Thank you NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK | Orbit for providing the free Arc in exchange for an honest review! My opinions are all my own.
To start, this book was amazing, I loved the characters they were all so flawed and human and real and so goddamn lovable you couldn’t help but root for them! This book down to its core has themes of love, loyalty, sacrifice, and utmost devotion. I adored the magic system and world building and I’d love to see it expanded on more in the rest of this interconnected series! At the beginning of the book you’re left with many questions about the world and the true nature of the protagonists and what happened to them. I found myself questioning whether the fact that Grey was Kier’s well being honed in was on purpose and I can answer that question with a yes after finishing the book. As for the true nature of what happened to the fmc, her story is very tragic and was portrayed in a very realistic way. The chemistry and poetic prose was undeniable but I can tell that this book’s specific writing style isn’t going to be for everyone, not saying it’s bad; I personally loved it, but some people might find the prose a bit repetitive or ‘too poetic’ (which is what I personally like when reading a book) I also adored the representation in this book! The characters weren’t there just to fill a checklist, they were actually there and they mattered to the plot and story! Lastly I’d to say that reading this book has been the highlight in my day ever since I picked it up, I can’t wait for this series and author to continue growing. And to the author herself, thank you for writing and sharing this book with the world. You did a great job!

It's a tale as old as time that some lovers are willing to burn the world down just to save their other half, and yet I've never met a pair who embody that philosophy so utterly as this novel's two protagonists. Concerningly also, Grey and Kiernan have a lot of magical power between them to do the world-burning with! The core draw of this book is undoubtedly the way these two are devoted to each other as they fight their way through a visceral, bloody plotline of wars, kidnappings, politics, gods, birthrights, and hidden identities. This is a hugely ambitious novel with a large cast of diverse characters, which I loved, and a sprawling world of tense, dangerous political relationships, but it never loses grip on the beating heart of its romance.

4.25 stars

A beautiful epic fantasy romance centered around the themes of love, sacrifice, freedom and duty.

We follow the main character Grey, a magical well to her her best friend Kier, as struggles with the idea of taking her freedom or doing her duty and reclaiming her birthright. This is accompanied by a very tender sweet romance and the complicated intertwining of love and sacrifice.

There is some very intricate and detailed world building, yet it never felt too dense, and I would love to explore the other lands we learned little tidbits about - each land has its own way of accessing magic.

For me at least, the friends-to-lovers romance was done impeccably well. It was very tender and felt earned. It also wasn't sprung out of nowhere. It's not a slow burn, but there's a gradual build as their devotion to each other is established.

It's quite a fast paced book, when you track where the characters start to where they end, a lot has happened.

I'm not entirely sure if there's going to be a sequel or not, it really does feel like a standalone. I'd definitely read a second book, but I also feel like the author could not write anymore and I'd be perfectly content.

The Second Death of Locke by V.L. Bovalino is such a good story. 5 star read from me. I totally recommend everyone to read this book as fast as they can.

What a magnificent story this is.

✨ Unique magic system
✨ Friends to lovers
✨ Queer group of friends
✨ Fast paced

The bond between the FMC and MMC was so so so refreshing. How gentle and loving they are with eachother. How human. Safe to say Kier is my new favorite fictional man. What an absolute treasure.

The book is thick, but very fast paced. You don’t have time to get bored, because the next battle is there! The worldbuilding does not overwhelm or confuse, which I like (because ya girl can’t do confusing worldbuilding after her 9 to 5).

Grey is a lovely protagonist. Like all characters very realistic and thus very likeable.

Yeah. Read this book. For sure. Thank you Netgalley for the eArc and the bookhangover ✨

2025 is the year of the lady knight, and I'm totally here for it. Bovalino's upcoming release The Second Death of Locke is my first of 2025's lady knight titles, and if they're all this good then we are in for a fabulous reading year!

