I was already so excited to read this after loving Lakesedge, and overall, the cover and synopsis already had me hooked. I originally started this in February before putting it on pause until the beginning of June. The only thing that had me nervous was the fact that I don’t tend to like movies like Saltburn but House of Hollow is one if not my favorite book of all time so my hopes were high. The beginning of the book was great and it had me hooked from the start (yes I did spend a large amount of time giggling like an idiot whenever Alastair was mentioned or appeared just because of his name and my obsession with Hazbin Hotel oh well). The writing style had all the same parts I enjoyed while reading Lakesedge while still feeling the growth in it. The different mysterious undertones of the plot were really intriguing and made me want to keep going, I just needed to know. Lark’s expulsion and why she was expelled, what happened with the other girl (forgot her name but screw her she doesn’t matter), why does this god want her as his bride, why did Alastair switch up on her, all these questions really kept me excited for what’s to come.

As much as I loved this book, I can only give it a 10/10 when it comes to vibes and interest.

This book was not what I’d expected and I’m a bit sad that I didn’t love it as much as I hoped I would. I will get into the different things that I didn’t particularly enjoy and am definitely over analyzing everything but that’s just me. And although it didn’t meet my expectations, I still really enjoyed it. I loved the characters and the romance, which is surprising for me, and it definitely won’t stop me from wanting to read more of Lyndall Clipstone’s work in the future! Am even planning to reread Lakesedge and force my friends to read it with me to refresh my memory before reading Forestfall.

Like I said, I LOVED the different questions going on, however, some of the answers weren’t as exciting. (SPOILERS AHEAD)

The moment we met D in the past (it wasn’t a joke i actually cannot remember her name all i know is that it starts with a D so let's call her that), I knew the outcome already. I’ve seen so many of D’s type of character and friendship, the obvious fake and manipulative kind undertones that seems obvious to anyone but the MC (I had a friend like that 10/10 would not recommend get them away from you and thank me later), so when the betrayal came, it wasn’t a shocker. This is also where the “BEFORE” chapters end since the following is the beginning of the book. I felt like the majority of the “BEFORE” chapters could’ve been a collection of flashbacks told by Lark, since she does so anyway right after. I feel similarly when it comes to the Alastair flashbacks, but we did get a lot more information about his and Camille’s character and their dynamic before the fall out so once that wrapped and all the “BEFORE” chapters turned to D only is where those fell off for me. Especially since, to me, her manipulation and betrayal didn’t leave much of an impact on Lark. Although there are some mentions of D’s actions in regard to Lark’s trust towards Camille in particular, it didn’t feel genuine. There was no push back. The moment Camille came back into her life, they were fine. This also applied to Alastair. He was the one pushing Lark away but she still runs back to him. Overall, the boarding school storyline felt unnecessary and, like I said, could’ve been wrapped up into a single flashback.

Similarly, Lerk discovering the truth about her birth and betrothal to a god didn’t have much impact on her relationship with her brothers. She cried for a couple of pages but when she saw them again, everything was fine.

By far the one thing that bothered me the most was the lack of stakes. I never felt like the characters were truly in any danger and the hallucinations felt repetitive. I may be wrong, but I think the hallucinations were one of the inspirations from House of Hollow. However, unlike House of Hollow, these didn’t feel like a genuine threat to the character due to the repetitiveness of them. The constant water sloshing against the windows or spilling over a bathtub or sink and the seaweed binding her and snagging at her was starting to get annoying after the third time because I knew she’d be fine. This is also where I felt like the synopsis was a bit misleading. Lark “vanishing” from the mortal realm was lacking. I assume the hallucinations and things are the implied vanishing. However, once again, it never felt like any of them were ever in actual danger. I think what would’ve made a difference was that Therion was not a “kissable god” and was an actual threat. This would’ve raised the stakes when Hugo appeared as well. Not only is Therion’s link to her a lot more unnerving and threatening, but the fact that Hugo seeks to destroy him and doesn’t care if she gets caught in the crossfire would’ve raised those stakes. As much as I love the poly representation, I wish that the kissable god wasn’t so kissable and felt a bit more like D. With holding a falsely kind facade while communicating with Lark, but once things go south, actually turns on her. Even at the end, Alastair with Therionstuck inside of him, he will be fine. Everyone will be fine.

As much as I had to say about the things I disliked, without analysing things too closely, this book was fun.

I liked how Alastair actually gave off the impression he didn’t care about Lark anymore. There were no “must’ve been the wind” heart eye glances. When he thought she wasn’t listening while talking to Camille, his mask didn’t slip.

