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In the Veins of the Drowning

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In the Veins of the Drowning

By: Kalie Cassidy
Narrated by: Ell Potter
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A SEDUCTIVE SIREN ROMANTASY WITH A DARK TWIST...

TROPES:
Slow Burn Romance ❤️‍🔥
Morally Grey Characters🖤
Supressed Powers ✨
Marriage Bond🩸
Forced Proximity🌶️🌶️
Touch her & you 💀

****

The monster is always slain...

Imogen Nel is in hiding. Hiding from a cruel kingdom that believes Sirens are monstrous, blood-hungry creatures. Hiding from a king and his captain who viciously hunt her kind. Hiding from her own alluring abilities. By keeping herself from the sea, Imogen's bloodlust is dulled, and her black wings remain hidden beneath her skin.

When a neighbouring king comes to visit, Imogen can no longer hide. He knows precisely what she is, and he believes she is a lost Siren heiress who can save both their kingdoms from an even greater monster. But Imogen's magic threatens to violently reveal itself, and the two form a blood bond that protects them both. They flee the kingdom together, traversing waters teeming with the undead. As the lines between duty to their people and desire for each other begin to blur, Imogen worries her own ancestral powers may not be enough to kill what hunts her-the only way to defeat a monster may be to become one herself.

****

PRAISE FOR IN THE VEINS OF THE DROWNING

'An absolute riptide of a book. It draws you in, pulls you under... I was completely swept away' RACHEL GILLIG, Sunday Times bestselling author of ONE DARK WINDOW

'A provocative dark fantasy with all the alluring qualities of siren's song. Sensuous and lushly romantic' AVA REID, New York Times bestselling author of A STUDY IN DROWNING

'Cassidy has written your new favourite romantasy couple... In the Veins of the Drowning will sink its lure into you and leave you breathless' ALLISON SAFT, author of A DARK AND DROWNING TIDE

'Perilous stakes underscore a defiant, hate-to-love affair that's as vulnerable as it is sexy... A sprawling, incandescent debut that emerges with talons and teeth' ISABEL AGAJANIAN, author of MODERN DIVINATION

'In the Veins of the Drowning will lure you in like a siren's call... Imogen and Theo are perfect reflections of each other and I have no doubt they will ensnare the hearts of readers the way they've ensnared mine' MADDIE MARTINEZ, author of THE MAIDEN AND HER MONSTER ©2025 Kalie Cassidy Dragons & Mythical Creatures Fantasy Paranormal Royalty Romance
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I've seen reviews mentioning that this is a gothic/dark Little Mermaid, and that seems pretty spot on, it's not too dark though (I like dark books so this seems quite tame but it also isn't light and fluffy - I guess the darkness level is a matter of opinion, reading taste and what you're used to) in the fantasy/romantasy genre for me there are books that give me classic fairytale vibes and this is one of them - which I love, it reminds me of why I get so lost in these books, because my love of fairytales started years ago, I really enjoyed it and loved the romantic elements, there was yearning, tension - I held my breath with hope, and got a little teary, it's slow burn but for an impatient reader that is happy with insta lust/love plots it didn't bother me - the story and romantic timeline all works well, I really liked the overall story, loved and loathed characters as intended, and can't wait for the next book (I've actually pre ordered it already as it's not out for another week or so) with fantasy/romantasy a popular genre nowadays it's also refreshing that this is a little different with the focus being "of the sea"

Really enjoyable

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Absolutely devoured this. Dark, romantic, bloody, and beautifully intense — In the Veins of the Drowning sunk its hooks into me from page one and refused to let go.
What I loved:
• Slow-burn, high-tension romance — Imogen and Theodore’s chemistry is feral. Yearning, fear, devotion, betrayal… it’s all here and it hurts in the best way.
• Forced proximity + political marriage/blood-bond — the pressure, the obligation, the danger, the “we shouldn’t but we have to.” Delicious.
• Hidden identity / suppressed power trope — Imogen’s secret siren nature makes for such a raw, compelling internal struggle.
• Dark fantasy vibes — divine corruption, body-horror elements, monsters and mythology done right.
• A heroine with bite — Imogen is fragile, fierce, terrified, determined. Her arc is messy and emotional and I loved every second.
• A cliffhanger that ruins you — in the best way.
Why not a full 5:
A couple pacing dips and one or two scenes I wished lingered longer. Nothing major — just enough to keep this from being utterly flawless.
Overall:
If you love romantasy that leans dark, lush worldbuilding, morally murky characters, and a romance that claws at your ribs — this is it. I’m already counting the days until book two.

⭐ 4.5 stars ⭐

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The writing is really good, some of the best imagery ive come across. i really enjoyed the cadence and voice she gives the male character, really communicates a sense of softness and yearning, and the character development is something i enjoyed reading.

my only cons were a slight lack of world building, and the main character is kinda insufferable to start off with, but i really enjoyed and cannot wait for book 2

full of yearning, wonderfully written

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fairly quick paced, the story unfolds quickly, which was good. I enjoyed a new subject matter, everythig fantasy seems to be a bit samey with fae/dragons etc, so sirens was a new take for me. I found the voice actor a bit irritating, which i think detracted from the story a bit, I feel like I may have enjoyed it more had I physically read it? I heard of this from bookstgrammers, and for me, it didn't live up to the hype. it's book 1 of a series, I'd probably give book 2 a go, but I wouldn't rush.

It was OK, easy read/listen but didn't live up to the hype in my opinion.

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