Stunning
Poetic
Lyrical
Heartbreaking

No other words

Full link to review: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZGdkrcv8C/

I actually don't know how to rate this book. On the one hand, it's well written, on the other, it was almost too artsy to really be "good." In the acknowledgments the author does mention this book helped her through a dark time, and I can feel that. Not necessarily with the plot or content of the book, but because I can recognize in other people when they are pouring themselves a story and are working through emotions on the page. This book was obviously written with a lot of feeling behind it. I can't fault it.

One thing I will BEG the publisher to do is not list this as YA. While there's nothing spicy on the page necessarily, it skews much too intimate for a YA audience. New Adult or Adult should be the audience, and I have seen it marked on Goodreads as YA. I also think being up front with the very open, polyamorous relationship to readers. Surprising them with this plot point is going to turn off a lot of readers.

I ~devoured~ this book (ha ha) in about 48 hours because I couldn't put it down. I loved the world of Verse and it's gothic pagan vibes. We get a hint of dark academia in flashbacks with folkloric horror in the present storyline. It did feel a bit torn between those two genres for the first half of the book but I didn't mind it too much.

I'm a big fan of magic enacting physical changes on people, which was definitely a recurring theme here. I also loved Alistair and his very Will Turner story (iykyk).

My biggest hangup was the brother/sister pair both being romantic interests and Camille getting far less romantic build up than Alistair, leading to an insta-love feeling that felt even odder given Lark's feelings for her brother. Queerness was very normalized in this world, so perhaps it would have been less jarring if we'd also been able to see other poly romances in-universe.

I think, ideally, the flashbacks should have taken up less space and gotten to the end result of her fallout with Damson sooner. This would have eased some of the genre tension and allowed more space to be given to developing her relationship with Camille.

Overall, this was an addictive gothic romantasy that will definitely have me checking out Clipstone's other books. Thank you to NetGalley and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I’ll be honest, I’ve had this ARC for a few weeks but I for once showed some restraint and waited to read it until I had a fair chunk of time, because I knew that once I started I wouldn’t want to put it down. And that definitely was the case.

I absolutely adore Lyndall Clipstone’s poetic prose. The descriptions are woven with flowers that bloom across the pages.

Lark starts as a lost soul and I loved watching her grow and find herself over the course of the book. Alastair’s character is heartbreaking and compelling. Their story of self-discovery and sacrifice, mixed with Camille’s sweet tenderness, is beautifully told. The horror elements were full of seafoam and saltwater.

The best way I can think to describe this book is a floral gothic. Its descriptions are light and ethereal while its underlying themes drift towards the darker sea so favoured by Alastair.

I would definitely recommend this book to fans of Ava Reid’s A Study in Drowning, or to those who wished Saltburn had chthonic gods!

🦢 Betrothal to a chthonic god (which very Hades & Persephone inspired in its terms)
🦢 Lost & lonely characters
🦢 Floral gothic vibes
🦢 Seafoam romantic horror
🦢 Different planes
🦢 Art & literature
🦢 Complicated family dynamics
🦢 Seaside caves & the lingering taste of saltwater in your mouth

This book has the perfect Gothic setting and atmosphere with just a hint of Spring. The worldbuilding is perfect and dreamy, leaving me feeling as though I myself am steeped in the world they live. And, oh, the characters; Clipstone has a way with her characters that heals my soul and leaves me feeling numb yet in love. Lark, Alastair, and Camille are all flawed young adults who are so real it hurts. Their love is complicated yet beautiful and left me breathless. I am so very impressed with how she built their relationships and trust. And I am unbelievably happy with such beautiful sapphic representation!

Clipstone has made another Gothic masterpiece with a flower-rich atmosphere full of art and history, and Chthonic Gods. I would recommend this to anyone who loves Gothic horror, spring, and beautiful prose.

I haven’t been able to get into this book like I was her others but I’ve enjoyed what I have read. The characters and atmosphere of the book are great, just not what I’m in the mood for at this moment. I will be finishing it after the holidays!

The moody, atmospheric vibes are delicious, but unfortunately, that's all it was for me. The characters were flat, and the plot didn't fit together properly—it felt like the passion between the puzzle pieces of the story were missing.

Huge thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan for an early copy of Tenderly, I am Devoured by Lydia Clipstone in return for an honest review!

As soon as I read ‘for fans of Saltburn’ I knew this book was for me and oh my God, it did not disappoint!

Lydia’s writing style is so perfectly executed with just enough flowery words and details to absolutely pull the reader in. Tenderly, I am Devoured is the perfect gothic romance book. The stakes were high, the characters absolutely fantastic and the world had stunning chthonic elements!

