There is a monster at Lakesedge, a darkness that is threatening to take over not only Rowan, but also the world Above.

This book was MAGICAL. I loved the slow burn romance, the beautiful and haunting imagery, and how every character was so endearing and different. I loved every single character, except mother. This book was a perfect dark fairytale and I’m absolutely here for it.

Violeta’s strength and determination had me rooting for her from the very beginning and I loved Clover’s quick wit and Arien’s big, eager heart. Ugh. This book was fantastic. I wish I could read it over again for the first time.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

There is something deeply creepy about Lakesedge. Violeta will do anything to protect her brother, the only family she has left. But when he continues to exhibit dangerous powers, she is forced to follow him to Lakesedge, to get help from Rowan, a monster. And what they find is bigger than they can fight.

The atmosphere in Lakesedge is one of the most palpable and alarming things in the book. I love the dark night and the menacing forest, the gods and their muddled intentions. The pace and tone of the book really sucked me in and continued to mesmerize me through the story. In fact, I am so annoyed by the ending (when is the next book?!?!) that for hours after I finished, I was incredibly sad to have left this beautiful gothic novel.

And the Lord Under and the monster that feeds? The evil that hibernates under the lake, growing stronger and more aggressive, was so easily imagined, I can still see it in my mind’s eye just by thinking of it. The author really excelled in showing the threats of this magic and the power it had over the land and eventually, over Rowan and the others. I sincerely think it’s one of the best YA gothic tales I’ve read in a long time.

I have to admit though, Violeta was a little annoying. She always feels she has to do everything by herself, never explaining anything to anyone, never asking help even when it’s putting all of them in dangerous situations. Rowan is the same way which is funny because he is so annoyed with Violeta all the time. I don’t know if I really bought the romance, but it didn’t bother me and there are so many eerie and more imaginative things drawing my attention that the romance didn’t take center stage. Which wasn’t a bad thing.

Overall, I think Lakesedge is a solid gothic story, a promising start to a series and I cannot wait to know more.

Likes:
I had to request this book because of that cover! It’s gorgeous and dark, it gives off gothic vibes right away.

Lakesedge is really in its gothic element with the setting of Lakesedge estate and the owner Rowan who is thought to have drowned his whole family. The lake is black and creepy, the estate is large and old, but empty. Then there is sister and brother, Leta and Arien. Shadows haunt Leta’s brother Arien and you just know something isn’t right in this town – but what is going on? What are these shadows and why does Rowan want Arien and his shadows so much?

Rowan has hired an alchemist, Clover, and now needs Leta’s brother as well to help get rid of the darkness and blight that is overtaking Lakesedge and neighboring towns. Rowan is a brooding, tortured character at first but he does open up to Leta who is his opposite. She is light, stubborn, equally as damaged but her love for Arien eclipses everything. We learn about Rowan’s mysterious past and his deal with Lord Under, and his dangerous blood tithes. But then Leta has a secret too and it throws Rowan’s plans off course.

Rowan and Leta’s love is surrounded in darkness. It is bleak, it’s filled with longing, but steamy nonetheless! Leta is not afraid of him even when she should have been, his monster side should have made her afraid. But also, what is up with Lord Under? I got Persephone/Hades vibe with him and Leta. Is there something between them or is this purely business on Lord Under’s part? I don’t know.

I enjoyed the side characters, Arien because he is a sweet boy and Leta’s only family and I wanted to see him saved. And the alchemist, Clover, was fun, an LGBT rep and she brought a light-heartedness to the crew that was missing, I also liked learning how she used alchemy.

Random Notes:
Triggers: self harm, abuse by a parent, grief, drowning, death, suicidal ideation

This is a dark story so there is self harm with Rowan’s blood tithes to the Corruption and other situations that might be triggering.

It has a cliffhanger ending – to the point I was confused. I was frustrated that it ended that way especially not knowing if there was a sequel or not. So be aware – cliffhanger ending!

There is a steamy scene between Rowan and Leta but it is beautifully written.

