Bound to Burn

by S.E. Berkeley

Only the men I love can save me from my curse… but they are sworn enemies. Can I bind them to me before I burn?

After night falls, when the respectable customers have left and her bookshop is quiet, Astoria sells illegal and bloodthirsty grimoires filled with dark magic. It’s dangerous work, but her irresistibly charming book-thief partner, Lucas, makes the risks feel like a game.

Astoria has lived in hiding for seven years, after unleashing a devastating curse on her family. When she escaped, she left everything behind… including her magnetic, aristocratic fiancé Valen, whose dark gaze still haunts her dreams.

But then a deadly grimoire breaks loose in the shop—shattering Astoria’s control over her magic and nearly killing Lucas. There’s only one man powerful enough to help stop Valen.

Lucas and Valen hate each other on sight. Yet when Astoria’s curse rebounds and begins to consume her, they’re forced into a fragile alliance to steal the priceless amulet that can save her.

Can Astoria face the betrayals of her past and claim a future that might hold all three of them? Or will the rivalry between Lucas and Valen doom them all?

Perfect for fans of Jasmine Mas and Sadie Kincaid, this series blends J Bree’s dark “why choose” romance with Holly Black’s deadly, bookish magic.

Genres: Fantasy, Why Choose, Romance, Audiobook, Romantasy, Paranormal, Polyamory

424 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 18, 2026

About the author

S. E. Berkeley resides in California with her loving partner, feral children, and psychic cat. When she's not endlessly fetching snacks for small children, she enjoys hiking through her beloved state's wilderness and daydreaming of her next heart-pounding romantasy.

Reviews

[Krysta ꕤ · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 ★

”I deserve to be loved like Lucas loves me. For the first time in my life, I’ll feel what being first in someone’s life is, and that’s a true gift.”

the more i think about this book, the fmc really did ruin a good thing. i liked the idea of the magical grimoires & the semi cursed library, though I don’t think any of that met its full potential and even despite the magic being all over the place and convoluted, i was enjoying the romance side of things.. until the end changed my mind.

the fmc Astoria is very immature, miserable and just someone who thinks the world revolves around her. i loved Lucas, as im currently preferring friends to lovers / golden retriever dynamics these days. i was unsure of Valen at first bc of how Astoria painted him, but he grew on me the more page time he had.

now, as a why choose im not understanding why the decision was made for Astoria to CHOOSE Lucas? & the way she dismissed Valen & told Lucas she “loved their life together and him more than she loved Valen” UM.. WHAT? the way she handled that whole situation was in poor taste, especially since she had a whole previous relationship with Valen before she even met Lucas.

she kept contradicting herself too, saying Valen never put her first & that’s why she’s prioritizing Lucas.. but she never put Lucas first either? i just think she’s taking advantage of him bc he’s the nicer of the two men. this is not to drag Lucas either cause he was actually my favorite, but im just so annoyed. if I was Valen, i wouldn’t even want Astoria back after that & I hope he & Lucas run off together cause they had better chemistry.

there’s nothing wrong with wanting to be someone’s priority, but the way she said it and then had sex with Lucas for the first time right after Valen left.. nope, it’s not for me. she was unfair to Valen and the position he was in, knowing he didn’t have as much freedom in his choices when it came to her like Lucas did. what a full blown hypocrite, if I’ve ever seen one.

⬊ thanks to NetGalley, the author and Bookouture Audio for the alc, all opinions are my own.

[meggthereader · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was seriously a wild ride from beginning to end. The world building alone was insane and extremely detailed which I love, but you need to definitely be taking notes during a book like this! The magic system was also super intriguing and once I finally got a hold of everything and understood it, I instantly loved it.

Sometimes when books are super detail like this one was it can at times feel overwhelming. Once I got the hang of the world building and the magic system it was a game changer. The magic system was insanely intriguing, especially with there being different types of magic users. The natural born magic users are called Weavers, while the others are called magicians. They were once human but now have the ability to wield magic. While this isn’t the main focus of the book, I know in the coming books this will definitely be explored more and will go more into detail which I am so excited for because there is so much that is left unknown about this world. The spice alone had me straight blushing. I was making sure not a single soul was able to see what I was reading because GIRL, they would have been left as speechless as I was at times. Even though this was a why choose, there was only one scene of this but man oh man was it good. I really wanted to be a Valen girl at heart because, who doesn’t immediately go for the bad boy? I definitely am team Lucas right now, and his monster pickle. The banter was definitely too tier. Not only were Astoria and Alicia funny as hell but when they all weee in a room together I knew it was going to be good.

And that ending?! The AUDACITY of that ending😩 It felt like I kept getting hit after hit and then the author decides to drop a major bomb AND cliffhanger on you that will have you begging for book two. I’m honestly so excited to see where this series goes. Book one was such a wild ride that I almost did not survive.

What to expect:

• Why Choose
• Cursed Heroine
• Morally Gray men with a touch of golden retriever
• Enemies forced into alliance
• Complex Magic System
• Betrayal and Second chances
• Forbidden grimoires and deadly magic
• Magical bookshop

*Thank you so much for Netgalley, Second Sky publishing and the author S.E. Berkeley for the ARC!*

[BookishKB · Rating 5 out of 5]

🖤🔥Bound to Burn🔥🖤

I’m screaming after that ending 😭😭😭😭

⭐️ Six Star Read!! ⭐️

This book was SO good! I devoured it in one sitting and could not put it down.

The magic system, the worldbuilding, the banter, the spice 🌶️🔥🌶️🔥… I was obsessed with all of it.

And that ending?!?! Absolutely RUDE. I will be unwell until book two comes out! 😭🔥

📜 What to Expect
• Why Choose
• Magical Bookshop
• Cursed Magic
• Rival MMCS
• Hidden Identity
• Deadly Grimoires
_ _ _ _

📖 Final Score: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🎧 Audio Score: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🎙️ Narration Style: Solo Narration (Avery Caris)
📅 Pub Date: June 18, 2026
Thank you to Second Sky, Bookouture Audio, and NetGalley for the advanced copies. All thoughts are my own.

[Em Louise · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this early copy.

