Necrosis by Peg N. Gremlin – Book Review

Synopsis

Before we dive in, I want to mention that I’ve done my absolute best to keep this review spoiler-free for both Thanatophobia and Necrosis. That said, because Necrosis continues right where book one left off, it’s tricky to talk about it without touching on a few elements from Thanatophobia. If you’re worried about even the tiniest spoilers, I recommend reading Thanatophobia first before jumping into this review!

After the shocking events of Thanatophobia, Layla finds herself trapped in the Empty, the supernatural afterlife where nothing feels real and danger lurks in silence. With time ticking away, Azrael, the Prince of Death, teams up with the snarky Sandman (Ashton) and a sarcastic sentient scythe (Orcus) to bring her back. Rescuing Layla isn’t just about breaking through dimensions. It’s about surviving betrayal, navigating the fragile balance of fate, and facing a love powerful enough to burn everything down. Necrosis is a gripping continuation filled with tension, passion, and pulse-pounding revelations that will leave you breathless.

My Thoughts

I’ve been counting the days for Necrosis to drop, and let me tell you, it delivered beyond my wildest expectations. This book picks up right where Thanatophobia left us gasping, and it does not ease you back in gently. The emotional intensity ramps up immediately, and I could feel my heart squeeze with every page. Layla and Azrael’s connection is deep, fierce, and seriously swoon-worthy. It’s the kind of love that feels both epic and intimate, and watching them fight their way through literal realms for each other was everything.

Ashton and Sadie? Absolute chaos in the best way. Their chemistry is wickedly perfect. And let’s talk about Orcus. The sass. The sarcasm. The sentient scythe continues to be a standout, delivering those laugh-out-loud moments right when the tension gets thick. I found myself genuinely cackling between the heartache and the heat. The banter throughout gives just the break in tension you need.

Gremlin expands the world in this sequel, giving us a deeper look into the Empty and the power dynamics at play. It’s dark, mysterious, and layered with meaning. The banter is sharp. The angst is real. And those steamy scenes? Whew. They are not just filler, they are powerful, emotional, and add so much depth to the characters.

There’s a perfect balance of romance, world-building, and action. It reminded me of the richness of ACOTAR or The Empyrean series, but with the biting wit and spice of The Ruinous Love trilogy, and just like the first book, the pacing is tight and cinematic. Every chapter builds, every character has purpose, and I couldn’t stop reading.

The Vibes it Brings

💀 Afterlife chaos
🔥 Steamy romance
❤️ Fated mates
😈 Morally gray male lead
🛠️ Broken but healing
💬 Hilarious banter
🥵 High heat with emotional depth
🌀 Paranormal tension
🌌 Expanding world-building
😱 Gut-punching angst

Final Thoughts

Necrosis is everything I wanted in a sequel and more. It’s intense, immersive, and emotionally wrecking in the best way. If Thanatophobia hooked you, Necrosis will devour you. Peg N. Gremlin knows how to balance tenderness and terror, and this book proves she’s a force in the dark romantasy genre. If you’re a fan of steamy supernatural romance with actual plot and depth, this one needs to go straight to the top of your list.