The plot of this book started a little slow for me, partially due to the complications of the world, however it has a fantastic payoff. I really loved the world building - it feels like it has been so long since I've read a fantasy book set in a truly gritty world. The reader is thrown in the deep end of warring nations and underhanded politics, and admittedly it took me awhile to get to grips with all the information. However, I ended up really loving the politics, diplomacy and intrigue. In many ways, it was giving me Skyrim vibes - one of my favourite games of all time. The magic system is also incredibly cool with the concept of wells and mages - mages cannot perform magic without a well and a well holds power but cannot use magic. It's a symbiotic relationship that leads to a lit of interesting relationships and conflicts throughout the story. I especially loved the way she explored Grey and Kier's relationship through their well/mage pairing and how important their bond was to the overall story.

Speaking of our main characters, I think this is where the strength of this book lies - Bovalino does a fantastic job of creating realistic, complicated, and sympathetic characters. We spend our time with Grey and see the world through her point of view. She's a fabulous lead - hardheaded, loyal to a fault, and deeply committed to the few people she loves and trusts, her perspective brings so much emotion and I really loved her. She's not very soft, but when that softness does come through you can see the person she might have been, had her world not ended sixteen years earlier. I loved her chemistry with her friends and, most importantly, with Keir. I have to admit I'm often not fond of male love interests, but I really adored Keir. He's her childhood best friend, the mage she is duty-bound to protect, and her great love. His kindness, softness, and loyalty make him a perfect match for Grey and there wasn't a second in which I asked myself, 'him? Really?'. Plus the pining! The yearning! These two are the definition of the 'just kiss, you idiots' trope and I am totally here for it.

The Second Death of Locke is a fabulous romantic fantasy tale with some teeth. It stands alone very well on its own, but I suspect this may be the start to a new series. I cannot wait to return to this world! If you like your romance yearning, your worlds gritty, and your fantasy epic, you should absolutely pick up a copy of The Second Death of Locke this autumn.

it is THE summer of lady knights!!! i devoured this in two solid sittings and im obsessed. from the first chapter i knew i was gonna eat this up and if you’ve enjoyed the knight and the moth, lady’s knight, or are anticipating the everlasting this is for you!!!

I love lady knights. I love queer normative worlds. I love casual touches of affection. I love whispers of duty.

You know when you're trying to type a review and all you can think to say is, 'book good, I loved book' which is of absolutely no use to anyone? Yeah, that's where I am with this. So let me put some things I think you should know about this book:

- I read the book in a day, and it's not a short book
- There are trans and nb secondary characters
- Queerness is there, with the two mains (both pan or bisexual), with past relationships hovering around
- There is a fantastic system of magic
- There is loss and yearning and difficult decisions
- There is love. So much love.
- There's a man on his knees.

It was a fantastic read and I am absolutely intrigued about what the second two books hold.

[ARC provided by NetGalley and Orbit. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review The Second Death of Locke.]

Rating: 3.75

This is a tricky one, so I’m going to preface this review by saying that the issues I had with this book were very much a ‘it’s me not you’ situation. I found myself constantly bouncing between loving the story one minute, and then being a bit bored and disappointed in the next. There’s a few reasons I can attribute to this but putting those aside for now, I do still believe this is a great book that will absolutely find an audience who fall head over heels for it.

In this story we follow Grey Flynn who has sworn her life to her mage, Kier. Grey is a well, someone who possesses a deep source of power that her mage can access, and on top of being a magical battery for Kier, she is also his blade on the battlefield, his healer, and his protector. But Grey is no ordinary well, and is in fact heir to the lost island of Locke. If she dies, all magic will die with her, so when they are sent on a quest to protect the child of an enemy kingdom, they must ask themselves how far they are willing to go to protect their secret.

First positive is that I’m absolutely here for this lady knight movement that we’re living in. If I could give this book five stars based purely on that vibe alone then I would. Another great element is that this story is overwhelmingly romantic, and you can barely go a single page without being faced with the yearning between Grey and Flynn. I really loved their romance but can also admit that this is where I started having issues.

It’s important to keep in mind that this is, first and foremost, a romantic fantasy. So although there is some good worldbuilding and really compelling political intrigue, it mostly acts as a backdrop to the central relationship and can result in the fantasy aspect feeling less epic in scope. I also felt that the main relationship was quite predictable, and it lost a lot of its shine by throwing us right into the deep end. Grey and Flynn are so clearly in love from the first page, and when the two MCs are already all over each other from page one, it can make you a little nervous for what on earth is going to unravel throughout the rest of the book.