Not going to lie, after finding out how Marcus abused his some, I had a rare audible “what the fuck” come out of my mouth. The fuck ass audacity of this old man istg. And although I was nervous to read a poly relationship involving siblings, I was glad to find it wasn’t in any danger zones. I liked Alastairs sacrifice as a way for him to prove to Lark and mostly to himself that he wasn’t a coward. Camille deciding to kick her father out was good, although I would’ve chosen to, I don’t know, push em down a couple of stairs and make it look like an accident for the inheritance but of poo I guess sticking it to em is good too. I like the vibe of the ocean and forest god being a swan. Why a swan? I have no idea but I'm here for it. Just a silly little swan god with his silly little swan boat. I did like the parallels between Lark’s relationship with D and With Alastair and Camille, although it felt incomplete(?).

Overall, if you like books with oceanic mythology vibes and gays, this is for you. I do hope that all of this doesn’t stop anyone from reading it because it is a fun read in the end.

Started out really strong, with a very interesting plot. However, I grew tired of the everyone is sad and crying all the time. I know it may sound insensitive. The characters go through a lot in this book. A lot of really rough topics are brought up. I felt like that was what this book revolved around though rather than the actual plot at times.

This is definitely why choose, which I have not read before. Don’t know if it’s my cup of tea….but it could have also been the circumstances. Siblings sharing a lover is a little too much for me. BUT to each their own.

All in all, an interesting fast read. Would reccomend to anyone who enjoys dark gothic fantasy, with a why choose romance.

In Tenderly, I Am Devoured we follow Lacrimosa Arriscane, a disgraced schoolgirl who returns home after being expelled from her boarding school only to discover her family is in deep financial ruin. Of course, Lacrimosa—Lark—does the only thing one might do when found in these circumstances: she binds herself to Therion, the dangerous chthonic swan God. Naturally, things do not go to plan, so Lark enlists help in the form of her first heartbreak and his alluring sister to fix everything before it is too late.

Enchanting and captivating from the start, I truly devoured (hehe) Tenderly, I Am Devoured.

This is a book of heartbreak and change, and it felt like an incredibly intimate piece of work. At the start of the book, our lead protagonist Lacrimosa is at an emotional crossroads of sorts; she has been expelled from her prestigious boarding school and with that, her plans for the future set awry; and she has returned to her home to discover things there are just as, if not more, disastrous. We settle on a journey with Lacrimosa, with the book alternating chapters between present and past tense, as the present Lacrimosa sets her plans in motion to help save her family from financial ruin, and past Lacrimosa goes through her time at boarding school and the events that led to her expulsion. I found these alternating chapters interesting and evenly paced, leaving me desperate to continue on to discover what was to happen next in both the past and present timelines.

Of course, in Tenderly we are afforded an array of side characters; Lacrimosa’s brothers, her legal guardians, who are ever doting on Lacrimosa though have a fair amount of secrets of their own; and most notably, the Felimath siblings, Alistair and Camille, who join forces with Lacrimosa. This trio have quite the detailed past together, and despite having been distant in the years leading up to the present day, the trio soon find themselves closer than ever. I really enjoyed the polycule subplot between these three, and the intimacy, which was written both passionately and poetically.

What I loved most of all was the writing; gothic and moody, yet lyrical and captivating, Clipstone’s prose had me hung on every line. My favourite book probably ever is A Study in Drowning and I would agree strongly with those likening these two books because Tenderly really does flow much like ASID. This book was somehow my first time reading anything from the author, and it has left me eager to dive into their back catalogue for more.

I was so sure I’d love this book, and maybe it just found me at the wrong time, because while the writing was beautifully atmospheric, the rest of it ended up feeling just meh/okay. The cover and artwork are absolutely stunning, and I loved the dark academia and cottagecore vibes, with hints of horror and hidden secrets. The premise is super intriguing—Lark, the main character, returns home after being expelled from boarding school following an incident, only to find her brothers, her only remaining family, facing financial ruin. To save her family’s legacy, she’s expected to marry Therion, a hometown god. It had all the elements I usually enjoy, but the pacing was incredibly slow to the point of being boring at times, and the story became very repetitive. The romance didn’t work for me at all—there was just no chemistry—and I struggled to connect emotionally with any of the characters. It’s definitely a book I can see others falling in love with, but for me, it just didn’t quite hit the mark.

