Reviewed by Mal
TITLE: What Death Forgets
AUTHOR: Theo Verdone
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 502 Pages
RELEASE DATE: October 1, 2025
BLURB:
Fall in love through a painting.
When up-and-coming artist, Asher Blakely, is invited to compete for a prestigious art mentorship hosted by his hero, the reclusive celebrity artist Leviathan Marks, he’ll do whatever it takes to win. Because Asher isn’t just any fan. He’s spent hours of pain and thousands of dollars turning Leviathan’s art into tattoos on his skin.
But the more Asher gets to know the mercurial Leviathan, the more he starts to fear that maybe he never should have met his hero, that maybe Leviathan is no hero at all.
Lev Marks collects people like paintings and he’ll stop at nothing to add Asher Blakely to his halls. But after luring Asher to his ancestral castle perched atop a tidal island, Lev starts to have second thoughts. Because Asher’s art is a mirror showing Lev all the worst parts of himself, and he can’t risk his secrets getting out.
REVIEW:
Moody, Eerie, Deliciously edgy, obsessive love, intense, a bit melancholy, high drama… trying to describe the experience of reading this book is so hard but all of these fit perfectly. Such an interesting, gripping read and I absolutely loved the world Thea Verdone immerses us in as we navigate this unique tale of love and healing.
I can honestly say I don’t think I’ve read a story quite like Lev and Asher’s love story, it’s very cinematic, immersive and even the place is a character unto itself, bringing the inanimate to life. The ocean setting the tone of passion, pain, fear as a backdrop to the twists and turns of the story. The initial group of the retreat create an almost whodunit vibe, the estate creeping with secrets that swirl around them. So atmospheric. When Silas gains more of a voice as we go further along we truly get glimpses into what Lev must be feeling in his confusion and disbelief- the author holds this unknown so tightly, perfectly balancing mystery with fact.
I loved how it was left.. how we were made to feel, holding a dichotomy of feelings.. I really can’t say more, I don’t want to spoil it but I I can say it will haunt you for a time to come, grappling with this part of the story.
I absolutely adore Asher, I utterly hate what happened to him. I love how he reclaims his lost parts with Lev who is patient and so in love with Asher. I like that this story is about healing with love, not just love but love is such a huge part of it.
Their dynamic is so so hot and I loved how the author stayed true to these vulnerable artists as connection and adoration and obsession turned to love.
The art was another part I was so taken with – the themes emerging guiding us through the story, the 7 sins, the note book all of it had such a pulling back of the veil quality.
RATING: 
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