I am in absolute shock over this book. Not only did it seamlessly blend magic, politics, prophecies and undercover missions - it gave us forbidden romance, enemies to lovers, morally grey wizards. I was addicted to this book and the plot was incredible. L K Steven is a mastermind and I cannot wait for the next book already. The characters were brilliantly written and using pain and pleasure as a currency for power sources is genius. I could not stop reading, I was on the edge of my seat. I think I felt every emotion possible while reading this and I won’t stop thinking about it for a long time. Harry Potter X Mafia - the blend we never knew we needed. I will be recommending this book to everyone.

I loved this! It was refreshing to have a fmc in her late 20s and already leaving school. The magic system was very interesting with the balance between pleasure and pain. I loved all the dark twists and turns I was hooked until the end and can't wait for the next one!
My only complaint would be that it would have helped to have a glossary for the terms like days of the week and months. I struggled a bit to start with the world building without a map or reference.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This may be one of my favourite reads so far this year !! Where do I even begin ! Silvercloak is the first instalment in an addictive romantic fantasy set in a unique world where magic is seemingly fuelled by pleasure and pain as Saffron our fmc who is a silvercloak, sets out to infiltrate the blood moons both on orders and revenge ! From there we watch her deal with loss, heartbreak, death and betrayal of the people she loves as well as her own morals and feelings as she meets Levantine, the ruthless blood moons kingpins son, who will stop at nothing to get what he wants, the enemy, who saffron is prophesied to fall in love with…. And then kill . We watch saffron deal with everything that comes along with that prophecy and how it alters her actions !
The magic system is just incredible, how effortlessly the spells feel so natural and well crafted. The multitude of different magical elements kept the book intriguing and exciting as the plot unfolded. I grew to love saffrons character and the way both her and levan both were powerful in their own regard whilst also being so completely different in their actions and reasonings . AND THAT ENDING ?!!!! I cannot wait for this to be officially released and to have a physical copy in my hands !!!

Thank you net galley and Random house publishing group Del Rey for this advanced copy !!

What if your fave mafia romance had magic, cloaks and spells? Or if Harry Potter had a Mafia, but their magic is fuelled by pain or pleasure?

Sounds intriguing, right? Well I have the perfect book for you.

This book follows Saffron Killoran, a detective who watched the murder of her parents by the Bloodmoons. But now a prophecy shows she must become one of them… 👀

Silvercloak had a bit of a slow start for me but I fully think that it was because I was in a book slump so I would take that with a pinch of salt! When I hit half way I couldn’t put the book down. It read like a Draco and Hermoine fanfiction to me which is not a bad thing (I would underline not if I could!). The enemies to lovers was brilliant and I felt like the MMC had a lot of complexities to why he was considered the villain. In fact the way Laura writes morally complexities is amazing. Saffron (FMC) is the perfect mix of tough and vulnerable. She’s spent her life hunting the Bloodmoons, but now she has to become one of them—forcing her to question everything she thought she knew.

I good at recognising patterns and I can usually guess book endings but I read for the vibes, yet I can honestly say that I did not know where this book was going so the plot twists really got me! Thankfully this book is a trilogy and Laura’s first adult novel and I will be buying the physical copy when it comes out 🩸🗡️

Thank you Del Rey for the opportunity to read this eARC

There is just something about L.K. Steven’s writing that is absolutely magical and downright addictive.

Everything—world building, character development, plot twists, action scenes, slow burn & tension—was perfectly balanced. And I love how the fantasy aspect overrode everything else because this proves you don’t need smut to enjoy a good book!

This was one of my most highly anticipated books and currently the best one I’ve read in 2025 so far. No doubt Silvercloak will be my Roman Empire until the sequel is out!

Thank you Netgalley and Del Rey for this arc!

Thank you to Netgalley and The Del Rey Team for the advanced readers copy.

I just finished this book and holy crap what a ride.

Silver Cloak was an absolute gem. The writing was fantastic—rich, immersive, and layered with subtle foreshadowing that made every reveal feel incredibly satisfying. Just when I thought I had things figured out, the story threw unexpected twists my way, culminating in an ending that left me reeling. And that cliffhanger? I really hope the next book happens sooner rather than later because I NEED to know what's going to happen.

