This book surprised me in the best ways possible,

This book had such a cool magical system with pleasure or pain making you gain power for essentially your “power tank”. The plot held strong all through out and was well paced. The romance took a little bit of a back seat in this series and very glad it did, I was more interested in seeing what would happen to the FMC, the prophecy, to her parents and the magic. Over all would recommend this if your looking for a refreshing fantasy

This was an okay read. It started off very strong with ao much potential. I was intrigued by the beginning and what happened to the fmcs parents. The first part of the book was interesting, the prophecy and seeing what the fmc had to do to avenge her parents killer. After the beginning, the book slowed down and all the action and magic was okay but didn’t hold my interest as much. The romance is a slow slow burn but i really didn’t feel the chemistry between the main characters. Overall a lot of potential that didn’t always land. Thanks to del rey for this arc.

Thank you to Del Rey for sending me an arc in exchange for review!

Can we just discuss how this is one of my new favorite fantasy series? BECAUSE IT IS A FANTASY. the romance takes a back seat to the plot which made me enjoy it more. I loved the world and the magic system and how the author gives you information in a non info dumpy way but in a way that makes sense as you read. I loved Saffron and how when you meet her, she's this angry grieving girl and you really see that shift and how she realizes she can still grieve what happened to her but also help the greater good and I AM SO excited for the sequel.


go add this to your TBR.

4 ⭐ - Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC :)

I really enjoyed this! I was a little hesitant at first because there are mixed reviews, but I found myself thoroughly enjoying the story. Saffron is given the task to infiltrate what is essentially the magical mafia and bring them down from the inside. The magic system is unique, with it being fuelled by either pleasure or pain, and the subtle hints at different areas in the world focusing more on one or the other was intriguing and something I'd be interested to see in the future.

The morally grey MMC has been done countless times, but I'm still a sucker for it. Without giving anything away, I'm curious as to the MMC's motives and whether they're not as morally grey as they seem, but in general just more of a dark character. Only time will tell.

The ending felt a little rushed, but I also know this is the first book in the series and it's leading up to more in the future. This is a series I'll probably continue as I'm interested in the plot and the rest of the story. Overall, I had a good time reading this!

This book was seriously great and so addicting! There’s an immersive and rich worldbuilding, where magic is fueled by pleasure and pain, this obviously influences the functioning of society and how pleasure or pain are perceived, as most people have a knack for luxury. Silvercloak breaches the theme of morality, on how to distinguish what’s right from what’s wrong, on being completely unable to discern good from bad.
The main character, Saffron, is introduced as an orphan whose main focus is to avenge her parents’ murder and once she gets the chance to do so, she willingly throws herself into the situation, completely sure that her safety will be granted thanks to her points of strength. However, once she joins the criminal group of the Bloodmoons, most of her previous fixed beliefs start to crumble.
It was frankly interesting to follow Saffron into her undercover journey, there were a lot of anxious moments where you were left wondering if that was the end for her, but she showed to be a very resourceful and smart character.

I won’t be making any spoilers obviously but I wish that the very end, towards the last 5-7% of the book, things had been outweighted better, i feel like everything happened in a rush and the reader had no chance to soak in what was really happening and the consequences of Saff’s actions!

That being said, i’m disappointed in myself for not having started reading this way sooner! I had such a great time with it! If you love morally GRAY characters, gruesome descriptions and twisted dynamics, definitely pick this up!

Thank you to Del Rey and Netgalley for a free e-arc, all opinions are my own.

Pain & Pleasure are the only way to fill your empty well of magic and this unique system was truly fantastic! I loved how creative it was and the ways in which pleasure is found… but sometimes you need pain to survive.

I loved the storyline, how everything is intertwined it is so cleverly written.

The world building was huge and political and my brain is literally about to burst. I feel book two will be even better!

I was lucky enough to receive a NetGalley arc of this and I was SO excited, as I’d loved Infinite Fates by this author. Del Rey is fast becoming my favourite publisher! So I had high hopes.

The good news is I really liked this one! A FMC I actually liked! She’s strong, thoughtful, and easy to connect with. I also loved the magic system and how rich and inclusive the world felt, which is a staple of the author’s books and I love that. 🏳️‍🌈

The MMC? Let’s just say he’s not your typical morally grey character - he’s morally wrong, and I definitely struggled with some of his choices. But I appreciated that the story doesn’t paint things in black and white. It leans into complexity, and I respect that.

