A atmospheric, moody gothic romance with queer characters and a hauntingly beautiful plot line.

This was incredle. I was fully swept into the story and it really hit hard.
I did find some bits hard to read due to personal triggers so I definitely recommend looking those up to begin with.

I cant describe the way this book impacted me, it was beyond words. The plot and characters were both captivating and interesting.

Highly recommend.

I’m so here for this Gothic lit summer renaissance we’re having, and this was such a prime example. As our heroine Lark is expelled from school, losing her dream life to be sent home to her family’s struggling salt mine, she’s forced to confront everything she wanted to leave behind. Like Alastair, her former best friend to whom her family is massively in debt, and his alluring sister Camille who’s been exiled to boarding school. The only way to fix all her family’s problems is to betroth herself to a cthonic god, but when the ritual doesn’t go exactly as planned, she must reunite with the Felimath siblings to try and expel the dark presence now invading her life. It was lovely to see a Gothic heroine who retains her softness while still possessing so much agency, knowing exactly what she wants and willing to do whatever it takes to get it. I also found it very refreshing how Lark’s sexuality (and that of other characters, of whom the large majority are queer) was a natural and unimportant part of the story. Our love interests (two, and not in a love triangle, but a polycule!) perfectly complimented each other, Alastair’s practised stoicism against Camille’s carefree warmth, both bringing out the best in Lark in their own different ways. But my favourite aspect was the darkly rich atmosphere created through Clipstone’s expert prose and immersive worldbuilding, and it was that which really led me to tenderly devour this book.

It’s safe to say that I’m absolutely obsessed with this book and I can’t wait for its release, so that I can get my hands on a physical copy. I’ve never wanted to annotate a book as much as I want to with this one.

I requested this book without seeing this cover because I love Lyndall Clipstone's other works and I loved it so much. The cover is stunning. As for the story, the author's writing style is so captivating, with lyrical and vivid descriptions. The characters are also well developed and I loved every moment of the story. Tenderly, I Am Devoured is the perfect gothic romantasy for me, and I highly recommend it to everyone. Thanks to NetGalley and Bonnier Books UK for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. I'll post my review closer to the publication date.

DNF at 30%.

This just fell flat for me. The characters had no depth to them, the plot wasn't there and it just read like someone trying to cash in on the romantasy boom to me.

Such an unusual read and quite other worldly. Rather an ambitious plot line with some interesting sections but not necessarily for me. Great concept but not executed as well as I needed as I easily got confused.

4.8/5

✧ F/f/m polyamory relationship
✧ Dark academia
✧ Light gothic
✧ Betrothed to god
✧ Folklore

It reminds me of "A Study in Drowning", because of its light gothic fiction and a bit of a sea. And of course, my favourite type of tender feverish dream. Atmosphere in this book gives a bit of melancholic imagery, with threads of romance.

Self-sacrifice
This is an incredibly central theme in this book, and sometimes it's literal. Loyalty to family or significant others, daddy issues (Hello, Alistair). Each of them made their own sacrifice that had consequences.

Heartbreak
Actually, there are quite a few in this book, for different reasons, for different people. And both of them are completely different, some of them to protect, some of them... to gain their own benefit. And it's truly heartbreaking when people who are important to you stab you in the heart with words or actions, for any of the reasons.

Polyamorous Relationships
Yes, yes and yes. I love the representation of polyamorous relationships in books, and it's incredibly rare to see young people in such relationships. They all seem painfully tender. Camilla, Lark and Alistair were incredible together and complemented each other. Their actions were sweet and innocent. As a polyamorous person, I wish there were more books like this.

P.S. And one more little detail I noticed: "Neriad" is a bit reminiscent of "Iliad", or I'm just too fixated on TSH, which... is most likely true.

