I unashamedly adored The Second Death of Locke and I just don’t care, I ate all of it up with a big shiny ladle. Grey Flynn in a power well and she is teamed with her Mage Kier who draws on her power and wields it battle, he is also her childhood bestie and she’s been hopelessly and unrequitedly in love with him forever. But that is not all Grey also happens to be the lone survivor of the Isle of Locke, and island that was the source of all magical power that was destroyed sixteen years ago under mysterious circumstances. Grey knows what they are as she is the inheritor of all the Islands power and if she dies so does all the magic. Gasps! This book had everything I want in a romantic fantasy, there was angsty pining, sexual tension you could cut with a knife, bloody battles, life threatening injuries, troublesome runaway teens, missing heirs, dead siblings, bad cooking, dirty clothes, the reality of having your period while on a death mission, tough moral dilemmas, found family, love in all its variations. Just all that real all good stuff. Grey is an excellent heroine she is complex and fully rounded and she knows how to use a sword. Keir is slightly too good to be true but we will let him get away with it because he is annoyingly handsome. Highly recommend.

This book was incredible! It already felt like a five star read from about 10% of the way through but it still exceeded my expectations! There wasn’t a single moment that I wasn’t completely engaged and invested.

It follows Grey, the missing heir to the island of Locke, destroyed when she was a child, who has been hiding in plain site ever since. Grey now serves in the army of a nearby region as a well (a power source) to her childhood friend Kier, a Mage. The story starts with Grey and Kier being sent on a journey with a group of other soldiers to protect a child who is claiming to be the heir of Locke, but goes in a completely different direction in the second half. I don’t want to spoil anything but I absolutely loved where the plot took us and it ended up being such an emotional read, I teared up about five times!

The romance was done perfectly. The pining and longing in the first half made it so satisfying when things progressed and Grey and Kier’s connection and love for each other felt so genuine. All of the characters and the friendships that developed between them were wonderful, they each had such distinct personalities and felt very real.

While this is book one in a series, I loved that the plot wraps up so neatly at the end that it could have been a standalone. You get a really satisfying ending that I desperately needed after all the twists and turns this story took. I loved every minute I spent reading the Second Death of Locke and cannot wait to read future books in this series!

I had an incredible time reading The Second Death of Locke. This is exactly my kind of book.
Gray is an incredibly strong yet sensitive heroine, and I could see myself in her. She resonated with me on a deeper level. I also loved Kier, strong, yet kind. Their relationship developed slowly, gently, delicately, and I appreciated that it was more about romance and emotion than spice and lust. That’s exactly what I look for in a book.

The world the author created is rich and well-developed. I really liked the magic systems and the plot.

If I had to point out something that could be improved, it would be the pacing. The plot progressed a little too slowly at times, weighed down by conversations that could have been edited down, a bit of info-dumpy worldbuilding, and flashbacks. It took me until about the 20% mark to really get into the story. I wasn’t that interested in the flashbacks, even though I understand their purpose, showing how the relationship between Gray and Kier developed. But the second half of the book was action-packed.

This is the best debut I’ve read this year, and also one of my favourite books overall. I felt such a strong connection with Gray, I already actually miss her. I can’t wait for the sequels. I loved this! <3

P.S. Did the author watch Severance? I have to know where the name Kier came from. It would’ve been 5 stars only for his name.

Well and Mage
Hand and Heart
Love and Sacrifice
Locke and Kier

This book has a very unusual structure where it feels like the first half and the second half of the book are two separate entities. And I can't help but wonder if it is to further the duality that I hinted at above. We have two halves of the same, where one can't exist without the other. Two parts that make a whole.
And I'm thinking this because I feel totally safe in the hands of Tori Bovalino with this story.

Grey is the well to Kier's existence as a mage. A source of magic and a wielder of magic. But furthermore, Grey is the lost heir to the island of Locke, where magic originates from. And she is bound to Kier in ways beyond imagination.