Bound to Burn had so much potential, but ultimately fell a little short for me. The industrial revolution-inspired vibe and the genocide of weavers storyline initially had me intrigued, but it felt underdeveloped as the story went on, which was disappointing because it could’ve been such a strong focal point.

There were elements I genuinely loved though. The sentient books were such a fun touch, the black cat familiar gave me Sabrina the Teenage Witch vibes, and the venom-sucking scene? Hot. I also thought Valen and Lucas had some of the stronger chemistry, even though it came out of nowhere.

Unfortunately, the structure felt messy and scattered. The writing became repetitive at times, and the run-on sentences started to feel tedious. I also found myself mentally editing while reading, which is never a great sign. For me, the biggest issue was that the chemistry across the relationship dynamic never fully clicked. I really think this story would’ve benefited from multiple POVs to add more depth and balance.

There are some genuinely interesting ideas here, but the execution didn’t quite come together for me.

[mackenzie · Rating 2 out of 5]

this wasn't bad at all, i binged it so easily and had a fun enough time, but it just wasn't completely for me. this definitely has its audience though!

thank you to netgalley + the publisher for an arc!

[Lexa Starling · Rating 4 out of 5]

'"Goddamn it, Torment. Stop me if you dont feel the same as I do. Stop me if vou don't want me to." His lips brush against mine, his honey eyes burning. "Because if you don't, then I'm going to kiss you like I've wanted to a thousand times before."'
- Bound to Burn, by @Seberkeleyauthor
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 || 🌶🌶🌶

EXCUSE ME, WHAT WAS THAT ENDING?! See, this is the thing about reading books AS SOON as they release: they torment you and you are left tormented until an age has passed and the next one is out - and oh my, I need the next one IMMEDIATELY because WHAT just happened?!

Side note: being tormented is kind of ironic as one of the MMC's nickname for the FMC is Torment. Sigh. I AM Torment because I am truly left in a tormented state after reading that.

Anyway, if I wasn't clear, this was SO good. The plot was plotting so hard that I thought my heart was going to beat out of my chest by the end. There is magic, betrayal, and a quest for an amulet. There's tension and banter and unresolved issues.The magic system is original and complex and our FMC is kind of morally grey and I am here for it. Basically Bound to Burn has everything to hook you in and keep you entertained, with good quality writing.
With it being a 'why choose' I was kind of expecting it to be more romance and spice heavy, but the spice that was there was relevant to the plot and definitely left you wanting more for book two.
As did that cliffhanger.
I am not okay. I am vexed.
Thank you, @secondskybooks for the #gifted copy. I have not read a book you've published yet that I did not like. True romantasy at its finest.
I loved, loved loved this.

[Taylor Š · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bound to Burn was one of those books that had me instantly hooked. I mean just the setting was easily one of my favorite parts. A magical bookshop filled with sentient grimoires was an immediate yes from me.

That being said… Astoria and I had a complicated relationship 😅 There were definitely moments where I wanted to shake her. She makes some incredibly frustrating decisions throughout the book, and at times she felt selfish, impulsive, and determined to make the worst possible choice available.

Now let’s talk about the real stars of this book: Valen and Lucas 💖 Valen absolutely stole every scene he was in, and Lucas was basically a golden retriever wrapped in green flags.

The first half was admittedly a little messy. There were moments where I wasn’t entirely sure where the story was going, and some plot threads felt scattered. But once everything started coming together, I was completely invested. The family drama, political intrigue, secrets from the past, and relationship dynamics all pulled me in.

And then that ending happened 😩

The absolute audacity of ending a book like that should probably be illegal. I finished the final pages and immediately needed book two.

Thank you to Bookouture for the ALC via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Bernie Groves · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do love a why choose book, they are generally just such fun, chaotic reads and Bound to Burn definitely lived up to that. There are so many things going on in this book and it made for a great time. We have a magical bookshop, a best friend and business partner, a secret grimoire, an ex-fiance, estranged and evil family members, curses, a magical order and some seriously spicy moments.

The FMC is dealing with a lot! And you can really feel her emotions about the whole situation, she doesn't always make the best decisions, but she is holding on to so much hurt still from her past and she is just desperate to be loved and accepted.

The two MMC's are both vastly different but so well written, i love them both.

The ending was CRAZY!!! I mean seriously wild. That cliffhanger is going to be painful waiting for book two.

[Faeofashandpayne]

DNF at 38% 📖
This book started off really strong, and I was genuinely intrigued by the characters, the mystery, and the tension. Unfortunately, as I got further in, it began to feel a little repetitive for me, and I found myself struggling to stay engaged.
I hate DNFing books and really did try to push through, but sometimes a book just isn't the right fit—and that's okay.
That being said, the tension between Lucas and Tori was definitely a highlight for me. Their dynamic kept me invested for as long as it did, and I can absolutely see why other readers might love this one

[Savannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am absolutely OBSESSED with Bound to Burn. The gothic vibes, secret magical bookshop, forbidden grimoires, complex magic system, and of course the steamy, tension-filled romance, it was all perfection!

I love a good why choose romance and the dynamics between Astoria, Lucas, and Valen had me kicking my feet and giggling. The snark and banter is soooo good, and the spice payoff was everything. ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

After that ENDING, I am dying to know what happens next!

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Second Sky for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a honest review!

After night falls, when the respectable customers have left and her bookshop is quiet, Astoria sells illegal and bloodthirsty grimoires filled with dark magic. It’s dangerous work, but her irresistibly charming book-thief partner, Lucas, makes the risks feel like a game. Astoria has lived in hiding for seven years, after unleashing a devastating curse on her family. When she escaped, she left everything behind… including her magnetic, aristocratic fiancé Valen, whose dark gaze still haunts her dreams. But when a deadly grimoire breaks loose in the shop—shattering Astoria’s control over her magic and nearly killing Lucas—there’s only one man powerful enough to stop it. Valen. Lucas and Valen hate each other on sight. Yet when Astoria’s curse rebounds and begins to consume her, they’re forced into a fragile alliance to steal the priceless amulet that can save her. Can Astoria face the betrayals of her past and claim a future that might hold all three of them? Or will the rivalry between Lucas and Valen doom them all?

