I'd seen this book recommended a lot, especially on TikTok, so when I saw there was an opportunity to read the ARC, I jumped.

At first I found this read a little difficult to get into. I struggled a bit to grasp the magic system and the scene that we're brought in. I kept going because I had a feeling that it would get easier to understand and that there is a fantastic plot ahead. And I was right.

I love the characters and the way they are written makes you feel connected to them. I found it really easy to get into Grey and almost feel like I was her and that I was also on the journey.

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for letting me read this ARC.

This is an interconnected standalone romantic epic fantasy—and let’s emphasize the romantic part, because for me, that’s the heart of the story and what drives it.
My rating is based mainly on the romance, not the fantasy elements, which I felt needed more development—not just in the world-building, but also in the action and the expansion of the magic system.

The book is told in Grey’s POV, in third person, and it’s very much a character-driven story. At its core, it’s about love, loyalty, and sacrifice. Grey and Kier’s relationship is just so good. While you’re reading, you feel what they feel—the longing, the little gestures that create so much tension to their bond — and that’s a testament to how well-written this book is.

Beyond their relationship, the secondary characters also bring a lot of depth to the story.

I also loved that this is a LGBTQIAP+ normative world, and the fact that the story kicks off with a quest. The whole mage-and-hand bond, where magic can’t exist without both, felt unique and refreshing. The writing itself is really easy to sink into, though at times I wished for a bit more description to bring the world to life.

I did struggle a bit with the pacing, particularly in the last 25% of the book, which felt quite slow. There are definite flaws, but as people now often say: this book is all about the vibes, and it hooked me from the very start.

If you’re looking for an epic fantasy heavy on politics, action, and detailed world-building, this might not be the right book for you. But if you love stories with quests, found family, slow-burn longing, childhood best friends-to-lovers, romance, a medieval-inspired setting, and an overall vibe-driven experience, then I definitely recommend picking it up.

Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for the e-arc and the opportunity to read this book.

3.75⭐️. In this book we follow Grey, a 24 year old woman who is hand to her childhood best friend, Kier, a Mage. As his hand, Kier can draw on Grey’s dormant well of power and her role is to protect and heal him as they fight side by side. As close as two people can be, she shares everything with him, other than the fact that she’s been in love with him for as long as she can remember.

In their world, Idistra is made up of 6 nation states that, while once peaceful, have been in a state of war since the destruction of the Isle of Locke, which had been the root of power for those nations. The only survivor was the Isle’s heir, who went into hiding and is believed to be the only person who will be able to restore power. Having been fighting at the front line, Grey and Kier are given a new assignment - undertake a dangerous journey with the girl believed to be the lost heir of Locke - if successful, they can retire from army life. However, Grey and Kier know with certainty that this girl cannot be the lost heir, because Grey is…

I can see why people are loving this book - it was a really interesting premise with a childhood friends to lovers trope at the centre and an element of found family. However, while I did enjoy this book, I can’t say I loved it. There wasn’t enough build up of romantic tension for me, I would have preferred a slower burn (although this is, I believe, a standalone set within what will be an inter-connected series), so perhaps that’s why the relationship moved fairly quickly. And while I liked the characters, most of them felt only skin deep, so I never developed any real attachment to them. While there were some fairly dramatic moments, they didn’t have as big an impact as they would have done if I’d been more invested. That being said, still an enjoyable, easy read and it is nice to sometimes read a fantasy romance standalone rather than commit to a long series.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC of this book.

The writing is phenomenal its such an easy read. This book was amazing I love it from start to finish!! The story was fast paced and I was never bored once. Even the way it was presented onto my kindle with a space between each lines was great.

I love the plot of the story and the magic system was amazing!! It was such a well escalated story that makes you want to read it all over again.

The character Grey and Keir,
I love how even from the first day Grey met Kier as children she’s trusted him instantly. The chemistry between these was there for the beginning. I felt like instead of friends to lovers it was lovers to soul mate but even as friends you could feel the love between them.
Overall loved loved it highly highly recommend read this book V. L. Bovalino has knocked this out of the park!! 😍

Thank you NetGalley and Littlebrownbooks for the arc

I adored the first half of this book. The quest and the found family aspect were everything. I enjoyed it a lot less as soon as they are back on Locke, because it was just very slow. Absolutely loved all the characters and their relationships.
I think this could have been a great standalone novel and am not sure what’ll happen in the rest of the series but I am excited for it.