Tenderly I am devoured is a wonderful gothic tale, mixing Cthonic gods into an exploration of the precipice between child and adulthood while dealing with sudden decay of childhood dreams, and having to navigate the world in the aftermath. The story is dripping with mood and atmosphere, drawing us in and pulling us under into it's depths.
Definitely one for fans of Ava Reid's A Study in Drowning and Kelly Andrew's works (The Whispering Dark, Your Blood My Bones). I think they will find themselves comfortable in the hazy, dreamlike, lush, and salty aired prose - exploring a world that feels ancient and alive, while discovering what is lurking in the caves beneath a small coastal town.

There is a refreshing balance in the portrayal of relationships - the inclusion of polyamory and queer dynamics as normal, without critique or conflict, was a wonderful experience. The intimate scenes were handled with a tenderness that suited the tone of the story. They were present but not overdone, woven into the story without disrupting the flow - subtle and well paced adding to the depth of connection without stealing focus.

While they suit the story's themes and complexity, and the world's otherworldly atmosphere - the story's dreamlike pacing and the inclusion of siblings in a polyamorous dynamic - although handled with the same surreal tenderness as most of the book, will not be for everyone.
I also would have loved more of the gods and their world - it suggests so much intriguing depth to explore and I really hope Clipstone revisits this setting in the future. Therion appeared as much as required from the story, but I would have relished in more page time for him. (Side note: he is absolutely one for the fans of Howl, even in his bird form. I also initially pictured him as Vessel from Sleep Token, so... make of that what you will).

A delightfully dark read - absolutely one I will be recommending to my friends. Thank you so much to Bonnier Books for this ARC.

Described as ‘flower-threaded horror’, TENDERLY, I AM DEVOURED offers a seafoam-soaked dip into the tempestuous waters of Verse, a seaside town which harbours secrets both dangerous and world-shaking for our protagonists. Filled with complicated family relationships, a polycule which is both yearning and sweet, betrothals to Therion, a chthonic god gone wrong, cults, and a tangled dark academia sub-plot, this is a fresh-faced YA horror/thriller for lovers of atmospheric literature.

Returning to her hometown of Verse, Lacrimosa Arriscane (Lark) has been expelled from her art history and curation placement at a prestigious boarding school after a violent incident, which is kept firmly under lock and key for readers for the majority of the novel. Overcome by shame and resentment, Lark comes home to find her family salt mine languishing, her two brothers on the verge of financial ruin, and her arrogant first-love-turned-first-heartbreak the dispassioned holder of her family’s debts. To save her family, her home, and wrangle an inch of control over her own life, Lark accepts the proposal made by Therion, the chthonic sea god to whom all locals offer their worship, to become his salt wife and spend the salt season in the chthonic realm with him (a la Persephone and Hades). But not everything is as it seems, and soon Lark’s fate is entangled with Therion’s with increasingly dangerous consequences, and she begins to realise that some loves cannot be swept aside, or denied so easily, as the Felimath siblings re-enter her life.

Spoiler-free summary

Ultimately, this was a very enjoyable and atmospheric read; I found myself pulled in by the magnetism of Clipstone’s prose and the tightly-knit, claustrophobic community of Verse and its many secrets. However, the pacing and the backstory did leave me a touch wanting. The first half of the novel was glacial in its development, and I kept waiting for the plot to kick in. Given this, I found the first half of TENDERLY to be more anticlimatic as opposed to offering that ‘winding screw’ effect.

Here is where Lark betrothes herself to a chthonic god. Therion, wherein the betrothal practice is interupted to potentially disastrous consequences for Lark and for Therion, and where the tension is supposed to be cranked up for the eventual journey that Lark, Alastair and Camille must venture on in order to save Lark’s life. However, I wanted more. More horror. More folkloric immersion. Aside from understanding that Therion is the chosen god of Lark’s coastal hometown, one of the numerous gods worshipped by other regions in Clipstone’s universe, I found I wanted to more deeply understand the chthonic realm, the interconnected gods, and the folkloric aspects of this folk horror to better understand the stakes Lark is tangled up in. Therion to me seemed less ancient deity, more immortal boy; and I feel that Clipstone could have gone a little deeper into the monstrous sea god we were teased with.

