Product guide

Anathema by Keri Lake

Anathema by Keri Lake is the first book in The Eating Woods, a gothic dark fantasy following banished Maevyth Bronwick into a cursed realm and her dangerous bond with immortal assassin Zevander Rydainn. The listing describes a plot-heavy story with atmospheric world-building, slow-burn romance and horror elements.

At a glance

First book in The Eating Woods series.
Gothic dark fantasy involving a cursed forest, a sleeping evil and a dark prophecy.
The central relationship pairs banished Maevyth Bronwick with assassin Zevander Rydainn.
The listing describes a plot-heavy, atmospheric story with a unique magic system, slow-burn romance and horror.

Price

$23.39Save 19%

Reference price: ~~$28.99~~

Price checked: Nov 13, 2026

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Pros and cons

Pros

A substantial 624-page story for readers looking for an immersive fantasy setting.
Combines gothic fantasy, romance and horror rather than focusing on only one genre.
Starts a series, with the listing identifying this as the first book in The Eating Woods.

Technical specifications

8 specifications

Book details
Publisher	Sourcebooks
Publication date	Aug. 11 2026
Language	English
Print length	624 pages
ISBN-10	1464261172
ISBN-13	978-1464261176

Dimensions and installation
Weight listed	726 g
Dimensions	15.24 x 3.96 x 22.86 cm

Who is it for?

A good fit for

Readers looking for gothic dark fantasy with detailed world-building and a dangerous magical setting.
Readers who enjoy a slow-burn romance woven into a plot-heavy fantasy story.
Readers comfortable starting a series rather than expecting a standalone story.

Less suited to

Readers who prefer fast-paced romance, as the described relationship is slow-burn and feedback on its pacing is mixed.
Readers seeking light or low-horror fantasy, since the listing includes horror elements and a cursed, dangerous setting.

Customer reviews on Amazon

4.4 / 5 · 43,767 ratings

5 stars56%56%
4 stars34%34%
3 stars9%9%
2 stars1%1%
1 star0%0%

Customer feedback describes the book as absorbing, with praise for its characters, world-building and descriptive writing. The reported enthusiasm fits the listing's emphasis on an atmospheric fantasy world, though readers differ on the slow-burn pacing, with some finding it very slow. Feedback also expresses anticipation for the next instalment.

Positive themes

Customers describe the story as engaging and captivating.
Readers praise the characters, world-building and descriptive writing.

Mixed feedback

Opinions differ on pacing, with some readers finding the slow burn very slow.

Frequently asked questions

Is Anathema part of a series?

Yes. The listing identifies it as the first book in The Eating Woods.

What genres and elements does the book feature?

The listing describes gothic dark fantasy with a slow-burn romance, a unique magic system and a touch of horror.

How long is the book?

The listed print length is 624 pages.

What is the story about?

Banished Maevyth Bronwick enters the dangerous Witch Knell and becomes bound up with Zevander Rydainn, an immortal assassin connected to a curse and a dark prophecy.