Title: In the Veins of the Drowning
Author: Kalie Cassidy
Series: The Siren Mage #1
Genre: Adult Fantasy Romance/Mythology/
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Publication Date: July 15, 2025
Edition: Ebook, 384 pages
Source: NetGalley
Pre-Order: Amazon US | Barnes & Noble | BAM | Bookshop | Kobo | Powell's |
Synopsis:
The monster is always slain…
Imogen Nel is in hiding. Hiding from a cruel kingdom that believes Sirens are monstrous, blood-hungry creatures. Hiding from a king and his captain who viciously hunt her kind. Hiding from her own alluring abilities. By keeping herself from the sea, Imogen’s bloodlust is dulled, and her black wings remain concealed beneath her skin.
When a neighboring king comes to visit, Imogen can no longer hide. He knows precisely what she is, and he believes she can save their kingdoms from an even greater monster. But Imogen’s power threatens to violently reveal itself, and the two form a blood bond that protects them both. They flee together, traversing waters teeming with the undead. As the lines between duty to their people and desire for each other begin to blur, Imogen worries her ancestral powers may not be enough to kill what hunts her—the only way to defeat a monster may be to become one herself.
An "atmospheric and evocative" (Rachel Gillig) romantasy about a threatened Siren who forges a bond with a brooding, self-righteous king in order to flee the king who raised her. Perfect for fans of One Dark Window and For the Wolf.
Imogen Nel is in hiding. Hiding from a cruel kingdom that believes Sirens are monstrous, blood-hungry creatures. Hiding from a king and his captain who viciously hunt her kind. Hiding from her own alluring abilities. By keeping herself from the sea, Imogen’s bloodlust is dulled, and her black wings remain concealed beneath her skin.
When a neighboring king comes to visit, Imogen can no longer hide. He knows precisely what she is, and he believes she can save their kingdoms from an even greater monster. But Imogen’s power threatens to violently reveal itself, and the two form a blood bond that protects them both. They flee together, traversing waters teeming with the undead. As the lines between duty to their people and desire for each other begin to blur, Imogen worries her ancestral powers may not be enough to kill what hunts her—the only way to defeat a monster may be to become one herself.
An "atmospheric and evocative" (Rachel Gillig) romantasy about a threatened Siren who forges a bond with a brooding, self-righteous king in order to flee the king who raised her. Perfect for fans of One Dark Window and For the Wolf.
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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.
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