The Second Death of Locke

The Hand and the Heart #1

by V.L. Bovalino

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 use. Grey would do anything for Kier - be anything for him - if he would only ask.

When a quest to protect the child of an enemy kingdom pulls them into the dangerous heart of their nation's war, Grey and Kier will need to decide what they are willing to sacrifice to protect their secret.

For Grey is no ordinary magical well, but heir to the lost island of Locke - the root of all power. If she dies, all magic dies with her.

The Second Death of Locke is a devastatingly romantic epic fantasy and about the undying bond between a knight and their mage, perfect for fans of Gideon the Ninth and The Six Deaths of the Saint.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Romantasy, Adult, Fantasy Romance, Gothic, Fiction

504 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication September 23, 2025

About the author

V.L. Bovalino is originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and now lives in the UK. She loves obscure academic facts, folklore, and oversized sweaters. Find her on online as @toribovalino.

She also writes books for young adults as Tori Bovalino.

Reviews

[ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

thank you so much to netgalley for providing this arc!

oh this was absolutely WONDERFUL. when i said bring back yearning, this was exactly what i meant - some of the quotes from this had my jaw on the floor. i am honestly astounded that this is a debut novel!!

just some of the things i absolutely loved about this book:
- the atmosphere - this was so moody and gothic, and i feel like the setting was literally jumping off the page. a lot of this takes place on the battlefield and i literally felt like i was there in places. i love me a good medieval fantasy, and this felt like one of the most authentic ones
- the ROMANCE!!! this was the definition of written-in-the-stars, meant to be, mutual pining and obsession, but in the most beautiful way. some of the quotes surrounding the romance were absolutely gorgeous (again - in shock that this is a debut!!!! v.l. bovalino is clearly incredibly talented). although i have been known to love the more contemporary/spicy books, there is always space in my heart for these profound, beautiful love stories. i have a strong suspicion these characters are going to live in my head for a very long time
- the found family aspect - i know this gets thrown around a lot, but the dynamic of this group was so so heartwarming to me
- the magic system - i found the magic system in this book to be so unique and wonderfully thought out. i always love when i pick up a fantasy book and it is able to shock and intrigue me when it comes to the magic and the world building - this did exactly that
- the representation - if you are someone who values seeing characters with varying gender indentities/sexualities, you will also adore this book. we had so many characters that were trans/bisexual/non-binary etc., and it was just a fact of life in this book, which i always find super comforting
- the writing in this was STUNNING. i feel like i have said my piece regarding the fact that some of the quotes in this had me in shambles, and also the fact that this being a debut novel is insane
- the lady-knights - need i say more

overall, this book was an absolutely wonderful gothic, lady-knight centric, romantic masterpiece. i would highly, highly, highly recommend that you pick this up when you can. i now totally understand all of the glowing reviews i have seen for this book so far. i implore you to read it!!!

vibes:
- quest story
- lady-knights
- written in the stars, childhood best friends to lovers romance
- found family
- some of the most stunning writing i have read in a while

[Ricarda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Don't look at me and my criminally low rating for this book, because I'm the problem here, probably. I'm on a mission to read all the lady knight books that are brought to us this year and I already got to five or six vastly different stories, but this one didn't work for me at all. At first I wanted to rate it 3 stars, but I actually can't think of a single thing that I truly liked in here. (Also, there's very little lady-knighting and maybe I had the wrong expectations regarding that in general, but the cover just screams lady knight in my opinion.)

Grey is the hand to her childhood best friend and mage Kier, meaning that she protects him with her life and that she serves as the source of his magic. They are basically part of the military and live in an unstable land at war. Peace can only be brought by the lost heir of Locke, but no one knows who they are or if they are still alive at all. Grey and Kier get involved in the whole lost-heir situation when they are sent on a mission to escort the presumed heir. But they also know fully well that they are escorting an imposter, because Grey is the real lost heir of Locke. Not gonna lie, I was gagged by this revelation, but it literally says so in the synopsis. The plot sounds appealing when I write it out like that, but in reality nothing about this story was intriguing in any way for me:

- the characters: In one word – bland. Grey had the most potential, being a warrior and a healer and the heir, but she still didn't have an actual personality and I couldn't stand her as a protagonist. She's obsessed with Kier for some reason, a man I know like three things about. He's a mage, his brother is dead and he's dull … I mean kind.

- the romance: I saw other reviews praising the slow burn friends to lovers romance, and I'm happy that people liked it, but it was not working for me. Grey has been in love with Kier since forever and how lucky that after 15 years or so, he finally says that he loved her all along too. You may call it yearning, but I call it being in denial for no reason. They are both adults and they undoubtedly have a connection and there's a lot of physical touching before they ever get together, so what is their problem? It was also kinda criminal how the lady knight main character was not embracing in a sapphic relationship, but Grey is actually bisexual, so that did check out in the end.

- the world building: There's one big infodump in the very first chapter and it made it really hard for me to care, because the characters just sit around in tents for a long while after that. I think there's a good concept at the basis of it all with singular people representing an entire nation and them being the power source for the whole land, but it also lacked depth. The book is really heavy on the political part and nothing about that was presented in an intriguing way.

- the pacing: In the first half of the book they talk and then they walk for a sheer endless amount of pages, and then it's politics time for the whole second half of the book. The thought that this story is a trilogy is kinda outrageous to me when I think about how little substance this book actually had. A book this boring should not get a sequel, let alone two.

- the plot: I can't speak of the political stuff, because I just didn't care enough to make any notes, but the whole lost-heir situation in the beginning was so confusing to me. Apparently anyone can claim to be the heir and everyone will just believe it. Grey – an adult woman - is the actual heir, so why would anyone believe that a 15-year-old girl is the heir? I probably missed the explanation for this, but the age component of this whole situation didn't make sense to me at all. And later Kier claims to be the heir to protect Grey and that is also believed right away. Like, give me a break.

- the fantasy elements, or more so, the lack of them: There's barely any fantasy in here and when magic appears after all, it really lacks description. There's only ever talk of "the power". Grey feels the power rise inside her, and Kier uses her power, and the power has to be restored, and she calls on her power, and the power exploded out of her. Do you maybe care for literally any deeper explanation? No? Well, ok. I guess I will not care either then.

Overall, this book missed the mark in every possible way for me. Sure, I expected something else, but I still can enjoy a story even if it's different from what I thought. But what I got here was really not enjoyable for me and I will remember nothing except that it was one very boring book.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK / Orbit Books for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.