"And Grey was a liar too, because she longed for him. Endlessly, immeasurably, ceaselessly."

Wow, just wow. This was incredible.

Love. Sacrifice. Survival. Bravery. Power.

The Second Death of Locke exceeded all expectations; it was deeply romantic, atmospheric and epic in all accounts. This is the most immersed and invested I’ve been whilst reading a book in a very long time - the plot is engaging, and the ambiguity surrounding Greys power and learning more as we continue reading made me unable to put the book down.

The world building is expansive and rich and the gothic and dark atmosphere really helps encapsulate the dreary and dark times that the characters are facing. The ongoing conflict was essential to the plot, and we as readers learn so much about the history of the world and Locke, but also the political side.

Now, I say this wholeheartedly - Grey Flynn is my new favourite female main character of all time. She is ruthless and brave killer, yet so vulnerable underneath the facade of her exterior. She is filled with grief and burdened with the past, and how her character grows throughout this book is tastefully done. Her relationship with Kier was had me swooning - they would do anything for one another, die for one another. Their love knows no bounds and are completely devoted to each other.

The romance was exquisite. Childhood best friends to lovers, slow burn executed to perfection. The yearning!!!! The small and delicate signs of affection!!! The hidden feelings that they both kept for years!!!

The found family element really took me by surprise - all the side characters were wonderful and the devotion and friendship they shared was lovely. Grey allowing herself to be vulnerable and open her heart was beautiful.

I don’t think I’ll shut up about this book for the foreseeable future, but it was an absolute masterpiece.

The Second Death Of Locke
Arc review ✨
Thank you so much to NetGalley for the digital proof!

“She loved him in every way it was possible to love a person. And for the most part, she knew he loved her back, in his own way- but as she stared into the emptiness of the mountains, she wondered for the first time if that would be enough.”

2025 really is the year of the Lady Knight. Another perfect read for the upcoming autumn!

The Second Death Of Locke is an interconnected standalone romantic fantasy following Grey Flynn, a young knight who is also a ‘well’ , dedicated to heal, protect and serve her mage, Kier.

This is a character driven story, one that focuses on the relationship between two people who have grown up together, whose feelings are tangled up in their duty to eachother and their kingdom.
Devastatingly romantic, Bovalino manages to make you feel every emotion possible in 480 pages. I was completely sucked into the world of Locke- the gloomy atmosphere and looming dread and threat of war.

The slow burn romance was agonizing (in a good way), the characters and found family were a constant comfort, and the reveals and twists as the story comes together were absolutely jaw dropping.

I highly recommend this to those who love an epic story with a traditional fantasy feel, characters who tug on your heart strings, and one of the most beautiful bittersweet epilogues i’ve had the pleasure of experiencing.

The Second Death Of Locke releases September 23rd!

Love. Loyalty. Sacrifice.

What a masterpiece! I feel utterly hollow after reading this book Tori has painstakingly squeezed every emotion possible out of me and wrung me dry.

This is a character driven book which also manages to have a fantastic book and wonderful world building. The magic system felt fresh and unique and I loved learning more about it. There are still parts left open that we could explore more of in the next couple of books which is good because it would have felt overwhelming to have it all.

I am amazed at what the author has managed to pack into a fantasy book that can be read as a standalone. Honestly just truly phenomenal.

The found family element was fantastic and the dynamic between Keir and Grey was so well done. I could feel the longing through the pages. I will always be a sucker for idiots in love who are absolutely oblivious or in flat out denial that the other person might feel the same way.

I feel so lucky to have got to read this early and will definitely be checking out anything else that Tori brings out in this world!

A devastating romantic fantasy about the incredible and undying bond between a Knight and her mage.

