The Second Death of Locke

De: V. L. Bovalino

Narrado por: Samara MacLaren

Perfect for fans of Rachel Gillig and Alix E. Harrow, a devastatingly romantic epic fantasy about the undying bond between a knight and their mage.

"Intricately imagined and deftly told, The Second Death of Locke is the perfect pairing of romance, pining, and sprawling epic fantasy." ―Hannah Whitten, author of The Foxglove King

Love. Loyalty. Sacrifice.
 
Grey Flynn has dedicated her life to her mage, Kier. She will be his blade on the battlefield, his healer and protector. The deep well of raw power inside her is Kier’s to wield. They are bound together by blood and magic, but there is one truth Grey dare not reveal … not even to Kier.

When a quest to protect the child of an enemy kingdom pulls them into a dangerous mission, Grey will need to decide what she’s willing to sacrifice to protect her secret.

For Grey is no ordinary magical well, and if she dies, all magic dies with her.

The Second Death of Locke is the first in a collection of interconnected standalones set in the same world.

"Gritty, romantic, and breathlessly fierce,The Second Death of Locke will grip your heart and never let go." ―Tasha Suri, author of The Jasmine Throne

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Intricately imagined and deftly told, The Second Death of Locke is the perfect pairing of romance, pining, and sprawling epic fantasy."—Hannah Whitten, author of The Foxglove King

"Gritty, romantic, and breathlessly fierce, The Second Death of Locke will grip your heart and never let go."—Tasha Suri, author of The Jasmine Throne

"This book has it all: Arthurian themes of devotion and betrayal, the carnage of courtly politics and combat, every manner of unadulterated yearning. Glorious."—Olivie Blake, New York Times bestselling author

"A gloriously haunting story, with a searing chivalric romance that burns bright and bittersweet, The Second Death of Locke will hold your heart in its fist until the very end."—Georgia Summers, author of The City of Stardust

"This is how you do chemistry! The Second Death of Locke is a masterful epic that combines classic fantasy worldbuilding with an endearing ragtag found family and an addictive love story. Alternately charming and hauntingly dark, this one will stay with you long after the last page."—Heather Fawcett, Sunday Times bestselling author of Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries

"The lovely and diverse cast of characters has my whole heart, particularly our two leads, immensely competent in their respective roles and immensely idiotic when it comes to their feelings. An epic tale that explores what it truly means to love."—Brigitte Knightley, author of The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy

"A masterfully crafted world of warring knights, fierce friendships and breathtaking romance. This story broke my heart and made it anew."—A. S. Webb, Sunday Times bestselling author of Daughter of Chaos

"The Second Death of Locke is an astonishing tale of loyalty, sacrifice and loss, and at its centre - a sweeping romance that will melt the iciest of hearts."—Holly Race, author of Six Wild Crowns

"The Second Death of Locke has the 'intelligent truthfulness' that LeGuin said was so essential to a fantasy story. It’s smart and engaging, its characters and its world building so vivid, I could smell the mildew on the army tents. It’s a rich exploration of the way the ties of love and friendship can be complicated, the way the sacrifices we make can be easier to accept than the sacrifices others make for us. It was impressive and transporting."—Meghan Whalen Turner, author of The Thief

"A gripping tale of friendship, sacrifice, and the power to be found in the bonds we make. The Second Death of Locke introduces a truly unique magic system and a wonderful cast of characters fighting back against impossible odds."—M.H. Ayinde, author of A Song of Legends Lost

"A heady, unputdownable epic fantasy with a heartfelt romance at its core."—Hadeer Elsbai, author of The Daughters of Izdihar

Good magic and romance!

Heard about this book from tik tok. Really enjoyed it. Good narration and well written!

Best audio fantasy

Loved this book so much. Great narration. Beautiful story. Could have asked for more sparkle and spice, but otherwise, it was perfection.

Wonderful story!

This author is new to me. Wow what a story. It grabbed me from the first chapter. The world building and side characters were perfect and of course the romance between the two main characters was lovely. Can't wait for the next book.

Couldn’t stop thinking about this

While I was listening, the story line and characters stayed with me. I couldn’t wait to see what happened next. I enjoyed every minute of it.

Romantic & Atmospheric

I absolutely adored this story and the narration is beautifully done: smooth, timeless, and comforting.

This is a devastatingly romantic book full of yearning, genuine emotion, and a perfectly executed slow burn. The romance never feels rushed or performative. It aches in the best way. The magic system is intriguing without being overwhelming, and the political aspects add real weight and texture to the world.

I appreciated how women, including the FMC, are portrayed as warriors without the narrative ever needing to announce or justify it. Their strength simply is, and it feels organic and earned.

I’d recommend this book to fans of The Knight and the Moth for a similar atmospheric, romantic vibe.

As a standalone within a series of interconnected standalones, it does a wonderful job of feeling complete while leaving me eager to return to this world with the next book. I’m very excited to continue the series and I’m eager for more of this genre from Bovalino.