The worldbuilding, the yearning, the romance, the vibes, the sacrifices - everything got me hooked in this book. As a bonus there is even found family. And horsie.

The story does not end on a cliffhanger, but the storyline gets resolved. And yet, there is more to come in this world and I can't wait.

4,5/5 stars

Thank you @netgalley and @littlebrownbookgroup_uk für the eARC!

#TheSecondDeathOfLocke #Netgalley #Bookstagram #LadyKnight

This book had me hooked from the first page. It was originally the cover that peaked my interest, but the story itself delivered exactly what I wanted from it.
One of my favourite reads of the year so far!

This book was an unexpected delight. The story building was mind boggling. Even getting to see how the characters progressed throughout the story was an amazing experience. In the book you see the FMC grow, love and open up to others when she's always scared of losing everyone. It was beautifully written.
I've never been much of a fan of friends to lovers so I won't say I was attracted to this book because of it or still am but I would still love to read this book again. The romance was a little slow paced even if you know from the starting that they're gonna end up together but I think it was needed to create a certain kind of depth to the characters.
I would have liked that the FMC being the heir of Locke would've revealed later as a mystery but it works either way. That's the only negative here.
In conclusion (as I've ranted here too long), I would recommend this book to everyone. It is a beautiful and romantic story about loss and fear and learning to be happy again.
**Thank you Little, Brown Book Group UK and Netgalley for the ARC**

I am utterly obsessed with this book, I have so many things I want to say so bare with me if this is a lil all over the place, so in fantasy I love it when the main character/s are either royalty/more powerful and then they have a protector, I love me some complicated power dynamics, enter Keir and Grey (audience claps) this dynamic works SO well when there is romance, YEARNING AND TENSION ANYONE? from the start this had me giggling and kicking my feet, I loved Keir and Grey, there was so much authenticity in their relationship I couldn't get enough of it "his leg casually pressed to hers, she actively considered death as an alternative" 😭 its not even romance (it is) ITS *LOVE*
Keir is a mage and he needs a well of power to draw from, that would be Grey his hand, the magic system and world building was so rich and detailed, I felt like I was right there with them, it's epic fantasy at its finest, gritty and action packed, I had a hard time putting it down, theres love, death, grief, hope, trust, friendships, adventure, humour IT HAS IT ALL

We're plunged right into the action straight away which I liked, the writing is just so descriptive and lush but it doesn't feel all flowery and prosey(that a word?) if you know what I mean, I'm honestly so obsessed and I can't wait for more in this universe!

I honestly don’t even know where to begin with this book. It’s easily one of my top reads of the year, and I don’t think it’s going to leave my mind any time soon. I was completely captivated from the first page, even if it took me a little time to fully grasp the magic system and the layered dynamic between the two main characters. But once it clicked? I was all in.

What truly stole my heart was the breathtakingly intimate friendship between Kier and Grey. Their devotion to one another is at the very core of the story, and from early on, it’s clear just how far they’re willing to go to protect and prove that bond. Without giving anything away, I’ll just say: it’s powerful, it’s emotional, and it lingers.

Of course, this is also a deeply romantic book. Watching the relationship evolve was incredibly rewarding, and Grey’s perspective gives us all the yearning, ache, and quiet hope we could ask for. The romance is beautifully done, but the plot holds its own just as strongly. I absolutely loved the concept of a magic system built entirely on the strength of a partnership. It not only heightened the emotional stakes and trust between Kier and Grey, but also added incredible depth to the other pairs we meet along the way.

I don’t want to spoil anything because this is a story best experienced first-hand, but what I can say is that it’s gorgeously written, brimming with feeling, and utterly unforgettable. I already can’t wait to push this into as many hands as possible when it releases in September—and I’ll be eagerly watching to see what V.L. Bovalino gives us next.

ARC Review – The Second Death of Locke

This book centers on Grey Flynn, a knight known as a “well,” and her “mage”—who uses the power inside her for his use—Kier.
Grey discovers that her magic is connected to the lost island of Locke — and if she dies, magic itself might vanish from their world.
When Grey and Keir are tasked with safeguarding the child of an enemy kingdom, their bond, loyalty, and sacrifices are tested. It’s a story about love, friendship, duty, and the hard choices that shape people and power.


