ARC Review!

Lovely (Lee) was dead for three whole minutes. But when she came back, she was haunted by the spirits that haven’t moved on. What’s worse is that nobody believes her, and she’s accepted that she is crazy. After years of this, substance abuse, and feeling lost, a chance to figure out why she has this ability and to prove to herself she’s not insane, comes up.
Lee and her friend Tino travel to New Orleans to visit with some occult people and try to break through Lee’s barriers to figure out her death. But what happens if death is a being that doesn’t want to let Lee go once she’s crossed that bridge again?

When I started this, my idea of what it would be was nowhere near correct. I will say I was a bit over all the drama leading up to the MC getting to the underworld to figure everything out, but after the ending I understand why we took that journey. I don’t want to spoil anything for others, but this was a cool take on different lore of what happens when we die/the underworld/the beings that inhabit that plane. Honestly will look forward to book two so I can see just how the author justifies how that ending came to fruition!

Also, I’m not sure the final version will be this way, but the book doesn’t use quotation marks, it uses single quotations for when characters are talking. This threw me in the beginning!

I knew very little about this book before diving into it, and let me just say I was so pleasantly surprised with the outcome! I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but the character building is top notch. The book starts off at a slower pace because there is a lot of backstory happening, but it is all interesting. The last half of the book though I could not put it down! And to say I am desperate to get to read the next one would be an understatement.!

Thank you to NetGalley, Kerry Williams, and the publishers for the chance to read Daughter of the Drowned. This book swept me away (pun intended) with its haunting atmosphere, deeply flawed yet relatable characters, and an unpredictable, gripping plot. Without hesitation, it’s a 5 out of 5 stars from me.

The story follows Lovely Timms, a 21-year-old struggling to piece her life back together after a near-death experience that left her with visions of the otherworldly. Lovely is such a raw and relatable character; her battle with trauma and denial is both heartbreaking and deeply human. As the supernatural begins to bleed into her reality, she’s forced to confront truths about herself that she’s tried to bury. Her arc is beautifully done, showcasing resilience and vulnerability in equal measure. Watching Lovely grow into someone who learns to accept her past while challenging her fate is one of the most rewarding parts of the book.

Tino, her childhood best friend, is the rock she didn’t know she needed. His loyalty and quiet strength provide a perfect counterbalance to Lovely’s chaotic and self-destructive tendencies. What’s amazing about Tino’s role is that he’s not just a sidekick; he has his own moments of introspection and growth as he struggles to navigate his changing dynamic with Lovely. Their relationship is layered, with an unspoken tension that adds depth to every interaction.

And then there’s Death. Yes, Death, personified as a dark, mysterious figure with motives that are as seductive as they are terrifying. The dynamic between Death and Lovely is absolutely electric—it’s more than just a typical “antagonist vs. protagonist” situation. Their interactions are a mix of danger, curiosity, and reluctant connection, making every scene they share pulse with tension.

The world-building in Daughter of the Drowned is phenomenal. Set against the backdrop of a magical, hauntingly atmospheric New Orleans, the city itself feels like a character in the story. From candlelit alleys to shadowy crypts, every setting is described in lush detail that pulls you deeper into the narrative. The supernatural elements are woven seamlessly into the real world, creating a unique and immersive experience.

The plot is perfectly paced, with twists and reveals that genuinely caught me off guard. Just when I thought I had everything figured out, Kerry Williams threw in a twist that made me reevaluate everything. The themes of life, death, and redemption are explored in ways that feel fresh and emotionally impactful.

If I had to nitpick, there were a few moments where the introspection lingered a bit too long, slowing the pacing in the middle of the book. But honestly, those quieter moments added so much depth to the characters that I wouldn’t change a thing—it’s such a minor issue compared to how incredible the story is as a whole.

In conclusion, Daughter of the Drowned is an unforgettable blend of dark fantasy, romance, and supernatural intrigue. With complex characters, a vividly drawn setting, and a story that keeps you on your toes, this book has cemented itself as one of my favorites of the year. I can’t wait to see where Kerry Williams takes this story next! Highly recommend!

Lovely suffered an accident where she nearly died and since then the damage she has suffered has caused her to see dead spirits haunting her. When she discovers that it could all be real, she decides to travel to New Orleans in search of answers.
The main character is far from the perfect heroines we usually see in urban fantasy. Lovely has addiction problems that lead her to extreme acts, but when the time comes she tries to overcome them and decides to take complete control of her life.
Also worth exploring are the other characters who I hope to meet again in the sequel.
Overall a satisfying read where the cliffhanger ending has made me curious to see how the next book develops.

