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Member Reviews

Thank you NetGalley for this eARC!

First of all, I really enjoyed this! I love a magical world with cloaks and wands but also magic fueled by pleasure and pain.

Cons: I think we needed a little more development of the relationships Saff had with her friends. For someone who has lived through so much pain and is relatively detached, she has really close bonds to her classmates while also somehow not knowing them super well. Her unyielding loyalty to them was admirable, but at times confusing. Secondly, her time in the Bloodmoon’s was simply too easy. She really walked in there and got branded a Bloodmoon in only a few hours work - something that’s never been done before. I dunno, seemed way too easy. Lastly, the “why” of bringing back Levan’s mother after 20 years - seems a bit far fetched. I would understand better Levan & his father trying to carry out her goals in her name.

Pros: the enemies to reluctant friends w/ attraction - yes yes yes. Also I love a dark & broody villain who’s secretly a softie (particularly one who loves books). Secondly, the twists primarily with Levan’s power as a Compeller & his ability to use magic on Saff (I want to know why that is so bad and you can’t tell me it’s just bc he’s powerful, there has to be more to that). Similarly to that, while Saff being a Timeweaver wasn’t necessarily unexpected, I am very interested in what comes from that and hope book 2 deep dives into her exploring this more. (Although I haaaaate that she gave up her parents necklace for an hourglass, girlie needs to go steal that back). Third, the prophecy aspect & how both Saff and Levan had received prophetic visions of each other was really interesting. Lastly, the epilogue chapter ohhh boy. I liked having Levan’s POV, however brief.

Overall, I liked a lot of this. I found it interesting and kept me hooked from start to finish, and I finished this in a day! I cannot wait to see what comes in book 2, especially now that we’re back to enemies.

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Very good and interesting read! quite the love/hate relationship between the main characters. Kept me guessing along the way too!

Thank you NetGalley and DelRey for the opportunity to read this eARC.

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A world and characters filled with secrets, deception and actions fueled by revenge. There’s the Silvercloaks, the Bloodmoons and our FMC in the middle of all of it.

The book starts with this simmering tension. Our main character Saffron is heading into her last assessment at the academy to become a Silvercloak, and we already got hints of all the secrets the fmc keeps close to her chest. We get introduced to the other cadets, and get insight into a world we don’t yet know who to trust in, so when Saff’s deceptions get uncovered by the academy’s captain I was literally at the edge of my seat. I really loved that scene, the tension was so subtle, yet noticeable, I felt like I had to hold my breath.

The first part of this book had me convinced that this would be a gripping, interesting story. Sadly, the second half of the book slowed down for me, and the plot kind of dragged itself out. The tension was gone, and Saff’s time at the Bloodmoons didn’t really live up to what we were told it would be like. It all kind of felt lackluster at at around 70% I just wondered what we were even doing at this point, I just desperately wanted the story to pick up again.

I appreciated how you really get to understand the fmc’s motivations, you aren’t just supposed to accept her actions but actually get to really understand why she did/does everything she’s doing. It was handled in such a realistic way. She wasn’t unbeatable, she wasn’t the smartest person around, she didn't get away with every plan she made. You got to watch her struggle, fail and desperately try to fix any derailments in her plans.
It took me a while to warm up to our mmc Levan, his depictions often fell flat for me, he felt more like a concept than an actual fleshed out character, so while a lot of his characteristics had potential for emotional impact it just didn’t hit me as much as I’d like. I think there was more potential to flesh out the dynamic between Saff and Levan, before the big finale at the end.

And let me tell you, it was a big finale. Right when you think "Maybe everything will work itself out" everything goes downhill in a way you wouldn't expect. I'm definitely looking forward to the second book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for the ARC!

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I was tempted by this book - and I thank NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me a read.

I think what I thought the book was to be and what the book ended up becoming was what let me down. In this, the plot and what was at stake and how the character was written did not clash with one another as I hoped. Some will enjoy this for the Hogwarts style magic world, others will dislike it because of that reason.

Me? I just found it juvenile.

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This was a pleasant return to wands-and-cloaks fantasy, with an interesting and unique magic system, a hedonistic queer-normative society, and some much appreciated soft belly rep.

There was some solid world building and I enjoy LK Steven’s writing a lot, it’s very pretty. I’ve always longed for this sort of magic to be real, and I eat up pretty much anything that offers it up to me. That being said I think I’d have liked a longer time setting up Saff’s relationships so that they had a greater impact emotionally, I feel like only a few pages were spared to set the scene before throwing us into undercover mode and all the ramifications thereafter, and I wanted to feel really torn up about the fallout, but I just wasn’t that connected.