If you love books that have a masterful buildup, Silver Cloak is a must-read.

ARC Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you Netgalley and Del Ray for this ARC.

That...that was utterly fantastic. I'm still reeling. I need to reread this book immediately. That ending!!? Oh my goodness. Talk about fabulous story telling.

This is a rich and fully fleshed out world. True consequences, hard choices, and flashes of pleasure. The character development is wonderful and I cannot wait to see how it all develops in the future installments, because this is very clearly the start of my next auto buy series.

The magic system is unique and fully functional, having forged a completely believable society and political structure. The emotional and physical battles woven throughout this story adding to the tension, growing and changing everyone involved.

A fun mix of world building and complex characters. The book started off slow with all the rich world building. The magic system caught my attention and what drew me to this book. Saffron struggles with the balance between the lines of right and wrong, selfish wants and her morals. The MMC was intriguing and as complex as the MFC.

With the magic system consisting on pleasure, spicy moments are expected.

I have not felt this level of wonder and elation reading a book since I read VE Schwab's "A Darker Shade of Magic" for the first time back in 2015. And—on that note—if I had to compare this book to any other, it might as well be to "A Darker Shade of Magic," my favorite book of all time.

I'm stunned speechless. I'm basically just looking at my notes and am trying to think of coherent sentences that accurately portray how much I love this.
The world building
The magical system
The story—the world's politics, the mystery, the high stakes of it all
God and the Characters: their flaws, strengths, relationships—everything.

I loved everything and I cried a lot.

Thank you NetGalley, Delrey, and LK Steven for giving me the ARC of Silvercloak in exchange for my honest review.

This has reminiscent bits of Harry Potter, but darker and adult. It has organized crime, timeweaving, and pretty much everyone is at least morally gray. Overall, it has a very intriguing magic system and solid worldbuilding. There were some aspects of it I simply didn't connect with or enjoy as much on a personal level, but I think many readers will enjoy this one a lot. And even with those bits that didn't quite work for me, I am still very interested to see how this story plays out next in the series!

Thank you NetGalley and DelRey for this ARC!

Thank you so much Del Rey for the Arc of Silvercloak!

This fantasy world is filled with mafia, detective work, the horror of addiction, and a truly intriguing magic system that is fueled by pleasure and pain.

This was a fast-paced, always entertaining read. I was sucked in from the very first page. Laura really knows how to write tragedy and build a relationship. She creates such realistic slow build warmth, confusion and guilt that comes with loving your enemy. And the twists I did not see coming!

Saffron is a fantastic character filled with trauma, determination and such fierce loyalty. She grappled with what was right for her community and what she herself could live with throughout this story.
Every character in this book was so multifaceted and intriguing to learn about. I never fully hated a single character, regardless of how evil they appeared or what horrifying actions they performed. So few people are truly one directional in their intentions towards good and evil.

This book definitely shows you how easy it is to take good intentions and become a villain all in the name of love. As they say, the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

Overall, I loved this book and that ending has me clamoring for the next book! Where Saffron and Levan go from there, I have no idea. But I can't wait!

Silvercloak is a dazzling blend of mafia intrigue and wizardry. It’s a harsh world, but a captivating story about power and who gets to wield it. Personally, I couldn’t put the book down—I devoured it. Levan quickly became a favorite of mine; I think I might have seriously fallen for him. The author did an outstanding job of making me question so much of his motives—bravo to you for that.

Now, here's where I have a few more thoughts. Saffron, in the beginning, is sharp, calculating, nostalgic, purposeful, and grieving. Her character is beautifully complex, especially when it comes to her revenge plot. However, once she enters the Bloodcloaks, it’s as if she loses all sense of intelligence. She becomes one of the worst spies ever.

I don’t mind when a character is overconfident in their abilities only to fail spectacularly—that can be amusing—but Saffron's decisions really frustrated me. She was so reckless, and personally, I didn’t feel the conviction behind her desire to be a spy was compelling enough to justify her actions. I wish there had been stronger reasons driving her. I’m especially annoyed by her decisions, knowing how badly things can go, yet she presses on anyway.

So, my hope for the next book is that Saffron becomes much smarter and tougher. As for Levan, keep being you—I’m all in on your character. Overall, I’m deeply invested in this series now, but please, strengthen Saffron’s reasoning and decision-making!

