Title: VoidwalkerAuthor: S.A. Maclean
Series: Beasts of the Void #1
Pages: 592
Publication Date: Aug. 19, 2025
Publisher: Orbit
Genres: Fiction / Romance / Fantasy / Romantasy
Synopsis:
Fionamara is a smuggler. Antal is the reason her people fear the dark.
Fi ferries contraband between worlds, stockpiling funds and stolen magic to keep her village self-sufficient – free from the blood sacrifices humans have paid to Antal’s immortal species for centuries.
Only legends whispered through the pine forests recall a time when things were different, before one world shattered into many, and the flesh-devouring beasts crept from the cracks between realities, with their sable antlers and slender tails, lethal claws and gleaming fangs. Now, mortal lives are food to pacify their carnivorous overlords, exchanged for feudal protection, and the precious silver energy that fuels everything from transport to weaponry.
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When I read The Phoenix Keeper last year, I fell in love with the author’s slow-building story, immersive world-building, and nuanced characters. So, I was beyond excited to get an early copy of the author’s sophomore book Voidwalker. It’s a fantastic enemies-to-lovers monster romance that follows smuggler Fionamara, who is able to travel between worlds.
When a smuggling job goes wrong, Fi finds herself partnering with the usurped immortal Antal. I admit, at first, I didn’t really like Antal. Fi won me over from the start with her brazenness and bold determination, but Antal was broody and harsh, and I was surprised by his defeatist attitude. Well, I didn’t have to worry because he quickly endeared himself, and I ended up loving his character. He and Fi are both complicated and layered and have really compelling back stories and arcs.
Fi, Antal, and others work towards defeating the new, vicious daeyari ruler, who is demanding more and more human sacrifices. It’s a brutal world for humans, though Antal shows them a spark of hope with his plans for the future. Antal is so different from the other daeyari and from the rumors and stories told among the humans. It’s interesting to see how all of the characters change and grow as they learn more about each other and slowly begin to accept and support each other.
This will come as no surprise – my favorite part of the story was the swoon-worthy romance between Fi and Antal. Ugh I just loved them. Their relationship is so funny and tender, sexy and sweet, and the dialogue and banter between them is absolute perfection. The way they listen to and understand each other, the way they connect on so many levels, the way they defend and trust each other, her nickname for him, how they challenge each other – it was all so wonderful!
I also adored the sibling relationship between Fi and Boden. It was messy and complicated and so filled with love. Boden and Fi are very much opposites. He’s the stable and responsible one, and she is chaotic and reckless. Together, they’re family.
Like the characters and relationships, the world-building is super intriguing and layered, and I enjoyed the slower-building plot. It added to the intensity and depth and immersed me into the world and story. Fi’s fractured relationship with a past love also presents some complex challenges, since they are on opposite sides of the conflict. Their dynamic was really intriguing, and the way it resolved was exactly what I hoped for.
Voidwalker was one of my most anticipated books for the second half of 2025, and it did not disappoint. It was a fantastic read and one I won’t soon forget. Special thanks to Orbit Books for sending me a copy of the book and to Leslie at Books Are the New Black for buddy reading it with me. All thoughts are my own.
- Enemies to lovers
- Broody MMC
- Only one bed
- He falls first
“You make me feel desperate, but not like that fleeing hare. Like I’m seeing fresh air. Like I have claws. Like I could topple head-first into the Void just to bask in the abyss. Every second is vicious, and soft, and I never want to be anything else.
“Strength is easy to fake, Fionamara. Vulnerability is hard. Yet, here you sit.”
“I want to know you aren’t going to eat her,” Bowden said.
Fi saw the response coming a mile away. Too slow to stop it.
“Well,” Antal drawled, “not unless she asks me to.”
Fi wondered what he’d look like reincarnated. After she murdered him, of course.
This has such a gorgeous cover that it would have been a real shame if it had been a disappointing read. I’m glad that you loved it and will definitely look out for it.
Thanks, Janette! The cover is what initially drew me in. I hope you enjoy it if you get a chance to pick it up. 😊
Great review! I’m so glad we loved this one!! I’m posting mine tomorrow and just edited it to link your review. <3 To the next great buddy read!!
Thanks, Leslie! I’m glad we loved it too. Who knew we’d both enjoy a monster romance? lol
RIGHT?! OMG.. who knew?! What doors does this open?! hahaha