I also found myself grappling with the stakes in this world, at least for Grey and Flynn. Death seems to lurk behind every corner but the main characters never have much of a problem in evading it, and that loses its impact when it happens more and more throughout the book. Even the last big sacrifice didn’t seem too terrible when considering the alternatives.

Of course, these parts that I didn’t love are likely to be what others fall in love with. My issue is that I came into this expecting more of the epic fantasy element but if I’d adjusted my expectations then I might have enjoyed this more. There were still some excellent scenes filled with tension that had me on the edge of my seat, and one scene at the end even brought a tear to my eye, but I’d be lying if I said that this was the perfect book for me. I’d absolutely still recommend this to anyone who enjoys romantic fantasy that leans into a darker, grittier vibe.

I had the incredible opportunity of reading this book, (huge thanks to NetGalley) and I am OVER THE MOON.
“The Second Death of Locke” is an epic tale about rebirth and the power of memory and Love.
The adventure of Grey and Kier, a well (won’t get into the details, but the magic system is soooo good) and her mage, is one of the best stories I have read in a while.
The characters are so unique and HUMAN, the entirety of the plot is complex but never dull, the stakes are incredibly high and the love the author has for this book can be felt in every single page and word.
Expect lots of battles, blood and gore, the good ol’ friends to lovers trope (my FAVE) and the beauty of a chosen family that will follow Grey until the very end.
This is one of the best reads of 2025!

I feel like this is just the beginning of a pretty awesome journey and I hope I can meet Grey, Kier and their friends again soon.

Let it be known that my poor little heart was NOT ready for the events in this story!

Between the angst, the heartbreaks, the traumas and the battles anxieties….this book will sprinkle your life with emotional damage and you’ll keep asking for more!
Because that’s what this book is: Addictive.

Bovalino knows how to keep the tension HIGH and you won’t be able to stop turning these pages.

Gripping, fierce and romantic, The Second Death of Locke is one of the best standalones I have ever read.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy. This was a very good read! I particularly liked the world building and the character building. The author manages to convey beautifully the existing well developed relationship between the two main characters. I did feel that the romance was a little overbearing at times, and featured my most hated troupe of non-communication. There were also a couple of points were the pacing was not quite right but overall this is a very good read and i'd recommend.

The Second Death of Locke is a tense and emotional rollercoaster ride about devotion, duty and love.
Grey is the lost heir to the destroyed island of Locke, the root of all power, if she dies the magic dies. She's in hiding and the world is at war, problem is she's devoted to her mage and would die for him in a heartbeat. You'll fall in love with the misfit cast of characters while also wanting to hit them over the head, repeatedly.
The Second Death of Locke is a gorgeous tale of magic, war, politics and the power of love and devotion to change the world.

3.5 stars

I’m obsessed with the lost heir trope, and nowadays, I crave stories about lady knights, so The Second Death of Locke sounded the perfect book to me.
And it was a good read. It didn't become a favorite, but I enjoyed reading it.
The worldbuilding was original, and Grey and Kier were great together. Although, I don't understand how they could misunderstand each other's feelings when it was told a lot of times that they know each other so well.
Sadly the secondary characters and Grey herself weren't as likable characters, and the last 20% of the novel felt dragged.

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK | Orbit for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Well, this was an excellent surprise, with a tone/texture perfectly matching the cover. Hard, beautiful, feeling like I hadn't seen the story too many times, with a lovely female main character (lovely in the sense that I love her, she isn't soft and kind per se, though she isn't unkind or harsh either).

Romances between a man and a woman rarely work with me, generally because I can't get past issues of lack of balance between the characters, when it doesn't feel like there is some awareness of it. Nothing bad with such romances, it's just not for me, which means I am always looking for my brand of romance, particularly in a fantasy setting, with the love story being imbedded but not at the forefront of the story. Both characters being queer did help, I think, aside from the nicely thought dynamic between the two : they both want to protect the other, rever the other, and both are powerful in their own way (and no, I am not talking about physical strength).

