Thank you to Del Rey and Netgalley for this advance copy of Silvercloak.

When I saw I got approved for an eARC of Silvercloak, I screamed. Then, when I finished my ARC of Silvercloak, I screamed again. Bereft to have finished this masterpiece when book 2 is so far away. Steven’s writing is pure mastery, and this book gripped me more than any other fantasy has in a long time. Add it to your TBR!!!!

No spoilers review! So will try not to give too much of the story away! First and foremost this book is beautifully written even the way that clothing and furniture, scenery is described is so intricate and descriptively detailed. Which really helps with the concept of the magic whereby it is fuelled by pleasure and pain, it is such a different magic system to anything I’ve read before and is a really clever and different idea! Loved the journey of the training academy to become a silver cloak and the different tests and trials. There’s some real action going on between the blood moon gang which is yet another world that we are introduced to and again so well described, sucks you right into the story and the silver cloaks who are trying to protect against this. I love the use of wands, anything that takes me back to childhood nostalgia and I’m sold! The characters are complex and our MMC very morally grey! The Romance is well written but doesn’t over ride the storyline which I really liked! Just a brilliant book and fantastic twists and turns with the plot! Please can we have another!! There has to be?!

OK, so this book is a LOT! The prologue had me audibly gasping at what was happening, it was straight into the action and brutality and really gave a good foundation for our main character Saffron's motives. Cut to 20 years later and Saff has nearly finished at Silvercloak school - basically training to be the magic police in the city of Atherin, the good guys. But Saffron has always had, how shall we say, issues around magic. It doesn't affect her how it does other people (so how in a world full of mages nobody has noticed this in her entire life I'm unsure) and she is forever masking this with illusions and enchantments. Anyway, for some reason that also doesn't really make sense she ends up going undercover with the BAD Bloodmoon gang. They're BAD did we mention that?! Her first run-in with the shockingly gorgous son of the kingpin of this BAD gang has him repeatedly removing somebodys hand and reattaching it - standard Saturday night for somebody so BAD am I right?! Anyway, the story and character's motives/intentions/decisions are constantly flipping backwards and forwards and there is a hefty bit of overlooking glaring contradictions and nonsensical plot devices needed BUT, if you can do that the book is a rollercoaster that starts off as good vs evil, takes a detour via enemies to lovers and ends up at WTF just happened - but it is worth a read and judging by the end of the book, the sequel will be equally bonkers and I can't wait!

An epic fantasy adventure with thrilling action, political intrigue, and a richly developed world. L.K. Steven delivers a gripping story full of magic, betrayal, and unforgettable characters. Fans of classic fantasy will love this!

Absolutely outstanding. I loved Our Infinite Fates and was so excited when I got approved to read an early copy of Silvercloak. WOW. As always, Laura Steven hit it out of the park. A fantastically written book with characters I adored and such a unique but classic fantasy plot. I loved every moment and cannot wait for book two! Thank you for the early copy!

*Thank you to Netgalley, the publishers, & L.K. Steven approving me with an eARC of Silvercloak in exchange for an honest review

Perfect for people who loved Harry Potter growing up (but are now adults) and the game Sleeping Dogs.

The magic system that was introduced by Steven, was highly interesting and I loved how not everyone can master each and every type of magic there is. The world building was also very picturesque and I hope when this book comes out that a map will be included to show the lay of the land, as well as the places of interest mentioned in the book.

A gripe that I had was that Saffron did a lot of stupid decisions during the story that I found very stupid, especially as she was described as someone highly intelligent and planned her moves.

I am looking forward to when this comes out, and can't wait for the next book.

P.S. nothing better happen to Rasso. He has my heart.

For the whole way through this book, I wasn't sure if I loved it or hated it...

Magic is fuelled by pleasure and pain - it was definitely an interesting concept. The only thing that initially put me off was the amount of info dumping at the start; so much thought had gone into the worldbuilding and the magic system, it was almost too much to take in. It reminded me of Crescent City, you just gotta go in and try not to absorb it all in one go, instead just get through it and know that it will (kinda) make sense further down the line.

I really liked the plot, and I kept reading solely for wanting to know how it'd unfold. There are a few side characters but none of them really stood out, I think it was mainly a story for the two main characters - who I didn't really vibe with until the end. It almost felt like they had no personality, but given the world in which the story was set I could totally see how that was the author's intention. They were both so multilayered and it was interesting to see how I grew to understand them as the story developed.

