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 prophesy. 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, the first book in The Eating Woods duology. Perfect for readers who enjoy a plot-heavy and atmospheric story with a unique magic system, a slow-burn romance and a touch of horror.

My Review

This book opens with a story from long ago, telling the tragic tale of a mother who lost her two sons to the darkness and a husband who abandoned his family after accepting an offer from the strongest mage in the land. It immediately sets up a mysterious, ominous tone.

The story then shifts to Foxglove Parish and the infamous Eating Woods, where we meet Maevyth. She is a troubled young woman struggling to fit into the strict, puritanical society she was raised in. After entering the forbidden woods, she begins experiencing strange new symptoms and discovers there is far more to her than she ever imagined.

One of my favorite aspects of this book was the magic system. I especially loved the geological elements woven into the magic, along with the use of blood magic, inherited abilities, and the rich fantasy lore. The world-building is incredibly detailed, and the atmosphere is one of the book’s strongest qualities. The eerie forests, ancient legends, terrifying creatures, and hidden realm beyond the Vale create a wonderfully dark setting.

Zevander was easily the standout character for me. As the king’s morally gray bounty hunter, cursed by dark magic and desperately seeking redemption, he was far more compelling than Maevyth. His relationship with his sister, Rykaia, helped show a softer side beneath his brutal exterior, and I actually found Rykaia to be one of the most enjoyable characters in the story. She is fierce, adventurous, and refreshingly confident.

The novel alternates between multiple timelines, perspectives, and storylines. While I understand why the author structured it this way, I found the constant shifts confusing, especially early in the book. It took a long time for the separate storylines to begin connecting, making the first half feel slow despite the interesting premise.

The political and religious systems are incredibly dark, drawing strong parallels to historical witch hunts and Salem-era persecution. Themes of arranged marriage, misogyny, religious extremism, blood magic, multiple deities, curses, and prejudice all play major roles throughout the story. Readers should be aware that this book contains mature and potentially disturbing themes.

As Maevyth and Zevander’s paths finally begin to cross, their dynamic becomes one of the more enjoyable parts of the novel. She is innocent, sheltered, and still discovering her abilities, while he is experienced, dangerous, and morally gray. Their differences create an interesting contrast, and watching his normally controlled magic react to her was one of the highlights.

Unfortunately, the pacing never fully worked for me. The middle section felt overly long and weighed down by extensive world-building, frequent point-of-view changes, and side characters that distracted from the main story. While the action eventually picks up, it often felt like events were happening without significantly moving the central plot forward.

The romance was another mixed element. It develops as a slow burn with forced proximity and hints of fated mates, but by the time the intimacy arrived, it felt rushed rather than naturally earned. The significant age and maturity gap between the characters also made it difficult for me to fully invest in their relationship. The “chosen virgin” storyline felt predictable and didn’t add much to the overall plot.

The audiobook was also difficult to stay engaged with because of the slow pacing and dense storytelling. Had I not already been about 75% through the book, I likely would have set it aside.

Overall, this story had an excellent premise, immersive world-building, and one of the more interesting morally gray heroes I’ve read recently. However, the slow pacing, confusing structure, underdeveloped romance, and lengthy middle section kept me from fully enjoying it. The ending felt abrupt compared to the amount of time spent developing the world, and it wasn’t enough to make me want to continue the series.

Anathema had all the ingredients for a fantasy I should have loved: rich world-building, eerie forests, fascinating magic, and an intriguing morally gray hero. Unfortunately, the slow pacing, confusing narrative structure, and underdeveloped romance kept me from connecting with the story. While I appreciated the atmosphere and creativity, the execution ultimately didn’t work for me, and I won’t be continuing the series.

If you would like to read Anathema by Keri Lake, you can find this book on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate I earn on qualifying purchases. 

If you like this book you may also enjoy books with these tags and categories: Arranged Marriage, Dark Fantasy and Forced Proximity.