Astoria is a sassy queen and I am living for it! She is so unapologetically herself and I absolutely love that for her. The way she is dedicated to her shop, to her familiar and her friends utterly warmed my heart. Yes, she does some questionable things but when it really comes down to it, she has such a wonderful heart.
Lucas is a sweetheart and you would be silly to say you don’t love him. Who wouldn’t want the embodiment of sunshine as their best friend and hint of more? Because I certainly do!! He’s incredibly selfless and I love that despite his sassy nature, he is different enough to Astoria that they compliment each other perfectly.
Valen had me on the fence for a while. His cold exterior made him a tough nut to crack but when I did, I found myself quickly falling rather in love with him - rather like Astoria fighting off her own feelings. What a great guy to have in your arsenal. Seemingly unflappable, he is brilliant for negotiation or for that much-needed cool headedness considering the situations they find themselves in. I do wish we could have known him a little more because I can sense there is far more to him than what meets the eye!

When I see a book is a Why Choose romance, I am SOLD! I am even further intrigued when I see it’s a romantasy too! This plot is brilliant. It offers an insight to a world that has such a wonderfully unique magic system ruling all whilst having these modernisms seamlessly blended in. I loved that we had high stakes, plenty of violence to keep things interesting, but also a mix of family and political ties gone wrong. The pace is kept to a swift clip, allowing me to devour this in only a few sittings! Character wise, we’re exposed to quite a few people from different backgrounds with a variety of motives. I liked that whilst we are exposed to various personalities, the focus still very much remained on the main trio and their unfolding story. I think having that really helped enhance the story as having the spotlight elsewhere would have watered down the tensions between the lead three. It would be remiss of me not to mention the romance which is so deliciously full of angst and longing and just ugh, absolute perfection. The chemistry between them is off the charts and the spice that follows all the built up emotion? I couldn’t have asked for anything better. It was practically volcanic it was that hot! Now that ending though… That was incredibly cruel. I should have known better than being lulled into a false sense of security. I think my jaw remained dropped for a solid five minutes in just utter disbelief. Where is book two because I need that immediately!!!

Overall, Bound to Burn is a stunner of a romantasy that you do not want to miss!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Thank you again to Second Sky for an advanced copy of this book!

[EnchantedPagesinTeale · Rating 4 out of 5]

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

First off, thank you to NetGalley and S.E. Berkeley for providing me with an ARC of Bound to Burn in exchange for an honest review!

Bound to Burn had me confused, annoyed, entertained, frustrated, and fully invested all at the same time. Honestly? That’s kind of impressive. 😭

The SECOND I realized the FMC (Aster/Astoria) worked in a magical bookshop with chaotic grimoires running around like tiny feral creatures, I was immediately sat. It gave me major Crescent City vibes in the best way possible. Also, I could practically picture these grimoires acting like caffeinated gremlins straight out of Fantastic Beasts.

Now unfortunately… there’s Aster.

And listen — I tried. I REALLY tried to like her.

But this girl spent at least 70% of the book being clumsy, panicked, selfish, making terrible decisions, and somehow managing to stumble directly into danger over and over again. Every time she got herself into another mess because of her own bad choices, I just sat there like:

“Girl PLEASE.” 💀

At one point she literally leaves Lucas to deal with a nightmare spider situation because she was more worried about her grimoire. Jail immediately.

That said… her anxiety and panic attacks actually added a layer to her character that made some of her behavior make more sense later on. I still found her incredibly bratty at times, especially with the whole “I cursed my brother because I wasn’t chosen as heir” situation, but at least there was SOME emotional reasoning underneath the chaos.

NOW LET’S TALK ABOUT THE REAL STARS OF THIS BOOK:
Valen and Lucas.

Because WOW.

Valen absolutely stole every scene he walked into. The dark humor? The attitude? Calling Aster daft because she was yelling when she shouldn't have been? Immediate favorite. Meanwhile Lucas had me swinging back and forth between “awww” and “sir what exactly are we doing here?” every five minutes.

And the tension between Valen and Lucas?? EXCUSE ME??? Inject it directly into my veins.

The make out scenes? HOT.
The chemistry? HOT.
Valen + Lucas + Astoria = HOT AF.

This book also had moments where the humor completely lost me though. There were scenes where I genuinely could not tell if I was supposed to laugh, cry, cringe, or all three simultaneously. Some reactions felt SO overdramatic that I had to reread conversations multiple times trying to understand what was happening.

I also noticed quite a few inconsistencies throughout the story. Little details would get introduced and then seemingly forgotten later, which occasionally pulled me out of the worldbuilding. And for the first chunk of the book, the plot felt extremely messy and unfocused. It honestly read like random filler until the storyline FINALLY started revealing itself.

BUT.

Once the story actually settled into itself?
I was hooked.

The deeper the magic system, family drama, and character relationships became, the more invested I got. By the end, I was fully locked in despite all my frustrations with Astoria.

And then this author had the AUDACITY to end the book on a massive cliffhanger???

Rude.
Disrespectful.
I will absolutely be reading book two. 😭

Favorite line:
“What are you saying?”
“I’m saying I’m about to ruin our friendship.”

[Sol✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Netgalley, S.E. Berkeley, and Second Sky Publishing for access to this Advanced Reader's Copy of Bound to Burn! This is my honest and unbiased review.

----
"Why do you always have to make me make you? Why can't you just love me, too?"
----

Bound to Burn is a fast-paced romp through a magical world dominated by the weavers, or those who can use magic by blood right, and magicians, who use magic through bound tokens forged from the souls of weavers. The story finds us in the aftermath of Astoria's rage and subsequent guilt of mortally cursing her brother after her father, the Archweaver, denied her as heir to the throne. Curses are explicitly banned as they eat away at the soul of both the weaver who cast it and its victim, so Astoria has spent the last seven years running a shop that specializes in magical (and sometimes murderous) grimoires. After her shop partner magician, Lucas, is gravely injured by one of these very grimoires, Astoria must seek out the help of her ex-fiance, Valen, to save him.

Astoria is a refreshing take on a female MC, as she is haughty and stubborn, but simultaneously wracked with guilt for her choices. She's an unreliable narrator and shapes the story to fit her beliefs and assumptions, even when it is quite clear that the choices she's making are unfair or --quite honestly--unhinged ones.

