IN THE VEINS OF THE DROWNING is everything I love in a romantasy read and more. Admittedly, I’d found myself a little burnt out on the subgenre, but then this force of a debut gripped my emotions and never let me go. Atmospheric, bold, and a romance that will wreck you as much as thrill you, I’m eagerly anticipating the next book in this series - and anything else Kalie Cassidy writes in the future. This will undoubtedly be one of my favorite fantasy books this year.

Imogen Nel is the ward of a cruel King who hunts Sirens and viciously hunt them. Imogen thinks that only her previous governess, Agatha, knows her true nature. When an arranged marriage is set between Imogen and Captain Ianto, neighboring dignitaries arrive for the party. When King Theodore Ariti, King of Varya, meets Imogen outside the party, he feels like he knows her already. When her future husband pushes himself on her later, her true nature is revealed and she convinces King Theodore Ariti to form a blood bond with her for protection and help her escape her home. While he knows this will start a war, he’s unable to leave her defenseless. The lines between duty and desire begin to get fuzzy. He’s in a predicament himself, considering he’s supposed to marry Princess Halla. Imogen worries that the only way to defeat a monster is to become one herself to save King Theodore’s people.

Very interesting. I’m invested in the characters.

This was one of those books that gave me everything I love about romantic fantasy--lush prose, an intriguing world, flawed yet resilient characters, and an absolutely heart-stopping romance. It's perfect for fans of Rachel Gillig's ONE DARK WINDOW and Hannah Whitten's FOR THE WOLF.

Where I think this story really shines is in Cassidy's ability to shape well-rounded and nuanced characters, especially when it comes to her main protagonists, Imogen and Theo. Both are flawed, but doing their best. Both change as the plot progresses. Add to that a chemistry between them that practically wafts off the page, and no wonder I was so invested in their journey.

Perhaps because such time was taken to craft such dynamic, memorable characters, I felt the world building was somewhat vague in comparison. We have sirens, gods, goddesses, mage seers, blood bonds, kings and empresses, none of whose roles and abilities I felt I completely understood. As a result, the ending (and its various twists and reveals) didn't land quite as strongly as I'd hoped.

That being said, the prose was beautiful and evocative, the world intriguing, and perhaps book 2 of the duology will answer some of my questions regarding the world and its lore. I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone wanting a cure for the hangover of their last romantic fantasy, and look forward to its sequel..

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

This book hooked me from the beginning. Beautiful atmosphere and interesting characters drive the story forward in this fast read. The plot was enjoyable without being overly complicated and kept me interested throughout the read. I was sad when this one ended!

Oh this was very fun! If you are looking for something fast, captivating, and utterly delectable I highly recommend picking this book up. The world is dark and enchanting with just enough world building to answer questions but not so much that it weighs down the plot. It is a fast paced book that still knows when to take its time. This does lead to a bit of happy coincidences happening right when they need to but it never took me out of the book. The prose is immersive and gives that great feeling of being submerged in a storm with dark tales whispered between the waves.

Imogene is a fascinating character to follow, an interesting subversion of the chosen one trope. We discover the world through her as she does but it never felt naive to the point of annoyance. She has great character development that I look forward to seeing more of in the next book. Theodore is a good love interest even if his personality is a bit one note. Mostly this book sets him up for him to become a much more interesting character in the next book. Still a fun mix of broody and rule loving.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Little, Brown & Company, and Kalie Cassidy for an advanced copy of this book.

This is one of those books that instantly sucked me and I was just asking for the ride. I didn't quite know where it was going or what was going on at times but I enjoyed the adventure and fast paceness of things.

I definitely have some mixed feelings on certain things that I can't really go into details about. But I found myself really enjoying reading this. Tho sometimes it felt a little instant lovey but yet not?! I feel like you'd have to read it to understand. I thought the whole concept of Sirens with wings was just something cool I never pictured. I love anything involving the sea.

I was pretty invested in this and the characters. While it may have seemed instant lovey it was actually still mixed with I hate you vibes. But then towards the end I'm not sure how I feel about the direction it went. I was a little confused by some stuff but maybe there just me. But overall, I had a fun time reading this siren adventure!! The romance has me invested and wanting more!

