This is my first book by L.K. Stevens and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. I’m in awe of how well composed this book was.

The author immediately pulls you in with her beautiful and descriptive writing. She also wrote the world building in such a way that you get slowly get the hang of things without it all being thrown in your face immediately. I especially loved that since I take a bit of time to get used the world building in books. The magic wands and spells intrigued me so much and love how she chose the name of the spells! They were so clever. The whole magic system gave me that epic feeling when reading a well developed high fantasy book that enchants you. Another thing I really liked was how the book showcased that no one can simply be good or bad, that people are more complex than that.

I absolutely loved the characters in this book.

Saffron was an interesting fmc. As the book went on I loved how we realistically saw her moral code begin to blur. She went from a sort of soldier who would do anything for the so called “good” to a girl who tried to justify murder. It was as she would say “This is how villains are born.” That quote absolutely made my jaw drop. It couldn’t reflect more perfectly how Saffron’s character developed.

Levan, the mmc was so cunning and smart I loved it. I loved how we saw the layers peeled away from him and saw bits and bits more of his true character and intentions as the book went on. The chemistry between him and Saffron was through the roof and I absolutely adored it. They had that amazing tension that made you think “Are they going to kiss or kill each other?” If that’s not the perfect enemies to lovers then I don’t know what is.

This was such an unforgettable experience! I absolutely cannot wait for this book to be out in the world so that I can get a physical copy of it!

Thank you so much Laura Steven / L.K. Steven, Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore and Netgalley for the arc!🫶

I began hearing about this on TikTok and was so intrigued and thrilled to get an eARC. It was great!!! This is book 1 of a new series and deals in pleasure and pain... so you can expect things to get interesting ;)

Thank you to NetGalley for this eARC gifted in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed the world-building and magic system in this book. The setting was immersive, and the magic system felt intriguing and nostalgic in a way!! That said, i struggled to connect with the characters a bit. While the overall story was engaging, the characters themselves felt flat, which just made it hard for me to stay fully invested in the story.

Thank you Netgalley and Random House - Del Rey for providing this e-arc in exchange for an honest review

3.5 stars rounded up

Silvercloak has a really unique magic system that plays perfectly with its magical mafia/undercover agent, enemies and lovers vibe. It’s both new and familiar and I think it’s going to be huge.

If I could rate this book on the prologue and last 20% or so alone, it would absolutely be a five-star read, but I struggled a little in between. There were chunks where the world-building felt more like info-dumping. As a reader, I know I can struggle with first books in a fantasy series when the world/character-building has to be established and built up, and this is why I usually like second books more than first books. By the end, all of the world-building came together as I knew it would and I absolutely loved the last 20% of the book but I personally prefer when the world-building is a little less visible. There were also a few places where I wish the book trusted the reader a little bit more to use context clues or refer back to previous information.

That said, I adored the ending- it was fast-paced, perfectly aligned with the characters and everything that had happened so far, but still really packed a punch. The last page had me kicking my feet and hugging my kindle to the point where I wish I could just quote the entire thing as my favorite line of this book. I absolutely can’t wait for book two because I already know I’m going to love it even more!

Thank you NetGalley and Del Rey/Random House for this ARC!

This book was explained to me as having Mafia meets Harry Potter vibes, and frankly that's a perfect description. This scratched the magical world itch I've been feeling since the last of Rowling's books was published. Be aware though that this is a very mature and dark world of magic. Our heroine's family is brutally murdered in front of her by the Bloodmoons, a mafia type magical organization. She grows up and joins the Silvercloaks, aka the good guys, but a series of events compels her to go undercover. She has a secret that makes her uniquely suited for an undercover mission with this particular group, and I don't want to spoil too much more of what happens. I will say that this book was immensely satisfying because everything the characters did had a clear and believable motivation. So many books nowadays throw twists just for the heck of it and have characters do things just for the plot, but Steven did an incredible job with this one of making everything feel inevitable, while still making you care about the outcome. This had some great late stage reveals and the reveal of her super special power may have felt like a cop out, but it pushes the story forward in such a cool and interesting way. This is how you write magical fiction!