FINAL THOUGHTS~
Why you should read it:

*gothic vibes get you into the Halloween/fall/dark mood
*dark romance: very broody, lots of longing, emo, sexy and with teeth (haha)
*Lord Under – just to find out what is going on with him and Leta

Why you might not want to read it:

*dark story
*cliffhanger ending

My Thoughts:

This one sucked me in with Arien’s mysterious dark shadows and rumors about Rowan drowning his family in the lake! I read it in one sitting because the writing lured me in but that cliffhanger totally frustrated me because I wasn’t sure if it was being set up for a sequel. Overall this got me in a dark, gothic mood and it hit the spot. This would be a perfect read for spooky season or for whenever you to read a dark fantasy romance. I look forward to reading the next book.

Well this was freaking fabulous. Incredibly atmospheric with gorgeously rendered characters. Totally cauhgt me off guard. Loved it.

A gothic mansion, a boy with long hair and earrings, and building tension with the Lord of the dead. Hell. Yeah.

The lake is cursed and so is the boy who lives there. Rowan Sylvanan drowned his entire family, he is in every right a monster or that’s what Violet Graceling has always believed.

Desperate to save her brother Violeta ventures to Lakesedge where she finds out that monsters aren’t always what they seem, and that the Lord Under has his claws in not only Rowan and the twisted magic that surrounds him, but there’s also something that connects him to Leta.

Hello Lord Under it is VERY nice to meet you.

Will I ever stop falling for the dark and dangerous men? Probably not, but that's okay because Lyndall Clipstone's strong debut Lakesedge delivers not one but TWO of them.

This dark and gothic fantasy romance had everything I could have wanted. Blood tithes, deals with the devil, secrets, curses, and just enough soft romance. A lot of this book gave me heavy Howl's Moving Castle vibes and i loved every second of it. I also think that if you were a big fan of the Darkling and kinda wanted Alina to take his side then you'll love this.

The plot of Lakesedge was unique and well executed. The intrigue and tension between Violeta, Rowan and the Lord Under was delicious and I can't wait for more of it in book 2. Rowan is the perfect dark and troubled love interest who reminded me very much of Howl when it came to taking too much on, but also trying his best to protect Violeta. The Lord Under is creepy, gross, and has very questionable vibes, but at the same time there is something about him that draws you in. It shouldn't work but it does.

I also loved how vibrant the secondary characters were in this book. Outside the main three, Arien and Clover really stand strong on their own and add LGBTQIA+ Clover is in love with a girl in the nearby town, and while there is no love interest for Arien it's referenced heavily that he is into other boys. They have very unique personalities and their own stories/desires really added to the depth of the overall world building. I also saw someone mention that Violeta is Demi and if that's true I think it's great to see Demi representation.

Overall I really enjoyed Lakesedge and I'm super excited for the second book Forestfall to come out next year. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys dark Studio Ghibli vibes, or who was in love with the Darkling.

Thank you Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, Henry Holt and Co. Publishing, Lyndall Clipstone, Fierce Reads, and Netgalley for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review and promotion on my social media.

Content warnings:
- Emotional/physical abuse by a parent
- Body horror
- Gore and blood (including description of wounds)
- Emesis
- Discussions of death and grief (no on-page details)
- Descriptions of drowning and deep water
- Drowning-related imagery
- Self-injury (in the context of a curse that requires regular physical sacrifices)
- Suicidal ideation

This book was a very interesting read for me. I didn't enjoy it QUITE as much as I thought I would BUT it has definitely put me in a dark, spooky spirit.

This story pulled me in from the first line: "There are monsters in the world." It immediately caught my attention and held it - I read this book in one sitting. When Violeta Graceling's brother, Airlen, is spotted by Lord Sylvanan when he has a shadow episode, the Lord asks Airlen to join him back at Lakesedge Estate. Violeta, our main character, forces the Lord to allow her to accompany them. Dark rumors surround the Lord - he supposedly drowned his parents and brother when he was a boy. She expects him to be a monster. But neither Rowan nor the estate are quite what they seem.
As Leta falls for Rowan (and vice versa), she discovers he is bound to the Lord Under (the devil pretty much. This was a nice touch on Clipstone's part - it helped build the world), the sinister god of the dead who lurks in the black waters of the lake. A creature to whom Leta is unusually drawn to . . .
Now to save Rowan, her brother, and everyone in the world, Leta must admit and confront the darkness in her past and her connection to the Lord Under.

