Oh my god this book was so good!!! It was a little predictable but I was excited for what I assumed (correctly) would happen! I’m 100000% going to read the next book! I was completely enthralled and read it so quickly. It was the sort of book I was looking for and I loved every minute of it!!

This book has been on my radar for a bit but because the series isn't complete I was going to hold off on reading it. Well, that didn't happen and here we are and I'm happy to say that I thought this book was great! Predictable? Yes, for sure. I am definitely interested to see what will happen next and cannot wait to read the next book in the series. I am still unsure how I feel about Drustan and Kallen and I'm not sure if I'm leaning one way or another as to one of them being Kenna's final love interest. I guess time will tell. I also want to see more of the Blood House and what it's all about as I think it will be very intriguing.

Thank you Netgallley and to Berkley Publishing Group for letting me review Servant of Earth! Overall, the book was an entertaining read, full of twists and schemes, characters that drew you in and a rich world. The first few chapters of Servant of Earth were a bit disjointed and it was difficult to immerse in the story. After first trial was when things kicked into play.

Kenna Heron: a human girl- turned - servant in a dangerous land. I liked Kenna, and thought her 'feral' side could have been fleshed out more. Her relationship with Anya would have benefited from more of a slower draw.

Durstan: the Fire prince scheming his way to gain power.

Kallen: a confusing dark entity, supposed killer for a tyrant king.


I honestly liked Durstan despite his flaws. It would show growth and improvement (and change the romantasy trop) if he does improve and still be a contender for Kenna. Kallen.... I thought he felt a bit creepy. His interactions with Kenna felt forced, and I just felt bad for him.
Overall, 3.5/5. I would like to see improvements in writing (show things, less predictable, etc).

I look forward to the next book and I am excited about Kenna's rise to power!

Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC!

So, to rescue her best friend from being a sacrifice to the Fae, Kenna goes on a wild trek across the bog to their land, which is super cruel and violent. She ends up as a handmaiden for the heir of the Earth house, helping her navigate some seriously dangerous trials to unlock her powers.

I really liked the vibe and the writing style wasn’t bad, but honestly, it felt kind of predictable for me, and I guessed a lot of the twists.

The romance? It was mostly lust, and I didn't like the prince, but there was another guy...

This isn't your typical fairytale land; it's a brutal place packed with secrets, conspiracies, and deaths.

One thing I totally loved was the talking dagger! It reminded me of a moment from another series I read.

Kenna's clever, but I felt like she trusted some of the fae a bit too easily (first rule of the forest: trust no one), even if they seemed good.

I liked how she made new friends. Her bond with Lara started off rocky but eventually turned sisterly, which was sweet.

Heads up, this book dives into some dark and disturbing stuff, like fae brothels, slaves, torture, and executions...

• Fae Royalty
• Evil Tyrannical King
• Human Among Fae
• Forbidden Romance
• Sentient Dagger
• Deadly Fae Coming of Age Trials
• Fae Rebellion
• Elemental Magic
• Strong & Resilient FMC
• First Person POV

My ratings:
- Idea: 3/5 (nothing too exciting for me)
- Writing Style: 4/5
- Plot: 3.5/5
- Characters: 3.5/5
- Emotions: 3.5/5

Average: 3,5/5⭐️

While this book was a bit slow on the upswing, the more I learned about the characters, the more invested I was. For those who are looking for another world to explore after reading ACOTAR, this is a great place to be!

Absolutely! Here’s a raving review for Servant of Earth by Sarah Hawley:

⸻

A Wild, Wickedly Funny, and Wonderfully Witchy Read!

Servant of Earth by Sarah Hawley is pure magical chaos—in the best possible way. From the very first page, Hawley pulls you into a world brimming with charm, snark, and swoon-worthy chemistry. If you loved A Witch’s Guide to Fake Dating a Demon, then prepare to be absolutely enchanted by this next installment.

The heroine is delightfully grounded (pun fully intended), balancing elemental powers with real emotional depth. The love interest? Let’s just say he brings a broody, reluctant spice that had me grinning like a fool. Together, their banter is electric, their chemistry undeniable, and their journey—from reluctant allies to something much more—is satisfying on every level.

What sets this book apart is Hawley’s signature blend of laugh-out-loud humor, whip-smart dialogue, and unexpected heart. She writes magic and mayhem like no other, and the world she’s built feels both wildly fantastical and deeply human. Themes of self-worth, healing, and embracing power are woven seamlessly into a story that’s as hilarious as it is heartfelt.

