What do you think?
Rate this book
Win a free print copy of this book!
7 days and 13:23:51
10 copies available
U.S. only
Silvercloak Saga #1
Silvercloak
Win a free print copy of this book!
7 days and 13:23:51
10 copies available
U.S. only
In this addictive new fantasy series set in a world where magic is fueled by pleasure and pain, an obsessive detective infiltrates a brutal gang of dark mages—knowing that one wrong move will get her killed. . . .
Two decades ago, the Bloodmoons ruthlessly murdered Saffron Killoran’s parents, destroying her idyllic childhood. Hell-bent on revenge, she lies her way into Silvercloak Academy—the training ground for her city’s elite order of detectives—with a single goal: to bring the Bloodmoons to justice.
But when Saff’s deception is exposed, rather than being cast out, she’s given a rare opportunity: to go undercover and tear the Bloodmoons down from the inside.
Descending into a world where pleasure and pain are the most powerful currencies, Saff must commit some truly heinous deeds to keep her cover—and her life. Not only are there rival gangs and sinister smuggling rings to contend with, but there’s also her growing feelings for the kingpin’s tortured son, with his vicious pet fallowwolf, his dark past, and the curious prophecy foretelling his death at Saffron’s hand.
With each day testing her loyalties further, Saff finds her web of lies becoming harder to spin. And when one false step could destroy everything and everyone she’s ever loved . . . the detective who’s dedicated her life to vengeance just might die for it.
Book One of the Silvercloak Saga
Two decades ago, the Bloodmoons ruthlessly murdered Saffron Killoran’s parents, destroying her idyllic childhood. Hell-bent on revenge, she lies her way into Silvercloak Academy—the training ground for her city’s elite order of detectives—with a single goal: to bring the Bloodmoons to justice.
But when Saff’s deception is exposed, rather than being cast out, she’s given a rare opportunity: to go undercover and tear the Bloodmoons down from the inside.
Descending into a world where pleasure and pain are the most powerful currencies, Saff must commit some truly heinous deeds to keep her cover—and her life. Not only are there rival gangs and sinister smuggling rings to contend with, but there’s also her growing feelings for the kingpin’s tortured son, with his vicious pet fallowwolf, his dark past, and the curious prophecy foretelling his death at Saffron’s hand.
With each day testing her loyalties further, Saff finds her web of lies becoming harder to spin. And when one false step could destroy everything and everyone she’s ever loved . . . the detective who’s dedicated her life to vengeance just might die for it.
Book One of the Silvercloak Saga
464 pages, Hardcover
First published July 29, 2025
869 people are currently reading
45272 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,548 reviews
August 28, 2025
Imagine if every magic spell you cast had to be paid for in ecstasy or agony. In this undercover detective meets queer magical crime noir with wands romantasy, power isn’t destiny, it’s how much joy you can wring out of life, and how much pain you can endure to build mana, aka your well of magic. It's not just waving around magic wands haphazardly and shouting spells in Latin, although to be fair, this also occurs.
Here, food, sex, love and even your emotional support cat can recharge you. Unless you live up north, where sadism and masochism are the batteries of choice. (Why refill on delicious pastries when you could nap on a bed of nails?)
Enter Saffron, magical detective, tragic backstory (is there any other kind?). She’s immune to spells, which makes her uniquely suited to infiltrate the Bloodmoons, the magical mafia who murdered her parents. The Bloodmoons are monsters, but the Silvercloaks also have the moral clarity of a politician. Which is to say none.
Anyway, it’s whimsical, horrifying and queer and I inhaled this like I inhale oxygen, which is to say, like my life depended on it. And given the mixed reviews, I was pleasantly surprised I enjoyed it so much. But reading is subjective and one person’s pleasure is another person’s pain. Fitting, really.
Speaking of which, this is definitely romantasy or fantasy romance, where the enemies-to-friends-to-lovers-to-enemies dynamic is a key driver of the plot and is complicated and morally compromised which made it far more interesting than your standard enemies to lovers fare. So if you see this being marketed as fantasy, be aware that the romance element is strong in this, complete with a couple of spicy scenes.
Add to that time-manipulation, which means it can be paused or rewoven, with caveats. I actually loved that, but if you think time travel is a cheap plot device, this book will probably feel unbearable to you... just a heads up.
Finally, don’t expect comfort in this romantasy-fantasy. It’s quite dark and gritty and throws torture, coercion, gambling addiction and debts, fantasy drugs and drug addiction, blackmail, organised crime, bigotry and historical genocide into the mix. Nobody comes out clean. I was never sure who the villains were. Probably everyone. Except for Rasso, the wolf/doggo, he is the purest and the best. We love Rasso.
I devoured this, then immediately questioned why I was so invested in magical gangsters and their BDSM power batteries.
Thank you so much to NetGalley & Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore | Del Rey for the ARC.
〰〰〰〰〰
Bloodmoons killed her parents → infiltrating the magical gang that murdered her parents to seek vengeance → oops but the enemy is attractive.
Classic. Here for it though, wish me luck.
Here, food, sex, love and even your emotional support cat can recharge you. Unless you live up north, where sadism and masochism are the batteries of choice. (Why refill on delicious pastries when you could nap on a bed of nails?)
Enter Saffron, magical detective, tragic backstory (is there any other kind?). She’s immune to spells, which makes her uniquely suited to infiltrate the Bloodmoons, the magical mafia who murdered her parents. The Bloodmoons are monsters, but the Silvercloaks also have the moral clarity of a politician. Which is to say none.
Anyway, it’s whimsical, horrifying and queer and I inhaled this like I inhale oxygen, which is to say, like my life depended on it. And given the mixed reviews, I was pleasantly surprised I enjoyed it so much. But reading is subjective and one person’s pleasure is another person’s pain. Fitting, really.
Speaking of which, this is definitely romantasy or fantasy romance, where the enemies-to-friends-to-lovers-to-enemies dynamic is a key driver of the plot and is complicated and morally compromised which made it far more interesting than your standard enemies to lovers fare. So if you see this being marketed as fantasy, be aware that the romance element is strong in this, complete with a couple of spicy scenes.
Add to that time-manipulation, which means it can be paused or rewoven, with caveats. I actually loved that, but if you think time travel is a cheap plot device, this book will probably feel unbearable to you... just a heads up.
Finally, don’t expect comfort in this romantasy-fantasy. It’s quite dark and gritty and throws torture, coercion, gambling addiction and debts, fantasy drugs and drug addiction, blackmail, organised crime, bigotry and historical genocide into the mix. Nobody comes out clean. I was never sure who the villains were. Probably everyone. Except for Rasso, the wolf/doggo, he is the purest and the best. We love Rasso.
I devoured this, then immediately questioned why I was so invested in magical gangsters and their BDSM power batteries.
Thank you so much to NetGalley & Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore | Del Rey for the ARC.
〰〰〰〰〰
Bloodmoons killed her parents → infiltrating the magical gang that murdered her parents to seek vengeance → oops but the enemy is attractive.
Classic. Here for it though, wish me luck.
August 25, 2025
RATING BREAKDOWN
Characters: 4⭐️
Setting: 5⭐️
Plot: 5⭐️
Themes: 4⭐️
Emotional Impact: 4⭐️
Personal Enjoyment: 4⭐️
Total Rounded Average: 4.5⭐️
I had a marvelous time with this fantasy romance, centering a criminal syndicate infiltration mission! The standouts were the setting and plot. This is a soft but intricate magic system, with enough rules to give it structure and depth, but enough left to interpretation to make it thematically interesting. The main character is a wielder who is invincible to magic effects herself. Magic is cast as spells with positive or negative connotation. Wielders are gifted in certain branches of magic, not all, and there are forbidden, forgotten, and taboo magics as well. Magic essence is fueled by pleasure and pain. For the romance readers who wish for a little more complexity in the fantasy worlds they read, this will scratch that itch! And the plot is gripping. Tasked with infiltrating the infamous crime ring, The Bloodcloaks, the main character must sacrifice her reputation, safety, and friendships to avenge her parents. Along the way, she will fulfill a prophecy; she just doesn't know when!
The primary characters are well-developed, likable, and believable. As the series progresses, I hope to feel even more connected to the supporting characters and more emotionally invested. This is meant to be an emotional story, riddled with grief and loss, and it grapples with self-worth, identity, and moral ambiguity. It has legs, and the layers are being stacked. That said, the writing style is pretty explicit and explanation-heavy at times, so the emotional and thematic beats don't yet have the sophistication of some of the higher fantasy series I've read.
I appreciated the queer and sex positive world Steven created. It makes perfect sense with the way the magic system works, and doesn't feel forced or included for spice ratings. I found the spice to be well-balanced with plot, minimal, and earned. I also felt ZERO cringe.
I had an amazing time, and compared with other romantasy titles, this one has a lot going for it in terms of style, sophistication of the world, and concept. Really looking forward to the rest of the trilogy to see how Steven more fully utilizes her beautiful map and this world she has invented. I'm eager to see these characters become even more complex and morally grey, and to explore the themes her plot has opened up! Such a promising book one, and a breath of fresh air for romantasy readers!
