3.5/5
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

A romantically intense and engaging read.

“In the Veins of the Drowning” tells the story of a siren hidden away by a king who hunts her kind, and a godly king who strikes a bargain with her that frees her. Their escape, and the blood bond they form, propel their kingdoms into war. Their bond forces them to remain close, which puts their feelings for each other, and the fates of their people, at risk as they uncover dangerous secrets about each other and themselves.

I don’t read a lot of Romantasy as I prefer when the romance is a subplot in Fantasy (albeit an integral one) rather than being the main focus. Another reason is that Romantasy books are basically recycled versions of each other - same types of characters and tropes with new names and settings.
This book didn’t deviate too far, but it was original enough in terms of the characters and their development that I appreciated it for that.

I really liked Imogen and Theo as characters, and I enjoyed their romantic development a lot.
The only thing that brought down that part for me is that I don’t usually enjoy when the feelings between the characters are influenced by magic or any outside source like that. Even in an ambiguous way, like it was here. Because it did feel like the “bond” between them, to some extent, contributed their growing closeness. It just takes away from the excitement and whole point of the romance for me.

Another thing I didn’t love is that the plot and world were somewhat thin and just weren’t enough to make up for the issue I had with the romantic side of the story. So, the lack of compelling plot meant I began to lose interest a little over halfway into the book.

However, if these points won’t bother you, I do recommend this book - you may even have a different interpretation from mine on the romantic development! And if so, I do think you might love it because Imogen and Theo really do stand out, in a good way, from among other Romantasy book characters!

Thank you to Gollancz and Netgalley for the e-ARC

4.75⭐️ what the heck?! give me the second book right this moment!!!!😭😭🤲🏼

the romance is very slow burn but it burns soo good!😍 I love the fact that we have actual sirens - not scary mermaids but actual Greek mythology bird-women✨ so freaking cool! I didn’t know that, when I started the book so that was a very pleasant surprise👏🏼

I have highlighted bascially every single time Theodore opens his mouth becuase holy moly this man is FIIIINE inside and out!! like damn 🤌🏼🤌🏼 their chemistry is just what I wanted in a romantasy 😍

I really like the world of In the Veins of the Drowning! Kalie Cassidy did a phenomenal job of describing and explaining the world, the god-system and the magic without it feeling like information dumping or leaving me confused🤩 the writing style is beautiful! I sometimes have a hard time reading books with very poetic flowering writing, but this was just the perfect mixture😌🙌🏼 I can’t believe this is a debut novel 😱

Imogen had me a little annoyed a couple times because girly did not think highly of herself, but with her background and trauma it makes sense so I quickly got over it😌

I’m so excited to see where this world takes us and I cannot wait for more Theo and Immy moments 🤭🤭🤭

🌶️.5/5 - tension/longing is 👌🏼!

This is magical seductive and passionate. Powerful and courageous VIOLENT!! beautifully done fantasy. There is just not enough siren books out there and i am glad this one was written.

4.5⭐

In the Veins of the Drowning is an atmospheric and immersive read straight from the start, the world building is exquisite and feels so very well developed and I loved learning about the gods and the Sirens with the magic system also being so different and unique.

I loved the interactions between the two main characters and enjoyed the push/pull of their relationship as they find themselves with this bond that physically leaves them unable to be apart and while it could feel a rather too insta lust/love I didn't feel this at all and just enjoyed seeing them slowly learn to care for the other.

I will say it did kind of slow down on pacing around the 40% for me and I found some moments a little too repetitive at times but the second half completely picked up and the ending has me excited to see where the story will take us in book two!

Thank you so much to Publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read and review this book before publication, these are my honest thoughts and opinions.

This is such a good story! I was a bit confused at first by how the magic worked and it almost feels like you're thrown into the middle of the story in the beginning, but from about quarter of the way through I really got into it!

3.75 ⭐I loved the beginning right up they went to get the bond broken. I'm not sure why but I just wasn't hooked into the story. I liked the characters and the chemistry. It just felt the same conversations were on repeat between the characters, with tiny bits of new information randomly scattered in throughout the book.

The action started at 80% then the sudden ending. It felt like it's been stretched over two books when it could have been one book.

I did like the characters but I couldn't bond with them and their relationship. It might because the bond made their relationship go from 0 to 100 in a chapter.

Theodore is a sensible straight talking MMC. I liked him has he stopped all misunderstandings in their place and he was direct.

There was a great magic system and I loved the history about sirens and gods.

This book was an unexpected gem. I went in thinking it would be a typical romantasy, but it completely surprised me. The story follows Imogen, a siren hiding her true nature in a kingdom that hunts her kind. When she's forced into a bond with King Theo, things get complicated—and intense.

What I loved most was how the book delves into themes of identity and belonging. Imogen's struggle with her siren heritage felt raw and real, especially as she grapples with the idea of being seen as a monster. The romance between her and Theo is slow-burning and filled with tension, making their dynamic all the more compelling.