I’m still processing that ending, but all in all a solid read, looking forward to seeing what happens next!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey for the ARC!

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If you’re looking for a place to store your Harry Potter love, this is a pretty good book to do it. Still not sure how I feel about the ending, but this was a Harry Potter-esque (w/o the problematic notions attached) novel that was pretty damn good. I’ve read one other work by this author, so I knew I was familiar with — and enjoyed — their writing style, and it held up well in this novel. The worldbuilding was rich and unique and the pain/pleasure magic system while working wands into the mix was pretty clever and fun. There’s good queer rep here all around, which was a nice bonus. I did have a hard time feeling the connection between the two main love interests, which was the only downfall for me. However, I did enjoy the OTHER partner 🙂‍↕️😉 so that makes up for it a little bit. I, personally, loved this book all around for the most part, but I could see this really be a toss up for some. Thanks to NetGalley for ARC access!

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I cannot wait for the second book in this series. I loved that it was a TRUE enemies to lovers. Loved the queer representation. The author’s descriptions of torture/murder were very visceral which is usually not my thing but it worked well for me in this book. I already preordered the fairyloot version, very excited!!

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Silvercloak is a dark, emotionally charged fantasy that kicks off a gripping new series with high stakes, rich world-building, and a heroine you can’t look away from. Saffron Killoran, driven by revenge after witnessing her parents’ murder, infiltrates Silvercloak Academy and goes undercover in a dangerous criminal underworld fueled by pain-tinged magic. Caught between rival gangs, smuggling operations, and a prophecy that ties her to the kingpin’s son… who she may be destined to kill, the tension is thick with secrets, danger, and moral gray areas.

Laura Steven delivers another hit with a story that balances action, romance, and emotional depth. The enemies-to-lovers dynamic is compelling without overwhelming the plot, and the streamlined magic system is refreshingly accessible. While the pacing has a few uneven moments, the addictive writing, strong character arcs, and twisty plot more than make up for it. With a stunning cover and solid execution, this is a must-read for fans of dark fantasy.

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Silvercloak is a darkly seductive and emotionally intense fantasy that kicks off a bold new series with high stakes and a heroine you can’t look away from. Saffron Killoran’s descent into the criminal underworld of pain and pleasure fueled magic is gripping, and the undercover tension is thick with danger, secrets, and moral gray areas. The world-building is vivid and immersive, though at times the pacing felt a bit uneven. Still, the twists, layered characters, and brooding romance kept me hooked. A solid four stars for its originality, high emotional stakes, and addictive storytelling.

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thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the ARC! all thoughts and opinions are my own ✨

4.5 stars! ⭐ holy hell, this book was a wild ride.

the story in silvercloak isn't just cool as fuck—it's also incredibly compelling. we follow saffron killoran, a detective mage who is sent to infiltrate one of the most dangerous gangs in the city. what's more, this gang was directly responsible for the murder of saffron's parents twenty years prior. safe to say, she's got a score to settle.

the worldbuilding in this novel was very interesting, and the magic system was unlike anything i've read before. in saff's universe, magic runs on a reservoir of pleasure and pain, with each of these factors dictating its quantity and quality, respectively. while saff and her peers move through the world in constant pursuit of this power, readers soon discover that she's got a few uncanny tricks up her sleeve.

saff's journey into the criminal underbelly of the city is all at once fascinating, stomach-churning, and fraught with eternal tension. there are just enough twists and turns thrown in to keep you hooked on the plot and invested in the characters' fates. not to mention, a complex romantic subplot that had me teetering between the urge to bang my head against the wall and the urge to howl up at the moon.

my only complaint is that the conclusion felt a little rushed—with so many elements at play, the final showdown became a bit too crowded for my liking. i'm also aware that the copy i received was an e-ARC, but i hope that when this book is released next month, it will include a map of the world to make it easier for readers to picture the different countries/territories. but that's a relatively small criticism in the grand scheme of things. and after reading the (criminally) short epilogue at the very end, i'm practically foaming at the mouth for the next instalment in this series. my interest has officially been piqued, and i'm dying to know what happens next!

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A fun, easy-to-read story that I can see being many people's new favorite series starter! It's hard to find a title that feels truly unique in the romantic fantasy genre, but this one does a fairly good job. While the romance didn't really interest me, the magic system was captivating and unique and I wish we got more exploration of that and the world in general.