First things first, this was an enjoyable read. I felt that the character development was a bit lacking because I didn't feel connected to any of the characters - in fact, I kind of wanted Leta to die. She had one of my most hated tropes of all time: self-sacrifice. It was almost annoying how much she felt the need to protect her brother. I did like the banter between Rowan (the Lord) and Leta, but Rowan just looked handsome in my mind - we didn't get to see much of his personality or any of the characters to be honest.

Secondly, I think Clipstone could've extended the worldbuilding just a little further. I didn't feel FULLY immersed in the story, but I definitely could envision the scenes and their gothic-ness that was promised in the synopsis. The world had religious figures, stories, celebrations, and a little bit of government (however, Rowan's role is unclear besides showing up to events). But I wanted to know more about the land - were there other locations besides the three or four mentioned? What was the normal style of clothing? What did they usually eat? The magic system was lacking in specificity. What is the price of using personal magic? However, the imagery was really nice.

Thirdly, the plot was okay. Two of the four twists I didn't see coming. However, the other two were obvious from the start. The romance between Leta and Rowan reminded me quite a bit of Beauty & the Beast - the wolf scene and the garden gift (instead of the library) specifically. However, their love also felt rushed. In addition, much of the story was just Leta thinking about things and telling us stuff that honestly had no use to me (there was WAY too much prose and flowery writing). Near the end, I started skipping whole paragraphs and still understood what was going on - this was partially to blame because I wanted to know what happened next though.

Overall, there were just enough gothic, fall, spooky vibes for me to enjoy this story, but I didn't enjoy it as much as I expected to sadly. I am looking to Forestfall after that ending though!

*Thank you to the publishers and netgalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review*

“I’ll be with you.” Rowan kisses the corner of my mouth, the curve of my cheek. “Be safe, my love.”

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Lakesedge is a beautiful gothic fantasy with elements of enemies to lovers and found family. It contains elements that hold your interest and make want to read more and more: mystery, love, murder, and magic. Violeta is the narrator and the perspective we are follow in Lakesedge. While she is young, she is strong and fiercely protective of those she loves. This encompasses not only her brother Arien but those she finds at Lakesedge estate. While she makes some seriously questionable choices, she does so out of love and the need to protect.

Rowan is known as the monster of Lakesedge. He has personal struggles to work through but he has a lot of emotional growth throughout the story. I loved seeing Rowan and Violeta fall in love. It was beautiful.

A surprising character that takes up a larger part of the story is the Lord of Under. I don't want to give anything away so I will leave you with this: he is very Hades-esque but different from what has been published lately.

This story made me smile, ache, and cry. I cannot wait for the sequel to come out and find out where the story goes from here. I'm frustrated in the best way possible and feeling very impatient for next fall 😂

*I received an e-arc from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

This book was everything I had hoped it would be and more! It’s darkly seductive, lush, gothic, mysterious, romantic, magical, and utterly bewitching. I can’t believe this is the author’s debut, as it was that amazing!

Violeta Graceling (Leta) and her brother Arien are orphans that have been taken in by a woman who lives near the edge of the forest. Arien begins showing signs of dark magic, and Leta has been desperately trying to protect him. When the young Lord of the Lakesedge estate, named Rowan, comes to their town to collect the tithe, he takes them in to mentor Arien. Lakesedge is a mystifying old estate that is rumored to be cursed and haunted by a monster of the lake. Rowan urgently needs Arien’s help to control the darkness, known as the corruption, from taking over. Leta longs to know what secrets Rowan has been keeping. She discovers that the estate and the monster aren’t what they seem.

As Leta begins to fall for Rowan, she finds that he is bound to the Lord Under, the death god that lurks in the dark waters of the lake. Leta soon finds herself unexplainably drawn to this sinister creature.

To save herself and Rowan, Leta needs to confront her past which includes a connection to the Lord Under.

