Untwined (Imbued #2, 2026)
Untwined, Imbued book 2 (2026)
Helyna L. Clove
Find out more here: Helyna's website
A introspective dark journey to agency, healing, and perhaps the end of the world.
This was a fever-dream journey of trauma and healing and I really loved it!
I'll admit it's some time since I read book 1 and a few details had escaped me since, but there was definitely a difference of pace and focus. In book 1 we have a more physical journey where Calla (MC) explores magic, friendships, and moves herself into unknown territory.
In book 2, the journey is inward. Calla needs to face herself and her fears to overcome her past trauma and break ties with the person who brought it on her. It's an introspective journey through clouded magical realms of the mind, through insecurity and self-doubt. It shows healing in its rough, gritty parts. We try, we fail, we try again, give up, and try, try, try.
The story is slow to make space for this and I think that is fair. The goal of this books isn't the epic battle against the oppressor (that happens too, don't worry), but to showcase the epic battle against ourselves. To bring out that harsh reality that we're our own worst enemy. That we'll bury ourselves in misery rather than facing the hard choices. That sometimes choosing to live, move on, is the hardest part of healing.
I think Helyna does this so beautifully. The way the story is constructed, even the artistic freedom in certain placements of paragraphs and periods, are all chosen specifically to bring the point of Calla's struggle through the page.
A different story would bring more focus on the flailing romance, on the epic battles, the friendships but I love that Helyna keeps it so harsh and simple on Calla and her flawed fight for her own freedom, the struggle of choosing to live with all that's been wronged. It's the darkest parts of trauma that are shown in this story and they get the space and words they deserve. It's not glossed over, it's not easy. It's not just fixed with a hug from a friend or by snapping some magic strings.
It's work. Constant, terrifying work to chose the better you. To allow yourself to want. To love. And to live.
I thought it was so beautifully written.
As a duology, it concludes the big battle/conflict that loomed in book 1, and as far as villains go, Vesper is the absolute worst piece of shit. A wonderfully cold woman with an eye for her goal and no quarrels of getting to it. I loved the interaction between Calla and Aesh and their weird love-hate sisterly bond. Aesh might be my favorite conflicted character in the story!
The prose is lush and the imagery of the world and magic is detailed and full. The world feels extensive and for what is a very introspective story I would've loved to explore the lore and history that's weaved in more detail still (another time in a different story).
Anyway, there were several instances in this book that I highlighted because they described the conflict of the mind so well or were some proper bangers when it comes to theory of trauma healing (I work with this stuff on almost daily basis, so yeah.. it's how it is).
I thought this one was a good note to leave it all on:
"But you’ll walk through it anyway. You’ll crawl. You’ll stand up, you’ll try to do better. You’ll find something, someone, to do better by. You’ll hold your heart, this withered flower, up towards the sun and smile.
You’ll survive. You’ll grow. You’ll blossom. And one day, you’ll forgive yourself."
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