The world-building is rich, with a haunting atmosphere that lingers long after you've finished reading. It's not just about magic and politics; it's about the personal battles we fight within ourselves.

If you're into stories that blend dark fantasy with emotional depth and a touch of romance, this one's for you.

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of this book.*

4.5/5 ⭐ – Gripping, Darkly Lush, and Utterly Addictive

In the Veins of the Drowning by Kalie Cassidy is a spellbinding romantasy that sinks its claws in from the first page and doesn’t let go.

Imogen Nel is a fierce, complex siren heroine torn between her monstrous nature and her buried humanity, and the tension—both romantic and narrative—builds beautifully in this slow-burn, high-stakes journey. The morally grey love interest, blood bond, and marriage of necessity only add to the delicious angst and intensity.

The worldbuilding is amazing because it's rich with danger and allure, and the emotional stakes feel both intimate and epic.

With undead seas, hidden wings, and a simmering romance that burns, this book is a dark fantasy treat. My only reason for holding back that final half-star? I need the sequel now.

TROPES:
❤️‍🔥 Slow Burn Romance
🖤 Morally Grey Characters
✨ Suppressed Powers
🩸 Marriage Bond
🌶️🌶️ Forced Proximity
💀 Touch Her & You Die

In the Veins of the Drowning by @kaliecassidybooks is out the 17/07/2025

Thank you to @kaliecassidybooks @netgalley @gollancz for this opportunity!!!!

Oh My God.

I requested this on the recommendation of a friend who read this and went absolutely feral, thinking ‘it cant be that good, can it?’

IT IS. I PROMISE IT IS.

Imogen and Theodore and just UNHINGED and they had be screaming at my kindle, giggling and kicking my feet and generally just losing my mind - i am already gnawing at the bars of my enclosure for book 2 as Imogen has been UNLEASHED and i am here for her.

5 stars. 10 stars. ALL the stars.

“𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒊𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒅 𝒎𝒚 𝒘𝒉𝒐𝒍𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝒐𝒏 𝒊𝒕𝒔 𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒄𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒐𝒔.”

So you’re just going to end the book like that? Cool, cool. 𝙃𝙚𝙡𝙥 𝙢𝙚.

This book took hold of me with its sharp talons and deadly lure and refused to ease its grip. This was a perfect first venture into siren fantasy, with vivid world-building and alluring prose.

In the Veins of the Drowning is a breathtaking and thoroughly enchanting gothic romantasy, perfect for lovers of Rachel Gillig (major One Dark Window vibes). If you’re looking for a fresh premise, with political intrigue, magical bonds, a badass FMC and a MMC that will crawl to the ends of the earth for his woman, this needs to take a one-way ride to the top of your tbr.

Thank you endlessly to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advance copy.

To be completely honest, I expected more from this book. It wasn’t a bad reading experience by any means, but it still felt like something was missing. The first half was definitely stronger than the second.

The premise is fantastic – and it’s exactly what drew me in. In the Veins of the Drowning is a dark fantasy novel centered on Imogen, a siren forced into hiding from a kingdom that seeks to eradicate her kind. As danger catches up to her, she forms an unlikely alliance with Theo, a king from a neighboring realm, in an attempt to escape her past.

I mean – mythologically accurate sirens, blood bonds, a handsome king – what’s not to love? Unfortunately, many of those promising elements felt underdeveloped. The book moves at a very fast pace, and in this case, that’s not really an advantage. The plot rushes forward, but it comes at the expense of character development, relationship depth, and world-building. The beginning was strong for me, and I enjoyed getting to know the characters. But then everything started happening too quickly. Instead of pushing the plot so fast, I wish the author had taken more time to develop the relationship between Imogen and Theo. It’s marketed as a slow burn, but it reads more like insta-love. As for the magic system, I’m still not entirely sure how it works. The world-building had potential, and the author did try to establish some structure, but it wasn’t explained clearly enough. That lack of clarity left me feeling disconnected in the second half.

The stakes also didn’t feel as high as I was led to expect, especially given the buildup and the identity of the main villain. The ending felt a bit unsatisfying. While it’s clearly intended to set up a sequel, I would’ve liked this book to feel more complete on its own. Aside from a few secrets being revealed, not much else happens in the final chapters.

That said, I wouldn’t say I disliked the book – I was just hoping for more. My high expectations were built up by the strong start, and unfortunately, the rest didn’t quite live up to them. Still, the story itself is interesting, and I do plan to read the sequel.
I also recognize that many of the issues I had might come down to personal preference. I’m sure plenty of readers will enjoy this book more than I did. So, I’d still encourage you to give it a try – maybe it’ll resonate more with you than it did with me.

