Series: The Hand and the Heart #1
Release date: September 23 2025
Publisher: Orbit Books
Pages: 504
Find it: Goodreads Waterstones
Source: The publisher kindly sent me a copy of this book to review
Rating: 5/5 stars

Synopsis

Love. Loyalty. Sacrifice.

Grey Flynn has dedicated her life to her mage, Kier.

She will be his blade on the battlefield, his healer and protector. The deep well of raw power inside her is Kier’s to use. Grey would do anything for Kier – be anything for him – if he would only ask.

When a quest to protect the child of an enemy kingdom pulls them into the dangerous heart of their nation’s war, Grey and Kier will need to decide what they are willing to sacrifice to protect their secret.

For Grey is no ordinary magical well, but heir to the lost island of Locke – the root of all power. If she dies, all magic dies with her.

Review

The Second Death of Locke is a beautiful and addictive fantasy book that I could not put down. The story follows Grey Flynn – Grey is a Hand who acts as a well for her mage, Kier. Without her, Kier can’t do magic, and the two are inseparable. When Kier and Grey are sent on a mission to escort the lost heir of Locke to safety, the team knows this mission is going to be fraught with danger, because not only must they keep this mysterious heir alive, they also have to protect their deepest secret – that Grey is actually the lost heir of Locke.

I’ve read three other books by Tori Bovalino and given them five stars, so this was one of my most anticipated releases of 2025. I’m so happy to say that I absolutely loved this book. From start to finish, it was filled with beautiful, lyrical writing and a plot that kept me glued. I thought the story had such a unique, compelling premise, and it was paced really well. There were some twists I didn’t see coming, and I am so intrigued about where Bovalino is going to take the story in book two. There’s plenty of action to keep the reader on the edge of their seat, and while I’m not a big romance person, I thought the romance was really well developed in the story.  

Bovalino has created some really compelling characters, and I couldn’t help but fall in love with Grey and Kier. Grey spends most of her time covered in blood and dirt, she’s a bit on the angry side, and she often speaks up when she shouldn’t. I loved the dynamics between her and Kier, but also between her and the rest of their group as she began to open up and trust people. Kier is also a really likable character, he’s brave and determined and willing to do anything to protect the people he cares about. All the characters in The Second Death of Locke are complex and well crafted, and I can’t wait to see where they end up next.

The Second Death of Locke is an incredibly engaging fantasy adventure full of magic, mystery, and romance. This will without a doubt be in my favourite reads of 2025 so if you’re looking for a fantasy read that will keep you hooked till the very last page, this is one you do not want to miss.