-----
Pre read: Yet another lady knight book for 2025 has entered the chat. Good. *rubs hands*

[Léa · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Blood of my blood, soul of my soul, thine hand is over my heart. When you ache, then shall I ache; when you perish, then I shall perish."

NOT ONLY one of my favourite books of the year but equally one of the best fantasies I have ever read!!!

When we said bring back yearning this is what we meant! The Second Death of Locke was so full of angst, such a warranted sense of desire, found family and a magic system that felt so fresh amongst the current wave of fantasy romance releases. I adored these characters so much and would find myself simultaneously blushing, giggling and yet, trying not to cry in SO many chapters.

I would highly recommend if you love:
- a quest
- childhood friends to lovers
- a lady knight!!!! (I need more of this in my life)
- found family
- gorgeous writing
- the dreamiest medieval fantasy setting

I'll be thinking about this one forever!

[Robin]

the year of the lady knight might make me more feral than previously believed

[Mai ༊*·˚ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5.0 ★— I’ve always loved the friends-to-lovers trope and the way it’s built upon deep familiarity, unspoken trust, and all the delicious tension that comes from the denial, fear, and hesitation in crossing those boundaries into something more. It’s a trope that’s surprisingly underused in fantasy romance, in my opinion, so I’m always happy to see it when I do.

The Second Death of Locke not only features this trope, but executes it perfectly.

Through our heroine, Grey Flynn, we learn of the world she resides in. She is a trained warrior with powers that make her the magical well of her best friend, Kiernan Seward, a mage who draws on her for power.
It’s a dynamic that’s common in this world, but it feels especially intimate between them.

From the very beginning, there’s this quiet, aching devotion between Grey and Kiernan that makes it clear theirs isn’t a simple friendship. It’s in their every glance, their every decision. They are a part of every facet of each other’s lives, and the book does a phenomenal job of slowly showcasing the sheer depth of their connection and how it came to be.

It’s bone-deep love and trust — the kind that feels foundational, inevitable — and makes their relationship quite literally the heart of the book.

I don’t think I can explain it other than saying there’s this constant sense of them looking for each other, looking at each other, and looking out for each other. Always, always each other.

Surrounding this beautiful central relationship is the mystery of Grey’s origins — her power, her home, and the secrecy wrapped around it all. The book reveals pieces of this with a quiet finesse: through letters, in-universe book quotes, and childhood memories Grey is grappling with. It’s all layered throughout the narrative, and gorgeously so! The atmosphere is rich and immersive, and it lingers.

Then there’s the worldbuilding, which is just wonderfully dense. You can feel the long, tangled history of this world and the political undercurrents running just below the surface. But even with all that complexity, love and devotion remain the book’s steady central themes — not just between Grey and Kiernan, but among the other characters as well. Family, selflessness, sacrifice, and loyalty echo throughout the story.

And I have to say, I really appreciated how queer-normative this world felt. There’s a wide range of queer characters and identities woven throughout the story, and they’re written with such warmth and care.

What else, what else? I know there’s more I want to say, because this book stayed on my mind so much as I read it, but this is the kind of story that deserves to slowly reveal itself to the readers without being spoiled.

So I’ll stop here and say: long live Year of the Lady Knight 2025. It’s truly been and continues to be such a joy literary-wise.

_________________________________________________

Thank you to Forever Publishing for the ARC in Exchange for my honest review.

[Bon · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️ 3.5

I'm not sure why I found this book so middling, but I did. It has everything I should like. A knight-like fmc, a fantastical setting with a unique magic system, an attempt at deeper world politics and world building... These pieces are all interesting and could've made a compelling fantasy story but something is missing.

Honestly, I think my problem with the story mainly lies in the characters. I actually enjoyed Grey as a protagonist, which is an incredible feat as I usually dislike the whole long lost princess trope, but Kier is just sort of...nice. He's nice. He's very nice and loves Grey and he's a good guy who'd do anything for her. That's it. I do like what others would call a "golden retriever boyfriend" type but Kier lacks substance, he's all sugar, which has the consequence of making him a dull character to have in basically any scene. He is so devoted to Grey in general that I never bought the idea that Grey, a woman of almost 30, wouldn't have realized that he's in love with her. It's also this overt affection that really gave me the feeling that I was missing a book and had somehow read the second installment of a series, skipping over plenty of the important building of such a relationship. Actually, there was plenty in this book that made me think it was a second book and not first. If you read it, I think you'll understand what I mean.

That being said, a good story can absolutely start with an already established relationship between the main couple but it seemed out of place in The Second Death of Locke as the romance is so heavily the focus of Grey and the plot. The woman is obsessed when there's a perfectly okay plot for her to focus on instead. And I say okay because I genuinely think it was just okay. There's nothing wrong with okay! I never really had a problem with the prose or dialog or magic or setting (although, I did sometimes find the war in general confusing), and the main plot was alright. But when there's so many books in the world, you probably could spend your time elsewhere and have a much more fulfilling time.

Just as a small aside, I didn't really ever feel Grey was a knight, per se. There's not a lot of battle in this book and I don't think she's ever called a knight? I could be wrong. She uses a sword and has armor but it didn't strike me as knight-ish. So, if you're looking for a fem!knight book, I'm not sure you'll be satisfied. If you love sugary friends-to-lovers romance, you might love it! Overall, I had a fun enough time with the book, despite my complaints.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[TheConnieFox · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel took me on a dark, mysterious and adventurous ride that I did not want to get off of! I absolutely loved this book and I cannot wait until the second book in this series comes out! It is emotional, tense and hopeful! It is filled with lovable and diverse characters. It is extremely well written and entertaining! It also comes with a Lady knight protagonist, which I absolutely loved her! The medieval fantasy world building was fantastic.

The magical system in this book is amazing! It’s about sacrifice, loyalty, loss, and a found family. While I was reading this book, it truly took me into a completely different world. The imagination that this author has is remarkable! I honestly did not want this book to end. The only critique I have is it did start off on the slower side, but it picked up about halfway through and continued to get better and better! It’s very engaging, comes with effective visuals and a slow burn romance that is full of tension. The characters have emotional depth and warmth to them!

“The Second Death of Locke” is the first book in “The Hand and The Heart” series. This book centers around a character named Grey Flynn, who is a warrior and has magical powers that fuels her mage, Kiernan. Secretly, Grey is the heir to the lost Isle of Locke. If Grey were to die, so will all of her magic. Grey goes on a quest to protect the child of an enemy, battles and is even willing to sacrifice everything for Kiernan! Overall, I give this book a 5 out of 5 stars rating!