Character: 7.5 "I really like some of these characters and they are really good"
Atmosphere: 9 "I want to read more books in this setting"
Writing: 8.5 "The writing is very good bordering on excellent
Plot: 8 "A little different, I liked it"
Intrigue: 6 "A few surprises"
Logic: 7.5 "No holes but I have questions due to interest"
Enjoyment: 7.5 "I'm glad I picked it up and I look forward to the next one."
CAWPILE: 7.71 (4.25 Stars)

I liked it. It hits all the right buttons for dark fantasy. The sirens and the magic system feel nicely creepy. It felt a little slow at times for me but I am chalking that up to the necessary world building needs for a new world and new God system. The author made the well-used "forced marriage" trope feel like something vaguely new which I appreciated. I thoroughly enjoyed Theodore but I wish he had more grey in him rather than black and white (aka duty and desire). That was the only thing I felt was jarring character-wise.

Thank you NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for this arc!

I was lured and hooked from the very beginning! This story is a delight with just the write amount of darkness.

I'm always been drawn to themes of duty vs. desire and finding your identity in a complex world which are the main themes of this book, and KC delivered! The world building was nothing crazy, BUT I really enjoyed the sirens and their magic. I hope KC brings more depth in this aspect in the next book, as it's the most unique aspect of the story.

The FMC was strong and unwavering in her path, and the MMC was disheveled yet determined, not to mention, obsessedddddd hahaha. I loved how both MCs flaws were perfectly on display the entire book. The hate to love romance between them felt fresh, including a fun bond, and was certainly addictive! The slow burn was way worth it.

KC set up a plot for the next installment of this duology, but didn't leave us on a crazy intense cliffhanger, which I am so grateful for. Crazy cliffhangers feel condescending, and not to mention cliche. Pretty impressive writing for a debut novel in my opinion! It’s going to be a huge success this year I think :)

I cannot wait to read the second book!!

Woah! An absolute stunningly written, atmospheric, and gripping debut novel. I immediately knew I wouldn’t be able to resist its lure and put it down! I loved that the world-building was explained naturally through the plot progression and I never felt that I was being overwhelmed with the mythological and siren lore. The magic system and origins of the Sirens, Great Gods, and Seer Mages was very unique & the political alliances and plot twists kept me guessing throughout the book!

Imogen was a very compelling main character and her journey of self-discovery and power was congruent with Theodore’s journey of balancing duty and desire. I loved the romance between the main characters and I haven’t swooned for a MMC like Theodore in awhile! Their “loathe to love” was filled with tension and their banter had me giggling! I highlighted way too many quotes that made my heart soar!

I only wish the book was a little longer — I would have loved more time to watch the main characters develop a deeper bond and to learn more about the world. Cannot wait for the next book already!

Unfortunately, I did not enjoy this book...I was willing to overlook the writing because I was entertained at first, but once I started becoming bored, that became harder and harder. The characterizations were decent but the dialogue felt so stilted and unnatural. The characters felt like they were talking past each other most of the time, which was so annoying.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion.

Kalie Cassidy, what a debut novel you have written!!! The chemistry between Imogen and Theodore was electric from their very first meeting, I NEED a happy ending for them more than I need air at this point. The worldbuilding, the descriptive language, the tension between the two main characters.....OOF!! I am absolutely devastated that I have to wait so long for another book in this series BUT I am awaiting it eagerly!!

This is the most compelling fantasy I've read in such a long time. I so deeply enjoyed the delve into the folklore of sea sirens, a departure from so many creatures we see often in fantasy. The palace intrigue, tangled allegiances, divine magic, and romantic themes of this story made for quite the page turner. The unique qualities of the kingdoms and the well fleshed out side characters made this a five star read. I cannot wait for the second book to complete the duology.

With curses whispered in the dead of night and treacherous alliances that twist with every page, this book plunges readers into a world where the pull of the sea is as irresistible as the thirst for power—and both can drown you if you're not careful.

Imogen is trapped in a dangerous game where secrets and survival are her only options. Betrothed to a Captain she barely knows, Imogen’s powers as a siren are both a gift and a curse—one she has yet to fully understand. As the tides of fate shift, she’s forced into a fragile alliance with Theo, a neighboring ruler with whom she shares nothing but mutual disdain. Their forced partnership crackles with tension and an almost palpable animosity, yet it’s their banter and reluctant camaraderie that provide some of the book’s most engaging moments. Watching them evolve from enemies to uneasy allies bound together by something much larger than themselves is both entertaining and riveting, especially as they begin to unravel the deeper mysteries that threaten to destroy them both.