Lark was such a lovely character to follow, she had so much depth and was deeply flawed, which is something I love in books. Tenderly, I am Devoured also had characters I hated (I will not name names) but oh my gosh, I was livid and appalled over some of the things that happened. I was really rooting for Lark and co. the entire book!

Overall, I definitely recommend this book and can’t wait to pick up a physically copy as a trophy! 🖤

Tenderly I Am Devoured by Emily Twombly is a hauntingly atmospheric novel that blurs the lines between reality and myth, love and destruction. The story follows eighteen-year-old Lacrimosa "Lark" Arriscane, who, after being expelled from her prestigious boarding school, returns home to a family on the brink of financial collapse. In a desperate attempt to save them, she agrees to a marriage of convenience to Therion, the god worshipped by her isolated coastal village.

What begins as a seemingly straightforward arrangement quickly spirals into something far darker and more enigmatic. As Lark’s betrothal goes awry, she finds herself mysteriously vanishing from the mortal world, and her only hope lies in seeking the help of Alastair Felimath, the brilliant but arrogant boy who once broke her heart, and his captivating sister, Camille. The trio’s journey through ancient folklore, gods, and ritualistic practices draws Lark deeper into a world where nothing is certain and everything is steeped in danger and desire.

The prose in Tenderly I Am Devoured is as rich and intoxicating as its subject matter. Twombly’s writing feels like a fevered dream—one where you can’t quite tell what is real, what is illusion, and what might be the result of some ancient power at play. The atmosphere is thick with tension, desire, and dread, as Lark’s emotional entanglements with the Felimath siblings deepen and the stakes of her betrothal grow more dangerous. The exploration of Greek-like gods, hedonistic rituals, and the boundaries between the human and divine provides a lush, almost surreal backdrop to Lark’s tragic love story.

While the novel’s pacing can be a bit slow at times, it is entirely fitting for the dreamlike quality of the narrative. Readers will find themselves swept up in the tension and mystery, unsure of what is real and what is the result of the characters’ manipulations and obsessions. Lark’s emotional turmoil and growing connection to Alastair and Camille add layers of complexity to her already complicated existence, and the tension between love, power, and destruction is palpable throughout the book.

Tenderly I Am Devoured is a captivating and darkly lyrical tale that will resonate with fans of intricate, atmospheric fiction. Twombly creates a world where mythology and romance collide in a way that feels both intimate and unsettling. A perfect read for those looking for a novel that feels like a haunting, unpredictable dream—a 4/5 for its rich prose, emotional depth, and its ability to leave readers questioning the boundaries between love and madness.

*Tenderly, I Am Devoured* by Lyndall Clipstone is a dark, atmospheric fantasy that delves into themes of obsession, desire, and the blurred lines between love and destruction. The novel follows its protagonist, who becomes entangled with a mysterious, otherworldly force that both captivates and consumes her. Clipstone’s writing is poetic and haunting, creating a rich, eerie atmosphere that pulls the reader into its world. While the plot is steeped in romance and tension, it also offers an exploration of personal sacrifice and the complexities of relationships. With its lyrical prose and unpredictable twists, the book will appeal to readers who enjoy dark, immersive stories with a touch of supernatural allure.

This one hooked me from the beginning! The plot points were so on brand that you can’t help but devour the book in one setting! The character development and world building were fantastic and I will definitely be recommending!

The start of this book already has a romantic feel to it, there’s a classic air that I can’t quite put my finger on but the prose makes me feel like it’s reminiscent of an eerie Pride and Prejudice quality book with a gothic touch. Which I might add is THE highest compliment, because Pride and Prejudice is my favorite classic and I have 3 different copies of it.

I highlighted so many things in this book that at some point I probably should have just stopped and highlighted the whole thing, the writing had me captivated. I’m quite sure you could have heard a pin drop in the room I was reading in because my focus was wholly on this book, I’m not sure I was even breathing by the time I got to the twists.

2025 is absolutely stacked with amazing books, and this one is a top read without question. I’ve already preordered it and the day it shows up at my local bookstore for me to pickup will be the day I reread it.

This book was absolutely gorgeous! The prose was beautifully gothic and I absolutely “devoured” the story. I loved the character development in all of the main characters, but especially Lark, who you can see grow from the “Then” chapters to the “Now” chapters. It’s a haunting tale about love and belonging and I think that Lyndall Clipstone captures these feelings so well. The world building created a place that I felt I could visit; one that I wanted to see and experience. I felt the characters’ emotions with them and needed to know what happened next. It was the perfect mix of gothic horror, dark academia, mystery, and coming of age, all wrapped up in some of the most beautiful writing I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading.

Thank you to Lyndall Clipstone and Netgalley for this eARC!