Bottom line: Servant of Earth is a fresh, fierce romantic fantasy that will have you cackling one minute and clutching your chest the next. Sarah Hawley is a rising queen of witchy rom-coms, and this book proves it. Five out of five enchanted stars!

⸻

Want a shorter version or something more snarky/sassy?

This was a really good introduction novel to the world! I loved the trial aspects, the magic system, and the mytery and intrigue behind it all. I am really excited to see where it goes next and can't wait to pick up the next book this year.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher and chose to review it. This in no way impacts my opinion.

4.5 Stars

Gather round, readers. Let me introduce you to your next fantasy obsession. It’s this book right here. Puny human girl gets transported (abducted? Ish?) to the big bad faerie realm and gets reluctantly drawn into their shenanigans. What follows is a messy, dark, thrilling story of a girl so out of her depth in a tyrannical Fae kingdom, but she’s a survivor nonetheless, and she ain’t taking no shit from anyone. Especially no man. Ooh, and there are trials! And infinity stones! And orgies! Idek what else you’d need to be convinced.

Kenna is a mousy and half feral (in her own words) orphan when she first steps into Mistei, but that means she knows a thing or two about taking care of herself. She’s also bold and smart and sometimes a tad too reckless. Scary for her fun for us though. Born to be an adventurer, forced into Fae slavery. Okay sorry too far. I was cheering her on every step of the way, whether it was for her sass with the Fae or her sexual awakening. Anything I say about the love interest would be spoilery so I’m not going to. Just know I have a lot of ✨ opinions ✨ and it’s messy and juicy and forbidden. It’s a ✨ journey ✨ that took me through the entire range of emotions. Yelling, throwing things and all.

One of the most beautiful parts of the story is the friendships Kenna finds along the way, as she’s coming into her own. They’re not perfect, but they’re the most heartwarming parts of what is a cruel, lonely world otherwise. And my other favorite part is the sentient dagger, aka the best dagger. Who you just need to meet to truly appreciate. The villains are a perfect mix of loathsome big bad and some more complex, grey variety. The political intrigue is complex and stressful, but the true test of my blood pressure was the trials and the sheer intensity of it all. Not to toot my own horn, a lot of my predictions were dead on (pun not intended). I say this as a compliment to the author’s ability to leave the right breadcrumbs one can follow throughout the story if only one is looking.

Speaking of which, the writing is wholly immersive and the writer hooked me with the vivid imagery and lush world building, but what captured me most was the emotional core of the story. The violence and the magic and the love and the hope of it all, generously peppered with wtf moments and spicy times and jaw dropping action. That ending left me both traumatized and extremely gratified, and I’m ready for more pain in the next chapter.

In short, Servant of Earth is fierce, fantastical, and deeply human. It’s perfect for fans of morally complex characters, rich magic systems, and high-stakes fantasy that balances action with emotional resonance. A phenomenal start to what promises to be a standout series.

Honestly a really good read. It gives me acotar vibes combined with hunger games. I will say I was disappointed that it was mainly fantasy and like 5% romance. I understand the worldbuilding is important but since it’s being advertised as a romantasy I expected more romance. It did have some spicy scenes but it was spice not romance. Overall I can’t wait for the next book though and I am hoping to see more Kallen :)

This book was so good! Kenna is the heroine I’ve been waiting for, and I cannot wait to see what comes next. I don’t want to reveal any of the surprises at the end, but suffice to say that my hunches were right.

I’m not quite sure what to say, other than I absolutely loved this book and cannot wait for the second to come out.
I absolutely adored this book. Though I had a few false starts with this book (largely because I kept starting other ones), once I got going, I kept going. I’m pretty good at speeding through a book, but the two nights I spent reading this felt like a curtain was drawn back and I was witnessing a fully fleshed out other world. Though Kenna did disregard what I have learned is the primary rule in romantasy (if the MMC doesn’t have dark hair, keep going, because he’s not it)—though that’s not exactly her fault—her journey to survive felt visceral.
The characters were vivid and interesting, but there was enough mystery that I still want more after finishing it. The world building was subtle and not overly explained, but the descriptions were such that I could still feel myself in the spaces, especially throughout scenes in Earth House.
The court intrigue (and tyrannical horrors) were excellently done, showing how different people can react to abuse of power, whether that be to confront, conform, or remain insular to protect themselves. The exploration of classicism may not be overt, but it still wends its way throughout and sort of nudges the reader to recognize that there's a lot more work to be done.
I love the magic system here. The lore, I’m sure, is only going to expand to new territories in the new book (I can hope!), and though the power twist at the end was a bit predictable, the payoff was deliciously worth it.
Also, the cover is completely stunning. I can’t get over it, as it's what initially made me notice the book, and I'm so incredibly glad it did.
So excited for what’s to come next!

