I could not put this book down. I found myself reading this book for this as I was cooking, eating, watching TV, and before I fell asleep.

I loved the world, the magic system (so so unique), I loved Saffs initial time spent with her Uni friends, and I loved how everything unraveled and played out throughout the book.

Loved the found family with Saff and Levan (plus a budding relationship that started as enemies to lovers and is now back to enemies 🥲).

There were also some twists and turns that I didn’t really see coming throughout the book (mostly at the end) and some that I was really hoping for (involving Saff with hourglasses).

10000% enjoyed this from start to finish, I was absolutely hooked. Would say this is a great mix of true fantasy with some romance thrown in. Cannot wait for the next book.

Silvercloak by L. K. Steven stands out most for its memorable, well-developed characters. The protagonist is a standout—complex, relatable, and constantly evolving in ways that feel both surprising and earned. Their inner conflict adds real emotional weight to the story, and it’s their growth that drives the narrative forward.

Supporting characters are just as vivid. From loyal allies to morally gray antagonists, each one feels distinct and purposeful, with their own motivations and arcs. The dynamics between them—especially the shifting alliances and quiet betrayals—are one of the book’s greatest strengths.

The fantasy world and magic system are fresh and intriguing, though a little more clarity in some areas would have helped. The plot slows a bit in the middle, but strong character moments keep it engaging, and the ending delivers both payoff and promise.

A strong, character-driven fantasy that lingers after the last page. Highly recommended for readers who love depth, nuance, and emotional stakes.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group| Del Rey for the eARC.

Silvercloak is available July 29, 2025

If you’re craving a fantasy world where pleasure and pain fuel magic, where loyalty and deception collide, Silvercloak is the book you won’t want to miss. With a world built on secrets and dark magic, this story draws you into a web of lies, vengeance, and intrigue from the very first page.

Saffron Killoran is a force to be reckoned with. With a heart full of vengeance for the ruthless gang that murdered her parents, she’ll stop at nothing to take down the Bloodmoons. Her journey into Silvercloak Academy is thrilling—both for the intense world-building and the depth of her mission. Saffron is a complex character, and watching her struggle between duty and desire kept me hooked. But the stakes don’t just stay high—they rise with each twist, making it impossible to put down.

The world itself is a dark, fascinating place, brimming with gangs, secrets, and a magic system that feels both dangerous and irresistible. The constant tension between rival factions, the morally gray characters, and the high-stakes world of dark mages makes this a gripping read.

Overall, Silvercloak is an addictive read for fans of dark fantasy, intense world-building, and morally complicated characters. It’s a story that will keep you turning pages—especially if you love a good plot full of tension and mystery. I can’t wait to see where this series goes next.

I wanted to love this but I didn't. I kept checking to see how far along I was and it felt like it was taking forever for me to get through the story. That being said I love the unique magic system of pain and pleasure. There's also a dark villain type love interest. The storyline was there and I wish I could rate it 5 stars but i had a hard time clicking with the characters and feeling the found family love that I had hoped for

Oh my! This book kept me on the edge of my seat! I really enjoyed the magic system and some of the plot twist! This felt unique in the sense of the characters and world building but gave me feelings of nostalgia reading Harry Potter for the first time. Weird connection but I really enjoyed this book! Looking forward to more novels from this author!

10 out of 10 recommend! I thought I was getting burnt out on fantasy but Silvercloak sucked my in immediately. I can't wait for the next book, I have so many questions!

Silvercloak is definitely a top fantasy read for me in 2025!


🖤“You’re going to be the unmaking of me, Silver.” His voice was a low, coarse rumble against her ear. “And I swore to myself I’d never be unmade again.

I have seen this book referred to as Harry Potter meets the mafia and as such, I was excited for this to be a contender for my favorite book of 2025, looking forward to a fun magic system and deep character development with a healthy side of found family. Unfortunately, this book picks up as the characters are graduating their magic program, so we do not see any of the character development as the main characters grew to be a found family. Nothing about the story or writing left me feeling any part of the supposed strong character connections or love for each other that we would have if we saw them struggling together to get through their rigorous studies, and as a result the stakes did not feel perilous. The framework was there for it to be a thrilling and deeply emotional story with adult characters (hooray we need more adult characters in fantasy!), but feeling the characters emotions never came off the page for me. Everything was stated, nothing was shown through experience, and as a result I barely even cared what was happening to the main character, let alone her friends. I did love the prologue, but it wasn't until the last few pages that I had any sense of not being able to put the book down. That being said, I think it is possible that this book was set up to lead into a great sequel, the last few pages really did create space for it to be an exceptionally engaging enemies to lovers to enemies and lovers to enemies again story, if the author can raise the stakes and raise the emotional investment.

one of the best fantasy books of the year!!!!! a lot of people are comparing this to adult Harry Potter but I beg to differ, the story stands on its own. I loved how complex it was but also how easy the authors writing managed to put it all together. incredible world building, characters, and amazing magic system!

