Thank you so much to the publishers for the arc of Silvercloak. Wow, what a book this was, I didn’t know I was missing wands and cloaks in my fantasy reads u til I read this book. It was a wild ride. As usual, Laura Steven’s writing is so beautiful, and I was fully immersed in Saffrons world, and the world of the Bloodmoons and Silvercloaks. This was smart, sexy, suspenseful and wonderfully magical. I’m writing this just after finishing the book, and it’s still sinking in, just how amazing a read it was. I loved it, I’m so so glad this is part of an ongoing series, and I cannot for the other books, and to continue Saff and Levans story.

This book was fine but I was constantly ticked off by the stupidity of Saff's decisions. She is supposed to be one of the top of the top as a Silvercloak, and yet she was constantly making dangerous mistakes due to impulsion or a lack of intelligence. I felt that made it difficult to root for her as it was obvious why she is finding herself in such trouble.

Silvercloak delivers a richly atmospheric fantasy that leans into shadow and intrigue. The story’s mix of dark magic, complex characters, and a creeping sense of dread kept me engaged from start to finish. I appreciated how the narrative didn’t shy away from exploring the grimmer aspects of power and loyalty, grounding the fantasy elements in emotional reality.

The prose is measured and evocative, creating a moody, almost tangible world where nothing feels entirely safe. While some pacing moments dragged a bit, especially in the middle, the tension never fully slipped away, and the stakes felt real and personal.

Character development was a highlight — the protagonists are flawed and nuanced, wrestling with their own ambitions and fears in ways that felt genuine. I found myself invested in their journeys, even when the choices they made were difficult to accept.

Though not without its imperfections, Silvercloak is a compelling read for those who appreciate dark, serious fantasy with layers of mystery and psychological depth.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC!

Thank you so much for this ARC, I was very excited about it, and it did not disappoint! The magical system was intriguing and well-built, the characters and the mysteries build around them made the whole narrative even more dynamic, and I appreciated the fact that they were more adult, it was easier to relate to them. I was a bit miffed about some of the choices that the main character made, but I enjoyed the character development that she went through.
It was an enjoyable read, and I can't wait to see what will happen next!

A very compelling and intriguing read. I loved the characters and the way representation was weaved in so seamlessly. The magic system was also so fun and the plot kept me hooked from start to finish. Would definitely recommend! Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for the ARC!

4.5/5 stars! I was granted an ARC of this book. Silvercloak definitely opens up the world and I think has set the foundation and start of the story of this world to go in a great direction! I definitely felt that the first half of the book was not super exciting plot wise (even though the forced proximity and tension of the FMC and MMC was keeping my attention fully.) but I am okay with that, as it felt like a gradual slope up in tension and excitement throughout the book which never left me losing interest. Saffron and Levon’s moral dilemmas and realistic connection give the story emotional weight and compelling character arcs. I’m very excited to see where we get taken in the next book! I need more!

If you want a story to give you perpetual whiplash, this book is for you! Brilliant character development, world-building and plot. From the first few pages I was hooked and the more I read, the more I wanted to read. Saff gave me early Celaena Sardothien vibes (IYKYK) and this just bolstered my overall enjoyment. The story is fast-paced and action-packed from the get go (and fairly brutal in parts) & the magic system is really clever. It has a little spice, but I felt like this was more sub-plot than focus, which is good for readers who like more action & less heat. Overall, a really enjoyable read.

This was so good. I loved the plot and characters. It was paced perfectly. I didn't wanna put it down and was on the edge of my seat

This is my first 6 star read of 2026.

I sank into this story immediately - it’s so unique! A magic system that’s fuelled by pleasure or pain. A story based on a prophecy which felt like a dark cloud looming over the entire story - in a good way! Always having that outcome in the back of the mind makes for such an engaging read because you’re always wondering if a characters decision is going to move the story toward or away from that foretold outcome.

A beautiful, thought-provoking story that asks us to consider loyalty and love and righteousness and the lengths we would go to for them. It takes a stark look at “right and wrong” and how humans can convince themselves that wrongdoing is a sometimes necessary evil and how that impacts us in the long term. What scars do we carry because of our choices? What’s the butterfly effect of one teeny, tiny decision?

Fantastically well-written characters who are so flawed and so fallible and so relatable in how their past has shaped their entire lives, including how their behave in the present. Brutal backstories and clashing personal goals makes for a wonderful push/pull dynamic between the two MCs.

This is a fantasy with an element of brilliantly written, complex romance, but that romance is so loaded and hard won and tension-filled and full of mistrust and heartbreak but so necessary to the development of the story and characters without being overtly in your face.

One of the best things about this book is that it keeps you on the edge of your seat, literally to the last sentence! And that last sentence made my entire body in erupt with goosebumps!

This whole story is layered and deep and full of beauty and pain and so utterly engrossing that you will come out the other side of it not knowing what century you exist in.

*very gratefully received an as arc

If “Our Infinite Fates” was one of my most anticipated reads for the beginning of 2025 “Silvercloak” has been at the top of the list for Summer/Fall reading. I was absolutely blown away that I was again able to get this L.K Steven (Laura Steven) book as an ARC. I cannot wait to see her blow up like all the other fantasy writers that are becoming popular these days. I took my time with this book to really absorb the world and savor it.

