I really enjoyed this one! A nicely crafted magic system with different ranks and roles, complex characters with contradictory intentions, and some poetic moments littered in.

I’ve been looking for this kind of wand-wielding magic system for a while, and Steven has definitely pulled it off well. I loved the way each magic class interacts, and the possibility of having multiple specialities. It feels much more realistic than being bound to only one or having that as a ‘chosen one’ outlier, and I found Saffron more enjoyable as a protagonist with her exemption being more unique.

I was throughly hooked by Saffron’s plotting and Levan’s mysterious nature, despite initially being worried about the ‘dark and brooding’ cliche. His reasoning and glimpses of the rest of his personality are soft enough (and, have their own motivations beyond being awakened by love, which usually irritates me) that it works. I can always feel sympathy for a character who gets emotionally attached to books.

For me, the only thing missing was the connection to the rest of the characters and the outer world—I didn’t feel much emotion at all during the deaths, because I just didn’t feel like I knew them enough, and Saffron was too ‘in the middle’ for them to be hard hitting to me. I think it may have been more effective had she either been reaching out to them more mentally or physically, or putting up more of a solid stone wall from reacting. Something about it wasn’t extreme enough, and the same can be said for the worldbuilding. A little glossed-over in parts.

But as I said, these are details that merely would’ve taken it to 5 stars—I did enjoy this to a 4 star level regardless! I would recommend it!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4.5 Stars 🌶️ 🌶️ 2.5 Spice

Silvercloak is one of those books that lures you in with whimsical magic and then punches you in the gut emotionally when you least expect it.
The magic system, rooted in pleasure and pain, is genuinely unique. It creates space for some really thoughtful cultural contrasts, with different societies leaning more toward either side. That dynamic was done really well. The world-building as a whole is rich and sophisticated. At times, it does feel a little heavy with exposition, but the depth more than makes up for it.
The queer representation is beautifully broad, touching on every aspect of the LGBTQIA+ spectrum. It’s seamlessly woven into the story and never feels performative. Every character, from the main ones to the side cast, is fully fleshed out and morally complex. That said, with such a large cast, I did occasionally mix people up—but that’s also a sign of how much ground the story covers.
The pacing starts off on the slower side, which made it hard to stay fully engaged at first. But once I hit around the 75% mark, I was hooked. The tension ramps up quickly, and suddenly I couldn’t put it down. The constant sense of looming tragedy keeps the emotional stakes high. I also appreciated the romantic tension and longing throughout. The graphic scenes are rare but well-placed and fit the story perfectly.
This gave me strong magic mafia meets adult Harry Potter vibes. Early scenes felt almost nostalgic, before veering into darker, sharper territory. I will absolutely be picking up the sequel—if only because of that last devastating diary entry.
One thing that gave me pause was the brief mention of “Ludders,” the non-magical population. They’re clearly marginalized, but there’s no real reflection or commentary on that by any character. It felt like a missed opportunity and left me a little uncomfortable. Also, the tavern scene at 32 percent… I have questions. Logistical ones.
If you love dark, character-driven fantasy with political intrigue, queer magic, and emotional chaos, this one’s worth your time.

Thank you to Netgalley and DelRey for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Silvercloak is the first book in a new fantasy series. This book has romance, spice, an interesting magic system and eyeballs that arent in the places they should be.
Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for the opportunity to read and review this book which I am giving 3⭐️.
I liked both the FMC and MMC in this book, especially the fact that they bonded over a nerdy fantasy series of books that they both loved as children.
Unfortunately the relationship between the two characters and the magic system being interesting just wasn’t strong enough to overcome the fact that this is basically your average “cop who infiltrates the mob undercover, falls in love with someone on the inside and gets in way over their head” storyline. Because this is book 1 and we need a cliffhanger to continue with book 2 we end up with a completely predictable ending that left me wanting more.

This book has been such a fun read!

If you’d like to read about people spending their time annihilating each others with wands, then pick this book!

Unexpected turns of events, unpredictable characters (you might even struggle to trust the FMC), and a well-built plot with lots of mysteries and secrets! This book has it all to keep you turning pages.

