When Violeta's brother Arien begins waking up with shadows leaking from his fingertips, Leta knows that she must keep his magic a secret at all costs. But after a mysterious lord witnesses Arien’s power, they find themselves spirited away to a place called Lakesedge. In a manor house, Arien and Leta wrestle with their relationship with magic. Leta finds herself drawn to the mysterious Rowan and the Lord Under, a menacing death god. Grappling with the question of what makes someone a monster, Leta must decide how much she is willing to sacrifice to save her brother and her world.

Lakesedge is a very atmospheric and haunting read- you’ll find yourself on the shores of a murky lake with a sense of ominous dread deep in your bones as you look out to the darkening horizon. A love letter to the fall season and gothic horror, this is a fast-paced and high-stakes read. I can already tell that readers will swoon for Rowan, who is the boy/monster of Lakesedge! Leta and Rowan have a bit of a Hades/Persephone vibe to them, which I loved. I also loved the sibling relationship between Leta and her younger brother Arien. They truly cared about each other, going to great lengths to protect each other, and ultimately adventured into the world of dark magic together.

My one issue with the book is the pacing. Everything happens very quickly and the conclusion seemed rushed. Leta and Rowan have an immediate connection, which felt a little insta-love. However, I'm incredibly excited for the sequel and would highly recommend Lakesedge! Thank you so much to Lyndall Clipstone, Henry Holt and Co, Macmillan Children’s Publishing, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.