Content warnings include death, violence, war, sexual content and mental illness (mainly panic attacks). I think fans of romantic fantasies with emotional depth would absolutely love reading this book!

Thank you to NetGalley, author V. L. Bovalino and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) | Forever for this digital ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

This book is expected to be published on September 23, 2025!

[˚₊꒰ა Jii ໒꒱₊˚ · Rating 4 out of 5]

˙₊➴ ꒰ 4-stars★ ꒱ ꒷⊹࣪˖

📜┆ ARC ⤿ Little Brown Book Group UK & NetGalley
✒️┆ Author ⤿ V.L. Bovalino
💌┆ Pub Date ⤿ 09/23/25

❝ We’re going to die in this armor, Mare had told her, gripping her hand, slippery with blood. We’re going to die under Scaelas’s banner, and for what? For what they did to Locke. ❞

For years, the land of Idistra has known nothing but war. Since the fall of the Isle of Locke, the heart of all magic has been slowly dying. Now, a desperate mission to deliver the last surviving Locke to the High Lord falls into the hands of Captain Kier and Hand Captain Grey. For them, this is more than duty. It’s their final chance to restore balance before their service comes to an end.
But beneath the surface of duty lies a dangerous truth. Grey knows the girl they’re protecting isn’t who they think she is. Because she is the true Maryse, lost heir of Locke.

Haunted by the destruction of her home and the unbearable weight of her past, Grey has hidden her identity for years. Now she must face a choice: Will she reclaim the power and legacy she’s long denied, risking all to save what remains? Or will she keep running from the past that still haunts her?

⊹ ࣪ ˖ੈ Characters

⟡ Grey Flynn - is a Hand Captain in Scaela’s army. She is a protector and anchor for her mage, Kier. But Grey is no ordinary well. She is the last Locke, a name long missing. When her home vanished, she let the sea swallow her past, rights, and identity, never wanting to experience loss again.

⟡ Kier Seward - is a Captain in Scaela’s army, a mage (internal affinity) to Grey. At just twenty-six, he has risen through the ranks due to his strength, power, and loyalty, earning him one of the army’s highest honors. But beyond titles and command, Kier is something more. He is Grey’s childhood friend, keeper of her silences, and one of the few who sees not just the soldier she became, but the truth she hides.

⟡ Brit Wyvern - is a Mage (material affinity) to Ola. They are known for their power and humor, bringing both magic and laughter wherever they go. As a materialist, they are the mind behind the weaponry for the quest.

⟡ Ola Et-Kiltar is - is Brit’s well. She is sharp of mind and blade. Ola is also a skilled navigator, which made her the one in charge of their routes for this mission. She is also known for her blunt honesty and sharper tongue. Ola balances her fierce attitude with expert swordsmanship.

⟡ Eron Fastria - is one of Kier’s skilled typic officers. Though he speaks little, his presence offers calm amid the chaos. With no strong preferences beyond his duties, Eron was assigned as the group’s cook. Much to everyone’s dismay, his meals often come in the form of watery, flavorless soup.

⟡ Sela Naudé - is the supposed Maryse, the last known survivor of Locke. Her true identity remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: she may hold the key to restoring the lost Isle and saving magic from fading entirely. Kier and his team have one mission. To deliver the girl to Scaela, unharmed and alive, no matter the cost.


⊹ ࣪ ˖ੈ Thoughts

❝ Power in bravery. ❞

‧˚ ꒰ 🪶 ꒱ world & magic ₊˚⋆

The Second Death of Locke carries a rich layered world of Idistra, full of conflict, battles, and chaos. It’s a book that makes you focus and stay locked in. Coming from a previous no-brainer read, this book was a mental jolt that stimulated parts of my mind I didn’t even know needed scratching. The deeper I got, the more invested I became. But what really drew me in was the magic system. It wasn’t entirely new, but it was presented in a fresh way that made it feel unique in its simplicity. I especially appreciated that it went beyond your typical bonded dynamic. There was a real sense of partnership built on trust, support, and protection (not because the story told us, but because the characters genuinely lived it). Their roles felt earned, not just assigned, which added even more depth to their connection🪄

‧˚ ꒰ 🗡️ ꒱ characters ₊˚⋆

❝ You matter more than your power. I beg you to keep that in mind. ❞

What made me stay were the characters. They were built to be stone soldiers, cold and resolute. Yet it was the unexpected warmth beneath the surface that will stay with you. Each one had their own spark, bringing something special to the group. ~ Ola and Brit were the life of the group. Eron, the charming caretaker. Sela, the baby of the team. Kier, the not-so-serious leader. And Grey, the ever-watchful guard dog. ~ The found family in this story is one I’ll always treasure. Despite being brought together by a mission, they slowly became something more. Through sleepless nights, bloodshed, and war, they stayed by each other’s side, supporting, protecting, and growing stronger together. 🗣️Special mention: Torrin you’re the best unc ever!🗣️

📯 And now drumroll, please! We've arrived at the part where I’ll yap even more. Buckle up, because this is about to get real real gushy. Eeee ehem! Last but definitely not least ... THE ROMANCE! 📯

‧˚ ꒰ 🗝️ ꒱ romance ₊˚⋆

❝ It’s not magic when I have it. It takes you to make it into something. ❞

The romance in this might just be my favorite part! The ✨yearning✨ was bleeding through every single page. I don’t usually read just for the romance, but in this case, I was devouring every moment of it✋🏻🤓. From the tender backstories, those subtle, electric touches, to the quiet glances and eye-to-eye conversations that said more than words ever could. It was everything😭. The flirty banter, the sacrifices, the emotional push and pull, had me grinning like a crazy person one second and ready to tear my hair out the next, just waiting for them to finally realize the love that’s been simmering between them all along.