Characters: 4⭐️
Setting: 5⭐️
Plot: 5⭐️
Themes: 4⭐️
Emotional Impact: 4⭐️
Personal Enjoyment: 4⭐️
Total Rounded Average: 4.5⭐️
I had a marvelous time with this fantasy romance, centering a criminal syndicate infiltration mission! The standouts were the setting and plot. This is a soft but intricate magic system, with enough rules to give it structure and depth, but enough left to interpretation to make it thematically interesting. The main character is a wielder who is invincible to magic effects herself. Magic is cast as spells with positive or negative connotation. Wielders are gifted in certain branches of magic, not all, and there are forbidden, forgotten, and taboo magics as well. Magic essence is fueled by pleasure and pain. For the romance readers who wish for a little more complexity in the fantasy worlds they read, this will scratch that itch! And the plot is gripping. Tasked with infiltrating the infamous crime ring, The Bloodcloaks, the main character must sacrifice her reputation, safety, and friendships to avenge her parents. Along the way, she will fulfill a prophecy; she just doesn't know when!
The primary characters are well-developed, likable, and believable. As the series progresses, I hope to feel even more connected to the supporting characters and more emotionally invested. This is meant to be an emotional story, riddled with grief and loss, and it grapples with self-worth, identity, and moral ambiguity. It has legs, and the layers are being stacked. That said, the writing style is pretty explicit and explanation-heavy at times, so the emotional and thematic beats don't yet have the sophistication of some of the higher fantasy series I've read.
I appreciated the queer and sex positive world Steven created. It makes perfect sense with the way the magic system works, and doesn't feel forced or included for spice ratings. I found the spice to be well-balanced with plot, minimal, and earned. I also felt ZERO cringe.
I had an amazing time, and compared with other romantasy titles, this one has a lot going for it in terms of style, sophistication of the world, and concept. Really looking forward to the rest of the trilogy to see how Steven more fully utilizes her beautiful map and this world she has invented. I'm eager to see these characters become even more complex and morally grey, and to explore the themes her plot has opened up! Such a promising book one, and a breath of fresh air for romantasy readers!
August 13, 2025
Rated 4.5 stars rounded up for Goodreads!
Starting book 1 in a series is always so challenging for me. I am usually pretty cautious and don't want to get my hopes up too much. All that to say Silvercloak was a solid start and I will be reading book 2 as soon as it hits the shelves!
The setting feels like the Carnival Row show mixed with Ketterdam from Six of Crows! This grungy and dangerous vibe always works for me. 5 stars for setting.
When it comes to the characters I really liked both our FMC and MMC which is RARE! I enjoyed our side characters, but I think I needed more to feel emotionally connected to them. I am looking forward to getting more of them in future books! 5 stars for characters.
Plot was fast and punchy! The amount of time spent explaining the magic system, building of the world, and backstory/history was perfectly sufficient. 5 stars for plot.
My personal enjoyment and emotional impact of Silvercloak was 4 stars which is why I landed on 4.5 for the book. Strong start to a series! I would recommend this to anyone that wants a unique fantasy that has many strong elements outside of the romance, but with a good romance! L. K. Steven really captured my imagination and brought me back to my childhood nostalgia from my Harry Potter.
Starting book 1 in a series is always so challenging for me. I am usually pretty cautious and don't want to get my hopes up too much. All that to say Silvercloak was a solid start and I will be reading book 2 as soon as it hits the shelves!
The setting feels like the Carnival Row show mixed with Ketterdam from Six of Crows! This grungy and dangerous vibe always works for me. 5 stars for setting.
When it comes to the characters I really liked both our FMC and MMC which is RARE! I enjoyed our side characters, but I think I needed more to feel emotionally connected to them. I am looking forward to getting more of them in future books! 5 stars for characters.
Plot was fast and punchy! The amount of time spent explaining the magic system, building of the world, and backstory/history was perfectly sufficient. 5 stars for plot.
My personal enjoyment and emotional impact of Silvercloak was 4 stars which is why I landed on 4.5 for the book. Strong start to a series! I would recommend this to anyone that wants a unique fantasy that has many strong elements outside of the romance, but with a good romance! L. K. Steven really captured my imagination and brought me back to my childhood nostalgia from my Harry Potter.
June 19, 2025
Here I am again with the romantasy after I said that I would let it go. But I was lured by a world "where magic is fueled by pleasure and pain" and I couldn't resist. And I can happily report that the world and the magic system indeed did not disappoint here. But everything else can be described in one word: okay. The characters: okay. The plot: okay. The romance: okay. As you can see, I'm not exactly bubbling with excitement for this book, but really everything was okay here. This will probably still be a review where I list things upon things that bugged me, but there are no hard feelings on my part. It's better than your average romantasy book in my opinion, because the romance is not the sole focus and there was made an effort with the fantasy part.
It's the story of Saffron Killoran, 26 years old and about to graduate from the magical Silvercloak Academy together with her cohort. But things don't go as planned when her long-kept secret of her immunity to magic gets revealed. This ability is basically unheard of in the all magical world, and it's the reason why Saffron doesn't start a normal Silvercloak job but is sent to infiltrate a crime organization instead. It's basically the magic police vs. the magic mafia, if you will. It's the same people that killed Saffron's parents when she was a child, so she wants to destroy them anyway and joins their ranks to do so. I tell you how it is: the cool magic and the interesting world are kinda wasted on the whole undercover-in-the-mafia plot. I was so fascinated by the descriptions of the magic in the beginning – the magical objects made by Saffron's father or the cities that are built with the intent to restore magic – but that wasn't part of the later story at all. Instead the book focused on Saffron collecting intel and on her growing relationship with the kingpin's son Levan. I felt nothing for their romance, but it was bearable. I think that their interactions were way to casual for her just entering the organization. Like, he literally fired a killing spell at her during their first meeting and then they still warm up to each other? I don't really get Levan's character anyway. He's killing nonchalantly but then I'm told that he is actually a tortured soul and a bookworm. And I haven't even mentioned that he's basically all-powerful for some reason. I never stopped rolling my eyes when it came to him. I mean, if that's what Saffron wants it's fine, but she had a hot and badass dragon girlfriend in the beginning, just saying. Saffron's whole situation was honestly not as bad as the author tried to sell it to me. Yes, the crime boss forced her to inflict violence against her will, but she wasn't under strict surveillance and was even able to get help by her Silvercloak friends. I never had the feeling that she was in danger, because she either bullshits her way out of tricky situations or she's acting recklessly without any consequences. Saffron gets a loyalty brand that would prevent her from betraying the organization if she wasn't immune to magic, and I can't even count how often she pointed at it and said: "Look here. I couldn't possibly be a rat." Honestly, it was such a cop out. Saffron's newly acquired magic is also one big cop out, but it was foreshadowed so clearly throughout the story that it at least didn't come as a surprise. In the end all I can say is that I wish that this story took literally any other direction than the police-mafia one. I didn't hate it, but I was always thinking about what could have been. 2.5 stars.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
It's the story of Saffron Killoran, 26 years old and about to graduate from the magical Silvercloak Academy together with her cohort. But things don't go as planned when her long-kept secret of her immunity to magic gets revealed. This ability is basically unheard of in the all magical world, and it's the reason why Saffron doesn't start a normal Silvercloak job but is sent to infiltrate a crime organization instead. It's basically the magic police vs. the magic mafia, if you will. It's the same people that killed Saffron's parents when she was a child, so she wants to destroy them anyway and joins their ranks to do so. I tell you how it is: the cool magic and the interesting world are kinda wasted on the whole undercover-in-the-mafia plot. I was so fascinated by the descriptions of the magic in the beginning – the magical objects made by Saffron's father or the cities that are built with the intent to restore magic – but that wasn't part of the later story at all. Instead the book focused on Saffron collecting intel and on her growing relationship with the kingpin's son Levan. I felt nothing for their romance, but it was bearable. I think that their interactions were way to casual for her just entering the organization. Like, he literally fired a killing spell at her during their first meeting and then they still warm up to each other? I don't really get Levan's character anyway. He's killing nonchalantly but then I'm told that he is actually a tortured soul and a bookworm. And I haven't even mentioned that he's basically all-powerful for some reason. I never stopped rolling my eyes when it came to him. I mean, if that's what Saffron wants it's fine, but she had a hot and badass dragon girlfriend in the beginning, just saying. Saffron's whole situation was honestly not as bad as the author tried to sell it to me. Yes, the crime boss forced her to inflict violence against her will, but she wasn't under strict surveillance and was even able to get help by her Silvercloak friends. I never had the feeling that she was in danger, because she either bullshits her way out of tricky situations or she's acting recklessly without any consequences. Saffron gets a loyalty brand that would prevent her from betraying the organization if she wasn't immune to magic, and I can't even count how often she pointed at it and said: "Look here. I couldn't possibly be a rat." Honestly, it was such a cop out. Saffron's newly acquired magic is also one big cop out, but it was foreshadowed so clearly throughout the story that it at least didn't come as a surprise. In the end all I can say is that I wish that this story took literally any other direction than the police-mafia one. I didn't hate it, but I was always thinking about what could have been. 2.5 stars.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
December 9, 2024
queer harry potter with organized crime and timeweaving
i'm obsessssed full rtc at later date
i'm obsessssed full rtc at later date
April 8, 2025
Harry Potter meets the Mafia.
