dies, all magic dies with her."

Gorgeous cover? Check

Badass FMC? Check

MMC who would literally sacrifice himself for his lover? OMG yes! CHECK!

I went into this book only reading the blurb and being entranced by the cover, I hadn’t read this author before. I opened it as soon as it hit my Kindle, setting aside whatever I was reading at the time. I’m being completely honest when I tell you I was absolutely absorbed right from the first page.

A decade ago, The Isle of Locke was attacked and destroyed, disappearing into the sea, its heirs hunted down and killed, but rumors say one last heir is still alive. Locke is the origin of all magic in Idistra, the heir the well that funnels the magic of the land to their mages, who direct the magic. The decimation of Locke means no more wells will be born. Existing wells and mages are now extremely important, especially after war breaks out between rival nations.

Grey Flynn and Kiernan Seward have known each other since they were children. The closest friends and confidants. Now they fight together as well and mage in Eprain’s war. Grey is the well that supplies magic to Kier, who wields it against their enemies in battle. But she is also his healer, and protector and oldest friend. Their dedication and loyalty toward one another is steadfast and true. Immediately from the first chapter you can tell that these two are tightly woven together in all ways.

They are tasked by their commander with protecting a child who claims to be the lost heir of Locke and transporting her through enemy territory to safety. The only problem is that Grey knows this child isn’t the heir. She knows because Grey herself is the heir, and this dangerous mission just might mean her death– and the end to all magic.

I have long said that second chance and friends to lovers is two of my favorite tropes, because I adore an established relationship that blossoms as the book progresses into a deep and abiding love. When the book opens Grey and Kier are already a tight unit who have been through thick and thin with each other. They know things about each other that no one else knows. Their familiarity with each other shines through immediately. Their loyalty and dedication is obvious. But as the book progresses readers also begin to understand that there is also a deep yearning between them. Each of them wanting something more, but afraid to take the next step.

This book is achingly romantic, full of love, loyalty, sacrifice, and trust. It’s also heavy with brutal scenes of war and death. The worldbuilding is stunning and the magic system and its origin original. I felt like I was transported back to a medieval time that was sprinkled with power and magic. This author intricately builds her cast of characters, and I began to deeply care about each person who traveled the dangerous path and fought alongside our main characters. There is also an exploration of grief, as Grey remembers what happened the night Locke fell. The ending offers both closure but also hints at what is to come later in the trilogy.

This book will 100% be on my favorites list at the end of the year. It’s superbly written, endlessly romantic, and left me wanting to shout out to anyone who would listen that they need to add it to their TBR.

It's somewhat of a relief to find other reviews with similar opinions to mine. The Second Death of Locke did not work for me. The book started strong, and despite some minor reservations, I was enjoying it! But it fell apart in the second part. I think the book is well written! However, the characterization and world-building felt quite weak. Keir is bland. He has no personality outside of being Grey's love interest. Grey was a bit better since we were in her head, but her constant doubt that Keir loved her was tedious. The side characters barely have any personality. And what was the point of Sela? For her to be dropped in the second half? The politics of the world were a mess. I had no idea why all these countries were at war and why they depended so much on magic (is their society built/sustained on magic?), and therefore, their dependence on Locke. It just felt messy compared to the decent start.

Pacing spoilers ahead…

25% in - major plot point revealed
50% in - major declarations
^ me: FREAKING OUT THE WHOLE TIME BECAUSE THERE WAS 50% more of the book left!!

I wasn’t surprised by any of the twists but I enjoyed my time immensely. Emotions were high!

The writing was incredibly easy to get sucked into and despite a lot happening in one book, it didn’t feel overdone.

Also, Lady Knights FTW!!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Thank you to NetGalley & Orbit for the digital galley in exchange for my honest review.