Looking forward to seeing where the series goes next!
📖

This reads very YA, even though its adult. I wasn't expecting that. I really wanted to like this. The prologue was very good, but what followed lost my interest very quickly.
I have a lot of thoughts, but I think I could have liked this if not for such frequent absurd things that happen or thoughts that are had. Like, shes supposed to be undercover so intense that she gets sent to prison but she admits it to the first person who asks?

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. 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.

This Book didn't resonate with me personally. It lacked the emotional connection I need to really feel the 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.
All opinions are my own. Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the e-arc.

I definitely enjoyed Silvercloak! The concept of magic being fueled by pleasure or pain was incredibly unique and the world building was very very strong. I did find Saff to be a bit hard to follow as her motivations didn’t seem to match her actions. I also was thrown off a bit by the pacing of the story as a whole. We were given a lot of information that wasn’t necessarily progressing the story that far but then thrown off completely with the pace change of the ending. Overall a good story that added something new to the cookie cutter fantasy/romantasy we have seen lately! 3.5 stars rounded up!

This was my first Laura Steven book but I can already tell that it will definitely not be the last. I just clicked with her writing style and enjoyed it so much.

I loved the world building and how well thought out the magic system felt. It was fascinating to discover how pain and pleasure fueled the magic in different ways and how different cultures lean more on one or the other.

The characters were not spotless, faultless, perfect iteration of good or evil. They were so complex and real. I loved seeing both sides of Levan, not being able decide if he was a monster or just a little, broken-hearted kid who needed some love. I loved his and Saff's dynamic, them both struggling with their past and their feelings for each other.

I gasped, giggled, screamed and worried. And then worried some more. I don't know how I'll wait for the rest of the series, I really did not want this book to end.

Thanks a lot to Random House and NetGalley for this arc!

The world building, incredible.
The magic system, amazing.
The characters, well developed.
The pining, beautiful.
The spice, chefs kiss.

I simply loved everything about this.

The writing in this captures you, draws you in and suddenly it’s 2am and you should really be sleeping but just one more chapter.

Saff and Levan’s relationship is so well portrayed. Whilst Saff is fighting to keep her morals she can’t help but be drawn into his world. I loved the push and pull of their relationship and whilst they maybe falling for each other they continue to move towards their own goals.

That ending. I need book 2 in my hands, as I just know it’s going to be explosive!

‘This is how villains are born.’

"Oh, she thought, horrified and fascinated in equal measure.
This is how villains are born."

I cannot even begin to explain what Laura did at the end of this book!!

Okay, okayokayokayokayokay, where do I begin?!
First off, after reading and absolutely adoring Our Infinite Fates last year, Silvercloak was one of my most anticipated reads for 2025 and boy, did it deliver.

I'm so impressed by this book. I wasn't really sure what to expect given that this is an Adult high fantasy and very different from OIF, but it totally blew my expectations out of the water.
You can tell that Laura put a lot of thought and effort into building the world and the magic system—I loved both so much. This was giving mafia-esque vibes, the magic system was detailed and layered, the world was dark, rich and immersive. I was simply engrossed, obsessed, fascinated from the first chapter.

Both MCs, Saff and Levan, were complex and flawed—I loved them, especially Levan.
They were so similar in their pain and tragedy and even though they had different views of the world having been brought up in a different manner, they were both mirrors of each other, their Fates intertwined long before they realized.

"Perhaps there was a darkness in him that called to a darkness in her."


I had some issues with the romance, it definitely wasn't as emotional as OIF. Saff and Levan's connection felt undermined by the story’s casual portrayal of physical intimacy but given that it's pleasure-and-pain based magic system that didn't bother me too much, I guess in a sense I was expecting something similar. One thing I'm gonna say though—this is how you do enemies-to-lovers!! There was danger and tension and mistrust, and that leash-on-the-throat scene absolutely had me in a chokehold.

I loved the mystery surrounding the Bloodmoons, the plot twists most of which had me guessing till the very end, and I don't want to say much about the plot because everything you need is in the synopsis, everything else should be experienced.