Book Review: Silvercloak by Laura Steven

*will post online reviews whenever it is published per requested at the beginning of the copy of the book*

Silvercloak tells the gripping story of Saffron Killoran, whose childhood was shattered when the notorious Bloodmoons murdered her parents. Determined to avenge her past, she lies her way into the prestigious Silvercloak Academy of detectives. Just as she nears graduation, her deception is exposed—but instead of punishment, she’s offered a dangerous alternative: infiltrate the Bloodmoons from within. As she embarks on this perilous mission, Saffron is forced to commit unspeakable acts to keep her cover, all while her loyalties blur when she finds herself falling for Levan, the conflicted son of the kingpin. Amid shocking revelations and a maze of moral ambiguity, nothing is quite what it seems.

Key Tropes:
- Revenge Quest
- Undercover Infiltration
- Forbidden Romance
- Secret Identity & Deception
- Moral Ambiguity
- Unique Magic System
- Shocking Revelations

My Review:
I absolutely loved this book! From the first page, it had me hooked with its immersive world-building, intricate plot twists, and a magic system that’s refreshingly unique. The concept of magic fueled by pleasure and pain is unlike anything I’ve seen before—it adds a layer of depth that makes every scene pulsate with raw energy.

Saffron is a fascinating protagonist. Her journey from a grieving daughter to a determined undercover agent is both heart-wrenching and exhilarating. Although her personality shifts a bit once she infiltrates the Bloodmoons, it only makes her more complex and human. And then there’s Levan—what a character! Their forbidden romance is charged with tension and emotion, making every interaction sizzle with unpredictability.

But let’s talk about that ending—it had me gasping for air! The shocking revelations and the unresolved questions left me utterly craving for more. Despite a few minor inconsistencies, Silvercloak is an addictive, high-stakes adventure that pushes the boundaries of fantasy romance.

With a solid 4.5 stars, this book is a wild, immersive ride that I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone looking for a story that’s as unpredictable as it is unforgettable.

I had a feeling about this book straight away. This is wonderful. The world building is GREAT. The Magic system is GREAT. The premise and the plot are solid. The ending is GRIPPING. I loved being in the world Steven created with wands, gangs, magical affinities, the blurring of right and wrong or perhaps more accurately, good and evil. For fans of Harry Potter book 5 and up or even Novik’s Scholomance series, this is a great dark twist with cops and gangs/Silvercloaks and Bloodmoons. I’m sure this will be a sensation.

A huge thank you to the publisher for allowing me early access to read and review this title!

Spoilers ahead!

I really enjoyed this. The intricacies of the magical system, where power is obtained through pleasure and pain, was really cool and well done. Some of the scenes were also incredibly brutal - especially the letter opener. If you know, you know.

The ending was great! Really wasn't expecting Saff to rewind time and follow a different path, and the fact that Levan knows is brilliant. I feel like he is going to be such an epic villain in the next book.

YESSSSS yes yes yes. It was like Harry Potter but for adults. The wands, the magic, the romance, the politics….THE BETRAYAL!!!…totally here for all of it. Loved it, love love loved itttttt

Oh my gosh!!!!! This book was utter perfection! It scratched that adult Harry Potter type world and just took it and made it even better! Like I have been wanting a true enemies to lovers slow burn and this book is it!!!! First this world is so unique and just loved getting to see the in and outs of it. Then the magic in this is so freaking cool and I can’t wait to dive further into it. And this book wrecked like I haven’t stopped thinking about it since I started reading it. Like I can’t believe how long I’ll have to wait til the next one because my goodness the last 20 percent of this book just blew my mind. I can’t believe I got the honor or reading it early. And now I have to wait til it is published to talk about it with friends. Seriously though I loved the fmc and mmc. And man this will be on my mind for a while for sure. Now I’m beyond excited to read her other book our infinite fates when it comes out next month. So thanks NetGalley, del Rey, and Laura Steven for giving me the opportunity to read and rate this book.

This adult epic fantasy introduces readers to a world where magic is uniquely powered by both pleasure and pain. The narrative centers on Saffron, a determined protagonist who, after witnessing her parents' murder by the Bloodcloaks at a young age, infiltrates this brutal gang of dark mages as part of a covert mission. Her immunity to magic renders her an invaluable asset, but also places her in constant peril. As Saffron delves deeper into the underworld, she confronts moral ambiguities and forms complex relationships, notably with Levan, a morally grey character whose secrets and charisma have captivated early readers.

