In the Wake of the Ruined by Kalie Cassidy
The Siren Mage #2
Fantasy Romance
Publication: July 7, 2026 by Little, Brown and Company
ARC

This was probably one of my most anticipated novels of the year. I really, really enjoyed the first book in the series, In the Veins of the Drowning, and liked the mythology and lore of sirens and gods and how they have intermingled their power and magic.

I thought this might be a trilogy or more, but recently discovered that this would be a duology, which makes the story itself and epilogue that much more enjoyable. The second book picks up almost immediately where the first book left off, with Imogen having killed her father and made the discovery of her mother’s fate and how Eusia fits in with it all, including her ties to the deity. Her best friend has been taken, and her blood bond to Theo, King of Varya, broken. Knowing she must kill Eusia, rescue Agatha, and protect Theo. She engages an unlikely ally and sets off to do whatever she must to

This is a dual POV, told from both Imogen and Theo’s point of views. There is so much going on and so challenges and obstacles in this couple’s way to an HEA, that I was glad to be in both of their heads. I will say that there is quite a bit of longing between the two, and despite Theo’s obligations to the crown, I’m not going to spoil it for you, the romance between Theo and Imogen was well done. If you like an open door, sexier romance, this one is for you.

I do think this is a darker romantasy, lots of blood, pain, death, and sacrifice, but it has a lovely ending and I was pleased with how everything wrapped up.

Grade- B

Only Spell Deep by Ava Morgyn
Contemporary Fantasy
March 17, 2026 by St. Martin’s Griffin
ARC

I’ve read this author’s previous two books, The Witches of Bone Hill and The Bane Witch, and enjoyed them both. Only Spell Deep starts off in a familiar way, with a heroine who is estranged from her family, cursed with terrible magic, and troubling backstory. When I tell you I was all in, after reading this author’s first two books (with their many, many content warnings) I was ready for another heroine fighting for her autonomy and agency.

Well- I had some trouble staying invested. I WANTED to be more invested, I liked the main protagonist and was intrigued by the magical beings who were drawing her into their web, and even with the golden retriever bookseller who was her love interest. I think it was just the pacing that kept me from gobbling this up in one sitting. The entire first half of the book is a slow reveal of her childhood, current life, and introductions of all the mysterious, magical characters who want her to join them. The beginning and middle drag, and I kept opening it up, reading a chapter or two, and then putting it back down. I will say that the last 25-30% is unputdownable, you just have to get through the first 70% to get to it.

Will I read more from this author? Absolutely. This isn’t my favorite Ava Morgyn book, but I do love how she tells a story.

Grade- C