Thank you NetGalley for providing the eARC.

I loved this book. It was everything I wanted from The Cruel Prince by Holly Black with the political intrigue and actions following through, for the characters to be likable, and the relationships developed. So if you liked that book or if you were also disappointed with it like I was, you’ll like this one. We don’t get the bullying like we saw in The Cruel Prince, but we get wicked fae and different elemental fractions of them, as well as the seelie and unseelie.

Kenna is a human forced into the cruelty of the fae world as a slave. She witnesses the cruelty of the dictating king of the remaining 5 houses: Light, Void, Illusion, Earth, and Fire. She is part of the neutral house Earth and is forced to help the heir of Earth house pass trials to gain immortality and power. Kenna gets involved with the Prince of Fire house and his plot to kill the king, as well as the king’s right hand man and reports to him as a spy.

Kenna was such a strong FML. Her character and her struggles were so real especially in this sort of situation. Her grief over her friend, her blooming friendship with the heir of Earth and those she met throughout the book, and wanting justice for those wronged made her likeable to me. I was rooting for her the whole time.

There are two possible love interests but it’s pretty obvious which is a stronger contender, especially near the end. But her relationship with both of them was well done. They are two sides of the same coin and I enjoyed the scenes where she would interact with them.

The political intrigue and history of the fae enriched the story and world building. It made it difficult to put down the book. We learn about the fractions and traditions through the trials, which was such an interesting concept to fae gaining their immortality and powers through these trials.

I’m looking forward to the sequel.

Thank you Netgalley and Berkley for the free e-arc. My opinions are being left voluntarily. This is a book that was recommended for 12 by 12 friends and I loved it. The world building, the main characters the side characters just so so well done. I am excited for book 2 and wherebit goes next. I have enjoyed all the books the author has done.

Suggest givingnirna try if you read fantasy books

4.5/5☆

Servant of Earth
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“That was what love was. Not just romantic love, but any type of love. It was caring so much for another person that you would do anything to see them happy and whole.”

Thanks so much to @acebookspub for the free book! #BerkleyPartner #Berkley

It’s been about a week and I have thought about this book every day since I finished it. I can’t even express how much I loved this book.
This is easily in my Top 5 reads of the year, and I don’t see it leaving that list.
This was INCREDIBLE. It was nothing like I expected and I mean that in the most wonderful way.
This is a high fantasy book that follows Kenna, a human, as she enters the territory of the fae.
I was obsessed with the world-building in this book. The concept of having the different houses with their different powers was so well done. You can tell that so much thought and planning went into this story. Everything was so detailed and easy to understand.
I actually enjoyed reading about how politics worked there because the author did such a good job explaining it in an entertaining way.
There are a lot of characters to keep up with in this book and I found that so fun! These characters were all so complex and I loved getting to know each of them.
This story is packed full of trials and adventures and it was so much fun to read! I loved it so much! The stakes were so high, and I was OBSESSED.
There is also romance of course! The tension was DELIGHTFUL. OMG. The romance did not overpower the story. I would say the balance between romance and adventure was perfect. Seriously, the author did such an amazing job with this and the ending was fabulous. I truly cannot wait for the next book. This series is going to be my new obsession.
You can read Servant of Earth on November 12th! (also it’s a wonderful gorgeous hardback that does not have a dust jacket and I love it so much)

Read If You Like:
🗡️fae and fantasy worlds
🗡️magic and intrigue
🗡️morally grey characters
🗡️trials and adventures
🗡️high fantasy books

What a well written and engaging dark fantasy romance!

All of the characters are wonderfully developed. I love the complexity of Kenna, she is a great character that has a lot of depth. She is morally gray, but she is also so many things, she’s brave, kind, resilient, confrontational, and a little sneaky. And though I’m not typically fond of the MC that has too much going for them, she was made likable, and never displayed in a cocky manner. I also really admired her character growth, and though throughout she does mostly think for herself, at the end she stands up for her beliefs and stands firm.

And though it is apparent where the plot was headed and the twist was predictable like something familiar already read, I never once felt bored and a lot stood out as its own. I’m excited to see where this goes and I’m looking forward to hopefully seeing a relationship develop between Kenna and one of the other characters.

Perhaps the cruelest and kindest thing a good book does is make you believe you live inside it for the space of a few hundred pages. That you’re not merely an observer but a part of its pulse and rhythm, seamlessly entwined with its world. And then it ends, the spell breaks, like a candle snuffed out and you find yourself stranded, aching for the warmth and light that only moments ago felt infinite. From the opening line, Servant of Earth sweeps you into its realm teeming with fae intrigue, fierce friendships, rebellion, monstrous threats, and harrowing trials. Its lush world-building and indomitable heroine make this book utterly impossible to put down.

