In the Veins of the Drowning is haunting, lyrical, and full of emotion. The writing is absolutely gorgeous. It feels immersive in a way that pulls you into its world slowly and completely. The seaside setting, the sense of grief, and the quiet magic all build a really unique and moody atmosphere.

I loved the siren mythology and the subtle tension that runs through the story. It’s not a loud or fast-paced book , it’s more of a slow unraveling, where the emotions and character dynamics take center stage. The romance is more of a soft undercurrent than a central plot point, but it adds depth to the story without taking over.

There were a few moments where I had to pause and settle into the rhythm of the writing, but once I did, I was fully along for the ride. This is one of those books that rewards patience and sinks in deep if you let it.

If you’re looking for something dreamy, emotional, and a little eerie, this one is worth picking up. Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read early.

A fantastic first book to this series, I really enjoyed it. The plot did a great job of setting up the world, theology, and history without giving a textbook thesis on it. The beginning went very fast with a lot of things happening almost before you can catch your breath. Once it got into the quest part of the plot it found its pace and was a very interesting read. There were questionable decisions made but it’s very human and while I may have wanted to scream at the characters, I can’t say I’d have done anything different if I were in the situation. There biggest issue is that I’ve read this right as it’s coming out which means I have so long to wait for the next one. I read this ebook through NetGalley.

Excuse me while this book becomes my entire personality. I am literally obsessed with this story and am so upset my copy from NetGalley did not come with the teaser for book 2 chapter! Luckily, I preordered a physical copy which hopefully will have that because I need more of these characters!

Agatha and Lachlan are everything I need in found family / side characters. The cast was small but I loved that because it felt like the reader could really get to know the important players.

The romance, banter, slow burn, and enemies to lovers vibes were so so so perfect. Not sure how Imogen and Theo are going to fix the epic disaster they ended up in at the end of this book but I can’t wait to find out!

One small criticism (so small I didn’t even deduct a star) was that the world building is a little confusing. The idea of Mages, God Kings, etc, was a lot to understand. It does make sense by the end but took me a bit to fully grasp.

Overall, a fantastic debut of a series I will certainly continue as well as an author I’d read more from.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you Little, Brown and Company and NetGalley for this early review copy.

This was a great fantasy book with a slow burn romance, which was right up my alley. I'm not a huge fan of romance books, but when the romance does not overtake the story and does not take away from the main plot, I love it. This book surprised me, I wasn't sure about it initially, but the story sucked me right in. I cannot wait to get my hands on the second book.

While I liked this book, I can not say that I LOVED this book. I know the ending had to be vague because it will obviously be a series, but it left a few too many things unanswered. I also like when fantasy is based in a little bit of actual lore, and I feel like this one took a few too many liberties in that regard. But it was immensely readable!

Gosh THIS BOOK!!! I cannot say enough amazing things about this story or Kalie's writing. It's visceral and imaginative and atmospheric; hands down one of the most beautiful stories I've read in a very long time. I cannot wait to read whatever they put out next :)

I’m dropping this one star because of the to-be-continued ending, even though I knew that this was the set up for the book. Several key resolutions were left outstanding, and I will have to wait to find out what Imogen ultimately decides in her quest destroy her enemies. I’m a fan of series books, but I would much prefer that they not end on a proverbial cliff.

But for the non-ending, I thoroughly enjoyed this fantasy romance set in sea-faring kingdoms and heavily populated with mortals, sirens, and the direct descendants of gods and goddesses. The story is told in first person, entirely from the perspective of Imogen Nel, our heroine who must beat insurmountable odds to claim her destiny and also, hopefully, find some peace. There’s a lot of romantsy anguish, a little bit of sexy times but nothing too spicy. I genuinely enjoyed the love story, and the romantic lead is a genuinely sympathetic character.

So, an enjoyable read that kept my attention throughout the story and has me on pins and needles to see Imogen get to her final destiny. My thanks to NetGalley, the publishers, and the author for the opportunity of an early read.

