The cover is geourges and the blurb promises a dark and dangerous world full of secrets and life-threatening suspense. Yet the execution is everything but that.
Everything gets treated like a joke. Neither the fmc nor the narrator takes anything in this world seriously, which is why the atmosphere is very lackluster and doesn't portray this dark and moody world at all.

The magic system is incoherent and most things just got left unexplained.
I can't get over how they use their brooms like telephones to clal each other. That's so ridiculous. I just can't take it seriously.
Additionally, I hate how sexual the magic system is. Why do I need to have sex to charge up my magic powers ? This world wants to be different so badly and yet everything in here is just written to be another cringey romantasy.

Not only did I find the world building to be lackluster but also the overall plot. It's written poorly and lazily. We just skip forward so much. Right in the beginning, we skip all of the stuff happening in the academy. We only ever hear about the outcome. This book suffers heavily from telling instead of showing.

While the plot tries to be in the forefront, its poor execution fails to give it any relevance, which is why the romance is the only thing that felt developed in here. I really wanted this badass fantasy. Instead, I got another cringe romantasy. I couldn't take the banter between the two main characters. It was incredibly unrealistic and tried to be funny so hard it gave me second hand emberassment. Again, the way they talked didn't fit the setting and atmosphere at all. Nothing felt dangerous and dark.

The writing is very choppy and tries to be very pretentious and poetic. Instead, it often times simpyl was confusing, filled with poor metaphors and unnecessary complicated words that didn't add anything to the plot nor the atmosphere.

A thing that didn't sit right with me was the queer representation in here. Everyone's pansexual apparently and the fmc also has a sexual relationship with another girl at the beginning of this book. However, with how things progressed and how those queer relationships got portrayed I personally felt like it was queerbaiting. I didn't like the way the queer relationships got overly sexualsied and thrown away just for the most basic straight girl romance plot. The worst part is the they didn't even end up having chemistry. So it didn't even make sense to get rid of the queer couples for that.

The premise of this has a lot of potential and this could have been a really epic dark fantasy, if the focus would have been on a strong plot and world building instead of yet again another romantasy between the girl with dead parents and the dark and moody boy who's fated to be her nemesis.

This actually reminded me A LOT of the book "The dagger and the flame". Idk if it's just a coincidence but at times it felt a little too similar. Especially when it comes to the dynamics between the fmc and the mmc.

This was a hard one. I thought with the first few chapters I was really going to like it but as the story continued, I found myself wanting to pick up the book less and less. This is such a bummer because I LOVED our infinite fates by this author. I didn't really feel connected to the characters or plot. I also didn't love the use of pain and pleasure as a magic system even though it is unique. This won't stop me from reading things by this author in the future but this one just was not for me.

Brutal magic, morally gray leads, and a city governed by pleasure, pain, and the ever-present threat of betrayal. Silvercloak is an epic fantasy with a romantic undercurrent that pulses with tension—gritty, sensual, and at times surprisingly tender.

Yes, you could call it “adult Harry Potter,” but think closer to The Magicians or even Manacled: darker, sharper, more self-aware. The world Stevens builds is steeped in power and consequence—where magic is fueled by pain and pleasure, and fear shapes everything from politics to personal choices. It’s violent, visceral, and vividly atmospheric.

At the center is Saffron, a mage driven by a relentless desire to dismantle the Bloodmoon crime syndicate responsible for her parents' murder. She’s sharp, fiercely determined, and emotionally guarded—but her journey is one of gradual transformation. Each harrowing choice she faces forces her to confront the boundaries she once vowed never to cross.

Then there’s Levan, the Kingpin’s son—all fire and contradiction. Terrifyingly powerful, yet constantly reaching for something gentler. He’s got the off-kilter charm of a boy raised in blood but still clinging to wonder. A little High Reeve, a little Dorian Havilliard, all heartbreak.

Their dynamic is everything enemies-to-lovers should be: sharp-edged and slow-building, charged with fate but never passive. The way they clash, open up, unravel—it’s magnetic. There’s an invisible string tugging them closer, but rather than purely fated, it’s tangled in magic, desire, and choice.

𝑶𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒉𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒉 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈:
🐺 A canine familiar you’ll obsess over: Rasso is pure Golden Retriever energy until threats drive him to start ripping out throats
🪄 The magic system is tactile, original, and rooted in pleasure and pain in a way that heightens both worldbuilding and emotional stakes
❤️ Stevens creates a queernormative society without fanfare—it just is, which is so refreshing to see in fantasy
✨ Spice scenes here hit hard—and are made hotter by magic
🩵 Side characters that shine when given the spotlight (more Harrow in Book 2, please?)
🎲 A delightful nerdiness in our leads, who bond over books, author signings, and board games
💙 The writing is lyrical without getting precious, especially sharp in its sensory detail and emotional unraveling

I do wish the endgame had a bit more room to breathe. Some plot twists felt like they softened the emotional foundation that made the journey so resonant. The pacing also picked up just when I wanted it to slow down and linger. That said, Stevens has built a rich world full of promise, and I’ll be first in line for book two.