Saffron has one goal: bring down the killers who murdered her parents. This is enabled when she is set a secretive mission after being falsely thrown out of the Silvercloak elite force academy so she can infiltrate the Bloodcloaks, branded but protected from their compulsion due to her immunity to magic.
Saf is not shy about getting her hands dirty and bloody. This is dark and gory with torture and brothels and drugs.
The romance is not rushed or forced or the centre of the plot. The magic system is interesting and there are limitations and costs.
Oh, she thought, horrified and fascinated in equal measure. This is how villains are born.
What I didn’t like:
This had such a promising set up and start, yet I felt Saf’s time with the Bloodcloacks were lacklustre and her experience there felt too easy compared to everything we had previously heard about them and the cruelty they dished out.
I lacked emotional connections with the characters which didn’t help.
What really brought my rating down was the last 25%.
This incorporated a troupe I hate that I view as a cop out which greatly brought my rating down. This is a personal preference and I cannot state it without spoiling major parts of the book, but it is to do with magic and powers.
Physical Arc gifted by Random House Cornerstone.
Bookstagram
Tiktok
Saffron has one goal: bring down the killers who murdered her parents. This is enabled when she is set a secretive mission after being falsely thrown out of the Silvercloak elite force academy so she can infiltrate the Bloodcloaks, branded but protected from their compulsion due to her immunity to magic.
Saf is not shy about getting her hands dirty and bloody. This is dark and gory with torture and brothels and drugs.
The romance is not rushed or forced or the centre of the plot. The magic system is interesting and there are limitations and costs.
Oh, she thought, horrified and fascinated in equal measure. This is how villains are born.
What I didn’t like:
This had such a promising set up and start, yet I felt Saf’s time with the Bloodcloacks were lacklustre and her experience there felt too easy compared to everything we had previously heard about them and the cruelty they dished out.
I lacked emotional connections with the characters which didn’t help.
What really brought my rating down was the last 25%.
This incorporated a troupe I hate that I view as a cop out which greatly brought my rating down. This is a personal preference and I cannot state it without spoiling major parts of the book, but it is to do with magic and powers.
Physical Arc gifted by Random House Cornerstone.
Bookstagram
Tiktok
June 30, 2025
Tons of potential + a unique concept + interesting world.
This would be a great choice or those that aren’t picky about repetitiveness, or a book that leans a little into the tell not show.
I was very excited for this book, perhaps too excited? Expectations can really impact how I feel about a book and my expectations for this one were through the roof. I was certain this was going to be THE fantasy. It is a unique world and such a cool concept. In the end this fell flat for me.
I think it’s important for me to point out that I did enjoy a number of aspects of this book.
The number one issue I had with this book, and the main reason for this being a miss was the hand-holding, over-explanation, repeated phrases, and the constant reminders of plot-points. These are things I expect in a YA book, young readers often need a little reminder, clearer foreshadowing, etc. As an adult I do not.
The hand-holding and over explanation tends feels a lot like tell not show, but the thing is, the author is doing a decent job of showing, unfortunately she follows up that “show” with a detailed explanation of exactly what the character meant.
Lines similar to these were constant….. “Saffron scanned the room for threats and exit points, as was deeply engrained in her by the academy” — We really don’t need the explanation of why she scans the room, at this point the author has established that Saff is well trained — we can reasonably assume she’s scanning the room bc of her training, as scanning a room is pretty standard behavior for someone with military or police training. The over explanation bogs down the writing - bloating it in places it doesn’t need it.
There were also lots of instances where exactly phrasing and lines were repeated within pages of each other.
Sigh… I’m off on a tangent.
As for the world building, it feels rich in terms of atmosphere but it also felt like it lacked in details that were actually relevant to the world. Perhaps this is a case of me already being frustrated with the bloated prose, but I found myself so uninterested in the world building.
What’s to love…
- unique world + magic
- lush world-building + atmospheric
- queer-normative + sex positive world
- Morally grey characters
- forbidden love
- characters with depth
What’s not to love…
- In addition to the tangent above?
- This was a bit predictable for me.
- Everything felt insanely easy considering our FMC makes some ridiculously disastrous choices for someone who is so well trained.
🌶️ - This is adult, explicit scenes included, but also this whole book is about pleasure and pain. Don't pick this up if you're uncomfortable with a sex positive world.
| TikTok | IG |
Thank you NetGalley and Random House/Del Rey for sending this book (eARC) for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
This would be a great choice or those that aren’t picky about repetitiveness, or a book that leans a little into the tell not show.
I was very excited for this book, perhaps too excited? Expectations can really impact how I feel about a book and my expectations for this one were through the roof. I was certain this was going to be THE fantasy. It is a unique world and such a cool concept. In the end this fell flat for me.
I think it’s important for me to point out that I did enjoy a number of aspects of this book.
The number one issue I had with this book, and the main reason for this being a miss was the hand-holding, over-explanation, repeated phrases, and the constant reminders of plot-points. These are things I expect in a YA book, young readers often need a little reminder, clearer foreshadowing, etc. As an adult I do not.
The hand-holding and over explanation tends feels a lot like tell not show, but the thing is, the author is doing a decent job of showing, unfortunately she follows up that “show” with a detailed explanation of exactly what the character meant.
Lines similar to these were constant….. “Saffron scanned the room for threats and exit points, as was deeply engrained in her by the academy” — We really don’t need the explanation of why she scans the room, at this point the author has established that Saff is well trained — we can reasonably assume she’s scanning the room bc of her training, as scanning a room is pretty standard behavior for someone with military or police training. The over explanation bogs down the writing - bloating it in places it doesn’t need it.
There were also lots of instances where exactly phrasing and lines were repeated within pages of each other.
Sigh… I’m off on a tangent.
As for the world building, it feels rich in terms of atmosphere but it also felt like it lacked in details that were actually relevant to the world. Perhaps this is a case of me already being frustrated with the bloated prose, but I found myself so uninterested in the world building.
What’s to love…
- unique world + magic
- lush world-building + atmospheric
- queer-normative + sex positive world
- Morally grey characters
- forbidden love
- characters with depth
What’s not to love…
- In addition to the tangent above?
- This was a bit predictable for me.
- Everything felt insanely easy considering our FMC makes some ridiculously disastrous choices for someone who is so well trained.
🌶️ - This is adult, explicit scenes included, but also this whole book is about pleasure and pain. Don't pick this up if you're uncomfortable with a sex positive world.
| TikTok | IG |
Thank you NetGalley and Random House/Del Rey for sending this book (eARC) for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
September 4, 2025
Silvercloak felt very unique & compelling to me for 75% of it. The last 25%??? What was that. I’m just sitting here, wondering what exactly went wrong and what I can say for sure is that there’s an insane tone shift between the first 75% vs the last 25%.
My thoughts are a bit scattered but I will admit I was disappointed that everything the FMC is built up to be in the first 100 pages was immediately thrown away when she infiltrated the Bloodmoons. It gave me the impression that I was reading about a completely different character and that her foundations were fickle. She was described as an intelligent planner who didn’t talk much. And this was completely reversed upon joining the Bloodmoons. She never stopped talking.
The magic system is very original. I think this was incredibly well thought out. So was the world building.
It’s a tough world with villains in every corner. For that reason, I did think the MMC warmed up too fast to the FMC. It gave me whiplash. He was also too forgiving of her. All of this made the supposed high stakes not so high after all.
The writing was very repetitive… it gave me the feeling the author was trying to hold our hands while reading but it wasn’t needed. Entire sequences were repeated NONSTOP… it didn’t add anything to the storyline.
Given the romance in the author’s previous work Our infinite fates… I didn’t think the romance would be a problem but unfortunately… it felt forced - the FMC had extreme chemistry with Nissa… but not with the MMC.
The last 25% is where it all went downhill for me. It was just so convenient! I predicted everything that happened and it left me with a sour taste because I was strongly hoping it wasn’t going to follow the trajectory I had in mind. Before this last part, I thought I was going to continue with this series but now… I’m sincerely leaning towards a no.
My thoughts are a bit scattered but I will admit I was disappointed that everything the FMC is built up to be in the first 100 pages was immediately thrown away when she infiltrated the Bloodmoons. It gave me the impression that I was reading about a completely different character and that her foundations were fickle. She was described as an intelligent planner who didn’t talk much. And this was completely reversed upon joining the Bloodmoons. She never stopped talking.
The magic system is very original. I think this was incredibly well thought out. So was the world building.
It’s a tough world with villains in every corner. For that reason, I did think the MMC warmed up too fast to the FMC. It gave me whiplash. He was also too forgiving of her. All of this made the supposed high stakes not so high after all.