This book so so so so so good!!!!!!!!! I DEVOURED it!! Up until the wee hours of the morning reading it and I had physically force myself to put the book away and go to bed. I thoroughly enjoyed this world, and it was criminally short. The world in this book is very unique, it was a romantasy, so the world building is not super heavy but if she wanted to make it a fantasy romance and BUILD out this world there was so much potential to make this series 600-page book material. Despite the world building not being super heavy it all made sense, I have a feeling the explanation other Gods and Goddesses will come into play in the following book, and I am curious to see how Cassidy expands this world along with executing the overall plot and romance. There are very few Sirens lore-based books, and I love a good unique romantasy especially in the current climate of "fast Fashion" books. This book is chalk full of crowd favorite tropes/themes:
-marriage of convenience
-he falls first
-slow burn
-blood magic/bonds
-children of Gods
-political intrigue
-duty vs desire
-Touch her/him and you die
-CLIFFHANGER

I really enjoyed all the characters in this book, which is a huge thing for me. I usually find one flaw but the interactions between the main characters, Imogen and Theordore, was impeccable. Their angst and tension and pull between love and hate and utter desire kept me HOOKED! I was slightly annoyed that Imogen was being stubborn about their bond and was too scared to take what she wants. She at many points in her bond with Theo allowed her trauma to rule her and I felt that they fell hard for each other but the discussion of her abuse at the hand of the King was hardly spoken about. As the reader I understood her actions because I had that understanding but Theo could only assume, I hope that they repair their bond in the next book, and she can truly be vulnerable. I cannot wait for book two and if every book Kalie Cassidy is like this OMFG she will be an automatic buy for me! I really enjoyed this book, and it fully sucked me into its world and orbit. It is one of the first romantasy books in a long time to full surprise me and keep me on my toes.

Thank you NetGalley and Little Brown and Company for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

*In the Veins of the Drowning* completely swept me away. From the first page, Kalie Cassidy’s prose casts a spell, lush, poetic, and dripping with atmosphere. This book is dark in the most decadent way, brimming with longing, monstrous beauty, and the quiet ache of a love blooming in the shadows of survival.

Imogen Nel is one of the most compelling siren characters I’ve read. I *loved* that this leaned into the traditional lore with wings rather than tails, creating a version of the siren that feels ancient, terrifying, and still achingly human. Her inner struggle, balancing monstrous power and tender vulnerability, was stunningly rendered.

The romance was gorgeously slow-burn and emotionally rich, threaded with tension and a sense of fate. The blood bond trope, the high stakes, the brush of hands amid chaos. It was everything I want in a dark romantasy. And the world? Unforgiving seas, undead horrors, crumbling kingdoms. It gave big *Rachel Gillig meets Hannah Whitten* energy in the best way.

If you love gothic romantic fantasy with gorgeous prose, powerful heroines, and tender yet doomed-feeling love stories, this one is a must-read.

This so exceeded my expectations! The beautiful cover caught my eye and I just had to give in and request a copy and im so grateful I got one!

The ending has me absolutely hooked and I need book 2 immediately!

Mythology blended with fantasy in a way that has a unique feel 😍 the setting was also visual in a way that transports you to another world 🌎

I enjoyed the slow burn romance and feeling the tension build, sooo much better than instalove!

Very excited for the next book 🙏🏻

Thank you to Little Brown and Company,

Publishes July 15th!

A darker story based on siren lore and politics between kingdoms. It was refreshing to have the female main character (Imogen) be the morally grey monster of the story. I wanted to see more of the main male character falling for Imogen and really tease out the influence behind his feelings. Lachlan and Agatha are interesting side characters and I liked their loyalty. Overall, this first installment of a new fantasy series was a fun quick read and I am looking forward to the sequel.

Thank you Little, Brown and Company for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley.

Thank you to Little, Brown and Company for the free review copy!

Marriage of convenience is one of my favorite tropes, especially when it’s really more of an inconvenience for everyone involved. And I loved how Imogen and Theo’s relationship played out. It was a bit more insta-love-y than I tend to care for, but given the way their marriage bond made them obsessed with each other, I won’t hold it against them.

I feel like some of the plot at the end with the bonds and the gods and how Imogen’s siren powers worked got a little muddled, but overall this was a fun and compelling story and I’m really looking forward to continuing the series!

⭐️⭐️ (2/5 stars)
Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

In the Veins of the Drowning started off with great promise. The eerie, atmospheric setting and intriguing opening chapters immediately pulled me in, and I was excited to see where the story would go. However, once I reached the 30% mark—specifically after Imogen left with Theodore and his crew—the narrative began to unravel for me.

The plot became difficult to follow, with storylines that felt disjointed and confusing. The pacing shifted dramatically, and I often found myself lost trying to piece together how events connected. The romance between Imogen and Theodore especially felt underdeveloped and rushed. Theodore’s feelings for Imogen seemed to change drastically without believable progression—going from viewing her as dull and cowardly to suddenly being in love with her after the blood bond. It lacked emotional buildup and felt unearned.