The writing was great, working well for the kind of story it wanted to tell : devotion, sacrifice, interesting magic. The foundations of the world are set, without expanding too much, because it isn't that kind of story. After all, it is Grey's story, focused on her and the choices she made and has to make.
As for the romance, it worked well on me. Friend to lover are nice when done well. I think some people will have a hard time believing that both characters didn't know about the other's feelings, since they touch a lot and express their devotion from the start. But it was the touch that made it for me : a tactile friendship, a knowledge that love was there, simply the lack of realisation it wasn't only a friend kind of love but also romantic (blame me deep belief that friendhsip is as strong as romance and can be as tactile and obsessive).

Now, about the plot. It draws on well known narrative archetypes and structure, and I mean that in a good way. With a gothic atmosphere and a few elements that doesn't give the rehashed feeling, to works quite well to propulse the story forward, paired with the strong emotionnal elements.

Very glad to have read it!

• I received an ARC for this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review and I appreciate both your work and commitment to this project. The following opinion is my own and holds no major spoilers. •

• The Second Death of Locke
• V.L.Bovalino
• Rating: 3.5/5

Alright, I’m gonna say it out loud for the people on the back to hear it properly: stop marketing books with recommendations that have nothing to do with them! Why are you even quoting Six Deaths of the Saint for this book when the only thing they have in common is a similarity to the cover design? That aside, let’s be clear what this book is and what it isn’t.

This isn't an epic fantasy. It’s romantasy in its purest form, where every single decision in it it’s based on the FMC protecting the MMC and vice-versa. The quest they enthrall in is simple, it does involve a lot of politics but even that it’s put aside when the relationship between the two characters are on stake. But when that was over and I was still in 60% or so of the book, I started dreading what was about to come. And I wasn’t wrong, everything else is basically about the FMC and MMC fawning over each other and how they act foolishly to protect each other instead of the cause they work for. I honestly have no idea how they managed to work together for 10+ years and not get expelled for nonsense before.

Also, there’s so many near-death situations to the point you don’t believe anything too bad will happen to any of them because there’s always a person/a god/a whatever showing up to completely erase the consequences of their actions and even when they have to choose a consequence it isn’t that dramatic. This book should’ve been called The Hundreth Death of Locke because Jesus Christ I lost count the times one of the MC lost conscience again only to be found perfectly fine the next moment.

Despite all that, the magic system is really interesting, the action scenes are dynamic and fluid and the dialogues are well-written, which gave me hope for a cool plot-twist or maybe some more fantastic elements. However, I only got romance and romance, especially in the last ⅓ of the book and that wouldn’t be necessarily a bad thing if it wasn’t so mellow and repetitive and lacked the intensity of the rest of the story’s mood, which made me roll my eyes every time the characters we already knew were in love from the start kept swearing eternal love for each other as if that was some kind of new information.

It’s a shame how much epic potential this story has and how it loses itself for the romance, taking away time of what could be better development of secondary characters and politics to turn into pages and pages of lovey-dovey declamations.

2.5 stars rounded up

I believe that this is my sign to stop judging fantasy books by their covers. But man isn't this cover absolutely gorgeous!? God I was so excited when I received the ARC for this book (thanks Orbit UK, it's truly a privilege), however I was severely disappointed by its overall execution. The main couple irked me so much I thought I was going to somehow insert myself into their narrative and strangle them both.

I've got to be completely transparent and confess that the first half of this book (or rather a decent chunk of it) had me by the throat, I was genuinely hooked. I had hoped that all the tension and yearning that was building up between Kier and Grey would continue for far longer; that said I still don't understand why it was so needlessly rushed (especially given that this is just the first book of the upcoming The Hand and the Heart trilogy). Furthermore, I had hoped that the magic system, which seemed awfully intriguing at first, would be significantly expanded upon, but alas, the entire narrative was simply too preoccupied by relaying the overtly corny romance between Kier and Grey.