The writing was very repetitive… it gave me the feeling the author was trying to hold our hands while reading but it wasn’t needed. Entire sequences were repeated NONSTOP… it didn’t add anything to the storyline.
Given the romance in the author’s previous work Our infinite fates… I didn’t think the romance would be a problem but unfortunately… it felt forced - the FMC had extreme chemistry with Nissa… but not with the MMC.
The last 25% is where it all went downhill for me. It was just so convenient! I predicted everything that happened and it left me with a sour taste because I was strongly hoping it wasn’t going to follow the trajectory I had in mind. Before this last part, I thought I was going to continue with this series but now… I’m sincerely leaning towards a no.
July 31, 2025
OH SO THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST FANTASY BOOKS I HAVE READ IN MY ENTIRE LIFE!!!!!! infinity stars♾️⭐️
I don’t even know how to find the words, but I’ll be posting all the tik toks and youtube videos about this one. I am in awe!!!!!!!!
I don’t even know how to find the words, but I’ll be posting all the tik toks and youtube videos about this one. I am in awe!!!!!!!!
August 3, 2025
4.5⭐️
This is my type of detective fantasy! Laura’s writing just works for me, I was gripped the whole time.
The magic system is so unique yet easy to understand, I fell in love with the characters and their nerdy quirks. Bonding over a fantasy series that got them through their childhood trauma, absolutely relatable!
I was on the edge of my seat for basically the whole book but especially the ending, the high stakes of Saff being undercover was thrilling.
I can’t wait for book 2!
This is my type of detective fantasy! Laura’s writing just works for me, I was gripped the whole time.
The magic system is so unique yet easy to understand, I fell in love with the characters and their nerdy quirks. Bonding over a fantasy series that got them through their childhood trauma, absolutely relatable!
I was on the edge of my seat for basically the whole book but especially the ending, the high stakes of Saff being undercover was thrilling.
I can’t wait for book 2!
July 7, 2025
firstly, thank you to the publisher for an arc!
what a ride silvercloak was! buckle up folks, because this is going to be one of the biggest fantasy books of the year!
i keep seeing people compare this to Harry Potter but they are extremely inaccurate imo — this is nothing like HP outside of the wands and verbal spellcasting, especially considering the mages in this world gain their strength from either pleasure or pain; the quantity and quality of their magic depends on how much pleasure or pain they acquire, and of course, pain ensures the quality of magic is the strongest.
silvercloak opens with our young fmc saffron witnessing the murder of her parents in her own home by the mafioso-esque bloodmoon group, and from there, her goal is to murder those who ruined her life. years of studying (and cheating), land her in the final stages of becoming an honored silvercloak, where of course things go awry and she is forced to go undercover and infiltrate the bloodmoon ranks.
i find that stevens writes phenomenal enemies to friends to lovers to enemies characters (our infinite fates portrayed that so well), and she outdid herself with saff and levan’s relationship as well.
truly, i also enjoy characters who try their hardest to keep their morals, but ultimately end up morally gray/wrongly viewed as villains in their world… it just makes the character development (and suffering!) that much more realistic. and oh, how poor saff tried her hardest to maintain her code of conduct but “oh, this is how villains are born”… JUST AMAZING.
overall, I NEED BOOK TWO IMMEDIATELY!!
what a ride silvercloak was! buckle up folks, because this is going to be one of the biggest fantasy books of the year!
i keep seeing people compare this to Harry Potter but they are extremely inaccurate imo — this is nothing like HP outside of the wands and verbal spellcasting, especially considering the mages in this world gain their strength from either pleasure or pain; the quantity and quality of their magic depends on how much pleasure or pain they acquire, and of course, pain ensures the quality of magic is the strongest.
silvercloak opens with our young fmc saffron witnessing the murder of her parents in her own home by the mafioso-esque bloodmoon group, and from there, her goal is to murder those who ruined her life. years of studying (and cheating), land her in the final stages of becoming an honored silvercloak, where of course things go awry and she is forced to go undercover and infiltrate the bloodmoon ranks.
i find that stevens writes phenomenal enemies to friends to lovers to enemies characters (our infinite fates portrayed that so well), and she outdid herself with saff and levan’s relationship as well.
truly, i also enjoy characters who try their hardest to keep their morals, but ultimately end up morally gray/wrongly viewed as villains in their world… it just makes the character development (and suffering!) that much more realistic. and oh, how poor saff tried her hardest to maintain her code of conduct but “oh, this is how villains are born”… JUST AMAZING.
overall, I NEED BOOK TWO IMMEDIATELY!!
July 27, 2025
Initially compelling with its writing style suggesting an almost dark academia take on magic, Silvercloak is one that grabbed my interest from the get-go. I loved discovering this world where power is built from pleasure and pain, how that formed its society and the way experiences proved so inherently formative to each character not only on a personal level, but in their power too.
I feel like the tone we began with didn’t quite match the romance leaning plot line this became geared towards, and I couldn’t help feeling I’d read two separate stories somehow. As such, I couldn’t get hooked on the romance enough to feel the tension driving the story, which was a real shame given so much emotion could be pulled into the very magic system at play.
I’d still be interested in reading the sequel, I think especially given how things ultimately did play out. I just felt pretty ambivalent towards the latter half, so I’m hoping for more emotion to be drawn in book 2.
[Thank you to the publisher for providing an eARC on Netgalley!]
I feel like the tone we began with didn’t quite match the romance leaning plot line this became geared towards, and I couldn’t help feeling I’d read two separate stories somehow. As such, I couldn’t get hooked on the romance enough to feel the tension driving the story, which was a real shame given so much emotion could be pulled into the very magic system at play.
I’d still be interested in reading the sequel, I think especially given how things ultimately did play out. I just felt pretty ambivalent towards the latter half, so I’m hoping for more emotion to be drawn in book 2.
[Thank you to the publisher for providing an eARC on Netgalley!]
March 18, 2025
Finally a refreshing take in the fantasy genre!
If you grew up on Harry Potter and are having withdrawals this book will definitely satisfy your cravings. The opening scene gave me “voldemorts time of rule” vibes with wands and death spells. As heart breaking as this chapter was it gave you a really good indication of how important the FMC would be moving forward through a time jump.
I loved the elementary setting with the brain storming, team exercises and ruthless tests (not your run of the mill school exams, try life and death scenarios that require magic use, spells, cunning and flair). The only downside was that the training setting was only for a short portion at the beginning of the book, we did get a couple flash books but I’d actually love to read a prequel about their full time in the academy, giving deeper insight into how the main character got accepted and their time in training
This book was a breath of fresh air for me I don’t want to say too much to spoil the contents but I really liked the world building, the setting, the spell casting, the main characters and the plot. Definitely keep this on your radar!,
Thank you to random house publishing group and L K Steven for the ears!
Publish date: July 29th 2025
If you grew up on Harry Potter and are having withdrawals this book will definitely satisfy your cravings. The opening scene gave me “voldemorts time of rule” vibes with wands and death spells. As heart breaking as this chapter was it gave you a really good indication of how important the FMC would be moving forward through a time jump.
I loved the elementary setting with the brain storming, team exercises and ruthless tests (not your run of the mill school exams, try life and death scenarios that require magic use, spells, cunning and flair). The only downside was that the training setting was only for a short portion at the beginning of the book, we did get a couple flash books but I’d actually love to read a prequel about their full time in the academy, giving deeper insight into how the main character got accepted and their time in training
This book was a breath of fresh air for me I don’t want to say too much to spoil the contents but I really liked the world building, the setting, the spell casting, the main characters and the plot. Definitely keep this on your radar!,
Thank you to random house publishing group and L K Steven for the ears!
Publish date: July 29th 2025
July 30, 2025
I hated this book. It literally read like original character AU Harry Potter fanfiction.
If you come in with low expectations, then unlike me, you might actually enjoy this novel. This is the type of read where you'll fare a lot better if you turn off your brain and don't question anything.
Also, if you're of the ACAB persuasion, don't even bother.
The synopsis sounded cool, but the whole undercover thing felt amateurish to the point where you really have to work hard to suspend your disbelief. Early on, Saffron pulled a Pete Hegseth, and I just couldn't get over it.
The writing style and characterizations were very YA and romantasy, even though this is advertised as adult fantasy. I had to double check to make sure that this isn't being published by Red Tower Books. It sure as hell belongs next to Fourth Wing.
And in Red Tower knock off fashion, of course the nepo baby bad boy love interest was explained in excruciating detail:
The way that Saffron instantly folded every single time she saw him or interacted with him was giving hormonal teenager. I'm too old for this shit. I didn't sign up for a Red Tower romantasy. Get me off this ride.
Every time a new concept was introduced, it was overexplained to the point of exhaustion. It felt like reading footnotes. More than half of the time I didn't care about the history or backstory of x, y, z. They added nothing to the story. It was so much fluff.
Turned out the ending plot twist was the only thing I ended up liking. It was like something out of a Marvel comic book or movie. And I'm a basic bitch for that kind of thing. And trust me, the twist was the epitome of cliche.