❝ They’d known each other so long, grown into each other like roots of neighboring trees rather than neighboring children until Kier was so intrinsically tied with her understanding of magic that she sometimes had trouble separating the two. ❞

❝ You are a vision, even with blood clots in your hair. But I don’t know if all would share my depraved tastes. ❞

The desperate urge to just see Keir and Grey kiss was overwhelming because it was painfully obvious these two were utterly and hopelessly WHIPPED for each other. Yet, despite the way they gravitated toward one another, they kept their relationship carefully held back by the chaos and catastrophe constantly surrounding them. From strangers ↝ childhood friends ↝ battle-forged partners ↝ lovers ↝ and beyond.✨ Their bond wasn’t just a romance. It was a journey. A slow, aching one that felt destined. Their love didn’t need grand declarations. It transcended words, transcended time, it transcended everything😮‍💨❤️‍🔥

❝ Take my freedom, Grey. Everything I have is yours. Everything I am is yours. Take my freedom, and keep your power, and keep my life. If you are here, I want to live. Even if it requires haunting this godforsaken rock for the rest of my life, never being more than an hour’s walk from you at any time – because, honestly, that’s how we would be anyways. ❞

‼️Kiernan Seward, the man that you are! I fear you have raised the bar from the depths of the sea and into oblivion that no man (even fictional) will ever reach it! Heavens, please please please give me my own Kier rn‼️

‧˚ ꒰ 🌊 ꒱ pacing ₊˚⋆

All those positives, were there any negatives at all? tbh the only thing that might have slightly put me off and lessened the rating was the pacing. Some scenes were longer than others, and some scenes felt like a blur. I wasn’t massively bothered by it, but being in the middle of a nail-biting and chilling action scene, you just want to get straight into what happens next asap. While they were scenes that evoke emotional grief and vulnerability (I enjoyed them ofc), I just want to get straight into the big boom of the story. Other than that, maybe more time with the quest crew? cause the travel and time with them felt super short. I wanted more moments with Brit, Ola, and Eron. I just couldn’t get enough of them. They needed more page-time!

‧˚ ꒰ ⚜️ ꒱ final thoughts ₊˚⋆

Wrapping up the first book in this trilogy, I see all the potential, and I'm excited to see where the next books will take us (this hasn't even been released yet, but I’m already begging for the next ones🫣)! As I’ve already stated, the politics, history, characters, and romance were already eating and serving us a whole buffet. So would you be surprised if I told you this was a solid 4-star read?🤷🏻‍♀️ ofc not hihi! Huge applause to V.L. Bovalino for this delicious feast, my brain and heart are still full (but I will always be ready for dessert cause there are still two more books)!🍽️💓

❝ But being afraid is better than being hopeless. ❞

➳ Huge thanks to the publisher & author — Little Brown Book Group UK, V.L. Bovalino & NetGalley — for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.


˚₊ ⟢┊pre-read 🖇️┊⊹࣪⋆

It's pretty clear by now that I'm totally obsessed with female knights!👀⚔️✨

[Celina · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW I think I just found my favourite book of the year!! This was everything I could have hoped for and more.

Let me start by saying I could feel romance and yearning like a punch to the gut. I LOVEDD Grey so much, and Kier, oh my I’m down bad for those two. I adored Grey’s strength, determination, and protectiveness of those she loves. I also loved the way Kier shows his care and complete respect for Grey, treating her as an equal even though they exist in a world where Grey, as a well, should not be given equal status. You can immediately tell how much Kier adores and is devoted to Grey and vice versa. They would literally die for each other, no questions asked and I savoured all of their interactions because I could just feel the emotions behind them.

The found family element was unexpected and so beautiful, I love them all so much (please let me be part of this group)!

I have to say V.L. Bovalino’s writing is absolutely wonderful. I found myself seamlessly falling into a new world that feels real. She expertly crafts the politics and magic system of the world as the story progresses without ever feeling confusing. Speaking of magic systems… this one was amazing! The concept of wells and mages was so interesting and the storyline around the island of Locke had me hooked the entire time and I just wanted more.

What really stood out to me was how the themes of love, sacrifice, and freedom are all interwoven in a way that is both heartbreaking and healing. Anyone who has ever felt that to in order to show love, we make sacrifices, this will hit hard. I admired how grey navigated everything that was thrown her way. Officially, she is my favourite lady knight.

I could ramble about this book for a while, but I’ll end by saying this was beyond perfect.
Book 2 is now my most anticipated release ever.

Thank you Netgalley and Little Brown Book Group for providing me with this arc💕

[Booksblabbering || Cait❣️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a satisfying epic fantasy that could be read as a standalone filled with yearning and a LADY KNIGHT.

Grey is a Hand to her childhood best friend and long-time unsaid crush, Kier - a Well to his Mage. They cannot be separated and are running from a secretive, dark past.
Magic is declining and the only way to restore power is if the heir to the Isle of Locke is found. Grey and Keir are sent to find and protect the heir amidst war.

Due to the nature of the bond between Mage and Well, there is co-dependency, intimacy, close knowledge. Add in the childhood friends with a crush and you just know there is quiet longing.

They were fools when they were young: so often on the edge of death, so desperate for someone else to fall into the chasm alongside them, as if the reaper’s teeth would not gnash them to nothing as long as they remained together.

I went in knowing nothing except LADY KNIGHT and I think that made it all the better. Yes, some of the reveals were obvious, but this felt like a more character focused story than an epic high fantasy.
There is magic, but it is interwoven with the roles and lifestyles of the characters adding depth.

I loved the found family, I enjoyed the fade to black, I liked the internal conflict.

’Grey, if I don’t spend the rest of my life washing gore out of your hair, then it’s not a life worth living.’

I wasn’t a huge fan of one of the plot devices used near the end, but that’s a personal preference.

Major gripe - I have seen this marketed as queer knight fantasy by some reviewers. This is not that. It is a queer normative world, but the main relationship is heterosexual. There is trans, bi, pan etc representation, and side relationships, but this is not what I would call a queer lady knight story in terms of sapphicness.

Another note, on Goodreads it is shown to be a book one, so I’m curious to see if it is a start because this felt satisfying on its own.

Physical arc gifted by Orbit.

Bookstagram
Tiktok

[bee (semi-hiatus) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ★

As soon as I saw the premise for this book, I wanted to read it—a romantic epic fantasy about the undying bond between a knight and their mage. It immediately drew me in, and I was hooked during the first half. The dynamic between the main characters, magic system, and the emotional tension had me invested.

Unfortunately, the second half lost my interest. I didn’t feel a strong enough connection to any of the characters or plot and simply got bored.

Romance is a friends-to-lovers arc. Grey has known Keir since childhood and been his protector for years. They share a deep, longstanding bond that’s evident from the beginning. Keir is very affectionate from the start—there’s a lot of physical closeness, cuddling, and touching that shows their emotional connection.

Grey is scared to discuss her true feelings afraid of ruining their friendship/bond. As a result, the first half we see Grey’s inner conflict, her longing, and yearning. I would have loved to have seen Keir's perspective though, to get to know him better and see his thoughts/feelings.

While I appreciate the emotional depth the author was trying to convey, I didn’t feel a strong connection to the book overall. I found myself observing the story more than feeling it.

No doubt a lot of fantasy/romantasy readers will enjoy this and find a lot to love—with themes such as devotion, duty, sacrifice, and longing for freedom.

I would still recommend checking this out if you enjoy a queer normative world, political intrigue, and a romantic subplot centered on deep, undying bonds.

