The Cardinal Club

by L.L. Gremlin (Illustrator, Editor)

It's 1985. Ten years after the untimely death of Heath's father. The Overseeing Officer departs to New York City where the Reeds name is an idol to the people of Ellyra, though, the surviving face of his late father's legacy has never wanted anything to do with it. He immediately knows he's in over his head when he makes a political appearance to keep the world sane and finds his childhood crush back from the dead. The only problem is... she doesn't remember him.
She doesn't remember anything.
Between keeping his job, his family, and his emotions in check, convincing her to trust him suddenly takes precedence when everyone's lives depend on it. But sometimes our choice isn't as simple as living or dying when the possibility of life lacks the comfort it normally holds.
That certainly becomes the case for Afara Wells, one of many children who were abandoned by their parents during The Sick. Upon meeting Reeds and the strange group of individuals hellbent on taking her hostage, she makes her deal with the devil. However ridiculous it may be, she trusts him to escort her out of District Two and explain how his father's lab is connected to her family's disappearance.
Nothing is what it seems once she arrives at a college for the godly-gifted and secrets buried long ago begin to unveil themselves. The result changes the trajectory of everyone's plans to live a life as close to normal as possible...
Or as close to normal as living in a post-pandemic, government-seized, and plague-powered world would've let them.

793 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 9, 2025

About the author

L.L. Gremlin has lived most of their life moving around different parts of New York state; growing up in the foster-care system between a small, desolate town called Strykersville, and skirting around the crown of Pennsylvania. Both of these places were rich with history and despite not being heavily populated, L.L. fell in love with the quiet side of its nature in contrast to the chaos of life. They swing between reading and writing, mostly about fantastical adventures, but sometimes a great historical memoir. If written with the intention, GREMLIN believes thought-provoking literature can last forever.

Reviews

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, so I had the pleasure of reading this as part of the ARC team and let me tell you, this is amazing. Like absolutely amazing. The whole entire plot, Afara and Heath, their back story’s, the trauma, the slow burn. The grief and trauma in this book is so perfectly written, I honestly have no words, my heart aches for this book.
I can’t wait for this to be released so everyone can feel the same way

[Kristin Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I seen L.L Gremlin was looking for ARC readers for this book I immediately signed up and was elated when I was chosen. The Cardinal Club did not disappoint. The layout was inviting and flowed beautifully. There were Gorgeous maps in the front and a thorough index in the back. The only thing I felt was missing and would have been so so helpful would have been a character chart of who everyone was and how they are connected to Afaira. I recommend taking notes as you read. I will definitely be reading this a second time to make sure I didn’t miss any important pieces.
Chapter 1 drew me in immediately, action right from the start. I love a book that gets right into it without fluff. Afaira lives with her foster mom but wants to know about her past and who her parents were. In searching she finds out more or maybe it’s better to say remembers more than she ever could have expected. It was a wild ride and I enjoyed every minute of it with a cast of highly complex characters. I can’t wait to read the next book in the EXTINCT BIRDS AND HOW TO ANIMATE THEM series.


This was also the first book I’ve ever read that was set in the state where I live. Recognizing local places was so cool. The book was also set in 1985 which is the year I was born.

[Alexis M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutly lovely

The Cardinal Club starts out a bit slow, but that’s because there’s a lot to take in. The politics, the world falling apart after The Sick (a fungal disease that isn’t exactly zombies but definitely gives off those creepy, not-quite-human vibes), and how society has changed because of it. Once all of that is set up, the story really picks up.

I kept getting these low-key Resident Evil vibes throughout. Not in a copycat way, just that same unsettling feeling that something is seriously wrong behind the scenes. Secret labs, government involvement, people disappearing, strange physical changes… it all builds this tense atmosphere that worked really well. It was a nice change, and as a kid i loved Resident Evil so it was amazing to get those feelings.

My favorite part of the whole book is the scene on the docks after Afara’s brother gets taken for being a biped. That moment hit. The way the Sick move, the chaos, the panic, and seeing everything through Afara’s perspective made it feel super vivid. And Heath? Yeah… the things he pulls off in that scene are not normal. That’s the moment when I was like, “Oh, this story is about to get wild.”

After that, the plot moves way faster. More secrets come out, the stakes go up, and the shift to the god-gifted college adds a new layer of mystery.

If you like dystopian stories with detailed worldbuilding, creepy fungal-plague tension, government secrets, and action that feels almost cinematic, this is worth the read. The slow start pays off, and the emotional dynamic between Afara and Heath kept me hooked.

I desperately need book 2...

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a world still recovering from a devastating pandemic, Heath Reeds crosses paths with Afara Wells — the girl he once knew and believed to be dead. Afara has no memory of her past, only questions about her missing family and the strange forces that seem to watch her every move. As the two are drawn into the orbit of a secretive society tied to power, legacy, and control, it becomes clear that Afara’s survival is not an accident. The closer they get to the truth, the more dangerous it becomes, revealing a world built on buried experiments, shifting loyalties, and the cost of belonging to something that was never meant to be safe.This book was dark, slow-burning, and honestly unsettling in a way that felt intentional. Nothing is handed to you, and no one is completely good or evil, which I both liked and struggled with. Afara is the most interesting part of the story — not because she’s powerful, but because she represents everything that was taken from people in the name of progress. I appreciated that the ending didn’t wrap things up nicely. The Cardinal Club doesn’t fall, the world doesn’t heal, and that felt realistic, even if it was frustrating. Overall, it’s a heavy read about power, control, and survival, and while it isn’t comforting, it sticks with you after you’re done.

[Between The Covers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found family is usually a hit or miss for me, but this was absolutely a hit.

From the start you are pulled into a world that is constantly going. There’s no unnecessary filler/fluff, everything is set with purpose and direction. The character developments are phenomenally done. You feel as if you’re apart of the world. The trauma/grief/heartbreak was emoted beautifully.

This was dark, comedic, emotional, wholesome… I absolutely loved it. I cannot wait for the second book!!

Plot - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Details - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice - 🌶️

[Cassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started out as a beta reader for this book, and then I was happily able to read it again in its final form. OH. MY. GOODNESS. This author upped their game and brought the HEAT. So many beautifully complex characters that tugged my heart in every direction. Overall: pure poetry. And now, I’m waiting impatiently for the second book!