Actually, there was another scene that I liked. But only because I'm a freak.
Thank you to Del Rey and NetGalley for this arc.
If you come in with low expectations, then unlike me, you might actually enjoy this novel. This is the type of read where you'll fare a lot better if you turn off your brain and don't question anything.
Also, if you're of the ACAB persuasion, don't even bother.
The synopsis sounded cool, but the whole undercover thing felt amateurish to the point where you really have to work hard to suspend your disbelief. Early on, Saffron pulled a Pete Hegseth, and I just couldn't get over it.
The writing style and characterizations were very YA and romantasy, even though this is advertised as adult fantasy. I had to double check to make sure that this isn't being published by Red Tower Books. It sure as hell belongs next to Fourth Wing.
And in Red Tower knock off fashion, of course the nepo baby bad boy love interest was explained in excruciating detail:
"He had the chiseled face and physique of the carved statues that stood outside Saints halls."
"His body was a map of the person he was. It was lean and toned from his running and combat training, knots of muscle in his arms and shoulders and chest. His stomach was more concave than she suspected it usually was, with two hollow grooves either side of his belly button, the sharp V of his hips disappearing into his waistband."
"His hair felt impossibly soft. Every other part of him was hard, honed, a stoic construct against the world, but his hair felt like skimming the bolts of satin her uncles used for the royal cloaks. As her nails scraped over his scalp, he let out a long, slow sigh. She felt the reverberation all the way up her arm."
The way that Saffron instantly folded every single time she saw him or interacted with him was giving hormonal teenager. I'm too old for this shit. I didn't sign up for a Red Tower romantasy. Get me off this ride.
Every time a new concept was introduced, it was overexplained to the point of exhaustion. It felt like reading footnotes. More than half of the time I didn't care about the history or backstory of x, y, z. They added nothing to the story. It was so much fluff.
Turned out the ending plot twist was the only thing I ended up liking. It was like something out of a Marvel comic book or movie. And I'm a basic bitch for that kind of thing. And trust me, the twist was the epitome of cliche.
Actually, there was another scene that I liked. But only because I'm a freak.
Thank you to Del Rey and NetGalley for this arc.
July 13, 2025
Silvercloak is a MASTERPIECE that will take the fantasy world by storm.
in a world where magic is fueled by pleasure and pain, Saff will do whatever she must to avenge her murdered parents- even act as a double agent and join the very crime gang that killed them. to make matters worse, her loyalty is tested by none other than the son of the kingpin himself. in a twisty, magic ridden world Saff also must navigate a fated prophesy surrounding them (will it come to pass?) that tilts the very worldview she stands on.
hooooooly shit i loved this book so much. L.K. Steven has become an auto-buy author for me after coming out with TWO of my top favorite books of 2025 (the other being Our Infinite Fates). her writing is stunning and her fantasy world & magic system were so refreshing! this woman knows how to write a tortured soul, let me tell you.
fantasy with romantic subplot is arguably a lost art but BOY OH BOY does L.K. Steven know how to infuse crack into a slow burn romantic subplot. both characters are so tragically tortured and their actions make sense!! they both have motives to further their own agendas and are convinced they’re doing what’s right- helloooooo morally grey.
i loved the conflict surrounding the Silvercloaks (“good guys”) and Bloodmoons (“bad guys”- crime gang) and felt that it was easy to follow while still being deliciously complex. my head was constantly spinning with new theories and i STILL was caught off guard at times.
this book is perfect for readers who swoon over morally grey characters, become feral when faced with forced proximity and slow burn, love a healthy dose of “fate”, and those who loved the vibes of Six of Crows (just imagine more magic). literally going to reread my tabs because YES i highlighted on the first read!! a 5 star indicator!!!
thank you to del rey and l.k. steven for the opportunity to read and review this book early. i truly loved every second of it!
in a world where magic is fueled by pleasure and pain, Saff will do whatever she must to avenge her murdered parents- even act as a double agent and join the very crime gang that killed them. to make matters worse, her loyalty is tested by none other than the son of the kingpin himself. in a twisty, magic ridden world Saff also must navigate a fated prophesy surrounding them (will it come to pass?) that tilts the very worldview she stands on.
hooooooly shit i loved this book so much. L.K. Steven has become an auto-buy author for me after coming out with TWO of my top favorite books of 2025 (the other being Our Infinite Fates). her writing is stunning and her fantasy world & magic system were so refreshing! this woman knows how to write a tortured soul, let me tell you.
fantasy with romantic subplot is arguably a lost art but BOY OH BOY does L.K. Steven know how to infuse crack into a slow burn romantic subplot. both characters are so tragically tortured and their actions make sense!! they both have motives to further their own agendas and are convinced they’re doing what’s right- helloooooo morally grey.
i loved the conflict surrounding the Silvercloaks (“good guys”) and Bloodmoons (“bad guys”- crime gang) and felt that it was easy to follow while still being deliciously complex. my head was constantly spinning with new theories and i STILL was caught off guard at times.
this book is perfect for readers who swoon over morally grey characters, become feral when faced with forced proximity and slow burn, love a healthy dose of “fate”, and those who loved the vibes of Six of Crows (just imagine more magic). literally going to reread my tabs because YES i highlighted on the first read!! a 5 star indicator!!!
thank you to del rey and l.k. steven for the opportunity to read and review this book early. i truly loved every second of it!
March 8, 2025
This book has been generating a lot of buzz in the fantasy community.
I was eager to dive in, especially with its intriguing premise and the hype surrounding it. However, I found myself struggling to connect with it.
A book needs to capture me early on, to
pull me into its world and make me care
about the story, the characters, or even just
the atmosphere.
This book, however, failed to do that. While I understood the plot and followed the events, I never felt invested.
My mind drifted, I found myself rereading passages not because they were profound,
but because I wasn't paying attention the
first time. In the end, I finished it, but it felt
like had simply processed words rather
than experienced a story.
What Didn't Work for Me:
The concept of magic being fueled by pleasure and pain was unique, but personally, it made me uncomfortable. I often find that adult fantasy leans too heavily into sexual themes, and this was no exception.
I didn’t click with the romance subplot at all. The dark-haired, morally grey male lead has been done a lot, and this version didn’t bring anything fresh to the trope.
The whole "hurt me, then" dynamic just isn’t for me—it focused more about physical attraction and dominance than emotional depth. It felt possessive and further distanced me from the characters and their relationships.
Potential Positives for Other Readers:
While the book didn't align with my preferences, there are aspects that others might appreciate:
While the story didn’t grip me, I did appreciate the world itself. The setting was rich and well-developed, and the way magic worked was interesting (even if I personally didn’t enjoy the pleasure/pain aspect). The mechanics of it were well thought out, and I can see how people who like darker fantasy elements would be into it.
L.K. Steven’s writing is solid, and I never had an issue with the pacing or structure. Even though I wasn’t emotionally invested, I never felt like the book was badly written—it just wasn’t the right fit for me.
Conclusion:
Silvercloak didn't resonate with me personally. It lacked the emotional connection I need to really feel a story. I finished it, but I never felt hooked.
Yet, I still recognize that it offers unique elements that may appeal to other readers. If you're intrigued by an innovative magic system, rich world-building, and diverse representation, this book might be worth exploring.
However, if you share my reservations about certain tropes and themes, you might approach it with caution.
Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I was eager to dive in, especially with its intriguing premise and the hype surrounding it. However, I found myself struggling to connect with it.
A book needs to capture me early on, to
pull me into its world and make me care
about the story, the characters, or even just
the atmosphere.
This book, however, failed to do that. While I understood the plot and followed the events, I never felt invested.
My mind drifted, I found myself rereading passages not because they were profound,
but because I wasn't paying attention the
first time. In the end, I finished it, but it felt
like had simply processed words rather
than experienced a story.
What Didn't Work for Me:
The concept of magic being fueled by pleasure and pain was unique, but personally, it made me uncomfortable. I often find that adult fantasy leans too heavily into sexual themes, and this was no exception.
I didn’t click with the romance subplot at all. The dark-haired, morally grey male lead has been done a lot, and this version didn’t bring anything fresh to the trope.
The whole "hurt me, then" dynamic just isn’t for me—it focused more about physical attraction and dominance than emotional depth. It felt possessive and further distanced me from the characters and their relationships.
Potential Positives for Other Readers:
While the book didn't align with my preferences, there are aspects that others might appreciate:
While the story didn’t grip me, I did appreciate the world itself. The setting was rich and well-developed, and the way magic worked was interesting (even if I personally didn’t enjoy the pleasure/pain aspect). The mechanics of it were well thought out, and I can see how people who like darker fantasy elements would be into it.
L.K. Steven’s writing is solid, and I never had an issue with the pacing or structure. Even though I wasn’t emotionally invested, I never felt like the book was badly written—it just wasn’t the right fit for me.
Conclusion:
Silvercloak didn't resonate with me personally. It lacked the emotional connection I need to really feel a story. I finished it, but I never felt hooked.
Yet, I still recognize that it offers unique elements that may appeal to other readers. If you're intrigued by an innovative magic system, rich world-building, and diverse representation, this book might be worth exploring.