Sarah Hawley’s writing is wholly immersive and hooked me with vivid imagery, the kind that conjuring scenes that leap from the page and settle deep into your mind. Yet, what sets this story apart the most was the emotional core of the story. It’s a tale of violence and hope, magic and jaw dropping action, all generously peppered with wtf moments.

It’s a perfect balance of moments that will make you laugh and moments that will make you gasp. And yes, there is spice that is perfectly timed and deliciously charged. Lastly, the ending. That ending left me both traumatized and extremely gratified, and I’m ready for more pain in the next book. I’m already bracing myself for the heartbreak and triumph sure to come.

Servant of Earth is a journey that stays with you long after the final page, a rare gem that doesn’t just ask for your attention but demands it.

Servant of Earth by Sarah Hawley is a dark fantasy novel that follows Kenna, a human woman who lives on the border separating the human world from the fae world. One night, there is a ceremony which sends four chosen human women across the border into the fae world. Kenna’s best friend Anya is chosen in this ceremony, and Kenna chooses to go with her. Within the fae realm, Kenna is tasked with aiding her new mistress, Lara, in six deadly trials, one for each branch of magical fae house. If she succeeds, Lara will gain immortality and become the heir to the Earth House. If she doesn’t, the punishment is death for both Lara and Kenna.

This was much darker than I expected, but that’s not a bad thing, just be sure to read trigger warnings before diving in. The story was fast paced, and action packed, but was predictable. The characters were easy to love, but Kenna was a bit whiney and hard to take seriously. We are in her POV for this book, so we get a lot of development of her character, but only her reactions and thoughts about others. This makes me think that there is a lot more to see with these characters than what meets the eye. It’s hard to know who to trust and if everything is what it seems.

Overall I enjoyed this book and I’m looking forward to the next in the series! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for this e-ARC! Thoughts are my own.

I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH. this was an unexpected gem that I randomly picked up. The world is so lush and descriptive, I was there the entire time. I’m so excited this series is continuing.

Thank you NetGalley, Sarah Hawley, and Berkley for this 24 hour download of this book! I actually just finished reading my library loan of this book, but I loved it so much I wanted to download it again.

*my review contains minor spoilers*

Kenna Heron is known to most in her village as “half-feral” and she doesn’t shy away from that title. After losing her mom, she spends most of her time away from their decrepit hut and near the bog — which is the only thing separating her human village from the faeries. While Kenna doesn’t care for the faeries, despises them really, she does find peace in the bog and hunting for trinkets that she could sell.

The morning of the winter solstice, Kenna goes to the bog like always. Only today, she finds a strange dagger — that she hopes to sell and make enough money to leave her town with her best friend (Anya) ant become traveling tradespeople. Her plans go awry when Anya is chosen to go through the bog and to the faeries. Kenna knows the bog better than anyone, so she decides that she’ll lead the group of women through. When it becomes a mad dash to from their lives, the dagger leads them through the bog, but Kenna is the only one that survived, and passes out on the other side.

Kenna awakes in the faerie court and soon finds herself as a human servant to the Earth House. The princess of the house tasks her with the job of making sure Lady Lara passes the fae trials, which each fae must go through in order to gain immortality and the full use of their magic. If Kenna fails, the consequence is death. Over the next 6 months, Kenna learns more about the faerie court, their tyrannical King, and plans for a revolution to overthrow said king. Kenna is finding out who she can, and cannot, trust and hopes to live through the trials.

Although I felt like it had a slow start (maybe the first 30ish pages) once Kenna got into Mistei and the trials started, I could not put the book down. I loved reading and learning about a new magic system and world — and the world building was definitely manageable and didn’t feel so overwhelming that the story suffered.
Kenna is a great heroine — she isn’t entirely fearless, she must overcome fears a lot in the book. She is flawed, but cares deeply for the humans enslaved by the faeries and the underfae who are also mistreated. She grows into herself throughout the book which is amazing.
I also loved the supporting characters and can’t wait to see more of them in the next book. Although I do want to slap more than a few of them and give big hugs to others.
Servant of Earth is definitely more fantasy than romance, which I ended up really loving (I’m a huge romantasy heavy on the romance girl) and thought that the story shined more due to less romance. Anyone who loves Sarah Hawley’s previous works and loves fantasy and wants to read about a new magic system should definitely give this book a read!!!

5 ⭐️
2 🌶️