If I could describe this book with one word it would be dreamy. This author is new to me and her writing style evokes so much emotion, I'm obsessed. Lark is a character I'm never going to forget because I related to her so much as a soft girlie myself.

I wish we had gotten to know a few of the characters a little bit better but overall this book was so satisfying and enthralling.

4 out of 5 stars

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6782414286

Tenderly, I Am Devoured is a novel that inspects the aspects of love and betrayal, following your heart while also meeting the expectations and obligations of others, and allowing mistakes to echo but not totally determine your future. The story of Lark is sad but hopeful, allowing the reader to see that there is always another path to be made, another wave to overcome, or, in Lark's case, another obsidian mirror with another story to be written.

I was excited to read this book unfortunately it did not meet my expectations. I guess it was because i was expecting something else and instead it just kinda dragged for me. I found the pacing to be quite slow and the characters lacked development.

Firstly, I would like to thank the author and NetGalley for accepting my request to read and honestly review an arc copy (my very first netgally arc!!!).
Since the first announcement, I've been eager to lose myself between the pages of this book. As the title narrates - I've been tenderly devoured.
This moody, gothic romantasy dusted with renaissance-esque atmosphere really drew me in from the start. The characters are very well-developed; the world-building was magnificent to the point where I just want to abandon my life and live in Verse!

The characters take us on a very chaotic yet emotional journey and now that I am finished, I am starved of their lives and world. The story leaves you wanting more of their lives and makes you feel like there could be more to their stories - whether its past, present or future.

If you are looking to read new books in 2025, I would highly suggest this soon-to-be-released title. And I do hope you love and treasure this story as much as I do!

Tenderly I Am devoured
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25
🦢 standalone
🦢 soft horror elements
🦢 bi and polyamorous rep
🦢 romantic academia
🦢 promised to a citonic god

I know you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but have you seen this one? I fell in love and immediately knew I wanted an ARC. Tenderly I am devoured feels like reading a dark fairytale and was a yes to everything from the first moment. The story follows Lacrimosa, a girl who, in order to save her family from ruin, finds herself involved in a complicated situation, not only with a god whom she must marry, but also with a pair of brothers (Camille and Alastair) with what used to be childhood friends but with whom she now has no contact. One of the aspects that I liked the most about the book is the setting, atmospheric and creepy but at the same time romantic in the most literary sense of the word. The narration is absolutely beautiful and as a reader, I felt like I could see each of the spaces thanks to the detailed and poetic descriptions. The plot itself seemed like another great success to me. I was hooked from beginning to end, there is a marriage of convenience with a god but also a friends to "enemies" to lovers, with not one, but two people, sects and thanks to the fact that we have two timelines it is possible to know in depth the motivations of the protagonist. My only reason for not giving it a higher score is that looking back, there is a disparity in the construction of the characters. Lacrimosa and even Alastair get the best part but the rest did not have the same luck in that sense, and they were a little flat for my liking. Apart from that, it was a book that I enjoyed very much and I hope to continue reading more from the author.

Tenderly, I Am Devoured is a darkly gothic and haunting tale of forbidden, polyamorous love, atmospheric prose, and emotional depth. The writing pulled me in quickly, with a pace that allowed me to read just as swiftly. Lark, the protagonist, must bind herself to the powerful chthonic demon, Therion, to protect her family's legacy and ensure her own survival. Navigating this perilous bond, she finds an unlikely ally in Alastair, the son of a rival house. As the stakes grow higher, the novel explores the complex nature of polygamy within a dangerous, supernatural context. The fast-paced, gripping narrative unfolds with dark secrets and lyrical, poetic prose. Tenderly, I Am Devoured explores the deep tension between desire, survival, and the unraveling of dangerous pacts, as well as uncovering family secrets.

"When I say I'll be his bride, he smiles at me, and his teeth are sharp,"

"I don't want to be something fragile, too delicate to touch. If I must be glass then I want to be the razored edge of a broken pane--sharp and dangerous."

If you are at all into or even curious about atmospheric books with beautiful prose that are a blend of romance and horror, you NEED to check this one out.

This is in my top ten of the year, and it doesn't even come out until next year. I guarantee I'll still be thinking about it then.

The atmosphere is so stunning. Set mostly at a seaside cottage, the descriptions were so gorgeous and made me feel like I was there

The characters are beautifully written. Lark is so soft but wields her own kind of strength. Camilla and Alistair are both suffering in different ways under their cruel father, but both love Lark so much. And Therion! So otherworldly but loveable too. They're all so complex, with amazing growth from their painful pasts.

I never wanted this book to end, I could have lived in this world with its beautiful writing forever.

Thank you to Lyndall for the early review copy! This review was left voluntarily and all opinions are my own.