Just wanted to mention that the author has posted some content warnings for readers that you might want to check before reading this book.

I need book two like now, and every edition of this book! Please add this one to your TBR, preorder and request from your local library. Perfect read for the fall, with all its spooky vibes! Coming September 28, 2021.

Lakesedge is the richly dark first book in a new fantasy series by Lyndall Clipstone, and it was a a captivating read over the course of a hot Saturday. Clipstone has built an intriguing world, and I look forward to spending more time with her characters. Looking forward to re-reading it in physical form, especially in the fall when I most prefer my creepy fantasy reads!

This was a very good debut. Lush, gothic fantasy? That it is.

I loved the vibes and the atmosphere. LC's writing style was pretty perfect for this type of story.

The story itself is perfect for a rainy, autumn day; it's filled with dark, creepy elements, monster boys, and almost kisses.

But I'm not really sure I liked the MC, Violeta, very much. She's not a bad character but there were certain things about her that really annoyed me and didn't make much sense to me.
Altogether, I loved Rowan's character a lot more and I'm very excited we're getting his POV in Forestfall.
I liked the romance too. Actually, I loved it a lot more in its later stages. The beginning of the romance though... it's something that makes me mad to even think about. I really think the book should've been longer and the romance should've been built better. It had so much potential, but in the end, it just felt ridiculously rushed. 
The side characters were also delightful though I don't feel like we got to know them very well. Florence was pretty one dimensional, which brings me again to the fact that the book would've benefitted if it was longer.

The twists at the end were good and I'm excited about the next book! I really hope I love Forestfall more than Lakesedge

my eternal gratitude to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) and Lyndall Clipstone for the ARC

I"ve been in the mood for a good gothic fantasy and this one DELIVERED! The set up itself has had me hooked for awhile - a cursed lake! A terrible love interest! Kissing! - and after I saw the cover, it immediately shot up my list.

The atmospheric writing leaps off the page. I felt brought into this dark world right away, like I was walking through a misty forest on the grounds of a haunted cottage. There's a certain kind of beauty to this story, despite the darkness. The characters are fantastic - lovely and flawed, and I would let Rowan lock me away forever.

Lakesedge is going to redefine YA gothic fantasy in such a fun way and I can't wait to see what's next from Lyndall.

Lakesedge starts with a familiar but alluring premise, lonely girl reluctantly goes to live with the mean/cursed boy. In this particular case, it's to keep her younger brother safe. I immediately got a Beauty and the Beast vibe from Leta and the monster. Later, the monster (Rowan) started to feel a little more like Discount Howl.
Though there are some awkward scenes, and I occasionally thought the chemistry between characters could be improved, this was overall a promising YA novel.
I also usually enjoy personifications of Death in my fiction, and Clipstone's portrayal of the Lord Under was enjoyable. The Lord Under reminded me of Hades, and the pomegranate offerings characters leave to him only solidified that association.

LAKESEDGE is the Gothic story my heart was yearning for. Clipstone's writing style is soft, and alluring, and yet it can still cut right through you. I'll definitely be reading this one again in the fall!

5 stars!

This book was a wonderful journey told with beautiful writing. I was hooked from the beginning and it just kept getting better!

We meet a girl named, Leta, who's trying to protect her brother who has magic and they get thrust into an eerie world of shadows, darkness and a curse. They meet Rowan, the lord of Lakesedge who's been known to have been the culprit of his family's death. Rowan has a broody, tortured soul that calls to Leta's own troubled soul.

Leta is a character who was so unique and so so relatable at the same time, if you're looking for well fleshed out characters who's struggles you understand, this book is for you. Clipstone delves deep into what makes these characters tick and as you turn the pages more of their complexities are shown.

Her characters are not one dimensional, but instead, multifaceted.

The writing was so beautiful and lyrical at times. The pacing of this story was also perfect and really makes you feel the intensity of the narrative as it unfolds. Lyndall Clipstone paints a picture that you really cannot help BUT see take form in your head.

This book is truly for those who enjoys a good gothic romance with wonderful world building. You'll also eat this book up if you're someone who has a fascination with the Lord of Death!