This first half is also where Lark must confront Alastair about her familial debts, and where the opportunity for their (almost) romantic backstory comes forth. This is where I think the novel does deliver on its yearning, as there is undoubtedly a connection between Lark and Alastair, but it has been ruined by Alastair cutting Lark out of his life years prior. Despite his insistence that he despises Lark, Alastair is unable to remain as distant as he proclaims, and as Lark’s life is put in danger, their forced reconciliation lends an enjoyable ‘forced proximity’ aspect to their healing. While it’s inevitable that they do heal, and the ‘will they won’t they’ aspect doesn’t really exist, it’s still a fun ride as they must rely on each other once more.

Despite this slow start and the need for a bit more flesh on its bones, TENDERLY, I AM DEVOURED soon becomes a world of frothing sea foam, hedonistic rituals to summon Therion, a blooming and tender romance-come-rekindling-love in the Lark/Alastair/Camille polycule, a deep betrayal by Lark’s brothers, and a race to ensure that Lark does not disappear into the chthonic realm for good…

The latter half and the final acts of the novel deliver on the ‘soft horror’ we are promised, as we journey with Lark, Alastair and Camille through the sea caves of Verse to discover the repercussions of the interrupted betrothal to Lark, uncovering a dark plot which takes our trio to the cult of the Salt Priests to understand who or what might be behind this attempt to undermine Therion. Along the way, the familial strife rotting the core of the Felimath estate comes to light, Lark discovers disconcerting information which leads to an emotional revelation about her own past and confrontation with her brothers, her own incident at her boarding school is revealed, and the bonds tighten between Lark and the Felimath siblings.

I found the ‘dark academia’ subplot to be an occasionally jarring (and pace-slowing) undercurrent to Lark’s story, though it was important for us to understand the events that had resulted in her return to Verse. However, Lark’s connection to Damson allowed us to see how Lark had been manipulated in her recent past – which played into the trappings of all good dark academia – and made it all the clearer how she deserved people who understood her sentimentality and her good-naturedness, rather than weaponised it for their own benefit.

We as readers are kept company all the while by Clipstone’s delightful prose, curating physical settings so vivid that I could nearly feel the salt-whipped wind, and the cold spray of the sea. At times, however, it suffered from a being a little repetitive and that ‘flower-wreathed’ tone of the prose became overwrought. But overall, the descriptive prose really brought to life this soft gothic aesthetic which Clipstone is so heavily leaning into. I think I would have loved a few more sharpened teeth, and this weighs more heavily on the romance than the horror for me, but it’s certainly a novel that reads like a moody day on a stormy sea.

Characters and dynamics

TENDERLY I AM DEVOURED is the soft folk horror romance for readers who get frustrated with unnecessary love triangles. Lark confronts the ultimate ‘why choose’ scenario with her lingering connection to Alastair (despite their insistence on hatred, it is serving an echo of Darcy and Elizabeth, to be honest) and sweet, grounding and mature Camille, and DOESN’T CHOOSE. Good for her. In terms of actual romantic connections however, Lark is the romantic relationship that links Alastair and Camille, who are bound by their sibling connection to each other in the light of their strained relationship with their father. Rather than reduce the romantic relationships in TENDERLY to the constraints of heteronormativity, Clipstone gives us a sweetly painful, tangled and affirming polyamorous connection between our self-proclaimed three musketeers, and more power to them for that. Love triangles are boring, bring on more ‘why choose’.

Lark is our emotionally intelligent and quite-often overwhelmed protagonist, a female lead for the readers who want to see more compassionate, soft-hearted girls at the forefront of their fantasy horror. While I do consider this more romantic folk tale than horror (for my personal tastes), the horror elements are quietly resonate with the dream-like, gentle qualities that Lark has – though she is given plenty of opportunity to show her sharp teeth behind her pleasing smiles, and she does, with a lot of guilt. It’s a satisfying journey to see Lark come into her own as the novel progresses, taking up more space inside herself and around other people, demanding that her wants to be listened to, by both herself and her closest people. I found I wanted a little more bite to Lark, but then, not all of us have the strength to fight for what we feel is right, and so Lark, with this in mind, is an intelligent and compassionate soft-girl-folk-horror lead, and I love her for it.