One of my favorite aspects of this story was the emotional gravity tied to the characters’ responsibilities. Whether it’s the duty between mage and their well, the weight of a kingdom’s future resting on young shoulders, or the aching complexity of love that must sometimes come second to purpose—there’s a quiet, steady tension throughout the book. You feel how much everyone is sacrificing, how heavy it is to protect something you love, and how impossible it feels to let go.

The romance is a slow burn that doesn’t steal the show, which honestly worked for me. It’s threaded carefully into the story as something earned over time—not through declarations, but in moments of comfort, choice, and unwavering loyalty. The bond between Grey and Kier felt more about understanding and support than passion, and that made it all the more compelling. The book explores themes of what it means to be chosen, to be bound to another person by duty and affection, and how sometimes the strongest relationships don’t need to be defined by romance at all. There’s also political intrigue and a secret-heir subplot that adds layers of stakes and moral tension, forcing our characters to make painful decisions.


I personally didn’t feel the story after finishing it. Everything was there—a plotted arc, a romance, growth, and an ending that keeps things open for the sequel—but none of it stuck with me. When I closed the book I thought, “Yes, that was good—but okay, let’s move on.” I felt more like a spectator than someone pulled in emotionally.
That said, I genuinely think there’s a reader out there who will fall completely in love with its gentle focus and layered, character-driven emotionality.

If you’re looking for a quiet, emotionally steady fantasy about bonds—romantic and otherwise—that explores identity, duty, and quiet strength, The Second Death of Locke might just become your new favorite.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC.

WOW I think I just found my favourite book of the year!! This was everything I could have hoped for and more.

Let me start by saying I could feel romance and yearning like a punch to the gut. I LOVEDD Grey so much, and Kier, oh my I’m down bad for those two. I adored Grey’s strength, determination, and protectiveness of those she loves. I also loved the way Kier shows his care and complete respect for Grey, treating her as an equal even though they exist in a world where Grey, as a well, should not be given equal status. You can immediately tell how much Kier adores and is devoted to Grey and vice versa. They would literally die for each other, no questions asked and I savoured all of their interactions because I could just feel the emotions behind them.

The found family element was unexpected and so beautiful, I love them all so much (please let me be part of this group)!

I have to say V.L. Bovalino’s writing is absolutely wonderful. I found myself seamlessly falling into a new world that feels real. She expertly crafts the politics and magic system of the world as the story progresses without ever feeling confusing. Speaking of magic systems… this one was amazing! The concept of wells and mages was so interesting and the storyline around the island of Locke had me hooked the entire time and I just wanted more.

What really stood out to me was how the themes of love, sacrifice, and freedom are all interwoven in a way that is both heartbreaking and healing. Anyone who has ever felt that to in order to show love, we make sacrifices, this will hit hard. I admired how grey navigated everything that was thrown her way. Officially, she is my favourite lady knight.

I could ramble about this book for a while, but I’ll end by saying this was beyond perfect.
Book 2 is now my most anticipated release ever.

Thank you Netgalley and Little Brown Book Group for providing me with this arc💕

This feels like two separate entries in a way - you have the bleak damp beginnings on the battlefield whener Grey and Kier are just doing their best to serve in the army and not get killed, then you have the second part where they get sent on a mission and the entire back story of the world actually starts being revealed.

Magic is restricted in this world - a mage must link to well to be able to perform it. Wells are immune to magic and cannot cast any. Kier is a mage and Grey is a well. So far so simple. They have grown up together and there is LONGING as Grey pines after her linked mage for years.

There is so much happening in this book that it feels like too much of a spoiler to say more really! The banter between Kier and Grey is *chefs kiss*, the magic system i found interesting and different. The different challenges faced throughout the book. Gah just so good!! There was so much going on that I was worried when reading it (as it's book 1 of a series) that there would be a massive cliffhanger, but that is not the case, everything is resolved and the following books are due to be interconnected standalones. So big bonus points for that too!