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Saffron Killoran, driven by revenge for her parents' murder by the Bloodmoons, lies her way into Silvercloak Academy to dismantle the gang. Exposed, she’s sent undercover, navigating rival gangs, smuggling, and feelings for the kingpin’s troubled son, tied to a prophecy of his death by her hand. Each day, she balances lies and loyalties, where one mistake could cost her life and everyone she loves.

This author can do no wrong in my books! I love this story. It was engaged the entire time and the writing was just as good as it was in our infinite fates. Also, the cover on this book is so cool.

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silvercloak - arc review
Saffron was six years old when her parents were taken from her, leaving her an orphan. twenty years later, Saffron has successfully lied her way in as a cadet at the infamous Silvercloak academy, finishing up her final assessment with the rest of her cohort, hellbent on revenge against the Bloodmoons - the group responsible for her parents deaths. when her deception is exposed and brought to light, she is given a rare opportunity - go undercover and tear apart the Bloodmoons from the inside: she can’t say no. but this will be the hardest role Saffron has had to play, she finds herself tangled in webs of lies and caught in her own corruption to save herself. she’s dedicated her life to vengeance, but now she just might die for it.

Saffron is one of the first fmc i’ve been able to see myself represented in fantasy novels as a plus size person. i loved how she talks about lovingly and proudly growing her tummy rolls as she grew up. as a curly girl, i also loved getting to see a fmc with natural curls! i did feel like this one dragged on around the 30% to the halfway mark. there was a lot of filler that didn’t feel needed to me personally and honestly left me a little bored. things started to pick back up around the 70% mark again. very interesting magical moments and world building, though i think maybe a little too repetitive in some instances.

rating : 3.75

tropes and things 🌙
- unique magic system ( pain & pleasure )
- wands and mages 🪄
- named chapters
- mid size fmc
- hidden identity
- forbidden romance
- feminine rage

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Huge thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey for the ARC of Silvercloak. I was completely blown away.

From the first page, the tension is sky‑high—the mission, the undercover stakes, the possibility of being found out… I was hooked!
But it’s the magic system that stole my heart: fueled by pleasure or pain, offering power at a deeply personal cost. It’s imaginative, dangerous, and woven into the story so cleverly

The idea of a supernatural law‑enforcement unit—mage detectives called Silvercloaks—is brilliant. Saffron’s mission goes from “take down the Bloodmoons” to “can I trust anyone in that family?” Her undercover infiltration is intense and emotionally draining, and the stakes feel real .
Plus, the romantic tension is delicious. The slow‑burn enemies‑to‑lovers arc between FMC and MMC is so well done—simmering chemistry that never derails the plot, but definitely adds emotional depth

High-stakes, morally grey characters, political intrigue, and a jaw‑dropping ending that left me craving the sequel—this is a 5‑star adult romantasy, no question.

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Rating: 4.75 out of 5

I really enjoyed Silvercloak! This was an immersive fantasy that was combination of Harry Potter wizarding with the gangsters of These Violent Delights. Filled with morally grey characters, this is certainly a story I will be recommending to my friends.

I found the magic system quite compelling: spellcasting requires pleasure to generate magical quantity, and pain for quality. It's honestly very creative, and adds the cost of emotion to power used in different scenes. I also appreciated the FMC’s bold stance on themes like religious freedom and the rejection of genocide. These are of course such basic things to support but in this day, some things do need to be said in plain and simple terms.

The protagonist is 27 (yes, over the 25-mark!), giving the story a slightly more mature perspective than your typical "chosen one" arc. I think the greatest aspect of the story was the emphasis on moral ambiguity. Saffron has gone in with intentions but with time, she starts to learn that there are certain things that she’s willing to do that could in fact be “villanous,” The ending (and that epilogue) have me desperate for book two. and I can’t wait to see how dark the story gets!

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An original gritty fantasy with bold magic and emotional depth, though not without a few bumps along the way.

Saffron isn’t chasing glory she’s out for revenge. Getting into the elite Silvercloak academy is just step one in her plan to take down the gang that shattered her life. But when her cover begins to crack, she’s not punished she’s given a mission: infiltrate the very people she came to destroy.

The magic system is a real highlight and a fresh take on wand based magic by having it powered by pleasure or pain. It’s immersive and deeply embedded in the world’s emotional and social dynamics. Even better there are multiple classes of magic each adding flavour and complexity to the world building.

Saff is a compelling protagonist: morally grey, driven and constantly forced to question her own limits. Her dynamic with Levan is another strong point what begins as friction turns into something slow-burning and full of reluctant tension.

The setting is rich in corruption where every bit of power demands a price and trust is dangerous. The writing blends grit and vulnerability well, and the ending lands with a punch.