Alastair is your typical aloof aristocrat hiding trauma and daddy issues, and honestly, I cannot blame him. If I’d grown up with a man like his father, I too would be emotionally stunted and angry; though akin to many of my favourite character qualities, his bitterness is to protect those he loves, and we find his hidden depths as the novel progresses. However, while I found the polycule a great dynamic (more of this! less love triangles!) I found that I wanted more of a resolution, and of a rebuilding of his and Lark’s current dynamic, not just a resolving of their past conflict. There had been years between then and now, and I wanted to understand more how they fit together as a match now rather than just using the foundation of an, admittedly weak, not-quite-romance when they were younger teenagers. I found the importance placed on the sibling relationship refreshing, given that so often the most emphasis is put on the romance, but TENDERLY gives us a compelling portrayal of sibling love and support, just as it gives us romance.

Camille was probably one of my favourite characters though her on-page time was significantly smaller than Alastair’s; I found I wanted a little more screen-time for the Felimath’s grounding and calming older sister, and I can’t help but feel we’d have got an even more interesting dynamic had this happened. Outside of her physical connection to Lark and her devotion to Alastair, and her rebuke of their father, I didn’t really know who Camille was, so the sapphic rep was a bit lacking for me. We got emotional scenes between Alastair and Lark, but we didn’t get those same heart-to-hearts with Camille. However, Lark’s awareness of Camille opens up an avenue of self-acceptance, the very beginning of this ‘why choose’ mentality which I loved so much for its presence, and I think that having Camille be the catalyst for the softening of Lark towards the Felimath’s was the right choice, given her history with Alastair. It allowed the uncorked possibilities time to breathe, like a good wine. Their connection, though tenuous at first, deepened somewhat, and I enjoyed the openness and trust to their relationship as a polycule. I think overall, the polycule could have had much more added into it, given the emotional weight that I feel we were lacking, but I believed that they could be happy together, and sometimes that’s all we want.

Overall, TENDERLY I AM DEVOURED is a tale filled with atmospheric worldbuilding, prose almost dripping with sea-spray, and messy, complicated relationships, as Lark navigates an increasingly dangerous link to the ancient sea god and her own tumultuous past. Through Lark’s journey, we come to realise the importance of letting go of grief and expectations, of choosing love that nurtures you rather than keeps you hostage, and if you’re presented with two alluring siblings who want to help you relinquish ever more dangerous link to a chthonic sea god to whom you find yourself bound? Why. Choose.

A beautifully written gothic fantasy with heartfelt emotion and a unique romantic thread. Atmospheric, tender, and quietly powerful.

DNF at 42%

This was just weird and boring - it made be very uncomfortable to read. It was kind of my fault as i didn’t read the final few sentences of the blurb but i didn’t expect that when she’s about to get on the boat, she kisses Camille?! I’m not homophobic but that just made me feel incredibly uncomfortable so i couldn’t continue on.

Tenderly, I Am Devoured is my first book by Lyndall Clipstone. And it will not be my last.

I adore everything about TIAD - from the breathtaking prose, to the utterly unique plot and the characters whom I have fallen deeply in love with. This is a beautiful book, with well written, windswept romance, an entrancing plot, and characters to die for.

I love this book so much that I can’t find it in me to hate any part, not even any characters (I lie, looking at you MARKUS).

I read this this morning in one sitting. I enjoyed it, but also didn't... Like I'm intrigued by the idea of it but the execution just hasn't fully hit it off with me yet....

I got to a certain part of this book and became worried it was going to be a Hades X Persephone rewrite and whilst there was some vibes of that, I was pleasantly surprised when it quickly came away from that.
I enjoyed the bi-panic that Lark went through throughout this book, and I quite liked it became a why choose whilst maintaining being a closed door romance. I quite liked the LGBTQ representation in this. I felt the romance could have been padded out more - whilst it's explained why the male love interest is crappy towards Lark, I don't feel he does enough to make up for it - she just forgives him because of the trauma he's been through, which is a pet peeve for me - being abused/traumatised doesn't give someone a reason to be crappy towards another person.