That ending would've had me SCREAMING if i hadn't finished the book at 3am. The way I was cursing and reeling after reading the final sentences of the epilogue!!! My brain is still scrambled, I have no words but I do have a lot of questions 😂
Literally cannot believe everything that was revealed at the end and I'm on my knees BEGGING for the sequel. Cannot wait to see where Laura is gonna take the story after that explosive ending, I'm actually equal parts excited and terrified.

Silvercloak is one of my top fantasy reads so fat this year and I won't know peace until I have book 2 in my hands.

eternal gratitude to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC

Absolutely phenomenal. My first novel by this author and boy was it a good one. I was absolutely enthralled by the storyline, kept on my toes with the constant sense of betrayal afoot, and overall just trying to figure out what was going to happen. The two main characters I enjoyed. The complexity of their backgrounds, purposes, and the threads that weave them into each others lives (for better or worse) were great. One of my favorite reads of 2025 so far. I am sad I will likely have to wait a while for book 2, but I am DYING TO FIND OUT what is next!!! I am so here for the vibe the ending gave us for what book 2 is going to be like. Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy!

I was kinda disappointed with this story. It had a lot of potential, but just fell flat for me. I feel like there’s too many info dumps that stopped me from truly enjoying this story.

I believe the premise of this book has a lot of potential. However it reads as more of a YA (I don’t believe it’s been marketed this way however apologies if I am incorrect)

It felt like there was too much hand holding to really tell the story. Like how sometimes you have no idea what’s going on and you’re a bit lost… this was the exact opposite. I kept waiting for action/ plot to pick up but ultimately for me this wasn’t it.

I do however think for fans of more YA fantasy this will be a really good fit

*DNF at 25%.*
I'm trying to pinpoint why I couldn't get into this one. The concept sounded so intriguing, but overall wasn't executed as I was hoping. Saff, the main character, just contradicted her motivation with every action and I think it just bothered me. It was like everything she was to do she didnt because of poor decisions but it worked out in another way somehow. I think I'd have liked more time at the academy too, especially to feel more emotional connected to her cohort, as they seem to play a role more after they leave the school. But it was hard to believe the emotionally attachments on what little was shown versus told of each. By the time we get more with the Bloodmoons, I had a hard time buying into the love interest and felt the pace was slowing. Might give it a try at another time, as the magic system seems unique and I liked the mafia vibes, as well as the diverse representation of characters, but overall not sure this is for me. Saffron just kept making bad decisions that I found it hard to accept her as an undercover agent.

At first I wasn’t sure how I was feeling about this book. It was slow at some points but the last 100 or so pages really made up for it. The magic system is phenomenal. Using pleasure and pain to fuel their magic was totally unique and led to some really intense scenes. The world building was top notch. The characters were complex and gripping. I found myself loving and hating some of them simultaneously. The slow burn romance was one of my favorite parts. The last bit of the book is where I found myself completely engrossed and wanting more.

DNF at 25% - arc review. I did enjoy the concept of this book before reading it, however I found myself to be too confused by it. I’m not sure whether it’s because this is my first epic fantasy but it was just so much information that I found myself disconnected from the plot and therefore the characters as well. I may pick it up again in the future if I ever want to try the genre again however for now I will be dnf-ing.

If you love the concept though and are familiar with the genre this could be perfect for you. Laura’s writing is beautiful as always this book just wasn’t up my alley unfortunately. Thank you netgalley for the arc and giving me the opportunity to try a new genre.

The story is a great mix of adventure, magic, and personal struggle, and I found myself invested in the characters and their journey. What I liked most was how layered the main character was. They aren’t just brave or talented. They’re also dealing with real doubts and difficult choices, which made them feel honest and human. The world-building was solid and easy to follow, and the magical elements felt natural without being over-explained. The pacing was steady and kept me engaged. There were plenty of exciting moments, but also quieter, emotional scenes that gave the story depth. I also appreciated that the relationships between the characters felt genuine, whether they were friendships, rivalries, or something more complicated. If I had one small critique, it’s that I wished for a little more backstory on some of the side characters, but that didn’t take away from how much I enjoyed the overall story.