This was a fantastic gothic novel! Lark is a great character to tell the story through, as you learn through past and present events how she tries to balance her desire for her own life and her family duty. When they both have unexpected twists, the different ways Lark responds to them really show her growth and strength. The romance is the biggest strength of this novel. Lark finds herself betrothed to an ancient god, while romancing both her childhood friends (the Felimath siblings). The romance is soft, but burning, and there is no guilt or judgment for the love (except from maybe the Felimath father). The only disappointing aspect was the way the conflict was resolved. Part of it was perfectly gothic and had Hades/Persephone vibes, but the other part was lackluster and was just dropped.

Overall an excellent novel.

I absolutely devoured this book! It was very eloquently written and it had the most descriptive and classic-like prose! I was fully immersed in the story and environment after only a few chapters. The world was described so beautifully and vividly and it left me with an aching need to book a one way ticket to my favorite coastal town.

We see many different relationship dynamics in this novel that all felt so raw and real. I especially loved getting to watch the relationships develop and transition to other kinds. The blindsiding betrayals that happened were all too relatable and I can think of many friendship-defining/ending moments that left me feeling similar to Lark. As for the romance, I loved it! While yes, it was taboo, it was also beautiful and I think it perfectly encapsulates the reality of growing up and discovering your own particular needs without a care for societal norms. I was not surprised by the direction the book was taking knowing that the author quoted The Secret History in their epigraph lol. I also just personally love when books include taboo topics without overly explaining them or drawing overt attention to them.

My only qualm is that I wish this book were longer so that the plot could've developed a bit more! It was so interesting and I just wanted to learn everything I could about the characters. I'll definitely be checking out other books from Lyndall Clipstone!

ARC provided for an honest review.

Not sure this was for me, intriguing premise but I just couldn’t get into this one. This genre tends to be hit or miss for me and sadly it was a miss. Gorgeous cover though!

Flower-threaded and gorgeously written, we follow Lacrimosa, or Lark, as she returns from boarding school and accepts a betrothal to the god of Salt, Sea and Earth, Therion, in exchange for her family's salt mines to be replenished. Whilst trying to prevent her husband's banishment, Lark rekindles a relationship with her former childhood friends, Alastair and Camille, and in doing so she finds herself gently falling back into her feelings for the two siblings.

Steeped in rich, decadent prose, the world was rose-tinted and beautiful, a focus on the auditory and olfactory senses aiding the breathtaking, natural setting. I felt wholly immersed in this unique, pastel-gothic dreamscape.

Paradoxically, the atmosphere was both light and heavy. There's an underpinning sense of very mild horror and foreboding but the delicacy of the setting and the tender relationship between the three protagonists balanced that out.

Tenderly was a story of love, acceptance, and forgiveness, first and foremost, with the different relationships taking the starring role in the book - whether they were romantic, platonic or familial. The plentiful, easy representation of queer relationships was delightful.

It felt like I was intruding on the fleeting romantic moments between Lark & Alastair, and Lark & Camille, which were full of tension and quiet lust (this is YA, remember) and I appreciated how delicately and carefully they were written. It was a joy seeing how the protagonists developed alongside their changing dynamic.

For me, there was a slight lack of depth with regards to the lore - but maybe that's just me coming out of reading a series where the lore is a pivotal part of the story - and I would have loved for Therion, the god Lark was betrothed to, to feature more as an independent character in this story, as I felt a disconnect with him until the very end.

Overall, I really enjoyed Tenderly, I Am Devoured. If you're after a gorgeous, aesthetic, slower-paced read between bigger series or books, then this one is for you.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this eARC 🖤

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan for this ARC!

I am new to Lyndall Clipstone and truly went in with zero knowledge of what to expect. I will say that Tenderly is not my typical book-choice.

However, Clipstone’s writing is so lyrical that it was a delight to read. I enjoyed the story, and only wish that it was longer so I could keep going.

I knew very little about this story going in and was pleasantly surprised by this eerily haunting, ethereal gothic romance. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever read.

Set in a remote coastal town thick with secrets, the atmosphere is so vivid it felt like I was standing on the sand, tasting the salt in the air. The writing is lyrical and metaphor-rich, making the horror elements even more unsettling. This is a story that hums with quiet dread.

I adored Lark, the FMC. She’s messy and searching and deeply human, and I loved getting swept up in her emotions.

The romance is a slow burn, but layered and compelling. The inclusion of polyamory added emotional depth and complexity, and it worked beautifully in this story. I didn’t always know where the plot was going, but that unpredictability is what kept me so anxious and engaged. I couldn’t put it down.

READ QUEER STORIES!!