I feel like there was a lot of story for how short it was, and I do feel maybe it would have benefitted being 100 pages longer just to explore some of the themes and ideas a bit more, as it felt rushed in parts. There are some parts that are quite descriptive, but they are beautifully written and add plenty to the story. Overall it was a very unique storyline and there were times I definitely didn't know where it was going however you can tell the author had planned it out to the finest detail.

I think it lost some points for me as it's advertised as being comparable to Saltburn and I just didn't see it....

This is a story of self-discovery and sacrifice, whilst being featherlight and ethereal.
It was interesting but I'm not sure if I'm obsessed. I'll likely reread it when it comes out officially and consider my feelings again towards this book

MY THOUGHTS:
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5STARS
5 HUNDRED MILLION STARS

NOW SOME ACTUAL COHERENT THOUGHTS:
Tenderly, I Am Devoured is perfection from start to finish: it's written like a work of art!

The pacing was great! It flowed so smoothly and didn't feel long or grueling to read at all.

It felt so refreshing to read, like the rays of sun after a harsh winter or those first autumn showers after an unforgiving summer, it was pure poetry that made me feel so many things!

The characters had actual depth with relatable and, more importantly, realistic emotions.

The injustice and grief of Damson's betrayal, the heartbreak accompanied with Alistair's harsh words, the joy at Camille's return, the anger at Marcus (Marcus when I catch you Marcus), the excitement of the first kiss - the intensity of the second.

The stakes were high, but my blood pressure was higher!

The writing was so poetic and conveyed the scene magnificently, instilling wonder and awe and beauty into the reader's minds.

Tenderly, I Am Devoured is just a lovely flower-threaded tale about falling in love and fighting against tides of cruel forces trying to keep them apart.

DNF @40%

Sorry!!! I'm struggling to continue with this... I'm so bored. The characters are so flat and dull that I just don't care what happens to them honestly!

Plus, the two storylines still very disjointed and choppy that it's kind of frustrating to read?

Ughh I don't know what else to say - this clearly isn't for me, but I'm glad there are others enjoying it of course!!

Dreamy. Atmospheric. Lyrical. Moody. Gothic.
The beautiful writing in this book enchanted me from the very first chapter.

There were moments where I felt like I slipped from this reality right into this wistful and haunting world, swimming in the sea with salt in my hair and longing for the chthonic world.
I don’t think I’ve ever looked at the sea in such a romantic and melancholic way before, but this book is so beautiful and the scenery so wonderfully captured that I couldn’t help it.

Lacrimosa
Our main character was so dear to me and I could feel her struggles and longings. I adore soft heroines, because not all of us can be fighters all the time, at least not fighters in the same way.

Alastair
Sweet Alistair, my heart goes out to him. What he had to go through was incredibly difficult and painful, many parts had me on the verge of tears.

Camille
I think I have a crush on her and her tender moments with Lark were everything.

Therion
The mysterious God of the Sea from the chthonic world. He intrigued me and terrified me in equal measure.

Plot
It is perfectly paced, each chapter leaves you wanting more while feeling satisfied with what you have found out, at times shocked, other times intrigued, and other times your world is turned upside down.

Thank you publisher and author for this ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and to Hot Key Books for the digital ARC, it has not affected my honest review.

Release date: 1st July 2025 (UK and US)

TW: body horror, death, grief, blood, injury, references to suicidal ideation, abuse, horror