However, if you share my reservations about certain tropes and themes, you might approach it with caution.
Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Want to read
August 4, 2025Mafia and Harry Potter sounds like my type of read. Thanks to my friend Kristina for gifting this deluxe edition to me, just because 🫶🏻
Let magic games begin 🪄
Let magic games begin 🪄
March 14, 2025
At first I was really hyped up about this book.
Saffron's parents gets killed by a criminal organization called The Bloodmoons when she was six years old. Saffron grows up planning to seek revenge for her parents. Her chance shows up when she's offered an undercover job to infiltrate the Bloodmoons and collect evidence, because she's the only one who can by pass their security measures due to her immunity to magical spells.
This book started great. I loved the idea of the magic system. The pain and pleasure aspect was really interesting. The story had so much potential.
Unfortunately, this didn't feel like an adult fantasy. It was juvenile and some scenes were just too easy and convenient. I expected some high stakes, nerve wracking scenes while the FMC trying to investigate the Bloodmoons but that didn't happen. The FMC is supposed to be this well trained detective but she just made a joke of the undercover job. She keeps making ameture mistakes and revealing her friends secrets.
The characterization was inconsistent and characters would do and say things that makes no sense. I felt nothing towards any of the characters and was really disconnected to the story.
As I stated above, I loved the idea of the magic, but the execution was not done well. The author kept breaking her own magic rules. The world building needed some depth and complexity.
Moreover, we get repeated lines that has no significance to the plotline, and the fact they were mentioned a few pages back, it felt repetitive and disjointed.
The ending was the last straw for me, it was such an easy way out. I'm sure a lot of readers will love this book but it's not for me.
All opinions are my own. Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the e-arc.
Saffron's parents gets killed by a criminal organization called The Bloodmoons when she was six years old. Saffron grows up planning to seek revenge for her parents. Her chance shows up when she's offered an undercover job to infiltrate the Bloodmoons and collect evidence, because she's the only one who can by pass their security measures due to her immunity to magical spells.
This book started great. I loved the idea of the magic system. The pain and pleasure aspect was really interesting. The story had so much potential.
Unfortunately, this didn't feel like an adult fantasy. It was juvenile and some scenes were just too easy and convenient. I expected some high stakes, nerve wracking scenes while the FMC trying to investigate the Bloodmoons but that didn't happen. The FMC is supposed to be this well trained detective but she just made a joke of the undercover job. She keeps making ameture mistakes and revealing her friends secrets.
The characterization was inconsistent and characters would do and say things that makes no sense. I felt nothing towards any of the characters and was really disconnected to the story.
As I stated above, I loved the idea of the magic, but the execution was not done well. The author kept breaking her own magic rules. The world building needed some depth and complexity.
Moreover, we get repeated lines that has no significance to the plotline, and the fact they were mentioned a few pages back, it felt repetitive and disjointed.
The ending was the last straw for me, it was such an easy way out. I'm sure a lot of readers will love this book but it's not for me.
All opinions are my own. Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the e-arc.
February 19, 2025
5⭐
Thank you Laura Steven, Del Rey UK and NetGalley for the ARC!
Silvercloak is an addictive romantic fantasy, set in a world where magic is fuelled by pleasure and pain, an obsessive detective infiltrates a brutal gang of dark mages —knowing that one wrong move will get her killed . . .
This book blew my mind in the best way possible. I was immersed into the world, and was hooked to the point I could not see the ending coming. It was a stunning read, so easy to fall into the world and be swept away by the interesting and intriguing aspects of the magic system implemented.
The plot had me on the edge of my seat for the entirety of the book. The high-stakes dangerous missions, combined with emotional depth and ruthless characters who will stop at nothing to achieve their goals, made this book impossible to put down. There were so many unexpected plot twists that made the story even more compelling. I also really enjoyed the political intrigue and the corruption that was uncovered.
The magic system is so wonderfully unique and complex with consequences and limits that continuously challenge the characters throughout the book.
Seeing the power balance between Levan and Saffron was very interesting too. Their chemistry was sizzling the entire time and the way it all played out at the end had my jaw-dropped.
I don't think my review does justice to this amazing book! The ending had me still thinking about the book and I can't wait for the next installment!
Thank you Laura Steven, Del Rey UK and NetGalley for the ARC!
Silvercloak is an addictive romantic fantasy, set in a world where magic is fuelled by pleasure and pain, an obsessive detective infiltrates a brutal gang of dark mages —knowing that one wrong move will get her killed . . .
This book blew my mind in the best way possible. I was immersed into the world, and was hooked to the point I could not see the ending coming. It was a stunning read, so easy to fall into the world and be swept away by the interesting and intriguing aspects of the magic system implemented.
The plot had me on the edge of my seat for the entirety of the book. The high-stakes dangerous missions, combined with emotional depth and ruthless characters who will stop at nothing to achieve their goals, made this book impossible to put down. There were so many unexpected plot twists that made the story even more compelling. I also really enjoyed the political intrigue and the corruption that was uncovered.
The magic system is so wonderfully unique and complex with consequences and limits that continuously challenge the characters throughout the book.
Seeing the power balance between Levan and Saffron was very interesting too. Their chemistry was sizzling the entire time and the way it all played out at the end had my jaw-dropped.
I don't think my review does justice to this amazing book! The ending had me still thinking about the book and I can't wait for the next installment!
July 28, 2025
dnf halfway
1) the fmc is so embarrassing. i understand making mistakes for plots’ sake and intrigue but she’s literally just incompetent. (also the abundance of cringey one liners as a self proclaimed defense mechanism…please leave that term out of my fantasy books 😭)
2) nothing has happened thus far. where is the plot going. why do i care about these characters. what is this baloneyyyy i was promised a cliff hanger but i don’t give a rats ass about anything before it!!
3) this is painfully showing not telling. if i have to read “you’ll meet your demise? i think that means he wanted to kill me!” or some variation one more time i was going to off myself
thank you to netgalley and del rey for the arc
1) the fmc is so embarrassing. i understand making mistakes for plots’ sake and intrigue but she’s literally just incompetent. (also the abundance of cringey one liners as a self proclaimed defense mechanism…please leave that term out of my fantasy books 😭)
2) nothing has happened thus far. where is the plot going. why do i care about these characters. what is this baloneyyyy i was promised a cliff hanger but i don’t give a rats ass about anything before it!!
3) this is painfully showing not telling. if i have to read “you’ll meet your demise? i think that means he wanted to kill me!” or some variation one more time i was going to off myself
thank you to netgalley and del rey for the arc
November 25, 2024
oh what a WILD time!!
July 26, 2025
“She was the pain, and the pain was her”
The ending was pure chaos so I need to collect my thoughts 🤯
The ending was pure chaos so I need to collect my thoughts 🤯
February 15, 2025
Hodge podge of mediocre books all mashed together.
Not sure what the plot twists were supposed to be? I guessed the MMC goal at 50% and considering they were both so over powered, nothing else was a surprise - thank you human time turner and someone to represent literally everything else.
If you said this was YA I'd not be surprised, it didn't have the depth I love in adult fantasy. The only partially adult element seemed to be the explicit scenes that are bleeding into younger literature.
I did like the romance, the inner conflict etc was very fun. The banter was again fun but didn't really make that much sense considering their situation.
The magic system was fun but if anyone can basically do everything it gets confused quickly and you run into breaking magic rules. To be honest if it's all explained in the next book that's great but I don't care enough about this to continue with this series.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC
Not sure what the plot twists were supposed to be? I guessed the MMC goal at 50% and considering they were both so over powered, nothing else was a surprise - thank you human time turner and someone to represent literally everything else.
If you said this was YA I'd not be surprised, it didn't have the depth I love in adult fantasy. The only partially adult element seemed to be the explicit scenes that are bleeding into younger literature.
I did like the romance, the inner conflict etc was very fun. The banter was again fun but didn't really make that much sense considering their situation.
The magic system was fun but if anyone can basically do everything it gets confused quickly and you run into breaking magic rules. To be honest if it's all explained in the next book that's great but I don't care enough about this to continue with this series.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC
July 4, 2025
“in this addictive new fantasy series set in a world where magic is fueled by pleasure and pain, an obsessive detective infiltrates a brutal gang of dark mages—knowing that one wrong move will get her killed...”
this book started out with a basic romantasy formula that had me like oh, well, okay...
BUT WHO WAS I TO DOUBT THAT DESCRIPTION!!!!! this was so good and so immersive and so UNIQUE and took turns that i absolutely was not expecting one bit. yes, a romantasy, but also so much more. there’s action and politics, there’s friendships and rivalries, there’s romance – a little bit of everything that can appeal to anyone regardless of what sort of fantasy you lean towards.
a lot of reviews i’ve seen mention being a little iffy on the writing style, which i can totally understand, but it worked for me so well. probably won’t be for everyone (obviously), but if you like it then you will LOVEEEE this book.
this was such a great sort of re-introduction to fantasy for me, because i’ve been in the deepest romance hole this year but i think this may have just sent me spiraling down a fantasy rabbit hole... stay tuned 🫡
pre-read:
craving a little fantasy action (which hasn't happened in so long omg i'm so excited) so gonna sit on the little balcony of where i'm staying in greece and knock this one out today <33
thank you to netgalley & the publisher for an arc! all opinions are my own <3
this book started out with a basic romantasy formula that had me like oh, well, okay...
