3.75 ⭐
easy to read, enchanting enough but too much insta love for my liking (and the fmc was lowkey annoying)
AND there's a very specific scene that really deserves to be read (not talking abt spice)

The be all end all book for angsty, yearn filled forbidden romance. This was fantasy infused with lyrical poetry that will wrap around your heart and seep into your soul.

Siren lore full of redemption & betrayal, a battle between duty & desire, and unexpected twists you won’t see coming. This is the kind of book you need to go into completely blind to have the most immersive experience, with so much poetic yearning it will send you over the edge. I have over 300 highlights in a story that is less than 400 pages. And the ending? a crime I have to wait an indefinite amount of time for book 2😭

Summary

Overall rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 4.5/5

Spicy rating: 🌶️🌶️ 2/5

This book was so gripping and fast paced I really enjoyed it! The lore and magic with the siren and gods mythology was super refreshing and felt totally new for me as an avid romantasy lover. It was so seductive and has left me desperately wanting the next instalment.

The prose was moody and poetic and was atmospherically beautifully. The romance was so swoony and definitely gave me Robb and Talisa Stark vibes from Game of Thrones! The forbidden nature, the yearning, the man so pathetic for her he’s on his knees! Beautiful!
And when I say yearning I mean YEARNING 👏 the amount of quotes I have highlighted is unreal.

Both Imogen and Theo are a little morally grey but more so just multifaceted and beautifully flawed. The supporting cast also didn’t suffer for the MCs to shine and I loved the development of them too the group dynamics felt authentic and purposeful.

It was so hard to put down and that ending was just insane! It’s political and intriguing with blood bonds, desire vs duty, unbreakable curses. Think Pirates of the Caribbean meets plated prisoner! Honestly a fantastic debut.

My only complaint is that I would’ve liked a little more lore and world building at the start as it was so fast paced I felt like it got lost a little. 🤏

A siren romantasy with danger, desire, and a dark twist.

Imogen Nel has spent her life hiding—her wings, her powers, and who she really is. Taken in as a ward of cruel King Nemea, she’s been kept away from the sea and promised to the captain of his guard, Evander. But everything changes when King Theodore of Varya arrives. He sees through her carefully built life… and possibly straight into her soul.

This fantasy world is full of danger—mercenaries, dark waters, creepy sea creatures—and yet the heart of it is Imogen trying to figure out who she is and how to survive. She’s powerful, even when she doesn’t believe it, and the chemistry between her and Theodore is so good. He’s moody, protective, and a bit morally grey.

There are twists, betrayals, and a growing sense that the real monster might not be what she’s been taught to fear.

Perfect if you like a bit of magic, romance, and danger all mixed together.

In the Veins of the Drowning is an absolutely stunning debut that reads like a masterclass in gothic fantasy romance. Kalie Cassidy has crafted a darkly enchanting tale that I devoured in both audio and ebook formats. I enjoyed flipping between my kindle and audible on a beach vacation which made it even more immersive!

This gothic fairytale follows Imogen, a Siren in hiding who must confront her dangerous powers when a neighboring king discovers her true nature. The world-building is atmospheric and immersive, with waters teeming with undead and kingdoms on the brink of destruction.

What truly elevates this novel is the character work. Theo delivers delicious Mr. Darcy-level yearning that had me swooning, while the banter between our leads is absolutely top-notch. The slow burn romance unfolds beautifully through forced proximity, creating tension that crackles on every page.

Cassidy's writing style is addictive. I found myself completely absorbed in this dark, romantic world. The balance between duty and desire, the moral complexity of becoming the monster to defeat one, and the blood bond dynamics all create a compelling narrative that kept me hooked.
I cannot believe this is a debut novel. In the Veins of the Drowning is a must-read for fans of gothic fantasy romance with complex characters and atmospheric storytelling.

Thank you to NetGalley, Orion Publishing Group, & Gollancz for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

There has been so much hype surrounding this book I had to finally see what was up. Because Sirens with wings? Magic? YEARNING? All the things that I love are in this, so I admit I went in with very high expectations. That being said, I sadly found this to be a flop. I thought the magic system was intriguing, but the characters behind the story felt flat. The plot itself was just fine, and I enjoyed the parallels with the Trojan War love story of Paris and Helen, but I thought the execution fell short of the epic love story I was promised. The slow burn wasn't really very slow and the payoff was disappointing. And I know I'm writing only negative things, but I really thought it was just fine. I could go either way on reading the next book, especially with the ending being so messy, so I hope this doesn't keep anyone from reading and enjoying. I just think it wasn't for me.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

"The monster is always slain"

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This was absolute perfection.