Principal characters aside; the side characters were quite good. Brit you absolute charmer I adore you! Having a horse named Pigeon? Spectacular I'll have ten more of those. The short-lived, but very much beloved (by me) fellowship plotline, I'm still mourning the loss of you.

All in all, the pacing needs to be improved upon, and it needs to be significantly improved. I would also appreciate more showing and less telling, why don't authors trust their audiences to have at least a smidge of intelligence and just regular comprehension in general? Cease thinking that your readers are dumb, and put some faith in them. Despite my convoluted experience with this book, I will be reading the following two, I simply cannot bear to leave series unfinished/unread in their entirety. Therefore, I am giving V. L. Bovalino the benefit of the doubt, and the time and space to prove me wrong, subvert my current, passionate dislike for the main couple, and simply grow as an author. If, however none of that happens, I will indubitably be walking straight into the nearest body of water!

A tender friends-to-lovers romance set in a queer-normative world, The Second Death of Locke explores themes of devotion, sacrifice, and freedom.

While I appreciate the emotional depth the author was trying to convey, I didn’t feel a strong connection to the book overall.

No doubt a lot of fantasy/romantasy readers will enjoy this and find a lot to love. I’d recommend this if you enjoy stories with knights, magical bonds, loyalty with a romantic subplot.

Thank you Netgalley and publisher Little, Brown Book Group UK for the advanced copy.

The Second Death of Locke drew me in immediately with its premise: a queernormative romantic fantasy centered on the unbreakable bond between a knight and their mage. The dynamic between Grey and Kier had me hooked from the start - the emotional restraint, the quiet yearning, and that subtle, almost painful devotion hit all the right notes for me. The first half of the book absolutely delivered on that promise.
What stood out most was the way their connection was written - gentle, loyal, and steeped in shared history. Their relationship felt earned through small, meaningful moments rather than dramatic declarations. The magic system was also well-crafted and original, with mages channeling power through wells (living conduits like Grey herself) and the lore surrounding the lost Isle of Locke added depth and mystery to the world.

However, I have to admit that the second half didn’t fully hold me. Once the romantic tension between Grey and Kier resolved (much earlier than I expected), the emotional momentum started to fade. The plot then had to carry the weight, and while it was still compelling - with political intrigue, high stakes, and a secret heir twist - I felt less connected. The pacing around the middle also slowed a bit, and I found myself more of a spectator than emotionally involved.

That said, I do think the book has a lot to offer, especially for readers who enjoy character-driven fantasy that explores themes like duty, identity, love, and sacrifice. The story isn’t loud or action-packed; it’s steady and emotionally layered, with a kind of quiet strength that sneaks up on you. And even though I wasn’t entirely swept away by the ending, I still found myself caring about these characters and their world.

Final thoughts: The Second Death of Locke is a beautifully written story about love, loss, and the weight of responsibility. It didn’t quite stay with me the way I hoped, but I can absolutely see how it could become someone else’s all-time favorite. If you’re into slow-burn romantasy with soft devotion, complex emotional dynamics, and high-stakes worldbuilding, this one is definitely worth a read.

Wow! What a great read!
This book has a really cool magic system, the way it’s dependent on pairing is so interesting. I almost wish we knew more about how it worked, but the book covered so much ground in so little time that I can’t complain! I especially enjoyed reading about the kind of power Locke holds and discovering more details as we progressed through the plot.

The relationship between Grey and her mage really felt deep and codependent as promised, but not as toxic as I would have guessed which was quite sweet actually! I kept trying to guess what would happen next with them, they really kept me on my toes. I also came to care a great deal about our side characters, they each brought such great personalities to the table. They made me cry, they made me laugh, they made me fear for their lives.

The pacing was great, I really enjoyed each part of the book for what it brought in term of context, character development, and plot development. It was so well structured and each part’s end felt almost theatrical! I already miss them all and wish I could read more about this universe, possibly about how the magic work on the continent and all that!

I can’t wait for book 2 , and in the meantime I’ll be recommending this book to everyone who loved The Locked Tomb, Six Deaths of a Saint, and The Fallen Gods.