‘Tenderly I Am Devoured’ is the newest standalone from the brilliant Lyndall Clipstone, pulling the reader into the salt sprayed and isolated world of Lacrimosa Arriscane after she is expelled from school and sent home in disgrace to her family. Born and raised beside the beach and cliffs, Lark returns to her house to discover her brothers on the verge of financial ruin, crippled by debts made by their dead parents to the Felimath family, who live in the enormous mansion named Saltswan. Once upon a time Lark and the Felimath siblings were best friends, but not anymore: Alistair broke Lark’s heart and Camille vanished to finishing school. Desperate to save her family’s livelihood, Lark makes a deal to become the bride of Therion, the swan god worshipped by Lark’s hometown, to be taken away to his realm for six months a year. However, her betrothal goes wrong and Lark soon finds herself caught between the furious Therion and reality, fading away from the real world. There’s only one option to help her: the Felimath siblings, and as they dive into the stories of ancient folklore full of gods and monsters while fleeing a religious sect called the Sea Pirates, Lark falls in love with both siblings at the same time. Attempting a ritual to repair the connection between Therion and Lark before she can be lost forever, the Felimaths and Lark accidentally bring something through that is much more deadly.

I was a huge fan of this author’s ‘Lakesedge’ and ‘Forestfall’ so I was delighted to get an ARC for this book, especially because I loved the idea of a complicated polyamorous relationship dynamic, a Gothic setting and world and a woman engaged out of desperation to a god. Lyndall Clipstone has such a dreamy way of writing, it’s like being caught up in a fairytale and there’s always a sense of unreality lurking on the edges. I loved Lark from page one, she’s really struggling since being expelled from her elite school and returning to her home brings back memories best left in the past. She’s got so much to deal with and in a moment of pure desperation, turns to Therion to save her family’s salt mine. Her connection with Alastair and Camille is fraught with old hurts and childhood love turned into something more, I liked how things weren’t simple or easily defined between Lark and the siblings. Camille is softer while Alistair is harsher but they both understand Lark perfectly. The worldbuilding is beautiful, I found that you could feel the sea and the flickering candles down in the cave where they worship Therion. Some of the moments in this book are horror and Gothic at their finest while merging seamlessly with the YA genre. This is a really original take on love and romance, on religion and worship and on identity and self belief- Lyndall Clipstone has written something truly beautiful, terrifying, raw and aching, I loved it and raced through it in a few days.

4.5 stars (rounded up)

To gather the words in order to portray this book with all the justice is deserves is something I don’t think I can truly achieve but here is my review nonetheless.

It’s not very often I read the acknowledgements at the end of a book but after having the pleasure of chatting to Lyndall with her street team group, I knew it was important to recognise and I’m so glad I did. This book truly captures this raw emotion that was poured into it.

Lyndall has written this tender, gothic folklorish and otherworldly fantasy with refreshing romances with LGBTQ+ representation in our characters who balance the line of selfishness and guilt, hunger for freedom and responsibility. The prose are rich and poetic taking us on this journey as Lacrimosa (Lark) our main character recounts her painful past that feeds into her present - dreaming for a different future that she wants to have chosen and grasped for herself.

There’s chthonic gods, demons, isolating coastal towns, eerie tension and folklorereference wrapped up in this beautiful lyrical writing.

I really loved this book, it felt both heartwarming and heartbreaking reading about Lark, Camille and Alistar (and let’s be fair, the rest of the characters) in this gothic, coming of age story. Watching them discover themselves in their choices, all whilst fighting both inner and physical demons to restore family livelihoods and legacies from ruin.

Truly though, I am devoured !!

(This copy was provided as being part of the Saltswans Street team. Review will be shared across web pages closer to publication date UK)

I really enjoyed the premise and world building of this book, the mythology was really interesting and I loved the shifting timeline structure.
I wished this was part of a longer series as it felt a little rushed to me by the end and I would've enjoyed following a series of books around how Lark frees herself from Therion whilst exploring more of his world and the netherworld in which he's trapped. Equally the concept of the Salt Priests was so interesting but it felt so rushed whereas I would've loved them explored in a later book. Alistair and Lark had great potential as a couple but the jarring insertion/return of Camille before Lark's wedding felt forced and then for it to develop into a throuple felt even more so for me.
I'm so grateful to have read the book and would definitely explore some of the author's other work but sadly for me I had great expectations from the initial set up and concept but let down slightly in the realisation as the book progressed.

4.5 stars
This was exquisitely dark and mysterious. A rich, gothic setting, ancient gods, and yearning romance all blend together for a wonderful story that will draw readers in right from the start.