TL;DR: Loved the premise and writing, but I just couldn’t connect with the characters or get invested in the plot.

What to expect:
🗡️𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝
🗡️𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐮𝐞
🗡️𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝-𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠
🗡️𝐟𝐦𝐜 𝐤𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 / 𝐦𝐦𝐜 𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐞
🗡️𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐛𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐬
🗡️𝐬𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬-𝐭𝐨-𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞
🗡️𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲
🗡️𝟏.𝟓🌶️/𝟓

·•—–—–٠✤٠—–—–•·
Thank you Netgalley and publisher Little, Brown Book Group UK for the advanced copy

[Kalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

genuinely genuinely genuinely this book was written for ME - all of the stars. all of them.

[Mae ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

“𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐲 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐫 𝐭𝐨𝐨, 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐡𝐢𝐦. 𝐄𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐥𝐲, 𝐢𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐲, 𝐜𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐥𝐲.”

𝑩𝒐𝒐𝒌: The Second Death of Locke
𝑨𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓: V.L. Bovalino
𝑽𝒊𝒃𝒆𝒔: ⚔️🫀 🪦 🫴🏼🧵⛰️✨

It’s been a week since I’ve finished this book and I’ve officially commented “The Second Death of Locke” to every single “what’s your favorite read of the year?” question I’ve seen anywhere.

A masterpiece of literature. I want to cry over the fact that I cannot experience this magnificent story for the first time again, and I do not say that easily. This story destroyed me and made me whole at the same time.

Grey and Kier were beautiful. The yearning, the love, the commitment to one another was unlike anything I’ve read. I couldn’t feel the emotion on every page. The magic system was intriguing and brimming with lore. I loved every single character and they felt so incredibly real. Every aspect of the story fell together perfectly and I couldn’t have asked for more- except I need more Bovalino please.

This book is phenomenal and I will never shut up about it. I think I have over 100 highlights of quotes and moments that I want seared into my brain. I won’t soon recover. I will never forget Locke, what an incredible story. ⚔️🖤✨

One million stars.

[bri]

if I die... and a book is comped to Gideon the Ninth and Six Deaths of the Saint, and I'm not resurrected... you know i'm gone.

anyways i'm currently screaming and I won't stop until I read this

[Jenni ♡ · Rating 2 out of 5]

[Thank you to Forever and Netgalley for the earc in exchange for an honest and fair review]

I highly recommend you DO NOT READ THE BLURB because it basically spoils some of the big plot moments.

I really wanted to love this book because it has everything I could ask for when reading a romantic fantasy. The initial concept hooked me completely, and I was so excited to dive in. The first 15 percent had me on a chokehold. But unfortunately, it just didn't click for me once we got to 65%.

A few big things kept pulling me out of the story.

The first was the use of modern slang; it felt really out of place in this fantasy world and would yank me right out of the moment.

The narrative arc felt predictable, with the stakes never solidifying as either high or low. The transition between past and present was done very poorly. At times I was confused as to where we were in the timeline.

And finally, as a reader who thrives on romantic tension, I started to lose interest once the main couple got together. Their chemistry relied a lot of physical touch (which was VERY MUCH over used), but without that electric banter or underlying tension, I will start to lose interest. (There were some good romantic lines and flirty moments but it just wasn’t ENOUGH) It's a bummer because the potential was totally there, but this one wasn't for me.

[Me, My Shelf, & I · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I expected a lot of things from this marriage, but not love. It's Isaak's fault for loving me first and I am a fool because I have allowed it. The fact that it has found me, weakened me, makes me incandescently angry. I think of him, always, and nothing could enrage me more."

Absolutely delighted to see that this is getting sequels because I just finished it and my only thoughts are a jumble of: give me more! and yaaaaaaaaaaaaas and 😭😭😭❤️❤️❤️

Obviously going straight into my top reads of 2025.

Also-- excuse you. Who gave you the right to be so gorgeous?! Someone get that cover artist all the contracts ASAP.

Reasons you should put this on your radar:
- you love a Fantasy world with interesting world-building and politics that have sprung up because of the specific limitations and implications of the magic system
- you like a heaping helping of yearning with one eyeroll's worth of idiots-to-lovers
- you like messy, complicated relationships as can only stem from people who intimately know one another and have had their hands all up in each other's viscera
- you like evolving knowledge of the magic and lore that directly impacts current events
- you like knights in armor and their battle scenes
- you like a book that gets you invested then holds your emotions in a vice
- you like a book that's functionally a standalone

[fatma]

DNF at 50%, for the following reasons:

- look i love a slowburn but the relationship between Grey and Kier strains credulity. they're obsessed with each other and constantly talking about how they'd die for each other and are literally always touching each other etc etc - and still Grey is like "it's unrequited" girl are u dumb
- because of this, all the romantic drama very quickly becomes repetitive- it's so obvious Kier likes Grey back so the "tension" between them feels manufactured and Grey's worries about it being "unrequited" delusional
- also when you start at a 100 it's hard to go up from there: when the story starts the characters are already super touchy with each other and constantly waxing poetic about how they'd do anything for each other so when they get together its like ok basically their dynamic is more or less the same, so what exactly has this "slowburn" been for
- more generally, the characters aren't very well drawn and their banter is forced and stale
- the fantasy world is just not that interesting - it doesn't feel like there's much to this world, it's very simple and not complex or expansive like a whole fantasy world should feel

[Mandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m a sucker for “it’s always been you”.

This started off strong. A lady knight!? What’s not to love? The writing is rather strong. However it started to lose me a bit after a while. Maybe around 30%. The FMC and MMC have known each other since childhood and apparently have loved each other the whole time, but never expressed their feelings. I hate miscommunication. They’re touchy feely the whole time, too which I guess is their love language? Idk there wasn’t any tension in my opinion.

All the characters are likable. They were just all surface level personalities.

It’s been a bit since I’ve read this, so I’m sure I have forgotten other things that bothered me.

Also, don’t read the blurb. It literally spoils everything.

I’m bummed that I didn’t love this one. It had all the ingredients, but it fell flat. I know others will love it! I’ve had mutuals dm me and tell me how much they do. So I know the audience is there and readers won’t be annoyed with the things that I was…

Thank you Forever Publishing for sending me an early review copy. All thoughts are my own.

[aria ✧ · Rating 3 out of 5]

(thank you little brown book group for the arc in exchange for an honest review)

‘Do you trust me?’ Kier asked.
‘Eternally,’ she said.

