Really liked this book, held my interest from the moment I started reading it. Great character dynamics and plot lines. May be a little too violent for some readers, but I thought it was a great book. Looking forward to the next one in this series!

Absolutely brilliant! Full of adventure, romance and secrets. I really loved the magic system or pain and pleasure. It was such a unique concept !!! Lo ef the writing and I cannot wait for more.

A new fantasy series, in world where the magic is powered by pain and pleasure, where a vengeful detective goes deep undercover in the ruthless Bloodmoons gang to get justice for the murder of her parents twenty years ago. How far will Saffron go to achieve her goal especially when lines start to blur when the Bloodmoon heir starts to worm his way under her skin. The same Bloodmoon heir she is prophesied to kill.

This was a deliciously addictive and dangerous read that will utterly captivate you. Saffron and Levan’s backstory is heartbreaking but together.. the chemistry is sizzling and the banter is amazing! The fact these characters were flawed and morally grey was perfect. Their relationship is fraught, complex, and emotional.

The push and pull between the right and wrong as well as between our characters has you turning the page to see how it evolves. This is all set against a rich world of prophecy, magic and human turmoil. The magic system was a unique take on wand magic.

The plot was twisty and thrilling. This was simply amazing and it’s only book 1! I cannot wait to see where the story goes. There is no way to predict what is going to happen it’s that well written. I read and did the audiobook; an immersive experience if you will. Just amazing. The narration was beautifully done and completely matched the story’s whole vibe.

Thank you NetGalley and Del Rey for this ARC Copy!

Last year I read my first book from this author and I absolutely her writing style so I was so excited to read this book. I loved this book so much! The magic system is so well fleshed out and unique, the characters have so much debt, and the prose is so beautiful. I loved every single second and can not wait to see what happens next.

3.5⭐ I can feel the potential of this series, but wow did it take its sweet time getting there. I get the need for world building, but it dragged so much I didn’t start caring until about 60% in. The whole “magic fueled by pleasure and pain” thing? HELLO?? That’s such a killer concept and yet… it never fully delivered. I thought I’d be hooked from the prologue, but after that it slowed way down. The magical university-to-government pipeline gave me big Harry Potter vibes (complete with wands and the whole “how you get your wand” moment), which I loved, but Saffron’s constant “omg I eff’d up but I’m sooo smart” loop made me want to shake her. Once is fine, twice is forgivable… ten times? The cliffhanger though? WILD. I’ll keep going with the series, but she’s not skipping the line on my TBR.

Thank you, NetGalley, for this ARC

The last line of this book deserves an award. 👏

That opening chapter? I was immediately in! L.K. Steven set the tone perfectly.

In this addictive new fantasy series set in a world where magic is fueled by pleasure and pain, an obsessive detective infiltrates a brutal gang of dark mages—knowing that one wrong move will get her killed. . . .

I mean, how could not be immediately hooked by that description?

This book feels like a breath of fresh air in the fantasy genre. I know some readers are comparing it to Harry Potter , but aside from the magic-and-wands nostalgia (which I’m not complaining about 👀), it’s very much its own story.

Saffron, our FMC, is a Silvercloak who is sent undercover to infiltrate the Bloodmoons, the very group who murdered her parents decades prior.

L.K. Steven did such a good job with the enemies-to-friends-to-lovers-to-enemies arc. Their relationship development just felt so natural and had me so invested! Levan is our misunderstood man of interest, and I will never not love the 'bad boy'.

This was such a solid read, the plot was interesting, the characters were interesting, the conflict between the Silvercloaks and the Bloodmoons was so fun and devourable! And while I did find the pacing to be quite slow for a chunk, I was still so fully invested and binged the last half in a couple of days! Especially that last 20%. 👌

For fans of magic with wands, enemies-to-lovers, undercover missions in a mafia-like organisation, betrayals, and revenge plots.

~

Trigger warnings:

– Violence and torture
– Death of a family member / friend

Thank you, netgalley, Del Rey, and L.K Steven for this arc. I can't wait for the next one. 🥹

Silvercloak was a good story. I liked the plot and premise with Saffron being undercover to infiltrate the Bloodmoons in this complex, crime riddled magical society. I think the author did a good job of developing both Saff and Levan as well as giving them a slow burn romance. However, I feel as though Saff initially presented as very skilled in her abilities at the beginning of the book, but those qualities weren't carried through well throughout the story. She spent the majority of the story just scraping by with unbelievable lies. The twist at the end is supposed to make the reader think a certain way, but it honestly just showed how Levan was more compassionate in some ways than she was--that his feelings were more authentic towards her than hers were towards him. Another issue for me was how Levan seemed to have mastered almost every ability except time weaving, and I've personally never cared for stories where a single character has pretty much limitless power. Each time he was revealed to have another extremely powerful ability, I rolled my eyes.

