Eldritch (The Eating Woods, #2) by Keri Lake PDF

P R O L O G U E

Nineteen years ago…

creams echoed down the abyssal passageway.

The damp and frigid air of the stony undercroft nearly stole the

young acolyte’s breath on her hurried flight toward the guttural cries.

Her heart hammered against her ribs.

“Slow your pace, infernal child,” Sacton Crain grumbled from behind,

as he hobbled to keep up with her.

Each cell she passed housed no less than a half-dozen women and

children—most of them Lyverians seized by the Red Men. While the putrid

odor of death, defecation, and decay surely must have nauseated Sacton

Crain, the girl had grown used to it, having spent most of her days in the

temple’s rotting bowels.

The cries led her to a cell in which a Lyverian woman, not much older

than herself, lay writhing, kicking and screaming on the gritty floor. Her

limbs and forehead bore the carvings of the cross, cut by a crude knife, all

of them trickling fresh blood. Arms pinned at either side of her body by

three other Red Veils, she lay drowning beneath a cluster of red robes.

“Give her to me!” Her Lyverian accent clung heavily to her hoarse

words, as fresh blood leaked from her nose where she must’ve been struck.

“Give me my child!”

Sacton Crain slipped past the acolyte into the room. “What was so

pressing that you dragged me out of bed as if the dead were afoot?”

“A birth, Your Grace.” Mother Vona, the only Red Veil who’d been

permitted to keep her tongue, loomed over the fussing woman, her stern

eyes dulled with apathy. “See for yourself.”

Beside Mother Vona stood another prisoner—a Vonkovyan, given the

filthy golden tone of her hair—in threadbare clothes that barely clung to her

body. She held a small bundle in her trembling arms.

Sacton Crain hobbled over to her, and the moment he peered down at

the child, his brows lowered. “Was it you who assisted?”

“Yes, Your Grace,” the Vonkovyan prisoner answered. “I heard her

whisper to someone in tongues.” She glanced at the woman on the floor,

betrayal twisting the Vonkovyan’s expression. “There were nothing but

shadows there.”

“Lies!” the woman screamed, wriggling against the willful hands

pinning her wrists to the ground. “I prayed to the gods. My gods!”

Mother Vona swung her gaze toward the Lyverian mother. “Silver eyes

are an abomination. You’ve birthed a demon. Your gods have forsaken you.

Do you understand what I’m telling you?”

The restrained woman screamed, fighting against the Red Veils as they

scrambled to hold her down. “Give me my child! Give her to me now!”

Sacton Crain knelt beside the woman and stroked his hand across her

cheek. “There, there. Evil brought into the world must be extinguished, for

we are merciless shepherds of the sacred tenet.”

The older Red Veil set her eyes upon the acolyte and nodded toward the

prisoner holding the baby. “Take her to The Eating Woods. Offer her as a

sacrifice, so that we may be blessed with a mild winter.”

A cruel and brutal fate for a child no more than a couple of days old. If

whatever lived in those woods didn’t strip the flesh from her small body, the

animals that lurked for scraps of food in the night surely would. Without

question, the acolyte gave a curt nod and stalked toward the woman, who

held the baby outstretched.

No sooner had she accepted the child than the acolyte watched in horror

as Sacton Crain sliced a blade across the Lyverian mother’s neck.

A stuttering breath caught in the woman’s throat, and she choked,

gurgling and gasping, while the blood poured out of her onto the gritty

floor. Managing to free one of her hands, she seized Sacton Crain’s, her

blood dripping from the blade still caught in his grasp.

Overview

Eldritch (The Eating Woods, #2) by Keri Lake

Eldritch, the second installment in The Eating Woods series by Keri Lake, plunges readers into a dark fantasy world filled with suspense and supernatural elements. The story follows the protagonist as she navigates a treacherous landscape haunted by malevolent forces and personal demons. Themes of vengeance, survival, and the struggle between good and evil are woven throughout the narrative. Keri Lake's gripping storytelling and richly developed characters make this novel a must-read for fans of gothic romance and dark fantasy. This book is perfect for readers who enjoy intense plots and complex character dynamics. Key Points Explores the dark themes of vengeance and survival in a supernatural setting Features a strong female protagonist facing malevolent forces Continues the grippi…

/ 626

286

FAQs

what is Eldritch (The Eating Woods, #2) about

Eldritch (The Eating Woods, #2) is a dark fantasy novel that explores themes of sacrifice, power, and the supernatural. The story begins with a young acolyte who is tasked with a horrifying duty: to offer a newborn child as a sacrifice to the mysterious Eating Woods, a place shrouded in danger and dark magic. As she navigates her grim responsibilities, the acolyte encounters ancient powers and the haunting memories of her own past, including the ghostly presence of her mother.