On the island of Idistra, there are five nations and ever since the destruction of the much-revered Locke, the four nations have been at war. For Locke was important. It was the source of power that fed the Wells (those who can store power), who then powered the Mages (those who harnessed the power), but Wells (referred to as Hands in the army) are running out. No one knows what caused the death of Locke, but an heir remains, and as the four nations scramble for resources, they also fight in search of the heir of Locke.

When a child is discovered by childhood friends Captain Kiernan Seward and Hand Captain Grey Flynn, they are tasked with transporting the possible Heir of Locke to the sovereign of Scaela. A journey that is full of danger in every shadow. A journey that, if completed, will earn Grey and Kier their much-needed freedom.

There’s much to love about this book. I loved the dynamic presented between a Mage and their Hand. I loved the queer-normative world. I loved certain aspects of the world-building. I especially loved the potential friends-to-lovers romance arc, as that is my favourite type of romance to follow. But sadly, I couldn’t get over how little I cared about the characters. Aside from being heavily devoted to each other, the only thing I can tell you about our two main characters is that Grey is angry and Kier is kind. There’s an intense scene involving the two towards the end of the book that should have had us frantic in anxious worry, then moved to joyous relief, but I felt nothing. I just moved on to the next chapter.

The plot isn’t exactly something new in the fantasy world and while I enjoyed following it, what really saved this book from a lower rating, is the politics in the later-half of the book. I’m a sucker for political intrigue and especially if it’s done right.

I’m not certain if I’ll continue with the series. I’ll probably sample book two when it comes out.

My love is yours, as that which beats within my heart is yours, and that which powers the fabric of the world is yours through mine own hand. Take from me, that I may be thine.

—Binding ritual recovered from Locke, author unknown, date unknown

[Jo⁷ · Rating 3 out of 5]

RTC 🩷

[Colby · Rating 5 out of 5]

nearly two decades ago, ​the isle of locke—the birthplace of all magic in the land of idistra—was decimated and its heirs hunted to extinction in an attempt to control the country's magic. in idistra, magic is channeled through wells—conduits of the land's natural magic—to be used by mages who can wield it, but without the isle of locke, no more wells are being born, placing a newfound severity on the use of wells and the mages they're assigned to, especially during the war that followed locke's destruction. grey flynn and her mage kier seward, childhood best friends, have dedicated their lives to one another and have faced the war together for the past decade, handling every grim assignment they're given, until their commander asks them to protect a child who claims to be the last surviving heir of locke and deliver her into the heart of an enemy kingdom. the only problem? the child is not the heir to locke—grey flynn is. and if she is discovered and killed, all magic will die with her.

set in a queernormative world that feels as nostalgic as your old childhood fantasies, THE SECOND DEATH OF LOCKE consumed me entirely. a relentlessly romantic and devastatingly gorgeous story of love, devotion, and power, v.l. bovalino's adult debut is a haunting and intricate triumph, inviting you into a masterfully crafted world you wouldn't want to live in, yet will never want to leave. grey and kier are one of my favorite couples in recent memory, and the depthless nature of their love, sacrifices, and dedication to one another brought me to tears more than once. bovalino writes her characters with an astonishingly human touch, and while THE SECOND DEATH OF LOCKE never shies away from the darkest and most harrowing ways we can harm one another, it positively revels in the ways we can help and heal one another. it's an evergreen reminder that, even in the bleakest of times, we are all we have, and that alone is worth fighting for.

at once a refreshing take on magic and arthurian themes, a melancholy exploration of grief and loss, an altar itself to the power of love, and a wholehearted and charming celebration of what each of us is worth (no matter how inconsequential we may feel to the grand scheme of the world and its horrors), THE SECOND DEATH OF LOCKE stole me away from every other book i was reading and effortlessly took its spot as one of my favorite books of the year. from the bottom of my wrecked heart, i cannot recommend it enough.

THE SECOND DEATH OF LOCKE releases in the US (paperback) and UK (hardcover) on september 23rd, and is available for pre-order now. ⚔️

[justine ⊹ ࣪ ˖ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Second Death of Locke
⤷ ⭑⭑⭑⭑.𝟮𝟱

❝ A well without a mage is nothing. ❞

꒰ It has been sixteen years since the fall of the Isle of Locke. With the island’s source of power vanished, the nations of Idistra are embroiled in conflict, each trying to restore the Isle because the wells have continued to dwindle since its fall. Hand Captain Grey Flynn of Scaela is a powerful well who is completely devoted to her mage, Captain Kiernan Steward, a highly skilled mage aiming to become a master. They have been lifelong friends and an inseparable duo known throughout the military. With a promise of an early retirement, they are tasked with transporting a prisoner believed to be the long-lost Heir of Locke, whose return could revive the Isle and reignite its lost power. But they know that’s not true, as Grey Flynn is Gremaryse Locke, High Lady of the Isle. ꒱

⌞ release date: september 30, 2025 ⌝

ꕤ This is the first book in the “The Hand and The Heart” series, and I actually requested a copy after hearing it was perfect for fans of ‘The Six Deaths of the Saint,’ and it DELIVERED. If V.L. Bovalino keeps this up, then we are being spoiled with an amazing series!

When I first read the first chapter, I instantly knew that this story was going to blow up once it’s released. V.L. Bovalino captured a dark and gritty atmosphere, introduces a unique thread-like magic system, and most notably, vividly portrays the longing and romance between the characters. The writing, especially the scenes of yearning and romance, is so beautifully crafted that it feels lyrical and poetic.

˖᯽ ݁˖ ❝ Losing you, living without you would be a fate worse than death. ❞

I remember feeling overwhelmed by the amount of information we received about the magic system. However, I came to appreciate the rundown because the concept of the thread and tether was fascinating, especially during the action-packed scenes. How they are interconnected, both in terms of powers and mentally, adds a deeper layer to a mage and well’s relationship. This also explains why our characters’ devotion to each other makes perfect sense.

❝ That was the problem with feeling someone else’s emotions, even someone as close to her as Kier: there was not always a direct translation from his heart to hers. ❞ ༄

The yearning expressed in this book is both painful and one of its most compelling aspects. It’s a complicated yet realistic portrayal of depth of emotion and passion, conveyed so softly. We follow her longing for their relationship to develop into something more, even as she remains content with the platonic friendship she has with Kier.

⌗ ❝ What is love, without freedom? ❞
❝ What is life, without you? ❞ ⟢

Another aspect I appreciated about the book was the quirky nature of some characters, which added a touch of humor despite the serious mission and emotional weight. Grey tends to be distrustful of others, even her comrades, especially given the secret she’s hiding. Watching her gradually warm up to her squad was truly heartwarming. And as a little inside joke, think of HANDS IN INTESTINES, if you know what I mean!