The story is dark and deliciously twisted, populated by morally gray characters who are more than willing to get their hands dirty in pursuit of their own ambitions. Imogen, in particular, is a fascinating character—both a prisoner to her king and to the darker parts of herself as she learns to wield her siren powers. Her internal struggle is mirrored by the increasingly dangerous external world she navigates, full of treachery, betrayal, and shifting allegiances. This creates a constant sense of tension that keeps the reader hooked, wondering who will betray whom next.

The world-building, while immersive and rich in atmosphere, can occasionally be a bit hard to follow—particularly when it comes to the sea creatures and magical systems that govern this universe. Still, the sheer power and malevolence of the mage introduced in the story is chilling, offering a stark reminder of how power can twist, corrupt, and leave a trail of decay in its wake.

While some may find themselves hoping for more steam and romance, “In the Veins of the Drowning” masterfully teases just enough to leave you wanting more as the tension between Imogen and Theo builds. The undercurrent of longing and desire ignites on each page, and while the book doesn’t fully deliver on that front, it does give just enough to hook you for more.

Fans of dark fantasy will definitely want to stick around for the next installment—after all, who can resist the call of a siren?

**special thanks to the publishers and netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for a fair and honest review**

Very enjoyable book to read. It was a nice change from dragons, wizards and vampires. Looking forward to reading her next book as the story progresses

My heart is afloat in a raging sea. Send help. I am not okay. This book has broken me.

Beauty and Horror coexist In the Veins of the Drowning.

Prepare yourself for gorgeous gowns, sea voyages, fragrant gardens and palaces, carriages, breathtaking scenery and sweet wine.

Prepare for blood. Prepare for flesh. Prepare for heart-rending decisions, terrifying secrets, epic fights on a raging, stormy sea.

This journey will rip you to shreds.

Protagonist Imogen has a perfect mix of excruciating vulnerability and fierce determination. You will feel her pain like it’s your own—and the satisfaction too—as she aggressively fights for herself in her bleak world. She had me in her corner from the start.

Theodore is, well, SERIOUSLY HOT. We love a tortured man with sharp, heart pinching dialogue. He’s angry, he’s powerful, he’s deliciously moral. Every description of him had me swooning. A world with him is golden, beautiful and safe. I’d bind myself to Theodore any day.

The book goes from slow burn steamy to delightfully spicy, spicy. You may find yourself writing the author a thank you letter.

But don’t let the irresistible love scenes let you drop your guard as the story will turn and ravage you in the very best way.

Lush, visceral, somatic, dangerous, warm, emotional.
VEINS grips you in its talons and doesn't let go. An adventurous page-turner that would be a perfect first-dive into the world of Romantasy. The story will lure you from the Mountain to the Surface to the Deep and will leave you pining for the second half of the duology!

This book wrapped its song around me and dragged me into its depths. A beautiful story about breaking through what you’ve always been told about yourself and finding your destiny and home. Thank you to Kalie, Little, Brown & Company, and NetGalley for the advanced release copy.

A slow burn romance where a God-king binds himself to a beautiful Siren. Imogen’s journey is immensely relatable as we have all had to venture out and find our place at some point in time; whether that journey was short or long for you. There were deliciously torturous moments watching Imogen & Theodore come so close to admitting their attraction. Ultimately, it was worth the wait.

The world building and imagery were perfectly done for me. I feel as though I have journeyed with these characters through seas, countrysides & gardens. The ending sets the stage for a fantastic next installment as we will watch Imogen grow into the boundless powers that were hidden from her for so long.

This book was an absolute delight! I really loved how Imogen felt so real, with flaws, mistakes, and growth that made me care about her. I'm eager to read the next book in the series. Highly recommend!

This book is a difficult book for me to rate because it started off so weak, to the point I was ready to put it down, yet it finished off so strong. The first half of the book is a drag. There were many times I found myself confused as to what was happening, which made it hard to really connect with. About midway, however, this book started getting good. I was actually surprised by how good it got! Once you get past the first half, you'll be good. You'll be consumed by not only thr plot, but the writing. The author has done a wonderful job with the writing - much of it is just beautifully written. A 4-star read!
Thank you NetGalley, Little, Brown and Company, and Kalie Cassidy for this ARC.

What an emotional roller coaster! I read this book in a day, I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. I really enjoyed Imogen as a character. She really was a strong FMC which is refreshing. I enjoyed the world as well, I loved the Sirens were winged creatures with claws. The Gods were interesting as well. I am rooting for Imogen and Theodore I cannot wait for the second book!

Thank you Net Galley for an advanced copy.