Dark fantasy elements
Thematic exploration of sacrifice
Supernatural encounters and ancient powers
Character development of the acolyte

who are the main characters in Eldritch (The Eating Woods, #2)

The main characters in Eldritch (The Eating Woods, #2) include:

The Acolyte: A young woman burdened with the grim task of sacrificing a newborn to the Eating Woods.
Sacton Crain: A powerful figure who oversees the acolyte's actions and embodies the harshness of their world.
Mother Vona: A red veil who plays a significant role in the acolyte's life and the fate of the newborn.
The Lyverian Mother: The desperate mother of the child who is caught in the web of sacrifice.

what are the themes in Eldritch (The Eating Woods, #2)

Eldritch (The Eating Woods, #2) delves into several profound themes:

Sacrifice: The central theme revolves around the moral dilemmas of sacrifice and the costs associated with it.
Power and Control: The novel examines how power dynamics affect individuals and communities, particularly through the character of Sacton Crain.
Supernatural Elements: The presence of ancient powers and the Eating Woods adds layers of mystery and danger to the narrative.
Memory and Loss: The acolyte's connection to her mother and her past plays a crucial role in her journey.

is Eldritch (The Eating Woods, #2) a standalone novel

Eldritch (The Eating Woods, #2) is not a standalone novel; it is the second book in a series. Readers are encouraged to read the first book to fully understand the characters and the world-building that leads into this installment. The series builds on its predecessor's plotlines and character developments, enhancing the overall experience.

Part of a series
Continuity of characters and plot
Recommended to read the first book

what is the setting of Eldritch (The Eating Woods, #2)

The setting of Eldritch (The Eating Woods, #2) is a dark, fantastical world characterized by its oppressive atmosphere and supernatural elements. The story unfolds primarily in:

The Undercroft: A grim, underground space where the acolyte and other characters face dire circumstances.
The Eating Woods: A mysterious and dangerous forest that serves as the site for sacrifices and is filled with ancient powers.
The Village: A small, snow-covered village that contrasts with the darkness of the woods and the undercroft.

what happens at the end of Eldritch (The Eating Woods, #2)

The ending of Eldritch (The Eating Woods, #2) is both haunting and thought-provoking, leaving readers with a sense of unease and contemplation. Without giving away spoilers, the climax involves significant revelations about the nature of sacrifice and the true power of the Eating Woods. The acolyte faces critical choices that will determine her fate and the future of those around her, leading to a conclusion that resonates with the themes of power and consequence.

Revelations about sacrifice
Critical choices made by the acolyte
Impact on the characters' futures

is Eldritch (The Eating Woods, #2) part of a series

Yes, Eldritch (The Eating Woods, #2) is part of a series. It follows the events of the first book and continues the story of the characters introduced earlier. The series is designed to build upon its predecessors, deepening the narrative and expanding the world in which the characters exist.

Second book in the series
Continues character arcs
Expands on the world-building from the first book

who is the author of Eldritch (The Eating Woods, #2)

The author of Eldritch (The Eating Woods, #2) is Keri Lake. She is known for her engaging storytelling and ability to weave dark fantasy elements into her narratives, creating immersive worlds for her readers.

Keri Lake: Notable for her dark fantasy novels
Known for strong character development
Creates immersive and atmospheric settings

what genre is Eldritch (The Eating Woods, #2)

Eldritch (The Eating Woods, #2) falls under the genre of dark fantasy. This genre is characterized by its incorporation of supernatural elements, moral ambiguity, and often a grim atmosphere. The novel explores themes of sacrifice and power dynamics within a fantastical setting, making it a compelling read for fans of the genre.

Dark fantasy genre
Supernatural elements
Themes of moral ambiguity

are there any notable quotes in Eldritch (The Eating Woods, #2)

Eldritch (The Eating Woods, #2) contains several notable quotes that capture the essence of its dark themes and character struggles. One poignant line reflects the gravity of sacrifice: "Evil brought into the world must be extinguished, for we are merciless shepherds of the sacred tenet." This quote encapsulates the harsh realities faced by the characters and the moral dilemmas they navigate.