Wow, wow, wow… This might be my favorite book of the year. I found myself having this thought multiple times while reading The Second Death of Locke. This is a book I wanted to savor. Even with all of the blood and gore and bleak realities of a lifetime spent at war, I found myself wanting to spend all day with Grey, Kier, and their sometimes-merry band of companions. This book took me on an emotional rollercoaster, but I mean that in the best way possible.

I really loved the wide spectrum of gender and sexual representation in this book. It's woven into the story in a way that never felt like an afterthought or forced; it's always an integral part of the character, but their story is told so naturally it doesn't feel like a character you're reading about, it feels like a friend you've known and learned who they are as a person.

The magic and worldbuilding was one of my absolute favorite things about this book - it was transportive. V.L. Bovalino does an amazing job bringing you fully into Grey's world, and then taking you along for the ride as her world continues to change while she navigates the perils of being the heir to a lost kingdom and the source of all magic.
I loved the dynamic of a mage and a well both being needed for magic to be harnessed and used. Without one another, they are essentially useless in the magical arts. Now, I just want a handbook telling me all about the mage/well powers, and all of the different classes of mages.

At the core of the story, the intertwining of Grey and Kier's lives, their love, their silly nicknames (ok, Grape), and their amazing banter will definitely keep me coming back for more. I can see this book becoming an old favorite I will return to again and again.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC of this book, in exchange for a review.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC!

Here is a quick glance at the vibes from this book:
🗡️ mage (magic wielder) and well (magic giver) magic dynamics
🗡️ mysterious missing magical isle
🗡️ long lost magical family
🗡️ childhood best friends to lovers
🗡️ sassy flirting
🗡️ magical life bonds
🗡️ HARD decisions

The FMC Grey and MMC Kier are in a well/mage dynamic, but they also have a deeper connection. This stunning epic fantasy story dives into the nuances to their connection and it gets deeper and more complicated as the story progresses. The writing is engaging and crafted in a way where complex world building and magic systems seem second nature to the reader. Lastly, I enjoy a stand-alone fantasy where there can be such a robust plot and characters who undergo such journeys without feeling rushed!

Can’t wait to recommend this to everyone I know!

“The girl who lived turning into the woman who lived, who lured every person she loved into death by sacrifice.”

I had high expectations for this book after reading, and loving, one of Bovalino’s earlier books; this book far exceeded my expectations. It is complex and raw, a testament to childhood-friends-to-lovers as a trope, and an intricate magic system with a world I’d like to return to. What caught me in this book (and didn’t let me go) is the growth of Grey from a steadfast warrior to a leader driven by her need for love and security. She is relatable, moveable in a way that feels human, in a way that so many other fmc’s in similar roles are not allowed to be.

•found family
•unique magic system
•loyal and pure (but also a celebrated warrior) mmc
•tears, lots of tears

Grey and Kier, I will not be getting over you.

'Phenomenal' isn't strong enough a word. The pacing? Gripping. The World? Tragic. The characters? All of them amazing. The plot? Heart-wrenching. The romance? Y E A R N I N G
I am so sad it's over. However, so grateful this is going to be a trilogy!

Grey - Broken, lonely, and so fierce.. A well of magic, waiting to be tapped
Keir - Loyal, sweet, golden retriever energy.. the mage gifted with the ability to wield Grey's magic

Off on a deadly adventure with a small party in tow, they seek to return a prized possession of a neighboring kingdom. With the promise of retirement closer with every step, they are more than eager to meet the end of their journey. A miscalculation and, simply put, all hell breaks loose, and their lives are changed forever. The stakes are deadly and no one is safe.
Through it all, we see bonds form and love grow. Each relationship sprouting organically, giving small samples here and there, making you starved for more.

The Second Death of Locke is a haunting and emotionally charged fantasy that explores the cost of loyalty, magic, and love in a world on the brink of collapse. This is not a simple tale of knights and mages—it’s a story about devotion that borders on destruction, and power so absolute it threatens to unravel the fabric of life itself.