Kalie Cassidy has had me falling for a fictional man for the last couple of weeks and I don't know what to do with myself 😅

I was lucky enough to have this be my first ever eARC and it was probably one of the best fantasy books I have read in a long time. As well as being my first fantasy to contain sirens, and it's safe to say they are now one of my favourite creatures!

Everything about this story: the setting, the characters, the world building and story progression, the YEARNING -- it immerses you and takes you up in it's current and before you know it you're sitting up late at night wanting to know what happens next.

And THEODORE 😮‍💨

I need more of this world. I am so looking forward to reading the next installment. If you get the chance, go and read this 💙

Absolutely hooked from the first page. Full of twists, I was gripped by a whole new world of magic and mystery. Incredible story telling and I read this book within hours. An absolute masterpiece, with hope, love and despair all intertwined. With a heroines determination to defeat the enemy. I don't want to give too much away, but if you don't read this... You're missing out! Can't wait for the sequel.

WOW just WOW

- Yearning
- Dark gothic fantasy
- Sirens
- Forced proximity
- Gods
- Prophecy

This book was everything. This book is a DEBUT!! Kalie what have you done to me.. I want…. No need the next book like yesterday. In the veins of drowning had the perfect amount of yearning, it had the perfect amount of spice. It was just everything. It had a lot of my favourite tropes. I honestly could have read on and on.
I can absolutely see why Rachel Gillig endorsed the book - the dark gothic atmosphere was perfection. I loved Theo - Kalie portrayed him well - she added the right amount of yearning - this was the kind you rooted for. I loved our FMC Imogen as well.. there is nothing I love more than an FMC who was born to be meek, timid and small an FMC who breaks free of those shackles and rises to be tough come in to herself.

This book is the reason I love romantasy. So I can deep dive in to a new world and fall in love with new characters. I want to reiterate - this book is a DEBUT and an amazing one at that.

Thank you NetGally and Little Brown for letting me review this book. Forever grateful

In the Veins of the Drowning is a dark and utterly atmospheric romantasy. Firstly the prose is beautiful and captivating. The world is rich in detail and has the best cast of morally grey characters. I absolutely loved the lore surrounding the sirens and the brutal magic. This is not your standard romantasy, it’s gothic, full of gore and nail-biting tension. This is the kind of mild horror I cannot get enough of. I need more recommendations for similar! Safe to say I couldn’t put it down. The romance is forbidden, brooding and full of yearning. Basically this story sweeps you away and sides you with the ‘monster’. I enjoyed it so much! Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this advanced reader copy. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.

The premise of this book is SO good. And it delivered for me - that's not my Imogen bias speaking either.

The beginning of the book puts us in a very Elizabeth Swan is about to get married to someone she doesn't want to. But there is added danger - this time Imogen is exactly what the Captain hunts: a Siren. Seeking help from a foreign King whose lands still worship Sirens instead of hunting them, they forge a bond and flee (though he does so begrudgingly).

I love a story with a soft spot for the "monster" and this really appeased that itch for me. I've seen other reviewers mentioning how Odyssey coded this is and I could not agree more. Imogen is Penelope to Theo's Odysseus if she was a Siren. If you love a lush language kind of book this is that.

The magic and Gods system in this book is so gripping! The antagonists are so hateable and you can tell the threat is very real. Introducing more in the court was the only part I didn't like - because what do you mean Theo is going to marry her after hearing they worship Eusia?! WHAT AND WHY?! The same reason they all hate Seraf and yet they want to marry into the Empress' fucked family?! 😭😭

Imogen and Theo are great main characters because they are fallable to mistakes. From the get go. I LIVED for it! And if you don't want an easy romance for your main characters - these poor sweethearts are going to continue going through it!

I'm super excited to see how Imogen solves that crazy ending in book 2!! 🐚🌊🪸🪷🧜🏻‍♀️

4.5 rounded up!