I wish we would've seen more with the character development of the secondary characters. The beginning of the book is focused on how close they all were, and we see this through Saff's flashbacks, but the all felt unimportant beyond just being classmates.

There were a lot of skilled mages who were easily killed as well, which also took away from the story. Frankly, the spell to turn people to stone, repeatedly severing the hand and re-attaching it, and the killing curse were used so much, that it felt exactly like reading the Harry Potter books because Harry primarily used a stunning spell and disarming spell and Voldemort and the Death Eaters used cruciatus (torture) and avada kedavra (killing curse). We're told about these diverse magical cultures and get to see snippets, but the magical elements could have been flushed out more beyond repeatedly using the same spells. I'm hopeful that the author will build on this in the sequel.

I enjoyed the enemies-to-lovers element of the story. The slow burn was well written. It will be interesting to see how this romance continues in the sequel considering how the ending and epilogue concluded. I liked how morally grey Saff has become and look forward to reading more of this. Overall, I enjoyed the story.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey for letting me read an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book! The world-building is incredibly rich and immersive, creating a setting that feels both familiar and refreshingly original. The high stakes kept me completely engaged, and the plot twists genuinely caught me off guard.
While I appreciated the magical elements and setting, I did find the magic system somewhat reminiscent of Harry Potter, with its deadly curses, wand shops, and mage school structure (and although the magical well concept was new and unique it felt forgotten in the thirst act). Additionally, some of the flashbacks felt repetitive and occasionally drew focus away from the main storyline. The frequent references to the FMC's parent death, while clearly important to the character's arc, became a bit excessive and could have been streamlined.
Despite these minor issues, this was a fantastic story, and I'm genuinely excited to see where the sequel takes us. Highly recommended for fantasy readers looking for their next captivating series!

This world and the magic is so intriguing. Magically power being derived from both pain and pleasure takes this story in some fun and interesting directions. And having an MC that is immune to magic at the center of all of this adds yet another layer. I do love how this characteristic of Saffron is used throughout the story to both limit and strengthen her. I also love how conflicted Saff becomes as she is undercover with the Bloodmoons, a group that killed her parents yet whose motivations remain unknown to the world.

As she understands their motivations that lay at the heart of their crimes, her heart softens toward Levan, the kingpin’s son and next in line.

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

There are some convenient things we learn about Saff that make certain plot things happen, yet despite not usually being a fan of that convenience, it works here. I also really love that even Levan addresses the power dynamic issue between himself and Saff. And the epilogue sets up the sequel very, very nicely. I cannot wait to see what happens next.

Thank you to @delreybooks for the eARC and @prhaudio for the ALC. All thoughts are my own.

Silver cloak is an original fantasy which I found immediately interesting, a world where magic is powered by pleasure and pain, what’s not to love. Saffron is training to be a silver cloak but there’s a fallout and the story starts right in the thick of it and you see her ultimately infiltrate a notorious criminal order in the underworld, the bloodmoon, to avenge her parents. The set up was intriguing and definitely kept me turning pages.

The magic system gives you old school magical vibes with wands and magic spells. Saffron is a forceful and flawed protagonist, shaped by the grief of losing her parents in an awful way as a child and hardened by her vengeance against the bloodmoon. I loved how saffron tried to keep her her moral compass in this when she was forced to do awful things.

The enemies-to-lovers tension with Levan is electric and fueled by prophecy. Levan is so tortured and I loved uncovering more about him as they got close. Their chemistry had me so invested and that ending!

The plot moves swiftly throughout the book, it’s dark and gritty and has lots of twists and turns, some of which I saw coming! Overall its a rich fantasy with a morally complex hero and a bold magical concept.

The first few chapters of Silvercloak hooked me instantly! The stakes are high from the start and Saffron’s undercover mission into the Bloodmoons pulled me right in. I’ll admit, the middle section slowed down quite a bit for me, with a lot of time jumps and some repetition that made the flow tricky at times. But the payoff was worth it — the ending is intense, emotional, and completely unputdownable.

One of the biggest highlights for me was the magic system. It’s unlike anything I’ve read before, with layers of detail woven into every part of the world. From the unique magical abilities to the rival gangs to the intertwined histories of the characters, everything feels meticulously crafted.

The story also delivers one of the strongest portrayals of morally grey choices I’ve seen in fantasy. Saffron is constantly forced to weigh the cost of her actions, and it really makes you think about whether the end justifies the means. Add in a slow-burn romance, dangerous undercover work, and a prophecy casting a shadow over everything, and you’ve got a tense, character-driven story that lingers long after you finish.

By the time I turned the last page, my heart was in pieces and my jaw was on the floor! I am already desperate for book two.

I absolutely adored this book! From the moment I opened its pages, I was drawn into a richly woven tapestry of characters and an enchanting magic system that felt both fresh and immersive. The way the female main character, Saffron, gradually navigated her journey into morally ambiguous territory was captivating. It’s been far too long since a story held my attention so completely that I found myself devouring it in just a single day.