I sped through Daughter of the Drowned by Kerry Williams. It's an easy read and the plot moves at such a quick pace from page 1 that you can't help but finish it in one sitting. Definitely read the trigger warnings at the front, they are accurate and the subjects handled well, but it does make for a tough read, particularly so early in the story. You really get hit with the bulk of it before the 30% mark. This is billed as romance and sci fi/fantasy but I'm not sure that's entirely accurate. It really doesn't seem to fit the fantasy genre, at least not until the end, nor does it fit what I expect in a romance. It's definitely a unique read, and I think it's much more Erin A. Craig or Lyndall Clipstone than the other authors it's comped to. There was some uneven pacing in the second half but after the ending, I do want to keep going with the second book!

Suspenseful, emotional, and imaginative - often frustrating, not in a bad way. Interesting take on the afterlife with a enigma at every turn and private agendas colliding. Ends on a cliff ...

I appreciate the opportunity to read this but unfortunately I will not be finishing it. I had a hard time getting into the story and it was lighter on the fantasy than I was expecting.. Tbh if the description hadn't said it I'm not sure I would have qualified what I read as fantasy.

Thank you to Kerry Williams and Netgalley for the arc of this book in exchange for my honest opinion

Maybe it was the cover that threw me off thinking it was going to be more fantasy than it was but honestly I'm so glad I kept going

I ate this book up. Finished in 2 days no less . I was really intrigued by the paranormal vibes when it wasn't what I was expecting!
Kerry did a fantastic job with the character and really got me invested. The FMC has struggles but you know what she battles, quite literally, on!

End of cliff hanger?? Why did you do this to me?? Now I'm eagerly awaiting the release for hope no 2!

This has no business being this good! I mean who, how, now, and WOAH! The title makes it sound like it is about kelpie but that's further from the truth. It's a amazing journey.

Firstly this is the vibe that ninth house thought it was gonna be but wasn’t….

Secondly, this is an urban fantasy much more akin to Crescent City with visits to other realms, but mostly in the human realm. Most of the characters are humans with no magic or otherness. So think supernatural.


Ok, now that we got all that covered
Damnnnnnnnn
When you read this, you are gonna hurt, you are gonna feel anguish. Our FMC seems weak, it seems like she gives into vices to forget her life, and she does, she is not a perfect person. By any stretch of the imagination, she is fighting demons, and hell, quite literally.
What she puts herself through is another level of hell.
Imagine you had a terrible experience and your entire life everybody said that it wasn’t possible, it wasn’t true, you would feel so alone and isolated. You be left knowing the terror of it happening all the time without your control and still not being believed each time. Hell.
And after all that, what is there left to do but face hell?
What would you be willing to do and risk to be with the one person that feels like heaven?

This is an amazing book but the trigger warnings are not a joke here!!!!

*Thank you to Kerry Williams and Netgalley for the arc of this book in exchange for my honest opinion*

Wow. Just Wow. I dont know what Kerry Williams laces her books with but once again I have devoured her work in 24 hours and have been left an emotional wreck and dying for the next installment!
The story follows Lovely who died when she was 17 and was brought back to life. She has been haunted with visions of the dead, and Death himself, ever since. The story follows her after the death of her father, she is a recovering addict and is reconnected with her childhood friend Tino. They travel to New Orleans to try to figure out why this is happening to her.
Kerry does an amazing job at making you fall in love with Lovely and really sympathise with her struggles. She makes mistakes, she makes bad decisions but all if this makes her human and relatable. Her addiction, self harm and mental struggles are written so well, you can tell a lot of care has been put into this aspect of the story.
The story does end on a cliffhanger, and it has destroyed me! I dont know how I am going to wait until book 2!!!
I would like to give an honourable mention to Death, or Charion. You will know once you reach it, but ohhhh i melted!

From the first line on the very first page I was in. I was invested. I love paranormal anything and this gave The Sixth Sense vibes. I was expecting more fantasy because of how the cover is but it's far from that. . Overall, I was happy with the ending.

I am always down to read a book about Death personified. I just LOVE that. I eat that up so fast.

This is yet another example of INCREDIBLE idea, but lackluster execution. When I read a fantasy book, even if it's urban fantasy, I expect whimsy! And fantasy! But I feel like that was really not here. I got nearly halfway into the book before it felt like anything even remotely whimsical happened (or the main plot/point of the book). And even then, I still was constantly going "this is supposed to be fantasy, isn't it?" Sorry if that sounds harsh, but when an incredible concept doesn't live up to its full potential it just grinds my gears.

The cover also makes it seem far more fantasy than it is. So that was also throwing me off quite a bit.

Really cool idea, but kind of disappointing for me. I really don't think that I will be returning to this series. Sorry!

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review! My Goodreads review is up and my TikTok (Zoe_Lipman) review will be up at the end of the month with my monthly reading wrap-up.