Laura Steven does it again! Two great reads this year. I envy all of you who have not read this book. Because you'll have the chance to read for the first time. If you can't tell, I enjoyed reading this book.

At the heart of this novel is Saffron, whose parents were brutally killed in front of her at a very young age. All her life, she has trained to become a Silvercloak, the police force in this world, in order to avenge her parents' deaths. She's willing to do anything in the name of revenge, even going deep undercover in a gang to bring down the people responsible. She's smart, tough, and wounded. The other main character is Levan, who's the son of the gang leader. He's equally wounded, if not more. The author had a difficult task: to depict Levan's cruel acts with unflinching honesty while finding his humanity so that the reader can empathize with him. I think the author did this with great aplomb and skill. The themes of this book are rooted in these two main characters' personal struggles and their choices. Saffron's growth is one of how far you're willing to sacrifice your morals to achieve what you want. Levan's journey is one of self-discovery, of seeing whether he can still be good despite all the evil he has perpetrated.

The plot of the book is at its base a revenge story. While I understand this, I do wish that there were more scenes of Saffron in the Silvercloak academy, because it was just so much fun. The pacing of the plot as it developed was perfect. Never did I feel like the book drag. Each plot point led neatly into the next. Throughout the book, as the characters faced setbacks, I kept wondering how they were going to overcome those situations. And the author did not disappoint! I thought the author nailed the ending.

The magic of Silvercloak is built upon pain and pleasure. This is a unique magic system, and because of this, the author does spend a bit describing the magic. However, she does it in a way that does seem like an info dump. Information is delievered when needed, and I particularly enjoyed reading about the magic. Regarding the world and setting, I do wish that the author spent some more time describing the countries beyond the city the story takes places in. However, I do understand that those places do not really affect the plot so that's probably why there is just a bit mentioned about those countries. I hope to see and learn more about them in the next books.

The author's writing style is immersive and accessible. The sentences flowed quite well, and I did not find myself confused with her words and phrasing. For most of the book, I forgot that I was reading, and the book played in mind's eye. Her words were able to capture the emotions needed for each scene, from moments of tenderness to moments of thrills, I was captivated by the author's story.

Needless to say, I am highly anticipating the next book in this series. Although I am sad that I will have to wait a long time for it, as this book hasn't even been released. I can't wait to see everyone's reaction to this book when it does come out. I highly recommend this book to everyone who likes an unique magic system, undercover revenge story, and enemies to lovers.

Silvercloak by L.K. Steven was a highly exciting book to be approved for a pre release review! Silvercloak was exactly what I was wanting in a fantasy. The magic system felt classic, and I really liked this. But, of course, this book was unique and everything just went so well together. The prologue hit hard, and I was fully committed to the main character's story.

Saffron Killoran has spent twenty years plotting revenge against the Bloodmoons, the dark mages responsible for her parents’ murder, and secures a place at Silvercloak Academy by concealing her true motives. When her ruse is uncovered, she’s recruited to infiltrate the gang and dismantle them from within, risking her life with every brutal task she undertakes.

Overall, I thought the book was fine. One reviewer said it reminded them of Harry Potter so I think I went into it with that mindset. While there were similar elements to Harry Potter, I wish I hadn't gone in with that perspective because the book just didn’t capture my attention like I was hoping it would. What Silvercloak does have is a unique magic system and has high-stakes intrigue. I enjoyed that she was undercover and had to navigate those relationships. I love an enemies to lovers plot so I was sold there, but I could have used more tension and build up. I just wasn't convinced about their relationship.

Also, there were some scattered surprises and romantic sparks that did keep me turning pages, but the major twists and character arcs often unfolded exactly as I predicted. At times, modern sounding dialogue and internal monologues briefly disrupted the immersive mood. I'm not sure if I will pick up book 2, but I can easily imagine this book resonating with other readers.

First I wanna thank the author, the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in advance.
What a great concept in terms of magic system and world building! I really love the different magic system and the secret societies which is something I really love (even tho some are not so secret).
Saffron suffered so much from childhood but she's so resilient and she's willing to do everything against the people who killed her parents. Levan is another character that I really liked and I think he has so much underneath that mask he shows. I like how we get to see the layers of both Saff and Levan's personalities and peel these layers off and see more of each of them, both separate and together.
The secondary characters like some of Saff's friends' were great additions and helped her when they could. Auria was someone that honestly got on my nerves.
I really liked the reverse time that Saffron could do but the last chapters left me in awe. From Levan's discovery about Saffron to their interaction (which I was afraid for), to what Saffron did and the consequences of those actions, her thoughts at the penultimate chapters left me jaw dropped. I was speechless with the way she was thinking.
And that very last chapter from Levan's POV... Omg I don't what to think now. What will happen?😱
I can't wait to read the next one and see what will happen with Saffron and Levan as a consequence to this ending.