Silvercloak is as compelling as it is magically beautiful. Dangerous and terrifying it builds a world you can immerse yourself in and don’t want to leave. This is the first in a trilogy and it starts off with such a strong world building experience. What starts off slow and delicate ends with such a powerful conclusion that I am so excited to read the next installment soon. The story follows Saffron as she seeks revenge on the magical mafia like family who stole her childhood when they murdered her parents. With her Silvercloak detective skills she must infiltrate the organization and not lose herself while going undercover. There is a lot of world building in this book as it lays the groundwork for the atmosphere and rules for the incredible intriguing magic system. There is a lot of lore and such a fun sassy “heroine”. I don’t want to spoil this magical world, please pick up this book and read it cover to cover.

Overall, I enjoyed this book quite a bit. The characters were solid with good arcs and motivations. The villians were fun to dislike and the main character's sass and angst were well done. I also liked the magic system. It is a bit loose but there weren't any times when I aw a major breaking in the set system. It was fun and made me want to learn more about the way everyone uses magic. Also there is a pet that comes into play and that is always a plus in my book.

A few things kept this at a 4 instead of a 5. The first being the romance. I enjoyed it and was even rooting for it but I think there were times where it felt over-contrived. I feel the same way about the ending. It wasn't that I didn't like the ending but it just felt a bit overworked. In the end I would absolutely recommend this book and I can't wait to see what happens next!

A dark and imaginative start to a new fantasy series. The setting is vivid, and Saffron is a compelling lead with a strong voice.
The magic system is very unique and the undercover plot adds the perfect tension to the story.
However, uneven pacing and some predictable twists kept it from fully standing out for me.
Overall “Silvercloack” is a solid pick for fans of morally grey characters and fantasy novels!

Thank you, NetGalley & Random House - Del Rey, for this eARC in exchange for my honest review!

✨ Silvercloak by L.K. Steven is the kind of book that makes you want to shove it into a friend’s hands and say, “<i>Trust me, just read it.</i>” It’s a spellbinding debut adult fantasy filled with cloaks, wands, queerness, and a beautifully complex world that’s as emotionally layered as it is deliciously steamy. Come for the magic system powered by pain and pleasure and stay for the tender heartbreak, the shocking reveals, and the kind of writing that makes you gasp so frequently!

From the very beginning, I found myself shook at how much I loved this book. One of the most standout elements for me was the way it approached religion and belief systems, thoughtfully exploring spiritual complexity and the importance of religious tolerance without ever feeling preachy. It’s rare to find a fantasy world that weaves in ideas about faith, identity, and power so seamlessly.

And then there’s the queerness. My god, the queerness! Silvercloak doesn’t just include queer characters, it’s a fully queer-norm world where attraction across gender and even kink positivity are beautifully integrated into everyday life. When Nissa casually drops a line like, “Is that what you call letting me drip hot wax all over your body until you beg for mercy?” in public, and no one bats an eye because “almost everyone in Ascenfall was attracted to all genders, and almost everyone was kinky as hell”—I just about screamed. It’s funny, it’s freeing, and it felt so refreshing to read.

The magic system is another huge highlight. Wand-based spellwork powered by the extremes of human experience (pain and pleasure) makes for an absolutely fascinating and at times scorching dynamic. Yes, there are spicy scenes. Yes, they are sometimes very public. And yes, they are some of the most creative I’ve ever read in fantasy.

But this book isn’t just hot. It’s smart, intricate, and occasionally gross in that perfect fantasy way! L.K. Steven’s writing is vivid and immersive, never shying away from the gritty or the gut-wrenching. The slow burn enemies-to-lovers arc? Flawless. The mystery and plot twists? Kept me glued to the page. And somehow there’s even a time travel element that’s both essential and expertly done. (I usually hate time travel plots, but this one? Chef’s kiss.)

Silvercloak has officially become a contender for my favorite book of the year so far, and I truly cannot wait for others to experience it when it releases on July 29th. If you love adult fantasy that’s bold, queer, sexy, and deeply thoughtful, do not let this one pass you by. Book two cannot come soon enough!

This book had such potential. When I first started it (up until the 20% ish mark), I couldn't put it down. I thought the worldbuilding was interesting, the main character resonated with me, and I was intrigued to see where it would go. While the plot was nothing I hadn't seen before, there were enough factors at the beginning of the book that made me want to continue.

However, that quickly changed - once I got to the middle of the book, it started slogging together. The factors that interested me at the beginning of the book just became eh. Despite the main character literally going undercover and allegedly starting at the bottom of the organization, things come way too easily for her. Why is she going on missions with the kingpin and the kingpin's son when she's barely been there for a few weeks, if that? Things fell into place a little too conveniently for me.

This book, while supposedly the author's debut adult novel, feels more like it's on the YA side with aged-up characters, lots of swearing, and sex scenes. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but as someone who has aged out of most YA novels, some portions of this book felt a bit young for me.