BUT WHO WAS I TO DOUBT THAT DESCRIPTION!!!!! this was so good and so immersive and so UNIQUE and took turns that i absolutely was not expecting one bit. yes, a romantasy, but also so much more. there’s action and politics, there’s friendships and rivalries, there’s romance – a little bit of everything that can appeal to anyone regardless of what sort of fantasy you lean towards.
a lot of reviews i’ve seen mention being a little iffy on the writing style, which i can totally understand, but it worked for me so well. probably won’t be for everyone (obviously), but if you like it then you will LOVEEEE this book.
this was such a great sort of re-introduction to fantasy for me, because i’ve been in the deepest romance hole this year but i think this may have just sent me spiraling down a fantasy rabbit hole... stay tuned 🫡
pre-read:
craving a little fantasy action (which hasn't happened in so long omg i'm so excited) so gonna sit on the little balcony of where i'm staying in greece and knock this one out today <33
thank you to netgalley & the publisher for an arc! all opinions are my own <3
April 27, 2025
NO LAST LINE HAS EVER SLAPPED LIKE THIS ONE DID full review soon this is my fav read of 2025 by FAR
EDIT: full review *MINOR SPOILERS*
I haven’t been as immediately enchanted by a book like Silvercloak in years. It’s a dark, whirlwind of a story that is thick with secrets and dripping with magic.
The magic system in Silvercloak is what immediately drew me to this story. In which pleasure fills your magical well, and pain sharpens it is so clever and almost salacious in its application, and the way the fictional world is shaped around these two sensations makes for a rich and complex setting for this wonderful story.
Saffrons thirst for vengeance is so tangible in the first parts of this story, her single minded focus in growing up is so sharp you can feel it from within the pages, and her journey to infiltrating the Bloodmoons, giving up her life, her friends, and her reputation for her mission shows how the weight of this vengeance balances against the rest of her life.
One of my favourite parts about Silvercloak is the dynamic between Saffron and Levan. I absolutely love a sad boy, and Levan seems to be the most tortured soul of all. The way Saffron and Levan slowly get to known each other, revealing parts of themselves that mirror the other is almost gentle, almost as if we as readers are baring witness to something secret. But where this romance really comes to life for me is the struggle for Saffron to reconcile the murderous, cruel son of the Bloodmoon Kingpin with the boy whose favourite book matches her own.
The culmination of this romance, and the spicy scenes that follow, are so hot, and the plot twists revealed WITHIN these scenes had me absolutely screaming.
The storytelling of Silvercloak is remarkable, it’s a perfectly-paced, intriguing story with brilliant world building and a scorching romance to boot. My favourite read in 2025 by far.
EDIT: full review *MINOR SPOILERS*
I haven’t been as immediately enchanted by a book like Silvercloak in years. It’s a dark, whirlwind of a story that is thick with secrets and dripping with magic.
The magic system in Silvercloak is what immediately drew me to this story. In which pleasure fills your magical well, and pain sharpens it is so clever and almost salacious in its application, and the way the fictional world is shaped around these two sensations makes for a rich and complex setting for this wonderful story.
Saffrons thirst for vengeance is so tangible in the first parts of this story, her single minded focus in growing up is so sharp you can feel it from within the pages, and her journey to infiltrating the Bloodmoons, giving up her life, her friends, and her reputation for her mission shows how the weight of this vengeance balances against the rest of her life.
One of my favourite parts about Silvercloak is the dynamic between Saffron and Levan. I absolutely love a sad boy, and Levan seems to be the most tortured soul of all. The way Saffron and Levan slowly get to known each other, revealing parts of themselves that mirror the other is almost gentle, almost as if we as readers are baring witness to something secret. But where this romance really comes to life for me is the struggle for Saffron to reconcile the murderous, cruel son of the Bloodmoon Kingpin with the boy whose favourite book matches her own.
The culmination of this romance, and the spicy scenes that follow, are so hot, and the plot twists revealed WITHIN these scenes had me absolutely screaming.
The storytelling of Silvercloak is remarkable, it’s a perfectly-paced, intriguing story with brilliant world building and a scorching romance to boot. My favourite read in 2025 by far.
July 31, 2025
.ೃ࿐ Thank you to NetGalley, Del Rey & L.K. Steven, for the opportunity to read and review the ARC before release! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
5 ★
ੈ✩‧₊˚ my thoughts
Silvercloak was everything. This is the best book I’ve read in a long while. It was amazing! ❤️
Saffron - a detective obsessed with bringing justice to her parents’ killers - infiltrates a criminal organisation of dark mages. In a world where magic is fueled by pleasure and pain, Saff learns about a prophecy that involves her and a fellow dark mage, and she struggles to find the path through her future.
This book was so unique! Not only did it have a unique magic system, but the politics were unique, the society was unique, and the story was unique, with unique politics and gang complexities. For a romantasy new release, it seems hard to have so many unique elements in a story, but Steven pulled it off here.
The story was deliciously complex, and even when knowing the outcome - i.e. the prophecy - the reader is still wondering how the characters will get to that point and what happens to get them there. It is such a wonderful reading experience.
Also, that ending was amazing! It wrapped up many of the lingering issues from this first book while leaving so much open for the rest of the series to work with. I can’t wait to keep reading once they come out!
I need book 2 - like yesterday.
This is not criticism towards the book, but I felt weird reading several reviews that reference HP, especially as I'm not aware of the book being marketed as being related to HP. I guess it's probably because of the wands, but it made me a little uncomfortable, and might be something for the publisher to watch out for.
.ೃ࿐ tropes
Enemies-to-lovers
Undercover mission
Revenge plot
Slow-burn romance
.ೃ࿐ trigger warnings
On-page violence and torture
Death of a family member
Sexually explicit scenes
Self harm
-`♡´- Happy reading! Belle
─ ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─── ୨୧ ──── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ──── ୨୧ ──── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─
୨୧➛ post-read ── .✦
Lfg. This book was everything, and more 🤯❤️
I need to sit with it for a bit before I can put all my thoughts into a full review
.ೃ࿐ pre-read .ೃ࿐
Just got the arc and I’m so hyped for this book omggg! So excited to get started on this today. I hope I'll be able to finish it before release day ✨🗡️
5 ★
ੈ✩‧₊˚ my thoughts
Silvercloak was everything. This is the best book I’ve read in a long while. It was amazing! ❤️
Saffron - a detective obsessed with bringing justice to her parents’ killers - infiltrates a criminal organisation of dark mages. In a world where magic is fueled by pleasure and pain, Saff learns about a prophecy that involves her and a fellow dark mage, and she struggles to find the path through her future.
This book was so unique! Not only did it have a unique magic system, but the politics were unique, the society was unique, and the story was unique, with unique politics and gang complexities. For a romantasy new release, it seems hard to have so many unique elements in a story, but Steven pulled it off here.
The story was deliciously complex, and even when knowing the outcome - i.e. the prophecy - the reader is still wondering how the characters will get to that point and what happens to get them there. It is such a wonderful reading experience.
Also, that ending was amazing! It wrapped up many of the lingering issues from this first book while leaving so much open for the rest of the series to work with. I can’t wait to keep reading once they come out!
I need book 2 - like yesterday.
.ೃ࿐ tropes
Enemies-to-lovers
Undercover mission
Revenge plot
Slow-burn romance
.ೃ࿐ trigger warnings
On-page violence and torture
Death of a family member
Sexually explicit scenes
Self harm
-`♡´- Happy reading! Belle
─ ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─── ୨୧ ──── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ──── ୨୧ ──── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─
୨୧➛ post-read ── .✦
Lfg. This book was everything, and more 🤯❤️
I need to sit with it for a bit before I can put all my thoughts into a full review
.ೃ࿐ pre-read .ೃ࿐
Just got the arc and I’m so hyped for this book omggg! So excited to get started on this today. I hope I'll be able to finish it before release day ✨🗡️
August 14, 2025
”Oh, she thought, horrified and fascinated in equal measure. This is how villains are born.”
OH MY GOD. I’m in awe. Legit one of the BEST epic fantasy-with-romance books I’ve read in a long time. Like… what did Laura Steven do to me with this one?? This was too good. THE EPILOGUE OF THIS BOOK. 😳 Wow! ★★★★★★ [6/5]
The magic system in this was honestly so cool and unique. Pain and pleasure basically fueling and boosting magic?? AMAZING. The plot grabbed me from the start, the writing was beautiful, and the worldbuilding was just so good…rich, clever, and super immersive. I miss books with wands and cloaks and that classic magical vibe, and this one absolutely delivered. Obsessed. 🤩
Now let’s talk about the two main characters. Saffron?? She’s incredible. One of the best FMCs I’ve read in ages. Smart, strategic, stubborn, constantly ten steps ahead… but with this soft, vulnerable core that made me want to protect her at all costs. She’s got secrets, she’s got strength, and she’s got goals, and watching her navigate all of it had me glued to the page. And then there’s Levan 🤍 Every chapter with him had me holding my breath. He’s this tormented, mysterious man with a scarred past and so many layers. Broody, dangerous, unexpectedly tender… I’m still recovering tbh.
