
Anathema
From the author of Nocticadia comes a spellbinding gothic dark fantasy about a shunned woman who is forced beyond the mortal realm's forbidden boundary into a terrifying world of cursed souls and grotesque creatures.
Only the banished know what lies beyond the woods...
There are whispers about what lurks in Witch Knell—the forest where sinners go to die. The villagers call it The Eating Woods because what's taken is never given back. Only those who've lost their senses would dare to go near it.
Or the banished.
Maevyth Bronwick knows better than to breach the misty labyrinth of trees, but a tragic turn of events compels her beyond the archway of bones to a boundary no mortal has crossed before. One that cloaks a dark and fantastical world that's as dangerous as it is alluring.
It's there that he dwells, the cursed lord of Eidolon. The one tasked to keep her hidden from the magehood that seeks to crucify her in the name of an arcane prophecy. Zevander Rydainn, known to his prey as The Scorpion, is the coldest, most calculated assassin in all of Aethyria, and he'd sooner toss his feisty ward to a pack of vicious fyredrakes than keep her safe.
If only he could.
Maevyth's blood is the key to breaking his despised curse and vanquishing the slumbering evil in Witch Knell. Unfortunately for Lord Rydainn, fate has other plans for the irresistible little enchantress. And his growing obsession with her threatens to destroy everything.
Including himself.
Anathema is a full-length, gothic dark fantasy and the first book in The Eating Woods series. Perfect for listeners who enjoy a plot-heavy and atmospheric story with a unique magic system, a slow-burn romance, and a touch of horror.
Contains mature content. A complete list of content warnings can be found on the author's website.
Narrated in duet style.
- Pages
- 624
- First published
- September 8, 2024
- Language
- English
- Edition
- ISBN
- 9798338704387
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Shelved by 14 Litcadians
Reviews
Finished January 29, 2026
Oh my goodness!! This book… I am at a loss for words! The beginning was a bit slow to get into as we learn all these new terms and lore, but oh boy when I got into it I was unstoppable! Officially I read this over 3 days but truthfully, i read the majority of this book in one day! Absolutely devoured it!!
Started October 29, 2025 · Finished November 1, 2025 · Read 2 times
Updated review: Had to up my rating after my re-read. I don’t know how I didn’t give this 5 stars on my original read. The character development, world building, and the sheer creativity of this is unmatched. Not to mention the atmosphere is just immaculate. Couldn’t ask for a better fantasy romance. Original review: Going back and forth between a 4⭐️ and a 4.5⭐️ The things I really enjoyed about this book: This book has the best world and magic system I have read in a fantasy romance. Keri did a fantastic job immersing you into the world of Aethyria and Mortasia. It’s creepy but beautiful at the same time. The slow burn was a SLOW.BURN. The 2 main characters don’t even officially meet in this book until about 300 pages in. I appreciate when a book marketed as a slow burn is actually that. I want it to be excruciating. Once the romance hits, it was addictive. Maevyth and Zevander are meant to be together and you can feel it