It’s a quintessential high fantasy with (barely) knife-cuttable levels of tension between our characters, great world building and increasing stakes, siren lore and commentaries on what is truly monstrous, literal buckets of tension and an enjoyably multi-threaded generational plot. Did I also mention the TENSION.

In The Veins of the Drowning is giving high fantasy drama with historical romance YEARNING a la “you have bewitched me body and soul”. I fear there are many clenched fists by the side of the brooding, emotionally constipated male lead who’s held captive by honour and duty but entirely unbound by One Woman. And What a Woman is Imogen Nel. I’ve said it before I’ll say it again I love Pathetic Men. Give me 15 of these!

I came for sirens and I stayed for scrumptious prose and “if you are to ruin me then let it be completely… Because a life without you is not what I want to know.” KILL ME IT WOULD ACHE LESS

I need the next one stat!

If you listen closely, you can hear the distant sound of Rachel Gillig cackling and whispering “told you so.”

If you’ve ever wanted your siren stories rewritten by someone with a soft spot for the “monsters,” you’ll adore this one. In the Veins of the Drowning is a gothic fairytale of siren lore, toxic family dynamics, salty secrets, angst and… zombie sirens? Plus yearning so agonising it’s almost psychological torture with a side of heart-eyes.

Look, I’m not saying it’s my favourite romantasy of the year, but I am saying it might just be a three-way tie between this, Terror at the Gates and Broken Souls & Bones. 2025 has been delivering.

Firstly, there are so many of my favourite tropes in here, for example, forced proximity, forbidden love, one horse (the execution had me squealing), and a surprise trope twist reveal that was perfection. It’s like Cassidy wrote this book just for me and for you too, if you love those tropes.

But what really blew me away was how the author put her own unique spin on them.

Stylistically, it’s lush, haunting and atmospheric with some mild horror elements. If you’re someone who gets high on vibes, this will feed you. It’s easy to see why Rachel Gillig endorsed it, the moody aesthetic is reminiscent of One Dark Window, along with its allegories about who the real monster is, with mythological siren lore from Greek mythology/The Odyssey woven in, the kind with talons and feathers. There’s even a touch of Mr. Darcy in the characterisation, brooding and all.

Furthermore, if you squint (or maybe it’s just my perception), there’s a ghost of The Little Mermaid lurking beneath the surface. Not the Disney sparkle version, but the much stranger, darker Hans Christian Andersen one. Still, even with those glimmers, this book isn't trying to be anything else. It's 100% its own thing and Cassidy understood the assignment.

I won't be surprised if people go feral for Imogen & Theo. The pining is off the Richter scale, complete with awkward, flustered moments between them and I think those were my favourite scenes of all.

Additionally, spice levels are perfect--Not gratuitous but high reward.

I can’t believe this is a debut. If this is how she starts, I’m cancelling all my plans and binge-reading everything Kalie writes.

Thank you so much to NetGalley & Orion Publishing Group | Gollancz for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you, Kalie Cassidy, for filling a void I didn't even realize needed filled - where have books about *sirens* been my entire life?! I really enjoyed this tale of darkness, love, and magic. The world-building is strong here - despite living in a landlocked city, I could smell the salty brine of the sea on every page. It's filled with lovely dark atmosphere, brooding and yearning, and wonderfully grey characters. A great fresh read for fans of gothic fantasy, brooding morally grey love interests, and feminine rage.

Thank you so much to Orion Publishing Group and NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Did I read this cover to cover non stop? Yes, yes I did.

Give me dark magic, Sirens, forbidden romance and prophecies any time if its written like this.

Awestruck at how much I needed to see this book through to the end, only now in desperate need of book two!

I loved Imogen. From down trodden and hiding her light, to fierce Siren with vengeance and the need to save kingdoms in her heart.

Here bond with Theo broke me repeatedly throughout.

Just like the ending! I so want a HEA for these two.

A beautifully atmospheric, captivating romantasy.

In the Veins of the Drowning was such a phenomenal debut by Kalie Cassidy. This gothic romantasy is the perfect blend of eerie, suspenseful, and full of jam packed tension. I absolutely couldn’t put this book down. I loved our FMC Imogen who spent years hiding who she truly is and our meet cute with our broody MMC, Theodore will have you kicking your feet in no time. This book was hands down one of my favorite reads so far this year.

