My Journey Through The Second Death of Locke by V L Bovalino: A Romance With Untapped Potential

Author: V. L. Bovalino

Publisher: Forever (Grand Central Publishing)

Rating: 3.5 ★

As a fantasy reader, I’m always searching for stories that pull me into new worlds filled with magic, adventure, and romance. When I discovered The Second Death of Locke by V. L. Bovalino, I felt a spark of excitement. A mage holding a secret capable of destroying magic? Sign me up! However, my journey through this romantic fantasy turned out to be filled with highs and lows.

A Promising Start

From the start, the worldbuilding in The Second Death of Locke captivated me. Bovalino has created a vivid landscape of magic and politics that feels both original and immersive. The magic system felt innovative and unique. Magic users are called Mages, but they do carry magic within themselves to use. They must pull from the wells of those who can hold magic within them. Wells are assigned to mages as Hands. They are there for the mage to draw power from, but to also protect their mage.

Yet, I noticed some pacing issues. There were sections where I couldn't turn the pages fast enough, contrasted with moments that dragged on. The opening chapters leaned too heavily on exposition rather than showing, which impacted my initial engagement with the story.

Characters and Relationships

Grey Flynn, the protagonist, stands out as a character with rich depth and complexity. Her internal struggles and secrets drew me into her journey. However, the relationship between Grey and Kier left me feeling unsatisfied. It felt as though I was dropped into their love story at a midpoint, missing the opportunity to witness their evolution from friends to lovers. This lack of emotional development made it challenging for me to form a deep connection with their romance.

I longed for more tension and yearning between them. Instead, the romance felt somewhat flat, especially given the vibrant magical setting that promised much more.

Untapped Potential

Despite these critiques, I genuinely enjoyed reading The Second Death of Locke. Bovalino’s writing resonates with beauty, and her unique voice shines throughout. I can see the potential of what she is building. With a sharper focus on character growth and pacing, her future works could be truly outstanding.

I often found myself wishing for deeper dives into the worldbuilding, the political intrigue, and the Hand/Mage relationships, particularly during tumultuous times. Incorporating these aspects would likely add layers to the narrative, making it more compelling.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, The Second Death of Locke offers a journey brimming with promise. I would say this book does lean heavily into romance and romantasy, which is fine. That is how the book is marketed. But with the epic setting and premise, I felt it could have been so much more.

While it didn't fully meet my expectations, I still found joy in the reading experience. I would recommend this book to others, especially those who enjoy a friends to lovers romantasy with a strong female protangonist. V. L. Bovalino has a distinct voice, and I’m eager to see where her storytelling leads next. If you're a fan of epic romantic fantasy, this book could well be worth your time!

Thank you Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for an eARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.