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this AMAZING eARC!!

his was my first read by Laura Steven, and I’m honestly wondering where this book has been all my life. If you loved Harry Potter, this will absolutely scratch that same magical itch—only better, with adult characters and a fresh, captivating world.

The fact that the characters are grown adults navigating magic, life, and everything in between instantly set this apart for me. Saffron (Saff) is such a standout—witty, determined, and impossible not to root for. The world-building is rich, the magic system feels original, and the whole story was an absolute joy to read from start to finish.

I’m already planning my reread and recommending this to everyone I know. I need more of this world, and I can’t wait to see what’s next!

Let me say this upfront: 6/5 stars highlight. My mind is blown. What will I do with myself now?

This book is perfection start to finish. A magic system with wands, spells and potions. Magical powers that are fueled by pleasure and pain.
Saffron is a Silvercloak aka one of the good guys. And also has a secret, because she is immune to magic. Levan is a Bloodmoon aka one of the bad guys. And also the kingpin's son.
Yes, this is a Mafia-esque story. And while I'm not too keen on Mafia stories, I loved this book with all my heart.

Saffron goes undercover with the Bloodmoons, and dangerous doesn't even begin to describe it. But things are not as they seem, and she puts everything at risk for the mission, and herself.

Oh, did I mention Timeweaving? Well yes there is the forbidden power of manipulating time, but don't worry, the timey-wimey is not used willy-nilly, it's with plan and woven into a tight - and did I already say perfect? - story.

The ending was all I wished for and also not what I expected. I need book 2 now!

Between this book and Our Infinite Fates, @LauraSteven has become an auto-buy author for me, who I trust completely with any story.

5/5 stars (and more if possible)

Thank you @netgalley and @randomhouse @delreybooks for the eARC!

#Silvercloak #Netgalley #Bookstagram

I'm tapping out at 60%. I skipped to the ending and guessed early on how this would end and I was correct. I hate this trope...
I started out really like this, and then everything that happened was either too convenient or added at the last seconds an after thought to fix a plot hole. Lazy writing and storytelling. For an Adult book, it came across rather juvenile and surface level. I also felt no connection whatsoever between the main characters.
I'm rather bummed because I was looking forward to this. I'm sure plenty of readers will love it. I just didn't.

In an oversimplified summary, Silvercloak is an undercover cop-crime thriller that is set in a fantasy world of magic that is fueled by extreme emotions (i.e. gratification, suffering), but below the surface it is much more complicated. It begins with a young woman who looses her parents to racketeers and killers as a child; growing up with the singular goal to get justice or maybe revenge. Her goal takes her all the way to an elite detective force where she is offered the chance to infiltrate the gang that she is after. But, much like the old idiom suggests, our protagonist, Saff's best laid plans veer off course time and again. Some of the complications stem from Staff's own magical abilities; some from the main antagonist, Levan; and then there is the time rewind feature that makes the usual twists and curves feel a bit like spirals. This story was a delightful escape that balanced an crime procedural with a bit of romance in a world of magic. The twist at the end that spirals through to the epilogue cinched my need to read the sequel.
I received access to this eARC thru NetGalley (for which I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher, Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore) for an honest review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

UGH I loved this. I finished her other book last week and I have been hand selling it since Tuesday. I was so stocked to see she has another book and I couldn't wait to pick this one up. It was everything I could have wanted! It was a like an adult Harry Potter but better and bisexual. I also really appreciate the queer and body positive reality this world has and how casual and normative Steven makes it. The end plot twist was actually something I was not expecting. I thought it was going to be the "oh I betrayed him and now he will hate me" BUT NO he was also betraying her. It made it much more layered and the plot kept twisting. I can't wait for the next one!

I was really excited to read this book, especially after how much I loved the author's recent YA novel. While there were elements I genuinely enjoyed, sadly this title didn't quite live up to my expectations. I mean, it’s not a very bad book—I just hoped for something extraordinary. And unfortunately, this one fell short.

First of all, I must say that I really liked the general idea behind the novel. The premise is exciting, featuring a female protagonist who infiltrates a criminal organization to seek revenge for her parents. All of this unfolds in a unique and intriguing world where magic is derived from pain or pleasure, with elements reminiscent of Harry Potter, such as wands and spellcasting.