Saffron’s internal struggles offered a compelling peek into her soul as she grappled with the dichotomy of her actions versus her personal beliefs. She was a multifaceted heroine—flawed yet relatable, making her quest all the more engaging. Meanwhile, Levan, the male main character, emerged as one of the finest portrayals I’ve encountered in a long while. He epitomized strength without succumbing to the overpowering, possessive, and narcissistic tropes that often plague male leads. Instead, Levan exuded a blend of dominance, assertiveness, and charisma, all while remaining refreshingly respectful and complex. This portrayal truly stood out and made the reading experience exhilarating.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone looking for a spellbinding story that intertwines depth with magic!

Received as an ARC from Netgalley.

The last line of this book was so JUICY.

Silvercloak is a true enemies-to-lovers with mages, hidden identities, secrets and real life or death situations.

Saff is undercover for the Silvercloaks, a detective within the Bloodcloaks ranks. She’s trying to avenge her parents while also gaining intel for her superiors. But she didn’t count on Lavan, the kingpin’s son and the prophesy intertwining the two of them for a decade.

The tension, angst, and world building were all there for me. The magic system was rich and really intriguing. I thought Saff was a little bullheaded and stubborn, but I guess that’s part of her charm. Lavan was mysterious, broken, and a literal villain. Their tension, banter, and slow burn relationship development had me hanging on every word.

Thank you to DelRey for the arc!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore for the eARC.

I saw someone say this was a dark Harry Potter + Mafia mash up and that is the absolute truth. The prologue alone hooked me immediately and I loved the world building. I am eager to continue to read the SIlvercloak series!

Wow…..just wow!
Infinite stars if I could!!

Saffron has spent her entire life training to be a Silvercloak, waiting for the perfect moment to seek her revenge on the Bloodmoons and avenge her parents death. Little did she know that revenge would come in the form of a prophecy. Prophecised to kiss and kill the kingpins son, will she be able to see it through or will her emotions get in the way?

This book is so incredible! I’ve not read anything that I have fallen so in love with since ACOTAR and Fourth Wing. Laura’s writing is phenomenal and the world she has created in this book is exceptional.

The magical system in this is so unique and unlike anything I have ever read before. The detail that is in every element of this world from the magic itself, to the different “gangs” to the overlapping and intertwining of characters and their back stories, is truly intricately perfect. But despite the world being complex it is still so easy to read and get lost in.

The slow burn was, was so achingly slow and that ending 😱 I’m lost for words….give me the next book now!!

If you love:
- Unique magic
- Time travel
- Slow, slow, slooooow burn
- Enemies to lovers
- Prophecies

Then you’ll love this book! Out next week! Honestly do not hesitate to read this. You will not regret it!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. The cover got me. I loved the dynamic motion in it and jumped. So glad I did! The magical world within this story was nicely built. I was not expecting a mafia inclusion in this recipe and I am not sure about my feelings. There were a few repetitions that could be shortened, it could have easily spiraled me towards losing my focus but I persisted. I am waiting for the sequels and surely there is a huge potential from the story to go on. Thanks

Propulsive and somewhat anxiety-inducing, I couldn’t put this down. Silvercloak stats with a strong hook, and I found myself compelled to keep turning the pages. Overall, I quite liked the dark edge to this mafia-esque romantasy. The magic system wasn’t overly complex, and I felt fully immersed in the world.

I recommend this for readers looking for a darker fantasy romance with lots of tension.

What to expect:
🖤 Morally messy heroine
⚔️ Hidden identities
🪄 Blurred lines
🖤 Enemies to lovers tension
⚔️ Revenge plots
🪄 Pleasure/Pain based magic system

“In this addictive new fantasy series set in a world where magic is fueled by pleasure and pain, an obsessive detective infiltrates a brutal gang of dark mages—knowing that one wrong move will get her killed. . . .”

I wanted to love this one. I really did. It started off strong and then somewhere along the way things got bogged down and slow and never really picked up. Everything was OK and I did wind up finishing, but only because I really needed to see what the ending was going to do.

For me, all in all, an OK book with a lot of potential. Hopefully the other books are able to pick up the pacing and the main character energy and chemistry.

A very special Thank You to NetGalley, Del Rey, and the author for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I am so conflicted on this one because on one hand, I did really enjoy the story and the magic system, and then on the other hand, the pacing made it difficult to stay engaged throughout a fair amount of the book. Enjoyed the magic system (even though I think some of it could have been explained). Enjoyed both of our morally grey characters. The ending definitely leaves you guessing and interested in what will unfold in book 2!

Rating: 3.5 stars

Thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey for an e-ARC of this book - all opinions are my own!

I think this may be the best read of the year. I love books about witches (mages) and magic. This author creates her own spin on it and creates a unique world that keeps the reader locked in. The ending was a cliffhanger (which I don’t love if I don’t have the next book lol).

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️