Her love interests, Valen and Lucas, were easy to love and represent two sides of the romantasy coin. Valen is a classic ice prince who is possessive but extremely devoted to Astoria, while Lucas is the golden retriever character who is reckless in his love for Astoria but shy to show it. The three of them make an interesting thruple, with the sparks between Valen and Lucas nearly shooting off the page from the moment they meet. Chemistry wise, I found myself enjoying the interactions between Valen and Lucas to be the most tense and rewarding, although Astoria and Valen's relationship pulled at my heartstrings. (PS Valen forever. I said what I said. Haha.)

The plot was quite tense and a fun read. If you love books centered around political intrigue and power-dynamics, this is an excellent choice. There's a lot of rich world building and character development. The only thing preventing this from being a five star read for me is some of the choices Astoria makes and the subsequent explanation for why they were made, ESPECIALLY regarding her brother and the events regarding him later in the books. It made the end of the book fall flat for me towards the last few chapters. I should also note there are A LOT of flashbacks in this book, which I am not necessarily a fan of, but I know it works well for others.

Will I read the next book? With the absolutely insane twist in the last few pages, you bet I am. Hoenstly, Berkeley turn on your location because we need to talk. I was not prepared and will need therapy. Can't wait for book 2!

[Nonfictionally Yours · Rating 5 out of 5]

"In this time, my heart has remained steadfast in its utter devotion to you. I love you, Tori. Then, now and forever. I'm utterly and completely yours."

4.5 ☆

You know a book is good when it makes you love a trope you absolutely hated😭 Bound to burn has me finally seeing what the hype is around a why choose romance, and I'm so glad I see it now.

This book literally had me hooked. Right from the first chapter, I remember thinking about how I want to binge read it but also savior it at the same time😭 guess which option I went with? The plot of this book was so distinctive. Astoria has basically cursed her entire family and she needs the help of Valen to stop this curse. There was so much more that went into this plot. The romance, the spice and the story line was all interwoven together seamlessly, which made me not want to put this book down.

To my surprise, I LOVED the love triangle aspect of this!! It was done so so well and reading about it blossom into a why choose had me giggling most of the time. Both of the MMCs, Valen and Lucas, I love them!!! The writing was done so well I felt her connection to both of them. Valen is the broody and quiet dark haired MMC. We already know he's my favorite. No he literally calls her "my love"... I'm going to tear up😭 He is also her ex fiancé 🤭 so do with that what you will. Lucas was a total sweetheart. He was definitely the lighter side of their relationship. His emotions were portrayed so well, I truly felt for him during the book and his feelings towards Astoria felt so genuine and poignant because he thought he couldn't have her.

My favorite part of this book was DEFINITELY the banter between Valen and Lucas. And yeah it did all pay off in a specific library scene and chapter 25🤭 I'm sorry, those chapters had no business being that hot. Astoria struggling to choose between the two was completely understandable, if you read the book you'll totally see why😉.

This book missed being a 5 star read by so little for two reasons, one was I didn't feel myself connecting with Astoria as much as I'd have liked to. But I do know it's also the first book and I'm hoping that'll happen in the sequel. Another one was because the plot got slightly confusing during the middle, but it did all end up coming together in the end.

Now that ending??? I am actually very scared for the next book. We're going to be getting more romance development between them all right S.E Berkley??😅😅

Thank you so much to S.E Berkley, Second sky books and Netgalley for this ARC

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley & Bookouture Audio for the ALC!

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ . 5
🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️

From the beginning I was drawn in, I found the narrator captivating and easy to listen to. I would be comfortable saying they’re probably one of my favourite narrators I’ve listen to, to date!

The way this started for me, it was absolutely bound to be a 4-5 star read. The story itself is interesting. Fast paced, plenty of depth with the world building and character building which I adored. The magic system itself is incredibly unique and refreshing, the concept behind the grimoire’s has been well thought out and again, refreshing. But somewhere around the 30%-50% mark, it started to come apart.

I can’t say I’m experienced when it comes to diving into Why Choose Romance but I think it’s safe to say I’m a fan. The spice was great, not overly done but there were some parts that I thought were a bit oddly placed. Maybe I missed something in the lead up to them but they didn’t make sense and just kinda left me with a question mark. Overall, it was steamy but not overdone and didn’t take away from the story, it was just lacking for me.

Now the characters, Astoria is a force to be reckoned with. Her rage was raw and the narrator captured it perfectly. As an FMC she is incredibly likeable and perhaps a little morally grey (big fan.) Valen was not a particular stand out for me, broody and incredibly possessive however I was more of a team Lucas girlie and I can’t help it, I like what I like. I found Lucas sweet, caring and if it were upto me to pick just 1, it would 110% be Lucas.

The last 20% is absolutely wild.. The ending?! My mind is absolutely spinning with possibilities and I need the next book ASAP.

This was enjoyable! Some parts fell flat for me but overall, I’m looking forward to seeing what happens next.

[Nancy Weiler · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had me feeling all the emotions, excited, scared (spiders) and intrigued! But unfortunately it didn’t hit the spot I was hoping it too. This was my most anticipated read because who doesn’t love a why choose dark romantasy!

It starts out in Astoria/aster/ Tori FMC’s bookshop which is filled to the brim with intriguing and exciting magic as well as deadly and dangerous grimoire’s. It gave me a mix of cosy fantasy, but with a darkly creepy twist on it which was super intriguing. She also has her friend who helps Lucas MMC - he’s dreamy, real golden retriever.

The beginning of the book I would say at least 25% was extremely full on with the magic system and getting to grips with the world building etc. In parts I felt overwhelmed and flicked back a couple pages saying to myself “wait what happened” but, as you continue it does get easier to identify.

We learn Aster ran away from her home for reasons you’ll discover along the way. The love she left behind was another MMC Valen, his love was admirable and for such a dominant and sarcastic character he was so whitty and charming but in a sexy fun way. His banter with Lucas was chefs kiss and absolutely hilarious in some moments.

I did find the book very slow and slightly repetitive, then it got super interesting around the 60% mark. It is labelled as a why choose dark romantasy however the spice for me could have been more, I was expecting more.

Overall I loved the plot, magic system and characters I just would have loved it more if it picked up the pace.