This was swoon-worthy siren magic! 🤩
The gothic vibes were immaculate a la Rachel Gillig’s work. The worldbuilding was fun - from the blood bonds to magic system. But it could’ve been expanded on in many ways.
The stakes are high and the characters are grey - it makes for a great adventure story.
The MMC has my heart.
Give this a try.

When I tell you this is your new romantasy obsession, you better believe me. The tension? There. Heart-wrenching, nail biting moments? You got it.
There isn't a single thing I'd change in this book, which says a lot, considering how awfully picky I usually am when it comes to romantasy books. I cannot wait for the sequel.

Loved the world building in this one. The take on sirens was unique and I loved the viciousness of them. The FMC was chaotic but deliberately so and it worked. The MMC was an absolute joy to read. The story got a bit repetitive towards the end but overall it worked for me. A great, enjoyable read.

A siren hidden in a world where she is hunted !
blood bonds
prophecies
Slow burn romance
I enjoyed this book and will definitely read book 2 when it comes out. It does feel like there could have been a few more chapters where the characters go from its the blood bond - I love you. Still I was kept immersed in the story. Thank you for allowing me to read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Gollancz for the preview. All opinions are my own.

4+ stars

This was a highly enjoyable and bingeable fantasy romance with sirens and gods. It's dark and atmospheric, and I could not put it down. I think people are really going to fall for Theo and Imogen; their sloooooooooooooow burn is tortuous, but their chemistry is undeniable. When they ignite, they really ignite! Plus there is just soooo much angst and tension, not to mention the heartbreak.

The plot is high stakes with the encroaching threat of one god, the pursuit by the king Imogen escaped, and Theo's duty that's forcing him elsewhere. The reveals along the way were a mix of "OH NO" and "should have seen that coming." I'm very interested and eager to see where the next book goes.

I'm taking a star off because I think the world-building needs some work, and there definitely seem like there are some holes in the plot and the lore. Some things just didn't make sense logically, but hopefully that will all improve with the second book. I still enjoyed myself a ton, but the issues did bother me enough to note it.

I’m gonna need everyone to drop everything and read this the moment it comes out. July 17th, MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!

Oh my word. Where do I even begin? The moment I opened the first page and read, I was immediately transported to this gothic, dark, eerie, magical world. This was my first introduction to gothic fantasy, and let me tell you, it will definitely not be my last.

The vibes were immaculate. There really is no other way to describe it. It felt like I was THERE. It felt like I was Imogen, battling between disguising who and what I was, combined with fighting the attraction I had to our love interest. Our love interest is so pathetic for her, I was IN PAIN. The want, the tension, the yearning, the desire, ALL had me in a chokehold. The person he wants most may just be the exact person to bring his kingdom to ruin. But it hurts more to live without her.

The world consists of Gods that are worshiped, and those who have powers are their descendants. That's why Imogen and the man she wants cannot be, their powers combined could devastate realms. Kingdoms battle for power. Someone is out to get Imogen, and our love interest saves her by ‘kidnapping’ her when he realizes she’s in danger.

I can’t wait for the sequel, and this isn’t even out yet.

Thank you to Orion for this earc. It was everything I wanted it to be and more.

Fast-paced, atmospheric, and richly imagined - I quickly devoured this fantasy romance! I love a magical world heavily tied to the ocean, so this book was one that I was excited to dive into! (Yes, pun intended!) Following a siren and a king who, through some rather dire circumstances, end up magically bound together, this book is the first in a series involving some rather enticing enemies-to-lovers romance, magic, and adventure.

Right from the start I was invested - the plot moves quickly with great momentum. The atmosphere was brilliant and felt thick and heavy, and the romance - particularly the bickering between the main protagonists - was chef's kiss. However, there were a few things that didn’t fully work for me. Being the first in a series, it became noticeable as the story progressed that major arcs were being set up. This is not a bad thing (on the contrary, I love an intricate and complex arc!), but the story felt like it lacked a satisfying climax. Because of this, I found the first half of the book more compelling - though that might just be my frustration at having to wait for the next book in the series.
Additionally, while the main protagonists felt nicely fleshed out and compelling, I do think the side characters could have used a bit more development, and I would’ve preferred the romance to be drawn out a little longer. Similarly, the world-building created a strong sense of atmosphere and setting, but I would have liked more detail about the magical system and its “rules,” so to speak. So really, I just wanted more!

That said, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys sirens, a magic system involving gods and their children, and some adventure in a world that is richly atmospheric. I’ll absolutely be picking up the next in the series!

I loved this read. It was a great take on sirens and delivered what it promised. It was easy to get into and I couldn’t put it down. I loved the tension and build up with the romance.
I did feel there were elements missing and areas that could have been developed, particularly with the wider story as the twist started to unfold. The ending also felt quite abrupt but has set up for a promising follow up which I am excited to read.

I really wanted to love this one, and it has good bones but it’s absolutely riddled with plot holes😩 the romance was so good though so that’s what the stars are for, the plot is just a mess…