Thank you so much to Orion Publishing Group and Netgalley for the early eARC of this fantastic book. I can’t wait for what is to come for Kalie.

An immediate favourite of the year! What a debut! I requested this on the recommendation of a friend who had already read an ARC and I was not disappointed. This was so much fun and full of just the right amount of angst, romance and pining! Also, shout out to the author for the Siren lore and not hiding away from all the gritty details!

This is for readers who love:
- Fictional men who YEARN
- He falls first
- Forbidden love
- Sort of marriage of convenience / forced marriage(?)

A perfect combination of siren lore, forbidden love and political intrigue.
We follow Imogen Nel, a siren forced to suppress everything she is. Raised in a court that despises her very nature, Imogen’s life is a quiet act of survival until a political engagement and a blood bond gone wrong.
Imogen is angry, deeply traumatized, but unapologetically sharp-edged. Watching her go from a cowering ward to commanding power is both powerful and unsettling. Theo is the very embodiment of duty; stiff, formal, and emotionally restrained until Imogen forces him to confront not just his kingdom’s politics, but his own heart. The relationship between Imogen and Theo is so wonderfully complex, it’s a bloody, fragile alliance forged under duress and deepening in trust and unspoken grief. But Theo? The man can yearn! I couldn’t have been Imogen, it would’ve been a wrap very early on and there’d be no story 🤣
The marriage‑of‑convenience trope here is twisted by magic as their bond is both a lifeline and a prison. Their joint path forces them to cross swords with undead horrors and unravel magical secrets. Each revelation rushes them toward a final confrontation where Imogen must accept the possibility that becoming monstrous could be the only way to save everything.
Kalie’s worldbuilding is vivid and visceral filled with imagery of coastal ruins, haunted waters, and you can practically taste the salt in the air. Magic in this world is biological and brutal, tied to blood, and to identity. The pacing was perfect, you are thrown headfirst into the action and it hardly ever lets up. The stakes constantly escalate right up to the final page where you are left with an unsettling cliffhanger.
In the Veins of Drowning is a gripping tale about how power corrupts, how trauma scars, and how love can bloom in the ruin.
This is a stunning debut!

“Far below, in the water, she waits. I wake and she fades. I sleep and she surges….she is want, and I know her well.”

Oh, we are not worthy. In the Veins of the Drowning is a stunning debut and the first book in a duology. It’s such a rich, dark, gothic romantic combination of siren lore and mythos with forbidden love and malicious court machinations. I’m besotted.

Imogen Nel was orphaned young and raised by a cruel and powerful king, and she is soon to be married off to his captain of the guard. In a kingdom that hunts and kills Sirens, her future husband leads the slaughter. But Imogen has a secret. She is a Siren. Keeping away from the sea, her wings, talons and powers have been successfully hidden - until a visiting King on a diplomatic mission sees right through her. Her secret is soon revealed and she will need the visiting King’s help to survive. Can they trust each other? Or are they each other’s ruination in waiting?

Clearing some room on my Rachel Gillig, Hannah Whitten, Danielle L Jensen section of my bookshelf stat!

A huge thank you to Orion Publishing Group,
Kalie Cassidy, and NetGalley for an advanced electronic copy in exchange for an honest review. In the Veins of the Drowning comes out Tuesday, July 15th.

3.5 (rounded UP!)

Let me start with this: That ending….absolutely how dare you.

In the Veins of the Drowning revolves around Imogen, a young ward to King Nemea in a kingdom where sirens are seen as monsters that need be destroyed...oh, and she just happens to be a siren in hiding, far from the sea and out of her depth in a whole other way - especially when King Theodore gets thrown into the mix.

This book was such a fun read, the chemistry between Imogen and Theo was PERFECT - the PINING, THE ANGSTTTTT!!! I ate it all up.

The book itself is first and foremost a romantasy, however the mystery around Imogen's identity and her journey to escape King Nemeas clutches is compelling and keeps you reading!

PROS (aka all da tropes)
- MMC falls first
- mutual pining
- forbidden romance
- marriage of almost convenience lmao
- blood bonds
- slow burn
- spicy goodness

CONS!
- insta love
- WAY more world building needed

Overall, very fun and can see lots enjoying it! Will certainly be picking up the next one when it comes out.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!