Thank you Second Sky books for the early E-ARC on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Kels O. · Rating 4 out of 5]

first thought - HOT. second one - don’t read if you hate spiders.

This book and world has some really unique magic systems. Weavers are connected to a weave where 4 threads of magic come from - everyone has one. People who have multiple are either culled or the Archweaver (the king). Weavers are long lived and think themselves above the humans. Some humans have magic though relics such as rings that allows them access to magic called magicians. Very spider / web inspired descriptions.

It opens with Tori (a weaver) running into her ex-fiancée Valen at her enchanted and almost sentient bookshop. From there is spirals when an ancient and cursed grimoire becomes sentient and attacks her and her business partner Lucas (a magician who escaped the magician ‘mob’). She calls on Valen to help which leads the three of them to work together to uncover secrets from 7 years ago, fix some mistakes and come to terms with all the betrayal and backstabbing that has and will happen. Tori is low key a miserable but bad bitch. Rightfully so after everything she been through, and Lucas is just the golden retriever following her along her journey of forgiveness and letting go of her toxic past. Valen was a big part of the book but it felt like you didn’t really get to know him.

At no point did I see where this was going and it ends with more questions than answers. I need to know more about this world and how she’s gonna turn her new found goodness into a win. I was lucky enough to receive an ARC from the publisher and NetGalley.

[laureadswhat]

I want to first say that I think a lot of people will like this book. Here’s my experience.

I really liked the character. I loved the whimsical magic of flying books and monstrous ones. I like getting to know her and Jinx. I loved the chemistry between her and Lucas. Valen and Lucas together was so much fun. Chapter 25 was freaking delicious.

However, the reason I didn’t finish the book I because the explanation of magical families was extremely confusing. Plus, I feel like the magic itself was over complicated. It also didn’t all matter in the sense of the story. So, I just felt like it was too much and took me out of the story.

I found this extremely frustrating because there were so many things that I liked about this book. But as I was reading it and passing 20% where my head had been bogged down with magical information, I realized that I’d never recommend it because I wouldn’t want someone that trust my recommendations to feel that way.

However, as I mentioned, I think some people will find this to be a five star read. It’s written wonderfully after all of the information. So, please take my review with a grain of sand.

[Nicola Doyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bound To Burn was a great read. It was an excellent start to the series. The story was good and the premise was strong. I loved the cover. It was so visually pleasing. It was a beautiful design. Perfect for a romantasy. I loved the writing. It was strong and the story flowed well. I've never read a lot of the 'why choose' trope but this was done well and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved the setting was wonderful. It was so imaginative and I thought S.E.'s world-building was exquisite. I loved the characters. The dynamic between Astoria, Lucas and Valentin was brilliant. I love how their stories unfolded and twisted together. I definitely recommend this book and I can't wait for the next installment.

[Karla Soto · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ARC Review✨

Only the men I love can save me from my curse… but they are sworn enemies. Can I bind them to me before I burn?

Bound to Burn is the first book in the Cursed Grimoire series by S.E. Berkeley. I enjoyed this book thoroughly. I enjoyed how different story was when it came to the magic and how it worked. What I loved the most was seeing Tori, Valen and Lucas relationship develops and I wanted so much more of them. I cannot wait to see what happens next and what kind of travel Lori gets into.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.3

[Laura Elisabeth]

Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read an ARC of this book.

Sadly, I ended up having to DNF this book despite it initially sounding like something that was basically made for me. I'm still choosing to leave a review here because I feel like I gave the book a fair chance and was still able to develop an informed opinion, even though I ended up not finishing it.

Unfortunately, I did not enjoy the writing at all. I didn't like the way the characters were written, and the dialogue between them was often childish and cringe. I didn't think any of the interactions or reactions felt natural, and the whole thing ended up giving me whiplash. It honestly felt more like reading a teenager's unfiltered diary most of the time, which took me completely out of the story. I tried continuing and pushing through in the hopes that it would get better – but in my opinion it didn't, and in the end I just wasn't enjoying myself and therefore had to stop. This is also why I decided to still post this, because I feel pretty confident that my feelings towards it wouldn't have changed for the better if I'd chosen to finish the book, since my issues involved the general way both the book itself, the dialogue, and the main characters were written.

[Eliza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook 4.5⭐️
Spice 1🌶️
Story 3.5 ⭐️

I was really excited when I saw this book around; let me start by saying that this book would benefit from a glossary. It has amazing bones, and I’m interested to see where this story is going from here. This book gave me more cozy romantasy vibes, than anything; it has some darker, horror elements, but they still feel cozy, not too gruesome. Bound to Burn is a fast-paced, why-choose-romantasy. For me, the spice level is pretty low, with only a few spice scenes, and I wish the romance got a bit more attention and banter. Is hard to explain, as this book has the romance hitting you from the beginning and knowing who is involved, but I believe I needed the chemistry build-up. The magic system is complicated and filled with dangerous magic, forbidden grimoires, and curses. This is where I feel having a glossary would have helped. Astoria, the FMC, has so much potential, but I wish her Arc would pick up a bit more; she is stuck in her box.

[Amelia Yates · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m obsessed I inhaled this book. Dark, spicy, full of magic and drama. Why choose when you have both Lucas and Valen. I need the next book in the series now this was such a wild ride. The magic system was to the four different threads and differences between weavers and magicians was really interesting. The world building was strong and I’m looking forward to the next books and learning more about the world.

Oh and a spider grimoire I am here for this love spiders

[Fiona Reads ☁️🧸🪬🎧🗡️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars and for audiobook 5 stars.

I’ll be back in a while cause I need to think what to write 😂😅

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Second Sky for the review copy (and e-ARC) and thank you to NetGalley for the ARC ✨

4.5 ⭐️ You know when you make brownies or a cake and you have that first piece and say “okay, that’s enough. I need to take it slow and savor this” and yet you leave the knife right there because you know you’ll keep coming back for more bites and before you know it, you’ve eaten the whole thing? Yeah, that’s how I feel about this book. I kept sneaking in reading while working because I couldn’t get enough of the trio, especially Valen.