Be prepared for betrayals, old grudges and torn decisions…

Well, I am struggling with the review. 
I enjoyed the book, it is interesting and well written but so predictable that I cannot say I really liked it that much. It took me a bit to get through it due to knowing the characters motivations and book ending since before the 50% mark. I also couldn't connect with the main character and the chemistry between her and the love interested wasn't particularly strong, and their relationship seemed unlikely to me.
But despite this I enjoyed the inner turmoil and thoughts of the main character, for me is what saved the book and made it possible for me to finish it.
In all, it is not a bad book, but not one I will be recommending very much. I am sure tough that many people will love it. And I can see why.

Silvercloak was such an unexpected gem for me, genuinely and honestly, it felt like such a refreshing change in the fantasy genre. I didn’t realize how much I needed something like this until I started reading it. It’s bold, gritty, and delightfully unique. From the prologue, I knew I was in for something different. L.K. Steven delivers a story that’s equal parts darkly magical and emotionally layered, and while the plot may have occasionally wandered or lost focus, the sheer originality and immersive world more than made up for it. The vibes, the world, the characters, it all just worked for me.

This book is fun. The kind of fun that pulls you in and makes you want to sink into its world, no matter how shadowy or sharp-edged it gets. One of the biggest highlights for me was the world-building. Imagine a wizarding underworld built on pleasure, pain, and power, where magic is replenished through these experiences, and every spell has a cost. So genius, twisted, and fascinating. I loved seeing how far some characters were willing to go for power. The rules of the setting were not only clear and well-established, but also deeply compelling. There’s an almost alchemical mix of organized crime/mafia vibe, queer-normative culture, and high-stakes magical conflict that makes the world feel alive, raw, and completely believable.

The story doesn’t shy away from its darker themes, but I think that’s why this book works. Magic, violence, desire, and heartbreak are all woven together in ways that kept me hooked. The emotional highs and lows felt earned, and the final chapters left me breathless like literally, I think I held my breath for the last few chapters. I’m still in shock and awe. I wish I could talk about it without spoiling everything haha.

All in all, Silvercloak is something special. It’s clever, creative, and unafraid to get its hands dirty. If you’re looking for a fantasy that steps away from all of the plots we’re used to, this is it.

*Thank you to Del Rey for the eArc in exchange for an honest review.

This is something I’ll recommend to those that want something unique, something that stands out within the fantasy genre. After reading Stevens “Our Infinite Fates” and falling in love with her writing and her characters , I knew I had to get my hands on whatever she writes next. It was easy, because this comes out in July. And I was lucky and incredibly fortunate enough to pick it up. The adrenaline that I felt reading this was raw and real. In this, our main character saffron is ready to take her final exam. Not the type of exams that we take, no! But one to join the silvercloaks. But what happens when your powers are now the centre of everyone’s attention, and rather than doing what you were expected to do, you’re now going to be going undercover to see what the bloodmoons are up to? This was a blast to read and it was wonderful to get to know the characters . 5/5 stars!

I was so so so impressed by the world building and the magic system. It is not easy, after the success of Harry Potter, to write magic systems based on wands that feel truly innovative, but Laura Steven did this wonderfully.

I also liked how well fleshed out the characters are, and how diverse they are in every way. Even minor characters were wonderfully written.

This fantasy novel swept me away with its rich world-building, compelling characters, and a plot that was both adventurous and emotional. The author’s imagination shines through every page, and the story felt both epic and personal. Perfect for fans of immersive, character-driven fantasy.

Loved this one! The tropes were my jam and the magic system was fascinating. The characters were well written and developed and I couldn't get enough of this. I'm excited for book 2!

I loved everything about this book. The worldbuilding, the diverse cast of characters, the magic system, the slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance - it delivered on all of it. It was so fun getting a magic system with wands, spellcasting, and so much more for an adult audience. The development of Saffron and Levan’s relationship was fantastic, and I loved how it all played out in the final chapters and epilogue. The side characters, their motivations, and everyone’s moral dilemmas throughout the story were also compelling. I genuinely could not put this book down until I finished it. I’m excited for the sequel!

Thank you to NetGalley and Del Ray for the ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC! I LOVED the magic system in this book. It was action packed and had my favorite trope (😉😉) so yuh girl is all in. Need the second one like yesterday!!

I would recommend this book to any lover of romantasy or fantasy. The book was well plotted, the characters extremely developed and the tension was amazing. The storyline was consistent and action packed so there was never a dull moment. Enjoyed this a lot!