Lakesedge by Lyndall Clipstone is the ideal atmospheric and gothic read for your fall TBR lineup! In fact, save it for a blustery, cool evening make yourself a pot of tea and cozy up on your couch and settle in to devour this book by the light of the moon (well, and maybe a lamp - eye safety, y’all). Lakesedge is the perfect book for any monster lovers, anyone who’s pictured themselves wandering the halls of a decrepit mansion in a gauzy nightdress, or running from their own tragic backstory through the trees of an eerie forest.

We meet our heroine, Violeta Graceling, known as “Leta” as she’s comforting her younger brother, Arien, during a night terror. Only his night terrors are not just simple inconveniences, but an expression of dark magic and shadows leak from his body during them. Leta is able to help him combat these episodes, but she is unable to hide them from the woman who took them in after their parents passed away. The woman is cruel and religious and punishes both Arien and Leta greatly each time his power manifests leading them both to consider running away.

Before their plans can come to fruition they must attend their village’s tithe day in which the villagers present gifts to the lord of the land. While at the event, Arien has another episode and catches the eye of the Monster of Lakesedge, Rowan Sylvanan. Rumors swirl throughout the village about Rowan, naming him not only a monster but responsible for the death of his family.

However, there’s more to Rowan than meets the eye and he recognizes the dark power Arien is exuding. He offers (or rather demands) Arien to join him at Lakesedge Manor to learn how to harness his power and in turn help Rowan tame the corruption oozing from the lake at his manor. Leta will not be left behind and joins them on their journey as a protector to Arien; but she is more tied to the corruption and Rowan than either realizes. Will she be enough to stop the destruction of Lakesedge, Rowan, and the world?

While most books fall under being plot-driven or character-driven, Lakesedge seems to run more middle of the road and even be more aesthetically-driven. As one very meta individual might say “issa vibe”. However, that does not mean it does not hold a reader’s attention. Clipstone does an amazing job of slowly revealing details about the characters and the corruption which keeps it incredibly intriguing. The story moves quickly with short chapters and language that is musical but still flows quickly and beautifully.

All of the characters bring their own unique strengths to the book. Leta is a wonderfully loyal protector of those she loves. Arien is soft yet determined to play his part in stopping the corruption. Rowan is a sad and aloof boy in need of saving from the all-consuming darkness. We also get a few side characters who also round out the cast. They include Florence, a maternal figure to the other characters at Lakesedge; Clover, a smart and capable alchemist tasked with helping Arien; and last but certainly not least - Lord Under. Lord Under plays an integral part in the corruption but it is not always straightforward with his intentions. He and Leta also provide some nice romantic tension to the story reminiscent of Sarah and Jareth a la Labyrinth.

This is a fantastic debut novel and our only regret is reading it as an advanced copy so we have to wait extra long for its sequel! We can’t wait to dive back into this dark gothic romance.

Clipstone is so talented! Her prose is absolutely lovely. Recommended for everyone who likes a dark and enticing atmosphere. I’m really looking forward to the sequel. And as a bonus: that cover is stunning!

Sometimes you just need a good YA fantasy book to get you back into the swing of reading for pleasure. and Lakesedge did not disappoint! I opened this book expecting monsters and got SO. MUCH. MORE. Violeta - amazing. Rowan - phenomenal. The angst between the two of them - outstandingly described. This is a truly magical, dark, unfortunate world these two and their companions reside in. And the Lord Under - what a creeper. I devoured this book and cannot wait for the second.

Thank you so much NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an ARC of this book. It was just what I needed!

"You should be out by the orchard,
where violets secretly darken the earth"

If you have loved The Kingdom of the Wicked, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, or A Curse so Dark and Lonely, this one is for you.

Violeta Graceling and her brother, Arien, were found in the woods, orphaned after the horrific deaths of their parents. Raised by a once-soft-now-cruel woman, Violeta and Arien must hide a dark secret that threatens the lives of not just them but everyone else. But when their secret is discovered on the night of the tithe by the monstrous and dark Lord Rowan Sylvanan, the siblings are brought away to his haunted manor, Lakesedge. Not all is what it seems, though, and the secrets that Violeta and Rowan are harboring could be enough to drown them all.

