Whispers of the Unbound by Tuuli Tolmov
Publication Date: July 15, 2026
Publisher: OÜ Tuul ja Tolm

Returning to Beatrix's world felt like stepping back into chaos, and I mean that as the highest compliment. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Beatrix the booktamer is quickly becoming one of my favorite fantasy protagonists, so diving back into her world felt like catching up with an old friend—if that friend happened to attract ancient powers, magical disasters, and far more trouble than any one person should reasonably survive.

Whispers of the Unbound raises the stakes considerably, introducing ancient forces, dangerous secrets, and consequences that reach far beyond what Beatrix and William expect when a ritual goes horribly wrong. The story is packed with adventure, mystery, and tension, making it incredibly difficult to put down.

One of the highlights of this series continues to be Beatrix herself. Her dry humor, practical mindset, and slightly snarky narration make her such a compelling protagonist. She's capable and resourceful but still vulnerable enough to feel incredibly human.

I was initially surprised by the addition of a second point of view, but it quickly became clear why it was necessary. The dual perspectives add depth to the story and help build suspense as secrets and dangers slowly come to light.

The atmosphere is one of my favorite parts of the book. The creeping presence of ancient powers creates a constant sense of unease, and I loved how the story gradually revealed the true scope of the threat. By the end, I found myself questioning whether some of the world's harshest beliefs about magic might actually have a point.

If you enjoy:
📚 Urban Fantasy
🔮 Ancient Magic
⚔️ High-Stakes Adventure
🖤 Morally Complex Characters
🏺 Ancient Egyptian Mythology
📖 Fast-Paced Fantasy

Then Whispers of the Unbound is well worth picking up.

This series continues to impress me with its world-building, character work, and growing sense of danger. I am already looking forward to seeing where Beatrix's journey takes her next.

Thank you to Tuuli Tolmov for providing an advance copy for review.

Thank you NetGalley and Tuuli Tolmov for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I read over 60% in a single evening and physically did not want to put it down!

Book two opens with Beatrix and William already on the run, and almost right away we learn what William's first ritual let in — Apep, an ancient chaos serpent, now living inside him. And that's exactly where the One Dark Window feeling kicked in for me: there's something dark curled up inside the person you're rooting for, it whispers, it wants out to play, and if it ever gets out the whole world could pay for it. I was on edge the entire time.

Here's what surprised me most, though — this is a really different book from Library of the Unbound. Book one was all forward motion and worldbuilding: racing across Londinium, secret societies, adventure stacked on adventure. Book two slows right down and turns inward.
If book one was worldbuilding, book two is character building. Fewer places, way more of Beatrix and William actually becoming people I know, and I came out caring about them in a way I just didn't before.

And the relationship is where that really pays off. Beatrix and William get closer here — you can feel real feelings starting to grow between them — and yet neither of them will actually say the thing. William won't tell her what he's carrying inside him. Beatrix won't ask why his hands are cold, won't admit how scared she is, won't let herself lean all the way in. They circle each other. They almost talk — there's this hotel-room moment where it nearly all spills out — and then it just… doesn't. Watching two people fall for each other while both of them keep the most important things locked behind their teeth is quietly devastating. It's tender and maddening at the same time, and it felt so real. (I'm usually the first to rage at a miscommunication plot — my most hated trope — but here he genuinely can't speak, so I forgave it.)

I also loved getting a deeper look at this world — the mages, the Sight, the way magic always costs something here. But the part that stayed with me is darker: the propaganda that mages shouldn't be allowed to exist at all, that the world would be safer without them. It hit closer to home than I expected. It reminded me how, in real conflicts, one of the first things people go after is the other side's culture and history — the proof they were ever here. That thread runs all the way to an ending that genuinely made me sad. I feel it in my chest when knowledge and heritage get lost and left to fate, where no one will ever see it again.

This was an enjoyable and quick read! The story is very fast paced and there aren’t too many characters to keep track of. Adding dual POV was a fun twist. I enjoyed seeing things from William’s perspective and it made sense plot-wise. I liked the closed door romance, but was a little confused about how the romance aspect is going to work throughout the series since Beatrix has had multiple different love interests rather than one ongoing relationship that is maturing.

My favorite part of the book, and the series in general, is the amazing world building! The magic is unique and the world is layered and complex. It is so neat how we learn the history of both the physical world Beatrix is living in and also the supernatural world with magic and gods and goddesses. Readers learned quite a bit about the Knights of the Faith in the first book and it was interesting to see how they seem to have a little less control in Hispania compared to Londinium. I am curious to see where the story goes in the next book of the series!