The final 25% however had me glued to the pages. I loved how the story took a turn, and I will be definitely reading book 2 to see what happens next.

Yes! This is the villain book I've been waiting for! This adult wizarding book had everything and all done exceptionally well in my opinion. True, very morally grey characters with depth, motivation and an honest admittance of their wavering feelings and objectives. An established magic system based on pain and pleasure, the normalisation of supposed taboos was refreshing. Levan the mmc - oh my days, just everything about this character was so good in the darkest ways his rare softer admissions were achingly heart wrenching. Saff was an excellent fmc and handles her conflicting emotions brilliantly, I don't think she irritated once! So many twists and reveals, action, betrayal and heartbreak and a perfect epilogue! Obsessed and can not wait for the next installment.
Thanks to Netgalley and Random House for the arc, all thoughts are my own and left voluntarily.

The premise…
Saffron’s parents were murdered by the Bloodmoons, a ruthless criminal gang, when she was only a child.
Now, poised to graduate from the Silvercloak Academy, Saff is determined to secure a position as a Silvercloak so she can wreak her revenge against the Bloodmoons.
Saff embarks on a quest that will push her morals to the limit, especially when she begins to realise there is more to the kingpin’s son than meets the eye…

My thoughts…
I went into this without reading a blurb and I’m so glad I did because the twists and turns in the first 20% alone kept me eagerly flipping pages. The story was really well-paced and I was constantly being surprised!
I really enjoyed reading from Saff’s POV, and the whole cast was intriguing, but, our MMC Levan was my absolute favourite! Complex and full of contradictions, his relationship with Saff had more than a handful of moments where I was unable to keep the big, stupid grin off my face.
The world-building was natural and never overwhelming and it felt fresh and vivid.


Perfect for…
Anyone who likes a true enemies-to-lovers where a happy ending seems impossible

A masterpiece of a fantasy with countless plot twists, it is like the story never rests! Saffron is orphaned when her parents are murdered by the Bloodcloaks (who are essentially the criminal underbelly of this magical world) Saffron has sworn revenge against them, even though the power and magic they wield is unmatched. This incredible magic system is so intriguing as pleasure increases the quantity of magic and pain increases the quality of magic and this concept is what the entire realm revolves around. A very dark and morally corrupt world where right actions for wrong reasons and wrong actions for right reasons surround all our magnificent characters. Is it too early to have read your favorite book of the year?

⭐️ 4.5

What a ride! I really enjoyed this story!

The world building was well done and the magic system was really interesting. I did find the magic, specifically the spells, a little difficult to understand and remember but it didn’t take away from the plot at all!

Levan has some real book boyfriend potential….dark hair, tortured soul, unrivalled power. Yes please

Saffron was a great FMC, she was relatable, sarcastic and a badass

I cannot wait for this to release in July so I can get my hands on a physical copy for my shelves!

A gripping, atmospheric read! The pacing and plot were brilliant. I found the female characters stronger than the male ones but had a good time with all of them and will be looking forward to the sequel.

The world building in this book was thorough and well thought out. I liked the way that the main character was vengeful but in a meticulous and cunning way as opposed to the sheer aggression and violence that you see in other stories. Saffron is calculated and manipulative in a way that is cleverly downplayed and I found myself instantly supporting her decisions (partly due to her past trauma) without really thinking about what she was doing or the repercussions.

The additional characters were well developed and I enjoyed the different personalities that were introduced and well explained.

My understanding of the world, the story and the characters continued to evolve and it felt as though there was good, measured progression throughout that wasn’t falsified or sped up unnecessarily.

Silvercloak delivered some serious Harry Potter nostalgia—which I was not expecting, nor did I realise this was something I was missing in my life! I found the magic system and the world-building to be incredibly strong, the concept of replenishment taking the form of both pleasure and pain was quite unique in this space, and again, wands!!!

The author did a really good job of establishing the backstory, it lent itself to FMC's voice, which I found quite compelling. And I think, crucially, the best part about this book was just how open and accepting it was. From sexuality to physical descriptions, there was so much love throughout for people of all shapes and sizes, which I have to say is incredibly refreshing. Saffron was a real breath of fresh air for me!

I won't spoil anything, but highly, highly recommend and I cannot wait for book two!

I’d like to thank Netgalley, Randomhouse & Cornerstone and, Laura Steven for the e-ARC. This review is not biased and 100% my own.

