The Second Death of Lock by V.L Bovalino
Reviewed By: Susie Rivera, Adult Services Specialist
Genre: Fantasy
Suggested Age: Adults
What is This Book About? The Second Death of Locke by V. L. Bovalino is a fantasy romance about magic, loyalty, and tough choices. The story follows Grey Flynn, a knight who is magically tied to her mage, Kier, as they set out to protect a child whose life could change the course of the war. As they travel, secrets come to light and their bond is tested in ways neither of them expects. This is a good pick for readers who enjoy adventurous fantasy with strong characters and a slow-building romance.
My Review: 2025 was a great year for books with lady knights! I really enjoyed the character development of the two main characters in this book, especially how their relationship grows over time. The secondary characters feel like a found family of military comrades, though I would have liked to see them fleshed out a bit more. The pacing slows down in the middle during the journey, but it picks up again with a strong plot twist that adds new momentum. The romance is a clear friends-to-lovers story with lots of denial and a true slow burn, which will appeal to readers who like emotional tension over insta-love. Fans of lady knights will especially enjoy this one!
Three Words that Describe this Book: Intense, dangerous, romantic
Give This A Try if You Like… The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig, The Isle in the Silver Sea by Tasha Suri, and The Everlasting by Alix Harrow.
Rating: 4/5