This book had me hooked from chapter 4 and consumed my thoughts even now that I have finished it. It has conjured up all of my emotions alongside our characters as we follow them throughout the book. The longing, yearning, heartbreak, love, found family, slow burn romance it was written absolutely perfectly.

The world building created gothic, Dark vibes as the Isles are all at war. Reminding me of the worlds like those in The Knight and the Moth/The Shepherd King Duology.

The magic system I found really unique and intriguing with individuals either a Well or a Mage. One cannot function without the other, always a pair. This creates amazing bonds and relationships between our characters where I formed some major attachments!

I also really loved the LGBTQ+ represented that was woven throughout the story and the book.

Overall a 6☆ read for me, I absolutely adored every second of reading this book and I will definitely be purchasing a physical copy on Release Day!!

I very much wanted to like this book, as I've a background in medieval history and a lifelong love of fantasy. It's great to see more strong women represented in novels such as this, and it began with great promise.

The magic system is interesting, and the symbiotic relationship of magic-user and 'well' cleverly thought out. The slow burn of exactly what happened to the land of Locke was engaging, and I liked Grey a lot.

Unfortunately the story began to sag a little when it should've been ramping up. A strange quest that was suddenly brought to a screeching halt, a political system that seems to consist mostly of offscreen arguing between power-hungry nobles, and several characters that I couldn't really tell apart.

I decided to DNF halfway when another flashback began, because the return to dead characters that I knew nothing about was frustrating and I just found myself wishing for the plot to move ahead.

The writing varied between fun and reallistic (mostly Grey's voice, which was easily best realised) and just slow. Also almost every mention of the NPC (for he is rarely shown but much talked about) Lot weirdly includes a reminder that he's a beloved dead brother. Sometimes on the same page.

I would like to know how the story unfolds, but it just took too long and I wasn't enjoying myself enough to continue. I may try again at a future point. Disappointed.

“What absolute fools they were. All that time, and they could have been doing this.”

🌟 rating: 4
📚 Genre: Romantic fantasy
🗓️ Publication date: 23-09-2025 ———Arc received from LittleBrownBookGroup_UK through netgalley
🌺 Tropes: Friends to lovers, magical tether, touch him/her and die, hidden identity, mutual pinning, quests, slow burn
👫 POV: Single point of view
🌶️ level: 1
#️⃣ pages: 480

Okay this book had a bit of everything, the quest, betrayal, an intriguing magic system, found family and more. I really had a great time reading this.

For me the biggest power in this book is the relationship between Grey (FMC) and Kier (MMC). I just loved their whole dynamic, they really aren’t the normal kind of romantasy couple but I appreciated that so much. Honestly this is a couple you get when they communicate (except about their feelings, but I feel getting in to that will be to much of a spoiler). Their chemistry was top notch and they made me feel everything.

This book has quite some plot twists and while I could guess some, some others did take me by surprise. So I feel that’s actually good, as that keeps me on my toes and satisfies my brain at the same time.

I believed this book was a standalone, but it has been pointe out to me this is actually a trilogy. However, the book didn’t end on a cliffhanger so I appreciate that a lot. As for me a cliffhanger isn’t needed to make me read the next book.

Thank you LittleBrownBookGroup_UK
for providing me with this arc trough netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book had 10/10 vibes but with some flaws.

I really really loved the dynamic between characters, the magic system was pretty interesting and I just love queernormative worlds.

The writing had a really nice flow and amazing descriptions.

Where I struggled with the book was the plot structure. Because you only learn important information bit for bit through the Story the main characters ortentimes feel a little aimless because the book can't tell you yet what these characters want without revealing information you are supposed to learn later on. I never felt like I knew what the MCs were working towards things just kept happening.

The first half of the book felt more like a fantasy story with a strong romance subplot but the second half very much felt like a romance book in a fantasy setting. The second half also had some pretty convienient twists and felt overall weaker to me.

I still had a great time but the book isn't perfect in my opinion. Still I am very excited for future works of this author!

“And Grey was a liar too, because she longed for him. Endlessly, immeasurably, ceaselessly.”

You want YEARNING you say? Well, well, well; you should meet Grey and Kier and then buckle in!