Unfortunately, despite the promising idea, there are several aspects of the book that were poorly executed. What bothered me the most was the fact that, even though this is an adult novel, it still reads like young adult fiction—albeit with gruesome scenes and explicit content. The characters don't feel mature or complex enough, and the story itself lacks the depth I would expect from an adult novel. It’s clear that Laura Steven does not really have experience in writing epic adult fantasy books.

The writing isn't all bad, but there are sections that feel clunky—especially at the beginning, where the magic system and worldbuilding are explicitly explained. While this may have been intended to clarify the rules, it often comes across as overexposition and disrupts the flow of the plot.

There is a romance in the story, and paradoxically, it might be my favorite element, even though it strongly resembles a dark romance, which isn't really my thing. The pain-pleasure aspects make the relationship between Saffon and Levan more convincing, and I think this was executed very well. However, what bothered me and, to some extent, hindered my enjoyment of the dynamic between the characters was the plot armor around the FMC. I won’t go into detail to avoid spoilers, but let's just say this: the protagonist infiltrates a very dangerous organization that does gruesome things, yet her experience there is far less harrowing than it should be, given the circumstances. Simply put, it wasn't plausible enough, which caused the middle of the book to drag for me, and I even considered DNFing. Fortunately, this changed in the second half of the book, which was much stronger, with some revelations I enjoyed. Honestly, the last 30% saved the whole experience for me—I was quite hooked, as this was the level I had expected. However, the way the book ends (literally the last 2-3 pages) left me feeling a bit icky again. It felt very naive and, once again, not mature or complex enough for an adult novel.

All in all, this isn't a terrible book, and I'm certain many people will love it. It just missed the mark for me. That said, I believe most of its issues could be addressed in the sequel. I'll read the next installment, hoping it will improve.

⭐ 1/5 stars - DNF at 72%
I found myself checking "time remaining" constantly while reading this book. Finally gave up at 72% because the frustration wasn't worth it.
Saffron's (Saff's) characterization makes no sense. One moment she's completely outmaneuvered by the antagonist (who straight-up tells her "You're not as clever as you think you are" after she accidentally reveals her friends' vulnerabilities), then just pages later she's congratulating herself on being excellent at reading people.

The magic system has zero consistency. She gets exhausted from maintaining a single illusion but later casually mentions that timeweaving doesn't tire her at all. The author seems unable to keep track of her own rules from chapter to chapter.

Secondary characters fare no better. Nissa fails torture training (which becomes a major plot point), then is immediately described as "indomitable" with "emotional culverts" that drain away trauma. Around 60% into the book, the protagonist suddenly professes deep love for Nissa with almost no friendship development shown on the page.

The worldbuilding is a confusing info-dump from page one - Silver Cloaks, Bloodmoons, religious organizations, magic classes, and an academy trial the protagonist has supposedly worked toward for decades, all thrown at the reader with no clarity about why any of it matters.
The romance is unconvincing. Saff and Levan are never established as equals, yet during a kiss scene the text suddenly declares them "two equals, two halves of one whole." The intimate scenes read awkwardly, with characters essentially pointing wands and muttering spells at each other.

The kingpin antagonist is described as having "no threads of affection to tug" before immediately showing remorse. The author tries to explain this away by calling him "highly erratic, a walking contradiction" - but that reads more like inconsistent writing than complex characterization.

This book feels like a first draft that needed significant editing. When an author can't keep track of their own story, it's impossible for readers to stay engaged.

This is the epic fantasy kickoff I didn’t know I needed, and now I’m absolutely hooked. From the very first page, this book pulls you into a world brimming with magic, spells flying, high stakes, and dark forces so intense they make the Death Eaters look like child’s play.

It’s action-packed, twist after twist, with no holding back. The world-building feels vast, like the start of something massive, an entire universe ready to be unveiled. I can already see this becoming the next big thing in adult fantasy, with merch, cosplay, and an entire fandom rallying behind it. If you grew up with Harry Potter and crave that same immersive, magical thrill but on a whole new level, Silvercloak is your next obsession.

I need book two ASAP!!!!