Come for the stunning cover and stay for the following immaculate vibes:

•Gothic floral horror
•Sea foam cottagecore meets salt and smoke
•Art history and chiaroscuro
•Berry lip stain and hair ribbons
•A dog-eared book you’ve read a hundred times
•Messy family secrets and toxic relationships
•Poly rep with a dash of bi panic
•Do I want to kiss you or drown you

In all seriousness, I loved this book. It was haunting and painful and beautifully written, with lyrical prose so vivid and clear, you can practically taste it. Although I would have likes a biiiit more backstory on our supporting characters (especially Camille and Therion) the lore and worldbuilding was so wonderfully done that I’m not even that pressed about it.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Macmillan, and Lyndall Clipstone for sending me an ARC of this beautiful book.

.5🌶️ this was my first YA read in a year since i read Six of Crows in June 2024 and i am pleasantly surprised by how much i enjoyed this story. i’m not a huge fan of YA due to it being a lot of the main characters inner thoughts and not much dialogue but the writing in this was breathtaking! the story was heart wrenching and uniquely beautiful! it leans towards horror, but is definitely a romance and fairytale-esque. it was a great book and i am grateful i stepped out of my comfort zone and to have had the opportunity to ARC read this!

thank you to netgalley, Lyndall Clipstone, and Macmillan Publishing group for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This book intrigued me and frustrated me. A lot of the plot I liked. I loved the aspect of the gods, of her being sent to marry him, and the big reveals from later in the book. It's what intrigued me the most when I picked this story to read. But in the end there was little payoff. For what the book is being advertised and marketing, the gods aspect of the story is very small. And her relationship and interactions with Therion are very limited. It felt like a passing thought. And that was very disappointing.

The characters were intriguing. I liked them, and liked reading about them. But this story felt more like, the FMC trying to save her neighbors from an abusive father, and her falling in love with both of them. If that's how the story had been marketed, my review probably would be different. But in the end, that's what the story felt like. Escaping abuse.

So many of the other plot points just felt like they were added in to be added in. Her entire past time at her school, felt like just a long winded explanation of her being bisexual (and just didn't feel needed). The entire plot line of the priests also felt thrown in basically to just explain that the MMC is bi, and give an excuse as to why someone was trying to kill Therion. It didn't feel like a served a more reaching point.

The characters also read much younger than they were. The story is definitely YA, when I felt like it was going to be more upper YA. I believe they're supposed to be aged like 18-21, but they read around 16. A lot of their behavior felt childish and then they would have these moments where they would act like adults.

That being said. A lot of the writing is beautiful. And there is some really well depictions of abuse and trauma. And some beautiful moments of love and connection as well.

Tenderly, I Am Devoured is labeled as a Gothic romantic folk horror. Is it gothic? Yes. Is there romance? Yes, the main character has the hots for siblings and they do act on it, but not until the book is almost over. Is it folk? Sure, why not. Is it horror? Didn’t read like horror to me, nothing was scary in the book.
Lark, the main character, returns home from her boarding school after being expelled, (the reason which takes at least half the book to get to) only to get betrothed to Therion, the swan-like God the worship. The betrothal ceremony is abruptly interrupted when her childhood friend Alastair Felimath rescues her from her family’s crumbling salt mine. What happens next is roughly 200 pages of Lark pining after the Felimath siblings, me wanting the slap the stew out of Marcus Felimath and Lark trying to figure out what to do about her God-husband.
The cover is absolutely beautiful and will make a good shelf trophy, the story is very original. It is very, very slow at times. I did find myself putting off reading it because I felt like nothing was happening. It is a beautifully written book.
If there is a sequel, I will probably get it just to see what happens.
Thank you to Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group and NetGalley for allowing me to get an advance copy of the book in return for my honest review.

I really liked this one. Spooky Scottish cliffside vibes, nefarious deals with gods, plus a devious religious cult. Deadly hallucinations, risky rituals, mysterious parentage, this story has it all. Only one thing about it really kind of bugged me, and that was the "why choose" romance was, (slight spoiler alert?) between the main character and her two childhood best friends who also happen to be siblings. Oh, and did I mention everyone is gay? Fantastic.

Tenderly, I Am Devoured is a lush, gothic talk shrouded in salt air and the sea. It is a tender and aching story of a young girl that wants to leave her home to be something more. A girl that experiences more heartbreak than one would think the bear, but manages to still believe in love. It is a story of what people will sacrifice for their family, even if that sacrifice involves their family.

Lacrimosa Arriscane (Lark) has returned home to her cottage and her salt farming brothers, cast out from the city and the school she had been attending under humiliating circumstances. Once back home, she runs into Alistair Felimath, her childhood friend and first love that broke her heart years before. Her brother owe a huge debt the the Felimath family, which Lark ends up taking on. By agreeing to marry Therion, a god of the sea.