I felt like the book could have been more detailed in certain parts. More about her time with the Bloodmoons and the more horrifying stuff around that. Same with the mmcs storyline but we probably will get more in book 2.

I like the world and the magic system. The overall storyline was good and the writing was easy to follow. I especially loved the queer representation in this book, that was a huge plus and it feel so effortless, like this is just how it is and I really love that!

The ending was good and left me wanting to know what will happen next.

Thank you to Del Rey and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this book.

Before I write my review, please be aware that I think this book will be enjoyed my many readers, it just didn't work for me.

I was super excited for this book as there has been so much hype around it, even though I struggled with other books written by the author I decided to give it a go and see if it was good enough for me to buy a physical copy of this book, and boy am I grateful for the ARC

The plot felt choppy at best, I felt the characters were way too predictable and childish, and the main character's goal was so easy to guess only a few chapters in. To me this felt like a poorly done Harry Potter fanfic - I didn't see any original development to the story and when I was half way through the book I was constantly asking myself why I was bothering.

I'm genuinely sad I didn't enjoy this book, after reading so many good reviews I think I simply chose a book that didn't resonate with my reading taste therefore I gave it a low score but it could very wel be a book for someone with a different taste.

Thank you to Netgalley for an electronic advanced copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review!

I have been on a Laura Steven binge since finishing Our Infinite Fates 2 weeks ago, obsessively devouring everything she’s written. So when I saw that her upcoming Adult Fantasy debut was available to request on Netgalley, I KNEW I needed it.

Right off the bat, Silvercloak made me feel like my 8 year old self reading Harry Potter for the first time. The magic system is wand-based, but with mages having specialities, and it felt familiar but still interesting!

The first chapter starts off so whimsical and builds a beautiful picture of an idyllic magical family life, only to shatter it. This creates an immediate empathy for FMC Saffron, and an immediate hatred for the Bloodmoons, a ruthless gang of Mages.

The book then skips 20 years to Saffron on the cusp of graduating from magic detective Academy, after which she will become a Silvercloak, with the power to exert revenge on the Bloodmoons who ruined her childhood. I personally loved how the book circumvented the traditional training/wizarding school montage that we’ve seen so many times in Fantasy, and jumps in right before the action.

The supporting cast are immediately loveable and defined. The MMC THOUGH! I love this man!!!!! I have high standards for my morally gray broody men (see Arcturus Mesarthim from the Bone Season), and Levan Celadon is now very much up there!! I love when MMCs have cute hobbies, passions of their own, and can be very vulnerable and soft, while also murdering people left and right. Levan JOURNALS and READS and SEWS! Anyway…

I won’t spoil anything that isn’t mentioned on the blurb, because I think this should be experienced almost blind, but this book had me throwing my kindle across the room, and screaming to myself. I stayed up until 1am to finish it, and it made me LOSE MY MIND!

Basically boils down to PLEASE READ THIS BOOK, and then talk to me about it so i dont lose my mind alone at least :)))

This was a fantastic read! Silvercloak had great worldbuilding without being overly thick to wade through. The main characters Saffron and Levan are complex, complicated and entirely morally grey to suit their own purposes. They are two sides of the same coin brought together by tragedy, loss and a very confusing prophecy. This had fantastic tension, action and side characters. Silvercloak is a compelling and perfectly paced first book for this series. The ending was just enough of a cliffhanger to make me yearn for the next book without being totally shattered. I'm truly looking forward to more of the Bloodmoons and Silvercloaks.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House for the arc when I was first started reading it, it was a bit slow for me the pacing wasn’t right something was missing and I was a bit bored all the way though sadly I just DNF at 80% I couldn’t do it anything I made a decision if I’m not enjoying and just going to stop reading and read another book and not waste my time in something I’m not enjoying

things that could have made it better

A better plot twist because we didnt get much of it, but confused in what it was it was a bit choppy I know it was about a magic system that’s it nothing special

Better understanding each character and development of them

I really wished I like it more :(

4.5 stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

Well, this was an absolute blast! A unqiue wand-based magic system that relies on pleasure and pain interwoven with magic mafia style politics – say no more!