The romantic tension involving Princess Halla also felt unnecessary and didn’t add much to the overall arc. Meanwhile, the central storyline—Imogen discovering her divine heritage and her blood bond with Eursia, the Siren killer—was introduced in a way that lacked clarity and cohesion. It had the potential to be powerful, but instead, it left me confused and disconnected from the stakes.

The climax, unfortunately, felt hastily written and underwhelming. It lacked the emotional weight and resolution I had hoped for after sticking with the story through its chaotic middle section. Overall, this novel feels like it would benefit from a substantial round of edits to strengthen the pacing, develop the romance more organically, and tighten the plot structure.

While I truly appreciate the creative ambition and the compelling initial setup, In the Veins of the Drowning ultimately didn’t work for me.

I tend to avoid books advertised as romance. I’ve just never been satisfied with them.
I am very glad that I received the ARC for In the Veins of the Drowning. It gives me an incentive to read more. I liked the characters, and the plot was such that I (an avowed avoider of romantasy) was unable to put the book down. I find myself eagerly awaiting the next book.

Imogen is the ward of the cruel King Nemea,
but she has kept a secret from everyone her entire life; she is a siren and can lure men to do her bidding. She hid her siren side away until she accidentally transformed in front of her fiancé, who happens to hunt and kill sirens. Imogen makes a deal with a visiting King, Theodore, for him to help her escape.

I don’t know if it’s because I’ve never read a book about sirens before, but I found the storyline fascinating and I was hooked from the beginning. Because of the bond Imogen and Theodore swear to one another, they are constantly drawn to each other and you’re like OHMYGOD just give in already! I had no idea where the story was taking me and I thoroughly enjoyed it. As this is an ARC, I have no idea when the second book is coming out, but I need it. Now.

I like Imogen as a character, I like the arc her character went on. Though at times it did feel a little rushed. I also like Theo as a character. He is annoyingly self-righteous, but it makes sense for who is as a character. What I didn't care for was the very insta-love aspect of the romance. He goes from seeming like he hates her to saying that he was smitten with her from the moment he saw her. I felt like I was missing something. I think this book could've used a dual-pov with Imogen and Theo, it would've filled in the gaps of the relationship more. I do think it could be a little longer, and more time given to some of the world building aspects, and building a better foundation on their romance. I was thrown a bit into the deepend, so to speak, when it came to worldbuilding. Though it is likely some of that will be expanded on in book 2.

All that aside, I was invested in the rest of the plot. Imogen trying to break a different bond with an evil sea-witch character, trying to save the rest of the siren race. Her discovering who she really is and where she came from. However, I think a better understanding of how the magic works is needed. This is a world with a Pantheon of deities, and not a lot of information is given on them. I'm still invested and curious enough to read book 2 when it comes out.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance reader's copy of the book. This book had a lot of things going on and everything moved really fast. It kept me hooked and wanting to see where it went. The author creatively teased the lore and world building through this fast paced story. The ending really left me wanting more, and I cannot wait to read the next book.

This novel was without a doubt, one of the most stellar debut books I have ever read. The romance sizzled, the vibes were immaculate, and within the first chapter I developed this deep ache, already bemoaning that at some point, likely far before I was ready, it would be over. The prose is rich, the atmosphere intoxicating, and if you enjoy rich complexity in your characters and heart-pounding romance that will leave you begging for more, it's in my opinion that you'll greatly enjoy this stunning debut.

A perfect summer romantasy read for anyone who loves rich atmospheric writing, women's wrongs, and romance that will make you kick your feet and swoon for the dark haired brooding prince.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for the ARC. I've preordered already and cannot wait to see what this author does next!

Every book I've read with Sirens as a main character has been entirely disappointing, until now. I was so emerged in this ere gothic world. I loved Imogen and the way she shows power and intelligence. Theodore was such a swoon- worthy mmc too. If you want great banter and a strong but unlikely chemistry, this is it!

I'm just starting to dabble in the fantasy/romantasy genre. I enjoyed the underlying storyline, but at times things were difficult for me to understand because I'm new to this world ( I had to google what a siren even is). For someone that is looking for more depth to their fantasy novels, this will fit the bill. If you are newer to the genre, this may be a little more complicated. Overall, I really enjoyed this story and glad I gave it a go!

Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.