This is a fast-paced why choose romantasy (yes, the boyfriends kiss, just how it should be) where Astoria sells illegal grimoires filled with dark magic in her enchanting bookstore. When her book-thief partner, Lucas, brings in a particularly unique grimoire, it pretty much all goes to shit, making Astoria lose control over her magic and almost killing Lucas in the process. The only one who can help her is her charming and very magnetic ex-fiancé, Valen (he’s definitely pulled me in like a magnet) and she reluctantly makes a deal with him, despite running away from his family 7 years ago. From the moment Valen enters the picture, Lucas gets all jealous and they’re at each other’s throats. As all three work together and they get all tangled up together (quite literally), lines start to blur, second chances are given, enemies become “not friends” (according to Valen) and friends become lovers. Beyond Astoria’s control over her magic, a civil war ignites in the background.

I love when books, especially fantasy books, jump right into the action - and that’s exactly what happened with Bound to Burn. While the first 10% is mostly lore introduction, we quickly get to the heart of the plot. What is seemingly a cosy fantasy with OG magic - libraries, books, magicians, weavers - becomes darker quite quickly with the introduction of the girmoire and a giant spider (sorry to the arachnophobes). The fantasy elements are very interesting and nostalgic in a way because they blend more “traditional” magic with those we find more commonly in romantasy books. The magic system itself is quite unique with the introduction of the Tapestry of Magic and the different types of magical threads - Creation, Entropy, Transformation and Preservation. It took me a little while to understand it but it blends in well with the story as things are explained as it develops.

Now what really intrigued me the most were the characters and how their relationship develops throughout the book. We are very quickly introduced to both Valen and Lucas and from the moment they are introduced, you can tell that there’s chemistry between them and Astoria but even between Valen and Lucas with all of their banter. There’s a lot of yearning and longing on Valen’s part and you can tell how much he loves Astoria and wants her still. This is very much reciprocated by Astoria, as much as she wants to deny it. SE Berkley NAILED the “second chance” trope with this one. I was melting with each of their interactions.

Now, it took me a while to warm up to the idea of her and Lucas, just because I find it harder to connect with the “friends-to-lovers” trope in general, but you can absolutely see that they both longed for each other, Lucas in particular. He would do anything for her, given the kind and sweet soul he is. The cherry on top had to be Valen and Lucas’ banter though. It’s what kept me going back for more bites. I just really wanted to find out what happens between them and how electric that banter could become if they put their energy into something else - and boy, did they!! I loved how it started off as competitive - that library scene got me all hot and bothered - and become exploratory. Chapter 25 was just phenomenal spice, honestly. The MOUTH on Valen? He’s so DADDY but I know he can be baby girl for Lucas. I can’t wait to see more of their relationship develop in the second book (right, SE Berkley? RIGHT).

The love triangle was definitely messy in a good way and I liked that Valen and Astoria got the chance to rekindle their romance before she and Lucas jumped into anything or before something more developed among the three. I think it contributed a lot to their character development, especially after the betrayal that Astoria felt from 7 years ago. The character with the most personal growth was definitely Astoria, which makes more sense given it’s her POV, but I think we’ll see a lot more of the others’ in the next book - Valen’s especially - I hope. I really do. Is it obvious I have a crush on Valen? I love him ugghh 🥺 (I still love Lucas, I promise, I just love them more broody, mysterious and sensual). Anyway, if you love why choose romantasy that’s steamy, this one is absolutely for you!

I just have three out-of-context things to say:
1. BRING HIM BACK
2. WHAT’S IN THE LETTER?
3. WHAT IS HAPPENING?

You’ll have to guess who said it 😏:

“Finally, a use for you. This way, magician. Do try to keep up. I’d hate for you to get lost and be eaten by a stray grimoire.”
“Are you only attracted to assholes?”
“Definitely not, or else she would’ve fucked you already.”
“Can the two of you at least try to get along while we’re teamed up?”
“With that blueblood asshole? Absolutely fucking not.”
“I’d rather converse with a maggot. It’d be more stimulating.”
“Eat my ass, weaver!”
“Begging is a good start. Keep going and maybe I’ll allow you to choke on my cock.”

“You did so good, my love. Thank you…” “I told you, magician. It doesn’t matter in the end. She will always want me.”
“And yet she said my name.”

“I don’t think you could handle me, magician.”
“You’d be surprised with what I can handle. Especially when I use my…little threads, as you put it.”

“How the fuck did you two become friends?”
“Shared trauma.”
“Arachnid gods, spare me. We are not friends. Come, or neither of you are getting food.”

“In all this time, my heart has remained steadfast in its utter devotion to you.” His lips brush mine. “I love you, Tori. Then, now, and forever. I’m utterly and completely yours.”

“I don’t want to be friends because I can’t stop thinking about your smart mouth and all the ways I’d like to silence it. I don’t want to be your friend because I’m wondering who you’d prefer being on their knees, you or me, and if you’d fuck my mouth as good as you fight.”

[Beth’s Book Collection · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I don't want to be friends because I can't stop thinking about your smart mouth and all the ways I'd like to silence it."

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶🌶🌶🌶

What you'll find in this book:
• Why Choose Romantasy
• Morally Grey Everyone
• "You Came. You Called."
• Complex Magical System
• Cursed Heroine
• Enemies Forced Into Alliance
• Forbidden Grimoires
• Secret Magical Bookshop
• Love Triangle

This book had me at why choose romantasy, but let me tell you it is so much more than that. Packed with a complex magical system alongside intense and intricate characters had me gripped in a way that made me remember why I love to read and left me reading this book in one sitting, not even bothering to come up for air. There is an air of mystery within this book that left me hungry to devour page after page, there is so much to Tori as a character and as we uncover her past we discover who she is and who she is willing to become. The magical system is complex in a way that you can really sink your teeth into, one that initially feels intimidating but once you fully immerse yourself in the world and the magical system it only lends itself by becoming a key part of a story where magic is a pivotal part of the world we find ourself within. The romance is searing and intense, packed fully of yearning and desire that had my skin heating and heart racing.

