Anathema cover art

Anathema

The Eating Woods, Book 1

Preview

Get 30 days of Premium Plus free

£8.99/month after 30-day free trial. Cancel monthly.
Try for £0.00
More purchase options
Buy Now for £16.99

Buy Now for £16.99

About this listen

From the author of Nocticadia comes a spellbinding gothic dark fantasy about a shunned woman who is forced beyond the mortal realm's forbidden boundary into a terrifying world of cursed souls and grotesque creatures.

Only the banished know what lies beyond the woods...

There are whispers about what lurks in Witch Knell—the forest where sinners go to die. The villagers call it The Eating Woods because what's taken is never given back. Only those who've lost their senses would dare to go near it.

Or the banished.

Maevyth Bronwick knows better than to breach the misty labyrinth of trees, but a tragic turn of events compels her beyond the archway of bones to a boundary no mortal has crossed before. One that cloaks a dark and fantastical world that's as dangerous as it is alluring.

It's there that he dwells, the cursed lord of Eidolon. The one tasked to keep her hidden from the magehood that seeks to crucify her in the name of an arcane prophecy. Zevander Rydainn, known to his prey as The Scorpion, is the coldest, most calculated assassin in all of Aethyria, and he'd sooner toss his feisty ward to a pack of vicious fyredrakes than keep her safe.

If only he could.

Maevyth's blood is the key to breaking his despised curse and vanquishing the slumbering evil in Witch Knell. Unfortunately for Lord Rydainn, fate has other plans for the irresistible little enchantress. And his growing obsession with her threatens to destroy everything.

Including himself.

Anathema is a full-length gothic dark fantasy and the first book in The Eating Woods series. Perfect for listeners who enjoy a plot-heavy and atmospheric story with a unique magic system, a slow-burn romance, and a touch of horror.

Contains mature content. A complete list of content warnings can be found on the author's website.

Narrated in duet style.

©2024 Keri Lake (P)2025 Podium Audio
Dark Fantasy Fantasy Gothic Horror Magic Magic Users Witchcraft
All stars
Most relevant
This was the first darker fantasy I have read,and to start I wasn’t sure if it was for me. However, I found, after taking a bit of time to get used to it, I couldn’t put it down. I enjoyed the slow burn between the two great main characters and the plot kept me interested. Big cliffhanger at the end. Finished the book wanting to read the next one straight away.

Spicy Dark Fantasy

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

i enjoyed the book. the beginning was slow but later on it became really interesting. looking forward for book 2!

great book!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Amazing characters, immersive world building and the performances were fantastic! Can’t wait for the 2nd book

What a 5 star read!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

I enjoyed the story although I’ll warn you it has some elements to it you might find disturbing but it is a great read. It ends on a cliffhanger so whilst it says it is a standalone story it clearly has more to come. Great read though.

It is a different story

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

O. My. Gosh... I'm devistated. This book was only published in March of this year! The wait is already too long.

Honestly, I was completely hooked. So excited to have discovered this author.

unputdownable

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

See more reviews