I know a lot of people are saying this is like Harry Potter, and I really do have to agree. Even though it gives off Harry Potter vibes, it still feels new and fresh. So enjoyable and I would love to see more of this world and more of Saffron :)

L K Steven does it again! Man what an absolutely incredible fantasy. It has everything a fantasy should and then some. Also, can we please talk about the cover art? Perfection. Love it!

****4.5****
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC

I didn't know anything going into this read- just that it was a fantasy book written by Laura Steven- SOLD.
Come to find out the world is full of wand wielding wizards (with differing skills) whose powers are fueled by pleasure and pain.
I was pretty immersed from the first chapter and the pace just kept fluid from one event to another- whether it was physical, emotional, or magical.

Almost all aspects of this book were complicated enough to be interesting but no so much so that it was too confusing to follow; the world building, the magic system, the politics/hierarchy, and the writing style/language (though that it one of the things I love about Steven's books).

After all of the recent copy paste romantasy books- this story did not disappoint and felt refreshing.
I look forward to what's next.

This was an excellent story of embracing the darkness. Saff is faced with impossible choices, and forced to make impossible actions in order to survive. She's given the chance to infiltrate and take down the Bloodmoons, but the cost could very well be herself.

Thank you NetGalley and Del Rey for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!

Summary: Saffrons parents were murdered by the notorious Bloodmoons — a notoriously brutal gang with mysterious motives. Ever since their deaths, Saffron vows to seek revenge. She lies her way into the academy and trains to become a Silvercloak (an elite detective) with the goal of destroying the Bloodmoon gang undercover, from within their own ranks. Now that Saffron is a Bloodmoon, she must play the part and equal their ruthlessness — or else everyone she loves will be in grave danger. Her loyalties are tested when she starts to have feelings for the kingpins son, Levan, while also knowing there is a prophecy foretelling his death at her hands. The question becomes, how high will the cost of Saffron’s vengeance become?

Anything that L.K. (Laura) Steven’s writes is an automatic binge read for me! Her writing style is poetic, direct, and evocative — and this new world she created in this novel is truly as magical as intended!

I have seen some people compare this to a “queer mafia Harry Potter” with the whimsy of Howls Moving Castle (love!) but it definitely has its stark uniqueness that sets it apart from either comparison! The world building is amazing — I never thought it was boring or too much at once. The various Magics, items, and lore were so imaginative! And the pain / pleasure magic system?!? Absolutely crazy in the best way! It definitely inspires me to make my surroundings as cozy and comforting as possible to restore my own magic well 😂 I love that this is a multi book series so we can see more of the vast work Steven’s has created (I mean, did you see that map?!). This book was the PERFECT amount of fantasy/mystery plot with the underlying romance.

Okay, okay… so the Saffron isn’t the type of character I usually love and gravitate towards BUT I know it’s because she’s meant to be imperfect, flawed, and leaning towards moral grayness. This makes her the best type of character for a fantasy saga! Her character arc is going to be fascinating 👀 She is a very smart and somewhat arrogant — which plays along with her being an amazing gambler (in games and life). The chip on her shoulder from her parents deaths is heavy and it shows throughout the story how the grief shaped her into who she is. It is touching how much she cares for those in her life and how she begins to realize that revenge may not be worth losing what she presently has.

Now onto Levan… This man is like an onion — he has SO many layers and he makes me cry 🥲 I feel like I can’t say much about him without spoiling some great moments and revelations but he’s the definition of cold and hard on the outside and soft ooey gooey on the inside! He leans morally grey with a personal honor code which makes him a dangerous guy that’s for sure 👀 I loved seeing Levan and Saffron grow to care for another and where they will go next! Cause that ending had me SHOOK.

Overall, if you love unique magic systems, whimsical world building, flawed and layered characters, high stakes fantasy, undercover agendas / mysteries, forbidden love, found family, and a fallowwolf as a familiar… then you will love Silvercloak! 🪄⏳

Book Summer 2025 👀 - add to your TBR!

This was my first book by Laura Steven, and it was refreshing—detectives, dark Mages, mafia vibes, and going undercover - hitting all the marks. Having to gain favor with the kingpin's son - I was eating it all up.

Such potential with this series, and I enjoyed the complicated impacts magic has in this world that is explored throughout this book.

THANK YOU to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey, Inklore for the advanced copy. I loved it!

Harry Potter vibes with a Romantasy twist. I enjoyed this book.it was unique and interesting throughout.