Tori is a complex character, the heiress to the most prestigious magical line, yet she is in hiding maintaining the fragile balance of magic that no one understands and is only feared. From the get go, Tori demonstrates that she can stand on her own two feet, a strong and independent woman that has carved out a life for herself away from her past. I love how she both cares deeply but also doesn't give a fudge for the opinions of others. Then we get on to the two main men that present themselves in this story: Lucas represents Tori's present and Valen represents her past, and it is this pull between her past and her present that has her torn between these two men that mean so much more to her that makes up a key thread within this story. Lucas is the light, a good person, a magician who would do anything for Tori including being her business partner and best friend even if it leaves him pining for her from a far. Valen is all cold calculation but is posessive, dominant and knows Tori like no other. The dynamic of these three characters evolves over the course of the story, with a plentiful amount of banter and tension. I was here for every interaction, the jealousy, the moments of pure instinct.

S.E. Berkeley uses the situations that the characters find themselves in to fully show off everything that this magical world has to offer. Demonstrating the uses and breadth of the magic the different characters possess and how this presented itself. The way that the magic is described is so perfect and provides you with an easy sense of what is happening, how certain magic is darker, lighter and how sometimes it has a mind of it's own. Jinx sits as a massive part of Tori's magic, I love her sass and how she can get away with so much as her familiar, the one confidant that Tori listens to above everyone else. We get to explore Tori's bookshop within this story, and this being a setting that is prevalent within this book was one of my favourite aspects, how by day it is unassuming and by night it caters to a clientele looking for something darker more powerful. It felt to me like this reflected Tori's magic and personality in a way which I really enjoyed. As I mentioned at the start of my review there is an element of mystery with all of the betrayal and secrets, the twists and turns that the story took that kept me guessing in the best possible way.

I want to finish off by saying that that ending was bonkers, I did not see it coming at all and now I'm slightly terrified for book two because although I want answers I currently get to stay in a state of limbo where nothing is certain. Honestly, mine blown and despite my fear I will definitely be picking up book two in the series.

Thank you so much to Second Sky for sending me a physical proof copy to read and review early.

Author: S.E. Berkeley
Series: The Cursed Grimoire
Publisher: Second Sky Books
Release Date: June 18th 2026
Pages: 412

[Jess Firlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Often with "why choose" there's an initial obvious choice, but this one actually had me second guessing

Lucas:
-magician
-bastard who abandoned his guild and like the FMC is on the run
-nimble fingered book thief
-business partner/found family
-powerful...well for a human anyways (what is the difference between humans/magicians and weavers? Good question, I have no idea. Are they different species? Are they like humans and fae? Are they both humans just with varying levels of magic? Not a clue lol)
-frequently provides physical comfort ex. hugs and carrying her when she's tired (he carries her around a LOT for some reason)
-golden retriever + BDE
-the FMC is named Astoria, alias Aster. Nicknamed Tori and Tor. Lucas calls her "Torment" (unsure as to why?).

Valen:
-weaver
-prestigious family
-healer/politics
-spurned ex-fiance
-talks about his feelings

It's pretty misleading to label this as a "Why Choose" romance when there are 3 sex scenes total and only one involves all of the characters having intimate interactions and then the book ends with her literally choosing between both men. This was more a case of choosing whomever was the most convenient and most obsessed with her rather than based on who she cared for more.

65% done and it feels like the big end battle part of the book has been accomplished with 5hrs still remaining in the audiobook. That might sound like a bad thing, but I'm so excited for the next 5hrs to hopefully be nothing but character development and relationship building. Like there are still other tasks they have to finish, but those don't feel pressing...even though they're on a strict timeline...
...well, things fell apart from there. The first half of the book was great, although the foreshadowing was a little obvious, but I found myself getting more confused the more this book went on. I thought the fact that she cast a curse was a secret that no one knew about and then suddenly everyone knew and it was common knowledge? How'd they suddenly figure it out? Was it not actually a secret, yet people weren't hunting her down the entire time?
I am so sad cause the first 65% of the book was soo good so it's horrible that there feels like such a obvious degradation in the second half of the novel. I won't downgrade from a 3 to a 4 star rating simply because I enjoyed the majority of the book (even if it doesn't fit the "Why Choose" trope imo) and I am looking forward to the next book, which I am hoping will have answers for some of the plot holes.

Quotes of things starting to fall apart:
-Uh, did he just hit her with a chair before he then kicked it? It's also worth noting that a partner who throws things, punches things, or kicks things is abusive and that's a major red flag.
"Then he's an explosion of movement, he bolts up ripping out of my hold when his chair shoves me back. He kicks it violently aside and it crashes into the basement door."

-Okay, I listened to this like 5x and I think it's supposed to be HER arms wrapping around his neck but I swear the narrator says "his". Secondly, what's the motive? It literally makes no sense to need your shoes and socks off to be carried? I feel like this was trying to hint at the "controversial" wearing socks during sex conversation, but it did not occur before sex and then she is literally running through the shop and house in her bare feet like two paragraphs later so it was kinda pointless anyways:
"His arms wrapping around his neck and my ankles hooking around his hips. He lifts and my back leaves the ground as he prepares to heave us off the wood floor. I gasp "Wait, Lucas!" He pauses, eyes searching mine and I kick my foot out, I nod towards it. "My shoes. I'll consent to be carried half naked through my own shop, but I refuse to be wearing shoes and socks during. Take them off."

Quote I enjoyed:
-It is so funny to me that a humanoid cats says "Please take what I'm about to say very seriously, if you touch me I will vomit." Cause a cat would be petty like that lol

[Judith Christianson · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars ⭐️, rounding up to 5.

I received an ALC (Advanced Listening Copy) of Bound to Burn by S.E. Berkeley from the publisher through NetGalley. The audiobook was produced by Second Sky and narrated by Avery Caris, who is ALSO one of the narrators of Dire Bound & Fury Bound - YAY!!!

TL;DR:
⭐️ 4.5/5, rounded up
🔥 Slow-burn “why choose” romantasy
🖤 Dark magic, revenge, and strong FMC energy
🏳️‍🌈 LGBTQ+ representation
🫠 Lovely praise talk
📚 Vivid grimoire-shop and wicked-magic imagery
🕷️ One deeply unsettling spider-creature
🎧 Excellent narration by Avery Caris
⚔️ Fast-moving plot—pay attention or you’ll miss something
😩 Cliffhanger ending, and yes, I need the next book


This was my first “why choose” romance, so I really did not know what to expect, but I thought it was a story that was told really well. Both of the men courting Astoria felt believable to me, and they each have a completely different history with her.