I love the intricate world-building and innovative magic system. The concept of magic being fueled by pleasure and pain is woven seamlessly into the fabric of the society, influencing various aspects of life and governance. This unique approach has been described as "sexy, beguiling, and wholly intoxicating," creating a fantasy that "crackles with vibrant and alluring energy."

The character development, particularly of Saffron, has been highlighted for its depth and relatability. Her journey from a vengeance-driven individual to someone grappling with the complexities of morality and identity. The dynamic between Saffron and Levan offers a compelling enemies-to-lovers arc, adding emotional intensity to the plot.

The novel's ability to blend dark, gritty elements with moments of levity and romance. The portrayal of a society where magic's dual nature influences both the elite and the underworld provides a rich backdrop for political intrigue and personal vendettas. The narrative's pacing keeps readers engaged, with twists and turns leading to an unpredictable and satisfying conclusion.

Overall, "Silvercloak" is poised to be a standout in the fantasy genre, offering a fresh perspective with its unique magic system and complex character dynamics. Fans of adult fantasy seeking a blend of action, romance, and moral exploration will find this novel particularly engaging.

The grandeur and scale of this book and its world is precisely where I want to start because L.K. Steven, you have accomplished was very few and far between accomplish (in my opinion)… A world that feels like it’s continuing beyond the page. The very nature of the narrative means stories and relationship are broken, splintered, woven, unpicked, glued and more throughout the novel, but there’s a level of realism that comes from L.K. Steven allowing her world, and secondary characters, to LIVE outside of when they pop up in the protagonist’s timeline. This world is hearty, complex, multi-faceted, history-rich, and I cannot compliment it enough!

The fantasy elements of this novel really intrigued me as I’ve heard of pain as fuel for power but feel I have seen/read little of pleasure. Without going into too much detail, this fascinated me as I’ve always been one who believed power funded pleasure and had never considered the vice versa as a foundation for magic. This leads to some very exhilarating plot points throughout Silvercloak and I’m hooked to this concept! In fact, after finishing reading, when I found myself in moments of happiness, I questioned do I feel more powerful and found I did! So perhaps Steven has tapped into something in psyche’s we may have tucked away or pushed down, and I’m interested to see where this develops to.

The romance elements were, and yes, I’m going to just say it as it is, they were HOT. That being said, they were never unnecessarily trying too hard to be, which is what I think makes them so successful. So much so that I would go as far to say I disagree with this novel being classed as romantasy and would argue it’s straight up fantasy with a REAL protagonist. None of the hot and steamy scenes were overly gratuitous nor did they feel shoehorned in like some other books in the genre. They were the scenes of an adult in this world doing what adults in that world would do! The depth of these romantic relationships further engrossed me in this world and, again, I cannot see where these stories flow.

This review is relatively difficult for me to write as I want to talk about every little detail because I LOVED SILVERCLOAK THAT MUCH! However, having seen some unfortunate spoilers during my time reading/before reading Silvercloak, I would never want any future or prospective readers to stumble across that with my review. I will be posting a more spoilerific, in depth review once the novel is out and the world has had time to digest it. In the meantime, I highly recommend any adult readers get preordering as, if this book is anything like Steven’s Our Infinite Fates, they are certain to be flying off the shelves…

This was absolutely incredible. This book hands down had the most interesting magic system. It was like Harry Potter, (because they use wands and spells), but the magic is controlled in a sense by pain and pleasure. That is UNHEARD of. & then throw in rival gangs?! It had every element that I love in fantasy.

In short- our main girl Saffron’s parents are killed when she was young. She joins this group called the silver cloaks, which are supposedly the good guys (this whole book will have you blurring the line between good and evil). She goes to school for years and years hoping to be the best of the best and one day take down a ruthless group called the Bloodmoons (the ones responsible for her parents death). She finally gets the opportunity to go undercover and infiltrate when she makes her self indespinsible to them and claims she can help them track down a necromancer. Because of this she ends up working with the head of the bloodmoons Son, Levan.

Sweet sweet Levan. He seems like your classic morally grey MMC. But no. Levan is a truly tortured soul. & Saffron and him become very close. However how will he react when he discovers she’s not who she says he is?! What will she be required to do in the end?