Grey Flynn lives in a world where magic is real, but it takes two for it to be performed. One Mage and one Well. As her best childhood friend’s Well, Grey assists Kier on the battlefield defending their country from the chaos that has ensued after the magical island of Locke, the root of all magic, tragically vanished sixteen years prior. In a world divided, and hellbent on finding the lost heir of Locke to control all magic and gain more power, Grey and Kier must navigate through their past, their secrets, and their feelings for each other. Because Grey is Locke. And no one can find out.

In case you have noticed, some review sites have this labeled as The Hand and the Heart; Book One - it turns out this is to be an interconnected series. The Second Death of Locke reads like a standalone, so prepare for a more traditional story arc with a beautifully satisfying ‘The End’.

Overall, I think this story is hauntingly romantic, poetically tragic, and a perfect book to cozy up with this autumn.

Beyond thank you to Orbit Books and NetGalley for an advanced electronic copy in exchange for an honest review. The Second Death of Locke comes out on September 23rd.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

What to say? I'm bereft that it's over but so glad it happened? I want to immerse myself in this world and explore it further. I want Grey and Kier to only have the best things happen to them forever. I'm scared to pick up another book in case it doesn't live up to this one (it probably won't).

The Second Death of Locke is the Lady Knight book of your dreams. Grey is a complete badass soldier who is hopelessly in love with another complete badass soldier who is hopelessly in love with her. The devotion, the yearning? Unmatched. The loyalty, the besotted fools dancing around each other? The found family I grew to fiercely love alongside the main characters? It has everything.

The world is complex, interesting and engaging, the land as intrinsic to the plot as the characters themselves. Magic system? Cool as hell in all honesty. Magic that can only be used in pairs, a well and a mage tethered. The complexities of this relationship and how it can manifest in different ways is represented on the page - from the frowned upon romantic entanglements to the devoted partners ready to die for each other.

I loved it and I am endlessly curious as to where the story will go next!

I'm honestly at a loss for words.
Everything about this book was on point, I absolutely devoured it.

From the rich world-building and the incredibly unique magic system to the bond between the two main characters and the heartwarming found family dynamics, everything felt perfect in my eyes.
Immersed in this mystic world, I slowly grew to love Grey’s character—evolving from cold and guarded to deeply emotional and unexpectedly tender.
Kier, on the other hand, was an instant favorite: bold, sharp-witted, and full of spice.

Their interactions were so touching and emotionally charged, I had to pause more than once (sometimes even to shed a tear or two).

The supporting cast was just as compelling. I adored reading about their friendships and how their journey forged an unbreakable bond between them.

And the magic system? So clever and refreshingly original—it truly stood out.

As for the atmosphere… I already knew I had a soft spot for lady knights, but this story took it to a whole new level.

I genuinely can’t wait to get my physical copy so I can annotate it (and re-read it, because I already miss them).

Huge thanks to NetGalley and V.L. Bolavino 🖤

(3.5 stars rounded up because I did enjoy reading this and will be reading the rest of the trilogy)

The Second Death of Locke is a story with plenty of promise, and I found myself enjoying it even when some aspects didn’t quite land.

Grey and Kier make for compelling leads, and I was genuinely rooting for them the whole way through. One of my favorite aspects of the book was how naturally fluid gender and sexuality are presented in this world—Grey’s bisexuality, Kier’s hinted demisexuality, plus the inclusion of trans and nonbinary characters. It made the cast feel vibrant, diverse, and true to itself.

The worldbuilding, too, caught my imagination. The political and cultural undercurrents were fascinating, and the excerpts from letters and texts at the start of each chapter were a wonderful touch that added richness. I only wished for more time immersed in that detail—the world sometimes felt like it was shimmering just behind glass, close but not fully within reach.

At times, the pacing felt uneven, and there was a touch of repetition (particularly with Grey’s reflections on Kier). Some sections or events that seemed important were cut off too quickly, while others stretched longer than needed. The language also pulled me out at times, the use of modern expletives felt inconsistent with the setting’s tone and the main characters also read a fair bit younger than their stated ages. This, along with some explicit-aligned moments that could be removed without change to the plot or flow, made me think the book might suit younger YA readers more than adult romantasy audiences that swarm booktok at the moment.