⌗ ❝ Liking them, caring about them–it was a vulnerability she could not afford. ❞ ⟢

We have a found-family trope that I became so attached to and wanted more of. During these scenes, we get bits of comic relief, and each character has a distinct personality, which I really enjoyed. I'm hoping to see more of this in the next book.

❝ Give me a new task. Reassign me,’ Eron was saying. ‘I can’t cook for you. ❞ ⟡

I also appreciated how we explored the themes of grief and loss in the book. These flashback scenes moved me so deeply because something avoidable ended up blowing up into the inevitable, explaining why things unfolded the way they did. I felt Grey’s feelings of regret, anger, sadness, and grief, which were written beautifully.

Although I had some minor issues about the pacing at the end and felt certain areas could have been developed more, I still thought this was a great read and a good introduction to V.L. Bovalino. I can’t wait for the next book to be released so I can see more of the story and our characters.

⋆˙⟡ ❝ It’s yours, Gremaryse Locke, High Lady of the Isle and keeper of my heart, just as I am yours. Take it. Take it all. ❞

⟢ Thank you to NetGalley, Little, Brown Book Group UK, and of course, V.L. Bovalino for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Please remember that this opinion is my own. ⭑

⋆✴︎˚｡⋆

pre-read : i immediately requested for an arc once i heard it was perfect for ‘the six deaths of the saint’ fans, so i’m going in all in! ⟡

update : OH MY GOD I GOT THE ARC ₍ᐢ. .ᐢ₎ ₊˚⊹♡

[carolina · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘What is love, without freedom?’ she murmured against his skin. He leaned close to kiss her shoulder, then to whisper in her ear. ‘What is life, without you?’

5 ⭐️

Deeply romantic and incredibly fierce, The Second Death of Locke is a story of survival and bravery. It is a tale rooted in selflessness, sacrifice and loyalty.

⁀➴ In a world of mages and wells, our protagonist Grey Flynn is a powerful warrior who has dedicated most of her life to protecting her mage and best friend, Kier Seward. The well of power inside her is Kier’s to use and command. Together, they are a force to be reckoned with, for theirs is not a common connection, and Grey is no ordinary well.

I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery behind Grey’s powers, and how, little by little, the pieces of the puzzle are revealed throughout the story. Each chapter features an epigraph providing clues about the secrecy surrounding Grey’s origins and homeland, whether through books, letters or folklore. It's done in a way that neither weighs down the story nor makes it hard to comprehend.

The atmosphere is immersive, the plot is engaging, and the world-building is rich and expansive. The more you delve into it, the more you can feel the bones of this world and learn about its history and underlying politics.

Thank you for your ruthlessness, Grey. It is its own kind of safety.

Grey is a fantastic protagonist. She’s ruthless and courageous - a force of nature with a killer instinct- but beneath the surface, there’s a quiet softness and vulnerability that brought me to tears. She speaks the language of grief, forever burdened by the weight of the sacrifice made to ensure her survival. My heart ached for her, whilst also ferociously supporting her every move.

Maybe this was how he’d always been, a delicate ballet of stolen touches that she’d written off as his insistent grease-fire need for affection.

Kier, my beloved! He is a fierce protector with a tender soul. He, too, speaks the language of grief, and my heart broke for him because of the sacrifices he made. But I loved him all the more for it. He’s an honourable man who is incredibly loyal and true to his word. (He is also scrumptious!)

It was just … it was just, he was the same as always, her favorite person, her beloved person, and she could not fathom that he felt any fraction for her of what she felt for him, no matter how much he insisted he did.

The romance in this book is exquisite. Childhood best friends to lovers executed perfectly. I could write sonnets about Grey and Kier - these two fools who spent years yearning for each other, hiding their feelings and aching with the agony of loving each other so intensely. We're talking about soulmates. In every lifetime. Written in the fabric of the universe. Souls forever intertwined. Two people completely devoted to each other. It utterly destroyed me. From the casual affection and familiarity to the bone-deep trust, the stolen glances and silent conversations, everything was achingly, devastatingly beautiful.

‘I adore you,’ he said, all in a rush. ‘No–no. Listen. I … I’m in love with you. I’ve been in love with you for years, maybe forever. Sometimes it’s all I can think about, and I can’t breathe because it’s so heavy on my chest that I … I might be holding it alone, the only thing about you I can’t be certain of. It’s agony, Grey, the not knowing.’

I can’t talk about this book without mentioning the found family and how wonderful it was to see Grey open her heart and let others get to know her. To not be afraid of being known. To have someone other than Kier see her and love her. I must also mention how great it was to see such a queer-normative world, and I wish this was a more common occurrence in books.

Writing this review was hard because I deeply love this book and struggled to find the right words to convey my love for it. There's so much more I could discuss, but I don't want to give too much away. This is a series of interconnected standalones, so rest assured there is no cliffhanger at the end of this story.

[Thank you NetGalley and Little Brown Book UK for the e-arc]

[Faiza · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmmm 3.5? Unsure if I want to round up. The second half was much stronger than the first, which unfortunately felt like quite a drag to me.

I enjoyed a lot of things about this book and was intrigued by some aspects of the plot, but I gotta say it really failed to keep my interest. I found the pacing in the first half suuuper slow, but I think my biggest issue was the characters and romance.

I didn’t dislike the protagonist Grey or her love interest Kier. I actually thought they were both lovely and nice but almost to a boring degree? They didn’t feel interesting or layered. Also maybe I’m not a friends to lovers person but the romance lacked any tension imo. The two had been secretly in love with each other for years but also they were super affectionate and sweet and kind and loving the whole time so I just didn’t get it? It didn’t feel like pining/yearning but just lack of communication (which comes up again in the book btw). There were so many moments that were supposed to be emotional and stressful but I was reading them with a straight face and 0 concern lol.

I know it sounds like I hated this but I did find the magic system and world to be cool and the plot and pacing were much better in the second half. Dialogue was fun too. A few plot points really shocked me (recommending reading this without reading the synopsis which spoils some of these). Overall I am glad I read it and I’m curious to see where the story goes, but I was expected to absolutely LOVE this. Ah well.

Thank you Forever Pub for the aARC!

[Menel ୨୧ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well… don’t really know what to think about it but I’m a bit disappointed. It felt a little flat at times
·
·
·
·
3✰
↳ 𝙚𝘼𝙍𝘾

This book left me feeling quite mixed...