𝑻𝑳;𝑫𝑹: Silvercloak is the kind of romantic, epic fantasy that sinks in deep: rich with sensory magic, tangled loyalties, devastating attraction, and the slow, sharp unraveling of who you thought you had to be. Brutal, intimate, and compelling from the first page.

What if I said the character dynamics are like if Nova from Renegades met a less sarcastic version of Dorian from Throne of Glass if he was raised by Silco from Arcane? What then?


Silvercloak has been on my Netgalley TBR for a while, and I've been meaning to get around to it sooner but kept getting new ARCs with closer due dates. It's an adult fantasy that often gets compared to Harry Potter because the characters carry wands, but honestly, the world reminded me more of Ketterdam from Six of Crows and the magic system was vaguely reminiscent of by Katy Rose Pool. And, because I can't help but include one more reference, the plot reminded me a lot of Heartless Hunter. While reading, I kept making fun of the two main characters because they continuously referenced their favorite childhood book series (which one character wrote his thesis on?), but here I am, name-dropping a dozen other books.

I want to talk briefly about the worldbuilding, which I don't always discuss in-depth in my reviews. Magic in this world is born out of either pain, pleasure, or a mix of both. I found this concept to be super interesting, but some of its execution was a bit disappointing. For example, it is mentioned that pleasure can come from simple things, like delicious food, beautiful music, or pretty artwork, but most of the time it comes from sex. Saff offers that, "almost everyone in Ascenfall was attracted to all genders, and almost everyone was kinky as all hells," basically using the excuse that everyone is horny all the time so everyone gets magic from sex. I really would've liked to see more exploration on other ways to generate pleasure, rather than a flimsy excuse that completely disregards asexuality and other people who simply might not enjoy sex. If you're going to do a magic system like this, there are so many interesting things you could do with it beyond smutty scenes.

Back to the plot: Saff's parents were murdered by the Bloodmoons when she was a child, so when she gets the chance to go undercover and bring them down, she accepts it immediately. I thought it would have a bit more action and tension, given Saff was supposed to be undercover the whole time, but I agree with another review that mentions that she and Levan are pretty overpowered (although sometimes Saff seems not to have much depth to her magical "well" and other times she can perform dozens of crazy feats in a row). This eliminates some of the tension and slows the pace at times, but I still enjoyed the story. I almost wish there had been more of a mystery subplot or something, as Saff spent a lot of time with the Bloodmoons just sitting around, which also could drag at times. I called two of the major plot twists (one of them is extremely obvious), and the one that I missed feels like there will be more developments in the future. Similarly, I saw some complaints about the ending, and while yes, I did find it a bit convenient, I'm hoping the story will play more with the consequences of those decisions in the future. Overall, it's a promising start to a new fantasy series, and I'm excited to see where it goes in the future.

As I said before, these characters resembled a lot of other characters from other books and TV shows. I kind of expected not to like Saff, and while she did get on my nerves at times, I didn't mind her too much. Her snarky quips combined with her relatively inquisitive (aka nosy) nature made her intriguing to follow, even if I didn't always agree with her. I have mixed feelings about Levan because sometimes I thought he was boring, and other times I liked his character. He's kind of your typical "book boyfriend" love interest in that he's "morally gray," has some obscure but calm/artistic hobby (reading), and grew up in tragic conditions that led to an even more tragic backstory. I'm interested to see the continuation of his arc, but he does feel like he's trying a bit too hard in this book, and I hope we get more flaws. I compared Lyrian to Silco because my reactions to them were basically the same; I hated them at first, I hated them slightly less upon finishing their series, and now I still hate them a little bit but feel kind of guilty about it. Saff starts the story with a handful of friends that I found interesting (I love Tiernan and Auria), but they quickly became irrelevant, and I'm hoping they come back in the next book.

Silvercloak is the first book in an upcoming adult fantasy series reminiscent of many other fantasy novels but putting its own unique spin on magic systems and promising more excitement to come.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the free e-ARC!

4.25/5

So fresh, so fun! The comparison to Harry Potter really only comes down to the wand magic, otherwise this is a spectactular Adult fantasy with a slow-burn romance. I love the authors writing and world-building. Its vivid and formative, and easy to understand and visulize. Silvercloak is going to be huge and I can't wait for the next books!!

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!