Loved reading the mesmerizing and spellbinding story. When Saffron's parents are brutally killed, she will do anything and everything to avenge her parents' death. Read the highly recommended, wonderfully written, and a must read riveting story. Can't wait to read the next story in the series!

**Spoiler Free**

Still trying to formulate my words for this review. This was a great read.

The magic system was awesome. Genuinely unique and not something I've come across before. Laura did a spectacular job of creating a magically world that made sense and was conceivable, and I was enamored by it.
The world building was my favourite kind - enough to get your imagination picturing the places, the objects, people etc but not over explained so you lose interest after three pages of descriptions about a wooden door. The world itself is well built, explained well and the map is top tier.

The characters were well thought out and their personalities really came through in the writing. The FMC was my kind of person. Quick wit, sarcastic in places and she has the best intentions. The MMC was your typical big, bad-but not-boy with a backstory but he most definitely won me over. The side characters also shone through.

The story line itself was gripping. I don't want to go into too much detail here and spoil anything so all I'll say is that it was a good balance of calm moments and action packed moments. The final few chapters had me going with the twists, turns and revelations. It was left deliciously open for a second book, which I will be certainly reading.

All in all, it was a really well thought out book. Fantasy, romance, fate, a smattering of spice... all the good stuff! I thorough recommend this book to those who like those kind of things.

Thank you to Random House Publishing, Laura Stevens and Netgalley for the ARC.

The magic system was unique and I appreciated that the magic wasn’t unlimited and the pain/pleasure system for amplifying/restoring the wells.

I would have appreciated learning more about the world it’s set in, but maybe that’s me being greedy. I loved all the tidbits I did get.

It was whimsical, dark, and totally sucked me in. I already want more. I want the next book, I want spin offs from different points of view or histories of the world and different nations, the laws of magic, the wars mentioned in the story, chapters from The Lost Dragonborn.

The first book is a strong start. I think this series has a lot of potential to be something special and I’ll definitely be along for the journey.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the eARC!

This was such a wild ride! My first L.K Steven book, I am definitely hooked and can't wait to see what comes next in this saga! The world-building was really interesting, the regilious aspects of the magic were also refreshingly unique, even if I didn't quite like the echoes of the magical system of HP in the wands/spell-casting/latin language, but that didn't take away from this book overall.

I loved the morality shifts in the characters, and the depths of why they do the things they do, even if they know it's not right. That last line rocked me! I truly can't wait to see how the relationship between the main characters evolves over time. 4.25/5

I’m obsessed with this book and desperately need the sequel! The mix of nostalgic magic with mafia conspiracy set against a unique pleasure/pain power system have me hooked. I need to see where these characters go next!

The plot: Saffron has conspired to join the elite Silvercloak detective academy in a bid for revenge against the Bloodmoon gang who slaughtered her parents. When her lies are discovered, her only shot at salvation is a dangerous mission undercover within the very same gang. Amid the violence and deception, her growing attraction to the kingpin’s son and his mysterious fallowwolf bring new risks. Can Saffron survive this web of lies, prophecies, and powerful enemies to restore her good name and avenge her parents?

My review: I expect this series will be HUGE and the hype will be well-deserved. L.K. Steven masterfully balances a propulsive plot with deep relationship arcs and quirky magic. The characters are incredibly well-developed, even those who die after just a few pages. Saffron and Levan are incredibly interesting alone (and together) and the collision course they’re on is addictive. I love that the world is openly queer and breaks the confines of more traditional magic/creature systems within the genre. With 100 pages left, I was torn between two instincts: speed read to find out what happens and slow down to savor each page before the long wait for the sequel. I recommend this to any fans of fantasy!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing - Del Rey for this ARC!

Summary: Saffron Killoran, driven by revenge for her parents’ murder by the Bloodmoons, infiltrates Silvercloak Academy to become a detective and bring them down. When her lies are uncovered, she’s instead sent undercover into the Bloodmoons’ world to dismantle them from within. As she navigates dangerous gangs, dark dealings, and her complicated feelings for the gang leader’s son, who may be fated to die by her hand, Saff’s mission blurs with her emotions. Torn between justice and survival, she risks everything in her quest for vengeance.

This book was goooood. I thoroughly enjoyed a magical world that spoke to the child in me who loved Harry Potter. However, this magical world was uniquely fueled, and I loved the lore of the Timeweavers and the prophecies - I wished there was a bit more, but I'm hopeful for a deeper dive in book 2. The romance aspect was overall good, although I did have a couple of questions by the end of the book about the "greyness" of Levan's morals. I will say, without giving anything away, that the last line of this book was a hook, line, and sinker and will definitely make me read the next in this series. On top of that, the Epilogue created stress that will build a strong base for the continuation of this story. I do wish that there was a tiny bit more world-building - it was sprinkled throughout, but I didn't feel like I had a complete picture. This obviously wasn't a deal-breaker for me, and I can't wait for the next read from L. K. Steven!

A huge thank you to NetGalley, Random House, and L. K. Steven for allowing me access to an eARC in exchange for my honest review!