One is the man she was engaged to before members of her family rejected her because of the unusual magic she was born with (yep, we have the rejected by her people trope). The other is her magician friend, who has been with her while she has been on the lamb from her father and the Order. And the Order was legitimately horrid to her, so yes, she had every right to go on the run and obsess over revenge. Girlfriend thinks about revenge in exquisite detail often - I enjoyed the portrayal.

Also, kudos to Berkeley for some of the visuals in this book, because several of them were extremely vivid. The grimoire shop, the spider-creature, and basically everything involving wicked magic was expertly shown (in "show-don't-tell" fashion which I love). The magical scenes could get very unsettling, and I mean that as a compliment! Misson accomplished, author!

The plot is not slow. A lot happens, and this is definitely an audiobook where you need to pay attention. I rewound it several times because I would let my mind drift briefly and then realize that something major was suddenly going down and I had missed part of it. 😂 There is quite a bit of action, but also enough mystery around Astoria’s magic and her history that I wanted to catch all of the details. That said the world build is gentle, there was no info dumping.

Now, the narration.

Avery Caris sounded like she had read the book beforehand, enjoyed it, and then was reliving the scenes while she recorded them. Her emotional reactions felt very natural. She was especially good with Astoria’s sarcastic wit and her self-justifying internal statements, and she had that perfect itonation when Astoria was being bratty - it was delightfully roguish. She also handled the changes from creeping unease to fear to full-blown terror very well.

The writing overall was pretty darn good. My one small criticism is that I would have liked a little more variation in some of the words that are naturally the "meat and potatoes" of romantasy writing. For example, if one person says something “darkly,” and then someone else says something “darkly” three sentences later, those of us with overpowered pattern-recognition systems are going to notice it. 🫠 It caused a tiny bit of immersion friction for me, but it was nowhere near being a deal breaker.

Astoria and the other characters grew on me quite a bit as the book went on, and by the end I was very invested. And after that cliffhanger, I very much need to know what happens next.

[Cennet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spice: High (emotionally feral, tension-heavy, and absolutely earned bc they are naaaaaaughty)

My Reading Experience
This book didn't “take me on a journey.” It dragged me by the ankle into a cursed library, whispered unhelpful things in my ear, and then left me emotionally concussed on the floor. The magic is feral, the men are disasters with cheekbones, and the curse has more personality than half the people I know. I finished the last page and immediately needed to lie down like I’d just survived something. It’s romantasy that doesn’t just hurt, it studies your weaknesses and aims directly for them.

The vibes:
• morally grey chaos
• dark academia with blood, banter, and bad decisions
• magic that feels alive and hungry
• a why‑choose romance with chemistry firing in every direction, including between the men
• two love interests who cannot decide if they want to fight or fall for each other

Lucas is a menace in the most delicious way. Valen is all controlled intensity and repressed longing. Astoria is the exhausted, powerful center of gravity they both orbit.

The emotional heat between them is constant — charged looks, sharp words, reluctant alliances, and that slow, inevitable pull toward each other.

And then the ending? I sat there in stunned silence. Who whispered that? Who is gone? Why am I being emotionally punished? I’m still unwell.


Audiobook Notes
Avery Caris amplifies every moment of tension — the longing, the fear, the connection, the betrayal. Her delivery makes the relationships feel even more intense. Five stars for the narration.

Favorite Quote
“These f**king books are going to be the death of me.”

Tropes
Why choose
Morally grey love interests
Sentient magic
Forced alliance
Ex‑fiancé tension
Found family chaos
Dark academia vibes
Cliffhanger cruelty

Who Will Love This
Readers who want romantasy with actual plot and actual tension.
Fans of complicated, magnetic, unhinged relationships.
People who love dangerous magic and even more dangerous feelings.
Anyone rooting for the boyfriends to become boyfriends.
Audiobook listeners who want narration that heightens every moment.

Content Notes
Dark magic, violence, family trauma, body horror elements, betrayal, and a cliffhanger that will ruin your week.

Final Thoughts
This book is addictive, emotionally charged, and full of characters making bold, reckless choices that I fully support. The magic is sharp, the relationships are intense, and the ending left me staring at the wall like I’d been personally attacked.

Book two cannot come fast enough.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

[Erin Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️
🎧

Thank you to NetGalley, S.E. Berkeley, and the publisher for providing me with an ARC audiobook copy of Bound to Burn in exchange for an honest review!

--

I was excited to start this series because it was marketed as a steamy why choose fantasy, which is very much my thing.

Unfortunately, I spent most of this book feeling like I had accidentally started with Book 2.

The story itself is fun, and I enjoyed the characters well enough. Avery Caris was also an excellent choice for the audiobook. She has a talent for bringing stories to life and made the listening experience far more engaging.

My biggest issue was that so much of Astoria’s emotional foundation comes from events that happened before this book begins. There are constant references to her past, her relationships, and experiences that clearly carry a tremendous amount of emotional weight, but I never got to experience any of them alongside her.

And honestly? THAT is the story I wanted. FULL STOP.

I wanted to see Astoria before she left her old life behind. I wanted the heartbreak, the relationship development, and the emotional devastation that shaped who she is. Instead, I felt like I was being told about a much more interesting story that had already happened.

Which brings me to my second frustration.

This was marketed as a WHY CHOOSE romance.

Except… she chose. She LITERALLY chose.

And she chose the guy who apparently spent the last four years thinking she was a lesbian and not bold enough to make a move. (Insert eye roll here.)

Meanwhile, I’m over here asking where all the Valen content went.

Give me the steamy scenes. Give me the emotional connection. Give me the relationship development that would make me understand why these choices mattered. Had we experienced more of Astoria’s past firsthand, I think I would have been significantly more invested in the romance and the eventual outcome.

Instead, I spent much of the book feeling disconnected from the emotional stakes because I was constantly searching for the missing backstory.

Overall, the premise is fun, the narration is excellent, and I can see why this story will work for many readers. But I cannot stress this enough: I spent the entire book feeling like I had skipped the first installment in the series.