Tropes:
-Tortured soul MMC
-rival gangs/
groups
-pain/pleasure magic
-queer representation
-adventures/quests


READ IT!

thank you Del Rey & netgalley for the arc ❤️

This was such a fun read. This story follows the main character Saff as she attempts to avenge her parents and engages with mafia-esque magic organization responsible for their deaths.

I loved the world building and vivid descriptions throughout. The adventure after the MC’s graduation had me at the edge of my seat. There was a bit of messiness in the writing and characterization, but the adventure and world sucked me in so well that I could overlook it. I found myself with the same complicated feelings toward Levan as Saff did, and I enjoyed their dynamic. Some of the twists really got me!

I did find the characterization of Saff vs what we’re told her character is like (take a shot for every time you read the word nihilist—and I also didn’t buy that she was a nihilist) didn’t totally align. The beginning few chapters up through Saff’s graduation felt rushed and could have been executed more cleanly. There were generally some of my pet peeves with prose in here (e.g. “Something tightened in her chest”) which can spoil a book for me, but there was so much I liked here that I could deal.

I will definitely read the sequel to this and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a charming Magical World with *wands*, romance, morally complicated characters, and a revenge mission.

I have some majorly mixed feelings about this one. On one hand, I really enjoyed the world building and magic system. It was easy to follow but compelling and added some great layers to the story. Saffron's experience while infiltrating the magical underground had me equally as invested in the story itself and finding out how the magic worked. The plot itself was also very fun, and the pacing picked up enough speed to make this the kind of book I could easily devour.

On the other hand, I found some of the character work fairly underwhelming. The narrative often tells us how a character is perceived, while showing them behaving in the opposite way. I'm told over and over that Saffron is sharp and clever while she often makes deeply stupid choices. If I have to be *told* a character is smart, it's honestly already a red flag.

I can see the author's YA side of their writing coming out, and while I know they have a YA book debuting around the same time as this one, I was hoping the adult fantasy would feel vastly different and truthfully it didn't. If this had been a YA book perhaps some character elements would have worked better and been more believable, but when it comes to adults making these decisions I just can't buy it half the time.

4.25 stars!

Wow, this book was fascinating. I LOVED the magic system and was in awe of the way L.K. Steven built a unique world and magic system. I saw a reviewer describe this as Harry Potter meets the mafia, and was hooked to start, but I also think this book is more than that. There are layers to all of our character’s, including Saffron, our main character that kept me reading. I really enjoyed this book, and am excited to see where the story goes!

Thank you to Netgalley and Del Rey for the ARC!

This one was definitely wild! Lots of juicy world building and terms (which is refreshing, though hopefully there will be a glossary in the final book). I loved the high stakes and wand-based magic, and Saff is both a wild card but entirely relatable. Though I had an inkling about the prophecy, the last 10% was unpredictable in the best way, and I'm looking forward to the next installment!

This book was pretty good, I would definitely recommend

~This was given by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

3.75 ⭐️ thanks to netgalley and the publisher for this arc!
I really enjoyed this story. Saffron the fmc is fueled by this huge loss she suffered. Her grief steering her through life. Her working undercover and pretending to be something shes not had me on the edge of my seat. The small details, that aren’t really that small, with her magic, and the things that got revealed later in the books were so good! I just hope that we get to see more of her being smart and clever and not just being told that she is whilst doing the complete opposite of that.
I was so intrigued by Levan and his story as well and I can‘t wait to find out what will happen in the next book! The side characters were great & really like the magic system!

Although this book had a bit of a slow start for me, once it got going I was hooked. The premise is a nod to the Harry Potter of our younger years, even referencing an eerily similar series of books in their world, and the nostalgia of a traditional magical system with wands and cloaks and enchanted items was enough to make this a worthwhile read for me. Beyond that, though, is a complex story that weaves (ahem, yes pun intended) together that magic with other more sci-fi reminiscent elements, along with a romance and the theme of fate that this author seems to love.

I found the MCs to both be complicated and flawed - as the author points out to us, people are not strictly black and white, we exist in multitudes and shades of gray. Lovers of the morally dark trope will enjoy their story, as well as the almost-but-not-quite enemies to lovers that flops back and forth throughout this book, and the ending will give us no closure on that front going into book 2.

Laura (LK) Steven has solidified her place for me as an automatic buy with this and Our Infinite Fates. Can’t wait to read the rest of this series.