Our FMC, Saffron, is on a mission to destroy the organisation that murdered her parents when she was a child. It seems her time for redemption is about to come into play as she joins the Silvercloaks (an anti-crime organisation) and is sent undercover to infiltrate the elusive and dangerous Bloodcloaks who were also responsible for the death of her parents. It is here she meets Levan, the son of the Bloodcloaks kingpin, who may or may not start to distract her from her primary mission.

This is my first foray into Laura Steven's work as I haven't had a chance to read her previous work so I didn't quite know what to expect. However, I really enjoyed the writing style and found myself wholly immersed in the world so cannot wait to check out more of her books!

i knew from the moment this book showed up on my radar that i would really like it, it was just a matter of how much. the answer is A LOT.

this book had my jaw dropping with everything that was going on and all the reveals and plot twists? broke my brain. the last few chapters basically had me on the edge of my seat and the epilogue made me fall to the floor. LITERAL CHILLS. my anticipation for the sequel is absolutely through the roof like i legitimately don’t think i can wait for an entire year to find out where the story is going to go??

there’s much to talk about in terms of the characters as well. i was a fan of both of them honestly and the way the chemistry between them was built up? phenomenal. the entire book felt very high stakes and a lot of that reflected in the way the characters interacted with each other as well. since they’re essentially working for opposites sides, i would consider this enemies to lovers or at least something very close to it. the two of them don’t trust each other at all but are forced to in certain situations and also hate the side the other stands for.

i will say overall, i highly recommend picking this up when it releases!

ARC review! Thank you so much for the opportunity to review this book.

3.75/5 stars — What an exhilarating read. This was such a fun adult fantasy from an author that is obviously incredibly experienced with the genre. There were just enough common tropes to make the book easy to pick up, but was also novel enough to keep me entertained throughout.

BUT there is just one gripe I had with it that prevents me from giving this a 5 star😭

Plot 4/5
We follow Saffron, a silvercloak, in a high stakes espionage mission that only she can accomplish due to a special quirk she has. Each story beat flows seamlessly into the next. The ending was insane, I must admit. Though I did expect more from her time undercover.

Characters 4/5
I might be in love with Saffron. As for everyone else, well.

The Bloodmoons were set out to be this terrifying gang of criminals so terrible that the cops of this world train specifically to deal with them. Yet they are surprisingly tame? This supposed high stakes mission was surprisingly easy on Saffron, outside of a few short events when the author suddenly remembers the Bloodmoons were meant to be terrifying and evil and not, you know, just a family run gang.

The “good guys” were also pretty lacklustre. I get that they weren’t the main focus but Saffron is really attached to them and there is a huge disconnect between what she is feeling and what the reader feels.

Worldbuilding 4 / 5
The magic system is novel, wand magic with added complications. It works a lot like the magic system of a video game where your character has an “energy bar”, or Magic Well as it is called in the book. I loved how the author incorporated this idea into the combat scenes. The expositions about history and religion were done well throughout the book.

However, there were some aspect of worldbuilding that were lacking. The types of magic and magic casters, and the ability of each person to be a type of magic casters were kind of unclear. I think with enough training, you can be anything you want but for some, they can only be one type? I think? The religion was also quite sidelined despite being brought up several times.

Also there’s a whole kingdom which culture centres around bdsm. Uh, sure.

Prose 3 / 5
Okay, this is where I would’ve put the book down if it weren’t an ARC. For the most part, the prose was great. But occasionally, out of nowhere, you just get slapped in the face with something sexual. And when I mean out of nowhere, I mean out of *nowhere*. Saffron cannot look at her ex without vivid flashbacks of them fucking. Everyone is horny. The author is probably horny. Nothing particularly wrong with that but it’s really distracting as just a reader that wants to read😭

I have examples.

“At the sight of herself in a Bloodmoon cloak, horror tugged viscerally at her guts. Horror, but also… intrigue. She was strangely compelled by it, picking at the image like a fresh scan, examining every tiny detail. The sleekness of the cloak, the rough edges of those moans. It was like walking in on yourself fucking someone you shouldn’t.”

Surely, there was a better simile to use to describe the wrongness of a situation.

“And the truth was that she had come to care about [spoilers]. Not just in a primal, I-caught-him-fucking-the-King’s-Prophet-and-now-keep-picturing-him-in-a-state-of-undress sort of way, but as a person.”

Firstly, that “caught him fucking the King’s prophet” scene in question was a long long time ago, and it was probably the last thing on my mind. That way in particular was not even in the top ten ways I could’ve thought she meant by “caring”.

Also, dangerous spy mission, being traumatised left and right and Saffron still “remembered to take contraceptive tincture amidst all the chaos”, of course.

It’s just not for me, I guess. It jolts me out of the story every time.