At the center of this story is Grey Flynn, a warrior bonded body and soul to her mage, Kier. Grey isn't just Kier's protector; she’s his conduit to power, the living wellspring through which he draws magic. Her sacrifice is constant and quiet, woven into every battle and healing spell, every moment of exhaustion that she silently bears. But Grey’s loyalty runs deeper than even Kier knows, because Grey isn’t merely a magical resource—she is the last living heir to Locke, the mythical source of all magic. If she dies, the world’s magic dies too.

The novel’s central relationship is devastatingly tender, yet edged with a sharp sense of imbalance. Grey would bleed herself dry for Kier without hesitation, but the question of whether Kier loves her back or simply needs her power lingers like a wound. Their journey—both physical and emotional—is set against a war that forces them to confront terrifying choices, especially when they're tasked with protecting the child of a rival kingdom. The stakes are monumental: not just political survival, but the literal survival of magic itself.

This is not a story of clean heroism. It’s about love that’s messy, co-dependent, and sometimes unbearable. The magic system is tightly bound to the characters’ relationships, making every spell and battle feel personal rather than abstract.

What happens when the source of power is a person who loves too much? And what is more dangerous—losing that power or losing yourself?

My thanks to Netgalley, Forever (Grand Central Publishing), and V.L. Bovalino for the eARC in exchange for a review of this book.

You know that feeling, when you are reading/watching/listening to something and the emotions are welling up inside you, just pushing and growing in every passing moment? They're growing so much that you pull your knees up and hug them because you have to do something to hold yourself together before it bursts out of you. Your hands are up over your mouth in case you let out some unseemly sound and alert other people in the room to your presence but at the same time, it is meant to hide the maniacal grin on your face because teeth lit up in a smile in the dark is an unsettling sight. You're ready to hide sniffles in your knees if it comes to it and to wipe tears from the corners of your eyes because *ahem* it's just an eyelash, leave me alone. And when it comes down to it, you lift your arms and CHEER quietly because that is all you can do when that everything becomes too much.

THAT is the overall feeling I had to wrestle with as I made my way through the journey of this book. By the time I got to the last portion of it, I had two reigning thoughts in my head. One: there are more books to come, right? I know I've seen something about it, another two books? Someone confirm this for me as soon as humanly possible. And Two: I immediately pre-ordered both of Bovalino's upcoming releases, which includes this book and a YA release set for January 2026. I also ordered hardcovers of each of the books I do not currently have from Bovalino's backlist of titles. I want to read everything I can find, Bovalino has a reader/fan for life now. This book has cemented that for me.

The Second Death of Locke is about a world at war, where Mages wield magic and they have their Hands, people with a well of magic inside them that Mages tether to, working together as two pieces of a whole, side by side through thick and thin and everything in between. Grey Flynn is the dedicated Hand to her Mage, Kier, her childhood friend and her everything now as an adult. Together they have risen in the ranks of their nation's army, to the point that the pair are tasked with an impossible mission: protect a child that the army has taken from enemy forces and return that child to those who want them back. Grey and Flynn put together a small group of soldiers and set out to cross the country, hoping to complete their task and avoid all enemies along the way, all while trying to hide the truth: Grey is the lost heir of Locke, an island nation that was lost to the seas nearly two decades before. It was the source of all magic and it's loss was the catalyst that started the war in the first place. Magic has been fading since Locke was lost and Grey could possibly be able to bring magic back if she could figure out how to bring the Isle back. On the other hand, if Grey dies, all of the magic in the world dies with her.

I'd heard of this book in Bovalino's newsletter so I was already on the lookout for it to pre-order when I had the chance. When I saw it was available on Netgalley, I leapt at the chance to read it. Bovalino's writing style is engaging, showing readers everything they need with character interactions and settings, snark in the dialogue and such depth of emotions from Grey and her companions. I loved all of the characters before the book was over, even characters I didn't think I'd like when they were first introduced. Grey was a force, prickly and snarky and so devoted, my heart ached for her at each turn the story took. I loved her connection to Kier, and how entwined they were and yet so wholly independent of each other, they were pig-headed and brash and determined to save each other even if it meant sacrificing themselves and I cheered them on through every battle.