That said, the story does lean a bit YA in tone for an adult fantasy, especially in the character dynamics and pacing. Some of Saff’s experiences, especially involving the Bloodmoon, felt a little too easy given the threat they’re built up to be. A few twists were predictable, which softened the impact of certain moments.

Still, despite those drawbacks the emotional stakes and unique world kept me engaged. If you’re into morally complex fantasy with dangerous magic, layered relationships and characters caught between vengeance and purpose this one’s worth picking up.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group – Del Rey, Random House Worlds and Inklore for the eARC.

Actual Rating: 3.75

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I really hope the finished copy has maps because the world is so interesting, and I think being able to see it laid out, both as a world map and as a city map would elevate it immensely. The two-sided coin of magic being generated (or refilled to be more accurate) by pleasure and powered-up by pain was such a great way to put a magnifying glass on our characters, like how far are you willing to go? What will you embrace or resist? What pain will you take vs self-inflict vs avoid? And I liked that Stevens made a point to say that “pleasure” didn’t just mean sex (though there was a dramatic focus on sex both by the MC and the society she inhabits, which was kind of weird and made me wonder a lot about prostitution laws and age restrictions and asexual people or traumatized SA victims in this sex-fueled lifestyle).

One thing that really got me (in a negative way) was just how often Saffron TELLS us that she’s cold, calculating, keeps quiet, and thinks on her feet. We don’t see that pretty much ever, so it rang false consistently. She’s always on the verge of panic and making rash and poorly thought out decisions. And while yes she is living in an elevated state of danger through most of the story, she is not coming from a place of comfort beforehand. And with how casually magic is bandied about she quite simply is not organized enough to have escaped her whole life without people knowing her secret. There’s just no way.

But if I ignored that and focused more on the bigger picture, I will be honest I had a great time.

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Thank you to Inklore/Del Rey and Netgalley for providing me with a copy for review purposes. All opinions are my own.

Silvercloak is a gritty, dark fantasy set in a world where the amount of magic that one has available is based on pleasure and indulgence, but the potency of that magic is based on pain and grief. The former has shaped the society that the main character has grown up in and spent years dedicating herself to become one of the elite Silvercloaks–an lawful and investigative entity in the city.

I wasn’t entirely sure what I was in for when I began this book; I was fully expecting a romantasy, maybe a bit darker than usual. However, the depth of the characters (ALL of them) in this novel was such a surprise. There are no simple good vs evil battles here–only a demonstration of how a character can walk the knife’s edge of what they consider their moral line to be… and what will push them over it. It repeatedly makes the reader question who they are rooting for and why, who they can trust, and what they would do if faced with the same choices.

All too often, the description of “enemies to lovers” in books falls so flat to me. At best, I find it’s usually mild dislike to insta love, which makes it a bit difficult to get fully invested in the romance, at least for me. Furthermore, I have found that I’ve been getting more and more bored with “spice” in romance fantasy. Not that I don’t enjoy a good smut scene, but it has lately felt so forced it makes me cringe and skip it. This book was so refreshing on both counts.

First, these are TRULY enemies to lovers (and then maybe back and forth again a few times). You can see why the FMC would find the MMC compelling while simultaneously being repelled by her feelings. To the second point, I didn’t find the spice boring because it was feelings-forward rather than sex-forward. Like I said, I enjoy a good smut scene as much as the next reader, but sex devoid of feeling and emotional investment in a romance setting always feels so hollow. This is one of the first books in a while where I didn’t feel bored or want to skip those scenes. They felt important and they were.
If you’re in the mood for a dark, complicated, emotional fantasy with high stakes, you won’t be disappointed. The pacing was excellent and I flew right through this book after being grabbed by the first few pages. The worst part? Now I have to wait for book 2!

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Laura Steven has knocked it out of the park again.
A solid 4 stars. I enjoyed the the magic system, I thought it was easy and uncomplicated which was a nice change to the super heavy and complex fantasy’s going around at the moment. It was a classic enemies to lovers to enemies… to lovers? And this kept me reading wanting them to develop more. I found this wasn’t too much either as it didn’t overcome the whole story. We follow Saff who watched her parents murder at the age of six and vows to take down the people who ordered their murder. She ends up undercover working for the kingpin who did this…
The story was well written, pacing was good, and the romance was intriguing. Would recommend and I cannot wait to get my hands on a copy!

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really fun and high-drama book throughout, though at points i felt like it had a hair too little of the drama? 4 stars. tysm for the arc.

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