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The Second Death of Locke

By V.L. Bovalino
Series: The Hand and the Heart
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Brief Description
'This is how you do chemistry! The Second Death of Locke is a masterful epic that combines classic fantasy worldbuilding with an addictive love story. Alternately charming and hauntingly dark, this one will stay with you long after the last page.' — Heather Fawcett, author of... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
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The Second Death of Locke is a devastatingly romantic epic fantasy and about the undying bond between a knight and their mage, perfect for fans of Gideon the Ninth and The Six Deaths of the Saint.

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'This is how you do chemistry! The Second Death of Locke is a masterful epic that combines classic fantasy worldbuilding with an addictive love story. Alternately charming and hauntingly dark, this one will stay with you long after the last page.' — Heather Fawcett, author of Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries

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.

The Second Death of Locke is a devastatingly romantic epic fantasy about the undying bond between a knight and their mage, perfect for fans of Gideon the Ninth and The Six Deaths of the Saint.

'Gritty, romantic, and breathlessly fierce, The Second Death of Locke will grip your heart and never let go.' — Tasha Suri

'A gloriously haunting story, with a searing chivalric romance that burns bright and bittersweet, The Second Death of Locke will hold your heart in its fist until the very end.' — Georgia Summers, author of The City of Stardust

'Intricately imagined and deftly told, The Second Death of Locke is the perfect pairing of romance, pining, and sprawling epic fantasy.' — Hannah Whitten, author of The Foxglove King

'An epic tale that explores what it truly means to love.' — Brigitte Knightley, author of The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy

Series: The Hand and the Heart

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  • The Second Death of Locke
    'This is how you do chemistry! The Second Death of Locke is a masterful epic that combines classic fantasy worldbuilding with an addictive love story. Alternately charming and hauntingly dark, this one will stay with you long after the last page.' — Heather Fawcett, author of Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries Love. Loyalty. Sacrifice. Grey Flynn has dedicated her life...
    By V.L. Bovalino
    Paperback
    Sold Out

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780356524894

Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 23 September 2025

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Orbit

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 22.0mm

Width: 153.0mm

Height: 234.0mm

Weight: 580g

Pages: 480

Collections

Fantasy Fiction General Fiction Gifts for adults Horror & Supernatural Sci-Fi & Fantasy Series: The Hand and the Heart V.L. Bovalino

About the Author

V. L. Bovalino is the pseudonym of Tori Bovalino, the author of three YA horror novels, including My Throat an Open Grave and edited the Indie-bestselling anthology, The Gathering Dark. She is originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and now lives in the UK with her partner and their very loud cat. Tori loves scary stories, obscure academic book facts and impractical, oversized sweaters. She can be found on Instagram as @toribovalino.

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