Each character is given their due, from Brit, Ola and Eron, the soldiers chosen to aid Grey and Kier on their assignment, to Sela, the child they are transporting, to even the leaders of the nations they are fighting for and against. Grey would die for her new friends and I echoed that sentiment. Each time Grey made a decision to keep her people safe, I wanted to take up a sword and fight with her. They are all so unique and pushy, and important to Grey and to us readers that I waited with bated breath as I read this story, hoping my favorites would make it through to the end.

Readers are given little asides at the end of each chapter, whether it be letters from characters that have passed before the events of this story, journal entries or even historical texts about the war and the history of the Isle of Locke. There is so much information that I can't even remember if I had any questions sitting in my head because everything readers need to know is given at the right time for the most emotional impact (I'm not kidding, my emotions feel like they've run a gauntlet, I might need time to recover by returning to page 1 and starting the whole journey over again).

The world is filled in enough to feel how it has changed since war has taken over and a map is provided at the start of the book (love me a map in my books, seriously, I sincerely love when a map is provided). Readers learn about who Grey and Kier fight for and who the enemies are and how each are with the others. We learn about how other nation's use their magic and how Mages have certain affinities that they use magic for on the battlefield. It's all so rich with detail, I wanted to stay in this world longer and I truly hope there are more books to come. I have to know if the characters I came to love in this story get everything they want in the future.

And that ending. Ugh, that ending was everything I could have wanted and yet so much more I never would have thought of and it can't end there, it just can't, there is so much more to come, I can feel it. It might hurt in the long run but I have to know how this will all come together by the last page of the last book. I will stand vigil and wait for the return of Grey and her family, new and old, and hope for the best for these characters.

Rating on my scale: 10 STARS. I loved this book. I want more from this world. I can't wait for it's release and for the sequels that just have to happen, they have to. Read this book so it can have sequels, please and thank you.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Forever for the chance to reach The Second Death of Locke as an ARC! I have heard so many incredible things about this book and was so excited to see this as a 'read now' title on Netgalley. For those of you who haven't heard about this upcoming release from V.L. Bovalino... you're going to want to remember this one.

Our FMC, Grey, is a 'well', meaning she is essentially the magical source of power for her mage, Kier. The two of them have been tasked with protecting the child of an enemy kingdom in a high-stakes quest that requires trust, political savvy, and a little help from their fellow knights- though Grey and Kier have been keeping an impossible secret about Grey's true identity.

The Second Death of Locke was even *more* than I hoped it would be. The found family and 'chosen one' tropes were executed seamlessly, and the devotion between Grey and Kier made me remember why I love the friends-to-lovers trope so much. I expected humor, a queernormative world, and an intricate magic system and I am happy to report that V.L. Bovalino did not disappoint. This book is truly filled with yearning, devotion, loyalty, and above all, the sacrifices we make for the people we love. This is one of those books that I will forever be recommending to anyone willing to listen, but especially to anyone who has ever fallen in love with the idea of knowing someone better than they know themselves.

The Second Death of Locke is out on September 23rd and I CANNOT wait to have this on my shelves (hello, that COVER??). If you're a fan of Rebecca Ross, The Bridge Kingdom series, Rachel Gillig, or really powerful women wielding swords... then this one is for you.

Thank you so much Forever for this beautiful ARC. I am firmly in my knight era and I think this book was stunning from page one. I love the art and the yearning in this book out of everything. I think that the buildup for it was incredible and I think that the plot twist fit just right. I love the romance and the conflicts and I think they hit a happy medium with each. This book spans a few different genres and I think so many people are going to love this!!! Five stars for sure. I would love to read more from this author.