A beautifully written Gothic Fantasy that was the perfect transition into the spooky season. The tension between the main characters as they worked together to overcome the blight that threatens to destroy them all was so well executed. The stakes felt real and the atmosphere bleak with real, calculated risks. Despite who is originally posed as the "villain" of the story, I felt myself drawn even more to the real dark character.

The first book is not even out and yet here I am hoping for the sequel.

Thank you to Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group in partner with Netgalley for granting my wish to read this early in exchange for an honest review.

I got some B&TB vibes from Lakesedge as you have a dark monsterish handsome guy who wants to steal away the little bro for his magic to fight some other dark magic. But there's more to the cursed guy monster and yes she falls for him, wants to help with the saving. But she has some secrets of her own too. A couple friendly side characters, creepy locked up rooms & dripping walls by the cursed lake. What more could you want as a single young lady!! Good gothic story that ends with a cliffhanger, so you'll have to read forestfall to continue with the what happens next in 2022.
This review is my opinion of the arc I read courtesy of NetGalley.

I’ll be honest. I don’t know where to start with this review. Why? Well, because this happens to be one of those books I fear I won’t do justice by saying my piece. But I’ll try.

Lakesedge is the first book in a gothic fantasy duology. In it, we follow Violeta Graceling as she ventures into her new life at a haunted manor where its lord is none other than the feared Rowan Sylvanan, a young man said to have murdered his entire family. In order to keep her brother safe, Violeta decides to accept this new life at Lakesedge, filled with curses and magic, and in doing so, she falls irreparably in love with its master.

The way the author writes and describes every place and every scene, provides for a very visual experience. However, since fantasy is still an out-of-my-comfort-zone genre, I did struggle a little bit creating an accurate vision in my mind of Lakesedge and Greymere. Taking that into consideration, the best way I can describe the setting is a blend of medieval and decadent victorian. As for the writing itself, it’s nothing but beautiful. I loved the way Lyndall described certain scenes, the delicacy and her wording, it truly is lush and wonderful. What’s more, her descriptions are so well made that they don’t interfere with the pacing of the story.

As for the characters, I believe I have more personal than objective opinions. Leta is by all means a very strong headed, feisty character. There were a couple of times her impulsive behaviour annoyed me and I wanted to slap some sense into her. But then again, she is a teenager acting on her emotions which she feels very deeply. And who am I to judge someone who all she wants to do is protect her loved ones?
In regards to the master of Lakesedge, Rowan Sylvanan, yes he is quite appealing and I absolutely understand why Leta falls for him. He is a complicated young man but as the story progresses and we learn more about him and what he’s been through, we are able to comprehend why he has hardened.
The romance that blooms between him and Leta is so intense and passionate, that at every scene those two were alone, I knew I had to be prepared for both banter and some swoon worthy content.
The Lord Under is one very irresistible villain. I rather not say anything about him because he is a bit morally gray I think. And charming. And alluring. What’s more, I’m not sure he’s the villain we are made to believe. That’s all I’ll say.
As for the secondary characters, I think they were a little underdeveloped. I wish we had been told more about Colver and Florence’s background. They seemed to be pretty special characters. I won’t talk about Arien because I simply didn’t like him. There’s nothing wrong with his character, I just didn’t care for him.

I can’t finish this review without mentioning some noteworthy aspects. These have to do with the world the author created. Yes, there is magic in this book. But it’s a bit different than what I’m used to. Instead of witches, sorcerers or magicians, there are alchemists. A nice touch that added a special flavour to the story in my opinion. Religion is also added into this world and, for a non religious person, I must admit I found this a bit fascinating. The final aspect I want to mention is the presence of nature. I love when authors transmit the beauty of nature through their writing. And Lyndall did just that. All these elements create a sort of folk or pagan feel to the book that I truly loved.

Overall, I believe Lakesedge is a very strong debut by author Lyndall Clipstone. Leta’s story and the world at Lakesedge will surely captivate readers who enjoy atmospheric fantasy reads, filled with magic, romance and an amazing setting I wish I could transport myself into.