Here’s a little summary: Saffron’s been training forever to become a Silvercloak (basically a magical detective in a world where power is fueled by pain and pleasure). She’s keeping some big secrets, and during her final assessment, she touches a relic wand that shows her a vision of herself kissing and killing a Bloodmoon (magic-wielding criminal who operates outside the law and isn’t afraid to use dark or illegal spells) … and yeah, things spiral fast.
I need book 2 IMMEDIATELY!
(I listened to the audiobook while reading along and the narrators absolutely killed it. Such a good immersive experience…love this so much). 📖🎧
—
“You can either yield to grief, or you can use it.”
“The grief was a mountain sitting on her chest. She could barely breathe through the weight of all she had lost. It hurt so much, all of it, but pain could always be used. That was the very foundation of their world. Pain meant you were alive. Pain meant you still had a fighting chance.”
The magic system in this was honestly so cool and unique. Pain and pleasure basically fueling and boosting magic?? AMAZING. The plot grabbed me from the start, the writing was beautiful, and the worldbuilding was just so good…rich, clever, and super immersive. I miss books with wands and cloaks and that classic magical vibe, and this one absolutely delivered. Obsessed. 🤩
Now let’s talk about the two main characters. Saffron?? She’s incredible. One of the best FMCs I’ve read in ages. Smart, strategic, stubborn, constantly ten steps ahead… but with this soft, vulnerable core that made me want to protect her at all costs. She’s got secrets, she’s got strength, and she’s got goals, and watching her navigate all of it had me glued to the page. And then there’s Levan 🤍 Every chapter with him had me holding my breath. He’s this tormented, mysterious man with a scarred past and so many layers. Broody, dangerous, unexpectedly tender… I’m still recovering tbh.
Here’s a little summary: Saffron’s been training forever to become a Silvercloak (basically a magical detective in a world where power is fueled by pain and pleasure). She’s keeping some big secrets, and during her final assessment, she touches a relic wand that shows her a vision of herself kissing and killing a Bloodmoon (magic-wielding criminal who operates outside the law and isn’t afraid to use dark or illegal spells) … and yeah, things spiral fast.
I need book 2 IMMEDIATELY!
(I listened to the audiobook while reading along and the narrators absolutely killed it. Such a good immersive experience…love this so much). 📖🎧
—
“You can either yield to grief, or you can use it.”
“The grief was a mountain sitting on her chest. She could barely breathe through the weight of all she had lost. It hurt so much, all of it, but pain could always be used. That was the very foundation of their world. Pain meant you were alive. Pain meant you still had a fighting chance.”
August 25, 2025
Reseña Silvercloak
🗡️ La historia sigue a Saffron, que se infiltra en la Academia Silvercloak con sed de venganza contra la banda que asesinó a sus padres. Lo que empieza como una misión personal la lleva a un terreno mucho más peligroso. Espionaje, dilemas morales y un romance prohibido con Levan, el hijo del líder enemigo.
🗡️Silvercloak es una fantasía oscura y adulta que me ha dejado totalmente enganchada. Tiene ese equilibrio entre magia, intriga y romance lento que hace que no se parezca a nada que haya leído antes. Desde el inicio queda claro que es un libro con un sistema de magia único y un worldbuilding muy buen construido, oscuro y lleno de matices.
🗡️ La pluma de Laura Steven me ha sorprendido muchísimo, ahora quiero leer mas de ella. Te mete de lleno en los pensamientos de los personajes, haciéndote vivir sus dudas, sus miedos y sus contradicciones. El worldbuilding me ha encantado. Aunque debo decir que me ha costado un poco entrar en la historia.
🗡️ Me he encariñado con ambos protagonistas, pero sin duda amo a Levan, que tiene una evolución increíble y me parecía un personaje super interesante. La relación entre ellos es un slow burn lleno de tensión que me ha flipado.
🗡️Debo decir que este libro desde que empecé a leerlo me ha dado muchas vibes de Harry Potter pero mas oscuro e intrigante, y sin duda lo he amado mucho por eso.
¿Qué encontrarás en esta historia?
-Fantasía oscura
-Escuela mágica
-Slow burn
-Enemies to lovers
-Venganza
-Acción y plot twist
-Worldbuilding rico y detallado
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🗡️ La historia sigue a Saffron, que se infiltra en la Academia Silvercloak con sed de venganza contra la banda que asesinó a sus padres. Lo que empieza como una misión personal la lleva a un terreno mucho más peligroso. Espionaje, dilemas morales y un romance prohibido con Levan, el hijo del líder enemigo.
🗡️Silvercloak es una fantasía oscura y adulta que me ha dejado totalmente enganchada. Tiene ese equilibrio entre magia, intriga y romance lento que hace que no se parezca a nada que haya leído antes. Desde el inicio queda claro que es un libro con un sistema de magia único y un worldbuilding muy buen construido, oscuro y lleno de matices.
🗡️ La pluma de Laura Steven me ha sorprendido muchísimo, ahora quiero leer mas de ella. Te mete de lleno en los pensamientos de los personajes, haciéndote vivir sus dudas, sus miedos y sus contradicciones. El worldbuilding me ha encantado. Aunque debo decir que me ha costado un poco entrar en la historia.
🗡️ Me he encariñado con ambos protagonistas, pero sin duda amo a Levan, que tiene una evolución increíble y me parecía un personaje super interesante. La relación entre ellos es un slow burn lleno de tensión que me ha flipado.
🗡️Debo decir que este libro desde que empecé a leerlo me ha dado muchas vibes de Harry Potter pero mas oscuro e intrigante, y sin duda lo he amado mucho por eso.
¿Qué encontrarás en esta historia?
-Fantasía oscura
-Escuela mágica
-Slow burn
-Enemies to lovers
-Venganza
-Acción y plot twist
-Worldbuilding rico y detallado
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
July 21, 2025
i fear this may be my new obsession…. full review to come
review:
thank you penguin for the ARC!
ever since Our Infinite Fates, i knew laura steven has a knack for snappy and sharp storytelling. pair that with a compelling and unique magic wand (!!!) system fuelled by pleasure (for quantity) and pain (for quality), you will not want to put this book down. not only is the world building intricate, it’s convincing too! our FMC saffron is tasked to infiltrate a notorious gang (the bloodmoons) and y’all the things she do just to keep her cover 🥲🥲 i feel like i was holding my breath for the entirety of the book. the habits of the bloodmoon and their customary ways of filling up their magic well were so believable and at times kind of absurd that i couldn’t look away. it was so intense and thrilling from the beginning till the end.
for a book that was a little under 500 pages, i ate this up. the plot kept moving and twisting, the magic scenes were palpable and fascinating, the characters are mostly (some were genuinely just pure evil that it made my head hurt) morally grey and had depth to them, and it was just so intense and emotional and magical and SO unique!!!! this was genuinely SOOO much fun, and that ending?! oh my i need book 2 nowwww 😭😭
review:
thank you penguin for the ARC!
ever since Our Infinite Fates, i knew laura steven has a knack for snappy and sharp storytelling. pair that with a compelling and unique magic wand (!!!) system fuelled by pleasure (for quantity) and pain (for quality), you will not want to put this book down. not only is the world building intricate, it’s convincing too! our FMC saffron is tasked to infiltrate a notorious gang (the bloodmoons) and y’all the things she do just to keep her cover 🥲🥲 i feel like i was holding my breath for the entirety of the book. the habits of the bloodmoon and their customary ways of filling up their magic well were so believable and at times kind of absurd that i couldn’t look away. it was so intense and thrilling from the beginning till the end.
for a book that was a little under 500 pages, i ate this up. the plot kept moving and twisting, the magic scenes were palpable and fascinating, the characters are mostly (some were genuinely just pure evil that it made my head hurt) morally grey and had depth to them, and it was just so intense and emotional and magical and SO unique!!!! this was genuinely SOOO much fun, and that ending?! oh my i need book 2 nowwww 😭😭
July 24, 2025
4****
Thank you to NetGalley for the E-Arc.
This was like an adult Harry Potter with different magics, fast-paced and a world of deception.
The world building in this was fantastic and I loved the magic system! This was intriguing.
It was also great to read a fantasy book where the main characters are older (late 20’s- 30’s).
Realise this is coming out later this year and I already want to read the second one.
Thank you to NetGalley for the E-Arc.
This was like an adult Harry Potter with different magics, fast-paced and a world of deception.
The world building in this was fantastic and I loved the magic system! This was intriguing.
It was also great to read a fantasy book where the main characters are older (late 20’s- 30’s).
Realise this is coming out later this year and I already want to read the second one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,548 reviews