Unfortunately, their wedding is interrupted, and what results is a desperate attempt to figure out how to save both Lark and Therion before they fade away. To do this, Lark has to turn to Alistair and his sister, and they all have to face the years of secrets and torment that have always haunted their homes. You can feel the aching, fragile love between Lark and Alistair. You can see a new relationship bloom between Lark and Camille (Alistair's sister). You can see Lark learn of her past, and find the strength to move forward and still hold forgiveness in her heart.

The setting is lush and moody, and the story beats crash over you in waves. The sea is as much a character as everyone else, and you can feel it. You can feel the salt air and the pervasive sense of being lost to the depths, where only love can give you anchor so you don't lose sight of the shore. This is very much in the mood of A Study in Drowning, or even Divine Rivals, in terms of settings and sacrifices and gods. I loved all of it.

This is a haunting and unique novel. Outwardly, it is a somewhat traditional myth, in this case based on the myth of Persephone, with local gods and their worshippers, who seek the god’s favor through sacrifice and prayer. But it’s also more than that. Lacrimosa (called Lark) is the youngest child of parents who died at her birth, raised by her brothers, and all of them desperate to maintain and retain the salt mines that provide their income - mines which have produced poorly for some time. In response to their prayer for aid, Therion, their local god, the god of salt, agrees to help them, for a price - and the price is marriage to Lark. But there the resemblance to Persephone ends, and the stories diverge, into a unique plot twist with distinct gothic tones. Due to mature themes, this novel is recommended for older teens (16+) and adults.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided by Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

4.5/5

Pulled in and weighted by a heavy tide, Lyndall Clipstone’s Tenderly, I Am Devoured is a reassuring ballad to the broken-hearted and anyone on the cusp of something strange and unknown. Rigged with brambles, salt, and sea foam, this perilous novel embodies a keen and overwhelming longing for that period when everything seems possible and yet somehow still entirely impossible to grasp. Tenderly, I Am Devoured has all the trappings of a story on the edge, what with its main character, Lacrimosa Arriscane, stuck between the mortal and chthonic realms, an old life and a new, and two loves competing for her heart. Ruinous as the very sea that borders the lands of Verse, Tenderly, I Am Devoured is a gothic horror romance that aches to reach a resting place forever out of reach. One I could not help but feel swept up in myself as Clipstone tethers her heroine to demonic gods and the unwise bargains they make with mortals. Tenderly, I Am Devoured is the gothic-horror-academia sibling to Ava Reid’s, A Study in Drowning, but given Clipstone’s unique authorial voice and intent. Transient as the middle place between adolescence and adulthood, the past and present both, Lyndall Clipstone traverses the places between—where myths are made real and where love is our strongest act of defiance.

My full review is featured over on my blog!

4.7/5!

Firstly, thank you to the author and publisher for gifting the e-arc in exchange for a honest review!

I have been following Lyndall Clipstone's work for around a year or so and when she sneakpeaked this new project... I was BEYOND excited... and honestly ..it lived up to the hype!!

Clipstone has such a romantic prose with everything I have read of hers and it was not forgotten here! It was beautifully written and had me swooning for mostly all the characters. It was supposed to be inspired by the movie Saltburn, and although the plot, for me, did not seem too similar... the creepy suspense-fulness and the romantic .. almost yearning (?) did remind me of Saltburn! And the names of our main characters... ugh beautiful! And it did end on a beautiful note.

I would DEF recommend to read when this comes out on July 1st!

Thank you Lyndall‘s team, Spotify Audiobooks, & NetGalley for the eARC & ALC of Tenderly, I Am Devoured! It was such an honor to read and listen to this whimsical dark academia story and never knowing really where the story was going!

The audio actor was amazing, the way she spoke and spun words, it felt so fluid, whimsical, and carefree. I would highly recommend listening and reading because the way this actor speaks was breathtaking. She truly brought the story to life! The romance, the plot, and just the general world was such a beautiful story, I truly felt as if I was in the world. The way the polycule was written was as breathing, so nature, never forced and always with gentleness. Yes we don’t see the Swan God often but we had to get a few more things out of the way before we delved solely into the issues.

There was so many things I never knew was gonna come, especially how lark is, wow that was a great twist! The ending though, my heart! I cannot explain well enough how this story was, but I so much enjoyed the delicateness, honesty, and pain was written with such great depth.

PSA the true villain is Damson that’s all I say

4/5 stars
1.5/5 spice