Let’s start with what, in my opinion, is the strongest aspect of this book: the romance. The relationship between the two main characters is full of tenderness, sweet gestures, little attentions, and a sincere, natural bond. It’s without a doubt one of the softest romances I’ve ever read to the point that it actually made me appreciate the friends-to-lovers trope again. I would also categorize this book as a romantasy, since the romance really is central to the story.

The magic system is original, as it requires two people to work together in order for the magic to function. I found this idea very interesting, especially because it strengthens the bond between them.

The world has a beautiful medieval and lady knight vibe, which I also really enjoyed! The setting includes some promising ideas like the disappearing island, the Locke dynasty and their powers but I wish there had been more development, so I could fully immerse myself in it.

Unfortunately, many flat or slow-paced passages spoiled the reading experience for me. Some scenes that were meant to be intense and epic fell a bit flat. The battles and wars happened too quickly and sometimes too easily, leaving me wanting more. I didn’t feel any real tension or sense of danger, even though the book is marketed as epic fantasy…


───── ୨♡୧ ─────
•Friends-to-lovers
•Lady Knight
•Magical bond / shared power
•Lost heir


જ⁀➴ Thank you to the author, NetGalley and Little Brown Book Group UK for this eARC <3

[liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ah…..so….that was one of my favorite books absolutely of all time and as I try to write my review of all that this was, words truly fail me.

Sometimes you begin a book and without a question of a doubt get an entire body, visceral, soul-altering feeling where you just know into the depths of all that you are that you are going to be changed. And that’s exactly what The Second Death of Locke did for me. I will think about this book forever.

I laughed out loud reading this so many times. The main character’s internal monologue was so funny. There are so many funny moments and inside jokes that come back around that make you feel like you are also a part of this crew. I love good banter between friends.

That being said, my kindle also hit the wall approximately three separate times as tears streamed down my eyes.

To try to explain this briefly without spoiling anything…In this world the island of Locke, which was the source of the magic for everyone, has been destroyed. Since then, nobody else has been born with the ability to be a *well*.
Our main character, Grey, is a headstrong queer lady knight and a *well* who is the source where mages pull their magic from. She holds the magic. Her lifetime best friend, Kier, is a powerful and high ranking mage that has been paired with Grey since they entered the military over a decade ago.
Kier has the power to stop hearts in their opponent (which I thought was cool as HELL he can just drop bodies on the battlefield and nobody can even tell why!).
Because of this magic connection as well/mage they have a tether to eachother where they can feel each other, send emotions back and forth, etc.


The highlight of this book truly is the relationship between Grey and Kier, which absolutely left a permanent mark on my heart. Because they grew up together, spend nearly every waking moment together, and rely on each other to stay alive in battle everyday, they have the most special connection.
The depth their love for each other reaches is one of a kind. It is so tender. So delicate. So precious.

You feel the strength of the bond between Kier & Grey immediately but also get to watch them reflect on their childhood together as they continue to look death in the face as a powerful force. My heart belongs to the two of them now.


The world was a little bit difficult for me to understand at times in the beginning just because the leaders of each territory have first names, last names, and also are officially referred to as the territory they’re from. But once you grasp it, it all flows very well.
I love that this book is set in a queer-normative world with so many LGBTQIA+ characters with various identities.

The TITLE of this book did, in fact, have me shaking, crying, throwing up for quite a few chapters.

I think I highlighted over 100 quotes from this book.
I really could talk about this forever. It really is so special.
I think this is going to be a series but this book can 100% be read as stand alone to complete satisfaction with no loose ends.

Thank you to Forever Publishing, NetGalley and V.L. Bovalino for this ARC in exchange for my review. It truly was an honor to get to read that.

[jenny reads a lot]

This is the year of the lady knights and I am 100% here for it!

| TikTok | IG |

Thank you NetGalley and Forever for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.

[bweadbun · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 (extra half star bc i saw the vision) — On paper everything about The Second Death of Locke should’ve made it a guaranteed favourite. Unfortunately, there were so many elements that didn’t quite work for me despite the captivating premise that my interest fell drastically after about the 30% mark. With one of the comp titles being The Six Deaths of the Saint I was expecting gorgeous prose with a gritty medieval inspired atmosphere. Instead the writing felt very generic with language and dialogue that felt far too modern and casual for the intended setting. For example, at one point a character literally uses the term “uncultured swine” — an expression that originates from the film Toy Story... — which was just one of the instances that ruined my immersion. Despite the writing, I enjoyed the magic system in this book and thought that the Mage/Well dynamic made for an interesting relationship that worked to create higher stakes and meaningful limitations. I also really loved the archival bits we got at the beginning of each chapter and, had the tone and formality afforded to those sections been applied to the novel as a whole, I think I would’ve enjoyed it far more. I also think this would’ve done a lot better as a YA release had the 18+ scenes been removed because nothing about this book or these characters felt mature. Unfortunately, due to the writing along with some other inconsistencies and grating instances of unnecessary repetition this story really fell flat for me overall.

Thank you to Netgalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for giving me an arc of this title!

[hailee]

#NEED #THAT

[Phoebe ❀ ✩ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had all the qualities of a five star read for me - a lady knight, unique magic system, best friends who have been yearning for each other for years, political intrigue, etc. - but I just couldn't fully get in to it. I'm sure I'll be in the minority here, because I can truly see the appeal.

For one, I felt disconnected from the writing style. It's not that it was poorly written -- quite the opposite, actually. It's more that I struggled to feel fully immersed and things felt a bit one-dimensional. Grey, the protagonist, should've been a slam dunk character. She's a powerful lady knight tasked with protecting her best friend and mage Kier, who she has long been in love with and doesn't think he returns her feelings. The issue for me is that I thought her character was reduced to constantly pining over Kier - I wanted more spark. She is loyal and devoted, but I didn't get much of a sense of her beyond that.

The romance is a slow, slow burn friends-to-lovers, but to me it came across as more of a drawn out denial. Kier fell flat for me - other than being kind and caring, there wasn't much to him. Grey was similar in that regard. I wanted tension, flaws, faults - and maybe this was present to a degree, but not enough to convince me.

I wish I felt more of a connection with this book - the characters, the romance, the found family aspect and the plot was all there but it felt like I was an onlooker behind a glass wall instead of being immersed in the story. I was more drawn in towards the end when the stakes get notably higher, but everything always seemed to resolve easily and quickly. But as I said, the book was very well-written with tropes that I think will be a hit with most readers (specifically friends-to-lovers, found family, and lady knight), but I was left with mixed feelings on the book overall.

Thank you so much to Forever and NetGalley for this ARC!!