What we love in any series like this is a fully thought out and executed magic system. But a magic system built on pleasure and pain? Gimme! The way Laura explains the many different ways different regions use this pleasure and pain system to refill their magic is so interesting (and a bit naughty 😏).

In fact, there is a refreshing way of storytelling that makes no excuses for how the characters are portrayed. Sexuality is open and free - without stigma in a way that is so refreshing. It’s like Laura can see how I think. The way that there is a permanent glitch because of something that happened a thousand years earlier that no one’s been able to fix - perfect! It shows that even in this perfect magical world where the flick of a wand and a whisper of words can repair a broken vase, it is possible that not everything can be fixed.

And then we have our characters:

Saffron. Soft belly rolls. Soft. Belly. Rolls. SOFT BELLY ROLLS!!!!! Never has a character describing her own body made me want to weep with joy. Body positivity is important. Saff isn’t saying she’s a big girl, but she is saying that she has soft belly rolls. And that is one of the most empowering and awesome things I’ve read in ages. She’s also strong, tenacious, kind, patient and funny. The kind of person you want your main character to be.

Levan. Tall, dark, you know the type. Except, like all the guys the main characters get close to, he’s misunderstood and a giant walking spoiler. But I promise - he’s a great one to get to know.

Rasso. Scene-stealer. 10/10. No notes. Absolutely perfect. Would not change a thing about him.

I don’t give 5 stars lightly. I haven’t given one since 2023, but this book had/has me in chokehold. I read the ~500 pages in less than 24 hours. If you like fantasy and mystery where the stakes are high then this is for you… unless you don’t like queer normative texts, then I’d steer clear.

This book is kind of like Harry Potter meets FourthWing, it was really good! The ending was the only part I’m unsure whether I liked, more generally because I’m not sure the FMC is very intelligent. She keeps leaping into things and messing them up with her harebrained plans, it feels a bit like watching a train crash.

However, I think this was really well-written and I especially liked the prophecy versus the ending and how it all tied together.

What a wonderfully fast-paced adventure this was! It felt very reminiscent to Harry Potter but with a more adult twist. I really enjoyed having slightly older main characters, as opposed to the usual teenage protagonists that dominate the fantasy world.
The story made me feel so many emotions and took me on a whirlwind! I was deeply immersed into the story and will definitely be purchasing a copy when this comes out!

Silvercloak is an electrifying, queer-led fantasy that brims with tension, magic, and morally grey dilemmas. Laura Steven crafts a world where magic is fueled by pleasure and pain, a legal system teeters on the edge of chaos, and undercover missions blur the lines between duty and desire. The story is gripping from start to finish, weaving together themes of family trauma, power struggles, and intense emotional stakes. The world-building is immersive, and every time I had to put the book down, I couldn’t wait to dive back in.

The cast of characters is a standout, with each one bringing depth, queerness, and cultural richness to the narrative. The protagonist, a deeply complex and relatable queer woman, is easy to root for, especially when paired with a brooding, morally ambiguous love interest whose hidden emotions only add to the intrigue. Their dynamic is packed with tension, making for an emotional rollercoaster of a read. With its thrilling pace, sharp wit, and captivating relationships, Silvercloak is a must-read for fantasy lovers. I’m already dying for the sequel!

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 FMC is so cunning!

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).

I loved that Levan had almost two different personas - I loved his “geeky” side.

Realise this is coming out later this year and I already want to read the second one.

Silvercloak started really strong, with a very unusual magic system for adult fantasy books. Wands! I didn't read a book with magic wands since Harry Potter! The fact that the magic well refuelled with either pain or pleasure was a very interesting concept too. I loved the idea, and the beginning with the tragic backstory of our FMC was really compelling.
Once she was given her mission, though, everything slowed down and felt a bit off. Her time in this extremely dangerous mission felt almost "safe"? I struggled from 25 to 75% to be fair, and I considered DNFing it multiple times. I'm glad I didn't because the last part of the book was really entertaining, with the various revelations on special powers and power struggles.
I struggled a bit with the world building, it felt messy and oftentimes disruptive to the story, where very long explanations of magic and legacies were dropped into action moments. It made me struggle understanding the world.
Over all, it's an entertaining book but it's a bit too confusing and messy for me, so I'm not sure I'll continue the series.
For me this book was a 2.5 stars