It wasn’t quite the “knight” book I had expected, yet I enjoyed the direction it did take. The language and tone sometimes felt a little inconsistent, but overall it read as a YA story with wide appeal.

I was surprised to learn this is the start of a trilogy and I cannot guess where it might go next, but I sincerely hope the next installment dives even deeper into the world and its magic system, which feel brimming with untapped potential.

Overall, while not without a few bumps, this was an engaging and enjoyable read that left me curious to see more.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review!

I am warning everyone I am going to be insufferable about this.

This is more than just a knight story, it's a devastating story about family, duty and sacrifice.

The world is at war ever since Locke vanished. You see, Locke is the source of power for magic and ever since it disappeared, each nation has been fighting and looking for the heir to Locke in order to restore the power.

The power is given to the wells, people who have magic but can't use them without a mage. They form a connection and the mage can use the magic from the well. There is no mage, no power without its well.

The magic system is complex and interesting, and I enjoyed how we were slowly introduced to it. I loved how the author build up Grey and Kier, and all the side characters. The tension from being at the battle front seeped into my veins and I was worried from the very first chapter.

The romance was amazingly written, in fact, I think everything was amazingly written. I love when a book just breaks your heart and puts it back together.

There's no doubt in me this is one of the best books I've read all year, and I will need to check everything V.L. Bovalino has written or will write.

I am once again bamboozled by a romantasy book with gorgeous cover.

What I like:
- The MC's backstory and history, which were slowly revealed in the first half of the book. So much potential.
- The middle of the book was so intriguing, and served great tension and action
- Any part relating to surgery and human anatomy was somehow very well-written and expertly described

What I don't like:
- The romance, which took up like 50% of the story, had almost no development. We, as readers, did not witness much significant process in this matter. The chemistry was not exciting either. Reading about it was like watching paint dry.
- Besides the backstory, the characters and the plot are very typical romantasy: characters behave and events unfold in a predictable and uninteresting manner. The antagonists were very caricature-ish.
- Repetitive and long-winded description of everything. Generally, I don't mind books repetitively discussing something if each repetition brings something new to the discussion. 480 pages were enough space for many interesting things, but this book chose to repeat itself over and over again instead.
- Despite the MC being in the military for nearly a decade, anything related to military strategizing and politics was not thought through. Many illogical decisions and descriptions in this area.
- I have problems with a couple of word choices. Once "hyperfixated" was used when "fixated" would suffice. Another instance, some threads of light were described as "shining dimly in technicolor". I was speechless. I hope this ARC is not the final version.
- Don't get me started on the deuses ex machina

eARC provided by NetGalley and Orbit UK.

It was an amazing read. The novel was well-paced, and the story quite new. It has romance and fantasy, but it is not a fantasy in the negative sense, where characters are one-dimensional, very stereotypical. Quite the contrary, the characters are so well thought out, their relationships and interactions are "natural", they make sense, and it was such a pleasure to read about all of them. I absolutely loved the FMC as a knight ( well/Lady) and the fact that although the relationship between Grey and Kier is an important aspect of the story, it is not written as a story of obsessive/immature love. The only thing I would have loved to read more of is the description of the settings to make it a bit more atmospheric. I definitely want to read more of the author.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publishers for sending me a copy in exchange for a review.

This book blew me away and is exactly the kind of thing that I didn't know I have been looking for. Where have you been all my life?!

The magic system, the world building - this was written so fantastically that I was fully immersed from page one line one, but it was truly the relationship between Keir and Grey that had me staying up until the wee hours. The yearning, the touching, the way the gender roles normalised by the patriarchy were just swiped off of the table - men get emotional in this book, they cry, they talk of their feelings - it just echoed Tolkien and the Fellowship for me.

This book was filled with fear, grit, blood, grief but also love for friends and family, that just comes together with the fantastic world building to create my favourite read of this year.

You'd be a fool not to pick this book up.