This is definitely in my top 10 for 2025.

Grey and kier, well and mage, have defended each other since childhood but years later when bigger threats emerge will they still protect each other even if it means their own deaths?


The Second Death of Locke follows our FMC Grey who is the well (source of magic) to her mage Kier, however Grey has a secret that only Kier knows - she is the lost heir to the kingdom of Locke that is responsible for being the source of all power. When sent on a journey to look for Locke will Grey save herself or save the world?

'How easily,' he murmured, 'you give up your magic to
me.' 🥵🥵🥵

Tropes:
- lost heir
- friends to lovers
- ancestry magic
- slow burn romance

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.25 STARS

The Second Death of Locke is full of magic and longing and I could not get enough.

In the land of Idistra, magic is channelled through wells and this power is then used by mages. In this story Grey is a well and Kier a mage who have been tied together for a lifetime.

I couldnt handle how tragically romantic this was. This combined with a unique magic system and beautifully written characters, The Second Death of Locke has quickly entered my top 10 books I've read this year. I would die for both Grey and Kier 😌

🗡️Unique co-dependent magic system
✨Queer normative world
🗡️Tragically romantic
✨Gothic vibes
🗡️ Quite literally the most heart breaking longing by any character ever

Thank you to V. L. Bovalion, Little, Brown Book Group UK and NetGalley for a digital ARC of The Second Death of Locke

I absolutely loved this queer-norm world and our MCs navigating their chaotic lives within it. I laughed, I cried, and I put little half-moon marks in my palms from multiple fist clenches. It had hot lady knights, a seriously down-bad mage, a curiously named horse, and a unique co-dependent magic system that brought the ✨drama✨ to the party. I appreciated the themes woven amongst the plot and characters. There was an intriguing deep dive into the human experience: what it means to love oneself, to love others, navigating grief, and the power of choice.

The Second Death of Locke absolutely pummelled my emotions! The first half of the book had me in its hold because of the relationship between the main characters, Grey (a magical well of power) and Kier (the Mage who draws power from her). These two are DEDICATED to each other. And beneath the dedication, and a lifetime of living co-dependently, there's a secret, pining love there that is painful (in a good way) to read. That must be daily hell - having the person you're in love with be so tactile with you, every minute of the day, to know them better than you know yourself, and to not be with them in the way you want to be. Agonising!

And then in the second half of the book, I was on tenterhooks with the plot! It was action-packed, and there was so much dramatic tension from the plot that I was basically reading it and holding my breath the whole time.

Romance-wise, there's one or two sex scenes, but they're brief and not graphic. I'd say this book is romantic and emotional rather than spicy. We only follow Grey's POV, but she knows Kier so well that we understand him just as well as we do Grey. The single POV worked perfectly for this story.

This book is listed as the first one in a series, which is at least a trilogy based on the current Goodreads listings. So as I was approaching the end, I didn't know whether there'd be a big twist at the end, taking it into book two. As it happens, this book tells a complete story,with no cliffhangers. It's left me wondering whether the next two books will focused on a different central couple or whether we'll pick back up with Grey and Kier. Either way, I am definitely all in for the rest of the series because this was beautiful! My heart was truly put through the wringer, and I loved the balance of the true friends-to-lovers, secret pining, sacrifice-everything-for-them romance with the epic fantasy plot. This can't be the author's debut, surely??

Disclaimer: I received an Advance Reader Copy from Little, Brown Book Group UK and NetGalley but this is my voluntary and honest review.

A fantastic story of devotion and loyalty.
I found the premise very interesting and think this will be hugely popular with fans of Broken Souls and Bones, some of the magical elements reminded me of that.
At times I felt there was a lot of information in one go, and would have liked to be eased into it a little gentler but that is a personal preference.
The bond and relationship between the characters was charming and made me like them even more.