The Escapist Book Blog Review: Anathema
Wow, what an amazing read! A dark gothic fantasy with elements of horror, a richly detailed world, fantastic characters and a slow burning love story, this atmospheric adventure sucked me in and did not let go.
Found abandoned as an infant, Maevyth is a young woman living in small, gothic, medieval-like village by the Eating Woods. Taken in by a local family, she has lived a poor life with no real relationships other than her beloved foster sister, and she’s about to be sold off in marriage. When the suspicious village people banish her sister to the woods, Maevyth follows, only to be sucked through a portal into an equally gothic and medieval realm, but this one has magic and an ancient prophecy that instantly makes her a target.
Zevander Rydainn is the king’s assassin. A broody, scarred badass, he has a traumatic past, and he lives under the shadow a devastating curse – one that gives him all-consuming power, but that will one day turn him mad. It turns out that Maevyth’s blood is the cure, but he finds himself unable to kill her. And when a secretive group of mages also set Maevyth in their sights, Zevander takes her into his home, under his protection, though he wants nothing to do with her.
It’s a great set-up as Maevyth is brought into Zevander’s world, and his mentor, his friends and his sister are all a part of the story as Maevyth learns about her new world and embarks upon magic-wielding lessons. There’s all of the close-proximity, snarky vibes that I love about this kind of story, and Maevyth is smart, sweet and relatable as she adjusts to her new reality. There’s a lot going on in the story, and I loved exploring it all, but for me, I was hanging for the romance. It’s there, but not, more a hint of what will be. The chemistry is definitely there between Maevyth and Zevander, we see hints of it all throughout the story, and every little moment builds the tension so well! The romance doesn’t really come into it until the end of the book, which is steamy, but not (hehe), but worth the wait, and I cannot wait to see what is in store for these two.
Keri Lake has created a rich and complex world which is wonderfully developed and is engrossing in a way that makes you feel like you’re right there and experiencing everything alongside the characters. It’s a little overwhelming at the beginning, with a lot to take in, but I was quickly captivated, and I loved losing myself in this fascinating world.
This is the first book in a trilogy, and the story is definitely unfinished. There are some big developments that happen right at the end of the book, and I’m so excited to see where things go from here. It’s an exciting and all-consuming read, and I loved it!
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The Scroll Theory Review: Anathema
A dark, addictive fantasy romance that grabs you by the throat and refuses to let go.
Let me just start by saying: I was not ready. I thought I was prepared for a lush fantasy world, broody characters, and a touch of darkness—but what Keri Lake delivered in Anathema was something far more powerful and emotionally wrecking than I anticipated.
This book consumed me. It carved itself under my skin in the best way possible, and I already know it will haunt me for a long time.
The World that Bleeds off the Page
From the very beginning, Keri Lake’s world-building envelops you like thick fog in the Eating Woods. It’s immersive, eerie, and beautifully complex. The cursed realm of Eidolon is unlike anything I’ve read lately—equal parts fairytale nightmare and mythic legend. The lore of the lost city, the whispers of ancient magic, and the brutal dichotomy between the world Maevyth came from and the one she finds herself in now create an atmosphere that feels vast, dangerous, and strangely intimate.
There’s a quiet menace that lingers in every corner of this book, and yet it never overshadows the heart of the story: Maevyth and Zevander.
The Slow Burn to End All Slow Burns
Let me talk about that romance.
Because oh my gods, the tension. The restraint. The pure aching anticipation.
Keri Lake doesn’t hand anything to the reader too easily when it comes to Maevyth and Zevander. Every step forward feels hard-earned. Every glance, every whispered line, every act of protection or betrayal is charged with electricity. Their relationship simmers beneath the surface for so long that when things finally begin to boil over, it feels explosive. Like it’s been building through every page, every breath. And it hurts in the best way.
Maevyth is fierce, wounded, and deeply guarded. Zevander is cold, calculating, and clearly burdened by things he won’t speak aloud—but his quiet intensity is what makes him so captivating. Their chemistry is magnetic, but it’s the emotional slow unraveling of their armor that truly sets this romance apart. Watching them inch toward each other, piece by piece, clawing through trauma and mistrust—it’s a masterclass in slow-burn storytelling. You don’t just want them together. You need it, like oxygen.
And then… just when things finally start to feel real…
That Cliffhanger Destroyed Me
I pride myself on being a seasoned reader—twists don’t usually rattle me. But this ending? I was not okay. I closed the book and just sat there, staring at nothing, reeling from what just happened. It was the kind of cliffhanger that doesn’t just leave you wanting more—it guts you. Like the author reached through the page and yanked your heart out with a wicked little smirk.
It wasn’t just that it was unexpected (though it was). It was that it hit on such a deeply emotional note. Everything Maevyth had worked toward—everything the reader had ached for—suddenly teetered on a blade’s edge. And the fall? Brutal. Perfect. Agonizing.
Unforgettable Characters & Powerful Bonds
Another element I adored? The sisterhood dynamics. Watching Maevyth form a tentative friendship with Rykaia—Zevander’s sister—was such a rewarding subplot. It added depth and softness to an otherwise cutthroat world. Their dynamic had a subtle but powerful warmth to it, that “could be future sister-in-law” kind of chemistry that gives your chest that little flutter of hope. It offered contrast to the coldness of the world they live in, and I loved how it played into the idea of chosen family amidst chaos.
Final Thoughts
Anathema is the kind of book that ruins you a little—in the best, most satisfying way. Keri Lake blends lyrical prose, shadowy world-building, and raw, emotionally charged character development into a story that digs its claws in and doesn’t let go. The romance will burn you alive slowly, and the cliffhanger will drop you straight off a ledge with no warning.
And I would absolutely do it all again.
If you’re a fan of gothic fantasy, tortured love interests, enemies-to-lovers tension, and stories that rip you apart before stitching you back together, Anathema belongs at the very top of your TBR.
Keri Lake is a gothic romance writer who specializes in demon wrangling, vengeance dealing and wicked twists. Her stories are gritty, with antiheroes that walk the line of good and bad, and feisty heroines who bring them to their knees. When not penning books, she enjoys spending time with her husband, daughters, their rebellious Labrador (who doesn’t retrieve a damn thing) and rescue pup. She runs on strong coffee and alternative music, loves a good red wine, and has a slight addiction to dark chocolate.